The Twins Have Arrived!!!

Our family of five

Lauren Christine (she had an IV in her left arm) and Raina Susan in their hospital cribs

The girls in their "going home" outfits (Raina on left and Lauren on right)

Leaving the hospital

The girls are now 5 days old. Here is their delivery tale...

Friday April 11th was our scheduled c-section. We had to be at the hospital at 8 am for delivery time to be at 10 am. We dropped Barrett off at Papa and Grandma's and then headed to the hospital. On the way we were talking about how weird it felt to not be in any pain and simply going to the hospital to have the babies. Just to think that in a few hours we would be meeting our babies. It was during the drive that Ben switched radio stations and the song that I heard instantly made me weep. It was "You Gotta Be" by Des'Ree...this was my mom's fighting song and it always makes me think of her. Ben held my hand and said that she's looking down on me and she's thinking of me. She was going to make the day great and make sure we all came out of this healthy and happy. I think I needed to hear that song that morning. We shortly thereafter arrived at the hospital. We were thinking that the 2 hour wait would be just that a wait, but not so much. They put us in a room, had us fill out paperwork, suited Ben up, introduced us to several doctors and nurses, etc. It was a busy, crazy 2 hours. We had no time to think about what was about to happen. Soon enough they wisked me off to the OR. It was a strange feeling walking into this sterile room filled with so many people and looking around at the two baby stations and the hustle bustle of all the people. They then had me sit on the operating table hunched over a pillow to help with my spinal. The first (yes, I said first) spinal they tried giving me didn't take (this was realized after several sharp pains and weird sensations pulsating my back), so I heard the 2nd dr. say to the other that they were going to have to start over. The good thing about that was that as soon as the 2nd dr. gave me my second spinal it took almost instantly. If you've never had this done it is the strangest feeling ever. This strange sensation ran down both of my legs and then I couldn't feel anything. The drs. check your pain/nerves with cold wipes and sharp needles by rubbing/poking your arms first to let you know what they want you to feel (don't want you to feel) in other body locations and then they do the same in the other locations. This was all fine and dandy and so onward they went. I requested to have a mirror. This worked out wonderfully as I could see everything, but the cutting. It was during the prep time with the mirror up that I looked in the mirror and saw that I was laying on the table completely naked and the drs. were giving me a nice shave. So silly. I also realized that I was naked in front of many people that I have never even met. One nurse asked me if it was okay for my husband to come in at that moment or if I wanted him to wait until the drape was up. What a silly question to me, because my husband has seen me naked (well...duh) as where all of these other people have not. :) Ben came in and it was so quick after that. They quickly told Ben that it would be any moment (we had told everyone that we wanted Ben to be the one who announced the genders) and I looked into the mirror. I saw the first baby (Raina) pop out and I instantly saw that it was a girl and I started to cry. I heard Ben make the announcement and then he gave me a kiss. Two minutes later I saw Lauren's foot pop out along with some umbilical cord. She didn't want to come right our and then I felt the drs. pushing and pulling all over the place. Next thing I see is Lauren's head pop out. She was first breech then they pushed her enough that her head came out first instead. At any rate, Ben made the announcment and I cried even harder. I never would have predicted two girls in a million years. People had actually asked me that during the pregnancy and I said I just don't think it's going to be two girls. But man, I was so excited to have two girls. I know Ben is worried about keeping the future boys away, but he is still so excited to have daddy's little girls. Anyway, the c-section simply was not over just yet. Raina was born at 10:12 am and Lauren was born at 10:14 am, but I didn't leave the OR until closer to 11:30 am. I just had to lay there while they finished sewing and stapling me up. I guess I had some arteries that wouldn't stop bleeding so they had to do some extra work on my uterus (which at one point was on my stomach according to Ben). It was while I laid there that Ben brought the girls over to me so I could meet them. Then a dr. came over and told me that Lauren wasn't doing so well and that they were going to take her to the nursery. Surgery wrapped up and they wheeled me over to the recovery room. I had to be in this room for about 2 hours. They put me on so many medicines throughout the morning that it was during this time that I got the shakes really bad and I felt really groggy. I got to nurse Raina for the first time during this time, too. After the 2 hours they wheeled me to the nursery so I could see Lauren and then I went to my private room. At this time Lauren was on extra oxygen, but they already knew that she would be going to the NICU. A few hours after settling in the room, Lauren was sent to the NICU and put on the CPAP (it helps to push more oxygen into the lungs and get rid of the fluid in them). That night I was unable to go see her, but Ben, along with all the grandparents, went up to visit her. The next morning, Ben and I went up to see her and by the time I got to her she was already off of the CPAP and being taken off all machines. She would be coming down to be with us in a matter of hours!! This was such exciting news. We just didn't feel right without both of them together with us. We are very fortunate that her stay in the NICU was so short lived. Once Lauren was back with us, the rest of the hospital stay went along fine. We had many visitors and loved introducing our new girls to everyone. Raina and Lauren are both doing great. Barrett seems to be adjusting well, too. He's going to be a great big brother and already kisses them often. He wants to help out all the time and hold the babies. We have such a great family and we are so truly happy!

Barrett @ 19 Months

My little man is growing up. Here are his stats @ 19 months:

--Still sucks his thumb and loves his "ba, ba" (blankie)
--He only seems to suck his thumb when he has his blankie (there is one and only one specific blankie...no substitute will do)
--He weighs about 30 lbs.
--His favorite words are moo (for cow), meow (for cat), brum-brum (for any vehicle), toda (for Koda), and momma.
--He also says dadda, papa, and up, but not as often.
--He is growing out of most 18 month clothing and wears mostly 24 month or 2T clothes.
--He wears a size 6 shoe
--He loves to wrestle
--He's very ticklish (he's got one great giggle, too)
--He is very social and will play with any kid
--He can be shy of adults at first, though
--He's a great dancer and has quite the rhythm
--He sleeps in a toddler bed and goes to bed on his own as soon as we say "let's go to nigh, nigh".
--He sleeps from about 8 pm until about 7 am every night
--He loves books, especially those with animals or vehicles
--He loves being outside (he would be outside all the time if it were possible)
--He's working on the whole jumping thing right now...can't quite catch air, but looks like it may be soon
--He runs everywhere!!
--He's going to be such a wonderful big brother and often rubs my belly saying "baby". I don't think he understands the whole idea that there are two, though. :)

And I thought I had a big belly the first time around!!!!

37 weeks 2 days pregnant with Barrett

37 weeks 1 day pregnant with twins! It's getting crazier and crazier!!

37 weeks -- Full Term

Well, here we are...full term and still pregnant. They say that most twins are born at 37 weeks and indeed these babies will be here before next weekend. Crazy! Last night I was up for a little over 2 hours with contractions every 3 minutes. I showered, drank water, and nothing was stopping them, but then I feel asleep. I woke up in the morning feeling a little let down, because I was starting to get all excited that today would be the day. Needless to say I have been outside today (the sun is shining and it is so warm for this time of year) doing some walking and gardening and some chasing after Barrett. I am now very sore and need a nap. :) Maybe the activity will spur some more action, though. I know I shouldn't rush things, but the aches are getting to me. Earlier today Barrett climbed into his stroller and I squatted down to boost the seat for him and I couldn't stand back up. Ben had to come over and help me up. :( All in all we have less than a week, so that still is very exciting to think about!!!

36 weeks 2 days

Yep, still pregnant. Good for the babies...rough on me. As you can see the stretch marks are getting out of control and my back seems to arch more and more each day. I feel extremely lucky that I can carry twins this long, but surprised at the same time. Just when you think your body would give up, it keeps on going. I went to the doctor again today just for another NST and everything was fine. My instincts tell me that I will be pregnant for awhile (well, until my c-section date that is). No real changes have begun or anything of that nature. I remember a few weeks back the nurse at the drs. office told me that I don't have the "look" yet of being tired and pregnant, yet I believe that I have that look now...the nurses have not said otherwise in the last several appointments, either! :)

Future Wrestler??? And 36 Weeks

Ben finished up wrestling last week and was able to snag the smallest singlet he could find in the old uniforms (the school is getting new uniforms for next year and was getting rid of these old ones). We decided to see how Barrett fit in it. It was too cute... a little on the big side, but still who could resist these pics?!?

