I cannot stop watching this youtube video and googling all sorts of other "identical twin" stuff. This is going to be so much fun! From the matching outfits to how much fun the holidays will be, to squaring our family size from 2 to 4. I am so excited about this as I know whatever sex they will be they will have a forever partner in crime and best friend; how special is that!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbqioNKCpoA
Friday, October 14, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Twice the Blessing - Identical Twins!!
Today was sonogram #2 where we found out we are expecting IDENTICAL TWINS! I'm sure you're thinking....whaaaat??!! Where was that sucker in the last sonogram -- that's the million dollar question!
To bring you to date on the whole fertility situation and now we're expecting "monozygotic" (identical) twins here is how it goes: we transferred two embryos in August. We found out on September 26th that only 1 embryo made it and the other one did not survive -- we were accepting of this -- we were PREGNANT! Somewhere in the midst of it all the surviving embryo split -- giving us two babies in one womb. We've learned a lot over the last 5.5 hours and are still learning a lot! Monozygotic twins are always the same gender so we will either have two boys or two girls -- as if we care at this point!?!? HEALTHY is our only priority!! My dad's side of the family has a history of twins (3 sets) so this isn't completely from nowhere but it did catch us by surprise. Both babies are growing as expected and their heart rates are strong at 158 and 161 beats per minute!
In a couple of weeks we will know if they are diamniotic (each having their own membrane around them) or monoamniotic where they are enveloped by only one membrane. We want diamniotic as this is a less risky of a pregnancy and less opportunity for them to push, punch and get tangled in each other's umbilical cords. Below is a diagram of what I am talking about.
Baby "B" is mooning us and Baby "A" is kicking back and laughing.
Either "Best Buds" of "BFFs" -- they are hanging out together on the far left (the circle on the far right is an amniotic sac)
My brain is on overload right now; we will post more information soon....for now I need a nap and some time to digest this all! This now explains my EXTREME INCREASE in appetite and my belly already rockin' a bump! We're overwhelmed with joy -- what a fun journey this will be!
Full term for twins is 36 weeks and they can arrive as early as 8 weeks so our due date has been bumped from between March 16 & April 16 of 2012!
To bring you to date on the whole fertility situation and now we're expecting "monozygotic" (identical) twins here is how it goes: we transferred two embryos in August. We found out on September 26th that only 1 embryo made it and the other one did not survive -- we were accepting of this -- we were PREGNANT! Somewhere in the midst of it all the surviving embryo split -- giving us two babies in one womb. We've learned a lot over the last 5.5 hours and are still learning a lot! Monozygotic twins are always the same gender so we will either have two boys or two girls -- as if we care at this point!?!? HEALTHY is our only priority!! My dad's side of the family has a history of twins (3 sets) so this isn't completely from nowhere but it did catch us by surprise. Both babies are growing as expected and their heart rates are strong at 158 and 161 beats per minute!
In a couple of weeks we will know if they are diamniotic (each having their own membrane around them) or monoamniotic where they are enveloped by only one membrane. We want diamniotic as this is a less risky of a pregnancy and less opportunity for them to push, punch and get tangled in each other's umbilical cords. Below is a diagram of what I am talking about.
My brain is on overload right now; we will post more information soon....for now I need a nap and some time to digest this all! This now explains my EXTREME INCREASE in appetite and my belly already rockin' a bump! We're overwhelmed with joy -- what a fun journey this will be!
Full term for twins is 36 weeks and they can arrive as early as 8 weeks so our due date has been bumped from between March 16 & April 16 of 2012!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Bite Size Snickers
Today was our first sonogram and we got to see the heart flicker and hear the heartbeat! It was breathtaking and summed up is a miracle! Everything went great today and is right on track. Dustin, as you can imagine, was quite the emotional one this afternoon. We're still not sure how to refer to it (meaning the baby) since it is gender neutral at this point....but Dustin is running with the "bite size snickers" nickname for he/she. Those of you that know his snickers story and how he obtained his nickname knows this may just be the perfect fit.
This picture leaves me speechless. It is so real! I feel like bite size snickers is crawling here and you can see the growth of his/her arms and legs. If you look close at it's head I swear it already has a boof of hair. I've read in numerous publications that the baby won't grow hair until week 10 but I'm sure there will be a 5 o'clock shadow by then. HA! The more hair your baby has the more heartburn you are to expect........boooooo this isn't going to be good for me!
