I can hardly believe that a year ago this time I was big pregnant. I loved being pregnant. I was blessed to have a very healthy, smooth pregnancy. All was going well and we thought for sure that I was going to make it to 37 weeks but little Jack had other plans. It was the day after Matt and I's 8th anniversary that Jack's water broke. That night when we got home I felt funny but had just thought I had eaten to much. I was pretty uncomfortable and couldn't sleep. Matt ended up in the guest room. The next morning I got up to tell Matt his alarm went off and I ended up falling asleep in that bed. It was probably around 8 am when I decided to get up. I stood up and my whole world changed. I was a little in shock and had never thought of what I would do if my water broke. Matt had already left and my phone was downstairs. I made it to my phone and called the hospital and they told me to come right in. When I called Matt he was so calm and said that he was heading back home. Now that I think about I should have packed a bag or at least put stuff together but instead I got dressed and waited by the door. Matt arrived and I was out the door and ready to go. Matt said he needed to run into the house. I remember thinking what in the world would he need in the house that couldn't wait. He came out with towels and had me get up so I wouldn't get his seats dirty...only Matt :) We made it to the hospital and they admitted me. The boys were doing well. I was put on bed rest and they wanted to try to get two steriod shots in. They had to be 24hrs apart. I was able to get the two shots before the boys came. The four days I was in the hospital before the boys came is a little of a blur. Throughout my pregnancy I had worried that I wouldn't know when I needed the epidural and that I would wait to long. Everyone said I would just know. They were so right! It was early Friday afternoon and the contractions started to get stronger. I can still remember looking at Matt and saying it is time go find someone! They came in and did the epidural and I was so thankful. I don't even know exactly how long I was in labor but it seemed to go quickly. They wheeled me to the OR. The plan was to have the boys naturally but they took me to the OR just in case. Thankfully they did. Jack was born and then it was about 15 minutes later they decided that Luke was going to need to be a c-section. Both boys were born healthy at 33 weeks and 4 days. Jackson Phillip Shupe weighed 4lbs 12oz and Lucas Alvin weighed 5lbs 7oz. Both boys were taken to the NICU because they were born so early. It was awhile before I was able to see them but when I did I couldn't believe how perfect they were.
The following 8 days were pretty rough for me. I was very sick and they weren't sure why. After lots of tests they found that I had blood clots in my pelvis. I was able to give myself shots to help dissolve them and I was able to go home. The day I was going home Matt was able to have lasik eye surgery and we were quiet the pair trying to get home :) The boys and I had been transferred to BAMC and the boys were still in the NICU. They were still figuring out how to eat and grow.
Jack was able to come home 3 weeks after birth and Luke came home in 4 weeks. The time they were in the NICU I had so many emotions. I was so thankful that they were here and doing well but still scary having them in the hospital. I'm not even sure how to explain it but it was tough. Matt was great and I was so thankful that my Mom and Jaimie were able to come early.
Matt and I were truly blessed with very two very special little boys.
