Fun with Daddy!

Another week gone by and we are all hanging in there. Quinton continues to be a go with the flow little boy but sure does LOVE when his dad comes home. Quinn had quite a busy week with shaving and playing with soap bubbles. Dan is always full of good ideas when it comes to entertaining Quinton. Who knew that an old plastic drawer, a little bit of dawn dish soap and a hose could lead to so much fun... and so many bubbles. My boys had a blast and they both got clean in the process. They even scrubbed Dan's shoes clean while playing (productive and fun).

Just having a good time!

Helping Daddy put some bubbles on his head!

This is a new thing for Quinn but whenever something "bad" happens... like he kicks the ball into the bushes or a toy is under the couch or he drops his cup from his high chair... you know those kind of "bad" things, he throws his hands on his head and says "Oh No" I am pretty sure that his Nana and Dad taught him that but it is pretty funny!

Here are a few videos of our future Soccer Star!! I am actually pretty impressed with Quinton's ability to kick the ball multiple times. We have already sent these videos to soccer scouts, we think he is a natural!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAt3NdGgom4

Sorry this is sideways I always forget when I'm taking videos. Check out the ''Oh No'' at the end of the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4UJL9ENUDk

A little more practice at shaving with Dad. By the time Quinton has facial hair he is going to be a pro! (Quinn is proudly supporting his Papa and Nana's Razorbacks!)

Taking a break for resting to watch my boys play outside. 28 weeks and already significantly bigger than I was with Quinton when he was born... but thrilled that these two are still inside!!

We are now officially past the 28 week mark with these crazy twins. We are so happy to have made it this far. Doctors have told us that 90% of babies born after 28 week have little to no long term health problems which is a huge relief. But we are still hoping to keep them inside as long as possible! Overall things are looking great. I sure wish I could be a little more in charge of my own life but as I am reminded daily it is only a season. We continue to be blessed by our many friends and family who are so generous with their time and are delighted to run after Quinton for us. Thank you for all your love and support! We are a very blessed family of 5!

BIG Babies!!

Just wanted to let you all know that our ultrasound went great today! The babies are BIG and fabulous (not that we ever doubted that)! They estimated her at 2 lbs 7 oz and him at 3 lbs 7 oz. The Doctor laughed and said that they were growing like single babies and they were very pleased with their growth. They said that she looked right on track for 28 weeks (which is what we will be tomorrow) and he looks like a 30 week old baby. She is head down and kind of scrunched at the bottom of my uterus and he is totally stretched out, his legs were completely straight at the top of my uterus. It is always so fun to see them moving around. They were practicing breathing a lot which is great. So everything looks well in terms of the babies and we are so thankful.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. Keep praying, especially that my cervix will hold as they keep getting bigger. Praise the Lord for Big Babies!!

My Boy Brings Me Joy!

What a joy Quinton is! Obviously lying down is not the ideal situation but I will say that being home and being able to watch Quinton play and laugh, brush his teeth, read a book, eat bubbles and be "Destructo Boy" as his Papa calls him, brings me so much joy. I do however think that he is a little confused why there are ALWAYS people around, why I can't pick him up and why I can't play with him. But I am reminded daily that he will not remember this and that as soon as I can do all those things again he will be normal again. I do suppose it is good practice for him as he gets used to not having all of his mom's attention because I think when these babies come my attention might not all be on him. Overall though, Quinton has been quite a wonderful boy and is learning to go with the flow.

Quinn does however LOVE his Nana and Papa and seems to have no trouble adjusting to them being around. My parents were a tremendous blessing to Dan and I am came to Des Moines for a week to help us take care of Quinton. I think Quinn exhausted them every day but I think everyone enjoyed them being here. They helped us cross many things off our "to-do list" and cleaned and cooked and did laundry and took very good care of all of us. They will be back in Des Moines on the 12th for a couple of days to run after "Destructo Boy" again for us. They are such a blessing to Dan and I and Quinton seems right at home with them. He did get very spoiled with lots of popsicles and walks to the ice cream shop, no wonder he likes his Nana and Papa so much!

Quinton enjoyed his new play place on our screened in porch. Papa and Dan put up some lattice on the lower portion of the screens so that Quinton could not push through the screens and fall. Quinton was serenading us while we sat on the porch!

My sister Kelly sent me a bedrest care package that included some sour worms. I am always amazed at how sharp kids are. Quinton has never seen this kind of candy before but he knew right away that it was food and showed his little smile and said please please please... so I gave him one...

The Boy could not get enough of the sour worms.. I only gave him a few but he was so goofy about them and so so excited to eat them. Thank you Aunt Kelly for helping me keep my spot in Quinton's heart with some sour gummy worms!!

Eating sour worms with Daddy! Life doesn't get much better than this!

