Monday, October 12, 2009

The story of when Anna were born.

The girls are officially two and a half years old today, Columbus Day.

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It feels like a bigger deal than it should to me because three years ago today, Columbus Day, I thought that I was experiencing the beginning of a miscarriage. I don't typically discuss that day. I was 9 weeks pregnant and my first doctor's appointment was going to be that Tuesday, the day after Columbus Day. But there was Columbus Day and the fear, and the thought of more disappointment and heartache.

When we met with the nurse for that first appointment and explained what had happened, she told me that if I had called in on Columbus Day she would have scheduled me for an ultrasound. After my doctor examined me and the baby's heartbeat was detected on the doppler, they deemed that no ultrasound was necessary. I often think of that day and wonder what life would have been like if we had known at 9 weeks instead of 17.

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The girls like when I tell them stories and of course I have a condensed version of their birth. Em frequently requests this story but she always calls it the "story of when Anna were born." I don't know why it is just Anna. Maybe because I talk about Anna's boo boo on her back and how Dr. B fixed it after she was born. Em is so cute too because if I don't start to tell her the story immediately, she will say, "Mommy, talk!"

(Please note that in the first picture, Emily, who is in the middle and has Life cereal bits all over her mouth, resembles a younger me.)

(Maybe someday when the girls actually fall asleep (and stay asleep) like normal toddlers, I will be able to have half-way decent posts but for now, this is all I've got. I would feel like a complete phony to post something that appears all sunshine, ice cream, rainbows and roses when, in reality, Rich and I just spent the past two {frustrating} hours trying to get the girls to sleep.)

6 comments:

Jen said...

You didn't find out until 17 weeks??????? Holy crap, I am eager to read this.

I am sorry about the girls' sleep shenanigans. So sorry. I feel your pain -- as much as I can, not having three the exact same age to content with -- and I think you are awesome. Supermom, even.

I gave you an award on my blog. I know that will make you feel much better.

Liz Jimenez said...

Wow, what a memory. Three years ago, on Columbus day weekend, I *did* have a miscarriage. At 8.5 weeks. We were at almost the exact same gestation.

Alas, it all worked out for the best. If I hadn't miscarried that pregnancy, I wouldn't be a twin mom today!

But, wow, I had almost forgotten about that...

Meg said...

We didn't find out about the twins until the ultrasound either(at about 20 weeks)! My doctor found a heartbeat at the first visit and that was that. Little did we know... someone else was hiding in there! :) I think it was good for me to not know until later on - I would have worried away all those weeks if I had known there were two babies. :)

I wish I could gift you with the perfect solution to the "sleep shenanigans" as Jen put it. I do not have the solution but I do know that eventually, they WILL grow up and they WILL sleep through the night and at some point, they'll be teenagers trying to sleep the whole day away! :)

Cassie said...

Sarah~
I was 17 weeks also when I found out (1st ultrasound)! We also found out they were all boys, it was not discovered until we saw the Peri. that they were identical and sharing one placenta!! That was around 19 weeks (??)

When did you find out they were identical?

Heather said...

I really enjoyed this post. The story of Columbus Day is a good one and it's significance is one I can appreciate. And these girls are so darling. You guys are doing such a good job, every night giving it your all. I hope these exhausting bedtimes will soon pass but I'm so grateful your girls have you as parents. They are very lucky.

freckletree said...

Celebrating half birthdays.

Just like a mom of multiples should.

I always love your pics and so I am giving you an incredible, fantabulous award that allows you to drink before noon!

Congrats!

www.freckletree.com