Sometimes life gets away from you.

A few years ago while I was still pregnant with Dallas I had one of those crazy pregnancy dreams.   Only I kept having this dream over and over. So I looked into some of the aspects of said dream and decided to do something about it.   I prayed daily for answers to my questions, I prepared myself physical, mental and emotionally for what might come to pass. When that was said and done and I had my prayers answered repeatedly I decided it was time to get my husband on board. I think it took some time for him to be comfortable and understanding but he got there. That's when the real work began. Filling out an application. Blood tests, medical clearance and most importantly finding the right couple to work with.   And we did it. After 14 weeks of daily pills and nightly shots

and 2 very successful embryos transferred into my "oven"

 I was pregnant with twins as a Gestational Surrogate for the most amazing couple I could have hoped to work with. 

I know many of my friends and family had questions they wanted to ask and I feel I was pretty open about most aspects  of the process.  But through it all 

My biggest supporter was my son Nicholas. The very first question he asked after I explained what was going on was "Even though the babies aren't my brother and sister, can I still sing lullabies to them".  (My heart melted!)  my boys have been aware of each step of the process. And have been very understanding (more so then most adults)  after the embryos were transferred Nicholas sang to the babies and hugged them. He prayed for them daily!  He is our good luck charm!   

In ways this twin pregnancy was much like my other pregnancies. But in other ways it is completely different especially during the ultrasounds

when I felt almost like the third wheel in the room knowing that I need to be there since these babies are in me. But also thinking "what am I doing here these babies aren't mine."

It is the strange feeling.  By over all things were great.

No issues the entire pregnancy I kept waiting for something to make a twin pregnancy different/ harder but it wasn't I felt great the entire time I even worked up until the end (I took a few days off before the scheduled induction just to "rest up" for labor.

That brings us to last Tuesday.

Babies head down ready to go I checked into the hospital got all hooked up. start the pitocin and waited for labor to start. Although I was having contractions I felt nothing!!!!!!! May one or 2 tight pinches but nothing more. The parents showed up soon after and we were ready. They were going to hold their babies! Finally!

And then little Baby B (the boy) decided he didn't want to come out just yet. He turned completely around and moved up and over his sister. (Baby A who from the very beginning was in the right spot head down the entire time!)  Baby B was always doing things his own way so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised.  So after talking through the options and risks to the baby  we l decided to do a

c-section.   The parents were constantly apologizing for it coming to that option but I was fine I called my sister for a more "what should I really expect" talk and she was very helpful.  The actual surgery went well and it felt somewhat like an outer body experience. But as I laid there strapped to a table with my insides being moved and removed and rearranged my thoughts were on the parents. I couldn't wait for them to finally see, hold and touch their babies. I will never forget the look in their eyes as they pulled each baby from my Womb and we're finally placed in their arms. Pure bliss!  So at 38 weeks gestation on Tuesday August 23 Baby A was born at 6:27 pm  weighing 7lbs 9 oz.   and Baby B was born at 6:28  weighing 7lbs 6 oz.   Both competently healthy and adorable!  

LIFE IS GOOD!  

Beach Day!

We took a little trip down to Rhode Island and spent some family time at the beach.  It was the first time Dallas has been to the beach so I was really excited to capture his reaction to the sand, waves, breeze, etc. For the most part he loved it. I took him down to the water and he loved putting his toes in until a big wave came and knocked him over from then on he refused to go in. He would follow me all the way to the water and then shake his head no. I'm sure his next visit will be better. If not at least we know he can go 4 hours straight of playing in the sand! 

 

isn't he just the cutest little beach baby EVER!

 Brock and Nicholas loved the beach (they always have)  jumping in and out of the waves practicing their surfing stance, building sand castles and motes, filling buckets, Nicholas even helped me gather our traditional beach shells/ rock collection.  can''t wait for another day visit this week!

Love our beach days!

Tiny Mite Football

 it was bound to happen right...    Brock joined a football team.  His team is awesome. I've been to a football practice or two before but trust me when I say these kids ROCK.   I am so impressed with how much they do EVERY practice.

 Ryszard has even joined as a coach. It has been so fun watching both Brock and Ryszard take on new responsibilities. Brock must like it a lot. Because he has been coming home and teaching Nicholas all the new things he learns.

life with boys....

grass and hair

 taking pics of my boys on the grass (although Nicholas was in a bad mood so he was left out!)
and the reason I pull my hair back EVERYDAY:

 Dallas either pulls it out of my head, 

or Eats it. Not cool man, not cool!

a busy day!

we have just one day left on vacation here in Utah and we made it a busy one. hitting the Fans outlet in SLC,   and getting some awesome stuff. Visiting friends up in Ogden,
  a quick stop by Temple Square in SLC,

and dinner with another friend and meeting his baby.  Like a said busy!

the big 30

So lucky to be able to actually spend a birthday with my family all around. It just happened to be my Brother Matt's 30th birthday. It was Awesome!  We were just missing my sister Julie and her family. but I did get a pic of all cousins that were present.

 My gorgeous niece Julia! (apparently I have no idea where to look!)

 Making faces with the birthday boy!

 Aunt Caitlyn holding "baby Dallas"

 my niece Ashlin holding Dallas.

the boys with their Utah cousins!

Springville Quilt Show

I had the chance to go to the Springville quilt show with my Mom and sister Tammy (i took Dallas with us and left the other 2 boys with Ryszard) it was great. we saw so many beautiful quilts. Some of them full of awesome details like this one:

a grove of trees with each leaf individually cut out. I especially liked the quilting along the edge that resembled bark. this quilter was taught by his mother, and had 2 other artistic quilts.

then there was a love for Utah quilt:

and my favorites that i wouldn't mind someone making for me:

loved everything about this quilt the colors, pattern, border. yeah. someone make this for me please!
and then another one I liked:

After the quilt show we went to lunch at cracker barrel (first time for me) It was a great day. Tried  some fried okra, while Dallas had a lunch of sweet potatoes!
love spending time with my family

"baby Dallas" /first swim

 So fun bringing Dallas to see/ meet family.  He's the newest addition for my family the next oldest are our twins nieces Hailey and Krya who will be turning  four soon. they have been so excited to meet Dallas. Or as the call him "baby Dallas"  always baby Dallas never just Dallas. Some of the sweetest words ever hearing all 4 of our Balandran cousins say "I want to hold baby Dallas" every time we were together.  One day while we were visiting we decided to head down to the pool. 

 Thanks April for letting us come over and play!