Officially Over Half-Way!

This week marks 21!  I can't believe how fast, yet slow this pregnancy is going!  This week the twins are the size of bananas...measuring about 10.5-11" in length and 12-13oz each!  Its only been 2 short weeks since our last scan and these little ones have nearly doubled in length!  

Overall this last week has been great!  I'm still worried about heartburn, so I've been avoiding onions 😭 (I really like onions!) and eating later, which also seems to contribute to heartburn.  I've also learned from experience that pizza and marinara sauce also tend to contribute to the burn... So I'm willing to give up the marinara, but I'm going to have to get creative about the pizza sauce, because I LOVE 🍕 pizza!! 

I'm in the "sweet" spot of pregnancy now, so they say!  Morning sickness is actually limited to mornings (unless I forget to snack), headaches have been on the downtrend, my size isn't too limiting or uncomfortable yet, and I'm trying to keep my heartburn in check. 😊😜

I also am enjoying this stage because not only can I feel the babies moving, but others can feel them also, which is always exciting to be a part of!  It also helps me to feel relieved that they are happy and thriving in there... enjoying the limited space that is continuing to diminish by the day... seriously 🥴🤷🏼‍♀️.

Two more weeks until my glucose test and 23 week ultrasounds are taken so here's to hoping the next few weeks are smooth and uneventful👏🏼🤩🥰!

19 Week Anatomy Scan (Twins)

So yesterday marked 19 weeks 1 day for these little babies growing inside.  This week the average singleton baby weighs approximately 8oz (.5 lb) and measures about 6".  They are comparing their sizes to Mangoes this week🥭🤷🏼‍♀️.  Not sure if that's accurate...I better check out the size of Mangoes again🤣.

Twins, I've been told, don't grow quite as fast as singleton babies, due to room and sharing resources...but these babies are measuring right on...well maybe a little ahead of track! 🤣. 

We had our 19 week anatomy scan for both of the babies yesterday, (I was told it would be approximately an hour per baby, so to come prepared with snacks 🤤).  Although I didn't need snacks, I did need some water so I'm glad my sister was there to help a sister in need!

We started the scan with Baby A.  Who is currently breech, bum down and facing my back.  She was (is) very active, and in very close quarters with her brother (Baby B).  It made the ultrasound very challenging to understand what was what🤣.  At one time we had two circles up on the screen, that the tech froze to do some measuring, but only on one of the circles.  So I had to ask, what he was measuring and then of course, what the other circle was that he was leaving out?!  He said oh, the circle on the right is Baby A's abdomen, I'm measuring the circumference.   The circle on the left is Baby Bs head and we aren't going to focus on him right now 🤣🤣🤷🏼‍♀️.  It made me giggle.  This is definitely a first for me.  Although I've been through SEVERAL pregnancies and ultrasounds...never before have there been two! Haha it was such a cool experience!

Baby A's weighing in at approximately 9oz, heart rate was cruising in the 160s, she loves to have her hands by her face, and seemed to be drinking or sucking a lot!  She's very active and has an adorable little profile, just like her bigger sisters did (still do)!  

After an in-depth scan and multiple measurements of Baby girl A, we moved on to Baby B.   Who wasn't patiently waiting, he made several impromptu appearances in his sister's pictures and scans.  He was also sitting breech, in a similar position to his sister.  4 weeks ago they were both laying transverse or horizontally one on top of the other...this week however they are now side by side, bum down. 🤷🏼‍♀️😁

Baby B, weighed in at approximately 10oz, had a heart rate in the 140s, was non stop moving, and appeared to be sucking his thumb🥰.  The ultrasound tech commented on how active they both were, so I'm getting that they are used to more chill babies 🤣😜.  (Sorry Shavonne...hope this isn't an indicator of how they will be outside of the womb😜🤞🥰.)

After the anatomy and profile scans our tech provided us some 3d and 4d scans of each baby.  Since they were moving so much, it wasn't super easy for him.  The picture of Baby A is a little wonky and you have to put on your squinty eyes to make out some of her features...but Baby B had a pretty clear picture of his little nose and eyes.  When my sister pulled up a picture of his late paternal grandfather, you could see the resemblance!  I'll post the scans 👇 below.

