January 26, 2012
I'm typically not one for double blogging but this story was worthy of a 2nd post. My best friend, Katie, makes us dinner once a week. (How she manages to pull this off with 4 of her own children is truly beyond my level of comprehension) Anyways, She lives over an hour away but her husband works here in San Jose. Typically, he drops off a meal and the following week I return tupperware, supplies, etc. This week she made us a very delicious Chicken Tortilla Soup in the crock pot. Tonight after dinner, I put the base of the crockpot on the stairs while I soaked the inside piece (I'm sure these things have some technical name but this is clearly above me as well). Joe and I were sitting at the dinner table finishing a conversation when we heard what sounded like rain on a tin roof. I walked around the corner to find Ryder with his pants around his ankles and he was peeing in the crockpot. I laughed so hard I thought I was going to pee my pants (not the crockpot). Joe and I both took a minute to compose ourselves to go back and discipline him. First attempt, Joe gets 1/2 way through the conversation and starts busting up. I step in and start explaining to Ryder and continue laughing... before I know it all three of us are on the floor laughing.
Logically, I know that I probably just encouraged him to start peeing in all sorts of things but seriously, how do you talk to a kid about not peeing in a crockpot without laughing? Tonight was one of those nights that I can't help but LOVE having a son! He seriously is the FUNNIEST kid I know and even peeing in a crockpot, I couldn't be more proud.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Another week down...19w3d update ;)
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Today, I am 19w3d pregnant! It's official, I"m more than 1/2 way done. Originally, my OB told me he wouldn't let me go past 37 weeks, but today the MFM told me they don't like to see mono-di twins go past 36 weeks. Geesh, just shaved another week off pregnancy. This really is FLYING by! Anyways, this week I'm actually starting to feel a lot better. I have a lot more energy and feel like I am able to get more done at work on a daily basis. I've been told this is the "honeymoon" period with twins and that it doesn't last long so I'm enjoying every minute of it!
Today I went in to see my MFM doctor (Dr. Lee) and have a fetal echocardiogram done on the babies- basically, they do a thorough evaluation of their hearts. Both babies have absolutely perfect little hearts!! Let's just check one more thing off of the list of things to worry about with these girls!! I'm all about celebrating the little things along the way so I'm doing a little victory dance for the girls. Anyways, Dr. Lee also checked the fluid levels on both babies and they looked great! They also had great blood flow in their umbilical cords so again, more things to be celebrated! I really couldn't get over how much bigger they were this time! It amazes me every time.
One of the things that has really shocked me is to see the difference in personalities between the girls already. When the tech started the ultrasound, Little Miss Nova (AKA Baby A), was so mellow. She just laid there and was the perfect little patient. The tech commented, "Wow! I don't think I've ever had a baby be this cooperative during an echo before! She's making my job easy!" I chuckled and said, "She's our mellow baby, wait til you get to Baby B..." She finished up Nova's assessment in about 15-20 minutes. Next us was Little Miss Bria (AKA Baby B). Just as Mommy predicted, Bria was bouncing off the walls. She was doing somersaults and would NOT sit still. The tech was giggling and after about 25 minutes she said, "Ok, and I've never had a baby this squirmy before, she's certainly not making this easy." She continued to kick and punch at the ultrasound wand for another 20 minutes or so. Finally, she wore herself out, started to suck her thumb, and settled in for a little nap and the tech was able to get what she needed. The tech laughed and said, "Well Baby B made up for how easy Baby A was..." I told her I think Baby B is going to be a lot like her big brother. She printed me a couple pictures and we finished up. Here's a couple pics of our girls today:
Every week I get more and more excited to meet these girls! I am still in awe of the fact that we are having twins. I think my jaw still drops at every ultrasound and I see two babies kicking around in there. If you would have told me 20 weeks ago that I'd be having twins and would be over the moon excited about it, I would have told you you have me confused with someone else. Now that this is starting to become a reality, I think its time we start some of the serious preparations- first item on the agenda- new car!
Until next week...
Today, I am 19w3d pregnant! It's official, I"m more than 1/2 way done. Originally, my OB told me he wouldn't let me go past 37 weeks, but today the MFM told me they don't like to see mono-di twins go past 36 weeks. Geesh, just shaved another week off pregnancy. This really is FLYING by! Anyways, this week I'm actually starting to feel a lot better. I have a lot more energy and feel like I am able to get more done at work on a daily basis. I've been told this is the "honeymoon" period with twins and that it doesn't last long so I'm enjoying every minute of it!
Today I went in to see my MFM doctor (Dr. Lee) and have a fetal echocardiogram done on the babies- basically, they do a thorough evaluation of their hearts. Both babies have absolutely perfect little hearts!! Let's just check one more thing off of the list of things to worry about with these girls!! I'm all about celebrating the little things along the way so I'm doing a little victory dance for the girls. Anyways, Dr. Lee also checked the fluid levels on both babies and they looked great! They also had great blood flow in their umbilical cords so again, more things to be celebrated! I really couldn't get over how much bigger they were this time! It amazes me every time.
