Who has time for updates anymore?

I'm pretty sure over the last 7 weeks I've only managed to find the time to shower....well, you probably don't want to know that.

On a less disgusting note:

We're alive and partially functioning!  I have a friend (who also has a toddler + twins) who said that the first year is a complete blurr.  I believe her.  The last 6 weeks...to be completely honest, I vaguely can recall any of it.

Jordyn & Brynlee are doing great despite how I feel physically.:)  It IS reassuring to see them thriving even though I'm not.:)  When they came home from the hospital they were just a few ounces over their birth weights.  Now, at 6 weeks, they're pulling in just under 9 lbs each.  At their last check up they were both in the 3rd percent for weight....now they've jumped up to the 17th percent....go girls!

A lot of people wonder why it takes me several days (or even a week or more) to return phone calls or text messages.  I'm sorry...its not because I'm avoiding anyone!  Usually, if it isn't urgent, I don't have a lot of spare time....and when I manage to get 15 min. alone, I find myself staring at the wall in exhaustion if there isn't other things that NEED to be done.  I thought I'd timeline it for you all, just so you can get a clearer idea of how my days are.

6-7 AM:  Feed, change and entertain girls
7:45-8:30 AM: Put girls back down for a morning nap, takes anywhere from 30-60 min.
9 AM: pump (20 min or so)
9:30 AM: E is up for the day, get breakfast, wash dishes
10 AM: try and sneak in a cat nap, fix bottles for next feeding when the girls start getting fussy (close to feeding time again)
10:45 AM: wake girls up again to feed, change and maybe some tummy time.
12:00 PM: put twins down again for another nap
12:30 PM: make E lunch, clean the house
12:45 PM: put pacifiers back into 2 little mouths for the 2 time in 15 minutes.
1:00 PM: pump again
1:30 PM: grab something to eat/attempt another catnap (sleep usually trumps eating:)
1:45 PM: twins are up again for another feeding, diaper change and the works
3:00 PM: girls are down for yet another nap
3:30 PM: finally get some time to do something with E
4:00 PM: more dishes, laundry etc.
4:45 PM: wake girls up to eat AGAIN
5:30 PM: put girls down for another nap
6:00 PM: pump again
6:30-7PM: dinner
7:30 PM: more dishes, picking up/straightening the house
7:45 PM: wake girls up for another feeding
8:30 PM: put girls down for bed
9:00 PM: start E's bedtime
9:30 PM: FINALLY settle down (twins permitting) on the couch exhausted.
10:00 PM: Restock...yes, you read that right.  I restock our diapers, wipes, wash clothes, bibs every night
10:30 PM: get ready for bed/watch t.v./stare at the wall
10:45 PM: get the twins up again for another feeding
11:45 PM: climb into bed (while Neil takes the girls for the next 4 hours or so)

And wash and repeat....day in....day out.

So, thats our day on average.  Obviously it changes some, but for the most part its the same routine.  It's  such a different dynamic having two newborns...you really can't relate unless you've had twins (or more) yourself.  I know I wouldn't be able to otherwise.

Geez....that was a long post.  Kudos if you read it all

They're HERE!

Its true.

I'm no longer pregnant.:)

Jordyn and Brynlee made it here safely.  For as much as could have gone wrong, everything went absolutely perfect and without a hitch!  Their birth didn't go as planned, which was a lot to take in, but we're so glad to have them here with us!

Tuesday, I went in for my regular ultrasound checkup.  It was an EARLY appointment, which I normally don't schedule, but it was the best time available.  The night before I had set the alarm on my phone to go off early enough that  I'd have time to shower and get ready before dropping E off at a friends while I went to the Dr.  I made the mistake of setting the alarm for PM instead of AM....and I barely woke up in time to get both of us out the door.  And no, I did not have time to brush my teeth.

