8 Weeks

Today I'm 8 weeks pregnant. I go back in for my final ultrasound at the reproductive clinic this Friday and if all looks well I'll "graduate" from the clinic and start seeing my regular OB. Can't wait, because I LOVE my OB.

I haven't started showing yet but I guess I'm getting pretty bloated at night, because I feel very pregnant at night. I'm down 8lbs. Weight loss in early pregnancy is normal for me. Lets just hope its not like it was with Rylee. (I lost 25 with her)

I'm still getting nauseous but I've got some good meds for it. I'm throwing up about once a day. I still have NO energy and I get hot flashes that make me feel like I might pass out. I think the hot flashes are from the estrogen pills I have to take 3 times a day. I'll get to stop these meds in about a month.

So, needless to say, were not doing much around our house. I find my self on the couch most of the day. My housework is seriously falling behind. But I'm trying to not let it bother me. I get a spurt of energy every few days and I pick up the mess and get the dishes and laundry done then.

Jackson starts back to school in a few weeks and he can't wait to start 1st grade. I haven't started buying him school supplies yet. I know I should but shopping is not high on my priority list right now. Shawn will be home next week and I usually fell pretty good when he's home, which is a good thing, because were always on the go when he's home.

That's all I got for now. I'll update on Friday after the ultrasound.

The Kangaroo Pouch

So I haven't said anything about all this to my kids yet. I was really waiting until the 7week ultrasound to confirm heartbeats. I thought Jackson might be confused if I tried to explain everything to him, and it didn't work out like we hoped.

I heard about this cool book, that was written by a lady that owns a surrogacy agency in CA. Its a cute story about a kangaroo who's pouch is broken and she can't put her baby in it, so another mama kangaroo offers to put their teeny tiny baby in her pouch to grow big, and when its big enough to come out, she gives the baby back to its parents.

I ordered it and it finally came tonight. I read it to Jackson, then we talked about what the story was about. Once I knew he understood the story line, I told him that I did that, that I have a friend, and her tummy is broke and she can't grow a baby in it, so we took her 2 babies and put them in my tummy and I'm gonna grow them big and when they are big, they'll come out and we'll give them back to their mom and dad.
He told me he thinks its weird but really cool. He also said he's glad were not going to have to have 2 babies live in our house, and hear them cry and change their diapers.
I feel such a big relief that he knows, and that he's cool with it. I was and have been pretty worried about how he would react.

Obviously I don't need to say anything to Rylee as she's just too young and will probably still be too young when the babies are born.

Check out the beauties!!!

We (Shawn and I) went in for another ultrasound yesterday. All is well in baby land. We got to see the babies again. They look a little bit bigger, though there both the size of a grain of rice right now. Itty Bitty!!!
Here is Baby A...the baby that is sitting closest to my cervix. Baby A is a little bit bigger, measuring in at 6w4d. Which is what I was at the ultrasound.

And here is Baby B, snuggled down in the corner. Baby B measures 6w2d. The nurse said this is normal and that both babies are looking absolutely perfect.

I'll go back August 12. If all looks well at that appt I will start seeing my regular OB and no longer have to be seen at the reproductive clinic.

In other news, I'm still not feeling 100%, but I'm doing ok. I'm taking B-6 and unisom at night, it seems to take the edge off. I feel like I need to eat ALL the time to feel ok. As soon as my blood sugar begins to drop I feel like crap. I'm just counting down the days til this first trimester is over, and I can move on to feeling good again.

I've had some awesome friends, who've had twins themselves, give me some tips and inside advice. Its nice to know what to expect, but frankly, they both scared the begebe's outta me!! haha

That's all for now, I'll update with anything exciting!!

Double Trouble!!!

So we had our first pregnancy scare this morning. I woke up to blood. That's never a good thing in pregnancy. But let me tell you, when I've been entrusted to care for someone else baby it makes it even scarier.

So I called the clinic and went right in for an ultrasound.

I had to get Rylee and I dressed and in the car in 10 minutes, drive 30 minutes to get to the clinic which means, we were rushing. I was so scared the whole way. I thought for sure something was wrong.

