Sleep where are you..I miss you dearly!

Although it is getting much easier there are nights and weeks that go smoother than others. Since the Zantac Austin is feeling much much better but we have since moved the boys into our room using an arms reach co-sleeper and I am afraid bad habits are forming for Austin who only wants to sleep on daddy's chest or my arms. Thankfully Jason has been putting himself to sleep since birth. Well tonight I have decided that it is time to migrate the boys back to the crib. I go back to work next week and I am afraid if we don't form good habits right now that we are doomed to have a sleeping baby in our bed until who knows when. Rob and I decided from the beginning that we needed to keep our room and bed fairly kid free so that we can have time to ourselves at night. Its very important to us to have a solid marriage and relationship so some separation from kid and parent is necessary. WOW though there are so many directions to go with raising children and there are no right or wrong answers. Everyone has an opinion and what works for their family does not necessarily work for yours. So I am sorting through friends tips and tricks and will try to get Austin down tonight...eh so again I am facing a long night but I do believe that if we can win this battle now at 7 weeks then we will save ourselves some heartache as they get older...Both boys are smiling now and holding their heads up more on their own. I am in love with being a mommy! We start the next phase next week as I go back full time to work. I know that it is what is best right now but I will miss them so much while I am away. They both have BIG personalities and I look forward to them continuing to grow each and everyday. So I say to them now...I hope that I am doing what is best for you boys its all done with love. OK I need a manual though soon please! This guessing game SUCKS! Oh and I put make up on today for the first time...I missed that face :)

The Check up

I saw doctor Maholland yesterday and I got a clean bill of health...WHOO HOO! I have finally finish the pregnant phase officially. I cannot wait to drink wine in the hot tub. I also got back on the depo shot yesterday. For all you moms out there that have been pregnant multiple times my hat is off to you. I never ever ever want to do that again. Even though the reward is super sweet...the lord knew I couldn't take it so he gave me two at once :)
Life around the Oliver house is not easy right now. Last week was the hardest longest most emotional week of my life. I know now that if Rob and I can make it through twin newborns we are basically invincible. Austin entered cryfest 2011 last Sunday night and it last for 5 nights...crying from 5pm to 2am every night. The only way we could sleep is if he was laying on Robs chest. We both slept on the couch and chair for 3 nights. Thankfully we have the best pediatrician EVER and we got him on baby Zantac. It took a couple days for it to kick in but I do believe that we are over that hurdle. The scars are still fresh though and every night we watch him to see if crazy cry baby will show his face.
I am so exhausted and we are only 5 weeks into the Oliver newborn adventure. I am starting to think that this will last a long time. I have not quite gotten completely back to normal yet...HA what is normal exactly anyway right?

The roller coaster....

Sleep? Who needs sleep? The last few weeks have been a whirl wind of emotions and exhaustion. The family has all left and now Rob and I are trying to figure out the ends and outs of our new life as parents of two boys. I have had my fair share of break downs and I know that Rob has seen his fair share of frustrating moments. The great thing is that we are in this together. Everyday has gotten easier..there are good days and bad days. Yesterday was a bad day...the boys wouldn't sleep and the crying never stopped. It is hard for me when Rob goes to work during the day because I feel absolutely helpless...but with the bad days there is good too. Today the boys and I took our first drive together. It went without a hitch and gave me confidence that I will get this down. It is still so new going from having no children to having two babies at one time. WOW I have a new found respect for women with multiple children. It truly is a test of your patience. You have to let go of being able to control all situations and let the babies cry sometimes...I mean moms only have two hands.

I love being a mommy! I have never been more proud of my little family. I am more in love with Rob now than ever before. He is the most amazing husband and father. I cannot wait to watch this family grow each and every day. We have had such a long year to get to this point! I cannot imagine life without these two beautiful babies...they have already enriched our lives in ways I cannot describe....

Can I say though that I miss long showers, mascara, sleep and the ability to leave the house at the drop of a hat. I know now what a privilege it was to have all those things for so long. I will cherish them in my memories forever!

Their Arrival

I called my mom on Wednesday September 21st and told her to pack her bags and come up for the weekend. I didn't know why I needed her so much just that I did. I was crying and in pain...more misery than I can describe with words. My mom...bless her heart took that Friday off and drove up to be with me that afternoon. I was trying to make it to my induction date of October 1st but the boys had other plans for me.

Saturday started as a normal and uncomfortable day...a bit too usual for me at 35 weeks and 4 days pregnant with twins....we made plans for dinner and had appetizers for the Oregon game. I cannot even remember who they were playing that day. I just remember around 7 pm that night I didn't feel good...AT ALL...We called my aunt Pam to ask her if it was safe for me to take some pain killers I got from the hospital during my pre-term labor episode. While I was on the phone with her I was sobbing....She told us to go in..,funny my husband made me call the doctor who also told us to go into labor and delivery. So off we went...

My fabulous husband is clueless at this point and I am sure he was not expecting the news that we got shortly upon arrival. My blood pressure was really high and it was determined that I had pre-eclampsia. So I was going to be induced...we are having these babies a week early...TOLD YOU SO :) Just had to throw that in there. They put us into one of the birthing suites and off to the races we went. I remember saying to my mom "I am not ready"...I was scared...poopless! I was mostly scared to get the epidural...who isn't right but I tell you..something happens when you start getting contractions cause when the time came to get the epidural I was ready. Rob was no ready however...He needed some assistance from my mom when the first one didn't go in right and had to be redone...white he went :) After the epidural I feel like everything went fast...I know now that it did not. The epidural was less than amazing...all these women tell me about how awesome it is...uh I must have gotten the Western Family brand because I had this little button that I could push to give me more medicine and I was pushing it every couple minutes from what I can remember. I also remember the anesthesiologist coming in and giving me extra doses at least 5 times...hmph my luck.

