Sunday, April 27, 2008

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

16 comments:

cami said...

Can you believe it has been 4 years!?!? We (all of the Phoenix Larsons) were all so excited to hear that the boys had arrived and that you were recovering well. Good job on getting your memory of the event typed up. You're getting more scrapbooking done than you realize - just print it out and put it in a binder!

Annemarie said...

I love these posts! It takes me back to when my twin boys were born...10 years ago!!! Those pics are precious. There is nothing quite like holding two babies at once!

♥Shally said...

I agree with Annemarie... there really is nothing like holding your two babies!

Love these posts...

Travelin'Oma said...

I had never seen such tiny babies. I remember how sweet Jake was as he scrubbed his hands dutifully before he reached through the hole in the bassinet to pat a new little brother on the back. I was scared to hold them.

Those little embryos have become big boys now! With a rough-and-ready big bro, and a miniature pre-school teacher for a big sis they can definitely hold their own! Everybody in your family is lucky to have each other.

Jill said...

What an amazing, beautiful miracle. I'm going to go cry myself to sleep now!!

Jenibelle said...

What a sweet baby story. Those hospital pictures just remind us of what miracles modern medicine can do!

I'm glad you showed some sense and didn't name them Laman and Lemuel!! That would have labeled them in Primary big time and I am sure your kids are angels.

Rochelleht said...

Let's hear it for women who've never felt a labor pain! UNITE!

And you and Cheryl have even more in common. Only Russ didn't actually make it to Jaden's.

Christie said...

I remember coming when they were teeny tiny. I remember holding and feeding a baby with you. Pukey Lukey certainly has learned how to eat. They were so adorable, and still are. Can I borrow them for a while? I miss my little boys.

Annie said...

What a prophetic nighttime story! Or magic? Maybe you could rent it out to overdue frustrated pregnant moms.

what a great memory post. Keep 'em coming!

heidiram said...

You are inspiring me to start writing down my kids history. Maybe I'll think about it this next week and start posting after Blogapalooza.

tiburon said...

I am really loving these posts! It is so fun to read your memories. :)

Ashlee said...

What a scary time it must have been for you. My sister in law just had her baby and he just got to go home after two weeks of being hooked up to all sorts of tubes and IVs. It was scary and so sad to see him that way. And poor mommy couldn't hold him until he was about a week old. It just killed her. So glad you have two healthy boys now!

Lindsey said...

Wow. I can't imagine.. No women were available as birthing partners? :) I am glad your hubby made it. I went into labor the day my husband left on a two day trip. He made it back... but my body had given up...They had to put me to sleep because I had been in labor for two days! When I woke up, I was ready to roll and voila! Baby 4 hours later. :)

Lauren in GA said...

I am so loving these wonderful letters to your boys!


I am so happy your husband made it!!! *Phew* that was a close one! (like you haven't heard that before (: )

marta said...

this is the sweetest story and makes me cry. gab, you are so brave and amazing! what a journey they have taken you on. those boys were sweet little peas in the pod. i loved holding and cuddling them. i cannot believe they are already FOUR! hope you're having a fun, fabulous double trouble birthday! you've come a long way!

Lindsey said...

Gab, my bloglines isn't working! I updated my blog, and it won't show as updated. I am worried that it is doing that to other blogs too! Has this ever happened to you? How do you fix it? :)

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