17p

So, I was digging around online, trying to find information on the progesterone that my doctor is having me take by weekly injection (beginning today). Apparently, it is vastly different from the progesterone that is used in early pregnancy to prevent miscarriage due to low progesterone. And there are a LOT of studies being done on this drug to see how effective it is, if it might be useful during first pregnancies, etc. Here's what I know now. Alpha-hydroxy- progesterone caproate (17P for short), can help prevent cervical changes (specifically cervical shortening, also known as effacing, which is typically the step before dilation) when given weekly starting between 16 and 20 weeks gestation (I didn't start until today at 21w5d but who's counting). The drug is given through an injection (I chose arm over rear end-OUCH). P17 also helps to relax the uterine muscles, which is also a factor in preterm labor. There was a study done by the NIH where women with previous preterm births got weekly injections and the risk was decreased by 35% (not bad!). I've also read some research that indicates it may not be helpful in a multiple pregnancy. Hmmmm...I'll have to see if I can find out why. Evidently my doctor must think it could, so I'll have to find out the specifics.

Feet in my lungs

On 7-24-08 we had our level II ultrasound with Maternal Fetal Medecine. The boys weigh almost a pound each, and they were wiggling around all over in there. According to the tech, they both have plenty of amniotic fluid around them, and strong beating hearts. I found out why I have a hard time breathing at times, and it's because there is a little baby bum and 4 tiny feet fighting with my lungs for space. They weren't exactly cooperative, so we have to go back in 4 weeks for an additional scan of their anatomy. They are both face down, and refused to flip over for us. OH, and evidently my cervix should be measuring between 3-5 cm, but mine was between 2.8-2.9. The doc says it's not a reason to panic (yeah right). If you know me at all, you know the first thing I did was panic, and google everything there is to know about the length of your cervix while pregnant. After a couple hours of reading, I was in a frenzy and decided to call my doc. Of course she told me (once again), not to panic, but agreed for me to come in on Monday to check my cervix again. I have to make sure everything is perfect in there for the boys, right? Better safe then sorry. :)

Medela

Today I got a GREAT deal on a medela breast pump and I'm SO excited! I never would have thought that buying a contraption like this would bring me so much joy. Now if I can just figure out how to work it...

The graco duo glider is here!

Madden and Myles now have some shiny new wheels. They'll be so nice and comfy in there. I'm so proud that I put it together all by myself even though I still haven't quite figured out how to fix the basket at the bottom. Oh well, dad can help with that. :) I love it!

Shout out to my hubby!

Poor guy hasn't gotten any "love" on the blog so far. I wanted to add this picture from our very 1st wedding anniversary. Can you believe it's been a year (6-9-08)? My how time flies when you're having fun. I just want to add what a great dad he is already. He's very good to me (even with the nasty raging hormones), and rubs my feet EVERY night. He talks to the boys and give's me lots of belly rubs. :) The boys and I are so lucky. :)

Big Belly alert!

July 19th, 2008 at Leslie's baby shower! Here I am at 20w2d with twins, next to Leslie who is 36 weeks with a singleton. I can't imagine how big I'm going to be when I'm at that point. It was so great to see all my old friends from high school and to take some belly pics with Les. I miss her. :(

My growing belly. No, it's not from pizza and beer anymore...

The picture with my BFF's was taken at 17w2d. Can you see the boys trying to make an appearance in that pic? The other belly shots were taken at 19w1d (7-11-08). My how it's growing already. Hopefully my limbs and face won't get any bigger. Yikes. I'm going to try my best to take some progression pics as I get farther along. Stay tuned folks!

Thanks Ya Ya and Poppi!

Thanks to my wonderful mother and father, we now have both cribs. Salem, Brian and Rod put the first one together. It took a while (2+ hours) and there were a few mistakes along the way, but it's up and finished! Here is a pic of Salem's feet (working hard), Brian taking a pizza break, and Rod doing his best to contribute. The other pic is the final product with both of them put together (thanks to Tim and Jayden for helping with the second crib).

So Rod and I scheduled an elective ultrasound today (6-23-08) at Early Images. We just got a 2d package to check the gender, but the lovely people there also took pics in 3d. Now the best part. The ultrasound confirmed that we're having TWO BOYS! Madden Riley (middle name after Rod's grandfather) and Myles Lee (middle name after my dad's middle name). Could we be ANY happier???? Not possible. Dad and Beth were right. Everyone else guessed it would be one of each. We are having 2 beautiful sons. I'm going to be a mom of 2 boys. I just have to say it over and over again. It's so magical, and is still hard to wrap my head around. Let the shopping begin!

April 14, 2008-first ultrasound. Will we see a heartbeat???? I could hardly sleep the night before, hoping and praying that my little one would be snuggled into my uterus nice and tight with a strong beating heart. Something must be going right, because I've been EXHAUSTED and lets just say ther has been some random vomitting. Ewwww.

Around 2pm on Monday (4-14-08) we had our first ultrasound. Rod and I were gripping our hands tightly as we watched the screen. Did I just see the gestational sac? Wait a minute...did I just see TWO gestational sacs? Nah, I must not know what I'm looking at. Just then the doctor tells us we have two gestational sacs, and two babies with two strong beating hearts!!!! OMG! IT'S TWINS! It was like someone had knocked the air out of me for about 10 seconds. Then the only words I could mutter (through the tears and gasping for air) were "OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!" I don't think Rod took his eyes off the screen the entire time we were in that room. He had the biggest grin on his face, and was just beaming with pride!!! WOW! We're having TWINS! Are you SERIOUS????

3-26-08 BFP???

It's true! We are officially Pregnant!!! And yes, I'm crazy enough to POAS (pee on a stick) several times a day for several days in a row. We've wanted this so badly, it's just hard for me to believe it's actually happening. I had to make sure the second line was getting darker. DUH! YAY for BFP's!

My first beta at 11DPO was 51 and my progesterone was 51.

BFP=big fat positive (pregnancy test)
POAS=pee on a stick (pregnancy test stick)
DPO=days past ovulation