Welcome William Scott and Eleanor Joy DeWeese

Today at 0302 our two babies were born. Melody has been in labor since Sunday, but not productive labor. She started pitocin on Yesterday at about 0730is. We were up at 0500 getting ready to go yesterday. The pitocin started low, but they gradually increased it through the day. Initally it was all going well, even fun.

Megan and Dustin got to visit and see what Mom was doing.

However even later in the evening after the contractions were getting very painful she had only progressed to 3cm. Finally at about 0230 this morning she was given an epideral. She had wanted to have the birth naturally, but was too exhausted at that point. Shortly after the epi was placed the doctor came in and because one of the babies had a low heartbeat. He moved the monitor around, then got an ultrasound in and at the same time they began to give Melody oxegen which told me something was serious. He then said that baby b - Eleanor, had a heart rate of 60 bmp, way too low, and they were going to take her to the or for a possible c-section. She was moved quickly. I went to follow, getting my shoes back on, and they said they'd come get me. They didn't. For 35 minutes I really didn't know what was going on. I was only told that they had to do the emergency c-section and that Melody was put under because they didn't have enough time to dose up the epideral. I was sure that Eleanor had died and worried about everyone else. Our Doula (a woman trained to help women give birth, they act as support and can give advice without the same emotional conection to the birth as a sister or mother - which helps them stay focused on the pregnant women and not anything else. Very recommended!) Sarah had been with us all day, but had gone home to rest at 1100 because they were goint try to give Melody a narcotic pain relief to help her get some rest and avoid the epi. So she was still gone. The narcotics had only made Melody loopier and more exhausted, and hadn't really cut the pain, and so that is part of what led to the epi. I should have called Sarah sooner, but was busy was Melody (reasonable!) So there I was, alone and sure that I'd lost at least one of my babies. I had barely enough energy to call my parents and ask them to pray, but I couldn't even talk to them on the phone beyond that. I just sat there. Finally both Sarah and one of the doctors came in. Sarah had just arrived in time to here. The doctor began by saying "The babies are both doing ok." I confess I was shocked to here "babies" plural because I had been so sure I'd lost Eleanor. Then I found out it actually had been William who had the problems. He was in the NICU and had been inhabated. He was very distressed at birth, but his heart rate had jumped right back up. No ideas why it had been low. Elanor was doing fine, and Melody was still under. I was so relieved!! I waited there for a few minutes and then they brought in a rolling hospital bassinette with a tiny, swaddled baby and I met Eleanor face to face. It was amazing. I forgot I was allowed to pick her up at first, but then I did. I opened up my shirt and held her to my skin - something Melody had wanted for them when they were born.

I was amazed. I held her for a long time, but was still worried about William and Melody. They had to do an x-ray on Melody to make sure nothing had been left behind, and so I finally, sadly, gave Eleanor to Sarah to hold and hurried to find William. He was in a small room in the nicu (neonatal intensive care unit). He was no longer inhabated, and was breathign well. He was under a heat lamp. He was not washed and had blood in his hair (Eleanor hadn't been washed, but had been cleaned up more).

He was amazing to see and a heartbreak. He had numerous electrodes and thing attached and a tiny IV. They let me hold him. I was so happy to see him. He was obviously strong. He was impressive. I did have to check on Melody still so I left him and ran back and found that Melody was still not back. So I held Eleanor and actually dozed off with her when they finally wheeled Melody in.

I was able to introduce Melody to her daughter. She was exhausted and a bit out of it still, but she was clealry excited and immediately got Eleanor to feed. It was amazing.

I told her William was ok, and then I grabbed the digital camera and ran back and took some pictures of him and checked on him some more and when I came back I was able to show Melody her son. We were then moved to our post-partum room and I basically crashed.

We woke up latter and Melody was able to be wheeled to the NICU to see William and I was able to bring Eleanor.

Just seeing the two of them next to each other was amazing!

It was even greater to have all four of us together. What a blessing!!

I am home now and helped get Megan and Dustin to sleep so that Gradnma Jane (Melody's Mom) could have some help. And to remind Megan and Dustin that they are important. Jane had brought them in this evening to meet their siblings.

It was pretty neat to see Dustin get excited to meet Eleanor. They both got to meet William in the nicu, though one at a time, and were worried for him, but I explained that he was doing well and the doctors are taking good care of him and Mom. It was hard to leave Mom, and so coming hope was important to them. I'll be going back to spend the night with Melody and Eleanor as soon as I am done here. Tomorrow we should be able to let Melody feed William as well as Eleanor (his body was not ready to digest yet today after his harrowing birth). We hope to be able to move him in with us tomorrow (slim hope), but at least by Saturday (more likely) and certainly by Sunday (we'll see) baring any problems that arise. Given that, we should all four be back home on Sunday!

William weighed in at 7 lbs, 6 oz, and Eleanor at 6 lbs, 12 oz. They are both doing great. Keep checking here for mor info and more pictures!