The time came when I knew I needed to push...Dr. Mohalland wanted me to deliver in the OR in case anything went wrong and we needed a C-Section. I was not in the OR at this point yet...I was in my suite and I felt this overwhelming need to push. The nurse was screaming for a doctor and I remember them wheeling me done the hall in a frenzy and hitting what felt like every corner, wall and door alone the way...This is happening....CRAP! We get into the OR and everyone is frantic and then oh yeah Austin wasn't ready yet :) As Rob tells it now everyone left...well except for the nurses and us. I swear I was pushing forever....I remember lying there thinking that it would never end and I might not be able to push them out. I remember breaking down crying at one point only to have the doctor yell at me to keep breathing and pushing. Just when I couldn't go any longer out came Austin. I remember thinking I cannot do this again...How will I push out another baby. I couldn't even open my eyes to look at Austin at this point..I needed all my strength for Jason. I started pushing and the doctor yelled for me to stop pushing so hard..THANK GOODNESS! 3 half pushes and out came Jason! I actually looked right at him...what a moment. I will never forget feeling Jason come out...it was like a fish coming out of water...he was kicking and moving about. He was ready to be done with the shared space of my womb. Rob left with the babies and I got cleaned up...On September 25th, 2011 @ 5:05pm Austin was born 5 pounds and 18 inches long and @ 5:15pm Jason was born 5 pounds 2 ounces and 19 inches long. The most amazing thing I have ever done..making two healthy babies.

The boys were born at 35 weeks and 5 days so they were automatically taken to the NICU for observation. Rob went right away. I didn'\t actually see the boys until 10 pm that night. I got to hold Jason while Rob held Austin. They were both returned to our room the next morning only to have Jason taken back to the NICU a few hours later to monitor his blood sugar. We went home two days later happy and healthy....I did it! I gave birth naturally to two healthy twin boys! It was the hardest most amazing experience I will EVER have and I will never forget. I saw the boys the day the embryologist paraded them out in a catheter and put them in my uterus and I saw them as the entered the world as two beautiful boys! People can think whatever they want about fertility treatments...to me this is an absolute miracle.

Dr Halvorsen

Rob and I met with Dr. Halvorsen today for another ultrasound and to find out when he thinks the babies should be delivered. Baby A is weighing in at 4 pounds 9 ounces and Baby B is at 4 pounds 12 ounces. He said everything looked good ...the babies are on the small side but I guess that is to be expected. Hey Boys your mommy is little....the doctor didn't seem worried about the gestational diabetes but more so about the Cholestasis. His recommendation is to deliver the babies between 36 1/2 weeks to 37...but no later. So in about 2 weeks. Honestly I feel like my body is ready now but after hearing the weights it did give me so much more determination to grow these babies a touch more before they join us. I just hope my little body can handle it all. I am carrying around almost 9 1/2 pounds of baby...and my body is screaming in pain over it too. I am getting so nervous about a lot of things...will the babies come earlier...will they be healthy...the time with them before I have to go back to work will be so short...I guess my days of officially worrying have started. I pray everyday that the lord brings these two boys into this world healthy. I feel he has already given us such a blessing with this overall healthy pregnancy and twins too. I am forever grateful that I have gotten the opportunity to experience carrying our children. It has been a long hard road to get to this day....34 weeks and 3 days after a medical miracle from IVF. Thank you all for your support and love. We couldn't be more excited to meet our sons.

Maternity Pictures at 30 weeks

34 weeks and losing steam...

I have officially been on bed rest and away from work for 2 weeks...sounds dreamy right?!?! It has been rough and not in a sarcastic way :) I should have all this energy to write in my blog, finish up the baby room and maybe even pick up a few things from the store but it seems even the simplest task requires a nap or at least a little rest afterwards. I am so used to being independent and taking care of myself that relying on others so much right now is difficult for me to do.
I have to say that with all my appointments and my body growing the way it has that the babies are healthy and growing nicely. Yesterday we got a glimpse of Austins face through ultrasound...not a 3D one or anything but he looked like a baby not an alien. I am really excited to meet the boys that are beating me up from the inside out right now. Even Rob is getting a kick out of watching my stomach. It looks like a wrestling match with elbows and knees flying. A positive note is that my stomach has grown so much that it has officially gone numb....no more pain of them kicking me anymore. As for the hiccups...those were cute for the first couple weeks but now Its just weird having babies hiccup into my pelvis bones. In fact it keeps my up at night..well that and the constant indigestion, bathroom breaks and all around pain every where.
We meet with Dr. Halvorsen, our Perinatal doctor, on Friday morning to get baby weights and have him check on the overall health of the three of us. He is suppose to let us know when he thinks we need to have the babies delivered. Ever since about 30 weeks my doctor has developed a "Deer in the Headlights Look" about him whenever he sees me.....Trust me it has caused some unnecessary emotional break downs on my part. Luckily now that I am so exhausted I could hardly care what he says in the appointments and have decided if I really have concerns I am calling Labor and Delivery directly....no more leaving a message with the nurses station at the doctors office.
Well that is where we are at..a waiting game. Some days I feel like I cannot make it one more day and then others go off without a hitch and I feel these babies will go the whole length...but then I look at my belly and realize HAHA there is no way they can continue to grow a half a pound a week for very much longer....Wish us luck the next couple weeks cause we are going to need it :) Thank you everyone for your thoughts, calls, cards, texts, e-mails and overall support. I might not seem like your doing much but every little bit of encouragement right now goes along way! I think I can I think I can I think I can...........

Just keeps getting better.......

