Our final ultrasound

Niki and Nathan came up for our final ultrasound today. We're 34 weeks, 6 days and the babies look great! The guesstimate is that both babies are about 5 and a half pounds each. (Wow! That's 11 pounds of baby!) Kyla is still head down; however, Lucas is now transverse (sideways). Dr. K says he wants to talk at my appointment on Monday and that makes me nervous...but, honestly, there's nothing to talk about. I'm assuming he's going to try to convince me of a c-section, but I could be wrong. Unless there's an emergency or a danger to me or the babies though, we will be delivering vaginally.

My cervix is measuring 3.1 cm, so that's awesome! I could easily be pregnant for another week or two. Then, again, with this being pregnancy #5 and it being twins, I could deliver anytime too. So, for now, we just wait...

Here's a pic of me with Niki and Nathan today. Hard to believe this was probably the last time I'll see them before the big day!

Watched pot or ticking time bomb?

I had another appointment with Dr. K yesterday and everything seems to be going perfectly. He said he lets labor go at 36 weeks, but he won't be too aggressive in stopping it once we hit 34 weeks. That's in 2 more days!

I also had another NST yesterday and Kyla had the hiccups. It was so funny because they were loud coming through the monitor. I apparently have an "irritable uterus", but the babies look great and there were no major contractions to worry about.

I go back for another OB appointment and NST a week from today. Then Niki and Nathan will be here the following day for the final u/s.

I dropped off a copy of our pre-birth order, as well as our birth plan, to the social worker at the hospital yesterday. I think we have everything in order!

I don't feel like the babies are coming anytime real soon. I think we have another a week or two at least. But what do I know? It's not like I have a say...lol.

Won't be too much longer...

Well we're still pregnant! :) We hit 33 weeks yesterday and we're hoping for a few more weeks at least. Time is flying by and I can't believe how fast the big day is coming up. I'm so excited, yet scared to death too...lol.

I've been "taking it easy" for a few weeks now and my days are starting to just run together. The highlight of my week is going to my appointments...lol. I'm seeing the chiro twice a week, the OB once a week, and we just started the weekly non-stress tests (NSTs) this week also. We have one final u/s scheduled for 5/27 and Niki and Nathan plan to come up for that.

At my appointment this past Monday, I gave Dr. K the birth plan to look over and he approved and signed it. I also talked with the social worker at the hospital on Tuesday and she said she's made sure everyone is aware of our situation. My hospital bag is packed. Looks like we're ready when the babies are!

Here's the most recent belly pic, taken yesterday at 33 weeks.

Roller coaster of emotions!

Yesterday, I had another ultrasound to check on the babies. They are doing well. Kyla was measuring a few days ahead and approximately 3 pounds. Lucas was measuring about a week a head and approximately 3.5 pounds. However, we were told the upper part of my cervix had begun to open and my cervix was thinning. I was put on terbutaline to relax my uterus and hopefully prevent contractions. I was also given 2 steroid shots, one yesterday and one today, to help the babies' lungs mature. Needless to say, this news worried us all.

However, we went to a perinatologist today for a fetal echo and we also got a closer look at my cervix. He thinks my cervix looks fine for where we are in the pregnancy! He also said the babies look wonderful and are growing very well. They're still measuring either right on track or slightly ahead. He estimated Kyla to be 3 pounds, 5 ounces and Lucas to be 3 pounds, 4 ounces. And neither baby showed any signs of any heart defects or any problems whatsoever. Niki had been worried that she would pass on her heart problems to the babies, but they look absolutely perfect! :) Oh...and we all got quite a kick of Kyla putting her feet in Lucas' face. Not sure if she was kicking him or making him smell her feet, but it was funny. I have to admit I feel sorry for them though...they're running out of room fast!

As for now, I will continue the terbutaline as my OB prescribed. It's making me extremely shaky and it makes my heart race, but it's worth it if it keeps these babies in awhile longer. I go back on Monday morning to see Dr. K, so we'll see what he says once he reviews the peri's report.

Hopefully these babies stay put for another 7-8 weeks at least!

12 weeks (probably less) to grow...errrr...go

We had the 28 week OB appointment yesterday. Both babies' heartbeats were nice and strong and everything was great. My blood pressure was 110/70 and I'm now 6.5 pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight. I'm supposed to go in for another u/s on Wednesday, but we'll have to see if I can make it since I have clinicals that day. Hopefully I can make it work. We also have the fetal echo on Thursday and Niki and Nathan will be here for that!

I've been feeling much better the past few days and I think I can thank the iron pills for that. However, my back and ribs are hurting more with each day. The chiro is doing what he can, but the babies are just getting bigger (which is good...for them anyway...lol). The braxton hicks are picking up, but I can usually get them to stop if I lay down and drink some water.

