Ultrasound Fun

Our first real ultrasound was yesterday!! I couldn’t get enough of watching them, if I could take a sneak peek at the babies every day I would! They are so cute, laying on top of each other like little bunk beds. Baby A kept looking at us through the camera like it knew we were watching it. Baby B did that a few times too, but Baby A wanted to see Mamma and Daddy a lot. They were both stubborn but even though the poking and prodding hurt, the longer it took the babies to cooperate, the longer we got to watch them. They are so active in there! I can’t believe I don’t feel them moving, they are literally bouncing all over the place. We were able to get a really great picture of Baby B that looks exactly like a baby, not an alien. Baby A…….well, we got pictures anyway.

The babies are looking really great health-wise. They are the same size, both of their heads are the same, their little brains are developing, their femurs are the same size and they weigh about 2 oz. each right now. They are exactly where they are supposed to be developmentally. The fluid on the backs of their necks that they were looking to test for was nice and thin. I had blood work done and the official results will be back in a week or so, but they were confident that there are no signs of any issues.

I can’t wait to see them again! I wish it wasn’t another month and half before we can, but at least we’ll be finding out what they are at the next ultrasound. :)

Breastfeeding.....O M G

So when Wikipedia went down for their protest this week, it gave me an opportunity to look through all of the information my ob/gyn gave me when I went to see him 2 weeks ago. Most of the stuff was normal…do this, don’t do that….here’s when to schedule your classes and how much they are (really? Tuition??)….just the general information that I needed to go through but just hadn’t gotten around to yet.

And then I opened the booklet on breastfeeding and it scared the bee Jesus out of me! Blocked ducts? Ummm…..that sounds horribly painful. Football hold? I’m not coordinated enough for that! And I’m sorry but I’ve heard that when your milk comes in it’s excruciating, not “mildly uncomfortable, some women don’t even notice.” That, my friends, sounds like bullshit all dressed up. I want to try it, b/c I know the first few days are crucial for the nutrients and stuff. And honestly, it’s cheaper. But it seems like the most dreadful thing after reading that booklet. So I need to know, those of you who have, are or decided not to breastfeed. Pros…cons….give me it all, the good, the bad and the ugly. I have a feeling I won’t be making my decision until it’s time, but I would like some practical advice from my favorite moms!

end of 2011 survey

I stole this from my Sister-in-Law’s blog, but I don’t think she’ll mind. Thanks Brandi!

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

Celebrated 1 year sober!; fended for myself/ourselves during 2 major storms/power outages; learned how to work a toilet without power and water; had and became well versed in medical procedures that I knew nothing about before; decided to do what was best for me, even if it wasn’t what I wanted to do and took a LONG break from trying to get pregnant; gave myself shots for multiple reasons; watched Food Network all the way to FL on a plane in real time (Thank you JetBlu!!); GOT PREGNANT; allowed Brett to pamper me; saying I was going to cut back on Christmas prep and actually do it; became Godparents; saw and heard our babies heartbeats!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I didn’t make any resolutions last year or this year. I don’t really do resolutions. I’m just focusing on having 2 healthy babies and a stress and drama free pregnancy.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My cousin, my sister-in-law, Brett’s childhood bff and a close family friend…..all of who will be wonderful sources of information for us!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Brett’s uncle passed away in November

5. What countries did you visit?

Do the countries in Epcot count?!?! :D

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you didn’t have in 2011?

Our babies!!!

7. What dates from 2011 will be etched upon your memory, and why?

November 29^th, the day we found out we were finally pregnant!

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

Overcoming all of my fears with the fertility treatments; finally putting myself first when needed 

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not saving money like I should have

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Not really, a few colds here and there but nothing big

11. What was the best thing you bought?

The overnight Valentine’s Weekend getaway with Brett

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My husband, beyond a shadow of a doubt, as been my rock throught all of the hardships this year. My parents have been amazing support and my in-laws need a shout out too!!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Anyone who protests at a soldier’s funeral

14. Where did most your money go?

Bills

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Getting my one year coin; telling everyone we were pregnant

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Party Rock Anthem

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

Happier: yes
Thinner: nope
Richer: not money ways but certainly in other ways

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Relaxing and letting thing happen as they were supposed to

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

STRESSING!!! Still working on that one

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Christmas Eve Eve was spent with The Gang and everyone’s kids; Christmas Eve was spent with my parents, just hanging out with dinner; Christmas day was our usual….breakfast at my parents, lunch at Brett’s parents and dinner at my aunt and uncle’s

21. Did you fall in love with 2011?

I’m seeing a wonderful side of both my husband and my parents as they transform into Dad and Grandparents which makes me so happy!