We feel so blessed and much more at ease since we've seen the baby!
Things I have learned so far:
**It really scares Dustin when I get up in the middle of the night for cereal and chocolate milk. Historically I don't wake up for anything so this middle of the night raiding of the pantry is a change in our sleep patterns. And uh, when did I start drinking milk? DISGUSTING...but it is sooooo good right now!
**Don't take pregnancy tests when your hcg levels are skyrocketing! Yes....I broke 2 tests simply because my hcg levels were so high that it pulled dye from the "not pregnant" line to enhance the brightness of the "pregnant" line. You all know me....I'm a thinker, planner and a worrier....as if I wouldn't pee on a family pack of pregnancy tests from SAMS.
**Don't go perfume shopping. Over the last several months I have been using the last of many perfume bottles and am in the search for a new signature scent....except shopping for perfume at this stage is impossible. Not only am I indecisive, naturally, but my minutely change of likes makes a purchase practically impossible.
**Overall I feel great...which caused me to worry and take a boatload of pregnancy tests. I have occasional headaches, my clothes are a little snugger, I nap daily {love this!} and I eat like a horse.
Dustin's progress:
**He's been THE MOST helpful husband. He prepares and cleans up most meals while I snooze on the couch. He takes care of Polo, makes the bed in the mornings, is proactive in his baby daddy readings & tells me how pretty I am....even though I feel like my face is retaining all of the animal crackers I am consuming. How did I get so lucky!!??
Bite Size Snickers is expected to arrive May 16, 2012!
P.S. We have started daycare shopping. Yes -- one of the places we are touring is booked through June....ummmmm so basically you have to be on the waiting list before you're pregnant....I'll remember this for next time. Thankfully Bite Size won't be checking in to day care until mid-August of next year. : )
We feel so blessed and much more at ease since we've seen the baby!
Things I have learned so far:
**It really scares Dustin when I get up in the middle of the night for cereal and chocolate milk. Historically I don't wake up for anything so this middle of the night raiding of the pantry is a change in our sleep patterns. And uh, when did I start drinking milk? DISGUSTING...but it is sooooo good right now!
**Don't take pregnancy tests when your hcg levels are skyrocketing! Yes....I broke 2 tests simply because my hcg levels were so high that it pulled dye from the "not pregnant" line to enhance the brightness of the "pregnant" line. You all know me....I'm a thinker, planner and a worrier....as if I wouldn't pee on a family pack of pregnancy tests from SAMS.
**Don't go perfume shopping. Over the last several months I have been using the last of many perfume bottles and am in the search for a new signature scent....except shopping for perfume at this stage is impossible. Not only am I indecisive, naturally, but my minutely change of likes makes a purchase practically impossible.
**Overall I feel great...which caused me to worry and take a boatload of pregnancy tests. I have occasional headaches, my clothes are a little snugger, I nap daily {love this!} and I eat like a horse.
Dustin's progress:
**He's been THE MOST helpful husband. He prepares and cleans up most meals while I snooze on the couch. He takes care of Polo, makes the bed in the mornings, is proactive in his baby daddy readings & tells me how pretty I am....even though I feel like my face is retaining all of the animal crackers I am consuming. How did I get so lucky!!??
P.S. We have started daycare shopping. Yes -- one of the places we are touring is booked through June....ummmmm so basically you have to be on the waiting list before you're pregnant....I'll remember this for next time. Thankfully Bite Size won't be checking in to day care until mid-August of next year. : )
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
An Answered Prayer...
We found out early Monday morning that we are PREGNANT! There were lots of tears shed and my family was in town to share in the joy. I did cheat....at 5 am on Monday morning we got the positive result....we knocked on the door where my parent's were staying to share the good news and phoned Dustin's parents.
Yes, it's for real!
Elaina, one of our favorite nurses, called around noon time that not only was I pregnant but my hormone and hcg levels were beyond perfect. A blessing! We are both so happy an answer to so many of our friends, our family's friends and family's prayers. We have such a great support group that have been there for us through thick and thin. Thank you all!
