Catching Up Blog

I sincerely apologize for lagging behind on my blog.  I have had a complete lack of motivation in every facet of my life during the past couple of weeks.  My nausea has increased significantly over the past week rendering me USELESS.  I am not exaggerating my laziness.  I have done almost nothing.  

As you can tell, I am experiencing a lot of guilt over my lack of motivation.  Don't worry about me - I will get over it.  I am trying not to invite too many people to my pity party.  After so many years of trying to get pregnant, I always said that I wouldn't complain about being pregnant.  Well, I didn't know what I was getting myself into.  So far, this nausea is much harder to handle than I expected.  

Motivated by Dave's pleading, I finally broke down and called my doctor this afternoon to ask for help with my nausea.  I was worried that she would think I am a whiner.  But, she was sympathetic and prescribed Zofran, an anti-nausea drug.  Dave was so excited about it that he drove to the pharmacy right away to pick it up and he delivered it to me immediately.  He is so great OR he is tired of dealing with my constant nausea.  On a side note, Zofran is one of the drugs that my mom is taking for nausea, as well.  

As promised in my last blog, I am sharing the ultrasound pictures that were taken last week.  These are 9 week pictures.

This is Baby A.  He/she is on top of Baby B.  Baby A was very cooperative during the ultrasound.  He/she  stretched out for measurement.  We could see her/his heart beat right away.  

This is Baby B.  He/she sits below Baby A.  Baby B had his/her back turned to us the entire time.  He/she didn't seem interested in having his/her picture taken.  I think Baby B was sleeping and didn't want to be disturbed.

This is a group photo.  Baby B is on the left.  Baby A is on the right.  They both measured right at 9 weeks.  Therefore, my due date is still December 21.  Everything looked great.  



This is my 10 week belly.  It is getting bigger and bigger even though each baby is only 1 1/2 inches long each.  This week, the babies are growing fingernails and hair.  I can't believe it.  My next doctor's appointment/ultrasound will be at 12 weeks on June 9th.

9 Week Ultrasound

Our ultrasound and OB appointment went perfectly today.  We were able to see a lot more detail on the ultrasound with both babies.  The ultrasound tech explained how they are positioned.  The best news is that they each have their own placenta and yolk sac.  Apparently, this is the least risky type of twin pregnancy.  Dr. Morse was very pleased with this.  When the twins share placentas and yolk sacs, they are more likely to have complications.  

We saw both hearts beating again today and they both measured 9 weeks - right on track.  The heart rates were both 170 - perfect.  The twins both moved a little bit, too, during the ultrasound.  It is so unbelievable that they are already moving.   

Each time we have an ultrasound in which everything looks "perfect", Dave and I are able to relax just a little bit more.  After the ultrasound, I told Dave that I am happy to have this crappy nausea, overwhelming appetite and exhausting fatigue.  I might even stop complaining about it - yeah right.  I am overflowing with gratitude and joy.  I don't know what we ever did to deserve such a beautiful gift from God.  

It is getting late (8:30 pm - past my bedtime) and I am getting tired, so I will scan in the ultrasounds and add them to this post tomorrow evening sometime.  

Inconspicuous No More

I am officially 9 weeks pregnant today.  Yeay!   I am aware that I wear the same outfit in every set of weekly pictures.  It is intentional.  I thought the consistency of the outfit would help with the belly comparison.  

While out grocery shopping Saturday, I stopped to talk to several acquaintances.  Two of those people actually noticed that I was pregnant (they did not previously know) and they actually asked me if I was pregnant.  I was very surprised . . .  for more than one reason.   

1.  I think I look like I have put on some weight - not that I am pregnant.  

2.  I think it is very risky to ask anyone if they are pregnant.  They may not be pregnant - just fat.  

I am excited that my pregnancy is not so physically inconspicuous anymore.  Is it crazy that I am happy that people can tell I am pregnant just by looking at me?  The most exciting accomplishment of the week is that I now own four pair of jeans that actually fit me!!  They are all maternity jeans . . .  of course.  I am now working diligently on figuring out the scrubs situation.  My scrub bottoms are currently uncomfortably tight.  Ugghh!  I had no idea that this would happen so fast, but as you can see by the above pictures, my body is changing RAPIDLY.

