Babies Birth Story

My blood pressure had been high for a week leading up to the babies birth. I went in Tuesday for another blood pressure check and my blood pressure was quite a bit higher than the day before. Dr Nelson said I would be going in today. I called Nathan after the appointment and told him today is the day! He came home and we packed our bags and were at the hospital by 5:00 PM.  They started me on Cervidil that night. We were able to get a little sleep, but not much, we were too excited! I kept throwing up throughout the night, that wasn't fun. That morning I was dilated to a 3. They took the Cervidil out and I got my epidural. I continued to dilate very slowly. By the evening I began to feel more and more contractions and the anesthesiologist kept having to "top off" my epidural about every hour. At midnight the resident came and checked me again, I was only at a 8. With how slowly I was progressing and all the contractions I could feel I was just about done. The resident asked if we wanted to continue to aim for vaginal or go with c section. Nathan and I talked after the resident left and I told him I was leaning towards a c section. With the rate I was going at I couldn't go through this for another 2-3 hours. Shortly after the resident left my doctor came into check me. He told me I was at a 9.5 and I would be pushing in 15 minutes! I was so happy that we were going to be able to do a vaginal delivery. We started pushing in my labor and delivery room for about 20 minutes and we were about to see the head. Then they made me stop pushing and switch rooms and beds... I was quite frustrated because I was having the urge to push and I was feeling major pressure down there! We had to move to the operating room just in case baby B need to be emergency c section (standard protocol for twins). It took about 20 minutes to switch rooms and get everything ready. Nathan had to wear a bunny suit. There were about 15 people in the operating room, doctor, resident, nurses, NICU team. Finally after everything was situated I was able to push again. Baby boys head would come out 3 then go back in 2, come out 3 go back in 2, so we had to vaccum him out. I thought it was going to be a vaccum with a on/off button but it was more of a plunger. I pushed for another 20 minutes and baby boy was born! They put him on my chest for a minute then took him away. Now was baby girls turn, who was breeched. My doctor ultrasound me and try to flip her manually from the outside on my belly. She wasn't moving, she said she was too high up in my ribs. The resident then did the breech extraction. She went in (elbow deep!!) and grabbed baby girls feet and I continued to push and baby girl was born! Having her be born breech was extremely painful, I was yelling at that point. But everyone was healthy so I was happy. Sadly, I tore all the way... While they were stitching me up I kept telling them I could feel everything! They gave me some more lidocaine and I told them I could still feel everything. My doctor told the anesthesiologist to knock me out and within moments I was knocked out cold. After stitching me up, 45 minutes later, I woke up still in the operating room with Nathan holding our babies. Nathan was such a great support throughout all this, he was so encouraging and helpful. I couldn't have done it without him. 

My nurse Jennica, she was THE BEST. 

Baby boy

Baby girl

 James Bryan and Natalie Stella

James is Nathan's dads name and also Nathan's middle name. Bryan is my grandpas name who passed away this year.

Natalie is my middle name. Stella is Nathan's "second moms" name in Chicago.

James Bryan 5lbs 10oz 19.5 inches

Natalie Stella 6lbs 1oz 19 inches

I love these pictures of them. James was quite alert and would make the funniest faces looking around. Natalie didn't open her eyes much, she hated the bright lights, but when she did open her eyes she was just too cute!

 The best dad. We were both so exhausted, running on almost no sleep for 3 nights. Nathan posing as the heisman :)

 A family of 4! Think I have enough bracelets??!

 Proud grandparents

My two little loves

I still can't believe they are finally here and I couldn't be happier!

Nursery and Babies Update--36 Weeks

Well nesting has officially set in! We have been trying to finish unpacking and buying everything else we need for the home and the babies before they come. I know I wont be able to do much to the house once they are here but I can now say we are officially moved in! 

Decorating the babies nursery was so fun. I have been planning this nursery for the past 3 years. I have bough different prints, decor, mobiles and things throughout the years. I bought the dresser on craigslist and painted it. We bought the cribs from IKEA and painted those. Ever since we went on our safari to Uganda I knew I wanted my future baby (or babies!) room to be safari themed. 

I saw this paper mobile at a baby boutique in Lake Tahoe and registered for it on Amazon and got it at my shower! The second mobile is from our trip to Uganda.