Thanks for all the prayers and support!!! Please leave any comments to let us know you checked in!

T Minus ???

Well, you'd think we'd be done by now! Melody is amazingly large, and there really can't be any room left. She has been in early labor all day, but no productive contractions. Very frustrating. On Tuesday morning we'll go in and unless they are busy, we'll get induced. If busy, Tuesday night. So we are really hoping that that labor becomes productive overnight and we have the babies tomorrow.

This photo does not do the belly justice! This was yesterday, 27 November. Overcast day, but nice. Megan and Dustin and I played outside quite a bit. Dustin actually is getting good at hitting a kid's baseball! They both continue to enjoy racing their old trikes down the driveway and crashing into the grass and bushes below. I finally got nervous enough that I mandated helments - they have no fear!

While the clouds have kept them hidden, the Olympics did peak out yesterday and they are amazing - all covered with beautiful snow! Dustin wants to climb them, and any mountain. He can't wait to get his own rope to climb mountains, and trees, and, well, anything!

Megan and Dustin are getting excited about the twins. I think they are still unsure about the whole thing, but when they see babies in stories they make sure we see and they exclaim, "See, baby like Mommy's babies!!" It is wonderful to think of what it will be like when they first see their brother and sister. Megan was amazing on Friday. We were at Target in the book area and she said she needed to find a book on how she could take care of babies. I suggested we go to the nearby Barnes and Noble instead, and we did. We looked around a bit in the kids area and the new parents area, but didn't find anything. This didn't daunt her. She insisted that we find someone and ask. When I said maybe next time, she demanded we go now and so we proceeded to the customer service counter where Megan asked the sales clerk where to find a book on how she can help Mommy take care of babies. The clerk showed us a different shelf where we did find a good book that we went to buy. Megan handed the book to the sales clerk and said it was for her. The clerk smiled and asked what kind of baby her mom was having, a boy or a girl? Megan of course said "both" and I had to give the clerk an affirmative nod to indicate that my daughter did indeed know what she was talking about! Of course the clerk loved both Megan and Dustin and said how cute they both were. I couldn't agree more!!

Megan and Mom learning how to take care of the new babies!

Light's Out

Tonight at work, a little after 5 pm, the lights went out. They went out it seems all across post, and then Melody called to say they were out at home as well. Seems the blackout was widespread! We've had amazing rain and wind which must have downed something somewhere. I'm just impressed that it got both Stielacoom and Fort Lewis!

I got home to a very dark town - very creepy actually with no lights anywhere - and Melody had already begun to light candles and start a fire. I found more flashlights and candles and we ended up deciding to cook on our camp stove. Our stove is gas, but it would not start for some reason - the pilot light would not work (you'd think a gas stove would be able to work in a blackout, not sure why it wouldn't). So I brought up the coleman and we light it up and Melody cooked a great pasta dinner. Wonderful! We enjoyed it by candle light and with the fire burning. The kids were a bit scared of why the lights were out at first, but soon had fun and enjoyed it. A bit after 8 pm the lights came back on. It was almost disappointing...

No babies yet. Melody is off restrictions and is walking about as much as she can. We hope they'll be here soon!

Melody cooks up a great meal tonight by candle light and lantern!

Nearly done!

Melody is done. She is finished. Get Them Out!!! In just three days we'll be at week 36. Now, most twin pregnancies deliver between 34 and 37 weeks and we'll probably have to induce at week 38 (28 November). If we get there. My vote, as if it matters, is for Tuesday, 14 November. Week 36 on the nose.

Melody is big, very big. she gets out of breath going up stairs in the house. She is swelling. She has ribs dislocated on both sides from the kids kicking her from the inside. She is tired, sore and ready to be done. But she is also loooking very good. She is actually skinny aside from the belly. She is, in fact, beautiful!

These pictures were all taken today, during a short break in the terrible rain we've been getting here. We were laughing that the pumpkins we had out for decorations were actually smaller than her belly! It has been so fun to watch the belly get bigger, and bigger. And to feel the kicks getting harder and harder. We can actually watch the babies moving around from across the room. It is carzy how far they can push out. It is a little to close to Aliens! Of course, it is much more fun for me to watch than for Melody to experience.

William and Eleanor are doing great. In a doctor's appointment last Tuesday (week 35) they were looking good and we were even more excited to see that they were breathing on their own. Or at least they were working on their breathing since there isn't any air in the sacs, only fluid. But their chests were going up and down and looking strong. This means their lungs are ready for some real air and are mature. This means they shouldn't need to stay in the NICU once they come.

We had a baby shower last weekend that was a lot of fun. A lot of friends came or sent things. My mom and Melody's mom both helped put it together and Melody's sister Julie helped send out evites and gave full support from San Diego. It was great to have people come and see so much generosity. We think we are actually ready for the babies now. Oh how silly of us!