I'm getting more excited. I have a feeling the next few weeks will fly by!


28 weeks!

The pressure is on...or low...or something.

Well, as Niki posted, we had quite the surprise last week at the u/s! I think it's been a welcome surprise though and I love that I can now call these little ones by their names!

I've been having a tough time, but I'm hanging in there. I almost passed out again this morning in class. (Yes, this has happened in the past.) I missed the test I studied all weekend for, but obviously the teachers were very understanding and said I can finish it later. They insisted I get checked out and bring a release back before clinicals on Wednesday. So I did and they (the nurses and the doc) think it's just the pressure from the babies lowering my blood pressure and keeping blood from getting to my brain. I'm still not 100% convinced it's not partially my blood sugar, but I'll talk to Dr. K more about that Thursday at my appt. They said there's nothing I can really do about it, but the nurse suggested standing up or changing positions every 30 minutes or so. Normally, that's not an issue, but it might be kinda hard to do during lecture. Guess I'll just have to take more breaks. ;)

I have cut pretty much everything from my life, with the exception of school, my family, and the pregnancy, but I know that's still a lot. David and the kids have been pretty good about letting me sit on my butt when I'm at home and save my energy for school. I'm trying so hard to make it through this semester. Part of me wishes I could just give up, but I'm already half way there. It's one thing if the dr says I HAVE to, but I'll be so angry at myself if I just do it on my own. My dr says I'm doing just fine though and that I just have to adjust to the uncomfortableness of twins. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...lol. :)

On the upside, I've been feeling these babies move a lot...so at least I know they're doing well. I feel like I whine so much that I must appear very unhappy, but I really am happy. It's great to know the babies are thriving! And seeing Niki's and Nathan's expressions at the ultrasounds and reading their posts make me smile ear to ear. :D

Change of plans

Yesterday was our Level II u/s.  It was so exciting to see our babies on the screen again.  They look like real babies! LOL  About halfway through the process, though, we got a surprise.  It seems that Baby 2, the one that was a bit shy last time, is actually a boy! :-)  So it looks like we're going to get one of each. :-)

Baby Boy- Lucas Grey (?)

Baby Girl- Kyla Rose

22 weeks

I had another OB appointment yesterday. He didn't do much, but check the heartbeats (which were great) and write me a release to continue clinicals. He said he'll have the tech measure my cervical length again at our big u/s on Wednesday. I go back in two weeks and he'll begin doing the fetal fibronectin tests every 2 weeks from there (to test for possible preterm labor). He also said he won't let us go past 36 weeks or so, so that's only 14 weeks away! YIKES! However, if the babies and I are all doing well, I may be willing to argue with him on this. I understand the fear of uterine rupture, but I know many deliver twins at 37+ weeks with no problems. Seems like the babies could use that extra time to help their lungs mature. We'll see what Niki and Nathan think and how it goes when and if we get that far.

We have the ultrasound Wednesday, March 4th. Niki and Nathan's baby shower is March 15th (and I'm looking forward to being there for it)! Then we have a 4D ultrasound scheduled for March 18th. Oh...and I'm going for a prenatal massage tomorrow! :)

Here's a belly pic from Tuesday night (we were 21 weeks, 5 days). I'm gonna be HUMONGOUS!!!! However, I'm actually having trouble gaining weight. Babies are growing well apparently, but I'm not gaining any pounds. The dr didn't seem concerned though.

Over half way through 2nd trimester!

We're 21 weeks, 1 day and all is well. The "big u/s" is scheduled for March 4th and Niki and Nathan plan to be here! (Thankfully, my instructors worked with me on scheduling this, even though it is a clinical day. It had me very stressed since the u/s tech is only there Wednesday mornings. Ugh.)

I'm feeling pretty well for the most part. The normal aches and pains are here, but they're to be expected. I'm not usually one to sit at home and be lazy, but it's been a more constant thing for me lately...lol. However, when I do feel up to it, I try to get out and do things. After all, exercise is good and Dr. K says things are going great. I figure I should get all the exercise I can and spend as much time out in the real world now, just in case things change and I'm put on bedrest in the future. (Hopefully not!) I know David and the kids miss having me being able to do certain things, but I've been trying to compensate in other ways. For instance, the kids all got new bedroom furniture and I surprised David with a nice TV for our bedroom for Valentine's Day. Yeah, who says you can't buy love? ;) LOL Seriously though, David and the kids have been wonderful and I'm very grateful for all they do.

As for the babies, they're definitely growing. I feel them moving quite a bit more these days. They wake me on occasion during the night, but I tend to fall back to sleep fast. I'm really looking forward to seeing them again!

It's half time!