Today also marks my 36 weeks point in this pregnancy. My doctor says that I have earned a gold star for carrying twins this long. I almost begged her to take the babies early next week, but she just laughed. We have to wait at least two more weeks (unless mother nature has other plans). I know, two weeks is nothing, but in my world it feels like an eternity!!! I should enjoy this time though, right, because we are most likely done having babies and I will never experience being pregnant again. To be perfectly honest...it is so hard to enjoy right now, though...there's just simply too much discomfort to mention. I did treat myself to a little pampering a few days ago and I went and got my hair cut. I feel refreshed and renewed, although bangs are hard to get used to again. :)

Happy Easter!!!

35 weeks pregnant with Barrett......

35 weeks 1 day pregnant with twins!!! Whoa!

Grandma Sue bought the boys matching jackets for Easter...too cute.

Elizabeth joins the party, too!! She's 4 weeks old now!


Last Friday I went to my doctor for the usual routine, NST, ultrasound, and meeting with doctor. Everything went perfectly. Sue came with me this time for added support. They did a growth ultrasound this time just to make sure that Baby A was still growing as it should and sure enough it was because now they estimate Baby A to be about 5 lbs. 2 oz. and Baby B to be about 5 lbs. 8 oz. I guess this just shows how an estimate is just that...an estimate. But the good thing is that they are both growing and doing well. They both seem to be a healthy weight right now, too. With all this in mind, I actually went and did squats under the full moon on Saturday night just to stir things up a bit, but as you can see...no babies. They'll be here when they want to be here, I guess. I have had a lot more cramping and Braxton Hicks contractions and I have even started timing them a few times, but nothing has come of it. All I can say is that the babies will be here sometime between now and 3 weeks from now. This is just that inbetween time people refer to as the waiting game.

Sunday we headed over to Grandpa and Grandma Spitzley's for Easter Dinner. There were quite a few family members there and it was nice to visit with everyone. The boys even had an Easter egg hunt! We had to do a lot of explaining on the whole idea, but eventually they seemed to have caught on. It was a great afternoon!

A New Symptom

Oh my goodness...this new thing just started a few days ago, but it is driving me crazy. So by now we all can clearly see that my belly is growing in leaps and bounds and due to that fact my belly ITCHES so much!!! That can only mean one thing.......I'm getting more stretch marks! If you've ever had poison ivy then you'll understand what I mean, because it is that kind of itch just no rash with it. It is an itch that no matter how much you itch it, it will not go away. I've been trying to take my mind off of it, but it is very difficult to do. I think I may need to resort to some calamine lotion (if it's okay when pregnant...I'll have to check into that). That would be quite the picture...my enormous belly with pink lotion all over it. :) I guess the whole stretching is a good sign for the babies, because it means they're growing, right?!?

Update

Here's the belly at 33 weeks 6 days.

Rex and Barrett playing Guitar Hero.

This just reminded me so much of Forrest Gump...too cute.

Barrett and Gwen enjoying a bath together.

They had a great time!!

Aunt Jocelyn helped with bath time...yes, I know, Barrett looks a little startled..who knows why?!?

My two favorite boys all ready to go to Ben's grandma's 90th birthday party.


Okay, these are all pictures from the past few weeks or so. Rex and Monica came to visit one day a few weekends ago and they dropped of a couple versions of Guitar Hero. Rex and I battled and I finally beat Rex at a video game!! I think it has been years and years since that has happened. :) Barrett seemed to enjoy the game, too! The another time Jocelyn and Gwen came by for a visit. Gwen and Barrett just love hanging out together and it is so entertaining to watch. I honestly think that I could sit around all day and watch the two interact. It is precious. Jocelyn helped with some things around the house and has come by on several occasions bringing food and baby things. What a great sister! The last picture is from last weekend when we headed over to Ben's grandma's birthday party. The two boys just looked so handsome that I had to take a picture (and of course share it!). :)

Today I had another doctors appointment. Everything looks great. The doctor told me that the 34 week marks an important milestone, because if I go into labor after that point then they will not try to stop it! She said that they love it when twins make it to 34 weeks! Yea! But, of course, I do want the babies to hold on at least a few more weeks to pack on a few more lbs.! I want them to be able to come home with us rather than have to stay in the hospital. The end is definitely near, though, and that is exciting!

