My Girls

I have been putting off the story of Kaitlyn and Sienna because I've been so busy - no excuse I know.  I decided that I had to make myself write it all down and one place, so that's what I'm going to do.

Their story begins on September 9, 2007 - the day I found out I was expecting my 2nd child (or so I thought!).  A couple of months before Erik's 3rd birthday, I was casually asking him what he wanted for his birthday.  Without hesitation, he said "a baby brother AND a baby sister".  After I picked my jaw up, I told him in the nicest way possible that that would never happen.  Kyle and I weren't preventing getting pregnant, but we weren't actively trying either.  We obviously knew what could happen and we were prepared for that.  Erik's birthday came and went and he was still asking for a baby brother and a baby sister.  I decided to take a pregnancy test on 09.09.07 and with Erik watching EVERYTHING that I was doing, I pee'd on the stick.  He asked a gazillion questions and I answered them the best I could.  We sat in the bathroom waiting for the results and as quick as I could put the stick down, there were 2 bright pink lines.  I smiled and hugged Erik and told him to go tell Daddy that Mommy had a baby in her belly.  He ran as fast as lightening to the bedroom and told Kyle.  Kyle wasn't quite as happy as me and Erik were - he eventually came around though.

The next time I was in Walmart, I decided to buy some of those iron on appliques announcing that I was pregnant to everyone.  My dad was the first to find out because he came over unexpectedly when I was ironing the applique onto my shirt.  We slowly made our way around and told everyone and we were over the moon.  I had my first OB appointment around 6 or 7 weeks and was scheduled to come back on into the pregnancy.  I never remember an appointment to hear the heart beat or anything like that.  Matter of fact, I'm sure we never had a "heartbeat" appointment.

As the weeks went on, I had more and more people comment on how big I was getting.  I brushed it off as the second pregnancy belly and continued on about my day.  Erik was now telling people that I had a baby brother and a baby sister in my belly.  Great!!! Now he's spreading rumors about his own Mama!!!!

I can remember being sicker than I had ever been in my life and automatically assuming I was having a girl because my pregnancy was so different from when I was pregnant with Erik.  My face broke out and I was down right scary looking.  It was probably around that time that I had being pregnant and decided I NEVER wanted to do it again!!

Thanksgiving Day, 2007 - I had planned to prepare my first Thanksgiving meal for my little family of 3, plus my Mama, Brother and his wife.  In the midst of peeling potatoes for potato salad, I felt a huge gush.  I didn't take the time to look down because I just took off to the bathroom.  There was blood everywhere (I know, TMI - sorry!)  I burst into tears and told Kyle that I thought I was losing the baby.  I was around 14 weeks along so I knew there was nothing to do to save him/her.  Kyle got on the phone with my Mama and told her she needed to rush to our house as fast as possible and watch Erik so that he could take me to the ER.  She finally got to our house and off we went to the hospital.  I was cramping like crazy and I could still feel the blood coming out (again, TMI - sorry!).  We got into the ER and surprisingly enough, didn't have to wait that long.  Back in triage, they rolled in what looked like the first ever ultrasound machine ever made and tried to find a heartbeat.  There was nothing.  I knew enough to know that silence during ultrasounds was never good.  The doctor wouldn't tell me anything, but insisted I have a proper ultrasound by an actual ultrasound tech - I wonder now why I didn't have that to begin with, but whatever.  After waiting on an ultrasound room to open up, we were wheeled in.  I was still crying and Kyle wasn't sure what to do.  The tech got started and was really quiet.  I immediately asked her if I had miscarried.  She looked at me like I was crazy and simply said "no".  It was like she had no idea why I even thought I was miscarrying.  She looked around for a little bit longer and casually said "You know you're having twins right?"  Had I not been laying down, I would've passed out!!!!  Kyle turned as white as a ghost and I just sat there with my mouth open and repeatedly asking if she was kidding.  She obviously wasn't.

We left the hospital that day more blessed than we could've ever imagined!

Less than a month after Thanksgiving, we were back in the ultrasound room finding out the sex of our babies.  I was a nervous wreck.  I wanted a little girl so badly, but I had the feeling I was carrying 2 more boys.  I really don't know why I felt that way considering how sick I was in the early stages of my pregnancy.  The tech revealed that not only would I get my little girl, but I'd have TWO little girls.  I was OVER THE MOON!!!!!!!!  I got put out of work shortly after this and spent the remainder of my pregnancy on bedrest.  I endured several trips to L & D for pre-term labor.  Poor Erik was terrified of the hospital by this point and would cry every time I mentioned a doctor's appointment.  The 2 nights I had to be away from him and in the hospital ruined him :(

I managed to sneak out of the house to have some maternity pictures taken and I'm so glad that I did - these pics were taken at 35 weeks....

kissing his sisters

Erik made Kyle buy these 2 little bears when I was in the hospital

You can actually see a little foot kicking near the top of my belly 

Just over 2 weeks later, I was being admitted into the hospital to be induced.  My doctor felt so very bad for me and I was miserable, but had I known what I know now about induction, I would've just continued to suffer.

37.2 weeks and beyond ready to have some babies!

Our last picture as a family of 3!!

Kaitlyn Della - born at 9:46 p.m. on 05.01.08

Stingy little thing took all of Sienna's nutrients - She weighed an even 8 lbs.

And tiny Miss Sienna Faith - born at 10:16 p.m. - 30 minutes after her sister!!

She weighed 6.8 lbs. 

My TWO baby girls!!!

This is a look of pure exhaustion and RELIEF!!!!

Erik meeting Sienna for the first time

Kisses for Kaitlyn

Going home and yes, I realize I look a HOT mess!!

So tiny!!!!

already Daddy's girls!

1 year old!!! (05.01.09)

The last year FLEW by!!!

When the girls were 18 months old, they had to tell their big brother goodbye.  I know that they have no real memory of him ever being on this earth, but I pray that all of my stories about him will stay with them forever.

Their last picture together :( - 11.09.09

2 years old!!! (05.01.10)

How old are you Sienna?  I'm three!!! (05.01.11)

3 years old!!

The last (almost) 4 years have flown by.  These two girls have saved me from myself and I know for a fact that I wouldn't be on this earth if it wasn't for them.  I can see Erik in both of them and I'm so grateful for that.  In a couple of weeks they'll be 4 years old and I'm having a really hard time wrapping my head around that!  I feel like I've blinked and they've went from itty bitty babies to little girls.

Both of them love dressing up and playing "Mommy" - although Kaitlyn is usually always the Mommy.  Sienna is my little tom boy and loves when there are boys around to get dirty with.  Kaitlyn is a diva in all senses of the word.  She has to be in control and as much as I hate to admit it, she is my mini-me.  What can I say - girl knows what she wants and WILL get it no matter what!  She has Erik's loving, cuddly nature and depending on the day, she looks just like him.  Sienna has Erik's independent nature and if she didn't have long blonde hair and blue eyes, I'd swear it was Erik walking around our house sometimes.  Her mannerisms are identical to some of the things he use to do and I can't help but laugh at her sometimes.  She's hilarious and doesn't even try to be.  Sienna is very easy going, and for that, I'm also thankful.  My nerves couldn't handle two of Kaitlyn!!

I love these beauties more than they'll ever know.  They are my world and I would do anything for either of them.  I can't wait to see them continue to grow and mature and have all of their dreams come true.  I know that both of them will do BIG things one day!!