Scott and I really wanted to wait a bit longer, as I was only 10 weeks along, to tell everyone at our jobs what was happening. But, with my shirts and pants quickly getting tighter, we decided the secret was going to be out soon enough.
I went to work and told just a few people and my friend Laura was announcing it to the world. I think she was just so happy to be able to talk about the secret. Her daughters, Keaton and Ashley (our future babysitters) came in the classroom first that morning so we told them. I told the girls I was going to need their help filling out some papers, and I held up a baby book. They ran across the room and nearly tackled me...it was so sweet. Then I told them that they weren't going to have to fight over who got to hold the baby...there would be plenty to go around. Ashely was so excited that she announced it to my entire government class. The students all know and most of the faculty. I have received such amazing notes, cards, and emails of congratulations!
Scott began his day with an email to all of his friends announcing the news....not surprisingly he had lots of congratulations, and then in typical fashion, the emails got crazy....these are memories that have been printed and will be saved and put in the baby scrapbook!
As the days wore one, the congratulations and cards continue to come in. I never realized how much people cared. It is truly a blessing to have this many people sincerely care about you and wish us well. Blessed is all I can say.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Spreading the news..
After returning from Colorado we were excited to tell the rest of the family. We decided to wait until the next weekend, since Richard and Myra were out of town with Grandma. We planned a brunch at Myra's house and shared the news. Grandma was excited, but very reserved, which is typical of her. However, her eyes filled with tears and said that she was so glad her prayers worked. We then broke the news that we're having twins....She said I guess the prayers really worked!! Richard and Jacob were there too and they were excited to hear the news.
We decided that we would call Patti and Pam and let them know, and then we would go tell Memaw. We knew if we told her first, she would be on the phone in a second calling Patti and Pam. Patti and Ashley were together in the car when Scott broke the news...I could hear the screams through Scott's phone. They were so excited. Pam received the next call and had almost the identical response.
We, and by we I mean me and Scott, Tommy, Myra, and Grandma, decided to tell Memaw and Ed in person. Memaw was excited to see us and when we told her she was delighted. She was so excited that she asked if she should turn in her resignation to her boss so she could stay home with the babies. Too cute!!
The night before all of this I decided to call the Heckelman crew because it was Margaret's birthday and I knew the whole bunch would be around. I called Aunt Marie in the afternoon and broke the news....I was very choked up telling her, my Godmother, that I was going to be a mother....Beyond excited is what I got from the Heckelman bunch. The phone calls came in for the rest of the evening with best wishes and prayers from everyone.
I then called Uncle Brendan and Aunt Rosemary. I spoke to Aunt Roe first and she told me how much she had been praying and knew this was going to happen now...She was all teared up and excited. She put Uncle Bren on the phone and I was stunned by his reaction.....he could hardly catch his breath as he was sobbing. It feels so amazing to know that so many people love us and truly care about our well-being!!
We decided that we would call Patti and Pam and let them know, and then we would go tell Memaw. We knew if we told her first, she would be on the phone in a second calling Patti and Pam. Patti and Ashley were together in the car when Scott broke the news...I could hear the screams through Scott's phone. They were so excited. Pam received the next call and had almost the identical response.
We, and by we I mean me and Scott, Tommy, Myra, and Grandma, decided to tell Memaw and Ed in person. Memaw was excited to see us and when we told her she was delighted. She was so excited that she asked if she should turn in her resignation to her boss so she could stay home with the babies. Too cute!!
The night before all of this I decided to call the Heckelman crew because it was Margaret's birthday and I knew the whole bunch would be around. I called Aunt Marie in the afternoon and broke the news....I was very choked up telling her, my Godmother, that I was going to be a mother....Beyond excited is what I got from the Heckelman bunch. The phone calls came in for the rest of the evening with best wishes and prayers from everyone.
I then called Uncle Brendan and Aunt Rosemary. I spoke to Aunt Roe first and she told me how much she had been praying and knew this was going to happen now...She was all teared up and excited. She put Uncle Bren on the phone and I was stunned by his reaction.....he could hardly catch his breath as he was sobbing. It feels so amazing to know that so many people love us and truly care about our well-being!!
The Announcement
Deciding when to tell our families was so difficult. Scott and I knew we had to wait a while, but keeping the secret was soooo difficult. While on vacation with my friend Laura, I developed a bad sinus infection and she just wanted to go to the drug store and get some medication. Not knowing what I was allowed to take, I insisted on going to see a doctor. Laura was able to piece it all together and realize that I was pregnant. I swore her to secrecy and told her that if she told anyone, I wouldn't let her come over and visit with them.
