9 Weeks

Today I had my first appointment with my OB. I am still in a transition period from my RE, but will see my OB for check ups and ultrasounds from here on out. Today was a routine exam {no ultrasound or fetal doppler}, to get me re-established with her practice. They took lots of blood, explained to me all about twin pregnancy, went over financial responsibility, etc. My next ultrasound will actually be with a perinatologist since we are having twins, so I get to add another doctor to my list. 

I also had blood work done at my RE's office to monitor my hormone levels and start making a plan for weaning off my Estrace and PIO. I will go back next week to check my levels again and see if I can lower my dosage even more. One more step toward no more shots in my butt! :)

How far along? 9 weeks 

Days since transfer: 45 days

Meds: day 65 of Estrace, day 52 of progesterone in oil {stopped taking Metformin}

Total weight gain: -0.6 

Maternity clothes? Still too early, but I did start using a BeBand with my jeans. They still fit, they're just so uncomfortable. Unbuttoning them makes ALL the difference.

Sleep: I still want to sleep all day, and am trying to sleep as much as I can. Growing 2 babies is exhausting :)

Best moment of the week: Seeing how much our babies had already grown and hearing those beautiful hearts beat!

Miss anything? My rear not being a pin cushion...but hopefully we're getting close to the end.

Cravings: No real cravings, but more aversions. Nothing specific, just certain foods at certain times just seem like a not-so-good idea. But I am still eating NONSTOP.

Symptoms: I had a few days last week where I felt great! So I thought maybe I had reached the end of the nausea. But it definitely returned this weekend. It's still pretty manageable, so I am thankful. 

Looking forward to: Starting to wean off the PIO! and officially "graduating" to my OB {though it's bittersweet, because I LOVE my RE and clinic}

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Size of baby? About the size of a grape, a southern pecan, or a jack

Development: Baby is no longer an embryo, but now considered a fetus. The liver, spleen, and gallbladder are forming. Cartilage is forming and bones are growing!

Heartbeat: Such a beautiful sound- the heartbeats are loud enough for us to hear! 4 days ago, baby A's heart rate was 163 bpm and baby B's heart rate was 147 bpm. It's going to be hard to wait another 3 weeks to hear them again!

Movement: I can't feel it yet, but babies are now making spontaneous movements, because their little muscles are growing.

Gender predictions? We're just hoping for 2 healthy babies!

**This post was written at 9 Weeks, but was not published until after we made our official announcement. I back-dated to the actual day so we could have all of this for our own records and memories.**

OB Orientation

Last night we went to an orientation class with my OB. It seemed strange to walk into my OB office after 2 years. The last time I left that office, I sat and cried in the parking lot because we were being sent to a specialist. We had no idea what was ahead, we just knew that the game had definitely changed.

Because I have lived and breathed infertility the last few years, I didn't learn anything I didn't know in the orientation. But I have to say it was surreal to be hearing about all things pregnancy. We have prayed for it for so long, and now that it's here, it just doesn't feel real. We were sitting in a group of "normal" couples again. And I couldn't help but think about all that we had been through to make it to this point. 

The person sitting next to me had no idea what we have fought for and prayed for over the past few years. That it took so much blood, sweat, and tears to earn a seat in this class. That there had been so much loss before we got here. That we weren't really sure if we would ever be here. 

There will never be anything "normal" about our story or this pregnancy, but it is the story the Lord graciously wrote for us and our tiny ones. I wouldn't have asked for any of it. But I also wouldn't change it either.

The Most Beautiful Sound

Today we had our second scheduled sonogram. We got to see our sweet babies again, and best of all? We got to hear the beautiful sound of their heartbeats. 

Baby A's Heartbeat

Baby B's Heartbeat

Best. Sounds. Ever.

