Julie

My sweet sister-in-law passed away on Thursday, December 15th from a brain tumor she had for 10 years. Words can't describe the heartbreak the Penrod family has felt over her loss. Julie was married to Aaron (Keith's older brother) and they have a 10 year old son Tennyson. Julie was so many things; kind, caring, genuine, funny, witty, sweet, and spiritual. Her facebook was flooded with literally hundreds of people expressing their grief over her passing. She touched so many lives. She was a part of my life for 9 1/2 years.

I remember the first time I met Julie was at Tennyson's baby shower in SLC. Keith and I weren't even dating yet, but just good friends who had gone down to SLC with his sister and another friend for the weekend. She was so sweet and genuine the first time I met her, she always was. She had a way of making you feel special, always remembering the last conversation you had even if it was months ago and following up with questions like "how is this person in your family doing?" she would always remember their names and what was going on in their lives, I was impressed, especially since there are so many people in my immediate family. She truly cared about how you were doing and what was going on in your life, she also always greeted you with a hug and didn't leave without giving a hug.

We bonded over marrying boys from the East and being from the West and silly things we did that East Coasters didn't--like putting butter on our pancakes. She and I both shared a love for sweets, she sure had a sweet tooth. Our sons are best friends, so it's hard for me to see that Tennyson won't have his mom with him on this earth anymore. Carson absolutely loves Tennyson and they have so much fun together. I have so many great memories with Julie, a lot of Christmases were spent with the Penrod family--five to be exact, and Julie would always write the most perfect poem summing up everyone's year, they always rhymed, they were always funny, and she wrote them in like 10 minutes. She sure was witty and would always have something funny to say, I'm really going to miss her. Till we meet again. Love you Julie.

Just wanted to add one more thing--I'll never forget back in March when we called our families to tell them we were expecting twins. Julie's reaction is one I will never forget, and always treasure, it still makes me cry to this day. When we called Julie and told her the news, she cried, she was so happy for us, genuinely happy because she knew of my struggle with infertility, she knew of my miscarriage and even though she knew she would never be able to physically give birth to anymore children in this life because of her condition, she was still so happy for me and Keith and our little family. It's one of my most favorite things about Julie, she cared so much for others and was always truly happy for them.

This is my favorite picture of all us Penrod girls

 Kathleen (Brandon's wife) Catherine, Me, Julie, Krista

Hard to believe this picture was taken just three years ago and we've added five more grandkids and had to say goodbye to Julie.

Wish us luck!

As of Saturday it is now just Keith and me here to take care of Carson and the twins. Our help (Keith's parents) had to leave back to NJ for a family emergency. Saturday morning Keith drove them down to the Denver airport (8 hours roundtrip) and I was home to take care of the twins by myself. The morning was rough (it always is) but somehow I made it through to 4:00 when he got home. Keith and I are ready for this twin adventure (we think)! It's been crazy and exhilarating at the same time, there's really nothing like it, we love those two little ones. Twins certainly keep our hands full, I vaguely remember what just having one baby was like, but they sure do make us so happy. We'll get it figured out, we'll get the hang of things, they'll start sleeping through the night eventually--oh hey, the other night Cole slept six hours in a row for me!

Today I didn't eat till 1:00 pm (most days it's 3:00 pm), drink any water till 4:00 pm, brush my teeth till 2:30 pm or get my cleaning done till 8:00 pm...I think that's what we call twin life.

Ayla has a feisty little personality and sure lets you know when she's hungry. Cole has the most chill personality and seems ok with his sister running the show, he's started to be the better sleeper of the two, Ayla sure keeps us on our toes at night.

Here are some pictures from our October....which was mostly full of sleepless nights, lots of cuddles, my birthday, pumpkin carving, caramel apples, lots and lots of homemade donuts and apple cider, Halloween movies, Halloween parties, trick or treating and eating way too much candy ;)

tryin to get a family pic

Took this pic and sent it to Keith after he had left for the airport and it was my first day alone with the twins. I was feeding Cole and then Ayla started fussing.

My birthday ice cream cake. Last year in my 20s! Keith took me out to Eggington's for breakfast, shopping, then we took Carson out to the movies for my birthday celebrations on the 8th, on the 9th (sunday) we had a nice dinner with his parents, cake, baby snuggles and skyping family.

