A Week Full Of Firsts!

Meeting Uncle Taylor, Aunt Stacey, Peyton, Parker & Pierce

Meeting Cousins Josh, Julia, and Chase

Playtime!!!

First time to the park

First walk around the block

Meeting Great Grandma "Bama"

Meeting Grandpa Jay

Blake's First Bath

Emerson's First Bath

Meeting Aunt Tina, Uncle John, Chance and Ainsley

Emerson Hazel Rhodes

Our beautiful girl looks JUST like her daddy and instantly had him wrapped around her little finger! She is all Rhodes. She is very alert and takes in the world around her. She is already lifting her head and rolling over onto her side. Her favorite activities are being read to and relaxing in her swing. She also enjoys her feet being bathed by Daisy and Sonora. Emerson especially loves cuddling with big brother Blake. Her dark blue eyes just make you melt! She is a hearty eater and is already 6lbs 2 oz. and growing out of her preemie clothes!

Blake Michael Rhodes

This is our little man! Blake is the sweetest little boy...definitely a momma's boy! He looks more like mom and acts more like dad. Blake is very mellow and goes with the flow. He loves to be cuddled and sung to. He is very expressive and makes the cutest funny faces. My favorite is when he puckers up his lips which he does all the time. I can't help but to kiss him! He makes us laugh every day! He is a happy baby... if he's crying it's because he is hungry or he's being changed. He sleeps for a good part of the day and eats every 2-3 hours. He is now 6 lbs 5 oz... getting so big!

Coming Home!

Meeting Family and Friends

Proud Daddy ready to show off his babies!

The Sweetest Valentines Day Ever!!!!!

Last Thursday, February 12, I went to see my doctor. I was 3 cm dilated. She told me I could go into labor at any time and if I didn't deliver by Tuesday the following week we would talk about inducing. On Friday I entered my 37th week of pregnancy. It was the date I was waiting for because twins are full term at 37 weeks....AMAZING considering some of the initial complications I had. Friday night Jeremy, my mom, and I ate dinner, watched a movie, and went to bed. I told the babies that they could now come at any time since they are full term. I thought it would be fun to deliver on Valentines Day, but I knew it was unlikely. I didn't have any cramping, painful contractions or any other signs of labor. Well... my babies listened, because a little after midnight I woke up in more pain than I had ever felt in my life!!! I woke up Jeremy and my mom and told them we had to leave. My mom wanted me to time my contractions but I knew that the pain could only mean one thing. So, we scrambled around the house to get everything we needed. It seemed to take forever. I believe that my first profanity of the night was when Jeremy was looking for a show the dogs would want to watch while we were gone and my mom was curling her hair. "HELLO, I'M IN LABOR!" The car ride to the hospital was the longest car ride of my life. When we arrived (2:00 a.m.) they hooked me up to a monitor. I was still only 3 cm dilated but my contractions were 2 minutes apart. It took about an hour to get me to a room and the anesthesiologist to come. I would have paid any amount of money for my epidural, and I'm sure Jeremy would have too! My sanity returned almost immediately after the shot. We spent time with our parents, made some phone calls, and even took a little nap. My doctor checked on me frequently and I had an ultrasound. The babies were in perfect position for delivery. I dilated 5cm, then quickly advanced to 9 cm, then we were ready to go at about 10:00 a.m. They took me into the operating room for delivery. With 15 doctors and nurses coaching us, I began pushing. My little man's head was right there and it didn't seem like it would be too long. However, every time I pushed his heart rate would drop dramatically. The doctors quickly made the decision for a c-section delivery. Within minutes they had me prepped. I held Jeremy's hand tightly as we awaited the arrival of our children. I will never forget the moment the doctors told us our son was out. We heard the little cry (10:51 a.m.) and they brought him to us. Tears poured down both of our faces as we saw our son for the first time. There is such a thing as love at first sight! Then, as if that wasn't incredible enough, we were introduced to our daughter at 10:52 a.m. Both of our hearts melted at the sight of our precious little girl. The babies were beautiful and healthy. Blake was 6 lbs and Emerson was 5 lbs 14 ounces. Our family was complete! Jeremy followed them to the nursery and I went into recovery. Overall, it was the most amazing experience of my life!

36 weeks

I'm now 36 weeks and off bed rest- wooooo hooooo! I thought I would be just about ready to start moving along now, but for some reason I'm feeling better than ever. I'm sleeping better, walking better, and have more energy than in the last few weeks. There is no pain, no cramping, and fewer contractions. I guess these kiddos aren't quite ready for their grand entrance into the world. At my last doctor's appointment I was still only 1cm dilated- no change. I'm thinking/ hoping later this week (possible Valentines babies?) but they will come when they're ready.

The best part about this week is that my mom is now here! She retired from work last Friday and flew to Arizona on Saturday. She has been helping me with my "nesting" ever since. Our house needed a little mom TLC! The nursery is now finished except for the window coverings which should be coming this week. We decided on a forest/owl theme with green, pink, and brown. Jeremy and I are getting really excited and anxious to meet the other half of our family! It shouldn't be too much longer now:-)

The Home Stretch

I am now 34 weeks- yeah! I saw my doctor on Monday and at that point I was 100% effaced (thinning of cervix) and 1cm dilated. They are going to take me off bed rest in two weeks and let nature take its course. Two weeks doesn't seem like a long time, but for all you mothers out there, you know what the last few weeks of pregnancy are like- not so fun. My walk has turned into a waddle, I no longer fit into most of my clothes (maternity included) and sleeping is near impossible. I have developed a deepening love for pillows. I now sleep with 5; two for my head, one for my belly, one behind my back which Jeremy needs to place, and one in between my legs. I have gotten good at not messing up the pillow formation when I get up for my hourly trips to the restroom. My weight has been increasing at what I think is an alarming rate. Up until now my weight gain has been slow and steady. But, now I'm seeing numbers on the scale that I never thought were possible. I've gained 6 pounds in the last two weeks! But, overall, I really haven't gained that much for a twin pregnancy. The babies are doing well- at my last specialist appointment Blake was 4lbs. 10oz and Emerson was 4lbs. 9oz, both around the 40th percentile. By now they should be over 5- great news! Those are the last measurements we will be getting because I no longer need to see the specialist. So, from now on, I see my doctor once a week and go to Good Samaritan Hospital (where I will deliver) twice a week for fetal monitoring. That's it for now....I'll update sooner next time:)