Baby A ☝🏼

Baby B☝🏼

After our scans we were told the doctor wanted to speak with us and go over the scans, which was kind of odd, because we heard he was in delivery and we would be seeing the NP instead 🤔.

After a lengthy wait in the exam room, Dr. F. finally arrived.  He told us that the anatomy scans on both babies looked great, but there was one item that was noted for Baby A.  She has a "two vessel umbilical cord". He went on to explain that typically when there are only 2 vessels vs 3, there are common anatomical issues that are also present, typically impacting the heart or kidneys.  He assured us however that those organs currently, look great and show no indication of not being normal or functioning incorrectly!  If you're interested in learning a little more about a 2 vessel umbilical cord here's a link that I found helpful.

2 Vessel Cord Explained

So what's next?  We continue to monitor babies for growth every 4 weeks by ultrasound.  Nothing special needs to be done or changed.  I do however have my glucose appointment scheduled in 4 weeks🥲.  Which is so much sooner than I ever did it for any of my single pregnancies.  The doctor mentioned that twins require twice the amount of extra insulin to be produced so there is a good chance I might come up short and be gestational diabetic.  I'm sure my age and size don't help either 🥴😭.  But here's to hoping my body can overcome the extra need for insulin and I can keep my diet as is!🤞❤️. So far this pregnancy I've gained a total of 5 pounds (3 being in this last month).  So, I'm grateful for a body that's been so accommodating to it's new occupants and nourishing them so well!  Let's hope everything continues to stay on track 🤞🏼!

How I feel:  I'm still recovering from that cold/flu over the holidays.  Don't feel bad, just a lingering runny nose and cough, boo.  Headaches have not been a huge issue this week, thank goodness!  Unfortunately I started to develop heart burn after eating some salsa at 2pm on New Year's day and after still dealing with it's effects at 9pm that night decided I'm never eating spicy food again😭.  That was brutal.  So after mentioning it to the doctor yesterday, I was given the green light to take Pepcid maximum strength.  (Took one last night and it totally worked!)  So happy...lets hope the headaches and the heartburn stay away! 🙏🏼😁

Babies are super active and I can feel them throughout the day and night constantly.  It's hard to make out which ones which since they are so close together 😜🤩. Since they are still small, they don't pack too big of a punch yet (🙏🏼) so they don't keep me up at night or make it hard to relax or breathe just yet.

Well that's the update I have for this week! ❤️

17 Weeks and Under the Weather

So this week makes 17!  It's been sweet and sour though.  This past weekend Phil and I enjoyed a lovely trip to San Diego, the weather was perfect and it was filled with good food, great sights, Hallmark Christmas movies, and lots of relaxing 😎.

I have also been feeling these babies move more regularly, not just at night!  So it's reassuring, without seeing them on an ultrasound, that they're happy and doing well❤️🥰!

A fun night out, all dressed up🥰

Unfortunately a few days after I arrived home, I came down with the flu!  Bah! 🤒🤧. So while I'm battling every symptom NyQuil promises to alleviate, with small doses of Tylenol instead...to say it's been a rough couple of days, is an understatement.🤷🏼‍♀️ 

I'm crossing my fingers and saying lots of prayers that I will feel better before Christmas 🙏🏼🤞!  As a momma I feel completely responsible for bringing the Christmas spirit and right now, I'm totally failing.  I mean...I'm binging every Christmas movie available, enjoying my warm bed, listening to the rare rain Phoenix is getting on the roof, and feeling completely in the Christmas mood... unfortunately I won't let anyone around me for fear of them getting whatever this is.  So...I guess this year will be what it will be.😜😊. They can't all be the best Christmas ever...and I'm okay with that. 🤷🏼‍♀️. Next year, will be better! 🌲 

Merry Christmas 🎄🎁

15 weeks Down, 25 to Go!

