When you get a ringside seat to see God do something completely amazing, what more can you say but "Osssssssum"?! Awesome, awesome, awesome.
Jezreel Jaxton Pina arrived at about 5:47 PM, weighing in at 6 lbs. 4 oz., roughly 19 inches long. His sister joined the family about 12 minutes later - 6 lbs. 2 oz., 18 inches.
Mommy's tired, but she... did... awesome.
Resting, enjoying our two new additions and praising God for His faithfulness.
Photos up sometime in the next day or two. Family first.
in Christ,
Pina, Party of 6
Thursday, April 15, 2010
What It Takes
If you're not 10 cm dilated, you ain't allowed to push. Right now, we're between 6 and 7 cm (alright, 45 minutes ago...). So, we're a far cry from where we were this AM when we showed up at Hotel Babyfactory. But, there's still 3 cm to go...I've never been pregnant - (you noticed?), nor will I ever be, right? So, I've got a limited perspective on what it's like to have a baby (much less, two) inside your body for an extended period of time. What I do know, is Cristine is a champ for all she's endured and it's extensive. Exhaustion, back pain, belly pain, cervical pressure, muscle strains, and then a little more exhaustion on top, just for fun. She's got what it takes to have these babies, right?!
It's all good, though - thanks to our dear friend Dr. John. Dr. John has been an anesthesiologist for over 25 years. He strolled in with the coolest pack of stuff a laboring mother could ask for - specifically, that drinking straw sized needle known as an "epidural". Anyone who's ever had one knows it brings a strange smile to the face of the woman about to receive it - a smile of joy about the floating-on-fluffy-clouds feeling it's soon to bring, undergirded by wincing of pain required to deliver the happy clouds.Cristine's had that happy feeling for a couple of hours now. So, we've had the privilege of telling her when her contractions are coming, since she can't really feel a whole lot. The contractions are great news, though, because they're doing the work of helping Jezreel make his trip down the slide and out the chute. We're estimating it'll only be a matter of a couple more hours to get the doorway wide enough for the Great Escape.
For now, pray for Cristine - once they do the epidural, you're not allowed to eat anything more than ice chips and she hasn't eaten since last night. Good LORD, give her strength, right? Mommy wants some yummy in her tummy!!!
Looking up.
Papa P
Ooops! Gotta run. Having babies!!!
30 Second Time Out
Water's broken and we're just waiting for the contractions to get so unbearable that Cristine stands up and screams "YOUUUUUUUUU did this to me!!!"
She just explained to me that having a contraction is like having someone grab all of your intestines and squeeze them. Okay. this is the point where I unplug from all social media and give her my undivided attention. You might hear from me in another couple hours. Or, you just might get some photos posted later tonight.
(Nice timing - the epidural lady just came in!!!)
Peace and chicken grease!
AP
She just explained to me that having a contraction is like having someone grab all of your intestines and squeeze them. Okay. this is the point where I unplug from all social media and give her my undivided attention. You might hear from me in another couple hours. Or, you just might get some photos posted later tonight.
(Nice timing - the epidural lady just came in!!!)
Peace and chicken grease!
AP
What's for Lunch?
Cristine's all checked in, hooked up, and just waiting for lunch time to roll around. They've started the Pitocin drip to kick the labor into a higher gear and expect our doctor to come back pretty soon to break Jezreel's water.
Twins should be here in time for a late lunch...
Thanks, to all the well wishers, prayer warriors, housesitters, baby transporters, tween watchers, and unbelievable friends for all you're doing!
Babies soon!
AP
Twins should be here in time for a late lunch...
Thanks, to all the well wishers, prayer warriors, housesitters, baby transporters, tween watchers, and unbelievable friends for all you're doing!
Babies soon!
AP
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Paul Revere's ride...
You remember the cry of Paul Revere, right? "The British are coming, the British are coming!" I think if we were in olde Boston tonight, we'd be hoisting a lantern up at the Old North Church. Then, we could have old Paul ride through the streets to declare "The babies are coming, the babies are coming!"
