Henry & Juliette

I went to my 38 week appointment completely defeated- it was time to schedule a C-section. I was preparing myself mentally for the surgery and the long recovery, knowing that there was nothing else I could do to go into labor myself, and accepting that my body had reached its limit.

My doctor left the room to call the hospital and reserve the OR. Three minutes later, she came back to say, "I don't want to section you. I can't do it. What if we compromise? What if you come in on Wednesday morning, and I'll break your water for you?"
I was speechless. Was she really going to help me, and give me a chance at a natural birth with twins?! I jumped from my chair to hug that angel of a woman.

"Look-it! Look-it! Babies! Babies!"

I waited five long days, only to be bumped down the list all day Wednesday. There simply were no empty beds, and the nurses apologized profusely. "Bristyl, it is crazy here. I'm so sorry! We all want you to have these twins today! We'll call you in a few hours with another update." At the end of the day, my doctor called to talk about my options. If I wanted her to deliver me, I would have to wait until Friday- and by the grace of God, I survived the next 36 hours.

Just after 9 am on Friday, Dr. Lacy broke my water. For the next thirty minutes, I didn't have a single contraction, and then, it finally happened. By the time the anesthesiologist gave me an emergency epidural, I was completely dilated. Henry was born first, at 12:14, and Juliette followed fifteen minutes later. He weighed 8 lbs 9 oz, and she weighed 7 lbs 7 oz- that is exactly 16 lbs of baby! I think I broke a few records.

 I don't know how God did it. There were times during my pregnancy when I couldn't eat or drink or walk or even move-- and through it all, I was carried by my faith. He pulled off the miracle He promised in the answers to a thousand prayers. My heart is so full of gratitude. Every time I look into the faces of my two little babies, I think I'll just burst with joy.

 On Thursday, Taryn travels back to San Diego and I am officially on my own. It's daunting, but could there be anything more worth the chaos? Wish me luck!

All the Princesses

Princess Aurora on her 4th birthday!

London is four! Grandma Holly, Grandpa John, Sierra, Maeci, and Kaden all came to Maple Valley to celebrate the birth of my sweet girl. Her party was just perfect. She picked her six favorite princesses: Rapunzel, Snow White, Ariel, Cinderella, Aurora, and Tiana, and I went to work. 

Kyle made this amazing banner...

My friend Rachel from Cloud 9 Confections designed these cupcakes for me, as well as the caramel apples. Aren't they darling?! The candies were for princess goody bags- one candy for each princess.

The kids' favorite part was decorating these foam princess crowns with self-adhesive jewels. They were all so creative! Elle stayed at the table for the entire party, adhering jewels to everything within arm's reach.

Here, the kids are dancing to Disney music, twirling their little legs off. We also played pin the kiss on the frog, where the kids all cheated and put their lips directly on the frog's. Everyone won!

London has this new-found confidence as a four-year-old. She keeps saying, "I can do that, because I'm four!" I'm not ready for her to grow up---I'm especially not ready for her to start preschool next month! I love this girl of mine!

26 Days in a Hospital Bed

The morning after Kyle's birthday, I went into labor. The thing about having twins at 32 weeks and 3 days is that the doctors will do anything and everything to stop you from delivering... over and over again. I was given medications I didn't even know existed, with a long list of side effects that lasted for hours or days. Trying to stay positive during all the pain was the hardest thing I've done in my life.

Each time my contractions stabilized once more, I was given the freedom to be pushed in a wheelchair outside.

The girls became quite the hospital celebrities!

I somehow managed to stay sane with the help of some seriously wonderful people. My sisters and parents came to my rescue, spending all day at the hospital with me and bringing my girls to visit every other day. My saint of a mother used all her vacation time, plus a few extra days generously given by her boss, to stay by my side. Kyle came each night after work, held me tight, and serenaded me with his guitar. My sister-in-law watched London and Elle countless times, taking them on all the adventures I wish I could've this summer. Everyone from church sent notes and well wishes, and planned play dates for the girls throughout the weeks. My friends brought laughs--- and stacks of books, and I read and read, disappearing into the pages for hours at a time.

I came to love everyone in the hospital, from the maids to the food-delivery people, to the nurses, and every doctor and specialist. I learned about their families and histories, and they learned mine, too. When these twins finally make their grand entrance, it will be among a team of friends---it brings me so much comfort!

At 36 weeks and 1 day, I was released from the hospital and taken off all medications. And now, we wait!

The sweetest notes from my friends at church!