I am having just TONS of fun now that I have hit 32 weeks. I have developed Cholestasis of pregnancy which effects the liver and makes your tummy, feet and hands itch like crazy. Bonus is that I get to take 2 horse pills 2 times a day WHOO HOO...I also had a recent visit to the Labor and Delivery AKA birthing center at KADLEC hospital on Monday after leaving work early due to contractions. Funny thing is that we had our tour of that facility scheduled for the next morning at 7 am but this was more of a hands on approach to the lovely staff and environment. I was having a TON of contractions and the doctor gave me a fabulous shot of Demerol and an injection of steroids that was followed by another the next day YOWZA those hurt ...Thank goodness for all those Progesterone shots or I would have been a HUGE baby getting these shots. I was also prescribed Procardia which is suppose to help minimize the contractions. I am still having them but they are not as painful and regular. The next day with a wonderful visit to my doctor who  had a deer in the head lights look (not what a pregnant lady wants to see at 32 weeks) I am now on modified bed rest. I can honestly say after just 2 days I have no idea how I worked 40 hours a week up until this point. My little outing to Starbucks today required a 45 minute bath...I am exhausted and emotional. I cannot imagine making it to 37 weeks. The little guys however are doing fabulous...I have no new weights to give because apparently that is not important to the doctors at this point. I did how ever required my doctor to check my cervix and I am dilated 1 centimeter and 75 effaced....I realize now how proactive I am going to have to be at this point in my pregnancy because my doc is going off statistics and I know my body better than he does. So there is my little rant on doctors for the day. On a lighter note we are closer to finding Baby B's name....We have decided to keep the name a secret until delivery because although we love all of your opinions when it comes down to it they are our babies :) Wish me luck....I am going to need it!

Things you never want to hear while pregnant with TWINS!

I am standing at the counter at the doctors office and a pregnant women looks over at me and says "Please tell me that your due any day now"
Me "Nope, I have 10 more weeks"

Doc "Congratulations your measuring full term....for one baby"

Me "I am really uncomfortable and it justs keeps getting worse"
Doc "Well the babies look good so it just SUCKS to be you" Nicely put...

Thing 1 and Thing 2 Shower

The Shower on Saturday August 6th was great! I want to thank Ali Roseburg for all the decorations and beautiful theme ...Also I want to thank my Sister Katie and Katie whitaker for helping make this a very fun day. I have wonderful friends and family and you all have been super supportive during our pregnancy...I can say that we are prepared if the boys show up tomorrow....not ready be any means :) but definitely prepared!

Just for FUN...

Heading into WEEK 27

It has been a couple weeks and we have been busy preparing to enter the last few months of pregnancy. Last week I had a doctors appointment and Baby A was weighing 2 pounds and Baby B was at 2 pounds 2 ounces. Both babies seem to be growing at the same pace as of yet which I guess is AWESOME for fraternal twins. So fingers crossed the boys play nice and continue to share nutrients. I on the other hand have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes...BIG FAT BOOOO! I think the hardest thing about being pregnant is the eating. I have cravings for fruit and veggies ...not so much for protein which is a constant struggle. I found out today and honestly I have been really irritated about it until I walked into my newly decorated nursery and was reminded of why I am going through all of this. I am in love with these two little boys growing in my belly and I will do whatever I need to keep them healthy....but DANG it I will miss my nightly Schwans ice cream bar...and Rob better not be eating them while I am around or there could be trouble :)

The Nursery :)

Thank you to our dear friend Linda Russell for making this room perfect for our two little boys!

I am sorry were you talking to me?

This week has brought on new and interesting challenges thankfully I have fixed one problem...walking...yeah pain that radiates through the hips do not help matters. I got a massage on Wednesday morning and let me tell you ladies who have gone through the dark ages of pregnancy without the aid of massage and support belts. YOU ARE AMAZING and I willfully bow to your superior strength. Just when I thought there is no way I am going to make it any longer my magical massage therapist fairy showed up and whisked the hip pain away :) She also showed me how to use pillows at night to sleep better...HA! I tried last night and I swear to you I did everything she told me to do ...pillow wedge here and long pillow there and prop up that...um nope not like it was when she did it. I will give it another go around tonight but it is not looking promising. Is it too early in the pregnancy to kick hubby to the couch? hmmm still contemplating. Also today I have noticed that although I am walking good ...I am in a permanent state of LALA Land. Did you all visit there? Yeah its interesting. I feel like I have no cares in the world and I cannot remember what or where...hmmm reminds me of the good ol' days when I could have a cocktail or two. Maybe this is Gods way of giving me some peace during this tramatizing time :) Whatever it is it is not good for Driving, working or having a meaningful conversation...Welcome to week 25...What have I DONE?

Let me introduce you to...

AUSTIN and TRAVIS...That is right our boys have names :) Which is great because with them kick boxing in my stomach its much nicer using names to ask them politely to calm down please mommy is trying to work. 4th of July weekend went great but I have to say that my time outside shall be limited because the heat and me do not agree. I got really used to my dad being here doing all the cooking and cleaning and I want him to come back soon please! Also dresses..YES PLEASE! I definitely appreciate having no waist band right now with the expansion happening in that region. I plan on wearing my 2 dresses until they fall apart..I hope they make it until the boys come....If not I am sure that a tent and/or muu muu will be in order.

First Mommy Moment

Ring Ring Ring

Receptionist: Dr. Dernbochs Office how may I help you?

Me: Hi I am not sure what I need to do but I am pregnant with twins and they need a pediatrician...

Receptionist: So your a new mom then?

Me: Yes!

Receptionist: Alright then lets put you on the list and as soon as the babies are born the hospital will call her and she will be right over to see the babies.

I was put on the list and BAM! I had my first moment of being mommy...now if everything can go this smoothly I am in business :)

Double Trouble

Well the mystery is finally over...We are having TWIN BOYS :) After a two hour ultrasound appointment in which I nearly fainted from laying on my back too long before they rolled me over we have two healthy boys. Both have strong heart beats and are head down at this point. They are 1.1 pounds of energy in my tummy right now. Baby A has his head buried into my right hip and Baby B is applying pressure to my bladder that will send me running to the nearest bathroom several times a day. We only got one 4D picture and he looked exactly like Rob.

