It's been almost 3 years since this video was taken. In honor of the story in Playdate Magazine, I'm reposting this amazing video. The first 47 seconds is just the placenta, but after that, you'll see some boys.

Getting Published

Lately our family is being highlighted in a few local magazines.  One happens to be available to read online, and shows a photo of Kaia at the beach on page 30.  Another magazine recently quoted me regarding having pets and kids.  I was slightly misquoted, as we didn't have all the animals at once, but that's ok, the point is still there. 

The most exciting piece though, is that I have written an article about our TTTS story that will be published in an upcoming edition of Playdate Magazine.    I'm very happy about this, as I've spent over a year trying to get someone to notice the importance of telling our story.  Not for our publicity, but to create awareness around TTTS.  I hear of too many parents losing their babies to TTTS, and it's not ok.  I want all moms pregnant with twins to know about TTTS, whether they may be at risk, and the symptoms that a mom will have, if there is TTTS.  This story is a step in the right direction.  And once it is published, I will try to scan a copy or at least publish my story.

Precious

It's a week later, and instead of posting my funny Christmas list, it's more bad news.  Prayers are needed for a friend of mine.  We met on BabyFit while I was pregnant with the twins, and she was pregnant with her second daughter.  Yesterday, her daughter Sofia was suddenly taken to Jesus.  Just one year old, and already gone. 

My heart and soul hurt for her parents, Felicia and Ralphy.  I cannot imagine the questions their 3 year old daughter is now asking.  I spent yesterday crying and praying for the family, and continue to do so today.  While driving home, I was reminded of the words of Jesus: For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ (Luke 23:29, New Living Translation)  

I've never fully understood that verse until recently.  There is something different about the death of a child, once you have your own.  I do not mean that my dear friends without children, don't ache for the lost child, but something changes.  You feel the loss of another woman's child, as deeply as if the child were your own.  As a mother, we see how fragile our child's life really is, and we think of ourselves in that position.  Suddenly we empathize in a way we didn't know how to before we gave birth.

Dana and I have even discussed how different death is to him now that he is a dad.  The thought of losing a child, or even watching a drama about the death of a child is disturbing.  Something neither of us gave a second thought about before Kaia.

I ask you today, to hug your children a little tighter, or your niece or nephew or any child in your life.  Give them that extra kiss.  And join me in praying for Sofia's family in this time of great sorrow.  If you are willing join me in a partial fast, while praying for their comfort, strength and peace.   

Happy First Birthday

Dear Bryce and Brendon (or in photo order; Brendon and Bryce),
It is hard to believe that one year has gone by since we first met you boys in person!  You boys are one of the greatest gifts our family could have ever been given.  Your smiles, your laughs, and your distinct personalities make Daddy, Sissy, Big Brother and I so happy.

While you are "identical twins" it doesn't go much further than your DNA.  Bryce, you have become quite the little ham.  You love to laugh out loud, and try to make us laugh as well.  You have the greatest laugh.  You also have the loudest cry, and can really throw yourself down when you want to have a dramatic fit over something.  You remind Daddy and Me of your sister when she was little.  You love to eat paper, chew on cats, and crawl around on the coffee table making loud noises.  You have also managed to escape over and under the baby gate, and Grammy caught you sitting on top of the dining room table.

Brendon, you are always the first to look at a stranger and give them a grin and flirt.  You have a great giggle, but aren't a big talker yet.  You love to crawl up into Daddy's lap and just hang out.  You are so easy going and love to play with the toys.  You are quite the walker, and are working hard to perfect that skill.  You have learned to clap, and will applaud your walking efforts while waiting for everyone else to join you.  You've done almost everything first.  You watched Bryce attempt a crawl, and then got up and started doing it weeks before he figured it out.

Both of you love Kaia and Morgan, and both sets of grandparents, but you each have your favorite people.  Brendon, you have taken a particular liking to your Auntie Kristin, cousin Nina, and Bob one of the elders at church.  Bryce, you are drawn to Nana, Uncle Ian and Auntie Francis.

You both seem to eat the same foods, and love every food we've given you.  You both seem to relish peaches and watermelon.  Grilled cheese sandwiches and peanut butter sandwiches are both popular.  You both surprised me the evening I gave you lamb and green beans with rice.  I wondered if you'd even try the lamb, but you ate it as quickly as you could.  Cheese omelet is your favorite breakfast, but you like scrambled eggs with cheese as well.

As for favorite toys, you both love to play with the kitty cats, cars, and Big Brother's monster trucks.  Often you will both stand at the Fisher Price piano and make music for the rest of us.  And your favorite thing on tv: The Lifewise Washington commercial.  I don't know why, but you both love it.

In closing, Happy Birthday boys!  You have completed our family and been a joy to us all.  We love you!

Love,
Mom, Dad, Kaia and Morgan

Happy Half Birthday Boys!

One year and 12 days ago we received the news that we were adding babies to our family.  Today they are 6 months old.  I'm still not sure how the first 6 months went so fast.  I think maybe time goes by faster when you live in chaos.  But it's a great chaos!

