How things are going

So, we have five children now... that's about the understatement of the year.

The twins are doing well, sleeping reasonably well during the day (little N is definitely the feistier of the two, but little A shows some temper every now and then so we don't forget about him) thanks in large part to the awesome new swings we got that cradle the babies, swing the babies, and even gently vibrate the babies. They're magic, I tell you.

They've slept pretty well the past few nights, so I don't feel like I'm in a total fog anymore. Before that, we had three very rough nights, with about 1 hour of sleep for me each of the nights. By Monday morning at 6 am, after trying to get little N to stay asleep for what seemed like forever, I took off with her in the car to see if that would put her to sleep. A good idea to go driving when you've only had 45 minutes of sleep? Probably not, but I was desperate. Unfortunately, it didn't work. She screamed the whole time and even pooped. I got home, fed her yet again, and just let her sleep on my chest. And miracle of miracles, the three older kids woke up and quietly watched cartoons until 10 am so the three adults could grab some shuteye. It was amazing.

The three older kids absolutely adore their new siblings, and want to adore them every minute of every day. I love that they love their new brother and sister, but could they sometimes do it without the constant hovering, oohing and aahing, and fighting over whose turn it is to hold this or that baby? I don't know that the babies necessarily mind, but it makes me claustrophobic after a while.

I am starting to feel a little bit of cabin fever. A keeps asking me if I want to get out for a bit, even if it's just to go grab a smoothie. In theory, this would be a good idea, but then I look in the mirror, remember that I've been wearing my glasses for the past week, I have no makeup on, and I'm rotating through my pajamas and lounge wear. I think I'll stay indoors for a while longer.

All in all, we're surviving. The babies are beautiful and doing well. The older kids are hyperactive, but adjusting. The three adults (including my mom) are sleep-deprived, but otherwise doing ok. And the new level of craziness that is our life continues on. :)

Just pictures

I've thought a lot about posting an update on how things are going, but most of what I thought to write about sounded sad, sleep-deprived, and downright depressing. So instead, I decided to just post two pictures of some pretty precious babies. They slept a little better last night and for that, we're really grateful.

The rest of the story

Hopefully I'll be able to write all of this in one sitting...

So, after waiting all day on Tuesday to be induced, we finally got the call around 7:30 pm. We were out to dinner so we took the kids and my mom home (she came into town early) and headed off to the hospital. The paperwork took forever, of course, so pitocin didn't get started until around 9:30 pm. I had planned all along to take full advantage of the epidural this time, but the hero in me still wanted to wait a bit before getting it. But then I realized that I was stuck in a bed with wires all over me to monitor me and the babies. I hate being stuck in a bed with contractions, so I decided to get the epidural right away. It was really a lovely way to go.

As we were getting things hooked up, the doctor came in and did a quick ultrasound. Little A was still head down, but Little N had played another trick and turned transverse at the top of my belly. That presented us with three options after little A was born: 1, she turned head down and I would be able to deliver her vaginally; 2, she turned breech and I would still hopefully be able to deliver her vaginally; or 3, her cord dropped before she did and then we'd have to do a c-section. More to worry about while we waited.

I tried to rest, but I was all keyed up, so that didn't really happen. I read a bit and watched TV a bit and A and I watched their heart rate monitors and my contraction monitor quite a bit. About 1:20 am, I was dilated to a 10, so they wheeled me into the operating room, along with a team of people. A nurse for each baby, a respiratory specialist for each baby, my doctor, a labor and delivery nurse (she was the best!), a midwife, my husband, and me. The bright lights of the operating room were a wee bit different than the homey atmosphere of the labor and delivery room. That, added to everyone gowned and masked made the whole thing pretty surreal.

After getting everything set up, the doctor had me push with a few contractions. At 1:42 am, little A was born. He had swallowed a bit of meconium, so there was about 15 seconds of anxious waiting before he cried--such a pathetic little cry. Then, the doctor did another ultrasound and lo and behold, little N had cooperated and moved head down. He broke her water and I pushed her out as well with just a few contractions. Bless the epidural for making that part so easy!

Right as she was delivered, her placenta broke away from the uterine wall and she swallowed a little bit of blood. The nurses and respiratory specialists were working hard on both of the babies for a bit, but they're both just fine. Smaller than we thought they'd be, but fine. It's crazy to have such small babies, when my smallest before this was a 1/2 ounce under eight pounds. These babies are miniature!

The hospital stay was ok. I only had a few minor breakdowns, as the realization that we had to take two babies home with us got me freaked out. And also having to call for help from nurses if I was by myself in the room with them made me feel a bit inadequate--I know that's what the nurses are there for, but it was a new experience that kind of threw me for a loop.

A and I said more than once, "Honestly, if this was just one baby, it would be a piece of cake!" But we have two babies--two precious tiny babies who have been entrusted to us to take care of. I won't pretend that I'm not completely overwhelmed by the reality of my new life just about every second (and infinitely more so now that I'm home and remember again that my three oldest are very loud people who seem to constantly demand things), but we'll take one day at a time, give them lots of kisses, and do lots and lots of praying, I'm sure.