September 26th is our first ultrasound when we will find out if it is 1 baby or more than 1. We don't care either way -- a healthy baby is enough for us! I did additional blood work this morning and my hcg levels are progressing at a great rate.
Thank you all for reading, praying, texting and calling. The amount of support and outreach on Monday was beyond comprehension for us and we know how much we are loved and how much this baby will be loved by you all.
Dustin got his first "dad" gift on Monday afternoon and I received my first "mom" gift.
Pregnancy Symptoms: Well I had some early signs but as I said in my previous post I didn't want to get worked up or carried away. I have been having headaches and I just feel different -- slightly off balance, but they say it is normal and in my opinion all good signs of a healthy pregnancy! I don't care if I am sick or how difficult the first trimester is -- happy to have the opportunity. (Someone will probably need to remind me of this post in the weeks to come!) : )
Elaina, one of our favorite nurses, called around noon time that not only was I pregnant but my hormone and hcg levels were beyond perfect. A blessing! We are both so happy an answer to so many of our friends, our family's friends and family's prayers. We have such a great support group that have been there for us through thick and thin. Thank you all!
September 26th is our first ultrasound when we will find out if it is 1 baby or more than 1. We don't care either way -- a healthy baby is enough for us! I did additional blood work this morning and my hcg levels are progressing at a great rate.
Thank you all for reading, praying, texting and calling. The amount of support and outreach on Monday was beyond comprehension for us and we know how much we are loved and how much this baby will be loved by you all.
Pregnancy Symptoms: Well I had some early signs but as I said in my previous post I didn't want to get worked up or carried away. I have been having headaches and I just feel different -- slightly off balance, but they say it is normal and in my opinion all good signs of a healthy pregnancy! I don't care if I am sick or how difficult the first trimester is -- happy to have the opportunity. (Someone will probably need to remind me of this post in the weeks to come!) : )
Friday, September 9, 2011
3 more days...
Monday is our blood-pregnancy test....and this time I am going to cheat! They told me it was "pretty," accurate to do the home pregnancy tests the morning of.....so yes my anxiety got the best of me last time and I am cheating!!!!
Thankfully, my parents are coming to SA this weekend through Tuesday to be with us. I'm taking off from work on Monday; it's really in my students' best interest more than mine, haha. We're positive and optimistic.....but your head does play with your emotions. At the end of the day it is practically impossible to "feel," pregnant so I am trying to stop analyzing everything.
Dustin is loving Burleson! It seems like a perfect fit for him and it's amazing how much more pleasant he is the evenings to be working in such a positive and upbeat work environment. The move was a good move and we're very thankful for the opportunity.
So from our blog readers: please pray that this round is a success!!!
Thankfully, my parents are coming to SA this weekend through Tuesday to be with us. I'm taking off from work on Monday; it's really in my students' best interest more than mine, haha. We're positive and optimistic.....but your head does play with your emotions. At the end of the day it is practically impossible to "feel," pregnant so I am trying to stop analyzing everything.
Dustin is loving Burleson! It seems like a perfect fit for him and it's amazing how much more pleasant he is the evenings to be working in such a positive and upbeat work environment. The move was a good move and we're very thankful for the opportunity.
So from our blog readers: please pray that this round is a success!!!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
All went well!
Yesterday went very smooth. It was a relaxing morning, we did the transfer at noon and then I went to the acupuncturist for my my post-transfer treatment, followed by lots and lots (too much) bed rest. I am literally sick of my bed and TV.
Dr. Dustin did let me out of the bed today at 4 pm and took me to get a pedicure : ) and then we had dinner. Tomorrow I return to work while Dustin gets to enjoy one more day off before starting at Burleson.
The sonogram picture is pointing to the two embryos post transfer and the big embryo picture is of one of the embryos under the microscope prior to the transfer. The lab docs came in and we did the whole verification thing and they told us how perfect everything went in the thawing process. The two embryos that were thawed, survived and continued to grow....so this time we actually inserted blastocysts. We are blessed to not have lost any of the embryos in the thawing process and still have 5 remaining Brookses in the lab in the medical center. : )
We're praying this works....we feel good about it and as my acupuncturist (and sometimes even acts as my life coach) told me on Sunday....I have the best doctors, have followed all of the rules, been faithful with my drugs and have prayed about it...now I must turn it over to God.