Back at the Dr.'s office....the Tech put the u/s wand on my belly and rotated it around a bit.  It was standard for them to always check Baby A first, so that's where she went.  Within about 15 seconds she said "Dear, you're having babies today".  I couldn't believe what she was actually saying!  Apparently, my water had broken (probably several days prior) and I had no idea.  There was no gushing or flooding of pants.  I guess, with 2 babies crammed in there, it isn't likely there would be.  She asked if I had notice increased wetness etc.  I told her I was pregnant with twins, and that I peed my pants when I burped....so of course I hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary! 

Thankfully, Ellie was well taken care of at a friends house, and even though I didn't get that shower (or to even brush my teeth for that matter), everything went perfectly.  Neil's dad was able to make it in time for the c-section, and the surgery went great.  I'll never forget the extreme anxiety I felt as they laid me down on that operating table.  It was extremely hard to not have Neil there with me, and to have all the other emotions of an unplanned c-section AND knowing I was about to become the mother of twins....it was hard to hold it together.  I'll also never forget when the pulled  Jordyn out, and the the thought that there was STILL one more in there!  I think subconsciously I figured they were just messing with my head, even though I saw both girls twice a month for almost 5 months.  It didn't become real until they pulled out Brynlee. 

In the end, both girls came out without any problems, and were perfectly healthy.  No oxygen, no NICU time.  What a blessing.

So there's the birth story for you!

Recovery from this c-section has been NOTHING like the recovery I had with Ellie.  Such quick recovery, that they only had me on a liquid diet for about 18 hours....then they allowed me to be on a regular diet. Just another blessing from Heavenly Father.

A BIG humungous thank you to everyone for their support....it's been a huge challenge.  We'll make it through! 

I've been horrible with blogging

Life has been insane the last 4 weeks.  Has it been 4 weeks already?  Yup.  These girls aren't even here yet, and the time is just flying!

I just saw on my livefeed that someone from Sitka, AK was checking out our blog.  Hi hun!

That little tidbit right there gave me a glimmer of motivation to update this thing more.

Probably only a glimmer though.

We're down to 2 weeks till delivery day, and I can't believe it!  The babies haven't been measured in a month, so I'm excited to see how much they weigh.  They're both doing really well, and I'm so grateful for the blessing of having a nearly perfectly healthy pregnancy.  I had a preterm labor scare a week ago, they literally were prepping me for surgery!  Luckily, they were able to control the contractions and I was able to go home.  Everyone keeps asking me how bedrest is going.....and I'd love to say that I'm following Dr.'s orders.  Honestly, I'm not sure how people think I can be on bedrest and take care of a 3 year old! So, no....I'm not following orders.  But, this pregnancy is exhausting beyond what I thought it would be, and its forcing me to not do much anyway.

Neil is doing well...and for the most part seems to be keeping his head above water.:)  I've heard some great stories about his experiences there, and I can't wait to here ALL of the details one day.  He seems to be transitioning to a more comfortable place mentally/emotionally and physically.  I'm SOOO proud of him....and EXTREMELY grateful its him and not me!:) <3

Ellie is doing well, overall.  She is on the same rollercoaster all of us are on....which is tough for a 3 year old to handle.  For the most part, she's dealing with it.  But she has her days where she's extremely sad and frustrated.  In the beginning we were able to Skype with Neil....but I've just recently found out that there will be no more skyping....boo.:(  I think it helped her a lot to be able to actually see him.  Ellie is LOVING her ballet class.  She just started her 2nd session, and has already improved quite a bit.  It's so fun to see her actually jump in line rather than hide behind me.  She loves going, and its something that she consistently look forward to.

Well, thats all I have for now.  Overall, we're hanging in there.  Neil and I constantly talk about our situation/s and both agree that all either of us can do at this point is survive.  And that's what we are doing.

P.S. originally he was told there would be no communication for the first 3 weeks.  THANKFULLY, he's managed to squeak in a few phone calls a week.  I'm so grateful for them....even if they're only 5 minutes long.  Love you Neil!

