The babies are here!!

The babies were born via c-section at 30 weeks gestation on Tuesday, November 7, 2006:

Justin Constantine was born at 8:21pm is 14 in. long and weighs 2 lbs. 9 oz.

Eleni (nickname is Ellie) Grace was born at 8:22pm is 15 1/2 in. long and weighs 2 lbs. 13 oz.

After being in the hospital for 8 days, around 2:30pm, I was told that baby A's (Justin) heart rate went down for less than a minute twice in an hours time. So they were calling my doctor to have him and the specialist decide if I should have our babies that day. And we were told that it was not an urgent emergency and if it had been, the babies would have been taken out already but that if they were going to decide to do it, it would need to be done soon and they did not want to wait until the middle of the night because they needed alot of people in the delivery room since they were premie twins. So around 6 we were told that I would definitely be having a c-section at 6:30 (which turned into 8pm). And when the ob finally came, he said that he had spent some time on the phone with the specialist and they had to map out exactly how they would cut me open without accidentally cutting the vein or the sac. If he had done that, it would be very dangerous and life threatening for Justin. I was very upset and very scared but I made it through and got to hear them tell me it was a boy and a girl. And D got to be in there with me and hear it too and see them.

Eleni will be having a sonogram this Friday to see the change if any on the brain fluid. And then if needed possibly a cat-scan. Then hopefully they can talk to us about options and treatment.

They are having a rough start in life since they were born 10 weeks early but they are doing so well. We could not be prouder of them. Everyday they are making more progress and new things are happening. So far we have been able to hold them both and I have been able to change their diapers and assist in his feedings (they are tube fed now in addition to IV). It is all just very exciting. :)

Here is the first photo of Justin Constantine (left) and Eleni Grace (right) together minutes after being born.