It's Happened...The Day I Thought Would NEVER Come (and some shopping tips)

It happened in an instant with a phone call that lasted less than a minute. I am now officially a CCRM GRADUATE!!!

I stopped all my drugs (except a baby aspirin and pre-natal vitamins) on Monday and yesterday my E2 levels rose from the 700's to over 1000 and my P4 levels were at 49 - the highest they've been EVER!!! Clearly the twinkies are now making their own E2 and P4.

I had a 1st trimester nuchal scan on Thursday and both babies looked excellent.  The preliminary results looked good and I'll get the final results back next week.

Their HB's were in the 170-180 range and they both measured on-track for exactly 12 weeks. The u/s tech pointed out many features - brains, spinal columns, stomachs, kidneys, nose bones. She said she could see them move, but we could not. At one point, one baby was sitting up again and one was lounging on their back - so I still think we have a "couch potato" and an "athlete." Below are some pics...

Twin A

 

Twin B

Shopping Tips

This week my Baby Bargains book arrived and I've been devouring it like a bear who just woke up from a nap and hasn't eaten all winter. If you are expecting, this book is a definite must. It's like a "Consumer Reports" for all things baby and they just updated it in April 2011. My only gripe is that the section on twins at the very end is only a couple pages. I feel like there could be more info. There is an accompanying message board that is helpful too.

Using the information in this book, reading postings by other twin parents and talking to other couples with babies born within the last 24 months, I've started to create a registry of items I think might be good for us. Here's what I've come up with so far:

Stroller:  Baby Jogger City Select - According to my sister, who lives in Manhattan, this is the preferred stroller for twin mamas in Manhattan - who are constantly taking their strollers into narrow spaces, up-and-down stairs, down city streets. It is lightweight, has adjustable handles (very important for us since we are both tall), can be converted into a single (if ever needed) and the seats can be adjusted into multiple positions. It can accommodate car seats and even has optional bassinets.

Car Seat: Graco SnugRide 35 - As the country's top-selling car seat, this one got good reviews. It's affordable ($85 - $150 depending on the fabric finish you select) and it will snap into the stroller frame above.
 
Pack-n-Play: Joovy Room2 - There is a Graco Pack-n-Play for twins, but all the reviews I've read from parents who tried it out for their twins didn't recommend it. For example, after a few weeks of use, the bassinets sank. Instead, several parents recommended this larger model. Yes, it doesn't have all the "extras", but it can accommodate two kids and I can leave it downstairs.

Diaper Bag: Go Gaga Life Messenger Bag - As you may remember from an earlier post, this was recommended on Ellen DeGeneres' Mother's Day show. I ordered this and it arrived earlier this week. I can already tell I am going to LOVE this bag. It has a strip of fabric that distributes weight across my shoulders and back, it's made of ballistic nylon - so it's waterproof and easy to clean, it has lots of pockets, a clip for keys, and, best of all, I can reach nearly everything with one hand. If you are considering purchasing one of these, places like Groupon and Living Social frequently run specials at specialty baby shops - so see if you can get a deal this way.

Other Discounts


BabySteals.com - Like "Groupon" for baby stuff. Just enrolled this week. Here's a link.

Zulily.com - Another site that offers great discounts that only last for a short while. Here's a link.

Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day...to all my fellow moms-to-be! Some bargains (only good for today)

I remember this day last year like it was just yesterday...

On one hand, I was happy that my Mom was a few-second phone call away, hear her voice and tell her with my own "Happy Mother's Day." Our relationship took some years to get to where it is today and we still have our occasional rocky moments. A day like today lets me set these memories aside, be thankful, and focus on the "good stuff." On the other hand, I was grieving my own loss. I had cycled in Prague in March, but lost the pregnancy. In summary, it was a bittersweet day where I was still wondering if I'd ever become a Mom.

Today, I am clearly in a very different place. Words don't seem to be enough to express how thankful I am that this pregnancy seems to be sticking so far. At the same time, there is still a part of me that sympathizes and grieves for all the women out there who are still going through the journey and have not yet found your answer. I understand how painful and difficult a day like today can be. Know that I am thinking of all of you and that I wish with all my heart that one day you get to sit where I am today (or already be holding your child in your arms).

Last  night, my dog woke up coughing in the middle of the night and I could not fall back to sleep, so I started doing some Internet surfing. The mostonline.org website led me to Ellen DeGeneres site, which, in turn led me to make two wonderful online purchases:

1. The Expecting 411 / Baby 411 / Toddler 411 Book Combo - These books are written by a couple right up the road from me in Boulder, Colorado. You might be familiar with their "Baby Bargains" series. If you enter "ELLEN" at checkout, you get 40% off the series and free shipping.


2. The GoGagaBaby diaper bag. This bag was designed with moms in-mind. Everything you need to reach (bottles, phone, diapers, etc.) is accessible with one hand and the strap is sling-style so the weight is distributed across your back and shoulders. It is made with durable ballistic nylon and comes in several colors. I can already tell I am going to LOVE this purchase - plus, I love supporting a small business. Again, if you enter "ELLEN" in the coupon code box, you get 40% off.

As far as my pregnancy, I am now in my 11th week. I can only guess things are going well. I can definitely tell that my stomach is starting to bulge and my abdomen feels hard. The "morning" sickness still comes and goes - not bad enough that I think I need a prescription. I have an u/s on Tuesday with my OB (so not the most modern equipment, but it will be good enough). They put a referral into the peri, but since I am now having twins, that group won't see me until I am into my 2nd trimester - so I think I have a few more weeks. My E2 and P4 levels were holding steady in the 500's and low 40's respectively, so I am now down to 1cc PIO shot every other night. Go back on Wednesday and hope that I'll be completely off PIO. Something tells me CCRM graduation day is coming soon.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!