Here is the story of the twins arriving. On Tuesday morning, Jason left for scout camp. We were not sure if it was a smart thing to do, but I had an appointment on Tuesday afternoon. I told Jason we would see what the doctor said, and then decide from there. He was only about 45 minutes from Blackfoot, so it wasn't that big of deal. My mom had come to stay with me while he was gone so I wouldn't have to do everything around the house, since I was on orders to take it easy. I went to my appointment and it was the first time Dr. Larson had checked me. I was a little surprised when he told me I was almost a 4 and very soft. The last two times I was told that, I had a baby the next day. He told me I was to go home and go to bed to try to get as much time out of these babies as possible! Well, I had plans to go to the grocery store after my appointment to get some things. I went anyway and did a little more intensive shopping than I had anticipated. I called Jason and left messages because he didn't have cell service. He had to drive a mile or so to get it. I got home and told my mom the news. She sent me straight to bed. Jason called me and checked in every couple hours for the rest of the evening. Mom had planned to go with my Dad to Salt Lake City the next day. He told her to stay with me and that Jason should probably come home at night. So, when Jason called about 9 PM, I told him he'd better come home since I could go anytime. The next morning, we decided that my mom would take the girls to her house so I could really rest. Jason and I had a very quiet day watching movies and relaxing. I had to stay down because when I sat up for more than 5 minutes, the contractions started. Laying down stopped them. Thursday morning, June 16th, came and I just felt yucky! My sister Crystal stopped by to visit for a couple hours to keep me some company. Bed rest was SOO boring! She left at lunch time and I just laid around. About 5:00 PM, I realized that the contractions had not slowed down for a couple hours. They didn't hurt, but I could feel my tummy getting tight. I decided that since we didn't have any kids at home, we had better go in and get checked. We checked into the hospital at 5:30 PM and I was already at an 8! They said they couldn't believe I wasn't screaming in pain. I couldn't believe it either! I still got the epidural, but I might have been able to do it without. Here I am just before going to the OR to give birth.
Jason in the clothes he had to wear. Note on his hair: while I was stuck in bed, he took the clippers to himself and practically shaved it all off. I was mad he did that, but thankfully it grew back.
There were SO many people in the operating room. We were going to deliver vaginally since both babies were head down, but we were in the OR so we were prepared in case we had to do a C-section. The NICU team was there from Portneuf to fly the babies to Pocatello. They were taking them regardless because of their age. I was not happy to hear that, but I knew it would be a possibility. Brooklyn Nicole was born at 7:51 PM. She was 5 lbs 9 oz and 18 inches long. Not bad for a baby at 34.5 weeks! Here she is after she was born. She had to be on oxygen for the first night.
After Brooklyn was born, the doctor checked me to make sure baby boy was still head down. He thought that he had turned to they brought in the ultrasound to make sure. Thankfully, he had just thrown his arms up over his head so it only felt like he had turned. At 8:07 PM, Matthew Calvin was born. He was 5 lbs and 10 oz and 18.75 inches long. It was the first time in 5 years my doctor had been able to deliver twins naturally. All the rest had to have a C-section. I was SO glad I didn't have to try to recover from that.
Here is Matthew
Here the babies are all ready in the incubator to be flown to Portneuf. I'm glad they got to go together. Brooklyn is in the front.
The chopper. I saw it rise up and take off from my room. That was a really hard thing for me to watch my babies be flown to a different city.
That night I obviously didn't sleep at all. I was most stressed that my babies did not have names yet and I couldn't see them. I tried to rest, but no go! My doctor gave me the clear to leave the next morning at 8 am. Jason told me to stay and rest and he'd come back to get me after he went down to Pocatello. I couldn't but I showered and ate and left the hospital around 2 PM.
Here is Jason holding and feeding Matthew for the first time.
Me holding Brooklyn for the first time.
Then with Matthew. I was SO exhausted! I hadn't slept for 2 days!
Saturday in the NICU
First time holding the babies together. They were so tiny!
Brooklyn
Matthew
Jason holding Matthew
Matthew often had his arms out when we arrived to see him. He smiled for the camera. So cute!
Precious Brookie!
Dad and Daughter
More pictures coming up!
