Surrogacy-What an Adventure!

I am still cruizing along with the twinkies.   It is more  difficult then carrying one baby but not as complicated as I thought it might be.   I have made it through without any bedrest, I am still working and can do just about anything.   I am getting big, in fact…you know you are huge when some of your maternity shirts are too snug to wear.  But I love the belly it is so cute and really cool to see it grow.   I have not been worried about stretch marks, since I never got them on my belly with other pregnancies, but then the other day Andrew was looking at my belly and then he was examining the lower part.  I said what?   He then says oh you are gonna have stretch marks.   It is not a big deal and there is nothing I can do about it, so whatever.   I do not normally use any of the preventative creams, because they are not truely going to do much good, it is really a mother nature thing and depends on your skin…you either get them or don’t.   Plus, even if I wanted to use creams I can’t with this pregnancy due to the rash.  

Last week, I decided that D&K should come over to my house for dinner and then we could play games with my kids.   I have never had any of my IPs over to the house so this would be a first.    My computer decided to get sick on my this past week also, and I took it to Best Buy’s Geek Squad.   They looked at it and said yes it is infected but it also needs a new hard drive.   I had some info on my computer that I need to save, so I went back up there to pick up, save my info and I planned to take it back the next day.   I was talking to K over the phone about plans for Saturday and told her about my computer issue.   Ha, turns out she loves working on computers and she offered to put in a new hard drive for me!!!   How cool is that.   It will be quicker and even cheaper that way    In the meantime, I decided to get a netbook.   It is a mini laptop.   It is great I really like and my kids love it. 

So, I mentioned that  I am spoiled, well actually maybe only  this past weekend.    On Friday, my husband and I got a massage.   It was nice, I had an excellent therapist.  Seems like some of them have been too gentle since I am preggo but boy she worked out some big knotts.   I do get one every month, thanks to K    She is too good to me, thanks!!     Then, Saturday D&K came over.

I made homemade pizza and some cookies.   We ate dinner and then K began to fix my computer.   She put in a new hard drive and even some more memory for me.  She loaded some of my software also, see I am spoiled.    We had lots of fun.   My kids were way goofy, they were funny but borderline annoying.    It was cute though, they were just excited to spend time with D& K and show off a little…ha.   Oh and I also surprised D&K with two boxes for the boys.   Over the summer I decorated to wooden boxes, I painted one blue camo and the other green camo, then I filled them with a few items.   I got a blue camo blanket and a green camo blanket, a blue camo outfit and a green camo out fit, some pacifier holders that attach to the baby clothes so they do not lose the paci, some diaper rash spray which I just found the other day and thought it would be so cool and easy to just spray instead of that stuff you have to put on our hands.  Also Madison painted some ceramics for the babies so I put one in each box.   I also gave them some premie clothes because usually the normal size is too big the first week or two and the twins might be really small if born a little early.   

Then, Sunday my mom decided we needed a girls day out.  So my sister, mom, Madison and I all went to get pedicures and then to lunch.   It was relaxing and fun to spend time together. 

Monday, we had our 34 week ultrasound so again spoiled…I have been able to see these babies grow the whole pregnancies, I have had so many u/s.  Also D was able to join K and I this time and that is alway wonderful to have both mom and dad there    The boys look outstanding and so much bigger!  Their estimated weights are about 5 pounds, wow I have never had that much baby weight before, the biggest I have had was my son at 8 pounds.   I am so happy they are growing strong and  healthy, no worries if they come anytime now.   Also, I am not thinking c-section at all  because they are both head down, yipee!   As soon as she turned on the monitor you could see too big heads side by side near my cevix.   Dr. Lloyd was pleased with the u/s results and I am going to see him every week now and he will actually check my cervix for dialation starting next week.   Silly guy asked me if I was still working….I said “did you put me on bedrest”, he said no and so I laughed and said ” then you know I am working”  he said ” good, it will help pass the time”  very true.    As we had the u/s and doc appointment, I could not help but notice the anticipation, excitement, nervousness and possibly anxiety of the soon to be mom.  It was so cute and makes me feel special that I am getting the chance to help create another family….how lucky am I.   It really is the most unique experience, just indescribable.

I also wanted to just take a second to congratulate my surro friend Emily.   Her and I are due only a day apart with this surrogacy and both carrying twins.   This is her first surro journey.   Here water broke yesterday and she delivered a healthy boy and girl, it is so exciting!!   Howeve, kinda make me even more nervous, because it could happen at any moment…wow!!   I do not have all the details yet but hopefully I will talk with her today and get the wonderful story.

