New Pictures of the boys!

Here are some recent pictures of the boys! They are both already changing so much-- and I can't believe they are already almost 3 weeks old! Time flies!
As of today, Noah now weighs 5 lbs 13 oz, and Mason weighs 6 lbs 7 oz!! they gained a lot in this last week--apparently they were going through a growth spurt!

We have had lots of visitors, and have really appreciated all the help from both family grandparents, and enjoyed seeing all our other friends and family too! You have all been great!!!

Anthony was back to work for half days this last week, so I was a bit nervous to be by myself--but I will figure it out! ;) I had help on a few of the days--so that was good. It will actually be a good way for me to ease into being by myself with them both for all day-- so it is probably good! Anthony's work is close to home too, so if I have a complete meltdown, at least I know he can get home pretty quick!

As for me, last week I actually was surprised at the doctors office (for my blood pressure check up), when I explained to him that I was having shortness of breath and such still--and I was sent to the hospital to get a CAT Scan immediately. He wanted to check my lungs for a blood clot, or to make sure I didn't have an enlarged heart. It was pretty scary. But there is nothing to fear--as the scan was clean! So, basically I still just have some excessive fluid in there that needs to get out; which will happen over time. My body is still just adjusting back to normal!

Until next time! Enjoy the pics!

THEY ARE HERE!!!!!

Just when I thought it would never come-- our 2 beautiful boys came into this world!

I am going to tell our Birth Story here (not too graphic---don't worry!), but if you just want to see pictures--just scroll past the Text!

On Saturday night (16th)-- I decided to eat pizza, Dairy Queen, and Popcorn--- and we watched about 3 movies...just not tired, and I was not able to do much anymore but hangout.
I actually felt really crappy on Friday, and thought I was going into Labor that night (which now I think that I was actually in "early" labor for a couple of days....), and then Saturday I actually felt pretty good! Had some friends over in the day, and then at night too-- and all seemed fine!

We fell asleep that night watching Terminator 2--- I am convinced now that the combination of the food I ate that night, and the horrible acting---is what sent me into labor!

Sunday morning I woke up about 6:30 to go to the bathroom, and my water broke!! I was actually surprised because a lot of people's water doesn't even break until they are in the hospital!
I called the doc-- Anthony started packing, etc--- and then when the doc called me back--I was surprised that she said to go to the hospital quickly. Everything we had "planned" and read, etc...said to stay at home as long as possible--and I wasn't even really feeling anything at that point-- so I was a bit surprised. Nevertheless , I followed orders.....and I'm glad we did!

I took a really quick shower--as I knew that would be the last one for a bit-- and then stuffed my face with as much food as I could!! I knew that the second that I got to the hospital, I wouldn't be given any food anymore. By this short amount of time, I was starting to have pretty strong and definite "real" contractions....

We got to the hospital about 7:30 or so--- and I was already now having very "Patterned contractions" , and very close together, and the nurse told me that I should probably get my epidural. I thought she was just trying to get it done, and push it, but then she said that she could tell I was moving very fast---and I will want it soon. I tried to be strong and said no at the time (knowing I would get it a little later). My whole thought process was that I wanted to be able to walk around and such as long as possible, but it turns out that wasn't a very long time that I would get to do that!

Within about an hour--I was in excruciating pain during the contractions--but I at least had a "break" between them still. Within about 30 minutes after that, I said to go ahead and order the epidural, as I was about 4 cm dilated, but my cervix was totally ready to go! She finally convinced me that it was not going to be too long--so I ordered it. Pretty soon they came in to do the epidural, and by that point, I was having constant contractions (no break in between)--and couldn't even sit up very well to have him put the needle in!! I finally just beared down enough for him to get it in, and within about 10 minutes, life was already much better! ;)

Pretty quickly after that, my and Anthony's family arrived to be there for us, and I was feeling pretty good;). My doctor came in pretty quick, and checked me, and I had already progressed to 5. Within about 1.5 hours of hanging out with family, I had a lot of pressure, and pushed the pain pump 2x, and it didn't help....I told the nurse, and my doctor came in to check, and I was at 10!!!!
Time for Pushing!! I couldn't believe how fast it went!!!
They rolled me to the Operating room (all twins are delivered in an operating room just for safety measures).

Long story short, I pushed for about 1.5 hours (and felt A LOT!!! Epidurals do not take that pain away!!!)-- and at 2:10pm......
NOAH DIEGO LOPEZ was born!!! He was 5.2 lbs, and came out perfect and crying and then just looked around for the next while! So cute!!
Immediately after, something wrong was going on......
For sake of not wanting to be too graphic, our second little boy was pulled out of me as a Breech Extraction. His cord ended up coming out before him, so my doctor had to act fast to get him out alive. I am extremely lucky that A.) The baby is great now, and B.) that I did not have to have an emergency C-section.
Nevertheless, our 2nd son was born at 2:15 pm........
MASON ANTONIO LOPEZ!!!!! He was 5.14 lbs--- so he was actually much bigger than his "big" brother!! ;) He came out not breathing and such--but he eventually was ok, and he was VERY awake and crying for a long time!! Poor guy...he a rough entrance into the world!

So, my water broke at 6:30am, and by 12:30 I was in full labor pushing!! I couldn't believe how quick it went!!!

After I was wheeled into the original labor room again, and eventually family came in etc,..... my doctor came in and apparently I had some real issues with my blood pressure,and had a lot of protein in my urine.....so I has to be monitored very closely...and couldn't go to the postpartem area that night. The babies were already whisked off to the NICU too.....so I didn't have my babies either! I ended up not seeing them at all that whole night--and the whole next morning.

