Brooklyns Home!

Our little Brooklyn is finally home. The doctors let her go a few days ago, just in time for Christmas. She is still having a few issues with her apnea so they sent her home with a monitor. It's so annoying!!! It goes off all of the time. Not because shes having an episode, just because she moves or stretches or something, and it's so loud! I can't wait until it's gone. We're not sure how long she'll need it, but hopefully it's not too long. I'm so excited to finally have both of them home. Raidens not quite sure what to think but he's doing pretty good. We've only had one thing thrown at them so far, so I think we're doing okay. I love my little family and am so happy that we're finally complete.

Londons Home!

We're half way there!!! London was discharged and is finally home. She's changed so much in the last two weeks, she's like a different baby. Shes so strong and eats like a little piggy.(most of the time) I'm so proud of her! She works so hard to eat her 43cc and most of the time eats a whole 50. The nurses call the girls little sailor because basically they burp like one. That I can say definitely came from their dad. She's such a good girl but I know she can't wait to have her other half home. Brooklyn is still having some apnea issues but is doing very well. We just need 2 to 4 days of no episodes. They are talking about maybe just sending her home with a monitor. Raiden has had the stomach flu for like a week now but is finally acting normal today. He doesn't even know he's got a little sister sleeping upstairs. We're trying to keep them apart until we're sure he's not sick anymore. We're hoping and praying that in a few days we'll be a complete healthy family!! That's all we want for Christmas!

THEY'RE HERE!

My beautiful baby girls were born Sunday November 30th at about 6pm. London weighed in at a whole 5 pounds 1 ounce and Brooklyn weighed 5 pounds 4 ounces. The labor was a dream delivery. I pushed just about twice and we had our little London and about 5 minutes later, along with her 2 GALLONS of fluid came Brooklyn. Yep, Brooklyns bag of water had two full gallons. I'll never forget everyone just standing back waiting while the water POURED OUT OF ME. It was actually pretty embarrassing. Pretty quick after they were delivered I had some complications and needed quite a bit of blood and some other medicine they were pumping in me so for the first two days I was pretty out of it. What I was aware of though, was that I didn't have my sweet baby girls with me. They were taken to the intensive care unit so they could get strong and grow. It's now been 9 days and they're still there. I never dreamed how hard it would be to go deliver a baby and leave the hospital without one. (or two) My heart breaks every time I go down there and see them laying in there little beds all alone. They need their mom to cuddle and love them and I need them. I have to fight everyday to stay strong and hold it together so I can recover and be ready for them to come home. They are absolutely beautiful and have captured the hearts of everyone in the hospital. Most people can't tell them apart but Ricky and I can. Brooklyn is a little more narrow around the temple and eye area and London has a rounder face. I can't wait for them to come home but right now we're not sure when that will be. They just need to eat consistently and we can bring them home. I am so blessed that all they need to do is eat. So many other things could be wrong and they could be really sick. I love my sweet baby girls so much. I wonder everyday why I was chosen to be blessed with such miracles.

Baby Shower

I'm so Lucky!!! I have the best mom and sisters ever. They just gave me my baby shower and it was just perfect. It was all pink and fluffy and everything girly, just the way I've always dreamed my baby girl shower would be. So many people came and were so giving and gave me two of everything I got. It was so much fun. Thanks to anyone and everyone who had anything to do with my amazing shower, I love you all.

Halloween

I'I've decided when you have kids you have a whole new appreciation for Halloween. This year was so fun. Even though I couldn't walk around Ricky took Raiden trick or treating with a bunch of the cousins, even though Raiden had no idea what he was doing , he had lots of fun. Afterwards we went to the annual steve and ellen rogers costume party. It's always so much fun and my parents put so much work into it I couldn't image Halloween without it. Raiden went as THE HULK, I was a big old prego witch and Ricky kinda cheated this year and just wore a sign that said" NUDIST ON STRIKE". All in all it was a great Halloween and I can't wait to dress up two little princesses next year.

Baby Scare!

Ricky and I had kind of a scare this week with the little girlys. All along we have known of the risk of something called a twin twin transfusion. Because I only have one placenta the twins run a high risk of one taking more blood, nutrients, etc. from the other one. Well, we had our normal ultra sound on Monday and we saw that London was for the first time smaller than Brooklyn. Normally with Identicals they are pretty much exactly the same size. So, of course the Doctor has to scare me and tell me I need to go see a specialist immediately because we may need to either do a risky surgery, take the babies now, or possibly lose London. So, yesterday morning we went to the specialist and luckily the girls are okay. London is a bit smaller but not enough to worry yet. They will closely monitor her and make sure the gap in sizes doesn't get bigger but for now she's good. This is a picture of London, we didn't get a good one of Brooklyn but at least we know she looks just the same. I'm so grateful everything turned out okay. Just the thought of possibly losing one of them was too much for me to handle!