We decided to tell Paul, Alli, and Declan in person. We had been planning on a road trip to Colorado to visit them, and since UGA was playing CU, we felt that was the perfect time to make the trip....other than Paul had to fly to Texas for soccer games. We brought with us some gifts for Declan and inside the bag was a picture frame that read "Cousins". When Alli opened this she appeared confused.....her response was "this is a nice frame...I like the old timey picture in the background" (the picture that came with the frame). I thought she was joking, but she wasn't...I looked at my mother, who happened to be there (long story), and my mom asked if she had read what the frame said. Alli said she did, but still didn't seem to get it. Mom asked if Declan had any cousins (which he doesn't) and that's when it clicked. Alli looked at me and was able to say "are you.." and I couldn't hold back my smile any longer. Needless to say lots of tears of joy between Alli, Mom, and I. Paul was at soccer practice so we had to wait and do it all over again when he got home.
Fortunately Paul picked up on it a little quicker, but couldn't beleive that my parents had lied to him and told him that IVF didn't work.. He was a little annoyed that we told him about 3 hours before he was about to get on a plane. I think he wanted to celebrate a little with Scotty.
It is really exciting that Declan is going to have cousins...and pretty close in age to him. If Paul and Alli can ever move closer I think it would awesome for all of these kids to grow up together. I can't wait until the first Christmas that all three of them can sit around the tree opening gifts from Santa, going crazy. It will be so much fun!!!
We decided to tell Paul, Alli, and Declan in person. We had been planning on a road trip to Colorado to visit them, and since UGA was playing CU, we felt that was the perfect time to make the trip....other than Paul had to fly to Texas for soccer games. We brought with us some gifts for Declan and inside the bag was a picture frame that read "Cousins". When Alli opened this she appeared confused.....her response was "this is a nice frame...I like the old timey picture in the background" (the picture that came with the frame). I thought she was joking, but she wasn't...I looked at my mother, who happened to be there (long story), and my mom asked if she had read what the frame said. Alli said she did, but still didn't seem to get it. Mom asked if Declan had any cousins (which he doesn't) and that's when it clicked. Alli looked at me and was able to say "are you.." and I couldn't hold back my smile any longer. Needless to say lots of tears of joy between Alli, Mom, and I. Paul was at soccer practice so we had to wait and do it all over again when he got home.
Fortunately Paul picked up on it a little quicker, but couldn't beleive that my parents had lied to him and told him that IVF didn't work.. He was a little annoyed that we told him about 3 hours before he was about to get on a plane. I think he wanted to celebrate a little with Scotty.
It is really exciting that Declan is going to have cousins...and pretty close in age to him. If Paul and Alli can ever move closer I think it would awesome for all of these kids to grow up together. I can't wait until the first Christmas that all three of them can sit around the tree opening gifts from Santa, going crazy. It will be so much fun!!!
Twins....really??
After the initial excitement of hearing that we were expecting twins, the sudden realization that this was going to be a major challenge began to set in. The finances are scary enough - 2 cribs, 2 car seats, double stroller, the list goes on and on....But facing the task of managing two crying babies, 20 diaper changes (as opposed to about 10/day), feeding two little mouths, etc., is just plain terrifying. I know we will get through all of the challenges, especially with all of the support we will have. We are so lucky to have my parents so close and Scott's entire extended family nearby....so lucky.
Once we began to settle down and realize that we can get through any of these challenges, we started looking at all of the amazing things that happens with twins. First, our family will double in size at one time. Second, our children will know each other every day of their lives. They will always have a playmate to hang out with when they are growing up. I can't imagine what my life would be like without my brother, so I know these two will only benefit from having a buddy and every holiday, especially Christmas, will be even more amazing. Oh, and Scott and I won't have to fight over cuddle time, we'll each have a snuggle buddy
Once we began to settle down and realize that we can get through any of these challenges, we started looking at all of the amazing things that happens with twins. First, our family will double in size at one time. Second, our children will know each other every day of their lives. They will always have a playmate to hang out with when they are growing up. I can't imagine what my life would be like without my brother, so I know these two will only benefit from having a buddy and every holiday, especially Christmas, will be even more amazing. Oh, and Scott and I won't have to fight over cuddle time, we'll each have a snuggle buddy
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
The next few weeks...
In the weeks following the news that we were pregnant, I had to go to the doctor every other day for blood work. They wanted to know what my hormone levels were so that if they were low, medication could be prescribed. (By the way, at this point I was still taking so many meds that I had to have a calendar to keep track). With each visit to the doctor I would hear that my HCG level was more than doubling every 48 hours, which they said was a very good sign. One nurse even had a little snicker on her face as she said it.
