Our Anniversary Road Trip!

I'm trying to catch up from where I left off before we moved halfway across the country. This is from back in May.

Rush and I have decided that every year to celebrate our marriage that we would take a trip. Our first anniversary we went to Hawaii for our "real" honeymoon, and since we've had TWO additions to our family we also decided that they were going to mostly be family trips every year. Maybe for the 5th, 10th, 15th, etc. we'll go somewhere by ourselves, but for all the others we are going to go somewhere as a family. That being said, for our second anniversary we decided to take the girls on their first roadtrip up the NC coastline to see the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. It was only a day trip, but we really enjoyed it! The girls did great and also went on their first ferry ride. I'll just post the pictures, they say a lot more than I can (and I'm not going to kid myself, the pictures are why you're here!) ;)

Stretching our legs and waiting for the ferry (and our 2 hour ferry ride!) It was very windy so we all had trouble keeping our eyes open for the picture. :) *Sidenote: see the outfits the girls are wearing? We were asked if one was a boy because she was in blue! It has FLOWERS on it! Seriously? I will give the guy the fact that he was old and that I didn't have bows on their head. I'm just glad he didn't ask if they were twins! Yes that is THE most common question I get!

We got one of the best places on the ferry!

 Reagan in the mirror :)

 Adalyn in the mirror :)

 The ferry route is on our gps!

Keeping the girls company

 Land HO! :)

 We wanted to eat here, but they were closed :(

What we came for!

 What good is a tiny lighthouse???

 Just kidding! ;P I love my little family!

 Another beautiful NC beach!

 Amazing view off the bridge!

 Bodie lighthouse! Too bad we didn't plan enough time in to stop.

Adalyn & Reagan's Birth Story (and my recovery!)

Better late than never, right?! :) Anyways I was inspired to finally write out the girls' birth story by Miss Bailey Ann's recent arrival, and want to get it out for everyone that follows this blog and is interested.

Mimi (my Mom) came Feb 8-27 (she was supposed to leave the 22nd but I begged her to stay.) She helped me get the house ready for the two special arrivals, which we were expecting any day. Honestly never thought that we'd have to be induced at 38 weeks (Feb. 12)!


Morning of the 12th we (Mimi, Rush, and myself) headed up to the hospital, and I finally got hooked up to the monitors and the pictocin started around 10:30am. Poppy arrived around 2:30pm and I had hoped to have had the girls by then. Of course after being in labor for quite a while we still had no progress. Around 4 pm the Dr. broke Adalyn's water, and it was a LOT! It was such a weird sensation and thought I was going to flood the room! We all hoped that would get the ball rolling, but there was still no progress, just more painful contractions. Not long after I was given an epidural, which I was very thankful for because since they had broken Adalyn's water and I was on pictocin the contractions were very strong and one on top of the other and I wasn't even in active labor yet! Well later in the day (and still no progress) and after the shift change we talked to the new doctor Dr. P. and since Reagan was breech she advised against a natural delivery. Apparently there are a LOT of statistics about breech deliveries that aren't good, so Rush and I discussed the pros and cons and what we wanted to do. We came to the conclusion that we were going to 'ok' a c-section. *I really had hoped to deliver the girls naturally for many reasons, one of the main was that I wasn't really wanting to be cut open and go through major surgery if it wasn't neccessary. But when we were told that if Reagan didn't turn or ended up coming breech her chance of death or even having a handicap due to an accident during delivery (i.e. she pinches her neck or gets her head caught and we still end up in an emergency c-section) was like one in FIVE! I decided that I didn't care what I had to go through, I just wanted my babies as safe as they could be. We decided to go with the decision we could live with, because I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I had been selfish enough to try and something go wrong. Besides I wasn't progressing, after almost 12hrs on pictocin and 6 hrs after they broke Adalyns water and knew that we were only a few hours away from a mandatory c-section anyways. At least I was able to "pick" their birthday, the 12th. (I am weird and don't like odd numbers, and then there is the Aggie part of me that liked them being born on the 12th!) :)

Well once we made the decision they immediately started prepping us for the OR (we would have delivered there anyways.) Then it seemed like forever before they came and got me (I actually told the nurse that I was going to be very upset if they missed the 12th by a few minutes!) Needless to say they got us in and finally got the huge team in the room (think nurse teams for each baby and for me!) And the surgery started. Rush had no intention of looking but they started working before he realized to sit down so I think he got a peek at them cutting me open. In the moment it felt like a lifetime waiting for them to say "Baby A" at such and such time and to hear a cry, but once we did it was amazing. Rush had the video camera and was up and videoing the team with Adalyn. Then one minute later we hear "Baby B" and both of them crying it was very surreal. After they were cleaned up and swaddled they held each of the girls up to me so that I was able to see them and give them a kiss. The girls then left (with their teams of nurses) and I sent Rush with them so that our friends and family could meet them. *Not everyone knows this but Reagan still had not been named at this point!

