How many sweet peas will it be?

July 27, 2011

I could not believe this day had finally arrived.  We were so excited but I was also so sick. I think my morning sickness got 10 times worse leading up to this special day! Mom was at the house at 7am ready to go. She was so excited and didn’t sleep hardly any the night before. We picked Mrs. June up on the way.  I should have taken a photo of us to capture the special moment but I didn’t.  Due to traffic on the interstate we arrived at 8:14- I had planned to be there at 8:00am.  Needless to say the ultrasound nurse was also late so we waited in the waiting room for what seemed to be years.

Finally we were called back. It was funny because the small room was filled with all of us waiting to see what was inside.  Two of the nurses joined us because they have really been a huge part of this entire journey.  Finally we were able to see 2 tiny sacks and 2 tiny flutters.  IT's TWINS!! What was really touching was when we were able to hear each little heartbeat. I had no idea that this experience would be so touching. I cried like a baby and really can’t describe this unbelievable experience.  It was so surreal and I couldn’t believe that 2 tiny miracles were inside me growing. Below is the video Jason recorded with his phone. Please don't laugh at the questions I ask or how excited we get to see the babies for the first time. :0)

As you can see in the photos below, Baby A was difficult to see due to the location of the sack.  Baby A measured 6 weeks-4 days and Baby B measured 7 weeks-1day. The nurses said that this was normal and the babies were probably close to the same size but it was hard to get an exact measurement on Baby A. I can’t believe that we are going to be parents of twins. At the point we were in our live, I never thought that we would actually be birth parents to one little baby much less two! God is go good and I am so thankful that he was blessed us with such a special gift.

After we left the doctor’s office, we made a stop by Babies-R-Us. It was amazing how all of my nausea seemed to disappear.  Jason could not believe how expensive baby items are.  I think he was in awe. It was nice to actually walk around and think about us needing all of these special items. Our lives are now changed forever.  After that stop we went to Academy to buy Jason new baseball cleats. He joined a softball league and has really been enjoying it.  After a little shopping we went to my favorite place to eat in Mobile—ZEA’s. I love their Mediterranean Hummus. It is out of this world. We had a great lunch and then returned home to spread the news to our grandparent’s.

It was nice to talk with them and share our excitement about our babies! We did remind each of them that we are waiting until 12 weeks to tell the world.  We really wanted to wait until 12 weeks to tell everyone but my grandmother has been really ill so we decided to tell our families after verifying we had 2 strong heartbeats. We stopped by Jason’s grandfather’s house first. He had been working in the yard and knew that something wasn’t right for both of us to be off work at early in the afternoon. I think I saw tears in his eyes when we told him. We then went to GanGan’s- she was so excited and mainly interested in who she could tell. It was too funny.  Then we went to my grandmothers. When we told her she just smiled quietly and said I am so happy. She then told Jason that she didn’t know if she should “Wish him well, congratulate him, or good luck him because of the twins.”  She knew too well what it was like to raise twins because she was also the mother of twins and married a twin.  It was really special to share this moment with her.  Our families are so excited! We then stopped by Paw-Paw’s  house and then DD’s house. DD said that she already knew and expected it although she didn’t know that it was twins.

One of the main reasons I wanted to keep this log was to remember all of these special moments.  

Am I still pregnant?

July 22, 2011

So I called the doctor last week because I did not have any signs of pregnancy. The morning sickness that I had experienced in the beginning was completely gone. Also all the cramping had disappeared. I was so scared that something had happened and that something may be wrong with the babies.  The nurse reassured me that it was completely normal to not have any signs of pregnancy. The morning sickness can come and go throughout the pregnancy. She said that we could do blood-work if that would give me a feeling of comfort but really would only guess what the levels should be. There is not a defined level once into the pregnancy.  The nurse emphasized that I should enjoy feeling good while it lasted. I decline the extra blood-work but felt better that it was normal to feel this way. Of course I also did my own research online (I know they say you should never look online!!) and found that several women experience the same fear due to symptoms disappearing.

