3.5 Months... What A Ride!

So it's March already? Really? Where has the time gone? I feel like it was just yesterday we were bringing the girls home from the hospital. The past few months have been an adventure. As I keep venturing down memory lane remember all the good days and bad days, I'm brought back to November 17th when God blessed us with two perfect little girls.

The past two years had been full of highs (two pregnancies) and lows (two miscarriages). Then having a very long and difficult pregnancy was just as taxing emotionally. There wasn't a day that went by that I wasn't reminded about how quickly things can change and go in a direction that isn't as promising.

Throughout the past two years the one thing I never did was give up on God. He had a plan for us and everything I went through was leading up to the best day of my life. I trusted Him for He is the only one that knows my destiny. I will NEVER give up on him.

Just look at this perfect picture of peace... this is what it's all about for me these days.


I wouldn't change how things played out for a minute. Well maybe I would forego all the water weight and mini stroke I suffered in the hospital after delivery but that's small in comparison to how great my life is now.

I thank you Father for not giving up on me... for not giving up on us... for trusting us to care for and raise two of your precious children. I hope I make you proud... and them!

37 1/2 Weeks... 0 Days to Go!

The morning started off rainy and cold. I hopped in the shower around 6am... the whole time thinking that in less than 5 hours I would be a mom. It's the weirdest feeling I've ever had. It's not like getting married. It's much bigger than that. All things considered my nerves were pretty settled. I think I was more nervous about Zelda having to spend the night at Old Towne Pet Resort. I requested extra special attention for her but my poor baby was going to have to be without us for a night.

We arrived at the hospital around 7:15am and were escorted up to Labor & Delivery. Getting on that elevator was both scary and exciting. We sat in the waiting room where I had been a few times before when I thought I was miscarrying. It's a scary feeling but I knew that this time it was different. I had watched so many husbands/partners walk through those same doors that Mac was about to walk through, all just as nervous as they wait in those dorky paper suits. Most paced and some prayed. I remember smiling at them and thinking how lucky they were. But now it was our turn.

The receptionist in the L&D department was so excited we were expecting twins. She asked if she could take our picture before we went back. Of course we said yes, although I was hesitant because I was huge from the stomach down. Ugh! Shortly after she snapped that pic they called me back.

I was greeted by the cutest little nurse. She reminded me of a cute little old grandma. She had me change into a gown and use the restroom. We had about two hours before delivery so I knew I was going to use the bathroom at least 8 more times. Ha! The cute little nurse asked if she could see the swelling in my legs and I swear I could have caught her eyeballs in my hand if she would have looked anymore shocked. Her eyes filled with tears because she said she knew I had to be in a lot of pain and she assured me she was going to take care of me. She quickly hooked me up with fluids and made a few phone calls. The next thing I know I have three doctors and the anesthesiologist at my bedside. They were all feeling my legs. Quite embarrassing. The one doctor was a big wig and said that we would have to postpone delivery until we got the swelling under control. I was devastated. We had wait two years for this exact moment in time and I didn't want to wait. After about 30 minutes they all came back and told me that we would be going back at 10am for delivery. Uh, okay, but that was my regularly scheduled time anyway so thanks for the scare. Geez!

At around 10:00am I was told to say "see ya" to Mac and was escorted down a long cold hall and then into "the room". I have always heard how cold and sterile it feels but I wasn't prepared for it. There was about 10 people in there all adorning smocks, masks and gloves. I just had a bad feeling. All I wanted was Mackie but he was still waiting outside the door. As I entered the room I was greeted by all of them who all congratulated me on making it this long and doing was what best for our girls. They seemed just excited as me. They quickly put me on the table and a nice gentlemen introduced himself to me and told me that he would be helping me through the "spinal". At that point I felt my heart beat increase. This was the part I was most nervous about. I had a spinal tap at 17 so I know how bad it can hurt but I was told countless times by the anesthesiologist that this was nothing like that. So as I sit on the table with my hands resting on this guys shoulders he tells me to just sit still because the needle was about to go on. The tears started rolling...

"You're okay Brit."
“We need you to relax Brit."
"Please relax your back Brit."

In my head saying, 'OHHHHH MY GOOOOOSH!!!!' I couldn't bare to open my mouth.

"Brit, please relax. We have to try another needle. We can't get this one in."

In my head saying, 'OHHHH CRAAAAP!!!!' I still couldn't open my mouth.

"Brit, we apologize. We are having trouble getting this needle in as well. Please bare with us."
In my head saying, 'OWWWWWWWW!!!!!' Still can't open my mouth.

After four tries I hear, "Please page Dr. (so and so) and have him come down. We can't get any of these spinal needles to go in."

"Brit, we apologize. We are going to try one more thing."

In my head saying, 'You are such a liar McDreamy. You said you were going to take care of me.'

Finally after a few minutes that same big wig from earlier came down and told them to go ahead and try the spinal tap needle. After five time of being poked in the back they finally got the needle in. They told me they were going to put my legs up on the table because I wasn't going to be able to feel them. But not even thinking I swung my legs up on the table and about five of them turned around and said, "Who did that." I told them I did. Their response, "You did? You're not supposed to be able to feel them." Uh, okay, but I do. The looks on their faces was priceless. After a few minute though I got this rush of warmth through my body and I knew that the medicine was finally working.

And there was Mac. I was so relieved. He kept asking me if I was okay but he was all over the place. He was looking all around, but still trying to be there for me. At this point everything went by so fast but took so long, if that makes sense. I could feel every little pull and push. I remember not being able to breathe. Oh man, I thought I was dying. My heart rate dropped enough that they had to stop surgery and put oxygen on me. I remember saying to myself, "Dear Father, you brought me this far. Don't take me away from my girls now."

And then it happened... a little faint cry... and I hear, "It's a girl, Baby A, out at 10:31am." I lost it. I wanted to see Gracie Rae so bad but I couldn't move. And then as I waited to hear Hailie, all I heard was, "It's a girl, Baby B, out at 10:32am." But there was no cry. I could still hear Gracie with her pitiful little cry. Then I hear, “Baby B has faulted.” What… what the heck does that mean. I told Mac to get the heck up and go check on Hailie. And then I finally, after what seemed like a few minutes but was really only seconds I heard Hailie. It was the most beautiful sound (ask me about that sound a little later on and I’ll tell you something different… haha). My two beautiful babies were here. They were here!!!! Gracie was 5 pounds, 7 ounces and 19.5 inches. Hailie was 6 pounds, 5 ounces and 19.5 inches. They were perfect! No NICU time!!!

Around 11am I was wheeled into the recovery room. Okay, I thought the room was going to be a room just for me but nope, I was in a triage style room with a lot of other women who had just given birth. Two women swept in to give me pain pills and hand me a baby. Great combination huh? At 12:35pm she puts Hailie on my chest so we could do some skin-to-skin bonding. I remember just staring at her with the purest emotions running through my body. She was mine!!!!

The next thing I remember was getting more pain medicine and being wheeled up to my private room while holding both of my little girls. As we turned the corner there was Sam standing at the end of the hall with his video camera rolling. He was SO excited that he walked backward right into the laundry bin, almost falling. It was quite entertaining to watch. Then he quickly rushed into my room to shoot more video. But he had to go out of town so as quickly as he rushed in, he rushed back out. I was so glad he got to see them.

The rest of the day is pretty much a blur. I know my sister and mom came to see the girls. There were a lot tears shed that day... only this time they were tears of JOY!

God truly blessed our family on November 17, 2011!!!