Smiles...

We need to update everything but until we do maybe these videos will make you smile.

Zach:



Hayden:

Leaving the Hospital

Blogger is finally working! Sorry for the wait everyone.

Here are few thoughts about our final days in the hospital and our trip home.

On Wednesday morning, Crystal began to feel human again, human enough to see the boys. The nurses wheeled her in a wheelchair down to the nursery, where she and I enjoyed a few minutes with the boys.

Here are a few pictures of the boys in the nursery...

Hayden Hunter:

Zachary Hunter:

Proud Mom and Dad (and tired too):

We were not discharged from the hospital until Thursday because the hospital wanted to monitor Zachary and Hayden's blood sugar levels. During that time, we learned a lot from the nurses about some of what we would need to know once we got home. In hindsight, the information they gave us has been a life saver.

Thank heavens for the nursery in the hospital. They placed IVs in our boys to help regulate their blood sugar, rocked them while they ate, gave them their first baths, and watched over them while Mom was recovering from the Magnesium Sulfate. Crystal and I had a sinking feeling this would be the only reprieve in sight for a very long time so we needfully took advantage of it.

Crystal made her first attempts at breastfeeding in the hospital. I naively thought babies just automatically take to breastfeeding, but in the hospital I rapidly learned such things take A LOT of time and patience. Given their premature entry into this world, Zachary and Hayden (especially Hayden) are having a difficult time breastfeeding. Their mouths are so tiny! They try so hard and Crystal tries so hard, but it doesn't always work. When that happens, Crystal cries and feels like a failure. It's hard to watch. In truth, if it weren't for the compassionate nurses at Orem Community Hospital, who spent an inordinate amount of time coaching us, I'm certain we would have already switched to formula. Hopefully their breastfeeding skills will improve soon.

Like all things, there comes and end. At 2:08 P.M. on Thursday (November 5, 2009), we walked out of the hospital and into life. We entered as a couple and left as a family. We were smiling the entire way home. This is something we had hoped and prayed for and now it is real. Miraculous. Awesome. Overwhelming.

Here are some pictures of us leaving the hospital and arriving at home. Grandma Klingler took the time to create a welcome sign. Thanks Grandma.

We would like to thank everyone at Orem Community Hospital for their skilled and compassionate service. We would also like to thank Dr. Judd for being the world's best OB. We're certain he has magical powers. Two pushes and that's all it took to get those twins out! You tell me how that can happen without magic. I'd like to know.

Last but not least, we would like to thank Grandma Klingler and Grandma Romney for their support at the hospital. It was so nice to have both of you there.

My Apologies

I have been trying to upload pictures to Blogger for that past four days, but Blogger seems to freeze. Anyone else had this issue?

We are anxious to share some pictures but aren't sure how to get over this issue. If I can't resolve the issue soon, I'll create a Snapfish account and post that link here.

Sorry for the wait everyone.

Baby Stats and Pics

Hayden: Born 12:51 P.M., 11/3/2009. 5 lbs 9 ounces. 19 inches long. 10 fingers. 10 toes. Not much hair.

Zachary: Born 12:53 P.M., 11/3/2009. 6 lbs 6 ounces. 19.5 inches long. 10 fingers. 10 toes. Not much hair.

Other Pictures:

27 Hours Later...and We Have Boys!!!

When Crystal showed few signs of progressing this morning, the doctor decided to break Hayden's water (baby A) to help encourage mother nature along. That occurred at roughly 7:30 A.M.

At around 10:00 A.M., Crystal was dilated 3 cm. At 11:01 A.M., she was dilated to 7 cm. At 11:05 A.M., she was fully dilated to 10 cm. Our doctor's practice at that point is to let things "rest and descend." That process took about 60 minutes. After that, Crystal's anesthesiologist topped off her epidural and we were prepped for the operating room. Of course I had to make some ridiculous jokes about my outfit first.

During this entire time, Crystal kept battling nausea, vomiting, and all the other delights that come with this joyful process. One difference in our case, perhaps, is that Crystal was given a 24 hr Magnesium Sulfate drip to help control her blood pressure. In addition to increasing the nausea and vomiting, side effects include hot flashes, muscle fatigue, and more. My guess is they use this type of stuff in war prisons.

The operating room was a happening place. Among those included on the guest list were a respiratory specialist, a midwife (for moral support and training), our doctor, and about four nurses. I held one of Crystal's legs during the delivery, probably because they needed an extra set of hands.

From my vantage point, everything went like clockwork. Dr. Judd is a magician. I watched in awe when he used the forceps to turn Hayden into the correct position and then smoothly guide him out of...the darkness and into the light. First the little head, then the shoulders, then a cute little bum, and finally his feet.

