They're Here!

At 9:30pm on Tuesday May 8th, as Chris and I were getting ready for bed, I started to bleed.  We were in the ER just before 10pm.  Do you know what scares an ER nurse?  A women in labor.  Even scarier is a women in labor, bleeding.  They had me in a wheelchair and on my way to L&D in less than 30 seconds.  As I waited with Chris in our room we overheard the doc tell the nurse to get me ready for a c-section.  What!  I hadn't even been seen yet!  But yes, that was the plan.  The bleeding necessitated a c-section (not to mention baby B was breech, he flipped just hours before).  I was 34 weeks and 2 days pregnant.

The c-section was surreal but more on that later.  Now to the good stuff.  At 11:30pm, we heard Owen Cabe (baby A) cry his first cry.  Followed by the cry of his brother, Ethan James (baby B), at 11:31pm.  We were aware that hospital policy dictated babies under 35 weeks go to the NICU for evaluation.  So, it was no surprise, that after the babies were brought to me for a quick glimpse, they were whisked off to the NICU.  

Owen Cabe

May 8th, 2012

11:30pm

4 pounds, 14 ounces

19 inches long

Ethan James

May 8th, 2012

11:31pm

5 pounds, 11 pounds

19 inches long

They are absolutely amazing, just like their big brother who is anxiously awaiting their homecoming.  Three boys.  Talk about surreal.

- 34 Weeks with the Twins -

Four weeks ago, at 30 weeks, I was admitted to the hospital in preterm labor.  Fortunately, they were able to stop the contractions and a week later I was discharged home.  At that time my doctor told me the same situation was likely to reoccur and he'd be happy if I made it to 32 weeks.  Well here I am at 34 weeks with no signs of these babies coming anytime soon.

Well, I did have one little hiccup.  A few days ago I started having contractions every 3-4 minutes and after a couple hours the doc made me come in to be checked out.   Of course it was late at night so I had to go through the ER and to L&D, but after a couple tests (which said I wasn't likely to go into preterm labor) I was sent on my way.  The same doctor who admitted me last time was there.  He said he was certain I was going to have delivered my babies when he last saw me.  Glad we could prove everyone wrong.

Below are a series of pictures taken at exactly 34 weeks.  Note my legs and feet in the last picture.  Holy canckles Batman.  They are so incredibly painful.  Keeping them up is proving to be very difficult for me, but I am wearing my compression stockings quite a bit (oh la la, I know).

I've gained about 28 pounds.  While I was expecting to gain more by now, the babies are not being affected.  In fact, baby A is estimated to be 5 lbs even and baby B 6 lbs 1 oz.  That's 11 lbs 1 oz of baby inside my belly!  Baby A is right on target and baby B would be considered a large baby even if a singleton.  I guess eating all that ice cream has paid off.  In addition to their amazing growth, I'm constantly told the babies look great on both ultrasound and non stress test.  Go boys!

Don't laugh but I now ride the electric chair if I go out.  Without it there is no way I could make it through big stores like Walmart and Home Depot.  No way.  However, it's so embarrassing.  Especially when your mom is following you with a camera!

Family Room

Here's the progress in our family room.  Sure, it's screaming for a sectional sofa.  I'm thinking orange, but that's another subject.  And window treatments.  Tan metal blinds are not my style.  It's still a work in progress, but I think the updates from the original pictures speak for themselves.  Thanks again to my Dad and Chris for all the hard work!

Ryan's room has also been painted.  As soon as everything is set up I'll show the finished product.  Next on the agenda, removal of wallpaper from the kitchen and office to be followed by new paint.  Oh, and the twins room is getting a fresh coat of paint.  Fun stuff.