Weeks 12-13

I have been sick again...my placentas must be kicking out the hormones like nobodies business.
Nothing horrific, just a constant upset tummy and the ability to eat, oh I would say 1/3 of a cup of food at one time. As my sister-in-laws have commented "its like being hung over all the time". I know my calorie and water intake have just barely been enough for one person let alone 3! I talked to the nurse on Wednesday and she assured me that the babies will be fine because they take everything first.

I had my first "official " baby appointment around 11 weeks with my regular OB. We got to see the babies first thing (he was the one to tell us last time our baby didn't make it) so we jumped at the chance to see them right away. It was really cute, one was sleeping and the other looked like it was dancing. Pretty basic appointment.

I was excited to learn later that week that I was able to get into the high risk clinic I was hoping for. I was accepted based on my previous miscarriage, my MS, my multiples and advanced maternal age. Advanced What? you say. For a singleton age 35 puts you into the "higher risk" category. I guess with twins that drops to 33, which I am. Our first appointment there was in the middle of my 12th week.

We saw a genetics councilor that went over our ethnicities to see if there were any red flags and to talk about testings. She didn't see anything major to worry about. The only two she mentioned was Downs Syndrome and Cystic Fibrosis. Both are common in white folks and when the mother is older. We decided to run a first trimester screen which is blood work and specific neck measurements during an ultra sound.

I am trying to avoid any invasive testing like an amniocentesis, unless the Dr's think it is needed. Since a needle actually punctures the bag of water there is a slight risk of miscarriage. And I want to avoid that at all costs! The good news is I have already heard back from the clinic for Downs. I went from a risk group of 1 in 250 to 1-950. We are still waiting to hear back on the CF. Honestly, I think I can deal with something medical that has a plan action. The thing I have struggled with the most, is when it comes to Dylan, none of his specialist can give me a clear answer. Does he have a true disability with his brain functioning or is he being a normal annoying teen ager?

I am hoping to get access to a scanner soon so I can add my ultra sound pictures. I have four sets already. The most recent ones were amazing and Robb and Dylan were with to see everything. Good strong heartbeats, we actually got to hear each of them. Both babies were sleeping and the technician spent a lot of time jiggling my stomach to wake them up so she could get the measurements she needed.

Baby A is the smaller of the two and the furthest down. We have 2 theories. He (because we hope for one of each) could either be 4 days younger or simply smaller. Krista's daughter Flora takes after our Nana on my Dad's side. Both are very petite. On Robb's side all the men are short. Robb is the tallest over his Dad, cousins and numerous uncles, and he is 5'11''. Plus our nephew Jack on that side is also measuring smaller than most for his age. Robb says "that's the Lussier baby"

Baby B is the bigger one and higher up. We think that one's the girl. She's the one always moving in the ultrasounds and the one making me sick I think. The technician told me they are bunkbed style on the exact opposites of the bed. So basically they are taking up the maximum space in my uterus. Which would explain why my stomach is already shoved up under my lungs and I can barely eat anything. The other neat thing we can see is they have two distinct noses. Baby B looks to have what our family calls " the de Wolff nose". A long, very classic, Roman looking bridge and tip. Baby B looks to have a shorter bridge with more of a button on the end. Maybe it is my own wishful thinking and seeing noses that aren't even there yet. Hopefully you will be able to judge for yourself soon.

Blessing and Good Ju Ju to you all,
Elizabeth :)

Weeks 8-11

Well between weeks 8-11 I went on two trips.
Week 9 was spent in Charlotte, NC with my Oldest and Dearest Friend, Heather. While I enjoyed every moment spent with her, the kids had a different plan. I was sick most of the time, forcing myself to eat and trying to keep it down. The heat and humidity were not my friend. Plus an all day concert out in a heat index of 116 may not have been the best choice. Linkin Park was awesome.....but I had to hold my bag in front of the babies most of the time trying to keep the vibrations to a minimum.
Week 10-11 saw me in WI at yet another Linkin Park concert (can you tell I am a big fan?) This trip was with Robb and Dylan. The venue had steep hills and I had to stop quite often because my heart rate would shoot up and that is not the best for the babies. The weather was nice and I was less sick. I did have to spend most of the concert out of my expensive seats and up in the grass because the vibrations were just way too strong and I thought....that can't be good. Another 2 days were spent at The Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells. Water slides are limited to non pregnant people. So I got a pedicure at the Spa and spent most of my time in a tube on the Lazy River.

More interesting Dr. stuff to come.
Elizabeth

We Have Two Babies

Blessing and Best Wishes to All,

We have just entered our second trimester and the time to spread the news has arrived.

The first few weeks were very bumpy. My HCG levels were low on my first test date. My first ultra sound at 6 weeks wasn't any better. The Dr. was surprised to see two sacks since my hormone levels only indicated one baby, and neither one with a heartbeat. "Maybe we are too early" I hoped. He just patted my back sadly and said...come back next week and we will look again. So I cried a lot and numbly waited out the days until the next week. At the next appointment the Dr. says with surprise "There really are two in there....and look...heartbeats this week". One was significantly smaller than the other so we talked about the possibility of that one disappearing and with luck I would get to keep one. "Come back next week, and we will look again" So at 8 weeks I head back in and the Dr. is confident that I have two strong heartbeats and he thinks the twins are here to stay.