22 Weeks and counting...

Happy 22 weeks my little sushi nuggets...

Hope all is well in there (fingers crossed).


So this coming friday is my next ob appt. I can't believe it's been a month. Time has gone by so slowly. I've been feeling definitely more movement (at least on some days) but I'm completely baffled by where they are (and hopefully that they are both still hanging in there). Sometimes I feel movements way at the bottom of my stomach area and sometimes closer to the top. So I think, okay they must be in two different areas. But then start worrying and wondering if it's just one moving around a lot. Can they move around from one far end of your stomach to another?Quite honestly I can't imagine what's going on in there.


Nervously I've been feeling far better and more energetic. I know this is normal for the 2nd trimester but seriously I went from needing 10 hours of sleep to only 7.5 or 8. Like this morning I only had 7.5 hours but then I needed a nap in the afternoon after a 4 hour marathon at B*'s rus this morning.

What you ask?...how completely positive of you to go ahead and register?

Well trust me, it wasn't entirely my idea. If it were up to me I'd just have mr. sushi nut go shopping with a list while I'm still in the hospital delivering. But no, my SIL has decided to throw me a shower along with my MIL and insisted I register somewhere so she can list it on the invites.

Invites! Holly crap...that's a little bold don't you think? After all I'm only 5+ months...anything could happen. I don't even know if they are both still in there! But she insisted. My favorite was when she asked me if I had thought of a theme yet for my shower. A theme! For the love of god...how could I forget to think of a theme! Oh yeah, it should have been on my list between bleeding out blood clots and having a double amnio. Fabulous. I told her I'll give her a theme alright...my theme is just getting these nuggets out at the end of term healthy and alive! How's that!? She apparently didn't go for it.


Other than this everything else is moving along. Just for organizational sake I think I'll categorize my current pregnancy symptoms in 3 categories: 1) Things that make me worry 2) Things that just seem weird and 3) Things that seem to show positive movement along in pregnancy.

Things that make me worry:

• Just this weekend I started feeling a sudden sharp pain from time to time in my pelvic area. It freaks me out when it happens of course but dr. google says it might be stretching pains, although I'm fearful it might be something like a uti. Or worse...So hopefully it will go away but I'll definitely be mentioning it on friday at my visit. Hopefully it won't get worse before then and make it necessary for me to go in early.
• Inconsistent movement: Why is it that when I eat some things I feel a ton of movement and not others. It's so random. Like at lunch today I had a hamburger and the movement at the top of my stomach was quite active. Now, right after dinner which was a salad, chicken and soup....hardly any movement. What the hell? Do they not like chicken?
• Back pain: lately I've been getting a ton of back pain. Mainly in the center left side. I get super uncomfortable if I sit too long, or stand too long...or sleep to long. I can't seem to find any type of relief. My ob advised me to start sleeping as much as I can on my left side...but then my side gets so sore that I just have to flip over to my right side...but then that doesn't feel very comfortable either.
• People saying that I'm not showing much: I went to the dentist for a teeth cleaning the other day and the dental hygienist in addition to my sister in law's mother both said that I looked smaller than they did at 5 months pregnant with a singleton. I hope this is because of my mary poppins magical jacket (which I still owe you a picture of) but it worries me that I am truly not as big as I'm supposed to be and that the nuggets aren't growing. But when I look at myself without clothes on I feel huge! I'm like the incredible hidden pregnant woman. Also it doesn't seem that obvious to other people at work are really noticing either. Hmmm.

Things that just seem weird:

• Breast itchiness: on some days this is seriously out of control on some days. Yesterday I caught myself scratching like a monkey. So strange. I try and lotion up my stomach and my breast area but it relieves it for a day and then we are back to the same thing the next day.

Things that show movement:

• Still have somewhat really sensitive and painful breasts. So I feel that this is a positive sign.
• Stretch marks...I've started my battle against the stretch marks. I'm sure I won't win but it's nice to be nominated as they say.
• Constipation: this wasn't such a problem in the beginning (which therefore was filed under "things to worry about) but now I'm also part of this group. My best friend is fiber.
• Bigger ankles: I've always been proud of my dainty female looking ankles and wrists. I'm happy to report that my wrists still remain slender but I've noticed my ankles turning quickly into cankles.

So that's pretty much the update...more to come later this week.

Sushi nugget mug shots 17 weeks +

As requested...meet baby A; otherwise known as "Sushi girl nugget". I know they can't open their eyes yet but doesn't it sort of look like we are peeping in on her and she caught us? That is if she is indeed looking straight at us. When I see this picture it looks like she is looking straight at us. But then again sometimes these things are like those 80's mirage pictures. You can either see a baby or a sail boat.

And...baby B; otherwise known as "Sushi boy nugget". Everyone else's ultrasounds look so clear all the time. I have yet to get a really good profile picture of either I think. And I swear my doctors don't work out of a shed on a farm. I swear. It's probably my foggy uterus.

Both of these are a bit dated by 3 weeks but my latest one is just their two heads together. My ob took the last ultrasound and saw that they were facing each other with their heads on the same side and thought it was the cutest thing ever. Like they were talking to each other through the wall. Well cute it might have been but all I have is a picture of the top view of their two sculls, now. Nice. Maybe a post for another time.

Next up the infamous jacket. And a non-jacket belly shot....

