TWINS!

Jerrie and Craig came for 3 weeks in hopes that the babies would show up early. They didn't. While we waited, we made good use of our time.

The night before my scheduled C-section, Conner was able to give me a priesthood blessing with the help of Craig and Steve. It was a pretty emotional night. So many thoughts running through my mind: fear of surgery and the babies safe arrival, sadness that my dad and brothers couldn't participate in the blessing and that my parents wouldn't be there to witness the birth, excitement that the day was finally here, worries of how McCrae was going to handle this big change in his life, and how we were going to handle this big change in OUR lives? Following the blessing, however, I was filled with so much peace. I feel so completely blessed to have the priesthood in my life. We couldn't wait for the next day!

Our last picture as a family of 3.

March 28th was an exciting day, to say the least. I was supposed to go in for my scheduled C-section at 1:30 PM. I got a call that morning from the doctor saying that if I hurried in, she may be able to take me sooner. Conner and I packed our things, called Craig and Jerrie to come over, loaded the car (which consisted of about 40 minutes of car seat arranging), and headed to the hospital! Apparently, we took too long and by the time I was registered, they could no longer take me early. Then they came in and told us that there were also two emergency C-sections ahead of me and we would be bumped even further. We tried not to be disappointed, and just sat waiting in anticipation.

I was in the OR by 4:00. 20 minutes later two beautiful little girls were born. Hannah came first weighing 7 pounds and 4 ounces. Heidi follow shortly thereafter weighing 6 pounds and 2 ounces. We were delighted. And I was thrilled to finally have room enough to breathe again! Hannah came out screaming and didn't quit until they were finished cleaning her off. Heidi was much more quiet, which only made me nervous! But everything was perfect once they were in our arms.

We had to hang out in the post-op room until I could feel my legs again. This took hours! It definitely wasn't the highlight of her hospital stay, but we were just grateful that the girls were here safe and sound.

While we were waiting for the numbness to wear off, Craig and Jerrie brought McCrae to see the girls. He was bright eyed walking into the room. And when he saw one of them up close, his jaw dropped and he had the biggest grin on his face. It was so cute.

We enjoyed a few visitors over the next few days. Mara was so excited to hold a newborn and thought it was so special, she cried. It was darling.

Until we officially decided their names would be Hannah and Heidi, they were known as Twin A and Twin B.

We were able to FaceTime the rest of the family to share with them the newest members of our family. The days in the hospital were a little rough...I had forgotten how hard recovery was. Also, the hospital did not have a nursery for the girls so they slept by our sides every night. I think this turned out to be a big blessing in the end, but we were sure tired. I guess it was only to prep us for the rest of our lives! After a few days, we loaded up and headed home. I was sure ready to get outta there. Here are the girls wearing the same outfit I wore home from the hospital (Well, if I would have been a boy, my mom would have used the yellow one).

This whole thing has been so surreal. To think I was even pregnant with twins seems crazy. And to think that we get to raise these girls here on Earth just seems incomprehensible. I don't think having twins will ever sink in. We are just trying to survive one day at a time. And so far, we are enjoying it much more than I ever could have imagined. Heavenly Father has definitely blessed us two times over with these little angels. We will never be able to show enough gratitude for the blessings we have been given.