My MIL and I took Carson to a pick out a pumpkin to carve.

He was excited about the reindeer basket Grandma bought him

With Grandma at their second Dr. appt

Candy bar caramel apples!

Keith's dad went on a donut making spree because I mentioned that I wanted to make homemade donuts for Halloween. He made baked pumpkin donuts one day and chocolate cake donuts the next! I ate wayyyy too many! 

Carson and his friend Carter holding the twins.

Bath ready

Carson was so proud of "Sam"

These three....

 princess and the frog for Halloween

Baby Update

Thought I'd do a little update on the twins....

Ayla and Cole continue to eat and sleep all day. At their appointment last Tuesday, Ayla weighed 6 lb 8 oz and Cole weighed 5 lb 3 oz, although Cole isn't even on the charts yet because he is so tiny. Ayla is definitely my eater and is bigger than little man by over a pound. Cole is just the tiniest little thing you ever did see, he is still so light compared to Ayla. They're both in newborn clothes still, although Cole fits into preemie stuff still also.

They also had their first photo shoot last Thursday, I was so worried they wouldn't behave for the photographer since they were past the two week mark of when they prefer to photograph newborns, but they both did great! It was a five hour photo shoot and the photographer was so patient and easy going with the twins. Today, is my original due date and they are already three weeks old! I remember when I found out we were having twins on St. Patty's day and my doctor told me my due date, I remember thinking-- October 24th?! That's soooooo far away! Now we're here! Time really does fly, I'm trying to soak in this newborn stage even though nights are rough. If these two littles are our last I want to enjoy this time now. Carson will already be six in January, SIX?!!! Where in the world did those six years go? Can I have them back?

A preview of their pics
photocred: Soul Smile Images by Christina

A

C

Grandma with the twins

I believe they were a week old in this pic

Two bugs in a rug

Little Cole

Ayla girl

This guy loves being a big BRO.

The Twins: A Birth Story

Keith's parents arrived late Saturday, October 1st. We spent Sunday, the 2nd watching conference and taking it easy. I noticed that I had "dropped" Saturday night and was wondering how long it would be until the twins came. For dinner on Sunday we had a spicy curry dish, which I laugh about because Brandon (Keith's brother) claims Carson came when he did because he fed us spicy sausages the night before. So it was either the spicy curry dish, the long walk around the neighborhood that Sunday night, or the twins were just ready to come, either way, just after 2:00 am I started having contractions (which is exactly when I started having contractions with Carson), at first they were nine minutes apart and then quickly changed to five minutes a part. I told Keith we'd better head to the hospital. We quickly packed our things and let Keith's mom know we were headed to the hospital so she could get Carson off for school in the morning. I had contractions all the way to the hospital (about 15 minutes away), and we quickly made our way up to labor and delivery. It was around 3:00 am when they checked me into an exam room. The nurse took her sweet little time, hooking me up to monitors to hear the heartbeats, asking me questions, typing away on the computer, all while I'm laying on the bed in pain wondering when she was going to check me.

Around 3:45ish she finally checks me and says she can't find the water but feels a head. Well.....okay...what else? She leaves the room and brings back my doctor who was on call and already at the hospital delivering two more babies. My doctor brings in the ultrasound machine to see if both babies are head down, all while I'm still wondering when I'm getting my epidural. I ask my doctor and he says I'm at a 9. UHHHHH...I did not want to hear that! I keep asking the nurse if I can have an epidural and she tells me they called the anesthesiologist but he's at his house. "How far away does he live?" I asked. She replied that she wasn't sure. I still kept asking if I could have an epidural even though I already knew the answer, I just wanted some hope, my doctor said I might be able to have a spinal something. They wheeled me into the OR ( you have to deliver in the OR with twins in case you have to have a c-section) and then moved me to the operating table.

