20 wks and the BIG u/s!

20 weeks gone and 20 weeks to go!  It is amazing to me that I am already at that halfway point.  I have officially reached my 1st goal of 20 weeks!  In the early stages, I wondered if I would even make it that far, and now I have...my next goal is 24 weeks and my next appointment!  If I set those little goals to accomplish, then it seems more manageable.

Now, for the information you are all waiting for....

Oh, wait, a picture or two first!  :-)

                                     First signs of Spring

        My two precious daughters - what one does so does the other!

                   My oldest - Blessing - 3 years and 9 months

                             My youngest - Joy - 21 months

Now, onto the doctor's visit today...

Baby A's heartbeat - 143 and Baby A's weight - 14 oz
Baby B's heartbeat - 154 and Baby B's weight - 14 oz

As for developmentally, they are right on track.  According to my doctor, they are measuring beautifully and are in the 60th to 70th percentile for their "age."  She did say that this will probably start to taper off when I hit my 3rd trimester as twins don't grow as fast due to the amount of room available.  As for all of their parts - they are all there and are looking wonderful.  We saw all 4 chambers of the heart on both babies and their spine (which looks closed and shows no signs of defects).  We got to see the babies in 3D for a few minutes and I was able to count fingers and toes on almost all of the appendages.  It is hard to keep track of what I caught and what I didn't!

As for me and how I am doing - I am measuring 32 weeks at my 20 week appointment.  This explains why I have been so short of breath lately.  Just walking up to our 2nd floor and I am winded.  My doctor said just to take it easy and make sure to take plenty of breaks and not push so hard that I am completely unable to catch my breath.  She also said that I am easily winded because 2 babies are taking oxygen from my blood to help sustain them and that my body is naturally having to work harder.  I guess it just means that I need to give myself grace and have plenty of patience as things will continue to take longer and longer!  As for my cervix, it is perfect.  It hasn't changed at all since my last ultrasound 3 weeks ago and my doctor is 80% positive that I will not have pre-term labor and the babies won't come early because I can't carry them.  She will be 100% positive after my next cervical ultrasound in 4 weeks.  The magic number is 2.4 cm in length.  Right now, I am at 4.6 cm in length, so it is looking good!  Now, she did warn me that this doesn't mean that the babies won't come early.  If they start to show signs of stress or if I develop high blood pressure, then we will have to make decisions.  But, she is fairly certain carrying them won't be an issue!  As for my blood pressure, 110/76 which impressed the doctor as well.  And, yes, I did gain more weight.  3 more pounds!  So, the doctor was also pleased with that!

Basically, all is well.  Next appointment is May 7, so will know more then!  So great to know that the babies are developing well and things are right on track!

Normal AFP

Just wanted to let everyone know that I just got a phone call from my doctor's office.  My AFP test was normal!  Praise God!  My doctor had told me that about 75% of the AFP tests done in women expecting twins or more shows positive.  So, this had me a bit concerned that I might have to go through further testing, if the doctor was concerned and I was so inclined.  I left it in God's hands and knew that He would take care of everything!

For those of you who are curious and would like more information about the AFP test.  The following information was taken from the WebMD website (http://www.webmd.com/baby/alpha-fetoprotein-afp-in-blood)

An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test checks the level of AFP in a pregnant woman's blood. AFP is a substance made in the liver of an unborn baby ( fetus). The amount of AFP in the blood of a pregnant woman can help see whether the baby may have such problems as spina bifida and anencephaly. An AFP test can also be done as part of a screening test to find other chromosomal problems, such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21) or Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18). An AFP test can help find an omphalocele, a congenital problem in which some of the baby's intestines stick out through the belly wall.

Normally, low levels of AFP can be found in the blood of a pregnant woman. No AFP (or only a very low level) is generally found in the blood of healthy men or healthy, nonpregnant women.

The level of AFP in the blood is used in a maternal serum triple or quadruple screening test. Generally done between 15 and 20 weeks, these tests check the levels of three or four substances in a pregnant woman's blood. The triple screen checks alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and a type of estrogen (unconjugated estriol, or uE3). The quad screen checks these substances and the level of the hormone inhibin A. The levels of these substances-along with a woman's age and other factors-help the doctor estimate the chance that the baby may have certain problems or birth defects.

Screening tests are used to see what the chance is that your baby has a certain birth defect. If a screening test is positive, it means that your baby is more likely to have that birth defect and your doctor may want you to have a diagnostic test to make sure.

Happy St. Patrick's Day and more!

What a beautiful afternoon!  The sun is shining, my two girls are napping, and I feel good enough to get a few things accomplished (mainly computer business)!

