From 6 weeks to 4 months!

Dearest Aj & Jaydyn,
Time has seriously flown by. In my last letter to you, I told you I'd be writing you as soon as I could. And honestly, I've not found the time til now (and even now, I should be doing laundry). It's insane how time has flown by and how much you both have grown. So much that I don't even know where to begin.

Aj, I guess I'll start with you sweet pea. You've grown so much. From the day I knew you were in my belly, you were Baby A. And the day you were born, you were my tiny 5lbs 3oz baby boy. And now you're my now 13lbs 1oz little hunk of love! I love you more than words can express and although I can see your Dad in you from time to time, I'm starting to see a bit of myself (and your Papaw) in you every day as well. You've still got your laid back little attitude, except you've finally found your voice and for the most part you enjoy sharing it with Mommy. Especially when you wake up in the mornings. You're also more sleepy headed than your brother, but that's because he thinks he can't miss a thing that goes on!

You've got the biggest, most adorable, silly contagious smile that I've ever seen, but sometimes you make us work extra hard to see it. And you've got the most adorable little chuckle ever, but as of right now, very few of us can get that out of you. Mostly myself, your Nana Karen, and the 10 cent frog that croaks at you. Your Nana Karen got it for you at a garage sale and every time that frog says ribbit, your eyes light up and you smile, it cracks me up. I often look at you and tell your Daddy I could just suck your little cheeks right off your face because they're so adorable and pudgy! You are sincerely one of the most beautiful babies God has ever made and I am so glad God made you for me. You're perfect in every way to me and I love you more than I love my own life. Keep growing big boy, you make Mommy so proud. I love you.

Your turn Jaydyn. When it comes to active, feisty babies, you are the cream of the crop little man. It's been that way since I have been able to feel you kick in my belly. You definitely have your own schedule for life, and it involves being busy and keeping yourself aware of EVERYTHING that goes on. You think that you can't miss a thing, so in order to make sure you don't, you only sleep in 10-20 minute increments unless it's bed time.

From my little Baby B, to my 5lbs 9oz little man at birth, you've done quite the growing yourself. You're now 13lbs even and boy are you full of surprises. At just 4 months, apparently you think you need to be an over achiever because you are already sporting a small white bump on your gums that will eventually become your first tooth. And boy are you making sure Mom knows it.

A lot of people think you look like your Daddy, but secretly I think you look like me and your Papaw! And when you smile, it's one of the most adorable things I've ever seen. Your brother's smile melts my heart and yours does to. But there is something about your smile that I can't just help but to laugh. You've got a mischievous smile that lets me know I am in SO MUCH TROUBLE when you start crawling. Which is going to be coming sooner than I want to imagine! You're also quite the opinionated little man. Always talking and telling people what you think, even when they aren't talking to you or asking for your opinions. But one thing you always insist on telling us is "i good". You make sure we know that. And you are more than good, you're prefect in every way. Just like you brother, God made you one of the most beautiful babies I've ever seen. And just as I am grateful he gave me your brother, I am equally grateful He gave you to me too. I can't imagine my life without your or your brother in it. I love you more than I love my own life. Keep growing little man, you make me so proud. I love you.


One thing about it, boys, my life and your Daddy's life have definitely become sweeter with you in it. And of course, more interesting. People are always stopping to ask us if you're twins, you're names, how old you are, how big you were at birth...you draw quite the crowd! Sometimes people ask us if you're natural twins, and I contemplate telling them no, you're robot babies. I guess I'm a naughty Mommy like that sometimes.

Anyways, I've got to end our letter. You both are on your playmat on the floor, and you're pretty mad that Mommy isn't holding you. So I'm going to fix you're cereal, feed you, cuddle and love on you some more, and then try to get you boys into the bed so I can finish cleaning and laundry.

I love you both more than I could ever begin to express with words. Keep growing, keep amazing me everyday, and keep being the two beautiful blessings that you are.

xoxoxox
Love you forever,
Mommy.

6 weeks, and growing!

Hello Babies, it's Mommy again!

