By request...here are the finer points of some of the travel issues we encountered. Keep in mind our itinerary spanned four countries and ALL were different. I recommend checking with each place and/or airline you will travel with. This goes for hotels too.
1. Passports: Allow 2-3 weeks if you expedite them, otherwise allow 4-6 weeks. BOTH parents must appear in person with the infants when you apply. I highly suggest going to the post office, where they will take the photo and the application at the same time.
2. Airline info: Confusing at best. For domestic travel, infants under 2 in the the lap are free and are typically not ticketed. For international travel, there is a charge (usually 10% of the prevailing fare for your seat) and they are usually ticketed, sometimes with a paper ticket. Be sure you know which and how much before you book and keep your eyes out for the paper tickets in the mail. If you are using miles for your seats, the infant fares will still apply. Some airlines will let you use miles for the infant fare portion, some will not.
3. Seating: This is complicated. On MOST aircraft, if you have twins (or multiple infants) you and your spouse can not sit together in the same row, including across the aisle because of the number of oxygen masks available. Unfortunately, no one tells you this until you board and then you have to switch with someone, who is ultimatley inconvenienced. Some airlines will not let you occupy an aisle seat. And exit rows are out of the question. Plan ahead for this. If you are on a long-haul flight, you and your spouse will each need to carry a set of everything (diapers, bottles, etc) since you will not be next to each other. This can make for a miserable trip, so weigh your options carefully and identify which aircraft you will be travelling on ahead of time, keeping in mind that can change. If you are on a commuter-type plane, (for example flown by my favorite airline here on the West coast, Horizon Air) there are no oxygen masks on board because the aircraft don't fly above certain altitudes, so you and your spouse can sit together.
4. If cost and/or miles allow, fly First class or at least business class. Save up to do so if you have to. Here's why....
a) Often there are more oxygen masks available, depending on the configuration of the aircraft in first class and you can sit together.
b) trust me when I say you need the extra room to feed and wiggle around
c) bypassing the long ticketing/check in/security lines at airports when you're exhausted and have hungry/tired/wet infants with you is priceless. I mean priceless....
d) you have access to the airline's club lounge.....also priceless. This gives you a comfy place to set your stuff, feed and change the babies, grab a snack and beverage, and usually get additional assistance. On a long-haul flight, this can be the difference between you maintaining sanity and enjoying parts of your trip, or having a complete meltdown and suffer from exhaustion.
e) if you're going to buy business class tickets, shop around to see who has the best deal and the best ammenities for the airline/locations you'll be travelling. Business class seats are way more competitive than coach and there IS a difference in price, comfort, and conveniences.
In our case, we took an extra leg (plane change) to fly First class on British Air on the long haul portion of our flight. From the West coast, that's nearly a 10 hour flight to Europe. We used miles and paid the infant fares, however given the convenience we experienced, I would have paid out of pocket for Business class tickets and it would have been worth every penny had we not had the miles.
5. Practice buckling and un-buckling your seat belt at home while holding your baby. This is harder than it sounds. Some flight attendants will help, others will not. On domestic flights, most airlines require you to hold the infant unbuckled (while you are buckled). On international airlines, it varies. Ours gave us an extension with a loop to attach to our belt then buckle the infant in. There is a strappy harness device for infants that I rather like that is not approved by the FAA for use in the U.S. but is approved elsewhere. Baby carriers (such as the Bjorn) can be worn on board but the baby cannont be in them for take off or landing.
6. On long-haul flights, call the airline ahead of time and inquire about bassinets or "infant cots". Most have them. They attach to a shelf in the bulkhead walls. This means you MUST get a seat in the bulkhead rows. The down side is you have no storage under the seat in front of you. Again, plan ahead and see my details below about storage issues.
7. Double check your connections. Anything less than an hour is not acceptable when you're traveling with infants and in our case, travelling through Heathrow presented a challenge to make a 4 hour connection on the way home, after missing a flight with a 65 minute connection on the way over.
8. Take your own car seats and stroller and check them. "Gate check" is phenomonon in the U.S. only. You can wheel your stroller and/or car seats down to the gate and check them on the jet way and retrieve them there in the U.S. Not so elsewhere. Put luggage tags on them and pack them accordingly, then check them all the way through. Carry your babies in a Bjorn, or similar device. You can rent car seats with most rental cars but you need to request them ahead of time. Price varies from $40-75 per day, per car seat. Like I said, take your own.
A note on strollers: tandem is best all the way around. If you have a twin side-by-side, it will not fit into most hotel elevators in Europe or down the sidewalks. Moving through airports, security, the jetways, etc. would be a hassle too. Even in our case, the tandem one did not fit through the door of our hotel room without juggling it in at an angle. The doors are just too narrow. Also, buy the travel bag for your stroller and use it. Practice taking the stroller apart and packing/unpacking it in the bag at home a few times first. We have the Baby.Jogger City Select tandem twin which accomodates our Chi.cco car seats. The stroller comes completely apart and fits nicely in the travel bag that zips and has straps. On the way home, we were able to fill this bag with additional stuff and still stow the stroller in it.
9. Most foreign security checkpoints allow you to carry the baby through the scanner in the Bjorn. It varies in the U.S. Strollers are usually treated as wheelchairs if the they are the huge kind most of us twin parents have. Breastmilk and formula need to go through the xray in a tub, just like your liquids, however they don't need to be in a plastic bag. The quantity guildelines are a "reasonable" amount, per the TSA. In the U.S. and Canada you are not required to taste them. In the U.K. you are. They will randomly choose a bottle and ask you or you spouse to taste it.
10. Altitude changes: I suggest having a bottle ready for both take off and landing. Pacifiers work too, but the bottle is better. There may be some discomfort with the ascent and descent. In our case it was usually descent. We fed the babies or sat them up on our lap and tapped their backs to make them burp. These methods and/or the pacifier seemed to work. Remember if you are seated in that bulkhead row, you need to be wearing something with pockets to put the bottle and a bib in. And don't forget the pacifier straps!!!
11. Back-up plans: Our twins did remarkable on all of the flights. I saw people roll their eyes and groan when they saw us get on board, especially in first class. However, we made naysayers out of all of them. Our boys slept beautifully and had only an occassional peep. The trick is to keep them fed, changed, and let them sleep. That said, we did come prepared with a back up plan. I won't generally advocate the off-label use of meds, but because I'm married to an "expert" in the area, I felt comfortable bringing along the bena.dryl. If you choose to use this, obviously talk with your pediatrician first. And do a test before you travel. In our case, we tested each boy with a dose a week before our trip to be sure they wouldn't get wired from it - a possible, but uncommon side effect. In the end, we didn't need it, but it was a nice insurance policy. Since it only comes in 4 oz sizes, you will need to transfer enough doses to a smaller bottle to get it through security in your plastic bag. Bottom line - if your babies have colic, difficulty sleeping, or are not easily consoled using routine methods, seriously reconsider air travel at this point.
12. Double check that your hotel allows children and what, if any, the charges are. If you want a crib, ask about the price and reserve ahead. We traveled with our own travel bed and didn't need hotel cribs. (See my list of must-have gear below.) However, one hotel we ALMOST booked, did not allow children under 10. This was no where on their website or reservation system and I only found out after I emailed with this specific question.
13. Rent the largest car you can afford. Period. I have been known to reserve multiple cars at different agencies to be sure we get one that will work. (Remember you don't pay until you pick the car up and there's no charge if you don't.) However, I consistantly have the best luck with A.vis and Her.tz abroad.
14. All about breast-feeding and pumping: In one word - hydration. I can't stress this enough. Travel (especially air travel), stress, and climate changes are dehydrating. Expect your production to drop by as much as 50% and plan accordingly. Forget about pumping in your coach plane seat. You might get lucky and be allowed to tie up a bathroom for a half hour but who will hold the other baby unless you have an on-board bassinet? I was fortunate enough to be able to pump in our first class seats because they were private and we had bassinets. (Remember you will need a battery pack with batteries that are replaceable NOT rechargeable.) Pumping proved to be the most difficult part of our trip. If you are breast feeding, it should be easier but ours were on fortifiers since birth and had not done much breast feeding. Carry additional power sources for your pump, including the car charger (which saved us!) and a quality 3-prong power converter with a power regulator/modulator. The uneven electrical current blew my pump power plug on the first day in Italy (and the bottle warmer), despite using a converter. I was left with batteries and the car charger. Ultimately, my resourceful husband tracked down a 240/9 volt output plug that would fit my pump and plug into the walls in Italy, but I was seriously pumping in the car and blowing through the batteries for the first 2 days.
15. If you are a twin mommy and you carry a regular diaper bag, I salute you. If you decide to travel with your twins, ditch the diaper bag (and your purse) and use a backpack. I found 2 that I liked and I packed them each with a duplicate set of almost everything - one for me and one for Mr. W. I could write a whole chapter on packing. I had it down to a science before twins, and I think we did really well with twins. Both backpacks are designed as diaper bags. One is from DaD.Gear, the other is from Baby.Sherpa and holds a laptop next to the changing pad pocket. (LOVE THIS!). Swap your handbag for a small keychain type wallet, then hook it to the inside of your diaper backpack on one of the clips. I guarantee you, if you set all of your stuff down somewhere, you will not walk off without the diaper backpack. But you will leave your purse behind. Don't bring one.
16. Travel with a routine. Get it down before you go. Verbalize it to each other consistantly.
Ours went like this:
1) Dress in pocketed, loose fitting attire, and slip-on type shoes.
2) Be sure both back packs are stocked. Carry a snack or 2 for yourself and your clipped in wallet and cell phone. I use the front pocket or pouch of both backpacks as the "parent part." This way, you will always know where your own stuff is.
3) Put the Bjorn carrier on first, this should not have to come off between the car and the airplane.
4) Put the backpack on next. This will need to come on and off through security. Make your quart bag of liquids easily retrievable. Be ready to remove the breast milk and laptop still.
5) Put the baby in the Bjorn last.
6) Pull a single (small size) wheeled carry on if necessary. We did on the way over, but checked them on the way back. We carried 48 hours worth of everything in the wheeled carry-ons and 24 hours worth of everything in each backpack.
7) Go through your verbal checklist with your spouse every time you change locations (seats, planes, restaurants, cars, hotels, etc.) Our verbal list was: Passports, boys' plane tickets, cell phones, wallets, husband's insulin, and diaper backpacks/luggage count. We didn't move until one of us had pointed to or touched the item we called out. Sound crazy? It's not. Trust me.