Little Rob Face :)

So I am thinking the other must look like me ...We have another appointment in a month from now to see the hearts when they get a little bigger. I hope to add another 4D picture of Baby A who hopefully digs his head out of my Hip. Thankfully now I know why I have been waddling lately from the pain of it all. Next step is the baby room and I will start putting up pictures so you all can see the progress. I am thinking of going with a Nautical theme. Oh and for names yeah don't ask I will have to get back to you all on that one...You wouldn't believe all the negative things you remember about boys you met while growing up :) Nobody wants to name there son after the mean kid on the playground.

Spaghetti Squash

Our babies are now the size of spaghetti squash and if you eat that sort of thing then you know how big they are...We have NO idea...thank goodness that next Wednesday we have our BIG ultrasound :) Ok on to better things...the actual title of this post should be...

Things that people NEVER tell you about being pregnant. (Proceed with caution entering the mind of Amy)

I AM LOSING MY HAIR- nobody said that one day I would enter the shower do a little hair shampoo brush the teeth and bam hair is falling out. I am glad that I am starting out with some thick hair cause I would be worried if I wasn't

I CANNOT FIND WHERE MY BOOBS END AND AND MY STOMACH BEGINS- OK and the problem here really is comfort...YIKES I have no room for them to grow up wards please start going outtie...I am losing space daily. While it might seem kind of convenient to prop things on your belly I find there is more dribbling down the front of my shirt unnecessarily. NOT ATTRACTIVE.

KICK THE BLADDER GAME- While I do find that having my babies kick me kind of precious...not while I am at work and I have held out a little too long to go to the restroom. That is right I got a little worried when they started kicking me a little low...please say they stay in there right ...nobody is going to have a leg fall out PLEASE!

BELLY BUTTON - I know now that getting my belly button pierced was the WORST idea I ever had. First off your belly is never and I mean never going to stay looking like it did when you were 22. Plus have a fake diamond hanging from the middle of your stomach benefits you ...HOW? Oh yeah and my favorite as your stomach stretches and so does that once tiny hole that held that lovely fake diamond..AWESOME. I do hope that when I get that tummy tuck and boob job they can some how fix that little mistake from my earlier years. That once cute innie belly button is closer to being an outtie by the minute and boy does it HURT.

So nobody tells you this stuff when your talking about getting pregnant.....but I guess its better that way...I have so much time left..Thankfully I get my first prenatal massage today....

The BIG Surprise!

Last week was a whirl wind...We were very ambitious and started painting the babies room on Memorial Day. Of course since we were painting over the Seahawk blue Rob had chosen for the office the room definitely needed a second coat. We worked on the babies room all the way to Wednesday. Finally I get a night to rest...NOPE...Rob is still cleaning like crazy. My mom is scheduled to arrive on Saturday morning. I know that I should want an immaculate house but there is a voice inside me (well two voices rather) telling me that I have had enough. I start getting cranky and finally plop down and throw my hands in the air. I AM DONE! Rob continues this way up until Saturday morning when I hear my moms car honk in front of our house....hmm there is a second honk?!? Rob sends me out to greet my mom and to my surprise all of my beautiful Aunts are there in my driveway with my Grandmama and Mom :) I of course I cry and feel awful that I have been the pregnant lady from you know where for days now. There is to be a Shower at my house with my family. AWESOME husband knew the whole time. SO I was pleasantly surprised with a shower all about me :) I got new maternity clothes...I HAVE SHORTS that I can fit in...SO amazing cause it gets HOT HOT here in the summer. I have a baby hugger which is suppose to support my belly here in a little bit (I have no idea how to put it on) ****note to self ask Mom next time she is up***I got a Boppy and I even know what that is....I got this fabulous pillow wedge thing that has brought endless hours of sleep ...so nice. I have to say the "A" and "B" cupcakes were so YUMMY! The perfect day! To top it all off my sister and brother showed up. The weekend was so good that I got my first kick on Sunday night :) Either the twins where hopped up on red velvet cupcakes or they were as excited to see my family as I was. I have the BEST family EVER! That day will go down in the pregnancy history books...

SO I have little movers and shakers now :) I get to bring my kids to work everyday and they distract me all day long! I LOVE IT! Today I had one hitting me on the top of my belly and the other on the bottom. I know this will probably get old but for now it makes me giggle out loud. I cannot wait to see the little monsters on the BIG screen in 15 days. Count down has officially begun for our BIG ultrasound on June 22nd. Maybe there is a little Annabel Grace in there or a Boy name that we are not aware of yet :) Either way these two are already very well loved!

P.S. to the Aunties that took the scenic route home via Yakima I LOVE YOU!

Well we are a partial TEAM BLUE :)

I had my 18 week check up this morning and both babies are growing nicely with a heartbeat of 140 for the both of them. I also caught my doctor in a real good mood and had him search for boy parts for me and YIPPEE SKIPPY we have a BOY :) The other baby is yet to be determined because all we could get a good glimse of was a cute dairy air :) So we are 50% ready to get the nursery started...I knew all along there was a little hockey player in there...Too excited for a little dimple faced mini Rob Oliver. Back to the nursery...we have picked out two colors and have painted them on the wall to decide and of course Rob likes one and I like the other ...moving on to crib shopping...is it really neccessary to have 50 billion cribs to choose from?!? I am not sure if you all are aware but Rob and I furniture shopping together is a NIGHTMARE. It took us forever to pick out our first couch. Now we are stuck deciding on what color and what type of crib and I all I want to do is buy a stinking CRIB already. So needless to say the twins are still without beds. Our next ultrasound appointment is on June 22nd so we should have a good solid answer on the other babies sex but I am making an early determintation and saying BOY..you all heard me I think we shall be having 2 boys...This weekend a trip to Eastern Washington University is a MUST I need Eagle gear for the little ones. I cannot wait to shop for BOYS :)

So ready for June

I cannot take the waiting..I am dying to know the sex of these babies RIGHT NOW! I know that back in the olden days you wouldn't find out until they were born but I can know now..but I have to wait. I had my first "flutter" on Saturday. I was laying down taking a nap when I rolled over I felt like I had suddenly trapped a bird in my tummy. It was the strangest feeling...I wonder who it was that was kicking me. I am anxious to name these little monsters as I am talking to them quite a bit more frequently these days. I ask them politely to be real nice to mommy. I definitely have a tummy now so the secret is out I am definitely carrying more than a beer belly it MUST be babies. I am however getting nervous about how LARGE I could possibly get by the end of this journey. Hopefully by next Thursday I will have more news. I go in for my next check up next Friday morning. Hurry up June 22nd I cannot handle the anticiaption. Oh and wish us luck we are crib shopping this weekend...These little ones are already expensive...get ready daddy :)

Dear Waist I miss you!

