Week 11

We've decided to announce a little early. Our original plan was to wait until 12 weeks but after three good ultrasounds and the reassurance from our OB today, we decided to go ahead. Not to mention my belly is definitely showing! We had a fun-filled Christmas celebrating with our families. Unfortunately, this pregnancy thing is really wearing me out and we didn't do a lot of our normal Christmas traditions. Instead we spent lots of time with family, I spent lots of time on the couch and my family was very sweet to take care of me. Crazy that this is our last Christmas just the two of us! Our families stayed away from baby gifts (bad luck in the first trimester) with the exception of a few sweet things. My Dad got the babies their first gift, 2011 Belkie Bears and Jay's Mom purchased an adorable frame for our ultrasound pic, a child's nativity scene and the cutest babies first Christmas bibs for next year.  Jay and I were spoiled with some fabulous gifts! 

We had our first ob appointment yesterday and things could not have gone better! Our original appointment was scheduled for last week but a water main break at the hospital caused a cancellation.  Our doctor is so kind and thorough! He answered all of our questions and I really liked how he talked to Jay and not just me. Jay felt really comfortable. I think its important for him to feel included because so much of pregnancy is about the mama. Originally, our doctor was going to just do a doppler check on the heartbeat but after my physical decided to change it to an ultrasound to reassure me that everything was just fine. We have to wait 4 weeks until our next appointment and I don't know how I'm going to do! 


**Additions- I just remembered a few things the Doctor said and wanted to write them down. As far as delivery, he wants me to make it to 36 weeks. He doesn't really put patients on bed rest as he has not seen studies that show it helps. 36 weeks puts us at June 20th. He told me that I should gain 35-45 pounds with twins (holy cow) but don't worry if I don't gain until I'm at least 20 weeks. I'm also allowed to workout now as long as my heart rate stays below 150. So thankful for the elliptical in the basement! I've got to get a flu shot, which I've never had and it makes me nervous. 

10.5 weeks

11 week ultrasound

Merry Christmas!

Pregnancy Highlights:

Today's Date: Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

How Far Along: 11 weeks

Size of babies: Babies are the size of limes (or golf balls on the new "daddy size tracker".

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Down 4 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight

Maternity Clothes: I got a gift certificate from my sister for Christmas and got a pair of maternity skinny jeans. I'm in love. I don't think I'll ever go back. My belly is currently measuring at 15 weeks.

Gender: I'm back to thinking that A is the girl and B is the boy.

Movement:  Nothing that I can feel but B was going crazy on the ultrasound. A has been very chill in all of the ultrasounds. The tech told us that they have no control over these movements; they are the brain sending out nerve signals.

Sleep: I need it but my schedule is really off due to the holidays. I've been getting 8-10 hours a night but staying up much later and sleeping in. I've got to get back on track before school!

What I miss: Definitely sushi this week

Cravings: Cereal and Coke Icees. My sister also made these yummy blondies for Christmas and I would love to have one right now! I'm still not eating a lot but my doctor assured me that the babies are getting the nutrition they need from my prenatal vitamin.

Symptoms: Exhaustion! Dare I say that my morning sickness is starting to slow down? I'm still taking my Zofran, but I don't have to run to the bathroom as soon as I woke up. I'm also able to floss my teeth again!

Best Moment this week: Learning that both babies are doing fabulous! This is definitely my biggest worry. Second best would be celebrating Christmas with our families. 

Your fetus is about 1.6 inches long, and she's got about a 1:1 head to body ratio. She now weighs in at about .25 ounces.

And new for the Dads this week on the bump:

Week 11: Golf Ball

Average size: 1.6 inches, 0.25 ouncesNext time you tee off, know your baby’s about as big as the ball. He’s already moving around in your partner’s belly, too. 

Week 10

I can't believe we've made it to 10 weeks! Double Digits! This week has not been fun. I've been so sick with allergies, cold, sinus stuff. Being pregnant and sick is miserable. I had some issues with extra morning sickness and evening sickness and had to take double my meds. This past week was nothing crazy. My weekend was spent sleeping. I'm very much looking forward to relaxing over Christmas break and spending time with family!

