Happy Birthday Andrew and Daniel!

On the kids birthdays I have been writing about the day they were born, but for Andrew and Daniel I need to start the story a little earlier. Because their birth story is the same, I will write to both of them together, I will write individually to them later.

When Mommy was about 8 weeks pregnant, I went to the Doctor. Daddy stayed at work that day because we knew all they would do was tell me I was pregnant. Before I saw the Doctor, they did an ultrasound and as soon as they lady put the wand to my belly she asked me how many pregnancies I had in the past. I told her 2, one for Blake and one for Hallie. She then asked me if I knew I was having twins. I was shocked!!! I started laughing and crying all at the same time. I kept on saying, but I already have two babies, I can't believe I am having two more. She kept looking at the ultrasound and saying everything looked great. Daddy had been teasing me ever since I got pregnant that it was going to be twins because I was so sick and I was not sick with Blake and Hallie. So they walked me back to the room and I called Daddy. He answered the phone and I said "Guess what? We are having twins." Daddy started laughing and said he knew I would try to tell him that because he had been teasing me for so long. I told him again I was serious and he did not believe me. Finally the nurse walked in the room and asked me if I had told my husband yet, when Daddy heard that he said,"You are serious aren't you?"

I said yes and we both started laughing. We were very excited, but also a little scared. Two babies at once was going to be a lot of work and we were worried.

Once I left the Doctors office, Daddy and I decided to go ahead and call family and tell them the good news. I called Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Brian and Aunt Dawn and they were all very surprised and very excited. Daddy called Poppa and Bidee, Aunt Julie and Uncle Jeremy. They were very excited too. I drove around in my car for about 2 hours before I went back to work because I could not believe I had two babies in my tummy.

Before long it was time for you both to be born. We were watching the Alabama/Tennessee football game and I was having lots of contractions, we called the Doctor and he told us to go on in to the hospital and get checked. When we got there they told me I was in labor and would be in the hospital until you both were born. That night they gave me some medicine to try to get my labor to stop so you would not be born yet, but you both were ready to be here.

So, they next morning we called all of the family and told them you would be born today! They all came to the hospital to wait. At 4:17, Andrew was born. Andrew, you were small 4lbs, 5 oz, so they took you straight to the ICU and I did not get to hold you right away. Then at 4:22 Daniel, you were born. You were small too, 4 lbs, 1 oz, but you were doing a little better so I got to look at you for a minute before you went to ICU. I was so ready to see and hold you both, but because you were so small I couldn't right away. Daddy and I went down the hall to see you about 11:00 that night. Andrew, we walked up to your crib and you looked just like Blake when he was a baby. You had brown hair instead of red, but you looked just like Blake. We walked over to your crib Daniel and we were so surprised. You didn't look like Blake or Hallie, but you did look just like your Daddy!

Andrew, when I first held you I could not believe how small you were. We had so much special time when you were still at the hospital. I would sit between you and Daniel all day long and alternate holding you and watching you. You came home when you were 3 weeks old and we were so excited. Blake and Hallie had not seen you yet and they wanted to hold you all night long. For the first two weeks you were home we went back and forth to the hospital several times a day to see Daniel and we had lots of special time together.

Daniel, when I first held you, I could not believe how much you looked like your Daddy. You were small too and so handsome. You had to stay at the hospital two more weeks after Andrew went home, but we came to visit you several times a day. I got to give you bottles and give you baths. We missed you so much when we went home at night, but before long you came home as well. Daddy, Andrew and I came to the hospital to pick you up and we were so happy to have you both in the car with us.

Here is a picture of you both on the day Daniel came home from the hospital. You were 5 weeks old and Blake and Hallie were so happy.

Andrew, you are such a wonderful boy. You are so happy and you love to cuddle and be held close. I love to sit and hold you as we talk or sing. I am so proud of all that you do, you love to play ball and you surprise me every day with the new words or songs that you know. I hope you have a wonderful, happy birthday and Daddy and I love you so much!

Daniel, your smile lights up the room. You show every emotion on your face and when you are happy the whole world knows. You don't sit still often, but when you do I love to watch Tigger and Pooh with you. You are such a big helper, I love it when you help me do laundry or load the dishwasher. I am so proud of you and all of the new things you are learning ever day. I hope you have a great birthday and Daddy and I love you so much!