Big Milestones (GS#1 & GS#2)

There have a been a few big milestones with my surrofams these past few weeks.

Giovanni started KINDERGARTEN!!  Mom and dad weren't quite ready for this.  Despite them both having jobs that keep them busy, they've been able to avoid daycare over the years and besides some help from Grandma Lou, he's been home with the two of them until this transition.  We have a trip to the apple orchard planned in a few weeks and I can't wait to hear how everyone is adjusting. (Picture in GSx1 photo album)

This past weekend my family and I made our way to Chicago to help Ryan and Mason celebrate their 3rd birthday.  I just can't believe it, three years since these beautiful little boys stole away our hearts and K & S were blessed by their arrival.

Momma held their party at a pizza place downtown Chicago complete with balloon twister to keep the kids entertained.  Some of his creations were pretty darn cool.  She also had a professional photographer on hand to capture memories from the day.  We bribed the boys at the end that they could open a gift if they smiled nice and said "cheese" to get a pic with me.  Oh man did they ham it up!!  The photographer said I got the best pics of the day with them.  I can't wait for IM to share those.

Ryan (L) & Mason (R)

We have another little get together planned in a few weeks at the pumpkin patch that will allow me a little one on one time with these goofballs.  Can't wait. :)  Here's a pic of the silly three year-olds till then. 

26 Weeks

We ended last week with an uneventful MFM appointment.  Babies were both measuring approximately 2lbs 5oz which still puts them close to the 90th percentile.  There had been some concern a few weeks back about the increased amniotic fluid levels but that was back within normal range which was good news and the blood work I had run a few weeks back came back negative for any kind of intrauterine infection.

Yesterday I followed up with OB for a routine visit and to also take the 1-hour GTT. We had a quick u/s to check heart tones which were perfect.  Despite a few days prior Baby A being transverse and Baby B being breech, yesterday they were both breech with heads up under my rib cage. Ouch.  BP and urine were fine and I only gained 2 lbs the last few weeks.  Yay!  After my rapid gain of 8 lbs over a similar time span last check up, I was relieved to hear this news.  I've been modifying my diet and cutting out/back on sugars and carbs and it seems to be working.  Despite my efforts though, I still failed the 1-hour GTT.   Although I'm not entirely surprised it's still a bummer.  My result was 155, the guideline is typically under 140 but my OB actually uses under 135 as her cut off.  So, I will head back in bright and early Saturday AM to have the 3-hour GTT done.  Since I haven't passed the 1-hour my last four pregnancies now, this will be my 4th time taking the 3-hour.  When you add up ALL the time I've spent taking this wonderful screening test over seven pregnancies, it comes up to be 24 hours of my life - an entire day!  I'm hopeful the result comes back within normal limits otherwise we will be looking at a gestational diabetes diagnosis which I've never had before.

Overall I'm feeling pretty good, very pregnant but good.  I am welcoming the cool down in weather that is coming and recently modified my work schedule by going down to part-time.  The last few weeks had become rough working full days.  Although I was doing my best to hang in there and work at a normal pace, I'd come home exhausted with no energy to offer my family.  The change in hours will allow me a good balance between work, family and rest.

I am seeing the OB every two weeks now and we will continue our monthly MFM growth scan appointments as well.  I'm hoping to carry these lil ones to 36 weeks, so another 10 weeks or so to go.   I have no doubt with the frequency of appointments picking up here now as we begin the third trimester it will be here before we know it!

24 Weeks

We've had a couple of recent appointments so here's the latest.  Babies are growing like weeds and measuring in almost the 90th percentile each. (Yikes!!) They are averaging about 1.5 lbs and doing great. Here is an adorable pic of babies snuggle together.  Their heads were nestled in by my right hip (vertex) side by side.

22w4d

It's obvious my belly is growing, so just for fun I had my OB take a fundal height measurement and my 24 week bump.  It is measuring 36 cm or comparatively to what would be expected at 36 weeks gestation with a singleton.  Oh my!  Although they are growing beautifully, there are some concerns.  I have excess fluid and based on babies size and my faster than usual weight gain, I may be developing gestational diabetes (GD).  Boo!

Fraternal Twins 24 weeks

For now I've been instructed to modify my diet, reducing the amount of carbs and sugars I'm eating.  I already took a glucose tolerance test (GTT) at 16 weeks and there were no concerns, but we've moved up the next one - which is typically done at 28 weeks - and I'll be taking it at 25 weeks instead.  There are some risks to both babies and I if I do indeed have GD so it's good that the doctors are being proactive with some early monitoring and lifestyle changes.  The sweets are a given and easy to identify but carbs are a little more difficult ... I'm just taking it one meal at a time.

24 weeks with J&W's twinsies

I've found a few things that are keeping me more comfortable as this belly continues to expand.  One thing I've discovered are compression socks/sleeves.  Oh my what a difference!!!  I was having a lot of discomfort in my legs and these work miracles.  I can tolerate being on my feet for longer periods of time which is significant while I'm still working yet.  I've also been able to find some more comfortable sleeping positions lately keeping my waking down to a bathroom trip or two a night.  It's the small things really.