Yep, Doc said at the 30 week appt that 32 weeks is a great mile stone and all should be just fine if babies got anxious to see their mom and dad!    Everything has gone so wonderful so far, no complications, I can not believe it.    I am still working and living as I would be normally, I thought something crazy might happen since I am carrying twins this time.   Obviously I am not out of the woods and anything can happen but hey we are 32 weeks!    I know I was worried about bedrest but luckily it does not seem to be in cards.   I will say I am very achy and still very exhausted but no big deal.   I also in the past two weeks, carpel tunnel has set in hard.    I am not able to sleep through the night because of the carpel, it tingles from my fingers down my arm.   At first I thought I was sleeping on my arm and waking up to my arm asleep but when it still tingled throughout the day, I realized it was carpel.   Lucky for me D the IF is good with hands and got me some wrist braces    It does help.   My rash is still having a great time driving me crazy..me just itchy!    Ok, sorry that sounded like I was just complaining…not my purpose, just keeping track of all that is going on.   I am so full of joy and honestly feel really great!!!   This twin experience is so neat.   The babies move almost all the time and my belly makes crazy shapes and they are so healthy, I feel blessed and I am so thrilled for D&K.   

Saturday was Halloween and packed full of events for us.  First, we went to a Pumpkin Fun Run downtown at 8am.    My husband, kids and D all ran.   D and my husband ran a 5 k and did outstanding.  My kids ran a 3k…well that was the plan.   Soon after the race started I looked up  and saw my daughter walking back to me crying….her brother ran too far ahead and she did not see me and got scared…poor thing, she is too silly.   Then, we were waiting for Anthony to finish but it was taking forever….turns out he ran to the 5k mark instead of the 3k.  Crazy!   So, after that was over we went to my kids Fall Festival from 11-3pm.    We went home for a brief stay and went to dinner, church and then the fall festival after church.   It was lots of fun.   Below you will see a picture of my daughter and I.   She is a batarina (half bat/half ballerina).   I am a chubby baseball coach with my gutt hanging out over my pants and for added fun I am a “Twins” coach.   

I just want to thank D & K for all the overwhelmingly special things they have done for me.  I am so very lucky to share this experience with you!   Thank you!

Ok, so here are some 32 week belly pics…

Madison wanted to paint my belly and I thought it would be pumpkins or something but she wanted to do a volleyball..

This last picture was taken by my son without the flash.   I was going to retake it but thought it looked cool like a moon!

Hard to convince myself, that we have reached 30 weeks, but it is very true.   My mind feels like we are not there  yet, but my body is certainly saying otherwise!   I think the twin pregnancy has finally caught up with the rest of my body. … I am totally  exhausted every day all day now.   It feels like I have not slept in days but I sleep everynight…some nights more then others.    Also, my body is now really achy and moving is not as smooth as it use to be     I get lots of braxton hick contractions while walking and it hinders my walking, somtimes I get a numb feeling down the back of my right leg and I must look really funny.    The boys are playing almost all day, moving and grooving,  it is funny.    Here are some new belly pictures…another surro friend of mine Emily dared me to wear my bikini at 30 weeks and I did…LOL

On Tuesday, we had the 30 week ultrasound.   Babies looked fantastic!   Baby A was playing but since he looks out my back we could not get a good look at his face.   Baby B was sleepy, but we did get a good look at his face, especially his lips…so cute, he was puckering and sipping the fluid.   They were both head down, and that is a wonderful thing…sure it can change but for now I am loving it    The best part is, the boys are big and healthy and still growing at the same rate, which is very important.    Baby A is about 3 pounds 4 ounces and B is about 3 pounds 5 ounces.   Doc said that is about in the 50%  range as far as growth at 30 weeks, so just perfect!!    Gee, I already have 7 pounds of baby in there…LOL…but that is sad when I say I have already gained 35 pounds!   We have another OB appointment in two weeks and then another u/s at 34 weeks.    

This is so exciting and the countdown is on….D and K must be going crazy with anticipation!!   I know I am…what a joyful moment to see them hold their boys for the first time or even lay eyes on them.  

I also had lunch with Emily on Sunday.   I met Emily on the surro message board I use, turned out we actually transfered the same day, but her’s was a 5 day transfer, so her due date is Dec. 27th and these babies are due Dec. 28th.   She carring boy/girl twins for her intended parents.  We actually have even more in common then just that…we are both teacher, and about the same age.   She lives about 2 to 2 1/2 hours away from me.   So we decided to meet in the middle for lunch.   Here is a 31 week belly pictures of us….

My kids got some new pets this week.  My got them some guinea pigs.   Anthony gave his the name Chester and Chester is huge!   Madison named her’s Sammy…here are some pics of them…

Yes, as hard as it is to believe we have entered our last 10 weeks of this journey!    I am 28.5 weeks and we are looking at deliverying these boys the first/second week of December!   I am doing great,  sometimes I forget I am carrying twins, because it is not extrememly different from carrying one.  I am way bigger, there is soooo much more movement all the time, and my belly makes some very funny shapes at times…oh and I get reflux on most days, no fun.   But most everything else is typical of a singleton pregnancy.   These boys are have began to move and groove all the time now, or maybe it is jus that they are so much bigger that I feel every little wiggle.   Here is a picture I took last night, you can see some limb an arm or a leg just poking up..I think it is baby B’s…not fully sure…

