Where are we today?

Where are we today?

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Pics from the First Ultrasound

So I finally have the scanner set back up and we can scan and post pics. I know I promised the U/S pics earlier, but, here they are ...

Tomorrow is the bigger day though. We get another u/s and if all is well, we move over to the "regular" OBGYN.

Its kinda weird. I guess I personally feel a bit weird that we are moving over to someone else after these folks have done so much to take care of us and advise us. I'm sure they'll stay tuned in, but what if the OBGYN isn't as attentive? What's the whole switchover like?

Anyway, in spite of my own questions, I guess the cool thing about it, is that they are bascially saying ... "You guys are now like everyone else having a baby!"

Wicked cool.

So tomorrow, based on the last couple of weeks, shouldn't show anything different, but you never know. We are still trying to be realistic. Something might have changed, but, God Willing, we will see two heartbeats, yet again, and be well on our way to the next step (there are sooooo many however).

Anyway, didn't I start this with something about pics? Don't worry if it seems like a bunch of static ... we watch way too much TV these days :)

Monday, April 16, 2007

Pocket Aces!!!!!! ... (He Said)

Well, today was the big day. Our first ultrasound.

We had tried to figure out how far along we were, but it seems there are like a million different methods to calculate how many weeks pregnant you are. Some start 2 weeks before the first missed period, some start with the retrieval, some the transfer. So to date, we've had 3 different counts, so it was hard to figure out whether or not we should be hoping for a heartbeat this early or what.

So anyway, we got there today, and fortunately didn't have to wait long. Nancy was feeling pretty sick and I'm sure the nerves weren't helping.

Anyway, the first part of the ultrasound was quick and they found not 1 but 2 gestational sacs!

Basically that means that both embyos implanted successfully, but there was still another hurdle. She told us that it was far enough along that we should be looking for heartbeats in step 2.

So, step 2 got started and they decided to check the one on the left first.

I could see them zoom in and this little flickering static thing right in the center of the sac. A heartbeat! 128 beats per minute which we're told is perfect! And the fetus was 6mm, which we were also told is just the right size!

(oh btw, we're 6 weeks and 3 days according to the ultrasound tech)

So then they decided to check the one on the right ...

They zoomed in and bingo! Same little flickering static thing in the ultrasound. Heartbeat #2! 124 beats per minute and 6mm in size!

I've got to say it was quite exciting to see them zoom in and see the little hearts beating.

So suffice it to say, we're on cloud nine. But with twins ... a lot is going to change and fast. A new house, new baby stuff, all things we are going to have to start thinking about.

A lot can still happen we know, so we're still somewhat cautiously optimistic, but its seeming a whole lot more real after today. We're going to be parents!

So our follow up is going to be on the 27th, nearly 2 weeks away, but after that, they may signoff and send Nancy to her regular OB/GYN.

Wow. Its been such a long process (nearly five years), its still just setting in that there's going to be TWO little ones running around (God willing).

Looks like we might need to buy another baby toupee!

That's what he said anyway ...

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

The Waiting is the Hardest Part ... (He Said)

So, we haven't posted in a little while.

I'm not sure if it's because there's nothing to report (which there isn't) and as such it would just be ramblings from our waiting, exhausted minds or on the other hand because we'd just prefer to wait until we had some further sign that we had reached the next milestone.

So, I'm going to post anyway. Truth is, we ARE waiting ... and waiting and waiting.

That's really all there is to say ... except ...

Morning Sickness and Nasuea: True
Extremely Tired: True
Heartburn: True, true, but that was always true

There's no reason for us to think anything but the best, we're just approaching that time when all of the great signs have been misleading before.

Still, I can tell by looking at my wife that she's undergoing a beautiful, but clearly uncomfortable change. There's a difference this time that I can see.

Now I need to really kick it into gear and help make sure that Nancy, who is always willing to do too much, doesn't need to even think about it.

Oh, on a side note ...

since I've been convinced that its twins ... I've been referring to them as "twiglets"

Twins doesn't sound like such a fun term, so I thought I had invented my own ... don't get me wrong ... if its a single, we are TOTALLY happy with that but ...

Apparently, the "cutesy" term I thought I had invented (of course I did) means something completely different overseas ...

That's what he said anyway ...

Thursday, April 5, 2007

Not Always Tiptoeing Through the Tulips ... but somehow always Tiptoeing ... (He Said)

Well, I guess it is fair to say that not every day can be a great day ... there's always something that brings you around and makes you question whether or not its better to wait and see and keep an even keel or go for broke.

Today, Nancy had her follow-up beta. Scored over 5900. Sounds great right?

Well, in truth it is. No reason to think otherwise, but there has been a very brief period of spotting.

We both know that it isn't something that is indicative either way, but it does remind my beautiful, courageous wife of our first time through. It's just one of those things that, well, after having been through this more than a few times, doesn't ring a "woohoo" bell.

We've got an ultrasound date ... which we're DEFINATELY thinking is too far away now, but, honestly ...

I just have this feeling that we're still solid ... and not just solid, but solid with multiples. We'd be blessed even for one but ... let's talk about omens for a moment ...

I was at a lunch with friends from work today ... to say goodbye to a colleague ... and here were my signs ...

1) I sat across from a guy who is the parent of 2 sets of twins
2) On the way out, I ran into another colleague whom I didn't even realize had a sibling ... sitting with his twin brother
3) back at work I spoke to the unforseseen twin and he mentioned that another co-worker at the same restaurant was there too at a kind of "mothers of twins" group

Okay call me crazy, but I CAN'T help but read into that.

That's what he said anyway ...

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

One down ... who knows how many left to go ... (She Said)

BFP! BFP! BFP! My beta today was 2118 at 16dp3dt (16 days post 3 day transfer). What a relief to see the number.

Even though the last six HPT's have all shown positive, it's nice to see the confirmation in a quantitative measurement.

My next beta is scheduled for Thursday. I would say we are off to a great start.

That's what she said anyway ...

Sunday, April 1, 2007

Anticipation ... (She Said)

I just can't stop peeing on a stick!

I'm addicted. I keep thinking back to our first IVF cycle 3 years ago. I completely expected to get pregnant. Our odds of getting pregnant were less than 10% but that did not discourage me.

I knew nothing about IVF previous to the start of our cycle, about getting pregnant, or what things could go wrong. Oh to be ignorant again. To live in the land where you take one step at a time and enjoy it.

Well funny thing happened in our first cycle. We did get pregnant ... and we did have great beta's ... and we did see a heartbeat on the first ultrasound ... and then….we miscarried at 8.3 weeks.

Since that time I have realized that even with all of the good signs, life has a funny way of showing you that you're not calling all of the shots. Plus I have "learned" a heck of a lot more regarding what can go wrong.

What hasn't changed from the first time? I still completely expected to get pregnant and I still don't know ALL of the things that could go wrong. Honestly, I'm not in any rush to find out either.

So for now, 5 consective days of seeing | | is ok with me.

That's what she said anyway ...