7.8.09

My July 7th OB appointment did turn out to be my last appointment before the twins were born. She let me know that if I was still contracting that evening to come on in since she was on call that night. I continued to have contractions all afternoon, but we waiting until 8pm to head to the hospital. DiDi was in the process of moving into her new place here and they needed as much help from Daddy as possible. As soon as the truck was unloaded, off we went.

My contractions appeared on the monitors, but weren't getting closer together, even though they were getting more painful. They let me eat dinner and then it was waiting time. Daddy and I didn't sleep too well, even though we knew we needed all the sleep we could get. At 9am, my doctor arrived and broke my water. She didn't start pitocin because she had a feeling that once my water was broken, hard labor would start on its own. She was right. They let me get in the jacuzzi, but I didn't last long. I had two very strong contractions in the tub and knew I needed to get out or they'd have to carry me.

It wasn't long before I was begging for the epidural. My doctor required it if I was to attempt a vaginal birth with the twins. Up until that point, I never wanted one in my life. I had a natural childbirth with Adia and thought, pain wise, that this would feel the same. I couldn't have been more wrong. I don't know if it was because this labor started at 5-6cm while with Adia I was only 3cm or if it's just twin labor that's tougher, but it hurt worse than anything and the contractions were right on top of each other. It took everything I had to wait for the anesthesiologist to finally arrive and then I had to hold still through several more contractions. No one had told me that epidurals take 15-20 minutes to work though. That was horrible. When it did start to work, I started shaking all over and felt frozen. I just couldn't get warm enough. Not long after the epidural kicked in, it was time deliver. The nurse checked and I was already an 8 so they prepared everything to whisk me off to an OR.

By the time we got hooked up in the OR with all the monitors and IVs and all the doctors and nurses were in place, I was 9+cm. Within 10 minutes, Mira was born. I had a horrible time pushing her out and the cord was wrapped around her neck. She needed oxygen and had breathing problems for the first few hours, but she never left our side. Leia was born 3 minutes later and was a much easier delivery since she was smaller and breech. I only had to push her head out since the doctor grabbed her feet and pulled. I was very thankful that the epidural hadn't worn off yet, but it did before I was sewn up.

From water breaking to delivery of Leia was only 3 hours and 30 minutes. My doctor knew I was going to go fast and I had a feeling I would too. Adia's labor and delivery was only 6 hours and twins are generally even faster.

Daddy brought both girls back in the room after the NICU teams had looked them over. They weren't screaming, like Adia was when she was born, but Leia was looking all over the place.


It wasn't long before we were back in our original room. The girls were weighed and measured and given their first baths. Leia was 5lbs 11oz and 18 3/4 inches and Mira was 6lbs 3oz and 18 1/4 inches. Adia helped give Mira her first bath. She was so happy to see her sisters for the first time. There were lots of hugs and kisses.







We only had to stay in the hospital for 2 days, which is great for twins. They both lost 1/2 a pound, but are quickly regaining that and then some. Both girls are excellent eaters, Leia more so than Mira.






It was nice to finally be home. Adia couldn't get enough of her babies and wants to know where they are at all times. She likes to help change diapers, make and wash bottles and hold her sisters' hands when they're crying.




We gave the girls their first sponge bath at home. I can't wait until they can have real baths. Their umbilical stumps have already fallen off. Adia's took forever.




Mira


Leia
Both girls sleep fairly well too, but mostly want to be held all the time. Daddy, Adia and I are pretty exhausted though. Adia has been going to bed super late and waking up really early. Usually Mira wakes her up with her morning scream session when she wants food. I'm still trying to get in as much Adia and Mommy time as I can. We normally get snuggle time before bed. We'll read books or watch a movie together in bed. We also went to the store, just the two of us.






Today we attempted to get pictures of all three girls together. It didn't go so well. Mira was asleep, Leia kept trying to roll away (yes, she can roll!) and Adia only wanted to play with lady bugs. It was a small disaster.










Despite Adia's occasional meltdowns, I think she's adjusting pretty well. She still gets to have one on one time and we've been able to still go to the mall, swimming and even out to eat. Swimming was interesting since I had both babies and Adia wanted to know why I wasn't in my swimming suit. I let her know that I would be watching her this time, but it wouldn't be long before we were all swimming again. She was ok with my answer and then went down the water slide a million times with Papa and Daddy.