I immediately felt Ayla coming, she was pushing on me so hard and it was the most painful thing in the world. I was definitely not myself and would scream and keep saying "I can't do this, I can't do this," my doctor would then reply to me, "yes, you can! I believe you can do it!" Keith was over in the corner where they asked him to stand and I asked "Can I have my husband?" The doctor motioned for him to come over and I squeezed his hand as hard as I could through every contraction. Three pushes and Ayla was out. I remember thinking, if I was only having one I would be done. The first thing everyone said was "look at that hair!" I wanted to see her so bad so I looked over but couldn't see a thing with all the nurses that were in the room. I was also still in pain and wanted Cole to come out so the pain could be over so I was focusing on that too. Cole took a little while to get ready, but eight minutes later and another three pushes later he was out too. I was done! I immediately didn't feel anymore pain, it was incredible! I was still in shock that I just gave birth to twins without an epidural! The nurses kept telling me I was a rockstar for not having an epidural with twins. Haha. My doctor was very encouraging and said I did a great job. I apologized for being weird and loud and not myself, he said I did great and that most people were more intense than me and say "bad words," Haha I got a kick out of that.

They took me into recovery where Keith and I were able to hold the two littles. It was so surreal that they were once inside me and now they were in our arms, TWO OF THEM!! We were on cloud nine, I was so happy they were finally here but also so glad labor was over with! Keith went back to help get Carson off to school and bring his parents to the hospital. We spent the day cuddling the two babes and chatting. I got sleep here and there. On Tuesday we continued to work on feeding them and getting the nursing down. We were discharged around 5:30 pm and I was so glad they were both healthy enough to come home!

We've been home a week now and it has been just incredible. Still getting used to the sleepless nights, but surprisingly during the day I haven't been as tired as I was with Carson, maybe it's because I know what to expect this time around, or maybe I'm just so excited that they're here. We feel so incredibly blessed to have these twins and be a family of five now. Carson absolutely loves both of them. We have an incredible ward that's been so generous and thoughtful. My heart is full, truly full.

October 3rd, 2016
Ayla Cheyenne Penrod-- 4:10 am, 5 lb 7 oz, 19 in
Cole Jacob Penrod-- 4:18 am, 4 lb 11 oz, 18 in

After I was moved to the recovery room I looked out the window and there was a rainbow.....made me tear up a bit....my rainbow babies.

Getting close!

I'm 35.5 weeks along and have surprised myself that I made it this long. I had my mom come out two weeks ago because I thought I was pretty close to having them. Well with all this bed rest it sure has kept them in longer which is good so they can develop more.

Today I had a non-stress test (I have two a week now), things went good with that and I also had another ultrasound. Both babies are head down so if they stay that way it looks like I won't have to have a c-section (yay!). Baby A is 4 lb 12 oz and Baby B is 4 lb 3 oz. Dr. wants me to squeeze in another week so the babies can get over 5 lbs. Crazy to think I have almost 9 lbs. of baby in me but there are two. Dr. says he will induce me in just over two weeks if I haven't had them by then. We are getting excited to meet these two littles but I'm mentally preparing myself for the lack of sleep over the next year. I don't think we fully understand yet what it's going to be like. I remember the lack of sleep with Carson, but this is going to be double.

I can't walk around much or be on my feet at all because they will swell right up, so Keith and mom have taken really good care of me. Carson has loved having my mom here and it's been nice to have someone to read to him, put him to bed, fix his lunches for school, and play with him. Longmire is finally back on for the new season, after a year of waiting Keith and I are stoked, so I'll have something to watch this last week or two before the babies come. My mom heads home next Wednesday and Keith's parents come next Saturday....so we have help until November which will be so nice. My next blog post will probably be their birth story! EEKK!

Me today--I look huge even compared to last week!

Goodbye Summer.....

I can't believe it's already September 1st! School has started and I have no idea what to do with myself now that Carson is in kindergarten. I guess I only have a few weeks to myself before the babies come and then I'll most likely be catching up on sleep during the days when Carson is at school.

August just flew by. We spent most of it hanging out with friends, getting ready for school to start, prepping for the babies, going to appointments, and figuring out our backyard plans.

Yesterday was Carson's first day of Kindergarten. He's lucky to be going to school with three other boys from his primary class that are his buddies. When we dropped him off at school yesterday he started to cry a bit which made me tear up, but we found his buddy Carter and sat him down next to him and he seemed to be ok. We watched from the window for a bit with our friends before we headed off. I had a pretty hard time with it yesterday, I certainly would have loved to keep him home another year, but I can't. He's my buddy, he's really never left my side the last 5 1/2 years. In some ways I'm ready to see him grow and learn and do the school thing, but I mostly just miss the little guy everyday, I'm sure it'll get easier, especially when the twins come and I will need that time to recover, clean and sleep, but right now I wish he was still home with me.

