It is Thursday night. Hubby is at his part-time job so it is just me and the kids for awhile. Tonight we ate pear-pineapples, drank out of our sippy cups, read a new book before bed and called it a night. The kids were "extra cute" tonight. I'm not sure if it is anything that they did or if it is the fact that I didn't get to see them last night (was at my part-time job).
First things first, I love my kids. I love being a mom but I'm struggling with something. I miss my girl friends. I miss going out for a drink after work. I miss getting ready on a Saturday night in an outfit that is designed for a girl 5 years younger for me and for someone who isn't married with twins. I miss laughing at nothing, feeling that bond with women that only a woman can explain. I miss drinking too much and then calling each other to talk about it the next day.
My social life consists of eating lunch with friends at my full-time job. Maybe 2 or 3 times a week for 45 minutes. My "after-work" social life consists of picking up the loves of my life from daycare, feeding food, bottles, bathes, reading books and playing with toys.
I haven't quite figured out how to do it all. I haven't quite figured out how to be a mom and to be a good friend. I haven't figured out how to not feel guilty when my friends are getting together and I'm home with the kids. I haven't figured out how to shake that "I'm still in my twenties and I feel like I'm forty" feeling that I get when I crawl into bed by 9:30 on a Saturday evening. I try to "squeeze" in a dinner or drink but I am so tired from the sleepless nights and hectic schedules that I am not even worth being around.
I'm hoping my friends realize that I'm trying. And I hope my kids realize how much I love them.
Until next time.
love and hugs
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Mommy Brain
First of all, I apologize for the long overdue post. It seems like the weeks just slip away from me. We are in such a routine every night that I don't get much "adult" time to catch up on emails, online shopping, eating chocolate and spending some alone time.
The twins are 8 1/2 months old....how did that happen? It seems like yesterday that I was spending nights in the NICU and having John drive me to and from the hospital. It seems like it was just yesterday when Gradyn came home and we got to bring little Zayster home a few days later. And it seems like a week ago when the kids would STAY IN ONE SPOT. :)
The latest news in the Klehn household?!? Mommy got a new job. After the kids were born, my job at Allied was eliminated. They had closed down the region that I worked for. John and I were in a "sticky" and stressful situation. Two kids in daycare does drain our checkbook - so do I stay home and work at nights or find something else within the company? This was one of those decisions that no one could tell me what to do. I contemplated, ask many different mommies their thoughts. The "working" mommies said that "they are a better mom because they work". The "stay at home mommies" said that "they would never give up the time they got to spend with their children". All I know is that I will never find a job as rewarding as being a mommy. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy "adult conversations" and "people who don't poop their pants" but I never realize how good two little boogers could make me feel. It gives life a purpose.
With that being said, you probably think I decided to stay home and work at night. I actually am working a full-time job within Allied/Nationwide. I feel good about my decision - this job gives me flexibility with my schedule and I'm hoping to be able to spend some afternoons with the kids, instead of putting them to bed 2 1/2 hours after I get home.
I don't have all of the answers to being a mom. Heck, I don't even know what to do most of the time. I think being a good mommy is not about buying your kids "Baby Gap" clothes (I thoroughly enjoy garage saleing...we'll save that for another post). I don't think it is about "having the coolest toys" or "living in the coolest house". The best parents I know just spend time with their kids. They aren't afraid to make a fool of themselves to get a special "belly laugh" from their son. They aren't afraid to get banana apple pear food on their "Banana Republic" work shirt. They aren't afraid to hold their kids a little longer, even if it throws off of their routine just because if feels so good to have the most beautiful thing in the world in their arms.
The best parents cry because their kids are crying, laugh because their kids are laughing and hurt because their kids are hurting.
John has become accustomed to being a Dad. I wouldn't say he has mastered it quite yet - Zaylee has been in the car seat without pants on, a dirty diaper laying on the dresser upstairs and the occassional "forgotten bath night". But as soon as he walks in the house, he smiles at the kids, puts hand sanitizer on and picks one of them up. His face lights up like it use to when he saw me. I've been replaced. Zaylee is a little "Daddy's Girl" - and John just loves her to pieces. That girl will be spoiled her whole life by her daddy.