On September 10 I went for more blood work and an ultra sound, which is performed at 6 weeks. As soon as the ultrasound appeared on the monitor I could see to sacs....I knew there were two babies!! Scott just kept squeezing my hand.
Baby A was a bit smaller than Baby B...we could see the heartbeat on Baby B, but not Baby A. We were both very concerned, but Dr. Fogle said this was normal. Baby B was pronounce 6 weeks 0 days and Baby A was listed as 5 weeks 6 days....heartbeats don't appear until 6 weeks. I was shocked that they were listed as different ages, but it makes sense that they did not fertilize at the exact same time.
We were scheduled to return the following week and were encouraged that we would see two heartbeats at the next visit.
Scott, being the nervous person that he is, didn't want to tell anyone....but we had to ....We each called our mother's immediately when we left the office. During that week, my mother's best friend, Anne Barbuto, died suddenly. Needless to say the news of twins really helped to make my mother feel better. Myra was beside herself with excitement as well. Again, we had to swear them to secrecy.
On September 10 I went for more blood work and an ultra sound, which is performed at 6 weeks. As soon as the ultrasound appeared on the monitor I could see to sacs....I knew there were two babies!! Scott just kept squeezing my hand.
Baby A was a bit smaller than Baby B...we could see the heartbeat on Baby B, but not Baby A. We were both very concerned, but Dr. Fogle said this was normal. Baby B was pronounce 6 weeks 0 days and Baby A was listed as 5 weeks 6 days....heartbeats don't appear until 6 weeks. I was shocked that they were listed as different ages, but it makes sense that they did not fertilize at the exact same time.
We were scheduled to return the following week and were encouraged that we would see two heartbeats at the next visit.
Scott, being the nervous person that he is, didn't want to tell anyone....but we had to ....We each called our mother's immediately when we left the office. During that week, my mother's best friend, Anne Barbuto, died suddenly. Needless to say the news of twins really helped to make my mother feel better. Myra was beside herself with excitement as well. Again, we had to swear them to secrecy.
Sharing the News
With gift in hand, Scott and I headed over to my parents to surprise them with the news. I left the gift on the hood of my mother's car and we went inside the house. I had my parent go to the garage to help Scott get the pressure washer out of the car. When the garage door opened, the yellow bag was sitting there. My mother looked a little dumbfounded and grabbed the bag. She opened it and couldn't say anything....just tears and hugs. My father picked up on what was going on and joined us in the tears and hug circle. It's been a long time coming and the stress that we all felt has finally been alleviated. We planned a celebratory dinner for that night at Down Town Kitchen, one of our favorite places to eat.
We were anxious to tell Scott's parents too....however his brother Richard and Jacob were at their house most of the day on Sunday and Scott kept calling his dad to see if they were gone yet. His dad was concerned that something was wrong....It wasn't until we surprised them with the visit that they realized that NOTHING was wrong...finally everything was right. Tommy was mad that we wouldn't let him share the news...but very excited about the pregnancy. Myra was in tears, exactly as I thought she would be. They are both very excited to become grandparents again.
We were anxious to tell Scott's parents too....however his brother Richard and Jacob were at their house most of the day on Sunday and Scott kept calling his dad to see if they were gone yet. His dad was concerned that something was wrong....It wasn't until we surprised them with the visit that they realized that NOTHING was wrong...finally everything was right. Tommy was mad that we wouldn't let him share the news...but very excited about the pregnancy. Myra was in tears, exactly as I thought she would be. They are both very excited to become grandparents again.
The Big News
Friday - August 27th
During this week I was unusually nervous and apprehensive and wondering if the IVF procedure worked. By Friday I was two days late (sorry to be graphic) and I decided to buy a home pregnancy test. I had a previously scheduled doctor's appointment for Saturday morning, but I couldn't wait any longer. I knew that the test could be inaccurate, but I felt that I had to do it anyway.
Pregnant....probably the best word I have ever read. I was beside myself when the window on the pregnancy test confirmed my suspicions. I took the test and left it on the counter for Scott to see when he arrived home from work. Of course, he didn't even notice it!! I told him that I left something on the counter for him....when he read it he didn't react...at all...he slowly looked up and said "Is this for real". I said "Yes, but we have to go to the doctor tomorrow for a blood test to really prove it". His response "OK, well then I am not getting excited if this can be a mistake"....He gave me a big hug and we felt, for the first time, that this could be the moment that we would remember for the rest of our lives.......and we will!
Saturday August 28
Off to the Perimeter Office to take a blood test. test took 30 seconds and they said they would call us in a few hours with the results......now to wait. We were at home for about an hour when the call came. Dr. Fogle, one of the doctors at ACRM, responded with a Congratulations...everything worked, and then told me my HCG (hormone) level. Apparently the number she gave me was impressive.
