The Birth Story

They're here!!! On October 3, 2017, Barry and I welcomed two sons into our family!

Jayson Cay Gooden, 3:05 am, 5lb 14oz, 18.5 inches

Jackson Bay Gooden, 3:06 am, 6lb 9oz, 19 inches

Here we are 10 days later, and we're all healthy, happy and in love. Ryleigh and Libby believe they've hit the jackpot with two little brothers in the house. Allow me to record their birth story and tell you about one of the craziest, happiest days of my life.

Last time I posted, I was 35 weeks and 5 days along, expecting a series of appointments to monitor the babies as we moved toward a planned c-section on Oct 11 (37 weeks, 2 days). At 36 weeks (Monday, Oct 2) I went to one of these monitoring appointments. Barry stayed behind, working furiously toward his end of year work deadline that would be lifted at 2pm. Baby B's cord doppler was normal, but Baby A gave us an abnormal biometric screen result which meant we had to be monitored in-office for a bit. Dr. Medlock let us go, confident that everything was safe, but he told me to be prepared in Thursday's office visit for a lunch-time delivery. If anything was not right during the biophysical screens on Oct 5, we'd deliver that day. Fast forward to the end of the day, we had dinner with good friends who were on stand-by for Thursday, just in case we needed help with the girls. It was a long day that ended with celebrating the end of Barry's work fiscal year and going to be at 8pm.

I woke-up in the middle of the night, around 12:45, to use the restroom (as I did multiple times a night in the later weeks of my pregnancy), and when I was in the bathroom, I felt several gushes of fluid. I called for Barry and told him to wake-up because my water broke and we were about to have these babies. They waited for Barry's work deadline to pass and for Daddy to get a nap :).

Barry texted our friends furiously and they came to the house to stay the rest of the night with the girls. The incredible support network we built pitched-in to get the girls to and from school and took good care of them so we could rest and monitor safely at the hospital. I cannot express my gratitude deeply enough to everyone who stepped up to help!

We were on the way to the hospital in under 30 minutes. Barry ran a few red lights and drove with purpose to get us quickly (but safely) to Labor and Delivery. When we arrived, we were visited quickly by the L&D doctor and several nurses. They called Dr. Medlock (who had just delivered a baby around midnight) and woke him up at 1:45 with the news that I too was ready to deliver. He was on his way! Everything moved quickly... The boys were monitored by ultrasound to confirm their position and on the heart monitors briefly while I received my IV and met my anesthesiologist. For the record, she was AMAZING!! I didn't have any time to be anxious because at 2:40, I was on the operating table and being prepped for the spinal.

Dr. Medlock strolled into the OR before the procedure with a casual, "so what happened?" When I told him my water broke, he chuckled and said, "I know; let's meet these babies." The spinal was painless and easy (surprise!!!) and the room was full of punchy, funny and comforting people ready to care for me and the babies. Dr. Medlock was assisted by Dr. Duke (she was on call), which was fun symmetry because she also helped him deliver Libby 2.5 years ago.

My anesthesiologist kept me comfortable, emotionally and medically, through the whole procedure. No heartburn, nausea, etc!  She took pictures for Barry over the curtain so he could hold my hand through the delivery. And each baby was born with high apgar scores with NO NICU needed!!! When I heard them each cry, I was so proud and relieved. The NICU nurses took good care of the babies while Barry was close by their sides and was able to cut both cords. From start to finish, the c-section was 24 minutes!!!  In recovery, I was able to snuggle both babies for an hour. They were then taken to the nursery for 2 hours of monitoring (which is standard practice for all premature babies, even ones with high apgar scores).

Later that evening, Ryleigh and Libby visited us in the hospital to meet their baby brothers. They sang "happy birthday" and marked the occasion with cupcakes! The pride and excitement were palpable and my pride in my complete, beautiful family was so strong! We spent the next few days in the hospital monitoring the twins' blood sugar levels and teaching them to breastfeed. We had visits from close friends and TONS of well wishes over the phone, so we felt so supported and loved while we were there.

By the time we were discharged on Friday, everyone was feeling good, eating well and ready to be home as a family of 6!

So that is the end of a chapter in my life. With bittersweet feelings, I say goodbye to pregnancy and welcome the next chapters of excitement and love as we raise this beautiful family we have grown with love and pride. I could not ask for a better partner in life in Barry as a husband or sweeter, healthier, more beautiful children than Ryleigh, Libby, Jayson and Jackson. I am so very blessed!

Thank you to everyone who followed along on our journey! We have so many more adventures to come. ((HUGS))

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More Appointments?!?

It's hard to believe I'm 35 weeks, 5 days pregnant with these boys... I went to see Dr. Medlock yesterday for a check-up, and overall, it went well. I did tell Dr. Medlock that I'm "uncomfortable" now, and he responded with, "I'm certain that's true because this is the first time I've heard you complain this whole pregnancy." Here's what we know:
Both boys look healthy.
I am still healthy.
My blood pressure is up (still in a good range, but high for me), so bedrest intensifies.
Baby B's cord doppler was high (not immediately worrisome), so more check-ins between now and 10/11.

I now have appointments 10/2, 10/5 and 10/9 with delivery still targeted for 10/11.

I had a good run of contractions last night which freaked me out because I REALLY don't want to go into labor until Barry's done with his big work milestone on Monday afternoon.  It'd be even better if they wait until my mom and sister arrive on 10/7...