Photos courtesy of Grammy and Papa.

 Taken on their 6 month birthday

The Boys on my Birthday

Photos were taken by my dad

Brendon at 5 months

Bryce at 5 months

A Special Request

I have heard that some people worry that with the internet people no longer make deep connections.  I feel it is the opposite.  Because of the internet I have made connections with so many that I never would have known, had I not been blogging or on my pregnancy message board.

When we found out the boys had TTTS, all of you began to pray, you spread the word, and in the end I can only guess as to how many were praying.  I believe it was at least 1,000 through blogs, churches, and word of mouth.  I believe those prayers are what gave us the strength to deal with it all, and they definitely carried the boys through to a healthy birth at 36 weeks and 6 days.

I tell you all of this so you will understand when I ask you to pray again.  Not for me, but for Kristin, a friend I met through BabyFit as we shared this last pregnancy together.  Her 2 and a half year old son Jackson was diagnosed Tuesday with a brain tumor.  I have been in tears pleading with God for healing for this little boy, and strength for his mom and dad, and for his baby brother who is to young to know what is happening, but I'm sure senses the tension.

Please join me in praying for them.

Update from Jackson's mom: "So, please continue to pray. Jackson has a brain tumor on his brain stem. They can not operate due to the deep location or even biopsy to see what type of tumor it is."

Kristin let us know that it can be one of two things, one is a tumor that responds to chemo.  They will start chemo and do it for 6 mos then move on to radiation.  This type will give him a great chance of survival and the possibility of no side-effects. They will do an MRI in 3 weeks to see if the cancer is responding to chemo.  If not, they will treat it immediately with radiation, but the outcome doesn't look good.  It will likely be a very painful regression. So let's pray hard for the tumor to respond to chemo!

The Difference

Having identical twins means that the boys are, well, identical.  But it's easy to begin to see the difference in them and I don't just mean looks.

Brendon is our small guy.  He's still a pound lighter and 2 inches shorter.  This is actually to his benefit, though, as he is a strong little booger.  While Dana was having his finger checked out, Brendon stood against Bryce's car seat and the two laughed at each other.  He's not only strong for his size, he is our serious boy.  Sober Sides is often said around him.  He's not always forthcoming with the smiles, but when he decides to smile and chat you up, be prepared, he's in it for the long run.  He thinks sleeping is overrated, but to his dismay it always catches up to him. (He managed to stay in the position below about 25 seconds or so before starting to fall over. Being a lightweight has its benefits.)

Bryce is our chunk.  He's not that much heavier, but he wears it well.  He looks like a roly-poly chubby baby and he enjoys it that way.  He's not concerned with standing much, but is enjoying trying to sit unassisted.  His smiles come easy and often.  He loves to laugh and enjoys his naps.  He is easy-going most of the time, but once he's ticked off, watch out.

It has been fun getting to know these guys the last 4 months.  Raising them is definitely going to be an adventure.  One that we are so thankful to be on.  I'm so glad to have all of you to share it with!

On this day

On this day 3 years ago, I had my tubes tied.  On this day 1 year ago, I conceived.  It would be another 5-8 days before Bryce and Brendon came to be.  The mind boggling thing for me is, if they hadn't split, would I have Bryce or Brendon?  Or would that baby have been a completely different baby?

One week old

We'll never know, although it is fun to try and wrap my mind around.  What I do know is we're thankful for the boys!

Big Boys

Some days I don't realize how much the boys have grown.  But these two photos from Grammy and Papa definitely give me some perspective.

November 20th, 1 month old

February 4th, 11 days shy of 4 months old

Hard to believe they are the same boys!  They are so darn cute though.  They started rice cereal about 2 weeks ago, and oat cereal 1 week ago.  They love it!  They are both practiced in the fine art of flirting and love to coo and giggle.  

Today was supposed to be their 4 month appointment, but because they have a few days to go, we couldn't get their vaccinations.  Instead they just got to be weighed and measured.  Wondering how much they've grown?  Remember Bryce was 6 pounds 3 oz when born.  Brendon was 5 pounds 6 oz.  

Today Bryce was 13 pounds 14 oz and Brendon was 12 pounds 14 oz.  Bryce was 25 inches long, Brendon was 22 3/4.  And the funny part, Bryce's head circumference was 15 3/4 inches.  Brendon's was 15 3/4 inches.  I swear Bryce's head looks so much bigger than Brendon's.  The fun part about being a twin mom is I get to help with the weights, lengths and circumference, the nurse measures one, then I measure the other.  I measured Bryce's head, and thought he had to be bigger, so I double checked, and it was the same.  

So there is the latest on the growing boys! 