I just wanted to write super quick and let you both know how you're doing at 6 weeks old! You both definitely keep Mommy busy! According to the scales, AJ you now weigh 8lbs 3 ounces and Jaydyn you are now 8lbs 7 ounces! You're growing so well! Good job boys!

Mommy can definitely see the difference in attitudes with you boys! AJ you are more laid back and Jaydyn you are far more high maintainence! Which is exactly the way you both were in Mommy's belly! It's hard to believe it has been 6 weeks and 1 day ago since Mommy last felt you kick her from inside her belly!

I love you both more than you could ever know, and I love being your Mommy!!!!

xoxo
I will write again as soon as I can!

Love you always,
Mommy

One Month!

Dear Aj& Jaydyn,

Happy 1 month! Mommy can't believe it's been a whole month ago already that you were introduced to the world. One month ago Mommy and Daddy were welcoming their new additions into the world, thanking God that He had given you both to us happy and healthy, and brought us through the surgery okay. That month seems to have flown by and stood still all at once.

I'm writing this now as you little Aj are sleeping away in your swing, and you little Jaydyn, are sleeping on some pillows next to me on the couch. It's amazing how much I'm learning about you both individually and together. Aj, so far you seem to be Mommy's laid back little man and Jaydyn you seem to be Mommy's little wild guy! And when you get the two of you together, you definitely know how to give Mom a run for her money! But I'm seriously loving every single minute of it.

Although we are still having some issues with sleeping good during the night, Mommy is convinced that God gave her two of the most perfect little boys on the face of the birth. The love that I have for the two of you is a whole new love. It's a type of love I've never known before you two came into my life. It makes me think of God's love for his Son Jesus. Although God's love is more than I could ever comprehend, I like to think that I now know a little bit of what God's love for Jesus is like since he has given you two to me.

I love you both so very much, and am so very thankful God has given you to me. I am blessed beyond measure and filled with more joy and love than I can explain every time I look at you. Mommy promises to always do everything she possibly can in her power to protect you, and give you all that you need. But more than anything I promise to always, always love you unconditionally.

I love you my miracle babies. Keep growing strong and healthy for Mommy.

Loving you more than you even know,
xoxo Mommy

You've Arrived!!!

Dear AJ & Jaydyn,

Mommy always knew she'd be writing this letter eventually, but it still seems so surreal! In my last letter I wrote you, I was in the hospital again with contractions and was in active labor! They admitted me overnight to keep an eye on both of you and myself. As the morning rolled around, they contacted our doctor, Dr. Boyd, to let him know what was going on. And it was that morning that Dr. Boyd decided you boys were ready to meet the world. The nurse came in around 7:30ish and told Mommy that the doctor had decided we would be delivering you that day. Mommy immediately woke up Daddy (who was asleep on the couch) and told him, then she called Papaw. It was a few minutes later when Dr. Boyd stopped by and told Mommy we would be heading into surgery by 12 or 12:30 that afternoon.

Mommy was very excited and very nervous. Papaw and Karen and Lindsay got there around 11:30, and Penny and Kasey arrived just a few minutes later. Mommy also let Sasha and Holly know that you would be arriving and they also came so they could meet you!

Anyways, everyone was there waiting and talking, when the nurse came in and told me a C-section scheduled before mine was running behind and we should be going in shortly. Then, at 12:45, she showed up in the doorway and got myself and Daddy and we headed off to get started.

Once I got in the operating room, they got my spinal block started so that Mommy couldn't feel anything from the top of her belly down. The medicines made Mommy pretty sick and she threw up 3 times while they were starting the surgery to get you out of Mommy's belly. Then finally, at 1:30 pm on February 8th, 2011 they delivered you Mr. Angel "AJ" Luis Garcia IV. Mommy saw them rush you out of the operating room to the next room so they could make sure you were doing okay since you and brother were both premature. Then I heard you scream, letting Mommy know you were a-okay. But more importantly it reassured Mommy that your lungs were working fine which was the big worry for everyone. Then a full minute later, at 1:31pm on February 8th, 2011 they delivered you Mr. Jaydyn Timothy Garcia. I waited for you to cry, and it seemed like forever before I heard you let out that little scream. But you finally did. Daddy rushed between you AJ and you Jaydyn to take pictures. As Mommy laid there, I remember crying. Not because I was sad, but because I had never been so happy or thankful in my life as I was to have you two safe and sound! You were finally here! As I laid there and waited to be taken to recovery so I could get my first glimpse of you, I said a little prayer. I prayed and thanked God that both of you were healthy, that we had made it through surgery, and to thank Him for answering my prayers to be a Mother. I had waited almost 5 full years to hold my baby in my arms, and finally that dream and prayer had come true only God had multiplied that desire doubly.

