Birth Story

May 23rd, 2011
The whole week of May 23rd was a long one... My sister was in town and kept telling me I had to have the babies while she was here. Ha ha. I only worked for 4 hours on Monday. I was up from 2am until it was time to get up for work having pretty frequent contractions. The girls at work were surprised I was even there. Around 1:30pm I noticed my feet were so swollen and I was SO tired. I decided that it was time to go home and rest. When I got home I noticed that I lost my mucous plug. At least I was pretty sure of it. I knew my body was getting ready for labor. I didn't know when, but I could tell. I slept from about 2 until 4:30 that day. I knew if I slept too long that I wouldn't sleep that night, so I forced myself to get up. Justin and I decided that we would go swimming at Layton surf-n-swim with my sister and family for Family Night. I knew the water would be good for the swelling and just to relax. We got up to Layton, and realized that it was closed, due to weather. So instead, the family decided to go bowling. Not exactly an activity that I should be doing. So I sat and watched my family play. We went home that night and got in bed. Once again... I didn't sleep.

Tuesday & Wednesday

I felt so bad calling my work once again to say that I wouldn't be in. But after a long night of tossing and turning, going from our bed to the couch to try to get comfortable, I didn't get any sleep. I knew I needed to relax. I was having a lot of back pain and still having contractions on Tuesday. Everything just intensified on Wednesday. I could not sleep. I could not get comfortable. My back was hurting so bad that all I could do was walk in circles in the front room cause sitting or laying down was just so uncomfortable. I cant even count how many times I got in the bath tub. Even if it was 2am. I was doing everything I could to get comfortable and sleep. I was having Non-Stress tests at the hospital 2 weekly by now and every time I went, they said that the babies were fine, and they were catching my contractions, but they weren't anything close enough to be concerned. On Wednesday I had an NST. The nurse asked how I was doing cause she noticed how close my contractions were. I told her I was really uncomfortable and wasn't sure if I was dilating or not. She paged my doctor and asked what she thought I should do. Whether I should go to labor and delivery to get checked, or to just go home. She said it was my decision, but to be careful, because if things get too intense, I needed to come in as soon as possible. She also said, "So we may see you back tonight". I kind of took it worth a grain of salt, not getting my hopes up.

Wednesday night I went over to my moms house. My sister wanted to give me a pedicure. I wasn't going to pass that up! So she put my feet in warm water, made them all soft, painted my toe nails this AWFUL green color that I will never forget. She said she was doing it green for the boys. She also pushed A LOT of my pressure points. There is a pressure point on the front of your legs just above your ankles that is suppose to help with labor. She pushed so hard, I was squeezing my moms hand till it hurt her! But she insisted on doing it. We joked about me going into labor that night, but once again I wasn't getting my hopes up.

Thursday May 26th, 2011

35 weeks 6 days pregnant

Going to bed Wednesday night, I wasn't expecting to get much sleep. I got in bed around midnight, and woke up at 2 am with intense back pain and pretty strong contractions. I wend out to the front room and turned on the TV. I was sitting on the floor with my back against the couch, cause that was the only comfortable thing. I was watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and around 3 am I kind of felt like my water broke. But all week I had wetness so I figured it was just more of my mucous plug. My contractions intensified a little coming 2-4 minutes apart. I timed my contractions for an hour, then decided I would get in the shower to relieve some stress and pain. After the shower I dried my hair, then around 4:45am I decided to tell Justin what was going on. I felt bad waking him because I knew he had to work in the morning. So I went into our bedroom and Justin was curled up in a little ball, completely uncovered. I said "Are you cold?" I covered him up and he rolled over like, You woke me up for that? and then I said "Um, babe... I think my water broke, and my contractions are 2-4 minutes apart." He jumped out of bed and said "Let's GO!" So we grabbed a couple more things to put in the hospital bag, the car seats and headed out the door. On the way down my contractions continued, but I said to Justin "If this isn't it... I'm really sorry" I was so afraid it was going to be false labor. I knew I was only one day shy of 36 weeks.

We got to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray at 5:30am. It was dark and quite. I've never seen the hospital like that before. We checked in at the labor and delivery desk and they took me into a Triage room.

