Love at First Sight

When I found out I was carrying twins I immediately grew scared of my risk of having a cesarean. Halfway through my pregnancy the twins flipped and were both breech; which increased my risk even more. I prayed and prayed that they would flip so we could experience a natural birth together, but those little boogers refused to move from their comfy spots. I was terrified of having a cesarean because I desperately wanted that immediate bonding time with my babies. When women speak about cesarean births it is often done so in a negative way; which didn't help with my fears. I must admit that I, too, was a skeptic of cesarean births because it is "major surgery", but as my due date drew closer I became more open to it. Mostly because I didn't care how my babies got here, just as long as they were healthy and out of my belly. It's rare that you hear a mother speak so highly of their child's cesarean birth, but I'm happy to say that my twins cesarean birth was indeed a beautiful one (or two).

The day finally arrived, the day we'd meet the twins. Although I was worried about having a cesarean, there was honestly not one single nerve in my body as I was too excited to meet our babies. All of the pain put on my body to create these two miracles was finally going to disappear and I'd finally get to hold them in my arms. 

We got up early to ensure that we'd be at the hospital at 9am for my scheduled c-section at 11am. Tenley was still sleeping so we snuck into her room to take our last "family of three" picture:

We arrived at Southern Hills Hospital 15 minutes early and were told that an emergency cesarean had just took my room and that we'd have to wait for the next available room. It was torturous to sit in the waiting room with the food and drink vending machines. Not only was the anticipation of meeting my babies killing me, but I was so thirsty that I swear I almost licked the ice pictures on the drink vending machine. 

Our room was finally available at 10:15 and I was beyond excited to get the show on the road. I instantly knew this was going to be an awesome hospital experience when my nurse, Cathy, handed me a hospital gown fit for a California King mattress and said, "Sorry, it's the only one we have available right now. Empty your bladder, then get naked and sexy!":

I wanted my friend, Crystal, to be in the OR with Ed and I because she also had boy/girl twins with Dr. Adashek via cesarean (and as a bonus she's an amazing photographer). Dr. Adashek said the more the merrier, but that I had to clear it with the anesthesiologist beforehand. When I explained to the anesthesiologist, Dr. Henry, who Crystal was he said, "Hey! The more people, the bigger the party!" Once Dr. Henry gave us the green light, Ed and Crystal got ready in their scrubs:

Things started happening so fast once everyone was dressed. Cathy gave me my IV and started me on fluids; which made me feel very weird. I couldn't see anyones entire face and I felt so out of it. I'm so lucky to have had Ed by my side the entire time:

I was wheeled down the hall to the OR and we couldn't stop smiling because we were too excited:

I walked into the OR so they could prep me, while Ed waited outside:

I'll never forget the feeling when they told me to lay back. I was completely numb from my spinal anesthesia and had no idea how I was going to lay back. Dr. Adashek and Cathy hugged each side of me and slowly lowered me down on the table. I laid there joking around with Dr. Adashek and Dr. Henry. It was all surreal. Then, they said they were ready for Ed and Crystal to come back in:

It seemed like Ed had only been in the room for 5 seconds when he looked at me and said, "here they come!" and I said, "what?! He cut me already?" I only felt him pressing around on my abdomin, I had no idea that I was already cut open. The anticipation on Ed's face was priceless and I'll never forget it. I can still hear him saying, "there's Ev's foot!" and I could hear the Doc saying, "that's a hand, we need another foot to pull her out." Then, there she was...little Everly was out at 11:47am:

They put her right under the warmer and I couldn't see her. I will never, never forget hearing her cry for the first time. That sweet little whimper made me completely elated:

Wes was born two minutes later at 11:49am. As soon as he was out Ed said, "woah! That's a big boy!" and Dr. Adashek said, "yeah, wow! He is big!" He drapped Wes over the curtain so I could see him:

Then, I watched them weigh and clean the babies:

Ed showed me Evie for the first time and it was love at first sight:

After seeing Ev, they took her to the NICU for transition. Ed couldn't go with Ev since the NICU was full so we got to spend some time loving on our little man while they stitched me up:

Since there wasn't room in the NICU, I got to warm Wes up myself as they wheeled me out of the OR. It felt so incredible to bring him out on my chest and nurse him as soon as we got back to our room:

Ev was doing great and they brought her right back to our room where we were all reunited:

While doing skin-to-skin with Ev, Wes got a sponge bath:

Once Ev had a full belly, she got a bath:

After the twins were bathed they laid under the warmer together (Wes is the babe in the hat):

I can't believe both of those healthy and beautiful babies were in my belly. They are the last two pieces to our puzzle and make our family complete:

Later the afternoon, Grammy brought Tenley to meet her baby sister and brother. The sight of seeing me in the hospital bed scared her and she just wanted to lay with me or be held:

Grammy was beyond excited to hold her newest grandkids and the babies were so excited to meet their Aunties:

(Francesca, one of my besties, was also born on January 8th; which makes the babies her soul siblings...pretty cool, huh?! Happy Birthday, Fran!!)

After our visitors left, we got to cuddle our little munchkins again:

I believe we had such a great experience because we went into it open-minded. I knew that whatever was meant to be would be. Although the twins birth was not how I originally envisioned it, it was exactly how God intended it to be and it was absolutely perfect. During my whole pregnancy I questioned why I was chosen to carry two babies at once and it wasn't until I met them that I fully understood it. I felt whole when I met Everly and Wesley and knew that I could do this, that we could do this. 

Happy Birthday Ev & Wes!!

(Click here to visit Crystal Michel Photography's Facebook page to see more of her incredible work!! Be sure to 'like' her page...she is awesome!!)