An Update On Our New Life

It is amazing how much our life has changed in the past two weeks. Being a mom is the greatest feeling in the world! There are times that I am talking to the babies and I will say something about "Mommy loves you" and every time I say it, I get chill bumps and tears in my eyes. I have wanted to be a mom for so long and it is amazing to know that Griffin and Bailey are my sweet babies. A couple of nights ago, when I was exhausted, I took each one into the room by themselves, fed them, and prayed with them. I sat there looking at them and was bawling thinking about how blessed I am to have them here and healthy. I did also have a pep talk with them about our sleeping routine! :) Although it is EXTREMELY tiring, I would not trade it for the world! We have now been home a week and two days and it's crazy to think that they are already almost two weeks old. The first two nights were VERY, VERY hard and I didn't know how I would survive, but it has gotten much better. My mom has been here since they were born and has been my lifesaver. She has been there with me when they were awake and screaming, when I was crying, when I needed to go for a walk, when teaching me how to bathe them correctly, and when I needed help with just some of the basics of being a mother. Like I said, the first two nights were AWFUL and we got about an hour of sleep each night. However, we have been able to get into somewhat of a routine and the past four nights they have only gotten up three times for 30 minutes each time. I am hoping that we can continue this routine!!

Bailey and Griffin both love bath time! They don't realize it when it first starts, but by the end of it, they are calm and ready to eat. Here are pictures of our first bath.

Griffin's first bath

Bailey relaxing after her first bath

We have gone to their first doctors appointments and we are having to go weekly for weight checks. Bailey and Griffin both LOVE their car seats and riding in the car. They have done great at their appointments and look so cute in the process! :) The doctor has told us to put them in the sun to make sure their jaundice doesn't act up again, so the car is a great place to get some sun!

Griffin headed to the doctor and getting some sun...now weighing 5 lb. 6 oz.

Bailey getting her tan...now weighing 5 lb. 9 oz.

We have also celebrated some different things since the babies have been here! The first one is one that I forgot to mention earlier...my sister, Hannah, got a niece and a nephew on her birthday. She now shares a birthday with them and has been so excited about it. She has been staying with us and has been such a huge help by getting up with them at night, changing diapers, feeding, rocking...you name it, she's done it! She is a beautiful girl and I am so proud of the girl that she has grown up to be!!!! 

Happy 17th Birthday Aunt Hannah!

We also celebrated the 4th of July, and let me just say, it's a good thing that these babies can sleep through anything right now. I was very patient about the fireworks going off like a war around us, but when midnight hit and they were still going off, it made it a little more difficult to be excited about the holiday. We did take time to take pictures in their sweet outfits though! I had said for awhile that they had to be born before the 4th because I already had outfits...I am so glad they listened to me! :)

Bailey and Griffin

My sweet family

My mom's birthday was Thursday and we were able to celebrate at my house! I have always known how blessed I am to have her as my mother, but words can not express how much she has meant to me and done for me this summer, especially during the past two weeks. She teaches kindergarten and it has worked out perfectly that she has been able to be here with me. She has taught me so much about being a mother already and has encouraged me when I have been unsure about something that I was doing. I have had many tears in the past two weeks, happy and stressful tears, and she has been there to rub my back and reassure me that it is normal and that I'm doing a great job...so even if I'm not, she makes me think I am! :) Happy Birthday Mom and thank you so much for everything!

Her favorite birthday gifts!! :)

We have had so many people offer to help us and we are so very appreciate of the offers! However, we are lucky to have family that loves to be here and they are here right now. I know that there will be many times in the future that we will take advantage of  the offers! My mom has gone home for the weekend and we have Jacob's mom and aunt here with us for the weekend! These babies are extremely loved and that means so much to us! Time to begin our nightly routine...here are a few more pictures! 

My sweet, sweet babies!

Griffin and Bailey's Birthday!

I never could have imagined how much love I would have for two sweet babies immediately! My life has changed drastically in the past week and it is absolutely exhausting, but wonderful, and I wouldn't give these sweet babies back for anything! :) I want to go through the events of what happened so that they will know someday, and that I won't forget.

