16 Months

The girls turned 16 months old yesterday. The 26th of every month seems to come faster and faster. Sometimes I barely recognize that the 26th is here and we have made it another month raising twin girls. These girls are the light of my life and I can't even remember what life was like before these sweet girls made their entrance into the world. I think I vaguely remember a little more sleep but I don't remember the fulfilment I have today.

As the time passes, I barely remember what it was like being pregnant. Sometimes when I get a gas bubble, I am reminded of the movement the girls used to do in my womb. I miss those quiet mornings when the girls would wake up and roll around and play together inside of me. The miracle of life amazes me sometimes and I just can't get over how much of a miracle it is to bring children into this world. I am also reminded of how our story could be very different.

Our first scare started at 18 weeks when my cervix began shrinking rapidly and the doctors didn't even know if I would make it to 24 weeks where viability could be an option. I was put into the hospital for a few days to monitor the girls and keep me on strict bed rest. We later learned that a cerclage to keep my cervix closed was not an option and the best way to stay pregnant would be lying horizontal until the girls made their entrance.

I remember feeling so scared and so upset that after all we had been through, we might not get to keep our little girls. I made a vow to myself to do my best with the bed rest and do the job of baking our girls as long as possible. I was released after few days to home bed rest and was told to come back to the hospital around 24 weeks where they would get more aggressive to keep the girls inside my womb. Looking back on this now, I see that the doctors didn't know if I would make it to 24 weeks and at 18 weeks there wasn't much they could do. Well I surprised them all and made it past 24 weeks, and I got to participate in my early baby shower. I remember not wanting to plan on the shower or register for items not knowing if the girls would make it. When we got to 24 weeks my confidence grew and I knew I would have happy healthy girls. I was put in the hospital 2 more times before the girls were born and I did my best to carry them to 32w6d gestation.

Now we have beautiful girls that don't seem to be affected much by their prematurity. Our girls are toddlers now and they walk, attempt to run, and play all over our house. They are growing like weeds and we are excited to take them on their first visit of many to Disneyland in 2 weeks. We are a big Disneyland family and the girls will have many visits over the years to the Happiest Place on Earth.

Mommy loves you girls and I just ask that time slows down just a bit so I can enjoy the last bit of your babyhood.