PHHEWWW!

We survived the last 8 weeks.


17 weeks and counting down.  That's not too bad, really.  I mean, honestly, it could be much worse, and much longer.  Throughout this whole process, I knew that this was going to be much harder on Ellie than it would be me.  She is very much a Daddy's Girl, and absolutely adores Neil.  As I sit here typing, she's sitting in her room trying to fight back tears as she listens (over and over again) to the recordable book I had Neil make for her the night before he left.  I anticipated it being hard on her, but I didn't realize it would be hard on me to watch her go through this.  I guess you never really understand the full range of emotions that  a 3 year old can experience, and I just didn't expect her to be so completely heartbroken.   

Shortly after we found out our life was going to be in an upheaval, I was stewing and stewing on ideas that would help her mark the weeks down.  Obviously, time is still pretty irrelevant to her.  Like most little kids, Ellie loves getting mail.  So I decided to create a special "Mail Day" for her once a week.  I typed up a bunch of love notes ahead of time, and had Neil do 8 or 9 himself.  So on her special mail day she'll get a little love note and surprise in her very own mailbox.  Neil will be so busy in AK, that he just wouldn't have the time to do all this, so I figured it was the easy route to go.  Here's to hoping it works.

Surprisingly, I'm not doing too bad.....right now.  I always tell Neil that its because I had a meltdown/breakdown every week leading up to this point, so I've gotten most of it out of my system already.  I expect completely different feelings once these girls get here.:)

Speaking of girls....they're doing so great.  I can't see it as anything BUT a blessing that things have gone so well, in all aspects of our lives.  As challenging as its been to have those fears, its been a blessing to be able to see how we've already been prepared beforehand for all of these changes.  I'd go into detail about the epiphany I had this morning, but I don't want to bore you.:)

Back to the twins...at my ultrasound 2 weeks ago they were measuring at 3 1/2 lbs and 4 lbs.  :)  Good healthy girls.  Excited to finally meet them.  Can't wait.  The Dr. is supposed to set up a date for a c-section, hopefully, next week.  I'll keep you posted.

I'd attach a picture of my ginormous belly....but with all the busy-ness of the last 3 weeks, and the fact that Neil isn't here to take a picture for me, its not likely to happen.  Though, the last time I measured, the good 'ol belly was at 45.5 inches.  That should be a good enough visual for you.




 

Fetalfibronectin

its a real word.  I would totally spell it wrong if I was given that word in a spelling bee.

Things have been crazy around here with all the changes coming, and it mostly feels like we don't have a lot to show for all of our busy-ness.  People always ask me how I'm feeling, especially when they realize how far into this pregnancy I am....and surprisingly, I was feeling REALLY good (all things considered).  At least, up until about 28 weeks.  Now I'm finally starting to feel as horrible as I anticipated this point in the pregnancy would be.

About a week and a half ago I started having noticeably regular contractions.  I've had these little "episodes" before, and just wrote it off as me doing too much.  Well, they never really let up, and even if I had been laying down for 2 hours, they were still coming about 4/hour.  After about 6 days straight of this, I realized I should probably get myself into the Dr.  Anyway, long story short, I went in for a quick ultrasound, and they confirmed that I wasn't dilating, yet.  I was put on bed rest and sent on my way.  I had my perinatal ultrasound a few days later, and I informed the tech of what had gone down the previous week.  Let me say that I'm grateful to have stumbled upon a great Dr and office, they're hard to come by, in my opinion.  She decided to double check things to make sure we were still good.  Then she decided to do a swab to test for a protein called Fetalfibronectin, which in short, if came back positive could indicate that labor is eminent in the next 2-3 weeks.  Obviously, like most tests, it isn't a 100% guarantee, but it would allow them to prepare just in case.  I'm still waiting on results, but if they come back positive, the Dr. will give me steroids to help with the babies lungs, and then medication to stop the contractions.  At this point though, the babies are viable and there wouldn't be too many complications.  I'm pretty confident that all we be good, and the test will come back negative.  Here's to hoping, anyway.

