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Friday, September 30, 2011

One Week Ago

One week ago at the very moment of this post, Morgan called to tell us that her water had broken. 
That news changed our lives forever. 

We love this new life.  

Thank you Morgan.
For giving us life.
For giving us purpose.
For giving our lives meaning.

We love you.
JR and Jim

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Birth Story

Friday night started out like all the other Friday's for the past 7 weeks.   Morgan was doing well and we were preparing for our weekend.  In this case, we were preparing for our baby shower (which deserves it's own post...but what an Amazing event!).  Jim and his brother had driven down to San Diego to introduce my mom and her husband to Morgan.   They had a great visit and all was good.   Everyone arrived back in LA late that afternoon/evening.   Jim and I were in the middle of opening up the shower gifts from my mom/husband (which also deserve a separate post!) when our cell phones rang (around 7:30 or so).   Jim took the call in the other room.   All I could hear from his conversation was our doctor's name and I knew something was up.   When Jim came back into the room, he announced that Morgan's water had broken!   We were all in shock I think.    (Things afterward are somewhat blurry but I will try and get this right.)
As was the plan, we called Cora who immediately drove to the hospital to be with Morgan.  We were told to 'take our time' as nothing would happen that night.   So, we 'took our time' and packed a bag in 30 minutes.   Now, if you know anything about us, I can pack a bag in 30 seconds (I may look like hell, but I can pack a bag quickly) but 30 minutes is record time for Jim!  HA   We got on the road around 8pm.   Since SD is usually 2 hours door-to-door, we expected to arrive around 10pm.   Although Jim doesn't like it, I have a lead foot under normal conditions....so, it was particularly ironic when he looked at me at one point and said "you're driving like a grandma!"   Ha.   So, although I promised my mom that I would drive safely, I do admit that I broke that promise for a few miles that night.
Cora kept us updated with texts along the way and here are the actual texts between Cora and Jim (Sean is our doctor):
9:12pm  [J]  Ok. Is Sean there?
[J]  Do they have the viacord kits?
[C]  Havent heard him but they put me in a side hallway...
[C]  Yes, the kits are there :)
[C]  I think he is in there now...
[C]  I hate that no one can be in there with her until the actual c-section part!
{J]  Ugh. That sucks. I'm sure she's scared. We are in san clemente. The Daddy is hauling
ass
{J]  We're 45 mins out. 
[C]  He is here, just talked to Sean.. Giving her spinal now, will start in 5 
minutes. Will take pics from my phone.
Be safe!! 
Love you guys so much!!
[J]  We love you! Good luck. Let God be with Dr D and Morgan. Babies are in good 
hands. 
[C]  Yes!! Everything will be great. He says they'll be just fine and to tell you 
dont worry...
[J]  K. We'll try. 
[J]  Can u ask where we go when we get there?
9:31pm  [C]  OR recovery...
[C]  Pictures!! :-)))
[C]  First spinal didnt work, Sean is doing it again...
9:45pm  [C]  So couple more minutes...
[J]  Ok Just got to the 805. 
[J]  Please tell Sean we're at the 805 and 5 so 13 miles away
[C]  Doing it now...
[C]  I told him...
[J]  Delivering now?
9:50pm  [C]  All done! 
[J]  OMG. How are they?!!!
[C]  OMG
[C]  They look awesome!!
[C]  C was the boy!
[J]  LOL. What order?
[C]  Travis was last. 
[C]  They are crying!!
[C]  Awww. We are laughing!!!!
[J]  YAY!!!!!!!'
[J]  We are daddies!!!!
[J]  30 fingers 30 toes? Everything good?  We're almost there!!!
[J]  Big hug to Morgan and dr d!!

Once we were inside the hospital, it took us about 5 minutes to get our operating room outfits on.  As you can see on Morgan below, they are quite sexy and will likely be all the rage in Paris during next year's fashion week.

As we walked into the room, there were 3 isolets in a row with about a dozen people around the babies working on them.   They were only minutes old and were still being cleaned and evaluated.  The Doctor told us that they were screaming when they were born so all had good lungs and that they were very happy with their weights and coloring (especially for their 30 week 1 day gestation age).


