Daniel's surgery

Daniel will be having surgery on 1/3/08 to correct three hernias.
He will have to stay overnight at Abington, and I will be staying with him.
He will have five little incisions but the doctors think that it is best not to wait.
He flirted with the nurses and the doctor at his appointment this afternoon...little cutie.
Hopefully, this will help him to be more comfortable and get Mommy and Daddy some sleep.
That's about it from here.......

update.....from babyville......

We have attempted to settle into a routine. The kids aren't really on board with it yet, but we are trying.

Melissa is 21 1/4 inches long and weighing in at a respectable 8lbs 3oz, followed closely by her big brother at 21 inches and 8lbs 1oz. It is amazing how much they have grown. They no longer look like preemies but real full term babies. They are both sporting double chins and have doubled their birth weight in two short months.

They went to their two month check up at the doctor yesterday and each got 5 shots. They were quite fussy last night, but I would be too. Melissa still has her murmur and will be seen at CHOP tomorrow. Daniel has a hernia that will require surgery after Christmas. That should be fun.

We actually had our first night out since the kids came home. Monday was hubby's birthday and our next door neighbor watched the kids for a couple of hours. Hubby is a real worry wart. He called home at least 3 times to check on them. They, of course, were fine and not having any issues.

On Tuesday, we got the call that it was okay for Melissa to come off of her apnea monitor. So, we decided that Daniel would come off too. That is the best feeling in the world. I finally feel like the babies are mine. They are not attached to a machine for the first time in their lives. The monitors were such a pain. We had more than 60 false alarms with Melissa and at least twice that many with Daniel. Daniel's monitor was a voluntary thing that we did just in case (nervous mommy and daddy syndrome).

I am venturing out for the first time by myself tomorrow with both babies. Melissa's appointment is at 11:30 and I have no one to sit with Daniel so he will make the trip as well. I just have to tweak a few things on the stroller to make sure that the car seats fit. Normally, hubby comes along, but he is scheduled to work (and it is all overtime.....every penny counts when there is only one income). I am sure that I will do just fine. I just hope that the kids cooperate.

Kinda Neat...

Pictures from home

Miss Melissa sleeping

Daniel is excited that he weighs 4lbs 2 oz!

The Proud Papa!!!

The kids are being discharged

from the special care nursery tomorrow. Melissa "failed" her car seat test (the nurses monitor them for 90 minutes looking for apnic episodes or bradycardia) and will now require a car seat bed to come home. Thank you AMH for ripping us off for another $80.00.

The kids are eating great and putting on weight like champs. We are really excited to finally have them home and all to ourselves. We are more delighted that our least favorite nurse is not taking care of them today. I am sure that she means well, but constantly reminding us that we have to keep the babies warm when we get them home has gotten to be a bit much. If the nurses would leave the temperature alone in the nursery, maybe the kids wouldn't need a onsie, a romper, three blankets and a hat to stay warm. They seem to do fine during the day, it is only at night that they seem to get cold....(they take axillary temps which are notoriously unreliable). She also keeps reminding us that we need to make sure that the bottles are warm. Really? I was just going to chip some blocks off the frozen Brest milk and offer it to the babies. DUH woman!!! She has the most condescending tone you have ever heard. It is not like we are 16 year old kids, or some low income family that can't afford our heating bill. Argghhhh.....

Oh, and the only time that either baby has had any "issues" with their breathing / heart rate/ etc is when this nurse is working. Hubby would like her head on a stick for a Christmas present. On the whole, the entire NICU / Continuing Care Nursery staff has been great. We did have the nursing student who couldn't figure out how to put the diapers on but I understand that there is a learning curve.

So, I am off once again, for one of my last trips to the hospital hopefully for a while, to feed and hold my little babies. I just want them home. Everything is ready. We even did the apnea monitor training last night.

24 hours and counting..............

Halloween Pictures

Daniel as an Eagles Player (above)
Melissa as an Eagles Cheerleader (below)

Almost 2 weeks old....

and doing great!
Daniel is back to his birth weight and Melissa is up to 3 lbs, 14 oz. They are both taking feeds from a bottle which is a huge milestone on their journey to come home.

Daniel is continuing to stink out the nurses while filling his diaper. He is the “Atomic Pooper”. Melissa is the “Champion Sucker” when it comes to their feedings.

It is hard to believe that they will be 2 weeks old tomorrow…..I don’t know where the time has gone.

There is going to be a Halloween Party tomorrow in the NICU. Daniel will be dressed as an Eagles Player and Melissa an Eagles Cheerleader. I got the costumes at Build A Bear, which is the only place that had costumes that were small enough for our little peanuts. Should make for some really cute pictures.

10 day update

Melissa's Big Yawn

Melissa in Pink

Daniel in blue

Daniel and his binkie

Daniel and Melissa are doing better than everyone expected. On Wednesday, they were moved to the step down unit and Melissa came off of her nasal cannula. They are both off of their IV fluids and only have their NG (feeding) tubes in place.

