So Much to Say

First, I am sad to admit I have turned into a bad blogger.  I basically have something I want to write about almost every single day, but when I get home, I want nothing more than to lay down and take a nap.  Some days I think, I'll just sit on the couch and relax for a few minutes before I sit down in front of the computer.  But then, I simply can NOT keep my eyes open and another day goes by.

Ever since softball season started, I got behind on my blog reading as well as my blog writing.  I've been about 2 weeks behind everyone else for MONTHS.  I finally got caught up and was only a week behind.  But then...our softball team went to California last week for Nationals and suddenly I am 3 weeks behind!  I am madly trying to catch back up so I can be on the same page as everyone else.

When I logged on to write this post, I discovered I've lost a follower.  That makes me a little sad actually.  It's hard not to think if only I'd write more, maybe I'd be more interesting.  But then the thought also crosses my mind, that maybe it's someone struggling in the throws of treatment and it is simply too hard to read about a pregnancy.  I know that can be difficult for some.

 

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Okay, on to better things!  Yesterday was my first appointment with Maternal Fetal Medicine.  It was a three part appointment.  First we met with a genetic counselor to go over our family medical history to discuss potential genetic/chromosomal abnormalities.  She talked to us about different tests we can do.  Hubby and I both agree that we do not want to do anything invasive that could potentially harm the babies.

 

Then we had an ultrasound to measure the nuchal translucency.  This test is done to determine a potential risk for Down Syndrome and a few other possible chromosomal abnormalities.  Baby B cooperated and allowed the tech to get a good measurement.  Baby A on the other hand was very ornery and would not allow a measurement, regardless of which position I laid in.  We also tried a vaginal u/s, which also didn't work.  So I have to go back next week so they can try again.  Darn!  That just makes me so sad that I HAVE to go back and see my babies again.  I hope you are catching my sarcasm, because I'm actually ecstatic that I get to get another u/s so soon!

 

Both babies were moving and having a little dance party in there.  Both have two arms and two legs.  Both have stomachs, bladders, and nice solid heartbeats.  We didn't actually get to hear the heartbeats, which I was a little bummed about, but we did get to see them on the screen so that was okay.

 

After the u/s, we med with the Perinatologist.  She said that Baby B's nuchal measurement looked good and is not suspect of any problems.  She also said that Baby A's looked good visually, but they just couldn't get the exact number measurement.  She said we should have nothing to worry about with either baby.

 

I went into the appointment with a list of questions that she happily took the time to answer.  I must say though, that I am more confused on a few of them than before I went in.  I've been concerned about my nutrition.  I really don't think I eat too bad, but I also really don't think I'm getting what I need.  I absolutely know I don't get enough protein.  So I asked if she had a nutrition checklist that I could work from. 

 

She recommended the book When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads by Barbara Luke.  I told her that I actually have that book, but I've only been able to skim through it so far.  I had skimmed through the nutrition section previously, and one of the things it recommends is drinking a protein drink every day.  After reading that, I had purchased some Ensure protein shakes.  It concerned me how much sugar is in each one of those drinks, 22g for just a little bottle!!!  The doctor agreed with me that the sugar content was very high and I should probably stay away from those drinks since I am considered at risk for Gestational Diabetes.  Okay.....but that book highly recommends those drinks and you are telling me to follow the book.  Confusion.

 

We also talked about weight gain.  This doctor told me that I should expect to gain about 20-25 lbs for this pregnancy.  What?  Hold on!  Uhhhhh......  for twins????  Again, confusion.  This book (that she was recommending) recommends a weight gain between 38-47 lbs.  Unless I'm obese, in which case the book recommends a gain between about 25-36 lbs.  This makes absolutely NO SENSE to me.  I am not obese.  Yes, I did start out a little overweight, but I am NOT obese by any stretch of the imagination.  Isn't a weight gain of 20-25 lbs normal for a singleton pregnancy?  More confusion.  I'm not sure what to think about this.  Especially since she was highly recommending this book, which was written by a nutritionist.

 

 

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As of this coming Saturday, I will be 14 weeks.  We've made plans to tell all of our extended family on that day.  We are meeting my family for breakfast.  I don't know if my Grandma will make it to the breakfast as she doesn't get out much.  If she doesn't come, Hubby and I will make a special trip out to see her. 

 

Saturday night, my in-laws are hosting a BBQ at their house for all the Aunts, Uncles, and extended family.  They just moved to their new place a few months back, so the BBQ is under the pretense of having everyone out to see their new property.  They were planning to do something like that anyway so it works out perfectly for us to make our announcement to everyone.

 

I'm still a little uneasy about our pregnancy being advertised to the world, but it's becoming more and more noticeable.  Kinda hard to hide TWO babies growing in there!  It's also really difficult to get EVERYONE together at the same time, and we'd really like to tell people in person.  So here goes...

 

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Softball is officially over.  For the third straight year, our travel team qualified for the ASA/USA National Tournament, something we are incredibly proud of.  As of last week, Hubby and I are retired from coaching for about 7-8 years.  We figure we'll probably get involved in it again around then, with our own kids.

 

I'm going to wait another 3 weeks or so until I resign my coaching position from the high school.  I'll wait till school gets back in session.  That's going to be hard.

 

It's going to be difficult to walk away from these girls and their families.  I'm sure we'll still be out watching a lot of softball games.  These girls have been OUR kids on the field for a long, long time.  We will miss them, but we are looking forward to this next adventure in life.