This week has been my best week so far, when it comes to morning/all day sickness!  Sunday was the first day I really didn't feel nauseated for a good portion of the day and after dinner was even able to make and decorate sugar cookies with the kids, which was a huge win! 🥰🤩

Monday & Tuesday were much like Sunday, with the exception that I went to work 🤷🏼‍♀️😜.  I still had some usual sicky time, but the thing that has been the greatest is the food aversions seem to be dwindling, so when the nausea creeped in, not being super picky about a snack was super helpful in getting me back to feeling good!

Today, was my 15 week appointment, so we were able to take a peek at the babies with an ultrasound 🥰

It's so crazy how much they've grown and so cool to see them interacting so closely with one another!  Gone are the days of individual ultrasounds, for each baby 😂.  Both babies seem to continually photobomb each other during their scans (which was so entertaining to watch!). Here's baby A's head....and boom Baby B's booty shows up right next to it😂.  True story! Haha I'll photo dump the ultrasound pics below..which will include a very clear picture of both baby A's and B's anatomy😃👇🏼

Baby A (girl) is still anterior (which means closest to my cervix and down lower) she's laying transverse, (horizontal) and Baby B (boy) is laying right on top of her, head to toe ying yang style also transverse.  

Baby A's heart beat was cruising at about 169 beats per minute today, while Baby B was around 142.  They are measuring exactly the same right now, which is great news!  It means both are getting nurished equally and on track!  

In the scans we were able to see both babies bumping and pushing eachother constantly and it was fun to see the sibling rivalry starting so early.  My sister and her husband will definitely have their hands full🥰💞!  

I gained 1lb over the last 4 weeks which puts me at 2lbs overall for this pregnancy so far.  I'm sure now that the sickness is ending AND babies are expected to double in size over the next few weeks...that my next appointment might see some changes on the scale. Hopefully not too much! 😜🤞🏼🥰 I actually paid attention to my blood pressure reading today, which they said was great at 117/76.  I still think that's high for me...but I'm glad it's good for where I'm at!🥳. The doctor gave me all "A+'s"...which he seemed pretty excited about...so I'm gonna take it! 🤩 

My next appointment will be in 4 more weeks...where I'll have the in depth scans for both babies anatomy, which they warned me will take a few hours!  So something to look forward to 👍🏼😃

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Photo dump below⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Second Trimester- 14 Weeks

14 Week Progress

Well the three of us have made it, two weeks into the second trimester!  It's crazy how fast time is flying by overall.  There are days when I feel like it's at a crawl...but overall looking back, we've accomplished a lot!  (By we, I mean they😉.)

These two little ones have all their major organs and body parts formed, now it's all about fine tuning everything and continuing to grow and gain some weight!  They seem to be comfy and enjoying their space, every ultrasound, with the exception of the first two, have shown them happily kicking and bouncing around.  The last few days I have actually felt some movement!  It won't be long before space starts running out...so I hope they enjoy it while they can!

As for me and how I'm feeling...I will say overall this last week has given me some hope as to what's to come in the hopefully, not too distant, future!  Monday was THE best day I've had in so long!  I was able to go to work with only a few dry heaves after brushing my teeth...wasn't nauseous at all during the day (well maybe a few times, but not bad).  I seriously was not only hungry and excited for dinner....I was able to make dinner and didn't get sick while doing it!  That's huge!  I was still exhausted of course and after dinner was complete...I felt like I had finished a marathon😜. 😴💤🥱

In true rookie fashion though, I started to get excited that maybe the sickness was going to be behind me and I could start looking forward to being hungry and feeling "normal" again!  As you've probably guessed Tuesday wasn't the same as Monday.  Womp womp.  So although the "morning sickness" isn't behind me completely...I am looking forward to more days like Monday...soon! 

I think with my prior pregnancies, it was between 16 and 17 weeks that I started to feel better...so not too much longer! 🤩🤞🏼😃

Okay so size...am I showing?  Yes.  As you know, I'm a bigger girl who carries my weight in my tummy anyway...so is it obvious?  No. 😜😂

I can't wear jeans anymore with the non stretch waist band (ouch!).  My go to outfits have been leggings, sweaters, and dresses.  It's getting harder and harder to dress cute...since I'm in this weird "frumpy" looking between stage.  Luckily dresses and leggings both seem to be in style and you can dress them up for work and down for home! (Trust me, I'm okay with not looking preggos to everyone just yet...I'm nervous for just how big I'm actually going to get?!) 🤰🏼😬😲

As for now, I'm taking it one day at a time and enjoying the journey with my little niece and nephew as we grow and progress together!