Barrett's First Professional Haircut

A few days ago, Sheryl took Barrett in to get his first professional haircut! From what I understand he was great during the whole thing. He just sat there and ate his sucker. What a good little man! He looks so big now. He's definitely not a baby anymore. Thank you Sheryl for taking him in.

Another Drs. Appointment

I had another doctors appointment today. Everything looks good with the exception that Baby B decided to do another somersault and is back to being breech. Ugh! I was getting all excited to give it another go the old fashioned way! Who knows maybe Baby B will want to flip again one last time. Only time will tell. Also, today we got another growth ultrasound (they only do these every 3-4 weeks) and Baby A is estimated at 4 lbs. 4 oz. and Baby B is estimated to be about 5 lbs. 2 oz. Yes, indeed, Baby Be decided to gain 2 lbs. the last month whereas Baby A put on 1 lb. Overall I have about 9 and a half lbs. of baby inside me right now! Crazy!! It definitely explains all the discomfort. There were no good ultrasound pictures this time because the babies are getting awfully crowded in there. We have another growth ultrasound in two weeks just to make sure that Baby A is still growing at a good rate (he or she is 1 lb. less than baby b). The doctor was also going to contact the high risk doctor to make sure that things are still progressing well. All in all, we are all doing just fine.

32 weeks

Both babies heads are now down!!!

Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment. I had another NST done (everything was fine), an ultrasound, and a meeting with the doctor. The ultrasound picture presented some new news, also. Previously Baby A was head down and Baby B was head up. Well, Baby B has now changed positions and is head down. I was getting myself all prepared for a c-section (which I still might have), but now I have the option of trying it without surgery. The doctor said that the only risk with it that way is that after Baby A is delivered, then Baby B may switch positions due to the extra room and then I would have to get a c-section. This would mean healing in both locations. That would not be pleasant to say the least. The doctor said that it's a gamble. Both babies might deliver just fine, but then maybe they won't and I'll still need a c-section anyway. There is not that much information out there about the possibility of the second baby switching positions half-way through delivery, but I'm still looking around. It would be so empowering, in my opinion, to labor and delivery these two babies, but on the other hand I want what is safest for the babies. I don't want Baby B to be in distress after Baby A is delivered. What should I do?!?? As for everything else, things are fine. I've been having a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions and sharp pains, but the doctor did not seem concerned. I guess it's just that "end of the pregnancy" time when everything gets uncomfortable and painful. I have to grin and bear it!! This is why Ben and I are done having babies after this!!!

Trina and Barrett came to the doctor with me. I hardly see Barrett during the week, so Trina brought him with me so that I could at least hang out with him. Trina's been a great help these past few weeks. Barrett was terrific throughout the day. After the doctor's appointment we decided to go to lunch at a local restaurant. We were seated at a table and then I turn around and Andrea and Destinee were standing there!! They said they just got seated, too, so we joined tables and had lunch with the girls. A few minutes after that Kate arrived, too!!! It was such an unplanned surprise and I loved it! I feel so closed in these days so to be able to chat it up with some of my closest girlfriends was great! It was a great afternoon. :)

My First NST appointment

(31 weeks 3 days pregnant) (the smaller pic is when I was 32 weeks preggo with Barrett)

Today I had my first NST appointment. This is a non-stress test to monitor the babies heart tones and uterine activity. I passed with flying colors. The babies hearts both sound great and there was no uterine activity (which is what you want). I had to sit in a room with all these monitors all over my belly for about 20 minutes. The only sound was of the babies heart beats...it made me so drowsy! :) I have these NST appointments twice a week. Once a week this is followed by an ultrasound and an appointment with my doctor. It's busy, but like I told my doctor...if I'm still going to appointments then it means the babies are still staying in me. I saw a few very small babies at the hospital yesterday and I really don't want my babies to be born just yet. It would be so scary. An update on Elizabeth, also, I guess several test they performed came back negative (a spinal tap, CAT scan, etc.). This is a good thing. Last I heard they were still waiting on the EEG, which checks the brain. Unforunately she was still in the NICU, though. It looks as though things are looking up though, which is excellent news.