We made an attempt yesterday to put Daniel to breast. He made a few good efforts but the nurse also was giving him his milk at a really fast rate and Daniel decided to spit up quite a bit. The nurse was brand new....ok, first time bad on me, second time, bad on you).

Melissa did much better. She took 5 cc from the breast and is a champion sucker!!!! This would be the first thing she has gotten to do that Daniel hasn't done before. I am very proud of her.

They are changing so much every day. They are more awake and are wearing their little onesies that SDM got for them. They look so adorable. (THANK YOU!)

I am sleeping better and only need my pain meds at night. Pumping is going pretty well too. First thing in the morning after a night's rest is the best. I am getting more than 6 oz. I hopefully will be able to start freezing some of my milk so we have a store of it.

I am going back for their noon feeding today after I get some running around done. I have lost 38.6 lbs since I delivered them and and only 8.4 lbs away from what I weighed in high school! I have gotten close to that in several dieting attempts but never made it. Now that I am nursing it is easy. I can eat just about anything I want and the weight is falling off. Kind of neat......

Actual Birth......

The actual video of my c-section on 10/16/07

Kind of bloody and not for the squeemish....

Daniel was first, Melissa was second...

Just wanted to update everyone...

The kids are doing well and have started to put on weight. Daniel is a pooping machine and Melissa is not...she may even need some help in that department. We shall see.

I am still getting up to pee a lot and that of course wakes hubby up. The pain is so so. It is really mind over matter at this point. I have my meds and take them when I need them. I am trying to rest but feel like I have so much to do. Mom and Kirsten were a huge help over the weekend and I will be eternally greatful for all of their undertakings.

For the next little while, my schedule is going to consist of being at the hospital by 7:30 am to pump for Daniel (who eats at 8 am) and then be there for rounds so I can get my updates directly from Dr. Eddie (our neonatologist). Then, Melissa gets her feeding at 9 am. I hold them for about 30 minutes after each feeding. I will then come home to rest.

When hubby gets home from work, we will go back over to the hospital for their mid afternoon feedings or evening feeding, whichever time permits. Daniel eats at 12,4,8,12,8,12 again, Melissa is an hour behind.
Daniel is up to 20-30 mls per feeding. Melissa is up to 12 mls. Can you say "Mama Moo". I am one pumping individual at this point.

They are doing great! Daniel is off of his photo therapy lights and Melissa never needed them at all. Melissa still has a small supplement of oxygen and they both getting a bolus of caffeine every morning. Like mother like daughter and son. I need my caffeine too.

So, if you can't reach me at home, try my cell phone. If I am not answering, it means that I am probably with the kids in the NICU and I will get back to you.

Thank you for all of your love, prayers and support. We are very blessed.

Introducing "The Vise Squad"

Daniel Allen
Melissa Elaine

ARRIVAL

Daniel and Melissa joined us on tuesday at 12:41 and 12:42 pm on Tuesday, October 16th, 2007.
They weighed 3 lbs and 9 oz and 3 lbs and 13 oz and were 16" and 16 3/4" long.

They are both in the NICU and doing well. I am home now and will write more and post pictures as soon as time permits.

We made it to 31 weeks.

I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. It seems only days ago that I was staring at the picture of our little 5 celled embryos and now there is a solid 6.5 lbs of baby in my belly that are constantly reminding me of their presence.

The perinatologist told me last week that if contractions started after 32 weeks, they most likely would do nothing to stop them. I am not really in that much of a hurry and would like to let these puppies cook until they are good and ready and the risk factorys for RDS are alot lower. Not that I want to be in the hospital any longer than necessary.... He feels that any time that we get after Halloween is bonus. My regular doctor, however, thinks that I will make it to Thanksgiving....he keeps telling me not to worry and that I "will stretch". HA! I literally feel like I cannot stretch anymore. My bellly is sooooo hard.

We had a great time at the baby shower on Sunday. There were a few less people than I would have hoped for but a good time was had by all nonetheless.

We got lots of stuff for the babies and I spent most of Monday sorting through the gift bags that took up 3/4 of my kitchen. It looked like "Babies R Us" threw up all over the place.

I am fighting a little bit of a cold right now. It is the really the first time I haven't felt good since the morning sickness subsided around 14 weeks. I think I have been very lucky. Better to have a cold now than when I am at the hospital. I kept poor Hubby awake last night with my snoring....paybacks can be sooooo sweet! He does this to me nearly every night despite the use of the breather right strips.....

I am getting excited. I am slowly putting together my "hospital bag" and picking up last minute items that we did not receive as gifts. It is just so surreal that in a few weeks, there are going to be 4 of us, not just 2. I mean, I am going to be someone's mom, two people's mom....that just seems so weird to me.

