Two Month Update

The twins and I and Kaylie went to the pediatrician yesterday.  Thank goodness Kaylie was there to help!  The twins got lots of shots and it was a difficult process for us.  I almost cried!  But amazingly, both Ian and Chloe quieted quickly after the shots were over.  Then they both slept a lot for the rest of the day.  Although they aren't old enough to get lollipops for being good, we did get stickers! 

Tonight I am going to take Ian and Chloe to the SPCA's Kitten and Puppy Art Show.  Maybe I'll have a chance to see some familiar faces at the SPCA with the twins there. 

This weekend, Brian, the twins and I will be heading out to pick out our Christmas Tree and commence decorations for Christmas.  And I am going to Lori's cookie swap on Saturday.  I love coming back home with so many different kinds of cookies! 

Thanksgiving Day Portrait

Thanksgiving with the Laughlin Family

This week Ian and Chloe got to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa again, yay! They also met aunt Katie and uncle Chris, and great uncle Robert! We are having a lot of fun family time, and we even got to take a family picture with Max and all the Laughlins. (Thanks Kaylie and Brendan!)

Catching up and petting Sophia

Well I guess I don't have to say how hard it is to get time to write! the twins keep me pretty busy all day with diaper changes, nursing, spit up, etc!

Something awesome happened this morning. I was walking around while holding Ian and we found Sophia sitting on the window perch in our bedroom. Ian had his left arm sticking out so I moved him so his hand was on her head. I told him how soft her fur was while I moved his hand down her back. He opened his fist and I swear he was petting her!!! He actually grabbed her fur and repeated every time we touched her!!

Yay!

welcome Ian & Chloe

Welcome to the world Ian & Chloe!!!! Although I am not getting this posted in a timely manner, I want to tell the story of their birthday. On Wednesday sept 29, at 7:30 am, my water broke. I was sooo excited and relieved!! There was a low pressure front and it was pouring rain. We made our way to the hospital after I informed Brian that he would not be going to work that day. At the hospital we were in labor for about 16 hours and I ended up with 2 epidurals because the first one shifted after about 8 hours. Around 11:30 pm I was fully dilated and the staff wheeled us into the OR. Chloe was born at 12:34 am. She was so beautiful. After another 90 minutes (because I was no longer fully dilated and he wasn't in position yet) Ian was born at 2:04 am. He was so beautiful.

They were born on Thursday September 30th and that is a day we will cherish forever.

Week 36 Update (almost)

Tomorrow marks week 36 for us and everyone is trying to encourage Ian and Chloe to come out!  No labor contractions yet, but plenty of Braxton-Hicks contractions.  No updates from the doc, we went last Friday and everything looks good.  They basically just want us to keep on waiting for me to go into labor. 

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone! 

Week 35 Update

Today marks the beginning of week 35 and I feel absolutely huge and uncomfortable.  I was really hoping I would go into labor on Labor day, but that didn't happen!  Oh well, Brian says that it is better for the babies if I keep them in until closer to their due date, and he is right. 

When I was thinking about how extremely uncomfortable I am and compared it to having morning sickness back in the first trimester, I decided that morning sickness was worse.  So I will keep thinking about that every time I grunt and groan when standing up, sitting down, laying down, or doing anything else! 

On I lighter note, the nursery looks great now and we have just about everything set up and ready to go!  The most important thing that we still need to get is the Diaper Champ, but it should arrive in the next week. 

I will be meeting my TMOTT (triangle mothers of twins and tripletts) buddy tomorrow for the first time.  I have been paired up with another TMOTT member with a similar situation who lives close by.  She has boy / girl twins that were born in 2008.  I'll get to meet her and the twins tomorrow morning.  Everyone wish me luck! 

9-3-10 update

We had growth estimates from a ultrasound appt today. Chloe is 4 lb 15 oz and Ian is whooping 6 lb 6 oz. No sign of going into labor yet but Harmony is quite ready. The Dr said they won't step in to do anything yet (although she was very slightly concerned that Ian is growing much faster than Chloe), but she also said that if Harmony starts to go into labor they wouldn't do anything to stop it.

So far everyone is healthy and another piece of good news is that Ian is no longer breach. Both babies are head down and ready to go.

Week 34 Update!

Today we are officially at 34 weeks!  According to our doctor, this is the cutoff point at which we know for sure that Ian and Chloe will be ok if they come early.  That is great news. 

I have had a couple of Braxton-Hicks contractions in the last couple of days, but apparently that has nothing to do with signalling upcoming labor.  So my new goal is to go into labor on . . . . LABOR DAY!  LOL.  we'll see what happens.  :)

We really had a great time at the baby shower and loved all the presents that we received!  Not to mention all the yummy food, too! 

