Happy Birthday Week!!!

I meant to start this yesterday but my internet was down...
Happy Birthday Week Baby Girls!!!
I LOVE You so very much!!!
Allen & I decided that, as a family, we will celebrate the girls birthday for a week (5 days). We decided that we would do this because I was in labor for a week. Silly, maybe, but it was such a life changing week for us so we believe that each year we will celebrate our girls week long debut. In celebrating we mean, sing happy birthday week, make special foods, play more fun games, and things such as that. Nothing to crazy and outrageous! This week (a year ago today) and the month following it really helped us see how fortunate and lucky we are to have strong, healthy baby girls. Now, almost a year later, I am amazed at how far they have come. By God's grace, these girls are perfect, strong, and healthy. Thank you Jesus.

Shortly after we brought the girls home, I journaled about each day leading up to their arrival. I debated on whether or not this was something I should share but I want it to be in my girls book and I think we often forget about the experience and the moments leading up to their arrival. So, throughout the next few days I will share a few of my "entries" with you. I hope you enjoy reading.



Day 1: Monday April 27, 2009
It was a typical Monday morning. I had a 9:00 doctor’s appointment with Dr. Kallenberger. It was a typical visit. They weighed me, took my blood pressure (it was a bit high but nothing to worry about) and sent me back to listen to your precious heartbeats. Your beats were perfect, I felt completely normal, and daddy and I walked to the checkout desk. In that instant, I turned to daddy and said, “I think I am having a contraction.” Not thinking much about it, we got in the elevator and walked to the car.  

On this Monday, two months before you were due, I was ordered to start stress test to ensure that you were both free from stress. My appointment was at 1:00. We had about three hours to kill so…. Naturally, we (Mimi and I) went to Target. 


While we were inside Target, I kept stopping the cart and saying, “Mom, I think I am having contractions… they really hurt.” Like menstrual cramps and an extremely tight stomach. She asked if we should head to the hospital… I thought I was probably overreacting (like I typically do) and we should wait until 1:00. 

As 1:00 rolled around we went to the labor and delivery floor and checked in. At this point, memaw met us and we waited in the waiting room for what seemed like forever. As we waited, there was a young pregnant girl and her boyfriend waiting to hear their baby’s heartbeat because their doctor was hearing some complications with it. (Minor detail but I distinctly remember talking to her – she was drinking an Arizona tea that of course Memaw talked to her about). I was later called back and I informed the nurse that I thought I might be having some contractions. She hooked me up to a million wires to check for stress as well as contractions. I laid on the table in a very small room with Memaw and Mimi. We all three cut up and talked about what you looked like, if you would have hair, how much would you weigh, would you look alike, etc. About 30 minutes after the stress test, in walked the nurse…with a huge needle and a smile. Did I mention that I was deathly afraid of needles? Well, she informed me that I was having contractions every 5 minutes and that the shot was called breatheen and it helps stop contractions. We had to continue monitoring the contractions for 30 minutes after the shot. At this point, we called daddy and let him know that he should probably come on up to the hospital. Dr. Kallenberger’s nurse came in and informed me that I would either stay at the hospital on bed rest or they would send me home where I could not get out of bed. This is when I began to panic. After the shot ran it’s course she came back in with another shot and informed me that they weren’t stopping and she was going to call the doctor. 


Well, Dr. K wanted the nurse to check my cervix. At this point, I was admitted into a room and we began paperwork and the whole admitting process. When we were settled into a room, the nurse "checked" me (this was extremely painful) she quickly/frantically said, “You are dilated to a 3 and you aren’t going anywhere!”  She had another nurse come in and double check that she was accurate. Ouch... again.

At this point, mommy, daddy, mimi, and memaw all began crying. I asked Mimi and Memaw to give your daddy and I a few minutes alone. Your daddy and I sat in that hospital room hugged and cried. I was so scared because I wanted you to have every opportunity to be healthy and I feared not being able to bring you home with me. I was terrified.  


The nurses swarmed the room, overloading me with information, giving me a cathedar and sticking me with needles. Everything was happening so quickly. The nurse came in and informed me that they were going to put me on a medicine called magnesium. This was an intense medicine and they hoped that it would stop my labor at least long enough so that they could give me the shot that would help your lungs fully develop. At the least; I needed you to stay in my belly for 48 hours. The nurse informed me of what would happen to my body when I took the magnesium. She said, “You will be miserable.” She was right. The magnesium was the worst pain I had felt throughout my weeklong labor. The magnesium made me burn from the inside out, I literally felt as if I was on fire. I felt so sick (like I had the flu) and I was extremely nauseated. The room stayed around 68 degrees – everyone was wearing jackets! I didn’t care how much pain I had to endure, I wanted you to stay in my belly. Grow lungs grow.

Daddy called everyone to let them know what was going on. Daddy, Mimi, Memaw, Nana, Bompa, Keely, and Ray all came to give us their love and support. We all sat in the room and talked, watched TV, and hung out.  


Later that evening, the NICU doctor came in to inform us of what would happen if you came early. She informed us of the procedures, rules, and actions that we needed to take if you came early and went into the NICU. I was so terrified that I could hardly handle myself. I was trembling. My legs were shaking and I could not contain my tears. I was so worried and scared for you. It was never about being scared for myself; I only wanted to ensure that you entered this world healthy and strong. I longed to hold each of you in my arms. I couldn’t wait to hug, kiss, and cuddle you. At one point, I asked the doctor to direct her conversation to daddy because I was about to have an anxiety attack. I already loved you so much and I wanted to do everything I could so that you both came out healthy and prepared for this big world. The last thing the doctor told me was, “Keep those babies in your belly, I want you to make it at least 34 weeks.” At that point, I was 32 weeks. 
 
Everyone left the hospital that night and daddy and I sat and talked about you. We talked about how much we loved you and how excited we were for the journey God was going to take us on. Your daddy was so worried but he put on the strongest face for me. He would remind me to trust God and stay optimistic. He loves you so much.  

As Allen fell asleep, I laid in that hospital bed, eight pillows surrounded me and I prayed. I begged God to keep my babies in my belly, to take care of them, and keep them safe. I also asked him to make me strong. In my gut, I knew it would be a hard journey, I knew that you were going to be early, and I knew I would need him. That night, my motherly instincts kicked in. I knew you would be born on May 1^st. I can’t explain it but, every time I saw the Ghost’s of Girlfriends Past preview, they would show that it would start showing May 1^st and I just had this feeling that this would also be the day that my babies would be born. I was right!

Tuesday, April 27, 20010

Look at you now!!! We had a fun, laid back day today! We had lunch with memaw. mimi, and trudy. You even got a little taste of chocolate mouse... you haven't had any sugar yet (except for your birthday cake pics). Then we went to Sam's to get stuff for your birthday party, which I am SO excited for! Then we went home and played in your playroom. It was a pretty typical night but we sang the Happy Birthday week song to you! I love you! Happy Birthday Week Sweeties!!!