Garrett Family: Another Birthday...or 2!! Our miracle babies turn 11!!

Its hard to believe that these girls turned 11 years old! I can remember when the Doctor told us that we were having twins. It was over 11 years ago but seems like just yesterday. We were both in shock but so excited.

We barely had time to get used to the idea when I went in labor at 23 weeks. I was terrified. I could not imagine a baby being born that early and surviving. After a very long week of trying to keep them from being born, my water broke on July 7, 1998. A tiny little Riley was born at just 1 lb. 5 oz. and at only 24 weeks gestation. I got a quick glimpse of her before she was whisked off the the N.I.C.U. to be hooked up to ventilators and machines to keep her alive. Her little lungs weren't quite developed and she had a little bleeding in her brain. Because the girls were fraternal twins and in separate sacks, the doctors were able to keep Tyler in utero for a little longer. 5 days later she was born weighing 1 lb. 7 oz. and joined her sister in the NICU. She was also so little and fragile. She had a little bleeding in her lungs that went away in time.

The first few days and weeks were critical and scary. They had good days and bad ones. Wade and I visited the girls in the hospital daily sometimes more than once. We would sit next to their isolettes and talk to them for hours. They were so tiny and yet so perfect. We weren't able to hold them until they were about 6 weeks old and only then for 5 minutes every other day. They continued to grow and develop at a rapid rate. They surprised all of their doctors and nurses, especially the ones that that said that they would never live.

After 2 1/2 months we were able to bring them home. They came equipped with apnea monitors and oxygen which we used for about 6 months. They saw many many specialists during that time who monitored their progress.

Now here we are 11 years later celebrating birthdays. I am so grateful for the Doctors and nurses who were so good at their jobs. I know the spirit lead them to the good decisions that saved my babies. I am grateful to all of the people who prayed for the girls. I was told of many church congregations in other parts of the country that prayed for my babies. They may not have been the same faith as me but were obviously faithful people. People whom I have never met and probably never will. And of course our family and friends who supported us. All of those who fasted and prayed for us. The girls received many priesthood blessings during that time. How grateful I am for the priesthood. Heavenly Father has blessed us so much!! I am so glad that we were given an experience that helped us to grow and become closer to him. He has watched over us and our family and for that I am truly grateful.

The girls obviously have different Birthdays (which they love by the way). But they still have mostly the same friends so we usually have a party together. This year they decided that they wanted and 7o's themed party. We had some dancing in the backyard and lots of yummy snacks. We had a disco ball although it didn't work outside very well. After a little Cha-cha slide and some glow-in-the dark kickball they all got to Tie-Dye a pair of socks which they loved.

Then we came inside for cake and ice cream. I made a Tie-dye cake (thanks to my friend Betsie who I stole the idea from. Thanks Betsie!!) It turned out really cute and the girls all loved it. In fact, there wasn't much left.