Barrett has a new cousin!

Amanda and Pat had their baby!! They had a baby girl named Elizabeth Grace. She was born at 9:06 am and weighed 8 lbs. 9 oz. I was lucky enough (even though Del insisted he push me everywhere in the hospital in a wheelchair!) to tag along with Sue and Del to the hospital to await the news. It was all so exciting waiting in the waiting room for Pat to come around the corner to make the announcement. Once he arrived we were able to go see Amanda in the recovery room, but unfortunately the nursing staff had to take Elizabeth to the nursery to get some fluid out of her lungs. Later we found out that her sugar levels dropped very low, too. After eating lunch, Amanda was admitted into a private room and we waited by the nursery to meet Elizabeth. We were eventually allowed to enter the nursery one at a time with Pat. She is so adorable! After that we decided we better head for home so that Amanda and Pat could rest. A few hours later I got a call from Sue saying that visitors will not be allowed further tonight, because Elizabeth had a seizure and had to got to intensive care. :( Very scary! Needless to say, Amanda and Pat called Father Denis and he arrived to baptize Elizabeth. The doctors do not know why Elizabeth had a seizure, but please keep them in your prayers for this a very scary time for the family.

Barrett's New Room

Barrett's big biy bed and toy storage area.

His bed, again. Uncle Rex's drawing on the wall.

This dresser is from the Spitzley family. Ben worked many hours stripping the old paint off and repainting it again and again. The diapers and wipes will go in one of the top drawers. Maybe we won't need them for long, though. (wishful thinking...I know).

Barrett in his new room!

This is Barrett's new room! We finally got is all finished. Yet, now that I am not supposed to do much around the house, I have decided to not use the changing area in this room because it is slightly higher than his old one. Other than that, all of Barrett's things are now in this room. Barrett even slept in his "big boy" bed for the first time last night. He slept the whole night without a sound! When Ben got up around 6 am though, Barrett heard him and was at his bedroom door ready to come out. He didn't cry or get scared though, he just sort of rattled the door. :) Hopefully all nights go this well! :)

Okay...I'm back again!!!!

Well, I finally got my computer back (...again), so I can finally update on the blog. The computer decided to not start one day and so it had to go back to the shop. They said there was nothing wrong with it...go figure...that's just my luck these days. So, some money, later we have our computer back.

On the pregnancy front, I had my doctor's appointment a few days ago with an ultrasound. The pictures from the ultrasound are more difficult to see these days due to the babies' sizes, so I'm not going to post them. Baby A weighs about 3 lbs. 2 oz. and Baby B weighs about 3 lbs. 5 oz. They are both doing very well. My body on the other hand is beginning to say enough os enough (and it is way too early for it to be doing that!), so the doctor ordered me off work immediately. The doctor never called it bedrest, but I guess some would call it "modified" bedrest. The doctor told me to go home and be a couch potato. I'm not allowed to do much, but just stay and home and rest. The day of my appointment the doctor sent me to the hospital to get the first round of steroid shots to help the babies' lungs develop quicker. The next day I had to go back to the doctor to get the second round of shots. The doctor recommended the shots just in case I deliver early (which is pretty much inevitable considering this is a multiple pregancy). We all want the babies to be healthy and well. So needless to say I am now at home, enjoying my time with Barrett and hoping that these babies will stay in me for a few more months. I'm anxious to meet them, but I can definitely wait.


I took this picture today (29 weeks 5 days pregnant) after a few shots of the bare belly kind and decided that I just couldn't bare showing my bare belly any more. The stretch marks are just getting too bad. They are 100 times worse than with my first pregnancy. Crazy to think what the belly will look like in a month or so...do I even want to think it in the first place. It's worth it though, right?!?