Here are a few pictures from the hospital and once since you both have come home!

I love you both so much! You have have taught me a love and joy that can only be experienced by becoming a Mommy. I love you both so very very very much.



(Mommy's last belly shot!)


(Mommy holding you for the very first time!)


(You're very proud Daddy showing you off)


(Our first family photo!)


(Hanging out with Mommy at just a few days old!)


Angel "AJ" Luis Garcia IV born Feb. 8th, 2011 @ 1:30pm. 5lbs 3oz 18 inches long


Jaydyn Timothy Garcia born Feb. 8th, 2011 @ 1:31pm. 5lbs 9oz 18.5 inches long

<3 Love always and forever and ever <3
Mommy xoxo

Another Hospital Stay!

Dear Miracle Babies,

Apparently, you two either REALLY like the hospital atomosphere, or you've just decided you are completely done with hanging out inside Mommy's belly! Either way, you've managed to land us right back in the hospital at 35 weeks 4 days with contractions that are about 6 minutes apart, and some dilation and thinning that Mommy won't even try to make you understand. Just know that those three things combined mean Mommy might meet you before Saturday! :)

I am excited, and looking forward to getting some answers as to what the current plan of action is :)

But just know, if you plan on coming a little early, Mommy full expects you boys to be healthy little men!

I love you so much, and I'll keep you posted about your arrival from this side of the womb!

Love always,
xoxo Mommy

8 days and counting

Dear Aj & Jaydyn,

It's official! We have a delivery day scheduled! In 8 days, on February 12th, Mommy and Daddy will officially be in the operating room waiting to hear your little cries and to see your sweet little faces! It's so very exciting and I just can't wait!

The next 8 days I'm sure will seem to drag by, but will appear to have passed so quickly once we're walking into the hospital.

The wide range of emotions I'm going through are phenomenal to say the least. I'm of course excited, because I can't wait to hold you both. I can't wait to see your faces, see who you look like. Did you get your Daddy's smile and your Mommy's eyes? How much will you weigh, how long will you be? Will you know my voice?

And of course I'm a little nervous. Since Mommy has never had any major surgeries (other than her tonsils being removed), the fact that we are having a C-Section to deliver you both (since you Aj are breech and you Jaydyn are transverse) is a little nerve racking. But of course, Mommy is more than willing to endure pain and surgery because at the end of it all, it means I will be holding two perfectly made gifts from God. You two are truly my miracle babies, my gifts from God.

We have one last final appointment before Daddy and I meet you! Our next appointment is on Tuesday, February 8th, at 9:30 am. We get to see you on the ultrasound machine for the last time before we get to see you face to face for the first time! After our ultrasound, we'll get to see our doctor, Dr. Boyd (the man that will be delivering you), for the last time before we see him Saturday morning when he delivers you both! How exciting!!!

Mommy is going to end this letter now. I love you both so very much. Please use these last 8 days to get bigger and grow stronger.

See you soon.

Love always,
Mommy xoxo

34 weeks! Woohoo!

Dear Aj & Jaydyn,

Today officially marks week number 34 that you have been hanging out in Mommy's belly! How VERY exciting! Especially since we had some issues nearly 3 weeks ago with you two trying to come a little bit too early.

