Aunt Lori comes to visit

On June 10th, your Aunt Lori flew up to visit us. We thought that I would be delivering this week and our week would be full of post-delivery activities. But she came out right after my 2 week check-up and I was feeling great!!! We therefore did one adventure each day and spent the rest of our day visiting you both at the NICU. Aunt Lori had never been to Kansas City before so our adventures included; going to Liberty Jail, Liberty Square, Jesse James Bank, Nelson Museums, RLDS temple, Church of Christ Temple Lot, Zona Rosa, taking walks and just hanging out together.
It was a lot of fun to have Lori and little Macy here. Leif and I got a small taste of what living with a one year old will be like. We also got spoiled with Lori's dinners and cookies. She is a really good cook and I learned a lot of new recipes. She also make us cookies 2 different times, in which we finished both sets.
Besides her cookies, having someone to go to the NICU with was also a treat. My favorite thing to do is to hold both of you. And my next favorite thing to do is talk with a family member. So I got to do both each day!! Lori also took some really good pictures of both babies together with Mommy. It was so much fun to have her and Macy here.
Lori, Rachel and the twins
Aunt Lori with her niece and nephew

2 weeks old

Today is June 9 and you are 2 weeks old. Savannah and Micah are truly little miracles. The Lord has blessed your little bodies to grow and your organs to work well. Every day I look at you, I thank Heavenly Father for such a wonderful blessing in my life.

Savannah you are now 3 lbs 15 oz and drinking 30 cc of breast milk. The doctors are letting you root around once daily when we do kangaroo care (skin to skin with Mommy). You are off of your breathing tube along with lipids and TPN. You therefore have very few wires on you and are a lot easier to hold. In fact I get to hold you longer each time, and how I love it!! What I love most about you are your big bjue eyes. Every time (well most times) Daddy or I come into the room, you open your eyes and looks around at us. It is almost as if you are trying to communicate with us and thank us for coming to play.
Micah you are now 3 lbs 8 oz. You are having a harder time then your sister. you havn't been digesting your food and therefore your little tummy became rounded are hard. The doctors stopped your feedings and put you back on lipids and TPNs until your belly goes down. You also got a staff infection in your eyes and have to take antibiotics. Yet, you are a fighter and continues to grows. You are looking more and more like your father each day. Recently you have been sticking out your lips and pouting, in fact you can see your pout in this picture.

1 week old

Today is June 2nd and you are one week old. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. On Saturday Daddy and I came home from the hospital, alone. It was the weirdest feeling not bringing a baby home. It felt like I worked so hard and then left my gold metal at the hospital. Being a mother is not what I expected. Every day Daddy and I visit the NICU and watch you through the glass. We do get to hold you both once a day untill you start to get bigger. But right now the nurses want you to be left alone as much as possible so you can both grow. It is hard for me to only look at you. I so bad want to take you home and cuddle with you every minute. But this whole exsperience has been a huge blessing. The nurses are so sweet and caring. They are each such kind woman who love you almost as much as I do. Today I brought in Hershey hugs and kisses with a note attached from Micah and Savannah saying "Thanks". One nurse even went in and thanked them for the yummy treats.

Savannah is now 3 lbs 10 oz. You are breathing room are and drinking 16 cc of my breast milk through a tube in her nose. When I walk into the room you open your dark little eyes and try to communicate with me. Evey time I look at you my love just grows. I love holding your tiny body and rubbing your little head. you are beautiful to me in every way.

Micah is now 3 lbs flat. You have lost weight but have grown in so many other ways. You are now drinking 6 cc of milk through your nose tube. You also just started breathing room air. Today you got a mid-line put into your right arm so the one in your belly button was taken out. You are starting to look a lot more peaceful and are therefore sleeping more. I got to hold you for the first time yesterday. It felt so great!!! Micah, you look just like your father. Your hair is starting to turn a little red and your nose is a exact copy of Daddy's. I see so much of Lief in you, and that makes me love both of my boys even more.

Cuddle Time

Back on June 4th you guys had a very eventful night. Grandma and I came into you little rooms to find a note on your name boards. Reading the nurses notes made me smile. I know your guys will be great friends.