One of the things that has really shocked me is to see the difference in personalities between the girls already. When the tech started the ultrasound, Little Miss Nova (AKA Baby A), was so mellow. She just laid there and was the perfect little patient. The tech commented, "Wow! I don't think I've ever had a baby be this cooperative during an echo before! She's making my job easy!" I chuckled and said, "She's our mellow baby, wait til you get to Baby B..." She finished up Nova's assessment in about 15-20 minutes. Next us was Little Miss Bria (AKA Baby B). Just as Mommy predicted, Bria was bouncing off the walls. She was doing somersaults and would NOT sit still. The tech was giggling and after about 25 minutes she said, "Ok, and I've never had a baby this squirmy before, she's certainly not making this easy." She continued to kick and punch at the ultrasound wand for another 20 minutes or so. Finally, she wore herself out, started to suck her thumb, and settled in for a little nap and the tech was able to get what she needed. The tech laughed and said, "Well Baby B made up for how easy Baby A was..." I told her I think Baby B is going to be a lot like her big brother. She printed me a couple pictures and we finished up. Here's a couple pics of our girls today:
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| Our beautiful little Nova Nicole at 19w3d |
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| Our beautiful little Bria Belle at 19w3d |
Until next week...
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
18 week OB Appt
Jan 18, 2012
18w2d
Today I had my regular appointment with my OB. After our ultrasound and appointment with the MFM on Friday, I walked in with 3 pages of questions for Dr. Rosenberg. I was very appreciative of his patience and understanding with my type A, need to feel in control of everything, personality. When he came in the room he asked how I was feeling. I gave him my typical report- "For the most part, good, aside from the typical pregnancy complaints." He opened up my chart and asked how I felt about my ultrasound on Friday, I reached for my notes and said, "Well, I have some questions..." He half grinned and leaned back and relaxed, I think he knew this was going to be a longer appointment than he had planned. I started down my list one by one and we discussed each and every one of my concerns/questions. At one point, he layed my file out in front of me and we just went over it page by page. Finally, I just asked, "Can I get a copy of this?" He giggled and said, "Absolutely". I'll spare you all the medical hoopla and just say he really put my mind at ease about our latest findings at the ultrasound. He said yes there IS a size discrepancy between the two babies and explained to me that they have consistently measured 3-4 days difference and that their growth curves have been consistent and thats wonderful news! He also explained to me that with a twin pregnancy where the babies share the placenta, it is predetermined how the placenta will be shared. You would think it would just be 50/50 but that's often not the case. Its not uncommon for it to be shared 60/40, 70/30, etc. Obviously, the closer the share, the better.
We also went over in detail all the other markers for TTTS and looked at the ultrasound findings for each of those areas. Luckily, our babies both have 3 vessel cords, and a normal placental attachment which is really great news for our babies. He also went over the amount of fluid in each sac and explained how that is measured to watch for risks as well and both babies had within normal limits of fluid as well. Another thing to be grateful for! So reassuring to be able to get all this info explained in detail by my Dr.
After all of that, we listened to the babies heartbeats. Baby A resides on the right side and Baby B resides on the left. We are officially able to distinguish between the two on the doppler, which is pretty exciting. It takes a little more time for us to find the heartbeats, as I now have an anterior placenta. (My placenta is in the front of the uterus and my babies are behind it so for me to feel them, they have to kick a lot harder!) This explains why I had ONE day of feeling them move and nothing since. It looks like it will be a few more weeks before I can start feeling them regularly.
I've gained 25 lbs to date.... yep, that's right- 25lbs! I'm officially on 3 protein drinks a day as a preventative measure for TTTS and unequal placental sharing. Its hard to get all 3 down in addition to my regular meals and water intake, but I'm getting it done. I'm also getting increasingly uncomfortable by the day and sleep is becoming harder to come by. I'm trying to just take each ache and pain as they come and enjoy this pregnancy for all its worth. I know when its over, it will seem as if it went by so fast. And we will be closing the pregnancy chapter of our lives. While I find carrying two babies to be much more taxing on my body than I had imagined, I'm still going strong. Luckily, I have an amazing and supportive husband who has picked up all household chores and the majority of the cooking. He's going above and beyond taking care of me, Ryder, and our girls! I truly think I won the husband lottery!!
