Two Years Ago (FYI - lots of reading and some questionable pictures)

As the 2nd birthday of my sweet babies comes to a close, I can't help but think about that wonderful day when Hutch Henry and Anniston Copeland graced us with their presence. I had been back at my mom's for a few days to spend Christmas with my family. The doctor had let me leave the hospital for the holidays with strict instructions of what to do/not to do (the list of NOT to do was much longer!). We enjoyed Christmas at my mom's on Thursday, I had an OK ultrasound the next day, Friday, and then I layed low over the weekend. I went in for another ultrasound on Monday and the blood flow to Anniston's brain was decreased significantly. I knew when the technician called the radiologist right then that there was a problem. I knew it was time. But not really. I was in denial. After all I had been through (16.5 weeks of bedrest, 14 trips to the hospital, 2+weeks in the hospital, magnesium, pulmonary edema, etc.) I just couldn't believe that it was all over. I had to see the doctor so I thought maybe, just maybe, he would let me go a little longer, but deep inside I knew today was the day.

Brandon had been joking that he wanted them to be born before the end of the year so we could get a (very large) tax break. I was very adamant that I wanted to be pregnant while bringing in the new year, b/c every day counts when you are pregnant and they weren't even due until Jan 30/Feb1 (another story for another time). He came to this appt JUST TO tell the doctor he wanted them to be born before the end of the year (I was so mad). That was the first thing he said to the doctor when he walked in. Dr. Adkins never answered Brandon, he just turned to me, and I'll never forget what he said. "How about we have some babies today."

I was speechless and motionless. I just couldn't believe that it was all over. The incessant worrying, the "not moving", the drinking of GALLONS of water a day, the lack of sleep (well, that wasn't really over), the helplessness of not being able to do anything for myself, the staying on my left side constantly so Anniston's blood flow was maximized, the counting of never ending contractions, the unknown. I was done. DONE!!! AND I also would be meeting my babies for the first time! Although, I felt I already knew them. I felt I had done everything in my power to protect them. And I had. I was wrong about one thing though, I will admit. One of the babies was WILD in utero and I always thought it was Hutch. After their birth I quickly realized either they had totally changed personalities or else I was wrong. It was the latter.

So after the news that we would be getting the tax break, we discussed delivery options. I wanted a natural delivery, which was entirely possible since both were head down. BUT since A's blood flow was decreased, I would not be able to have her naturally b/c a vaginal delivery would have been too stressful on her body. Hutch was baby A, so he would be first to come out. So I could either have both by c-section or deliver Hutch vaginally in the operating room and then have a c-section to get Anniston out, although option B would have been risky in our situation. UMMMMM, I've made it this far, 35.5 weeks, I'm not risking ANYTHING!! So, c-section it was. Am I disappointed? Yes. Does it really matter? No.

We headed on down to the hospital to get prepared. I was given an IV and a lovely gown. It's all kinda a blur. I was taking my procardia (anti-contraction med) every 4 hrs at that point and I remember it was due at 3pm but I was not to take it anymore. So I went into labor around 3 and had labor pains until my c-section, which I was prepped for around 5pm. I was a nervous wreck about the spinal anesthesia and surgery. I had to be strapped to the table, arms and all. So no, I didn't get to hold the babies when they were born :(  The spinal didn't even hurt and I didn't have any pain with the c-section.

Hutch Henry Weaver entered this world at 5:42 pm. He did not cry. He was blue. He looked so bad that the doctor would not show him to me. I started to panic. But I didn't have time b/c at 5:43 Anniston Copeland Weaver entered this world screaming her head off!! She was LOUD!!! I kept saying over and over, "why isn't he crying, why isn't he crying?" And a long few minutes later I heard the precious sound of my baby boy. It was more of a wimper type cry, but it was a cry nonetheless. I had successfully delivered two babies. Oh how much joy I was feeling. I can't even describe how happy I was (and still am).

Anniston was brought to me and I kissed her on the cheek. Then Brandon carried her to the NICU. I didn't get to see Hutch in the OR and I still am not for sure why. He had to be given oxygen to get him to start breathing and had meconium stained amniotic fluid, so they were pretty concerned about him and I guess didn't want to waste any precious time. They were both taken to NICU and Hutch was on the oxyhood for about 3 hrs. Anniston needed NO assistance! Hutch weighed 5lbs,13oz and Anniston weighed 3lbs,8oz. She was very small for her gestational age but extremely healthy. The only assistance she needed from NICU was a heated incubator and time to grow to be 4lbs, which took only 13 days.

Meanwhile, I got sewn up and into a room. I could not stop shaking. The anesthesia began to wear off and then the mean ole nurse came in to "massage" my stomach. I thought massage was supposed to feel good! In the meantime my sister is taking it all in and faints. She falls ON MY INCISION while the nurse is "massaging" me. OH MY GOODNESS.....PAIN!!!!!! I pushed her off (instinct) and the nurse immediatly went to help her. She was fine :) I wasn't!

I remember all I wanted was ice. They wouldn't give me anything until I was stable. I was bleeding a lot and they thought I may need a transfusion so they were waiting on me to settle down in that regard and for me to stop shaking. Around 9pm I got to meet my baby boy. My mom came over to me and said the nurse had a surprise for me. It was my sweet Hutch. He was swaddled in a blanket with a hat on his head. I held him in my arms and have never been happier in my life. I never thought I would get the privilege to be a mother (yet another story) and here I was holding MY healthy, beautiful baby boy. Oh how beautiful that boy is. He is just precious. I could not take my eyes off of him, couldn't believe this life was created in ME. I had already sent in their birth certificate papers before they were born so their names were already "set in stone." I looked at Hutch and told my mom and Brandon that he didn't look like a Hutch. I didn't know what to do. Luckily he began to look like a Hutch by the next day :)

I was not stable enough to see Anniston until the next day but I had layed eyes on her and kissed her in the OR. I remember Brandon getting me into a wheelchair and taking me down to the NICU to see her. He stopped at the first bed we came to. VIP status. There she was. I just couldn't believe she was mine. She was so much smaller than her brother. She was in the NICU. I was scared. I took one look at her through the glass and thought she looked like Brandon. She was so tiny, petite, beautiful, and sweet. Peaceful, quiet, precious. I did not hold her that day, I don't think. I was so scared to. I don't know why. I've held way smaller babies than her when I was a NICU nurse. I didn't feel equipped enough to hold her though. She was so peaceful and cozy in her incubator and I didn't want to disturb her. So I just sat there and stared at her. Just taking it all in. I touched her hands and stroked her face and head. I put my hand on her tummy so she would know I was there. I talked to her. It was hard to grasp that a baby so small was thriving all on her own. Simply amazing. She was an answered prayer in so many ways.

The next few days are a blur, but I do remember most of December 29, 2008, the best day of my life. My sister says that the day I was married should be the best day of my life, but it wasn't. Getting married isn't a miracle. Giving birth to two healthy babies is. And doing that made me feel like the most important person in the whole entire world. And it was the best day of my life.

You can see Anniston kicking me in this pic!

A little lopsided! Can you tell which side I spent the last 16.5 weeks on??
You may think these pics are gross, but I think they are AMAZING. There are 2 babies in there. It fascinates me. And no, I don't still have ALL those stretch marks!!

Our last pic as a family of 2!

Hutch after he was stabilized...good and mad!

Meeting my princess for the very first time!

Baby boy under the oxyhood (then with me for the rest of our stay)

Baby girl making it on her own!

It's too bad Brandon didn't seem very proud.

My heart is (half) full!

Now it is all the way full!

1 year old

2 years old