The Birth Story

So, we've been rather busy these last few weeks but now I have a few moments while the babies are sleeping and Mac is napping to tap out their birth story. Since we knew Mac was having a c-section we knew the girls' birth date would be February 1st. We were ready, and so was mother nature. With a blizzard scheduled to start at 6am that day we chose to stay in the swanky guest rooms at the hospital the night before. Well, maybe not swanky, maybe more like a really clean Econolodge that used to be a hospital room. The bonus was that we were already inside the hospital and our car was parked in a parking garage so we wouldn't have to clear it off later.

We hardly slept that night. I don't think it would have mattered if we were at home in our own bed either. We were too excited. I woke up at 4, showered, and attempted to go get breakfast in the cafeteria which did not open until 6am. I managed to fall asleep for another hour while Mac watched some TV.

Next, we start getting ready. Mac took a shower and had to use this unfriendly soap per the doctor. Next we headed over to the larger hospital guest room Mac's parents were in so she could open some presents for the babies from her great grandmother. There were many matching hand-smocked dresses by an 88 year old woman. These dresses are beautiful and filled with love. Soon, it was time to head upstairs for the birth. This is the last morning the girls would be on the inside.

We reported upstairs at 8am sharp. Mac wore her PJs, one more benefit of not having to leave the hospital to go for the surgery. They had Mac change into a hospital gown, oh the fashion. Then it was a lot of waiting, punctuated by some engineers testing the fire alarm for 30 minutes. I distracted Mac with Baby Mama on the tablet and before we knew it all the IVs were hung and preparations were finished. She had to go in by herself to have the spinal block done. I put on my fancy paper scrubs. They wouldn't let me in until the anesthesia had taken effect. I waited in a tiny room with two chairs and a table between the prep/recovery room and the OR for what seemed like forever but was probably less than 10 minutes.

I walked into the room and there was a sea of people. Mac's OB, the amazing Dr. Saunders, the assisting OB, Dr. Morgan, the anesthesiologist, resident anesthesiologist, anesthesiology nurse, two surgical nurses, two neonatal nurses, and the neonatal nurse practitioner. That's TEN people besides Mac and me. They looked ready for anything and I was grateful for that. Mac had a couple of blood pressure drops after they administered the anesthesia, but that is a common side effect and the nurse quickly gave her something to combat the nausea. I sat on a stool next to Mac and the doctors started cutting. Mac was doing great and asked the nurse where the doctors were with the surgery. They were almost to the babies! I was told beforehand that I could not take pictures of any procedures and I waited patiently to photograph my children's first moments of life. Suddenly, the nurse is telling me to get my camera and stand up and take pictures! The surgery went well, the babies came out screaming, and everything was fine

A very proud Mommy

First Family Photo

Gray Lillian

Nora Frances

Nora Frances