Last Sunday was six days from when they allowed me to get off of my meds and bed rest. However, I wasn't able to do a whole lot since my energy level was very low from laying around for 11 and a half weeks. I told Jacob that I wanted to go to church that morning just to get out of the house. We went to church and it was great to see everyone...especially since I had not been to church since early April. That night, our church started Vacation Bible School. I am normally on the team that puts on VBS, so I was sad I hadn't been able to participate this year. I went to VBS and did "sit down" jobs that needed to be done. I was sitting in the foyer as everyone asked how I was doing and I stated, "great, but getting ready to have these babies." About 6:00, I started getting pains in my right side, but it wasn't what I thought a contraction would feel like. It felt like a burning that would come and go. My good friend, Pam, is a labor and delivery nurse that has been with me throughout this entire journey...and she is also in charge of VBS. I informed her that I was having pains, and I don't think she believed me because we joked that I would go into labor during VBS and she would need to be in two places at once. It got to the point where I felt so bad, I couldn't make small talk anymore. Pam sent me home with instructions to take a bath and try to relax. Jacob and my friend, Amanda, took me home and began packing the car as I took a bath to try to relax from what I thought were just weird pains. After the bath, they did not go away and Pam came over right after VBS. After checking me out, she informed me that I was in labor and we needed to go straight to the hospital. I could not believe it! It seems like we have waited so long for this and it didn't feel real that it was really happening. Pam drove me to the hospital and it seemed like we got there really fast. My parents were already on the road to come and we called Jacob's parents to let them know they better drive and drive fast! To say that the grandparents were excited was a complete understatement!!! The emotions I were feeling already were amazing as I knew that I would soon meet me sweet children that I have dreamed about for so long! Leaving our house knowing that we would come back with two babies was a feeling I will never forget.

Our last time in our house as a family of two

No turning back now!

My photographer and assistant labor coach before the fun began

Once at the hospital, I got into the gown and got hooked up to the monitors and was shocked that I was contracting every 1-2 minutes and was dilated to 5-6. Pam said she thought it would be around 5-6 a.m. Monday morning when they would come, and this was around 11:00 p.m. However, they decided they would come quickly. I got my epidural and bawled like a baby as I knew that this was really happening. I was so grateful to have Pam to lean on and Jacob's hand to squeeze throughout this phase of labor. Once the epidural was in, our friends and family that were there so far came in to visit, then were sent to the waiting room. By around 2:00, I was ready to push and everyone could not believe how fast it had happened. Jacob's parents arrived 5 minutes before they were born and we were so glad that they were able to make it. Labor was the most amazing experience and it still feels surreal that it happened. Griffin was born at 2:22 a.m. and as soon as he was out, the tears started flowing! When they said he was healthy and weighed 5 lb. 13 oz., I could not have been more grateful to hear those words. My mom and sister were able to stay in the delivery room too and when I looked up, Jacob, Mom, Hannah, and Pam were all crying too. While I was so grateful that Griffin was here, I knew I was only halfway done.

Meeting Griffin for the first time

Bailey's heart rate dropped pretty low, but they thought it was just because she came so fast....10 minutes after her brother at 2:32 weighing 5 lb. 14 oz.

Holding Bailey for the first time

My new family!

When they had both been born and the anxiety of that experience was over, it was like the flood of tears started and I knew that this portion of the journey was over and it had gone perfectly! Pam said that it was unheard of for the birth of twins to go so smoothly, but I know that God was watching over us and after this long journey, He was going to help us through all of it! Watching Jacob become a father was the most amazing experience. At one point, I looked over and he was holding Griffin, looking at them cleaning Bailey, and had tears streaming down his face. I feel like I cried for a good hour!

Jacob's parents arrived right before Griffin was born and after their birth, my Dad and Jacob's parents came in and the crying REALLY began with the grandparents all meeting their grandchildren for the first time. After many pictures and holding time, the rest of our "cheering section" came in to meet Bailey and Griffin.

Our cheering section anxiously waiting

Meeting their grand babies for the first time!

Not pretty of me, but a sweet moment!

I'm telling you, everyone was crying! :) 

Can you tell these grandmothers are excited??

Love them already!

So glad you made it in time!

Ponder side (minus Hayden who was able to come the next day)

Hayden holding Griffin

Uncle David and Aunt Jessie were able to be here!

Fox side of the family (with Jenna on Skype in Florence)

I was absolutely exhausted, but so happy and grateful that both of our sweet babies were here safely! At about 3:30, everyone headed home and they told me that they would take care of them for the night. YEAH RIGHT!!! The adrenaline of the experience was still pumping and I laid in bed looking through all of the pictures, and of course...crying! I will put pictures of the night and will write more another day about each of them, their personalities, their sleeping habits so far, etc. My life has changed so much in a week and I feel so blessed to have my sweet babies, my supportive husband, family who is losing sleep and will lose much more in the future helping us, and friends who are so excited for us! Let the fun times begin!!

