Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Happy Birthday Boys!

The Wait:
A week ago today the long awaited day of the boys arrival finally came! I was hoping for a natural delivery and minimal healing time but that was not in the cards. I arrived at the doctor's office last Thursday hoping for the good news that I would be delivering as planned on Friday. She dished the bad news quickly that the hospital had an induction back log of seven women and I was at the end of the list. As of that moment, I was on the induction waiting list for that weekend. I called frequently, hoping that they were closer to my induction, but by Sunday morning I was fourth on the list.

Monday morning at 7:15, we received the phone call that they were ready for us and to come in as quickly as we could. We were in and ready by 7:45! We were escorted to one of the delivery rooms and thus began another long wait. At 8:00 p.m., with the help medicine, I was ready to receive the next dose of medicine that would start my contractions. By 1:00 a.m. and after three tries, I received my epidural - thank heavens for small miracles. I contracted every two minutes through the night, but had only dilated to 3cm. The quickly did an ultrasound, which showed the boys literally head to head vying for who was going to be first. They were stuck and the decision was made to have a C-section.

The Birth:
Saving all the gorie details, the only thing I will relish out of this experience is that this was the only way the boys could be born. It was amazing to finally see them and that I was finally able to see their faces. Again saving all the gorie details, my body was not taking to the anesthesia. I could feel more pain than I should have had to endure. I was able to see both of my sons, before the pain intensified and I had to be put all the way under. It was an experience I am grateful is over and one I don't plan on repeating.

The Hospital:
It was such a relief to finally step outside and be taking the boys home. The hospital policy because of the H1N1 flu, in the nursery wing, refuses any visitors who are children and are not the spouse or the person assisting the mother. As a result, it was a bit like being in prison ( although, in prison, you can't send your spouse down the hall to the vending machine!) The girls did not see their new brothers until Saturday. My parents were able to sneek-up a few times to see the boys. The best part was spending the one on one time with the babies and getting used to the sleepless nights with the support of Craig who spent every night at the hospital with me.

At home:
Now at home, I am finding myself extremely busy, tired, and on the mend. I don't know which is harder, taking care of the boys, or the girls wanting to help and hold the babies. It has been a lesson in patience for me and for the girls. The first night was the hardest. We had to manage their expectations and their excitement. The important thing is that they adore their new brothers and love to help. We picked up a cake last night and celebrated with a happy birthday in french and english to the zero birthday!

Names and photos:
The boy's names, just like our girls, will not be published over this blog. If we are not friends on facebook, email me, and if I know you well enough I will forward you their birth names. Otherwise, we have lovingly nicknamed them Mr. T and The Hawk or Mr. H. Mr. H's cry sounds exactly like a hawk - it's hilarious and we couldn't resist this nickname for him! There will be lots more photos to come, but for now, here are a few photos we took this week:

The first look...

...this is Mr. T, born just over 6lbs...

...this is The Hawk, born just over 6lbs...

...Daddy and Hawk getting some needed Z's...


...just home, Craig gets the girls ready to hold their new brothers...


...being the best big sisters ever...

...thank you to everyone for your kind words and support. I look forward to sharing more moments with you!



33 comments:

Carolee said...

I am so happy they are finally here and that you and the babies are healthy!! They are so beautiful and it is fun to see pictures of their big sisters helping out:) Hope your recovery goes smoothly and that after not too long your babies will let you get some sleep!!

Heffalump said...

Beautiful! I'm so glad everything is okay. I was getting worried!

donna said...

Beautiful babies. :)

Nicole said...

So glad to see your little ones. I have been tuning in daily hoping to get a peek. Glad they arrived healthy and strong. Hope your recovery goes fast. Can relate somewhat...had an unexpected C-section w/ Austin after 24 hrs of labor. Yuck-wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Staci said...

Congrats! They are so adorable!

linda said...

Yeah, the boys are here! I'm so happy for you and your beautiful family. Congratulations!

Such beautiful boys Michelle!

Marmee said...

Congratulations! They are adorable and I love their names! (FB) I also had a terrible C-section experience and had to be put under. Sorry that it happened to you!

Anne said...

What beautiful little boys. Congratulations to you and your family!

kittyjty said...

Hello, I am so happy for you guys. The boys look great. So small and beautiful. Congrates to you and your family. Sorry about the delievry and not being what you planned for. But now you have two new bundle of joy to enjoy as they grow.

Marie said...

I've been waiting for this post! Congratulations! They are so tiny! And perfect, of course.

I hope you recover from your c-section as quickly as possible and that you can find enough time to rest.

