Page 106 of Living for Truth
“She’s so tiny,” Aly whispers in awe.
I finish burping Violet and see a sheen of tears in Axel’s eyes. “What do you think, Papa? You want to hold your granddaughter?”
Axel clears his throat. “I won’t say no to that.” He sanitizes his hands and takes the tiny, bundled up human.
“Hi there, Violet. I’m your Papa. You and your sister already have everyone wrapped around your fingers,” Axel coos, swaying back and forth.
Iris sits over by Aly, who’s still staring wide-eyed down at her sister. “Oh look, Aly, Poppy’s opening her eyes. She wants to see you.”
“Hi, Poppy. I’m your big sister, Aly. I promise I won’t let anything bad happen to you or Violet.” She looks at Morgan. “Can I kiss her?”
“Sure, but only on the top of her head. We don’t want anyone to kiss her face because she can get sick very easily.”
Aly places the gentlest kiss on her head, then hands her over to Iris who happily takes Poppy and coos to her about how pretty she and her sister are.
My eyes meet Morgan’s from across the room, and we smile at each other. I know the road ahead with recoveryis going to be long and difficult, but I can’t help but think it’ll be easier with these people by my side.
Four days after giving birth, the doctors cleared us to go home, so we packed the car seats into the back of the RAV. Aly sat between them, giving us updates on how the girls were doing and every move they made.
Iris and Morgan’s sisters went over to stock our fridge and clean our house yesterday so we could just relax when we got home, which made me cry again.
All of the Fowler crew has stopped by to meet the babies and help out around the house, each of them taking turns spending the night at Morgan’s request so I can rest and heal.
The first night we got home, Iris slept over. I tried to fight her on it, saying I was capable of doing the nighttime feedings, but Iris tutted at me and told me to stop being so stubborn and to accept the help. Not an easy feat when you’re used to doing most things on your own.
After two weeks of being fussed over, I insisted I was fine to handle the nighttime routine, so everyone started slowly backing away and letting me take over. I appreciate that they didn’t fight me.
It’s been an adjustment trying to get a new routine going with the girls. They sleep in a pack ’n play in our bedroom on Morgan’s side, and he insists on waking up when they do. More often than not, we’re both awake cradling a baby and giving them bottles until they settle back to sleep.
There’s no one I’d rather lose sleep with.
Our days are filled with never-ending diaper changes, feedings, and rocking them to sleep. Violet has remained a very calm baby, only crying when she’s super hungry or when she got her shots. Poppy, on the other hand, is a very outspoken girl. If she’s upset, we will know about it immediately, and it takes a bit more to get her settled.
Bean is extremely curious about the babies but refuses to get too close to them. If they’re crying and Morgan is holding one of them, he meows angrily at Morgan until they quiet. When they’re crying and I’m holding them, he rubs his head on my legs like he’s giving me moral support.
Bagel is the silent protector of the twins. He sits next to them when we have them on their blankets on the floor and curls up next to them when they’re crying. He doesn't seem bothered by the extra noise or baby items scattered around the house.
I’m going in for my six-week postpartum appointment today, and Morgan is staying home alone with the twins. I’m not nervous to leave them, I have complete trust in Morgan to handle it on his own, but I’m sad to leave the twins. I’m worried I’ll miss big moments if I’m not with them all the time, even though there won’t be any big milestones for a while.
I go through the routine of checking in at Dr. Badar’s office, and before long she’s knocking on the door and coming in to greet me with a smile.
“Hello, Hannah. No babies today?”
“Morgan wanted some alone time with them.”
“It sounds like he’s a very involved father.”
“He is. He’s the best.”
“I’m glad to hear it. How has recovery been?”
“Good. I’m feeling much better than I was at my two-week appointment. The stitches have dissolved, and my scar no longer itches, so I assume that’s a good thing.”
“That is a very good thing. If you don’t mind, I’d like to look at the scar just to make sure everything looks good, then we can talk about birth control options.”
I nod, laying back on the table and lifting my sweater so Dr. Badar can examine the scar on my pelvis. She confirms the stitches have dissolved, and it’s healing well, then asks if I’ve thought about going on birth control.
I explain Morgan’s already got an appointment set with a urologist for a vasectomy, but I would like to be on birth control pills until the procedure is completed.
