Number 1 – The Day You Were Born

When I was 32 weeks pregnant, Jason and I went into Dr. Bailey's office for a routine ultrasound. We knew that something was up when the technician stepped outside of the room to go and find Dr. Bailey. Dr. Bailey came into the room shortly thereafter and got his own look at the ultrasound. He informed us that there was about a 2# difference between the babies. He said that this was too much of a weight discrepancy. He also noticed that Joshua's placenta was aging. Dr. Bailey told us that the babies would be here soon. That night we headed over to the hospital for a steroid shot. The steroid is used to release the surfactant (a chemical that allows the lungs to expand and stay open). In most pregnancies, the surfactant is not released until 34 weeks. We went back the following evening for another shot. These were the most painful shots that I have ever had.

We spent the next few days preparing for the arrival of our two little ones. I tried to eat as much as I could and we hoped that Joshua was growing. The following Tuesday (33 weeks) came and we had a couple of doctor's appointments scheduled for the day. We went to visit our family doctor to see if he could be the babies' pediatrician. We had a little time before our visit with Dr. Bailey, so we decided that we needed to eat some lunch. Jason and I headed over to Pizza Hut and chowed down on their daily buffet. (Had I known that this was the “last" meal, I would have taken advantage of this opportunity). After lunch, we went and had our ultrasound. Once again, the tech. left the room to go and find Dr. Bailey. The weight discrepancy was about the same and it showed that Abby Kate had gained all of the weight that week. It was time to go! Dr. Bailey said that the environment inside the womb was no longer safe for Joshua; he had a much better chance outside of the womb. Jason was caught off guard a bit and told Dr. Bailey that we had just eaten and there was no way that we could have the babies today. It took some convincing, but Dr. Bailey assured Jason that it would all be okay and that we would in fact be delivering.

We were excited and nervous all at the same time! We rushed home to gather all of our belongings and headed over to the hospital. We called all of our family down (they had about a 2 hour drive). We arrived at the hospital late that afternoon and got ready to have our babies. Several members from church met us up in the L&D room. They provided a support to us all. While we were waiting for our turn in the OR, we all visited together (lots of laughter), sang songs and prayed.

A little before 11:00 p.m., Dr. Bailey came in and said that our time had finally come. I was so nervous! They wheeled me down the hallway where everyone was lined up cheering us on. Once in the OR, they prepped me for surgery (it's really weird hearing them count all of the needles, sponges, etc.). We had enough nurses and doctors (Dr. Bailey and Dr. Lewis) in the OR to have our own baseball team. My anesthesiologist was the worst! I was so scared that I was going to be able to feel everything. The nurse beside me assured me that it would all be okay (and it was). Within 3 minutes of Jason coming in the door, the babies were born. We were so happy to hear them cry!

The nurses let me see and kiss both babies before taking them to the NICU. Jason walked with the neonatologist to the NICU where they were both evaluated. I went to recovery pretty soon after everyone had left and for some reason refused to push my pain pump. I don'’t know why I thought that I could handle the pain of an incision across my abdomen! Push the pain pump!

Jason went out to the waiting room to inform all of our family and friends that everybody was doing great! Abby Kate was requiring a bit of help with her breathing. She was under the oxygen hood for most of the night. Joshua amazed all of the nurses. They nicknamed him “Mighty Mouse".

On July 6, 2004, Abby Katherine was born at 11:45 p.m. Abby Kate weighed in at 4#7oz. and she was 18" long.

Our prayer for you, our precious little girl, is that you would live up to your name. Your full name, Abby Katherine, means “father’s joy". We named you this because when we found out we were having a little girl, your father literally jumped out of his seat and began cheering. From that moment, you've brought us such joy with your warm smile, your sweet hugs and kisses, your mischievous laugh. But more than that, our prayer for you is that you would live to bring joy to your Heavenly Father, your real Father. We've loved you before you were, but He loved you before there was time. The verse we chose for you is Isaiah 61:10 -– "I delight greatly in the Lord, my soul rejoices in my God." If those words may be said of you, then you will truly bring joy and delight to your Heavenly Father. We love you, little girl.

On July 6, 2004, Joshua Alan was born at 11:46 p.m. Joshua weighed in at 2#5oz. and was 14" long.

Our prayer for you, our precious little boy, is that you would live up to the name we've given you. We named you Joshua Alan - Alan in honor of the men you come from (your father, your grandfathers); Joshua in honor of the kind of man we hope you will become: Jesus. You were smaller than your sister when you were born, and you had to stay in the hospital the first 31 days of your life. But we realized that even though you were small, you were strong. The verse we chose for you is Joshua 1:9 - "Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." We pray that the Lord will be strong with you. Wherever you go, whatever you do, may you go with strength and courage, knowing God goes with you. We love you, little boy.

Happy 2nd Birthday Abby Kate and Joshua!