Happy Birthday My Loves You Are 2! :-)

Happy Birthday to my girls you both turn 2 today!!! Here is a little bit of my story for you Baili and Kirra. This is what happened the day you were born. It wasn't a usual day by any means. Momma couldn't even talk about it before this but it is important you know at least part of the day you were born. It was a happy day but a scary one as well. We love you both so much!

I remember like it was yesterday.

I woke up and felt pain.

Kind of like period cramps, but worse...

Actually I felt pain all night and the day before at my shower a little.

I was trying to walk it off but it did not work.

In my apartment.

I decided to call my doctor's office.

I thought they wouldn't talk to me on a Sunday.

They have doctors on call for that. Oh??? Okay.

Obviously, I had never had one problem during my whole pregnancy!

Josh drove me to the hospital.

Of course my doctor was celebrating Thanksgiving in another state!!

I was dead wrong, they wanted me to check into the hospital immediately.

Since I had twins they wanted to make sure all was well.

No one was very worried, until I checked in.

What about my birthing plan??

Where was my doctor??

Why was I in Prenatal Intensive Care High Risk Unit??

Yes a long title. I kept reading it over and over....

Why were there so many doctors everywhere on top of me??

They did a double Amniocentesis test to check if I had an infection in my waters both sacs.

Since all the heavy medicine wouldn't stop my labor.

Try a double Amniocentesis tests while in FULL LABOR and you can't move or you can harm your babies....

Oh and had to sign a document that they are NOT responsible if they harm my babies, I am.

I didn't even want to do one during my pregnancy because of all of the risks!

They said we don't think there will be an infection, we just want to rule everything out.

They were wrong.

Tests were positive.

I had an infection that was very serious.

Then they have their people come in to tell me.

Who the heck wants that job?

A lady and a man to tell me.

A couple of doctors to tell me how risky it was to birth them today.

I then had a Priest come and pray over my stomach with my family and Josh.

I had an infection in my water.

My doctor lady told me my twins had very little chances of survival.

Everyone was crying in the room, except me.

I was in SHOCK!

I told everyone to keep it together, or they had to leave.

Josh had to go outside for a bit, he couldn't handle it.

My Mom and Dad had twins at 29 weeks, my brothers, they didn't make it so he was a mess.

I was 29 weeks.

Babies were safer to be on the outside.

Once they told us I needed to have an emergency C-Section to save my babies, or give them chances at life.

My life was insane at this moment.

I wasn't due until Valentines Day Time?

I went in and was 9cm dilated and in full labor by this time.

They gave me every drug under the sun to stop my labor.

Hooked me up to every machine.

Watched my babies hearts.

My babies wouldn't budge.

They wanted out!

I had an infection in my water or in baby A's placenta.

To this day, I still really don't know?

I was 29 weeks along and 5 days.

In the long story short- my angels were born via emergency c-section.

Kirra Ruthi Ideker at 6:43 pm. (Baby A). -Kirra was head down.

Baili Julia Ideker at 6:44 pm. (Baby B). -Baili was sideways, she still sleeps that way!!

Baili was in the NICU for 13.5 weeks.

Kirra was in the NICU for 9.5 weeks.

We are SO BLESSED they are preemie miracles!!!

Happy Birthday to you two, my angels!

Mama and Dada love you so much along with all of your family and friends!!

I LOVE YOU!!

Once again Happy Birthday my girls, we made it to 2. Let's celebrate!!!

Love,

The Mama

The twins and I donate toys to PHOENIX CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL each year on their birthdays, as a new tradition. This will be our second year. PCH has been a big part of our lives sadly. I am excited to cheer up at least one child in there. Makes them feel like a child for one minute instead of a patient. Thank you to PCH and St. Joesph's Hospital for saving my babies lives and continuing to save and help my Baili. If any one reading this has toys to donate think about PCH they need them for all the children in there. Many of the children in there live there and would love a toy that may be just sitting in your home.

Some More Pictures of the ANGELS Turning 2. :-)

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Girls 2nd Bday Party!

Here are a few pictures from the girls b-day party.
It was a lot of fun with family and friends. :-)
More to come.... here are just a couple from the 200 taken by family and I.
My twins are 2 on 11/30!

With Love,
Mama

Da Park.

Loved the swing.

