Today the twins are six weeks old. I spent some time today reflecting on the past six weeks, how much Andrew and Audrey have changed, and how much we’ve learned together as a family. One of the most touching things about this time in our lives has been the incredible love, support, and true kindness that we’ve received from our family, our friends, our church, and our community. I have been blown away by the amount of care that we’ve been blessed to receive.
In the days immediately following the birth, we received many visitors at the hospital. Members of our church came to pray with us, our family and closest friends came to meet the twins and to assist me in getting around after surgery. When I went back to the hospital with an infection 10 days later, our dear friends pampered Dave with home cooked meals, cleaned our house, and stocked our cabinets and freezer with food.
My mom arrived two weeks after the birth and she was able to stay with us for about 3 weeks. She was an incredible help with baby care and with knocking out a lot of the tasks that I was unable to do during pregnancy. She scrubbed our shower, weeded our flower beds, cleaned out our refrigerator, scrubbed the floors, and organized our closets and cabinets, did the laundry, dishes, etc. She also helped with almost all of the twins’ feedings and diaper changes, except for during the middle of the night. Because of her help, Dave was able to teach during the first week of school, which was a goal of ours. My dad was also visiting for the last week or so of her stay. He decided that diaper changes were not his thing, but he was very helpful with running errands, holding and comforting crying babies, and preparing meals. My parents had an adorable porcelain plate customized for the birth of the twins and my dad brought it when he arrived. It shows their names and birth weights and is now proudly on display in our nursery.
Porcelain plate that my parents customized for Andrew and Audrey
Dave’s parents arrived a day after my parents left and are with us for a week. Their help has also been wonderful, as they assist with feedings and diaper changes as well. Dave’s father has been knocking himself out with all kinds of outdoor help such as weeding, trimming, repairing gates, and installing a diaper sprayer for us. It would have taken us months to get these things done on our own due to lack of time. Dave’s mother provided us with two handmade blankets that she spent a few months making for the twins. Although I’m not very artsy-craftsy myself, I truly appreciate handmade gifts, and these blankets are beautiful.
Beautiful blankets made by Dave’s mother
Our church has been absolutely wonderful. In addition to throwing us a shower and praying for us before and during the birth, and visiting us afterwards in the hospital, they provided 6 WEEKS of meals to us 3 times a week so that we did not have to think about cooking. When I say meals, I do not mean simply a casserole. They provided bread, salad, casseroles, fruit, dessert, and sometimes even breakfast for the next day! It was beyond wonderful.
Our friends have also delivered meals on the days that the church did not. They have showered us with clothes, books, handmade toys, food, and have made a point to check on us every couple of days to see if they can pick up anything for us at the store, or just come over and sit so that we can take a shower or a nap.
Toys crocheted by our niece for Andrew and Audrey
We have received well wishes and gifts from all over the country, from our more distant relatives, friends of our parents, and coworkers from my company’s St. Louis office location. Much of it has been unexpected and so touching.
I know that having a baby is a life-changing event, but I truly did not expect such an outpouring of love from all facets of our life. I don’t even know how to adequately express thanks, except to say that we are amazed and so appreciative of each and every bit of it.
Thank you, all!