Me in all my glory, 28 wks

The challenges that lay ahead.

I've posted before about how much I've struggled in accepting this pregnancy, it was so completely unexpected and unplanned.  I know a few of you who read this blog know first-hand what its like to be pregnant with twins....but for those of you that don't, its SOO different than a singleton pregnancy.  Not just physically, but especially emotionally.  Some days I feel like I'm just riding a roller coaster.  I've accepted the challenges that have come with being pregnant with twins, I'm excited to bring these two little girls into the world.  I'm excited to show them what our family is about.  But I still struggle daily with the anxiety and anticipation of managing (or surviving, really) with two newborns and a 3 year old.  Thats just me....a little worry wart.

Now to factor in this whole Juneau thing coming up.  It's coming WAYYY too fast.  Neil will be on an airplane headed to Alaska in about one month.  ONE MONTH.  I'm so not ready for the changes that are inevitable.  Unfortunately, Ellie seems to be exhibiting inability to cope with the changes she knows are coming.  She struggled a year ago, when Neil was in Juneau for 5 days doing tests.  She was a complete and total wreck (do you think Neil really needs to ever question whether or not she's a Daddy's Girl?).  She literally did not speak to Neil for almost the first 24 hrs. he was home.  Now, my sweet little 3 yr old has to cope with not just one new baby, but two.  On top of that, one less parent around to focus on her.  She knows her daddy is leaving....she's emotional and stressed about it.  I'm doing my best to try and help her understand now....but I know that this "blessing" will not just be a challenge for Neil and I, but for Ellie as well.

So, all in all, we've got a lot on our plates over here.  I'm grateful that Neil is finally getting an opportunity to start a career that has taken 2 years to get to this point (not including college:).  I'll be the first to admit that I'm not readily looking forward to the next 5 months.  I'm dreading being a single parent for a while.  I'm dreading managing our home while he's gone.  I'm dreading the fact that I KNOW I'll mishandle Ellie's tantrums and typical 3 yr old behaviors at times.  I'm dreading the stress and lack of sleep that comes with newborns.  I'm dreading grocery shopping.  I'm dreading the extreme forgetfulness that will come from juggling all of this on my own (anyone wanna take my checkbook and just pay my bills for me?:)  I'm dreading packing, handling movers, selling cars and furniture, finding an new apartment, and all the other little decisions that make up a HUGE move. I'm dreading that my best friend will be so far away for that time frame, and that he'll miss out on so many things that can never be replaced.  He won't be the first person to hold these little babies when the first get here; he won't be there to laugh with me about all the craziness going on around us.  Those first moments and days won't be there when we finally are able to be physically together as a family.  I'm dreading so many things, that I literally can't put them into words.

There are a few things I'm trying to remember though.

• I'm not completely on my own.  There have been many offers of help, thankfully Neil's family lives close, and the ward we are in (thankfully) is on the older side, with no children at home or other responsibilities.  We'll receive a lot of support from them.  
• These challenges are really not as a bad as my mind would like to portray them.  I'm not the first woman to take on the challenge of temporary single parenting. 
• Ellie is resilient, and she will come out on top too.
• Heavenly Father has given us more than just a few challenges to deal with, but they ARE blessings as well, and I know that he has big plans that will stretch us, strengthen us and allow us to grow in ways that we aren't aware of right now.  I know that we'll be able to look back on all of these and be amazed at how far we came and grew.

Doing good

Babies are doing well and growing!

I've been really worried this pregnancy (I know, big surprise.) One of my concerns was that I'd be able to gain enough weight.  Most of you know that I didn't have a single problem gaining the weight with Ellie....in fact I gained enough for twins that pregnancy!  This time around, I've not been so lucky.  I've struggled up to this point, and have only managed a measly 5 lbs.  Not near enough.

