So my Dr. told me that I should be the poster child for twin pregnancies. I don't know if he was serious or just trying to make me feel better about myself. This will be the picture for the poster. I felt pretty decent this day! I was around 31 weeks pregnant.
Notice the smile in this picture? Not quite as sincere as the first one. I was ready to be done! In this picture I was 37 weeks along. Full term for twins is 38 weeks. I had Taylor & Rylee around 36weeks - so I was REALLY wondering why the new twins hadn't arrived yet! I still can't believe that my body endured being stretched to the max - TWICE.
Dr. Dibble was pretty adamant about inducing me. I was hesitant but gave in. I'm a firm believer that babies will just come when they are ready. Induction was scheduled for 6:00 AM on Wednesday, October 2.
Oh the drama! It took forever for the nurses to find little Luke's heartbeat & they won't start you on Pitocin until they have monitored the heartbeats of both babies for at least 20 minutes. By 8:30, Dr Dibble came in & had to do an ultra sound to find his heartbeat. Finally - the ball could start rolling. I HATE getting the epidural! It is stressful to me & quite painful. BUT - the after effects are amazing. Numb as could be. Fabulous! My legs were like gigantic trees stumps. There was no way I could move them.
I was almost fully dilated (I think around an 8) when the Dr came in to make sure both babies were head down & ready for action. Well - Luke was ready. Little Alexa was breech. Not good. I was told then to prepare myself for a possible cesarean section for the 2nd baby. Dr Dibble said he would try everything he could to get her turned around after Luke was born, but if he couldn't there would be no discussion, he'd just cut me open. I was not happy. I was mad that I had been induced - I was mad because they had stopped my numbing drip so I was in more pain - but more than mad I was scared & tired & hungry. Seriously. I hadn't eaten anything for 20+ hours.
The operating room....I don't enjoy it. (I wonder if anyone does??) Luke was born with no problem whatsoever! Seriously...the Dr said push, so I did half a push, he told me to stop & then Luke was crying. Amazing!!
Luke Raymond Freeze
6:10 pm
6 lbs 1.6 oz
18 3/4 inches long
I think he looks like an adorable, cranky old man. :)
Now for the stress! Dr Dibble was trying to get her turned from the inside (I'll pause so you can process that in you brain & vomit.............) his wife was pushing with all of her weight from the outside. I kept saying ouch - so I got a lot more numbness from the anesthesiologist. Thank you! Finally - she turned!!! BUT - she had her hands up above her head, like she was going to dive out. Well - that wasn't going to work either. By some miracle Alexa & the Dr came to some sort of understanding & she put her arms down, my 2nd water broke and she arrived. Hallelujah!
Alexa Freeze
6:36 pm
6 lbs 14 oz
20 inches long
We are going to call this big eyed beauty Lexi.
Casey got to leave with the babies while I had my tubes tied. I don't think one should chance twins a 3rd time. The Dr also found a hernia that he fixed. He did however forget to do a tummy tuck. What a forgetful guy.
I can't believe that I had 2 babies....at the same time again!
My mom & dad took Caleb, Taylor & Rylee for a couple of days while I was in the hospital. I am so grateful for their help. To this day my mom is still coming & helping me a couple of times a week. Seriously - I'd be dead....or a child may be dead...or my house would be infested with rodents from filth without the help. I don't think I can ever repay her for her kindness!!
Here is my mom holding Lexi for Taylor & Rylee to see. Taylor thought she was cute & Rylee had a mental breakdown. It was heartbreaking. It took her a couple of weeks to even come near Lexi or Luke. She's adjusted now though.
Caleb was so excited to have a brother. He couldn't hold him when he visited though because Luke had to stay under the lamps for a couple of days. Grandpa helped him check him out though.
Lexi had to be under the lights for just a day. Look at her adorable hands!
Finally! Some brother bonding time. Caleb loves these babies. He is always saying how cute they are...always asking if they are awake...always putting on his "Hamatizer" (hand sanitizer) so that he can hold or touch them.
I am so grateful for these healthy babies. I'm happy that my body was able to hold up to this challenge TWICE in a row. Let's hope that my sanity can also handle it. I am so grateful for Dr Dibble & his care for his patients. I am grateful for the kindness of his staff & the Labor & Delivery staff at the hospital. I am grateful for all of the help & meals that my family has received. We are so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful friends & family. I just hope that we continue to be invited to family functions & play dates. We are officially "THAT" family with all of the crazy kids. Wish us luck!