need to complain

I've decided that I need these babies out of me right now!!!! Oh my gosh, all of the sudden it's hit me. I'm in constant freakin pain. This is not your ordinary pregnancy oh my feet hurt pain, this is I feel like my stomach is being cut by a knife because it can't stretch any more pain. Sorry all of you little one baby prego girls out there, but I have no sympathy. (sorry Kristen,still love ya) I can't even walk for two minutes into a store without wanting to sit or ride on one of those wheel chair things, it's so FRUSTRATING. All I can think about is the worst is yet to come. I know I just need to stay positive and suck it up, but man what a difference in pregnancies. I can't lay, I can't sit, I can't stand I just want to cry and go to sleep but oh I forgot, I CAN"T SLEEP!!!! Anyways, I just had to complain and feel sorry for myself for a minute. I know for some odd reason i've been one of the few picked to have two special little babies and I just have to remember that it will all be worth it when I see my baby girls!!!!!

Happy Birthday

Ricky is officially an old man, he turned 28 last week! Yuck that sounds so old, it's so close to 30!!!! We had a really good day. We always start out birthdays with a Cinnabon cinnamon roll so we headed to the mall that morning and then I had scheduled him a shave at a mens salon so we had to get to that right after we ate. He had never been to a salon like that or actually I think probably being bald he's probably never been to a salon, but I think he liked it. Right after that we met the family at Costa Vida for a yummy lunch and that was fun. Then, Ricky had some time for a little nap before he went to a movie with some of my brothers and straight from there we had a dinner reservation at AHSO with his family. So, all in all it was a good day for him. I just have have to say that there isn't a better husband or father than Ricky. He acts all tough but underneath is one of the most tender hearted people you will ever know. I'm so grateful for him in my life and hope that Raiden, London and Brooklyn are thankful for the great roll model they have in a dad. I love you Ricky.

FINALLY

I finally got some pictures so I could post. My cameras been broken and it's driving me crazy, I feel like i'm so lost and behind. I need to do a major catch up!

Raiden turned 1. My little guy is a big guy now. I didn't throw a huge party or anything I figured we'd save that until he actually has a clue whats going on but we did do the whole have your own cake thing. He loved it!! As you can see in the pictures he had no problem eating his own cake. This year went by so quick, it kinda makes me sad. He's not my tiny guy anymore but he's turning into such a character. He eats EVERYTHING he sees. I can barely keep up with it. He loves to play with all the other grand kids at grandmas house. The more kids the better. He's recently discovered that he can run and I being HUGE and prego can't really keep up. So, the first chance he gets to take off running he does. Ricky and I can't even remember what we did before Raiden. We love him to death!!!!

The Girlys as we call them are growing strong. I'm huge of course and pretty much feel like I can't possibly stretch any bigger but I know it's coming. It's really amazing how much harder on my body it is to carry two. I have an appointment today so we'll see how everything is going. I go every two weeks now and have the full work up. Ultrasound, Internal exam and everything. Not FUN! Rickys so excited and wants the girls to be here right now but I think I maybe need a little more prep time. I still need some serious bow making sessions!

GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS!!!

It's official, I finally got my little girls!!! We are so excited, we found out the twins are definitely girls. Their names are London Lynn and Brooklyn Belle. I can't wait to go out and buy them all kinds of bracelets and bows, it's gonna be so much fun! The ultra sound lady said they look like they will have no problem keeping up with Raiden because they wouldn't sit still. So far they are perfectly healthy and actually on the big side for twins, which is bad for me but good for them! I already look like I'm due any day, It's disgusting. :)

Movement

I finally felt movement! I layed down yesterday and one little baby decided to tell me it was there!! Now I just need another one and I'll be satisfied. I love that feeling. It kind of makes all the sickness and exhaustion worth it. It reminds me that there is something real i'm doing this for. I've been feeling a lot better lately, FINALLY. I'm still really tired but that I can live with. We go in next week to find out what these little things are. I can't wait!!!!

BEACH

Ah the Beach!! It wouldn't be a complete summer if we didn't spend a week(or more) camping in San Clemente. We just got back about a week ago and some how i'm still finding sand in Raidens ears. How is that possible?? Well we survived our first camping experience with a baby. It wasn't so bad, all the dirt and sand and sticky sunblock and sea weed for him to eat and trying to shower without him slipping out of your hands and waking everyone during the night and diaper rash and trying to nap and keeping him some what clean, really wasn't that bad! He Loved it. The sandier he was, the better. He actually took really good naps down at the beach, somehow the beach does that to you. I always love the beach and I will always be there. San Clemente will be part of our lives FOREVER!!!!