The kids are both crawling. Gradyn was little bit of a "later crawler" than Zaylee by a few weeks. He's 5 or 6 pounds heavier than Zaylee - I'm sure it is hard to carry around the extra "junk in the trunk". My favorite thing about Gradyn is the "belly laughs". If you get him laughing, he puts his whole body into it. He shakes and it sounds like he is 40 years old.
Zaylee is a mover and a shaker. She is a busy body and an explorer. Just tonight, I found her in one of our shelves. Like she was a book in a bookshelf. She got herself out of the their and mommy put her right back where she found her - a perfect photo opportunity. My favorite thing about Zaylee is she is the most beautiful baby in the world.
Two quick stories:
I've been getting into work by 7:00 in the morning (which is early for me). I don't see the kids in the morning but that is the only way I can get out of the house on time. I do daycare pick up and I'm so excited to give them hugs and kisses after work, that I unbuckle them from their carseat when we pull in the driveway and leave the carseats in my car (not on purpose).
I left for work today and turned off my cell phone - a few hours later I got an email from John telling me "Hi Beautiful. I hope you have a good morning. Call me when you can." I called him. He asked me what did I have in my car that he needed this morning. I told him I didn't know. He said "carseats". Oh shit, I thought. "What did you do". John had put jackets on the kids, blankets on them and buckled them in the stroller. He walked 7 blocks to our daycare in his shirt and tie. Luckily, he got a ride home and didn't have to walk back. He's so understanding.
Story #2
On Sunday, we put the kids in a crib together for a few minutes. Zaylee sheets were in the dryer and we were packing to take the kids somewhere. From the minute they were born, Gradyn and Zaylee were in separate NICU beds and cribs at home. They have just started recently "interacting" more. I peeked in on them in the room and there they were...laughing at each other. Gradyn was doing his belly laughs and Zaylee was giggling. I made John get the video camera. It was one of those "priceless"moments. Life doesn't get much better than that.
Until next time...for now, it is off to enjoy a pudding snack,Dancing with the Stars and falling asleep before the news to be only woke up by one of the kids at 2:30 (a.m., that is).
Love and hugs from the Klehn's.
The twins are 8 1/2 months old....how did that happen? It seems like yesterday that I was spending nights in the NICU and having John drive me to and from the hospital. It seems like it was just yesterday when Gradyn came home and we got to bring little Zayster home a few days later. And it seems like a week ago when the kids would STAY IN ONE SPOT. :)
The latest news in the Klehn household?!? Mommy got a new job. After the kids were born, my job at Allied was eliminated. They had closed down the region that I worked for. John and I were in a "sticky" and stressful situation. Two kids in daycare does drain our checkbook - so do I stay home and work at nights or find something else within the company? This was one of those decisions that no one could tell me what to do. I contemplated, ask many different mommies their thoughts. The "working" mommies said that "they are a better mom because they work". The "stay at home mommies" said that "they would never give up the time they got to spend with their children". All I know is that I will never find a job as rewarding as being a mommy. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy "adult conversations" and "people who don't poop their pants" but I never realize how good two little boogers could make me feel. It gives life a purpose.
With that being said, you probably think I decided to stay home and work at night. I actually am working a full-time job within Allied/Nationwide. I feel good about my decision - this job gives me flexibility with my schedule and I'm hoping to be able to spend some afternoons with the kids, instead of putting them to bed 2 1/2 hours after I get home.
I don't have all of the answers to being a mom. Heck, I don't even know what to do most of the time. I think being a good mommy is not about buying your kids "Baby Gap" clothes (I thoroughly enjoy garage saleing...we'll save that for another post). I don't think it is about "having the coolest toys" or "living in the coolest house". The best parents I know just spend time with their kids. They aren't afraid to make a fool of themselves to get a special "belly laugh" from their son. They aren't afraid to get banana apple pear food on their "Banana Republic" work shirt. They aren't afraid to hold their kids a little longer, even if it throws off of their routine just because if feels so good to have the most beautiful thing in the world in their arms.
