SURPRISE!

Well, they simply couldn't wait. Last Monday, July 27th, Kelly had some contractions, so we went to Southwest Medical Center and spent the night. They thought they could control them, and we were glad because we didn't want to go into early labor.

However, last Thursday, she started having some contractions again, so we again went to Southwest. They discovered that she had dilated some, so they put her on medication to try to slow or stop early labor.

We signed up for a "preparation for birth" class, and we were able to attend one meeting. Our class was supposed to go on a tour of the hospital's maternity facilities that afternoon, and as we were laying in the birthing rooms, our tour group passed us.

Kelly was taken to St. Vincent's, down in Beaverton, by ambulance, because they apparently have the best neo-natal facilities around. We spent one night, and the next morning around 5, she went into full-on labor. Ready or not, we were about to have babies. I stayed remarkably calm, though inside I thought I was going to explode.

Ava Ann Gourde was born at 8:18 AM on Friday, July 31st. She weighed 3 pounds, 11 ounces. Harper Dianne Gourde was born at 8:29, and she weighed 3 pounds, 5 ounces. Both babies are doing well, but will have to stay at St. Vincent's until they can eat on their own, breathe on their own, and gain weight steadily. Kelly did a great job, and the doctors and nurses were amazed at her. Since the babies come from tough women, we assume they will be fine.

I will attach some pictures, even though many of them seem the same. The girls look remarkably alike, although we are told they are fraternal.