On Tuesday I met K over at her friends physical therapy office.  My belly/back brace came in, but there is a removable back brace peice that needed to be molded to fit my back.   To offer you good support it is molded to fit your shape perfectly.    Since it is removable you do not have to wear it every time you have the brace on, just when extra support is needed.   I had to take my pants off so she could hold the hot piece to my back and create a mold.    K  then asked me what was wrong with my legs, she said they do not always look like that do they.  Ha, no they do not, those my cankles, I said…LOL!    Just another perk of pregancy the swelling that occurs.  And for me it gradually increases as the day goes on since I stand all day long coaching and teaching.    I really like the brace and very glad that K got it for me!   K is too darn good to me…After getting the piece fitted for my back I had to put my shoes back on.   She looked at me trying to bend over my enormous belly and tie..then she said, let me do that for you.    So she tied my shoes for me…a great mom in the making     Or maybe she was trying to make up for laughing at my cankles….hehehe, I am just kidding !

After getting the brace we had the 2nd 3D/4d ultrasound.  Just incase I forgot to mention the difference in ultrasounds…the typical u/s  you get is a 2 dimentional image, with the 3D image you get to view baby in 3 dimentional aspect so you see features of the baby, and then in 4D you also capture movement!   When she turned on the machine you could see that the boys were laying with their heads right next to each other, very cute!    Baby B’s head is turned looking out my belly and A’s head is turned looking out my back.   Luckily they were both head down!!   That can easily change since they move around all the time but it is a good thing to see, because I would love to have them without a c-section.   Baby B was easy to see, he did not give us much trouble.  He looked great and hungry, kept opening his mouth for sips of the fluid.    Baby A on the other hand was shy yet again..LOL…his hands and arms covered his face just about the entire time we tried to get a view of his face and on top of  that his legs were up there by his head also, he was folded in half!    Luckily we were persistant and finally his arms moved about for a just a bit and we could see the adorble guy.    The funniest part of the u/s was that Baby A began to lick his knees!!    It is so crazy what you can see with that 4D.    Along with K and I, D was able to make it to the u/s along with K’s sister in law and her two boys.    The youngest boy was too cute, he came over and touched my belly and just thought it was so neat.   It was very cool to share the experience with all of them.    The ultrasound tech did put one of my worries to rest…she said that I have a great amount of fluid in there.   With my last surro baby my fluid was just a little low and with twins I was wondering about my levels.  

Wednesday, we had a check up with Dr. Lloyd.   Yep, I have gained 30 pounds already.   The babies had great heart beats and they kept kicking the probe, it was funny.    He actually used the tape measure this time to get the fundle height.    This is the height from bottom of uteus to top, you measure in cm and oddly enough the amount of cm usually goes with your weeks of pregnancy.    I measured 32 weeks and I am 28 so right on target with twins.  You usually measure 4-6 weeks ahead.   No worries no complications, and we will have an u/s at the hospital and doc appointment in 2 weeks (Oct. 24th).   Here are recent belly pictures…

Wow, what a week it has been!   My IM K, planned a surro shower for me.   I have never had one or been to one, but K is so sweet…she said she wanted to do something to celebrate me.    At first, when she mentioned it, I was feeling embarrassed and did not feel that I should have all that fuss and stuff.   But as it got closer I was really excited and for good reason, it was so much fun.    The guests were a mix of her closest friends and some of my friends and my sister and my adorable Madison      The shower was held at a wonderful little restraunt called Oucies in Houston.    We even had  a cute private room with wonderful food!    It was very nice to meet some of  K’s friends, they are amazing women.    We chatted for a while of course,(we are women after all) then we ate and chatted some more, and then it was time for me to open gifts that they brought.   I told K no gifts, totally unneccessary, but she did not listen..LOL.    I was overwhelmed with how thankful everyone was that I was helping D and K.   They all made me feel oh so special.    I got lots of really cool gifts, I loved them all and one gift is just so dear to me.   K created a necklace for me……

I am not sure how I kept my cool and did not cry, but when I saw how creative and unique the necklace was I was touched.    The ring says Gratitude, the first charm says ” U Got Mail”…I text her after I send her and e-mail to let her know she need to check it, yes I might be a little impatient, plus we met over e-mail.   The next charm I a stork with two babies (so cute), then there is a Prayer Box because Christanity is dear to me and I have done lots of praying for this journey  , the last charm is a running shoe because I love to run and my IF, D along with my husband and I we have all ran in a few events together including the Houston Half Marathon the very week we fully decided to take this amazing adventure together!!    Thank you so much K, it is so beautiful.   After I opened my gifts, I had a little trick up my sleeves….I actually made up a gift basket for K    It was kinda like a mom to be basket.   It included some picture frames, a lotion set, a candle gift set I found and the box actually says New Mom, A Mother’s Love or something, and I also got her a gift card to Victoria Secret…you know that it is hard to feel fun and beautiful when you have new borns at home…LOL    Here are some other pics of the Surro Shower……