4th of July

4th of July weekend we all(all 25 of us) headed up to the cabin in Greer. It was totally crowded but so fun! I LOVE the cabin. I love the smell, I love the trees, I love the weather, I love it all. To me, the cabin is paradise. It's absolutely beautiful. We watched a parade on the 4th but no fireworks because of the fire danger, but it was still fun.

TWINS!

So, I go to my Ultra Sound appointment the other day and I get in there and the lady puts it on my belly for like one second and then says,"ok, lets do a vaginal ultra sound". She says my uterus may be tilted.(little did I know what she already saw) So, she sticks the thing in and immediately I look on the screen and say,"why does it look like I see 2 babies"? She says um, that's because you're having identical twins". So, I proceed to freak out, cry a little bit and almost have a heart attack while Ricky like shouts with excitement. The freak out hit him later! And so, it's true, we are having TWINS!! I still can't believe it. What the heck are the odds?????? They estimate my due date to be January 5th, but they expect me to deliver sometime around December 5th. Merry Christmas to us!!!!! :)

Prego AGAIN!

Yep, it's true, I'm prego again. I can't believe it! I think Ricky and I are still both in a little bit of shock that it's happening again. I took two tests and still didn't believe it, and then cried for a couple days and now realizing it's here to stay, I'm happy!! I have an ultra sound on Wednesday to find out my exact due date but were guessing like January 1st. A Christmas baby, my favorite time of year, it couldn't be more perfect! It's been really different this time, I've been sick all day everyday. Poor Raiden just roams the house all day long and if he's lucky I dump some cookies in front of him so he has something to eat. I don't know how girls do it that have more than one kid or have to go to work sick. I couldn't do it! I'm lucky if I get dressed. At least I have Kristen to be miserable with me. She's due about 2 weeks after me!! I love it. They'll be best buds! Raidens best buddy Brody is moving back home in about a week now, he's so excited! (he doesn't know it but he is) We are all so excited to have our Texas Rogers come home! We've missed them so much, it's been way too long.

Mothers Day

I Ihad my first official Mothers Day. Oh, the joys of being a mom! Ricky and Raiden bought me a bunch of new clothes and took me to lunch and let me relax all day. We had a brunch at Heathers house to celebrate with mom and all the other girls and then just hung around for a while and let the boys clean up!! It was great!

Mexico Tri

Well, he's back at it again. I thought maybe after the Ironman Ricky would take a break for a while but no deal. He already did the Mexico triathlon. It was a fun trip down there. Ricky, Dad, Scott, and Heather all did the tri so we all went down and stayed in Heathers house for the weekend. Some of Rickys family actually went. I couldn't believe it. Maybe we've turned them over to the dark side of Triathlons. They all did real good. Scott actually came in second in his age group and won a whole cup!! Raiden unfortunately got sick and threw up all over me in the car. Lucky for Kristen she was sitting right next to us and got to help clean it up.

Pool

We got a pool today! Unfortunately I don't think my butt will even fit in it, but Raiden loves it. I got Raiden a tiny little blow up pool today and took him outside to swim. He had so much fun.

Oh brother! What an Ironman team
I know I'm so late at posting this but, I'm just so proud of all the guys I wanted to make sure I let everyone read it. It's an article from the East Valley Tribune about all our guys and their Ironman.


For one Valley family, the Ironman Arizona Triathlon was the culmination of a year of hard work and sacrifice.Four men — two brothers and their brothers-in-law — were among the thousands competing in the 140-mile swimming, biking and running race that started at Tempe Town Lake early Sunday morning.The men all decided to sign up for this year’s event after two of them, Scott Rogers and Derek Price, took part in the 2007 Ironman. They convinced Rick Rogers and Ricky Hanchett to join them for this year’s race.
“To have one member of your family try this race is one thing, but to have four in the same family is very unusual,” said Steve Rogers, father and father-in-law.
Although the conditions were not the best, the four were able to fight through to the finish line, pleased with their day’s effort.
“It was miserable,” said Rick Rogers, 32, laughing after he crossed the finish line followed by Hanchett about 13.5 hours after the race began.The brothers had to deal with the Arizona heat, as well as increasingly powerful winds.“It started out great,” said Price, 35, “but the conditions started pounding on us.”
Price said that although he didn’t break down physically, he felt mentally drained about halfway through the run. “There’s just this mental desire to stop.”
Scott Rogers, 24, said that he was happy with the day, despite falling short of the 10.5-hour mark he’d set for himself. He said that he suffered from bad lower-back and calf cramps and had to walk for six of the 26.2-mile running segment.
He and Price ended up finishing in a little more than 12 hours.
Kristen Rogers, wife of one of the racers, said the finish line scene was both chaotic and exhilarating, with more than 2,000 people converging at Tempe Beach to see the exhausted runners end the race.The four men called themselves the Red 26 Tri Club. The name came from the color of the Ironman logo and iron’s atomic number on the periodic table of elements.
The men trained together for the event with long runs and bike rides about three times a week.Steve Rogers said there were about 50 family members expected to show up in Tempe to support the team of four men dressed in black and red.
All but Rick Rogers are Gilbert residents; he lives in Phoenix.
The members of Red 26 Tri Club are planning to run together in the November Arizona Ironman as well.
“I’m excited,” said Scott Rogers. He said the wind and heat made Sunday’s race all the more difficult — and November’s all the more attractive.
The team also plans to bring the family patriarch with them in November.
“Next November’s Arizona Ironman will have me, the old man, join them,” said 57-year-old Steve Rogers, who said he’s already preparing to convert from a Red 26 fan to a full member.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/113760