We ended up having to stay in the hospital until Wedensday night--b/c of my issues. The boys were doing great--that first and 2nd day, they just had to be in the NICU for low blood sugar--but they very quickly were fine---and by Tuesday AM, they were wheeled into our room and free of the NICU!!! They were kicking mommies butt on healing!! ;) We were very excited that they did not have to stay at the hospital at all!

All in all, we are so happy we are home now--and at the moment feeling pretty overwhelmed! ;) We are slowly figuring things out though--- and SO EXCITED to have them here and healthy!!!
I must say as well.... that we have the 2 CUTEST little boys in the world!!!!!!

Noah really resembles Anthony's Mom side of the family--and has blondish/dark reddish tinted hair! He is so sweet, and "purses" his lips all the time-- and is very curious and will just really open his eyes and look around! This is why I call him my little Turtle!

Mason is a definitely a Close! ;) He looks a lot like his Mama, and really looks like the Close family! He also sleeps like one.....he is a great little sleeper so far--just like a rock! it is pretty funny! However, he has darker hair--it is not black--but darker than Noah's hair. We call him our little Pterodactyl because he the cutest funniest little cry when he does cry--it is all high pitched and sounds like a little screech! ;)

They are both so adorable, and really have their own little personalities, and don't really look a like!

thank you to everyone who has visited, called, etc......We love you all and really appreciate all the support and love from you all! We can't wait for you all to meet them!!!!

Enjoy the pictures! Keep checking blog, I will update as they I know they will change so quickly!!

Family and Brother photos......







Anthony couldn't resist this picture! Thanks for the shirts Kellen! ;)








OK--here is MASON! ;)




















And here is NOAH ;).........

36 Weeks...Still no babies!

As of tomorrow morning, I will be starting my 37th week, and still no babies! They are just too happy in there apparently.....

Ended up going to the hospital on Thursday night after I went in to see the doc last minute. The night before I had tremendous heart palpitations, chest tightening and such, and didn't sleep at all. I brushed it off as the weight of the babies, but then decided to just call the doctor on Thursday to see what they thought. They ended up wanting me to come in, and then when I did, my blood pressure was really high, and so was my pulse, etc. My swelling is horrible in my feet and ankles, and is moving up my legs-- so all of our worries were a blood clot.
Thus, I got sent to the hospital to do an Ultrasound on my legs to look for any clots, and they monitored the babies and me for a few hours.
I got to watch my contractions on the monitor--so now at least I know that what I feel are really contractions! Not strong enough to be in labor yet--but it is nice to know that is in fact what I am feeling!
No blood clots, and babies and everything is ok--- so basically the weight of them is just getting to be a lot, and they are really sitting on my main Vein (I can't remember the name), that runs right to your heart--so they are just causing a lot of pressure on me now.

Went in for my normal appointment today-- and my blood pressure was about back to normal, and they did an Ultrasound for the boys--- they are 5.6 lbs EACH now!! yeah! Staying exactly the same, as they have the whole time! Both still head down! Everyone always just tells us how good they look, and how healthy they are--so that is great!! The doc ended up checking me out too--and I am not anymore dilated or anything from the last time--so that was discouraging for me--but he said that didn't really mean much--as everything is definitely ready to go! He also told me I was the "perfect twin pregnancy"-- which in my mind means they are probably not coming out anytime in the next few days....
They will come when they are ready!

About a week ago, I had Cabin Fever really bad--so we went out to breakfast in Morrison, and then took a little drive up the canyon to see some fall colors, and then drove around Red Rocks. It was nice to just get out and see the beautiful Fall!

Until next time.....

Update from doctor....

Yesterday I went to the doctor, and it turns out that I am about 2 cm dilated! Nothing to rush to the hospital over yet--but at least I know things are progressing! ;) Could be tomorrow--or 2 more weeks-- who knows!?

My blood pressure was a bit high though, and my swelling has gotten worse in my feet and legs, so we are keeping an eye on that as well.
I go back next Friday for a full ultrasound to see how big the babies are, etc! By that time I will be a full 36 weeks!!! That was my original goal for them to get to--so maybe I had some sixth sense about that or something!

After our appointment we went down to Loveland to say good-bye to Grandma and Grandpa Z before they headed off to live in Phoenix! Went to dinner with them, mom/Randy, Cory/Jen and Karysa--good to see everyone! Karysa is so adorable!

However, since leaving the doc office yesterday, I got a really bad low backache all night and through dinner, as well as cramping and such.....
Usually moving or sitting down helps my back--but it sure didn't last night! We were glad to get back to Denver and get home--just in case! We kept a close eye on it-- but it was so constant that it was hard to "time" anything!

As of this morning I felt a bit better--but extremely tired! I still have the Pains today--just not quite as strong as last night! Have a call into the doc--but we are just waiting to see when things start to get more intense-and then we will get a bit excited!

No pictures to Post--just wanted to note what the progress was!
(this blog is like a journal for me!)

Not here yet........

Well, I am in my 35th week now--and I could've sworn this is when the boys were going to make their debut! Things have been very strange lately--so who knows, I could be right! Or, it could be another 2 weeks....

A lot of people have been asking me how big my belly is--so I thought I would post a few pics from some shots we took the other night at home.

Also, we finished the Nursery! So here are a few pics of the boys new home! Hopefully they end up liking the outdoors and camping and such--that would be kind of funny if they didn't!

Until next time! Stay tuned..... hopefully the next blog is about their arrival!

No--- we are not telling anyone their names until they get here....;)







Nursery.....