Exhausted!

I am beat! Both girls I work with requested this three day weekend off- & now I am dead! My feet are dead!

It probably didn't help that after work yesterday, we went out to dinner, went show shopping and then I scored some super big deals at Target!

Gerber 5ct Baby Spoons- on sale for $2.69 had a $2 off one coupon! = 0.69 x 3!
Nuk 2ct Pacifier- on sale for- $3.14 had a $2 off one coupon = 1.14
Garnier Fructris (made I didn't print more) - reg $2.99. Had a target coupon for $1.00 and manufacturer coupon for 1.00 = 0.99
Axe shower gel- reg $3.99, had a coupon for 1.50 off one = 2.49 x 2 (not a huge deal but hubby loves it)
Schick hydro razor- reg $5.99, had 4.00 off of one = 1.99 x 2
Mail polish remover- reg $0.97. Had 0.50 off coupon = 0.47 x 2!

Whoop whoop! Super pumped with myself! I printed coupons like a mad woman today and can't wait to see why deals I can get at Walmart tomorrow! Baby bottles included!

21 Week Update!

So I had my appointment with high risk ultrasound yesterday and the MFM.

Baby B is as perfect as can be and is a little camera hog! They were able to image everything quickly on her.

Baby A, on the other hand, wasn't so nice. They are both breech and she is situated first, in ultrasound "below baby b" so she is super hard to see much of anything, head or legs. They were finally able to image her head which they had difficulty getting last time.

Her feet were another story. After what seemed like forever in the ultrasound room, they were finally able to image the right foot, which was normal. The left foot is so squished up against my uterus they cannot tell. It seems as though her left foot is inverted but the ultrasound tech thinks its positional. They did have to mention club foot just in case, but they don't seem too concerned.

I did some research and if the club foot was genetic, she has no other images that reveal it to be genetic. Her spina bifida testing came back normal which sometimes can happen with genetic club foot. Genetic club foot also affects both feet most of the time.

If he inverted foot is due to positioning of the baby in the womb, it is a much easier fix with or without braces.

I am probably looking all of this up for nothing as I am sure her poor little left foot is just squished by her sister and my uterus. I just pray that they are both healthy and happy in there and continue to be once they arrive.

Baby A is 14 ounces in weight and Baby B is 15 ounces in weight. Right on track! So happy about that! And, my blood pressure is 108/60! I was afraid it would be elevated because they just took me straight from the ultrasound (after freaking me out by getting 2 different techs and taking me back twice) but it was great!!! Yay!!

National Infertility Awareness Week!!

It's officially NIAW! National infertility awareness week!

No- I am not "infertile"; as I am currently pregnant with twins. However, this was the hand that was dealt to me as my husband and I dealt WITH infertility for almost 2 years.

& No- that's not a long time, not compared to others. Not even compared to my own mom, who suffered in the 80s for 7 years becoming pregnant but never making it to full term until 1989- twice! :)

I am lucky. I am blessed. I know this. Our journey, however, I could have never imagined these results. After realizing early on that there was a problem, I sought help. No one would help me. We hadn't been trying a year yet. Every place I called said they were sorry, but I needed to try for a year before they could do anything. I didn't fall into the definition of infertility. I had to wait.

We did. We discussed our cap. How long we would try ourselves before pursuing other options. As in, adoption. I am adopted; I love the idea of adoption. I also love the idea of finally being part of a family where we resemble each other. Not that that's a huge part, but I'm pretty much 100% Irish and my immediately family looks part Indian- super tan and dark.

Our cap was three years. One year down- 2 to go. It was scary. Marrying my husband 2 years prior- I never imagined this is what our lives held. I assumed I would try a few months and be pregnant and get to announce it some super cute way and surprise everyone in our families.

Infertility had another option. After about 10 months, several baby questions from family, we finally decided to open up. Probably because I had threatened to knock the next person out who made a comment about "if we had babies" or why we haven't had babies.

We resumed our lives but continued to get negative ovulation and pregnancy tests, maybe one positive ovulation every few months (I may have willed it to be positive- being the darkest line over got).

I was introduced to a local OB GYN, who was able to diagnose me our first visit. Annovulation. That's enough for one couple right?

