Woo! and Hello? Is that my belly?

Less than 200 days left!  I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for the ticker to get under 200.  Time is going by quickly and slowly at the same time.  I'm loving every second.  :)  

I ended up sharing my news with school yesterday.  And then last night I also emailed all of my parents from last year and this year.  I got many congrats.  It was nice-- and I was also told that Miss S. from downstairs had spilled the beans to more people than I guesstimated.  Oh well.  But, since everyone knew, today I decided to stray away from my oversized sweaters and instead wore a shirt that I used to wear all the time that is a bit more form fitting.  It was the first time I've really worn anything that is more clingy since... well, before the IVF.  Probably since before the cycle in October.

So I put it on this AM and looked in the mirror... And let me tell you, at 11w4d I almost had a heart attack.  I have a belly.  A round baby belly.  I swear I don't know where it came from because it was NOT there before and I haven't put on any weight, but it is there.  My babies are there and they're growing and they're making their presence known!

I LOVE IT.  

Questions, pictures, and 11week thing...

There are two questions I wish people would STOP asking me.

1. Do twins run in your family? And I guess I understand the question... it's a practical question. Most times, if you have twins, they run in your family. So, yes, it is logical. But it gets annoying. Because when I answer no I either get an odd look OR I get the question: Was it natural? Then again, I guess I don't really mind that question either so much... as long as it comes from someone I don't mind sharing my IVF with. But when I don't want to share my IVF story with them, it's just kind of annoying.

2. Are you terrified? It's like I'm supposed to be terrified. And I guess I understand that... but, no, I'm not terrified. I am thrilled beyond belief. Don't worry-- I'm not under the mistaken impression that it will be sunshine and daisies and that every day will be magical. Far from it. I know that there will be many, many days that I want to pull out my hair, scream, cry... drop the kids off at grandma's for an extended visit. I know that, but I also know that it will be worth it. So worth it that there is no terror in me.

I don't quite know how to explain it. Maybe this will work... I went to Australia for 4 months. I am a homebody, but I had wanted to go to Australia since... well, probably since I learned that it existed. So when I got the chance to go, I applied and was accepted a few weeks later. There was no fear. I knew I'd miss home terribly, I'd be homesick... but I knew it would be worth it, so there was no fear.

Now, compare that to wanting to be a mom... I had wanted to be a mother since I knew what a mother was. And that was LONG before I knew what Australia was. Now, I tried to be a mother for much, much longer than it took me to get accepted to Australia. Therefore, there is no terror and no fear. It's what I ALWAYS, always wanted. I do not have delusions of it being perfect, but I know it will be all that I ever wanted. :)

Now, if you've read all of this, you deserve some pictures. These are from last Wednesday's appointment (3/25), not our high risk appointment today. We did get pictures, but Johnny has yet to scan them in. :) And, really, they look quite similar to the ultrasound pictures on 3/25.

The Twins!

Baby B!

And Baby A!

How far along? 11 weeks 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: I'm still pretty much the same.
Maternity clothes? I got a bella band knock off from Target.  Ahhh I love it.  :)  My wardrobe has quadrupled.  And I ordered a dress and pants from Old Navy.  
Stretch marks? Nada
Sleep: I desperately try to be asleep by 8:30 or 9... so usually 8-9 hours.  And I do love naps when I have the time!
Best moment this week: Either appointment... Wednesday's or todays.  I love both doctors AND I got to see the babies, so it's all perfect.   Perfect sizes, perfect hearts... just perfect.  I'm so in love.
Movement: Nope.
Food cravings: I found a yogurt I LOVE.  And still coolattas.  Everything else comes and goes.
Gender: I'm thinking a boy and a girl.  
Labor Signs: Noooo
Belly Button in or out? Innie
What I miss: Nada.  Like I said last time, I'm loving where I am!!
What I am looking forward to: Finishing trimester 1 so I can confidently make a registry and can just take a huge breath.  And I want school (grad and regular) to be over.  I just want to focus on the babies!!
Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy it!
Milestones: Isn't every day a milestone??  I'm just thankful for every day I get and every day that they are healthy.  Again I say, I am so in love.

It's Done!

Oooh we had the big appointment with doctor number 2.  And let me tell you... I LOVE HER.  I love the whole practice... the nurses, the secretaries... even the blood lab nurse!  My doctor is fab... she's young and due to have her own baby in June.  I don't know... it was just a good experience.  So, she'll be out on leave from June-late August.  It all works out fine because having twins makes me have to go to a high risk doctor as well.  So, while she's gone I will see the doctor that I'm going to start seeing in 2 weeks.  It's a little bit of a bummer that he's in Boston so I didn't end up avoiding that drive, BUT I am so comfortable with my doctor that I don't mind.  And, because it's twins (yes, it still is!!) we're going to be getting lots 'n lots of ultrasounds!  Overall, I'm just even MORE excited.  

So... the ultrasound.  Yes, we did get one!  Both babies are still there and growing strong!  They measured at 10w3d.  I'm really 10w4d, but then the doctor reassured me that it was okay because she remeasured one of the babies when it had stretched a little and it measured at 10w5d.  Basically, the measurements aren't exact, BUT the babies are looking great!  We didn't measure the heartbeat (she did an external u/s), but we did get to see the little flickers so things are looking good!  :)

So, an appointment with the high risk guy in 2 weeks and an appointment with my regular doctor in 4 weeks!

And now we all breathe a HUGE sigh of relief!

Tidbits

Happy Wednesday!

A few tidbits while I sit and eat my lunch with the kiddies safely tucked away at their lunch...