Later that week, we had a huge morning full of appointments.   The schedule was to go like this, 1. ultrasound at the hospital 7am, 2. Meeting with the head of Labor and Delivery (Silvia) 8am, 3.  see Dr. Lloyd 9am, 4.  Physical Therapy appointment 10am.    We were in for a packed morning!    First up, the ultrasound!   It was fun and both D and K were there to see just how much their boys had grown.   Baby A is now head down, and I hope he continues to stay that way, but baby B is currently still breech, his head is just under my right ribs.   They boys were playful and moving.  At one point, baby B has his booty in baby A’s face, poor guy.   To our surprise during the u/s, the door opens and in walks Dr. Lloyd.   He always does rounds at the hospital at 7am to check on his patients before he starts all of his appointments.   He said hello and then went to speak with the radiologist to go over the scan.    They looked fabulous and so healthy, no concerns.   Dr. Lloyd scheduled the u/s to be sure that the babies were growing at close the same rate and one was not dangerously behind.  For example you would not want one baby to be 60% and the other to be 30%.    Turns out both boys are around 2 pounds each!  That is so reassuring, no worries.  D has to leave for work at this point, but  K and I chatted with Dr. Lloyd for a few minutes.    D would like to have a week or 2 off when the babies arrive, and that is difficult to accomplish with his job, unless you plan way in advance.   So D and K, were thinking that we might want to plan the delivery.   I am fine with that, this is a huge even for them and not about me.   I want it all to go just has they hope for.    K asked Lloyd how he felt about delivering twins and inducing.   Dr. Lloyd said he always wants twins to get to 36 weeks that is the goal, and after that he is certainly fine with induction or planned c-section.   Dr. Lloyd like to be proactive and avoid possible complication as best he can.    He mentioned that he would not want me too go much further then 36 weeks with twin anyway, because they would only get bigger and make things harder on me and possibly the delivery.    This was good news for K, but also leaves us all to figure out when the best time will be.   Lloyd said he will analyze dates and stuff and see what he thinks.    K and I studied a calendar and tossed ideas to each other, because doc had to leave.   The ideal thing would be to plan during the week of Thanksgiving as we all already have some time off, but I will only be 35 wks, so then debate some more and it seemed like the first week of  Dec. might work out.    D was not there and his input is definitely needed, so K is going to talk with him and we will go from there. 

From the u/s we went to another floor of the hospital to meet Silva the head of L&D.    We discussed important things to know about and she also gave us small tour.  Then she directed us to someone that would help us get paperwork out of the way .   Then we went over to Dr. Lloyd’s office even though we already saw him at u/s.    I wanted to get my glucose test out of the way plus he told me to get a flu shot at his office.    They informed me I could not take the glucose test because I had the physical therapy appoint and you must stay seated for an hour for the glucose test.   I was able to get the flu shot though.   

On to physical therapy we go….I went in order to be fitted for a really good belly band.    The band will support my growing belly and my back.    I feel great, but I was thinking the other day about being proactive.    Sure I might feel great, but that does not guarantee that it is not still taking a toll on my body and stuff.   I do not want to be put on bedrest or have the babies come too early, so I figured the band was a good precaution.  As soon as I put on t he band, I felt a difference, it was crazy.   I am excited but I have  to wait til next week for it to come in.  

When that appointment was finished, I still had a good amount of time before I had to get back to work.  I then thought it might be a good idea to get that glucose test out of the way.    I called his office they said sure!   So off we went back over to Dr. Lloyd’s office.  This time I finished the glucose test, and now I just wait for the results. 

Here we are looking the third trimester in the face…wow!!   I will be going to doc every 2 weeks and possibly getting some more u/s to check on growth.   We also have a 3D u/s on Oct. 6th.     Here are the lasted pics of the growing belly…

Ok time for me to go…me exhausted!  Yes, the past two weeks have brought on the sleepies for me.   I can not seem to keep my energy up…hopefully that means these boys are gonna be big and healthy   I am more then willing to let them take it all out of me…ha

On Wednesday (8-26-09),  K and I met for lunch.   It was so nice to see her and sit and chat, seems like I had not seen her in so long, I guess  a month.   It was to be a fun filled day and a little goofy too.   I had to text K, to let her know I was running about 15 min behind, then she ended up running 10 min behind me..LOL.    After we ate lunch we were off to the 3D ultrasound, we were both way excited to see the boys again.    We got in the elevator and we did not even know what floor we were going to.    Luckily we guess right the first time.    The boys looked great and the ultrasound was so cool.   You could even see the 4 chambers of the heart beating!!   You can definitely tell that the babies are smooshed with not much room.   They both had their hands and arms up near their faces and at some points they had their legs pulled up, and their knees were practically in their ears!    It think the boys must have been kinda sleepy, because they were not very active.   Not to mention they always come out to play at night and it was in the middle of the afternoon     It was so facinating to see two babies and how big they are getting.   Plus, you can see featured and the boys actually have their own unique look to them.   The boys were laying transverse or across my belly instead of up and down.  This explains why I thought I was only feeling one baby move all the time.   Really, it is both of them at different times and you can not differentiate very well since they are laying transverse, one looking out my belly the other facing my back.   I know I still have plenty of time for them to move, but I am nervous that they will stay that way.   I need them  to get their act together and go head down soon…LOL  

  I wish I could describe the feelings that come over me to see K and her excitement and anticipation.    To be a part of something so beautiful.    It just does not seem real at times…just crazy!   Here is a picture from the ultrasound, I wanted to get both babies in the background but the ultrasound screen could not get both of them in a picture very well, I think because of the way they are laying..

