8 Weeks and Counting!

Today was our first "official" OB ultrasound and started the 8th week of our pregnancy!  The twins looked perfect and had beautiful little heartbeats of 165 and 169.  Twin A even moved a touch for us...though he/she decided to stop when we tried to watch!  Other than a bleed last week from a mild subchorionic hemorrhage (which is no longer even visible on the ultrasound), I have done wonderfully!  I certainly have lots of pregnancy "symptoms," but nothing that I can't handle with lots of gratitude for the opportunity. 

As you can see by the photos and video, Adam is one seriously proud Daddy!  He brings his camera to every appointment and anxiously awaits "permission" to take a photo or two. 

We are very happy that all is well and will likely announce our news to the world (aka Facebook) around week 12.  But, for our faithful blog followers, these are for you!

6 Amazing Days Later...

Our babies!

Today was our second ultrasound and was somewhat "informal."  One of my collegues offered to do it for us, since we were anxious to verfiy that the babies did indeed have beating hearts.  He and his wife/nurse were in the room with Adam and I.  Since we all know each other, it was nice to share a moment like this with people who really cared about us and knew what we had endured the past 2 years to get to this moment!  Once he placed the probe, both sacs and babies were easily seen...with their tiny hearts just beating away!  It was really amazing to see them "wiggle" (more like a vibration) and to see them so close to each other!  Both are measuring perfectly and seem quite healthy!  On a side note, we did see a tiny sac of Embryo/Blast #3...but clearly it didn't make it (which we suspected based on our third blood test results). 

We are thrilled and so happy!  The blood flow to my uterus was wonderful (which was a change from our previous studies) and each baby had a healthy developing umbilical cord with good blood flow. 

Our next ultrasound is July 23.  I can't wait, as that will be 8 weeks!  We feel very blessed for every moment that we get with this pregnancy and can't wait to see who these two little "beans" become!

Houston...We Have Twins!!!

Today was our first pregnancy ultrasound, and things could not have gone any better!  We are officially 5 weeks and 4 days pregnant!  Our ultrasound today was mainly to count the number of gestational sacs and to look for any "problems" that could be occurring with the pregnancy.  At this stage of the process, we didn't expect to see anything but gestational sacs...no babies or heartbeats.  But...we were super fortunate today because we saw two fetal poles (soon-to-be babies) and both had a little "flicker" of a heartbeat!  They measure 2 days ahead, which is a good sign as well!

For those who know little about ultrasounds (and since most people never seen an ultrasound this early), the little"x's" mark the ends of the fetal poles.  The big black spot is the gestational sac.  If you can't make heads of tales of it...don't worry...more will come!  I couldn't help but smile when I saw a little "twinkle" in our doc's eye...and when one of our nurses was cheering behind him while he did the ultrasound!  I can't wait for our main nurse to hear the news, if she hasn't already!

Obviously, this is super early and lots of things can change on a dime.  But for now, we are blissfully happy and just hope and pray these little ones stay in place for another 31 weeks or so!!!

What a Difference a Year Makes...Happy 4th of July!!!

This morning, while thinking about tomorrow's upcoming national holiday, I couldn't help but reflect on this past year.  Last July 4, we invited Mom, Dad, and 2 other couples to our home for a BBQ and fireworks (courtesy of our neighbors mostly).  Adam and I had completed our first IVF cycle at that point, but had not yet had our official beta-HCG test (blood). I knew I wasn't pregnant, and I was crushed.  Furthermore, I was miserable.  My hips were blood red and sore to the point where I couldn't even lean back in the lawn chair...I sat on the edge and tried not to let my sides touch anything.  It was a tough holiday to endure...even with great company.

Tomorrow, just one year later, our entire life has changed!  This year, my hips are bruised and a tad sore, but for the best reason ever!  After 4 cycles, we are pregnant. And next year, we may be enjoying the holiday with 1-3 little ones!  Amazing!

While I'm not very proud of our President and government, I am proud to live in this country.  I'm proud to be the beneficiary of technology and laws that exist (or fail to exist) that allow couples like Adam and I to be parents.  I'm proud that my husband served this country and I'm proud to say that my family was one of the first families to ever settle in Georgia.  Overall, I'm proud to be an American.  Happy July 4 everyone!