Introducing... Our Anniversary Presents

Baby A- Charles (Charlie) Ferdinand, 1 lb, 13 oz.









Baby B- Annaleigh Lucy, 1 lb, 8 oz.












Baby C- Lily Kevynn, 1 lb, 8 oz.










Born on Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 9:00 pm, 9:00 pm, and 9:02 pm at St. Peters University Hospital at 25 weeks, 5 days.

Around 5:00 pm, Brooke started having pains that we later learned were contractions. After a couple of uncomfortable hours, she asked to be put on the contraction monitor, which showed nothing at first. But when the pain continued, a doctor came in and almost immediately discovered that Brooke was fully dilated and there was no option other than to deliver the babies immediately.

From then on, it was a whirlwind. As soon as the doctor said, “we have to take them now,” there was a gathering of nurses in the room, and within minutes Brooke was being rushed through the hospital like a scene from a movie. I frantically called our parents and they got in their cars and headed up. By the time I was able to change into scrubs and Brooke was being given the epidural, the babies were ready.

It felt instant to me but like hours to Brooke. We left the room around 8:15 pm, and at 9:00 pm the doctor said “baby A is out. It’s a boy.” Charlie was immediately put under the heat lamp and surrounded by three doctors. That was almost immediately followed by “Baby B is out. It’s a girl.” And Annaleigh announced her presence to the world by surprising everyone with some loud crying (we had been told they were too small to cry, so that was an awesome surprise). And then, just two minutes later, Lily was the last to arrive.

I followed them down to the NICU (with my just arrived mother-in-law in frantic tow) while they stitched up Brooke. Charlie and Lily both need to be on respirators, but Annaleigh’s cries seem to have been an early indication that her lungs are a bit stronger, so she’s just receiving some extra oxygen so far. All the babies have fluids being pumped into them and all are under heat lamps, but all are bigger than expected and so far holding their own.

After an hour or so of recovery, Brooke got to go down to the NICU to meet our beautiful babies. First was Lily, stretching out her arms and legs as Brooke gently touched her foot and hands. Then Charlie, whom we were unable to touch because he’s wrapped up like a sushi roll in his blankets. Finally Annaleigh, who grabbed Brooke’s finger in her tiny hand and I swear she smiled too. It was the most wonderful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

I made five trips to the NICU and every time there were at least two nurses/doctors tending to each baby, so we couldn’t possibly ask for better care. We are extremely grateful to all the doctors and nurses (15 of them in the delivery room that I counted) who took such good care of Brooke and the babies (and me too) during this whole crazy night. We are more grateful than we can say.



Thank you to everyone for all the well wishes and prayers—please keep them coming, as I’m sure the days and weeks ahead will not be easy. We will update again soon.