After the 3D ultrasound we had to rush over to the OB appointment with Dr. Lloyd.  This is way too silly but once again we get on an elevator and did not know what floor we were going to!!   When we got there, I was talking to K about my skin condition that has not gone away and instead has become worse.   I am itchy all over my body and some parts have really bad rashy hives.   I told her that I did have another appointment with the dermatologist the following day.   She was so cute, kinda like my mom taking care of me…she demanded that I tell Dr.Lloyd again about the rash and see if he can help me.   It is really cool that she is concerned about me.  In fact, when I would scratch she would tell me to stop…thank goodness because I need help with that.   I am scratching all the time and I am sure that is not helping the situation.  But it is so hard not to.   I itch from head to toe!  It can be overwhelming and frustrating. 

 When they called me back, I had to get on the scale…yikes…it read 151!   My scale at home gave me 148, so I will just go with 150..LOL    That is 25 pounds already and I still have till Dec!   Oh well, part of pregnancy fun!   The nurse found both heartbeats pretty fast and they sounded wonderful.   Dr. Lloyd said all seemed to be going just great.  He scheduled us for and ultrsound in 4 weeks (26 weeks preggo) to check on the boys.   It is important to be sure that they are both growing and that they are not too far apart in percentage.   For example, you would not want one to be 60% and the other 30%, that could mean one is not getting enough nutrition or some thing.   He also mentioned that I will start seeing him every 2 weeks after that.  Plus, we might have ultrasounds every 3-4 weeks.  I mentioned my rash to him again, and brought up something new to me.   He said it might be my liver not functioning properly.   If your liver is not working as it should it can not get rid of toxins.   Maybe my skin is trying to get rid of some toxins and it shows up in this crazy rash.    

The next day I went to see the dermatologist and I mentioned the liver thought to her.    She ordered some labs to check on my liver and my kidney, in addition she did a skin biopsy.   Unfortunately, I do not think will hear from her till Tuesday.  

Ok, here are some more belly pics from different views…22 weeks

Well, we have passed 20 weeks.    I can not believe it!    I feel great, but completly stuffed!   There is just no room in my belly anymore, seriously.    And my belly is very hard, I think the boys have had a grow spurt in the past few weeks and they sure are having fun in their water playland!   

My summer vacation has come to an end, back to work I go.   But I am excited!    I need to change up my daily routine, I am getting bored, plus I actually love my job, seriously!   It is just a blessing to actually do what I love.   I have met some of my new coworkers at the new school I am teaching.   Everyone has been great.    This week is just teacher inserve week, so no students.   Today we went on a staff picnic, it was a blast.    We even played some volleyball.   Tomorrow will not be as exciting…lecture meetings…

Oh and yesterday I had jury duty for the first time.  I got there at 9am, but they did not even start the process till 11am.   The state talked and questioned for an hour, then the defense had their turn for an hour.   Finally they chose 12 jurors and the rest of us got to leave at 3pm!!   The poor twins were starving, poor guys had not eaten for hours!

Here are some new pictures at about 20 weeks and 4 days, and with the end of my summer vacation,  I thought a swim suit photo was needed

I met one of my surrogate friends in person for the first time last week.  Her name is Emily and she is carrying boy/girl twins for her intended parents and is due only one day ahead of me.   She lives about 1 hour and a half away from me, but was going to be driving through to get to the airport in Houston.   We had so much fun, and she is just a doll     It is fun to go through this with another surrogate.  We have alot in common, we are both due at the same time, carrying twins for the first time, and we are both teachers.  This is her first surrogacy and it is so wonderful to see her joy and new experiences.   I took a picture….

I got a pregnancy pillow in July and I love it.    It is huge and my kids call it the candy cane.    The kids just love laying with it and stuff.   Madison was playing the other day and I got a picture, have to share my cutie with you….

Since I am carrying twins,  I have made it practically to the half way mark!   Just seem crazy to me, because we just started it seems.    I am feeling good and big!   I can feel the babies move more and more but only internally.  I can not feel them from the outside or see them move yet.  If I feel a flutter I stare at my belly, but no luck yet.    I have been running about 3 miles every other day, and I still feel pretty good, some runs are easier then others.  

