Welcome Jenna and Rachel! Birth story...

The Girls are Here!! Birth Story and more...

I've been meaning to update this blog for a week now, but it has been busy!!
Last Saturday (Christmas) was a normal day. Kenny and I went to a Christmas breakfast at the Johnson's house and then played games in the afternoon. We made a delicious ham dinner at night and then went to bed.
A little before midnight, I woke up feeling different and thinking something wasn't right. It turns out my water broke. I wasn't sure what was happening so I woke up Kenny and called the hospital around midnight. The nurse I talked with said we need to come in.
We were not thinking clearly and I didn't bring anything to the hospital except for my purse. On the way to the hospital, I began having contractions. I was admitted around 12:45, checked and found to be 3cm dilated. These girls were coming! I was hooked up to a machine to measure contractions and to check on the girls (like the non-stress test from before)
My doctor arrived around 3am and I was 6cm dilated. The nurses and my doctor encouraged me to get an epidural because of the possibility of having a C-Section. An ultrasound was done, and both babies were in the head down position so it looked good to give birth vaginally. The contractions weren't getting stronger so I was given pitocin.
Kenny left and went home get the camera and some other things we might need at the hospital.
Around 8:00, I was 9.5 cm dilated and I could feel stronger contractions (the epidural helped with pain, but I could still feel contractions).
I was wheeled into the operating room, still because of the uncertainty of what "Baby B" would do. Pushing began and "Baby A" was born at 8:36. After taking a short break, pushing began again and "Baby B" was born at 8:49.
The babies were taken to warming tables and checked. I could hear their cries and knew they were healthy!!

Baby A: Jenna Kathryn, 5lbs 7oz, 17.5 inches long


Baby B: Rachel Elizabeth, 4lbs 14 oz, 18 inches long


Both babies were breathing on their own with no need for oxygen(something that is often needed for babies born 35 weeks and sooner). Rachel had low blood sugar and needed an IV with glucose. Because of this, I wasn't able to see her right away, but I knew the nurses were taking good care of her.

I was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday 12/28 but stayed in another room while the girls were monitored for an extra day. We were all able to go home on Wednesday 12/29 because the girls were eating well, didn't show signs of jaundice, and were ready!!



I am in love and in complete awe of these two beautiful girls.

Monday's Appointment update!

I had a great doctor's appointment on Monday. I was nervous, not knowing what to expect with a Non-Stress Test, but it was really interesting. I was hooked up to 3 monitors: 1 for each baby and 1 to monitor me, to see if I was having contractions. The machine records the babies' heartbeats over 20 - 30 minutes. I was given a button to push when I felt movement. The purpose of the test was to see if the heartbeats increased when when the babies were moving. Both babies did great! Towards the end of the test, the nurse was looking at the machine and asked me "Do you feel that?" It was showing a contraction. My stomach gets really hard, stays that way for a few seconds to a minute then goes back. This is what happened and she said said it was a contraction.
I also had a growth ultrasound. Both babies are now head down (WAY down). I had a feeling that Baby B had turned down because of all the movement I had been feeling lately. I hope they stay in that position. The doctor was joking with me saying they have "big heads" and "they'll be smart". He got approximate measurements for both of them being about 5lbs, 7oz. each!!
Tomorrow, I will technically by 35 weeks which is a point when they babies are developed and there shouldn't be any reason for them to have to go the NICU. I am still hoping to get to 37 or 38 weeks. This break from school has been so good to rest and put my feet up!

I found this picture online showing what fraternal twins look like inside at 36 weeks:

Pretty amazing!!

Days Off and Baby Movement

Our Christmas break this year is 2 weeks starting on December 20th. I'm planning on returning to school after break, but I think I'm being optimistic because that will be my 37th week!
We got some snow and cold temperatures yesterday giving us snow days yesterday and today. We missed all the fun holiday activities at school and I left a lot undone. Oh well!! It was so good to relax and work on some thank you notes.
This morning, I've been enjoying sitting on the couch and watching my belly move and change. Both babies continue to get hiccups and it's really funny to watch and feel that movement. I'm hoping Baby B is moving so much because she is turning head down. I'll find out on Monday the position of both babies. Hopefully, I'll also have a good estimate of when the babies will come!

Here's my most recent picture from a few days ago: 33 weeks.

Thanksgiving and More...

Kenny and I traveled to NY for Thanksgiving this year rather than for Christmas. It was great seeing family while I still was pretty comfortable (for the most part!) We split the drive and spent the night in PA both on Tuesday and on Saturday. It was perfect because I don't think I could have traveled in the car for 8 hours.
On Thanksgiving, we visited with Katie and Tim and got to see our 3 month old nephew Jabin.



On Saturday, my sister and my Mom, with the help of friends and family, hosted a baby shower for me at their church in Victor. I got so many beautiful handmade items along with clothes and lots of baby things! I really was blessed by my family and friends. The shower was perfect!!

Sandra, me, and my mom with the beautiful (and delicious) cake:


My sister-in-law, Amy handmade these bears!



This weekend, Kenny and I worked on the nursery. We bought a window valance and lamp and will be buying so wall decorations soon. It's really starting to come together!

30 Weeks!!

Today I went for a 30 week growth ultrasound. Kenny came with me. The babies have changed positions and Baby A's head is no longer down so low in my right hip. She's almost head down in the "correct" position. Baby B is still breech. Baby A was measured first and was estimated to be approximately 3lbs, 6oz. This is actually a little above average when compared to a single baby at 30 weeks. Baby B measured about 3lbs which was perfect.
My doctor was happy with the sizes of the baby and made another ultrasound appointment and a Non-stress test appointment for 4 weeks from now.

Most days I feel pretty good. I'm getting more and more anxious when I've been looking at the calendar and seeing that January is really not that far away. I'm hoping to make it to 38 weeks which would be around January 13. In all the reading I've done, 38 weeks is a typical delivery time for twins.

Before Kenny and I left the doctor's office today, we got copies of my prenatal records so we're all ready to travel to NY next week for Thanksgiving!!

There was one profile ultrasound picture today, but I haven't scanned it yet. Hopefully I'll do that this weekend....and get another belly picture.

Baby Shower!

Three of my friends threw a baby shower for me today. It was perfect! I am so thankful for getting to know so many wonderful people since moving to Virginia.

This is Jane, Amanda, and Amy: my lovely hostesses!!

The food was delicious, the games were hilarious and I was overwhelmed by the generosity of friends.


The beautiful cake all the way from Roanoke!

Prenatal Classes Etc...

Kenny and I started prenatal classes last week. There are 20 couples and we're the only ones with twins. It's strange to see all the videos and materials related to a single birth and then realize near the end I'll be so much bigger. I was comparing myself to the other women due at the end of January and I AM much bigger. I feel really good and have really only gained "baby weight" all in the front.
I can't wait for my next ultrasound on the 18th. I'm curious to see how much each baby weighs. Every couple of days, my stomach is really tight as if it's stretching. Shirts are definitely becoming tighter!
2 weeks ago, Kenny painted the nursery and put together the cribs. We chose a neutral tan/brown called adobe straw. It has a hint of pink depending on the light. We decided not to do a "pink" room since much of the baby bedding and other things will be pink. Here's a few pictures. The cribs probably won't stay there but we'll do some rearranging once we get more stuff!



We're planning to get some wall hangings and wall decals with flowers and butterflies in pinks and browns. It might even look nice to put names over the beds.
P.S. The names are being kept secret!!