Miracle Babies Part 2

By Tonio,

On October 16, 2011 our two baby girls were born: Katya Sophia and Ruby Alexandria.  They are 1 pounds 2 ounces each (Katya 505 gr. and Ruby 515 gr. to be precise).  Katia is 10.8 inches long and Ruby 11 inches. Katia was born at 2:27 PM MDT, Ruby at 2:29 PM. Their birth took everybody by surprise as they were not expected for another three months (Katrina had been pregnant for 22 weeks and 6 days).

It all began the night before when Katrina was starting to feel cramps in her lower abdomen.  Initially she thought that this was normal due to the expansion of her uterus.  However, the cramps were also accompanied by discharges.  This got us worried and we called the doctor at 8 in the morning.  The doctor suggested that we should go to Labor and Delivery at the Hospital and have Katrina checked.

Upon arrival, Katrina was visually checked and nothing looked out of the ordinary.  However, after an examination of her cervix it was discover that she was dilated 3 cm. It was then when we worried. The doctor gave Katrina some medication to reduce the number of contractions and to try to prevent her body from going into labor.  She was even tilted back so her legs here higher than her head in order to avoid gravity working against us.  The goal was to keep those babies inside for as long as we could. 

Initially we thought this was working.  However, a few hours later Katrina started to have more frequent contractions.  The doctor and nurse checked her but they hoped that the medicine she received would help.  The contractions were not detected in the monitoring devices but were most definitely noted by Katrina.  I had never seen Katrina in so much pain.  Around 1:30 PM the contractions became more painful so Katrina had to lay on her left side.    One nurse came to check on her as her per our request as her pain was incrementing.  We help Katrina sit up and despite her best tries not to push her body was pushing so hard that eventually her water broke.  

We were all in shock.  This was not supposed to be happening. As I rushed to the bathroom to help clean the spillage, I heard the nurse say “she is being born”.  I turned back and saw our little Katya coming out. I could not believe my eyes.  She was so small.  My brain was telling me that she was not supposed to be outside and my heart was sinking as the thought of her little survival chances crossed my mind.  I was amazed to hear her little, muffle cry as she came out.   I hurried back to Katrina’s side and held her hand as the brave nurse was doing her best to attend our girl while shouting for help.  In an instant 10 nurses flooded our room.  They managed to put Katya in a small bed by our side when another violent contraction came.  As I looked down I saw our second baby, Ruby coming as fast as a rocket.  She was barely caught by the nurse before she made if off the bed. I must confess that when I saw the force with which she was launched I feared the worst. She was hurriedly treated, her umbilical cord removed, and taken to an adjacent room for cleaning.  Just like Katya, Ruby also offered a small, muffled cry that gave us the assurance that she was trying to breath. Our two baby girls were fighting to stay alive. 

At length the doctor came and helped Katrina with the removal of her placenta.   Our once peaceful room was now a hive of activity.  All I could do was to hold Katrina’s hand as all this was happening and say a silent prayer for our babies and the people who were helping them. This must be the most surreal experience in my life.  People were congratulating me but I could see the worry in their eyes.  I did not know what to think myself. I always imagine the birth of our two girls to be full of nervousness followed by overwhelming joy.  However, all I could feel now was a deep concern for the well-being of our babies. I did not know whether they would survive her first five minutes of life. 

The babies were taken to the Infant Care Unit (ICU) and Katrina was being assisted to get her cleaned after a completely unexpected labor.  Shortly after, we were told that I could go and see our babies if I so wanted.  I waited a little bit to make sure Katrina was fine.  She was cared very well by all staff member.  One nurse came along and gave us our two pink bracelets.  I must confess that up to that point I was still in denial.  I just did not want to accept the fact that I had just become a father because it was not supposed to happen like that. Not this way, not this day, and not this year.  When I got my bracelet and saw their hospital identifiers: Baby A and Baby B it finally hit me. This was real. What I had just saw really happened.  Katrina and I were parents of two little, fragile girls that were in deep need of a miracle. 

