Fabulous Friday - The Twins Are Here, The Twins Are Here!

I feel like Paul Revere!

 

The twins are here!!! The twins are here!

 

 

Jackson Robert and Lucy Claire are here!!! Praise God!

 

 I am such an incredibly proud aunt (can you tell?) and have just been busting at the seams to share the news since Sunday afternoon!! However, because I am the best aunt ever (although Titi would argue differently) I have kept a muzzle on it until my sister and brother in law were able to make the official announcement themselves and now that they have, I am all over it!

 

I know I am biased but really - they are the most beautiful and precious angel babies I have ever seen, besides our very own Sophie bug of course. It must run in the family. As for my sister - so strong, so brave, and so incredibly proud to call her my sister! Her hubby isn't so bad either. He has done such an amazing job and been so supportive that I told her I thought she should even keep him around for awhile.

 

What a journey it has been and it until about three weeks ago a fairly smooth and typical pregnancy. My sister, Megan, was a beautiful pregnant woman although she would argue differently but don't listen to her. I am the big sister and I know what I am talking about.

 

She arrived at the hospital for a regular checkup and by the next day had been diagnosed with preeclampsia and was checked into the high risk unit of the main hospital indefinitely. At this point, she was 34 weeks pregnant and they began hearing that the babies were smaller than they would like so their goal was to make it to the 35 week mark. We quickly learned that one day in the tummy is equal to 3 days in the NICU.

 

Being confined to a hospital room at 34 week pregnant with nothing but time on your hands to think is not always an ideal scenerio when being faced with a storm. However, as our family always does, we banned together and rallied. We rallied around Megan, Josh, and their two sweet blessings. We went to battle. We went to battle against Satan trying to rob them of their joy. We went to battle against any fear, anxiety, worry, or concern because it was only being placed there by Satan. Of course they were going to be scared and that was okay but instead of rolling around in it, we took that fear to God and placed it at his feet. We let him take care of it because aftereall that is what he wants us to do with everything - no matter how big or small. He doesn't care - he wants it all! We declared her room holy ground and created a barrier of prayer and protection around her room. Yes, Satan is powerful but never as powerful as our Lord and Savior and his mighy army of warriors!

 

"Ask for the strength to remain faithful, eyes to see the miracles, and the heart to bear the responsibility of stewarding his good gifts."

 

"Give thanks in all circumstances" 1 Thess. 5:18

 

Megan had to endure a series of test every day to make sure her and the babies were staying on track. Towards the end of last week during one of these tests, they realized that Jack's fluid levels were low. Over the next few days as they continued to monitor the levels along with her blood pressure they soon realized that it was time to deliver the babies. At this point Megan had hit her 35 week mark - To God be the glory! She was told that it would probably be a very hard and long labor and obviously with the complications we were all nervous!!! Nervous for her, for the babies....for them all! Luckily, the mighty army of Jesus's praying warriors had never stopped and so instead we just shifted the prayer focus to the next phase of this journey.

 

I swear to you that there were so many family and friends praying that if Megan had of levitated up off that delivery room table during delivery, I really don't think any of us would have been all that shocked.

 

The second Megan arrived in the Labor and Delivery unit she started having major contractions. It was as though the babies knew it was time to get this show on the road. Over the next 24 hours things progressed smoothly. Again, I am sure my sister would argue otherwise but it is the honest truth. We could feel God working and moving through her, through us, and most especially through the doctors and nurses. After only a few pushes Jack arrived. Apparently he was a little tiffed with his lack of space and so on the way out he decided to give Lucy girl a nice little shove out of the way which resulted in her being delivered via c-section. Let the sibiling drama begin!

 

  

 Jack sprawled out and enjoying this space and Lucy sound asleep!

 

They both arrived weighing around 4.5 pounds of just pure perfection. They did have to hang out for a few days in the NICU due to their small size but were total rock stars eating and sleeping like champs!

 

Josh supporting Megan while she holds her sweet babies for the first time!

 

Megan and Lucy.

 It's really not fair how my little sister is always photogenic!

 

Titi and Coco fighting for the title of number one aunt!

 

 Even though they had the most amazing team taking care of all of them while at the hospital, as well as few very special friends taking extra special care (thanks Ellen - we love you!) they were all thrilled beyond belief to arrive home yesterday afternoon. I think that calls for another Praise God people!!!

 

I know that there are so many others out there who have had stories much more difficult than ours.  However, this was just our journey and we are forever grateful for the blessing of a happy ending! We all learned a little more about each other and once again were reminded of the precious gift of life that our Lord and Savior gives to us each and every morning as our feet hit the floor. We are reminded of his pure love for us when we gaze into the eyes of our children.

 

Thank you heavenly Father for this journey and the two newest additons to our families. Thank you for the storm because after the storm is when the sun shines the brightest. Thank you for showing us what pure and unconditional love is only about so that we might all have a small understanding of the depth of your unconditional love for us. Most of all, thank you for answered prayers!

 

Welcome home Josh and Megan and welcome to the family Jack and Lucy!!!

 

Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow!!!