Here is the birth story of Zeke & Zad Thompson
Lauren had spent the two weeks of Christmas vacation on bed rest, and had not gone crazy... yet. On Sunday, January 1st, 2012, she sent Shaun off to Sunday School... I mean Life Group. At the end of Life Group, Shaun got a call from Lauren stating "Come home, I'm in pain."
So Shaun hurried home, to find that his wife had had 4 contractions in the 15 minutes it took him to get home. Shaun called every doctor and nurse he had a number for and the only message he got was "For emergencies, call 911." So being the smart man he is, he did not. Shaun instead, called his mom. She said, "Lauren being on bed rest, and having twins, take her to the hospital. The worst that could happen, is they send her home."
We hadn't even packed a hospital bag yet. Why would we, we were only at 27 weeks. So Lauren watched as her frenzied husband, spazed and threw things into a bag. He was basically the stereotypical man on the commercials, trying to get his wife to the hospital, but he remembered her and did not speed.
Lauren had had 8 contractions by the time they got to the hospital. A very kind receptionist, and 2 nurses did not even sign them in, but wheeled them straight to labor and delivery. All while discussing new years eve festivities.
Shaun & Lauren got to the room, and watched as the nurses struggled with new equipment that would only allow one baby's heartbeat to be on the monitor at a time. With twins this could be a problem. In the course off the examination, where they were planning on trying to stop the labor, the doctor discovered she had had MANY contractions, was 3 cm dilated, with a bulging bag. So in other words, it was too late to stop the pregnancy.
With in an hour and a half of getting to the hospital, Lauren was prepped for an emergency c-section with Dr. Z & anesthesiologist, Dr. Woo. Lauren was calm... Shaun was freaking. Where as Lauren was in a gown and cap, Shaun was in something that looked like a hazmat suit.
Still very calm, Lauren was wheeled to the operating room. Shaun, was asked to leave, and was told that they would come get him, when it was time. Lauren was left with VERY BIG needles. She took it like a rockstar, or so they told her, but she was a little worried that they said "OOOPS!" in the process. She was reassured that nothing was wrong, and that there would be no more ooops. Completely prepped, they asked her if she was ready. She replied "WHERE IS SHAUN!" They brought him back in seconds later. He was relieved to be able to be with Lauren behind the sheet.
After only a few minutes, which involved Dr. Woo giving lots of drugs, and suctioning up diced pineapples (don't ask, at least she didn't eat the pizza she had for lunch) Zadok was pulled out. All we could see was the top of a dark haired head, that looked the size of a racket ball. All they could hear, were soft cries, as he was learning to breath, a little early. One minute later, Ezekiel, and his complicated pose, was also pulled out. Zeke, came out gasping, but had the most beautiful profile. Shaun was beaming, and Lauren was still calm, until the two babies left.
As they put Lauren back together, she felt pain. Sharp, excruciating pain. She did not scream, but Shaun was forced to calm her breathing, so it wouldn't be as bad. This was the longest part of the birth, we would find out later that "OOOPS!" means, that some of the epidural spilled, and so what Lauren got, was wearing off early. Dr. Woo, Shaun, and Dr. Z reassured her that she had done as well as any rockstar could be expected to do. She was wheeled back into the original prep room, where nurses speedily attempted to get her on morphine for the pain. After morphine we discovered their weights and APGAR rating, which for both of them was 7/8 out of 10, which is amazing for 27 weekers.
Friends and family started to visit, but they had not seen their babies since delivery. Eventually, the NICU transfer teams from Cook's (The Teddy Bear Flight) brought us Zeke and Zad, so that we could see them before they went to Cook's Children's Hospital to continue development. Each of the boys recognized their mother as she touched their hands, and her voice when she spoke.
The boys are currently at Cook's, and are doing marvelous. There have been a couple of hiccups, but these are expected for 27 weekers/superheroes.
Zadok Harvey Thompson, was born on January 1st, 2012 at 1:49 pm, at 13.5 inches, and weighing at 2 punds 5 ounces.
Ezekiel Clemons Thompson was born on January 1st, 2012 at 1:50 pm, at 15 inches, and weighing at 2 pounds, 6 ounces.
Síochána a bheith agat le,
Tillotson Clan
Zad is at 4 pounds and 1 ounce and at 15.55 inches. He is currently on High-Flow air, so that means no more CPAP!!! Zad is also regulating his own temp, so he is doing great.
Zad, able to remove a CPAP machine in under a minute and continue breathing. Able to remove a diaper and scatter poo every where. At 15 1/4 inches and 2 lbs. and 13.9 oz, this Little Incredible Hulk has grown some reddish eyebrows and a round belly. This Green Lantern, by the power of his will would like to remove every restriction and take over the world.
Zeke, able to disassemble his CPAP machine. Able to continue breathing, and charm every nurse... that is before they smell his diaper. At 15 1/4 inches and 2 lbs. and 13.9 oz, the Little Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man has grown some blondish eye brows and a round belly as well. This Flash, with his easy going spirit desires peace and chillaxation for all.
Zadok, breaths room air (the same 21% oxygen that you and I breath) with the help of his CPAP. He has gained 2 ounces. He has done pushups, not only off of his bed, but also from his Daddy's chest. Apparently, since their heads aren't as big as a new born, they are able to lift themselves a little easier. Zad is no longer on a PICC IV (which he was getting nutrients from), he now consumes 15 ml of breast milk every 3 hours. With his strong grabbing skills, he is a Thumb War Champion in the making.
Ezekiel as can see in the photo, has wide open peepers. He is consuming 18 ml of breast milk with 4-5 calories added in. This obviously means that he no longer has a PICC IV either. Zeke is at 23% oxygen, and can fill a diaper like no other. He is loved by nurses for his easy going manner. (Player)
So guess what ;-p God in his amazingness has decided to expand the Tillotson Clan with not 1, but 2 new editions. Yes we are pregnant... with twins. Those of you who knew of our struggles with having a child can probably understand how excited we are. Through the sad events of our pregnancy last fall, and other issues that we have run into, God once again shows that he will provide. I don't think we could praise Him enough for His awesomeness.
