Team Pink x 2!!!!!

We had a quick little ultrasound on Monday to measure my cervix (check for signs of preterm labor), and the tech was able to get a peek at Baby A's parts. Actually, you couldn't HELP but get a peek - SHE was straddling my cervix with her legs wide open! Yep, a second girl! I am not at all surprised, as that's what I've been convinced we were having from the beginning. We have no way of knowing whether they're identical or fraternal at this point; since they have separate sacs and placentas, there is only a 25% chance they are identical, though. At this point, we won't know until they're born, and even then, sometimes the only way to tell is by genetic testing.

So now we have to come up with a second girl name....any ideas, anyone???? I don't want to be calling them "Mackenzie and Baby A" for too long!

We also met with the perinatologist, who said my mesasurements are good, with no sign of preterm labor....which means no bedrest yet! Yay! And I gained one pound in the last 3 weeks, which is still not quite what they originally wanted, but at least I'm gaining now...the nausea meds are working.

I remember after my miscarriage last year, thinking, "What if that was my baby girl?? And if I never get another chance?" I guess the Lord heard my cries, because now He's doubly blessing me.

Recent pics

Here are some recent pics of Anthony - sorry it's taken so long. These are from a free concert we went to in Yucaipa a couple weeks ago, with Dan and Gloria. Anthony had fun chasing bubbles, and was exhausted by the evening's end.

Ultrasound and Test Results

This is Baby A, laying across the bottom (you can kind of see the shadow of Baby B above Baby A). S/he was not cooperating with the ultrasound tech and would not let us get very good photos or measurements, let alone give us a chance to see gender. But s/he looks alright. They are laying one on top of the other.








This is Baby B, otherwise known as Mackenzie Rose Clark. SHE was very cooperative and showed us her girl parts! Now, of course, since we were only 12 weeks 6 days, the u/s tech said we can't hold her to this, but I saw the parts too and I knew from the beginning of the pregnancy that I was having at least one girl - I could just tell! Mother's instinct! Darrell still doesn't really want to believe it - was hoping for 2 more boys!!!





Here's another shot of Mackenzie. So cute in that little alien kind of way! Hard to believe there are two babies growing inside me!!!











Sorry it took so long for me to post these. These are from our July 30 ultrasound. I've just not been feeling so great, and haven't had the energy or motivation to do much. Sorry if the lack of posting caused anyone concern!!! My blood work came back great - no sign of Down's Syndrome. Yay! The normal risk for someone my age is about 1/700, and with my measurements and labs, my actual risk came back as 1/2500, so they consider that a negative result.

My nausea had gotten really bad, and I hadn't gained any weight in 3 weeks (they want me to gain 1 lb/week), so the perinatologist put me on two meds - Reglan and Vistaril. They seem to have done the trick, and as long as I take them on schedule, I feel pretty good and can eat almost anything. It's nice to have somewhat of an appetite again.

I started my weekly progesterone injections last week. OUCH!!! It is supposed to help prevent preterm labor, but oooohhhh my buttock was sore!! I'm due for another today - yay!!

My next appointment is August 20 with the perinatologist for a cervical ultrasound - this measures the cervix to check for signs of preterm labor. I'm hoping I can get the u/s tech to take a peek at Baby A while she's in there and see what color team Baby A is on - pink or blue! Then on August 27, I have a regular OB appointment, and then on September 4, I have my next big growth ultrasound at the peri's office. They're definitely keeping good tabs on me!!

Say a prayer for my little sister Kristina; she left for a mission trip in Belize today. I hope she has a great time and stays safe!

12 weeks and counting...

The 2nd trimester is so close I can taste it! 14 weeks is only 9 days away! In the meantime, I feel like the laziest, most useless wife in history. Poor Darrell is having to do everything, because even though I'm not on strict bedrest, any amount of housework sends me right back to bed with horrible cramps (probably contractions). Even helping Anthony clean up the toys in his room this evening, with the minimal bending over and retrieving things that involves, caused pain in my belly. Plus I am nauseous all the time and I have very little energy. Darrell spent SO many hours cleanin this weekend...I feel so useless and unhelpful. And he has been working so much overtime at the office too. I just feel so completely helpless and I feel so bad for him.

