Tristan & Tyler are here...and they're perfect!

They're here!!! YAY! So sorry it took me so long to update the blog, but we've had our hands full around here!

Here's the birth story:
On Thursday, July 3, I began feeling "crampy" on my way to work, but just ignored it because I'd been having contractions and crampy feelings for about 5 days...but once I got to my office I thought to myself that maybe I should time them for fun. So I did for two hours and they ranged from 4 mintues to 8 minutes apart...they weren't going away. I called the doctor and they had me come in to see if I was progressing, but I wasn't so they sent me home and said they might see me later at the hospital or in a few days...ugh...so was I in labor or wasn't I...I had no idea. I went home and layed on the couch and they still weren't going away. My parents rolled in at about 5 p.m. for the weekend and we visited for a while. Carl got home around 5:45. At around 6:15 I started feeling worse and the contractions were a little more intense and at 6:45 my water broke! Yay, I finally knew I was in labor! (And don't worry, I was standing on the tile floor in our kitchen, so no harm done there.)

We got to the hospital around 7:30 and the contractions were getting stronger but nothing too bad. I was still 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced. They did an ultrasound to make sure the guys were still head-down and they were so I was going for a vaginal birth (TMI, sorry.) This was a really big deal to me, though so I was feeling relieved. We were put in the room right next to where I delivered Carter, so I was feeling the good vibes there (plus my niece Kendall was born in this room.) Labor was good. It progressed very evenly and I didn't start feeling real pain until right before midnight. I asked for a shot of Nubain and I loved it just as much this time as I did with Carter. I felt "fantastic" and I know this because we have it on video. Carl videotaped the whole thing this time around-but that's a whole other thing.

Anyhoo, I got to 7 cm and 80% effaced around 2:45 a.m. so the nurse did her thing (not explaining because it's totally TMI) and I was magically a 9 and completely thinned out. So she went to call the doctor because the boys were going to be here before we knew it...
Here's where everything spins out of control. While my nurse was calling the doctor, I was already feeling the urge to push-yikes! My doula was trying to help me breath through them but it's pretty much impossible to do. My nurse came back and they began to transport me to the O.R. (you have to deliver there with twins no matter what) The nurse was holding Tristans head in because he was crowning. The O.R. was sheer chaos-12 people in there and nurses yelling at each other to get certain things ready-for me and for the babies. My doctor finally strolled in and literally, Tristan was out in about 3 pushes. Plus, the doctor let me pull him out-it was so awesome!!! I got to hold him and cuddle while Carl cut his cord. We enjoyed him for 2 or 3 minutes and then it was time to deliver Tyler. The doctor broke Tyler's bag of water and in about 3 or 4 pushes I pulled him out too. Yay me-I delivered my own babies!
Carl and I were just overwhelmed with joy and love for our new perfect little boys. We know we're so lucky!

So, there's the story-probably more than you wanted to know, but I often over-share!

Tristan Allen Hoyt was born at 3:33 a.m. weighing 5 lbs, 5 oz and was 18 1/2 inches long.
Tyler William Hoyt was born at 3:40 a.m. weighing 5 lbs, 10 oz and was 19 inches long.
And, of course, they were born on the 4th of July!

Below, Tristan is in the blue blanket and Tyler in green.
Tyler is on the left and Tristan on the right.

Here I am with Carter right before Carl and I left for the hospital...huge belly!

The happy family-don't judge me, I just deliverd twins in the middle of the night!
Carter saying hello to Tristan for the first time!
Proud Grandpa Ken.
My boys-I couldn't be a more lucky Mommy!!!

Our whole, little fam!

Me and the new kiddos.
Aunt Gertie, Uncle Cory, Counsins Kendall and Mallory with Tyler and Tristan.
Me and Carl with our boys and Kendall and Mallory-it's the best we could do!
Me, Tyler, Tristan, Heather and baby Starr (in her belly). Baby Starr will be here very soon to play with the Hoyt boys!
Andi and Josh with the boys.

What can I say? Adorable.
On our way home from the hospital.
Tired Daddy with the boys.
Teri giving Tyler some love.
Thanks to all our friends and family for the phone calls, text messages and visits-we appreciate your love so much. Tristan and Tyler are such lucky babies to enter this world with so many people who already love them so much. More pictures to come...