The twins are... (13w5d update)

(Once pics are scanned, I'll update this post.)

Last night at 4pm, we had our appointment with Dr. Bailey and I knew by the wait in the office that someone, somewhere had had a baby and that our wonderful doctor was way behind schedule. We took a seat and I read two magazines before we were called back and settled into the ultrasound room at 5pm. It took a few more minutes, but then Dr. B. came in and sat down. We discussed how things were going, how I was feeling, etc. My blood pressure was the lowest it's been in any of my pregnancies (124/76) and I'm down 4 pounds (you didn't really think I was going to post my weight, did you?); he was really happy, especially with my blood pressure. We discussed the P17 injections and I'll be starting those at 16w. We also discussed some additional bloodtests with my second round of sequential tests in a few weeks, and then doing a fasting glucose at 26w. (He can think farther ahead than I can with no problems...) As we ended our discussion, he smiled and said, "I dont know about you; I love the chitchat, but I want to see how the babies are doing!" (And this is why I love you, Dr. Bailey.) Before we began, we showed him our favorite pictures from the high res u/s that we had last week and he chuckled, "These are good, but I can do better." (Have I mentioned that I love this guy?)

We started with an abdominal ultrasound and immediately both babies appeared on the screen. I usually start with Baby A then Baby B, but we saw them in reverse order this time because A decided to try and hide (little stinker!). Baby B was on her back, legs in the air, arms in the air, rolling around like a rolypoly. Absolutely adorable. And then, there it was. Legs open, Dr. B. paused the u/s shot. Three little lines. Her vagina. Baby B is most certainly a little girl. I cried and we let out a sigh as we said her name, "Maya." Maya, who is named in memory of the daughter of a friend- of the first blog I found after losing Nicholas and Sophia and the one that helped me realize that life was going to suck but I would be able to breathe again- had a very strong HB and measured on target. We were able to hear Baby A's heartbeat but the little stinker continued to hide. The baby looked almost upright, with everything below the chest hidden from view. I dont think I've ever seen a baby like that on u/s.

Dr. Bailey switched to the vaginal u/s to check my cervix. The stitch, he tells us, is perfect, beautiful, and looks great. It is very high, right under my bladder and at the top of the cervix, all the way to the bottom. It was slightly curved, so the measurement is slightly off, but a straight line was over 4cm. AMEN. THANK YOU GOD. Still T shaped, he was thrilled and said that he truly believes this is what will do it and get us full term. He slid slightly over and, in full shot, was Baby A. And it was clear that our baby has a penis. Even I could see it. When Dr. B. paused the image over our son, it was very much there and in our faces. Little Bobby- his name is Robert, the name of my brother-in-law who passed away as a child as well as my husband's uncle who died as a child but was called Bobby- was very content to flip flop after that, showing his genitals to anyone who would see. I joked with Peter that I would have to call Dr. Lee and tell her that she was only half right, LOL.

After the u/s, we discussed bedrest and appointments. Dr. Bailey would like to continue seeing us every two weeks and would like me to stay in bed. While he said that he has no doubts that the stitch will hold, he doesnt see a reason to tempt fate, especially when my BP is finally under control. The risk of preeclampsia is pretty darn scary, so I cant say that I'm surprised. We ended up leaving the office a little before 6pm and I picked up the lab slip for my additional tests as I was leaving with pictures of our babies... our son and our daughter. I didn't make it out of the room without crying. As much as I was prepared for anything as long as the babies were safe and okay, I dont know that I was prepared for the same words that I heard over a year ago... And the funny thing is, I wasnt caught off guard.

Peter and I make it a habit to meditate on the babies. We both would say when asked that our RE thought the babies were girls and, if pressed, would give the names we had assigned to the babies, should that be right. But, when we would talk at night, we would discuss our feelings and, inevitably, it all came back to "I felt a boy and a girl today". This wasnt everyday, mind you, but the strongest was at church, when the Cardinal came. I sat there and thought "Oh God, I'm having another set of boy/girl twins". Afterwards, Peter told me that he'd heard the babies singing and that he heard alto and bass lines. (Peter is a bass, I'm a soprano.) He told me then that he really thought Baby A was a boy and that we'd have to wait a bit for Miss Z to make an appearance. I confessed that I, too, had feelings of boy and girl, but that I wasnt ready to say it out loud... That it was too hard... That I just couldnt handle it yet. He just hugged me and said that it was okay. That the babies were fine. To take a deep breath and continue the positive thoughts.

Going into the appointment, I knew what Dr. Bailey would say. I had no doubts. And I cried like a baby when he confirmed it. It was finally out there. In the world. We are having our second set of boy/girl twins, in the same positions that their oldest brother and sister were in. He even said, "After all you've been through, isnt it something to be having another baby boy and baby girl together." All I could say was "It's scary." In retrospect, I wish I'd been able to say something else, but so words would come. I had to joke with Deb, the nurse, on my way out when she congratulated us, to avoid crying. "We have enough clothes for each," I laughed, "so they wont be naked!" And then, I cried walking to the car and in the car. And then, it was okay. It was as though the kids all said "Dont worry, Mommy. It's going to be alright."

So, there you have it. Bobby and Maya. Healthy and fine. Daddy and Mommy. No worse for wear. I have to call in several prescription refills today, get the P17 filled, and make my appts with Dr. B's office (since everyone was gone by the time we left.) My dad is coming over around lunchtime to hang out, then we will celebrate his birthday tonight. And, of course, there's my nap... I'll have to fit that in somewhere...

Thank you for all the prayers. They continue to bring us comfort and are working to keep my cervix closed, the stitch in place, and the babies healthy. We couldnt ask for better this pregnancy.