The Finlinson Twins have arrived!

So on Monday, November 19, 2007 our precious little daughters decided they needed to come into the world. Despite my best efforts of keeping them in my tummy (two long weeks of bed rest), I have learned that I am not in control. I woke up that morning feeling a little uncomfortable, but not really having what I thought were contractions. So instead of hurrying to the hospital I took a bath and tried to relax. About thirty minutes after my bath I decided I should probably just go to the hospital and get checked. I really did not think I was in labor at all. So my mom came over, picked me up, and rushed me to the hospital. She was driving so fast I think she made my contractions worse! While I was in the car, I decided I better time these "small cramps" that I was having. To my surprise they were coming about 5 minutes apart! I couldn't believe it! So when I got to labor and delivery at Summerlin Hospital I was happy to see my awesome perinatalogist in the hallway checking on other patients. She saw me come in and rushed over to check me out. I was dialated 4 cms and was in active labor! What! I couldn't believe it! At that point, the nurse was still trying to get the heart beats of the babies on the fetal monitors...after several attempts she could not get there heartbeats. At this point, I started to cry! I haven't really stopped since! Anyway, my awesome doctor came in again and kicked the nurse out and found the babies heartbeats on the ultrasound. She also discovered that the babies were totally wrapped around each other and needed to be delivered. So Dr. Pierce called Dr. Volker and I was scheduled for a C-Section in thirty minutes. Thank heavens Rob made it just in time. He threw on some scrubs and they rushed us into the operating room. I was still crying, and scared to death. The babies were so not ready to come! I was only 31 weeks and 6 days! They were not ready and I was not ready! How could this be happening!There were so many nurses and doctors in the delivery room for the babies. I have never been so scared in my whole life. And everything was happening so fast, I didnt even get time to think about what was going on.
Anyway, at 12:05pm little Camden May Finlinson was born, weighing 3lbs 12 oz, measuring 16 inches long. She was so little, and I only got to see her for a split second over the sheet. The only comfort I had at this point was that I could hear her crying...and that was a good sign! Then at 12:06pm little Emma Jeanne Finlinson was born, weighing 3lbs 12 oz, and measuring 17 inches long. Thank heavens she was crying too! I saw her for a split second before my husband and both babies were rushed to the NICU. I was left crying on an operating table, still wondering how in the world I got there. The doctor decided it would probably be a good idea to give me a mild sedative at this point. I think he was very wise. Needless to say it was a very fast and crazy delivery, but the girls are here! And they are beautiful!
Since the delivery it has been so many crazy ups and downs with each baby. Both spent the first night in the NICU being observed and checked. Little Emma was having a hard time breathing on here own, and was immediately put on a ventilater. Camden has been so amazing for how little she is. She has been breathing on her own since birth and was transfered to the level 2 nursery the very next day. Emma's week has been a little different story. After an x-ray the doctors discovered that she had PDA. Which means that one of her heart valves had not closed at birth. It is something that a lot of premature babies are diagnosed with. Because the valve had not closed fluid was going into her lungs, which was why it was hard for her to breath. Luckily, they could treat Emma with a three day dose of medicine to close it up without having to do surgery. It closed up right away and we are happy to report that she was taken off of her ventilater yesterday. She is still on some oxygen through her nose, but she is progressing remarkably. We are so blessed! Camden after a few days of fluids has started to process milk through her tube in her nose down to her stomach. It will be a long time before these little girls will be able to eat on their own...it will be a long time before they can do a lot of things! Our prayer for today is that Emma will soon be able to join Camden in the level 2 nursery. It is going to be a long time before they can come home, and we would just love for them to be in the same room with each other! My other hope is that I can hold Emma soon! She is one week old today and I still have not held her in my arms. I really have not stopped crying since they were born! No one should ever have to see their babies in the NICU! At the same time, thank heavens for modern medicine and all the wonderful doctors and nurses that have helped our daughters. Thank you all for all of your prayers and support. We love you all and ask you to keep praying for them to get better everyday!

So much has happened this week, what I have written does not begin to cover everything! I will try to be better about posting updates! But I make no promises! I spend my days at the hospital with the most beautiful baby girls ever born! We have been so blessed!