Officially 12 weeks!

It's finally here!  You might be thinking that I'm excited to be safely into the second trimester stage...which is definitely true, but I'm also excited for one other milestone...

No more PIO shots or Estrogen pills!  Its only been 3 months but holy moly does it seem like having to be home by 9:20 has been a part of my life for so much longer!🤣⏰

No more shots!  My bum can finally start to smooth those lovely knots out🥰❤️.

We had our second OB appointment on Wednesday...and my oh my has it changed since I last came with my own pregnancies.  It's like a 3 hour ordeal now!  

My appointment was at 10AM and was supposed to consist of lab work, an ultrasound, and an exam, which it did...but each was treated like it's own appointment because they send you back to the waiting room in between!  

I first had to go and leave a urine sample, so fun.  Then I was called back for my ultrasound.  (Definitely the highlight)

I was told this particular ultrasound was to check the thickness of the tissue of both babies necks to check for Down Syndrome.  I of course gave the shrug and obligatory nod like ok, whatever you need to do.  He then says, "Now you're using donor eggs, right?"

Probably a perfectly normal question...but it seemed so odd to hear it that way!  I paused for a second...trying to process what he asked..and then he broke the silence and said, "Or was it just the sperm donated?"

Haha I had to giggle and say, "The whole kit and kaboodle are donated.  The eggs were my sister's and fertilized by her husband...implanted via IVF.  So...I guess you can say they were donated to me until they are born...then I'm giving them back!"

Haha I think as I said it, he remembered either me from the last appointment where we had both my sister and my husband there (probably odd to have so many people at a first ultrasound) or it noted in my chart🤣.  In either case he totally laughed and said that's right...gestational carrier.  

Now with the pleasantries out of the way, he got to scanning.  He was super easy to talk to, since the proverbial ice had been broken, so I asked a bunch of questions as he was looking at things.

First, he labeled the baby on the screen "baby A".  So I had to ask...is Baby A always just the first you happen to see?  He said no, it's the baby closest to your cervix, or lowest in the uterus.  Ahh...so we finally have a rhyme and a reason to the A and B thing.  Okay this was good to know!  

He let me know that baby A was on the lower left side and seemed to have their hand over their face 🥰.  They were perfect for all scans.  He was able to get a beautiful measurement of that neck tissue he was going for along with lots of great silhouette pictures.  

Baby A side view 

Baby A was measuring right on track for 11 weeks 5 days.  Heartbeat was cruising at a 171 beats per minute.  They were active, I could see them kicking and moving the entire time🥰.

On to Baby B!  Baby B is above and to the right, and happened to be facing my back. So I was asked to cough so baby would turn around for us.  I honestly was a little skeptical...but it worked!  Baby B moved right on around.  He was able to catch the scans he needed and recorded a heartbeat of 165. 

Baby B was measuring 2 days ahead at exactly 12 weeks.  Everything on both looked great!  As he was going back and forth between babies it appeared as though one baby was literally kicking the other!  So I asked how close they were and if they could feel that?!  (Literally, I think A kicked B in the head mid scan😲.  Sibling rivalry is already starting!)

He said they are right next to each other.  Only separated by the amniotic sac membranes, which he said are about as thin as a rubber band.  So yes they can feel each other!  So crazy and amazing to watch them fidget and kick around together.  I hope they enjoy the room while it lasts! 😕😬

So twins are getting too big to be on the same scan, so he did a split screen so he could capture one then the other but put them both on the screen.  As he was capturing babies he caught a cute little frog legged pose from baby A. (Pictured below 👇🏼)

Baby A frog leg pose

Then he went over to baby B and tried to capture the same thing.  He then asks, "Do you already know the sex of the babies?"  I said yes, one boy and one girl.  He said well I am seeing some anatomy on Baby B that would suggest he's the boy!  (Pictured 👇🏼 below ... would you agree🤭?)