17. Cell phones: In our house, it used to be that traveling was an adventure and that the comforts of home could be done without for a trip. With twins, I'm not of that opinion anymore, mostly from a safety and security standpoint. We both have global crack.berries that were easy to enable for use abroad, including text and emails. It was $70 per month (pro-rated only for the time were gone), plus 99 cents per minute to talk, 5o cents to send text, and 5 cents to receive text, and unlimited data (internet and email). Worth every penny. Budget for this on your trip, even if it's only one of your phones. If you don't have a global phone, your carrier should be able to either swap your SIM card before you go or "rent" you a global phone for your trip. Take care of this at least 2 weeks before you leave and verify it is working before you go. We only needed to make 2 short calls while gone, and used the text sparingly, but the email and internet access were priceless.
Now for the gear list - these are the items we found we "must have" and travelled with them. Some sound frivolous. All I can say is you be the judge on an international journey at 3 am with twins. You can google them on your own.
A) Pea Pod pop up travel bed by KidCO, folds to a 9x14 with pouch.
B) Sleep Sheep
C) Dad.Gear backpack diaper bag
D) Baby.Sherpa Alpha backpack
E) Samson.ite passport zip wallet
F) Infant tylenol and motrin (liquid items) ask your doctor about doses ahead of time
G)digital thermometer
H)Badger Balm (infant safe mosquito repellent stick)
I) Orajel teething swabs
J) extra quart plastic bags
K) swaddle wraps by Summer.Infant
L) disposable bibs
M) soap leaves, shout stain remover packets, and compact bottle brush
N) a kitchen towel or 2
O) Com.bi pod bouncer chair - we took this apart and it shipped nicely with the stroller in the stroller. I thought it was a luxury - turned out to be a lifesaver.
Hope this helps.........and you must all buy my book after it's written!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Crazy
That was the word I was missing......
But alas, we have returned from our Italian adventure. And what an adventure it was. I have an incredible amount of advice to give if you find yourself travelling with infants, emphasis on the plural! So much so, that I must start penning a book soon! Overall, things went well and the boys did absolutely amazing. I forget, after being entrenched in IF for so long, that twins are still an anomaly in the rest of the world....that everything takes twice as long because everyone wants to stop and talk to you, and oooh and ahhhh, and ask questions.
Navigating airlines and airports can be tricky, especially when the airlines make promises they can't keep. That will be an entire chapter in the new book.
And for my next trick, we will take the boys on a cruise in December. Another chapter.......
Congrats to Sprog, who delivered while I was gone. And, to EB who delivered a few weeks ago while I was MIA. So happy you will both now experience this wonderment of motherhood.
But alas, we have returned from our Italian adventure. And what an adventure it was. I have an incredible amount of advice to give if you find yourself travelling with infants, emphasis on the plural! So much so, that I must start penning a book soon! Overall, things went well and the boys did absolutely amazing. I forget, after being entrenched in IF for so long, that twins are still an anomaly in the rest of the world....that everything takes twice as long because everyone wants to stop and talk to you, and oooh and ahhhh, and ask questions.
Navigating airlines and airports can be tricky, especially when the airlines make promises they can't keep. That will be an entire chapter in the new book.
And for my next trick, we will take the boys on a cruise in December. Another chapter.......
Congrats to Sprog, who delivered while I was gone. And, to EB who delivered a few weeks ago while I was MIA. So happy you will both now experience this wonderment of motherhood.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Gutsy or Stupid?
I'll let you know after we get back.
We are off to Italy tomorrow, with the now 4 month old noodles in tow.
Packing has been an experience. I think I need to write a book.
I am nervous. Excited. Overwhelmed. And thrilled. All at the same time.
Ciao, for now.
We are off to Italy tomorrow, with the now 4 month old noodles in tow.
Packing has been an experience. I think I need to write a book.
I am nervous. Excited. Overwhelmed. And thrilled. All at the same time.
Ciao, for now.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Fast Forward 10 Weeks
Yes, it's true. Noodles are 10 weeks old now. I can hardly believe it myself. To say I have been too busy to blog is an understatement. And although sleep deprivation has sucked (but getting better) I will take it and the joy of noodles any day over being pregnant.
I am overjoyed at having a life again. At getting up and down the stairs. At visiting parts of the house I hadn't seen in months. At driving myself around again in my own car. And, at marvelling at the wonder of these two little miracles who have entrusted me and Mr. W with their care.
The NICU experience (NICU nurses are amazing), coupled with the post c-section drugs overwhelmed me. I briefly wondered what I had done. And what had my body done to torture these two creatures into an early birth. I felt guilty. I was admittedly detached the first few days (it was clearly the pain killers and other things they loaded me with in the hospital.)
But I am smitten now. Noodles are 10 pounds and 8 pounds of crazy infatuation. Baby A spent 19 days in the NICU and Baby B spent 15 days. Their new names at home are peanut and butternut. They are happy with sweet dispositions. They eat well and sleep well. Despite Mr. W's dark Mediterranean features, they inherited my fair northern European traits. They have scarce blonde hair and blue eyes. They are sure to be heart breakers one day.
We have taken them on 3 overnight trips already, including a week long one to San Francisco. They did amazing. I am happy to get them acclimated to travel early and even happier to get US acclimated to travelling with them. We are lucky. These little guys have been gems. I am grateful every single day.
So here is my not so short list of the finer points of our new real world and any advice I could throw at anyone who is still reading:
* They are on a calorie fortifier still. Which means I pump milk as many times a day as I can possibly stand and then add little packets of fortifier before they are fed. This is a special fortifier whose cost resembles a serious latte habit - to the tune of $30 per day.
* I have 6 or more sets of breast pump parts. I line them up every day all assembled with bottles attached, then just use them up throughout the day. It means I only need to do a load of wash once a day and always have a set ready in the middle of the night. I use a hospital pump at home and keep a Med.ela backpack pump always packed for travel (and usually in the car) so I'm never scrambling to find it.
* We have different colored lids on the bottles to keep both boys separate since they are on different calorie mixes.
* I will likely burn up our munchkin bottle warmer one of these days. It is also a great nipple and pacifier sterilizer.
* For the first time ever, noodles wear the same size diaper. I figure this will last about another week. But for now, it means my diaper caddy doesn't have the little cardboard divider in it I made to keep A and B's sizes separate and easily located when I'm half asleep.
* Mr. W is a champ. He takes half of the feedings including the middle of the night. We try to let one of us sleep through one night feeding, but sometimes we both get up together and talk while we each feed a noodle (or a nut). We keep a dry erase board in noodles' room to track the time and quantity each took. It helps us out if we're alternating feeding duty and don't know who ate what when. It also helps us report to the nutritionist we consult with weekly.
* Noodles' diaper bag is a big backpack designed for diapering purposes. It's always packed with fresh supplies and a duplicate set of necessary things we have in their nursery. One day I will video record packing it and put it on youtube. It's really an art form!
* Despite AAP warnings, noodles share a crib. It's the cutest thing.
* Our favorite nursery items are the sleep sheep, classical music we play on CD at night, and the pod bouncer chairs from Combi. The chairs vibrate, play pre-programmed songs, and have an ipod hook up. I wish they had one my size. The boys love them and they are great to coax them back to sleep when needed. We are also big fans of the swaddle me wraps (a.k.a. kiddopotamus). For travel, we use a Pea Pod. It's a very cool travel bed with a self inflating mattress and tent like pod. It folds down into a 9x14 inch pouch. Put it on your list if you go anywhere!
* I can't say enough about the City Select stroller we got from baby.jogger. I know EB just got one too. It holds 2 chicc.o carseats in tandem and drives like a mercedes. It's also designed to accomodate a single baby.
*The coolest baby monitor ever is from summer infant. It has a color video screen and sound, with a visual sound meter in case you want to turn the sound down. It accomodates 2 cameras, one for each crib (when we use the second one) and has infrared, so you can see them in the dark. Since noodles sleep in their own room, it's great to peek at them without getting up or disturbing them.
* Finally, I caved and hired a nanny three days a week. She has been a huge help. Although I stay home most of the time, she gives me an extra pair of hands, freedom to pump when I need to, and the ability for me to try to put our lives back together after being on bed rest. She does their laundry, washes the bottles, and keeps their room cleaned and organized. The fact that I can get out of the house to run an errand or two is a bonus.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Birthday Noodles
My little personal goal when I was discharged from the hospital in early April was to make it to May before having to deliver noodles. And so, at my April 30th doctor's visit, Dr. J said it was time and May 1st would be the day.
Baby A was born at 8:10 am, weighing 2 lbs 11 oz and Baby B was born at 8:12am, weighing 3 lbs 11 oz. They were 34 weeks and 4 days gestation. Essentially, at my April 30th appointment it was apparent both babies were no longer growing and would do better outside. It was determined they both had IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) and Baby A was also SGA (small for gestational age).
All of this aside, because they were past 34 weeks, they are behaving like 34 weekers and need minimal support in the NICU. They just need to put on some weight and regulate their body temperatures on their own.
This past week has flown by. I was kept in the hospital two extra days for some minor complications following the c-section but am finally home and getting better. Time management has become the biggest challenge. Since we live almost an hour from the hospital, daily travel back and forth has become a precious time waster. Staying on a pumping schedule, a meds and doctor visits schedule for me, the boys' feeding schedule, maintaining a realistic visitor schedule, and trying to get a meal and some sleep while driving back and forth daily is insane, at best. Forget about naps, grocery shopping, answering the phone, or anything else seemingly unimportant.
Still, the boys are growing every day and are doing really, really well. Baby B's canopy on the isolette was lifted yesterday and doctors expect he may go home as early as the end of this week!
Baby A was born at 8:10 am, weighing 2 lbs 11 oz and Baby B was born at 8:12am, weighing 3 lbs 11 oz. They were 34 weeks and 4 days gestation. Essentially, at my April 30th appointment it was apparent both babies were no longer growing and would do better outside. It was determined they both had IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) and Baby A was also SGA (small for gestational age).
All of this aside, because they were past 34 weeks, they are behaving like 34 weekers and need minimal support in the NICU. They just need to put on some weight and regulate their body temperatures on their own.
This past week has flown by. I was kept in the hospital two extra days for some minor complications following the c-section but am finally home and getting better. Time management has become the biggest challenge. Since we live almost an hour from the hospital, daily travel back and forth has become a precious time waster. Staying on a pumping schedule, a meds and doctor visits schedule for me, the boys' feeding schedule, maintaining a realistic visitor schedule, and trying to get a meal and some sleep while driving back and forth daily is insane, at best. Forget about naps, grocery shopping, answering the phone, or anything else seemingly unimportant.
Still, the boys are growing every day and are doing really, really well. Baby B's canopy on the isolette was lifted yesterday and doctors expect he may go home as early as the end of this week!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
To Bank or Not to Bank
Happy note: 34 weeks tomorrow...and holding!