Luckily, we were able to sneak a peak at the little ones today, and they're both still growing, growing, growing!  It was reassuring to see that they are still weighing a little ahead of singleton babies, and that they're getting the nutrients they need....despite my lack of confidence on the scale.

Today was the big "anatomy" ultrasound.  Everything checked out.  Yay!  We'll go in again in 2 weeks, and they'll just take some fluid measurements etc.  They'll also double check Baby B's heart because the tech wasn't satisfied with one of the pictures she got of it (it wasn't clear enough, and the baby kept wiggling).  Worried me some, but she confirmed that she saw nothing wrong and was not concerned.  Typically, after the tech does the ultrasound, the Dr. comes in and double checks everything etc.  So, either he really wasn't concerned about anything, or he was just to busy to come in this time.  Lets hope he wasn't concerned.:)

 

Double the pleasure, double the fun! Double the GIRLS!

Seriously.  We're adding 2 more Ellie's to the clan.  Or, if you ask Neil or anyone else....2 more Ellie's, which really equates to 3 of me!  What a ride.

Neither Neil or I were surprised at our ultrasound this morning.  And yes, if you were wondering, it was nothing at all like my last experience with this office.  We got there 15 min. early (we were at a different office location) and had plenty of time to find our way through the maze of a hospital.  No tears were shed in the process.

Thank goodness.

Because Ellie was puking the night before, and woke up saying her tummy hurt....we didn't need anymore drama!

The U/S tech confirmed that there are still 2 babies (I was having nightmares that there were 3, and they just kept missing one).  Baby A is comfy and cozy down on my right side; think appendix area.  Baby B is waaayyyy up higher just to the left of my belly button.  In our first few ultrasounds, baby B was always extremely active (and in every ultrasound appeared to be sitting on top of its sibling, literally.) and recently I've been feeling lots of distinct nudges and rolling just above my belly button.  Which had me convinced that they actually DID miss a baby.  Nope.  Just baby B doing its business.

So we've got one really busy little girl, and one more laid back child.   Wonder if things will change once they're here....

Anyway, the good news is that they are looking perfectly healthy.  Just as healthy as any singleton pregnancy could be, which is really great news.  No signs of TTTS (yet, cross your fingers).....and even though both babies started out measuring a week behind schedule at the first appointment, they're now a day ahead!  Wahoo!  A whole day!  But, that means they're growing fast, and 8 days is a lot of growth for something so small.

So, for hopefully the next week I can relax, and not worry so much about how they're doing.  It was a lot of positive reinforcement to see AND hear that they were doing so well.

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes, it really means a lot.

Pictures:

Not even halfway there yet....after seeing this picture, I'm 100% positive I will become immobile.

BABY A Profile

Proof Baby A is a Girl

Baby B Profile

Proof Baby B is a Girl

 

A long update...

This whole twin pregnancy has been quite different then I ever imagined.  Well, first of all, I never imagined I'd be the mom with twins.  I also never imagined that I'd have 3 kids under the age of 3.  Obviously I'm not going to be the first mom to ever take on this challenge....nor the last.  The whole idea in general has been pretty overwhelming....and I've struggled with accepting/being excited about what our near future will bring.
Along side that, I've dealt with the guilt that comes with not being "thrilled".  I was so caught up in the wave of all things pregnancy, that I couldn't distinguish whether or not it was just because I was exhausted, horribly sick, and overwhelmed that I wasn't giddy about having two precious babies coming to our family.  I'm not sure I'll ever completely get over the morning sickness (in fact, I'll be surprised if it decides to take it's nastiness elsewhere) but I've noticed the last two weeks have been significantly better as far as first trimester woe's go.
I still have to take my anti-nausea medication, but only every other day now.  I finally have more energy, but surprisingly have already become extremely uncomfortable.  Sleeping is impossible, and I'm trying not to think about how much longer I still have to go.
I'm so excited to finally feel excited about this pregnancy!  I tell Neil on a daily basis how I can't wait to see the babies again (our ultrasounds will be every two weeks starting on the 17th of Oct)....wahoo!!