18w2d
Today I had my regular appointment with my OB. After our ultrasound and appointment with the MFM on Friday, I walked in with 3 pages of questions for Dr. Rosenberg. I was very appreciative of his patience and understanding with my type A, need to feel in control of everything, personality. When he came in the room he asked how I was feeling. I gave him my typical report- "For the most part, good, aside from the typical pregnancy complaints." He opened up my chart and asked how I felt about my ultrasound on Friday, I reached for my notes and said, "Well, I have some questions..." He half grinned and leaned back and relaxed, I think he knew this was going to be a longer appointment than he had planned. I started down my list one by one and we discussed each and every one of my concerns/questions. At one point, he layed my file out in front of me and we just went over it page by page. Finally, I just asked, "Can I get a copy of this?" He giggled and said, "Absolutely". I'll spare you all the medical hoopla and just say he really put my mind at ease about our latest findings at the ultrasound. He said yes there IS a size discrepancy between the two babies and explained to me that they have consistently measured 3-4 days difference and that their growth curves have been consistent and thats wonderful news! He also explained to me that with a twin pregnancy where the babies share the placenta, it is predetermined how the placenta will be shared. You would think it would just be 50/50 but that's often not the case. Its not uncommon for it to be shared 60/40, 70/30, etc. Obviously, the closer the share, the better.
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| 18 weeks and growing.... |
After all of that, we listened to the babies heartbeats. Baby A resides on the right side and Baby B resides on the left. We are officially able to distinguish between the two on the doppler, which is pretty exciting. It takes a little more time for us to find the heartbeats, as I now have an anterior placenta. (My placenta is in the front of the uterus and my babies are behind it so for me to feel them, they have to kick a lot harder!) This explains why I had ONE day of feeling them move and nothing since. It looks like it will be a few more weeks before I can start feeling them regularly.
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| 3 protein drinks/day |
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| 18 weeks and growing by the second |
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Introducing....
Saturday, January 14th, 2012
Let's talk names!!! Now that we are certain the twins TRULY are GIRLS, Ryder would like to introduce you to his sisters:
Baby A will be Nova Nicole. Nova means "new" and Nova was our "new" baby. Nicole is after my big sister, Shannon. Shannon has ALWAYS been a huge support to me and the best Auntie to Ryder. She's a special person in our lives and we felt it fitting that Nova would have a special connection with her Auntie.
Baby B will be Bria Belle. Bria means "noble, strong, victorious". Bria was the baby that at 6 weeks was MUCH smaller and we were told only had a 50-50 chance of making it. She's clearly living up to her name and has been very strong and victorious to get to where she is today! I also like that if you were just to add an "N" to the end of Bria's name, you'd get Brian, which is my little brother. It's a fun way to tie the girls to my brother and sister.
Let's talk names!!! Now that we are certain the twins TRULY are GIRLS, Ryder would like to introduce you to his sisters:
Baby A will be Nova Nicole. Nova means "new" and Nova was our "new" baby. Nicole is after my big sister, Shannon. Shannon has ALWAYS been a huge support to me and the best Auntie to Ryder. She's a special person in our lives and we felt it fitting that Nova would have a special connection with her Auntie.
Baby B will be Bria Belle. Bria means "noble, strong, victorious". Bria was the baby that at 6 weeks was MUCH smaller and we were told only had a 50-50 chance of making it. She's clearly living up to her name and has been very strong and victorious to get to where she is today! I also like that if you were just to add an "N" to the end of Bria's name, you'd get Brian, which is my little brother. It's a fun way to tie the girls to my brother and sister.
Friday, January 13, 2012
17w4d Anatomy Scan
Friday, January 13th, 2012
Today we had our anatomy scan! It amazes me how nervous I still get before EVERY ultrasound. Losing our last baby is always fresh in my mind until I see those babies on the screen with flickering hearts. Todays ultrasound was no different. My nerves were especially on high alert as I knew today we were checking for risks associated with identical twins.
Joe and I were checked in and started the brutal 45 minute wait for the ultrasound tech to grace us with her presence. This does NOT help the nerves of an anxious pregnant woman. Once we got started, and saw 2 beating hearts, I was instantly relaxed. Both babies were so much bigger. The tech asked if we wanted to know the gender and we said, "Yes, of course!" Pretty quickly, she told us that Baby A was in fact a GIRL. This was actually our FIRST confirmation on Baby A. She checked out Baby B and determined that she is also, still a girl! YAY! I can finally feel confident that we are truly having girls! Absolutely amazing!
The tech checked out all their bones and measured their heads, hearts, brains, etc. She then went on to check their kidneys, bladders, etc. Physically, both babies are developing perfectly and looked just as they should! Such amazing news! I enjoyed watching them wave and wiggle during those 45 minutes. The tech also checked the blood flow in both of the babies umbilical cords which also looked great. This was a big relief for me because I know this is a concern for identical twins. She then checked the placenta and gave us great news that the placenta is no longer blocking the cervix! Yay, one less thing to worry about in this pregnancy. She finished up and told me the MFM specialist would be in shortly to discuss the results with us.
