The Shower

I just really wanted to show off the beautiful job my mother-in-law, Mara, and my Aunt Jan did on the shower they threw me this past June. It was gorgeous and so much fun. They must have spent countless hours planning, preparing, and setting up all the adorable decorations. They really outdid themselves and I am so grateful to them for throwing me this shower. I was blown away by the generosity of all the ladies in my family and ward. They are all such a wonderful example to me, and my girls once they get here, of love and kindness.

The ladies in charge. They are all so wonderful. Thank you!

Disneyland's 60th

Before Joe's bar prep began, we had the wonderful opportunity to go to Disneyland with the whole family! Thank you Mom and Dad! It was a blast. I knew I wouldn't be able to do much because of the pregnancy, but Mara was so thoughtful and got me a wheelchair to use around the park. I was so embarrassed at first, but it ended up being a lifesaver. There is no way I would have been able to walk around Disneyland at 26 weeks pregnant with twins! I did walk some, but often it was nice to just have Ezra sit on my lap in the chair whenever we went long distances.

Ezra sleeping in the hotel the night before our two day Disneyland trip. He was all ready with his Donald Duck and Pooh bear.

Ezra, Papa, Grandma Molly, and Pluto! This was our first stop!

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There was one thing on our list that was nonnegotiable. Ezra had to meet his favorite character, Donald Duck. So, right when we got to the park, Joe went to Guest Services to ask about Donald's schedule while Papa and Grandma Molly took Ezra to meet Pluto. It was a long line into Guest Services, but as luck would have it, Donald would be out on Main Street in only a few minutes! This is when the most magical part of the whole trip happened. We headed over to where Donald would come out and Donald singled Ezra out and made a beeline straight to him! Ezra was so excited to see his very favorite stuffed animal come to life and it only got better when Donald took Ezra's hand and paraded him down Main Street to where he would start the line for autographs and pictures. This was a dream come true for a little boy and his mama. Disneyland truly is the most magical place!

Don't let the picture fool you. He only liked the carousel when it wasn't moving, otherwise it was pure terror!

Ezra adored the petting zoo (which I had no idea existed), but unfortunately, he is not the future king.

This was the first time I ever rode the Mark Twain River Boat, a dream ride for a very pregnant lady with a toddler. Ezra and Evie had such a fun time chasing each other around and peeking out at the river. I'd rank this ride, along with It's a Small World and Winnie-the-Pooh, as Ezra's top 3 favorite rides. (His other favorites where Nemo's Submarine Voyage and the show, Mickey and the Magical Map). Disneyland is exhausting though. He conked out while we waited in line to meet Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore. Nap time won, and he didn't end up meeting them this trip.

Ezra loved the balloon "Donald Duck" that the restaurant balloon guy made him at dinner. Luckily it didn't pop even though Ezra kept throwing it on the ground. On Day 2 at Disneyland, we decided to check out Toon Town. Ezra enjoyed it, but I have to admit that I think they've really let this part of the park go. There are a few fun things, but it is mostly just empty or tattered space. However, since this part of the park is far less crowded, it was nice that we could let Ezra walk for a change.

We had to meet the star of Disneyland! Ezra wasn't very familiar to Mickey, besides him being in his coloring book, so I was surprised how excited he was to meet him!

It was such a blast, Disneyland! You look real good at 60 and your food is still to die for. We miss you and can't wait to come back once the twins are old enough and their parents are crazy enough. We love you, Disneyland!

Viva Las Vegas!

We made it to Vegas and are here to stay! My mom was a saint and helped us drive all the way down from Spokane - it was a long drive. I don't know how we would have done it without her. Plus it was wonderful seeing so many friends and family members on the way down.

Once we made it one of the first things we wanted to do was hit the Springs Preserve. It was gorgeous. We went to the new butterfly exhibit and the nature exchange. Ezra loved the gorgeous butterflies and having mom and dad follow him around the garden trails, but he especially loved the Pachinko board in the nature exchange.

We also had the opportunity to go on the High Roller at the Linq! I am terrified of heights, but it was a great view of the city and so fun to be with family watching all their sweet dance moves.

One thing Ezra learned from Grandma Sears is how to balance blocks on his head. We were sad to see her go, but she did come back in a month and now we look forward to seeing her when the twins come!

One of the most fun things we have seen in early Summer this year is Ezra playing with Evie. He was so excited to see her as soon as we moved down and so sad when she moved! We miss her and her parents! Ezra always makes sure to take over facetime whenever he hears Evie's voice. But on a brighter note, isn't the way Ezra says "Ah-Dah" adorable? I can't believe how much he has grown just over the past few months. He has already mostly given that cute phrase up and is learning so many little words! His latest is "Chee-Ah," meaning that he wants some chia seeds in his yogurt.

Twinning at 17 Weeks

17 weeks! #meservytwins 

This pregnancy is slowly inching by, so I thought it was about time I shared a bump picture! 17 weeks.... I could be halfway right now, but I sure hope not! I am hoping when we get down to Vegas my new doctor will tell me he is totally fine with my going all the way to 40 weeks as long as the babies are happy, healthy, and not too squished. We will see... a lot of twin pregnancies are induced by 38 weeks, so it depends on a lot of different factors.

These two babies are about the size of two onions, and at our last appointment it looked like we have two girls on our hands! They are pretty positive about Baby B who was not camera shy, but we still need to confirm our modest Baby A at the next ultrasound. I am feeling a lot better now. No nausea, with exception to the occasional teeth brushing sickness. I have a bit more energy, but am still exhausted for the most part, and my appetite is coming back! Hooray! The main side effect of twin pregnancy for me has been the frequent pelvic pressure/pain that I experience almost all day long. Oh... and the lower back pain. It really isn't that bad though as long as I make sure to sit/lay down frequently.
(Above picture is a 3D of Baby A. Below picture is a profile of Baby B)

In other news, Ezra started nursery today! He loved it. Although a bit hesitant at first, he was grinning from ear to ear when I went to pick him up. They nursery leaders said he didn't cry at all and was very good the whole two hours. And what a glorious two hours that was for me and Joe as well. We are still teaching sunbeams, but it is so much easier without little boy underfoot. Even after church was easier once we picked Ezra up. He was the happiest I've seen him on a Sunday in months. Once we got home he couldn't stop laughing and hugging me. Pure joy was bubbling out of him. I love nursery.

I didn't get a picture of Ezra going to nursery, but here are two from going on walks, Ezra's favorite activity. The first is him and Joe trekking out to feed the ducks. The second is at Discovery Park, the best kids park ever.