Next week I start my Fetal Non Stress Testing at the hospital. I will be going twice a week until the kids arrive. I also go back to the OB's office for another check up.

The kids are kicking and have discovered that they can get their heads up under my ribs. That is almost as uncomfortable as when the discovered they can kick down and back and kick me in the guts. They are going to athletes....I can tell!!!

So, I guess we are in the final "stretch". (No pun intended!) I have put on 22.5 lbs since my first visit to the doctors at 12 weeks. I am pretty happy with that since it seems reasonable that I will be able to lose that weight pretty quickly. My goal is to get back to my pre IVF weight (the same as I weighed in high school). I have done it once before and I am sure that I will be able to do it again.

Baby Shower....

( Daniel and Melissa's Cake)

( Bottle Challenge)


( Clothesline from Julie and Janet)

Well, we had a blast at our baby shower yesterday. Daniel and Melissa received lots and lots and lots of goodies. Today I am sorting through everything try to find places to things. These kids are going to be the best dressed kids in town.

We played a few games, including "the diaper game" with melted candy bars. Go Julie and Janet...you are both winners to me!

Some of the guys took the bottle challenge and raced to see who could finish their bottle first. This was hysterical! 4 grown men and alcohol in baby bottles!!!

We also had a beautful cake with pink and blue booties on it! I have tons left over if anyone wants some......

I am a little tired today, the kids, however don't seem bothered by my exhaustion. They are still pretending they are George Foreman and Muhammed Ali right now. They had me up at least 4 times in the night. I know...get used to sleep deprivation......

Pictures from our trip to mom and dad's house

30 week update on the twins

I've just returned from my visit to the perinatologist and received wonderful news.

Our little boy (the tiny one) had started to catch up to his sister.

Daniel weighs 3 lbs 1 oz and Melissa weighs 3.9 oz.The doctor reminded me that anything after Halloween is bonus time and that he to believed that I will not make it to my due date or scheduled c-section date.

We are not out of the woods yet, but things are looking better.

We are VERY happy and blessed!

Go Phillies!!!!!!

At least one of us is comfortable

Growing Concern

I was literally stunned at what the ultrasound tech found yesterday at our monthly growth scan. As it turns out, our little twins are more than a pound different in weight. It is called Discordant Twins. Baby A is 1 lb and 15 oz (+ or - 5 oz) and Baby B is 2 lbs and 11 oz (again + or - 5 oz) according to the tech's measurements.

It was bad enough that I had to wait an extra 25 minutes while she finished her lunch, but was then instructed to lay on my back with my legs out in front of me (which is a new form a torture that I had never dreamed of). My chiropractor had told me to avoid doing this at all costs. I explained how bad my lower back was and told her that I would try.

So, the scanning started. Normally I cannot take my eyes off of the monitor but I literally thought that I was going to be sick. I broke into a cold sweat and thought that I would pass out at any minute. And for some reason, the scan hurt. I don't know what was different. I have had dozens of scans and never once (including the internals) ever hurt. The tech finally asked if I was okay and I told her that I didn't think so. She told me to roll over on my left side, not offering any assistance, of course and I nearly rolled off the table. She did her best to finish the scan and then placed a towel over my belly and told me she had to go to speak with one of the doctors. Keep in mind, I have yet to actually meet any of the Perinatologists that are "caring" for me.

Dr. Mushmouth came in and walked over to the ultrasound machine. I guess it was a new machine since neither the tech nor the doctor had any idea how to scroll through the pages. I glanced at the estimated weights and my jaw dropped. Baby B had always been a little bigger than Baby A but to see more than a pound difference shocked me. Dr. Mushmouth pulled out his blackberry and started to do some calculations, humming here and there, adding in a few are "you sure on that", and the occasional "that's odd". He told me that B was big. Really big. I am not exactly a waif myself, and did tip the scaled at 9lbs 1oz when I was born, but having one baby who is measuring normally and one really big baby is scary. The bigger B gets, the less room that A will have to grow. There is something called Intrauterine Growth Restriction that they are concerned about. I don't know if that means that they are going to deliver me early or what. I have a call into my regular OB's office and am awaiting a call back but for the first time in a long time, I am SCARED.

The perinatologists want to see me in three weeks again rather than 4 weeks, which has been my routine. I see the regular OB next week. I am trying not to focus too much of my energy on this and pray that Baby A is a fighter.

Prayers would be appreciated...

3D/ 4D Ultrasound images

Saluting Daddy!

Cute little face on baby A Side of Baby B's face and little hand under the chin... (below)

They weren't as clear as we would have liked, but considering they were kicking the crap out of each other, it is amazing we have any images at all.

Stuff for the kids...

We are planning on getting this swing / bouncer combo with music and vibration.

And these are our New Carseats for the little ones.... Thanks Mom and Dad!