Eventually I asked one of the nurses to take our daughters.  I was taken to the ICU unit dedicated to premature labor.  My heart shrank as I saw our little Katya laying there with tubes through her mouth, arms and belly. I was told quickly what they were trying to accomplish with all that but I paid little attention.  All I wanted to hear was that they were OK.  Next I saw Ruby, in a similar situation.  As I perceived that the doctors were still working to stabilize them I decided to come back later and let them do their job. 

As I came back to see Katrina, I saw Brian, Katrina’s brother and his family.  They had come to see how she was doing and it was then when I mentioned that the babies were born.  His face expression said it all. However, I reassured him that the babies were fine and that they will survive.  We visited Katrina for a while and then I decided to go back and see check on the status of the babies.  This time I was calmer and actually heard what the doctors and nurses where saying.  They explained to me the purpose of every tube, Intravenous line, and medication.  I took a few pictures of our girls and was deeply touched to see how fragile they were.  I asked the doctors what were the survival chances of our girls.  They said that it was difficult to say as complications can come up, however, they said that they were around 70%.  My heart jumped of joy to hear that.  I was expecting worse than that. I take 70% anytime.  Our girls have a good fighting chance.

Katya Sophia

Ruby Alexandria

My mom, sister-in-law, and other friends were with Katrina as I returned.  A nurse was also coming every 15 minutes to check on Katrina.  Once their visit was over, the nurse, Katrina and I went back to the ICU to see our babies.  Knowing that their survival chances were good and that the babies were considered to be doing great our visit was very comforting.  Katrina was full of love and tenderness for our girls.  

Eventually Katrina was moved to another floor where she will spend the night.  Her mom and sister came all the way from Rexburg, Idaho to be with her.  Her brother Dennis and his family also came.  It was a good visit.  Katrina's mom stayed the night there so I could come home, sleep, and go to school the next day. Before leaving the hospital I went once more to see our baby girls and wish them good night.  They were still strong and they were still fighting.  The nurses told me of some changes that had happened and a few challenges they had.  I saw Katya and Ruby for a long time.  I whispered to them how much I loved them and how much we wanted for them to fight and not give up.  I left the hospital with a good feeling: They are alive and that in itself is a miracle.

Katya Up Close

Ruby being turn around to help with her lung medication

 

Ruby Up Close

Miracle Babies

Back in October of 2010 we started the adoption process with LDS Family Services. We knew early on in our marriage that this path was the most likely way for us to have a family. We had interviews, went to classes, and completed an online profile. However, we had to put this plans on hold as a new development occurred in a rather unforeseen way.

In November, 2010 Tonio had to go to the urologist due to a strange infection. In a follow up meeting (February of 2011), as a result of a conversation about our fertility situation, Tonio's doctor referred us to specialist based in D.C. who might be able to help us. The next month we met with the specialist and also with a doctor at Shady Grove Fertility Clinic. We learned that there was a small chance we could have our own children through in vitro fertilization. This was fabulous news because up to that point we had been told that such an option was not a possibility. We decided to trust in the Lord and begin the process.

Katrina had to take special medications to mature multiple eggs for retrieval. Luckily, Tonio was already training in giving injections. After three weeks of injections our egg retrieval was scheduled. Katrina was quite the hen and produced 26 mature eggs. On May 23, 2011 the clinic fertilized the eggs with Tonio’s sperm. We had 14 eggs fertilize and they watched them closely for 5 days. On the fifth day we implanted the two strongest embryos and waited. Ten days later we had a positive pregnancy hormone level. Katrina was pregnant!

Microscope picture of implanted embryos

Given that two embryos were implanted we knew we had a good possibility of having fraternal twins. However, on June 27 we had our first ultrasound and it revealed that we were pregnant with identical twins. Apparently, only one embryo successfully attached but it divided itself. Our doctor said that the possibility of that happening was about 1%. Tonio said that this was Heavenly Father’s way of saying, “You will have twins my way, not your way”.

Two babies in the same sack. June 27, 2011

Second Ultrasound. July 7, 2011

Due to this new development we had to forgo our European vacation that was scheduled since March. We were able to get a portion of our airfare back. Katrina’s parents and brother had to survive Scandinavia without us.

On September 16, 2011 we had our first extensive ultrasound and we learned that we are going to have twin girls on February 13, 2012! We are very excited. Tonio was looking forward to having two little Katrinas. We are now working on names, quilts, and collecting baby gear. Our life will never be the same. Since had to cancel our Europe trip we have joked about naming them: Europa and Espania.