Last Wednesday, I had and OB appointment.   Heartbeats were good and I gained another pound or two.   I have heard that some doctors automatically have you get and epidural for a twin birth even if you are delivering vaginally.   It is precaution incase they quickly need to perform a c-section.   I did not know if Dr. Lloyd does that, so I asked him “if both babies are head down and we get to have vaginal birth, do I have to get an epidural?”   He said “sure you can get an epidural”…I said, “no, I do not want one, I do not like then remember”…then he just said ” oh you are gonna be uncomforable, you will want one.”    So my silly doc did not actually answer the question, but maybe he was confussed on my question or just thinking I am a nutt cuz I do not want an epidural…LOL    I told him I was already having a ton of Braxton Hick contractions and he said it was not big deal and completely normal.  He said the more pregnancies we have the more our bodies react and stuff.  Good to know.   When you go to the OB appointment you have to give a urine sample, they test the amount of protein in it.  Well, I took my sample and then asked them what to do with it..give it to the lab or leave in bathroom, they told me to take it to the room.  So here I am wondering around with my cup o pee!   I made silly jokes and the staff laughed at me….then after I saw the doc, the again said ok take your cup with you..so I wondered around to the lab with my urine and also got my blood drawn.   Silly…

Yesterday, we had our level 2 ultrasound.   This is the big ultrasound during all pregnancies between week 17-21.   They measure the babies limbs and check the organs.     It was funny because D&K and I were just chatting away but once the u/s tech began the scan we got quiet and just stared at the screen.   She worked with baby A first.   Baby A was laying on my left side and head down, in fact the head was right in my cervix.   But no crazy plans, cuz there will be no early exits!!  The did the measuring she needed to do and then asked if they wanted to know gender.   My IM said oh yes, even though we already knew.  So the tech begins to check it out and says…a girl.   I was like really!! Then said well let me get a better look.   Baby A must be shy because at the last ultrasound it took a while to get a good peek.   Baby A’s legs were crossed at the ankles it was cute but not making it and easy task.   Tech did not give up and finally….Hello, it  is most definitely a boy!    On to Baby B…both babies were moving and groovin in there but baby B was certainly more rambunctions and not shy!   Baby B is on my right side with the feet up there kicking my belly button.    It was so cute at one point both babies had there little heads together as Baby A just had to move over and get in on the action.   The tech got a really cute picture of the heads together.   There was no hiding and no question that Baby B was another boy!    Both Babies measured right on target and are about 8oz each…so we have two sweet potatoes together measuring a pound!  It was so much fun to here D&K laughing and talking about their boys.  Oh, it is just too exciting and special.   Check their growing temporary housing…

After the ultrasound, we went to see Dr. Lloyd as that his protocal.   We got to hear the heartbeats,  Baby B 160 and Baby A 155….great!   Dr. Lloyd came in said all looks super.   He said we will have another one around 26-28 weeks to check on the boys and to be sure both are growing and one is not dominating, ha.   He gave me some more prenaltal vitamins, as I take them twice a day instead of just once with the twins and he also gave me some iron.   I will not see him again for 4 weeks.  

Oh a funny story before I go….I was at Kohls yesterday looking or some clothes for my son.    I found two shirts.   I finished looking around and then I headed out the door….I looked down at my hands about to get my keys out of my purse when I noticed….I still had the shirts in my hands….not in a bag….I did not even check out and pay!!  What in the world…oh my, I must have just been exhausted and trying to live on pregnancy brain!   I walked back in and the check lady was just laughing!   I told my husband the story last night and it was just too funny, I got the giggles and laughed uncontrolably for about 5 minutes…too silly! 

Oh I have more to write but I have to be at work today and must go get ready…

A few weeks ago, D&K along with my family all went to Dave and Busters.   We got their first and the K arrived.   She had to run to the restroom and when she returned she realized she had lost her wallet.  It was terrible she had just got there and already lost her wallet.    We began the search for it, and went back to the bathroom but it was not their.  We did tell the workers that she was missing a wallet.    We went back to play games and to our suprise, a worker brought her wallet back to her…thank goodness, disaster gone!   It was half price games and oh my we had a blast.  It was just so much fun and we stayed there for about 5 hours…ha, from 4pm to 9pm…just crazy, but when the games are half price you can play sooo many.   We got addicted to the trivia game, it was too silly!     We played so much that we earned 11,000 in tickets, it was awesome.   The kids were excited to pick out a cool prize, but when we looked around it seem odd.   Seemed like some of the prizes were not out and displayed and that some things were way more expensive then normal…we figured it was because it was a half price day.    We just saved the ticket voucher and will go back on a normal day to redeem them.

Well, we finally know what kinda filling the twinkies have.    I knew that K was very anxious to know the sex of both babies, as we already knew at least one was a boy.  She has lots of planning and decorating to do.    I was looking up information on 3D ultrasounds and noticed that you can get a quick gender check at 16 weeks.   At first, I was gonna be sneaky and go have the u/s done and then surprise her at our next visit.   But then as I thought about it, it did not seem like the best idea.   I know that she and D would want to be the first to know and see it.  So, I mentioned the u/s to her.  I told her instead of waiting to find out on the 27th we could find out as early as the 13th, she was excited and ready to go.    Yesterday I was 16weeks and we had the ultrasound.   