The nurse came in at asked a bunch of questions and hooked me up to the machines. She noticed my contractions were pretty close. Things kind of took a while to get me hooked up because their computer wasn't reading the monitors for some reason. So they had to switch those out. Meanwhile, while they were switching the computers, we were texting our families at 6:00am to tell them that we were at the hospital. Of course, they were all sleeping. No one wrote back... I was getting worried.

The nursed were in and out of our room. I wasn't really sure what was going on. The nurse asked me if my water had broke. I told her I think it broke around 3 am. She was shocked that I took my time getting in. I told her that I wasn't sure if it was my water, because it wasn't a big gush like everyone told me it would be. She took a little strip of tape and tested it. Yep, sure enough, it was amniotic fluid! So they started running more tests, they checked my cervix. I was a 2-3 dilated and about 75% effaced. We kept waiting for nurses to come in and out, and we also waited for family to write back. We also text Jalene, our photographer because she wanted to be there to get our birth story. Finally around 6:30 I told Justin we need to call my parents. I tried my sister, since she was staying at their house... Nothing. I finally called my dad. Of course, he answered all groggy. When I told him we were at the hospital and we thought that today was the day they were awake! They took their time though, because we didn't know how long it would be. Justin's parents also finally answered and they started getting ready, decided they would get Justin's brother to school then they would head down. Jalene was also on her way.

The nurses kept telling us that there were 3 other emergencies in the OR so it would be a while. We were never told straight up that they were prepping me for my c-section. Then the nurse came back in to put my IV in. I said "So... Are they coming today?" She laughed. She said "Oh yeah, you'll be going in about 20 minutes!" We looked at each other with wide eyes. We couldn't believe it was happening so fast!! The nurse was putting my IV in my left arm. She missed... So then she tried my Right arm. She missed again. Then she decided she would put it in my left hand. Finally she got it. She felt so bad. She was so embarrassed, but kept saying "Good thing I'm off at 7am!" she apologized so many times. Then came the shift change. My new nurse Kathy came in and had me sign some forms. Then the anesthesiologist came in and explained how the spinal tap and epidural would work and what I needed to do so it would go smoothly. Then Dr. L came in. I was SO glad to see her. It was a familiar face, and she had such a big smile. It made things a lot less stressful. She told me it would only be about an hour long process. That opening would be about 15-20 minutes, then the babies would join us, and then they would spend the remaining time closing up. I was so relieved that she would be the one delivering my boys. After Dr. L came in, Nurse Kathy came in and said "Ok! You're up!" Woah... everything hit me like a ton of bricks! At 7:45 they wheeled me into the ER. On our way to the ER, Jalene text me and said "WAIT! I want to get a picture of you before you go in!" I had to text her back and say "Um, too late" :( We were kind of bummed.

There were so many lights. So many nurses and people. But for some reason, I felt like I was in good hands. I got on the table and Dr. H (the anesthesiologist) told me to curl up in a ball as tight as I could and not to move. I held so still. He said ok you're going to feel a bee sting. I definitely felt it. My whole body twitched! He reminded me to hold as still as possible. He did a few more things and we were done. THAT WAS EASY! I hardly even felt anything! He was amazing! Then he picked me up in his arms and turned me on my back. He was so nice! Then everything started to go numb. He told me that if I felt ANYTHING that all i had to do was say his name and he would be there. I knew I was in good hands!

They began prepping me and Justin sat by my head. They put the blue curtain up and Justin held my hand. Things went really fast! Before I knew it they told Justin they could come around the other side of the curtain to watch the babies be delivered and take pictures. Then I hear by sweet baby Cade cry, and the nurse say 8:10 am! Only seconds later, Cole came out screaming. It was the cutest scream I ever heard! The nurse said 8:11am. They lowered the blue curtain and showed him to me, then he was handed straight through a window to a NICU nurse to join his brother. Then Justin was back at my head with tears in his eyes. I'll never forget it.

Until I saw my sweet husband crying, I didn't have any tears. Once he kissed me and put his forehead to mine, I started bawling. It was the best moment of our lives. Right then, I knew this was right where we should be in our lives. We cried together for a good few minutes. I never thought I'd see my husband cry like he did. Best moment ever!