First off, Happy 52nd Birthday to my dear father!  Happy anniversary to my dad and step-mom too!  I pray that you have a blessed day!

Now, onto baby news.  I had another appointment today!  I had forgotten how uneventful "regular" baby checks can be.  So, really I don't have any exciting news.  I was hoping to be able to scan a picture in of the ultrasound but didn't even get a hard copy of a picture today!

So, the babies heartrates are 150 and 154.  So, very close to each other....both the same sex, I don't know!  I had a chance to find out the sex today, but decided against it, for this time.  I guess I just wasn't in the right mood.  Maybe next time.  Sorry to all of you who are more anxious than me about finding out....:-)

I also had a cervical check today, and there was no sign of pre-term labor.  This is a good thing, meaning my body is doing a great job of carrying the two little ones right now.  This is a normal ultrasound test my doctor does on women expecting twins.  I will have two more of these - one in 3 more weeks at my next appointment and the last one 4 weeks after that.

Other than that, the only other exciting news is that I have actually gained weight.  3 pounds!  This is incredible since with my other 2 pregnancies I gained nothing.  The doctor doesn't know if it is just blood volume, baby weight, uterus growth, and placenta/amniotic fluid or if it is actual weight gain.  Nevertheless, she was excited to see a little gain!  I am very surprised as I am still sick.  However, I can say I am feeling better than I was back in December/January/February.  I am only getting sick 2 times a day on average.  This is a good thing!  Maybe it will go away all together and I will have a "normal" rest of the pregnancy!

My next appointment is Friday, April 9.  3 weeks and 2 days away.  At this appointment, they will do another cervical check and will have do a full ultrasound.  At this ultrasound, they will do an anatomy check - checking to make sure the babies are developing correctly.  This doesn't mean I will find out the sexes, just means they will check the heart, lungs, liver, appendages, spine, head, etc. I am excited!  I will probably take a DVD to this appointment and have them record it so my husband can see it, since he will more than likely be at work.

Finally, to those who are curious as to how Joy is doing, she is much better.  The doctor started her on some prednisone on Monday to help with the wheezing.  It definitely was pneumonia.  The doctor couldn't believe how much air she was moving on Monday.  She never suspected pneumonia because Joy wasn't exchanging enough oxygen on Friday.  We are so glad we took her to the ER and had further testing done so she could heal quicker!

Finally, a quick little Joy story....I love to put her to bed, either at nap or night-night time.  We rock and she lays across my arms.  I know she is ready to go to sleep when I ask her for a kiss and she leans up and kisses me.  I then carry her to her crib and lay her down.  I get her all covered up and then put my hand on her forehead and tell her I love her.  I move my hand down her cheek and go to leave the room. Joy always tells me, "I wove you too mommy!"  It is so sweet!  I am cherishing these cuddles with Joy so much!  I know all too soon that those cuddles will not be the same.  Blessing is so sweet too!  She has been kissing the babies in mommies tummy.  Today, however, I took her to the ultrasound to hopefully have her connect and understand more why mommy doesn't have the energy and can't do what she used to do.  Anyway, she told the ultrasound technician that "I changed my mind.  I only want 1 baby instead of two."  However, when the technician asked her if she wanted a brother or a sister, she still answered with "A brother for Joy and a sister for me!"  I love my two girls!

God's blessings to you and I pray you have a Happy St. Patrick's Day today!

Patience

PATIENCE - an 8 letter word which is hard to do

I remember a sign in my mom's kitchen growing up that stated "God grant me patience - BUT I want it right now!" As I have been going along in this parenting journey, I am really starting to understand this. Part of me wonders if God is really trying to teach me patience right now, or if I am truly that bad with patience that I need lessons on patience.  So, below is some lessons on patience I have had the past few weeks...

First off, I have been exhibiting patience (among other things) while waiting for my next OB appointment. Usually, at this stage in the game, baby appointments are about 4 weeks apart, give or take a few days.  Well, the span between my last appointment and my next one is 6 weeks!  The first 4 weeks went by very well - I wasn't anticipating anything.  This week and I am sure next week, are just dragging on.  There are periods of time during the day that I wonder if the babies are ok, if they are growing properly, etc.  This has also been a test of faith - I give the babies to God every morning and know that He is in control of them and my life.  Some days are easier than others, but it is a work in progress - a testing of patience!

Secondly, I have been working on exhibiting patience with my oldest daughter.  I don't know if it is her age or her personality or a combination of both, but she has truly been challenging me these past few weeks.  I have had to take a step back, retake "control," and exhibit patience while disciplining her.  Sometimes I wonder if I expect too much of her, while other times I know I don't expect enough of her.  I really think it is one of those things that is a give and take.  However, I will say, that I have made amazing strides the past 2 weeks.  So much that now my dear husband is almost to the point that I was 2 weeks ago (a parenting breakdown).  We had a chat last night, after he battled our oldest going to bed, about how our daughter knows what to do and how to do it to get daddy beyond the point of frustration and without patience.  We talked about the importance of not showing our frustrations and exhibiting calmness and extreme patience while disciplining.  I have found that it makes the biggest difference!  So, yes, a test of my patience - one that I am passing almost 90% of the time.  The last 10%, usually in the evenings, I am still working on - a work in progress!

Thirdly, patience in the awaiting of Spring.  If there was a sign about Spring similar to the patience sign, I could have it right now.  I enjoy every season - which is part of the reason we live in the middle of Iowa instead of Arizona - but at the end of winter, it is a challenge of patience.  I am ready for the Spring flowers to start poking through the ground - for blossoms to start blooming - for grass to turn green and need mowed - for warmth and not drowned ground so my children can play outside - for sunshine - for the ability to go on picnics and not freeze - etc.  I think you get the idea....I am in the process of making a fresh fruit pizza to remind me of Spring.  This past week I have made several "summer" meals for supper including grilled stuffed pork chops, sauted zucchini, steaks, baked potatos, etc. It truly has helped to lift the mood and has helped me to have more patience while awaiting Old Man Winter to go away!

Finally, I think just patience to get things accomplished overall.  It is amazing how extremely tired I have been this pregnancy  - more so than with my other two.  I have periods during the day where I can accomplish things and periods where I have no energy and need to lie down.  Needless to say, only about half of what I want to accomplish during the day actually gets done.  This is a test of patience for me - remembering what is important and knowing that the rest can wait until tomorrow or the next day or the next day...

So, God truly is teaching me patience, in many ways.  But, I still want it right now!  :-)

Encouraged

The past three weeks have been a challenge as I have been focused on the "what ifs" and the "future". This has been so overwhelming as I wonder several things including how are we going to manage two babies, am I going to have enough love for two babies, and the big question "how are we going to afford two babies at once". Of course, many more thoughts pass through my mind including what happens if I go on bed rest, how am I going to handle my other two children, what will I do if I go into labor, and the crazy ones like I wonder how big I will get, I wonder if I will be able to walk or get our of a chair, etc. All of these thoughts were weighing me down and causing me to worry and fret.

Besides beginning to read the book, Loving God with All Your Mind by Elizabeth George, for women's sunday school class, I have been faithful in praying and giving all my worries and struggles over to God. While being faithful and obedient in handing over todays worries and preparing for the future worries, I have realized how truly blessed we are and have been. I have been really encouraged by things that have been taking place. I wanted to share some of these blessings, not because I want to brag, but because I want to have them written down where I can look back and see them in relationship to this current journey and as a reminder on those tough days.

So, I hope you are encouraged as much as I have been with this list of blessings...(in no particular order)

*A good friend purchased a box and a bag of pampers swaddler newborn diapers to "get us started" in collecting diapers

*A good friend has started collecting duplicate items for me including allowing us to use her infant car seat, her swing, her bouncer, and a second boppy pillow plus she is still looking for other items

*A good friend is allowing me to borrow a large tote of maternity clothes which are already being put to good use!

*A family from church has "adopted one of our babies bums" as they put it, meaning they are going to try to keep up with diapers for one of our babies for the first year

*A member from our church approached me and stated that he/she had been prompted before Christmas to reach out to us, but didn't obey for awhile, and finally decided that she had better. She gave us an envelope with a significant amount of money in it. We will not have to worry about gas for the van for approximately a month (depending on the amount of travel we have to do)

*Another member of the church e-mailed and wants to help by providing a date night for my husband and I and possibly some cleaning time (she offered meals but I am actually managing in that area)

*The former renters of where we lived felt prompted by God and provided my way to go to a woman's retreat on February 5 and 6 in Ames and my husband watched the children so I could be recharged

*A local mother of twins and a church member who has twins has offered words of encouragement and support

*I called a church member to check in and make sure she was doing well and she encouraged me more than I feel I encouraged her

*All the snow we have gotten has been pushed away and our driveway is driveable

*My dear husband is switching positions where he works and is receiving a significant pay raise and more time here at home with working 4 10 hour days instead of 5 8 hour days

I am sure there are many others, but these are the ones that have happened in the last couple of weeks that really stick out in my mind.

