Dear Twinkies: Part III--The Delivery

Dear Sam & Dear Luke,

It was a hot, sticky April afternoon. Jake and Emmie and I were playing across the cul-de-sac with friends. You two were wiggling around inside me. Dad was on a business trip and I was feeling exhausted at the prospect of getting everyone fed, bathed and tucked into bed.

As I sat in a lawn chair, a neighbor came over with a baby gift--although my C-section wasn't scheduled for another three weeks--I was starting to get a few presents. She brought some cute summer outfits for you two and this book for the big brother and sister...

I remember thinking, "Oh I wish this were the night before the new babies would come!" I was sooooo uncomfortable, but there was still so much to do. Jake was superstar at preschool the next day and there was a birthday party, too. That meant a big trip to Target for snacks and a present. The house was a mess. My bags were not packed. The nursery was not ready. I needed a few more weeks to get organized.

But tonight I was just too tired. So I read the kids their new book, tucked them in and got myself ready for bed.

At 5:00 am, I awoke after dreaming I had wet the bed. Weird. I tried to get comfortable and sneak another hour or two of sleep, when I realized this wasn't a dream. My water had broken.

Oh my goodness.

I went in the bathroom and tried to think. I was in no pain. Just shock. And I had no emergency birth plan.

After 45 minutes of frantic phone calls, kid-juggling and suitcase-packing, I was sitting on a beach towel in the front seat of a minivan and being driven to the hospital by the nicest birthing partner you could ever ask for. His name was Doug...a friend from church...and he was so chatty and considerate that I didn't feel COMPLETELY awkward.

Meanwhile, Dad was frantically hailing a cab, jumping on a train, and speeding to the hospital.

He got there just as the doctor was wheeling me into the delivery room.

Within 15 minutes, you two had arrived.

I have to confess--the whole experience was different than I expected. No labor pains...but no precious bonding afterward, either.

You guys weren't quite ready to be born, and so instead of holding you, I watched the NICU doctors whisk you away. It would be a few hours before I got to see you and when I did, you looked like this...

Luke--one day old

Sam--One day old

It was a long haul in the hospital. I had to get better and so did you. I learned how wonderful neonatologists and their nurses can be. I learned to depend completely on Dad. I learned that I had to be healthy before I could take care of anybody else. I learned to be patient while I waited to hold you both in my arms.

Three days old, finally together and finally in my arms!

You were here and I couldn't wait to get you home!

More later...

Love, Mom