Audrey and Nolan's Story

There are many interesting facts about delivering a baby...
99% of deliveries occur at a hospital
67% are vaginal births
Only 5% arrive on their due date

There are many interesting facts about TWIN deliveries...
Most arrive at 36 weeks gestation
Most come on their own schedule (not induced)
About 75% are by c-section

Well Nolan and Audrey's delivery was very special. Their scenario only occurs in the 0.09% of deliveries. I had the opportunity to deliver Audrey naturally and then convert to an emergency c-section for Nolan. Pretty lucky, huh?

We had to evict them right at 38 weeks. Doctors do not like twins going past 38 weeks gestation, due to the increased risk of stillbirths. We started the pitocin just after 8am. At 1:30pm the doctor broke my water. Then I had the epidural. Yowsers. It sucked the first time the anesthesiologist shoved that ridiculous needle in my back. Then he said it twisted and had to redo it. Then he took it out AGAIN because it wasn't positioned just right. And I guess for this guy the third time was the charm :/

Around 4:15pm we headed to the O.R. to deliver these babies for an easy peasy vaginal delivery. Well once we got there things took a turn. Audrey had a cord wrapped around neck and the dr read us the laundry list of risks associated with vacuum assisted deliveries. We took a deep breath, agreed, and a few pushes later, I was holding my sweet (healthy) baby girl.

Here is where the story should read "I had a few more contractions and the second baby arrived". Unfortunately, as soon as Audrey was delivered, Nolan's heart rate dropped from 145 to the low 60s. They got us all set for an emergency c-section. Kyle got kicked out of the room and had to wait in the hallway outside the O.R. all by himself. I was put completely under.

The rest I don't remember, but rumor has it, Nolan came out just fine. Audrey and Nolan both avoided NICU stays. Nolan went up there briefly, but was back with us by the time I woke up.

They wrapped up both babies and wheeled us up to post partum (photo below).

Happy birthday Daddy!

Yesterday started with my mom, the kids, and I attempting to make Kyle a birthday card. What I imagined and what we ended up with, turned out to be two very different things. It was like a Pinterest project gone bad (except my idea didn't come off of Pinterest. I really don't think anyone could create the birthday card that I was thinking of). Note to all moms: toddlers, newborns and finger paint don't go together well...

Lucy woke Kyle up and sang "happy birthday". I think we probably sang happy birthday at least 10-15 times yesterday.

We spent the day hanging out as a family and then Kyle and I left my mom with all three kids and went out to dinner.

When we got back, we sang "happy birthday" to Kyle (again) and had some yummy desserts.
Here are some pictures of Kyle with Lucy and Audrey.
*Not a surprise: Nolan slept through most of the celebration...










And a picture of Nuna with Audrey (Nuna is always holding Audrey. Seems to be the easiest way to keep Audrey happy)
















And while I'm at it, here are a few of our sleepy little guy...










Oh, and here's a picture of the birthday card...

Good morning!

Little Audrey in her Christmas outfit from uncle Marty and auntie Ann




She must have inherited some of the kawaguchi genes because she looks a lot like her auntie DJ!

Bring home a baby, collect a present

The timing of Audrey and Nolan's arrival may be confusing Lucy. Taking the babies home two days before Christmas has been a two-for-one celebration. Many times Lucy will show off her new siblings and then open a Christmas present. It seems to make this whole big sister thing worth all of the work!!

Hopefully she doesn't expect this to continue past today!

Some quick photos!

Momma just waking up from her emergency c-section. Two perfect companions by my side!


Kyle and my first day photos circa January 1982


Kyle 2.0, AKA Nolan Stephen



My mini-me, Audrey Yoshiko

Moving day!

At the hospital. Hooked up to the machines. Waiting for Audrey and Nolan to show up!!

I took my moms advice and had Kyle snap this photo of me and my 38 week belly before we left this morning!

Fixed it! (I think)

Woohoo! Just in time for my crazy duo to arrive, I fixed my phone app so that I can blog from my phone or (Lucy's iPad) again... This means more itty bitty baby photos. And more Lucy pictures too.

Since switching phones I couldn't get my blog app to work. All of a sudden it dawned on me that when I switched phones, I also switched gmail passwords (gotta be safe). Well, I think that was my problem.

Well, here's a photo from last weekends "snow storm"...

Still pregnant....

My little overachieving duo was scheduled to arrive any day. That's ANY DAY now. So any day they could've come. I mean, any day, as in today, tomorrow, yesterday, three days before that. I think you get the point. I've realized that I'm "past due" for twins. Yes, better than not fully cooked, but I'm starting to think these two squatters might be a tad too cozy in there.

The plan is to evict them Friday (pending they don't arrive today or tomorrow). Oh well, better go enjoy my last days of being pregnant. But hopefully no one asks me when I'm due, or at least they get the hint when I reply "oh, any day".

Oh, and a picture of Audrey from our last (and final) ultrasound...

Happy First Birthday Jacob & Benjamin

Two of my favorite little boys are turning one year old today.

