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!