Apparently not- add in Male Factor Infertility. I figured we didn't have a chance. Then we got pregnant, for one month. & then we lost him.

I don't ovulate. Our Sperm is almost all abnormal and now a missed miscarriage and D&C?!

That's infertility. Highs and lows. Ups and downs. Always waiting for the next disappointment because its inevitable.

I was told that we wouldn't conceive naturally without assistance (as in no more timed intercourse- dr injects the Sperm and gets me pregnant that way). He said the medicine was working but sometime else was not. I left my last appointment and last Medicated cycle feeling defeated. I ovulated Dec 11- the most fertile day of the year! But- this had happened every month on the medication- and nothing else had happened. Why now?

2 weeks later on Christmas Day. I was pregnant. & I am still pregnant. With twins. That's infertility. I'm amazed at the journey it took us on. & honestly, the journey it still takes us on. Yes, we are nervous about having two instead of the usual one. There are a million unknowns. What I do know is infertility taught me, to expect anything. I no longer can plan. It's not up to me, it's now up to the babies. This is their world, and we are just here to guide them. Our baby girls... The best thing about infertility there ever was.

I prayed that this may be our only pregnancy- our only child. I couldn't emotionally handle the "TTC" process again. God knew I couldn't either & gave us two.

I have met SO many amazing women and men from this journey. Some who have graduated to motherhood, or have beat infertility, and some who are still fighting the battle. It is a battle. It's an everyday silent struggle. It's something people hate to talk about, but it helps us so much to talk. All you have to do is listen. We don't need advice on how to position your hips or what to eat or drink, or how your aunt's, sister's, boyfriend's cousin got pregnant by taking this or that. We just need a "I can't imagine" and an ear to listen. Not much..

Ella Faith and Bria Cole- I hope someday this affects your heart. Makes you realize everyone has a story and everyone needs a friend. I hope you know how incredibly loved you already are. Your brother or sister sent you both to us in a time when we needed you the most. The journey to get you here as made me love your dad more than I ever thought possible. He is already doing so much for you girls- it melts my heart. Be kind and know that we fought so hard to bring you into our lives and the lives of this amazing extended family. You are loved.

I'm a Slacker...

So I started the survey thing a little too early because I felt like my answers were the same everytime! Now as each week will be a huge milestone, it's time to bring it back!

Total weight gain/loss: I initially started with a 5lb weight gain.. Then lost.. Twice.. Now I think I'm up to 7lbs. (However, due to the fertility meds, In my kind I'm +30 so awesome......)

Maternity clothes? Strangely.. Not really.. I wore a pair once or twice but my belly is so strangely high.. I can fit into my normal American eagle boyfriend jeans! My OB even made the comment.. No maternity jeans? At 18 weeks and I could proudly say nope! Note:: :) these American eagle jeans were my"fat" day jeans when I had lost all my weight before and I hadn't worn them in a while..

But it's still nice to say I can wear normal jeans! :)

Sleep: I still ADORE my sleep! Although its more interrupted than consistent. My bathroom trips are more frequent 3-5 times a night.. If I'm super exhausted, maybe only twice and then I'm dying in the morning!

Best moment this week: the bedding came in! Yahooooo!!

Gender:: Two girls!

Names: Ella Faith & Bria Cole (ode to my papa)

Movement: OMG yes! And it's pretty darn amazing! My first kick I was leaning over to get a chart at work and BAM! Kick on my left side! :) love it!

Food cravings: Still no definite cravings- I would just rather have fruit or veggies than anything else! So I guess that's good!

Food Aversions: I'm staying away from McDonalds and Spaghetti after the past few weeks!

Pregnancy Symptoms: my boobs are no longer sore, tired but not as much, hungry pretty often! Just muscle soreness, frequent urination, and some Sciatic pain... Great!

I already have my massage therapist working on it! She about killed me last time and I literally almost screamed as grabbed the table in pain but its worth it now! At one point when I picked up my leg, I could feel it.. Now- I don't!! :) Andrew should have got this done a long time ago!

Belly Button in or out? In, but when I cough.. I can see if I get too big- it will be an Outie!

