M & M- this time last year.....

(Thank you Liz for idea!)

This time last year I was 26 weeks pregnant with Maggie and Madison. So far I had gained 19lbs, craving pizza, steak and soft pretzels! Both babies were approx 2 lbs each. Maggie was laying sideways in my lower belly, and Madison had her head stuck in my ribs (this continued the remainder of the pregnancy). This was also the time that pretty much changed my life! Just as school was going back for big girls, I was placed on 'strict' bed rest. I literally had to sign a contract stating I would follow guidelines to ensure the health of my babies. My cervix had starting to shrink, which put me at risk for dilating. I had to lay down 24-7! I was only allowed up on my feet for 15 minutes, every 2 hours. Already being a mother to 6 and 4 yr old at the time, this was one of the most difficult moments in my life. Michael had to cook, do laundry, and still work all night. My mother (my angel!) came over and cleaned my house for me once a week, AND took Aaliyah to school everyday. Michael had to wake up earlier than normal to go pick Aaliyah up from school, my sister had to come get Abby off the bus for me. I had to use my 15 min breaks to bathe the girls at night, and to do their hair in the mornings. Luckily they were old enough to dress themselves, and brush their own teeth! This continued for the next 3 months.. UNTIL....

My next regular checkup was 10/6/09, at 4pm. The morning of the appt I felt real crappy. Wasn't sure if I was having small contractions, or if my body was just feeling the stress of being pregnant, all I knew was it didn't feel so good!! Anyway- my doc appt was at the same time Michael had to go to work, so he could not be there with me. I ended up leaving Abby with my sister and taking Aaliyah along with me!
When I arrived at doc office, he was visiting a patient and I had to wait till almost 5 before being seen. Which was torture. I seriously was starting to feel worse and worse every minute.
Once I got back to the exam room, the Doc comes in and of course asked how I was feeling. I basically told him I felt like crap. Everything was starting to get sore, and I was having some back cramps. So he starts checking me. Gets real quiet. Sits ups, takes his gloves off and says, "when did these cramps start?" I told him I didn't know I just felt ill all day and I noticed the back pain while in the waiting room. He then says " Well, you are 7 cm dilated, and I need to get you over to the hospital ASAP before your water breaks!" (ME- freaking out!! I knew I was going to have to have c-section, b/c both babies were breech, which is why he didn't want my water to break on its own)
I frantically call Michael to turn around and come to hospital, my mother to leave work immediately, my sister to come and get Aaliyah, and anyone else I could think of that needed to be there!!
By the time I got checked into the hospital and taken back it was about 6:30pm. They hooked me up to everything, checked blood pressure, the whole 9 yards. All the time all I could think was "Thank God I shaved my legs!" lol Then the nurse comes in and i ask her, "Do you know when I will be having c-section?" She replies, "In 45 minutes".

At this time I felt excited, scared, and extremely nervous. But I tired to hide all that and just smile, as I usually do!
Then it was time! They made Michael wait to come in, as they wheeled me in! I had to lean over table for the epidural. It wasn't too bad, until he told me he hit a vessel and had to take it out and do it again. Really?? I am in a little gown, FREEZING, nervous, and scared, and you tell me you have to stick a needle up my back a 2nd time??
Once it got in, I could feel the panic start building up. I had had an epidural twice before, for the vaginal births of my two oldest girls. But this was different! I didn't like that I couldn't feel my toes, they had me positioned like Jesus on the cross, holding my arms out. I was begging the whole time for Michael. They finally sent him in to me. Once I saw him the tears began. lol. He was on my left side holding my arm. I begged him the whole time to let go of my arms, I tried to move my feet, I wanted to move, I couldn't stand being held down. I was crying, I could feel pressure from the doctor. I was horrified.
Next thing I know- i wake up in a white room. I look around and see a nurse, I ask her where the hell I am, and where is everybody?? (I thought I was dead) lol. She informs me that I had a panic attack and they had to knock me out. The babies were delivered fine and were taken down to NICU for observation, my family was with them. The whole time I am thinking (why am I here ALONE??) Then the stupid lady asked me " Do you want to see the babies? " What kind of stupid question was that??? Of course!
So they wheeled me down to see the little LITTLE girls!!





They were so little and yet so beautiful!! I was wishing Abigail and Aaliyah could have been there to see them! Unfortunately it was flu season, so they weren't even allowed in the building. =o( I didn't see my big girls for 4 days!!
The babies spent the next week in the NICU. They were 100% healthy, they just had to be eating a certain amount before they could go home. Madison was the little piglet! She got to come home with me that Sat, 10/10/09. It was hard only taking one home, BUT I knew Maggie was strong and would be home soon! Michael went back to the hospital twice a day to feed her, and then the morning of 10/12/09 they called us to come pick her up!


Having them both home was more than exciting! They were such angels! Abigail and Aaliyah just loved to stare at them! and hold them of course! At that point of my life- looking at my 4 beautiful daughters, and realizing what we went through to get everyone into this world healthy, and everyone home together.. I don't ever remember being SO happy.

And that happiness is still glowing inside me today. Almost a year later! Everyone is still healthy and happy!!

I figured, why not?