 The painting is also from Uganda and the bookshelves are IKEA spice racks!

 I bought these prints throughout the years, so fun!

Now for an update on the babies!
How far along: 36 weeks! My doctor moved my due date up from January 13 to January 5. He says if they are not here by 38 weeks, December 22, that I will be induced. That means my babies are coming before Christmas (LESS THAN TWO WEEKS)!  Total weight gain: 49 lbs... there's two in there okay! Maternity clothes: Yes, yes, yes! I don't fit in anything else and maternity clothes are so comfy, some of my maternity clothes are not able to cover my whole belly now. Stretch marks: I have one or two on my love handles still, only one on my belly Sleep: Still not fun, waking up at least 5 times a night to pee, sleep is very uncomfortable, hard to turn from side to side. Best moment of this week: seeing the babies and spending the weekend in Flagstaff with my family Miss anything: being able to bend over, not having heartburn, sleep! Movement: Lots! More rolling now then kicks or jabs, space is limited in there! Food cravings: Still macaroni and cheese haha Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! I've been feeling awesome! What strangers say: People always ask when I am due and when I tell them it's twins they always freak out, it's so cute/funny. "Do twins run in your family? I hope you have family near by. Are you about to give birth? Good luck!" Gender: Boy and Girl Labor signs: Occasional braxton hick Belly button in or out: Out Wedding rings on or off: Wearing a wedding band of my moms Happy or moody most of the time: Happy most of the time, occasionally moody Looking forward to: My babies being born!! 
Well I had an ultrasound last Thursday and baby girl miraculously went from head down to breech. I do not know how she did that because there is no space in there! I had another ultrasound today and she was still breeched, so looks like a c-section maybe in the future. I had a NST and biophysical ultrasound. In the ultrasound they check that each baby is breathing (chest going up and down), big movements, small movements, and amniotic fluid levels. In the NST (non stress test) they monitor both babies heart rates for 20 minutes. I found out today that I have high blood pressure so my doctor ordered a blood test that I also took today. We will see what happens with those results, these babies could be coming a little bit sooner than planned!
Also, if you want to take a guess at when the babies will be born, weight and length, press the link below: http://www.expectnet.com/games/VDGtwins

Baby girl weighed 5lbs 13oz and baby boy weighed 5lbs 11oz, give or take 8oz. Either way very healthy babies! This is the only shot we were able to get (baby girl), less space means less pictures! 

Lauren's 80s birthday party 32.5 weeks

My awesome sisters through me the greatest shower! That will get it's own post later.

35 weeks, yes I am large!!

 The NST

So in love with my babies and cannot wait to meet them!!

Babies Update--30 Weeks

How far along: 30 weeks and 2 days Total weight gain: 35lbs, no judging! Maternity clothes: Yes, yes, yes! I don't fit in anything else and maternity clothes are so comfy, some of my maternity clothes are not able to cover my whole belly now. Stretch marks: I have one or two on my love handles still, no new ones since 20 weeks Sleep: Still not fun, waking up at least 5 times a night to pee, getting a lot more uncomfortable. Best moment of this week: seeing the babies in 4D and moving to Arizona! Miss anything: Sushi and being able to put my shoes on easier. Movement: Yes and I love feeling/watching them move. Both babies had the hiccups the other night, that was fun! Food cravings: Still macaroni and cheese, I want to eat it every day! Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! I've been feeling awesome! What strangers say: Do twins run in your family? I hope you have family near by. Are you about to give birth? Good luck! Gender: Boy and Girl Labor signs: Occasional braxton hick Belly button in or out: Both, not quite all the way out yet. Wedding rings on or off: Off Happy or moody most of the time: Happy most of the time, occasionally moody Looking forward to: Unpacking the house and getting the nursery done, my sister coming home from her mission, Thanksgiving and the babies coming!

Today I had another big anatomy scan and got some 4D shots as well! Baby girl is 3lbs 10oz and baby boy is 3lbs 8 oz. As of right now it is looking like baby boy will be born first. Both are head down and are as healthy as can be! 

Here are some cute shots of baby girl, check out those lips and that smile!

They have hair! This is baby boys head.

This is baby girls head, it looks like curly hair to me!