Getting ready to leave the hospital after four days. We had to stay an extra day because of a little jaundice, but it was my dream to leave the hospital with my babies and my wish came true! I love that Jacob already has a little drool on his shirt...welcome to fatherhood! :)

Absolutely In Love!!!!

Words can not even desribe the way that I have felt these past two days! I am so in love with Bailey and Griffin and am so excited to be their Mommy! I will write another post when we get home about their birth, but for now, I'll just give you a few pictures...I personally think that they're the most beautiful babies!

Griffin Bradley

Born at 2:22 a.m. on June 27

5 lb. 13 oz and 19.5" long

Bailey Jane

Born at 2:32 a.m. on June 27

5 lb. 14 oz. and 19" long

(Bailey has her eyes closed, Griffin has his eyes open)

Bailey and Griffin are both doing amazing! They have had to spend the day under the billi lights because they were on the borderline of being jaundiced. I have really missed having them with me, but have enjoyed their visits every three hours to feed. It is amazing to me to think about our scare at 25 weeks and think how big and perfect they are....God is so good! Jacob and I have spent a lot of time in prayer with God telling him how thankful we are for what he has done for us. I will admit that I am exhausted....I think I have had around 7 hours of sleep since Saturday night...so I am looking forward to sleeping some tonight! Thank you so much for your prayers, sweet messages, and just being excited for us! I'm so sorry if I haven't responded, but just know that it means so much to us! My next post will more than likely be very long to tell their birth story, so be looking for that! :)

36 weeks and officially ready! :)

It has been an interesting week having Jacob home with me after his surgery. He is still in some pain, but recovering well and he has gone to two sesions of physical therapy, which are not his favorite part of the day! This picture was taken on Father's Day....we are a sight to see and we had to document this time with a picture...

Our little family...with pictures of Bailey and Griffin! :)

Jacob's parents came last Thursday for Jacob's surgery and stayed until Sunday to help take care of him since I'm not much help to him, haha...I didn't get any pictures while they were here, but they did install the car seat bases into the car and I LOVE looking at our two little car seats...makes it feel more real.

Very soon, we will have two babies in these seats!

I am 36 weeks this week and had two great doctors appointments. I had my last appointment with my specialist and we ended up waiting THREE HOURS because he had an emergency he had to go to...can't get too upset though because I would want him to do the same for me if I was in that position! Mom and Hannah went with me and we went and got a little breakfast at McBrides in Baptist, which was wonderful!



Hannah and I passing the time

My mom has already helped me so much and Griffin and Bailey aren't even here yet!

Once we actually got to see the doctor, we had a great appointment....both babies are still head down and have "great fluid around them." I feel like I could quote him now as he does the ultrasounds, but I love getting to see them! He said that Bailey weighs around 5 lb. 7 oz. and Griffin weighs around 5 lb. 3 oz. He said that unless I just want to come visit again, I am officially done! I feel like I have graduated! We have come so far since 25 weeks when the babies were not even 2 lbs.  My doctor is extremely professional, but he was willing to take a picture to celebrate our last appointment...

Dr. Chattelain is one smart fellow! So thankful he has helped me make it this far!

Now that 36 weeks has hit and I know that it's safe for them to come, I am ready to meet these babies. Sleeping is pretty much gone out the window, as well as breathing! When he did the ultrasound of Bailey, he was putting the "wand" on my ribs and there were her legs! He said they are her weapon of choice and I completely believe that...good grief! haha. I am feeling huge but can not wait to meet Bailey and Griffin. Now we just wait! Someone told me that I'm not going to have a life after they're born, but little do they know, I will be more active when they're here than I have been the past three months!

Hannah is amazed at the size of my stomach

Next appointment is Monday...when will Bailey and Griffin make their appearance??



35 weeks and other events

Well, I am 35 weeks today and feel so blessed to have reached this point in my pregnancy. I remember being in the hospital at 25 weeks thinking how much I would love to make it to 35 weeks and here we are! :) I am for sure uncomfortable now with sleeping, backaches, and just the inconvenience of being almost 9 months pregnant.We had an appointment yesterday with a different doctor because mine is out of town until Sunday (pray that I can make it until he gets back). He was extremely impressed and couldn't believe that I had made it this long being dilated to a 3 at 25 weeks. He said both babies look good and are both head down and "ready to go." My mom took me to the doctor and she was excited because he did an ultrasound to check them out. I still don't think it has completely hit me how close we are and how much our lives are about to change...especially considering I've been on bed rest for 10 weeks! I have an appointment Monday with my doctor and Wednesday for my last appointment with my specialist...I feel like we're graduating!! :) Here's my weekly picture...wonder how many more weekly pictures I will have?!?!