IRONMAN

He did it. Ricky is an official IRONMAN. Last Sunday, April 13 Ricky completed the Ironman. I'm so proud of him, he did so good. What an accomplishment!!! There was a lot of sacrifice that went into that race and I have to say that after all was said and done, it was worth it. Ricky, Rick, Scott and Derek all completed it. Every one of them did Amazing. The day was so full of so many emotions. Worry that something may go wrong and one of them may not finish, excitement, exhaustion, fear, PRIDE and even a little sadness that it had all come to an end. I wish some how I could describe to Ricky the overwhelming respect and pride I have for him and for what he has accomplished. I feel like standing on the sidelines and cheering for him I didn't do enough to rejuvenate him and encourage him. I just hope he knows that my thoughts didn't leave him for one minute on that course. What a huge example he has now set for Raiden. Not only that he's an Ironman but that if you set goals and set your mind to something you can do it.

Mini Triathlon

I have to admit, I have the coolest family. Scott decided to organize a mini Triathlon for all the little kids in the family. It was awesome. They swam in Heathers pool then biked around her neighborhood and then finished up with a little run. They even had little bib numbers, medals and matching embroidered hats. I did a little and set up an AID Station with drinks and a few snacks. I think Scott wants to make this a tradition and do one before each Ironman. I love it, it's so cute.

Rock Band

We've become addicted to Rock Band. It's now our new nightly ritual. Ricky of course, is totally good at it, even the drums which are so hard. I can play pretty good but only on easy mode. Raiden is such a good boy, he just crawls around our feet and watches us play. The poor kid, he's gonna grow up thinking a guitar has no strings. We're now on a serious count down to the Ironman, 9 days left. I think i'm getting more nervous than Ricky. He's ready though. I'm sure he'll do great. Raidens been such a good boy lately. I love this age. He's so full of personality, he constantly has us laughing.

Easter

Easter was this last weekend and I have to say that my favorite part is the buying and wearing of the easter dress. Mine was yellow and ruffly this year, I loved it.

Easter was so early this year it was actually on moms birthday so we had a party for her the day before. We went to the park and dyed easter eggs and had a scavenger hunt and of course ate. I'm totally proud of my dorky little bunny cake I made. It was cute. On Easter we went to mom and dads and had a big hunt, decorated little bunny cakes and of course ate again. Raiden looked so cute for his first Easter. His shoes matched his shorts, they were really cute.Ricky didn't like them but I thought he looked cute. Later that evening we went to the Hanchetts to eat again. We had Mcs famous enchiladas and the kids did a hunt. Now, I guess the next event is Ironman. I have to say, i'm getting a little tired of being an Ironman widow.

Catch up

It finally happened. Every night I say to Ricky, "well, maybe this will be the lucky night" last night it was. Raiden slept throught the night!!!!! It's about time. It was probably a fluke but i'm trying to tell myself it wasn't. He's been such a good boy lately. He was sick for a while but he's finally acting like himself again. He's really gotten the hang of crawling and now he's even started pulling himself up onto his feet. It's time to majorly baby proof the house. I went yesterday to try and find baby gates that fit our banisters but no luck. Luckily he hasn't discovered the stairs yet.

Monday night for family night we went to the park with my family and Summer gave a cute little lesson for the kids . She does such a good job with the little guys. The rest of us just hung out and ate.

The Ironman gear is finally here!!! Mom and Dad (with the help of Rick and Kristi) gave the boys Custom jerseys and shorts for the ironman with RED26 logos on it and they finally got here. They look awesome. It's only 28 days until the big day. The boys are all gonna look so good. It'll help us girls be able to spot the boys better because they're bright red. Ricky loves them. He was so excited.