Tigh went into work that day, and my dad drove me downtown. Tigh and I were both prepared to spend a week in the hospital as our scheduled c-section was a week away. My dad pulled up to the curb to drop me off and when I got out of the car and stood up, something was just different--- the REAL WADDLE started....It was beyond painful to move or walk. We made it up to the dr. office and after going through the normal steps of our appointment we learned that my blood pressure was elevated, I was having contractions about 3 minutes apart (which was normal for the past week), and I had a horrible PUPPS rash (pregnancy related rash) that was spreading all over my body and could potentially be dangerous to the babies. The dr. looked at us and said "You're ready.....What do you think about tonight?" I looked over at Tigh with the biggest, happiest, worried, excited, scared to death face and said "YES, let's do this!" The dr. wanted to make sure things moved quickly because of all the factors that were in play and so he suggested we deliver at the hospital right next to his office to move things along and to make sure that we could actually deliver that night, versus going to the hospital we had originally registered at. By this time it was 5 o'clock... They told us to head across the street and they would prep me and he would meet us over there. As Tigh and I walked out of his office I am sure we both looked like deer in the headlights.... we just kept saying to each other, "Are you ready for this? No, are you ready for this?"
We immediately called our family to let them know the girls would be delivered that night, and Tigh and I walked into the hospital. But within 45 minutes I was prepped and ready to go, and no family had enough time to make it to the hospital. Tigh and I were actually thankful it played out the way it did because it allowed us some time to just sit quietly in the room for about 10 minutes before going into the OR....Tigh was able to capture a few pictures before the c-section... are you ready for it..... HERE IS THE FINAL BELLY PICTURE IN ALL IT'S GLORY!!!!! (I was ready y'all...That belly was REALLY starting to hurt, and I couldn't wait to see these girls!!!) I look at this picture and still can't believe it, it really does look like a beach ball.
I was wheeled into the delivery room and after some more prep, within 5 minutes the operating room was filled with 13-15 people racing around getting all things in order, and we began. They explained to me that I would feel a LOT of pressure on my chest and it wouldn't last long. They were right, there was a TON of pressure and then the sweetest relief, it felt like the weight of the world was being lifted off me and I could BREATHE!!!!!! It happened two more times as they pulled out the other two girls. They immediately took them to the NICU and Tigh followed along, with them. As I was getting closed up they brought the girls back in to see me.... I was BEYOND shocked!!!! They were swaddled, and not hooked up to any machines!!!!! I didn't think it was real-- I just kept asking the nurses, are they ok? are they breathing? I have seen so many pictures of triplets being born and having to be immediately hooked up to oxygen and other machines, I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that these babies were in the room with me, and they were letting me hold them.
SO here you have it--- our first picture with all 3 girls! Welcome to our world....
Adelyn Mae- 4.12lbs. Born at 7:27 pm
Emory Rose- 4.8lbs. Born at 7:29 pm
Maisy Beth- 4.12lbs. Born at 7:30 pm
As I sit here and write this blog it has been over TWO WEEKS since the girls were born. We are beyond exhausted balancing being with Gray for half the day, and then beating it downtown to spend as much time with all 3 girls as possible. Evenings and night time are filled with pumping and trying to catch 3 hours of sleep at a time. Tigh and I both know this is temporary so we are just trying to push through. We are in utter shock and amazement that this is our life and that we now have four kids. I still don't think we both fully believe it. ha!
Over this past week, although my brain doesn't have much time for thinking, or if I do try to think I have a hard time concluding a complete thought-- hahahaha but I am just BLOWN away with what God has done for our family. We feel so beyond blessed, and there are just no words that we can formulate to express how full our hearts are and how thankful we are to have these four healthy children.
These last two weeks feel like an ETERNITY not having the girls home, but it also feels like a complete blur to think that they are already 1/2 a month old!!!! Here are a few pictures to sum up what the last couple of weeks have looked like with them.
This was BY FAR my most FAVORITE DAY YET with these girls! I got to spend the afternoon holding all 3. To look down and see them all snuggled up on me and staring up at me was the most surreal moment of my life. I can't believe God has given us these girls to share and enjoy life with.
Here is Tigh, changing his first "Daughter Diaper" hahaha Gosh I love that man! He is SUCH an amazing Dad!
When Gray came up to the hospital he LOVED investigating all the things in the room and pushing buttons. We may have a little Dr. Holmstrom on our hands.
Gray's Face says it all in this picture. This was the day he got to see the girls out of their isolette beds for the first time. I can't IMAGINE what was going through his mind as I said, "This is your sister, and this is your sister, and this is your sister...."
Sweetest moment of Gray giving Adelyn her first BIG Brother kiss.
And finally-- Our first family photo! All 6 of us on Christmas. It was a hard day for me as I felt like I was getting sick and could only hold them for this quick picture and then needed to leave. Today I am home resting hoping that this chest cold I have passes quickly so I can hold my baby's soon. My heart is breaking thinking of them being down there without their mom today, but Tigh is with them and getting some good Daddy Daughter time in.
Currently they are all in open cribs! They are taking most feeds from a bottle, but occasionally they still need to have some of their feeds administered through their feeding tubes if they are too tired to eat. Adelyn keeps having some apnea and brady episodes-- it is where she will stop breathing and her heart rate decreases. We have been told this is totally normal for their gestational age and she will grow out of it as she matures. We are not sure exactly how long it will be before they are home, but we do know we are getting closer. One of the nurses last night mentioned possibly a week away??? However, every time Adelyn has a Brady or Apnea it sets her back for 5 days. :( So they may be coming home at separate times. Hoping and praying my little girl can stop having those soon! We are ready to have them ALL HOME, so the Picadilly Circus can REALLY begin!!!
Many Blessings and Love to all our family and friends this holiday season-- from a very tired, but overly joyful Holmstrom Clan!
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