I really do have twins

I went into the NICU on Monday thinking I would just have another visit with both of you individually. Well, my most favorite nurse was there. Her name is Carmon and she has a set of boy/girl twins herself. She has become my go-to person for every questions that I ever have about raising, holding, feeding, and being a twin mommy.
Today she told me (not asked) that I was going to hold both babies together. I was very nervous. But I was also very excited. Carmon had me walk Savannah over to Micah's room. Then she placed Savannah vertical over my left breast. Micah was then placed over my right breast. And it was the best feeling in the world!!! I was holding both of you for the first time. Holding you guys together made me realize that I really to have "twins". I have two babies!! I have beautiful twins!!
Micah kept his little eyes open for 5 minutes just staring at his sister. When one baby would move the other one would copy. I placed their little hands on top of each other and they just left there. It was the best feeling in the whole world to hold you both together.
I know I have only been a mother for 12 days, but I am starting to understand a "mother's love." I have uncontrollable love for you both. You are both perfect to me in every way.

May 26th...... Your birthday!!!!

May 26th at 4:18 and 4:20 a.m. you were both brought into this world. I was once told that every coincidence in life is really a small miracle. The birth of you both was a lot of small miracles placed together making one huge miracle. I thank the Lord for watching over me and both of you, who are precious little children of God.

Miracle # 1 Your Grandma was in town to attend my baby shower and then go to a church history conference. She kept me company while I was on bed rest. Then on Tuesday night when I started having contraction, she knew they were real. She told your Daddy that I had to go to the hospital, and was there to help me breath through each contraction.

Miracle # 2 Your Grandpa flew into town at 12:15 P.M. Daddy went to pick him up as I was given anti contraction shots along with steroids to help your lungs develop. When Grandpa and Dad got back, I was dilated to a 4 and 100% effaced. Grandpa and Daddy gave me a blessing. Your Daddy asked Heavenly Father to bless me and you. He asked that you both be born healthy and strong. I love feeling the power of the priesthood in my life.

Miracle # 3 By 3:30 a.m my contractions had not stopped and I was then dilated to an 8. I was therefore wheeled into the O.R. room and given a spinal. My toes, legs, and belly went numb then the doctor cut. Miracle # 3 happened when at 4:18 a.m. we heard a cry and Baby A was breathing.

Miracle # 4 Two minutes later Baby B was crying meaning that he was breathing strong. I got to see both of you, kiss your little faces, and the watch you both leave with the nurses.

Miracle # 5 Your Daddy along with Grandma and Grandpa got to go upstairs to the NICU and visit you both. You both needed a little oxygen, and IV's were put in for feeding. Yet, sweet Savannah and Micah had no physical or mental delays. You were both perfect. You were both small. Savannah Jeanne Kanooth weighed 3 lbs 8 oz. Micah Maughan Kanooth weighted 3 lbs 4 oz.

Miracle # 6 Daddy's rotation for May 30 minutes away. His doctor went on vacation during the last week of May, so Daddy was able to stay with me on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. In June he is doing an OB rotation at North Kansas City Hospital which is the same hospital that you are at. He will therefore get to visit you every day after his work.

Leif and Rachel right before they become Daddy and Mommy

Rache with her sweet parents

The first 3 pictures are Savannah.


The next 3 pictures are Micah

Grandmother is in Town

Your dear Grandmother came into town for a visit and attend your baby shower. Grandma arrived on Friday May 21st late at night. She hadn't been her 5 minutes before she opened her suitcase and gave us our baby gifts. Grandma had made both of you two beautiful blankets. The first blankets were twin matching crochet green, blue, and yellow blankets. She also make you both matching ABC's blue and pink blankets. I know you are both going to like them. Grandma was so proud to present them to me. I know she is going to love to see you wrapped inside of them.

Grandma Maughan was so excited to see my big belly. She was constantly touching my belly and asking when you were moving. I told Grandma Maughan every time one of you were kicking and she got so excited to feel your movements. Most of the time you both kick at the same time, so it was a special treat for her.

On Saturday, Grandma escorted me to my baby shower. It was a smaller shower, but we received some really nice gifts and a lot of diapers!! For some reason everyone kept giving me diapers saying that I would need double. After the shower Grandma and I spent the rest of the day making crafts for your bedrooms. We make burp rags, blankets, and hair bows. On Sunday Grandma and I had a very relaxing day. We went to church and cooked together. We ended our Sunday watching a movie together and playing checkers. Then on Monday we spend the first part of the day going to your 32 week appointments. The ultrasound tec said that everything looked normal and that you are both growing at a constant rate. Then we visited with Doctor. He wants me to start doing what is called "round robin". That means I meet with different doctors in case I go go into labor when he is not on call. Doctor said that I am turning into a "normal pregnancy" and am out of the risky zone. The plan now is to just come into the hospital when I am having contractions.

30-31 week picture

I know it is crazy to think that my belly is still growing but it is!!! Sometimes pictures don't really show the truth. I honestly feel way bigger. It is now hard to sleep at night, and I wake up 5 times a night to go to the bathroom.