The one thing that has surprised me about having twins is how little people really know about twins.  Myself included.
Here are some common questions/issues we've been asked (or asked ourselves):

1. A lot of people want an explanation of sorts on where twins come from.  In our case, there appears to be one set of twins on Neil's side (very distantly)....but the only type of twins that have any hereditary link are FRATERNAL twins.  Our twins are monozygotic, or identical twins.  Identical twins are a type of phenomenon where Drs. cannot explain why an egg splits into two embryos. Thus, identical twins are purely by chance, and have no hereditary link whatsoever.

2. Because there is more than one baby, tummies get bigger MUCH faster.  I haven't asked my Dr. how much bigger I'm measuring, but in the early part of twin pregnancies, most uterus' measure 4-6 weeks bigger than actual gestational age.  I think as the pregnancy continues, the measurement gap is much larger.  That could mean that I look like I'm 20-22 weeks pregnant instead of my almost 15 weeks.

3. Twins never go full term (or very rarely)
.  That being said, after talking the my perinatologist, he's pretty confident that we won't run into any serious complications (keeping our fingers crossed) because of the completely health pregnancy/delivery I had with Ellie.  Lets hope he's right.

4. Our twins are Monochorionic-Diamniotic.  Meaning they share the same placenta, or chorion (mono), but each have their own amniotic sacs (the Di part of the word).  This layout is the better option for identical twins, and the babies don't run the risk of tangling up in each others chords.  There is still the risk of TTTS because they are identical.

5. Carrying twins really is twice the work.


There's still a lot to know, and a lot we can only learn by hands on experience.:)  The official countdown until we find out if we'll have boys or girls is:

8 Days

That being said....this little one is getting more and more excited.  She walks around with her baby dolls and tenderly "hush-hush's" them and tells me to be quite because her baby sister is sleeping.  Hmmm....maybe she knows something we don't.

    

We've been upgraded....

I went in for another ultrasound today.  The morning started out pretty rough, and when we pulled into the parking garage at the hospital I looked at the slip of paper that was given to Neil with all of our appointment info on it.  Oh crap!  We were supposed to check in at 9:30 am!  Here it is 9:45....and we're rounding up to the 3rd floor of the parking garage with no empty spaces in sight.  Well, I figured if Neil dropped me off, I could casually walk in apologize for being 15 minutes late (cause when are ultrasound appointments ever finished on time, really?).....and we'd be set.

At this point I realized why my OB/GYN had given us specific instruction on how to find the Perinatal office in the hospital.  Unfortunately for me, those instructions were given to Neil....not me.  I spent the next 5 minutes walking by each elevator on 2-3 different levels, all of which were out of order.  9:50 AM.  Crap.  Finally, I run into a lady and ask here where the bridge is to the hospital, and she points to the other side of the parking garage and mentions its on the level below where we were.  Sweet. I might make it by 10 AM.  Hurrying over to the other side, I impatiently push the elevator button that will take me to the floor down.....holy cow!  Talk about the slowest elevators EVER!  I think I waited nearly 5 minutes for that elevator (I know, it would've taken just as much time to walk back over to the other side of the garage and take the stairs down).  9:57 AM.  I hop onto the crowded elevator and eventually make me way through the bridge to the hospital.  Crap.  More signs.  Which suite was I supposed to go to?  Call Neil.  No Answer.  Crap.  10 AM.  Maybe they wouldn't be too upset if I showed up at 10:03 AM. By this point I'm feeling really stressed.  I'm desperately trying to hold back my frustration and tears.  But  Neil was definitely taking the blame for this one in my mind.....