Jacob has become such a handsome little guy. His little tooth-filled grin usually is accompanied by a string of drool and a giggle, and it melts my heart every time.  He has become quite the adventurer. When he seems to be playing contently with the blocks, I turn around, and he’s on the other side of the room using the plant to prop himself up to standing. I’ve never seen him turn down food, and eats just about everything. And once he’s done eating, he takes his hands and wipes them in his hair. This is so cute, when it’s your nephew and not your child (sorry Kels!). Though Jacob comes off as rough and tough, he’s really a momma’s boy at heart. Me holding him won’t soothe him. When Jacob’s upset, I’ve learned it’s best to get him to his mom.

Benjamin just keeps growing. He really looks like a Ring baby. He and Lucy have built a very special bond. She tells him what to do, and he listens. It seems to be working out very well. She loves big family pictures and pointing out "Ben". I think it's another one of her favorite words. I just love holding Benjamin. He is definitely the cuddly type. Though also adventurous, he seems to get him caught in more stickier situations. The other day while at Nana and Papas, I hear a grunting noise, and look over, and Benjamin is caught underneath the stool! Poor guy, it took us 5 minutes to figure out how to get him out! Benjamin is such a little cutie pie. I love just watching him figure out a new toy… Well, that is if Lucy or Jacob don’t take it from him first!

Happy first birthday Jacob and Benjamin! We love you so much!

Looking back...

Remember the last time I was 37 weeks? It was here: http://mrandmrsring.blogspot.com/2012/04/37-weeks.html

I'm actually only 35 weeks, but wanted to reminisce of when I thought that this sweater looked huge. Now it fits Lucy perfectly. Knitted by Kevin's mom, Barbara, it is Lucy's number one choice for outdoors wear. Here are some photos of her while she and Yosh play soccer on a nice fall day!

34 weeks!!

Last week we were able to sneak a peek at Nolan and Audrey. They were both right around 4 1/2 pounds. That's nine pounds of baby (no wonder I feel so tired). They both looked great. I had a follow up appt with my OB and she told me to plan on going to 38 weeks! That means the babies will be here in a month or less!!!!

The nurse was able to snap a picture of Audrey's little face, but by the time we were moving on to Nolan I started to feel queezy laying on my back, so we were only able to check the important stuff (like heart chambers and kidneys).

Here's the picture of Audrey:

She really doesn't look like Lucy's ultrasound pictures at all. Oh well. Everything else is going fine. Still growing out and further out!

In other news, Lucy had her 18 month checkup. Still a short, fat kid with a big head :) Her stats were:

31.25" - 26%
25lbs - 77%
Head circumference: 19.25" - 97%

In other other news, Kyle and I went on a date! We went to see the new Hunger Games movie and to a nice dinner. It was nice to spend some time together having adult conversations without trying to keep a toddler occupied while we scarfed down a meal!

Dear Lucy - 18 months

Dear Lucy,

Today you are 1 ½ years old.  You are quite simply the most perfect little girl that we could have ever hoped for.  You make us smile every day.

You are a very sweet, helpful child who always wants to be where the action is.  If your Mama or I are going anywhere, like downstairs, to the laundry room, or even to the bathroom, you are always determined to tag along.  You like to help us, whether it is helping put your toys away, or giving commands to Reggie like “[s]tay” and “[s]it.”

You also love to play.  You love going outside, which we haven’t done as much lately since it is getting cold.  You are going to be in for a rough winter!  Your favorite game is playing hide and seek/chase.  Reggie likes to help play that game too, but he usually just gives away my hiding places.  Your Mama cut out a few holes in a large box that we refer to as “Lucy’s house.”  You think it is so much fun to run into your house and look out the window.  You also love to build with blocks and read books.

Your vocabulary is really growing too.  You know all the animal sounds and all the parts of a face.  You’ve even started to recognize letters, which you call “A B s” (like ABCs without the C).  You are just getting so good at being able to communicate and tell us what you want.  You are getting so smart!  (Maybe too smart… you like to throw away your finished popsicle stick in the trash can, but you make sure I’m getting you a second popsicle before you’ll throw away the first popsicle stick.)  You are very lucky that you get to spend 2 days a week with Nana and Papa and 2 days a week at a very good daycare.  You get to do so much fun stuff and learn so many new things every week.

I’ve been so lucky that I have been able to have Fridays off of work for the last several months.  We get to have a special Lucy and Daddy day every week (sometimes Mama gets the day off or leaves work early and we let her join us!)  We like to go out to breakfast, go on lots of walks in your car, go to the library, and go to the zoo.  I am so happy that I’ve been able to spend this extra time with you.  On days when I work, the highlight of my day is when I walk up the stairs at home in the evening and you are waiting for me on the other side of the gate.  You are always so excited to see me!  Thank you for making me feel very loved.

Even though I’ve tried, I really can’t put into words just how much your Mama and I love you.  Thank you for being my amazing daughter.

Love always,

Your Dad