Happy birthday, Kyla and Lucas!!!!

Welcome to the world, little ones!!!!

Lucas on left, Kyla on right

Kyla Rose was born 6/8/09 at 10:59 am, weighing 6 lbs, 2 oz and was 19.5"!
Lucas Grey was born 6/8/09 at 11:04 am, weighing 6 lbs, 13 oz and was 20.5"!

Well I'll write as much as I recall. It seems I've forgotten bits and pieces here and there and some things are coming back as others remind me of things that happened. I also didn't get very many pics on my camera, but Niki promised to email me the ones she has just as soon as she gets a chance. :)

Last belly pic, taken 6/8/09 at 36 weeks, 4 days


I know the nurse checked me again Monday morning and I was still at a 6. Dr. K came in shortly after (I think about 8:15) and broke Kyla's bag of water. He also ordered a low dose of Pitocin. The nurse started it at a level of 4 and I could feel the contractions picking up. I was doing OK with them and kept wondering when they'd start hurting more. I was in pain, but it wasn't like I remembered from previous labors. I was determined to do this unmedicated and as natural as possible and it was beginning to become a reality! I'm not sure when, but sometime the level of Pitocin was upped to 6 and that seemed to get things really moving. Niki had left the room to pump. Not long after she left, I was feeling lots more pressure. The nurse came and checked and I was an 8. The nurse didn't know when to take me to the OR. (Dr. K insisted on delivering in there "just in case".) I assured her it was time because I tend to go fast. Before I knew it, the urge to push was there. Niki had made it back and I was just glad everyone was there. The nurse kept telling me to pant and all I wanted to do was push. I was being rolled down the hall and into the OR. I remember the nurse checking me again once we were in the OR and telling me I was completely dilated. They helped me get onto the surgical table and that was the most uncomfortable place to deliver a baby (or two) ever! Dr. K came in and told me I could finally push. Kyla was a very easy delivery. She came out and Dr. K placed her on my belly. I looked at her and she was crying and I was so relieved. I wanted to hand her over to her mommy, but there were too many things and people between us. I vaguely remember Nathan cutting her cord and the nurses took her from me to be cleaned up. I kept trying to see Niki and Nathan's expressions, but it was hard with all the activity. Plus my job still wasn't done...

So I figured the second baby would be a breeze to deliver. He should've just slid down and popped right out, right? Ha!

I remember asking Dr. K if the next one was in position and I remember him answering that he was checking. About that time, I felt the bag of water break and an immense amount of pain. Dr. K had reached up to internally turn Lucas. I was screaming and Dr. K was yelling at me to gain some control. But yeah, there is no control for that. He had warned me before that he may have to do that, but he assured me it wouldn't hurt more than when he had to manually remove part of the placenta from my last delivery. (He lied. It hurt a LOT more!) Dr. K was having trouble getting Lucas to come head down. I had so many thoughts running through my head. I was screaming for him to stop, to just put me out, and to just take the baby. (I was ready for a c-section, if he needed to.) David was at the head of my bed and I had a hold of his t-shirt sleeves and was pulling as hard as I could. Although I was aware of my actions, I had no control over them. I heard Dr. K order the anesthesiologist to give me something and I just kept waiting to be put out or to pass out from the amount of pain I was in. But, before I knew it, there was another little baby laying on my belly. Dr. K had pulled him out feet first. Lucas wasn't crying and I was terrified. His eyes were open though and we just stared at each other. I think both of us were in shock and traumatized. I remember Dr. K telling the nurses to just take him, as he still wasn't crying. As soon as they were ready to give him some oxygen though, he let out a good healthy cry. I was so relieved....yet tired and ready to sleep...lol.

I know Niki came over to check on me after the deliveries, but I just wanted her to be with her babies. I felt so bad that they witnessed all that. While I know it was the best day of their lives and they were able to see their babies come into the world, I feel bad that it was so dramatic and scary for them. Niki and I had always been in agreement from day 1 that this would be an attempted unmedicated birth...and it was. We did it, but it wasn't quite as "peaceful" as we had hoped.

Well after the babies were born, I delivered the placenta and was rolled back to my room. Niki and Nathan went with their babies to the nurseries. Dr. K said he felt a pop when he was trying to get Lucas out and he suggested an orthopedist take a look at his arm. Unfortunately, Lucas' right humerus was broken. He was kept in NICU for awhile because of that and because his blood sugar was a bit low, but was released to be with his sister by that night.

Once I got back to my room, the drama didn't stop. The nurse kept pushing on my belly, trying to control the bleeding. But, apparently, it wasn't stopping. I begged her not to push anymore because the pain was too much. I just couldn't take anymore. I was done. Suddenly, there were tons of people back in the room and Dr. K was being called back. He was sure it was probably a piece of retained placenta. He suggested a suction D&C. The anesthesiologist came back to talk to me about the procedure. I wasn't too fond of the idea after all I had just been through, so I tried to come up with alternatives (like waiting until the following day...lol). Obviously, that wasn't an option. So I was wheeled back to the OR again...