Thoughts

I just wanted you both to know that I am so excited to be your mother. I love watching my belly grow and love feeling you both kick. It is the best feeling in the world knowing that you are both healthy and well. I feel privileged to be your mother. I know that your guys aren't born yet, but I love you so much already. It is hard to imagine how much more I will grow to love you. Keep growing.

Weeks 25-29

My Belly is really starting to grow. I feel you both kicking all the time. But like I said before, it is the best feeling in the world to know that you are both active and alive. 'Here is how big my belly is getting. I can't believe that I only have 1/2 a uterus and I am this big. I have to walk around with my hand under my belly or else you are both too heavy.

29 weeks

Today is May 3rd, Daddy & I are doing fine. Today Daddy started a surgery rotation and he was so excited. He reminded me of a little boy in a candy store, just so excited about being there. He left at 5:45 this morning to dive to his new hospital or site. I love that he loves medicine. He is going to be a great doctor.

I had an appointment today and both of you were measured and are reported that you are both doing fine. Our little girl is almost 3 pounds and measuring 31 weeks!!! (I am only 29 weeks). Our little boy is 2.6 pounds and measuring 28 weeks. He was squished up just like a basketball in a corner. Yet, doctor says that you are both growing at a fine rate and not to worry about the difference in your measurements.

I love seeing both of you on the ultrasound. You both have such dominate personalities. It is the best feeling ever to watch you both more around (in what little space you have). I honestly can't believe that we are 29 weeks! I truly thought by this point I would be on bed rest and in pain. But I am still walking around and being social. The Lord has really blessed us all. There are so many different people praying for us all. And prayers work. Today I read a letter from Aunt Josett. She is currently in Jerusalem and she said that she prayed for us at the wailing wall. It is no wonder that you are both doing so well. We love you.

Baby A is our little girl. I love your little profile.

Baby B is our little boy. Look how your knees and arms are so close to your head.

Bed Rest

I forgot to tell you babies that your mother is now on bed rest. Well, Dr. Rosburg is a great doctor and does what I want. I asked that he write me a note making April 16th my last day of teaching. It was really hard to say good buy to my student, knowing that I might never return to teaching. My first 2 days home from teaching, I continued to check my e-mail and worry about my students. Now I am content staying home each day and letting you little ones grow. The great thing about teaching is I do get paid!!! Funny that I get paid to be lazy.

But I am so thankful that I do get this time off. I have been doing a lot of reading, resting, reading, resting, cleaning and of course getting ready for the 2 of you to come. I get tired very easily. Therefore, I plan one main thing to do each day (store, cooking, outing, or craft) and that one thing truly makes my day. I get tired so easily, my belly is tight all the time, and I feel constant pressure on my abdomen.

Yet, it will all be worth it in the long run. We can't wait for your arrival. Leif still kisses my belly each night and wishes you both good-night. I know when you both wake up in the morning and tell you "good morning". It really has been an experience having you both moving around in the morning.

28 Week Appointment

Hi Babies,

Today was a special day, Daddy got to come to both your appointments. I was really happy that he got the time off of work to be there. In fact, your Daddy was really excited about going, we left way early!!

Normally our girl is active but today the tec had to wake you up. You were just laying there sleeping soundly. The tecnition starting pushing you around. You then woke up and became a little active thing again.
Today our boy was in the tightest little ball. You were as round as a little soccor ball. But the tec said babies like being all rolled up. Daddy got to see your man parts today. And it make Daddy smile to know he was going to have a son to wrestle with.

Then we went over to Dr. Rosburgh's office. Like always he told me that I am doing excillent and expects me to go farther then expected. When I told me how well I was felling he replied by saying, "God is mindful of you." It is so good to have a Doctor that has faith in Higher Powers.

Your Daddy's Birthday

April 24th was your Daddy's 31st birthday. Your daddy hates suprises, so I decided to throw him a surprise party!!! I envited 5 families over to a nearby park to have a BBQ and play games. I gave your daddy clothes to put on and a blind fold. He was a good sport about everything and even put even put the blind fold on. I drove him around for a while and then came to the park with our friends already there. We had a really good time with them and the weather was perfect.
Then on Saturday (his real birthday) the weather turned rainny, so my idea of a romantic picnic went out the door. Instead I put a blanket down on our living room floor and we had a lovely indoor picnic. After we ate our strawberries (his favorite fruite), chicken noodle soup, and rolls I handed Leif his pressent. Each of you gave your Daddy a sweet note with a oneis. And I gave your father 2 shirts for himself. Leif really enjoyed both of your letters and laughed really hard. Then he kissed my belly and told each of you thank-you.


