Sophia Marie and Claire Abigail ~ May 28th, 2009

May 28th was everything Matt and I imagined it would be and more. We arrived at the hospital at 10:30AM. We were greeted by 3 wonderful nurses who took wonderful care of us. Our c-section was scheduled for 12:30PM but was pushed back due to an emergency c-section for another patient. At about 1:30pm we were taken back to the operating room. I received my spinal which was as uncomfortable as I imagined it to be. I was amazed how quickly it took effect and then all of the commotion began in the operating room. Everyone prepared for the girls arrival. In addition to the surgical team we had two NICU teams in case the girls required special treatment. Matt was able to come into the operating room after everything was prepared. Thank goodness...I needed someone to wipe my tears. I had a difficult time controlling my emotions during the c-section.

Our precious Sophia arrived first at 1:57PM with a very sweet cry. I was able to get a quick glance of her before they wisked her away to be evaluated. Matt stayed with me while they worked on bringing Claire into the world. Claire arrived at 2:00PM but not without challenges. Claire had her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck twice. Thank goodness for a wonderful doctor. Dr. Weber was calm. His experience came in handy and we were able to hear the soft crys of our little Claire.

Sophia Marie weighed in at 6lbs 8oz and 20 1/4 inches long. She had swallowed a lot of fluid so to be safe they wanted to take her to the NICU for evaluation. She had what appeared to be a club foot. This is probably from the way she layed in my stomach and the lack of room she had later in the pregnancy. We know that a club foot can be fixed so it was a relief that nothing else was wrong.

Claire Abigail weighed in at 5lbs 14oz and 20 inches long. She swallowed a lot of fluid as well so she went with her sister to the NICU. Otherwise she was absolutely perfect!

The nurses brought the girls to me before heading to the NICU. That was a wonderful moment. It was amazing to kiss my girls and see their beautiful faces. The moment was everything I imagined it would be. They were absolutely perfect and right then and there I realized the love between a mother and child. Words can't express the enormous amount of happiness and pride I felt for these two amazing angels.

Once both girls arrived, Matt was right by their side taking pictures and enjoying the amazing moment. Like me, he was very emotional and amazed at the miracle that had just taken place. He went with the girls to the NICU while I was taken to recovery. It was so hard to sit and wait to hold my girls. What was only an hour seemed like an eternity.

Sophia was able to leave the NICU first and joined me in recovery. Matt, Sophia and I were able to spend some quiet alone time together and then our little Claire joined us. It was amazing to be together as a family for the first time. It was so hard to take in. We are amazed at how beautiful and sweet our little girls are. They could not be more perfect. We immediately fell in love! At times the girls look very similar but they definitely are unique.

Sophia Marie looks exactly like me...she has a rounder face with chubby cheeks and a head full of light brown hair. For the first few days she seemed to be our outgoing child who wanted to be heard at all times. That has quickly changed. She is now really laid back and prefers sleep at all times of the day; just like her Mommy!

Claire Abigail looks exactly like her Daddy...she has a long thin face with a full head of black hair. She has become the child who wants to be heard and loves being held. Her favorite thing is to lay against her Mommy or Daddy's chest.

We came home the evening of Sunday May 31st. I was nervous to be without the help at the hospital but thankfully I have an amazing husband, Mom and Dad. We came home to a wonderful dinner and what would turn out to be an interesting first night at home. More information to come....when I find time to come up for air.

STAY TUNED!!!