So this is my official very FIRST blog! I have quite a few friends from facebook, who are bloggers, and I really enjoy reading their stories! So today I figured, Why not? I have a million stories to share, thousands of stepping stones to cover, and hundreds of smiles captured to share with everyone! To start, I am going to use this blog to introduce my family and characters you will be reading about!

Starting with ME!

My name is Megan. I grew up in Lawrenceville, Ga, AND is still here! I am a mother to four beautiful girls. Abigail, Aaliyah, Maggie and Madison.

I have been a stay home mom for the last year. While pregnant with Maggie and Madison I was put on bed rest for 2 months. I quit working at that time and have been home since. Before I was a bartender. I chose to quit corporate world after I had my 2nd daughter. I realized that working 40+ hours a week was great money, but it wasn't worth a penny after paying half my check to child care and missing everything that was going on in my kids lives. So I started waiting tables on the weekend at TGIFridays. After being there for a few months, I was promoted to bartender. They taught me everything I needed to know and set me loose! After working there for a year, I decided to go some place with potential of making more money. Thus ending up at Sweetwater. I was there 3 years, until getting pregnant. To this day I still miss that place, sometimes! Bartending worked out great for me, being a mother. I only worked Fri, Sat and Sundays. In those 3 days I made the same amount of money I did working 9-5 Mon- Fri! I got to be home with my girls all week!

(Going to touch in this subject briefly- as I do not want to put myself in a bad mood!)

Abigail and Aaliyah are both from my very first relationship in life. I was with their father from age 15-20! Abby was born when I was 18, Aaliyah at 20. Long story short, relationships that start that young are hard to keep strong when the both of you mature completely differently.

Once we called it quits, Abby and Lele continued living with me, and are now happier than could ever describe in words! That happiness comes from a great source. His name is Michael.

I met Michael a little over 3 years ago. His cousins were regulars of mine at Sweetwater. After some cat and mouse type chasing, we ended up together. We have been living together now for a year and a half. We have every intention of getting married, it's just not something we want to rush to do because it's "the right thing to do" or because anyone else thinks we should. We have a commitment to each other, and a relationship that is identical to a marriage, we just don't have a legal document stating it, and my name hasn't changed. But it will. Soon =o)

Abigail was 5 and Aaliyah was 3 when we moved in this house. April 3rd, 2009! That date I will never forget, b/c it was also the SAME day I found out I was pregnant! A little over a week later, found out it was twins! Maggie and Madison were our little blessings brought to us on October 6th, 2009. They were delivered via c-section (which was my worst experience in my life!!)

weighing in at 5lbs, Maggie and 4lb 12oz, Madison! They both were in the NICU for a week. No problems, just monitoring their eating habits. Madison got to come home 1 day earlier than Maggie. Having them both home was amazing and very exciting for everyone in the house! Abigail became a big sister for 2 more times, and Aaliyah finally became a big sister to someone, 2 of them! The twins were amazing babies, the best I could have asked for. No fussiness, slept all the time, just as sweet and cuddly as you could imagine!

As of today Maggie and Madison are 9 months and 19 days old! And huge! Maggie is 17.5lbs and 27.75 inch long, Madison is 18.4lbs and 27.25 inch long!! They are eating finger foods, sitting up, rolling, attempting to crawl, and muttering Mama, Dada, Nana, and Baba all day long!! B/c they were preemie, they are expected to be about a month behind developmentally, until they are about a year old. So it is normal for them to just now be starting to crawl. I am completely OK with that!! The longer they take in becoming mobile, the better!!

Abigail Monique is my first born! March 12th, 2003. She is now 7 and going to the 2nd grade!! I can't believe it! I remember being pregnant with her! She is very energized, opinionated typical 7 yr old girly girl! She loves music, and dancing! We just signed her up to be a Black Knights cheerleader!! Her first practice is actually tomorrow night!! I am very excited, for one, she has wanted to do this for a long time! And two, growing up I always wanted to cheer, but my parents could never never afford it. I want her to be able to do things she wants, and meet friends that will remain life long!

Aaliyah was my 2nd born. June 23rd, 2005. She is now 5 and is going to kindergarten. She is my tough girl. She tends to be more shy than Abby, but once warmed up she can talk your ear off!! Last year she was in pre-k, which was a hard transition. She had previously been with mommy every day! But she handled it well, and is so excited to go to 'big' school with Abigail. She too is a girly girl. Loves dressing up and playing pretend! And she LOVES being a big sister. She hasn't quite found an interesting activity to be involved in. But I am sure she will want to follow in the path of her sister, cheering!

Michael is definitely one of a kind. He is hard to describe. lol. He had no children when I met him, and has never been married yet either. Once we became serious, he gained 2 stepkids who he treats and loves as his own. And shortly after got 2 baby girls of his own! He is our glue. He holds it all together. He currently works night shift, and is usually VERY tired. But he still makes time to spend with the kids. He is a pool shark, if he isn't working, or isn' home, you can bet he is playing pool! Luckily he is very good at it.

I just recently got hired at a Bistro opening in The Avenue. I will be getting back to work slowly, but instead of working weekends, I will be bartending daytime Mon-Fri while kids are in school and Michael is home with babies. Hopefully it will all work out the way I think it will.

We are hoping to buy a house of our very own within the next year or two. Where abouts we aren't sure, but I guarantee you my address the rest of my life WILL NOT be- Lawrenceville!