That left me alone in the OR while the Drs worked to sew me up. I don't know what took so long (it felt ridiculously long) or what all went "wrong" but they ended up giving me a shot in the shoulder to try and get my uterus to contract (there was alread pictocin in my IV drip) and when that wasn't giving them results they also decided to give my uterus a direct shot of pictocin! Apparently it had gotten SO stretched that it was taking it a while to contract enough to tuck it back in to place. All I remember during this whole process was being very cold and shivering so much that my body (at least the top half) was practically bouncing off the table (hence the wrist straps they strapped me down with in the beginning.) Finally they were done and were taking me to recovery and at this point I was drifting in and out but still telling them that I was very cold. *I was later given two blood transfusions due to losing quite a bit during surgery and because I apparently had a massive placenta! While in recovery I remember seeing Rush come in to check on me but then quickly passing back out again (the recovery nurses later told me that my condition kind of freaked him out and they sent him back to be with the girls.) I must say that I loved my recovery nurses! No kidding the head nurse was Mama T and she was so sweet. It was while I was in recovery and passed out that I dreamed that we had named Baby B, Reagan! Rush and I had gone back and forth between Reagan and Payton and still hadn't made our minds up, I knew he was leaning more towards Reagan but I hadn't completely come around to it. But dreaming of her as Reagan I knew that's who she was meant to be! :)

Around 2 am I was finally released from recovery and sent back to our room and thirty minutes later the girls were wheeled in to stay! It was an amazing journey that all started with finding out we were pregnant on Father's Day 2010, to finding out we were doubly blessed, then making it to 38 weeks, and finally their arrival and getting to hold them in our arms on that early February day. God works many miracles and I thank him everyday for the two he gave me!

Miss Ruby Jane

I know I've been absent (for QUITE a while) but before I get back into blogging and adding a TON of pictures, I wanted to share Miss Ruby Jane.

I have never met Miss Ruby Jane Taylor, and sadly never will. She was a fighter, but last week went home to be with our Heavenly Father. Ruby passed away at the young age of 7 months due to liver failure after a liver donor could not be found. I first found out about Ruby and her story on facebook (no surprise to some people) and cried myself to sleep. It broke my heart imagining another mother with a baby just one month older than my own dying and being completely helpless to stop it. Anyways before I start crying again, her story encouraged me to become an organ donor myself, and to give the gift of life. If you decide you would like to read her story, Ruby's mom has a blog http://www.aniandmatttaylor.blogspot.com/. Since Ruby has passed Ani (Ruby's mom) has handed over the reigns of her blog to her siblings while she mourns. There is also a fundraiser blog to help the Taylor family pay for medical expenses where they are auctioning off hundreds of unique items! Check it out at http://www.rubyjanetaylor.blogspot.com/! I've already bid on a few items but am waiting for closer to the end to see if I can outbid others for those items!

Anyways, if you would say a quick prayer for the Taylor family as they deal with the loss of their precious baby girl, and consider becoming an organ donor yourself.

The little details

Liesl brought something to my attention, the little details. I hope that I am remembering them and putting them here on the blog because I sure haven't been writing them down! Since I was thinking about that I decided to post some more pictures (more for myself) that are of the little things that I find so irresistably adorable. Like the way Addie holds her hands across her chest and tucks her little legs in and curls in her toes, and the way she knows just how to cuddle herself in my arms. And the way Reagan is SO talkative and coos at me, and the way she always manages to find her fingers (it doesn't matter which finger) to suck on. And hopefully I will soon manage to get video of them smiling at me when I tell them "Good Morning!" :) I honestly don't know how I managed without these two little snuggle bugs, and if given the choice to only have one at a time, I wouldn't. God knows what he is doing, I'll never doubt that.

Addie curling her legs and toes!

 Reagan has found her fingers!

 It's almost like she is praying. So sweet.

 Aren't they just the cutest!?!

 If I could lay them both on me I would. When they are sleeping is when I should be getting things done, but I just can't pry myself away from them. (It doesn't help that I don't WANT to pry myself away...)