The best parents cry because their kids are crying, laugh because their kids are laughing and hurt because their kids are hurting.
John has become accustomed to being a Dad. I wouldn't say he has mastered it quite yet - Zaylee has been in the car seat without pants on, a dirty diaper laying on the dresser upstairs and the occassional "forgotten bath night". But as soon as he walks in the house, he smiles at the kids, puts hand sanitizer on and picks one of them up. His face lights up like it use to when he saw me. I've been replaced. Zaylee is a little "Daddy's Girl" - and John just loves her to pieces. That girl will be spoiled her whole life by her daddy.
The kids are both crawling. Gradyn was little bit of a "later crawler" than Zaylee by a few weeks. He's 5 or 6 pounds heavier than Zaylee - I'm sure it is hard to carry around the extra "junk in the trunk". My favorite thing about Gradyn is the "belly laughs". If you get him laughing, he puts his whole body into it. He shakes and it sounds like he is 40 years old.
Zaylee is a mover and a shaker. She is a busy body and an explorer. Just tonight, I found her in one of our shelves. Like she was a book in a bookshelf. She got herself out of the their and mommy put her right back where she found her - a perfect photo opportunity. My favorite thing about Zaylee is she is the most beautiful baby in the world.
Two quick stories:
I've been getting into work by 7:00 in the morning (which is early for me). I don't see the kids in the morning but that is the only way I can get out of the house on time. I do daycare pick up and I'm so excited to give them hugs and kisses after work, that I unbuckle them from their carseat when we pull in the driveway and leave the carseats in my car (not on purpose).
I left for work today and turned off my cell phone - a few hours later I got an email from John telling me "Hi Beautiful. I hope you have a good morning. Call me when you can." I called him. He asked me what did I have in my car that he needed this morning. I told him I didn't know. He said "carseats". Oh shit, I thought. "What did you do". John had put jackets on the kids, blankets on them and buckled them in the stroller. He walked 7 blocks to our daycare in his shirt and tie. Luckily, he got a ride home and didn't have to walk back. He's so understanding.
Story #2
On Sunday, we put the kids in a crib together for a few minutes. Zaylee sheets were in the dryer and we were packing to take the kids somewhere. From the minute they were born, Gradyn and Zaylee were in separate NICU beds and cribs at home. They have just started recently "interacting" more. I peeked in on them in the room and there they were...laughing at each other. Gradyn was doing his belly laughs and Zaylee was giggling. I made John get the video camera. It was one of those "priceless"moments. Life doesn't get much better than that.
Until next time...for now, it is off to enjoy a pudding snack,Dancing with the Stars and falling asleep before the news to be only woke up by one of the kids at 2:30 (a.m., that is).
Love and hugs from the Klehn's.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Sunday Evening with the KlehnGang
Its Sunday evening. Mommy is tired. Gradyn and Zaylee are in bed. They have been doing such a great job at going to bed right on time. We have them in a routine now - take a bottle around 5/6, solid food (tonight it was Sweet Potatoes for Zay-Zay and Peaches for the G-Man) an hour later and another bottle before bed. Then it is pjs, lotion and 2 books with Mommy and Daddy. Zaylee has slept through the night for the past two nights!!!!! Gradyn is waking up - I think he is teething and like a typical man, it is not okay to have any sort of pain.
John, the twins and I went home to Glidden this weekend. We had some family in town from Colorado so all the Dentlinger's got together at my parent's place. Zaylee and Gradyn showed up as a 'watermelon' and a 'shark'. (A good friend of mine bought outfits for the kids. They are a onesie with a hat - adorable pictures to come). There were 7 great-grandchildren at the reunion - all under the age of 2. It was a circus.
We got back this afternoon, which shortened John and my Sunday routine - grocery shopping, laying out clothes for the kids for the week, bathes, packing daycare bags and planning a week's worth of meals.