Everyone keep your fingers crossed that we are prepared for the imminent labor and delivery!  4 weeks left and counting!

32 Week Update

We went to the doc today for another checkup and baby heart beat check.  Everyone is doing great and they just want us to keep plugging along!  I asked the doc to predict when she thought we would go into labor and she said 36 weeks.  So lets wait and see! 

Ian and Chloe are getting very excited about being the stars of the show for the upcoming baby shower.  They are practicing kicking so that everyone can see.  :)

We go back to the doc on 9/3 for another checkup, and after that we will go at least once a week. 

I haven't had any problems lately other than being uncomfortable sleeping and some recent lower back spasms.  Everything is normal though. 

We'll check back in soon!

Week 30 Update

As you can see, Brian posted our most recent ultrasound pics below.  The estimated weight for Ian and Chloe has increased by 50% over the last month!  Phew!  No wonder I feel like a beached whale!  LOL.  I had my last day of work last Friday, and since then I have been taking it easy and doing things around the house.  I really need to get motivated to clean, but that is hard!  The good thing (I guess) is that I'm so uncomfortable in bed that I'm not sleeping all day.  I have been getting up between 8am and 9am for the last couple of days.  That is pretty impressive for me! 

Our next OB appointment is 8/18 I think.  Still on the every other week schedule for now.  The doc said everything is going great and for me to just keep doing what I'm doing.  Everyone cross their fingers that we make it to 38 weeks!!

New ultrasound pix


Ian estimated weight: 3lb 10oz

Chloe estimated weight: 3lb 7oz

Week 29 Update

All is well with mom, dad, and the babies!  This week Brian and I have been trying to clean up the house some more, and trying to update and fill up our registries.  It is crazy how much STUFF babies require!  We finished our last birth class this past Sunday and we learned a lot about what to expect at the hospital.  I think we have about 8 weeks left until the due date, and I'm sooo excited!!! 

Thanks to Pat and Rich Laughlin (Grandma and Grandpa) for our car seats!!!  We are so lucky to have your support and we'll take a picture once they are installed.  :)  Gotta make sure the babies are safe and secure!

Thanks also to Erica who officially got Ian and Chloe their first clothing!  Lovely Japanese Kimono onesies!!!  Don't worry, when they get big enough I'll take pics and post them.  Can't wait to see how cute they look!

By for now!

Week 28 Update

We go back to the OB tomorrow for another check up and more ultrasound pics will be forthcoming!!

Good News:  I do NOT have gestational diabetes!!!  The tests came back negative and everyone is just fine!!!

Chloe
Ian

Week 26 OB Appointment

Phew we have been so busy ever since returning from South Africa!  I haven't even really finished unpacking yet, and we have had a doctor appt, and our first prepared childbirth class.  We have also started working on the registry and have at least set them up so far.  There is so much research to be done about strollers and car seats, etc! 

At the last OB appt, measurements were made to approximate the weight of Ian and Chloe.  Ian came in at 2 lbs and 3 ounces, while Chloe came in at 2 lbs and 2 ounces.  Chloe is still head down which is good, but also means that when she kicks it gets me in the lung!  Ian has somehow managed to flip into the breach position, so we'll see if he can get turned back around before he runs out of room.

Brian will be posting the latest ultrasound pics soon. 

My glucose test last Friday was a blast!  (not).  I actually have to go back this Friday because my numbers were high and now I have to repeat the test with more specific blood work.  yay. 

I'll post again when new updates arrive!

Hello from South Africa

Hello everyone!!  Ian and Chloe here reporting on our first international outing.  We have been very active and letting mommie know what we do and what we do not like.  We very much liked the rides in the Land Rover on safari as they lulled us right to sleep.  We think we were supposed to be on the lookout for animals in the wild or something, but the urge to sleep was too great!  We also very much like the South African food because mommie seems to eat dinner and fill up so we don't have room to bother her too much.  We definitely do not like riding on airplaines because they make mommie have to fit into a small space and we don't get much room then. 

Well we are going to go back to sleep now, but maybe in a few months we'll be able to see all the stuff we missed on safari.   bye bye everyone!!

Ian and Chloe

Leaving today for South Africa!

The babies and their parents are leaving today for South Africa.  We will be flying from DC to Amsterdam (overnight and losing 6 hours in the process) and then flying from Amsterdam to Johannesberg.  We will be in South Africa for approximately 23 days and will have tickets to 5 World Cup matches.  First we see US v. England, then US v. Slovenia, US v. Algeria, and two more games dependent on the outcome of the first 3. 

