It’s around 1:45am, January 26th and they're here...  The “Barko Babies” have arrived!!  It was a wild evening, to say the least.  We came to see the Doctor for a normal, scheduled check up... Well, because Shelley’s blood pressure was high and the swelling in her legs and feet was so bad, he sent her straight to the hospital.  Said they’d keep her at least 24 hours just to make sure everything was ok, and had us thinking we’d be home, possibly on bed rest or something by the next afternoon.

They set us up in labor and delivery, strapped on heart monitors, did blood work, and kept checking blood pressure numbers.  The doc came by about an hour into it and some of the lab results weren’t back.  He left and returned about 45 minutes later, said blood work was good, and that her pressure was down a little, but that he’d be back in 30 min or so.

At that point, while waiting, Shelley asked the nurse how much notice we would have if he decided to schedule a c-section.  She said “about an hour, but you won’t have them tonight.  Possibly tomorrow.” All of this was obviously very surprising to us. To think we could have the babies in the next day or two. CRAZY!  Little did we know... Minutes later Dr. Busbee returns, checks her pressure again and says "well, we're about to have babies," and there it went... Within less that an hour from that statement, they were born. Chloe at 9:13pm and Carter at 9:14pm.  Everything went so fast!!

They were both 4 lbs, 12 oz, and both 18" long.  Well, Chloe was 18.5” long, and 20 grams heavier, but who’s counting.  The nursery nurse said that in 24 years she doesn’t remember ever seeing twins born weighing the exact same.  They’re healthy and beautiful.  I got to cut their cords, held Chloe in the delivery room, and got to hold Carter right after is bath. Chloe is on a little oxygen for now, but they say thats normal for premature babies.  Carter didn’t need it, which they said is unusual, but hey, that’s my boy!  And Chloe is so sweet too, with her little whimpers/grunts while breathing.  Watched them get shots, cry, make their little foot prints, and little Carter got his bubble bath, squalling the whole time.  But guess what!? After the bath he was crying, and the nurse handed him to me to hold, and he immediately stopped crying...  That’s right!  ;-)

As for Mommy, well, I’m watching her sleep.  She’s super tired, of course, and sore from the surgery.  Sooooooo proud of her!  Just keep thinking how unfair it is that she did all of the work, but hasn’t got to see them much yet.  I love my wife.  Don’t know how she did it, and with so much poise.  Can’t wait until she can touch them and hold them.  She’s gonna be such an awesome mom.  Well, she already is!

Stay tuned for more updates, pictures, and videos!  As for me, I'm not tired, but I know I need to rest...  May go see my babies again and then try to doze.  

Thanks to everyone who came, called and texted!  Good night...

Tommy - proud husband, excited new father