(I know I had on purple in my last picture...I do wear clothes other than purples ones, it just happened to work out this way).

In other Fox family news, Jacob had his surgery today. I told him that he was just tired of me getting all of the attention around here! :) The surgery was a little more than we thought that it would be. They had to go in and stitch up his miniscus and make him a new ACL out of his hamstring. Needless to say, he's in more pain than he expected to be. He has a doctors appointment next Thursday to remove the stitches and then he will begin physical therapy. My favorite quote of the day is when he said "I'm tired of laying on this couch!!!!!" and this was after about 5 hours of being on the couch. I just looked at him with no sympathy....in my opinion, 5 hours does not compare to 10 weeks! haha. I am glad that he is getting this fixed now, but I will be honest and say that I've tried really, really hard to remain positive about it...I am emotional anyway right now, especially with this little kink in our plans! My mom spent the beginning of the week with us, Jacob's parents are here now until Sunday, and my mom is coming back Sunday. We require constant "babysitting" since if I went into labor, Jacob can't drive me! Ohhh the memories we're making! I will put up a picture soon of both of us in our perches...we're quite the sight to see, that's for sure! He is in good spirits tonight though and is not hurting as bad as he was earlier! Please keep us in your prayers that they babies stay put a little longer, that Jacob will have minimal pain with a quick recovery, and that I will stay in good spirits! I feel like I say this all of the time, but thank you so much for all of your prayers and support...it means so much to us!!!

No one can accuse us of being boring!

No worries, I am still stable and hanging in there. However, we have had a little kink thrown into our plans. You might remember about two weeks ago that I said Jacob hurt his knee playing church softball...it had been getting better, but the past few days, has been bothering him a little bit. After some nudging, he decided to go to the doctor and the result is a torn miniscus and a torn acl. He will be having surgery on Thursday morning. Please pray for us that we can get through at least one more week. The doctor told him that he will be on crutches for about a week and then will be going to physical therapy. He said it's his goal to have the fastest recovery ever...oh dear! Can you tell we like a little excitement in our life?!?! Making memories!!! I will have to post a picture of both of us bedridden people after his surgery.

On a happy note, nursery is almost complete and I can post pictures soon! Doctor appointment tomorrow...it's funny that all of the nurses and secretaries know me by name now...I feel like I'm there all the time! Almost 35 weeks, but really want to make it until at least Monday because my doctor will be back in town!!!!!

34 weeks and Dr. Appointments

We have made it another week to 34 weeks! I have slept a little better this week, but have felt more worn out lately. I had two doctor appointments this week and they both went pretty good! I went to my regular doctor on Tuesday and things are still stable...and he did a little dance to celebrate making it this far. He said he was so proud of us for making it this far! He did say that he doesn't think we will make it to 37 weeks, but he wasn't sure we'd make it this far either, so we shall see! :) Wednesday I went to my specialist and he said that Griffin is "ready to come" because he is so low right now. He said he considered me a "ticking time bomb" and something could happen any down now, or weeks from now...it's just all up in the air. For a planner like me, this doesn't work out so well for me because I would like to know...but it's all in God's timing and I'm so glad he's allowed us to make it this far, so I will just be patient and see when Bailey and Griffin decide to make their appearance. It still doesn't feel quite real that we are a few weeks away from being parents! Others have told me how crazy and tiring it is going to be, but I really am so excited to meet our sweet babies and Jacob will be fantastic help for me, as well as the rest of our support system! Both babies are weighing around 4 and a half pounds each, which I was really proud of...if we could make it one more week, we would be close to 5 pounds, which would be fantastic!  They're growing...and it certainly feels like it! :)

My mom and I went to lunch before my doctors appointment and it takes me a little while to figure out why people are staring at me...then I remember. I also had quite a few people give me advice and tell me I better sleep now. My favorite question is "are you having a boy or a girl?", my answer being "both", and seeing their reactions! Who knows how many more weekly posts I will have?!?! :) I feel like we have a few more weeks to go! Please keep us in your prayers as we are preparing for parenthood and that the babies will be born healthy!