They're here!!!!

A few weeks ago I had an appt (about my 500,000 one) and it was confirmed that "Baby B" was in fact breech. The NP decided to schedule me for a c-sec on Feb 25. I left that appt very discouraged. I was told I would deliver no later than 38 weeks which would be Feb 21. The thought of recovering from a c-sec with two newborns and a preschooler didn't exactly excite me either. The next week I met with the OB and we decided to move the induction/c-sec to the 21st. I was glad about that but still not totally sold on the c-sec, of course I wanted healthy babies so I would do what needed to be done. Each OB had different opinions on the method of delivery and I just wanted to feel secure in our decision and that the doctor would do what was best.

On Feb 12 I met with my high risk doc and we reviewed my previous ultrasounds and non-stress tests. He asked if I would be ok with an earlier induction. Seriously? What pregnant lady would want to be pregnant a moment longer? Of course I'd be ok with it! He then asked if my husband would be ok with it. Does his opinion really matter? I didn't skip a beat and just told him he would love for me to be done with this pregnancy. Since the girls were sharing a placenta and I was almost 37 weeks he thought it would be a safer and healthier option than waiting until 38 weeks. Music to my ears! The OB set the induction for the 14th. Silly, but I didn't want them to be born on v-day. I mean they are sharing everything else, can't they just have a nice birthday dinner without everyone else eating out too? We moved the date to Fri the 15th. Wednesday night I started having contractions and couldn't sleep at all. I woke up and decided that maybe the 14th would be a cute day to deliver my little sweethearts. Plus my favorite doc was on-call that night and that eased my labor and delivery fears. The girls weren't moving very much and my contractions had stopped so we decided to head to the doc. I met with Dr. Broberg who thought I should just be induced right then rather than come back in the morning. We discussed all the risks involved with a breech delivery but decided that it would be worth a shot.

 Around 8:30pm they started the pitocin, 11:00 epidural/water broke and at 2:10 they wheeled me down to the OR, I had to deliver there just in case. Everything up to this point had been great, I wasn't in pain or scared. I was able to rest and had really great nurses. Once we reached the OR I started getting nervous. How long would this take? What if I delivered one and then a c-sec for the other? How long will they spend in the NICU? How will I take care of TWO newborns? I remember looking over at David in his scrubs and telling him how nervous I was. Dr. Broberg and all the nurses were great at reassuring me things would be fine and that I could do it. 2:20 am I started pushing, 2:22 Tatum arrived bright red and crying, 2:26 Kate came feet first, blue and lifeless. I remember being worried but not terrified. I had had so many blessings and prayers that I knew she'd be fine. They quickly sent her off to get oxygen for about a 1 min. and then both girls were able to be with me.

I can't begin to describe the emotions with their birth. The word that sums it up is RELIEF. Relief that they were both here, and healthy and strong. Relief that the labor and delivery was amazingly smooth. Relief at how perfect they were. I loved being able to hold my girls and examine everything about them. Instant love and thankfulness for them.

Tatum Belle 5 lbs 13 oz 17 inches

Kate Emma 5 lbs 10 oz 18 inches

They had to spend a night in the NICU for low blood sugar but we were ALL able to come home Sunday morning. Incredible!

These little girls are such a blessing. I never imagined having twins but this has been the best surprise. They can usually comfort each other in the crib and I love to watch them snuggle up together. I'm so grateful for their health and that I can be a mother to them and Grant.

just keeps growing and growing and growing

I swore I would never post pregnancy pictures of me again but my thoughts and feelings have changed. I've been so nervous to bring two little girls in to the world. Maybe I'm wrong in my assumptions but I feel that they will, at some point, be compared not only to each other but other girls and I want them to always be kind to themselves and never feel insecure about who they are. I feel like I need to be a better example of that if I hope to instill in them a since of pride and self-esteem.

One of my favorite things is to read about how the girls are growing and what milestones they are reaching each week. I'm quite fascinated with the human body and how it works. The last few years I've been known to just "go off" on how amazing and forgiving our bodies are. It's mind boggling that our bodies just know how to operate and what it does/doesn't like that we do to it.

This pregnancy has been quite a miracle in my eyes. The fact that my 5'1" frame is carrying around TWO babies is just crazy. The toll my body has taken has been hard but at the same time I'm amazed that I can walk around and bend and reach (ok maybe not so much these past few weeks) and that my feet/back/ankles can support myself and two other people. Sure most days aren't so pretty and I get frustrated that I can't just go for a run or tie my shoes or carry the laundry upstairs....wait....scratch that. I know that it's worth it, and I'll be able to feel "normal" one of these days right? Right??? I do love that I'm able to be pregnant and that they are active and growing. 10 more days! I sure can't wait to meet these little babes!

17 weeks. I'm not sure how far Grant is....he's pregnant with puppies.....still. 

  

20 weeks (maybe 21-22 I can't remember)

35 weeks