Dr. Dustin did let me out of the bed today at 4 pm and took me to get a pedicure : ) and then we had dinner. Tomorrow I return to work while Dustin gets to enjoy one more day off before starting at Burleson.
The sonogram picture is pointing to the two embryos post transfer and the big embryo picture is of one of the embryos under the microscope prior to the transfer. The lab docs came in and we did the whole verification thing and they told us how perfect everything went in the thawing process. The two embryos that were thawed, survived and continued to grow....so this time we actually inserted blastocysts. We are blessed to not have lost any of the embryos in the thawing process and still have 5 remaining Brookses in the lab in the medical center. : )
We're praying this works....we feel good about it and as my acupuncturist (and sometimes even acts as my life coach) told me on Sunday....I have the best doctors, have followed all of the rules, been faithful with my drugs and have prayed about it...now I must turn it over to God.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
The Big Day!
The In Vitro transfer is set for tomorrow morning! Dustin and I are both off for the next two days so that I am on full bed rest. We are really excited, but I am very cautious again with this. All of the Dr. appointments leading up to this have been perfect and so we're ready to rock and roll! We will know two weeks from Monday if I'm pregnant or not. We're of course praying for success but for peace over these next two weeks. I have had so much support from friends and co-workers here. It was impossible not to tell people at work on this round....because two planned days off the second week of school with no explanation is just weird. I've been added to my friend Michelle's prayer box at their church where they will send out cards with their prayer warriors to be prayed for at noon tomorrow and another co-worker has worn the pin for St. Anne for me this week in hopes of conception. (I hope I have that right....I'm not the best at remembering the Saints and their roles).
Dustin starts his new job at Burleson LLP on September 1st. He will be in the Weston Centre downtown (the building on the left).
Friday was his last day at his old firm. The timing couldn't have been more perfect for this all. (Needless to say I'm sure he will be able to keep himself busy over the next two weeks). http://www.burlesonllp.com/ This is a good move for him, career wise. It's a national firm with offices in San Antonio, Houston, Pittsburgh and Denver. They value publishing, sitting for additional licenses in other states as well as encourage you to bring in business all with incentives. Dustin works well under an incentive based business model. Dustin was given a partner track along with 4 weeks of paid vacation / leave time!!!! For me, that is huge....it really does no good to work and make money if you are not able to enjoy it. Life is just too short!
Yesterday afternoon a house in our neighborhood caught fire. It was a house that we had looked at when we were buying and that I had wanted since it was a foreclosure and with so much potential. Of course we decided against it, but still pulling up on the fire trucks, ambulances, police cars when going home makes your heart sink. Everyone was able to get out except for their dog. : ( I can't help to think...what if that had been us? Hopefully, we have already paid our dues in the home destruction category. : )
Wish us luck tomorrow! This afternoon we're taking it easy and getting the house in order for us to truly relax over the next two days. Thank you for all of your support and prayers.
Dustin starts his new job at Burleson LLP on September 1st. He will be in the Weston Centre downtown (the building on the left).
Friday was his last day at his old firm. The timing couldn't have been more perfect for this all. (Needless to say I'm sure he will be able to keep himself busy over the next two weeks). http://www.burlesonllp.com/ This is a good move for him, career wise. It's a national firm with offices in San Antonio, Houston, Pittsburgh and Denver. They value publishing, sitting for additional licenses in other states as well as encourage you to bring in business all with incentives. Dustin works well under an incentive based business model. Dustin was given a partner track along with 4 weeks of paid vacation / leave time!!!! For me, that is huge....it really does no good to work and make money if you are not able to enjoy it. Life is just too short!
Yesterday afternoon a house in our neighborhood caught fire. It was a house that we had looked at when we were buying and that I had wanted since it was a foreclosure and with so much potential. Of course we decided against it, but still pulling up on the fire trucks, ambulances, police cars when going home makes your heart sink. Everyone was able to get out except for their dog. : ( I can't help to think...what if that had been us? Hopefully, we have already paid our dues in the home destruction category. : )
Wish us luck tomorrow! This afternoon we're taking it easy and getting the house in order for us to truly relax over the next two days. Thank you for all of your support and prayers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)