Hello Everyone!!

Just want to let you know that we are home with our two little ones!! We didn't quite make it to our Wednesday induction date...here's our story:

Monday, July 19, 2004

10:00p.m. - We had just finished watching Lethal Weapon on television and the credits were rolling. I pulled myself up and sat on the edge of the sofa trying to pull myself up to go to the bathroom. I heard a "pop" and then water gushed EVERYWHERE!! I let out a few choice words and ran to the bathroom telling Dan that I thought my water broke. He said, "Are you kidding?!?" He follwed me in with the phone and the phone book and I called the hospital. They told me to pack a bag and come on in.

I took a quick shower and my mom packed my bag. (Thank God, again, that she's been staying with us!") We called my niece to come over and watch Nathan. I got dressed and went in to give Nathan a kiss. We left the house to make the 20 minute drive to the hospital. Contractions started about 5 minutes away from our house. They were 4-5 minutes apart. We got to the hospital at 10:36p and got to the floor. They started monitoring my contractions which went from 4-5 to 2 minutes apart in the few minutes it took us to get to the floor. They checked me and I was dilated to 8 cm's and baby's head was right there. Haha...silly me...I asked for an epidural. Of course, they said that I had to wait for the doctor. I asked if it was too late to get one and they said "Possible."

Next thing I knew, they were yelling at me (okay, I'm the only one who thinks they were yelling!!! What's up with that?!?!) to not push. I breathed through some of the contractions but told them I had to push. "Can I get anything?!?!" They, of course again, couldn't give me anything without the doctor's consent. The doctor finally showed up at 11:15p and Gabriel Patrick was born at 11:18p and Lydia Catherine at 11:34p.

Gabriel weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long and Lydia weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces and was 18 3/4 inches long. Lydia did not turn as anticipated and came out breech. They spent some time with her - but they are both doing great now!!!

My poor mother could hear my screaming down the hall and was really upset. I told the RN's that I just couldn't have my mom in there. I don't think she feels too bad anymore - but she was a little upset at the time because she thought something was wrong.

Anyway, this is what I remember right now. Nathan loves "his" little babies...Overall, it turned out wonderful going so quickly - but I was terrified thinking that I couldn't do it. I guess when us women put our mind to it...we can do anything!!

Here's me, my mom, Big Brother Nathan, and Lydia & Gabe:


Lydia & Gabe:


Lydia & Gabe: