Family Pic 2014

Dos Bambinos are growing big and doing well. 20 months old and healthy as we could possibly imagine. I am so incredibly happy to say that we have found our happiness again. Loving our little family!

Sending the boys to Mars!

Hospitalized

Well, I got through with my Shower and then that Thursday, I was admitted for PIH (Pregnancy Induced Hypertension). So I have been in this same room since 1/24. So far things are going well. I haven't updated like I should, but I decided to start a facebook page to do updates because it seems easier and my husband can update, too. 

Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dos-Bambinos-Updates/464511003602609

The "Little Men" Shower

Today my Sisters and Mom threw a fantastic "Little Men" Shower for me and the boys. It was fantastic. Tons of family and friends showed up to the Tuscan Hills Winery to celebrate the upcoming arrivals. Yes. My baby shower was at a Winery. I figured if I couldn't drink, at least everyone else should be able to :)

We feel so fortunate to have such wonderful people in our lives. To say we were overwhelmed, would be an understatement. After opening the gifts, I stood to thank all of my guests and completely broke down. These people have been there for us since day 1 and it was so absolutely heart-filling to be able to thank them for being there for us from Sophia to this day. I am so incredibly blessed to be where I am today. More pictures to come!

28w5d Update

Dos Bambinos Update: The little guys are measuring at 2.8 and 2.9 lbs. BP starting to crawl up, but it is being watched. Swelling in the feet and ankles came back when I went back to work this week, so that stinks.

Appts. every Friday from here on out. First NST this week and Shower next Sunday. This week also marks the gestation we lost Sophia, so if we can get through to Sunday, we will be farther along than ever before. Might be a complete headcase this week, so forgive me.

29 weeks Sunday!

A New Year

This year we start with a bambino update. The boys are measuring 1lb 14 oz. and 2lb 4 oz. respectively. I have 4 lbs of baby in me and I can't tell you how happy that makes me. Everything is looking good. My pre-e panels are coming back normal. Growth scans are coming back with them measuring in the 51st and 77th percentile. Blood pressure is holding, but starting to creep up, but I am already at 26w2d.

Last night we were at a party, and I can't tell you how many times I got asked if I felt left out. My true answer was no. I felt so incredibly happy to sit their with my grape juice or water and feel my boys bouncing all around.

This year could mean some very good things for us. I am determined not to leave the hospital empty handed this time. Shower is coming up and good things are on the way. I can feel it. Happy New Year!!

Follow-up

Follow-up to bad MFM appt: Office manager called today and apologized profusely. She reassured me that I would not have to see that woman again and that there is no excuse for a Dr, let alone a MFM, to call a baby damaged.

She also hinted that this Dr would not be invited back to the facility, as she is being brought in from the East Coast to help out with the large caseload.

I was in tears after the call, but it was because I felt like I actually mattered this time and that my boys would be taken care of. One day at a time....

The Anatomy Scan post-appt from Hell.

So Wednesday, we had our a/s. All went well with the scan and the sonographer did a great job keeping us informed. We joined Team Blue and all was good... next thing I know, we are meeting with some kooky MFM that I didn't realize was part of the practice.

She starts out by asking DH all kinds of questions when I am in doing my urine sample. He is getting all flustered. I walk in and she says, " So I see we are just now taking over your care...?" Uh no, I have been with you guys since the end of Sept. Dr gets more scatterbrained from there. She starts asking about how Sophia died. Why did she die? What caused it? Blah, Blah Blah.

The whole time I am thinking 1. How are my boys? 2. Read my damn chart. 3. Is this really happening? I said something to the effect that I don't want my pre-e symptoms to be overlooked this time, as I present abnormally. And she replied that even if they would have taken the baby early... babies born before 30 weeks are damaged. YES, you read that right... damaged. She fucking told me that my daughter would have been damaged. I told her at least she would be alive. I also told her that I disagree completely as I have a sister born at 24 weeks who is a very healthy 22 yr old today.

I finally got her to change the subject and she nonchalantly mentions that the BABY is measuring a week behind, which is in the normal range. I had to ask her if the other one was ok, and she looked confused. I then explained to her that I was indeed having twins and were both of them behind... "Oh, Oh, Uh, Yes... " Que up mistrust and fight or flight feelings....

Needless to say we didn't trust a word the woman said all appt. I called my NP to ask her to go over the u/s and a Nurse called back saying all looked normal, but my NP would call back and answer more questions. The Nurse sounded horrified. I also asked not to see this MFM ever again.

Good gravy, I could have killed that woman. If you made it this far, thanks :) The boys seem to be just fine :)

Carrying on the Name

As Grandpa R put it, "The "R" name will carry on!"
2 little R boys are happily sumo wrestling their way into the World.
Squeee!

A BIG week

This Wednesday, we have our targeted ultrasound, otherwise known as the anatomy scan. To say we are excited is an understatement. To say I am terrified, is also an understatement. I have been quiet the last month, while things have been good. I have been sick as a dog most evenings, but I try to take that in stride. To be honest, it has just been quiet.

This past week, I have started to dream of losing the babies, or one baby. I am trying my best to stay positive, but I am finding there are moments where it is all but impossible. I am worried for the babies I feel everyday. I find myself counting the weeks until I am at the most crucial of points in the past. Today, I am 19 weeks, which in my weakest moments puts me only 10 weeks away from devastation. I don't know if you can understand that if you have not been through a late loss.

Tyler has been wonderful through all of this. His arms are my safe place and I don't know what I would do without them or him. I am truly lucky when it comes to my life partner and family.

On another note, I did have my baseline EKG come back abnormal. My follow-up was this past week and I now know that I have a slight heart murmur and 2 leaky valves, with no need for further treatment. Can't be easy ;) 

Will try to update more the further along we get. Here's to hoping...

Happy Halloween!

*sigh*

Night sickness at 15w, I loathe you. That is all.

14 week pic

Last weekend we were fortunate to get a weekend away to our family's cabin on the river. It is beautiful in the Fall and was nice to just get away from it all. While we were there, we had some pics taken. This is one of my favorites:

The new Momma Mobile

Today we came home with a new Subaru Outback. It has all the thrills and frills I was looking for. Sunroof.. check!  Bluetooth.. check! #1 in Safety.. check! I have it in the garage and it is so nice looking. 

After making our big purchase, we hurried for lunch and then I went to my pre-natal appt. Everything went really well. We have hb's of 160 and 165. :) Honestly, when things are going like this... I just don't have much to say. We are good. Today we are good and that is all I can ask for. 

Next up is my appt. in 2 weeks when we will start cervix checks, which is somewhat of a relief, just in case. I meet with Dr. C, who is actually all the way from Brown University, who is doing research here on cervical changes. Nice to know I am in good hands :)

Twin Must Haves?

I am reaching out to all the MoMs (Mothers of Multiples) and Moms out there. What are the must have products we will need? I was pretty confident when getting ready for Sophia, but it has been 3 years and things have changed.... like getting ready for 2 babies.

Do you have any must haves that I need to know about? I am planning on getting Baby Bargains... but you know how it is... word from your girlfriends goes that much further. Thanks!

The Car Files

With 2 little babies on the way.... it is time to get rid of the Corolla. My Roxie has been such a good car. She was my first married woman purchase and has been with my since 2004. This car has been everywhere... Toronto, Florida, New Orleans and all around the Midwest. I love my Roxie, but let's face it... a compact girl doesn't really scream twin momma.

We have 2 front-runners right now: the Toyota Venza and the Subaru Outback. So many choices and my head is swimming! We will see where this takes us!

Toyota Venza

Subaru Outback

Friday Fun Day

Met first with the MFM (maternal-fetal medicine) Nurse Practitioner and she was really nice. She listened to my concerns and mentioned that Dr. K (the MFM) would decide if he needed to see me or not. I insisted that I wanted to meet him and have a consult with him like I was scheduled.

We then went in for our NT scan. We were in for like 30-45 minutes because dos bambinos don't like their backs! One was looking right at us with both hands up. The other was free floating on its belly. They were so cute wiggling around. We finally got the measurements needed and will get blood results soon. Both were measuring 11w6d, which is great.

Next up was the MFM consult with Dr. K. Big surprise.... I really like him AND I am definitely with him for the long haul. He was very understanding to my needs and very receptive to my pre-e past. I am not sure what the whole stink was getting in with him.... but I feel very comfortable with my care. I will be going in every 2 weeks and then every week once we get closer. Lots of u/s planned at appropriate times. All is good. 

Thank you for all the well wishes. We are pretty much loving every day we get with these little beans.

A Vent: A Day not to be Repeated

This has nothing to do with the babies. In fact, I am completely excited to have 3... yes 3, appointments tomorrow to discuss my future plans with a NT Scan to boot. 

Today though, has sucked royally. I have had my lunch "lost". I have had to stuff my face with greasy food to make up for lost time, and I have almost had a huge SUV take me out, run me off the road and then have the gall to flip me off for honking at her after cutting me completely off. Not only that, but I have to be at work from 7:30am-8:30pm for conferences.

Needless to say, I am ready to leave and not come back. I feel like I am at the brink of a breakdown.... and it is for no good reason. Here is to hoping tonight goes better.

Little Wiggles

After receiving some devastating news about a very dear and close friend today, I was a mess getting to my OB appt. Our good news is that everything is perfect. Both babies are looking beautiful, now measuring on track with HBs of 183 and 175. 

My heart is so very heavy for my friend. Today, I am thankful for my babies' health, but I am sending all of my love to ML and her family.

Seeing the Beans today :)

Today I have my last u/s ordered by my RE. They are actually sending me to a regular radiologist due to being past 9 weeks. I am actually 10w5d now! After our u/s, I have my pre-natal appointment with my OB's office. I am hoping after today that I will feel like we have a plan to keeping me and the babies as safe as possible. I will update later!