What I miss: Less attention is for sure.. Not that it's bad attention, it's just constant comments on what I'm eating/ drinking.. Or how my belly looks today, etc..

What I am looking forward to: picking out the official paint color! Just got the bedding and I can't tell what color to pick!! Eek!


Upcoming appointments/events: High risk is April 22 & reg OB May 1st!

Weekly Wisdom: again, cannot stress enough to be grateful! Several IG girls and a close friends have lost babies early in utero and it makes you realize how precious life is.. I said a very long prayer last night for these girls and some family members that need a good reminder and it made me reflect on how amazingly blessed I am. Blessed is SUCH an understatement.. Who has a husband that after you have been at work for 2 hours texts me and tells me he misses me. Or has a husband who is willing to take on 108 Kids on his track team? Who has a husband that doesn't come home until midnight- and you try to stay up as late as you can just to kiss him good night, (only made it until 1115!!) it takes a special kind of person to deal with middle school aged kids and be their sounding board and their cheerleader, and it takes a special person to put up with me all the time- my husband does that. (Sorry for the rant!)

Milestones: 19 weeks! Half way (if not over-- there) yay!

Bump Picture: oh yes! I will definitely upload a more recent picture soon! :)

OVER half way there!

That is- if I make it to 38 weeks! :)

Tomorrow marks 19 weeks!

I never dreamed I would make it this far! It's amazing to me! I officially felt both girlies kick! Andrew is convinced Baby A- who is the most active is Bria. Ella is more subdued, Baby B!

So far, Andrew hasn't felt either girls yet. I thought maybe he would last night, but Ella stopped kicking as soon as he laid his hand on my belly! :)

I had my appointment with my OB at 18 weeks. I am measuring 23! :) she never said it wasn't normal! So I'm guessing Im okay on that one! Other than that, I just need to watch my blood pressure and any swelling! My next follow up is April 22nd with my high risk ultrasound and dr, then May 1st with my regular OB!

Andrew is priming the girls' room and my oh my! That navy blue paint was dark! We are out of primer and he isn't done! I don't expect him to get done anytime soon, the poor man has 3 track meets this week! That's 3 too many for me!

My momma ordered their bedding! I can't wait for it to come in!! She teased me today and said a huge package came but it was for my dad! Darn!

March 2013

So- I fully knew March was going to be crazy for us! I have attempted to start a blog post about every week but cannot manage to finish!

Lets just say- hello 2nd trimester! Now- I know it wasn't going to be a huge day transformation. But- I expected to feel better at least the first week! Yea- not so much! It actually got worse. Around Week 14- it was miserable. We are about to go out of town to Charleston and here I was puking 4-5 times a day. When I vomited spaghetti whole- I almost died. The next morning I vomited 5 times before 930 and just broke down at work. I was exhausted. Thankfully I work at a drs office and they hooked me up to an IV and it was truly a miracle!

Our out of town weekend was amazing! I kept everything down! I got to meet up with an old friend twice and we just had such a great time! It was amazing!

Fast forward to March 23rd- gender ultrasound! Andrew was at a track meet and I went before work! One baby was ready to reveal. One baby wasn't. So she did an internal ultrasound. I made her sweat a little but she did amazing! I took the envelopes to my friend Sarah- who did amazing on baking these cakes!

Sunday lasted forever- literally! We went to church, picked up the adorable adorable cakes, came home and cleaned our booties off! Finished dishes, food prep and then waited!

We had to wait on my sister who hair for off of work- we finally got to cut the cake around 745!

We cut the first cake && it was PINK! I honestly thought there was on girl In there so I figured the next one would be blue!!

Next cake- PINK again! We were both shocked! I am still shocked!

My poor dad! Raised 3 girls- already has Kayleigh and now The Moore Twins will be girls as well! Who would have thought?!

We are so in love with the idea these two little babes will be best friends! And all the sleepovers and memories they will make with Kayleigh! It's amazing to think about! We are so blessed and incredibly excited!

As for names, we love Ella Faith. And to think we have decided on Bria Cole. It is somewhat sad to know I won't have a boy to carry on Coleman, my dads middle name. So, we decided to shorten it, if it didn't have the word man in it- I think we would have kept it no matter what it was. However, Cole still recognizes the sentiment that I'm trying to get!