Justin said while he was standing on the other side of the table they broke the other bag of water. He said it was like someone had dumped a bucket of water all over me and it almost splashed onto him! LOL!

Within minutes, still laying wide open on the table, the nurses handed us a scrapbook page, with pictures and stats of our boys

Baby A (Cade)

8:10am

5lbs 7oz

17 3/4 inches long

Baby B (Cole)

8:11am

5lbs 7 oz

18 inches long.

Then before I knew it I was out of the OR on my way to recovery. Honestly, everything after they handed me the scrapbook page was a blur. I just remember laying in the recovery room and my in-laws and Jalene coming in. I didn't know where Justin was. I figured he was with our boys. I remember shaking. A LOT! And my face was itching like crazy. I was so mad that my body was shaking and I couldn't control it. I asked for some ice chips and Jalene was snapping some pictures and Cindy and Gary were on the phone. I hardly remember what we talked about. Then... the moment I was waiting for. The NICU nurse came in with my baby Cade.

Justin came in shortly after. I remember I was shaking so badly, I was nervous to hold the baby. Once the baby was in my arms, Everything stopped. Nothing else mattered. I was in heaven.

I think I remember the NICU nurse having me try to nurse the baby. It wasn't very successful. So Justin went back to the NICU with the babies, gave them their first baths, and their first bottles. I believe my sister came into the recovery room and helped them get my stuff together to move into the post partum room. I was only in recovery for an hour I think. Everything, besides holding my babies, is a little blurry until later that evening.

In Post Partum my sister came and sat with me. We talked about everything. I can't remember. I think I might have cried too cause I was so happy. But mostly, it was quiet. My mom, Justin's parents, and Jalene were all visiting the babies in the NICU. I also remember my sister brought her 6 month old baby, Tate. She wasn't allowed to bring him in because they didn't allow anyone under 14. Which I thought was a little silly! So my mom and her had to switch off coming in to see me and the babies. My dad came to the hospital around 11am, on his lunch break. He stayed in my room with me for a little bit, and then it was his turn to go to the NICU to see the babies. But, he only got to be in there for about 3 minutes because the boys were ready to be moved upstairs to the nursery because they were doing so well!

While everyone was with the babies, and they were getting their baths and bottles, I slept. I was SO worn out, and finally I was comfortable enough to sleep. So everyone let me be, and I don't remember how long I slept for, but it was the best nap I've ever taken. My brother and sister in law also came to the hospital to visit. Poor Shawn had to wait in the waiting room, because he wasn't allowed in. Family was in and out of the room all day, I hardly remember. I do remember my legs were completely numb all night long and my face itched so much that I scratched it raw! They finally had to give me some medicine for the itching! After the boys were checked into the nursery, they finally brought both of them into my room for me to hold together for the first time! We were so happy!!

I loved my hospital stay. I had the best registered nurses and CNA's! Some of our favorites were Rian, Sarah, April, and I think it was Courtney. They took such good care of us. I was up walking around the next morning. I went to a breast feeding class and was feeling really good! I had a really hard time breastfeeding at the hospital. My milk wasn't coming in fast enough, so we just fed them Similac. The first two nights, we had the boys sleep in the nursery to catch up on sleep. I'm not sure how much sleep I got tho, between nurses coming in and out, and I missed my boys at night! But I think the sleep helped me heal faster.

One of the things I remember about the hospital, was on night 3 my brother and parents came to visit us. We were all just relaxing in our room holding the boys and such, and I decided to get in the shower. I was happy and fine! But in the shower... the next thing I knew I was bauling! I didn't know why. I think I was worrying about going home the next day, and having to do things on my own. Justin opened the bathroom door a crack and asked if I was ok. I fibbed, and said Yeah! He said "Are you crying?" Again, I said no. He asked me if I was sure, I said yes... He hesitated for a minute. I stood there and started to cry again, I said... "Ok, I am crying. I don't know why!" He said "You mom asked me if you were crying, we can all hear you." I didn't know I was crying that loud! Haha! He came in the bathroom and closed the door. I stepped out of the shower, dripping wet and just hugged him and cried. I told him that I was worried but wasn't really sure why I was crying. He reassured me that everything was going to be fine, and I was going to be a great mom! He then joked about me making him all wet, and made me laugh. That was my one emotional breakdown at the hospital. My emotions were EVERYWHERE!