I woke up over 2 hours later and felt the breathing tube being pulled from my mouth. I immediately asked for my husband and a nurse went to get him. I was told everything went well and everyone was fine. And for that, I was/am extremely grateful.

Honestly, I was "out of it" the rest of Monday and most of Tuesday. I remember having some visitors and I remember visiting with Niki, Nathan, and the babies. Dr. K monitored my levels and decided against giving me some blood. He ordered iron for me and I feel like I'm improving a little more each day. I was finally released from the hospital yesterday, as were the babies.

My feet, hands, legs, arms, face...just about everything...is very swollen. I have never seen my body retain fluid like this before. Usually, I pop a baby out and go right back to myself...but not this time. Honestly, the hardest part for me is not being able to be fully self-dependent...lol. After "taking it easy" for so long during the pregnancy, I was ready to be back to myself once they were born. Hopefully, it won't take too much longer!

Even knowing the way it all goes now, I would still do it all over again. This journey has not only brought two more beautiful babies into this world, but given me friendships that I probably would not have found otherwise.

Niki and Nathan, thank you for trusting me with your precious babies. Thank you for being more than just "intended parents" and thank you for sharing your babies with my family for 8 fabulous months. Thank you for letting us share this joy with you.

Kyla and Lucas, thank you for allowing me to finish my second semester of nursing school. Thank you for keeping me company daily for all those weeks and reminding me you were there with your hiccups, kicks, and turns. Thank you for continually reminding me that things happen on your terms and not mine...lol. Thank you, Kyla, for coming out so easy and thank you, Lucas, for letting me keep my rib. You are both precious and I am so happy I was the one able to help bring you into your parents' lives.

Nathan, LaDonna holding Lucas, and Niki holding Kyla

The time is finally upon us...

Well we've had quite a weekend. Niki arrived Friday night to stay until her babies are born. On Saturday, I noticed I could breathe a little easier and Lucas didn't seem to be up in my rib as much. We were pretty sure the babies had dropped! Niki treated my girls and I to a pedicure. We all really enjoyed that (I had never had one before) and now all our toes look beautiful! Saturday evening, Niki and I went for a walk around the block. Contractions were picking up some. Mostly, I just had a horrible backache though. Niki and I decided to go ahead and go to L&D just to be safe. She called Nathan and he headed up as well. The nurse checked me and, lo and behold, I was already dilated to a 4! Nathan arrived before long and I was just so glad they were both here. Before I knew it, everyone else was here to join us too. After a few hours of no progress, I convinced my mom to take my kids back home (it was 2 am) and my dad, stepmom, and brother to head home. Nathan's mom, brother, and sister arrived from Texas a little later and ended up getting a hotel room. By morning, I was only dilated to a 6. We walked the hospital halls, trying to get the contractions to pick up...but no luck. Dr. K wasn't on call this weekend and the on call dr was not willing to attempt an unmedicated vaginal twin delivery. So poor Dr. K was waiting around at home on me to do something. He finally gave us the choice to either go home, get some rest and some food, and wait to see what happens. Or I could try some Pitocin. Well since I was exhausted and starving, and because I'd like to try to go natural as possible, we opted to go home. I felt bad because Nathan's mom and family headed home to Texas and I felt like I let everyone down. Once I got home, I ate and took quite a long nap. I even got in a shower! Then, Niki, Nathan, and I walked around the block a couple more times. Things hadn't seemed to change much, so Niki suggested I try pumping. (Nipple stimulation will bring on uterine contractions.) I tried pumping and the contractions were starting to hurt. (I was also getting colostrum!) We all headed back to the hospital. David's mom came and picked up my kids. The nurse came and checked and I was still only a 6. No change?!?! Ugh. Well since it was so late (after 9 pm), Dr. K suggested we all get a good night's rest and see what happens overnight. If nothing, we can try some Pitocin in the morning. Niki and Nathan were able to get their own room and David slept on the couch in my room. I had a rough night sleeping. The hospital beds just aren't comfy...especially for a twin pregnant belly. I woke up for good around 5:30 am and decided to brush my teeth and put on a little make up. (I'm sure the make up will be gone and/or smeared by the time the day is over, but I figured I'd look my best to at least start out the big day...lol.)

So, here it is a little after 6, and I'm wide awake. I'm very nervous about today. I know I've done this before, but not with two babies. I just keep praying that God keeps the three of us safe through all of this. Mostly, I just seem to be scared of the pain. If it's already taken me this long to get this far, how long will it take me to be complete and push them out? I am having quite a few contractions as I sit here, but nothing too severe. Maybe the nurse will come in to check me and I'll be an 8? Ha! I wish! Well I'm beginning to ramble, so I guess I'll wrap this up.