Now! Here's a boatload of pictures!

SO BEHIND!

I cannot believe how behind I have let this get! I am officially 13 weeks 3 days! A few more days and I will be in the 2ND TRIMESTER! I hope it lives up to it's name because boy do I need it! :)

I'll start with my appointment on Feb 25th! My sister drove me, Kayleigh joined! I picked up McDonald's for us before we left. I just got on OJ and plain biscuit, but knew I should have got Sprite. My sister was just talk, talk, talking away. At this point, I cannot even remember what on earth she was talking about. I was in a zone. I was trying to talk myself out of puking up whatever would decide to come up this time. She turned to me and said, are you going to get sick? I said, I don't know. I don't think so. I think I can talk myself out of it. She said, Danielle, we are about to get on the interstate. Do I need to pull over? I said, no I'll be ok.

WRONG.

I coughed and said Oh No. Sabreena whipped it off to the side of the road on the entrance ramp and I barely made it out of the car before vomiting EVERYWHERE. Literally, everywhere. I was super smart that day and wore a really baggy shirt, one that would get in the way of flying vomit. As well as being super smart and wearing WHITE PANTS. White pants + OJ = Bad combo! My poor white pants may never be the same. At one point, I turn around, Sabreena is watching me and her poor baby who was sound asleep, is craning her neck out of the car seat to see what was going on. Talk about embarrassing. 

We got to the doctor and of course, my doctor's office hadn't sent all the records they were supposed to. No Pap, no bloodwork. The important stuff. I think my new OB, Petra, was annoyed at that from the get go. She was great in answering my questions, until I asked about getting my tubes tied if I had a C-Section. Her reaction will never leave me. It's like I asked her if I could kill her dog. She said, in her foreign accent, "Absolutely not!  I will not do that! You are way too young! If you were 10 years older, maybe. But, no way! Someone else may, But I refuse!" I said, Well I would understand if my babies weren't healthy. She interjected and said, " NO! I will not do it regardless if they were healthy or not"

Okay lady. I just asked. What would have been a more suitable response was - Well, I don't advise it and I don't feel comfortable doing that at your age. Blah Blah. In a nice tone - not the one she gave me. So I left with a sour taste in my mouth and that wasn't just from the OJ vomit! :)

I have been vomiting about every other day now. I honestly can't tell if I am hungry or nauseous. It can go either way! Sometimes I think I am hungry, when I'm not. That's when I pay.

I am 13 weeks 3 days, which I said. I am vowing that I will complete my chalkboard and start it this week! I am starting to get somewhat of a bump - as I am unable to suck my gut in anymore! :)

I also applied for Ellen Degeneres Mother's Day Giveaway! For first time moms and how can a twin momma not be picked?! With our awesome infertility journey story! It would be awesome awesome to get that - you win like 8,000$ in prices, although, I will be about 22 weeks and I am not sure what the traveling limit is for twins. My nurse didn't seem to know either.

I do love this new dr's office because I have access to all my test results before they even call! I saw my Prenatal Profile and my WBC is like 12.4, way high for normal. Apparently, twins just give so much hormones that your White Blood Cell count can be elevated. I would be abnormal! Another thing is my cystic fibrosis test came back normal! YAY! I am not a carrier. If I was a carrier, Andrew would have to be tested and if Andrew was a carrier, there would be a good change our babies would/could have Cystic Fibrosis. Especially with not knowing ANY of my medical history, I am blessed that came back normal! Finally! Something!

I don't have a dr's appointment until April 3rd. At that time, I'll be 18 weeks! We do have a gender ultrasound set up for March 23rd - at which time we are NOT finding out! :)  We will be sending our envelopeS to our wonderful cake baker - Sarah! & we will be finding out with all of our families on March 24th at approximately 8pm! (Thanks to my sister and daddio who work til 7pm on the weekends) I am so super excited!!

No new pictures! I am dying to get an ultrasound from my BFF but I am so afraid I will see a little hamburger sign or triangle and know if its a boy or girl - so I am waiting!

Love, The Twins!