Well I had no idea that the nurse was so right!! I should have enjoyed feeling good and not worrying because starting this week, the symptoms are back in full force! I stay nauseous for the entire day. You would think morning sickness is only in the morning but it is NOT! I feel really bad in the evenings and at night while trying to sleep. I never imagined that nausea could disrupt your sleep like this. Also I am exhausted- even at 5 am when I wake up I am yawning. I know it sounds like I am complaining but I am NOT! This is what I wanted and what I have been praying for.  I’m just describing my feeling. :0)

Lucky for Jason he had a busy week. I’m not sure if he actually planned it this way or not but he was gone every night this week.  On Tuesday nights, he plays in a golf league… on Wednesday night he had a Knights of Columbus Meeting… and on Thursday nights he plays in a softball league. Needless to say I think he lucked up with his busy schedule this week. I’m sure I wasn’t that pleasant to be around.

I began a sewing class on Tuesday night at the OS Library with Steph. It was a lot of fun and took my mind off of feeling so bad. We started cutting the pattern on a purse. I am so excited about learning more about sewing so I can make some of the babies’ outfits. 

Must needed Beach Time!

July 17^th, 2011

What a wonderful weekend… I left on Friday for a girl’s trip to Sandestin for the weekend.  We had a wonderful time even though it rained the entire time. We were able to spend a few hours on the beach Friday afternoon although it was overcast.  It was nice to sleep in and have  girl time talking about all of our lives. It is crazy how normal your life really is when listening to your close friends and sharing secrets of your relationships. We stayed in Baytowne Wharf  - it was perfect because we didn’t have to drive anywhere.  I think my favorite part of the trip was eating! Yes, imagine a newly pregnant woman enjoying that the most. We ate at Finz’s (grilled mahi mahi), Roberto’s Pizzeria (nachos, cheese bread, spinach dip), Marlin Grill (fried lobster tail and the best creamed spinach ever), and Another Broken Egg (my favorite eggs Benedict).  I came back to the room early each night to rest; I wasn’t able to stay up as late as the other girls. I still heard everything about the night before over breakfast each morning. I have to say those girls are crazy!

Melissa and I 

Christie, me, Carla, & Crystal

Jason had a great weekend planned as well - he and the guys were golfing and going to the camp for some “man time.” Unfortunately it rained the entire time, and he was only able to golf 9-holes. Needless to say, he was disappointed but enjoyed being a couch potato for the entire weekend.  He was probably happy to be home alone without a moody, pregnant wife. It is crazy how fast the pregnancy hormones kick in and affect your mood. I am still on hormone supplements of progesterone and estrogen, so I blame my mood on the excessive amount of hormones in my system.

Tomorrow I will be 6 weeks pregnant. I can’t believe it and I am so excited! 

5 Weeks

Today I am 5 weeks pregnant! For me, every week (really every day) is a milestone. I keep praying to God that everything will work out and all of the babies will be safe and healthy babies. I analyze every cramp or anything that feels strange. I am so excited, but at the same time so scared that something is going to happen. All I can do is trust in God and know that he has a plan for us. I think I will feel better after I see the ultrasound and the little hearts beating. Fourteen more days until the ultrasound. I sure hope the next few weeks fly by.

I'm Pregnant!

I was so excited this morning that I could barely handle myself.  Today is the day we have been waiting on - the blood pregnancy test. I think this is the first time I have actually been excited to drive an hour alone to the fertility doctor's office to get my blood drawn. Finally, this day has arrived.

All the way to the office, I prayed to God that everything would be great and that I was truly pregnant. The nurse told me that I should expect a call within the next 1.5-2 hours.  I left so excited and returned to work.  The cell phone was attached to my hip while awaiting the call. Around 11am I started getting concerned because I hadn't received the call. I called and left a message for the nurse to call me back.

About 30 minutes later she called back.  I could tell she had me on the speaker phone. Two of the nurses and am embryologist was on the other end of the phone waiting to tell me the news. They said you definitely are pregnant! I was so so excited. They continued by saying they thought I was pregnant with more than one baby.  My HCG level was ~550 on Day 12 which led them to believe it was multiples. Typically they utilize the following rule of thumb of HCG levels taken on Day 14:

• HCG Level of 100- 1 Baby
• HCG Level of 300- 2 Babies
• HCG Level of 300-600- 3 Babies

Since my level was so high on Day 12 they predicted that I was pregnant with triplets. YAH! I was so excited. I scheduled my 2nd Beta for Friday to see if the numbers doubled.

I was so excited that I hung up and called Jason immediately. We were both so excited and couldn't wait to share our news with our parents. We decided that we would tell our parent's tonight after the pregnancy was confirmed with the blood test. We were both so excited that it was difficult to work the rest of the day.