3D/4D today : Family Connections

Today is a day that both hubby and I have been looking forward to almost since we found out that we were pregnant. We are having our 3D/4D ultrasound this afternoon. We will finally be able to see the faces of our children. My parents are driving in today from Pittsburgh to share this amazing experience and then will stay overnight. Hubby has to work tomorrow, so I am sure that Mom and Dad and I will do some more baby shopping. I think they are getting really excited.

Keep in mind that they do have other grandchildren. My sister, who lived in Massachusetts, has a son and a daughter (almost 8 and 3 1/2 years old respectively) and Mom was very used to getting to spend time with them prior to their move to PGH. My parents are only 19 months away from retirement and hopefully, will settle closer to us so that they will have the opportunity to spend some quality time with our children when they are growing up. I t is important to me that the kids know their grandparents. When I was growing up, I had a Grandfather who lived in Florida and Grandmother who lived in Washington, both of whom, I never got to spend too much time with. I have had to deal with that my entire life, not feeling a real close connection with them. I got close to my Grandfather a few months before he passed away, but that was because for the first time, he was living under our roof. Hubby's mother passed away years ago and his dad is in a "old soldier's home" in North Dakota, so that chances of the kids making a really meaningful connection there are pretty slim.

Must go and have my cup of coffee and start some laundry (much overdue) and do some last minute straightening up around the house before the parental arrival.

Oh, and I will post some pictures later this evening of Rumble and Tumble.....

Did I mention that their favorite time of day is between 2 and 5 am. Lots of kicking, punching, general mayhem. And these kids are strong...

I think I am going to be in a lot of trouble when they finally arrive.

Visit to OB's Office

Well, I almost missed my OB appointment. I got up, made coffee, drank half a cup and fell asleep on the couch, waking 15 minutes before my appointment time. So, I hurried to the shower thanking GOD that the office is around the corner. The visit was pretty uneventful. I am measuring at 33 weeks if this were a singleton pregnancy but of course, it's not. I got to see the little ones and they literally have their heads together. The are both head down but Melissa is being a uterus hog. She is on her had and folded like an upside down "L". She has her legs straight out. She is our little kicker. Daniel is doing fine and growing normally. He is going to be the quiet one, I can tell already.


So, the first week of September, I am do go for my glucose tolerance testing and see the OB again in a month. After that visit, we are on the every two week schedule. Then at 32 weeks, it will be back and forth to the hospital for ultrasound and Fetal Non Stress testing EVERY WEEK until they arrive or our C-section date rolls around. I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going.


I am starting to actually outgrow some of my maternity clothing. Oh JOY!


But, according to their records, I have only put on 13lbs since I got pregnant in March, so I am celebrating! After my visit, the girls at the front desk seemed flustered. I thought they needed some inspiration to get them through the rest of the day so I went home and whipped up a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies and took them back over. They were thrilled! It was the least that I could do for the office that I count on more than anyone.

And we are at the six month mark...

and time is flying by. We have had 3+ days of rain and cool weather here in the Philadelphia suburbs and it is not helping my lower back. Any suggestions for stretches to help alleviate the pain?

My parents move today. They are being transferred from CT to a town just north of Pittsburgh. It will be their last move before retirement. I will get to see them next weekend as we are scheduled for our 3D/4D ultrasound at Womb With A View. I am getting more and more excited to see the little one's faces. The kids have been very active the last few days. On Saturday, while taking a bath, I noticed a lump on the right side of my belly which I am guessing was someone's rear end. It was too cute. I pushed on it and in a few seconds it was back. Someone got their mommy's butt....

Off to nap for a few hours.....

Our baby pool!!!!

This will be for our friends who we have not shared to babies' sexes with for the baby shower. I designed it myself and am rather proud of it!

Almost 23 Weeks and needless to say...my back is killing me. I am all babies up front.

I have yet another ultrasound tomorrow. Hopefully, it will be uneventful and I can just lay there and enjoy seeing my babies.

Mom and Dad came down over the weekend to deliver the crib, dresser and dressing table. Grandma wants to buy us a second crib but there is really no rush on that. They are sharing me and can share a crib for a while after they are born.

I am feeling more and more tired. I discovered that I can no longer lay flat on my back without bending my knees up because it hurts my back too much. I am going to call tomorrow to see if htere is anything I can do besides taking tylenol (which does nothing, incidentally!). The pain is really something. Normally I can put up with most anything but this is starting to get to me.

Both babies are very active. I get kicks and punches several times daily, sometimes all night too. I hope they get their sleep cycles sorted out soon.

I was at the store yesterday and a slaes clerk asked me "how much longer?". You should have seen her face when I told her 3 1/2 months....

My feet are starting to swell. I am starting to leak. My back hurts. Other than that...it is a fabulous pregnancy.

15 Years Later

Ellen, Me, Karen and Karen...15 years after high school....... We had a terrific time at dinner last night.

I am so fortunate to have such amazing friends.