It has been awhile since I have posted a recent update so here goes...I had my 15 week check up last Wednesday which was uneventful after sitting in the waiting room an hour before heading back to the exam room. Ah the joys of quality healthcare :) I have officially gained 2 pounds although I definitely don't look like it. I look like I have swallowed a pony keg that unfortunately I am unable to tap at the moment. I also found out that instead of having our BIG ultrasound at 20 weeks like the rest of the pregnant women out there we get to wait until 23 weeks...yup June 22nd is our BIG day to finally find out what we have cookin' in the oven. Rob and I have to wait to see the specialist which wanted us to come back at that time to check for malformation which can happen with IVF pregnancies apparently...so hopefully that malformation dosen't involve the gender?!?! I picked out some color swatches this weekend for the nursery but I really want to know what we are having before I go hog wild. And I bit the bullet....

I broke down and ventured the mall scene this weekend in hopes of finding materniy clothing...I did finally find a pair of Jeans and some capri's...This nice lady helped my figure out what the hectic to do with this strange clothing and then looked at me...How far along are you anyway..me in the RED FACE oh 16 weeks but it's with twins if that makes sense of the belly :) Anywho I might stick to online shopping for awhile and send back what I hate ...our visit my friend Ali to beg for her collection of maternity wear...She was always better at the shopping scene than me....Ok so the doctor recommended us taking this birthing course this summer but everyone I have talked to said that it is unneccessary...I don't want to get freaked out by some nasty birthing video's and practice breathing methods...so I am trying to decide if I should just forgo the class and hope that I have a FABULOUS nurse to walk me through..I mean hopefully by the time I regret that I didn't take the birthing class the epidural will kick in right? hmm just a thought...

The Belly Band

We met our new doctor yesterday and to top it off it was Rob's birthday. There is no better a gift than to have him with me for an hour long ultrasound and a meeting with our perinatal doctor. We got to see the babies squirming away, happy as can be. The ultrasound tech was telling me about the placement of the babies...Baby A being towards my back and to the left and Baby B being forward and to the right. I asked her if that was why I had been having lower back pain lately and she laughed and said "No that is because your pregnant"....Right silly me :) It is amazing to me that next week we will enter our second tri-mester. It has gone so fast and they are doing so well. We have decided very confidently after spending the morning with them that it was time to tell the world that we are really pregnant with TWINS :) Thankfully I have been feeling better and my energy level is beginning to increase. I might actually clean my house this weekend which is so over due. Please let me introduce you to the belly band at this time. I had heard that there was a band that you could buy that would allow you to not button your pants but still wear them a little longer. I bought one a couple weeks ago but hadn't tried it on until this morning when the pants I really wanted to wear kind of felt snug...hmmm Belly Band?!? After a day in that band I have no idea why I waited so long...bloating and uncomfortable?!? Unbutton that top button silly and buy yourself a belly band...Whoever invented this high priced licra tube top is a genius. I will be enjoying it for many more days to come :) and having one more peice of Rob's Ice cream cake....I know I should be good but it tastes so right to be bad....

The Monster's at Play

Today was my first appointment with my regular OB Gyn. His name is Dr. Custodio and boy was he excited to hear the news considering just last September he had preformed my laporoscopy and referred Rob and I to Dr. Robbins. I got weighed and I haven't gained a thing :) I got to watch a video about not smoking and drinking and who knew but NO DELI MEAT?!?! This is a sad day because I love my sub sandwiches. I have never heard of listeria until today. I was fortunate enough to see the little monsters on an ultrasound. One was moving around like crazy and the other was happy sleeping in it's corner. They are perfect and I couldn't help but get a little emotional seeing them so active on the screen. Already I can see they have little personalities. Today I found out what glowing means because I couldn't stop grinning all day. I have to tell you all that the nurse told me how lucky I am for having my morning sickness only last a couple weeks. She said that most multiple pregnancies sickness last until 20 weeks....eh could you imagine?!? I do however have the case of the burps...which is extremely embarrassing...no soda for me. Other than that the 3 of us are having a good 10 week time together. I will be referred to a high risk doctor and I should get to meet him in the next two weeks. On with our adventure...count down to the 2nd Trimester...2 weeks to go :)

Synthetically Hormone FREE

It is official after a blood draw today I am making my own progesterone :) I am no longer a slave to my husbands hand at the needle. My back side is so thankful!!! It has been a great week for me too...Slowly but surely I am getting energy back and am able to eat more than french fries and yogurt. I have my first doctor's appointment with my regular OB GYN on Tuesday of next week. I (ironically) get to take a hour long class all about pregnancy before I see my doctor. Boy if I have no clue about pregnancy at 10 weeks after going through IVF I am in real trouble. What woman doesn't google symptoms and pregnancy information until they are scared out of their whits. (oh is that just me?!?) I have googled everything from excessive burping to what should I eat. These sites will make you crazy!!! Can I just say that the book "What to expect when your expecting" did not need to put a section in there about not drinking and no marijuana use...seriously?!?! If you have gone to the book store to read up on your pregnancy I would hope that you wouldn't be sucking down a beer while smoking a joint...I guess I could be wrong. At least that portion of the book gave me a real good laugh! Things are moving along smoothly and I am learning A LOT! So bear with me on this part of the journey...it's all GREEK to me!