Now let me say, I know bleeding in the first trimester is normal. And bleeding with IVF is even more common. I know this. But this wasn't like a little spotting, this was a lot of blood.

But...

We got good news at the ultrasound...or should I say...we got double the good news.

That's right...

TWINS!!!

We saw two healthy babies and their little hearts were just a beatin' away!!!

We go in on Friday to check on the babies again. Momma and daddy are pretty excited to say the least.

I'll update on Friday with more photo's.

Quick Update

I went back in to the clinic today for my third and final blood draw. My labs were 12,654!!!
The nurse that emailed us the results said things are looking terrific. My first doubling time was 31hrs and now its every 45hrs. Still very good. Doubling time is expected to slow down to between 72-96hrs.

Of course were not exactly sure whats going on in there yet...all we know is everything is going well.

I have my first ultrasound scheduled for next Friday the 29th. at 3pm. We should get to see a heartbeat then.

I have defiantly been feeling the effects of this pregnancy, in just the last couple days. I have been a little nauseous but the worst is how incredibly exhausted I feel. Not so much tired, as I don't want to sleep, just lay down and do NOTHING!!! Which with my 2 kids isn't always possible.

Intended Parents are very excited!!! Will update more next week after the ultrasound.

IT WORKED!!!

So I have some good news!!! Someone's expecting...Congratulations to 2 very happy people.

I took this Friday night. Then...

This on Sunday morning.

I went in to the clinic Saturday and this morning for my blood tests. They check my level of HCG (the pregnancy hormone). My first number was 118 and my second number was 323!!! I'm told they want to see the first number at least 25. And they want to see the number double in the 48hrs. So I think I have nothing to worry about.

I'll go back in 10 days, next Thursday, and have a repeat blood test, to make sure its still progressing and if it is, we'll do an ultrasound in another 10 days.

Thats all I got for now...I'll update when I know more.

The children were nestled, all snug in their beds

And by children...I mean we transferred 2 of the most beautiful 5 day blastocysts. They are now resting, nestling quietly in my uterus.

We got up early this morning and caught the train to Czech. It was a 2 hour, nice smooth quiet ride. Beautiful country side. I saw fields and fields of sun flowers. I didn't take any pictures tho, we were all too busy talking.

Upon arrival, we stopped an grab some delicious Kebab...don't let the picture scare you...its so yummy.Then we hopped on the tram and headed to the clinic. This is the front enterance to the building.
Inside there are a few different kinds of medical offices. Plastic surgery, oral surgery and Reprofit, our clinic. (which took up 2 floors)

We signed in. The Dr sat down with the 3 of us and went over the embryo's. Out of 63 eggs, they got 32 embryo's. (I know, I'm working with Super Woman) On day 5 she still had 29 embryo's. 4 grade 1, 5 grade 2 and I'm not sure, he just said the other 20 were very good too. (Wasn't exactly speaking my language) All I know is, the Dr was very optimistic. He gave us a 60% chance of it working. I'm hoping luck is on our side.

I was very impressed with the clinic and the staff. It was very nice inside. The staff were all very nice and helpful. Though, only the Dr spoke english.

After meeting with the Dr, we went to the procedure room. I dropped my drawers and got into postions. (no photo's...sorry to disappoint)

The embryologist, was in the next room and showed us the 2 embryo's we were going to transfer, on a screen in our room. Then the nurse used the ultrasound wand to find my uterus. Dr said my lining was like a cushion (Go ME!!!) And the embryologist came in with the goods. We watched the dr place them where he wanted them and VOILA!!!!
I must say...very different from any other conception I've been a part of.

I had to lay flat on my back for a few minutes, then I got up and got dressed. It didn't hurt at all. Felt very similar to a pap smear.

We caught the train back to Vienna and I've been laying around ever since. Dr advised me to "take it easy" aka, bedrest, for 1-2 days.
The clinic gave me this as a parting gift. The dr said I'll know in 13-15 days...but who is he kidding...I'll be peeing on a stick in about a week.