Introducing the newest Benedicts!

This is Emma Valerie's SIL
Valerie had her babies this morning at about 4:30 am.
Baby A - Patrick Christian 6 lbs 2 oz 17 inches long



































Baby B - Payden Vaughn 6 lbs 7oz 19 inches long

Things I don't want to Forget (Part 1)*

1. June 2nd: the day we found out we were going to be parents but nervous also.
   
2. June 22: Our first ultrasound where we saw it was twins. We saw their little blobs with hearts just a beating. After what happened last year with my pregnancy, it brought me to tears to see their little hearts.
3. Finding out that they were 2 little boys and somehow knowing this is was where we were supposed to be at this time of our lives
4. Feeling their kicks for the first time - surreal moment of it all
   
5. Always feeling my stomach for their body parts - head, back, bottom, and legs
6. The day we went to Target and I lost my husband. I assumed that he has escaped to the Entertainment section but then I found him in the baby section with his arms full of baby stuff. (This has happened 2 more times, it is so adorable!).
   
7. The VERY first official shopping trip to Babies R us; and being so overwhelmed as we realized we needed 2 of almost everything.
   
8. Rocking in the glider in the empty babies' bedroom imagining a room full of babies and a dream come true.
   
9. Maddie always sleeping on my baby bump at night on the couch.
   
10. The Journey of Life that got us to this point - it was such a hard journey but I know that without the hard journey, I wouldn't be as grateful right now to be where we are.
    

* Part I - because I know there may be more that I'll remember.

37 Weeks!

Yes, I'm still here.. Babies are both content to stay inside.

When we initially got pregnant I really feared that I would have these babies early. Now that I've made it to 37 weeks, I can hardly believe it. Only 9 more days! We have a planned C Section for Jan 26th; although I'm hoping Baby B will turn head down before our appointment on Thursday.

How far along? 37 weeks, 1 days

Total weight gain: 30 lbs

Stretch Marks? None that I see so far

Maternity clothes? Yes, but I have outgrown a couple shirts.

Sleep: Not much in fact. When I finally do get to sleep, I wake up a couple hours later to go the bathroom. It is very hard to get comfortable; not to mention the horrible acid reflux/heartburn.

Labor Signs: dilated to 1 cm 1 1/2 weeks ago. I am getting some contractions on and off but nothing that has picked up or gotten stronger.

Belly Button in or out? It's out.

What I miss: Seeing my feet

35 Weeks (and 4 days) - Much to Think About...

Our OB appointment went really well today. When our doctor walked in, I had this deja vu moment. I remember very clearly our very first appointment when she told us how HAPPY she'd be if we could make it to January. Then I suddenly realized that it was January.

Yay!!

Here's a bullet list of points my OB appointment today

• We had our last(!) growth ultrasound today. I think I'll miss the ultrasounds that last 30 minutes while I sit and watch the screen of our babies and then clean massive amounts of goop off my stomach.
• Babies are growing!! Baby A is 5 lbs 6 oz & Baby B is 6 lbs 8 oz. These aren't totally exact but that's a close estimate (maybe a pound off either way).
• I'm dilated 1 cm (a fingertip).
  
• My doctor okayed my continued absence from work as to try to keep these babies in as long as possible.
• Funny note: Baby A is lodged against my left pubic/hip bone and isn't budging. We learned that while he is wedged in there, he has his hand behind his head. I have been feeling weird sensations of kicking and scraping. The fun started tonight when he was doing that WITH the hiccups. Definitely a feeling I will never forget!!
  

Now to the debate:

During our ultrasound we learned that Baby B is still not in the vertex (head down) position that is needed for a vaginal delivery of both babies. All I have every wanted is a vaginal delivery for both of these babies. Doctor W. said today that if I were to go into labor tonight with one head down and the other transverse, we could delivery Baby A vaginally but Baby B would be via C Section. That sounds stupid to me; why go through both types with double the recovery? She agreed and said if that was the case then we might as well just do a C section for both.

Now hours after my appointment, I realize I should have asked her if there is any chance that she could turn the transverse baby in order to delivery him vaginally as well. I'm just not sure with her comfort level and if she would do that. I was really hoping IF AT ALL POSSIBLE to avoid the C Section. After all there are so many strikes against it in my opinion. To name a few: longer recovery time, possible respiratory problems with the babies (vaginal birth forces air through their lungs.. etc), and a very real possible need to have a C section again in the future. Then again, this is a special case and may just necessitate a C section.

In the meantime, I guess we'll just pray really hard that Baby B decides to get with the program and head on down like his brother. ?? Does anyone know of any ways to get a stubborn baby to move to the head down position? My mom suggested to mop the kitchen floor on my hands and knees. Who knows, maybe I'll give it a try!! ?? Or Any other views on C sections?

One last note... my doctor joking added that she's on call this weekend so if I want to have these babies this weekend, she'd be at the hospital. My husband and I looked at each other and laughed at that! It's sure crazy that we're just about there!

God's plan

I stumbled upon another person's blog today and they had this scripture:

But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day."

Habakkuk 2:3

It is interesting to note that the King James Version reads it this way:

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Either way, it brought me a great measure of hope. I know it has always been in the "plan" for me to have children even if I may have doubts along the way. Slowly, steadily, and surely the time is approaching and this dream is finally going to become a reality. Even though I am SO anxious to meet these little boys, I know that it is better for them to be inside as long as possible. I also KNOW it will not be late by a single day (in the eye of our Heavenly Father).

Christmas Moments to Remember: 2009

Christmas Eve:

• The smell of a cooking turkey in the crockpot all day - totally made Christmas Eve for me
• Organizing the nursery together - putting the Jayhawk bedding and decals up
• Making dinner together: Turkey, stuffing, cheese ball, corn, gravy, and mashed potatoes
• Watching "The Christmas Carol" and "Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir."
• Spending time together and keeping Maddie from getting into the presents

Christmas Day:

• Maddie woke us up at 5 and then we slept until 6:30
• Christian went out and turned on the Christmas lights and then came and got Maddie and me. We let Maddie go first and she was so excited
• We first helped her unwrap her presents so she'd be playing with toys while we unwrapped ours
• We unwrapped gifts
• took a nap, talked to family, and went to see "The Blind Side."
  

Gifts I was excited to receive:

• Lovely plush bathrobe (Christian did wonderfully) - I needed one for the hospital
  
• new, soft slippers
  
• lotion, body wash and perfume all in my favorite scent (I realized then where my coupon went, he stole it! .
• GPS navigation device for the car - a lot of fun and no more Mapquest!!
  
• Beautiful glass Vase and cookie drying racks