22. What was your favorite TV program?

American Horror Story; ANTM

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Not hate…..disappointed in, but not hate

24. What was the best book you read?

Where The Heart Is – Billie Letts and Into The Storm – Suzanne Brockmann (both re-reads)

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Adele

26. What did you want and get?

To be pregnant and healthy!

27. What did you want and not get?

To buy a house (we’re working on it for 2012!)

28. What was your favorite film of 2011?

Fast Five

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

33 and Brett and I were lucky enough to go to Disney for my birthday this year!!! LOVED IT!!!!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Yes, being wealthy would have been great!

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2011?

Classic

32. What kept you sane?

Brett, my parents, my family and my friends

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

New York allows same sex marriage June 2011

34. Who did you miss?

Mike Fiereck....I miss him all the time

35. Who was the best new person you met?

Allison, baby Ryan and Miss Emily

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

Your time will come.

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

‎”I will survive.”

Baby Planning

As I sit here, eating pickles and exhausted from the after work trip to the grocery store that I literally spent $20 at so you know it wasn’t that much, I’m contemplating “baby planning.” Should I take out the 80 lb Baby Bargains book and research tonight? Or spend the night watching Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives? Baby planning is like wedding planning except with more responsibility, less time and this party doesn’t stop after the ‘big day’ it’s just beginning.

Baby planning begins with baby research, not much different than wedding planning. Although there are about 5-10 things to research for a wedding and about a million for baby products. Le sigh. Maybe wedding planning is God’s way of gearing you up for baby planning.

There is SO MUCH to read, my head swims sometimes. My cousin, Crissy, mom extraordinaire, has given me a tentative list of stuff I need. Research includes books, websites and dun dun dunnnnnn…..Babies R Us, or as I like to call it, the 7^th ring of hell. I don’t think I’m going to be done researching before our kids are in college, so I may have to wing some stuff and just register for whatever she likes and call it a day!

So, since I’ve decided to lay low and watch Triple D, I’m going to ask you, dear reader, a favor. Please leave your recommendations of your favorite baby products below if you feel so inclined! (Please let me know why you like the product!!)

Thanks for all your help!

First OB/GYN Appointment today - 9 weeks

I wish they had told me I was having an entire gyno exam today......that would have been nice to know. Especially since I thought this was just going to be a sit down and talk kind of appointment. I guess I'll know for the next ti.......right.
Anyway, the appointment went well, if not a little scary. We were told that most twins go to 36 weeks and that I will most likely have a scheduled c-section at 36 weeks which is July 10th. We'll know more as we get closer obviously. We were also told that we shouldn't schedule anything past 26 weeks as 'your life is going to change drastically around then.' I wish I knew exactly what he meant, past being uncomfortable and having contractions. I was told that there's a chance I could be put on bed rest as early as 26 weeks which scares the crap out of me, but since I have a very low stress sit down all day job, I'm hoping if I promise to be really really good, they will let me stay longer at work.
We were told that because there are twins, the tests that they do for Downs et al, may not be as accurate as they normally would be, and the babies will be tested 3 times (12 1/2 weeks, 16 weeks and 20 weeks) for the most accurate results. Since I have a family history of diabetes, my dr is concerned with gestational diabetes. I have to do glucose testing each trimester and also test my sugar levels once a week fasting as well as 2 hours after I eat. Other than all of that I don't remember much else he said, I wrote a bunch of stuff down and they gave me a bag full of information. 
Today was the first time I've been scared by the thought of being pregnant. I'm assuming this is part of the process.....a phase, if you will. But I was so freaked out by the thought of being out of work for 18 weeks, I gave myself an anxiety attack today. It's been a while since I've had one but today it came on pretty hard. Again, I'm thinking it's a phase...this crazy out of control feeling. Le sigh.....here's hoping!!
Next appointment is the ultrasound for the Downs et al, which is in the process of being scheduled with the MFM dr at St. Francis. Next OB appointment is the end of Jan.

P.S. I've been given the clear to go to FL in Feb!! (Provided nothing in my health changes before then.)