Long before noodles were in the picture and the propaganda started rolling in, Mr. W and I had discussed cord blood banking. It was mostly scientific and medically related conversation and had no relevance to any real-life situation for us at the time.
But as noodles continued to grow, the topic became more timely. We discussed it with one of our perinatologists, who felt it was still experimental and that private companies preyed on the fears of new parents. He felt the private banks were too expensive, and that public banks were a better choice, however there isn't one in our state. So in our usual fashion, we made a pro and con list that looked something like this:
Pros:
1) The technology is evolving daily. We don't know what cord blood and stem cells may be capable of doing in even the near future.
2) There is a 50/50 chance noodles' cord blood would be a match for me. And a slightly smaller chance there is a match for Mr. W or another family member.
3) Mr. W's pancreas was attacked by a virus or other autoimmune disorder when he was 20. There is otherwise no genetic history of diabetes anywhere in his family. These stem cells may be an option for him down the road, or for noodles if the same thing happens.
4) Mr. W's first cousin needed a bone marrow transplant last month. There were no matches in the family.
5) Because noodles are identical, the cord blood can be stored together, thus the potential to get twice as much for only one fee.
6) There is a courtesy professional discount available to Mr. W since he is in the medical field and there is a discount to lock in and pre-pay the storage fees.
7) The long-term cost, including processing, collection, and factoring in a pre-paid 25 year storage agreement works out to only a few dollars per month.
8) It's a relatively inexpensive 'possible' life insurance policy for two kids, with the possibility of benefit for one of us.
9) We can lose more money in one day in our 401k than the cost of this program.
10) There is no charge if the collection is insufficient for processing.
Cons:
1) The technology is still experimental.
2) The initial up front cost is still a chunk when you're trying to bring home 2 new babies on top of it.
3) There is a small issue of custody of the cells, should both of us die before noodles turn 25. It's similar to the embryo custody issue. We figure the cells would need to be addressed in the family trust.
4) There is another issue of custody after noodles turn 25. Since all of the cells would be stored together, which one of the noodles gets to decide when to dispose of them, or when to stop paying storage?
5) There is the possibility the cells could be lost or destroyed in courier transit, or a natural disaster could wipe out the storage lab facility.
6) It adds an extra layer of things for doctors to do in the OR while you're trying to have your kids delivered.
7) There are 30 or so private banks. Which one do you pick?
As you can see from our list, the pros outweighed the cons for us. I researched banks for awhile and narrowed it down to two. In the end, the one I picked (while more expensive) was the longest established one and was funding the most research and had been involved in the largest number of actual beneficial procedures with positive outcomes. Our kit arrived last week (not a minute too soon!) and is packed in noodles' bag o'stuff for the hospital. I am happy with our decision and hope we never need to use the cells ourselves, but they could still benefit someone else one day too.
Long before noodles were in the picture and the propaganda started rolling in, Mr. W and I had discussed cord blood banking. It was mostly scientific and medically related conversation and had no relevance to any real-life situation for us at the time.
But as noodles continued to grow, the topic became more timely. We discussed it with one of our perinatologists, who felt it was still experimental and that private companies preyed on the fears of new parents. He felt the private banks were too expensive, and that public banks were a better choice, however there isn't one in our state. So in our usual fashion, we made a pro and con list that looked something like this:
Pros:
1) The technology is evolving daily. We don't know what cord blood and stem cells may be capable of doing in even the near future.
2) There is a 50/50 chance noodles' cord blood would be a match for me. And a slightly smaller chance there is a match for Mr. W or another family member.
3) Mr. W's pancreas was attacked by a virus or other autoimmune disorder when he was 20. There is otherwise no genetic history of diabetes anywhere in his family. These stem cells may be an option for him down the road, or for noodles if the same thing happens.
4) Mr. W's first cousin needed a bone marrow transplant last month. There were no matches in the family.
5) Because noodles are identical, the cord blood can be stored together, thus the potential to get twice as much for only one fee.
6) There is a courtesy professional discount available to Mr. W since he is in the medical field and there is a discount to lock in and pre-pay the storage fees.
7) The long-term cost, including processing, collection, and factoring in a pre-paid 25 year storage agreement works out to only a few dollars per month.
8) It's a relatively inexpensive 'possible' life insurance policy for two kids, with the possibility of benefit for one of us.
9) We can lose more money in one day in our 401k than the cost of this program.
10) There is no charge if the collection is insufficient for processing.
Cons:
1) The technology is still experimental.
2) The initial up front cost is still a chunk when you're trying to bring home 2 new babies on top of it.
3) There is a small issue of custody of the cells, should both of us die before noodles turn 25. It's similar to the embryo custody issue. We figure the cells would need to be addressed in the family trust.
4) There is another issue of custody after noodles turn 25. Since all of the cells would be stored together, which one of the noodles gets to decide when to dispose of them, or when to stop paying storage?
5) There is the possibility the cells could be lost or destroyed in courier transit, or a natural disaster could wipe out the storage lab facility.
6) It adds an extra layer of things for doctors to do in the OR while you're trying to have your kids delivered.
7) There are 30 or so private banks. Which one do you pick?
As you can see from our list, the pros outweighed the cons for us. I researched banks for awhile and narrowed it down to two. In the end, the one I picked (while more expensive) was the longest established one and was funding the most research and had been involved in the largest number of actual beneficial procedures with positive outcomes. Our kit arrived last week (not a minute too soon!) and is packed in noodles' bag o'stuff for the hospital. I am happy with our decision and hope we never need to use the cells ourselves, but they could still benefit someone else one day too.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Forced Parenting
Note: We are still in a holding pattern...32 weeks and 3 days happy.
This post has been gathering steam for some time, so I apologize for it's length.
In my recent boatloads of free time I've been planning two vacations Mr. W and I want to take with the noodles. Both of them were vacations we intended to take anyway, but are now reworking to accommodate the little guys.
The first is to San Francisco in July. Noodles will be just over 2 months old. This was a scheduled visit to the Italian consulate we pushed back because we need noodles' birth certificates to finalize our Italian citizenships. This will be a travel "dry run" of sorts. Easy trip, familiar surroundings for us, and an opportunity to test out a nanny we've identified. Of course, we'll also wander our way 6o miles to the north, to my favorite place. Mommy is going through withdrawal and needs her wine. Mr. W and I joke that we must break noodles in the right way, so they will grow up to be good little winemakers.
The second trip we have planned is to Italy in September. I've spent the last few months researching travel needs and trying to work out potential bugs. Noodles will be close to 5 months old and if the nanny works out in July, she will travel with us on this trip too.
I've talked with a lot of people who travelled with infants, including multiples. Many have said it is the easiest time of all to take them places. These same people have well-adjusted kids who seem easy-going and flexible as they get older. A triplet mom told me that often whatever disasters she imagined were far worse than anything that ever happened. I'm sure she's right.
Then there is the other camp. The parents who cast a horrific look at me when I mention our plans and tell me I'm completely frigging nuts. These people lecture me about how I have no clue what I'm in for. They shake their heads, roll their eyes, or make reference to 'my lifestyle' not being so accommodating anymore. Interestingly, these people often never left the house for the first 6 years of their kids' lives. Their kids don't adapt well to change, outside stimuli, and generally behave crappy. And here's the real truth - in the majority of these situations, these children were accidents-popped out like little farts in the wind. These parents didn't battle IF. They were never told they couldn't have children. They never had something ripped out from inside their bodies. They never had something die inside and then carry it around for months afterward. Mr. W and I labeled them "forced parents." Now, I am sympathetic to hardships others encounter, but my sympathy runs thin when people talk about how they went off the pill and couldn't believe they got pregnant. Like, the next day. Well, WTF did you think would happen?
And this brings me to my favorite forced parenting story. I've been picking a friend's brain who had 'accidental' twins. Interestingly, she's had virtually nothing positive to say about the experience. She dishes me most of the crappy side of things, and rarely shares so much as a single glimmer of enjoyment. I've chalked this up to her odd personality traits and the fact that she gets pregnant just by casting a glance her way.
So the other day I decided to try a different route. Her husband stopped by to bring me info on a product he was selling that I asked about. I expected his usual cheery self to inject some humor into raising twins when I asked. However, when I expressed our extreme excitement and travel plans, he grimaced. His face sunk and then he stared at me like a deer in the headlights. He quietly suggested I wasn't prepared for what I was about to experience, then mentioned every time he comes home from a business trip, he walks into a disaster. He let out a big sigh, then got up and left.
As a last ditch effort, Mr. W decided to call the friend's husband. You know, just for guy talk. Mr. W half jokingly asks what advice he can give for raising twins since ours are coming soon. The friend's husband says, "Dude, if I had to go through it all over again, I'd run the other way."
We were both speechless. Is it possible we are that naive?
This post has been gathering steam for some time, so I apologize for it's length.
In my recent boatloads of free time I've been planning two vacations Mr. W and I want to take with the noodles. Both of them were vacations we intended to take anyway, but are now reworking to accommodate the little guys.
The first is to San Francisco in July. Noodles will be just over 2 months old. This was a scheduled visit to the Italian consulate we pushed back because we need noodles' birth certificates to finalize our Italian citizenships. This will be a travel "dry run" of sorts. Easy trip, familiar surroundings for us, and an opportunity to test out a nanny we've identified. Of course, we'll also wander our way 6o miles to the north, to my favorite place. Mommy is going through withdrawal and needs her wine. Mr. W and I joke that we must break noodles in the right way, so they will grow up to be good little winemakers.
The second trip we have planned is to Italy in September. I've spent the last few months researching travel needs and trying to work out potential bugs. Noodles will be close to 5 months old and if the nanny works out in July, she will travel with us on this trip too.
I've talked with a lot of people who travelled with infants, including multiples. Many have said it is the easiest time of all to take them places. These same people have well-adjusted kids who seem easy-going and flexible as they get older. A triplet mom told me that often whatever disasters she imagined were far worse than anything that ever happened. I'm sure she's right.
Then there is the other camp. The parents who cast a horrific look at me when I mention our plans and tell me I'm completely frigging nuts. These people lecture me about how I have no clue what I'm in for. They shake their heads, roll their eyes, or make reference to 'my lifestyle' not being so accommodating anymore. Interestingly, these people often never left the house for the first 6 years of their kids' lives. Their kids don't adapt well to change, outside stimuli, and generally behave crappy. And here's the real truth - in the majority of these situations, these children were accidents-popped out like little farts in the wind. These parents didn't battle IF. They were never told they couldn't have children. They never had something ripped out from inside their bodies. They never had something die inside and then carry it around for months afterward. Mr. W and I labeled them "forced parents." Now, I am sympathetic to hardships others encounter, but my sympathy runs thin when people talk about how they went off the pill and couldn't believe they got pregnant. Like, the next day. Well, WTF did you think would happen?