Today is the 20 week mark! We're really half way there (or more)! I saw Dr. K today and he did a quick ultrasound, just to check cervical length. It measured 6 cm, which is awesome! (I read average at 20 weeks is 4 cm.) He didn't take a look at the babies, but I got a very quick peek at them as he scanned. They have grown so much and are oh so cute! We'll be seeing Dr. K every 2 weeks for awhile now and we're trying to figure out when to schedule the "big ultrasound". We're growing right along! :)


20 weeks

Growing right along...

Well today's OB appt went great. It was just the basics: urine analysis, blood pressure, weight, OB blood panel, etc. Then they surprised me with an u/s! Of course, I wasn't about to turn that down! Babies were doing great and everything looks well! :) Dr. K is going to see us again in 4 weeks, but he said we'll go back to every 2 weeks when we hit the 22 week mark. He gave me a prescription for Phenergan gel, so I hope it will help some with the nausea and not make me too tired.

I also discussed my labor preferences with him. He's willing to let me attempt a natural delivery, as long as baby A is head down. He was reluctant at first because he didn't think I'd want a manual version if baby B was not head down (where he has to reach up there and manually turn the baby) without sedation. But I quickly reminded him that he had to manually extract the placenta during my last delivery and I was not sedated for that. He said it would be about the same. As much fun as that was NOT, I told him it's a risk I'm willing to take. Anyway, I feel so much better after talking to him about it. :)

Well here are this week's pics of the sweet babies!



Niki is out of surgery and is doing OK, as far as I know. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers!

Blah and Yay!

I couldn't sleep last night, thanks to this "cold". I woke up and called Dr. K's office. They can't see me until Monday. So I asked them to have the nurse call me. She calls and says I can take Mucinex D, so I did. I start feeling better, so I shower. I got very light headed in the shower though and had to get out. As I'm getting out, I start vomiting violently. It wouldn't stop. Finally, I catch my breath and yell for my mom. (Thank God she was here.) I tell her to get ready to take me to the ER. That was the 3rd time I've thrown up since yesterday. I haven't kept anything I've eaten down. And I've lost 5 pounds since Monday. That can't be good for the twins!

So I go in and find out I have a virus, an upper respiratory infection, and an urinary tract infection. They gave me some fluids and anti-nausea meds via IV. Just before I leave, they decide to check on the babies' heartbeats. They can't find them...neither of them. I'm in a panic at this point, but they had already made me an appointment for an u/s.

I head over to u/s and they call me right back. She put the wand on my tummy and I saw them both move, which caused me to immediately break down in tears. I was so relieved! Anyway, the babies are great. We're 11 weeks, 6 days today and they're both measuring 12 weeks, 3 days with heartrates of 163 and 167. They've grown so much and are actual human babies and not gummy bears anymore! I couldn't believe how much they were moving all around and I think I'm feeling one of them!

I feel a lot better emotionally, but I'm still feeling pretty icky physically. I need to bake goodies tomorrow for the kids' Christmas parties on Friday, but I think that's out. Luckily, David doesn't have to be at work until 3 and he's offered to do it for me. What a great guy!

Little gummy bears

Well yesterday was wonderful. It was great getting to see Niki, Nathan, and his family...and of course the babies! I haven't quite relaxed yet, so I was a bit nervous before the ultrasound; but seeing the little ones quickly reassured me. It was so cute watching one of them move all around while his/her sibling slept. I'm very excited to see how much they grow between now and our next u/s! Anyway, here are the pics of Niki's and Nathan's babies! Aren't they cute?!?

8 weeks, 5 days

Dr. Appointment 11/25

The whole gang (Nathan, his mom, sister, brother, and I) all headed up to OK yesterday around 10:30ish.  We stopped around 1:00 to grab a quick bite at McDonald's and then we drove the remaining 15 minutes (I was going nuts being so close!).  We arrived just in time.  I hopped out of the car and delivered the goodies (Ben & Jerry's ice cream) before we got back in the car and went to Dr. K's office.  We got to the office right on time (whew!).

We thought this was going to be a general OB work up, with the added bonus of an u/s, but we were apparently mistaken.  All we got was the u/s (there's no way we would have left without one! ;-) ).  But that was enough to put smiles on all our faces.

We were all crammed into the little (and warm!) u/s room waiting for Dr. K to come in.  When he opened the door I think he was a little surprised at the number of people in the room...  Kinda like a clown car!  We introduced ourselves (how cool that we got to say we were Mom, Dad, Grandmother, Aunt, and uncle!!!) and then he got started.

Up popped our little gummy bears!  Two perfect little babies. :-)  One was wiggling its little head while the other was taking a nap.  I told LD "I knew they'd be on different sleep schedules!"  She said she'd try and work on that before she evicts them. ;-)

I haven't scanned the u/s pics into the computer yet (but LD has them on her computer).  If she doesn't do it first, I'll try to get it done later today.  They're starting to be recognizable as little people! :-D

Tomorrow I get to go back up to see LD and her family!  I can't wait.  :-D  I miss them already!