These are the sweet notes that you both wrote your daddy.

26 Week Appointment

Babies,
I got to see you on an ultrasound again today. And today you were both so active and cute. First we went to the palaeontologist. He measured both of you.
Our girl is growing great. She is measuring at 27 weeks. The funny part of the measurement was when the doctor was trying to measure your feet. You kept kicking and wouldn't stand still. We then saw that you were kicking your brother in the hear!!!
Our boy is still measuring a little small. Your arms and legs are about 25 weeks along, but your head and abdomen are right where they are supposed to be. In the ultrasound your little legs were all curled up to you nose. I use to think that you were taking all the room, because I felt you the most. Now I see that your sister is the one hogging all the space.
After our appointment with the palaeontologist. We 3 then went over to visit Dr. Rosburg. He let me hear your heart beats and you were both about the same this time. He said that everything is going great. So keep growing my little ones. I can't wait to see you soon.

Cute things you both do

You are both starting to kick and move so much now. I love feeling your little bodies move inside of me. Both of you are so active and love to let me know that you have little personalities. Here are some cute things you have both done over the past couple of weeks.

# 1 Most every time I put my seat-belt on, Baby A (the girl) will start kicking. In other words, you are telling me that you don't like the seat-belt going right over the spot you lay.

# 2 At my last Dr. appointment the doctor was measuring my stomach growth. Right as he put the measuring tape on my stomach, Baby B (the boy) did a full circle and lifted up the left side of my stomach. Dr. had to push him down to gets the measurement.

# 3 Each night your Daddy talked to you both. And each night he tells Baby B to grow big and strong so he can wrestle with you. Then Daddy will put his hand on my belly and say, "If you can hear me kick once." Just the other night you kicked once!

# 4 The other morning your mother was very worried, because she couldn't feel either of you moving in the morning. (For you are most active in the morning!). I said a little prayer and asked Heavenly Father to let me know everything was alright with you both. Right after my prayer you both started to kick.

# 5 You are both really good about kicking for your Daddy. Sometimes he will put his hand on my belly when you are both sleeping. I tell your Daddy to leave us alone and let you both sleep. But then like little lighting bolts, you will both start kicking right where your Daddy's hands are. Daddy loves it. I then can't rest because he woke up a little boxing match!!

Names Daddy & I are thinking about

Daddy and I are still thinking about names for the 2 of you. Our top names are as fallows;

#1 Kaylee & Connor
#2 Savannah & Peyton
#3 Savannah & Leif Junior (L.J)

By the way, Daddy wanted me to tell you that these are Mommy's favorite names. He is still undecided.

Mommy's Belly Continues to Grow!!!!

Here are picture of you both growing from 21-24 weeks.

April Fools Day

Growing up, April Fool's Day has always been of our favorite adventures. As children your grandmother would always find some trick to play on us, and we would do silly tricks back. The older we got, the trickier and more thought out our tricks became.

Then I got married and have made it a tradition to always played a trick on your father. Well, I must say this year I played a trick on your daddy that was my best ever!! To make the trick work out perfect, I had to wait until the end of the day. It was really hard for me to be quite about April Fools Day so long. I didn't say anything about tricks all day hoping that your daddy would forgot about it. Then as I was cooking dinner I started concocting my plan.

I got out a zip-lock bag and mixed water, milk, and orange Gatorade. Then I placed this concoction in my pants and called Leif down for dinner. Leif and I both planted food onto our plates as I pretended that by stomach was having a small contraction. As Leif walked over to the dinner table, I quickly opened a small slit in the zip-lock bag. Then as I stated to walk over to the table "my water broke!" This liquid stated to run down both legs and onto the floor. It looked so real, as I was a great actor pretending to be in complete shock. Leif looked at the water braking, I don't know what he was thinking but his face was worried. He mumbled some upsetting words under his breath and helped me over to the couch. I kept think that I was getting milk on the carpet as I sat down on the living-room floor. Leif then darted upstairs and started running around. He quickly got dressed, grabbed his wallet, got his car keys and was about to get on the phone with the hospital. I yelled at him that we just needed to leave. So he approached me with new pants and started to help he get redressed. As Leif was sweetly putting new pants over my feet, I took the zip-lock bag out and yelled, "April Fools".

Leif then look the pants threw them across the room, told me that I needed to clean up my water mess and went into the kitchen to eat. I couldn't stop laughing as I walked into the kitchen. But your sweet daddy didn't want to talk with me. He was upset that I played such a mean trick.

After we both calmed down I asked your daddy what he was thinking and he replied that he was worried we were going to lose you both. That was when I realized that I truly did play a mean trick on your daddy. I told him that I was sorry and that I would continue to take it easy.