Hard to get K to sit still for a picture. =)

Well after picking up the girls after work tonight I was driving along my usual drive. We pass the same park each day but I usually don't stop. We point and say "park." I work full time 50+ hours a week, I am tired and we do playtime, dinner, baths, playtime, clean up, reading, and bedtime at home. I am very structured for many reasons... One big one is I am up at five every day and I work hard. I am tired. However tomorrow is Thanksgiving did I say H-O-L-I-D-A-Y!!! Plus I have two days off and I took Monday and Tuesday off too for my girls 2nd b-day! So we have time to stop at the park and RELAX. Well toddlers don't relax but I mentally can. Kirra probably went down all the slides about 50 times, no joke. Baili went down with me and herself. She also loved the swings. Kirra of course (independent girl she is).... was playing with all the kids there and talking and sliding non stop. We need to stop at the park more often after work. No matter how tired I am. They love it. Kirra hugged every kid in sight and another girl (she was 8) was playing with Baili and Kirra non stop. Took Baili to the slide and swings tons of times... She did see the g-tube and never seen one before. I explained about it and she understood as much as a 8 yr old can and took off continuing to play with Baili. That girl also never heard of twins before and really couldn't understand that concept.

Saturday we are having a fun b-day celebration at the house! What fun! I am doing a big one, hopefully it will be fun.

Monday will be their 2yr well appointments with Dr. Jim (I still can't believe they'll be 2). Also Monday they have the NICU nurse coming to my house to do many developmental tests on both girls. Hey the hospital does it for free, might as well make sure everything is good... Nurse Bonnie from the NICU Home Program. She came every 3 months for the first year or more and every six after that. She is great. She saw us in Tempe and now in Paradise Valley which is very far away. Always helpful and got us started on every single therapy we do for Baili. She is so great, thank God hospitals have NICU home nurses to help parents know what to look for and do with preemies. She has helped us with all Baili's needs and making us feel comfortable that Kirra is right on or above her age level from birth. Kirra had some issues up to six months and reflex until 14 months but doing great now. No longer a "preemie."

The girls also have a program coming on Monday (this is usual) to do fun projects "Parenting Arizona." So Monday we have six appointments...love to fill my vacation days with productive activities.

Then Tuesday at 6:43 pm (Kirra) and 6:44 pm (Baili) --the girls turn 2. I remember that day like it was yesterday. =) Baili will have PT that morning like usual... =)

My angels and best friends. :)

My babies are growing up and will be toddlers soon.
They are the happiest little angels around.
I love you both more than life!!!!!

Kirra Ruthi Ideker - 23 months taken on 11/22/10


Baili Julia Ideker, 23 months, taken on 11/22/10

Yummy Cupcakes.

The count down is on.

My babies will be 2 in one week.

November 30 officially, at 6:42 pm and 6:43 pm.

Emergency C-Section, 12 weeks early.

I can't believe how time flies.

I am so thankful for my beautiful preemies turning 2.

They had a long road in the beginning.

You see them today and you'd never know.

God they are the best princess' I know!!

Here are some cupcakes I made today.

Just some testers.

First time making cupcakes.

They turned out really well.

Now what to do with them?

These were just the test ones.

I am sure K and B will test them...

They need to be prepared for their big day on Saturday, right??

Yummy yellow cake with pink cream cheese frosting.

Yum!

Love,

The Mama

Don't Blink.

Nurse Kim from St. Joesph's Hospital - Only one nurse that saved my babies life, she's a BIG deal, BIG deal in our life. Haven't seen her in over a yr and there were over 2.000 people there and we ran into her first. Seem ironic? I thank God for her and all the nurses at St. Joe's - beyond words. She knew my kids names and who was who. I guess we made a mark being there for 15 weeks.

My Kirra love.

Baili Julia Ideker

Twins

Baili and Kirra :-)

Twin Love.

Kirra Ruthi Ideker

Dear Life,
Please slow down a little. My twins are getting too big and I'm afraid that by tomorrow they will be teenagers if I'm not careful. And I remember when I was a teenager.
Sincerely,
Katie

Dear Baili,
Please keep smiling at me every morning. I couldn't get through the day without you. You are everything to me. God chose me to raise you and I couldn't be happier. You are the funniest person in the world. Please never quit dancing. I have never known a comedian that dances so much! The end. PS- I love you very much even if you do. Also thank you for being so beautiful and smart. It simply makes things so wonderful.
Love you a billion infinity equal to Kirra (just saying),
Your Mama