P.S. My husband posted their sizes in an earlier comment, but here they are again:
Little A: 5 lbs. 11 oz. 18.5 inches
Little N: 6 lbs. 4 oz. 18 inches

2 for 1

This is Adam, checking with a short summary of the nights events.


There was a special at the hospital early this morning: 2 Babies for the price of one. We took full advantage of it. Tennille was brilliant, giving birth to Asher first, and then 10 minutes later Norah came into the world. When we first checked into the hospital I entertained the possibility of having the babies across the 22nd and 23rd. How cool would that have been? Twins with different birthdays? Alas, it was not meant to be. But they did come shortly after, arriving just before 2AM mountain time. The delivery went very well. When we came into the operating room, standard procedure with twins, I was nervous. There were no less than 1 doctor, 1 midwife, 2 anesthesia guys, and 6 nurses. We were all wearing masks and caps, and even I had a fancy spacey looking cover-all. Something out of a cheap Sci-fi movie.

But everyone in the room seemed calm and happy, so I was not terribly worried. The babies came out a little roughed up, as expected, but all was well. Soon enough they were bathed, warmed, fed, and sleeping quietly. And that includes Tennille. I drove home bleary eyed around 5AM and crawled into bed. I went to sleep thinking about the Tour de France today, the heroic and epic stage that was awaiting those riders. All that pain and suffering they'd go through. And I thought, well yeah, but that is nothing to having twins. Once again Tennille has stepped it up a notch in the impressive category. Honestly, she was fantastic. The doctors and nurses were all praises over our parenting prowess, but we both knew that it all came from her. I, like those many people in the Tour team cars, am just along for the ride!



Norah on the left, Asher on the right.

Stupid baby boom

If you can believe it, I'm still pregnant. I found out yesterday I was NINTH on the list to be induced today. At 11 am, they said it would probably be early afternoon. At 3 pm, they said the day had been crazy and moms kept coming to the hospital in labor (the nerve!). And just now, they said it's still crazy, but the doctor on call said he'll keep trying to get me in, even if it means we go in at 2 am. I went in for a non-stress test to make sure the kids are still ok, which of course they are. So, I wait, and silently (or not so silently) curse the baby-booming county in which I live...

End in sight

Yes, I'm still pregnant, but hopefully, not for long. I'm almost 38 weeks and had an appointment today. I'm about 3 cm dilated (forgot to ask about effacement). We set an induction date for next Tuesday, but he wanted to check their amniotic fluid levels first to make sure they'd be ok until then. The ultrasound tech said there's adequate fluid, but not extra. Still ok if they don't come until Tuesday, though. I'm in a lot of pain from the exam and having some contractions. We'll see if they peter out or actually go somewhere. I'm so ready to be done with this and just meet these kids already! :)

Catch up

My mother mentioned a few days ago that I hadn't posted pictures of the kids in a while. Looking back, she's right. I guess doctor's appointments and emotional breakdowns don't always go so well with cute pictures of children.

Here are a few pics of the fam for your viewing enjoyment. The first couple are from a day at a local amusement park. A and his family took the kids while I laid on the couch at home. (100 degree heat and lots of walking don't agree with me right now). A few are from 4th of July festivities. S saw Miley Cyrus in concert with A's family, while the rest of our little family enjoyed a few fireworks at home before the boys went to bed.
Lastly, a random shot of T that turned out awesome.

Hurry up and wait

I had a doctor's appointment today--or rather, I had a marathon of appointments--an ultrasound, followed by a Non-stress test, followed by an appointment with the doctor. I feel like I was there for days.

Since I'm 35 1/2 weeks, it was time for my Group B strep test. If you've ever been pregnant, you know this requires removal of clothes on the bottom half. And of course, the doc wanted to do an internal exam at the same time. Sure, fine, whatever. So he leaves the room and I proceed to undress at lightning speed. Actually--I first ran to the bathroom to pee and then ran back. Please tell me I'm not the only one who undresses at the doctor's office at the speed of light. I always get so paranoid that the doctor will come back in while I'm in the process of undressing, which is amusing, because he's going to see all of that anyway. So, I undress faster than I've ever undressed in my life, get the cover-up situated, sit down, and wait... and wait... and wait. I sat there for at least five minutes, if not more, getting more nervous and agitated by the second.

The unpleasantness itself was over in a matter of 2 minutes and all was right with the world again. I just wish doctors would wait right outside the door for 1, maybe 2 minutes, and then come back in. It would sure alleviate some of my anxiety. But maybe I'm the only one. :)

Oh--the babies are doing fine. They're both right around 5 pounds 8 ounces and the fluid levels in both sacs look good. I could go into labor tonight or not for another 2 or 3 weeks. Now the real waiting game begins...