I'm so happy for you!

Krissy said...

Congratulations! So glad you and the boys are healthy and happy and that Nini and Cici are loving their big sister roles!

Jill said...

Wow, congratulations! I'm so glad they arrived safely, though I'm sorry you had to feel so much pain and be put all the way out.

Lene said...

I am so happy they are here safe and sound. They are beautiful babies. I love the picture of the girls feeding them.

Sorry to hear your c-section was a nightmare.

lan said...

Mr. T and Mr. H are beautiful! I can't wait to meet them!!!

Connie said...

They're here safely and both are a good size! What a miracle and a blessing! We're so fortunate to have the technology to know if there's a problem and be able to take care of it. Good luck with everything. Hope you get some rest! :-) Such a beautiful family.

Natalie said...

How thoughtful of you to have a baby for each of them! What a sight!!
I'm so thrilled for you all and wish you a speedy recovery. Sleep, sleep, sleep and take whatever help you can get. xo

Natasha said...

Congratulations. They look PERFECT!

Lucy said...

Oh Michelle, I feel tired for you! I have no doubt that these next few months (years?) will be a blur. Take time to rest. You are a beautiful mother!

Kelly said...

Oh wow, so sorry to hear about the painful c-section. The boys are beautiful, and hopefully will let you get plenty of rest as you recover. Congratulations -- you all are a beautiful family!

Melinda said...

I am so happy to see you posted pictures! I have been thinking of you a ton, wondering how you and the babies are doing. They are beautiful and I am so happy for you!!!

Amanda :-) said...

Michelle, that first picture just made me take a sharp inhale with excitement! I'm so relieved and pleased for you all that the boys have arrived safely and that you are well. I never thought about the fact that them being twins meant that the girls would have a brother EACH to dote over! Durr, why didn't that occur to me? That last image of the four of them is blissful. Best of luck with the nights and the tiredness, and congratulations again. xxx

Laura said...

Congratulations!! They are darling. It makes me terribly baby hungry! (Not that hungry though! :) Enjoy them!

Crystal said...

So glad that they are finally here. They are beautiful. I love the photo of the girls feeding them. Priceless.

Mikki said...

Oh my goodness!! They're gorgeous! COngratulations.I'm so glad you're home now. SOrry the whole hospital part sounds like a total pain. I absolutely agree with you on the c-section. I hated mine. WOuldn't ever do it again if given the choice. But at least, the fruits of your labor (pardon the horrible pun) are well, well worth any inconvenience.

dani said...

double the blessings and double them again, michelle:) our God is an awesome GOD!!!
much love,
dani xxxxxx

crystal said...

They're BEAUTIFUL! Oh Michelle! Two little miracles. Sniffle.

I've got to say it: THE HOSPITAL WAITED ALL DAMN NIGHT TO FIGURE OUT THE BOYS WERE STUCK????? Grrrr. I am angry on your behalf. And I am so very, very sorry for the anesthesia problem; I cannot imagine what you must've gone through.

We mothers are warriors.

That being said...I just love that sweet photo of Craig & the little baby fingers wrapped around his thumb. That, my sweet friend, is what it's all about.

Congratulations. Love you!

Elise said...

Hi Michelle

I am sorry to read about the fact that your body didn't take to the anesthesia and that the boys were both determined to arrive at the same time. What an ordeal. What a relief that your gorgeous, precious baby boys are here. I hope that you have now had a chance to share your miracles with your family and friends. Because of the swine flu and hospital policy, it must have been frustrating to not be able to recive any visitors.

Michelle, I hope you are recovering well, being looked after and I am sure you are getting plenty of cuddles with and from your four children. Praying for a speedy recovery.

Barb said...

Congratulations! What a perfect family you have - I loved every picture but a baby for each girl is just too much!
I'm sorry things didn't go they way we all hope, but I appreciate your perspective that in the end that was the process that brought you your sons.
I'm just so happy for you!

michelle said...

Michelle, I am so happy for you! Congratulations! The boys are beautiful!

Abby said...

The boys are soooooooooooooo cute they kinda look like Uncle Richard.
Tell the girls and boys Hi from me.

SYLA

TheBMillers said...

I'm so happy for you all.. the girls look like they will be great extra helping hands. How fun to have two sets of twins.. enjoy every minute and enjoy your nesting as well..

Barbi

Dacia said...

Congrats, I so excited for you!! Sounds like quite the story, but I'm sure you're glad that part is over. I'm so happy for you that everything worked out. Enjoy those beautiful babies!

TammyJ said...

Congratulations!