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.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
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!
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