Sundays are my favorite day of the week. John is home and we usually get to spend some quality time together.
I fell in love with my kids again tonight. Everytime I get to share another day with them, I know that God had this planned for me all along. They make my life worth living.
Pictures of the weekend to come.
Until next time. Love and hugs from the Klehns.
John, the twins and I went home to Glidden this weekend. We had some family in town from Colorado so all the Dentlinger's got together at my parent's place. Zaylee and Gradyn showed up as a 'watermelon' and a 'shark'. (A good friend of mine bought outfits for the kids. They are a onesie with a hat - adorable pictures to come). There were 7 great-grandchildren at the reunion - all under the age of 2. It was a circus.
We got back this afternoon, which shortened John and my Sunday routine - grocery shopping, laying out clothes for the kids for the week, bathes, packing daycare bags and planning a week's worth of meals.
Sundays are my favorite day of the week. John is home and we usually get to spend some quality time together.
I fell in love with my kids again tonight. Everytime I get to share another day with them, I know that God had this planned for me all along. They make my life worth living.
Pictures of the weekend to come.
Until next time. Love and hugs from the Klehns.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Welcome to the Klehn Family Blog!!
Hi to All!
After seeing many of my friends start these blogs, I figured I would do one too. It seems as though I have so many "things" to update since being a mom - family pictures, scrapbooks, baby pictures, my Facebook account - why not add one more thing to my list?!?
I hope you enjoy the special memories the Klehn Gang gets to share with each other on a daily basis....Okay, I can't promise a daily basis, but I will do a weekly recap of our weeks and of course, update any special events in our lives.
To catch everyone up to date on what has happened with John and myself within the past year...here I go. Sit back, relax. Grab a loved one and enjoy the show....
John and I got married May 31st, 2008. John and I met on a blind date by a mutual friend that worked with me at Ann Taylor Loft and went to college with John. We hit it off and 5 months later, got engaged. (John knew that he couldn't live without me right away...I wondering if he is regretting that decision now..haha). We planned a wedding for 16 long, grueling months - I was so excited for the day to come and for the planning to FINALLY be over with.
After a trip to Cabo San Lucas (which was amazing), I was ready to have life settle down for awhile. Maybe have some drinks with girlfriends, enjoy some dinners out with my new husband and not plan a damn thing for awhile. Low and behold, God had a different plan for us. On Father's Day - June 15th, 2008 - we found out that we were pregnant. Exactly two weeks after our wedding.
It wasn't easy for John and I to get the news. There was a lot of confusion about how to feel and what to think, for the both of us. On month 4, we had a doctor's appointment - September 5th, to be exact. The nurse told me I was measuring big. Me - being the runner that I am - was thinking "Oh great. I ate too much McDonalds". At that point, I had already gained 6 pounds. I asked the nurse "Why could I be measuring big". She gave me three different options 1) We were further along than we knew. 2) It was cyst or tumor (which is actually quite common 3) It was twins. I blatantly cried out "Please cyst or tumor, please cyst or tumor".
We were schedule for an ultrasound that Friday - two days later. We did have a ultrasound at week 4, but never saw multiple babies. John did some research that night and tried to reassure me that I wasn't having twins. He said that it was a 1 in 100 chance that we would be having twims, that twins come from a woman's mothers' side (my Grandpa Dentlinger is a twin) and that it is more common in other races. For some reason, I belived him.
Well...Friday came. We went to the ultrasound and as soon as the doppler hit my belly, we knew it was twins. There was no doubting that there was two babies in that belly. I was crying so hard - I asked the nurse to leave the room. I was in shock - two babies!! I wasn't even ready for 1!!! SO many thoughts crossed my mind and I was overwhelmed. John - not knowing what to say -try to comfort me to the best of his abilities. We found out that day that we were having a boy. John was thrilled...We were talking about how we were going to afford daycare and John said "I don't care, Tiff - I'm high on life right now". For those of you who know John, that is funny.