Dear Kirra,
Please keep yelling, "Mama Mama MA-MA BED!!!!!!" It truly is funny. Please keep being here for Baili and I. You truly are the "best-est" daughter and sister anyone could ever ask for and be around!!! Also thank you for being so beautiful and smart. It simply makes things so wonderful. I can't believe I was a "part" in creating you - you are seriously the sweetest baby on Earth!!
Love you a billion infinity too equal to Baili (just saying),
Your Mama

Dear Work,
No matter how hard you are. I am thankful I have you in our economy and I pray each night to God for being here for me. Did I say I enjoy my job too? I DO! Not a lot of people can say that. I do!
Thank you,
Katie

Dear Body,
Please return to your former state of cuteness before I had the twins. No, really, it's been almost 2yrs already and you are still are not pretty.
Love,
Katie

Dear Mom,
There isn't a day that goes by that I wish you were here. I miss you more than life. I still don't understand why God would take you from me. However I am trying to understand why. No one understands until it happens to them one day. I miss you forever.
Love you,
Your middle daughter

Dear Friends and Family,
I am so dam thankful for all of you. I couldn't imagine my life without ALL of you.
Lots of Love,
Katie

Kirra and Baili at the NICU Picnic Today. In honor of all NICU survivors from St. Joesph's Hospital!!!!

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Lets OPEN our eyes this month and always be aware... Isn't it ironic my babies were born at 29 weeks, 5/7 days and in November....

In remembrance on Saturday, the girls and I are attending a NICU picnic to raise money for St. Joes NICU that saved their lives. We hope to see/meet other children that were born during the same time my girls were born and are NICU survivors!!!

Prematurity Awareness Month Information:

More than half a million babies are born too soon each year and thousands don’t live to celebrate their first birthday as a result.

November is Prematurity Awareness Month, and people can learn more about the seriousness of premature birth, donate, or create a virtual band to celebrate, honor or remember a baby in their life at the March of Dimes web site – marchofdimes.com/fight.

On November 17, the March of Dimes will mark the 8th annual Prematurity Awareness Day by issuing its 2010 Premature Birth Report Card, which grades the nation and the states on their preterm birth rates.

“We are helping everyone understand the importance of a full-term pregnancy,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “The last few weeks of pregnancy are critical to a baby because many important organs, including the brain, need this time to completely develop.”

Dr. Howse noted that many people do not fully appreciate the importance of the final weeks of pregnancy to a baby. More than two-thirds of new or expectant moms do not know the correct definition of preterm birth, (less than 37 weeks gestation), and most have not discussed the risks and consequences of preterm birth with their healthcare provider, according to a survey by the March of Dimes and its partners. Dr. Howse said early prenatal care, and a discussion about lifestyle habits, any chronic illnesses, and medical history, can give more babies a better chance of a healthy birth by identifying risks early.

Following three decades of increases, the nation achieved its first two- year decline in the preterm birth rate in 2008, a 4 percent drop from 2006. The preliminary preterm birth rate dropped to 12.3 percent in 2008, down from the 2006 final rate of 12.8 percent. The March of Dimes says 79 percent of the decline occurred among babies born just a few weeks too soon.
This improvement is modest, the March of Dimes says, and the fact remains that more than half a million babies are born preterm each year. Preterm birth is a serious health problem that costs the United States more than $26 billion annually. It is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, including learning disabilities, cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities.

March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Day® is sponsored by CIGNA, FedEx, Destination Maternity and Hologic. On Nov. 17, Farmers Insurance, a March of Dimes sponsor, is sponsoring a six-hour marathon of the Discovery Health series NICU, which shows the experiences of babies fighting for their lives in a newborn intensive care unit.

As part of Prematurity Awareness Month®, March of Dimes staff and volunteers nationwide will host vigils, and light buildings in purple to draw attention to the epidemic of preterm birth. The March of Dimes also has been working with organizations in Africa, Australia and Europe that are raising awareness about the consequences of preterm births.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

With Love,
The Mama

Just Some Pics... 23 Months old.

Hello,

Here are some pictures of the twins at night they are such angels. They don't like taking pics lately so I got what I could tonight. Yep, I am already putting them in Christmas jammies. =) They love playing together. They also love their early b-day gifts the blue rocking horses. They love them!!! Kirra says, "Neahhh, Neahhh, and Rocky, rocky, she rocks hers out of control." Baili rocks hers like nobody's business too!! Thank you so much!

Love,
The Mamma and babies