And this brings me to my favorite forced parenting story. I've been picking a friend's brain who had 'accidental' twins. Interestingly, she's had virtually nothing positive to say about the experience. She dishes me most of the crappy side of things, and rarely shares so much as a single glimmer of enjoyment. I've chalked this up to her odd personality traits and the fact that she gets pregnant just by casting a glance her way.
So the other day I decided to try a different route. Her husband stopped by to bring me info on a product he was selling that I asked about. I expected his usual cheery self to inject some humor into raising twins when I asked. However, when I expressed our extreme excitement and travel plans, he grimaced. His face sunk and then he stared at me like a deer in the headlights. He quietly suggested I wasn't prepared for what I was about to experience, then mentioned every time he comes home from a business trip, he walks into a disaster. He let out a big sigh, then got up and left.
As a last ditch effort, Mr. W decided to call the friend's husband. You know, just for guy talk. Mr. W half jokingly asks what advice he can give for raising twins since ours are coming soon. The friend's husband says, "Dude, if I had to go through it all over again, I'd run the other way."
We were both speechless. Is it possible we are that naive?
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Formerly Boring Meets The NICU
Apparently I stayed boring for about as long as I could.
Wednesday I was admitted to the hospital for what turned out to be gestational hypertension. After several labs and other tests, preeclampsia has been ruled out, for now anyway. However, doctors expect the hypertension to escalate over time and predict a delivery in the next 7-20 days.
Got your attention now, I bet! Yeah, got mine too !!
I am 31 weeks and 3 days today. Delivery will put us at 32-34 weeks. As a result, noodles will likely spend 2-4 weeks in the NICU. I have been given 2 courses of steroid shots to mature their lungs. Following a complete meltdown in the hospital (partially steroid induced I'm sure) in which I blamed myself, a friend who had three kids in the NICU including a set of twins, visited to help pull me back from the ledge. Yesterday Mr. W and I met with a neonatologist and toured the NICU. Highly recommend both of these events, if you find yourself headed in this direction.
Noodles are measuring 2lbs 12 oz and 3 lbs 8 oz. Yes, there is a widening difference in size. And yes, Baby A seems a bit behind in the 20th percentile. Despite all of this, doctors are optimistic about the noodles development and expect them to do well in the NICU. Baby B has hiccups now, almost every time after I eat. Baby A was practicing his breathing skills on my last scan. And the non-stress tests (NST) were fine. All of this is good news.
I am back home now, on full bed rest until delivery, with the exception of twice weekly office visits. I have stepped away from the ledge and am trying not to pour salt in my wounds. I don't feel panicked. Everything is ready for noodles when they come home and as 'less than optimal' as this is, I must admit I can't wait to meet them. Mr. W is like a rock. You would think after nearly 18 years of marriage, I would have every one of his personality traits analyzed to a T. But I find myself still amazed by the stuff he is made of.
My last matter of resolution is this blog. I have been pondering for several weeks now what to do with it. What started as an IF blog, has morphed into a pregnancy blog, and could very quickly become a blog about life with noodles - something I have decided against. I've considered protected posts, as some of you have done. I've considered just being "done". But there are a few of you I would like to share stories with and keep in contact with if you're interested. I think I can best accomplish this in emails. If you're interested in getting these emails and keeping in contact with me that way, please let me know. Drop me an email at speclk2 at hotmail dot com or leave me a comment with your email address. Comments left on my site must be approved before posting so I will not post your email address if you leave it there. Oh, and I'm still reading all of your blogs with great interest, I just haven't been commenting as much lately.
Wednesday I was admitted to the hospital for what turned out to be gestational hypertension. After several labs and other tests, preeclampsia has been ruled out, for now anyway. However, doctors expect the hypertension to escalate over time and predict a delivery in the next 7-20 days.
Got your attention now, I bet! Yeah, got mine too !!
I am 31 weeks and 3 days today. Delivery will put us at 32-34 weeks. As a result, noodles will likely spend 2-4 weeks in the NICU. I have been given 2 courses of steroid shots to mature their lungs. Following a complete meltdown in the hospital (partially steroid induced I'm sure) in which I blamed myself, a friend who had three kids in the NICU including a set of twins, visited to help pull me back from the ledge. Yesterday Mr. W and I met with a neonatologist and toured the NICU. Highly recommend both of these events, if you find yourself headed in this direction.
Noodles are measuring 2lbs 12 oz and 3 lbs 8 oz. Yes, there is a widening difference in size. And yes, Baby A seems a bit behind in the 20th percentile. Despite all of this, doctors are optimistic about the noodles development and expect them to do well in the NICU. Baby B has hiccups now, almost every time after I eat. Baby A was practicing his breathing skills on my last scan. And the non-stress tests (NST) were fine. All of this is good news.
I am back home now, on full bed rest until delivery, with the exception of twice weekly office visits. I have stepped away from the ledge and am trying not to pour salt in my wounds. I don't feel panicked. Everything is ready for noodles when they come home and as 'less than optimal' as this is, I must admit I can't wait to meet them. Mr. W is like a rock. You would think after nearly 18 years of marriage, I would have every one of his personality traits analyzed to a T. But I find myself still amazed by the stuff he is made of.
My last matter of resolution is this blog. I have been pondering for several weeks now what to do with it. What started as an IF blog, has morphed into a pregnancy blog, and could very quickly become a blog about life with noodles - something I have decided against. I've considered protected posts, as some of you have done. I've considered just being "done". But there are a few of you I would like to share stories with and keep in contact with if you're interested. I think I can best accomplish this in emails. If you're interested in getting these emails and keeping in contact with me that way, please let me know. Drop me an email at speclk2 at hotmail dot com or leave me a comment with your email address. Comments left on my site must be approved before posting so I will not post your email address if you leave it there. Oh, and I'm still reading all of your blogs with great interest, I just haven't been commenting as much lately.
Friday, March 26, 2010
And the Winners Are...
So in all of my "boring" free time, I've been shopping online and orchestrating the details for noodles' arrival (and all of this from a mostly horizontal position). Since we all seem to want to compare notes, product finds, etc, I thought I'd post my choices so far. No advertising intended here...just the results of my research and choices that suit our needs and lifestyle.
First of all, I ordered some clothes from a fellow blogger with triplet boys. The clothes are adorable and in excellent condition. If you're having a boy and want to pick up some items (what's left after I tore through her blog) then I highly recommend checking out Team Darnell's adorable stuff on her blogsite here.
Diapers: I'm put-off by the fact that disposables take 500 years to biodegrade so I've been looking for an eco-friendly but practical (realistic?) alternative. As it turns out, after all of my research, I discovered an excellent choice from a company based in my own hometown. Check out their website. They offer a flushable, compostable, biodegradable (in 56 days!) diaper liner that is inserted into their little pants that you throw in the washing machine. It's like a hybrid of disposable and cloth! Now, I haven't used them yet of course, but I sure like the concept and intend to give it my best efforts. And although they are available in my local stores too, you can get excellent prices and free shipping on them and other baby supplies from this website.
Stroller: I mentioned this item before and that there was a waiting list, but it just arrived and I must say, it IS the cat's meow. This is the real deal for people with twins and is also designed to be used as a single. It accommodates 2 car seats at the same time and is tandem instead of side by side. It's got the all-terrain wheels for active types and turns on a dime. And it has over 16 different configurations for seats, car seats, and even bassinets. Not to mention I think it folds more easily and weighs less than anything I looked at. Watch the video here and the video product review here.
Car Seats: I researched this one for quite some time. I read the reviews, checked out consumer reports and really narrowed it down to 3 brands that I felt were all about equal (and all 3 were compatible with said stroller above.) In the end, I think price won out and I picked the Chic.co Key.Fit.30 in Miro. I found it on sale at this place, which also has just about everything else cheaper and offers free shipping.
Organic & Natural: If you're into this (and I am even though I drive a gas-hogging SUV, with a carbon off-set of course) then you will like this store. They sell the diapers I mentioned, BPA-free bottles, organic and bamboo clothing and blankets, non-toxic and educational toys, etc.
Nursery: We decided on a Beatrix.Potter/Peter.Rabbit theme. We liked the tradition and the way it ties animals and the garden all together. (Remember the garden ???) We went with pale green and brown colors and we painted (ok Mr. W painted while I watched from a chair) their room in Devine Crunch. If you don't live on the West Coast, you probably can't find Devine paint. However, if you can find it, it's simply the best paint I've ever used. It's low/no VOC and the finish is designed to reflect natural light found in the Pacific NW. This is the fourth home I've used this paint in, and it's just awesome. Here is the website.
I hope you enjoy poking around these websites and find things that will work for you too. And by all means, share with the rest of us what you've discovered.
First of all, I ordered some clothes from a fellow blogger with triplet boys. The clothes are adorable and in excellent condition. If you're having a boy and want to pick up some items (what's left after I tore through her blog) then I highly recommend checking out Team Darnell's adorable stuff on her blogsite here.
Diapers: I'm put-off by the fact that disposables take 500 years to biodegrade so I've been looking for an eco-friendly but practical (realistic?) alternative. As it turns out, after all of my research, I discovered an excellent choice from a company based in my own hometown. Check out their website. They offer a flushable, compostable, biodegradable (in 56 days!) diaper liner that is inserted into their little pants that you throw in the washing machine. It's like a hybrid of disposable and cloth! Now, I haven't used them yet of course, but I sure like the concept and intend to give it my best efforts. And although they are available in my local stores too, you can get excellent prices and free shipping on them and other baby supplies from this website.
Stroller: I mentioned this item before and that there was a waiting list, but it just arrived and I must say, it IS the cat's meow. This is the real deal for people with twins and is also designed to be used as a single. It accommodates 2 car seats at the same time and is tandem instead of side by side. It's got the all-terrain wheels for active types and turns on a dime. And it has over 16 different configurations for seats, car seats, and even bassinets. Not to mention I think it folds more easily and weighs less than anything I looked at. Watch the video here and the video product review here.
Car Seats: I researched this one for quite some time. I read the reviews, checked out consumer reports and really narrowed it down to 3 brands that I felt were all about equal (and all 3 were compatible with said stroller above.) In the end, I think price won out and I picked the Chic.co Key.Fit.30 in Miro. I found it on sale at this place, which also has just about everything else cheaper and offers free shipping.
Organic & Natural: If you're into this (and I am even though I drive a gas-hogging SUV, with a carbon off-set of course) then you will like this store. They sell the diapers I mentioned, BPA-free bottles, organic and bamboo clothing and blankets, non-toxic and educational toys, etc.
