Monday, October 12, 2009

I learned three things today

Today was my first trimester screening test, where the babies are checked for indicators of Down Syndrome. I'm a little late getting it done, because for some reason when the doc asked me last month if I wanted to do the test, I said no. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY BABIES, I WILL LOVE THEM AND CARE FOR THEM ALWAYS! I was feeling... protective? A little "Earth Mother" insane? I really have no idea. What the doc should have said was, Would you like a free ultrasound to fawn over your beanlets? And your husband will leave work to be there with you, I know you love that. I would have been like: Sign me up, lady! Why didn't you say that in the first place?

Anyway, when I became jealous of everyone else's first trimester screening test ultrasound pictures realized what I had declined, I called the office and scheduled the appointment. DH came with me to wrangle Bean and try to get some good looks at the screen while I laid on the table to be poked and prodded. My heart did melt, though, when I looked over and saw that Bean had lifted his shirt and was rubbing his travel Magna Doodle pen slowly over his belly, just like the tech was rubbing the wand on mine. Could he be any more adorable? Surely not.

Anyway, the first thing I learned today was that I GROW FREAKING HUGE BABIES. We did realize this when Bean came out at a scale-tipping 9 lbs 14 oz, but surely that could just have been a fluke? It wasn't. The twins were measuring almost exactly equal (yippee!) at 13 weeks 6 days. If you go by my earliest due date, I am 13 weeks 3 days along. And since I plan to lobby for a due date that is 4 days later than that (based on my very first u/s with the RE), that would make me 12 weeks 6 days. Ummm, yeah. I'm trying to take this as a sign that I will have very healthy twins when I am full term, and not that I'm about to get a call from the doc's office that my one-hour glucose tolerance test from last week came back positive. Because me and gestational diabetes? Not gonna be friends. The only two food groups I eat these days are carbs and sugar -- surviving without them is not a future I am prepared to deal with. (UPDATE: I passed my test and do not have gestational diabetes! Yet! Anyone up for doughnuts?)

Here are the twins, in alphabetical order:



Looking pretty awesome, no? It's hard to remember that they are only about 3 inches long right now. They seem so big! It is always so amazing to see their spines, their brains, their arm and leg bones. And these two were WIGGLY today, holy cow. Twin A especially. I told DH that's his baby -- let him deal with the hyperactive one. It took the tech forever to get the nuchal fold measurements. Which brings me to the second thing I learned today. The measurements on both babies look fantastic. Coupled with my age, the doc gave us low odds of Down Syndrome. WOO HOO! With twins, they don't do the bloodwork portion of the test, because the results are less reliable. But he recommended I come back at 15-16 weeks for another test, and they will revise the odds based on what they see. We left smiling, of course.

And finally, the third thing I learned today....

Actually, you're going to have to wait for the next post. What we think we saw (or not) regarding the sex of the babies, coming soon!

Photobucket

24 comments:

Coffeegrljapan said...

I'm so happy to hear that things are going well and babies are measuring nice and healthy!! Also- yay for no gestational diabetes!

'Murgdan' said...

I confess...I signed up for the first trimester screening just to get another free ultrasound. Mine is next Wednesday.

Looking good. I think it fools me because they zoom in on them for the screen and makes them look huge. :-)

Glad you got your scan in!

Kate said...

OMG!!!! They are so cute! For real! :) I can't believe how fast they grow.

Congrats on no GD and I hope that things continue smooth sailing for you.

And um, gender results?!?! Do share!!!

Anonymous said...

I am a first time visitor. Your babies look great! If you get a chance please check out my non profit Parenthood for Me.org. Our mission is to provide financial and emotional support to those building families through adoption or medical intervention. We need help spreading the word.
Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I love your blog name BTW

Allison said...

That post just made me get all giggly and excited! Yay twins! Can't wait for the next post...I'm just filled with anticipation! Love you!

Michelle said...

Aww they look BEAUTIFUL and you are right they do look so BIG!

Mary said...

You big TEASE!!!! I better be getting an email ;)

Woo Hoo for 2 gorgeous babes, I love them already!! And watch out for that wiggly one, Livi was my active baby both inside and out, now look at what a troublemaker she is ;)

So precious about Danny, melts my heart! Oh and enjoy this time now when you can get them both on the same screen, by the end its hard to know who's arm is who's due to the fancy game of twister going on in there!

Stephanie Faris said...

One huge baby is tough but TWO huge babies? You're in for an adventure!

Lisa said...

Yay for the cool sneak peek of the babies, I can tell they are adorable already! And glucose test so soon, is that a twin thing? swear i did that at like 24 weeks or something? Going to send you an email...got some baby wearing questions! :) And hurry up with that post already....I want to know what you SAW or did not SEE! :)

Kristina P. said...

I am so glad they are healthy!

MissMVK said...

Hooray for a great NT scan! And I am sooo jealous of your great u/s pics. My last ones were lacking. And - I forgot to mention, my Twinks are also measuring AHEAD! They were both 12w5d at my 12w u/s. GULP. Piglet was 8lbs8oz which was huge for my petite build, but not compared to your BIG bean! Way to go mama! I cannot believe you are holding out on us about what you did or did not see! You must post a poll so we can all vote!

Lori Lavender Luz said...

No fair to leave us hanging!

Loved the Bean/magna-doodle moment.

Congrats on a happy day.

..al said...

Passing a Muffin to you....


Woohoo!

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

The babies are beautiful!! Hmmm, I think I see something on a U/S, Or Not!! Ha, ha!!

Jen said...

Seriously? You are going to keep me in suspense like that? UNFAIR!!!

And I totally do the screening for the free u/s too. We're doing it at just over 13 weeks, so I'm hoping we might get some indication of gender.

Furrow said...

They look wonderful! I'm getting so excited about twins. My bro and his wife are pregnant with a pair! I'm guessing you have at least one girl in there. Right? Aww, tell us!

Aunt Becky said...

NOT HAPPY TO HAVE TO WAIT. I AM NOT A PATIENT PERSON.

Nicky said...

Congrats on the excellent scan, and for growing some good size kiddos in there! Can't wait to hear more exciting news... my money's on one of each. Not sure why.

Red said...

Great scan! They are big babies! That is brilliant! Does that sway your decision on trying to push them out yourself at all?! :)

Am on the edge of my seat for the next post!

Anonymous said...

Awesome Mama!!! They look fantastic! I smile everytime I see and hear you talking about the little beans. I did DS testing for both of our little ones just to know. Like you, it was ridiculous to think I would "do" anything about it if the results were positive, but I felt I would do better prepared knowing. Besides, isn't it nice to be able to breathe yet another sigh of relief? Sarah

Woo222 said...

Ah, I'm dying to know the genders!! I am SOOOO glad everything looks good, and the image of little Bean with the Magna Doodle pen nearly brought me to tears. That is the sweetest thing! Now..can I rally for the next post? ~Susan

Beautiful Mess said...

Look at those beautiful babies! I love that Bean was getting an ultrasound too! That's so sweet.

Glad everything is going well. Hopefully the twins won't be 9 pounders...*EEK*
*HUGS*

IF Optimist, then... said...

Wooohooooo! Great news and look at dem delicious babies! I can see The Bean in my mind with his magna doodle. Looking forward to more great news in the weeks to come.