March 27, 2014- I am strong!

I am strong because I went through infertility issues with my husband.

I am strong because we had to decide how we were going to build our family and make tough choices.

I am strong because I made weekly trips 3 hours one way for tests, ultrasounds, and medications.

I am strong because I found out I was carrying twins.

I am strong because I dealt with morning sickness majority of my pregnancy.

I am strong because we found out both babies had polyhydramnios.

I am strong because I went to weekly appointments.

I am strong because at 26 weeks my water broke at work.

I am strong because I spent almost 5 weeks on hospital bed rest.

I am strong because I was put on magnesium sulfate twice.

I am strong because I was being monitored 24/7 for the first few days and then 3-4x per day for the rest of my stay.

I am strong because I spent Christmas and New Years in the hospital.

I am strong because I had to be away from my family and friends.

I am strong because I couldn’t get out of my hospital bed except to use the bathroom and shower every other day.

I am strong because I met with a neonatologist who told me what to expect with the twins coming prematurely.

I am strong because I went into full blown labor at 30 weeks 6 days.

I am strong because I was dilated to a 7 once I was checked.

I am strong because I had an epidural that took at least 2 tries.

I am strong because I had a cesarean section.

I am strong because I didn’t hear my babies cry.

I am strong because I only got to see one of the twins and couldn’t see the other.

I am strong because the twins were both taken to the NICU immediately.

I am strong because I was a NICU mom of 2.

I am strong because I pumped every 3 hours day and night even though they weren’t eating yet.

I am strong because I had to wait hours to see my twins.

I am strong because when I first saw them one of them was intubated and they were hooked up to multiple things.

I am strong because I couldn’t touch or hold them for days.

I am strong because I only left the NICU twice in the 32 days my twins were there.

I am strong because one twin was discharged before the other.

I am strong because even with one twin discharged, I never left the NICU.

I am strong because after almost 5 weeks both twins came home.

I am strong because I watched one twin choke and turn purple the first night we were home.

I am strong because I caught a medication error before giving them to my one twin.

I am strong because on my due date my twins were already over 9 weeks old.

I am strong because every other week I have the twins by myself for 19 hours each day.

I am strong because I quit my job to be a stay at home mom.

I am strong because I am a preemie mom of 2.

I am strong because I fear daily something is going to happen to my twins.

I am strong because I have dealt with rude comments.

I am strong because I feel guilty.

I am strong because Karley and Bentley make me strong.

I am strong because I can’t be weak!

 

Inspired by a picture and post on Facebook by another twin mom with preemies!

 

Edited to add:

 

I am strong because I pump and breastfeed even though I hate pumping and breastfeeding is painful.

 

I am strong because I cry.