Bye Bye Dr. Robbins

Yesterday unknown to us was our final ultrasound with Dr. Robbins. Thankfully I was so sick yesterday morning that Rob had to drive me to Spokane. We got to hear two beautiful heart beats. They look comfortable in there. I got my usual call from LeAnn about my progesterone and HCG levels and she also gave the wonderful news that the babies measured at 8 weeks yesterday and we are ready to go on to our regular Doctor. I am so excited that we have made it this far and nervous too. I am nervous because I have been monitored so closely the last couple months that I am not going to be used to having very little ultrasound time with my little monsters. My doctor is amazing though and I cannot wait to give him the fabulous news. The monsters have also been intersting this week in that they are making me very sick but yet sending me to the bakery in Yokes to look for red velvet cake. Thankfully the bakery only does that kind for special order...Cake ...really?!? So no more weekly updates about ultrasounds but I will try to update our weekly progress through morning sickness and eating splurges :)

Hostage

I have been taken hostage by my own body this week. I didn't know that it was happening until Thursday when I finally submitted and lost complete control. I realize that I had been told by many that I should listen to my body but stubbornly I refused and lost a HUGE battle. It started last Friday with a little nausea and quickly progressed into a week of complete agony. On Thursday I finally surrendered and stayed home from work and let the sleep take a hold of me. I also was forced to make a HUGE sacrifice to the porcelain god. Thank goodness I cleaned that toilet recently. It was also when I lost all dignity l had left. The alien beings inside me now tell me when to sleep and eat. If I do not obey these beings they get very angry and force me to endure pain I have never felt before. So when my Mom told me to listen to my body it would tell me what I needed. I should have listened. I woke up this morning and had a yogurt first thing and followed it up with french toast. As long as I do what they say everything is ok.....for now. I get to hear their heartbeats on Monday morning. I hope they start being nicer to me real soon. I love you little monsters!

More Bang for your Buck

On Friday we showed up for our blood work and ultrasound and the nurse took both of us back. When we got into the ultrasound room the doctor looked at both of us and commented on how high my HCG levels are and then proceeded to ask how many embryo's we transferred. Rob instantly turned white and took a seat right next to me. I answered only two and the doctor began the ultrasound by checking my ovaries. They both have managed to go back down to a normal size finally and then there they were both on screen. Our two beautiful twins. Funny because the doctor kept looking around for more putting Rob in suspense. As we finished up determining that there were only two of them in there Rob proceeded to grill the doctor about whether or not these two could possibly split. The doctor thinks it is very unlikely but our twins look real good! We leave the office and LeAnn, our nurse coordinator, came over to find out the results and congratulated us "More bang for your buck" and "instant family" were her condolences. What a surprise that both our embies did so well and are growing and burring themselves into their new home. We are overwhelmed with excitement and anticipation. It is still early and the possibility of losing one of them is very real but we can hope for the BEST. Friday February 25th I fell in love in a way I cannot describe and I am so excited for this next part of our journey with my best friend. Next week we get to hear heart beats so stay tuned! Oh and isn't heartburn a joy...I would like to thank TUMS for being a part of my journey!

PINCH ME ..I am Dreaming

What a day! The roller coaster of emotion has been overwhelming. I feel such a sense of internal relaxation after finding out today that WE ARE POSITIVE for pregnancy :) I realize we have time left to monitor our pregnancy as it progresses but the first of many important blood test has me sighing with relief! It almost doesn't seem real...but I can say after all we have been through that we deserve this wonderful news. I am excited that as we speak our little embee's are nestled down comfortably in their new home. I am excited for this part of the journey which I know will be equally as difficult but full of many rewards as well. I am ready for a wonderful nights rest. I have another blood test this Friday and our first ultrasound is next Friday (we find out how many are in there) :) SO another whirlwind here we go..............................

Tummy Full of Butterflies

I have given blood a bazzilion times but today this blood, my blood will tell a different story. Its amazing that with one simple test our lives can change forever. I realize that it might be negative but through this journey we have already changed. We are more aware of how tough each of us are and the turmoil we can make it through. Today will not be a guaranty of what is to be become but it is sweet in knowing the outcome. We made it and we are close to the finish line. Good or bad news Rob and I are truly blessed with love and friendship, for that we are eternally grateful.

Downer Day

Well we made it over half way through our wait to the Pregnancy test. I have been positive despite losing our 2 other embryo's the day after the transfer. Yesterday I got aboard the crazy hormone rollercoaster and tormented my dear husband all night long. I was feeling overwhelmed with the thought of being unsuccessful after getting this far....But today I am feeling refreshed and confident. WOW this is hard..harder than any injection our blood draw. I am constantly at battle with myself on whether or not I am pregnant. I cannot begin to explain the torment that I put myself through everyday. I pay attention to everything I put in my body down to avoiding any medication even if its only for a headache. Every little hiccup or cramp sends alarms to the brain to pay even closer attention(while telling myself this is a sign for or against the pregnancy). So it is safe to say that Rob and I are holding our breath...Please Lord grant us our wish for a baby to bless our family! Please bring sanity back to our lives and in a hurry...before I lose myself on the crazy train. On a lighter note Rob has gotten real good at giving me my injections.. so if agriculture doesn't work out for him he might have a future in nursing...Ha! Rob a nurse :) Who else would pay to see that?

