We came here to have babies

I remember this day last year vividly. I was laying in bed in the morning, uncomfortably on my side, sleepless like I had been for months. I had an extraordinarily large belly, stretched out more than I ever thought possible. My doctor had been talking induction for weeks as my body showed kidney abnormalities and signs of pre-eclempsia. My body was struggling to provide nourishment to the growing, full term twins.

The phone rang at about 9am, a friendly woman named Nancy from BC Women's Hospital was calling to tell me they had some room there, that my doctor was there, and if I wanted to come in for an induction, I could. I hung up to think about it. I talked to Orlando and he encouraged me to do what I felt right, but I knew that every day that passed was getting more difficult, and he was worried and stressed about my health and well-being. At this point in my pregnancy, I felt desperate, depressed and beyond ready. I decided to go into the hospital and phoned Nancy to tell her.

Orlando told work he wouldn't be coming in, and we drove over to my brother and sister-in-law's house. It was blazing hot, and we were all feeling emotional as we thought about the labour ahead of me and the imminent arrival of the girls. They told me I should eat, and had leftover pizza so I had a slice (bad idea alert! I saw that pizza later). Jen drove us to the hospital, trying to be cheery and relaxed, but we were worried and scared.

In the hospital waiting room I tried desperately to get comfortable, sitting, standing, laying. There was no way I could get even remotely relaxed or comfortable in my condition. Finally they led us to my delivery room - and coincidentally, where Jen gave birth to her son a mere 8 months earlier. We set up shop, my waters were broken, and the labour began.

A lifetime ago. A year ago. So much has changed! I'm so looking forward to the girls' first birthday tomorrow, to start a new year with them. Everyone was right, it just keeps getting better!