Celebration!

Things are moving along quite rapidly here. The boys are over one week old already! It's unbelievable. They are also gaining weight as needed, and mom is starting to get some sleep.

We've had other good news too. While I was in the hospital, we learned that the Suburban we wanted was finally approved and ready for us. It was a long ordeal, and we'd both written off owning the Suburban, as much as we wanted it and had decided to just make do as a two car family. Now it is sitting in our garage, and I can't wait until I'm allowed to drive again so I can be behind the wheel.

We traded our truck in on it, so the car, which has always been considered mine will be Dana's vehicle quite often. So he spent one of his days off cleaning it. It was filthy, and while I've cleaned it, I've haven't had it spotless in ages. I'm afraid of vacuuming up something special that the kids lost in it.

On my wedding day, my mom gave me her silver cross that she received as a gift from her sister on her 16th birthday. It has a diamond in the center and it was her first diamond. I wore it quite often, but one day the chain broke. I put the cross in a little holder in the car, with the broken chain, in hopes of finding a chain that matched. Then one day it was gone. Kaia and Mo had been playing in the car and things were all over the place. I looked and looked, but never found the cross.

Dana did a thorough cleaning of the car, and then sorted through the shop vac before dumping it. Guess what he brought me. Yes, I do have a wonderful husband! Not many men dig through the trash for their wives, but mine knew how much it meant to me.

A Matched Set

I was talking to one of the boys yesterday and told him that there was just too much cute for one baby. They are so cute that they had to be part of a matched set. We're still trying to tell them apart without having to look side by side at the size difference or by checking the wrist band or ankle band that are still on. Mo does this best, when he chooses to acknowledge they are people. More often than not, Brendon and Bryce are "it" and "that one." As in, "It looks like it's about to cry." Or "That one is hungry."

Right now we are all doing well and adjusting. I'm recovering from the c-section and tubal ligation, and not feeling well. The boys are being checked almost daily for weight gain, but yesterday the appointment went well enough that we do not have to go in today for a check up.

Thank you so much to all of you for your prayers! Also, I keep receiving wonderful gifts. The Belly Bandit and Lilypadz I asked for are here, although I'm thankful I received 2 Belly Bandits. The small is too small, so my mom exchanged one that she purchased here in town for a medium, and it is still too small. Soon... My grandma also gave us some cute burp clothes, we also received some from the hospital, we got adorable socks from my mom, and corduroy shoes from my aunt. Julie sent us some fabulous swaddling blankets. Grammy has been by to help feed and bring some treats for the older kids. My mom has been busy driving me around and helping in the house. Last we received news that the financing on our Suburban had finally been worked out, at what we wanted. So we have a vehicle that fits us all! I look forward to being back online more soon, but first we have to get past this every 3 hour feeding schedule.

The Boys

Bryce Walker
10/15/09
9:03 AM
6 lbs 3 oz, 20 inches long

Brendon Quinn
10/15/09
9:05 AM
5 lbs 6 oz, 19 inches long

We are all home and healthy. The boys never needed NICU or pediatric care. They roomed in with me the entire time. The entire family loves them, and they are very good babies. Thanks for your prayers, and I promise more photos and a full story soon.

Today's the Day!

Today is the day the boys arrive. Please pray for a safe and healthy delivery for the boys and I. Pray for Dana as he manages the house while I'm in the hospital and Kaia and Mo as they are separated from me for a few days. I can't wait to show you photos and introduce you to these boys!

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

I have one of our secret family recipes to share with you. Coming from the great line of cooks that I do, my mind is chock full of them... I could probably fool you all, if my family didn't read this, and half may have just wet themselves laughing so hard.

I can't think of one "family recipe." Most of our awesome recipes have come from a book, and sure they've been altered a bit, especially once they reach yours truly, but they aren't secret. I have no idea where this recipe came from, but what I do know is:

1. It's easy to fix
2. It's inexpensive
3. The ingredients are almost always on hand

So here it is, my favorite peanut butter cookie recipe. These taste better than any other peanut butter cookie I've ever eaten.

1 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 egg

Mix those three ingredients together. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Roll into small balls and press with a fork. Bake for about 10-12 minutes.

There you go, that's all there is to it, and they are divine!