We cancelled our trip to the Minnesota Twins that weekend (I know, ironic....)
A month later at our five month appointment in October- we found out that we were having a girl. A perfect little family. Twins. One Boy. One Girl.
Fast-forwarding a few months into December. December was a rough month for me. I had gained 20 pounds in that month alone. 20 pounds. For those of you who know me, I'm a work-outaholic. I don't like to gain weight. John had been making me eat ice cream every single night (I'm not a big milk fan). The first craving I had in my pregnancy was pizza roll bites. I bought ten bags at one time. I ate those things like they were going out of style. At about bag 6, I got tired of them. I haven't been able to eat them since. The other craving I had was hamburgers. McDonalds knew me by name.
So anyway, it was December. We stayed in Waukee for the holidays. My doctors had advised no travel. By that time, I was uncomfortable anyway and couldn't be on the road very long. With having twins, I was a high risk pregnancy so the doctors needed me to be around a level 3 hospital. I'm not quite sure what that meant but that's what I told people.
We spent New Years Eve at home. Ate wings from the Chicken Coop and was in bed by 10:30. John did get to poke fun at me during the holidays. Our friends always have a "ugly sweater" party. This year, John wanted me to dress up as Santa Claus and him as an elf. The only thing is, I didn't have to "stuff my belly". It was hilarious.
January 5th - my first official day of bedrest. My doctors wanted me to go on bedrest for the last three months of my pregnancy. I was dreading that. I am a "project-oriented" person and couldn't imagine spending 3 months laying in bed. My husband, on the other hand, thought it was a great idea.
My body ended up agreeing with me. The night of January 5th, I went into labor. I'm not quite sure how it happened. I woke up in the middle of the night multiple time and had been leaking fluid. We had a doctor's appointment that day and he checked me. I hadn't been dialated. He said everything looked normal. I had a hard time getting John out of bed. I woke him up multiple times before he took me for real. We had called the on-call nurse at Mercy and she advised us to come in. John did everything that morning - ironed clothes, took a 1/2 shower, put his work clothes on like he was "going to be at work by 10 am". I made John pack the bags - luckily, I had finished packing mine over the weekend. Little did we know...later that day, 2 babies would be arriving.
By the time we got to the hospital at 8 am, I started to feel some pressue. They admitted me into treatment and triage to monitor contractions. At one point, someone came into the room and asked John to move his car as he had parked right in front of the hospital. John left the room and told the nurses he was going to move his car - they said "Okay, we are just going to move your wife into L & D". John - innocent as can be - said "What is L & D?"
Labor and Delivery, they replied.
My husband - who by now, understands almost how I am going to react to EVERYTHING - said, "Okay. Well, I am going back in that room when you tell her that. I think you'll need me to be in there when she finds that out". John walked back into the room and I had asked him why he didn't move the cars. John said, nervously, "Well, honey, they are going to move you to L&D. Labor and Delivery. I guess the doctor said we are having some babies today."
I told him I'm not having babies. That I am not ready - obviously, there was no turning back.
The babies came via c-section at approximately 8:02 PM and 8:04 PM. Gradyn Robert - 4 pounds, 13 ounces, 19 inches. And Zaylee Katherine - 4 pounds, 19 1/4 inches. They were admitted into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Mercy Hospital. The babies were two months early.
They were in the NICU for around 19 days for Gradyn (the G-Man) and 23 days for Zaylee (Zay-Zay). The nurses were amazing. The experience in itself was hard to handle for John and I - we didn't get to hold Zaylee for FIVE days. Which felt like years. There was nothing - persay - "wrong" with the kids. They just were early and needed some help developing. Gradyn took to eating a little bit earlier than Zaylee. He got to come home a few days earlier. The first test I had as a mom was leaving my precious little princess in the hospital by herself. It tore my heart out of my chest. I knew she was coming home in a few days - which lessened the pain but I would never wish that experience upon any Mom.
