1 Trimester Down, 2 To Go

Today I am officially 12 weeks pregnant. I survived the first trimester, and so did both of the babies. Each of the babies are now known as a fetus, leaving their embryo status behind. We have given them new names for the second trimester, at least until we find out what sex they are (at 20 weeks) and choose their real names. Baby A will be known as Adeline and Baby B is now Beauregard until we find out their genders.

I have been on bed rest the past couple of weeks (and will continue to be until further notice) because of an implantation bleed that does not want to go away completely. I had to have two in-depth ultrasounds done in the out patient x-ray office so the doctors could view the bleed better. The babies are unaffected by the bleed, growing well while waving and kicking during both of the ultrasounds. The first of the in-depth ultrasounds was done on 3.14.08, two days after the last one I posted. Baby B was a dancing machine, though upside down, while Baby A waved and kicked a few times.

Below are the photos (click on them individually to see a larger, better detailed version):

The second in-depth ultrasound was performed yesterday morning, 3.26.08. I graduated to an abdomen ultrasound, so I was unable to see most of the action, but Bob saw everything (though he didn't know what he was looking at most times). Both babies were waving and kicking about. We could see individual fingers, and the profile views showed tiny noses and chins. Baby A (Adeline) measured at 12w2d. Baby B (Beauregard) was not as cooperative this time, it stayed curled and turned away so the ultrasound tech was unable to get a good measurement, though she tried 5-6 times. We decided 11w5d was the closest to an actual size. Both babies had a heart rate of 156bpm.

Below are the photos (click on them individually to see a larger, better detailed version):

I should hear from the doctor by Friday afternoon on the outcome of this last ultrasound. The babies and I are not in any danger from the bleed at this point, but the doctors want to watch it closely to be safe. I will add another update this weekend when I know more, and post the weekly belly shots from the past 12 weeks so you can see how I am expanding.

The Nelson Twins

Jebidiah and Virgil are here to stay. The RE is discharging me at an appointment this Friday to a regular OB, with whom I have an appointment that same day. Now that our twins are official, I feel we should give them a middle name that speaks of their strength and determination to be our well behaved children. Borrowing from the 1990 group "Nelson" and from my brother Trevor's suggestion, I think we may start calling them Jebidiah Gunnar and Virgil Gunnar. (At least until we pick real names that won't get them shunned in school, especially if one or both of them is a girl.) #1 (or Baby A since we don't want to give them a competition complex so early) is measuring at 9 weeks 5 days with a heartbeat of 163 bpm, while the embryo formerly known as #2 (Baby B) is at 9 weeks 3 days with a heartbeat of 175 bpm. Baby A was doing cartwheels and flips during the ultrasound this morning, it obviously favors my genes as I believe it may be training to dance like the Jackson 5. A's ultrasound is not as clear as B's, since there was so much movement. Baby B was quiet, probably napping since it seems to take more after Bob's traits, and Bob is able to nap all the time if given the chance.
They are finally starting to look more like humans. I edited the ultrasound photos to point out their faces, hands, and even Jebidiah Gunnar's leg. Click on the photos below to see a larger view.





What my stomach looks like after 9 weeks of a twin pregnancy:



Since we were given the incredible news that both babies should make it and become our perfect mannered children, we have started preparing a bit more to make their stay with us as welcoming and comfortable as possible.
My friend Holly (whose twins I currently care for 3 times a week) bought some adorable clothing for the soon to be Nelson twins, and inspired me to buy a set of onesies for them myself:



Bob installed a closet organizer in the spare bedroom last weekend so we can begin arranging the baby stuff we have and future things we will acquire the next few months. As you can see, Siouxsie is already sad that we will have less time to throw her ball for her:



Thank you to all for your continued love and support, we could not do this without you. Well, we probably could, but not as happily.

8 1/2 Weeks

This morning's ultrasound gave more promise to both embryos making it through the entire pregnancy. #2's sac grew a centimeter this week, as opposed to only 4mm from the week before, which gives us the higher chance of keeping both of the twins even though it is still a smaller sac. They are measuring within a day of one another, #1 at 8w4d with a heartbeat of 163 bpm, and #2 at 8w3d with a heartbeat of 175 bpm (160-180 bpm is normal). We actually saw #1 move during the ultrasound, it was such a small flicker of movement that I was not sure it really happened, but then the ultrasound tech pointed it out. She also showed us what we were looking at, so instead of blobs on the screen we could see the heads, bodies, and even umbilical cords at certain angles.
We have our last consult appointment with the RE on March 14 where he will discharge me from his care to a regular OB/GYN. It will be hard to give up these weekly ultrasounds, but it is definitely a positive sign that I will not need to be monitored so closely every week. Please keep us in your thoughts so that these embryos will continue to grow into our well-mannered and perfectly behaved children.
Below are the ultrasound photos, I edited them to show what you are looking at (click on each photo to see a larger version):