A Momma's Tale: August 2012

20 days .....typically do not feel like they take that long to go through. However, 20 days in the NICU with our twins, felt like an eternity. In one way we could hardly believe that the babies were born 20 days prior, but on the other hand, it felt like an eternity. We knew going into this delivery that the boys could need some NICU time, but we never imagined it could take a baby 20 days to learn how to eat. We are so thankful for the staff at Kettering's NICU, but we are even more thankful that our amazing sons are home. We had many people praying for us and their well being, and we know this helped our boys get home. We can't wait to start this crazy journey of caring for twins, and being a family of five.

This week has proven to be crazy. When Tuesday came we had our week prepared. Ella and mommy were going to get pedicures on Wednesday, then spend time over the weekend with Papaw and Aunt Brenda, but our boys had other plans. Our ultrasound tech had promised us that if we made it to 35/36 weeks the boys would be over five pounds each. My measurements also lead the doc to believe this, so Tuesday night we decided to return the preemie clothes, let Ella play in the fountains at the Greene...and have a good meal at the Chessecake factory. One last family date before the twins arrival (and before the mommy/daddy date the following Monday.) After letting Ella play in and out of the fountains, we put our name in for dinner. Waiting outside I had two contractions, but since I had been having braxton hicks for a couple of weeks, approx 2 or so an hour starting around 7 p.m. I thought nothing of it and we went in to eat. As our drinks and bread arrived I started to realize it seemed like I was having more contractions that I had thought, and by the time food came I had asked Bill for my phone, and was timing them. After I noted them coming every 2-5 minutes, and lasting for approx a minute, I told Bill I needed to call the doctor. I headed to the car, to plug in my dying cell phone, while Bill got our bill. The doctor said to head to the hospital to be checked. Our first thought was, what do we do with Ella. A quick call to Ella's baby-sitter, and we had a place for her to stay. Another quick call to Lisa's dad advising him he needed to head this way. We still thought it was false labor and wanted to cover our basis. After dropping Ella off, which was pure torture, we started realizing we had nothing packed. Thankfully our sitter was also willing to go to our house and get some items, that would be much needed if it was true labor (i.e. the camera). At 11 p.m. Lisa's dad arrived, and the contractions had continued, but it was also found that I was dehydrated. The hope was with fluids, labor would stop. At 1 a.m. they advised the contractions were slowing, so Lisa's dad and his friend Bev went to stay at our house. Around 4 a.m. the contractions started back again, and by 5 a.m the nurse was asking if I wanted medications for pain. I said, yes, and when she came back she advised she had just spoke to the doc, and that I would be going in for a c-section at 7:15 a.m. Panic then set in. I called dad, and he said he would be on his way. We notified Bill's family as well. I started to realize that these babies were early, and was terrified about their lung development, surgery, and that we wouldn't be home for a few days.

Around 7:20 I was taken to the OR. I had a spinal vs. and epidural. It was not horrible, but wasn't as easy as I remember my epidural being. At 7:43 a.m. Liam came out, and a few seconds later Aiden arrived. Both crying, and getting great apgar scores. Liam weighed 5 lbs 7 oz and was 18 and 1/2 long. Aiden weighed in at 4 lbs 9 oz and was 18 and 1/4 inches long. I only saw them for a quick moment as the boys had a one way ticket to the NICU.

Since Tuesday it has been a whirlwind. Ella has been well cared for, but is getting antsy for mommy to come home. The boys continue to be in the NICU. Liam is eating more and more everyday, but through an NG tube. He just doesn't have interest in feeding at this time. Other than the feeds, he is healthy and if he could start bottle feeds, he could be discharged. Aiden was tiny. He was very tired after the 12 hours of labor, and has a PIC line (IV) in. He started feeds on Wed, but today he ate half of his dinner from a bottle, and kept it all down. We were so proud of him. I'm being discharged tomorrow, and knowing I'm leaving without my boys is killing me. This is not how I imagined things, but have faith that they will grow fast, and be home soon.

We are so blessed to have, now three amazing children, and can't wait to see what life has in store for our new little blessings.