We had an appointment yesterday that went ok. Mommy wasn't feeling too hot during her appointment, but we managed to make it through. The ultrasound technician didn't have much luck at all with trying to figure out your living arrangements in Mommy's belly. I am really hoping that next week's ultrasound technician will have much better luck. It makes Mommy nervous when they have trouble getting things figured out. So unfortunately, since the tech had so much trouble, they really weren't able to see or tell much. They told me that you, AJ, are weighing in around 4lbs 8ounces, and that you Jaydyn, were weighing in at 5lbs 2ounces. Mommy is hoping to get both of you right at or very close to 6lbs by the time you arrive, so it looks like I'm going to have eat more than I'm eating now.

Mommy's doctor did a check on her yesterday. He says everything looks good, and that his office will be calling me by next Tuesday to schedule your birthdays! That's right, in about 2 weeks, I will finally be holding you both and we will be celebrating your entrance into the world. Unfortunately, because of the way you are laying in my belly, Mommy will have to have a C-Section, which is when they have to cut Mommy's belly open, to get you out. To be honest, Mommy is a little nervous, but she is also so very excited. I know God will be right there with all of us in the operating room.

Anyways,that's just a quick update on our appointment yesterday. It wasn't too exciting because of all the issues we had with the ultrasound and such.

But our next appointment is on Wednesday, and we will be having another ultrasound! So Mommy is hoping things will go better. Also, your Papaw will be taking us to that appointment since they could not get us a morning appointment. Because since Daddy works during the day, we have to have to have morning appointments (because Mommy is not allowed to drive on her bed rest) in order for him to take us.

Mommy will keep you posted on how things are progressing. In the mean time, you two keep growing and putting on weight. Mommy wants you to be healthy that way we can all come home together.

I love you both so much. I'll see you sooner than we all realize.

Love always,
Mommy

32 weeks and holding!

Dear Aj & Jaydyn,

Mommy here to update you on how our appointment went today. We are 31 weeks 6 days pregnant, meaning tomorrow we will be 32 whole weeks. It was an interesting appointment.

It started off with an ultrasound, in which Mommy got to see how both of you are growing again and how things are progressing in there. AJ you're still holding firm at 4lbs 2ounces and Jaydyn your weight had gone up a bit to 4lbs 5ounces. You both looked healthy, and we even got to see some neat things this time. AJ, we got to see part of your little face and your little foot on 3d, and Jaydyn we were able to see hair on your little head. It was very exciting. The most exciting thing for Mommy however, was that we got to see you both practice your breathing. This makes Mommy very happy as it is a signal that if something happens and you do come early, chances are breathing isn't going to be as difficult for you as we previously imagined. I know it doesn't ensure you won't have any problems at all, but at least it is a good sign that you are preparing to breathe on your own once you both make your arrival here.

Then we saw the doctor, who checked Mommy's cervix. So far we're still holding at 1cm dilated and my cervix is still long, which is a good sign. But it also means Mommy has to maintain her bed rest orders. And of course, I'm still having to keep an eye on the contractions I'm having. All in all, the doctor says Mommy is pretty much a ticking time bomb! He says he would like to keep me pregnant at least until 34 weeks, which is only 2 weeks away. In a way, that seems like so far away given the bed rest orders and having to time all these contractions and things, and in another way, it seems close. Almost closer than Mommy can believe.

It's hard to believe that in 2 weeks (or less, or more, depending on God's will for us), the hopes and dreams I've had since 2006, the prayers I've prayed since getting saved in 2008, could/will be a reality. It's hard to believe (in a way) for Mommy that after struggling for nearly 4 years with infertility issues, the big day is so close. God has been so good to me, and the double blessing that He has given me (and your Daddy) in you is a very real testimony to that.

I want to be the best Mommy I can be to both of you. Daddy and I want nothing more than to raise you in the way that the Lord would have us to, so that we can show you that your very existence is a testimony to God's love for you, and God's love for us. So that you two can grow up to be strong, stable, courageous men of God, serving Him in love with all of your heart, mind, body, and soul. Nothing is more important to myself or your Daddy. Nothing. You could grow up to become firefighters, or police officers, or doctors even, and although we would be proud of you...Nothing would ever make us more proud of you than to know you both are saved born again Christians who love the Lord and Jesus Christ with all your hearts.

