The Big Brother - a brag!

Okay, okay, this post isn't about the twins - but it IS about their big brother! I couldn't wait to share this video of Cooper at swimming lessons today. At just barely 3 years old, he's the youngest in his class and one of the top swimmers. He has NO fear! I was very proud.

A Poem

Came across this poem and liked it so much I thought I'd share. Puts a smile in my heart!

Your Twins

The heavens were excited -
(statistics were just right)
"Gather 'round," the wisest angel said,
"God's designing twins tonight."
It's quite a marvelous process,
As anybody knows -
Two separate souls begin their lives,
As His love just overflows.
Perhaps he'll make them just alike,
Or as different as can be,
But that's the way He wants it -
He's planned it that way you see.
He must then find a loving Mom,
A very special Dad -
For twins take special parents,
And the best just must be had
~ author unknown

Starting to Collect Things for the babies!

My generous friend, Kathleen, made a deal with me and I scored another swing - it's practically brand new, and is the exact match to the swing I already have! And I'm going to look at a stroller for the babies this week. A lady listed it on craigslist and says it's only been used a few times - and she's asking less than half of what it costs brand new. NICE! And Dan's mom has said she would like to purchase the carseat for us - which is wonderful! That means that most of the 'big stuff' will be ready for the babies. Excellent!

Now all we need is to start our DIAPER STASH!

15 Week Belly Pic

well, almost, anyway!

Dan and I went to dinner for a nice date-night out last night. Cooper was at Grandma and Grandpa's house so we were really able to have a nice time, just the two of us. Dan took this picture right before we left the house.

went to the OB concerning the headaches

Everything is fine, and she gave me some meds to help with the headaches. Urine looked good. Blood pressure was good. Gained a pound since last time. Temperature was good. And - we got to hear both heartbeats on the doppler. 154 and 158!

starting to feel better

I've been reluctant to post this in fear that right after I do, I'll get hit hard with nausea again. But, for the past 3-4 days, I can definitely say it's getting better. I've even been able to cook dinner without puking a few times, and that is AWESOME! On the down side, though, the headache is still going strong, and is somedays simply unbearable. I'm considering calling the OB to discuss it with her. Tylenol won't even touch the throbbing in my head.

It's definitely border-line migraine, and SUCKS. This, too, shall pass. This, too, shall pass.

the "BIG" sono has been scheduled

I got a call from my OB a few days ago. My first appointment with the Perinatologist is on Tuesday, March 18, at 9am. It will consist of a long consultation and then my first level II sono. We'll also take a look at the babies' genders, if they're willing to cooperate! I'm really looking forward to meeting this doctor. I'm excited about having someone else on-board who is more knowledgable and experienced in both high-risk and multiples pregnancies. Just a little over 5 weeks and hopefully we'll know if we're on the pink or blue team - or BOTH!

I will NEVER do this again.

Yes, you're hearing me correctly. This is IT for me. I will NEVER be pregnant again! Don't misunderstand - I am VERY thankful for the blessings in my womb, but I am just downright MISERABLE. The nausea is worse now than it has been in several weeks. I had to stop taking the anti-nausea medicine because it made me constipated, and I would MUCH rather be nauseous than constipated. PAIN. Now I'm getting regular headaches that my OB says is normal due to the high levels of hormones in my system. I'm keeping a journal, and writing in it often. Whenever I get the itch for another baby (if ever) I will be SURE to refer to my journal and ask myself, 'Do I want to take the chance of experiencing that with three kids?' HA! No, Thank you!

Okay, whine over. Thank you so much.

12 Week Sono

The babies look awesome. They're now measuring ahead, too! Baby A measured 12w5d and Baby B measured 12w2d. Heartrates were 157(A) and 154(B). Both babies were moving all over the place. We saw their little profiles, their fingers and toes and everything else. It was a very good sono.

The nausea

talked to the OB about getting some zofran (anti-nausea medicine) and she said that was fine. She'd call it in. For the generic drug, I'm paying $52 for a two week supply. Ugh. Hard to justify that price for anti-nausea medication!.

Dangit. I just want to feel good!

Saying 'so long' to my waist!

I can't believe I'm 9 weeks and in materntiy pants. I knew the time was coming. For over a week now, I've only been able to button ONE pair of my regular jeans. Today I slipped them on and could hardly zip them. Dang. Let the fun begin.

