Happy First Birthday, Judah and Tucker!

One Year Ago, I weighed 170 on the dial,
Waiting for you both to decide
To greet us with your smiles.

You didn't want to come when expected;
August 1st was your due date.
So for mommy, pitossin was selected.

In the labor room, we began at 9
And for many hours, mommy was fine.

By supper time, contractions became harder.
Without medication to ease the pain,
Mommy felt like a martyr.

We waited and groaned,
But you didn't want to come.
So, to the OR for some medication and more fun.

At 4:08 am, Judah came out beaming.
Only two minutes later,
Tucker came out screaming.

Mommy cried at the sight of you;
She was so relieved
That after nine long months,
There really were two!

Both were so strong;
Both so unique.
Right out of mommy's womb
You both took a leak!

Judah went one way
and Tucker the other
With so many waiting
The both of you to smother.

Our first sight of Judah
Caught red in our eyes.
Told it was bruising
And no need to cry.

We soon learned Judah was made
With red all over his skin,
And on its own would never grow dim.

There was more to his birthmark;
It was more than skin deep.
It could effect his brain and eyes;
With this news we lost some sleep.

We were caught in the middle
Of celebration and sorrow.
All we could do was pray
And wait for tomorrow.

Five long days we waited
And then finally took you home
That first night, the four of us all alone.

No sleep for the weary
Up 'til five in the morning
When finally the both of you were snoring.

So many hours spent in bed
That first week is so hazy
So much work just to feed you,
No time to be lazy.

The first week turned to first month
And first month turned to two.
Only by God's grace
Did we get through.

We had so many who came to help,
to hold, fold, clean and feed.
Every day for 8 weeks
From 9 to 3!

Nursed you for 6 months
And then had to wean
Though mommy ate much
She was growing too lean.

40+ visits to doctors this year
For Judah and Tucker's life
The nurses cheer.

"Laryngomalatia" made you both breathe loudly.
"They are just fine,"
I would tell people proudly.

Judah, my little trooper,
You've been poked at and prodded.
For God's pleasure and your good,
Sturge Weber He's allotted.

The redness we hope will fade
But your beaming smile
We pray will never go away.

Tucker, our joy
And Judah's abiding friend,
What wisdom of God
A twin to send.

In this first year,
You have both so much changed
Mommy and Daddy's lives forever rearranged.

The Giver of all good gifts
Two treasures He's given
Judah and Tucker,
Sent to us from Heaven.