We've been cordially invited to head to the hospital tomorrow to either go into labor naturally or be induced, whichever comes first. At 37-1/2 weeks, the docs agree - Jovi and Jezreel are ready for prime time, and with all the last minute preparations we've done today, we're ready for them to come on out!
Thank you, to everyone who's pitched in a hand, an hour, or a meal to sustain us this far. Thanks, also to a small handful of y'all who are considering joining Mommy and Papa's support team at Seasons of Life. Papa does most of the fundraising work (while we know God actually raises the support, ultimately), and he'll be giving full time to Mommy, the twins and the rest of the kids for the next two weeks while she recovers and the rest get settled into a "normal" schedule. Thank you for your prayers, all of y'all. It's wild watching the body of Christ at work. We're seriously honored.
So fired up for tomorrow - how cool are these two, right? They'll NEVER forget what day is tax day...
Papa's hoping to do some live blogging from the hospital if the world's slowest laptop gives him a little grace. Got the camera loaded up? Yeppers!
Yes, keep Mommy in your prayers as well as all the awesome volunteers who've come along side to help watch Brianna and Presleigh while Mommy and Papa are ushering in the twins! Sorry we'll miss you at church on Sunday, but remember we'll be there in Spirit (and online!) Hope to join you there at www.northpointonline.tv!
'Til morning...
AP & Fam
We've been cordially invited to head to the hospital tomorrow to either go into labor naturally or be induced, whichever comes first. At 37-1/2 weeks, the docs agree - Jovi and Jezreel are ready for prime time, and with all the last minute preparations we've done today, we're ready for them to come on out!
Thank you, to everyone who's pitched in a hand, an hour, or a meal to sustain us this far. Thanks, also to a small handful of y'all who are considering joining Mommy and Papa's support team at Seasons of Life. Papa does most of the fundraising work (while we know God actually raises the support, ultimately), and he'll be giving full time to Mommy, the twins and the rest of the kids for the next two weeks while she recovers and the rest get settled into a "normal" schedule. Thank you for your prayers, all of y'all. It's wild watching the body of Christ at work. We're seriously honored.
So fired up for tomorrow - how cool are these two, right? They'll NEVER forget what day is tax day...
Papa's hoping to do some live blogging from the hospital if the world's slowest laptop gives him a little grace. Got the camera loaded up? Yeppers!
Yes, keep Mommy in your prayers as well as all the awesome volunteers who've come along side to help watch Brianna and Presleigh while Mommy and Papa are ushering in the twins! Sorry we'll miss you at church on Sunday, but remember we'll be there in Spirit (and online!) Hope to join you there at www.northpointonline.tv!
'Til morning...
AP & Fam
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Heading Out Soon?
We had a rather uneventful visit to the hospital last week - you know, contractions, little dilation, blah, blah, blah... Then we knew we'd be off to see the OB and the Perinatal gang again on Monday. At this point, Momma had resigned herself to hearing either or both Doctors say "come back in another week!"
Instead, there was light at the end of the tunnel - the cervical tunnel, that is!!! Both agreed that the babies look really healthy (6lbs. 6oz. and 7lbs. healthy, at that) and are ready to join us outside the womb - SOON!!! In fact, we've made plans to head down to the hospital so they can head out on Thursday!
Mommy feels great about having a date-certain, and Papa's grateful to be able to set down all the plans that were previously floating. He's also looking forward to what many are referring to as "vacation" for the rest of the month. But, we know him better than that. He'll be cooking up a storm in the kitchen, taking care of Mommy and the twins, getting Brie and Presleigh off to school, and preparing a lot of reading and writing projects that can be done while the twins are (hopefully) sleeping blissfully.
We're extremely excited to meet Jezreel and Jovi and can tell by all the kicking in there that the feeling is reciprocated.