Nursery: We decided on a Beatrix.Potter/Peter.Rabbit theme. We liked the tradition and the way it ties animals and the garden all together. (Remember the garden ???) We went with pale green and brown colors and we painted (ok Mr. W painted while I watched from a chair) their room in Devine Crunch. If you don't live on the West Coast, you probably can't find Devine paint. However, if you can find it, it's simply the best paint I've ever used. It's low/no VOC and the finish is designed to reflect natural light found in the Pacific NW. This is the fourth home I've used this paint in, and it's just awesome. Here is the website.
I hope you enjoy poking around these websites and find things that will work for you too. And by all means, share with the rest of us what you've discovered.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Officially Boring
Dr. J said so himself yesterday at my 28 weeks (+2 days) appointment. So boring in fact, that they didn't even want to look at my cervix. (Mr. W said as we left that we should buy a lottery ticket!)
So all I have for you is stats on the noodles:
Baby A: Still transverse right on top of my pelvis coming in at 2lbs 3 oz.
Baby B: Transverse the opposite direction well above baby A and at 2lbs 8 oz.
Fluid levels: Both normal
Heartbeats: 140 and 150
Organs, cords, and boy parts all accounted for. Bladders and tummies both full.
My weight gain: 30 lbs
My blood pressure: 122/76 (amazing)
Blood work & urine: also boring (the nurse's term)
Other stuff: still vomiting, crazy constipation, some hand swelling, pelvic pain, short of breath, and a week-long headache. Still popping zo.fran, phen.ergen, folic acid, and calcium. Can't get the pre-natals to stay down so I skip them.
Dr. J is going on vacation for spring break and Dr. M's wife is having a baby this week, so I was instructed to go home and stay boring for the next two weeks. I can handle that.
So all I have for you is stats on the noodles:
Baby A: Still transverse right on top of my pelvis coming in at 2lbs 3 oz.
Baby B: Transverse the opposite direction well above baby A and at 2lbs 8 oz.
Fluid levels: Both normal
Heartbeats: 140 and 150
Organs, cords, and boy parts all accounted for. Bladders and tummies both full.
My weight gain: 30 lbs
My blood pressure: 122/76 (amazing)
Blood work & urine: also boring (the nurse's term)
Other stuff: still vomiting, crazy constipation, some hand swelling, pelvic pain, short of breath, and a week-long headache. Still popping zo.fran, phen.ergen, folic acid, and calcium. Can't get the pre-natals to stay down so I skip them.
Dr. J is going on vacation for spring break and Dr. M's wife is having a baby this week, so I was instructed to go home and stay boring for the next two weeks. I can handle that.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Magic Number
It's here. 28 weeks. We're here. Big sigh of relief...though not ideal by any means, but still.
So where have I been?
Well, four weeks ago Dr. M told me literally to go hide in a cave for 4 weeks. He said the next four weeks were crucial (something I know many of us have been told). He didn't want me doing anything. And Mr. W was adamant about me staying "down". (In fact Mr. W has ordered me "down" for 2 more weeks, just to be sure.)
And what have I done?
Well, I've only left the house for doctors appointments (with Mr. W), and an outing each Sunday accompanied by Mr. W which has amounted to me riding in the car while he runs errands or picks up gelato. :) I've been reading. I'm learning how to use a sewing machine. And, I've taken the opportunity to stock the nursery with the convenience of the internet. Mr. W painted it one day while I watched from a chair. After several bouts of discontinued and back-ordered items, it's ready.
It seems my super stroller is going to ship two months early after all, the car seats are on their way, and after months of research on diapers, I finally picked a brand and ordered up a month's supply which has arrived also. (More on this stuff later.) I also had an in-home haircut and color. I decided the hair dryer and I just don't have time for each other anymore, so I took the plunge and had my 9" pony tail cut off. I am donating it to one of the charities that makes wigs for cancer patients. (Once Mr. W gives the ponytail back to me.)
Fettuccine and Linguine are kicking harder these days (which I am often entertained by) and extreme bouts of nausea have returned. Vomiting with 5lbs of babies inside is a lot more work than before. I am out of breath a lot but still find lots of relief in the swimming pool - on the days I can get my fat ass and belly in and out of it. One trip on the stairs in the house is about all I can do. (I've fudged and done 2 a couple of days.) And I haven't been down the other flight of stairs in months. Mr. W commented the other day there were 2 rooms in the house he hasn't been in for 6 months. I said I haven't seen the whole third floor since October.
Aside from all of this, things are good. I passed my glucose test. My blood pressure has stayed down, and my cervix actually grew to 5.2 cm at my 25 week appointment. The doctors say this is a bit of an anomaly and I have one of the longest cervixes they've ever seen. No wonder my embryo transfers sucked so bad. They even joked that they would be inducing me at 47 weeks. I said, "NOT."
During the 4 weeks of cavedom, I've celebrated a blogiversary (1 year). BWUB, Meinsideout, and Can You Imagine have all had their babies - amazing blogs I have followed since the very beginning! My dear childhood friend has a healthy little embryo growing. MeKate has one too! (BIG shout out to her!) EB has 2 healthy lemons and has passed 12 weeks! And my almost neighbor and FB friend IFO has passed the 25 week mark and is almost home free.
Did I ever think a year ago I'd be celebrating all of this? Truth be told - no. And I still have to pinch myself daily. But I have an ever-expanding belly and some kicking noodles to prove it.
So where have I been?
Well, four weeks ago Dr. M told me literally to go hide in a cave for 4 weeks. He said the next four weeks were crucial (something I know many of us have been told). He didn't want me doing anything. And Mr. W was adamant about me staying "down". (In fact Mr. W has ordered me "down" for 2 more weeks, just to be sure.)
And what have I done?
Well, I've only left the house for doctors appointments (with Mr. W), and an outing each Sunday accompanied by Mr. W which has amounted to me riding in the car while he runs errands or picks up gelato. :) I've been reading. I'm learning how to use a sewing machine. And, I've taken the opportunity to stock the nursery with the convenience of the internet. Mr. W painted it one day while I watched from a chair. After several bouts of discontinued and back-ordered items, it's ready.
It seems my super stroller is going to ship two months early after all, the car seats are on their way, and after months of research on diapers, I finally picked a brand and ordered up a month's supply which has arrived also. (More on this stuff later.) I also had an in-home haircut and color. I decided the hair dryer and I just don't have time for each other anymore, so I took the plunge and had my 9" pony tail cut off. I am donating it to one of the charities that makes wigs for cancer patients. (Once Mr. W gives the ponytail back to me.)
Fettuccine and Linguine are kicking harder these days (which I am often entertained by) and extreme bouts of nausea have returned. Vomiting with 5lbs of babies inside is a lot more work than before. I am out of breath a lot but still find lots of relief in the swimming pool - on the days I can get my fat ass and belly in and out of it. One trip on the stairs in the house is about all I can do. (I've fudged and done 2 a couple of days.) And I haven't been down the other flight of stairs in months. Mr. W commented the other day there were 2 rooms in the house he hasn't been in for 6 months. I said I haven't seen the whole third floor since October.
Aside from all of this, things are good. I passed my glucose test. My blood pressure has stayed down, and my cervix actually grew to 5.2 cm at my 25 week appointment. The doctors say this is a bit of an anomaly and I have one of the longest cervixes they've ever seen. No wonder my embryo transfers sucked so bad. They even joked that they would be inducing me at 47 weeks. I said, "NOT."
During the 4 weeks of cavedom, I've celebrated a blogiversary (1 year). BWUB, Meinsideout, and Can You Imagine have all had their babies - amazing blogs I have followed since the very beginning! My dear childhood friend has a healthy little embryo growing. MeKate has one too! (BIG shout out to her!) EB has 2 healthy lemons and has passed 12 weeks! And my almost neighbor and FB friend IFO has passed the 25 week mark and is almost home free.
Did I ever think a year ago I'd be celebrating all of this? Truth be told - no. And I still have to pinch myself daily. But I have an ever-expanding belly and some kicking noodles to prove it.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Silly Nurse & The Weenie Whacker
Where have I been? I'll save that for another post. For today, I thought a Monday funny was in order. You know, just to kick your week off with a giggle.
At my last appointment, nurse of the day was running through a checklist of things to see if I had completed them. Sadly, I hadn't done most of them, but I am doing the most important job of all, which is incubating the noodles. Did you read the book we gave you? No. Fill out the pre-registration sheet and mail it in? No. Sign up for classes? No. Choose the babys' doctor? Ok, I did that one. Circumcisions? I paused.
Flashback to several months ago, shortly after we found out noodles were boys. One night out of the blue, SuperDoc reared his head. "Well".....he proclaimed...."I guess I'll be the one doing their circumcisions. I've seen most of the handy work in this town, and frankly, most of it sucks." I don't know much about these things, but apparently appearances are an issue and SuperDoc is often asked to re-do the circumcisions that others have done. They're either too long, too short, lop-sided, or have ridiculous scars. "Ok," I say. (Like I'm going to argue with that one??)
So nurse of the day is waiting for my answer on this one. Calmly, I say my husband will be doing them. And I wait for the rebuttal. Will she take up ethics issues? Office policies? Blah blah blah?
She pauses, then giggles. "I'm going to write 'Dad Doing' in the chart." She says. "That oughtta be good for a few laughs and questions around here!"
I like her.
At my last appointment, nurse of the day was running through a checklist of things to see if I had completed them. Sadly, I hadn't done most of them, but I am doing the most important job of all, which is incubating the noodles. Did you read the book we gave you? No. Fill out the pre-registration sheet and mail it in? No. Sign up for classes? No. Choose the babys' doctor? Ok, I did that one. Circumcisions? I paused.
Flashback to several months ago, shortly after we found out noodles were boys. One night out of the blue, SuperDoc reared his head. "Well".....he proclaimed...."I guess I'll be the one doing their circumcisions. I've seen most of the handy work in this town, and frankly, most of it sucks." I don't know much about these things, but apparently appearances are an issue and SuperDoc is often asked to re-do the circumcisions that others have done. They're either too long, too short, lop-sided, or have ridiculous scars. "Ok," I say. (Like I'm going to argue with that one??)
So nurse of the day is waiting for my answer on this one. Calmly, I say my husband will be doing them. And I wait for the rebuttal. Will she take up ethics issues? Office policies? Blah blah blah?
She pauses, then giggles. "I'm going to write 'Dad Doing' in the chart." She says. "That oughtta be good for a few laughs and questions around here!"
I like her.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Advice Taken
First off - congrats dear MeKate!!!!! Her recent post left my jaw on the floor with the excitement!