The List

Julie mentioned in her comment yesterday that I should provide a list, so those who would like to help us with things for the boys can. What is funny is I don't know really know what I still need. I feel like a novice mom again. What should I have on hand for newborns? I'll give you a few lists, because that is how my brain works, when it works.

Things I'll need, but haven't purchased yet:

• Infant Tylenol
• Vaseline (small tub for after the circumcision)

Things I have, but will need more of:

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Formula (although we are waiting before buying this, just in case the boys have special needs)
• Meals for after the boys arrive
  

Things I'd like to have, but don't need:

• Bamboo Belly Bandit size small

• Lilypadz (these are similar to nursing pads but don't absorb milk, they keep you from leaking in the first place)

Maybe there is something I'm forgetting? I don't know. I did receive a nice envelope full of formula, diaper and baby stuff coupons from Danielle. And a friend that had her little girl yesterday, gave me the most adorable dinosaur hats and mittens for when they get bigger. Most of the things I will need are big and bulky, and probably cost more to ship than to purchase. So if you would like to buy me diapers, you can always buy a Target or Wal Mart gift card and specify diapers. I promise that the gift card will be matched up with coupons to get the best possible deal.

If you would like to help, you may email me at DTKMKihn at Yahoo for our address, or send to the church and specify the Kihn family or Brendon and Bryce Kihn:
Summit View Church of Christ
100 N 72nd Ave
Yakima WA 98908

Most of all, what we need, and what you are already freely giving is prayer. Prayers that these last few days go well. Prayers that the boys arrive safely. And prayers that we all adjust to life as a family of six smoothly. Thank you!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Grammy/Mom/June!

Just Days

We are just days away from meeting our boys! Today, I am 36 weeks. The boys will be here this time next week. It's exciting, awe inspiring and at times scary. Are we really ready for 4? Maybe not, but soon we will be a family of 6 and I'm sure things will all fall into place.

During the last few weeks, I received a big box of bottles, breastmilk storage bags and supplies from my friend in Philadelphia. That is a big need filled and I'm so grateful! Then last weekend my aunt stopped by with a box of goodies. She had board books for Kaia and Mo to read to the boys (they loved that it was a gift for the 4 of them to enjoy). There was also a nursing bracelet, an udder covers nursing cover, baby toiletries, and some pampering for me! She had razors, shave cream, bath scent, and a travel size package of Aveeno products for me to enjoy. I think the Aveeno will likely go into my hospital bag, as some will come in handy during my hospital stay.

The boys and I are still very healthy. While my legs look like an elephant's and I feel crippled, I am doing better now than I was a few months ago. My blood pressure has improved and my body is still keeping the boys in nice and tight. The boys also look great. Both were doing practice breathing, a very important sign. Brendon is still breech and hanging out more across the top of my uterus, while Bryce is in the alpha position with his little head down in my pelvis.

Thank you so much for all your thoughts, prayers and well wishes for us! I have some posts in mind for the next few days, but cannot wait for the big post announcing their birth and showing off their beautiful faces.

A Final Belly Shot?

Probably not, but it could be my last belly post, it's all up to the boys. One thing is for sure, in 2 weeks time, Dana and I will have Bryce and Brendon with us. It's exciting and anxiety inducing all at the same time.

How about a comparison? 15 weeks to 35 weeks

A few things have changed, and so our plans must be altered a bit. Due to the flu, no one under the age of 14 is allowed to visit maternity, NICU, or pediatrics at the hospital. Also only 2 healthy, adult visitors are allowed at a time per patient. Finally if your support person is ill, they will be required to leave. The 2 visitors at a time has been a policy for some time, but never enforced. I've seen groups of 8 walking to a room to visit the mom and baby. But, a security guard now checks in all visitors as they step off the elevator. I have to say that my NST yesterday was the quietest I've ever had. It was nice.

While we are really disappointed that Mo and Kaia will not be able to come to the hospital to meet their brothers, I'm happy that there won't be large groups of people in the halls, and that I won't need to worry about the boys becoming ill due to other people's visitors.

I'm not visiting or commenting on your blogs as much these days, but I will be back soon. That was often my break at work, but our internet has been slower than molasses in January. At home, I'm just flat out tired. I do appreciate all your prayers as the big day draws near!