Would you like some whine with that?

I woke up spotting again on Saturday. Luckily, it was gone by that evening. I know it's common and all, but it sure startles me. I'm feeling more pregnant than ever and I whine all the time (David will confirm this...lol); yet I can't help but worry if everything is OK in there. I can't wait until I can pick the babies' heartbeats up with my doppler and feel the babies move, so I have that extra reassurance. Luckily, we have an OB appointment tomorrow and we'll take a peek at these little ones. I can't wait to see them and I'm very excited to see Niki, Nathan, and his family too!

I get to stop injections on December 4th. Eleven more shots, but who's counting? :)

I'm thinking/hoping/praying that the second trimester will be much more enjoyable. Second trimester starts Christmas Day! Merry Christmas to me?! :)

7 weeks and causing trouble already...

Well there was a slight startle Wednesday night. I started spotting. Yesterday, it had faded to brown, but I went to the dr anyway after clinicals and all is well. Both babies were doing great with healthy heartbeats. He reminded me that spotting is very common with IVF pregnancies and even more common with twins. While I knew that, it's still scary to see. The spotting was completely gone by last night *knock on wood*, so I'm a bit more relaxed now. Ugh. I hope it doesn't come back! Anyway, Dr. K said he'll be seeing us every 2 weeks until we're 12 weeks at least. He also said we can have an u/s anytime we ask, so that's very comforting.

Here are the most recent pics of the babies. They don't look much different than last week, but they have gotten bigger!

Seeing double!

Friday was a very wonderful experience. Despite waiting in the waiting room for so long with my stomach growling, the ultrasound ended up being worth it. I was laying on the table, staring at the screen, when the dr began. I heard Niki "gasp" when she saw the first flicker of a heartbeat. Soon, we saw the flicker of the second heartbeat. I could hear Niki and Nathan react, but I was afraid to look at them. I had a feeling I'd be in tears if I did. Once the ultrasound was complete, I sat up and sure enough, they both had happy tears in their eyes. What a great feeling that was! I was able to hide the tears until Nathan called his mom. I could hear the excitement and her happy tears in her voice. It was then I could no longer control mine. I feel so blessed to be carrying the children and grandchildren of such wonderful people. There's not one doubt in my mind that these babies are going to be loved and oh so spoiled!


Here's Thing 2 (top) and Thing 1 (bottom).


And here they are again with their heartrates underneath. Thing 1 is on top and Thing 2 is on bottom. Although Thing 2's heart rate faded, it was just because of the position he/she is in and the dr had a hard time getting it. Heartrates were 110 and 111.

Finally!

After the slowest week ever, the day is FINALLY here!  Today Nathan and I will get to see our little ones on an ultrasound for the very first time.  I have so many emotions swirling around inside me right now.  I'm excited and nervous at the same time.  Nervous because I'm hoping we will see two heart beats today.  Not zero, not one, and not three (or more).  Two.  Two heart beats will be a perfect blessing today.  

Twice as much fun!

I haven't personally updated in a while. Guess I'm still trying to let the fact it's twins sink in. Twins? Where? Who? Me? Wow.

Things seem to be progressing well so far though. I'm tired all the time. I have strong cravings, indigestion, and constipation. And don't expect me to remember anything you told me 5 minutes ago. I have a major case of "preggo brain". So things seem to be going well, wouldn't you say?

I'm very anxious for the ultrasound Friday, not only because we get to see the babies, but because I'll get to see Niki and Nathan! Only 3 more days!

OK, time to go...we need a nap now...

Are you kidding me?!

Okay, some of you people are just plain mean.  Six people have voted for triplets?!  Seriously?!  You can't honestly think we have a splitter, can you?  You're just trying to freak us out.  Yes, that's all it is.  Because God does not give us more than we can handle, and quite frankly I could not handle triplets.  EEK!  While it might be cool to have a set of identicals, I do not think that it would be a good idea to have a heart patient, who has to have surgery every 2-5 years, to be the mother of triplets!  Can' you imagine?!  Twins is scary enough!  I'm sorry, but I just don't think Nathan and I want to be outnumbered by our kids quite so quickly.  Two is more than enough.

And think of poor LD!  There's no way that carrying triplets would be in her favor.  She's in school.  How could she make it to the end of the semester if there are three?  As it is, we're praying that two won't have her end up on bedrest (I doubt it will, but the chances to get higher with multiples).

So all you mean people who said triplets, please go back and change your vote.  :-P  Either that, or be proven wrong on Nov. 7th.