Well on our way

Sorry, I have been slacking big time with this blog.  So here is an update from my last 2 appointments!

On June 3rd we had our appointment with the high risk doctor. While I didn't enjoy the experience much, it was still fun to see Peanut and Butter. The appointment was different as we had an ultrasound tech doing our ultrasound. She wouldn't let me ask questions while it was going on, which I didn't care for much as this was the large anatomy scan where they check out all the babies parts. The actual doctor was very hard to understand. What I did find out from the appointment: The boys are 100% most definitely boys! They are di/ di twins and apparently that is the "good kind". ( DCDA or di/di (diamniotic / dichorionic) - These twins are usually fraternal (absolutely fraternal if different genders), but some will actually prove to be identical twins where the embryo has split very early in development (about 1/3 of identicals may be DCDA). First trimester scans will show two embryos in two separate sacs. The dividing membrane between the twins is thick, being made up of two layers of chorion and two layers of amnion (one from each twin). This thick separation gives rise to the so-called ‘lambda’ sign, where there is a wedge shaped piece of tissue between the edges of sacs of the twins on ultrasound. The circulations and placentas of the babies are separate, even though the placentas may push up next to each other later in pregnancy. DCDA twins generally carry the lowest risks of all the subtypes of twin pregnancy. *stolen from http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com/twin-pregnancy-complications.html). Peanut was 14 oz and Butter was 13 oz and both had strong heartbeats (Peanut 140 and Butter 146). I also was told that Peanut's placenta is a little lower and closer to my cervix than they would like, but there is a chance that it is just early and will move before the next appointment. In the mean time, no heavy lifting, no bending, and I am supposed to lay down for an hour each day and rest in the afternoon (which I am finding is easier said than done). I will be visiting them again on July 1.

I also had an appointment with Dr. Johnson on June 13th. Being my typical every two week appointment with Dr. Molly, it was short and sweet, yet more fulfilling than the other. She updated me on the last appointment I had with the High Risk Doctor. Because I was not able to ask the Ultra Sound tech questions (or rather she was not able to answer them) I had been nervous because of the time they spent looking at Butter's heart. Dr. Molly says that everything is fine and we got a good report. Both the boys looked good, although they were in strange positions and we didn't get a good look at Peanut's face (Heartbeat was 141).

Butter on the other hand must have felt like showing off:

He's got his Daddy's nose and a sweet little face (Heartbeat 160)

I go back again on July 1st to see the High Risk doctors. In the mean time we are starting the remodel of Doodle's bedroom. Dry wall is going up today, its time to start getting ready for these babies!

Movin' and a groovin'

I hit the "twin half way mark" on Sunday. Only 5 more weeks until the first major milestone for twins: viability. Meaning the earliest that the twines can be born and still have a viable chance of making it.

The babies have been moving more and more, thankfully, I was beginning to get worried. Last night their Daddy felt them for the first time. It was so exciting! I cannot wait until Doodle can feel them, I think he will love it.

I go back next Friday for my first meeting with the high risk doctors. They will be doing my big anatomy scan. I am excited for that, but nervous to meet with them....

Sweet Emotion

Holy emotional. I have been crazy emotional the last couple of weeks. Honestly I can cry at the drop of a hat. Sheesh. Normally I am a pretty emotional person anyway, but I can usually hold it in a bit. I don't remember being this emotional when I was pregnant with Doodle.

Today was our 16 week ultra sound. I went in *hoping* that we would find out the genders of the babies. My birthday is tomorrow and it would be a great birthday present. I was not disappointed.

The ultra sound showed very clearly that we are having 2 little boys! I wont lie, I was a bit disappointed, I wanted to have at least 1 girl, but the important thing is that they are healthy. Honestly, I was a little disappointed when we found out Doodle was a boy as well, and I wouldn't change him for the world.

Besides the gender identification we learned that they are both as healthy as they have been the whole time. Butter was up and dancing for us again, and when she showed them to us side by side, they were kicking each other. A look into the future, most likely.

Butter's little leggies

Butter = Boy, heartbeat 154

Peanut = Boy, heartbeat 161

Now its time to start getting serious about names.. I go back again in about 1 1/2 weeks (a little early this time due to a vacation) and then on June 3rd to meet with the high risk doctors and get my BIG ultra sound. Looking forward to it! 

