One Boy, One Girl

Today was the day. So much anticipation to find out what you two were going to be. And yet after the results, we knew all along. I just keep remembering the day before my first appt at 13 weeks...it was Sunday and I was getting ready for church. I remember just thinking if for some lucky reason it was twins and a boy and a girl...we should name your middle names Emma and Joseph. I really felt the spirit when I thought that. I  of course even doubted it was twins.....and then the odds of a boy and a girl. :) But I won't forget that feeling I had either. I had the same feeling during the ultrasound today. After the tech announced Baby A was a girl, I for a brief moment though I may be shocked with 2 girls.....but I had that same feeling of naming a boy and girl's middle names Emma and Joseph. So I already knew for sure before she even confirmed it. Looking back over the last month and a half, every time I wasn't sure of wanted to think about what you could possibly be, I always went back to that first premonition the day before I even knew you were twins and just felt like that was my answer. So I really think all this time I knew and Heavenly Father had already told me, but sometimes we let others or the world get into our thoughts and change us or our thinking...even if for a moment. Luckily we can remember and look back and ponder and see Heavenly Father's hand in our lives and even in our thoughts. 

When I first mentioned to Nelson my thoughts on Emma and Joseph, he thought it was super cheesy. :) To his credit, maybe I wasn't clear enough on my promptings....:) So after the ultrasound I told him again what I thought. I think he liked it better, and I suggested he think and pray about it until he gets the confirmation as I did. :) So I am assuming....that will be there names. :) 

(* Historical Note: Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was an amazing man who sacrificed many things including his life for the truth and for Jesus Christ. His wife's name was Emma. She was probably the most valiant, strong, and tested woman I can think of. For more info on their lives or anything else about the church you may want to know, you can visit www.mormon.org .) 

I feel it an honor to name our twins after them. For after all, as parents, all we want is our children to stay close to the Lord, follow His counsel no matter what, and live their lives to receive the ultimate reward. What  better way to choose a namesake than people who have already done just that. 

So today was the day to find out the sexes...and we were full of apprehension  heading to the ultrasound for a 2nd time with twins. My mind was nervous, but truly my spirit wasn't. The natural man was a bit scared....but it is that way from experience. We just wanted healthy babies with heartbeats. And we were so blessed to get them! Everything was great and looked good. Our Technician kind of flew through stuff quicker than we would have liked, but over the years some have been really good and some well...about this fast. So at least all was well, and we did get some pics and a couple of 3D which was a first. I wish she could have better pictures, but that's okay. We'll take your pictures as soon as you are born..and plenty of them! So here are your candid's....: 

Juliet Emma Cluff

Juliet in 3D

Jace Joseph Cluff

Jace in 3D

We are so excited to welcome them into our family and hold them and love them. We only pray for an easy delivery (I do :) and that they will be born healthy and strong and ready to face this crazy world! 

We are eternally blessed already with 6 great children, and can't believe the tender mercies the Lord continues to give us. Now we will be eternally blessed  x 8!

Checkup

Today I had a checkup. I would be lying if I said I wasn't super nervous. Exactly what I am now is how big my first set of twins were when their hearts stopped beating. I was really nervous to hear the heartbeats, especially since I had food poisoning a couple of weeks ago. When I went in to the nurse to check my blood pressure and stuff, she said, how are you? I said, oh fine...I just always get a little nervous to hear heartbeats. She said, oh don't worry. Then she had to leave for a bit, and apparently I was nervous, because I got all teary eyed and had to get a tissue. It is almost like it is too good to be true...and I am just waiting for something to happen to take it away. But I trust in my Heavenly Father and even though I get nervous and worry, I think my spirit is at peace, but my mind is going ninety to nothing. All was well at my checkup today. I met Dr. Jacobs...who is not only Jewish and wears  Yamika (SP?) around, but is very bubbly and outgoing and friendly for an older doctor. I liked him a lot. I have yet to meet the other two doctors, but he seems great. The heartbeats were just fine, he didn't tell me the number, but did say I measure 22 (which normally would be 22 weeks)...so that gives you an idea of how big my belly is. I measure 22 at 16. (I change on Wed.) So all is well, and it was a relief to hear heartbeats. Now we are counting down the days to the ultrasound (next week...Sept. 21st) to find out the sex of the babies. :) What a blessing. I can't wait to find out and know what they are and then name them!!! :)

Happy Thoughts

This last week, we bought two matching cribs off craigslist for a great price. It is so fun imagining two babies......hoping they will actually get here to our family without any problems or complications, but then really having them to have and hold in our arms! Two cribs are the only thing we have right now....and two packs of diapers...we are trying to stock up. :) But we must be ready by Christmas...or we will be in trouble. Many of my friends who have had twins say to be ready anytime at 30 weeks. I hope to last at least to 35 or beyond....so they won't need to be in the NICU or anything. But still, we must be prepared. On the 21st we get to find out the sex of the babies...and that will be so much fun and a relief, so we can quit guessing....and prepare. I say we only have cribs...but that is not entirely true. We have girl and boy clothes from the last 6 kids! :) We just need to know which ones to get out and get washed and tucked away for their arrival. :) We  have names picked out for two boys and a boy and a girl.....I am so positive that it isn't two girls, we don't even have names. (No I am not saying until I find out in 2 weeks! :) My pregnancy has been very boyish...I'd bet for sure there is at least one! We are happy for anything though and so excited to just know.

Today I saw one of my friends at the store who has 10mo. old boy twins. We talked a lot about having twins ...and I have realized, it is so fun and exciting and really part of the fun is just the expecting. At least for now, while I am not so miserable. Don't get me wrong....I am almost 16 weeks and feel like 25....so I am bigger and quite less mobile than normally at 16....but at least I can take solace in the fact that there is no way I will go past 38 weeks. They won't let me. :) I also feel like in the end, and so I am told, I will be miserable and it will be hard to do much....well, that is not new...that is always how I feel, but  am sure it will be doubly worse! So the sooner to prepare the better.

I am still feeling sick. Off and on throughout the day and mostly at night...STILL! Again, I am told, it lasts a little longer....and should be feeling better by 18 weeks! Lets hope so. I also got sick sooner....right at 5 weeks I was sick instead of the usual 8. So perhaps that is an indication if there are multiples. :)

The kids enjoy telling everyone we see that we are expecting twins. It is actually entertaining for me too, esp. when we are in public and people ask..."Are those kids all yours?" We smile and say yes and then in no time the kids say, and there are two on the way! Oh the expressions are priceless. :) I love it.

We are currently in the market for a big van. Yep....our lovely suburban only seats 9 and we will be a family of 10...so we must upgrade. We will miss our suburban...it is so wonderful...I wish we could keep it forever, but I'll take twins over the suburban any day. :)

And so we keep waiting, hoping, and dreaming of what the future holds. It will be busy, sleepless, very large and bloated, and lovely! :)