Birthday Plans

So, Hubby will be taking Wednesday off (8/1) for my birthday and has told me that we can go anywhere I want. I am torn between Wildwood and Cape May NJ. It is just so much fun to see Hubby pig out on "fair" food. He just can't control himself. If it is deep fired, it will end up in his mouth. He is such a little kid like that. He is also the best "crane game" player I have ever seen. Our kids will not be hurting for stuffed animals.

I won't be able to ride any of the rides but they do have a couple of water parks and great beaches. I also toyed with the idea of taking a whale watching / dolphin watching tour. It would be kind of a let down after our trip to Discovery Cove and actually getting to swim with dolphins.

The weather is supposed to be nice and since it is midweek, I hope not too crowded. I haven't been to a NJ beach since 1992 if you can believe it!!!

And the beat goes on

I've made it to five months. This is officially my longest pregnancy to date. The kids are doing well and growing like crazy. I could, however, do without the 3 am "Rumblefest". It is nuts!!! I end of rolling from my left to right side and neither one of them are happy about it. Yesterday, I was up at 3 am and decided to be nice to the hubby and let him sleep. He really appreciated it. I was totally wiped by the end of the day and nearly missed my favorite TV show "Rescue Me". I was never really a big Denis Leary fan before the show, but now I just love him.

Mom and Dad are off on vacation to Old Orchard Beach in Maine. We were hoping to join them but a 12 hour drive is not recommended or well tolerated. Maybe next year.

The reality that the kids will be here in four months is starting to set in. The other reality that I will be turning 33 years old is also setting in. We are trying to work out arrangements to get the crib from Mom and Dad but they are being transferred AGAIN this month and will now be nearly 7 hours away instead of just 5 hours. I am bummed about that. I really want our kids to know their Grandparents. Hubby's family is all out in North Dakota and his Dad is not doing well. We will try to get out there sometime in the spring or summer. No way am I dragging two infants to North Dakota in the dead of winter.....

So, the hum drum continues.

Pictures from Our Trip to Connecticut

Me and Mom and my Birthday Cake

The Family

19 weeks today!

I had my 2nd of 3 scheduled ultrasounds this week. It kind of sucks because I won't have another one until next month. It just seemed to be the way the schedule worked out.

I don't know what it is with ultrasound techs. They are either great or they completely suck. Yesterday, Tom, our tech at WWAV was OUTSTANDING!!! I couldn't ask for a better experience. Today, Penny, was just a bump on a log. I tried numerous times to engage her in even the most polite conversation and she was silent. I am not sure what her deal was but on the way home, I told hubby that when the kids were old enough, I was going back to school to become an ultrasound tech just so that no other woman would have to go through some of the experiences that I have had to. I mean, this is a happy time. At least try to act like you enjoy your job, I am mesmerized by the images on the screen and would love to do that for a living. Not Penny..... Maybe she ran out of coffee, maybe she is PMSing, maybe she is just a miserable person, I don't know.

Anyway, Melissa (Baby B) is weighing in at a whopping 11 oz (estimated, of course) and Daniel is catching up at 9 oz. I figured that since Melissa was kicking the crap out of her brother, she was had a pretty good leg workout this week and as we all know, muscle weighs more than fat. I think I am going to have a little girl very similar to her mom. I was, am and have always been the "athletic one" in my family. Hubby is of course, quieter than me, tall and lanky. This should be an interesting experience.

Hubby was nearly in tears yesterday upon finding out that we were having a boy. He is the oldest in his family and the last chance for the family name to be carried on in a direct blood line. He has several step brothers. He is already planning on building an obstacle course on the back yard. He just had this grin on his face last night like a kid at Christmas. I am just so happy that his dreams are coming true too. Don't get me wrong, he is excited about the babies in general, but since he has three grown daughters, he just never figured that he would ever have the chance to raise a son.

My Aunt is visiting my parents this week and she has already been shopping for lots of pink and blue and I am sure that my mother has. My Grandmother, who will be 93 tomorrow is busy knitting for the kids and is happy about the news and not having to do everything in green and yellow. I happen to like green and yellow but.......

I am feeling a bit tired and think that I will lay down for a few minutes before moving on to my chores for the day.

Ultrasounds from Yesterday

The Ketchup Song

So, yesterday, hubby calls me from work and has decided that the suspense is killing him. He wants to know the sexes of the babies. Keep in mind that he has 3 daughters from his first marriage (all grown and all on their own), and the idea of 5 daughters made him want to set himself on fire and run down the street. At least, that is what he was telling everyone.

We are going to Connecticut this weekend to help celebrate my Grandmother's 94th birthday. he thought that it would be nice if we had some updated Ultrasound images and hopefully found out the sexes. So, yesterday, I call WWAV (Womb With A View) and see if they have anything for this week. I know that 19 weeks is early for a 3D / 4D ultrasound, (the kids just don't have enough fat to make it look really nice) so we opted for the 2D with the gender determination. So, I set up the appointment for today. He called me this morning and wanted to know if I was singing the Ketchup Song. (Anticipation-Carly Simon used a few years ago in a commercial). I just laughed. I was counting the hours......