Now for the advice. Most of you said get busy on the baby room. Ok, I'm on it. Others advised (in their own posts) if you think you need to call the doctor, just DO IT.
Last Monday I went back for the fluid check and all was fine. Baby B wasn't being such a placenta hog anymore and the amnio fluid levels were fairly even and generous.
Fast forward to Friday when I decided to meet a client in the afternoon. Mr. W had conveniently offered to drive me. As I got into the car, I started having contractions. But me being me, I figured it was no big deal, they'd go away, and that would be it. As we drove along, Mr W suggested I call the doctor. It was afterall, a Friday. It would be easier to get answers or help if needed before the weekend. And so I did. And they wanted me to come in right then.
Of course they hooked me up to the monitor and of course, by the time I got there, nothing was going on. Ok, well there was one small contraction and a few blips on the page which they said amounted to a crabby uterus. Uh, could it be because I had been coughing up both lungs for the past week? Uh, yes, it could.
The good news is that my stubborn cervix should continue to save the day. They measured it again and found it was a whopping 4.8 cm. Doc of the day said as a result, I have a less than 5% chance of going into labor before 32 weeks even if the uterus continues to be cranky, but that they will likely do a c-section around 34 or 35 weeks. Ok then! I can handle that!
I'm not on official bed rest, but I'm in take it easy mode, with no unnecessary trips on the stairs. It's not all peaches and cream, but being confined to the bedroom doesn't completely suck. I have a nice flat screen, a fireplace, a sofa, a deck for fresh air, a view of 2 gorgeous snow-covered mountains, and a wet bar that Mr. W stocks for me every morning. I am catching up on emails, hanging out on Face.book a little more, shopping online, playing with the purry ones who adore the fact that I am in permanent lounge mode, and making lists. I'm about to start on a couple of books too. On the good days, I will use my stair trip to get into the swimming pool. And for the first time in about 18 years, I won't be working!!!
It's starting to hit me. HOLY SHIT people! Noodles are coming in about 9 weeks!
Side note: Some of us have been bantering back and forth about twin strollers. I went with the Baby.Jogger City Select. Goo.gle it and watch the video or see the review at babygizmo.com. It's brand new and there is a waiting list. If you want one, order it now. I liked it because it's all terrain, has over 16 different configurations, and accommodates 2 car seats at the same time. It's also lighter weight. Not an advertisement here, I'm just sayin.
Now for the advice. Most of you said get busy on the baby room. Ok, I'm on it. Others advised (in their own posts) if you think you need to call the doctor, just DO IT.
Last Monday I went back for the fluid check and all was fine. Baby B wasn't being such a placenta hog anymore and the amnio fluid levels were fairly even and generous.
Fast forward to Friday when I decided to meet a client in the afternoon. Mr. W had conveniently offered to drive me. As I got into the car, I started having contractions. But me being me, I figured it was no big deal, they'd go away, and that would be it. As we drove along, Mr W suggested I call the doctor. It was afterall, a Friday. It would be easier to get answers or help if needed before the weekend. And so I did. And they wanted me to come in right then.
Of course they hooked me up to the monitor and of course, by the time I got there, nothing was going on. Ok, well there was one small contraction and a few blips on the page which they said amounted to a crabby uterus. Uh, could it be because I had been coughing up both lungs for the past week? Uh, yes, it could.
The good news is that my stubborn cervix should continue to save the day. They measured it again and found it was a whopping 4.8 cm. Doc of the day said as a result, I have a less than 5% chance of going into labor before 32 weeks even if the uterus continues to be cranky, but that they will likely do a c-section around 34 or 35 weeks. Ok then! I can handle that!
I'm not on official bed rest, but I'm in take it easy mode, with no unnecessary trips on the stairs. It's not all peaches and cream, but being confined to the bedroom doesn't completely suck. I have a nice flat screen, a fireplace, a sofa, a deck for fresh air, a view of 2 gorgeous snow-covered mountains, and a wet bar that Mr. W stocks for me every morning. I am catching up on emails, hanging out on Face.book a little more, shopping online, playing with the purry ones who adore the fact that I am in permanent lounge mode, and making lists. I'm about to start on a couple of books too. On the good days, I will use my stair trip to get into the swimming pool. And for the first time in about 18 years, I won't be working!!!
It's starting to hit me. HOLY SHIT people! Noodles are coming in about 9 weeks!
Side note: Some of us have been bantering back and forth about twin strollers. I went with the Baby.Jogger City Select. Goo.gle it and watch the video or see the review at babygizmo.com. It's brand new and there is a waiting list. If you want one, order it now. I liked it because it's all terrain, has over 16 different configurations, and accommodates 2 car seats at the same time. It's also lighter weight. Not an advertisement here, I'm just sayin.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Kickers
I've got some kickers. Mr. W thinks maybe football kickers even! I have felt kicks and pokes here and there for the last couple of weeks. But last night Mr. W got to feel them. It was truly amazing and even Mr. W, in all of his calm and smarts, was in awe.
All of this made the nasty virus I have caught bearable. I didn't take any drugs (except zo.fran for obvious reasons) until yesterday. It became apparent that the alternative was to die trying to breathe while coughing up a lung full of green stuff. So I caved and am taking ty.lenol for the raw, sore throat and aches, and suda.fed for the head and ear pressure. Thankfully, there is no fever and I'm negative for strep although I have lost most of my voice. Sleeping upright in bed is a lot of fun....er not sleeping at all rather. Instead I watch the clock all night. Get up every 2 hours to walk around, cough up some stuff, have some water, and suck on a Ricola.
Today is the fluid check for noodles. We'll see what else Dr. M can come up with for me, the sickie.
All of this made the nasty virus I have caught bearable. I didn't take any drugs (except zo.fran for obvious reasons) until yesterday. It became apparent that the alternative was to die trying to breathe while coughing up a lung full of green stuff. So I caved and am taking ty.lenol for the raw, sore throat and aches, and suda.fed for the head and ear pressure. Thankfully, there is no fever and I'm negative for strep although I have lost most of my voice. Sleeping upright in bed is a lot of fun....er not sleeping at all rather. Instead I watch the clock all night. Get up every 2 hours to walk around, cough up some stuff, have some water, and suck on a Ricola.
Today is the fluid check for noodles. We'll see what else Dr. M can come up with for me, the sickie.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
22 Week Update
I'm a week behind on this post. I'm actually 23 weeks but my last appointment was last Friday.
I had an abbreviated growth scan and noodles were looking good. However, when the tech did the fluid measurements, I caught right away that Baby B has twice as much fluid as Baby A. Of course, I knew what this COULD mean, but I really wasn't that freaked.
And clearly Dr. J knows that I know too much for my own good because the first thing out of his mouth when he came in the room after the scan was, "You do not have twin to twin transfusion. I just want to make that clear." I laughed and said, "you know I saw the fluid measurements and thought I was panicking?" Yes, he said. He went on to say that although Baby B is being a placenta hog and is 3 ounces bigger than Baby A, everything is normal, including both fluid levels and their gestational measurements. BUT...and there was a but....they want to start checking it every 10 days just to be sure it doesn't change significantly. And he reassured me that even if it did start to change, I am far enough along that it shouldn't become a major issue. Ahhh. Insert deep breath here. And, it seems the risks associated with the lost Baby C have largely passed. Insert another deep breath.
So here we are. And here are the stats:
Vomit: Yeah, still at the top of my list. Still taking 8 mg zo.fran once a day and 12 mg phen.ergen at night.
Weight gain: 23 pounds
Other fun side effects: Constipation, out of breath on the stairs, gas bubbles everywhere inside, congestion, and these 4 lovely striped stretch marks appearing below the belly button. Oh, and I can't forget little noodles' kicks and pokes.
Belly Button: In, but the barbel piercing now sits on top of my belly & it looks funny sticking out of my clothes.
Food aversions: everything, but I'm hungry all the time.
Food cravings: none
Baby A: 14 ounces, transverse above my pelvis
Baby B: 1 lb. 1 ounce, transverse above Baby A
Cervix: 4 cm (down from 6cm at 18 weeks)
Work: Mostly half-time, or half-assed, depending on how you look at it.
Swimming: The mild weather has been great. Last week I swam every day. This week it's raining, and I'm a wimp.
Baby room & stuff: Not yet. Although I'm working my way toward the realization that I need to get going on this!
ETA: Dr. J would love to see me go 37 weeks. I'll be surprised if that's the case, so I've set my mental sights on 35 weeks. It helps me get through these pre-viability weeks and keeps me focused. That means May 5th is on the brain...only 12 weeks left to go!
I had an abbreviated growth scan and noodles were looking good. However, when the tech did the fluid measurements, I caught right away that Baby B has twice as much fluid as Baby A. Of course, I knew what this COULD mean, but I really wasn't that freaked.
And clearly Dr. J knows that I know too much for my own good because the first thing out of his mouth when he came in the room after the scan was, "You do not have twin to twin transfusion. I just want to make that clear." I laughed and said, "you know I saw the fluid measurements and thought I was panicking?" Yes, he said. He went on to say that although Baby B is being a placenta hog and is 3 ounces bigger than Baby A, everything is normal, including both fluid levels and their gestational measurements. BUT...and there was a but....they want to start checking it every 10 days just to be sure it doesn't change significantly. And he reassured me that even if it did start to change, I am far enough along that it shouldn't become a major issue. Ahhh. Insert deep breath here. And, it seems the risks associated with the lost Baby C have largely passed. Insert another deep breath.
So here we are. And here are the stats:
Vomit: Yeah, still at the top of my list. Still taking 8 mg zo.fran once a day and 12 mg phen.ergen at night.
Weight gain: 23 pounds
Other fun side effects: Constipation, out of breath on the stairs, gas bubbles everywhere inside, congestion, and these 4 lovely striped stretch marks appearing below the belly button. Oh, and I can't forget little noodles' kicks and pokes.
Belly Button: In, but the barbel piercing now sits on top of my belly & it looks funny sticking out of my clothes.
Food aversions: everything, but I'm hungry all the time.
Food cravings: none
Baby A: 14 ounces, transverse above my pelvis
Baby B: 1 lb. 1 ounce, transverse above Baby A
Cervix: 4 cm (down from 6cm at 18 weeks)
Work: Mostly half-time, or half-assed, depending on how you look at it.
Swimming: The mild weather has been great. Last week I swam every day. This week it's raining, and I'm a wimp.
Baby room & stuff: Not yet. Although I'm working my way toward the realization that I need to get going on this!