Speaking of nausea...this truly sucks. I am hungry - I mean STARVING - ALL the time. I could eat a decent sized meal and an hour and a half to two hours later, I'm starving again. Which, under normal circumstances, might actually be fun - I mean, I do love food after all. But right now, when virtually nothing sounds appealing and most things I think of make me want to gag, it's not a good combination to have. My days are filled with dread for the next stomach rumble, because then I have to rummage through the frig, freezr and pantry in search of something that sounds at least minimally appealing that I think I can get past the lump in my throat. And most of the time if something DOES sound good, it's because I saw someone make it on the Food Network, and we don't have the ingredients here to whip it up. Ugh...Someone want to come live with us and be our chef???

Tomorrow is our first really "big" ultrasound, during which they do the Nuchal Translucency test. This is a high-resolution ultrasound where they take measurements on all the body parts, check for heart functioning, and look for particular markers for Down's Syndrome. Plus they do some blood work. I'm a little nervous about it - just want everything to be okay. I think that's why I can't sleep tonight! Occasionally people are able to find out the sex of the babies at this time, but not typically - that usually has to wait until 4 weeks or so.

Meanwhile, I did rent a doppler online and have been using it daily to listen to the babies' heartbeats. It gives me so much reassurance in between doc's visits and ultrasounds to be able to check any time I want.

Anthony was sick this week - I think with roseola. He spiked a high fever Tuesday night, which continued all day Wednesday. Thursday a.m. he was down some at 101, but by mid-afternoon it was back up to 103. But the wierd thing was other than being cranky and lethargic when the fever was high, and having a mildy stuffy nose (not even running), he didn't have any other symptoms. Friday the fever was gone, then today he woke up with a rash covering his belly and chest. It doesn't bother him. I researched it and it sounds like classic roseola.

I guess that's all for now. I am really going to try to figure out how to get the cameras to load onto this laptop so I can put some recent photos up - I know it's been a while.

Oh yeah, and if anyone is feeing an overwhelming urge to go shopping, and want an excuse for someone other than yourself - I desperately need some maternity clothes!!! The few I had from last time are winter clothes, and may I tell you the temp has averaged 110 here for over a month now. And it typically doesn't cool down until after Halloween. I have no shorts and only 3 t-shirts that fit, and 2 pairs of cropped khakis. That's it, period. Heck, even the boxer shorts and tanks I wear to bed are getting too tight! Yikes! I need to go on a shopping spree at Old Navy and JC Penny!

Ok, that really is all for now. I'll update you on the u/s and test results when we get them!
Thanks for everyone's prayers!

11 Weeks Tomorrow

Well, I didn't even make it out of the 1st trimester before I got taken off work! I've been off the past 2 weeks, and today my OB took me off for the remainder of the pregnancy! I have had constant cramping and some minor spotting, and because I am so high risk, my OB just felt that it would be safer to not have me working. While I'm okay with the concept of this, it will make the pocketbooks more than a little tight! I am praying and praying and praying, and know we just have to trust that God is going to see us through this.

I did have a quick ultrasound last Friday, just to check the heartbeats, and both babies' heart rates were 167 beats/minute, which is good and strong.

The nausea has definitely picked up over the past few weeks. I am supposed to be consuming 3500 calories/day, and gaining 1 lb/week, but because not a whole lot appeals to me these days, I've had a hard time achieving that. In particular, I'm having a hard time taking in enough protein, as meat hasn't been very appetizing to me. I AM craving a good steak, though! I'm also having migraines several times a week, which is no fun and adds to the nausea.

My next appt and ultrasound is scheduled for July 30 - two weeks from today. Yay!