Hubby came home from work early to pick me up and we drove to WWAV. What a super nice place with really super nice staff. They display all of the images on a big TV so that the Daddies can see without kinking their necks.

Our normally crazy-active Baby B was being pretty quiet upon first glance. And modest. Nothing like Mommy!!! Baby A was locking his legs together and being shy as well. We probed and probed and finally they got used to the idea that we were on a mission and no matter what they did, we were going to find out. By the way.....both of them were chewing on the umbilical cords....I never knew that, but clear as day, they were chewing away.

Their heart rates were both in the 140's and their sacs are huge and "condo-like". They both decided to let their guard down and we were able to see "baby junk".

We are having one of each.

Baby A is a little boy

Baby B is a little girl.

Welcome Daniel Allen and Melissa Elaine!

Mommy and Daddy couldn't be happier!

Trip To Triage

Well, yesterday was a bit of an adventure. Monday afternoon, I started to have some pretty serious cramping and called the Dr. I was advised to push my fluid intake, take Tylenol for my slight fever and get on my left side. I can deal with a low tech approach and called hubby to let him know. He, of course, races home to care for me.


Tuesday, I get up. no fever, but cramping is still "significant". I call Dr. again. The nurse, who I really like, tells me that I may need to go on a "trip" but that she will talk to him and call me back.


Three and a half hours later, I receive the call. Yes, The Dr wants you to go to triage to be checked out. I was honestly expecting and office visit, not a trip to the hospital. Did I mention the 96 degree heat here yesterday......


So, hubby again, races home and loads me into the Jeep and away we go. We arrived at 1:30pm and were told to go to the 4th floor where they would be expecting me. Mind you, the last trip to this hospital was an 8+ hour ordeal ofter our first embryo retrieval I am asked to give a sample, which I was more than happy to do and then get into bed.


The nurse came in, did a brief history, and put me on a monitor. Hubby finally got to hear the heat beats of his little ones. His face lit up despite the uncertainty of what was going on. We were then seen by a P.A. who was super nice and understanding about the fact that these babies were the result of nearly 2 years of fertility treatments and did her best to calm our fears.


She decided to ultrasound my belly and much to our surprise, baby "B" was kicking the living sh*t out of baby "A". OH MY GOD!!!! Baby "A" is pointed down and "B" is pointed up and "B" was kicking "A" in the head and punching everything in sight. I guess this is normal but "A" did not seem to appreciate it very much. "B" is going to be just like Mommy!!! All of this activity is causing some spasm of the round ligaments and causing my cramping. Thank God it was not early contractions.


I asked the nice P.A. if she could tell the sexes of the babies. We are a pretty good idea what "B" is but "A" was sitting "Indian Style" and we couldn't get a clear view. They are huge, by the way. It never fails to amaze me how fast they are growing. We were out of traige within 2 hours and I am to push my fluids and rest. I can do that.


We came home and I went to bed (or at least laying on the bed). The mayhem continued in my belly until after 11 pm when I think "B" tired out.


Today, I am off to the genetic counselor (finally) and will post again with whatever info they can provide about our elevated risk from the quad screen.


Keeping all of our fingers crossed for the girls "in the dugout" this week....

Frustrating Week (Warning...R A N T)

So, let's just recap this week:

Found out that we are at an elevated risk on our quad screen (1:171). I wasn't expecting that and am still starting to deal with the possibilities of the big what if. Not that it matters...the genetic counseling that I should have had 5 weeks ago (that I am still waiting for), would not make a difference. We would not be able to terminate after 16 weeks (not that we would) even if it was some horrific genetic anomaly. Please see below....

(my rant......please excuse me, but I have to get this out or I am seriously going to lose it)

Had ultrasound yesterday. Appointment was for 1PM.

We arrived early, only to have to tolerate the world's fussiest two year old in the waiting room. Yes, that is adorable, let's let you son flick the lights on and off and laugh about it while the pregnant woman five feet from him contemplates his demise. Let me just say....my children WILL NOT, I repeat, WILL NOT act like that in public. Mashing bananas into the seat cushions is not cute, nor endearing. Despite arriving earlier than the little monster's mommy, she was seen before me. Mind you, I am to have a full bladder for these "monthly growth scans".

Finally, we are taken back and it must have been my lucky day. I got a student. Yes, a student. Maybe 22 years old, at the most. How nice. Last time, I wasn't seen by the Doctor because he was "too busy" and the idiot at the front desk neglected to put genetic counseling on the schedule. This time, I get someone who is not even completed their training.

Example:

"these are the leg bones" she says

duh...can you say femur- I quietly think to myself

"these are the arm bones" she says

again, humerus, radius, ulna...we are going to measure their length-

I wonder what kind of anatomy they teach at her school. Sorry. I was a premed major and took years of anatomy and physiology and would expect that in a professional office, we would call things by their true names.