It truly is amazing how God works and how when I am feeling challenged in my faith and questioning things, He finds a way to show me "who is boss." It doesn't always take big blessings like these to make me see "who is boss." Sometimes it is just a prompt to read a bible passage or the ability to bless someone else and see their reaction. Sometimes it is just getting on my knees. However, this time God knew what I needed for encouragement and provided. I have given Him my worries and know that twins is a part of his big plan and purpose. Is it still overwhelming, oh yes, but manageable and not so burdening. God is good!!!

Be encouraged, I am!

Pregnancy lay-out

I have decided to document various portions of this pregnancy. Many reasons exist, the main one being so I can look back and see God's provision and blessing through out. The mere fact that we are having twins is challenging my faith - but in a good way. I truly believe that God has a plan and a purpose, it is just a matter of him revealing that to us!

I had my first "official" OB appointment today. I was actually able to have a wonderful conversation with my doctor. She just has a way of easing my mind and reassuring me that things will be ok. Even when I was sobbing in her office before our 2nd was born because our baby was breech and I was unable to do a VBAC, she calmed my mind and eased my fears. I am so thankful to God for doctors like that.

So, the lay of the pregnancy, so to speak. The doctor did what she had to and we had a conversation of truly how high risk of a pregnancy is this. Since I have had 2 previous C-sections and have an abundance of scar tissue (anybody want some?), she said it is not completely high risk, but not a normal pregnancy either, due to having twins. She said she would be more concerned if this was my 4th, 5th, or 6th c-section. However, she did say that there is a risk. So, the plan is as follows:

Normal routine blood tests, glucose screenings, etc. will occur just like with a singleton pregnancy. The difference is going to come in how closely they monitor the babies and my body. I will have an ultrasound the next 3 visits, including a check of my cervix to determine how high of a risk I am for preterm labor. I laughed at the doctor and told her I have never gone into labor with my other two kids....she laughed at me and said God has a way of making things happen. Anyway, she said if everything looks good, then we can all relax a little.

The next visit is actually not until March 17. At this time, I will be 16w6d along. The ultrasound tech requested a little longer time between this visit and the next so she could get better pictures of development. After that, I will probably go back to normal 4 week visits. It definitely seems like an eternity - another faith test from God!

So, the doctor said then, that once I get to 30 weeks, we will do an ultrasound every 2 weeks. At around 34 weeks, she will start doing non-stress tests either weekly or bi-weekly depending on how I am feeling and doing. She said that this is just precaution on her end to make sure that the babies are both doing well in the womb. She also said that ultrasounds will be done as needed if the tests show any abnormal results.

Finally, we discussed a delivery date, pending everything goes as planned. She told most twins are delivered between 36 and 38 weeks. However, if the mom is doing well, she likes to go closer to 39 weeks. I immediately told her that I wanted to wait until August as my other two precious daughters have July birthdays. She laughed and said no problem. So, the projected delivery date will be August 17, 2010. Just typing that excites me! God truly is already working on my heart to prepare me for the arrival of my two little miracles.

God is also working on my heart to just help me to trust Him more and not worry or fret about the future. I have to lean on Him on a daily basis and take one day at a time. God is good! Like I said, there is a plan and a purpose for my life and my families life. How exciting to walk through it. How scary at the same time! :-)

Finally, I had an ultrasound today as well to check for heartbeats. The doctor couldn't find them with the doppler, which she warned me about before trying. So, baby A's heartbeat is 150 and baby B's heartbeat is 158. So, they are closer together now!

Well, look for more updates in the future. I can't wait to see how God continues to prepare my heart and the hearts of my family! God is so good!

The ultrasound shows...

TWINS!

Yes, you read that right, twins! There were two fetuses, two placentas, and two amniotic fluid sacs. My doctor told me that that is the best case scenerio for someone with my OB history. That was music to my ears.

Baby A and Baby B, as the doctor's office refers to them, both have heartbeats as well! Baby A's heartbeat is 154 and Baby B's heartbeat is 186. So, if the old wives' tale is correct, we could be looking at a boy and a girl.

We know that God is in control of everything and are just leaning on him for strength. We are both feeling a little overwhelmed and a little apprehensive at the same time. I am doing my best to hold what is true and what is right up to God's standard and as a result some of the following bible verses are running through my mind on a constant basis.

6 So be truly glad.[a] There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 1 Peter 1:6 (This is helping with the sickness I have been and still am enduring.)

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (This is helping me to remember that God knows what he is doing.)

I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:2 (Helping me to continue praising Him who creates.)

God will provide. In some ways I think that this may be a way God is testing me to see how much faith that I have. I am standing firm in His word and know that He provides all! TWINS! What a double blessing!!!