Keep us all in your prayers, as always.
in Christ,
AP & Fam
Instead, there was light at the end of the tunnel - the cervical tunnel, that is!!! Both agreed that the babies look really healthy (6lbs. 6oz. and 7lbs. healthy, at that) and are ready to join us outside the womb - SOON!!! In fact, we've made plans to head down to the hospital so they can head out on Thursday!
Mommy feels great about having a date-certain, and Papa's grateful to be able to set down all the plans that were previously floating. He's also looking forward to what many are referring to as "vacation" for the rest of the month. But, we know him better than that. He'll be cooking up a storm in the kitchen, taking care of Mommy and the twins, getting Brie and Presleigh off to school, and preparing a lot of reading and writing projects that can be done while the twins are (hopefully) sleeping blissfully.
We're extremely excited to meet Jezreel and Jovi and can tell by all the kicking in there that the feeling is reciprocated.
Keep us all in your prayers, as always.
in Christ,
AP & Fam
Sunday, April 11, 2010
What are YOUR Plans?
Last week was the "perfect" week to have twins - it was Spring Break, so there would have been no shuttling of older siblings back and forth to school, plenty of volunteers to watch the kids and the house, and Papa would have been able to spend full time at the hospital caring for Mommy, Jovi, and Jezreel.
But, of course, that was not God's plan. And, around here, we know how to make plans, but do our best to get out of God's way when His timing doesn't match up with ours. So, we had our brush with Braxton-Hicks, played with the kids, did our best to entertain our "bored" tween (who's still grounded for life, but gaining back privileges), and kept the twins in for one more week.
Probably a better plan than ours was, anyway - you think?
Saturday, we officially rounded the corner of week 37, an important milestone in the development of the unborn. While long term results for twins born at 36 weeks are virtually identical to those born a week later, the short term troubles go from 15% for those born at 36 weeks down to less than 8% for those born just one week later.
I'm not much of a betting man, but if I had to bet on odds, I'd like the odds on week 37 babies by a long shot.
Sometime tomorrow (I'll have to check my schedule), we'll get to visit our ultrasound Doc and our OB to get a look at the state of the union. Hopefully, one of them will say "you're dilated 5 cm, let's get you to the hospital", and that'll be it. Either way, they'll be taking measurements tomorrow and we'll know how big these babies are (with a margin or error of several ounces). Two weeks ago, I believe the ultrasound indicated Jovi was about 5 lbs. 6 and Jezreel was tracking 5 lbs. 11, so we ought to see weights over 6 lbs at this stage for each. That's healthy, right?
Again, I say all of this under the proviso that this is "our plan". HIS plans will ultimately prevail. And, for this, we are eternally grateful. God. Is. Good.
In Christ, AP
But, of course, that was not God's plan. And, around here, we know how to make plans, but do our best to get out of God's way when His timing doesn't match up with ours. So, we had our brush with Braxton-Hicks, played with the kids, did our best to entertain our "bored" tween (who's still grounded for life, but gaining back privileges), and kept the twins in for one more week.
Probably a better plan than ours was, anyway - you think?
Saturday, we officially rounded the corner of week 37, an important milestone in the development of the unborn. While long term results for twins born at 36 weeks are virtually identical to those born a week later, the short term troubles go from 15% for those born at 36 weeks down to less than 8% for those born just one week later.
I'm not much of a betting man, but if I had to bet on odds, I'd like the odds on week 37 babies by a long shot.
Sometime tomorrow (I'll have to check my schedule), we'll get to visit our ultrasound Doc and our OB to get a look at the state of the union. Hopefully, one of them will say "you're dilated 5 cm, let's get you to the hospital", and that'll be it. Either way, they'll be taking measurements tomorrow and we'll know how big these babies are (with a margin or error of several ounces). Two weeks ago, I believe the ultrasound indicated Jovi was about 5 lbs. 6 and Jezreel was tracking 5 lbs. 11, so we ought to see weights over 6 lbs at this stage for each. That's healthy, right?
Again, I say all of this under the proviso that this is "our plan". HIS plans will ultimately prevail. And, for this, we are eternally grateful. God. Is. Good.
In Christ, AP
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