This place is a total joke. So after 50+ minutes, I finally have to empty my bladder. I come back in the room and there is another tech there. She takes over the ultrasound. I inquire again about determining the sexes..."well, it is too early" (Bullsh*t)...." and I don't like to make guesses". "We should be able to tell you when you come back next month". Oh heck no....we are not coming back. I am going to have the remainder of the scans done at another facility for fear that I will actually go off on these people.

Incidentally, I had to tell them that we had a positive quad screen and the student looked at me as if I had a third arm growing out of the middle of my forehead. "Duh, what's that"?

Ok....I have been through two years in infertility, prior to that I had an unexplained miscarriage in 1999, and I am carrying twins. Ummm hello anyone......

H I G H - R I S K

...please at least act like you have reviewed my chart.

So, needless to say, we are done there. We will take ou chances somewhere else. I am beyond frustrated. I don't wholly understand the whole quad screen thing and have tons of questions that no one seems willing or able to take the time to answer.

I am just trying to stay calm. Pray for my little miracles (each weighing 5-6 oz). I am carrying a can of soda and feel like I am carrying a gallon of milk.

Aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh.

But aren't my babies lovely?

16 weeks ultrasound images

Baby A

Baby B
Both Babies

Unexpected Report

Well, I just got off the phone with my ob's office. They were calling with my quad screen results from last week. I honestly hadn't thought much about the test until they called. Well, I am in an elevated risk category. Apparently, there is a 1 in 171 chance that one or both of our babies will have some kind of genetic issue (Down's Syndrome, Trisomy 18, Trisomy 21, etc). The nurse seemed to think that it had more to do with my age and ethnicity (ummmm....Lilly White and 32 years and 10 months) and that there is a 99.4% chance that everything will be fine. They are glad that we are schedule fro our ultrasound tomorrow. I know that this means that I may have to endure an amniocentesis and that is something I am not looking forward to.

Nevertheless, there is concern. I almost wish I did not opt to take the test. Ignorance is bliss.

Warning.......... Belly Shot

Okay.....




Keep in mind...it is TWINS.......






15 weeks and 3 days........






I am actually measuring at 20 weeks......






Holy Crap..............




I'm gonna need my own zip code........

15 Weeks and fluttering.

Saw Dr. H, my regular OB/GYN on Wednesday. I am measuring 20 weeks in size. Just think, that is half way for a singleton pregnancy. It was a quick scan and they look amazing (sorry, no pics this time). I am so used to doing trans vaginal ultrasounds, it is kind of nice to be on a table with my pants up and only have my belly showing. I have lost all modesty at this point. They were bouncing around and waving their arms (with really long fingers).

Last night laying in bed, I felt a little flutter near my belly button. I think it was in response to hubby putting his head on my belly to see what he could here. The only thing he said he could hear was a fart (bubbles from drinking water all day)... that got us both laughing. I think I woke the kids up and that was their protest. It was very cool. Also, I finally got to hear the heartbeats. I don't know how this got missed at our other appointments. They were both right around 145-150 beats per minute.

I also made all of my perinatal and genetic counseling appointments (at least the one's I can schedule) today. The receptionist / nurse laughed because we scheduled into November. She reminded me that with a twin pregnancy "You never know". At least, I am trying to plan ahead....

Hubby is taking next Friday off for my next fetal scan in Abington. I wasn't crazy about their office when I went the beginning of the month so I will be going to one of the "outer hospitals" for the remainder. It is a lot closer to home (20 minutes versus 45 without traffic) and you don't have to pay for parking. I hate parking garages. I guess it just reminds me of all of the time I spent flying around when I was training software and getting back into town trying to remember where I parked. I have lost hours of my life at LGA and Kennedy airports.

Also, I am getting winded doing the smallest things. I can make it down the stairs, but going up seems to leave me short of breath and my heart pounding. It is all normal. Wow....this is going to be a long few months.

Hubby is on his way home, should go put the doggies out to greet their daddy.....

So, our 14 week ultrasound is being rescheduled until next Wednesday. My mother called last night to let us know that my Uncle Bob had passed away. He was my Grandfather's youngest brother and was such a trip. When I was little, I can remember going over to his house and his entire basement was all Lionel trains. It was the coolest thing. He was the only person in the world who I knew personally that smoked. Amazingly, it was not lung cancer that killed him. He came to our wedding and seemed so frail to me. He took over during the reception, requesting our pianist to play songs he liked to sing too. It was a riot.

I will be driving up to Buffalo for the services on Friday instead of having my ultrasound. I spoke with my ob and got his approval. Hubby is worried, of course, about me driving 6 1/2 hours by myself. It's no big deal, I've got my ipod, my cell phone and a map...I'll be just fine.