14 1/2 weeks

Can I give a shout out to the total wonderfulness of having Ultra Sounds every 2 weeks?! It is so amazing to get to see the babies grow before our eyes in my stomach. Of all the awful pieces of infertility and/or high risk pregnancies this is truly one of the benefits! I couldn't believe how much they had both changed already since our last Ultra Sound just 2 weeks ago.

Peanut had a heartbeat of 154.

Butter had a heartbeat of 150

I absolutely love the picture of Butter, once again he/she was moving all around and this one captures he/she stretching his/her arms over her head as if just waking up. Both babies and their mommy continue to be incredibly healthy. In 4 weeks I will have to meet with the high risk doctors for the first time. At my clinic this is standard procedure for any mother pregnant with twins. They are just an extra set of eyes on the pregnancy.

What I am really looking forward to is *hopefully* finding out their sexes! I am ready to start planning a nursery if I need to paint and buying things!



12 weeks gone hello 2nd trimester!

Ahh. The 2nd trimester. I have such fond memories of you from my 1st pregnancy. You were complete with the ability to brush my teeth without then gagging, the renewal of energy, and that pregnancy "glow" that everyone talks about.

I have to say I am happy the 1st trimester is over. For those of us who have dealt with infertility this means a "graduation" of sorts from our Reproductive Specialist to our regular OBGYN. It also means the completion of many, many weeks of shots (particularly exciting!) and a sense of confidence that you have passed a milestone that you may have never thought you would see.

My 12 week appointment was fun, uneventful really, but anytime I get to see the sweet little babies it is fun. I have been a little under the weather, sick with a cold or allergies, I'm not sure which. The babies are looking great, measuring just right, and wiggling around (Butter did some pretty incredible rolls while we were watching).

Here is a picture of both of them together.

Peanut had a heartbeat of 167.

Butter had a heartbeat of 161

It is so fun getting to see them every 2 weeks. I really hope it keeps up throughout the entire pregnancy. I am very excited to find out what we are having in a month or so! For now everyone participate in the poll guessing what we are having!

10 1/2 weeks

Today we went in for our 10 1/2 week appointment. The babies look great. Measuring right on schedule. We found out that we will be going in every 2 weeks and will have ultrasounds at least monthly. I am pretty excited about that! We also found out that at 32 weeks we will have to go to the hospital 2 times weekly for stress tests. All of this is normal protocol for those expecting twins at our doctor's office.

We got some AMAZING pictures like this one:

It shows both of the little sweeties in there together. I think my doctor was pretty proud of the shot, she had shown several of the office staff before I even made it out of the Ultra Sound room. 

This is sweet little Peanut. His or Her heartbeat was 170 today. 

This is sweet little Butter. His or her heartbeat was 154 today. He or she was very active and was waving and kicking all over the place.

Doodle is still learning about his siblings. We ask him where mommies babies are and he will rub my belly or, as pictured below, he will pull up his own shirt, rub his belly, and exclaim "Keith's babies". Its all too adorable. In the picture below we were trying to get him to give the babies a kiss, instead we got this. ADORABLE.

I am currently still waiting to hear from my doctor in Omaha. I am hoping to be released from their care today and taken of the dreaded Progesterone in Oil shots. Fingers Crossed!

8 weeks and going strong

Today was my 8 week appointment. It went well. The babies are doing great. Peanut (Baby A) has a heartbeat of 160 and Butter (Baby B) has a heartbeat of 169. They are both measuring up to date and looking good. Its somewhat hard to see Butter. He/She is always hiding.

My morning sickness has not been bad. I have good days and bad days, but if my memory serves me right, I am not near as sick as I was with Doodle. This has worried me a bit so I am very happy that I have ultra sounds every 2 weeks to fill me in on how the babies are doing.

Sounds like I will have to stay on my shots for at least another 2 weeks. Ugh. I was hoping to be off them today. They did finally give me an official due date of October 17th, however Dr. Johnson said they do induce or perform a c-section if you make it to 38 weeks so I am expecting them at least 2 weeks earlier than the October due date.