TRANSFER DAY :)

This morning I woke up at 5:30 a.m. in anticipation of this glorious day...and I waited ...and I waited...and I waited. Why would you make someone wait until 8:45am in the morning to let them know if they got their transfer today or not..oh yeah business hours :) So I got the call and they told me to drink 32 ounces of water from 10:15-10:30 and show up at 11:30 a.m. So I jumped in my Escape and headed North to Spokane with a little stop off in Connell to pick up my darling husband from his work. Everything is going great until I hit the ruts in the Spokane road and WOW 32 ounces of water can feel like a tank...So we get to the clinic and they send us back to our room to change into gowns and wait. Thankfully they let me relieve a little bit of my bladder while we waited. Our doctor came in and brought us a picture of our Embryo's. he said that is was very good that we ended up with 2 Grade 1 embryo's. The other 2 embies are questionable?!? hmmm yeah we will wait and see. So then we waited and waited until it was my turn!!! So they took me back to the "Clean" room and took an ultrasound of my bladder and it was HUGE. They had me relieve a little more and we were all set. I got to watch as they disinfected my cervix (nice hunh) but I got to see our petry dish on the monitor with our two embryo's and our name. I watched them put the embryo's in my uterus and honestly I cried all day. I have wanted this for so long it is amazing what kind of emotion it brings. I go back on Saturday to check my Estrogen and Progesterone levels. They we go back on the 16th for blood to find out if they are sticking. Thank you all for your fabulous support! We are very happy to have gotten to this point. Right now were are enjoying the ride!

QUADRUPLETS

Our nurse called us today and yesterday they retrieved 5 egg's and 4 were mature and (drum roll please) 4 fertilized...We are so excited! Today felt like Christmas! All of our hard worked has paid off and I have 4 beautiful Emroy's growing in the Oliver petry dish as we speak. AMAZING! I cannot believe we got sooo lucky. We should hear from our nurse on Saturday to find out how are Embies are doing and hopefully 2 will be ready for a transfer on Monday. Both my MIL (mother in law) and Mom asked me today if we would transfer all 4 and I just want everyone to know that I have no intention of starting my own Kate Plus Eight or Octomom T.V. show. ..EVER! We want just one healthy baby and if by chance we get two then it's a bonus...But our intention is to freeze the left over embryo's in case we decide to have one more some day. That way I do not EVER have to be on Follistim again....Well that is the plan anyway.

The Retrieval

Well after a long day on Tylenol 3's I can report that we have 5 egg's resting at the clinic :) We should be getting a call tomorrow on how many of those fertilized. Today went great...I was under conscience sedation (anesthesia) an apparently I talked the anesthesiologists head off....SO EMBARRASSING! I got my first progesterone shot tonight and it wasn't so bad...but then again after everything we have gone through lately nothing seems THAT BAD :) Thankfully I get to go back to work tomorrow because I desperately need a distraction from the embryo’s this week. Hopefully if all goes well we will be having our transfer on Monday. I would love LOVE if we had embryos to transfer and to freeze but I know that is asking a lot. I am so excited to be back in our home. It was a great couple of days at the lake place but nothing beats my pillow top mattress...nighty night all....

GREEN LIGHT

Whoo Hoo! We got the call that tonight we will pull the Trigger. By that I mean Rob will be giving me my "trigger" shot tonight which is HCG. The point of the trigger shot is to seperate the egg's from the follicles and promote ovulation. We have a spedific time tonight that the injection needs to be done at because 36 hours from that time we will have the egg retrieval. We are doing our injection at 11pm tonight and night owls we are not. Our egg retrieval is scheduled for Wednesday @ 10:00 am. Rob is providing his donation at 7:30 am which is equally important...So we are getting pregnant together in a petry dish Wednesday and we couldn't be happier.

Follistim Junkie

Question: If I stop at a McDonald's to shoot up Follistim in the bathroom does that make me a junkie? This morning I went in for blood and ultrasound AGAIN..and I was told to take another dose of Follistim this morning. The waiting room was crazy and the bathroom was occupied. I went out to my car and tried to get comfortable enough to shoot up in the parking lot but its freakin cold in Spokane. So hmmm what to do?!? I started heading back to the lake house and I saw the golden arches of a BRAND spankin' new McDonald's. PERFECT! I walk inside... head to the clean bathroom ....and bonus... elevator music is playing so loud in the ladies room. I head into a stall balance my needles and meds on the top of the toiletpaper holder and BAM I became a certified Follistim junkie. I just hope that no permanent damage has been done :) On with my day. We should be pulling the "trigger" tonight so more to come....off to lunch with one of my favorite girlfriends today for a much needed gossip session!

Sunday Sunday Sunday

HA! We made it through the week....WOW what a whirl wind. So for a re-cap of events....I went from being deathly afraid of giving blood (and this goes back as far as I can remember) to having my blood drawn every other day for a couple weeks now. My mom can vouch for the fact that I hated needles from the time I found out what they were. A week ago I cried when Rob brought out that first needle and this morning I got up and gave myself the injection so I didn't have to wake my tired husband. We went from having little Follies to Fabulous Happy ready to be plucked Follies. Although now we know that my right ovary is worthless...Thanks ALOT Rightie, lucky for me the Lord provided us with TWO yes TWO ovaries...How smart is he :) Today I am hopeful and excited...Thank you for everyone's support through this journey. We are so fortunate to have a very supportive friends and family surrounding us. I know that we are strong enough as a couple that we can make it through anything....for the first time last night I felt the both of us relax just enough to smile and laugh again. Thanks!