Needless to say Scott and I were too excited...We went immediately to the store to buy some "Grandparent" picture frames. We wanted to wait awhile to tell our parents, but since my mother was at so many of my appointments, she knew we were due to find out the results in a few days. I knew if I lied to her she would be crushed...So, off we went to share our wonderful news.
During this week I was unusually nervous and apprehensive and wondering if the IVF procedure worked. By Friday I was two days late (sorry to be graphic) and I decided to buy a home pregnancy test. I had a previously scheduled doctor's appointment for Saturday morning, but I couldn't wait any longer. I knew that the test could be inaccurate, but I felt that I had to do it anyway.
Pregnant....probably the best word I have ever read. I was beside myself when the window on the pregnancy test confirmed my suspicions. I took the test and left it on the counter for Scott to see when he arrived home from work. Of course, he didn't even notice it!! I told him that I left something on the counter for him....when he read it he didn't react...at all...he slowly looked up and said "Is this for real". I said "Yes, but we have to go to the doctor tomorrow for a blood test to really prove it". His response "OK, well then I am not getting excited if this can be a mistake"....He gave me a big hug and we felt, for the first time, that this could be the moment that we would remember for the rest of our lives.......and we will!
Saturday August 28
Off to the Perimeter Office to take a blood test. test took 30 seconds and they said they would call us in a few hours with the results......now to wait. We were at home for about an hour when the call came. Dr. Fogle, one of the doctors at ACRM, responded with a Congratulations...everything worked, and then told me my HCG (hormone) level. Apparently the number she gave me was impressive.
Needless to say Scott and I were too excited...We went immediately to the store to buy some "Grandparent" picture frames. We wanted to wait awhile to tell our parents, but since my mother was at so many of my appointments, she knew we were due to find out the results in a few days. I knew if I lied to her she would be crushed...So, off we went to share our wonderful news.
The History
Let me start at the beginning......
After 3 and a half years of trying to conceive, Scott and I and our doctors decided that it was time to try In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to try to get pregnant. Throughout the past 18 months Scott and I have undergone tons of blood tests, ultrasounds, etc. to determine what was the problem and to find a solution. In December of 2010 we discovered, through an elective surgery, that I had some complications that were causing the problems and we decided to take some time, save some money, and make a final decision on how to proceed.
In May 2010, we took the step to begin the IVF process. Thankfully we had the support of our family and were able to make the leap into IVF, which is a financially draining, but more so emotionally agonizing process.
June was a month full of testing and visits to our various doctors to determine if we qualified for the procedure. Upon notification that we were good candidates, we signed up and in July I began all of the treatments.
July was not a fun month....daily injections, weekly doctor visits, numerous drugs to take....not fun at all. In fact, it was one of the most stressful times in my life.
August came, school began, and a new level of stress arrived. For the first few weeks of school I had to drive to Atlanta every morning for a few hours for blood work and ultrasounds. The actual IVF procedure is a 2 day event - day 1- egg retrieval and 3 days later - embryo implantation (if embryos are able to form). We were lucky that the doctors were able to implant 3 embryos.
The next 2 weeks were pure torture as I looked for signs that the procedure worked...unfortunately there were no true indications.
After 3 and a half years of trying to conceive, Scott and I and our doctors decided that it was time to try In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to try to get pregnant. Throughout the past 18 months Scott and I have undergone tons of blood tests, ultrasounds, etc. to determine what was the problem and to find a solution. In December of 2010 we discovered, through an elective surgery, that I had some complications that were causing the problems and we decided to take some time, save some money, and make a final decision on how to proceed.
In May 2010, we took the step to begin the IVF process. Thankfully we had the support of our family and were able to make the leap into IVF, which is a financially draining, but more so emotionally agonizing process.
June was a month full of testing and visits to our various doctors to determine if we qualified for the procedure. Upon notification that we were good candidates, we signed up and in July I began all of the treatments.
July was not a fun month....daily injections, weekly doctor visits, numerous drugs to take....not fun at all. In fact, it was one of the most stressful times in my life.
August came, school began, and a new level of stress arrived. For the first few weeks of school I had to drive to Atlanta every morning for a few hours for blood work and ultrasounds. The actual IVF procedure is a 2 day event - day 1- egg retrieval and 3 days later - embryo implantation (if embryos are able to form). We were lucky that the doctors were able to implant 3 embryos.
The next 2 weeks were pure torture as I looked for signs that the procedure worked...unfortunately there were no true indications.
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