The Hour Is Getting Late...

Here we are, still rockin' and still rollin'. We can't WAIT for the babies to finally get here, and Granny just told us to expect them in no later than three weeks. Thus, we've been going off the heezy to make sure everything is in order. In the spirit, then, of my rapid, sporadic blog posts, here is an update of the down-low, low-down of Thacker manor.

Nikki had her baby shower a couple weeks ago. I hear they had a great time, and I would like to thank everyone for the fantastic gifts. I, of course, went to see Terminator with Dad and Josh, but apparently fun was had by all the ladies. I like this picture more to show off my lovely wifes hot belly.
Now on to the nursery. What a trip. It was originally our office, so we lugged the desk and everything else into the other rooms in the house and slapped some paint down on the walls. We decided on a nice, neutral green - "asparagus" - as an accent wall, then just re-painted the other walls in a nice, shiny white. Nikki had a fantastic time trying to keep her belly off the wet paint. My parents then came down and we had a little party putting together the crib and dresser, which are both in cherry wood. That's when Nikki went crazy... clothes, diapers, wipes, flowers for Lily's hair, EVERYWHERE! The room is officially organized and ready to go.

Finally, the babies are doing great. They both weigh around four lbs and continue to grow and develop well. In our last ultrasound we only got pics of Lily, as Jack just wanted to show off his wiener and not his face (typical Thacker attribute). At our doctor's appointment yesterday, Dr. Burgett told us the babies were still breach and will most likely be born via C-section. Not the most exciting thought for Nikki, but you gotta roll with the punches. We're just grateful that she's healthy and the babies are coming along. She's in a lot of pain, as the babies are quite the movers in there. Contractions have already begun, as have birthing classes. Gross.

Children update and thoughts on Survivor...

The Thacks are happy to report that Jack and Lily are doing FANTASTIC. We just had another ultrasound, and while they are getting crowded in there, they are healthy and happy. The docs are saying Jack is about 2 lbs. 11 oz right now, while Lily is a close second at 2 lbs. 8 oz. Nikki has got a fantastic tummy that continues to grow like magic. She is currently fighting a cold, which adds to the uncomfort, but is still doing great. Here is a pic of Jack's face. I call mug shots like these "Jack the Reaper" pictures because they look positively scary. My mom says they look "cute". Hmmmm....

Also, we were elated to see ol' J.T. win Survivor. He deserved it, and totally handled the Jury questioning better than Stephen, who looked as awkward as a naked man in the middle of Times Square. Also, loved Tyson comparing himself to both Jesus and Joseph Smith. Brilliant. Final question: Do we think Coach's lie detector test was legit? Somethings are better left unknown...

Have a fantastic week.

LDS Biggest Loser Contestants

For all of you fans of the "Biggest Loser", this article was kind of interesting.

I knew the Polynesian cousins Felipe and Sione were LDS (easy to figure out from little hints like pictures of them with their wives in front of LDS temples), but I did not know about Blaine and Dane.

http://www.mormontimes.com/people_news/people_church/?id=7370

2009 so far...

Wow, what a beginning to 2009! I do need to get better at this blogging thing, and now that graduation has come and gone, I'm finding myself with a little more time on my hands (or a little less, depending on the day). Here's the latest news.
I finally freaking graduated from BYU, which was kind of a surreal experience. I never really imagined what life would be like post-college… Hmmm, not much different, just less homework. It of course has come with an added amount of pressure as I realize this is it… I no longer have the college crutch to lean on. I’m a big boy now, who has to do big boy things and hold down a big boy job (that is, until I become a rock star of course). I’m currently a supervisor at Nu Skin working in their South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand departments. The fun part about that is I work by the hours in THOSE countries. Yep, that means graveyards! My current shift is 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. It has been a bit of an adjustment for Nikki and I; she has to sleep alone at night, and I usually go to bed right when I get home in the morning. It actually works out ok, as I am waking up just as she’s getting home from work, so we get to spend the rest of the day and evening together. Still, it’s been an adjustment, but we’re counting it a blessing that I’ve been able to find a good job for a good, stable company. Can’t wait to see what it’s going to be like once the babies come…

Which leads us to the fun stuff, BABIES!!!! Jack and Lily are doing VERY well, better than our doctors have expected. Granny (my grandmother and our doctor) has told us that twins generally have certain problems during pregnancy, but Jack and Lily are doing great. They are growing at the same rate, progressing well, and mostly getting along. It was kind of funny during our last ultrasound, the doctor was looking at Lily’s head on the ultrasound screen, when all of a sudden we see this small foot come out from the corner of the screen and kick Lily in the head! Yep, Jack is already kicking his sister. At our last visit, our other doctor was listening to the babies heart beats with his little monitor thingy, and every time he would place the machine over a part of her belly, one of the kids would hit it! Just a big “whack” that you could hear. This happened at least five times as he tried to listen to their heart. It’s been fun to see they both kind of have their own personalities already – Jack is generally the crazier one, always moving and practicing karate; while Lily is more calm and cool, although she sits very high in Nikki’s tummy and sometimes likes to play pattycake with Nikki’s ribcage. It has been a blast to feel them move and grow; just tonight I had my hand on Nikki’s belly, when all of a sudden a little foot or hand hit mine – and held it there pressed up against mine for about ten seconds. A very cool moment for a very anxious almost-dad.

(The top pic is of Jack, the bottom two are of Lily)

Nikki is healthy – albeit uncomfortable – and I count that as a tremendous blessing. I thank Heavenly Father every day for the ways in which He has blessed our family and I pray that we may continue to qualify for those blessings as we do our best to serve Him.