 Reagan found her fingers again :)

 Every morning the girls somehow end up in bed with Momma! ;)



If you haven't yet, read my previous post for an overview of their 3rd month of life! :)

3 Months! :)

Well it seems like my average is about once a month. I really wish the girls would start napping for longer periods (and at the same time) during the day so that I might be able to blog more frequently. BUT they are only 3 months old, I'm sure it'll happen soon enough. Heck, I'm just glad they go to bed and sleep so well at night! Schedules are a MUST for us, and the girls definitely let us know when it is bedtime (some where between 7:30 and 8:30). This past month was very busy and exciting. We celebrated our first Easter, and Papa Doc (Rush's dad) came to visit, then Uncle Jake came by for a weekend, and cousin Roy was stationed here (technically Camp Johnson)! Needless to say we've been blowing and going and haven't really had much time to stop. Here is the past month in pictures:

Drove up to Beaufort, NC to visit family

 Papa Doc and the girls took a nap while Rush and I got ready for church :)

 The girls' first Easter baskets!

 Pictures outside of church

 Addie is in pink, Reagan is in purple

 Sooo precious!

 First Family Easter :)

 Papa Doc and the girls

 I love these dresses, and their expressions!

 Too cute for words

 Uncle Jake and Addie :)

The weekend Jake visited we had a homecoming party for one of our friends, the morning of the guys all went golfing together, when they got back I left the girls with Rush, Jake, and Roy so that I could shower and get ready. When I came out this is what I found. Who knew golfing took so much out of you? ;)

 They are trying to hold hands! I did not position their hands like that.

 Finally! I caught a smile on camera! I swear these girls smile ALL the time, but as soon as I bring out the camera or video camera they just stare at it.

 Addie was apparently too tired to smile :)

 Some how Addie managed to kick Daddy out of his beloved chair! lol

Daddy helped Addie to start holding her own bottle!

Reagan was talking up a storm to her reflection!

 My babies are 3 months old! Time is flying by.

 Thank you Mimi for the swim suits!

Until next time! I hope everyone enjoys the pictures. Next month is going to be extremely busy since we will be moving myself and the girls to San Antonio! (Don't worry Rush will be joining us a month later.) Take care!

I'm not even sure where to begin...

As you know babies are demanding, and I've got it double! Still that really isn't the best excuse for not keeping up with my blog. Anyways I'm going to try and catch up to where we are now, a detailed account of their delivery (and our hospital stay) will come (hopefully) soon.

Here is a brief overview of their first 2 months:

The first month was all about adjustment. Rush and I adjusting to being the parents of two tiny girls and the girls adjusting to life outside the womb. Thankfully I had a lot of help! The first week I had Rush and my Mom. Then when Rush went back to work my Mom was there. Around week 3 I was on my own during the day, thankfully Rush comes home most everyday for lunch so I get some help and we can usually eat together. Often he would come home and find me stuck in the blue recliner with both girls asleep on me. See picture. :) Honestly though I didn't mind, I love having them both next to me.

Here are some more pictures from their first month!

Our first familly picture! The girls are not even a week old, and Valentines Day had been a few days prior. These were the cute little outfits my Mom had gotten them for Valentines Day.

Our family portrait with 1 month olds! :)

I wish I had been told this when the girls were born so that I could have their picture next to the bunny and bear when they were only a day or two old, but starting at their 1st month isn't too bad. Here is how they are sizing up at 1 month.

Well a week ago we celebrated the girls' 2 Month "day" (not sure what to call it because a 2 Month birthday just doesn't quite sound right...) Anyways, we had their 2 month check with the pediatrician and the girls' stats are: Adalyn 10lbs 8oz and 23 1/2" long(tall) & Reagan 9lbs 9oz and 22" long(tall)! If my memory is correct they are both in the 25-50 percentile (except for Adalyn's length, she was in the 90 percentile!)

Some of the other notable milestones are that they both smile! Of course they don't smile that often (at least not at me) :( they tend to fall asleep when I play with them and smile at Rush and our night nanny when they play with the girls. Oh well, I can just hope that in a few months they like me more! :) Neither of the girls have laughed yet, except Reagan laughs all the time when she is sleeping in my arms! I can't wait for them to start laughing, it's a wonderful sound. I'm hoping to get a smile on camera soon, but it isn't easy.

On their way to church for the first time! Just over 6 weeks old.

Also this month the girls have started attending church. The first week was great, they slept the whole time (and even through lunch at Chili's!) But each week since they have been more restless and demanding so they might have to start going to the nursery so that Rush and I can actually pay attention to the sermon and get something out of it. Addie has the bird carseat toy and Reagan has the zebra. I also try to keep Addie's bow on the left and Reagan's on the right so that in pictures I can easily tell who is who! ;)

We've also started going on multiple walks during the week. I got a great deal on a double jogging stroller when the girls were only 2 weeks old and I love it! I just lay the seats down with some blankets, swaddle the girls up, and hit the pavement (I walk with them not jog since they aren't physically stable yet.) They are usually asleep by the time I'm a few houses down the street and sleep the whole time. I'm hoping that as they grow they continue to like the stroller.

Well that's all I have time for, let's hope that it's not another month before I'm able to post again! :)