I'll post a quick update after each appointment coming up, but fingers and toes crossed they hang-out until their planned delivery date!!

11lbs of baby!?!?!

I had a great check-up today with the high risk specialist, and I'm officially released from his care. 3 weeks from today, if the boys are willing to wait that long, I will meet my sons! Unreal...

As I mentioned earlier this week, the goal at 34 weeks for a singleton is 5lbs, but they expect twins are usually a tad smaller. My boys weighed in today at:
Baby A - 5lbs, 7oz
Baby B - 6lbs, 1oz

That's right, I'm carrying 11lbs of baby already!!! No wonder I'm exhausted and look like this...

Dr. Beiswenger told me that he's very pleased with everything and that the boys (and I) look very healthy. He assured me that if the boys decided to make an early appearance at any point from now, they would be ready to thrive. I'm still on modified bedrest to increase my chances of making it to the scheduled date... Fingers and toes crossed!!

PS - Libby loved being the only one in the van with me this morning. We left early so I could make my appointment. She was so precious and in such a great mood!!

Y'all have a great rest of the week!

Getting Closer...

I'm carrying 2 pineapples? 2 cantaloupes? If the pregnancy apps I'm following are correct, each baby should be around 5lbs and 18 inches long about now. That's a LOT of baby! I'll know for sure when I go to the high risk doctor on Wednesday and they do an ultrasound with measurements. I'm excited to find out!

That explains why I looked like this as of last week...

My most recent appointment was Thursday where we had a biophysical screen ultrasound, and the boys and I passed the test with flying colors. Still on "modified" bedrest, but it's working because my contractions have slowed WAY down - just a hand-full a day! I've allowed myself to go out to dinner both of these last weekends and enjoy some easy-does-it time with friends.

I also took a couple hours of one-on-one time with Ryleigh. I wanted to give her some "Mommy & Me" time before the boys arrive. We chose pedicures (her first one) and a lunch date! I was exhausted when we got home, but she told me that it was the "best day ever," so totally worth it!!!

Let's see, what else has been going on?
Sarah Fox took my maternity portraits last weekend, and I've only seen 3 images so far, but I'm SO happy with how they turned-out. I can't wait to see the rest!

Working from bed has been interesting... Barry bought and put together a bed desk that has made it possible for me to be effective and on my side all day.

Barry has been busting it at work - working long hours to get ready to be out when the boys arrive. But he's also been helping me work through our to-do list, and as of this past weekend, there is nothing left on the "get ready for the twins" to-do list!!!  The hospital bag is packed (just in case), the final pieces are in place in the nursery and all the car seats are installed. The girls LOVE their new spot in the way back... we'll see how long they love it ;).

And let's close this out with a dose of cuteness, this time over ice cream because why not!?!

I'll post another quick update after my doctor's appointment later this week. Root for us that we make it at least 1 more week because then we may avoid the "mandatory NICU" requirement. Until I am able to post again later this week... ((hugs))!

Hurricanes? Bedrest? Pancakes!

32 weeks!!!!

Hurricane Irma is bearing down on Florida, but as of now, the track looks to miss Northwestern Florida. This is a relief because the idea evacuating as pregnant as I am is very stressful. I continue to hope the storm misses us completely... For now, the girls are out of school until Monday and there's no bread or water at the stores. We are well stocked-up though, just in case.

My appointment with Dr. Medlock was a good one yesterday. Barry went with me so he could see the boys on ultrasound and ask questions. We have all our current questions answered, so now we wait.

The boys and I are healthy! Our biophysical screens were passed with flying colors. We will now be going weekly, so hopefully we will get updated measurements next week.

The only "hiccup" is that I have been having too many contractions. In an effort to slow those down and keep the babies where they are for another few weeks, I am on "modified" bedrest. This means I can get up and around a few times a day. Going out to dinner if I feel up for it is acceptable once or twice a week, but I'm not allowed to cook, clean, run errands, etc. It seems to be working as my contractions have slowed down today. Fingers and toes crossed!!!

In preparation news, Barry finished cleaning-out the garage and setting it up as a playroom last weekend. All that is left to do is install carseats. SO glad to be so close to done! I have my maternity portraits scheduled for Sunday afternoon, and I'm looking forward to those. Oh, and I'm still craving pancakes - ha!

34 days and counting! Here are some cute pictures, just because! Y'all stay safe with these crazy storms...

September 1st Already???

I cannot believe it is September 1st. This year is flying by! It's almost time for all things "Fall," and I'm very ready for it.

In baby updates, the twins are active and obviously growing if my belly is any indication. I have legitimate cravings for pancakes and peanut butter crackers. In fact, I had brunch with my krewe on Sunday and it was so yummy! I ate WAY more than I should have - and the breakfast carbs were on point...

This past weekend, we finished getting the nursery ready. All the clothes, toys, blankets are washed and ready. All that's really left to do is put the car seats in the van. With 5.5 weeks to go, we are materially ready. Such a relief!!!

Last weekend, we took the girls to the Melting Pot for a chocolate course and they both loved it! This coming holiday weekend should be quiet and restful. We may get to cleaning out the garage so we can turn it into a playroom for the girls. They'd love that! Here are a couple doses of cuteness...

I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday with Dr. Medlock, so I'll update everyone again after that ultrasound and check-up. Until then, enjoy your last bit of summer!