Twin Ultrasound Pics

The first pic is of both twins; Baby B is on the left and Baby A is on the right. This pic doesn't show Baby B very clear, so there is a single pic of Baby B below.
I read somewhere that the babies are the size of a grape this week. All of the major joints are working and moving, and the heart has divided into 4 chambers as the valves are forming. External sex organs have started to develop, but are not yet distinguishable as boy or girl!

Amazing how two little grapes can wreak such havock in my big body!!

It's Official - Twins!!

Well, we had our first appt with the perinatologist today, along with an ultrasound. Both babies are there with strong heartbeats!! I am 8 weeks, 2 days, with a due date of Feb 5, 2008. The peri spent quite a while with us after the u/s going over my history and medical record, and developing a plan. I will have to start doing progesterone shots at 14 weeks due to my history of preterm labor and premature rupture of membranes. For now, I'm on oral progesterone. I will be having ultrasounds every 4 weeks with the peri for now. My next OB appt is July 11, and my next appt and u/s with the peri is July 30.

I have had more nausea this week, though no actual throwing up. Am hoping it will be short-lived, since it didn't start til 8 weeks.

Wow, can you believe it? Twins!

And on tonight's menu...

Ok, so I feel blessed that so far, I haven't had any significant nausea to speak of. A bit queasy here and there, especially if I don't eat often, but for the most part, the ginger has been keeping it at bay.

However, I have developed aversions to things, and they're not consistent. One day, I can't stand the idea of eggs or shrimp or fish of any kind, and the next, I'm craving it. Or, I start eating something that sounds great, only to decide two bites in that if I take another bite, I might start gagging!

But the BEST part is the cravings. I am totally ashamed to admit that I ate not one, not two, but THREE Kellogg's rice krispie treats yesterday. Usually I can't even finish a whole one because they are so sweet, but I am totally craving them now - went to Sam's Club and bought the mega-box! I haven't looked to see how many calories are in them, because I'm scared to!

Also frequently on my menu these days...ice cream, oreos & milk, Hawaiian bread w/ margarine, Cookie Crisp cereal, and Skittles. Can we say, "major sweet tooth?" Oh my gosh, the carbs! But it's not just a matter of craving - they're the only things that even sound remotely appetizing. I tried eating a salad last night, and choked most of it down, but it was so not appealing!

Let's hope this is just a first trimester thing!

Pray for two heartbeats!!

Well, here we go again...we are expecting again!! Only this time, there are two little beans in there instead of just one! That's right, we're having twins! We found out I was pregnant on May 30. I had my first OB appt and ultrasound this past Thursday, 6/14, and that's when the doc found twins...but we could only see one heartbeat so far. However, I am still very early, not even 7 weeks yet, so the doc thinks it may have just been too early to see the second one. He is referring me to the perinatologist (high risk OB) for another u/s in the next few weeks, so we will know more then. In the meantime, we are praying the second little bean starts growing and that we have two strong heartbeats at the next u/s. I guess there is a pretty high rate of pregnancies that start out with two and end up with only one, but at the same time, I have also heard from many women who saw only one heartbeat, or even no heartbeat, at their 6 week ultrasound, only to have two strong heartbeats 2-3 weeks later, so I am not giving up hope! Let the thrill ride begin!!

Long time, no blog

Yes, yes, yes, I know...I haven't been keeping up on blogging. My laptop has been on the fritz for like 6 months, BUT, I finally got a new laptop this past week, so hopefully will be able to catch everyone up on what's been going on in our lives. But not tonight...am tired and going to bed! I will have to find my software CD for my camera, and load it onto this computer so I can upload photos. Also have to figure out how to get my photos and stuff off my old computer and onto this one...hopefully won't be too hard. For now, I'm going to bed and trying to stay cool - it's been HOT HOT HOT here. Summer is definitely here, and I dread knowing that it won't be cool again til Halloween! Oh well, that's what the beach is for, I suppose, as well as our friends' house in Calimesa, where it is still hot during the day but it actually cools off in the evenings.