The tech began the ultrasound looking at baby B.   Lets just say baby B was very proud and happy to share….as soon as the image came up there “He” was !!   He was wiggling around and having fun, even mooning mom and dad already…silly stinker!    He looked strong and healthy and had a good heartbeat of 139.    On to baby A, lets just say baby A was feeling shy.   As the tech looked,  the legs were close together and baby A was not moving as much.   Tech was guessing Baby A was a girl and K and I looked at each other in hope and delight be since it was not certain we all waited.   I rolled to one side and we tried to get baby A to move, not going along with the plan…so I moved around again and what did we finally see….ha “He” came out from hiding!    So two, bouncing baby boys for D&K.    Baby A was also strong and healthy with a heartbeat of 157.   They were laying across my belly baby A on the bottom with his head on my right side and baby B on top with his head on my left side.   They move all the time so no need to be troubled about not being head down…LOL….way too early.  

D&K were too cute, precious joy filled their faces and I was just so happy for them.    You have to treasure those moments and it is way too rewarding and special to describe.   Wow, I am gonna grow and bring two boys  into their arms…amazing!    K was just laughing and said “two D’s on the way, and good thing cuz we do not need anymore K’s”   she is too silly!   I will say I was really hoping for one of each, but in the end it totally does not matter, it only matters that there are two growing babies and all is how it was meant to be.   And it is kinda crazy….I guess I only know how to grow surro boys, I had a boy in 05, 07 and now 2 in 09 !!  So now I guess K will be occupied with redecorating and plannig for them.   

I am feeling great, no more queezies and the gastrointestinal issues are not bad anymore…LOL    I found these fiber drink packets, they are great, you just put them in a bottle of water and bam you got instant fiber and great tasting water     It is funny, lately I get really hungry so I eat but then I get really full and soon I am really hungry again.    Oh and I keep gaining weight, but part of being preggo, ha.    In the beginning I lost about 5 pounds and now I have gained that plus 10 pounds.   Oh and I have already started having braxton hicks contractions…they are just minor practice contractions, so no big deal but I do not remember getting them this early.   But this is my 5th pregnancy and it is twins.    I am not sleeping very much, I just can not get comfortable and my back is kinda achy.     I was chatting with another surro and she told me about a preggo pillow sold at Walmart.com.    I looked it up and yep I ordered it!   I is cool it wraps around you and supports your back, belly and legs and stuff.   It should come next week, we shall see if it helps.  

I have been looking for a job closer to home and I kinda thought it was not going to happen.   Then one Sunday 2 weeks ago, I was looking at job openings and I found one at a middle school only 15min from home.   It was a special ed teaching spot with coaching in volleyball, basketball and track.   In addition, I knew the head coach there, because the middle school I previously worked at, played that school every year.    So I sent her an e-mail.  She responded on Monday and said she would send info to her principal.    Then I get a call on Tuesday for come in for an interview.    I went in for interview at 2.    I really liked what they had to say and all the info and I like the prinicpal and other coach.   However when I my husband asked how it went, I was not so sure about it.   For some reason I thought the interview was not good and that I had done a poor job.   At 4:30 I got a call, it was the principal…she said “How would you feel working at Moorehead and coaching volleyball and track and teaching SpEd”   I was confussed because she did not say basketball also, and so I asked and she said they had worked it out so that I only had to do 2 sports.   I was like shocked that totally does not happen at a middle school, you normally just have to do it all.    I remember during the interview, I mentioned that I had 2 kids and they are now very active in things and so I juggle getting them to their things sometimes.   The coach told me that might still be hard because they get out of pracitice around 5:30.   But she did say volleyball would be before school and bball and track would be after school.   I told her that would be good and my husband and I would work it out we always do.  So I know it was God’s help and plan to take off basketball.    It will help us so much, because with vball being in morning I can deal with kids after school and then I have bball season off, and track is easy for my husband to deal with kids.   Wow!   I was in shock for a few hours, I could not believe how quick they decided to hire me and then to have it all kinda fall into place, God is just amazing.   

Oh I forgot, to post them here are my 16 week belly shots.   My belly is about the size it is when I am 20 weeks with one baby.   I was being silly and did some comparisons.  There is also a picture of a surro shirt I made.   I bought the crystal iron-on  from another surro that makes them.

Ok, so I think I have finally stopped being paranoid about the twins.   Both are doing fabulous and we have made it through the big trouble zone of the first trimester, yipee!!   I had my last appointment with Dr. Heard on the 12th at 11 weeks.   After that appointment, we went to the Center of Medical Genetics in Houston.   Before we went, Dr. Heard called down to the clinic and let them know we were coming and that he wanted them to give us the  Jack or Jill blood screan.   It is a DNA blood test, that can determine the gender of the baby as early as 11 weeks.  Turns out a small amount of the babies genetics are in the women’s blood stream.   Here is the tricky part, D&K are expecting twins and the test just determines if you have XX or XY floating around.   It can not seperate the two babies genes.   After they took my blood we headed to the check out to pay and wow….they did not charge us  for the test.   That was totally unexpected and shocking, maybe it is because Dr. Heard knows them.  It was so nice.   About 6 days later the result came back, it said XY, so D&K are having at least one boy….how exciting!   But it still leave the question…two boys or one of each…I so hope it is one of each but we will have to wait and see.  Poor, K…she was so excited to determine the gender and yet it is still unknown for sure.   It was really cool to have the test done, I have never heard of it before and it is crazy that they can do that.   And ha…what is with me and surro boys!!

