My sweet friend Brandy Robb and her husband, James, tried for so very long to get pregnant. After exhausting all other methods they decided to try In vitro fertilization
. After much thought they determined that implanting 2 embryos was a good start in hopes that at least one would make it. Well, both of them decided Brandy and James were the right parents for them! They were pregnant with twins; a boy and a girl. Brandy's pregnancy went well, she was very healthy and really took care of herself. Aside from a few headaches and nausea to begin with and some faint episodes, it seemed like it was the picture perfect pregnancy.
The family, and Brandy, had a major emotional setback when her sister, Debra, and her son, Shay, were in a car accident on Thanksgiving Day and Debra was killed. Like the trooper she is, Brandy tried to stay upbeat and believe that Debra would want her to go on in a positive light, but nevertheless, it was (and still is) a difficult road. Doctor's were hoping that Brandy would make it until the babies were strong enough to live life outside the womb and they did. At 8:27 and 8:28pm January 15th (her 35th week) the twins made their debut through an emergency C-section due to Brandy's pre-eclampsia
. Shortly thereafter Brandy's body started to go downhill and shutdown; her kidneys and liver went into failure, blood pressure could not be stabilized and was within stroke range... very scary stuff considering this can be fatal if not kept under control. Just when she seemed to be turning a corner, something else seemed to set her back. She had 2 blood transfusions and emergency surgery to stop some internal bleeding. She was not even able to spend much time with her babies until they were 4 days old; short visits since she remained in such a weakened state. At this point she really has turned a good corner and although she is still very weak and has a lot of physical recovery to endure as well as bonding time with the babies she has not gotten a chance to be with as much as she would like, she gets to go home now and start creating memories with her new family of four :)
All this to say that I appreciate what I have that much more and realize that even through the worst events, the best things can emerge.
To one of the most sincere, compassionate and empathetic people I have ever known, you have been so much on my mind lately and will continue to be as I stand from afar and watch your strength and faith empower you, not only to be a wonderful mother, but a wonderful human being.
Welcome into the world Lillian Claire and Matthew James Robb! You are already so loved!
www.caringbridge.org/visit/brandyrobb
Uncle Trey came into town for a few days to hang out. Since graduating from the fire Academy in Houston he has been stationed, of all possibilities in a city of well over 2 million people, at the very same station and same shift (51 B) as Kevin! Which also means that they now have the very same schedule. So for the bulk of their 5 days in between tours Uncle Trey and Papa worked and played together here in Austin. I have made it clear that upon arriving at a fire they are to immediately decide who is going in and who is staying out since they cannot possibly both enter and risk me having to worry about both of them. They politely smile and go about their business when I voice my command. Hmpf...
Anywho, this is a photo of Ella after Uncle Trey decided to "fix" her hair this morning. Nice bow placement.