Taking a nap with Daddy. My two precious boys!

We truly have been blessed by all of your prayers and emails. We are now 27.5 weeks along (I have to throw in the .5 because every day on bedrest is a huge accomplishment!). The Doctors told us that 28 weeks is a huge accomplishment so we are looking forward to checking off a few more days. We have another ultrasound on Tuesday and we are anxious to see how the babies are growing and get an estimate on how much they weigh and then another Doctor on Thursday. I am pretty excited about both of them because it means I get to get out of the house and look around!! I might even make Dan take me for ice cream or something after an appointment! We are so thankful though for how things are going. We are glad that I have not progressed any further. We are learning to go about life a little differently these days but things seem to overall be running smoothly. The doctor even told me if I make it to 32 weeks and have not progressed any further they might give me a little freedom on my feet and if I make it to 34 weeks I might get to run an errand!!!! We also would get two more steriod shots for the babies at 32 weeks. So we have lots to strive for... but still one day at a time is enough for me to tackle!

We have been overwhelmed by the amount of people stepping up to help us and to run after Quinn. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful family members and friends who just want to help. It brings tears to my eyes so often just thinking about how blessed this crazy Rude family of five is. Thank you all for your continued love and support. These babies are pretty lucky to be loved by so many people even before they take their first breath. Keep Praying!!!

Bedrest....

Life Horizontally is not quite all its cracked up to be! We are now home from the hospital and learning to take life day by day... trying to control contractions and keep these little ones inside while friends and family fun after Quinton.

The good news is that when we left the hospital I had not progressed any further which means that the bed rest is doing its job keeping these babies inside. We have been very blessed by willing friends and family that have been bending over backwards to help us take care of Quinton. And Nana and Papa Miller drove up from Arkansas to keep a watchful eye on Quinn. I think they are quickly realizing why I am in preterm labor after running after Quinton for a day... he is one active little boy.

I am learning to keep my eye on the prize and not to worry about all the little things that I wish I could get done everyday. I am learning to let people serve and help me. I am trying to remember that in the scheme of things this time will be over before I know it. I have been so encouraged by so many of you and your stories of how you have survived bed rest and early labor.

I wish that the Lord would let us in on His timing for these babies but I suppose that is where faith and trust in Him comes into play. The Lord has been good in giving me the grace to make it through every day. And every day He is weaving these little babies together inside of me. We are so thankful that they were able to give them both of the steroid shots to mature their lungs. The two of them move like crazy inside of me. I really think that they move at least twice as much because when one starts going to other joins right in... they are playmates already. I think Quinton will thoroughly enjoy his new playmates when they arrive.

Thank you all for your encouragement. If anyone has any helpful hints about bed rest please please shoot them my way. We are so blessed by all of your prayers. Keep them up... they seem to be working. Praise the Lord for His timing is perfect and He has great plans for our family... I mean after all He has already given us double the blessings at once with two babies. We could not be more thankful for our family!

PLEASE PRAY

We write to you all with tears in our eyes and scared but confident hearts... we remain confident that the Lord is good and in control and ALWAYS working for the good of those who love Him. What an amazing promise that He gives us to cling to in good times and bad.

Our doctors appointment yesterday resulted in another trip to the hospital when the doctor discovered that I was already 2 cm dilated and my cervix felt thinner than the week before. And this time I got stuck here... not sure if or when I will be going home. The babies are still doing well and they look fabulous despite all the other action going on with my body. They gave the babies a steroid shot yesterday and will give them another one today to help develop their lungs. From all that we have heard and read it rapidly helps their lungs to develop and gets them ready to breath on their own. The babies are still a good size but we are praying desperately that they keep growing inside of me for a while longer.

Psalm 139:13-18

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

¹⁶ your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me
were written in your book before one of them came to be.

¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

¹⁸ Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.

It is overwhelmingly comforting to know that the Lord had this all planned out and he knows exactly when these babies are coming and all that is going on. He had more thoughts of these two than we do and believe me, Dan and I think and pray for these babies and our family like crazy.

Dan is truly an incredible husband and dad and is taking good care of Quinton. He is a strong rock for me through all of this. And truly loves me, Quinn and these babies. He is already bending over backwards for me and loving and caring for Quinton through all of this. You can all keep Quinn in your prayers too as he will have some adjusting to do... That brings tears to my eyes and I miss him terribly. When you go from being glued to someone to having to be away from them it is so hard and my heart aches to be able to take care of him again. I know he is in good hands and this is only a short season in life but he is my best little buddy!! I am truly blessed to have such a great husband, family and group of friends to help us through all of this.

