Molly Siobhan Rowan Branchett - born at Birmingham Women's Hospital, on Friday 31st July 2009, at 11.53pm, weighing just 562g (1lb 4oz).
Also know as 'Twin 2', as Molly bravely stayed inside for a further 8 days after her twin sister Isabelle Kate Branchett (Izzy) was born at on Thursday 23rd July 2009, at 7.25pm, weighing 480g (1lb 1oz).
Before you stop reading because you think that is the most pretentious title ever, let me explain...Molly has a big brother called Ben, who at the time of writing is three years old. The shirt he wore for his first birthday party had the words 'The Legend Started Here' on the back and I thought it fitting to carry that sentiment forward to Molly.
To read past and present updates on Molly, click here Then click on the appropriate month. If you then click on the title of the post, it will bring up the titles of other posts and you will be able to scroll backwards and forwards through the posts. To go straight to key moments in the story or quickly right back to the beginning - see the links above.
So why am I writing this blog? Mainly to update our many, many friends, family, acquaintances and indeed strangers who have been so kindly asking about Molly and her progress. Dunc and I have been humbled by the reactions of others we have experienced. Alongside the encouragement and love we have received from the people we are closest to, we have made many new friends and rediscovered friends from years ago who have all been so kind. We also have the most amazing family. Thank you to eveyone who has commented, sent messages, visited, prayed or even just cared enough to read the posts and think about us. If love, good wishes and prayers do any good (and we believe they do), then Molly is the luckiest little girl in the world.
But I'm also writing this so that me and Dunc don't forget. As terrifying and exciting and heartbreaking and amazing and scary as this time is, it will be very easy for us to forget the emotions and everyday events that mark the first few weeks, months and years of Molly's life. It has been a hard fight to get here and it will be a hard fight for a long while to come. But I don't want to forget a single moment.
A lot of the posts are pretty personal and some may be upsetting. But they chart our journey and we are happy to share them. The posts start with the beginning of our pregnancy and include excerpts from my pregnancy diary and other posts made on the Sands message boards. I would like to thank everyone for their support and kindness during this whole journey. I don't know what I would have done without you.
Many of the posts detailing the period prior to Izzy and Molly's births and shortly after have been taken from threads posted on the Sands message boards. I have included posts made by other people. If you would like your post to be removed from this blog, please just let me know, either by commenting on the post or contacting me directly. I do not want anyone to feel their privacy has been compromised. However, many of posts sum up the love and support we have received over many days, weeks and months and so I have included them.