Going home day was tough, but we were ready. Except for that night at home, I went through the worst thing ever. Engorgement... NOT FUN AT ALL! I'd rather do anything else, besides go through that again! I was miserable. To all my family and friends that helped me out, listened to me when I needed to talk, and watched my boys while I slept: THANK YOU!

I would not change one thing about our birth story. I loved everything about it. I healed so fast from my c-section and my boys are SO healthy. I absolutely love being a mother. I am so blessed and grateful for the life that I have.

I love my little family!

June 6, 2011

34 weeks 5 days pregnant

We have a date set!

June 6, 2011

Pretty crazy right? I'm still having a hard time believing it myself. That is only 18 more days!

Today we went and saw Dr. L. She came in and the first thing she said was "Baby A still hasn't flipped" with a discouraged look on her face. We kind of knew what was coming. She said that since he hasn't flipped and he is closest to my cervix, and will be delivered first that we have to do a c-section. Unless by some miracle, he flips all the sudden they will probably be delivered by c-section. The likely-hood of him flipping is slim to none. So she set the date of June 6th. UNLESS, I go into labor by myself before then. Which is a possibility. I'd still have to have a c-section. But at this point, they wont try to stop labor with shots, bedrest or anything. She said they are developed enough that they will be completely fine, and will come home with me after my stay. She said the hospital stay will likely be 3-4 days after the c-section.

Right now I am 1cm dilated and 50% effaced(or thinned out). So I'm just barely barely starting the process. But she said that some one progress really fast, but others take their time. So we'll see! It could be anytime!!! Crazy!

I really can't believe I have made it to 35 weeks without any problems. I am blessed. My body must have been made for this! Although I've definitely had my tough days, I make it through them. I'm still working full time, besides the fact that I am down at Intermountain Medical Center like twice a week! Soon to move to 3 times a week. The next 2 weeks my schedule goes like this:

Tuesday 24th: Non-stress Test 2:00pm

Thursday 26th: Appointment with Dr. L 10:15am
Friday 27th: Non-stress test 2:30 pm
Tuesday 31st: Non-stress test 2:00pm
Thursday 2nd: Ultrasound 9:00am
Non-stress test 10:00am
Friday 3rd: Appointment with Dr. L 2:30pm

Then the next monday, the 6th, is my scheduled c-section! I might as well build a fort outside the hospital an sleep in it!! I am down there so much!

We got the nursery all finished!

Now we are just waiting... the funnest part right? I say funnest is a word today, ok? I need to get the hospital bag, diaper bag, boppy's, carseats and stuff packed in the car. Especially since I could go any day now. They are all ready inside, just not in the car yet! I'll get on that one. But the clothes are washed, the house is pretty much clean, the nursery is done, and my sister is in town.

We're ready! So come out, come out where ever you are!

Reality Check

33 Weeks Pregnant

Today I'm 33 weeks pregnant. My goodness, where did time go? It's already May?! I've been thinking a lot this morning, and trying not to scratch my belly off. It itches really bad! I really have a feeling that these boys are going to be May babies. May 26th to be exact. If that is true, that's only 20 days. 20 DAYS!!! Reality check right there! I'm a little overwhelmed, to be honest.

If I go with June 3rd at 37 weeks, which is when doctors have been telling me to plan on delivering then here's the countdown:

28 more days
8 more days till my sister gets here!
4 more weeks
3 more NST's
2 more Doctors appointments
1 more ultrasound

But who knows when these boys will decide to arrive. This weekend I HAVE to get everything done. I'm such an organized, plan ahead freak. I'm freaking out in my head knowing that I dont have everything. I have to get my hospital bag packed, I have to get the baby clothes washed, I have to go to the store and get the last few baby items on the list. No more procrastinating. I don't know that I would call it procrastinating because it is so hard for me to be on my feet for long periods of time. I should request one of those motorized carts when I go to the grocery store. LOL! But no matter what, I've got to get things done! Keep the gas tank full, get the hospital bag in the trunk, install the car seats in the car, set up the pack n' play in our bedroom, ect... ect...