Pregnancy Highlights:

Today's Date: Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

How Far Along: 10 weeks

Size of babies: Babies are the size of prunes (yuck again this week).

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Down 1 pound from pre-pregnancy weight

Maternity Clothes: Not as of this morning. Although I feel like I majorly popped today! I'm even include a picture of my new belly!

Gender: Not sure! I was very confident in boy/girl but I've had a boy/boy feeling today... yikes!

Movement:  Nothing that I can feel!

Sleep: This weekend was miserable! I was in bed from Friday evening until Monday morning. My sleep was completely off. I've also been waking up super early and not able to fall back asleep. Today was the first day I made it until 6:30!

What I miss: Being able to take any type of cold medicine that I saw fit! 

Cravings: Bagels with butter

Symptoms: Nauseous. All. Of. The. Time.  This weekend my Zofran started wearing off in the evenings, leaving me to have night sickness every night. I've started taking a pill as soon as I wake up and then one again at 6:30. 

Best Moment this week: Getting out for Christmas break! So excited to be done with school, spending time with family, just relaxing and enjoying my time with Jay and my babes :)

Baby's now the size of a prune!With bones and cartilage starting to form and vital organs beginning to function, baby is making major progress. Body length will almost double in the next three weeks, and arm joints are now working. (Soon, legs will start working too.)

The BEST Day!

Today is one of the best days of my life. I had a dream that one of the twins had died and that I hadn't miscarried yet. Thankfully that was not the case this morning! After a restless night filled with worry and anxiety we went in for our ultrasound. Immediately upon arriving at the office I proceeded to get sick in their bathroom. This morning sickness is no joke!  Both of our babies are doing perfectly! They are measuring a little ahead of schedule with Baby A at 9 weeks and Baby B at 8 weeks 6 days. The doctor adjusted my due date and as of today I am 9 weeks along! He said that this ultrasound is much more accurate than the last one. Heartbeats were fast and strong, with A at 182 and B at 174. The doctor said the variance is completely fine and that we must remember they are two different babies and will grow the same way that two babies in separate wombs would grow. They are now both over an inch long with Baby A measuring at 2.36cm and Baby B measuring at 2.17cm. I am also so thankful that the doctor told me to stop taking my medications (yay for saving $14 a day on one medicine!) and also put me on Zofran, which I've heard is a miracle drug.

Today I actually feel like I am pregnant with twins. My excitement has overcome my worry. I am so happy about our future!  Upon leaving the clinic we were presented with a little parting gift. Our doctor and nurse gave us two "Made in Charlotte" onesies along with a sweet card, and discounts to several baby places. All of the staff members that we had worked with throughout the process came out of their offices to hug us and wish us well. We felt so loved. I feel like we finally made it! I actually started crying as we took the elevator downstairs. It was so bittersweet to leave this clinic that has taken us on an emotional roller coaster over the past year. I am so thankful to be on the other side, but scared to leave the support of my awesome nurses at REACH.

Here are a few pictures from our ultrasound.

Week 9

After my ultrasound this morning, my due date has been changed again! I am now due on July 18th and am currently 9 weeks along. Crazy how 4 days ago I was 8 weeks. The doctor told me that this ultrasound was a much more accurate measurement compared to the last one. I am just so thankful that the babies are healthy and growing. It is just SUCH a relief and a blessing. I am so happy to be a mommy! I've been in the BEST mood all day and cannot wait to start shopping for my little ones!!!

Pregnancy Highlights:

Today's Date: Wednesday, December 13th, 2011

How Far Along: Baby A is measuring at 9 weeks and Baby B is measuring at 8 weeks 6 days so the doctor says I'm 9 weeks.

Size of babies: Babies are the size of green olives (yuck).

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Down 1/2 pound from pre-pregnancy weight

Maternity Clothes: Nope, hoping to hold off because I'd rather spend money on their outfits than maternity clothes!