Fat and Happy Follies

I have had two a.m. clinics since my last post and everything is progressing nicely :) My left Ovary is pulling its weight thankfully. We are on track to have our egg retrieval Wednesday. I am taking Monday through Wednesday off next week and moving to Spokane...well for a little while. We are doing so well that I am starting a new drug tonight called Ganirelix. This extra injection every night will prevent me from ovulating.YEAH another shot. The next few days are going to fly by and I am getting sooo excited. I cannot wait to be done with this part of our journey...the next part will be more emotional than physical so expect some crying its inevitable :)

EXTRA FUN

Well I did it..for the first time in my life I gave myself an injection...not my favorite moment but I am so glad that I can now rely on myself for injections and not just Rob...For the record though I would like to say that I am not a HUGE fan and I will not be pursuing a career in the medical field any time soon. I had blood and ultrasound this morning and my left ovary doing AWESOME :) Rightie you need to pick up the slack. LeAnn called and she is increasing my dosage for follistim until my next morning blood and ultrasound on Thursday. I am feeling good a little tender in the injection area (my tummy is a pin cushion) and I have some lower back pain. Hopefully this increase in dosage won't add to the fun that we are already experiencing....Kinda funny today though I feel super protective over my ovaries which are growing very important follicles that could eventually create our baby....rest well follicles please don't hurt me too much as you grow and multiply on the extra fun meds :)

Palouse Falls

I have the greatest husband EVER. Yesterday was a tough day for both of us...so we struck out on an adventure in our Jeep. We ended up at Palouse Falls which was just what we needed to forget for awhile. There is nothing better than hiking around a waterfall with your BEST friend and getting some mud on the tires of our Jeep. I thought you all would like to see some pictures.

Minor Break down

Well I would call it a minor break down...Rob probably has a different name for it but fortunately for me I am the one writing this blog (tee hee) We drew up our first series of injections after we pulled out the prescription to figure out which needle belonged to what. I was doing good all day and I took one look ah the Low Dose HCG and the water works began...Rob did so good staying cool calm and collect. I put my hands over my eyes and sang ....I am henry the 8th I am...and voooallla I got both my my injections. They actually didn't hurt that bad. YEAH so we are on our way! Tomorrow at 7am we will do it all over again....I hate this part by the way. I really really hate this!

Lifes little twists...........

So we have been preparing for Rob to be the one giving injections but the nurse threw a little twist in yesterday. I will be needing Follistim 2 times a day starting Sunday and going until Tuesday. So I must figure out how to inject myself....YUCK! Hopefully after Rob gives me my injections tonight I will get a feel for it and I can start injecting myself with Follistim. I am still getting only one shot of Low Dose HCG which I will leave to Rob. This is by far the hardest thing I have ever endured. Yesterday I was in a waiting room with about 30 women. Thankfully I got there at 6:30 am and was the second person there. Basically they are so quick with blood and ultrasounds that you can throw dignity out the window on these mornings. Nothing is sacred anymore :(
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would have to go through so much to begin a family. I have an injection station in my kitchen next to the fridge since half of my medicine needs to be refrigerated. MY KITCHEN IS FULL OF NEEDLES!!!! Anyway wish me luck on this part of the adventure because I am entering the FIRE SWAMP with Buttercup I hope to come out alive :)

First Lab

I had my first Lab today at the Center in Spokane. (note to self ...get there at 5:30 am) There are 40-50 couples going through this IVF cycle with us. You can imagine all of us fighting to get our blood drawn in the morning and rush off to our day jobs. The lab this morning thankfully only included a blood draw. The next set of labs will be blood and ultra sound to watch the follicle count for potential eggs. LeAnn, whom I haven't introduced properly, is our nurse coordinator, called to let me know that my blood results we good this morning. I will be talking about LeAnn ALOT since she is our direct line to the doctor and our results. The next appointment is on Friday which will be the blood and ultrasound. LeAnn will call us after the next lab morning and let us know the proper doses need for the injections that start Saturday night...YEAH US! I have 4 more days injection free......oh how I dread the needles waiting for me.

BIG Stinkin' needle

Is it true that the Lord never gives us more than we can handle? I am going to be asking him that very question everyday through this whole process. Today Rob and I had our injection class in Spokane at The center for Reproductive health. There was a slide show of the whole process of invetro fertilization given by a nursing assistant. After the slide show the needles came out and Amy's face went white. Rob did very good giving fake shots to a small tummy on the table. I was ok with the Follistim shot and the Low HCG because they were very small needles. I even gave the tiny tummy a shot myself....but out came the Progesterone shot which was a BIG daddy. To get the thick Progesterone (in Oil) out of the vile and into the syringe there was a VERY large needle used. After the syringe is filled a STILL VERY large needle is needed to inject the thick liquid into a muscle. Rob is my strength and my light, I am so lucky to have my husband and my best friend there as my ROCK. I will post all my drug info tomorrow but after a stress filled day this is all I had. Hmph search out and conquer BIG Stinkin Needle in my dreams tonight...

Happy New Year!

We rang in the new year last night with some Great friends. I am thankful that finally 2011 has begun...onward bound. I got my NEW calendar in the mail yesterday. Rob and I have elected not to be part of genetic procedure that would potentially come at the end of our process. I have realized that I haven't explained our process thoroughly since starting this blog. So from the beginning....Rob and I have elected to go through Invetro Fertilization or IVF. The doctor who has ran multiple tests on the both of us and has concluded that we have a 1% chance of getting pregnant on our own. After spending the last 3 years of our lives trying to get pregnant I am excited that we have a doctor who is 80% sure he can get us there. On January 14th we will drive to Spokane to attend a class on how to give injections. Everyone who knows me is well aware of my horror of needles, thankfully Rob has stepped up and will be the one giving me my daily injections. We are on schedule to start our medications on January 21. Once I start the injections I will start blood and ultrasound testing approximately every other day to monitor my Folicle (Egg) count. Once the doctor sees the Folicles where he wants them we will schedule the Egg Retrieval. This is the process of extracting the eggs from me to be fertilized in a lab. Thankfully I will be sedated for this process as it can be pretty uncomfortable. The day after the Egg Retrieval is considered Day one of our pregnancy. The doctor's will watch our little embryo's grow each and everyday and if we have enough viable healthy embryo's by day 5 we will transfer two of them back to me. After a successful transfer there is a 2 week wait before we can have a blood test done to determine whether it has all been successful! I will keep you updated with all our progress. Thank you all for your love and support.