Both babies are growing strong {with one now measuring 4 days ahead!} and we are just so thankful. This was our last official appointment with my RE, and it was definitely bittersweet. We have grown to love my doctor, as well as her staff, and it was sad for us to say goodbye. They have been so wonderful, and I cannot sing enough of their praises. They made a difficult time in our lives so much easier, and I appreciate all of their care, encouragement, and compassion. Of course, in the best possible way, we hope to not to have to see them again for another year or two when we go back for our other 2 embryos.

I will still have to go back to do blood work monitoring, as they start weaning me off of my meds. I will definitely NOT miss the shots in my rear, and can't wait to get rid of those! So I will have the opportunity to say a few last goodbyes to my sweet nurses. 

{Seriously, if you ever find yourself needing to see a fertility specialist in the DFW area, please send me a message, and I would be happy to send you info. I highly recommend my clinic!}

Baby A:

- Measuring 9 Weeks at 22.56mm

- Heart Rate is 163 bpm

Baby B:

- Measuring 8 Weeks + 5 Days at 20.88mm

- Heart Rate is 147 bpm

Infused Water Wednesday :: Chilaqua Water Bottle Review

Today I'm taking a break from my infused water recipes to do a review of the Chilaqua water bottle.

Find it on Amazon

I have to say that this isn't my favorite water bottle, but I also haven't used any other infuser water bottles. So as far as I know, it may be really great in comparison to others. It's not terrible, but there may be better ones on the market. But for the price, I can live with its deficiencies. 

Pros:

• Great price at less than $20 {on Amazon}
• Nice, slim size at 24oz.
• Good quality construction {high quality plastic, BPA free}
• Doesn't sweat
• Convenient, easy to carry lid with handle
• Easy to use {add fruit, screw on lid, and you're done}

Cons:

• Infuser Basket Design: the infuser basket doesn't screw in to the bottle, but instead just rests inside. So you have to hold it down with your finger while you drink so that the infuser basket doesn't pop up. 
• Cleaning: it's not difficult to clean, but you have to be careful to make sure that the infuser basket gets fully clean in the tiny holes {so you don't have pieces of fruit stuck in the holes}, and you have to be sure all pieces are dry so that mold doesn't grow under the screw top. 

Would I have tried to look at other designs more carefully? Maybe. Will I go buy another infused water bottle? Probably not. It's decent for the price, and it's working for me right now. 

The best thing: it's helping me to drink more water! :)

8 Weeks

How far along? 8 weeks 

Days since transfer: 38 days

Meds: day 58 of Estrace, day 45 of progesterone in oil

Total weight gain: -0.2

Maternity clothes? WAY too early...but I only want to wear stretchy pants. Seriously. All other pants are SO uncomfortable.

Sleep: Still sleeping all the time. My energy level is pretty low, and small tasks wear me out. I feel the kind of tired that I did before I started taking B-12 injections. I am just so thankful that I can take a nap in the middle of the day if needed.

Best moment of the week: Getting to see that our babies were growing and doing just fine after we had a bleeding scare.

Miss anything? Not feeling nauseated. It has really settled in now, and I feel pretty bleh all the time.

Cravings: Nothing right now.

Symptoms: Nauseated for most of the day. I vomited once, but that's it so far. 

Looking forward to: Our ultrasound on Thursday!

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Size of baby? About the size of a wild strawberry, a gummy bear, or 1/2 a LEGO brick

Development: Webbed fingers and toes are developing, eyes are beginning to gain some pigmentation and color, eyelids are covering their eyes, and teeth are starting to develop. External genitalia are also developing.

Heartbeat: The tiny hearts are beating strong! 4 days ago, baby A's heart rate was 156 bpm and baby B's heart rate was 147 bpm.

Movement: I can't feel it yet, but babies are now making spontaneous movements, twitching their tiny trunks and limb buds.

Gender predictions? We're just hoping for 2 healthy babies! But based on old wives' tales, both babies have heartbeats over 140, so that could mean girls.

**This post was written at 8 Weeks, but was not published until after we made our official announcement. I back-dated to the actual day so we could have all of this for our own records and memories.**