24 week appointment

Hi babies,

On March 29th, 2010 I had your 24 week appointment. I can't believe that you both are 24 weeks along. You are both getting so big, along with my belly. I have now gained 20 pounds! I need to gain 4 more pounds and I will be heavier then your father. But all the books say from here on out Mothers should gain one pound per week!!

Well, I am sure you are more interested in your appointment. First I meet with Dr. Rosburge and we got to listen to both your heartbeats. The girl's heartbeat was 150 and the boys was 160. Normal heartbeats are inbetween 120-180, so both of you are doing great. I did ask why the boy's is so much higher and the answer was personalities. That means you are both already growing into your little personalities. And the boy is just going to be a little more active. In fact, our sweet girl kicks so nicely against my stomach. But our boy liked to do flips inside my belly. You little butt or head is always pocking on my belly. Daddy loves it when you do this. Daddy rubs my belly when you are being active and says, "way to go little man". Dad alredy has high hope for you being a wrestler.

22 week pictures

Hi babies,

Mommy just went in and had her 22 week appointment. At the paleontologist both of you were measured again. Currently I am 22 weeks and our girl is measuring at 23 weeks!! You little one are going so well and the doctor said you must be eating well.
But out little man is only measuring at 21 1/2 weeks, and your leg/arms are shorter then they should be. But doctor says it is normal for the boys to be a little smaller then the girls. He also said that you must be letting your sister eat all of the food!! Yet, I was told not to worry about because everything else looks normal, and in fact, your heart is very strong.
I sure love seeing both of your hearts beating on the ultrasound machine. I also love you see you moving around in my tiny uterus. I am glad that you both are getting along so well.

Here are some of your 22 week pictures.

Mommy's belly is growing!!!

Hi babies, I wanted to write you both a now to say how excited Daddy and I are for your arrival. I am now 20 weeks along which means we are more then 1/2 way there. Each day after school I come home and lay on the couch with my feet up. Daddy is really good about rubbing my belly and talking to you both. In fact, there are many nights where he wishes you both good night. I love it when he plays with my belly. He is going to be a good father and already loves you both a lot.

I am feeling you both move and kick around a lot more now. It hurts at times, but is a great reminder of you. The boy is more of the kicker, so Dad thinks you are going to be a good wrestler. In fact Daddy is excited to wrestle with the both of you.

Please keep growing and getting bigger. We so bad want you to make it healthy into this world.

18 Weeks

One day after Valentines I went to see a high risk doctor. I was excited because I knew that she would do another ultrasound and we could find out for sure if we were having one of each. And we are!!!!

For sure Baby A is our little girl and Baby B is our boy. That means Baby A (you) are lower then then B (your brother)
The Doctor first measured our little girl. She took mesures on your abdomen, head, legs, and arms. And Baby A is growing perfect. Yet, our sweet girl was rolled in a ball and didn't want to move very much.


Next the doctor measured Baby B. Now son, you were all spread out and taking most of the room. In fact, you didn't leave a lot of room for you sister. But your measuresments were a couple of days behind where they should have been. The doctor said that this is normal and that you should start growing faster now. In the picture below you can see how close you are to your sister.

ONE OF EACH!!!!

February 1, 2010 I had my 16 week appointment with the Doctor. I was truly excited about this appointment because it had been 4 week since I had heard eithor of your heart-beats. I know 4 weeks is common for most womand but it was an eternity for me to go without hearing or seeing either of you.

The doctor and I talked and then he brought the ultra-sound machine in. It was like heaven seeing you both on the screen and seeing your little hearts beat so fast. I then asked the Doctor if we could possibly see your sexes. And he said he would try.

As the Doctor was playing around and trying to find your bottoms, I was talking and talking about all of my girl dreams. I told him about the baby girl blankets I had make and having 2 baby girl dreams. As I continued on with my own conversation Dr. Rosburge then exclaimed, "Well, dreams aren't always true because I see a penis!"

I sat up and and looked at the screen asking were the little penis was. And low and behold.... we have a son. It was a shock. But the more I thought about it the more excited I became. A son!

As I continued thinking about a little boy to dress and play with, Doctor was already at the bottom of baby # 2. Baby number 2 wasn't as cooperative and wouldn't let the doctor get the right look. In the end we didn't see any boy parts and the Doctor was 80% sure it was a girl.

So one of you are a boy and the other is a girl (80% chance). Daddy and I are so excited for one of each. We can't wait until you both arrive.

As of now. Baby A is our GIRL and Baby B is our BOY!!