So I guess what Mommy is trying to say is she's a little nervous. Not because I'm afraid of not being able to take care of you, but because Daddy and I know God has trusted us with two precious little lives, two precious little souls, and He expects us to teach you all about Him. That's a bigger responsibility than most people realize. Which is why Mommy has already started praying for your salvation.

Anyways, that's it for today's letter. Mommy will write if anything happens between now and next week's appointment. But in the meantime, Mommy would like it if you two would just stay put and continue to develop into strong, healthy little men so that if it would be God's will, we can avoid a NICU stay.

I love you both so very very much! More than you can even comprehend. I'll be holding you both so very soon.

Love Always,
Mommy

Not yet!

Dear Aj& Jaydyn,

Mommy here, writing you from the Labor and Delivery here at Dupont Hospital. Mommy is 31 weeks 3 days pregnant today, and last night you two decided you wanted to be stinkers and cause a few issues. Because apparently, last night you two thought you were ready to meet the world.

Mommy had some terrible pains last night that landed her a trip to the ER in Kendallville. The minute Mommy & Daddy walked in, they called L&D there and sent me up there. They put Mommy on a monitor, and gave each of you your own heart monitors, and then checked Mommy. My cervix were dilated to 2cm. Then came the bigger surprise to Mommy from her monitor, I was having contractions every 2 minutes. The nurses called the doctor who immediately ordered a magnesium IV drip, and shot of steroids to help mature your lungs to help you breath should you end up coming into the world earlier than they expect. It was then he decided that all of us were going to have to take an ambulance ride to the hospital where Mommy would be delivering you (here at Dupont) just in case you two decided to make your entrance...that way you would have access to a NICU.

So after our ambulance ride (which I'm sure will cost someone somewhere a pretty penny), we got here and continued our mag drip... Daddy ran home to get Mommy a bag packed, and to let our puppy dogs go potty. The he came straight back to the hospital to be with us. He's such a good Daddy. :)

Anyways, once we got here and got settled in, Mommy found out she was definitely experience pre-term labor, not to mention she somehow got a UTI. So they began to treat Mommy for that.

Now, at 4:18pm, the contractions are now something I can identify, but are very few and far between now. It looks like Mommy and Daddy will be staying here another night according to the doctor who saw us, just to make sure things go well.
They did an ultrasound at 2:00 today which revealed that both of you are doing great despite the complications.AJ you weigh 4lbs 2oz and Jaydyn, you weigh 4lbs 1oz. This makes Mommy very very happy.

Daddy and I are so very blessed. Although we know it's still a bit too early for you two to say hello to the world, we know that God's way is better than ours, His timing is perfect while ours is not, and that no matter the time that you two will come the exact way and time that God wants you to. We have a wonderful peace about everything, and we know that peace only comes from Him. The same God that gives us all we have, and the same God that gave us you two!

By the way, I also have to admit the upside to being hooked up to so many monitors here, is getting to hear every move that you two make and listen to every little beat of your perfect little hearts. Although you two are giving the poor nurses here a run around. If Mommy isn't unhooking from the monitor to pee every 5 minutes, one or both of you are letting them find your heart rates with your monitors only to move away when she walks out of the room again. You two should really play nice lol!

I love you more than you know. Grow babies grow.

Love always,
Mommy

p.s. Just so you know, Mommy and Daddy run late fr everything. So we're still trying to figure out where you two got your insatiable urge to be early. :)

Just wanted to say...

Dear AJ & Jaydyn,

In 65 days or less, I will be holding you in my arms and I can not wait to meet you. But the purpose of Mommy's letter to you tonight is very important but very short.

I just wanted to say: I love you. I've loved you before you were conceived. Before you were even an itty bitty baby in my belly, I loved you. And now that God has given me my miracle babies, I just want you to know, that I will always love you both. Mommy and Daddy have wanted you and loved you for a very long time! And although I'll miss having you in my belly, I can't wait to have you in my arms.

I love you baby boys, always and forever.

Mommy