We are very grateful and humbled by this great miracle. We never thought this day would come and we are looking forward to having our two little girls in our arms. We are grateful to our Heavenly Father for His mercy and for giving us the opportunity to have our family this way.

Twin A, Profile. September 16, 2011

Twin B Profile and girl parts.

Twin A girl parts and leg

Twin B leg and feet (profile view)

Twin B legs and both twins head shot

October 3, 2011 ultrasound. Twin A profile

Twin B Profile. Note that they have Katrina's nose.

And now, for your viewing pleasure, here are Katrina's pregnancy shots as of today.

Katrina's Birthday Present

Double Trouble. Pics taken on Sept 4, 2011

Week 17

Week 18

Week 19

Week 20

Week 21

Week 22

To be continued...

Uriartes Sang as They Drove, and Drove, and Drove…Across the Country. Destination: Utah

As Antonio was admitted to grad school at BYU, it became expedient for us to move to Provo from our home in McLean Virginia.  The trek began on July 16, 2011.  We found two friends (Aubrey and Dee), to help us drive one of our cars (Silver Bullet).  Katrina and Antonio drove Chewie (who has since gone the way of all the Earth). Chewie was working double duty pulling an 5’ X 8’ U-Haul trailer with all our precious belongings.

On the first day we left our beloved Virginia around noon and drove all the way to Knoxville, TN.  The trip was fairly uneventful with the exception that we discover that Tennessee is the birthplace of the Cracker Barrel restaurants (there are over 50 in the state).  Therefore, it was inevitable to have our first dinner of the trip at one.

The next morning we drove to Nashville to see the city and visit a friend of Aubrey.  He was kind enough to take us around the highlights of downtown. We visited a few bars to hear people playing country music and delighted our eyes with giant boot props used to advertise boot stores. As it is expected, we took a picture with an Elvis figure.  You cannot go to Tennessee and not pay tribute to the king.

    Broadway St., Nashville, TN.


    The boot of Sauron.


   The ladies are up on stage at The Stage


   All the country greats (Antonio does not know most of them)


   We had never heard of Tootsies before, but apparently we had to take a picture here.


    Playing on Broadway


    The King and us.

Later that day we made our way to Memphis.  We ate an amazing barbecue with a friend of Katrina and his wife at Corky’s Bar-B-Q.  It was a great place, except that Katrina’s friends were vegetarians but Antonio did not care as he was determine on having barbecue in Memphis. The next morning we drove to Graceland but the long lines and high prices deterred us from stopping by. Then, we drove to the Lorraine Motel to see the place where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.  It had a very solemn feeling.  The sad part is that the part of town where the Motel is located is pretty run down.  We were afraid we would get shot ourselves. Later on, we made our way to downtown Memphis to visit Beale St., one of the most iconic places in the city.  We were a little disappointed at the dirtiness of the city.  By comparison, Nashville was better kept.  As a result, we got the blues from Memphis.


    Home of the Blues. Birthplace of Rock n Roll.

   At the Lorraine Motel.  They keep vintage cars out front from the room where MLK stayed.


   The King and Kat


    Don't even think about it

After Memphis we drove to Little Rock, AK. Antonio has a rule that, in order to count a state as visited, you need to either sleep, eat or do something there other than just driving through or airplane stops. In Little Rock we ate at a local pizza buffet place.  The nastiest we have ever been.  The local girl could not understand what we meant when we mentioned that the peaches on the salad bar were rancid.  I guess “rancid” is not a common word in that part of the world.  After lunch, we visited the market and drove by the State Capitol.  From there we made our way to Oklahoma City.


    Little Rock, AK State Capitol

By the time we arrived to Oklahoma City we noticed that the “Check Engine Light” light came on in Chewie.  The next morning we got up early to take Chewie to the Toyota dealership.  They found out that it was just an oxygen sensor that was going bad, probably as a result of pulling the trailer. They assured us that the car would be fine but that it might become less gas efficient. We noticed that, instead of getting 18 MPG we went down to 13 MPG. However, the good news is that we did not have to wait to get the car fixed as it would have taken a couple of hours (not to mention $400). Antonio was really happy with the service at that dealership.  It has been by far the best Toyota dealership he has even been to.  He might even move to Oklahoma City just to have their service. Katrina said no.