Please keep our all our babies in your prayers. We are scared of the unknown to us but confident in the Lords good plan. He is so faithful and loving and has blessed us so much already and for that we are truly thankful. Hopefully they will get everything under control and I can go home and rest at home with my family. And every day that these two little ones stay inside of me is a huge deal we are told so pray for many more days in the comfort of my uterus :) Thank you all for all your thoughts and prayers. We truly appreciate them and are blessed by them!

Just Call Me Minivan Momma!

Today we officially became the proud owners of a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport! Now I know that most of my friends will be jealous. We had bets going in college as to who would be the first to drive a minivan, I was never the favorite but with these little ones on the way a minivan was inevitable! It is in great shape and the man who sold it to us is a father of twins and gave us a great deal on it. Hopefully it will serve us well for a while!! And... for buying a used vehicle the color is pretty nice!!Pretty nice!!

Mr. Independent likes to eat watermelon by the slice as opposed to cut into chunks!

I turned my back for a moment only to find that Quinton enjoyed a handful of dirt while I wasn't looking. He seemed to think that it tasted just great!

Peaking through the tunnel hole at the park! So sweet!

Playing together!

Dan ventured into the tunnels with Quinton at the park... I didn't dare for fear that my belly would get me stuck in there!!

I took this picture to show off Quinton's fabulous tan from his crocks. He wears them practically every single day so it's no wonder that he has developed a tan from them. The two little dots are from the holes on the top of the shoes. Pretty funny!

My Curly Haired Little Buddy!

Quinton is becoming such a big boy and my favorite little buddy! It is absolutely amazing the amount of things that he understands, the new words that he is learning daily and how much fun he is to be around. He has discovered the moon and can say moon, he makes dinosaur noises (imitating his dad and I), he makes truck noises while pushing around his truck, he is amazing at spotting bunnies (we have lots of bunnies in our area) and then chases them till they run away, he waves to anyone and everyone while we are on our walks, he loves to brush his teeth and then he loves to brush my teeth, he helps me and his dad brush our hair, he is just a delight!

He is becoming more independent in everything (although I am still right beside him) but he is learning so much!

Check out these beautiful curls on this boy! One of his favorite things to spot when we are on a walk is a flag so my 80 cent find at the store is a HUGE hit and the past couple of days we don't go anywhere without our American flag!

Quinton and I watching a parade in the rain on the 4th of July

Last I checked, eight teeth were broken through, only one molar, but he is putting them to great use. He seems to enjoy spicy foods (just like his mom and dad), spicy guacamole on a cracker is a much loved treat, and fruit is his all time favorite thing to eat, and he can say "blueberries" and "watermelon"! Difficult words but he does really well and gets very exited to eat them! And of course as you all have seen in the past, he LOVES popsicles! If anyone has any good ideas on how to get this boy to eat vegetables PLEASE let me know, he eats blueberries until blue comes out in his diaper but he will not eat any veggies. He drinks some V8 juice (doctor recommended) to get a serving of vegetables but I just can't get him to eat them! I have even tried eating them in front of him and offering him some, believe me I don't enjoy them, but he still won't eat them!

I know you see them a lot but popsicle pictures just never get old to me!

Aunt Kelly came for a visit the other weekend. We had a great time catching up and playing with Quinton! Family is such a wonderful thing and I am thankful for her taking the time to come and hang out with us. I wish we all lived closer so we could see each other more often!

Kelly was also my inspiration for sewing! She coached me through a lot of my projects that at one time were just ideas but they are not realities!! I borrowed a friends sewing machine and have gone crazy! Dan is very impressed with my skills though! I have covered four pillows, the previous covers were all coming undone and stuffing was coming out. So I decided to cover them!!

My more exciting project has been making the bedding for the twins cradle and a moses basket I found at a garage sale. I have finished the bumper pad for the cradle (it is the paisley one on the bottom) and the moses basket pad cover (the poka dot one). My friend is going to help me finish the rest of the moses basket which will be in the paisley fabric and then make some fitted sheets in the poka dots for the cradle. I am so so exited and very impressed with my own abilities. It can he quite addicting once you get started. I will have to post some more pictures when it is all done to help you get a better feel for it!

Wee #2 and Wee #3 are doing great. We are 24 weeks along and i am already bigger than I was with Quinton. I will try and remember to have Dan take some pictures. It is amazing how fast these babies are growing, I swear every morning I wake up I am bigger than the day before! I still feel pretty great though and we are still doing everything we did before although when I go on walks I have to walk very slow because I already have a lot of contractions, I am told not to worry since I had a lot this early with Quinton too. We have another doctors appointment and ultrasound next week. I always look forward to them just to hear that everything is ok. The twins kick like crazy in my belly and it is always fun when you can feel little body parts (although I don't know what I am feeling it's still wonderful). We still cannot believe it's twins but feel so blessed and excited. Keep us all in your prayers, I want these babies to be big enough to take home with us from the hospital right away! Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!