The Day My World Changed Forever

I spent all Sunday in Women's Special Care. The contractions had calmed down and  were really far apart again, and I generally felt OK.
However, later in the evening I started to not feel that great. Me being stupid, and not really knowing what was going on, I just thought I needed to go to the bathroom. I had my nurse, Emily, give me Milk of Magnesia, and I drank of can of prune juice, but I was still in terrible pain. The pain was way low in my back, and going down into my hips. It started out not so bad. But around 1:30 am or so I could not stand the pain any more. I called the nurse in to see if she could give me anything else. She looked at me, saw how I was breathing, and said "I think you are in labor". She had Justin try and time how far apart my contractions were based on how I was breathing. She wanted to check the babies, but the contractions were so close together, and much more painful. I could not lay on my back, so she could not get access to my belly to find the babies on the monitor. At this point I was in so much pain I did not care what happened next. They wheeled my over to Labor and Delivery, and because of the location of the pain they could not do anything either.  They did however tell me the babies were coming, and they were going to deliver via c-section.
I already knew that it was going to be a c-section. I had been told previously that even though baby A was head down, it would just cause too much stress to go through a vaginal delivery when they were so tiny.
The few seconds I had in between contractions I had to do something to get ready. So basically it went, contractions, sign a consent form for c-sections, contractions, put on a belly band, contraction, tried to listen to the babies heart tones, contractions, examine my cervix (I was dilated to about a 5 or 5.5), contractions, cut off belly band. Plus sometime in all of this the IV in my hand started to BURN! I made them change the IV over to the other hand.

First minutes. (and yes that is a regular sized post-it note)

During this time Justin was holding my hand, and telling me that I was not squeezing his hand hard enough. I think that changed as time went on. He also got to go change into some scrubs so he could be with me during the c-section.
He could not come with me at first. I was wheeled into the operating room, and they told me he could come in a few minutes and join me.
First, they transferred me from my bed to the operating table. Once again each step was happening in between a contraction. I sat on the edge of the table with me feet hanging over and they gave me a couple of warm blankets and a table to rest my arms on. Then came my best friend again, the anesthesiologist. He was a super nice guy, really calm, and told me exactly what to expect. He felt around on my back, told me this was going to be the worst part, a sharp poke, and it may burn or sting for a minute.
It really was not too terrible, it did burn, and I did make some kind of noise when the needle went in. It was probably less than a minute before my feet and legs started to tingle. They helped me lay down on the table, and said that they were sorry but I was going to feel really exposed for a few minutes, but not to worry, we were all friends. I was in so much pain and completely terrified, that laying on a tiny metal table completely exposed was the least of my worries. While they were cleaning me all off, and getting me all draped, they also strapped my arms down. I honestly think that was worst part to have my arms pulled out and strapped down. I understand why they did it, they did not want me trying to swat at them during the procedure, but it was still terrible.
Justin was then able to come in. He told me that he called my parents and told them that I was having the babies, and that they loved me. He was so sweet, during the procedure he tried to keep me calm. He rubbed my arms and my shoulders. I was still nervous or terrified or something, and through the entire procedure my arms were shaking like crazy. I could not calm down and get them to stop shaking.
When Wilson came out they let Justin go and try and take a picture, the problem being they whisk those babies into the NICU and he barely got to see them. (there is a little window from the operating room into the NICU that they just quickly pass the baby through when they are born).
One of the sweet nurses asked if we wanted her to go snap a few pictures for us. She went and took a few pics. I thought that was super sweet of her.
They then proceeded to clean and sew me up. Having a c-section is totally bizarre. All I could feel was them tugging, lots of pressure, and a suction every once an a while. Eventually someone came over and told us that the babies were all hooked up, and breathing, and doing well. I had never felt so relieved in my whole life. I felt like maybe I could calm down a little. I really didn't though.  I was still shaking like crazy. I also remember the sound of them stapling me up, that was really weird. I could not feel it, or see it, but I knew what they were doing and the thought of it was really strange.

Wilson Floyd Parkinson

They wheeled me back into Labor and Delivery and let me rest for a little bit. Not to much time passed before my parents showed up. I did not expect them to show up  at 3 am but they were there to be with me. I did not realize how big of a comfort it was going to be to have them there. I am so blessed to have such amazing parents.
I pretty much got to rest and the nurse would come in and check my belly. The nurse that checked my belly was so nice, but so mean. I felt like she was trying to stick her hand all the way though my stomach. It was so painful. My Mom said they were probably trying to push the gunk inside of me out as much as they could. That made sense, but oh my goodness it hurt!
A few hours later they took me back to Women's Special Care. By this time we still had not been able to go see the babies. I knew they would not let me until later that day, but I think Justin was getting a little anxious. They said they had other babies coming into the NICU, so we had to wait until everything calmed down before he could go over there.
When they finally let Justin go over, he took my parents as well. I told him to take lots of pictures for me. Justin has been such a sweet dad. You can just see how much he loves our babies. And to watch him interact with them is priceless. I always get a little teary thinking about it.
I think I was finally able to go around 5pm or so. Once I had my catheter out, and had eaten something they wheeled me over.
I was really terrified to see them. In my imagination they were so tiny they could fit in may hand. Being able to see them was a huge relief! They were small, but not as small as I thought they were going to be. They are probably between 13 and 14 inches long. But still so tiny, and there skin was very very red. But they were doing well, and all hooked up to help their breathing, and we were told they were doing just great.

Stella Grace Parkinson

They are so tiny, but they are ding so well, and improving everyday. We are so blessed to have these two special little people join our family. They already have so many people that love them and pray for them daily.
I feel incredibly blessed to have my wee little ones, and to have such amazing friends and family. This is truly what life is about, I would of never gotten through these trials without their strength. I thank my Heavenly Father daily for these wonderful little babies of mine. Things may have been difficult to bring about, and things never went as planned, but it all has a purpose and I have learned and grown so much. We have a long road to go before they can leave the hospital, and I'm sure that will not be easy. But, I am still so grateful, and so blessed, and have never been happier.