Campbell Bruner was born at 9:48 weighing 3.4 lbs and 17.25 inches long

Piper Whitsett was born at 9:49pm weighing 3.3 lbs and 16 inches long

Travis James was born at 9:49 weighing 3.5 lbs and 16.5 inches long.

Shortly after seeing each of the babies for the first time (a moment we will never forget) we asked to see Morgan as she wasn't in the room with the babies.  The doctor pointed to what can only be described as a drive thru window.   The doctor raised the window and there she was, with Cora by her side,  looking happy and scared all at the same time.


Morgan immediately after delivery......Look at that smile!

The first thing she said was "Hi Daddies!  How are the babies?"  That is when I lost it.   Here she was.... in the most vulnerable position, still in the middle of her surgery with everything out on the table and all she can think about is us and our kids.   She is truly an amazing woman. . .
Doctor D said that Campbell had ruptured her bag and that there had been no stopping them from being born that night. 

I followed Campbell into the NICU and Jim followed with Piper and Travis shortly thereafter.   Once the kids were stable, we met up with Morgan in recovery and stayed with her until about 2:30 am.  

Although we missed the actual birth, it was an amazing night and we wouldn't have changed a thing.


JR/Jim in the recovery room


[We promise to post pictures of the babies soon....]

Monday, September 26, 2011

Circle of Life. . .

Travis holding Daddy's hand

They say having children is like having your heart walk outside your body for the rest of your life. . .I never knew how true that statement was until today.   Our hearts are full and our lives complete. . .

Saturday, September 24, 2011

The Jelly Beans and Peanut have arrived!!!!

Morgan's water broke last night (30w1d) around 7:45.  As hard as she tried, Morgan couldn't stop the triplets from their journey to meet the world!

Campbell Bruner was born at 9:48pm weighing 3.4 lbs
Piper Whitsett followed at 9:49pm weighing 3.3 lbs
and Travis James finished the journey at 9:49 weighing 3.5 lbs

Morgan was a star (naturally) and did amazing during the birth. 
The babies are perfect and beautiful and healthy.

Doctors are taking good care all of them and we couldn't be happier.
More details later....the Daddies need some sleep.  It's been a crazy 24 hours.

Thank you to everyone for all their support!!!!
xoxo
JR and Jim

Thursday, September 22, 2011

30 weeks.....Let them eat Cake!!!!!




Beautiful. . .



30 Weeks!!! (Hospital - 49 days)

Can't believe that we made it to 30 weeks.  Or, should I say, I can't believe Morgan has made it to 30 weeks!!!   Wow.   Looking back 7 weeks to the day Morgan was admitted into the hospital and then to the emergency cerclage a few days later, the thought of making it this far in the pregnancy was a mere fantasy.

We are so thankful to be here at 30 weeks and are humbled at all the love/support that we have received from so many people (some of whom we have not met).  We are thankful for our doctor(s) and nurses who have kept Morgan and the babies safe; to Cora and Maria at Modern Family Surrogacy for always being there for Morgan with food, support and girls movie night!; to all the volunteers who have stopped by to visit her or send her food; and to Morgan's family for taking such good care of her son and/or visiting her so often (even though some live 5 + hours away!).  Most of all we are thankful for Morgan who has continued to amaze us with her positive attitude and willingness to do whatever it takes to keep our kids safe and sound.   Forty Nine days of bedrest is a LONG time and she has survived it with grace and confidence and she is cheering us on for more!

Thank you Morgan.  Your willingness to go the extra mile for us has turned 30 weeks from fantasy to reality and 32 weeks from a pipe dream into a real possibility.   We hope the time will pass quickly for you......and for us.   Although we know that the jelly beans and peanut need to stay right where they are for as long as you can carry them, we are really anxious to meet them......and to stop calling them the jelly beans and peanut!!  ha).  So here we go towards 32 weeks.  Just remember the motto. . .

"Keep Calm and Carry On".

We love you
JR and Jim