1. My husband is by far the best person in the world. He's still not quite all there with "getting" my constant state of tiredness. I'm not sure he can understand it because he's the type that can get 2 hours and function just fine. But that doesn't stop him from being exceedingly amazing and putting up with everything that I want. (Meaning, things I want, but am too lazy to get for myself.) He's the best. Really.

2. 24 mentioned infertility on Monday... sort of. A security guard at the port mentioned that "getting pregnant is supposed to be the most natural thing in the world," but that it took him and his wife 3 years and all of their savings, and now they're expecting twins. Jack took pity and ended up saving him.

3. My parents leave for Floriday tomorrow. I can't remember where... Naples I think? I'm too jealous. Last we checked it is supposed to be 80. Ah... wouldn't that be nice?

4. Less than 4 hours til the doctor appointment! I am soo anxious/nervous/excited... you name it. I cannot wait. I don't care what goes on. I don't care if she sucks. But I cannot wait to see them on the ultrasound again. I just want to see the little wiggling blobs. That's all I want. I just need to know that they're both still in there and that they're both growing just as they should be. The only problem? I'm really not sure if I will be able to keep from telling everyone and their uncle assuming todays u/s goes perfectly. I just want to scream it to everyone. I cannot count the times I have almost slipped and told my kids at school.

Now, I know I had more insignificant details to ramble on about, but I cannot think of them for now...

Update of Stuffs... :)

Tomorrow marks Week 10.  Woohoo.   :)  1/4 of the way there!  Can you believe it?  

I'm still feeling good... just so, so tired.  Only occasional bouts of nausea.  Nothing horrible and everything totally worth it.  :)  

Today I spent the day with my mom.  It was a good day.  She bought me two maternity shirts.  Early, I know, but we're both just so excited it's hard to resist.  :)  We also looked at a bunch of baby clothes at Kohls.  We were looking for my mom's friend's daughter.  But the clothes were too cute.  (Though I may have been tempted, I did not buy anything!)  My brother and his wife also bought us 2 onsies that say "I'm the best".  They're cute... and our first baby clothes!  :)

Johnny and I are looking into where to move.  Johnny found a townhouse a few towns over.  It's brandnew, amazing price... it's a contender.  We're only looking for something temporary-- 4 years... 5 tops.  We want to be moved before the kiddies are in Kindergarten.  I can't wait to get that figured out.  :)  Such a huge weight will be lifted!

To end, I can't wait until Wednesday's appointment.  It's been almost 3 weeks since the ultrasound and I can't wait to see the little wiggling blobs.  When we went to the doctors on Monday last week we only heard one heartbeat... so though I'm not really worried (she didn't TRY to find the other) I really would like the comfort of knowing that they're both in there growing strong.  :)  That's all for now!  :)  Have a great rest of the weekend!

Nothing Special

Oh let's see...

Yesterday my aide got me two maternity shirts. A little premature, but the thought was nice! I tried them on and they are HUGE. She actually got me one size higher than I would have... but with twins I might need it! Ha. Johnny and I were at the mall on Saturday so I popped into Motherhood Maternity just to look around... because it's fun. I felt a little self concious being in there. Everyone else looked ready to pop! I just have to be patient... everything will come in good time!

I love the fact that the babies on the little ticker/widget thing are looking more and more human and less and less reptilian. :) Soon enough they'll look like little perfect babies. :) I go to see the doctor on Monday afternoon after school. I'm hoping she gives me another ultrasound despite the fact that I already had one at RSC. I can't believe it's already been a week since we saw those little beating-blobs. Can't wait to see them again!

Other than that, things have been uneventful. Sleeping and school work pretty much sum it up. I am also SO incredibly sick of this New England weather. I HATE IT. We have had so much snow it hurts. It was 60 over the weekend- beautiful. Monday? We wake up to snow/sleet/ice gross-ness. Where is spring!? My kiddies have been deciding if the days are lion or lamb days and then adding them to the calendar-- so far we only have 3 lamb days!

Ultrasound Pics! 7w3d

Finally, as promised, here are some pictures!

Here is a group picture!  Baby A is top and Baby B is bottom.

They look so different because of the angles.

The gestational sacs are actually the exact same size.

And another...

Baby A hanging out.

You can see the little circle yolk sac on right right side.

He is a little smaller... measured exactly 7w3d.  

Baby B... the over-achiever.

Measured 7w5d.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures because they're in Johnny's car... so here's my thousand words (though I'll probably get tired of writing much sooner than that!)

The ultrasound... *drumroll* showed 2 perfect, fabulous embryos.  According to RSC I am at 7w3d (I guess they calculate based on the actual IVF and not Day 1).  

Baby A was measuring right on target- a perfect 7w3d-er... the yolk sac, gestational sac, size, and heart rate were all perfectly aligned with a 7w3d baby.  (Heart rate was 149bpm).  

Baby B was fabulous as well.  This guy was a little ahead of 7w3d at 7w5d (Johnny says he's an overachiever).  Sizes were still fabulous and heart rate was 153bpm.  So... we have graduated.  No longer to visit RSC.  Though they will always hold a soft spot in my heart!

The ultrasound itself was awesome.  I was kind of in a bad mood at first because Johnny was 15 minutes late picking me up at school and I was worried about being late.  But then once the ultrasound started the bad mood went away.  Johnny was super excited and incredibly amazed (he had no idea what to expect!).  I on the other had wasn't quite as excited... just amazingly relieved.  The whole time it was like little bits of worry were falling away when all the measurements were coming out just right.  This isn't to say I'm not ecstatic!  I just needed the relief that the ultrasound brought.  :)

So, this are looking great and I am SOOO excited!  I don't have quite so much worry in me anymore!

I'll add pictures later-- promise!