22 Weeks

Please excuse my pity party from last week, I'm feeling a little better these last few days.  I had a light work week and more time to rest.  Everything just happens so fast with twins, and then even faster yet with the 2nd set and I was feeling a little discouraged.  In my singleton pregnancies it was always around 30 weeks that I felt the "slow down" and I'm guessing physically I'm right about there - but we are only 21/22 weeks.  It becomes a little daunting to think ideally we still have another 14-16 weeks left to go before these little ones arrive.  Only thing to do is keep listening to my body so that physically/mentally I don't push myself too far, and just continue to take things one week or one day at a time.  Mom and dad need every bit of the next 3 months to get ready for their twins arrival so hopefully we all - myself and babies - can just hang in there!!

We've had a great weekend and had the pleasure of spending the day with my surrofam at the zoo yesterday.  It was nice to visit with my IPs and just chat about "stuff".  The funny thing about them being so very local is that I actually probably spend less time with J&G then I ever did my first two sets of IPs. My first two journeys when IPs would venture from Chicago out our way for an appointment we'd usually make a day of it, but this time with them being right here in Rockford, we often go our separate ways after seeing the doctor.  We still keep in touch via text/email often but our face to face time is probably less than I've experienced in the past.  I have a feeling as summer comes to an end and things slow down, we'll get a few more of these longer visits in before babies arrive.

Their four year-old, big brother-to-be "G", enjoyed hanging out with our girls checking out the animals and exhibits.  The highlight is always visiting the play zoo where the kids painted their faces and had fun dressing up as vets and caring for sick "animals" while the adults looked on.  We ended our day with dinner in the parking lot of our fav hotdog stand.

"G" (coyote), Lauren, Izzy (swan) & Chloe

I had really hoped IM/IF would have the opportunity to feel babies move - they are so wiggly these days -  but we just never really had a good quiet moment.  Hopefully there will be a next time soon. As we said our goodbyes "G" gave his new friends hugs.  IM pointed out to him that his new babies were growing in my belly but, he wasn't quite sure what to make of that. He's got a little time to warm up to the idea. LOL

21 Weeks

I wish I could say time was just flying by, but in reality I have no idea how I am going to do this another 3 1/2 months.  Yikes!  I'm already feeling cumbersome and all the side effects I've come to be familiar with over my last pregnancies are happening all that much sooner this time around.  I try not to complain because honestly, I know it's only gonna get worse and because I still am more than happy to make this happen for my IPs, but I think I can say without a doubt that these lil ones will be the final babies I will ever carry.

Just look at these two side by side pics.  I'm obviously bigger than I was with the last set of twins at this point, and I feel that I got HUGE with them by the end.  J&G gave me some big babies to grow. LOL  I'll do my best!!!

ETA: I went back to my blog post from when the first twin pic was taken and my OB had done a fundal height check at that appointment and I was measuring 28wks then ... Gulp.

Anatomy Scan

Yesterday we made our way to MFM for the "big" 20 week fetal anatomy scan. It's hard to believe that we are already more than half way through this twin pregnancy.  Wow!!   IM and I spent more than two hours getting glimpses of Baby A and Baby B who were very active and putting on a show. Baby B was being a bit stubborn and was giving the tech a hard time but, based on all the measurements everything looks perfect.

Baby A

Baby A had a heart rate of 143 and is measuring approximately a week ahead, Baby B had a heart rate of 148 and measurements are very similar.  Babies are both measuring in the 70th percentile so it's no wonder I feel very pregnant already!  They had best slow down or I'll be carrying 16 lbs of baby by the end. LOL  Baby A is laying low and transverse along the bottom of my uterus with legs stretched out to the left and Baby B is breech along my right side .... which puts them in kind of in a Ying & Yang position - at least for now while they still have room to stretch out.

Baby B

IM held strong and looked away so she would not catch a glimpse of either babies gender.  IPs have decided to hold out as long as they can. LOL  I myself know but, I'm not sharing with anyone so DON'T EVEN ASK!! No really, I'm so afraid to tell even just one person so my lips are sealed until J&G decide they want to know for themselves.

I'm overall doing well.  Cervix is long and closed and the previous partial placenta previa that caused some bleeding around week 14 has resolved.  Weight gain slowed down this month (thank goodness), BP and urine were fine.  The sickies from the 1st trimester are a thing of the past but, nasty heartburn has begun so I'm going to start meds daily to hopefully keep it at bay and I'm also already experiencing some early signs of circulation restriction in my legs so the OB has me taking once a day baby aspirin.  I'm starting to get uncomfortable but just chugging along for now because I know this is just the beginning.  Everything is happening even just a bit earlier than my last twin pregnancy, I think my body knows what it's in store for. I'm starting to feel lots of movement and they are getting stronger each day.  I can't wait for mom and dad to feel the first baby kicks for themselves. 

My IPs made their news FB official a few weeks back and they had an overwhelmingly positive response to the announcement.  I feel so honored that they have entrusted me with these two lil miracles and I can't wait until they are safely in J&G's arms and they can begin their life as a family of five.

Twins coming November 2015

We are excited to announce that after 3 long years of IVF, and with the help of our amazing friend and gestational carrier, our family is growing.  Someday we will be brave enough to share why this was the only option for us but, for now we just want to be like any other normal pregnant family and share our good news.

photo credit: Robert X. Fogarty
www.dearworld.me