Baby boys foot

Best shot we could get of baby boy, baby girl is squishing him into the corner so there isn't much room for him! I wish we could have gotten a better picture of him.

Corn maze in Ashland, OR--27 weeks

Apple Hill, CA--28 weeks

30 weeks!

Only 6-8 weeks left!

Babies Update--25 Weeks

How far along: 25 weeks and 1 day Total weight gain: 25lbs, no judging! Maternity clothes: Yes, yes, yes! I don't fit in anything else and maternity clothes are so comfy. Stretch marks: I have one or two on my love handles still, no new ones since 20 weeks Sleep: Still not fun, waking up at least 3 times a night to pee. Best moment of this week: getting to see the babies and sushi date with Nathan today at lunch Miss anything: I really don't miss anything, I honestly feel better pregnant than not pregnant.  Movement: Oh my gosh yes! You can see my belly moving like crazy from the outside! Baby girl is on my left and I can feel her more than baby boy because her placenta is behind her while baby boy's is in front of him so it's a little harder to feel his kicks but I still do! Food cravings: Still macaroni and cheese, I want to eat it every day! Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! I've been feeling awesome! Have you started to show yet: Obviously! Strangers are always talking to me now about my belly. I love it. I did have a homeless woman rub my belly while Nathan and I were on a walk yesterday. The two questions I get asked the most when I tell someone it's twins is "does it run in your family?" and "do you have family near by?" We don't have family near by yet, but we will soon! And twins do not run in our family. Mine were conceived via IVF, my sister Lauren does have natural twins so I am sure people thing they do run in our family! Gender: Boy and Girl Labor signs: None Belly button in or out: Both, not quite all the way out yet. Wedding rings on or off: On Happy or moody most of the time: Happy  Looking forward to: We have so much to look forward to! Moving down to Arizona, my sister Morgan coming home from her mission, the holidays, and our sweet babies being born!
Here I am at 25 weeks and 1 day.

We had another big anatomy scan today (I guess you get more than one with twins!) and I loved seeing the babies, they just keep getting cuter and cuter!

Baby girl is still baby A (meaning she will be born first), she is head up and weighs 1 pound 15 oz. Baby boy is baby B and is head down and weighs 1 pound 11 oz. We were not able to get a good picture of baby boy because baby girl was sitting on his head! Below is a picture of her thigh/leg on top of his head. I can tell this is going to be a fun relationship to watch grow :)

And this is baby girl, I couldn't believe how well you could see her face on a 2d scan.

We are so blessed to have these healthy babies!

Big News, Big Move!

We have even more big news (other than the fact that we are having twins) to announce! We are packing our bags in Sacramento and moving to Scottsdale! 

It was a hard decision to come to but we felt like it was best for our family. A little over a month ago Apple sought out Nathan for a job in the Bay. Intel has big offices in Chandler, AZ and that had been our potential plan to move to Arizona to have a little bit of help when the twins come along. Now with Apple offering Nathan this awesome job it made our decision even harder. After much thought and prayer we felt that it was right for Nathan to stay with Intel and for us to head down to Arizona. We are excited for our new adventure and look forward to seeing all our friends and family down there! We will be moving around the 1st of November. 

Oh, and did I mention we bought a house?! Well we are in the process of buying this cute house in South Scottsdale right now and I cannot tell you how excited I am! One more thing, DO NOT TELL MORGAN WALDROM. My sister comes home from her year and a half long mission in the Philippines in November and she does not know we are moving to Arizona, we are surprising her :) 

Midway Part 3

My parents had lots of fun activities for us to do while hanging out at the house. One of them was making rockets and launching them! It was so fun!

We also launched water balloons

One of the days we went to Homestead Crater. Its a natural hot spring of 95 degree water, it was awesome!

 Nathan and the boys went fishing

I had to buy these for the twinners, future cougs!

Nolan loved getting back tickles form Nathan, I never seen him lay so still!

My parents had some extra, uh I don't even know what to call them, but the things you hit together at basketball games and they make a loud noise??! They had lights in them and the kids loved hitting them and each other with the lights off.

Nathan and I did Minute to Win It one night, it was hilarious and fun to watch.

And before we headed back to CA we got to see my best friends, Joslin and Kaitlin, they're the best.

It was such a fun week, thanks Mom and Dad!!