I started to have worsening braxton hicks contractions early in the morning of the 17th. They improved somewhat in the morning so I went to work but was quickly shooed off to my OB by the other docs there:). so, to make a long story short they were real contractions and I had also dilated and effaced a good bit. Since Lydia was sitting over the exit and Grace was sprawled out horizontally our doctor arranged for a C-section later that afternoon. The c-section went well and turned into a social gathering with a friend of ours (Jason, an OB resident) doing the surgery with our usual doctor and a fellow 3rd year Peds Resident friend helping with the girls' transition to the world. They both came out crying and breathing on their own, but needed a little help to keep their lungs inflated with CPAP (the funny looking thing that's plugging up Lydia's nose in most pictures). Grace decided she wanted to spice things up a bit and required an elective intubation (tube down her windpipe) to get some medication (surfactant) in her lungs to help mature them a little faster. She will most likely get the tube out today and will have the same stylish nasal CPAP prongs that her sister is sporting. They are receiving nutrition through their veins and will start getting fed via a tube into their bellies today as well. They'll allow them to attempt to breast or bottle feed once they are off of the CPAP (hopefully in a couple of days). We're both pleased with how well they are doing given their prematurity--Ryan says "I'll panic when you panic Heather" and so far we're not panicking :).

Babies' Stats:
They were officially born at 34 weeks and 3 days.
Lydia (formerly Baby A) was born first and Grace (formerly baby B) was second.
Lydia was 4 pounds 10 ounces and Grace was 5 pounds 6 ounces

They'll need to be in the NICU for 1-3 weeks likely so we'll keep you posted!