This is just crazy. I can't believe it yet!!

Pioneer Stock

32 weeks 5 days pregnant

Yesterday at work, I was told that I am pioneer stock. That I am like a pioneer woman, and I could walk all day and all night, pop these kids out on the side of the road, and continue right on. It's a compliment.

Most people at work thought I'd be gone on bedrest by now. A long time ago actually. To be honest I'm a little surprised too. At this point though, sitting at work in a chair for 8 hours a day, getting up and down to get loan files, things off the printer ect... is tough. It's much more comfortable to be in jammies at home where I can lay down. Especially since my feet and hands are swelling a lot. My work clothes aren't fitting so well. I should be allowed to wear pajamas to work. Haha!

Well today we had an Ultrasound, Non-stress Test and Dr.'s appointment. First the ultrasound went good! Baby A weighs 4lbs 6oz and Baby B weighs 4lbs 13oz!
Um holy crap! They're growing like crazy! No wonder everything is getting so much harder, I'm walking a little slower, and feeling more tired! I'm really glad they are growing so well.

Then the NST was fine. They got me hooked right up and the babies were cooperating pretty good. They did have to do sound wave stimulation again, but this time it was to wake baby A up. They did monitor two contractions during my NST. They were just little and I didn't feel them. Monday I woke up with terrible lower back pains and some really strong, painful contractions! I was worried. But I only had about 3 really strong ones and then they wore off. I still feel some smaller ones occasionally.

After the NST I went and saw Dr. L. She said she is thrilled with the way they are growing. But the fact that Baby A is still breech isn't such a great thing. She said he still has time to flip, but c-section is becoming more likely. I'm preparing myself for a c-section to be honest. I don't think the little bugger will flip, unfortunately. I told her about the contractions i've been having, and she said it is ok, as long as I don't have more then 6 in an hour. So I need to monitor them really carefully. My feet and hands are swollen, she said it's ok for now. Then she checked my cervix. I was nervous for this part thinking I might have dilated a little. Still closed! It's a good thing! But I think her checking me has caused stronger contractions :S Uh oh! Hopefully it didn't aggravate it too much!

So I'm still working, still chugging along day to day, week by week. It's not getting much easier, but the longer these little guys can stay in the better! I'm grateful for every week that they are still in there and healthy!!

31 Weeks 6 days pregnant My dad took this picture last night. It looks great, doesn't it?! My dad recently bought a new camera, and he loves playing with it and editing photos. He enhanced it a bit, but I definitely need it at this point! Thanks Dad!

So far so good I guess! No contractions, or signs of pre-term labor yet. But I think I am getting to the point where I'm just uncomfortable all the time. Yesterday I ended up going home from work early cause I was so worn out! I thought I was uncomfortable cause I didn't sleep well. But last night I slept awesome, and I'm still uncomfortable today. It's to be expected though. Tomorrow I'll be 32 weeks which is a huge milestone! It's considered their 'viable' point! Yay! So it could be anywhere from 2-4 weeks! That is just crazy to me!

Yesterday I had another NST (non-stress test). It went SO much better. It was a night and day difference. I only waited in the waiting room for 2 minutes, the nurse took me back, hooked me right up and I got to relax for 20 minutes! Baby A passed on his own, but Baby B was so sleepy they had to wake him up. They took a little device that looked like a flash light but makes low decibel sound waves and put it up to my belly to wake him up. When they did it, it almost felt like I was being shocked! But it was just the babies jumping from being startled by it! It was crazy, but it did the trick! So both babies passed within the 30 minutes! Thank goodness!

Well, I'll keep it short and sweet! Until next week!

Gotta love the Dr.'s Office

30 Weeks 4 Days Pregnant

Today I went in for my first Non-Stress Test. They made it sound like such a breeze and that it would only take 20 minutes. No big deal right?

WRONG!