I almost forgot.  I have to tell on Dave.  He is getting so anxious about starting baby preparations.  He desperately wants to start preparing the nursery.  I am still trying to get him to hold off until we find out the sexes of the babies.  Also, he made me sit and talk about baby names for at least an hour on Saturday.  I think it is so sweet.  

I have another appointment with Dr. Morse tomorrow, including my third ultrasound.  Dave is tagging along.  I will let you all know how it goes.  

First OB Appointment

I had my first OB appointment today wit Dr. Kim Morse in Columbia.  I really liked her.  She gladly answered all of my questions.  I will return next Tuesday for an ultrasound.  She wants to find out "what kind of twins" I am having.  The ultrasound will determine if the twins share a placenta and other such facts.  She wants to do monthly ultrasounds initially and then biweekly followed by weekly ultrasounds.  So, we will have lots of pictures of these little babies.  I am excited about that.  On a very positive note, I had no nausea all day today!!

OLEVA REPORT

Mom had chemo #4 today.  It went pretty well.  She still has swelling and pain associated with the blood clot in her left leg.  Mary, her nurse practitioner, said that it is going to take some time for the clot to completely break up.  In the meantime, she is on Coumadin (a blood thinner).  All test results came back negative for any type of a genetic component for a clotting disorder.  That was a relief.  

She just got her regular chemo drugs today.  She did not get the trial chemo drug.  They are fairly certain that it caused the blood clot.  They may decide to administer it again once her INR (blood clotting) levels are normal.  She is doing pretty well.   She is tired a lot of the time and her appetite has decreased some.  The major nuisance currently is the pain and swelling in her leg.  It is preventing her from going on her daily walks.  So, hopefully it will heal rapidly.  Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers.  

8 Week Preggers

Today I am officially 8 weeks pregnant.  We are two thirds through the first trimester.  Yeay!!  Not much has changed from my post last Monday.  I am still very, very tired.  I have nausea on and off all of the time.  I am so HUNGRY!  I feel like I am getting bigger and bigger.  I have been frantically ordering maternity clothes off of the internet.  I usually have to return more than half of them.  I have a few things that I can wear.  

Tomorrow is my first OB appointment with Dr. Kim Morse in Columbia.  Mom has chemo in Columbia tomorrow, too.  Maybe I will have a little time to check out some maternity stores while we are there.  I will keep you all posted.  Thanks for reading!

What a Difference a Week Makes

So, yesterday, Monday, May 4, I was officially 7 weeks pregnant.  Dave and I have decided to take belly pictures every Monday throughout my pregnancy.  I'm sorry, but we have decided to share them with you - our devoted friends and family.  I think you will find that if you compare this week's pictures with last week's pictures, you will see a big difference.  It is amazing.  How many people show this much at 7 weeks?  It is a good thing we aren't trying to keep this pregnancy private through the first trimester.  

I am reading an amazing book that our friend Kristen gave to us.  She has twins, as well - Joe and Stella.  The book is When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads  Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy.   I am declaring it my pregnancy bible.  It is so informatively written by an OB/GYN that is also a mother of twins.  I am currently reading the chapters (yes, more than 1 chapter) on diet and nutrition.  This book really focuses on what I should be doing to help promote my twins being delivered as close to their due date as possible.  

According to the book, the most important duty as an mother expecting twins is to eat, eat, eat.  I am supposed to eat 3,500 calories a day.  I am supposed to gain a total of 40-56 pounds before these twins bless us with their presence.  It really stresses the importance of gaining a lot of the weight early, too.  By week 10, I am supposed to have gained a total of 10-15 pounds.  I think I will achieve that goal.  I currently have gained about 6 pounds since my embryo transfer, but I gained about 3 pounds during the 3 weeks prior to that - while I was on all of the hormones.  I will keep you posted on this subject throughout my pregnancy.

I have my first OB appointment with Dr. Kimberly Morse in Columbia on Tuesday, May 12.  I am very excited to see her and get all of the info that she will share with me.