From The Beginning

Hello and welcome to my page. I have a feeling I'm going to need this outlet in the next months, perhaps years to come! My name is Alison Welles, I am 33 years old and I am pregnant with twins. My husband, Brett, 29, and I have been married for 2 1/2 years and we've always known kids were in the plans. We started officially trying in May of 2010 with no success. Since I was diagnosed with PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) when I was 21, we knew there might be issues getting pregnant. In November 2010 we were referred to The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services at the Farmington UConn campus at John Dempsey Hospital. You want to talk about Advanced? Holy crap.....this place is dynamic, efficient, precise and effective. I started using Clomid, which is a pill medication that helps to produce more eggs than normal during a cycle. It also helps to create regular cycles which, in order to get pregnant, is you know...essential. After 3 months of no luck on the Clomid alone, we started having an IUI (Interuterine Insemination) along with the medication, which I'll let you look up on your own if you feel so inclined to go beyond what the name suggests. After 5 months of not getting pregnant, Brett and I decided to take a break. This process is not for the faint of heart. It is both time and energy consuming and it is also heart wrenching, emotionally taxing and can be downright depressing if you don't get pregnant. After 8 months of no, Brett and I were certainly ready for a break. We took 4 months off, essentially the summer and our Disney World vacation.
We started back in November 2011. I started on the injectable medication, Follistom, which is a more concentrated and potent medication to produce more eggs. (This is the reason there are so many multiples with fertility medications....the meds force the body to release as many eggs as it can which allows for that many fertilizations to happen.)
The Tuesday after Thanksgiving, I went in for blood work and low and behold, I was pregnant!!! I couldn't believe it actually worked. I always figured I would know if I was pregnant. Especially since I was now SO in tune with the way my body works. Yeah, not the way it works. There were signs. I couldn't drag my butt of the couch to get anything done, even though that's so totally not like me at all. I'm always on the go, I'm always making things, cooking, cleaning, organizing. I couldn't get off the couch to take a shower, let alone make all of the Christmas cookies I had planned. I started with pregnancy numbers of 189......50 and above is normal. But it wasn't off the charts so the nurse told me she would be surprised if it was more than one. Two days later, my numbers were at 460-something. Again, we were told those were really strong and really healthy numbers. A week later my numbers were "soaring beautifully over 6000." Being a novice to pregnancy (who knew there were numbers involved like this?!?!) I figured they would say something if they thought that was multiples so we just went on with our lives. (Of course, our friend Rachel, who has 2 kids knew those numbers were way too high for one baby, but wisely didn't say anything to us until later!) We had our first ultrasound on December 15th when I was 6 weeks 3 days pregnant. The doctor looked at the screen and said, very nonchalantly, "yup, looks like twins." Um....WHAT?!? Back the truck up.....twins?!?!? If Brett hadn't been standing against the counter I think we would have fallen over. The smaller of the 2 babies was really small and it's heartbeat wasn't as fast as it should have been. Our doctor told us that the baby may not even develop, only time would tell, but the ultrasound was really early, so it may just need some more time to catch up.
This was right around the same time the early pregnancy symptoms started to kick in. I'm a night owl, I can also be a morning person, but not both at the same time. I need my sleep, but I usually go to bed around 11-11:30 on a week night. Suddenly I could barely keep my eyes open starting around 7 p.m. I'm going to bed by 9 in order to keep enough energy during the day to make it through work. Since Brett's schedule has him working until 7, a lot of times I will come home from work and take a nap so I can spend some time with him a little later than I can usually stay up. I also found that I cannot get enough water. I drink water like it's going out of style and that's pretty much all I can imagine drinking. Everything else makes me sick. OH!! Speaking of sick......morning sickness is full of bull. It's not morning, it's all the time!! I haven't figured out what is causing it yet (too much food, not enough food, certain smells, time of the day) so I keep mints in my purse and crackers at my desk. I feel like I've lost my brain, I forget everything where as I used to remember everything. Baby brain, while somewhat aggravating at times, makes me laugh. And the best side effect.....the 20 minute meltdown, as coined by Rachel's husband, Justin. I will flip out, for no reason, for about 20 minutes or less and then I'm perfectly fine. I thank God I have such an amazingly patient husband! I figure if this is all I I have, I'm doing pretty good!
Our second ultrasound was on December 30th and it was confirmed that we are indeed, having 2 little ones. Our doctor said that the little one is probably just a few days behind the other one. We got to hear their heartbeats, which was super cool and rather emotional. We have our first appointment with the ob/gyn tomorrow and I'm excited to hear what he has to say!!