As far as other things go, Ben is currently coaching wrestling and won't be done until the end of March. That keeps him pretty busy on top of his already busy work pile, too. He's getting pretty stressed, but hanging in there. Now with me being home and not able to do much, he has a lot of responsibility at home, too. Yet, I know he can do it. We all can. Last weekend, we also rearranged our living room to make more space and we love it! We also finished Barrett's new bedroom. I will post pictures of these rooms soon.

Well, Happy Valentine's Day to everyone and I hope that every one is doing well!!!

Long John's Here We Come!!

Yesterday we decided to have some play time outside. It was finally warm enough to enjoy some snow, so we got Barrett dressed in his long johns. We couldn't resist how cute he looked and had to take some pics.

Williams had their baby!!!

Kyle and Melissa welcomed their baby girl yesterday early morning!!! Her name is Tatym Ann. We are so very excited to meet her and introduce Barrett to her, too. We hope the new family is doing well.

Thurday night I got a text message saying that they just got the epidural and that Melissa was 7 cm dilated. After that I didn't hear anything. The next morning at work, I quickly emailed my sister to find out if she knew anything (I was dying with excitement). She emailed me right back with all the news. It was so exciting. Soon after that I got another text from the Williams with a picture of Tatym Ann. Oh, she is so beautiful. It was such an exciting day. Congrats, again, to the new family. :)

Barrett vs. Spagetti

Barrett was lovin' his spagetti the other night. Although he was given a fork to use he opted to use his hands. This provided us with quite the dinner entertainment! :)

(Sorry about the video being cut-off...I don't know how to fix it, though)

Ultrasound at 25 weeks 2 days

The top pic is of baby A (the one head down and closest to the cervix) and the bottom pic is of baby B (this baby is breech).

FINALLY...I'm back!

Okay, okay, so I know it has been awhile since I have last posted. It is honestly not my fault. Shortly after I last posted I shut down my computer like always, then the next day I went to turn it on and it crashed...bad. It wouldn't start in any mode I tried, so I had to take it in. First I took it to a guy in Portland who told me that he couldn't save anything. I cried and cried. All of Barrett's pictures from his first year were gone. So my brother told me to go get a second opinion. I took it to a place in Lansing and after about 3 weeks, they saved everything and now I have my computer back. The computer had to get a new operating system, which means that it is back to how it was when we bought the computer. Needless to say, it is a big mess. Luckily though everything was saved!

On to other things, I had my last doctor's appointment last Monday and everything looks great. The doctor just kept saying how perfect everything is. The babies both weigh about 2 lbs, so that explains why my belly is just getting so big so fast. I do have to wear a pregnancy cradle now when I am at work. It helps so much because of how much I am on my feet. At this point I am working on a month-to-month basis. I go back to the doctor the second week of February. The babies are now moving all the time. One baby is head down and the other baby is lying more sideways. Their feet are in almost the same place, so when they get going they can really get going. You can see the kicks, too. They can be very busy babies!!! Sometimes it's even a little painful.

With all this baby talk, I want to send my best out to the Williams who are expecting their little girl any day now. I can't wait!!!

Barrett's been okay recently. Last week he got really sick so I had to take him to the doctor. It ended up that he had a double ear infection (again). I also think he got a bit of the stomach flu that I had earlier in the week, too. We couldn't keep anything down. Poor little guy. Then last weekend Ben got the same stomach bug. We have all been pretty sick recently, but I think we may be turing the corner...hopefully.

Below are some pictures from Christmas and pregnancy and so on:

Barrett Christmas Eve morning at Papa and Grandma's

On our way to Great Grandpa and Great Grandma's big Chrsitmas dinner

Barrett wearing mommy's new winter hat

Here I am at 23 weeks

Here I am today at 25 weeks 5 days

Barrett loves his new dairy farm sweatshirt!

Barrett is getting ready to go outside...hat snowpants, and boots!! Where's his coat?!?