The last 6 1/2 months have been a roller coaster. Many sleepless nights. Many 3 am "discussions" (right John??) but so many other memories. Rolling over for the first time. Our first smiles. The first solid food. The first jumperoo moment. Gradyn's hysterical laughter. Zaylee's smile - it melts my heart everytime I see it. Zaylee has a tooth. Gradyn is 20 pounds now.
Through everything that has happened to our family, John and I would not have the past year any other way. These two babies are our lives. We enjoy every moment. Even if it is at 3 am....
I hope you continue to blog with the KlehnGang and we can share all of our special memories with you as well. Pictures to come. Updates to come. I'm just getting started but I promise you a good time with the "KlehnGang". There is never a dull moment in this household.
Sending our love. Until next time...
After seeing many of my friends start these blogs, I figured I would do one too. It seems as though I have so many "things" to update since being a mom - family pictures, scrapbooks, baby pictures, my Facebook account - why not add one more thing to my list?!?
I hope you enjoy the special memories the Klehn Gang gets to share with each other on a daily basis....Okay, I can't promise a daily basis, but I will do a weekly recap of our weeks and of course, update any special events in our lives.
To catch everyone up to date on what has happened with John and myself within the past year...here I go. Sit back, relax. Grab a loved one and enjoy the show....
John and I got married May 31st, 2008. John and I met on a blind date by a mutual friend that worked with me at Ann Taylor Loft and went to college with John. We hit it off and 5 months later, got engaged. (John knew that he couldn't live without me right away...I wondering if he is regretting that decision now..haha). We planned a wedding for 16 long, grueling months - I was so excited for the day to come and for the planning to FINALLY be over with.
After a trip to Cabo San Lucas (which was amazing), I was ready to have life settle down for awhile. Maybe have some drinks with girlfriends, enjoy some dinners out with my new husband and not plan a damn thing for awhile. Low and behold, God had a different plan for us. On Father's Day - June 15th, 2008 - we found out that we were pregnant. Exactly two weeks after our wedding.
It wasn't easy for John and I to get the news. There was a lot of confusion about how to feel and what to think, for the both of us. On month 4, we had a doctor's appointment - September 5th, to be exact. The nurse told me I was measuring big. Me - being the runner that I am - was thinking "Oh great. I ate too much McDonalds". At that point, I had already gained 6 pounds. I asked the nurse "Why could I be measuring big". She gave me three different options 1) We were further along than we knew. 2) It was cyst or tumor (which is actually quite common 3) It was twins. I blatantly cried out "Please cyst or tumor, please cyst or tumor".
We were schedule for an ultrasound that Friday - two days later. We did have a ultrasound at week 4, but never saw multiple babies. John did some research that night and tried to reassure me that I wasn't having twins. He said that it was a 1 in 100 chance that we would be having twims, that twins come from a woman's mothers' side (my Grandpa Dentlinger is a twin) and that it is more common in other races. For some reason, I belived him.
Well...Friday came. We went to the ultrasound and as soon as the doppler hit my belly, we knew it was twins. There was no doubting that there was two babies in that belly. I was crying so hard - I asked the nurse to leave the room. I was in shock - two babies!! I wasn't even ready for 1!!! SO many thoughts crossed my mind and I was overwhelmed. John - not knowing what to say -try to comfort me to the best of his abilities. We found out that day that we were having a boy. John was thrilled...We were talking about how we were going to afford daycare and John said "I don't care, Tiff - I'm high on life right now". For those of you who know John, that is funny.
We cancelled our trip to the Minnesota Twins that weekend (I know, ironic....)
A month later at our five month appointment in October- we found out that we were having a girl. A perfect little family. Twins. One Boy. One Girl.
Fast-forwarding a few months into December. December was a rough month for me. I had gained 20 pounds in that month alone. 20 pounds. For those of you who know me, I'm a work-outaholic. I don't like to gain weight. John had been making me eat ice cream every single night (I'm not a big milk fan). The first craving I had in my pregnancy was pizza roll bites. I bought ten bags at one time. I ate those things like they were going out of style. At about bag 6, I got tired of them. I haven't been able to eat them since. The other craving I had was hamburgers. McDonalds knew me by name.