Next came Zachary. Just before breaking Zachary's sack, the doctor yelled "head for the hills," apparently because that part tends to be messy. After a little adjusting, Dr. Judd reached in there and pulled Zachary out, butt first.

We weren't sure if we would hear the babies scream when they came out because of their prematurity, but scream they did. And there is nothing on this earth more beautiful. Crystal and I kissed and wept. The proudest moments of our lives occurred at 12:51 (Hayden) and 12:53 (Zachary).

The babies were not given immediately to Crystal because they needed some "attention." After 10 minutes or so, the babies were bundled and placed in Crystal's arms. Even small they are a handful. The next few months are going to be fun. I better grow a new arm or two.

Crystal's visit was short lived. They quickly whisked the boys away to the nursery for some more treatments. I wheeled the boys into the nursery while Crystal remained behind in the operating room. Oddly enough, neither of the boys have any respiratory issues. They did, however, have extremely low blood sugar levels. A few bottles and IVs later, they are doing just fine. Our two little gentlemen are nestled in a special corner of the nursery. I love watching all of the people walk by and say things like "Oh how cute!"

Unfortunately, the Magnesium Sulfate is leveling Crystal. She passed out in the bathroom (but no harm done thanks to great nurses) and has yet to see the babies, almost six hours later. Rough deal.

The next post will include stats and pictures about each of the babies. For those of you following events, give me 10 minutes and I'll have that post up and ready.

Still At It...

It is now 6:48 A.M. on the next day and we are still at it. Crystal has been slowly moved up the Pitocin ladder and is now at the highest dose. She will remain on that dosage until nature makes things happen or they decide to break her water.

The night was awful until Crystal got an epidural at around 3:30 A.M. Despite some swings in blood pressure and vomiting, Crystal finally managed to get some rest. I slept on a pullout bed with a pillow over my head to block out the noise made by the heart monitor (it sounds like a mix between thunder and someone rubbing vinyl against vinyl). Certainly not the best sleep either of us have ever had but we are grateful for anything at this point.

Here are a few more images:

This is the foldout bed.

Crystal at 6:45 A.M., Tuesday morning. Poor thing.

Shot up every which way.

Contractions! Keep 'em comin'.

Ice chips. Food of champions...and women in delivery.

The staff here made signs for our boys.

One Failed Non-stress Test and 8 Hours Later

How it All Started

This is it! The moment has arrived. Babies. Babies. Babies.

Here is a string of text messages from Crystal, sent this morning during a routine non-stress test at UVRMC. The beginning of the biggest adventure of our lives...

11:10 A.M. - "Bp still high and urine is now 4+. They are talking to the dr before I go."

11:15 A.M. - "The drs are talking to each other."

And then she called, calmer than I would have expected, to notify me that I needed to find my way to the hospital.

As I gathered my things from my cubicle and prepared to leave, nearby coworkers gathered in excitement to wish us luck. As the noise level increased, heads popped up from above cubicle walls, like prairie dogs standing on their hind legs to get a better vantage point. Some people don't like being the center of attention, but it didn't bother me one bit on this, the greatest day in the history of my world.

Thanks to my good friend, Allen B., who apparently doesn't believe in signaling when driving, I was able to get home, grab the suitcase next to the door, and get to the hospital. Non-signaling aside, that was one of the oddest rides of my life. My mind was racing, knowing that this is the moment we have been waiting for, praying for, and now it is here. Totally surreal, almost an out of body moment.

Arriving at the Hospital

I arrived at the hospital, with suitcase, pillows, camcorder, and slippers in tow, beaming like an idiot.

"Daddy Got the Big Suite!"

The rooms in this hospital are spacious enough to comfortably fit a foosball table, a few recliners, and a big screen TV. This is like the five star luxury sweet, baby! Not to mention, they have more cable channels than we could ever wish for and a library with movies. I can't think of a better way to bring two baby boys into this world than having Star Wars playing in the background. Crystal disagrees.

Here is a picture of the room from Crystal's perspective:

The Wait Begins

At any rate, Crystal has begun the slow process of induction, a process that will last long into the night and early into tomorrow morning. Granted, both Crystal and I are novice at this birth stuff, but the waiting and anticipation seem to be the worst part so far. Unless, of course, you ask Crystal, who will tell you that lying half naked in a very uncomfortable bed for the last eight hours is no picnic either. Goodbye dignity.

So Beautiful

Even as she lays in her bed, miserable and cursing like a sailor, Crystal is so beautiful. I love this woman.

More posts to follow...