Had some brief spotting - went for a Sono

everything is FINE! I worried for nothing.

Heartrates were in the 150's for both babies, and we got to see them moving around and bobbing up and down. Placentas are visible now, and not even close to each other, so no worries about the babies fighting for nutrients off of one placenta. They termed them 'dichorionic/diamniotic twins' which means they have their own sac, placenta and fluid. Tech says things couldn't look any better. I have another sono and appt in a month. Got a rhogam injection in my butt today, too.

I can't stand it . . .

I never realized how intensified the symptoms are with a multiples pregnancy. I am so hungry, and simply can't eat. I feel like I have the flu without the fever. I can't eat ANYTHING. The only thing that sounded decent today was yogurt and carnation instant breakfast, and even those were hard to eat. This morning sickness is KICKING MY BUTT. If you guys could see my house right now, you'd be so ashamed for me! It's a DISASTER! All I want to do is lay around in my jammies and try not to barf or dry heave.

The First Sono

She did the external sono first, and immediately I saw two dark sacs. I asked the sonographer if I was seeing correctly and she just smiled and said, "Yes." Then she told us that so far she couldn't see any fetal poles. So I emptied my bladder and came back in for the transvaginal sono. Almost instantly we saw TWO beating hearts on the monitor and Dan and I were both speechless. She did measurements- each baby is measuring at 6w1d. I'm currently 6w5d, but she said that was okay - she said the more important fact was that they were measuring the same.

Baby A's heartbeat was 116 bpm and Baby B's was 122 bpm. She said those are VERY good, because most 6 weekers are still in the 90's to low 100's. She said our chances of miscarriage are less than 3% now. She also said that both babies have their own sac, which is very good, because that means they won't get tangled in each other's cords or suffer from twin-to-twin transfusions.

Dan didn't say a word during the sono or most of the drive home. Once home, he had to start getting ready for work (we got home at 330pm and he had to go on duty at 4pm, so he was stressed trying to get ready quickly). He was grumpy and quiet for a while, and finally told me that he can't believe we're having twins, and told me that he's worried, and scared. I told him it was okay to feel that way. And then I told him that I will make a promise if he does - and he said okay. So, we promised that we would only feel this way TODAY. Once tomorrow comes, we'll wake up happy and feeling blessed about the TWO miracles in my womb. I am feeling really good about this now, and starting to accept what God has given us. I have told myself, "Gosh, God must think I'm a pretty good mom to put the well-being of TWO babies in my hands!" And, "God wouldn't give us two babies if he didn't think we could handle it."

If He leads you to it, He'll lead you through it!

When we tell the Wills family . . .

We'll be sharing the news with Dan's family during our Christmas get-together with them. It will be Dan's parents, his Grandma and Grandpa, and my brother-in-law with his wife and two kids. Dan wanted to get Cooper a special shirt, and we'll wrap it and let him open it as one of his gifts in front of everyone. I think it's going to be funny watching everyone catch on and react.

Here's the shirt. I had it handmade/stitched from a woman on etsy.com and it even came in this cute little bag, too!



of course when we saw the pirate, we knew that was the shirt for Cooper, since he's obsessed with pirates! He'll love wearing it!

First OB Appointment

and, for what it's worth - she's ordered an early sonogram (scheduled for Wednesday afternoon) because I'm measuring 2 weeks ahead. She said it could just be because I've done this before and my body is working ahead of itself and getting prepared. Nonetheless, she said I'm measuring at 8 weeks, and the calendar says I'm 6w2d.

Telling the Bundy's

We've decided we're going to tell my parents MUCH earlier than we'd like. Reason is: we're going on a vacation with them from Dec. 8 - 11. Wtih as tired and pukey as I am, there's no doubt in my mind that they'll figure it out. Not to mention Mom's going to wonder why I'm not getting in the hot tub and drinking marguerita's.

So, we came up with a card and I ordered it today. We'll present it to them while we're on vacation.

48 Hour Re-Check

In less than 48 hours, my numbers tripled! HCG is 90! Progesterone is 47.8.

Bloodwork to Confirm Pregnancy

everything looks GREAT!

progesterone is nice and high at 41

and beta is at 29

she said she'll have me come in tomorrow morning just for one more check on beta, but not to be concerned at ALL. She said 29 is PERFECTLY NORMAL for just over 3 weeks pregnant!

we're PREGNANT!