ETA: Dr. J would love to see me go 37 weeks. I'll be surprised if that's the case, so I've set my mental sights on 35 weeks. It helps me get through these pre-viability weeks and keeps me focused. That means May 5th is on the brain...only 12 weeks left to go!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Nugget Box
It's my 100th blog post! (Ooooohh, ahhhhhh.) And I'm 22 weeks! (insert big grin here) and as such, I will dispense with the whining for the day.
I have been assembling a little box for nuggets (affectionately known as Linguine and Fettuccine since they're bigger than nuggets now!!) It's a cute bamboo box with a cloth liner and lid. When it's full (which it almost is) I will put it away for nuggets until they are older.
Here is what's in the box so far:
-All the records (2 binders worth) from my IVF cycles.
-An empty box or vial of each drug I've ever taken since this started, and its package insert. I figured if they find out in 20 years that zo.fran causes weirdness, nuggets should know their mother popped it like candy.
-Mr. W and I were marvelling the other day that few parents have pictures of their kids as embryos. So I have the embryo pics and of course, the ultrasound pics in there.
- All of the positive pee sticks.
-A copy of this blog. Should nuggets decide to become assholes one day, maybe reading my blog will make them think better of it.
And the beauty of all of this boxing? It means I am cleaning up this stuff that has haunted me for months and years. I am packing this baggage away to be opened later, under different circumstances. I am cleaning off the wet bar counter in the master bedroom (command central for the last year), the nightstand, the bathroom counter, and everywhere else IF has accumulated. I sent left over saline vials and needles to Mr. W's office. I have tossed the royal jelly and Chinese herbs, and flushed what was left of the DHEA. Nuggets' box will be all that remains. And although I'm tempted to throw the box to the bottom of the ocean, I will keep it on a shelf for the noodles to ponder over another day.
I have been assembling a little box for nuggets (affectionately known as Linguine and Fettuccine since they're bigger than nuggets now!!) It's a cute bamboo box with a cloth liner and lid. When it's full (which it almost is) I will put it away for nuggets until they are older.
Here is what's in the box so far:
-All the records (2 binders worth) from my IVF cycles.
-An empty box or vial of each drug I've ever taken since this started, and its package insert. I figured if they find out in 20 years that zo.fran causes weirdness, nuggets should know their mother popped it like candy.
-Mr. W and I were marvelling the other day that few parents have pictures of their kids as embryos. So I have the embryo pics and of course, the ultrasound pics in there.
- All of the positive pee sticks.
-A copy of this blog. Should nuggets decide to become assholes one day, maybe reading my blog will make them think better of it.
And the beauty of all of this boxing? It means I am cleaning up this stuff that has haunted me for months and years. I am packing this baggage away to be opened later, under different circumstances. I am cleaning off the wet bar counter in the master bedroom (command central for the last year), the nightstand, the bathroom counter, and everywhere else IF has accumulated. I sent left over saline vials and needles to Mr. W's office. I have tossed the royal jelly and Chinese herbs, and flushed what was left of the DHEA. Nuggets' box will be all that remains. And although I'm tempted to throw the box to the bottom of the ocean, I will keep it on a shelf for the noodles to ponder over another day.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Stuck & Grumpy
I have been stuck about what to post lately. I've had a few ideas, but I'm finding myself a little grumpy and so I didn't want to be such a drag. Sigh....so I'll recap a few tidbits of the past week. Sorry...it might be long or boring. Or both.
21 weeks: Hard to believe we are this far, but we are. And, as excited as I am, I have been miserable too. Sore. Sick. Out of breath. Blah blah blah and see below.
Texas Turd: This is a new phrase in our house. Admittedly, I have plugged the toilet a few times recently. Yes, I'm quite embarrassed to post that. But last night, I flooded the toilet in the master bath. Water ran through the floor to kitchen below. A perplexed Mr. W came to my rescue and grabbed the mop out of my hand just in time for the gag reflex. I reminded him there are 3 of us using my facilities. Then I went to cry.
Lesson in Parenting: A few nights ago number 1 nephew phoned. At 2:30 in the frigging morning. I've mentioned him before. He just started his first post-college broadcasting gig for a news station in an adjacent state. At first I thought he was just shooting the shit with Mr. W (who answered). I was peeved. It was the middle of the night. I know he gets off work late, but the rest of us don't. Then Mr. W passed me the phone. I say hello and nephew says "hey" all chipper, then starts to cry. He is homesick. He hates his new city. Hates his job. Doesn't know what to do. I suggest he could quit and deal with the consequences (he is under contract). He could come home more for visits. (It's a 6 hour drive and he's not making enough for lots of plane tickets yet). I tell him it will get better and give him some suggestions for ways to cope with the change. He calms down a bit, says he wants to come by and visit soon. We hang up and I lay awake all night thinking about this kid. And then I scope out his face.book page the next morning to see what else is up. And herein lies the lesson, although I haven't quite deciphered what it is yet. Nephew called US. Not his dad (Mr. W's brother) or his wacko mom (they're divorced). So how do you keep from fucqing your kids up in the head? There is a reason he didn't call his own parents. I don't want my kids to have that reason.
Politics: I avoid this one in my blog but I am pissed beyond belief. Our state just voted in 2 outrageous tax bills this week. They affect only 3% of the population, but we are snagged in them both. On top of that, the Bush tax cuts expire at the end of this year, and our city put a tax in place last year on people in my profession. By the end of this year, we will have a 10% increase in our income tax. This has made me grumpy. Mr. W wants to move but there is no way we will sell our house. The thing that pisses me off the most is it's not about the money. It's about the way it's being managed, and the way politicians and voters have singled out certain groups of people.
Happy Thoughts: After all of this, I thought it appropriate to end on a happy note. My childhood friend I mentioned awhile back is having her transfer tomorrow. I am so excited and hopeful for her. She has had a smooth cycle and I hope it continues. Happy, sticky thoughts to you, my dear!
21 weeks: Hard to believe we are this far, but we are. And, as excited as I am, I have been miserable too. Sore. Sick. Out of breath. Blah blah blah and see below.
Texas Turd: This is a new phrase in our house. Admittedly, I have plugged the toilet a few times recently. Yes, I'm quite embarrassed to post that. But last night, I flooded the toilet in the master bath. Water ran through the floor to kitchen below. A perplexed Mr. W came to my rescue and grabbed the mop out of my hand just in time for the gag reflex. I reminded him there are 3 of us using my facilities. Then I went to cry.
Lesson in Parenting: A few nights ago number 1 nephew phoned. At 2:30 in the frigging morning. I've mentioned him before. He just started his first post-college broadcasting gig for a news station in an adjacent state. At first I thought he was just shooting the shit with Mr. W (who answered). I was peeved. It was the middle of the night. I know he gets off work late, but the rest of us don't. Then Mr. W passed me the phone. I say hello and nephew says "hey" all chipper, then starts to cry. He is homesick. He hates his new city. Hates his job. Doesn't know what to do. I suggest he could quit and deal with the consequences (he is under contract). He could come home more for visits. (It's a 6 hour drive and he's not making enough for lots of plane tickets yet). I tell him it will get better and give him some suggestions for ways to cope with the change. He calms down a bit, says he wants to come by and visit soon. We hang up and I lay awake all night thinking about this kid. And then I scope out his face.book page the next morning to see what else is up. And herein lies the lesson, although I haven't quite deciphered what it is yet. Nephew called US. Not his dad (Mr. W's brother) or his wacko mom (they're divorced). So how do you keep from fucqing your kids up in the head? There is a reason he didn't call his own parents. I don't want my kids to have that reason.
Politics: I avoid this one in my blog but I am pissed beyond belief. Our state just voted in 2 outrageous tax bills this week. They affect only 3% of the population, but we are snagged in them both. On top of that, the Bush tax cuts expire at the end of this year, and our city put a tax in place last year on people in my profession. By the end of this year, we will have a 10% increase in our income tax. This has made me grumpy. Mr. W wants to move but there is no way we will sell our house. The thing that pisses me off the most is it's not about the money. It's about the way it's being managed, and the way politicians and voters have singled out certain groups of people.
Happy Thoughts: After all of this, I thought it appropriate to end on a happy note. My childhood friend I mentioned awhile back is having her transfer tomorrow. I am so excited and hopeful for her. She has had a smooth cycle and I hope it continues. Happy, sticky thoughts to you, my dear!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Fair Warning: Another Post About Vomit
Two nights ago I awoke in the middle of the night to a horrific sound. It was one of the purry ones barfing on the floor next to my side of the bed. I've seen my share of cat vomit over the years. It comes with the territory and is usually managed quite well with proper diet and brushing.
But something must have crawled inside Mr. Mitten and died. It was the most heinous, foul-smelling, projectile laden stuff I have ever seen. I jumped out of bed thinking I could quickly clean it up while it was wet and so I ran half asleep to grab toilet paper to throw on top of it.
Wrong.
I returned to the scene of the crime only to vomit in my own hand. And so I ran back to the toilet to finish the job. When I thought I was done, I went to the bathroom sink to clean myself up only to continue vomiting profusely in the sink. By this time, I had several lights on and had made enough noise to awaken Mr. W from his slumber. He jumped out of bed to find the floor covered in cat disaster and the bathroom sink filled with mine.
"WTF?" Was about all he could say.
It quickly became apparent this would not be a quick-clean-up-and-go-back-to-sleep type of night. The mess and smell were so bad we couldn't leave it and we couldn't easily clean it. Mr. W dug the steam cleaner out of the closet and proceeded to clean the bedroom carpet for what seemed like eternity. The smell was so bad I had to stick my head under the sheets.
Poor Mr. W. After being a champ with the carpet he tackled the sink. I had clogged it completely so he dismantled the drain to clear it. Still, the smell from Mr. Mitten permeated the whole room. I realized there was no way I could sleep there so we packed up the pillows and moved into the guest bedroom. Not knowing what else may eject from the kitty, we shut the door and kept them out, only to listen to them paw and meow outside the door for the rest of the night.
But something must have crawled inside Mr. Mitten and died. It was the most heinous, foul-smelling, projectile laden stuff I have ever seen. I jumped out of bed thinking I could quickly clean it up while it was wet and so I ran half asleep to grab toilet paper to throw on top of it.
Wrong.
I returned to the scene of the crime only to vomit in my own hand. And so I ran back to the toilet to finish the job. When I thought I was done, I went to the bathroom sink to clean myself up only to continue vomiting profusely in the sink. By this time, I had several lights on and had made enough noise to awaken Mr. W from his slumber. He jumped out of bed to find the floor covered in cat disaster and the bathroom sink filled with mine.
"WTF?" Was about all he could say.
It quickly became apparent this would not be a quick-clean-up-and-go-back-to-sleep type of night. The mess and smell were so bad we couldn't leave it and we couldn't easily clean it. Mr. W dug the steam cleaner out of the closet and proceeded to clean the bedroom carpet for what seemed like eternity. The smell was so bad I had to stick my head under the sheets.