So anyway, it was December. We stayed in Waukee for the holidays. My doctors had advised no travel. By that time, I was uncomfortable anyway and couldn't be on the road very long. With having twins, I was a high risk pregnancy so the doctors needed me to be around a level 3 hospital. I'm not quite sure what that meant but that's what I told people.
We spent New Years Eve at home. Ate wings from the Chicken Coop and was in bed by 10:30. John did get to poke fun at me during the holidays. Our friends always have a "ugly sweater" party. This year, John wanted me to dress up as Santa Claus and him as an elf. The only thing is, I didn't have to "stuff my belly". It was hilarious.
January 5th - my first official day of bedrest. My doctors wanted me to go on bedrest for the last three months of my pregnancy. I was dreading that. I am a "project-oriented" person and couldn't imagine spending 3 months laying in bed. My husband, on the other hand, thought it was a great idea.
My body ended up agreeing with me. The night of January 5th, I went into labor. I'm not quite sure how it happened. I woke up in the middle of the night multiple time and had been leaking fluid. We had a doctor's appointment that day and he checked me. I hadn't been dialated. He said everything looked normal. I had a hard time getting John out of bed. I woke him up multiple times before he took me for real. We had called the on-call nurse at Mercy and she advised us to come in. John did everything that morning - ironed clothes, took a 1/2 shower, put his work clothes on like he was "going to be at work by 10 am". I made John pack the bags - luckily, I had finished packing mine over the weekend. Little did we know...later that day, 2 babies would be arriving.
By the time we got to the hospital at 8 am, I started to feel some pressue. They admitted me into treatment and triage to monitor contractions. At one point, someone came into the room and asked John to move his car as he had parked right in front of the hospital. John left the room and told the nurses he was going to move his car - they said "Okay, we are just going to move your wife into L & D". John - innocent as can be - said "What is L & D?"
Labor and Delivery, they replied.
My husband - who by now, understands almost how I am going to react to EVERYTHING - said, "Okay. Well, I am going back in that room when you tell her that. I think you'll need me to be in there when she finds that out". John walked back into the room and I had asked him why he didn't move the cars. John said, nervously, "Well, honey, they are going to move you to L&D. Labor and Delivery. I guess the doctor said we are having some babies today."
I told him I'm not having babies. That I am not ready - obviously, there was no turning back.
The babies came via c-section at approximately 8:02 PM and 8:04 PM. Gradyn Robert - 4 pounds, 13 ounces, 19 inches. And Zaylee Katherine - 4 pounds, 19 1/4 inches. They were admitted into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Mercy Hospital. The babies were two months early.
They were in the NICU for around 19 days for Gradyn (the G-Man) and 23 days for Zaylee (Zay-Zay). The nurses were amazing. The experience in itself was hard to handle for John and I - we didn't get to hold Zaylee for FIVE days. Which felt like years. There was nothing - persay - "wrong" with the kids. They just were early and needed some help developing. Gradyn took to eating a little bit earlier than Zaylee. He got to come home a few days earlier. The first test I had as a mom was leaving my precious little princess in the hospital by herself. It tore my heart out of my chest. I knew she was coming home in a few days - which lessened the pain but I would never wish that experience upon any Mom.
The last 6 1/2 months have been a roller coaster. Many sleepless nights. Many 3 am "discussions" (right John??) but so many other memories. Rolling over for the first time. Our first smiles. The first solid food. The first jumperoo moment. Gradyn's hysterical laughter. Zaylee's smile - it melts my heart everytime I see it. Zaylee has a tooth. Gradyn is 20 pounds now.
Through everything that has happened to our family, John and I would not have the past year any other way. These two babies are our lives. We enjoy every moment. Even if it is at 3 am....
I hope you continue to blog with the KlehnGang and we can share all of our special memories with you as well. Pictures to come. Updates to come. I'm just getting started but I promise you a good time with the "KlehnGang". There is never a dull moment in this household.
Sending our love. Until next time...
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