Happy Birthday Rittner Twins!

Dearest Benjamin and Eleanor-
      This will be the last letter I write to you while you are still in my womb. It is 5 am and your Mama can't sleep. Yesterday afternoon we found out you were going to be born later today. Boy has this pregnancy and this last week been one emotional roller coaster. I haven't had a chance to write and tell you how my blood work hasn't been so impressive over the last month. I had low platelets and they have been dropping slightly. The doctors have been checking my blood each week this past month and giving me IV iron drips to help with my anemia. Then just last Friday I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, plus my platelets were still low, not to mention the extreme swelling that has been making my legs look like giant puffy tree trunks and feet that could be loafs of bread freshly baked in the oven. They were worried about the possibility of my blood pressure going up, the platelets going down, or other issues that could cause me to feel very sick and then start making you sick. We aren't going to let that happen, so instead you will be delivered by a Cesarean section some time around noon. We just found this out a little over 10 hours ago, so it's no wonder we couldn't sleep tonight.
    To celebrate, we went to a fancy restaurant in town and enjoyed a big plate of calamari and each ordered our own fillet minon. It was delicious. I was so uncomfortable sitting at the table while my feet were filling up with fluid and my back was aching and my belly was getting tight. Sleeping proved to be even more uncomfortable. My body is ready for you to come out and so I hope you are ready too!
    I am filled with all kinds of emotions as I write to you and I wish I had more time and energy to explain exactly how I am feeling, but I need to get ready soon to go to one last appointment and then get prepped at the hospital. I am relieved, excited, tired, terrified, nervous, and even a little disappointed that my body couldn't hang on longer. I have prayed for you both all night long and there are many family and friends who are asking God to protect you today. Even some of the nurses who know me heard that you are both coming and they are praying and rooting for you! I cannot wait to meet you later today and see each of your beautiful faces and hold you close. You are going to change your parents' lives so much, starting today. It is your birth day today and we will never forget it. Just think later today I will have you each in my arms and I will just be able to talk right to you and tell you how beautiful and wonderful you each are. Benjamin and Eleanor, I already love you so so much and your Daddy does too. He has been so sweet to your mom and to both of you tonight. I told you he would come around, remember? We are thrilled that God has blessed us with two babies and that we get to meet them on this day that He ordained as your birth! He has already written each and every one of the days of your life and you are fearfully and wonderfully made! We love you and will see you very soon! Be a good boy and girl today! Welcome to this big world of ours and happy first birthday!!!

I love you so much,
Your Very Excited and Anxious Mother

Here are my favorite verses to bless your birth today:

"The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
 And be gracious to you;
 The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
 And give you peace."
Numbers 6:24-26

Psalms 139
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.