How cool is it going to be to be able to tell Ian and Chloe that their first trip out of the county was to South Africa!!  Guess they will just have to take our words for it!  :)

Week 21 Pictures of Ian and Chloe!

Twin A is Chloe and Twin B is Ian

Movement!!!

With the help of my coworker Rita, I realized that the "stuff" I felt in my belly was the babies moving!!!  YAY!!!  I was wondering when I would feel that for the first time and actually realize that was what it was.  I'm so excited!!!  Brian is too!!!

Our Nursery

This past weekend Brian and I went to Ikea in Charlotte for our nursery furniture.  I am a big fan of Ikea, and Brian was just happy that I was happy.  We got 2 cribs, a changing table, a bookshelf, and a wall shelf.  Since Brian is out of town this week for work, we will most likely start assembling furniture this weekend. 

A big shout out to the Hensley family for allowing us use of their Suburban!!!  You guys rock!! 

Names!!!

Brian and I have decided on names! 

Our daughter is Chloe Elizabeth Laughlin
Our son is Ian Edward Laughlin

YAY!!

One Boy And One Girl!!!!!!!!!

YAY!!!  We went in for our 17 week check up and ultrasound this morning.  Blood pressure, etc. looked great and we are well into the second trimester.  I will most likely start feeling them move any day now.  We had the ultrasound and the heartbeats were great!  We found out that we are having 1 boy and 1 girl.  See the pictures below!!  Twin A is the girl and Twin B is the boy!!

Our Little Girl

Our Little Boy

Being Pregnant is Weird!!

So many weird syptoms have shown up in the last couple of weeks.  For instance my quantity of blood has increased, and with it so the feeling of my pulse.  Sitting still I can feel blood pulsing, even if I'm not out of breath!  Also I still have a headache almost every day. 

We have an OB appointment on 5/3/10, so look for more pics then! 

Catching Up

Nothing really new this week, still pregnant and still having occasional headaches.  The morning sickness seems to be completely gone, yay! 

I have noticed that my "pregnancy brain" is getting pretty bad.  I am being very forgetful, and yesterday I managed to do a load of laundry with MY CELL PHONE in it!!! 

Week 13 Pictures!!!

We went to see our OBGYN today and had the first trimester screen.  Everything looks normal and the twins are doing great.  We got to hear both heartbeats and we saw them both moving around inside their little spaces!  They are completely adorable because they are soooo little!  They are both about 6 centimeters from rump to crown.  :)

Here you can see Twin A (we think she is a girl, but won't know for another 6 weeks or so)

And here you can see Twin B (we definitely saw some indications in another view that this is a boy!!, again won't know for sure until about 6 weeks or so)




We head back to the OBGYN for another visit on May 3rd - at that point we will have another ultrasound and check of the twins' heartbeats.  Then about 3 weeks after that we go in for our official anatomical ultrasound.

One Week and Counting!

Today I am officially 12 weeks pregnant, so that means that I only have 1 week left in the first trimester!!!  Woo-hoo!!! 

I keep getting more and more excited about going to South Africa and then quitting work, and I am less excited to actually be at work.  Yesterday I had the day off and it was great, I wish I could just have more time off and not have to work!  Oh well.

Who Knew? Being Pregnant Can Cause Problems With Your Gums!!!

Well I went to see my dentist today because I have had a bad toothache for about 2 weeks now.  I was terrified that I would have a cavity and need a root canal or some other work done.  I haven't have a cavity since like 2nd grade!! 

Anyway, to my great relief, the problem is actually an infection of the gums in the area of the tooth.  Would you believe that being pregnant often carries a symptom of gum disease?  Who knew?!?  Apparently this is very common and is treated with a mouth rinse and switching to an electric toothbrush.  Also, after birth the condition ceases.  Wow, learn something new every day!

We've Decided - I'm NOT Going Back to Work!

Well folks the decision has been made.  It is not worth it for me to continue to work and pay for childcare for two babies.  I am so relieved that the decision is made and now I don't have the stress of trying to decide.  I informed work last Friday, and they will start working on finding my replacement soon. 

If anyone out there is looking for a full time, Monday through Friday job in downtown Raleigh and thinks they would like this position, LET ME KNOW!  :)

To go back to work, or Not to go back to work . . . .

Some people think I shouldn't be making this decision so soon, but since we are going to South Africa for a month this summer, I can understand why my work kinda wants to know so they can plan for it.  As of today and the last couple of days, I am leaning towards not going back.  Anyone have any thoughts?

OB Appointment Today - Everything is Great

Brian and I met with Dr. Clark this morning and she is very cool.  We discussed our trip to South Africa and she is totally fine with it.  Phew!!

