I can’t say I remember their birth well. I was higher than a kite the day Brett and Kaci came into the world.
Or maybe, at least, as high as one of those hospital congratulations balloons – thanks to the strong concoction in the epidural. I do remember giggling when the doctors said push.
What I didn’t realize – between the giggles and sticking my tongue out at my nervous husband after the first twin was born – was how much life would change.
The evening before started as a typical day in our household. I took the day off from The News to run a few last-minute errands. My doctor wanted to induce me the next morning. JY and I decided to take one last date to the golf course as a couple before kids. We talked about how very soon we’d be bringing the twins golfing with us, as well as to coed softball games and hunting trips. I even attempted to drive a few golf balls off the tee – despite the 33 extra pounds that stuck out like a giant watermelon in my belly.
Within a few hours, both waters broke, and Brett and Kaci came into the world around 1 in the morning. Brett was named after the famous No 5-wearing George, and Kaci after the Royals – although my Braves-loving husband will argue it was just a name he liked.
It didn’t take long for reality to hit.
Thirteen years later, the golf clubs sit in a corner of the garage collecting dust – a reminder that those first few months – and years – were anything but easy. It was a blur of babies crying at different times of the day and night. We had baby bottles all over the house, We smelled like sour milk as Brett was always projectile vomiting.
There would be no well-written baby books of milestones. I started them with such good intentions. But we could barely even keep our backyard mowed.
Yet, I wouldn’t trade this imperfect journey for anything.
No, our life isn’t perfect. We have a pile of clothes in the laundry room that needs folding. Our house is sometimes messy as we go from work and school to activities. JY has been cleaning the garage for 13 years.
My hair that used to be stick straight before the twins were born is now frizzy. JY is going bald.
We might not play golf or softball anymore, but we have plenty of other family activities we love. Our days are filled with hunting and fishing trips, softball and basketball games and many other adventures.
I thank God for bringing us Brett and Kaci and their little sister Jordie into our crazy life. I can’t believe they are teenagers.