I've also discovered that Burger King onion rings are the arch enemy of the pregnant woman. I thought I wanted them yesterday but by last night, I was sure that I had made a huge mistake. Thank God for TUMS..... Am feeling much better this morning.

So Friday morning, I will get up with hubby and head off to the wilds of Buffalo. Mom and dad and I will be staying at a motel up there in lieu of staying with my aunt (long story). It will be nice to see my home city again. We didn't go this year for our anniversary due to all of my morning sickness.

Hoping that the babies are doing fine. I hate waiting to see them. I don;t know how low risk women can go their entire pregnancies with only one or two ultrasounds. I have grown so used to seeing them every week or two. I ma sure they are going to be much bigger next Wednesday. Who knows, maybe we can even find out the sexes......that would be great!!!

13 weeks today

Things have been pretty quiet recently. Last Friday, I went for my NT scan and the kids were doing just fine. I didn't get to meet with a doctor which was disappointing to say the least. It was nice to see both of the kids moving around for such a long time. I have another ultrasound on the 15th and then again on the 29th. I guess I should get used to trips at least every 2 weeks. I was used to seeing the kids every week and honestly, it was hard to go 2 weeks, but I made it. They are just growing so fast.....

We spent the weekend in Connecticut with my parents and Aunt from Buffalo. Saturday morning we went fishing and then in the afternoon, drove to Boston to pick up Grandma at the airport. She was really happy to learn that we were having twins. She told us that we must be making up for lost time. She really has no concept of everything that we have been through in the last two years.

Yesterday was my official last day of work for the foreseeable future. Leaving was weird. It kind of felt like the last day of school. I know that it is the best thing for the pregnancy but I also know I am going to go stir crazy in the house. I am trying to set an agenda of little projects to do.

One of the girls that Hubby works with is also pregnant. They had a bit of a scare today and she is in the hospital with bleeding. Hubby will be working late the next few days to try to help pick up some of the slack. He was just so moved by the whole deal, he called me just to make sure that "we" were all right. He is so sweet.

I feel fat all the time now. I am most definitely into maternity clothing. There are times that I just cannot eat. I feel like if I eat anything else, I will explode. That is usually after a sandwich or small snack. I still have not gained any baby weight but do have the belly sticking out. I guess I'll have to post a belly picture.......

"Viable, Active Dichorionic Twins, Week 10

The kids are measuring 33 mm and have heart rates of 172 and 174. They were very active today..... They have grown like crazy since the last scan 6 days ago.

I still have the subchorionic hematoma and it has not reduced in size. I am however not on the antibiotics anymore since they are making me throw up. My cysts are almost gone and my ovaries are "almost" back to normal size. I guess that makes it a good week....

9 weeks and 2 days

We had our 9 week and 2 day scan this afternoon. The babies are measuring 22mm long. They are the same size. The heart rates are 168 and 182. The are a little concerned about baby b since the sack that he/she is in doesn't seem to be growing very fast. There may be a leak so they have put me on antibiotics for the next 10 days (as if I was not sick enough, I get to take the antibiotic 4 times a day).

I also have a hematoma (bruise) in my uterus. They are not sure why or how it happened, but they are watching it closely. I guess it is pretty normal in twin pregnancy and can be caused because everything is stretching and is very crowded right now.

So, we are happy because we got to see the little ones moving around. The one on the left is nuts. It was almost like he/she knew we were watching.... The one on the right was a little shy, but was moving his/her legs.

I can't help but be happy and terrified at the same time. Having had a miscarriage in the past, I appreciate and respect how frail these little lives are and just pray that the sack gets bigger and there is not a leak.

Milestone Day 8 Weeks

baby "a" is 17 mm long and has a heart rate of 166 beats per minute. (top picture)

baby "b" is 16 mm long and has a heart rate of 168 beats per minute. (bottom picture)

They are doing great and are growing perfectly!

"group photo"

Well, today is officially 8 weeks. We reached the end of the embryo stage and are now at the fetal stage. I went in for my ultrasound this morning and everything is looking great. I am still on all of my restrictions and have to continue with the progesterone but that is a small price to pay. They have grown so much since last week I can hardly believe it. When I saw the heartbeats last week, it seemed like their hearts took up a third of their bodies. This week, is was just a "normal" sized flutter that you would expect to see. It was sooooo cool.

My ovaries are still twice the size as normal and I still have lots and lots of cysts. My body is taking her sweet time resolving all that. My hormones are crazy and I'm sure my body is just taking care the the feti (the plural of fetus?) rather than shrinking everything back.

The nurse was nice enough to give me a prescription for some anti-nausea medication that seems to be working. At least that was covered by insurance......

We return in 10 days for another scan. I suppose I can at least make an appointment with my regular OB/GYN for the next few weeks. I asked the ultrasonographer about hearing the heartbeats and their machines are not equipped to do that. All the technology that they have in this office, and they didn't opt to get the machine with sound.... who knows....