Birth Day x Two!!

The girls are here and they are perfect. Born on August 19th, at 36 weeks and 1 day weighing 6 lb, 1 oz and 19 1/4 inches long - Addison Tynsley & 6 lb, 12 oz and 19 5/8 inches long- Bianca Hope Sellers.

Due to a BP spike, presence of protein, massive swelling in my ankles, and being 4 cm's at week 36- plus the girls' weights in the 6 lb range, I was induced on Thursday morning, but already having regular contractions 4 min apart upon arrival. I had the girls at 12:10 and 12:18 p.m. One push for Addy - she was already crowning on the ride down to the OR, and two pushes for Bianca. I was able to deliver without a caesarean, and doctor said one of the fastest and easiest twin deliveries she's seen. She had to break Bianca's (twin B's) water after the birth of her sister, and wait a second for her to come down, but she did and it was head first. After a little manuevering,  bigger Bianca was born 8 minutes later. She had trouble breathing immediately and was taken to the NICU. At first they thought she had a tear in the lung, but realized instead she had "immature lungs" and RDS - respiratory distress syndrome. They treated her within a few hours with "surfectant" to coat the lungs so they wouldn't collapse. She made a croaking sound like a cricket or locust, and her respirations were very fast. We didn't get to hold her until the following day, which was sad.

Bianca stayed in the NICU during the 48 hours we were there, and was released just one day after we all went home. :-) She made wonderful progress and is now doing so well at home. Addison is the smaller of the two, but what she lacks in size she makes up in personality. She is always alert, looking around, and taking in the world. Funny faces are her trademark. Bianca is calmer, more introverted, and doesn't seem to care about the world around her just as long as she is warm, and held closely by someone she loves. She's a sweet cuddlebug, and much chubbier than Addison. She has a perfectly round head, while Addy's has "all the brains in the back". We'll see if they stay that way.

Not sure if they are identical. They both have a birthmark behind their necks, and the same bloodtype. I can tell them apart easily, but I've heard mothers can often do so. Bianca is nearly a lb bigger than Addy so I'm not sure if they'll look more alike once their faces are equally "plump".

Here's what you've waited for.... PICS!!!

There could never be a more beautiful YOU!

It's been a rough month to say the least, with aches and pains - all the doctor appointments for both myself and the girls, but also the boys. Had a pretty rough couple days with Zane, but as I sit here, I just have to give God thanks for the beautiful children He has blessed us with. They are all unique, and special. All quirky, and funny -sad, and lonely, anxious and ready to please. I cannot wait to see them grow up. Here is my prayer....
"Lord, God - thank you for my children. Thank you for their smiles, their honesty, their firsts, and their laughter. Seeing them grow and discover is such a privilege. Watching them stumble and helping them up is my greatest joy. Showing them Jesus, and seeing the light fill their eyes as they discover one of the miracles of your Kingdom makes my heart sing. Help me to lift them up, when they are down. Show me what path you wish for them, and help me direct them toward it. Teach me humbleness and to wait on answers from YOU. Place your hands on their aching hearts when they are sad, and help calm their wrath when they are confused and frightened. Give us patience for the tough moments, and grace for when those moments overwhelm our human limits. Help us learn from each other, support each other, and seek to grow as a family, and closer to You. Reveling in each of our talents, encouraging each of us to do our best, and lifting one another when we fall short. Help me comfort my babies when the outside world is confusing and cruel. Let our home be a place of safety, but also a place to recharge so that we can go back out into the world and try again. Give me strength to lead, patience to listen, eyes to see what they don't tell me. Help me to build up, educate, and motivate our children to be the best that they can be, help others, and seek YOUR will. We are blessed beyond measure, and help me to realize through tough moments, sad times, and trying circumstances - you've blessed us, and will have Your loving hand around the children you created - all 7 of us. :-)

And to our children, "There could never be a more beautiful YOU".