Pregnancy update: I'm a little over 32 weeks and on bed rest. I missed last Sunday at church and received a whole flock of text messages, phone calls, and dinner offers. Keith said he was bombarded at church with people asking where I was and once they found out I was on bed rest my phone was receiving texts etc. like crazy. We really do have the best ward, people are so genuinely thoughtful and want to help. I'm doing well though, trying not to do much other than the necessary. My dr said he'd be surprised if I made it to 35 weeks, which is two weeks from Monday!! It's getting closer and I'm getting more nervous! My mom might come out next week, we are just hoping I make it to at least 34 weeks so I can have them here in Casper and not Denver.

That's about it! Fall is basically upon us and I couldn't be more excited! I may have already put up my fall decorations :)

Enjoying the last few summer nights at the river with Daddy before school started

Movies in the park with his buddy Carter

Gotta get the last of the fishing in!

Car seats came and it's surreal to have two!

Little man's first day!

At the beginning of August Keith worked with Carson for a couple of days to help him learn how to ride his bike without training wheels. He finally got it down and was so proud!

July Fun!

July was full of fun! Our July included--Bbq's, fireworks and the fourth of July, chalk art festival, the fair, cousins visiting, miniature golfing, movies in the park, dr's appointments, smores and hot dog roasting, parade day, fishing with dad, my baby shower, bowling, hot days, lots of milkshakes and ice cream cones, swimming, Misti's wedding and an ever growing baby bump.

I'm sad I didn't get any pics of the wonderful baby shower my friends Nona and Diana threw for me. I got lots of great gifts. It's so weird to start buying/receiving girl stuff too. We're so excited to be blessed with both.
I didn't get any pics of the fourth of July with our friends and the bbq we had at their house, but it was quite fun. We let the kids play in the water, ate yummy food and watched the fireworks.
I also didn't get any pics of parade day or the fair but Keith took Carson to the fair for over three hours! It was definitely smart to get the wristband because Carson wanted to go on ride after ride.


I'll just sum up July with the pics I did get..

This kid constantly asks to go fishing and has caught several fish already!

BoGo shakes at Johnny J's on a hot day

Chalk Art Festival downtown

My sister's three kids came to stay with us from the 22nd-25th, we were so excited to have them come visit and show them around Casper. Carson was in heaven because he always had someone to play with, we had a blast and hope they can visit again next year!

Exploring Rotary Park

A Casper tradition-- you have to take everyone to the waterfall when they come.

Movies and popcorn in the park 

Lake day at Pathfinder Res.

Roasting hot dogs, chicken and s'mores on Casper Mountain

We had to fit in miniature golfing before they left because Brecka and Carson love it!

Trying on hats at Sportsmans

Half off drinks at Sonic for a hot day!

July 30th my little sis Misti got married in the San Diego Temple. Keith and I took a quick trip there from Friday-Sunday. It was such a perfect weekend and I am so glad I was able to make it even though I'm cutting it close with flying and being 28 weeks. It was so fun to catch up with everyone. Friday evening we had a dinner at her in-laws while all the guys had a bonfire at the beach. Saturday was the sealing at the temple and then a luncheon afterwards. After the luncheon we helped prep for the reception and relaxed a little. The reception was from 6-8 and we danced, ate yummy food and chatted with everyone. After cleaning up, Keith, Kirk and I went and grabbed some in and out because I was still hungry, lol. After getting only 3 hours of sleep we hopped on a plane to SLC then Casper. After throwing up on the flight home I don't want to fly again for a long time. Congrats Misti and Marcus!

Waiting for Misti and Marcus to come out of the temple--Sister Shana, Niece Chelsea, Sister Shae.

What a beautiful temple!

She's Mrs. Camden now!

Getting big!

Terrible Iphone pics, but whatev.

Misti, Daren and Kirk. Only two of the 6 brothers could make it.

The sisters and mom. Just missing Nikki and Shiree. (again..terrible phone pics) I really need to get my camera fixed.

Prepping for the reception


My friend Whitney was so kind and offered to watch Carson over the weekend while we were in San Diego. This guy hardly missed mom and dad and had so much fun with his buddy Carter.

 And here's a update on the bump...

I'm constantly being kicked and someone asked me if I think they "fight" in the womb, I never thought about that, but now I wonder because sometimes they're both kicking etc... at the same time. Who knows? lol