Making Meyer Family Memories: Birthday Mania!

Tomorrow, Jordan and Drew turn 5! Their bedroom doors will soon be decorated, their "big kid" bikes are put together and ready to ride, and their cupcakes and cookies waiting to share with their classmates tomorrow. I have sat for the last hour and looked back through the photos from 5 years ago, and it seems like yesterday, and yet so long ago, all at the same time. I am going to post some photos from then to allow you all to reminisce with us for a moment.

(2009 Quick Recap) I went into the hospital straight from an ultrasound on March 3rd, because it showed that the boys had developed twin to twin transfusion syndrome because they were identical and shared a placenta. Drew was the receiving twin, and Brady was the donor twin, so fluids and nutrients were going to Drew instead of Brady, and could cause problems for both of them. The doctor was able to drain 2 liters of fluid from Drew's embryonic sac that night, but there wasn't alot they could do to help build Brady's fluid back up, so they told me that I was in the hospital until they were born, which we were hoping was still months away (I was only 29 weeks and 5 days along).

On the morning of March 6th, Andy came by the hospital on his way to work. My mom (Nana) was home with Eli, who had turned 2 only 3 weeks prior. Fortunately, my daily ultrasound was done while Andy was there. They found that Brady was in distress, with no fluid, and my body was going into labor (the Dr felt Brady's shoulder when she checked me)! SO, off we went to the O.R...Andy called my mom, who managed to get Eli loaded and find her way to the downtown hospital in a city she didn't know (no small feat). They gathered the 30 or so staff, who were waiting on us (another miracle) in the operating room when we got there, and the babies were born via c-secion, each less than a minute apart. Drew Gergory was born first, weighing in at 2 lbs 5 oz; Jordan Elizabeth was next, weighing 2 lbs, 15 oz; then BradyThomas was born, weighing 1 lb 11oz. For being so tiny, they all were doing exceptionally well right after birth, and were all breathing on their own very quickly. Pops (Andy's Uncle John) and our Pastor, Mark Foster, were there with my mom and Eli, waiting in the hallway to capture glimpses of the babies as they wheeled them past to the NICU.

The next weeks and months were a roller coaster that I wish upon no one, but with the love and support of our family, friends, and church, we made it through. I experienced God in a way that I never had before, and He gave us peace, strength and hope, as we prayed and watched over our miracles. We shared with everyone then, and we still believe today, that God saved Brady's life and protected him until Drew and Jordan were old enough to survive and thrive outside the womb. Brady lived for 13 days. That year, our dear friend, Brittny, started Team Brady's Gift for the March of Dimes walk, and we have continued the tradition each year. Even when we are physically unable to make the walk, we still register our team and raise money in honor of Jordan and Drew (and now Luke), and in memory of Brady. Watch our blog for more information on the MOD Walk for this year....I need to get through this weekend's double birthday party first, and then I will get registered!

So, here are my "throwback Thursday" photos for this week, all from 5 years ago! I know lots of people think I am crazy to share my bare belly photos, but I don't have that many photos of Brady, and when I was carrying the triplets, he was still healthy and alive. Also, it was SO hard towards the end of my pregnancy to even breathe, that I look back and celebrate the fact that I carried them for as long as I did. It was definitely a challenge! We love them all so much, and have been celebrating them a little extra all week long. I promise to post fun bday pictures soon!

14 weeks