Eventually, we made our way to Amarillo, TX which is located at the very top of Texas.  We had lunch there at a place called the Red Country Barn BBQ and Steaks. The food was delicious and the cobbler was even better.  The only thing we thought was a little queer was the bathrooms.  Picture this: the restaurant is decorated with all sorts of western paraphernalia, then, you get up to use the restroom and you go through this semi concealed door. Once you go through the door you are in another dimension. There is a hallway all lined with mirrors.  There are mirrors on the walls, on the ceiling, on the doors, and…no, not on the floor, but it was kind of hard to navigate your way to the proper restroom.  Once inside the restroom it was all black.  However, even in the restroom Texans don’t let you forget that you are in the great state of Texas.  As you go to wash your hand you can’t help noticing that the sink is in the shape of the state.  Pride goes a long way.


   Yep. We are in the Texas Visitor's Center.


   Good eats in Amarillo, TX


    Inside the Counry Barn


   Mirror hallway to the restrooms


    Texas pride to the limit.

From Texas we drove all the way to Santa Fe, NM where we spent the night.  That night we went for dinner to a local New Mexico place.  We barely were able to make it as they were about to close.  The food was OK. Not as great as we were expecting it. The funny part was that our waitress kept asking us whether we wanted chips and salsa. Even though we had already indicated the first time we wanted chips and salsa, she continued to ask us multiple times before she brought the actual chips and salsa.  It must have been a long day for her.

In the morning we visited downtown Santa Fe. Antonio knew the way as he had been there before the year before as part of his multiple travels.  Santa Fe was charming.  We visited the Loretto chapel where the famous miraculous staircase is. Then we went to the oldest house in America and the oldest church in the US. Inside the church there was a very old bell.  On it you could see the year it was made: August 9, 1356.  The bell was made in Spain to commemorate the victory of the Catholic kings over the Moors and their expulsion from Spain.  Many years later the bell was sent to Mexico and later it was sent to Santa Fe to be used in this church built by Catholic missionaries and the Native Americans they brought from Mexico. After the church we saw the main square and we visited the Cathedral.  The Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi as he was the patron saint of the missionaries that went to Santa Fe.  The architectural style is very Spanish mixed with arabesque themes (the Spanish kicked the Moors out of Spain but they kept their architecture and some other things).


    Outside Loretto Chapel


   Miraculous Staircase in Loretto Chapel.


    Oldest House in the US.


   Oldest Church in the US

   Original bell.  Check out the date.


    Looking good with that hat


    Santa Fe Cathedral


    Cathedral Interior


    Call me Dr. Jones


    Mormon Batallion Monument outside Santa Fe.  Where did they go?


    The Emerald City.  I knew it existed!

After Santa Fe we drove to the Four Corners monument.  This monument is located at the intersection of the state lines of Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona. As it is tradition, Katrina and Antonio took a picture with an appendage on each state.  We became omnipresent. From there we drove to Cortez, CO to stay for the evening. We found a great Mexican restaurant where we had our dinner.

    Four Corners Monument


    Omnipresent Katrina


    Does this mean I need to pay taxes in four states?  


   One more picture just for fun

The next morning we went to visit Mesa Verde National Park.  The distinctive attraction of this park is the Cliff Dwellings built by Native American tribes.  We learned that those dwellings were relatively recent (500 - 1300s) and they were not discovered by the white man until 1888. We loved the park.  Unfortunately, our time was limited so we only saw the Spruce House dwelling.


    On our way to Mesa Verde


    I like this apartment complex.  It has plenty of light


    Is that kid pointing at Katrina's hat?


    Going down the Kiva


    Going to rescue Katrina


   Found her


    This place is amazing!


    I like the view, but I am not sure about the location

After Mesa Verde, we finally made or way to Utah.  We arrived in Provo on July 21 at 6:08 PM.  Our journey was officially over. To commemorate our arrival to the Promised Land we went to Café Rio to have our last supper together with our travel companions.


    End of the road