Today's appointment was a JOKE. I was so frustrated by the time I left, I felt like crying. It went like this:

Arrive at the office at 8:45. Sit in the waiting room until 9:30. Finally they take me back to a bed and they lay me down and strap 3 monitors on my belly. One for Baby A's heartbeat, one for Baby B's heartbeat and one to monitor if I'm having contractions. I think they fussed with the stupid monitors for about an hour. We were picking up a steady heart rate from Baby A. But Baby B is so low on my right side that they couldn't get a steady reading and they were afraid they were confusing it with my heartbeat. So after an hour of fussing with the monitors, they decided they would just do a bio-physical. A bio-physical is where they monitor the baby for 30 minutes and watch (not listen) for 4 things: Fetal heartbeat, Fetal Breathing, Two big movements (like full body movements) and two little movements (like hands and feet). So they moved me to another bed, with all that goo still on my tummy so we could get the ultrasound going. Well they usually record the bio-physicals for their records, but the DVD player thing wasn't cooperating, so they moved me to another bed. At first that DVD player wasn't cooperating, but after some messing around they got it to work. So we thought we were good to go, then they turn on the ultrasound machine and... It's not working right. UGH! Finally they just decided that they would send me into another room where they have the big ultrasound machines to do the bio-physical. So... we wipe off the goo and head down the hall. We started and I layed there and we just watched... and watched... and watched. Then after about 10 minutes I started to get light headed and REALLY HOT. All the pressure on my back was cutting off the circulation to my heart, so then I had to turn onto my left side, but still continued to watch and monitor. We were waiting for Fetal breathing cause we'd see the heartbeat, and two big movements. After 25 minutes of waiting, and thinking he wouldn't pass his breathing we started to see his chest expand and contract! IT WAS SO COOL! He passed with flying colors. Then we saw the two small fetal movements, and we were done. Phew... 8 out of 10! Thank goodness (after 2 1/2 hours of trying...)

After that I was tired, frustrated and hungry to say the least!

So I finished that up around 11:30. I was only 2 hours late for my appointment with Dr. L. But luckily it happens all the time, so they understood. They got me back within about 10 minutes and the nurse asked me to leave a urine sample like usual. Ok, no big deal! So I go into the bathroom and sit down on the toilet, pee, stand up and flush.. then I realize, Oh crap... I was suppose to catch some in the cup!!!!! I totally felt like crying right then and there in the bathroom. I'm such an idiot! So I washed my hands... stepped out of the bathroom and had to tell the nurse that I went... but didn't collect a sample. I felt so embarrassed! She laughed and said it was totally fine! But then Dr. L came in the room and said "have you been having trouble going to the restroom lately?" I looked at her strange and said "No..." She said "Oh, well my assistant told me that you didn't leave a urine sample today." I laughed and said "Well if I would have remembered to catch it in the cup, I would have left one" Haha! It was funny.

Then I laid down on the table and she took out her measuring tape to measure my belly. Her eyes got really big, and she said "38 weeks... wow" she put her measuring tape back in her pocket, then got it back out and had to check again to make sure she didn't do it wrong! HAHA! So yep... If i were having one baby my belly would measure at 38 weeks right now. That right there is how big I really am! Two weeks ago, I was only 34 weeks! Then she checked my cervix... Still closed and strong! YAY!

I didn't leave the hospital until 12:15... It was the longest appointment of my life. I sooo badly wanted to go home and crawl into bed after a morning like that. But unfortunately I had to stop and get some lunch really quick and go straight to work. I was SO grumpy when I got to work. But now the day has gotten a little bit better.

My parents are getting on a plane right now to go to Arizona to see my Sister and new nephew Tate. Gosh, he's cute. I am in love with this baby!
I really wish I were going. That would be so much fun! But I get to play Easter bunny for my little brother this weekend. He's not so little. None of us kids are anymore...He's 18, but he's still my baby brother. I'm excited!


Hopefully my NST next week will go a lot better!

The words of a missionary...

30 Weeks 3 Days Pregnant

We got an email from my brother Marcus who is on his mission in San Fernando Valley, California today. Here is some of what he said:

"That's good that your pregnancy is still going well. That's pretty freaky, that you have so much of baby in your belly. I did see your picture, and I nearly fell off my chair. That's one of the freakin' biggest baby bellies I've ever seen. A wide load sign might have helped, yes, but I promise you Em, you're not fat. You just got a few rugrats aging inside your stomach. But still, you look ready to pop any day."

I got a pretty good laugh out of it! He's a funny kid!

I sure do miss him!