Needless to say, I ended up on 3-4 different elevators, talking to 2-3 different people who sent me in 2 different directions.  I scoured 2-3 different floors, was finally directed to the Radiology department, which totally made sense to me.  I'm crying.  Yup.  Love being pregnant.  It's 10:15 AM.  Crap.  I stumble into the radiology department teary eyed and talk to the male secretary.  As much as I tried to hide it, I think it was clearly obvious I was an emotional wreck.  His eyes just screamed "oh you poor crazy person!"  I don't want sympathy....I want a dang ultrasound!  I told him my name and mentioned that I was a high risk pregnancy, as I tried not to let the tears come to quickly.  I apologize profusely for being late.....and then he told me that I was in the wrong spot!  Are you kidding me!?  Couldn't stop the tears at this point, no matter what I tried.  It was a total and complete pregnancy moment.  So much so, that I almost started laughing at myself.  He then assisted me to the right elevator (literally, he walked out of the office and down the long maze of hallways and pointed directly at the elevator I needed to take).....thank you sweet man.  I don't know your name, but may just have to stop in and say thank you.  I hopped on the elevator went to the second floor, got out....and then hopped on another elevator to the 5th floor.  (Why do they not make elevators that directly connect all of the floors?  I have no clue.)

Finally, at 10:20 AM I found Neil and Ellie calmly sitting in the lobby.  Still in tears, I went to check in with the secretary.  I apologized a million times for being almost an hour late.  Fortunately for me, it sounds like this happens a lot to first timers at this hospital.  They were kind and helped me get rescheduled and had me back in for the ultrasound within 15 min.  

Holy drama.  I'm pretty sure I've never felt more pregnant in my life.  I'm pretty sure my pregnancy with Ellie did not even rate on the same hormone scale as this one.  Two different worlds.  Poor Neil.

ANYWAY~

The sonographer was great.  Really kind, and totally okay with the passive aggressive 2 year old who refused to say her name when asked, yet sang BINGO loudly for the next 60 minutes.  

The babies looked great.  I was SOOO relieved to see two little wiggly bodies, and 2 flashing hearts beating.  She found baby B really easily.  And then as she went on to look for baby A....it popped right up on the screen.  They literally looked like they were sitting on top of each other.  Confused, I asked her if that meant they were in the same sac.  She said she wasn't sure, it depended on the angle etc.  I started to worry at this point, because I know there are huge risks to twins who are sharing the same "everything".  Luckily, she was able to find a membrane that separated them.   I came to my own conclusions at this point.....the babies being that close together, and the "membrane" being so thin and hard to find.....I was pretty sure they'd be identical.

Everything checked out, measurements etc.  She concluded that the babies ARE identical, but wanted the Dr. to check just to make sure.  He came in, and quickly confirmed that they were identical....but that the had their own chorion (amniotic sac).  They did share a placenta though, which he expressed meant that we'd have to be monitored very closely to make sure they didn't develop Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome.  TTTS is a serious condition where one twin (for some reason that is not connected to genes, lifestyle, diet etc) receives the blood and nutrients that the other should.  So, to make sure they catch it in time, I'll be monitored with bi-weekly ultrasounds.  Assuming it will happen....it occurs in 1 in 7 identical twin pregnancies.  So not very good odds.  He mentioned something about a laser treatment that is really effective....but hopefully we don't have to explore that option down the road.  The other downside is that TTTS can occur at ANY time during the pregnancy.  There's not safe guard.  There's no "make it to 18 weeks, and you're out of the woods!"  So, we're just hoping and praying that everything turns out okay.  Or as it should, anyway.    

Our next appointment is slotted for Oct....and they told us we'll be able to find out the genders!  YAY!  I'm almost positive they'll be girls....(I've told Neil for years that he's going to be really blessed and have ALL girls.....I think he's heard that from other family members too.:).....but we'll keep you posted.  Maybe he'll get lucky and get 2 boys.  We're betting Chipotle......anyone else want in on the bet?:)

Guess what?!!?