Also I get to stop taking those horse-pills every night (for blood sugar) soon, yay!!!  From this point on, I will go every month until June, then every 2 weeks.  EVERY time I go I will have an ultrasound, so look forward to lots of pics everyone!! 

We should find out in early May what the genders are!!

Last thing is that they will induce labor at week 38 if I haven't already gone into labor.  By the way week 38 starts for me on September 28th, one day after my brother Matt's birthday.  :)

OB Appointment Tomorrow

We go see our OB tomorrow for our first official meeting.  I suppose we'll get the results back from the blood tests they did last week, and we will have an opportunity to break the news to them that Brian and I will be in South Africa this June!  Lets hope they are ok with that :) 

Week 8 Ultrasound Pics!

Check out the twins in week 8! 

I got to hear both of their heartbeats and that was really awesome!

From fatigue to nausea . . . .

Seems like up until last Saturday all I had noticed was that I had a lot of fatigue and was just tired all the time.  But ever since this past weekend, I am completely nauseous all day long.  I guess this is my version of morning sickness.  I hope it passes soon! 

I will hopefully be able to go see my OB this week so that I can officially get things started there. 

Well, here's to me feeling better hopefully!

Two Little Heartbeats!!!

Here is the latest ultrasound image we have of our two little ones!  We were able to see the hearts beating and it was awesome!  This was our last official appointment at the fertility doctor, and now we get to move on to the regular OB next week. 

Feeling better, looking foward to tomorrow.

Lets hope that the bout of misery I had earlier in the week is over!  Anyway, I am feeling better and have a little bit more energy but still don't have too much going on in the morning.  I move so slow in the morning I am late for work every day! 

Tomorrow we go in for another OB scan so we will post more pics afterwards. 

Then grandma Pat and grandpa Rich are coming to visit for the weekend!! 

I am feeling miserable.

Not that anyone really wants to read about all these symptoms, but I am so miserable.  I am in a bad mood and have a short fuse, am irritable, can't sleep, and most of all I'm exhausted completely just from doing the smallest tasks.  Yesterday I went to the grocery store and had to take a break half-way through!!  How pathetic! 

All of the chores around the house are behind because I can't get enough energy to do them.  But I don't sleep or nap instead, so I'm just miserable!

TWINS!!!!!!!!!!

The time has come and we went in this morning for our ultrasound! We have twins!! YAY!! Here in the picture you can see two distinct egg sacks, each with a singular yolk sack. The doc advised that we will most likely deliver at the end of September, so that moves the due date up a bit! And if anyone wants to start placing bets on the genders let me know!!

One Week Left Until Our Next Ultrasound!

The waiting is the hardest part!! In one week we will go back in to the doc to have an ultrasound. There we will find out how many fetuses there are and if any have split into identical pairs! All we can do now is wait. . .

Pictures of Our Embryos!!!

Here is a scan of one of the two embryos that were implanted on 1/24/10.  You can see that the embryo has started to become a blastocyst.  It was just a couple of cells a few days ago, and now those cells are changing to more of an amorphous blob.

Here is a scan of the second embryo that was implanted on 1/24/10.

Bloodwork Results from This Morning

More good news!!  My HCG and Progesterone levels have almost doubled since they were taken on Tuesday.  This means that, yes, I am definitely pregnant, and that everything looks good and is progressing as it should. 

Also, based on very loose agreement with these numbers, the likelihood that there are multiples is still quite high!!  Woo-hoo!!  I just found some pictures of ultrasounds that were performed at 5.5 weeks and you can see how many and if there are any identicals as well.  I will go in for that scan on 2/19 or 2/22, so I'll keep everyone posted for sure.

If you are curious, here is a link to the ultrasound pics at 5.5 weeks (representative pics).  http://www.advancedfertility.com/ultraso1.htm

Due Date Discussion

So we anticipate a due date of 10/12/10, but that is subject to change.  Of course if we find out that we have multiples (which due to IVF is an increased possibility), then our date date would be earlier.  We'll change it as the need arises.  We should find out by the end of February whether or not there are multiples!

We are starting a baby blog!!!!

Hello everyone and welcome to our baby blog. This seems like what "all the kids are doing these days," so I figured I would jump on the blog bandwagon.

Anyway, we found out yesterday that we are pregnant! This was the second In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) attempt and is was successful. The first try didn't work unfortunately, but we went back in for try 2 with high hopes, the assistance of fertility acupuncture, and about 30 lbs lighter (for me.) It seems to have worked!

More info to come soon, so keep posted and thanks for your support!!

Harmony