This will be the last post I write pregnant. This pregnancy has introduced me to many things. There have been some very difficult times and there have been many more joyous times. I don't regret any of it for one moment and would choose to do it all over again. Kyla and Lucas have kept me company for months now and it's finally time for them to meet their mommy and daddy. As ready as I am for them to be here, it's still hard to believe it's time for me to hand them over. Thanks for the journey, little ones! I will always have a special place for both of you in my heart. Today is the day you leave my womb to join your mommy and daddy and make them a family. They've waited for you long enough!

36 weeks!!!! YAY!!!!

Well I can't believe we made it this far, but it sure is a blessing! :)

I went to the chiropractor today and I explained to him that the OB is wanting to induce soon if the babies don't come on their own before then. I explained how I felt about that and the chiro was 100% on board with me. He agreed to try acupressure to see if it would help get things going. He said my body is more out of aligment than normal, which indicates there's a lot of Relaxin (a hormone that helps initiate labor). If the acupressure doesn't help me deliver this weekend, he said we can try acupuncture on Monday. If my body is ready, then it will happen. If it's not, then it won't. Works for me!

Well here's yet another belly pic! 36 weeks! :)

OB appointment update

I saw Dr. K today and he did the Group B Strep test. I asked him to check for dilation too and I'm NOT dilated AT ALL! I'm really surprised because I had a few contractions wake me up during the night. Anyway, he said he'll induce when we hit 37 weeks. I'm not sure how I feel about that. As many know, I'm anti-interventions. However, Lucas is up in my rib and the pain has literally brought me to tears a time or two. I'm hoping he moves so I can deal better and then the twins will just choose their own birthday. If the babies have not come by this Sunday, Niki said she'll be coming up to stay until they arrive! :)

Dr. K told me to stop taking the terbutaline today! (Woo hoo!) And it seems we're still in agreement on our wishes for a natural delivery! (BIG WOO HOO!)

I'm still amazed how each pregnancy is so different. All my babies came early. I expected my last surrobaby to be early too, but we induced on her due date. And we just assumed twins would come early, but they're staying put so far...

Entering...The Twilight Zone

I must confess that I'm probably not as miserable as many might think I would be. Honestly, since my school let out and I've been able to rest at home, I'm feeling pretty good overall. But the past few nights have been really rough. Lucas was in my rib for a long time. Then he moved and it seemed to feel better. But 2 or 3 nights ago, he seemed to move back. I can't get comfortable at night and the rib hurts so bad, I want to cry. It's agonizing getting in and out of bed to go to the bathroom. I'm hoping maybe he moved head down again; then at least some good will have come from him moving again!

I've also noticed I have been sleeping SO much! I'm sleeping an average of 9.5 hours a night. (Of course, that doesn't count the endless times I wake up to go potty or reposition myself.) Then, yesterday afternoon, I fell asleep on the couch and took quite a long nap. This is very unusual for me. I realize I am growing two babies and carrying around some extra weight, but I have never slept like this with past pregnancies. A friend suggested it's my body preparing itself for labor. Perhaps, but I hope it's not going to last so long that I need THIS much energy! LOL

Well tomorrow is June! Looks like these babies may be June bugs! We're about to enter the 9th month. For those that know me well, it is time to avoid me until delivery. For those that don't know me as well, please don't take anything I say personal. Past experiences prove I am not an enjoyable person to be around the last few weeks of pregnancy. And as much as I realize it, I can't seem to control it. Hormones will fly. But sweet little me will be back...just as soon as two sweet little babies decide to make their way into this world. :)

Getting anxious

I know we're all getting a bit anxious to meet these precious ones.  LD is probably the most anxious of all, since she feels she's as big as a house (but I think she looks fabulous!).  People are always saying stuff like "When are those babies going to get here?"  and all I can say is "When they get here!  They haven't let us in on their plans."

Nathan and I were talking the other day and both feel the same way.  We're really ready for the waiting for their birth day to arrive, but at the same time, we're not sure if we're ready to be parents.  Is anyone ever ready???  

That's another question I get constantly:  "Do you have everything ready yet?"  Standard answer: "If they come today, we'd be okay.  But that doesn't mean that everything is done.  I don't think that will ever happen!"

Ooh!  And the question I hate most:  "Aren't you glad you don't have to be the one carrying all that baby around?"  or  "Aren't you glad you get to sleep through the night for now?"  Ugh!  First version: "No.  I'd trade it in an instant." (people just don't get it, do they?)  Second version: "Are you kidding?  I haven't gotten to sleep through the night the past 4 months!  I'm inducing lactation and have to pump at night."  :P

I know they all mean well and our situation is a bit different to everyone.  I don't really mind answering the questions, because I figure it's just their way of trying to feel involved.  But sometimes I wish people would think a little bit before they speak. ;)

35 weeks!

For the past few weeks, I've wondered if that will be the last belly pic we take. I bet the babies will look better in the pics than I do, but I guess they're a bit camera shy.



Please look past the stretch marks...lol.