We're expecting!

Crazy, I know!  After all my long daunting posts about being pretty sure we wouldn't be able to have anymore kids....I'm posting that I'm pregnant.....surprise!  *No really, surprise.  The Dr. had just barely put me on a medication to induce periods (periods, not ovulation)....and BOTH of us didn't feel like it really was doing its job....yet here we are now....almost 2 months along.

I realize its early to be jumping the gun on all the goodness, but this pregnancy has been a 180 from the first.  The biggest issue being morning sickness.  It makes my stomach churn just thinking about it.  I knew I couldn't hide it (the morning sickness) from family living here in Colorado, and after telling them I figured  I better let all other friends/family in on the news.

Let me just say that I thought I suffered a decent amount of morning sickness with Ellie.  You know, the constant smell/food aversions and the churning tummy for that 6 week time frame.  Occasional vomiting.  Well, that experience did NOT prepare me for this pregnancy.  They don't even rate on the same scale.  Thankfully, my Dr. was understanding and prescribed me a medication called Zofran.  Zofran is officially the new wonder drug.

After an embarrassing amount of positive pregnancy tests, I called the Dr. to see if she'd confirm it for me.  You know, cause I needed another positive test to convince me.  Seriously, I did.  By this point though, I was feeling the morning sickness and didn't really need a whole lot of convincing.  Who knew a parking garage could make you run for the garbage?  Or the construction guys working on repaving a road.  Sick.

During the visit, the Dr. checked my uterus to make sure everything was how it needed to be.  After examining me she casually mentioned that my uterus felt bigger then what the EDD was, so maybe the date was off. (with my history, they weren't surprised)  She had me go get the HCG levels in my blood tested and then set up an ultrasound.  My levels turned up, apparently, REALLY HIGH.
Unaware that the whole staff in the office was already making assumptions, I scheduled my ultrasound.

That night the morning sickness really kicked in.  It kicked my butt.  It took me out of the game.  To this day, which has been about 2 weeks, I rarely step foot in the kitchen.  Yes, my house shows it.  So will my electricity bill....any temperature above 70 degrees makes me vomit, so in order to sleep I have to run the AC most of the night (and day).

Monday, August 15th was the big day.  I was anxious, and a little nervous.  Mostly I just had to pee.  Why in the world they would ask a person, let along a pregnant one, to drink 32 oz. of water and hold it.....for 2 hours.....thats beyond my understanding.  I looked like a circus act waiting in that office.  Hunched over, trying to stand at the same time, unable to sit.....painfully/heavily panting, sweating....almost crying from the pain.  And the catcher?  Gas has never been my friend in either pregnancy.  Combined with a grossly huge bladder full of pee.....the pain was incredible.  Sorry for the description, but I couldn't relieve my stomach pain (ahem) because I was convinced I would pee all over myself.  Actually, I probably would have.  I'm pretty sure I asked the receptionist every 2.5 minutes if she thought the previous appointment was almost done.  By the time it was my turn, my stomach was soo distended from all the gas and the HUGE bladder, I literally looked like I was 4-5 months pregnant.

To make an already long story just a little bit shorter......

Squint really hard, you'll see it.  I promise.  

The culprit for all the nasty morning sickness.

TWINS!

I'm still just as baffled as the day we found out.  Oh wait, I've only had 2 days to adjust to the idea.

The whole time the ultrasound tech was never able to get just ONE (good) shot of the two babies.  I'm pretty sure its just because of the way they are angled.  After about 20 minutes of searching and prodding, I realized that if there were 2 in there....wait!  There better not be 3...or more!  Thankfully, there wasn't.  Hopefully.....there isn't.  :)  2 will keep us busy just fine.

So there ya go!  We'd really appreciate your thoughts and prayers.  Ultimately our biggest concern is that the pregnancy goes well, and the babies are healthy.

The next post will have pictures, I promise!