Poor Mr. W. After being a champ with the carpet he tackled the sink. I had clogged it completely so he dismantled the drain to clear it. Still, the smell from Mr. Mitten permeated the whole room. I realized there was no way I could sleep there so we packed up the pillows and moved into the guest bedroom. Not knowing what else may eject from the kitty, we shut the door and kept them out, only to listen to them paw and meow outside the door for the rest of the night.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Nesting
Someone in this house is nesting. I'll give you a hint. It's not me (yet). And it's not the purry ones.
Sunday, Mr. W and I decided it was time to tackle the ominous task of stroller and car seat shopping. It's still early, but I wanted to do it while I was feeling decent and before we were under any pressure to make a decision. What started as a casual trip to the baby boutique and lunch, turned into and all day affair followed by dinner.
As a reward for dragging Mr. W around and for his constructive input on the matters, I took him to his favorite gourmet market so he could get some caviar. On the way, we side-stepped into his favorite Italian linen store. Now, although Mr. W likes to bake and sew, he is a man's man. The garage is full of camo gear and the house wreaks of testosterone during hunting and fishing season. And since there is something to hunt or fish for all year round....well, you get the picture.
But I digress.
If there is an obscure indulgence Mr. W enjoys (besides caviar) it's Italian linens. The store is having a sale (if you could call it that) so we wander through. There is a heavenly bed ensemble that we both are drawn to (not on sale of course) and so I drool over it for awhile, then decide to leave. It's really not the time for frivolous matters and we have a lovely collection on our bed from this store already.
But Mr. W is not having any of that. He summons the sales person ("bed designer") and tells her we want the whole thing. The sheets, the Euro shams, the regular shams, the coverlet, the silk duvet cover, and the silk throw. My jaw hits the floor. The salesperson runs to get her little book of swatches and stuff while trailing off that the fabrics are custom dyed per order and so the wait time is at least 8 weeks.
"Perfect," says Mr. W. He turns to me and smirks, "We're looking to come off of this baby thing strong, you know." (A line from one of his favorite movies.) And then it hits me.
For weeks now, our bedroom has been turned upside down by my humidifier, various medicinal accoutrements, and bottles or cups of whatever I can eat or drink. The bed is stuffed with old pillows every which way, and other things rolled up and twisted to make me comfortable. What was a gracious retreat, is now a fun house for a whiny pregnant lady and her jilted servant.
And so it occurs to me that Mr. W misses his wife.
There is a woodpecker that bangs on the flue of the fireplace in our bedroom from time to time. It's an obnoxious sound that echoes down the fireplace and throughout the bedroom. Fortunately, it only happens one time a year. I've been told that male woodpeckers make their nest and then summon their mate (by banging on our fireplace) to come inspect it. If she doesn't like it, she leaves.
The arrival of the new bed linens, shall almost coincide with nuggets' arrival. Me thinks Mr. W is preparing to fluff his his nest - to welcome his wife back.
Sunday, Mr. W and I decided it was time to tackle the ominous task of stroller and car seat shopping. It's still early, but I wanted to do it while I was feeling decent and before we were under any pressure to make a decision. What started as a casual trip to the baby boutique and lunch, turned into and all day affair followed by dinner.
As a reward for dragging Mr. W around and for his constructive input on the matters, I took him to his favorite gourmet market so he could get some caviar. On the way, we side-stepped into his favorite Italian linen store. Now, although Mr. W likes to bake and sew, he is a man's man. The garage is full of camo gear and the house wreaks of testosterone during hunting and fishing season. And since there is something to hunt or fish for all year round....well, you get the picture.
But I digress.
If there is an obscure indulgence Mr. W enjoys (besides caviar) it's Italian linens. The store is having a sale (if you could call it that) so we wander through. There is a heavenly bed ensemble that we both are drawn to (not on sale of course) and so I drool over it for awhile, then decide to leave. It's really not the time for frivolous matters and we have a lovely collection on our bed from this store already.
But Mr. W is not having any of that. He summons the sales person ("bed designer") and tells her we want the whole thing. The sheets, the Euro shams, the regular shams, the coverlet, the silk duvet cover, and the silk throw. My jaw hits the floor. The salesperson runs to get her little book of swatches and stuff while trailing off that the fabrics are custom dyed per order and so the wait time is at least 8 weeks.
"Perfect," says Mr. W. He turns to me and smirks, "We're looking to come off of this baby thing strong, you know." (A line from one of his favorite movies.) And then it hits me.
For weeks now, our bedroom has been turned upside down by my humidifier, various medicinal accoutrements, and bottles or cups of whatever I can eat or drink. The bed is stuffed with old pillows every which way, and other things rolled up and twisted to make me comfortable. What was a gracious retreat, is now a fun house for a whiny pregnant lady and her jilted servant.
And so it occurs to me that Mr. W misses his wife.
There is a woodpecker that bangs on the flue of the fireplace in our bedroom from time to time. It's an obnoxious sound that echoes down the fireplace and throughout the bedroom. Fortunately, it only happens one time a year. I've been told that male woodpeckers make their nest and then summon their mate (by banging on our fireplace) to come inspect it. If she doesn't like it, she leaves.
The arrival of the new bed linens, shall almost coincide with nuggets' arrival. Me thinks Mr. W is preparing to fluff his his nest - to welcome his wife back.
Monday, January 11, 2010
18 Weeks
It's a milestone. I don't know why exactly, but it just feels like it is.
Last week was the big ultrasound - the anatomy scan - the 3-hour appointment from somewhere that could resemble hell, but wasn't really.
They took 176 pictures of nuggets! All the organs, the arteries, the brains, measured the bones, the fluid, and any thing else they came across. It was really incredible. I even got the tech to do a 4-D picture even though it's too early. The boys were busy and are right on track for their age. Which means I got cut some slack about not gaining as much weight as is recommended. Clearly the boys are finding something to eat, even if I can't! And there are no signs of TTTS (twin to twin transfusion syndrome) found with identicals.
All is well. My blood pressure is normal, and I'm not spilling anything in my urine. It was some massive relief for me. I am still sore, short of breath, congested, and nauseous. But Mr. W says I am being a wuss. There is nothing wrong with me and I need to get over it!
The doctors are watching for signs of infection from the lost triplet. It was still visible on the ultrasound and is sitting near the top of my cervix. Dr. J said this was to be expected and everything looks good so far. However, any irritation or infection would likely crop up in the next 4 weeks. I am still breathing a small sigh of relief. We are not completely out of the woods yet, but thankfully my cervix has a history of being overly stubborn - something that should serve this situation well. Not only does it have a curve, but Dr. J said it was one of the longest they'd seen. OK, TMI, but damn it's nice to finally have something going for me!
Last week was the big ultrasound - the anatomy scan - the 3-hour appointment from somewhere that could resemble hell, but wasn't really.
They took 176 pictures of nuggets! All the organs, the arteries, the brains, measured the bones, the fluid, and any thing else they came across. It was really incredible. I even got the tech to do a 4-D picture even though it's too early. The boys were busy and are right on track for their age. Which means I got cut some slack about not gaining as much weight as is recommended. Clearly the boys are finding something to eat, even if I can't! And there are no signs of TTTS (twin to twin transfusion syndrome) found with identicals.
All is well. My blood pressure is normal, and I'm not spilling anything in my urine. It was some massive relief for me. I am still sore, short of breath, congested, and nauseous. But Mr. W says I am being a wuss. There is nothing wrong with me and I need to get over it!
The doctors are watching for signs of infection from the lost triplet. It was still visible on the ultrasound and is sitting near the top of my cervix. Dr. J said this was to be expected and everything looks good so far. However, any irritation or infection would likely crop up in the next 4 weeks. I am still breathing a small sigh of relief. We are not completely out of the woods yet, but thankfully my cervix has a history of being overly stubborn - something that should serve this situation well. Not only does it have a curve, but Dr. J said it was one of the longest they'd seen. OK, TMI, but damn it's nice to finally have something going for me!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Don't Let the Door Hit Ya...
...on the way out, 2009. I couldn't wait to see the past year go buh-bye. Ironically, for the first time in 20 years, I had no champagne, no social activity, and didn't even stay up until midnight.
Instead, my new year's eve went something like this.
I lounged on the couch watching the news while Mr. W made dinner. I was feeling pretty decent overall, had taken my zo.fran on schedule, and had a nice snack. And then, I opened my mouth to say something? cough? burp? I'm not really sure, but all at once I hurled all over myself, quite unexpectedly. I jumped up from the sofa and ran to the bar sink while vomiting in my hand along the way. While finishing the job in the sink, I peed my pants. By the time I was done, I was covered in vomit and pee. It was one of the most pathetic things I have ever seen or done and I'm rather embarrassed to even blog about it. But internets, I wanted you to start the year with a good laugh...at my expense.
Poor Mr. W. I could imagine the things going through his head. Is this my wife? Will this be my wife in 40 or 50 years as an invalid? Is this ever going to get better? Did we really want kids? All he could do was grimace and say "Are you OK?" "Yes," I squeaked as I coughed up the last chunks, thankful I had decided to install a garbage disposal in this sink, almost as an afterthought. I peeled off my clothes and left them in a pile in the middle of the floor. As I waddled upstairs to take a shower, I remembered the story Meinsideout told of vomiting all over her blackberry and new party dress in the car one night. At least I was not alone.
Cheers to 2010.
Instead, my new year's eve went something like this.
I lounged on the couch watching the news while Mr. W made dinner. I was feeling pretty decent overall, had taken my zo.fran on schedule, and had a nice snack. And then, I opened my mouth to say something? cough? burp? I'm not really sure, but all at once I hurled all over myself, quite unexpectedly. I jumped up from the sofa and ran to the bar sink while vomiting in my hand along the way. While finishing the job in the sink, I peed my pants. By the time I was done, I was covered in vomit and pee. It was one of the most pathetic things I have ever seen or done and I'm rather embarrassed to even blog about it. But internets, I wanted you to start the year with a good laugh...at my expense.
Poor Mr. W. I could imagine the things going through his head. Is this my wife? Will this be my wife in 40 or 50 years as an invalid? Is this ever going to get better? Did we really want kids? All he could do was grimace and say "Are you OK?" "Yes," I squeaked as I coughed up the last chunks, thankful I had decided to install a garbage disposal in this sink, almost as an afterthought. I peeled off my clothes and left them in a pile in the middle of the floor. As I waddled upstairs to take a shower, I remembered the story Meinsideout told of vomiting all over her blackberry and new party dress in the car one night. At least I was not alone.
Cheers to 2010.
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