I hope I can remember this well enough to recount the story. Asher and Leila stayed the night with Nanny/Papa on Saturday night. Tyler and I had dinner at Olive Garden and went for ice cream afterwards. Then, we made a stop by Target to buy a few last items that may be needed before the twins arrived. I can't remember exactly what we bought now but I know we walked out with milk, cereal, paper plates, and a new Backyardigans movie for Asher and Leila. Tyler was bragging that we got out of the store for less than $20.
Sunday morning, Tyler worked nuclear. Then, he got home early enough to mow the grass. I got up and started laundry, watered plants, did dishes, and cleaned the guest/kids bathroom. I started having contractions (about 15 min. apart) around 9:15am. I started getting ready for church. When Tyler came inside, I told him that I was having contractions but wasn't sure if it was the real deal and I was going to get the kids from my moms. I ironed our clothes and went to moms. I think I just told my mom that I was cramping but I remember my Dad laughing about how big my stomach looked. We got the kids ready for church, my contractions were still painful, we stopped for gas just in case we had to leave church to head to the hospital. Tyler was instructed to keep his phone on during the praise team music. I would call if I needed to go. My contractions were 8-9 minutes apart during church service. My stomach was super hard and tender to the touch. Between contractions, Cal and Caroline would go nuts with the movement but had been more still that day than normal. After church, my contractions turned into more cramp like feelings. I thought we were in the clear. I did come home and pack our hospital bag though. Tyler took a few photos of my 35 week pregnant stomach too.
Sunday afternoon, we took a nap and I woke up cramping but still no contractions. After our nap, Tyler started cleaning the car seats and I was doing laundry like a mad woman. Asher and Leila wanted to watch their new Backyardigans movie and eat supper. Tyler and I would eat after we accomplished a few more things. (I guess this was a blessing in disguise.....Dr's were so happy that I hadn't eaten since 12:30pm) When I was loading the towels into the washer, I started feeling like the consistent cramping was more like contractions again. Soon, I was doubled over in pain from contractions and knew that something was definitely going on. I went outside and told Tyler. He said to call the Dr's office for their opinion but he wanted to get the sprinkler system going before we left. I guess it's a good thing since it's been almost a 100 degrees here this week! I took a shower and called the on call service. The Dr. recommended that I come in to L&D and get checked. He didn't want me progressing at all with twins. Tyler came in and took a shower. Roger, Gina, and Haley came over to keep Asher and Leila and we gave our babies big squeezes before we left. They didn't want to stay without us though. It was sad.
We arrived at the hospital and I just knew they would be sending us back home. I was still contracting pretty good though. They were about 6-7 minutes apart. I was pretty nervous at the hospital.....worrying about having preemies mostly. I was worried about having the csection too. ;) The nurse hooked up the monitors and checked me. While she as checking, she acted surprised because Cal kicked her with his foot while she was checking. She said we would be having the twins that night. I was dilated to 4 and 70%. She said I was in active labor and my contractions were 1-2 minutes apart according to the monitor. They were worried if my water broke that the umbilical cord would be delivered first since Cal was breech. She left and came back in to start Iv's and place the catheter. When she came back, she said that we would have the twins within the hour. It was 10 o'clock. I called grandparents to tell them that they could head on up to the hospital. Physician's were called as well. To my surprise, the Dr. I have been seeing in my real Dr's absence was going to come deliver me, even though she wasn't the on call physician. I was happy to hear this. I think between my Dr. and AHEC physician's there were a total of 5 or 6 physician's in the delivery room. I was wheeled into the delivery room and got to see my Nana for a second before being taken back. It was comforting!
Once inside the csection room, I was given my spinal block. Then, they strapped me to the bed and put up the big blue sheet to block my view. Once I was totally numb, which didn't take long at all, Tyler was called in and they began. I really didn't feel much pressure when Cal was delivered. He was delivered first....butt first too. ;) I did hear his precious cries and then they started digging for Caroline. I honestly feared they may break my ribs. It was intense pressure as they worked to get her out. They announced her head was out and then that all of her was out. She didn't cry immediately....I kind of freaked out but then I heard her precious cries. They brought the babies to my head for me to see for a quick second before they let Tyler carry both of them out in his arms. I laid there and let them finish and stitch me up. It felt like an out of body experience. The nurses and physicians were wonderful though and I couldn't have hoped for a better team. I did see stars towards the end and feel like I was having a migraine aura. Also, I had heart palpitations and felt like I had a little trouble breathing. I'm sure this was related to nerves. They finished and moved me to the recovery room bed. When I got in the recovery room, the grandparents were elated because they had seen the twins through the window of the nursery. It was very exciting. A little later, we were informed that we wouldn't be able to stay with the twins that night. The Dr. said he thought that they would join us in our room by the morning. I was promised a short visit to the nursery after recovery. Our parents told us how cute they thought the twins were and headed for home a little after midnight.
Around 1:30am, Tyler and the nurses wheeled me to the nicu and I got to meet my darling babies for the first time. I looked over them and tried to memorize little things about them since I couldn't hold them and touch their dainty features. I could have stayed in there all night but went back to my room with hopes of snuggling with them in the morning. Tyler and I got back to the room and chatted about the day's events and our 4 children. It was weird (to say the least) to turn off the lights and sleep without our newborns in the room. We finally fell asleep around 3 am.