Anatomy between the legs of Baby B

So I'm excited to know the difference between baby A and B now!  B for boy ...super easy to remember too!

After the ultrasound and an additional trip to the waiting room, I was called back for my exam.  It went pretty seamlessly.  I gained 1 pound, my blood pressure was great, and I was told the twins look very healthy and happy!  So I should keep doing whatever I'm doing 👏🏼😁

I was scheduled to come back in 4 weeks, December 6th (which would make me 16 weeks by then) and was scheduled for another ultrasound during the same appointment...so they can check fetal growth.

I waited for a third time in the waiting room and was called back for my blood work shortly after.  The cute lady who maybe only seemed about 10 years older than me, whispers to me..."So twins?!"

Haha I reply yes, that's right!  Twins.  She said wow you're handling this so well.  I was a little confused but simply responded with an uncomfortable, "haha I guess so far, so good!". 

She then starts reading her notes and says, "Oh, these are donor eggs?!  So you aren't too worried about down syndrome then, I bet?"

Oh my goodness, what is up with this office support staff and not reading their notes?🤣 I just said well ...I'm a gestational carrier for my sister.  These babies are on loan with me for a little while, then I'm giving them back!  Her entire demeanor changed and she got so happy and said how wonderful it was that I was willing to do that for her.  (It always makes me feel awkward when people tell me how wonderful I am...I feel like I'm doing something that most people would do, if it were possible.  Maybe I'm different, maybe I'm special...but I don't feel that I am. 🤷🏼‍♀️)

Anyway, after the 9 vials of blood they took and the funniest stories from this conversation starved phlebotomist, who probably missed her calling as a hair dresser, I was finally on my way!  I arrived at 9:54 and left at 12:55! Crazy.  

All in all babies are doing well!  I'm still experiencing sickness...some mornings and evenings are just worse than others, but definitely manageable.  I can still fit into my stretchy jeans but that waistband is definitely starting to dig in 😕.  Instead of wearing my self proclaimed "cute and trendy" clothes to work, I've opted for "cute and comfy"🤣.  Leggings and sweaters are where it's at for me right now.   I'm always cold and I'm always ready for a nap.  Comfy clothes make both of those things manageable 😘😃!

Graduation Day🥰

So today marks 9 weeks 5 days and is officially the last ultrasound or appointment I will have at the fertility clinic!  So bittersweet 🥲!  

Other than the typical morning and afternoon morning sickness...I'm feeling pretty good!  My sister in law sent me the sweetest package to help with it too!  She sent me "Preggie Pops", peppermint life savers, and vitamin B6 all things that helped her survive pregnancy while working🥰. I haven't opened them yet, but I'm so excited to try them...anything to help would be amazing 🤩!

Okay so these babies threw me for a loop...again!  The nurse practitioner takes a look at "Baby A" and the heart rate is cruising at 182 beats per minute!  He/she is moving their little limbs, clearly very active!  I'm also excited at this point because "Baby A" must be the same as last week..finally I can tell them apart 🤞🏼😊!

On to "Baby B", who is also moving and wiggling all around!  (So cute to watch!) As she hovers over to record their heart rate, I'm shocked to hear that it's 172 beats per minute?!  So wait...is this Baby A from two weeks ago?  Or did Baby B kick it up a few notches?? I'm at a loss?! 😜

Overall results both babies are the same size now (Baby B was measuring right on time and Baby A was measuring a little ahead two weeks ago) and have heartbeats within 10 beats of eachother 🤷🏼‍♀️😀.

So it throws my theory of being able to tell them apart at this stage... completely out the window 🤣😜 but the important part is the nurse practitioner said she reviews thousands and thousands of ultrasounds and early IVF pregnancies and these are among the strongest and healthiest fetuses she's seen! ❤️. Picture perfect in there ❤️❤️

Such a relief to hear, I know we still have a long way to go...but I'm excited that everything is cruising along just as it should be for now!🥰

Ultrasound Pics and comparisons:

9 weeks 5 days

Cute little wave from one of the babies!👋🏼

This week compared with 2 weeks ago!

Baby heartbeats💓💓💓