Wild Child

Adia has certainly become a wild child. I don't know if she's just hit the "terrible twos" head on or if she's dealing with post traumatic stress from my hospital stay, but she's been crazy. Now that I've been home for over 2 weeks, she's starting to act more like the Adia I remember, but she definitely still has her moments.

She's also very mommycentric lately. She's back in the habit of cosleeping with me at night. If she starts the night in her bed, she'll be crying and howling for me halfway through the night. She ends up spending the rest of the night snuggled up with me. The last two nights she's slept with me all night and it's amazing how much later she'll sleep. Not exactly sure how the sleeping arrangements are going to work once the twins get here though. I'm not "planning" to cosleep with them, but I wasn't planning on cosleeping with Adia either.




We had a great day on Sunday once Daddy woke up. DiDi, Daddy, Adia and I went to Old Navy, had ice cream and Mexican food. Adia had a blast playing with a puppy on the grass. Adia loves little dogs. She ran in circles and the dog chased her, on her heels the entire time. I think Adia actually wore the poor little thing out. Her laughter was priceless.


Today DiDi officially moves near us. We visited her apartment last night and Adia ran through the whole place. She loved how open it was because of the lack of furniture. She was very surprised to find the mattress she sleeps on and her froggie potty chair waiting for her. She claimed that room as hers and started bouncing on the bed.


I also have my last OB appointment today before the twins arrive. We've had a couple times this last week when we thought for sure I was going into labor, only to have the seriously painful contractions disappear again. I can't tell you how frustrating and annoying that is. Once again, I'm having contractions today, but they're too spaced out and not painful. I'd just like to get this show on the road, but at least I have a real end in sight now.

Last ultrasound?

We had our last ultrasound today or at least last official ultrasound. They'll be using an ultrasound during delivery to help maneuver Baby B out. Adia was an absolute livewire all day today, but especially at the doctor's office. She was running all over the place. Normally, we'd corral her, but the place was nearly empty and the receptionists think she's funny. The ultrasound tech laughed at her multiple times because of the funny things she says. Baby A is now 5 lbs 7oz and Baby B is about 5 lbs 11oz. Two very good sized babies. The measurements could be pretty off though, especially on Baby B because she wasn't very cooperative. Her head is up IN my ribs and she couldn't get a very good measurement of her tummy. They look really good though.

After out ultrasound, we had a quick doctor's appointment. Adia wanted to play with the toys in the waiting room, which have finally reappeared now that we won't be visiting the office much at all anymore. They've been gone because of the fear of swine flu. When I headed back with the nurse, Adia acted like she didn't want to come too, but then panicked. She came running down the hall, yelling, "Mommy, where are you?" She also HAD to stand on the scale after me. She's a whopping 24.4lbs.

My doctor's still surprised that the babies haven't come out yet. My blood pressure's terrific and the weight I gained in the last week was all baby. She ordered me to get back in the pool to take some of the weight off my hips and pelvis. She also let me know that she doesn't want me to be pregnant much longer. She's worried about how much longer my body can handle this pregnancy so I now have an induction date and an end in sight. If I don't go into labor before then, my induction date is 7/11! We'll go to the hospital at 5am and start the pitocin. No cervidil for me this time, but I will be getting an epidural. That will be different.

After the doctor's appointment we headed to the store. Adia rode in the race car and I ended up buying 5 new bath towels. Adia wanted one of each color. We wrapped her up in the cart and she used some as a pillow too. She nearly fell asleep, but stayed awake long enough to fall asleep in the car.


Since it was Wednesday, it was also swimming night. I woke Adia up at 5:30 to try to get her to eat something, but it didn't work. She did eat a little bit in the car. We forgot her life jacket so she had wear one of the orange ones they had. She only went down the slide once, but spent a bunch of time in the deep pool where I was floating.

After swimming we went to DQ. Adia had some ice cream while I had a cheeseburger. Only problem is I'm sick so I can't really taste anything. If I could taste something, I probably would have had ice cream too.


Adia watched Mulan when we got back. Gramma's spending the night and so is DiDi. Adia's most definitely exhausted and just had a full on meltdown, complete with lots of snot. She's the one who gave me my cold. Hopefully she sleeps well tonight and I can actually get some sleep too. My back has been killing me at night and I've been having a hard time breathing since I'm so congested.