Gender: After today's ultrasound my guess is that Baby A is a girl and Baby B is a boy. I'm feeling more strongly about my guess for Baby B.

Movement:  None that I can feel but Baby B put on a show for us today. It was so adorable. Baby B was moving all over the place!

Sleep: Had a hard time sleeping last night due to worrying about our babes but I'm thinking I'll keep sleeping just as much as I have been now that I know they're okay.

What I miss: Again, foods that I used to enjoy!

Cravings: Definitely Rusty's Mixed Cheese Spuds with only american cheese (these have been a favorite since I was little) 

Symptoms: Nauseous. All. Of. The. Time. Excited to start my Zofran! My breast have also grown out of control. Where did these come from?!

Best Moment this week: Learning that our babies are doing so well! Feeling thankful, blessed, and excited to become a family of four! Also, the doctor encouraged ice cream eating to help me get my calcium. ha! :)

Baby's now the size of a green olive!Your little embryo has now officially graduated to fetus-hood. Adding to the excitement, a Doppler ultrasound device might be able to pick up the beating heart. With basic physical structures in place and increasingly distinct facial features, baby is kind of starting to look like...well...a baby!

Pregnancy makes me tired!

Written on Tuesday, December 13th, 2011.

I'm a little over 8 weeks and completely not feeling like myself. I'm nauseous from the time I wake up until about 12:30. On Sunday's post, I thought that the morning sickness was going away only to have it back in full force this morning! I am also so tired. I barely have the energy to stand while I'm teaching and could definitely use a nap at 2pm. I'm hoping to take off from work a little early today for a nice afternoon nap :) I know that I said I would be so thankful when I was pregnant that I wouldn't complain one bit about all the side effects that come with pregnancy, but I didn't know how hard it would be! I am so ready for the second trimester! Only a few more weeks.

Week 8

This week has been busy and the babies have not been cooperating with momma! I've had some late nights, major food aversions, and more morning sickness to deal with. Babywise, this week has been a little boring. Sometimes I don't even remember that I'm pregnant! I'm looking forward to Wednesday when we are able to see our babies again on the ultrasound. I keep praying that both are still hanging out in there and thriving! I also just noted that I needed to change a few of the questions on here to make them plural! I've also been thinking about things that I thought I would do when pregnant. The first was to eat only whole, organic foods. Ya, so much for that one. Maybe I'll try it once that morning sickness subsides but for now I'll eat whatever my stomach can tolerate. The second was that we would not tell a soul until we were at LEAST 12 weeks along. Our struggles to get pregnant definitely changed that for us but we've had fun telling our best friends and family. I've seen a lot of people announcing on Facebook that they are due in June and I can't wait until we are far enough along to announce to all the rest of our friends!

Pregnancy Highlights:

Today's Date: Sunday, December 11th

How Far Along: 8 Weeks (I can't believe I'm two months!)

Size of babies: Babies are the size of raspberries.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Down 2 pounds

Maternity Clothes: No, I've been wearing a few pairs of pants I found at Old Navy that have elastic waist bands (I swear they're not a mom-jean as they sound). I'm almost afraid to try my regular jeans on! My belly has grown a tiny little bit but I think it is mostly just bloat. yuck.

Gender: No Clue! Still having visions of a boy and a girl nursery.

Movement:  None yet! 

Sleep: Exhaustion continued the first part of the week but I was able to stay up later towards the end of the week. I was surprised I made it until 1am after our party! Still waking up around 7:30 on my own.

What I miss: Again, foods that I used to enjoy!

Cravings: Still Coke Icees, bland cereal (Special K, Crispex), bagels 

Symptoms: Tired, Heightened sense of smell, Nauseous all the time, a few bouts of morning sickness, getting tired easily when walking long distances, up hills, etc. 

Best Moment this week: Sleeping when I got a chance! Also spending some quality time with Jay on Sunday evening watching football and talking about our babies :)

your baby's the size of a raspberry!

Now she weighs in (yay!) at about .04 ounces and measures about .63 inches. This week, she's growing about a milimeter each day.