My Stars

2009 In Review

Wow, 2009 is coming to an end.  If ever a year in my life has had a theme, 2009 is it.  I did a Facebook Status compilation, and Danielle pointed out her favorite, "Because God has a sense of humor."  That, my friends, sums up 2009 for the Kihn household.  If on December 30, 2008 you had told me that Dana would need several eye surgeries and change jobs, I'd have believed it.  Had you then gone on to say that we would also find out that I was pregnant and having twins no less, and that I would have surgery to save their lives, well I would have thought you were insane, and yet here we are.

One moment in 2009 really stands out for me. I haven't blogged about it, and really didn't know anyone else had seen it, until my mom mentioned it to me.  On Sunday, June 14th, the day before the surgery for TTTS, we sang the hymn It Is Well With My Soul.  On that day, I sang that song, and I meant every last word.  I knew that no matter what the outcome of the surgery, God was handling it, and I had peace in that.  And that has been the biggest lesson for me in 2009.  God is in control.  While we don't understand it, our whole family is thankful for the blessings of this past year, and I'm praying for easier times in 2010.

Now, let's take a look back at some phrases and photos from 2009.  The photos do not necessarily correspond with the phrases.

January: This just secures my non-placement in the Mom of the Year Award.


February: He has an excellent pedigree, excellent colors, and great temperament. What she didn't count on... he's gay.


March: So if my tubal ligation could interfere with God's plan, how did I see this on March 1st?



April: I just got back from my doctor's appointment. Kaia came with me, and she was thrilled when I pointed out the baby, and then the doctor pointed out the other.




May: It wasn't long before she was able to turn everything into a life or death situation. For instance, sitting on metal turtles.


June: I'm feeling good that the boys will come through the surgery, and I'm praying that they continue to thrive after their blood vessels are separated. I have peace that we are doing what is best for both boys, and the rest is up to God.


July: No, I don't mean sexy. Unless you consider hippos sexy, then maybe...


August: Then she began to rub her belly and say that I should avoid vitamins and that powdered milk from China. Because you know China, it's really sperm. And that sperm if you put it outside in the sunlight it will just shoot in all directions.



September: I agreed, and I told him, "Next time you are 32 weeks pregnant with twins, I promise you can be as cranky as you want to be." He laughed saying he never wanted to be pregnant with twins, and quickly corrected that to never wanting to be pregnant at all.



October: They are so cute that they had to be part of a matched set.



November: SOS isn't dinner. SOS is letters, you can't eat letters.



December: And as of last night, they showed me one of their super twin powers: synchronized farting.

Wow, was my belly really that big?  Amazing how fast we forget.  Thanks for revisiting 2009 with me.  I wish you all a very Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving

I am in shock that Thanksgiving is already here! It is my favorite holiday of the year, and yet I haven't done a thing to give the house a nice autumn feel. I have in the last few days managed to spend time remembering what I'm thankful for in 2009.

There is so much for me to be thankful for this year. If you had told me last November that we would have a surprise twin pregnancy, Dana's eye surgeries, and my surgery on the boys I would have thought you were as crazy as the Chinese Sperm Lady.

And yet, here we are, a family of 6. I'm so thankful for all 4 of our kids. Although our plan had been for 2, God's plan is definitely better as Brendon and Bryce are just so sweet.

I'm thankful that Dana and I have grown in our marriage, and the troubles of last year seem so far behind us. The surprises of the year could have torn us apart or made us stronger, and we grew closer because of them. I know that in the moments after my c-section, with the boys safely delivered, and Dana standing by my side in scrubs, I decided that there was no one more handsome to me than my hubby.

I'm thankful that Dana's eye surgery went well. While the surgery entailed far more than we had hoped, I'm thankful that his eyes are doing good, and even the small worry we had recently quickly resolved itself.

I'm thankful for family, friends, and all of my blog friends. The prayers, gifts, food and financial support we have received have been a huge blessing. I have been shown love in the most unexpected places, and I'm truly grateful.

I wish you all a wonderful time with family this Thanksgiving!

Our 4 cuties

Thanks to Grandpa Gordie for capturing this photo for us.

A few photos

The boys are growing! Brendon is finally out of preemie clothes, and Bryce is almost too big for some of the newborn clothes. 2 oz bottles are slowly becoming 3 or 4 oz bottles and both boys are better at nursing, when they want to nurse.

The boys are happiest when they are together. When they were born, Bryce was the first out. He came out crying and we knew he was a big and healthy boy. What we couldn't see behind the curtain, was Brendon reaching his hand out of the incision and waving it around. Some of the nurses and doctors were joking that he didn't want to be left behind, others said he was learning early to reach for a credit card, but I think he just wanted to know where his brother went. They both pay attention to where brother is and are not happy when separated.

I have started going into work for a few hours a day. It's nice to be out of the house and away from the endless cycle of diapers, feeding and naps. The boys seemed to enjoy their time at Grammy and Papa's yesterday, and I had my first opportunity to try and tell them apart. The good news: I passed. I walked in to see that both boys were in different jammies, I quickly picked out which one was Bryce and which was Brendon.

Sleepy Brendon

Bryce checking things out

Mommy Cinnamon keeping an eye on the boys.

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!

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!