When Dr Lee, our MFM, came in she told us both babies looked great, yada, yada, yada, but I could feel the impending 'BUT' coming. And as soon as she said BUT... my heart sank. "But, based on our measurements we have found a size discordance in the twins of 16%" This means we are now officially on the radar for my biggest fear in this pregnancy, Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. She said not to worry yet, because we don't need to worry until we hit 20% (Um, well, I'm no mathematician, but thats' only a 4% difference- insert panic here). She went on to explain that she didn't see any other markers for TTTS- blood flow from both umbilical cords looks great, the amniotic fluid levels were within normal range, and their weren't any physical abnormalities to suggest we were heading towards TTTS. However, because of the discordance we are on alert for TTTS and/or placental sharing issues. After we discussed this, she did another exam to check my cervical length and manually simulated a contraction to see how my cervix reacted (thanks, that felt AMAZING -is my sarcasm coming through here?) We will go back in in 2 weeks for the fetal echocardiogram and another measurement to see how the girls are growing. We can only hope and pray that the size discordance stays the same or becomes less. If not, we will be looking at various interventions and weighing our options on how to proceed. I'm doing everything I can to stay positive and stay strong for our babies. I really need them to stay strong for us too! Keep growing baby girls, we have already fallen head over heals in love with you and can't imagine not having you here with us!
To all our friends and family- we welcome all the prayers and positive thoughts you can muster! I know our girls are fighters and can pull through this. But if you could keep us all in your thoughts and prayers we would truly appreciate it!
Today we had our anatomy scan! It amazes me how nervous I still get before EVERY ultrasound. Losing our last baby is always fresh in my mind until I see those babies on the screen with flickering hearts. Todays ultrasound was no different. My nerves were especially on high alert as I knew today we were checking for risks associated with identical twins.
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| Waiting for the tech... |
The tech checked out all their bones and measured their heads, hearts, brains, etc. She then went on to check their kidneys, bladders, etc. Physically, both babies are developing perfectly and looked just as they should! Such amazing news! I enjoyed watching them wave and wiggle during those 45 minutes. The tech also checked the blood flow in both of the babies umbilical cords which also looked great. This was a big relief for me because I know this is a concern for identical twins. She then checked the placenta and gave us great news that the placenta is no longer blocking the cervix! Yay, one less thing to worry about in this pregnancy. She finished up and told me the MFM specialist would be in shortly to discuss the results with us.
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| Baby B- My little sweetheart! |
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| Baby A's beautiful profile :) |
To all our friends and family- we welcome all the prayers and positive thoughts you can muster! I know our girls are fighters and can pull through this. But if you could keep us all in your thoughts and prayers we would truly appreciate it!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
A New Year and Another Week...16
Monday- January 2nd, 2012
Happy New Year!!! Wow, 16 weeks! Time is really starting to move fast and my belly seems to be growing at a rapid pace. I'm beginning to get more uncomfortable by the day. I don't sleep much at night. I can't seem to make it longer than 70-90 minutes without getting up to pee. I guess these babies are prepping me for life with a newborn, I mean 2 newborns! Luckily, I'm able to get in a good 1.5-2 hour nap every day which I feel like is my saving grace right now. If I don't get the nap, I'm barely hanging on by 5pm. A new happening this week is that I started to feel the babies moving, like REALLY moving. I've been feeling the "flutters" or "popcorn popping" for a couple weeks and was very excited to start feeling the little jabs. I can't tell one baby from the other, but it does feel quite different from when I was pregnant with Ryder. I'm also beginning to have a lot of back pain, which I knew was coming because I had that with Ryder too. Luckily, Joe has been wonderful at back rubs, foot rubs, rib rubs... just lots of rubs! Work is getting more difficult but I'm hoping to work until 30 weeks. My OB says I might want to lower my expectations. But until I'm told otherwise, I'm going strong.
This week also starts a new year with new hopes for the future! Ryder is going to turn 3 this year!! WOW! When did my BABY stop being a baby?? It really happens sooo fast! He's really turning into quite an impressive little guy, full of personality. He has a great sense of humor and is ridiculously smart. He is constantly making us laugh. With his great sense of humor also comes a little mischievous side as well. You might say he's a typical 2.5 year old boy, but I think anyone who has spent much time with him knows he takes it to the next level. But I'd be a liar if I said I didn't absolutely love that about him. He constantly keeps us on our toes. In spite of his mischievous side, he's got the biggest heart! Every day when I pick him up from school, he goes around the room and gives EVERY kid in his class, his teachers, and the director a hug before we leave. He constantly rubs my belly and tells his sisters he loves them. I'm truly amazed at him. He's been the brightest thing in our lives for the last 3 years and I can't wait to see how he transitions into the roll of BIG BROTHER. Closing 2011 with a smile and a sigh of relief and looking to 2012 with a lot of hope and many dreams for our expanding family! Happy New Year!
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