I got home a hour before Jason and waited patiently on him.  When he got close I waited in the car for him. I just couldn't wait to tell them. We bought each of our mother's a Pandora Charm that was a baby carriage.  I handed my mom the Pandora box and she opened it. I told dad to look closely. They were both so excited and couldn't believe the good news.  It was so nice to finally tell them. Then we went over to Jason's parents house. He didn't think they would be home but fortunately they were. Mrs. June knew what it was before she even had the box open. They were so excited, too.  It was such a wonderful day! I never thought I would be able to say "I'm Pregnant"!!

Pandora Charm that we gave our mothers

Our secret is killing me

The longest day ever at work. I was so sick all day that I could barely talk. I am so excited and looking forward to tomorrow. The appointment is at 8am and it takes an hour and a half for the results. YAH!! I sure hope we can get some rest tonight.

End to an unforgettable weekend

Sunday we headed to Orange Beach for a lovely wedding of Lynsi and Rob. It was really special. We had a wonderful evening with great friends. We stayed in the hotel with Haley and Matt. We had a great time.

Sunday morning, we returned home, and, boy, was it hard to keep our little secret - especially with how I was feeling. Mom and Dad came to dinner with us, and we talked about the possibility of me being pregnant, but everyone thought about the blood test on Thursday. It was so hard for me to keep it from my parents, but we didn't want to get their hopes up and then something happen, so we stayed quiet.  Neither one of us slept all night. I think we were too excited about the blood test on Wednesday.

Really? Is this a dream??

So I woke up from a dream this morning around 6am. In my dream I was in the bathroom at my aunt's house (yes, I know, strange) taking a pregnancy test, but I didn't want her to know what I was doing. Well when I checked the test it showed positive and started playing music like the music they play when a baby is born. Crazy, but that is what I woke up to this morning.

Due to my crazy dream, I was wide awake, and I decided to take the pregnancy test - especially since the first urine of the day is the strongest. So I did, and as I looked at it I thought there was a line but I wasn't sure. I couldn't believe it.  One time, during a previous cycle, Jason and I thought we saw a line but it wasn't - your mind has a way of playing tricks on you. So I ran into the room and woke up Jason telling him I that I thought there was a line. By the time we got back in the bathroom, there was a line. We couldn't believe it. I was so excited, and of course he didn't believe it. I waited until 8am to call the doctor's office.  They told me that, yes, I was pregnant, but not to get too excited yet. Sometimes the embryos do not take, and we will need to wait until the blood test. The soonest they would do my first beta was on Wednesday. We took their advice and decided to keep our news a secret. We didn't want to excite anyone too much until we had proof from a blood test.

Our 1st EVER Positive Pregnancy Test!!

As you can imagine, I was ecstatic- this is unbelievable- yes, finally a positive! From this point on, the nausea increased drastically. We went to the pharmacy to by Tum's to help with my indigestion. I feel like I am floating.. We went to Louisiana Lagniappe for dinner to celebrate. I was sick and in the bathroom most of the dinner.  After dinner we went to a movie at the Destin Commons and then watched a firework show.

We really enjoyed the rest of our trip besides the morning sickness, which lasted all day. So happy we decided to visit the beach for the weekend!

Sandestin, here we come

We left for the beach at lunch. On our way, we stopped by McDonald's for a BigMac - probably our first BigMac in 10 years. It was delicious! On the way to Florida, I told Jason I wanted to stop and buy a pregnancy test for the next morning. I could tell he didn't think it was a good idea, mainly because he thought if it was negative I would be upset all weekend, and he thought it was too early to test. 

But, as usual, he let me have my way, and we stopped by CVS in Niceville. I bought a package of three pregnancy tests, and Jason bought BudLight and Reece's candies.  Up to this point, I had felt brief spouts of nausea though nothing unbearable. We checked in the Courtyard Marriott in Baytown and decided to go out for dinner. We went to the Emerald Grand to watch the sunset which was breath taking. I started feeling bad - mainly indigestion and gas. We then went to McGuire's for appetizers. We had nachos and the appetizer combo. It was very good, but I couldn't eat much. I kept feeling sicker and sicker so we went back to the hotel for bed.

Enjoying the sunset at our favorite spot in Destin, FL

Enjoying the evening together

We had the best appetizers!

Leaving our mark at McGuires