Here is a 12 week belly picture, the babies are certainly growing…

On June 19th, at 12 weeks we had our first visit with my OB, Dr. Lloyd.   We were able to schedule it at at time that both D&K could come and meet the doc     Dr. Lloyd spent some time during the ultrasound chatting with D&K and even after the exam, I thought it was good.   He is usually rushed and having to attend to lots of patients, so I liked that he had some time to talk with us.   However, I asked him about delivery of twins.   He did not give me the answer I was expecting.   I thought he would be willing to do what we could to have c-section as a last resort, but no he said if both babies are not head down, then we will have a c-section.  I asked him if we could do a vaginal delivery if the first twin was head down and he still said no.   I guess I was a tad bit upset inside but I handled it well.   I trust my doc and I understand his thinking about the situation.   These twinkies need to behave and cooperate when delivery comes…swim down babies!!  

This week we had the nuchal translucency scan.  This is a first trimester screen, that is a non-invasive way to calculate the percentage that the baby has a genetic abnormality.    The test includes an ultrasound that will measure the skin fold at the back of the growing baby’s neck and bloodwork.  Dr. Lloyd refered me to Dr. Reiter a perinatalogist for the test.   I asked Dr. Reiter what is a bad measurement for the skin fold and he said anything above 2.5.    He began by observing and measuring baby A.   Baby A’s NT measurement was 1.68 and Baby B’s NT was 1.34…..so based on the skin fold test the babies are safe and healthy.   Dr. Reiter did mention that the blood work is still important and must be factored in before all is cleared as normal, he also added that the result for multiples is not as acurate as a singleton.   I was very happy with the scan and feel so confident that D&k have 2 very strong healthy babies growing.   Baby B was funny and not very cooperative, B just kept wiggling around making it difficult to get the right position for measurement, it was cute and well maybe a sign that D&K might have one trouble maker…hehehe.    The doctor was also able to get a really good and accurate measurement of the twins.   The day of the scan I was 13.1 weeks along, Baby A measured 13.4 weeks with a heartbeat of 154 and Baby B measured 12.6 weeks with a heartbeat of 167.   I am so happy for D&K.    Dr. Reiter is really serious while taking his NT measurements and does not like to talk much while he concentrates, so that makes me feel as if I need to be quiet also, it is kinda funny.   It is also difficult, because when  the ultrasound comes on and you see the babies you just want laugh and sigh at how sweet it is and I wanted to talk with K but felt odd.   And she was so cute because she kept watching his facial expressions and he raised his eyebrows alot and she got nervous wondering what that meant..LOL..she even asked one time and he smiled.  

Surrogacy is great and I love it and yet sometimes it can be a bit odd.  Sometimes, I am not always sure what I should or should not say.   I am usually very open and honest and considerate, but you know sometimes you question yourself and would hate to hurt anyone.   I have never been in the place that an intended mother has been in.  I do not know the pain they have been through and stuggle with.     I just hope that I have made my past IM’s and my current IM, K…feel involved and welcomed and almost like it is their actual pregnancy experience even though I am physically going through it for them.    I know that Ty and K have made me feel so cared about.   They even sympathize and say they wish I did not have the discomfort or pain that comes along with it.  

I am feeling much better this week.   The queezies have just about completely faded, now I just deal with gastrointestinal issues and weird but I am not getting really sleepy.   Normally that is strong during the first trimester, but it has been hitting me hard this week.    In fact, I am very drowsy right now…so this may no be my best journal entry…sorry.

I am still running and exercising, in fact on Sunday I ran 8 miles…I can not believe it!    I did pay for it the next day…LOL…my legs were ver sore.   I felt great though.    Oh and the week before that I ran 7 miles and while also being chased by about 4 horse flys!   They would not leave me alone and I am sure if anyone was watching me they had to be cracking up because I was like really jumpy and waving my arms around and squeeling a little.   Just a mess, and those bugs are just vicious!      I am still seeking a job closer to home but not having much luck.   I guess I am at a cross roads about it because I feel I need to work closer to home for my family,  yet all the doors keep closing.   Then I wonder if God has a different plan for me, maybe I am suppose to stay where I am or maybe I need a completely new path and I am just not aware of it yet.   I love coaching and I feel that God took me in that direction, however sometimes I wonder if it the best thing for my family.  My kids are gettting older and are involved in several activities and I do not want to be the reason they can not participate.    We shall she what happens.