Kissing & Sharing

For most of the time, Ryder is pretty disintersted in his brothers.  He doesn't seem to mind at all that they are home, or that Patrick or myself are caring for them; but, he also isn't excited about it either.

When he does show interest, he is very soft, often "petting" their heads, and will give them kisses on the top of their heads as well!

Kissing Harvick while I nurse him.



Kissing both boys (the camera wasn't fast enough).
Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right.



"Sharing" his juice with Jarrett - Ryder did this 100% on his own!

Harvick & Jarrett . Hospital Photos

Heather Mickey posted the Hospital Pictures to her blog!!!

Heather Mickey Photography Blog - Hospital Pictures

Make sure to leave her a comment, telling her how great the pictures turned out!

Email Update 05/09/2011

This morning I sent out an email to my co-workers (over 150 of them!) about the twins' arrival, and I included 2 extra pictures that weren't posted to the blog - I figured you would all want to see them too!

Ryder is just as exhausted as us!

Taken this morning (05/09/2011)
Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right.

Harvick & Jarrett!!!

I had my "38 week" OB appointment on Wednesday, 05/04/2011.  Due to various risk factors increasing, my OB reccomended I stay at the hospital for an induction, rather than coming back on Friday for the one previously scheduled.  And, while I have said all along that I wanted to carry them as long as possible, I know when it is time to listen to the doctor!

After about 4 hours of labor, the boys were born:

Harvick Adam Hansen

10 pounds, 2 ounces

20.5 inches

3:33pm

Jarrett Harris Hansen

9 pounds, 1 ounce

21.5 inches

3:42pm

One last pregnancy picture.

Together right after being cleaned off.  Jarrett is on the left, Harvick on the right.

Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right.

Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right.

This picture is a bit skewed because of the angle - they aren't really that different in size.
Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right.

HOME!!!
Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right.

Of course, we had Heather Mickey come to the hospital on Thursday morning to take pictures of Harvick and Jarrett, as well as some "first family of 5" shots (she couldn't do the birth photos this time, due to me being required to deliver in the OR).  As soon as she puts some on her blog, I will be sure to post!

Playset (again)!

When we purchased the playset, we knew that we would want to make the "sandbox" area (located under the slide) into a ball pit (like the plastic balls at fast food places).

The "sandbox" is the area directly behind the slide, in front of the picnic table.

I thought that we would be able to purchase one, maybe two, bags of balls from Target - they come in bags of 100.  When Patrick saw the ones I had been thinking of purchasing, he thought we would need at least 3 or 4 bags . . . but, at $25 a bag, I thought we should just start with one . . .

Ryder admiring the new addition!

Patrick will yell out a color, and Ryder looks for it - he picked the correct one every time!

Turns out Patrick was right!  The bag didn't even have enough to cover a single layer of the area.  Ryder didn't care at all, and was completely ecstatic to have balls!

Now, anytime he is near a window where is playset is viewable (his room, the Kitchen, and the Family Room), he is constantly pointing toward his playset, and excitedly telling us "ball, ball, ball, ball . . . ".  He's always loved playing outside, but this has made him even more excited to play with his playset!

Don't worry - more balls will be purchased - we realize it does look a little pathetic!

Ryder . Art

Grandma Jody printed off some coloring pages of the"Blue Dog" character (from one of Ryder's most favorite books!) for them to color this afternoon.  But, eating lunch, running around outside, chasing Bob (the cat), and playing on the stairs took up all of their time.  After dinner tonight, Ryder colored the page . . .

Ryder's Masterpiece

. . . we think we have an artist in our midst!

Easter 2011

This year, Ryder definitely understood the concept of the Easter Egg Hunt!  We decided to just have a simple one at home, rather than going to a city/community one this year - my energy tolerance is lower than  normal, and we thought a crowd might overwhelm Ryder.

We started off on Easter Morning attending church at the Layton campus - our Home Group Leader's daughter, Bentley, was being dedicated.  After church, we came home to have our Easter Egg Hunt!

Walking out with Patrick to find the eggs (notice the rocks for the playset weren't evened out, and the border wasn't installed yet).

Collecting his eggs in the bucket.

Ryder liked finding eggs, but didn't like holding the bucket himself - it slowed him down too much!

Inspecting the egg.

Ryder loved opening the eggs - this one was filled with balloons!

Following our egg hunt, we went to lunch (where he was given a balloon) - Ryder rarely sleeps in the car, but between church and the egg hunt, he was worn out!

An attempt at an Easter family picture.  I can't wait until he understands the concept of a self-portrait!

Playing on the playset.

After dinner, Ryder had one last present to open.

Reading his new "Toddler Bible"!

Easter was definitely fun this year.  Attending church, and the Easter Egg Hunt were the only real "traditional" things we did, but it was perfect for us!  Who needs a ham dinner when you can have blueberry/raspberry pancakes instead?!

37 Week Update

Another OB appointment this morning. 

 

Both boys' heartbeats sound great.  As expected, my issues with swelling have continued to increase, but my blood pressure is still doing okay (up again a little this week - I'm now in the "high normal" range, but still considered okay).

 

No further dilation today - still at 4cm, and 60% effaced.

 

Of course, the boys could decide to make their debut at anytime, but my OB seems more confident this week that I will actually make it to next Friday.  The induction was scheduled, and I was even given an 8:00am appointment time for May 6.

 

So . . . 9 days (single digits now) at the max . . .

Playset!

We purchased the playset in early February, but it didn't arrive at our home until near the end of the month.  Patrick said he would just work on it in his "spare time", but in typical Patrick fashion, he finished it - COMPLETELY - this weekend.  The playset was started (the basic framework), base rock (4 yards) was hauled to the back (thanks to Jim, Martha, and Gerry for help!), the playset was finished, weed barrier was laid down, top rock (8+ yards) was hauled to the back (thanks to Gerry for help!), and a finishing border was installed - all in UNDER 2 months (with MANY other projects going on simultaneously)!

The first wheelbarrow of base rock (with Ryder's help!) being poured out - notice the framework for the base structure in the left of the picture.

Patrick reviewing his plan with Jim.

Ryder outside helping Patrick work on the playset (Ryder spent as much time as he possibly could outside!).

Taking a break from all the hard work.

Trying out the playset for the first time (obviously, still in the construction phase).

Ryder helping Patrick load a wheelbarrow with the second delivery of base rocks.

Completing the finishing touches.



The COMPLETED playset (notice Ryder peeking out with his orange balloon!)!!!


The playset turned out GREAT!!!  Ryder absolutely loves playing outside on it - of course, there are a few things he'll have to "grow into" (like the monkey bars and "bird's nest" above the swings), but he has a great time.  The top rocks we ended up getting for a great deal because the intended use is for chip sealing roads; however, it works perfectly for our purpose!

36 Week Update

Another OB appointment this morning. 

 

My OB didn't bother measuring me this time, since there is no concern about the babies being "big enough"; but, he did check the boys' heartbeats - both sound great.  My issues with swelling have continued to increase, but my blood pressure is still doing okay (up a little this week - 126/78, but still fine).

 

This morning I am dilated further - to 4cm, and am 60% effaced (when they induced me with Ryder, I was at just 3cm, and 80% effaced).  He's no longer making any guess about how much longer I'll make it.  He is comfortable with them coming at any time, and would induce me at my request.  So - we have scheduled an induction . . . May 6 is the official date (of course, unless they come sooner).  He isn't too confident I'll make it that far, but he doesn't feel the risks to my health and the babies are worth it past that point - I'll be 38 weeks, 2 days.

 

So . . . 16 days (max) . . .