Thanksgiving - the big reveal

So after making 3 homemade pies the night before (yes 3 between mr. sushinut and I) we packed up our goodies on Thanksgiving morning and made the hour trip to my brother in law's house. I dressed for the first time in all maternity clothes (although I was tempted not to) but no I told myself this has to be done sooner than later. As mr. sushinut put it...this was my coming out party and I should celebrate being pregnant. Uh okay, if you say so. So I had this all brown cute outfit I bought at a maternity department store and I felt like a huge rum ball. Yum rum balls. I wish I could have one now.

Our reveal was going to be a little segmented because obviously everyone was getting there at different times and I obviously already looked pregnant. Which was perfectly fine with me since I hate being the focus of attention anyhow. So the first person we saw was my mother in law who was at the house super early to bake the turkey. She already knew there was going to be some sort of news because my mom told her that we were going to make a big announcement and it would be the best thanksgiving ever. Gee thanks mom...way to keep a secret. She wasn't terribly surprised I was pregnant, although extremely happy. But the twins thing did blow her away (as it did everyone else). She couldn't wait til my father in law got there so we could tell him. He has been wanting grandchildren forever and none of his sons (even ones that got married before us) have given him one yet. I would say that the first miscarriage (the only one they knew about) really took a toll on him and thus was the reason we wanted to wait till after the amnio to tell them.

Next my father in law arrived (not wanting to be there early he waited at home until a little later) and told him the news too. He was overjoyed and tears were in his eyes. It was very emotional. Later the last brother was told (and obviously the other brother who's house we were at found out with my mother in law). After that it was a blur really. Everyone was pleased I was pregnant and was taken aback by the twins news as well as overjoyed that it was a boy and a girl. There was a lot of questions from my sister in laws family like do twins run in the family etc. I guess wondering if my brother and sister in law could have twins. I basically kept the answers short and sweet. Mr. sushinut talked a little more about the fertility meds I was on. And I did mention in confidence to my mother in law that this was my 5th pregnancy, explaining about the septum and other issues. I felt she should know and would understand since she had 1 miscarriage before as well. I just wanted specifically her and my father in law to know that it has been a long road but we haven't given up.

The dinner was a great success and everyone had a good time. The night was finished up with a big toast during dessert in honor of mr. sushinut and I and the sushi nuggets. I think my mother in law said it best that these were going to be the most spoiled and loved children ever :) I wonder if they know how much everyone is anxiously awaiting their arrival! Much talk was done about how everyone is going to pitch in and help, which really surprised me. As the oldest and a very independent child I've never really relied on help from family or friends and am too modest to ask for help. I think my family is used to this and assumes I do not need help but mr. sushinut's family is extremely family and team oriented which I love. Apparently plans are being made now for my mother in law to at least partially retire next year due to their arrival! Wow talk about feeling pressure. My infertile instinct was to say well let's wait to see if all goes well...but I held back...I think it's time for positive thinking now...

To say that I had much to be thankful this year is to say the least!

Almost 20 week update

Let's see, what has happened since my last post...

I had a follow up with my obgyn at the 2 week mark after the amnio and the nuggets were still alive and well. So that was good news. Although I'm still clinging to the lovely Dec. 10th date in my head that marks one month after the amnio, which is pretty much the clearance I've heard for complications. Hopefully there are none because I've gone ahead and told my staff at work of the news. They were all very excited and everyone is trying to help with names. So I'm sort of out of the closet at work but not completely because I don't plan on telling anyone else except close friends...so it will just have to be word of mouth or if you will "word of stomach". I'm not really hiding it anymore but not really flaunting it if you know what I mean. I still owe some of those bump hiding style pics I promised.

Oh and I should mention that (Yay!) my obgyn and I definitely agreed to do a c-section on the nuggets because the chances of them both being in the right position are close to nil. I'm completely fine with this because since day one I've always wanted a c-section. My mother had two and she's always told me it's the way to go. I know there are pros and cons to it but I feel the same way about vaginal child birth. I guess I feel safer having them extracted from me rather than relying on my body doing the right thing. Must be the fact that my body didn't quite do the right thing from the beginning. And I don't trust it. So I'm very excited about this and we've even set an early date because she said they will most likely be ready to come out about 3 weeks early. So my set c-section is scheduled for the last Friday of March. They might come earlier but definitely not later. As a mega planner this is fabulous planning news for me. Gives me a clear goal.

I also had a follow up appt. with the perinatologist to check on my cervix and I'm happy to report my cervix is buttoned up and holding strong. I asked if I needed to have regular check ups about this and he said no. Seems like if your cervix is closed it's closed I guess. He just wanted to check me to make sure I wasn't ready to deliver in the next few weeks. Next few weeks! What a thought! I can't even imagine. It will be another month before I have another ultrasound appt. with both my obgyn and perinatologist so that will be a challenge in patience.

I'm feeling a bit more kicking from the little ones and the ironic thing is that although I'm very happy to feel them I also wonder if I'm hurting them by sitting up right or scrunching my tummy in a way to not give them enough room.

The other weird thing I've felt is this strange protectiveness towards them while revealing their existence. The night before I was going to tell my staff about them I had this disturbing dream about not wanting to tell anyone about them in order to protect them. I honestly don't really enjoy telling friends about them because then I feel they are open to the world and unprotected. I know in my head this makes no sense at all but I just can't get over it. It's very very strange. I guess I just want to keep them to myself.

Well tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we will be showing up with bump in tow to my inlaws. They don't know anything yet so it should be fun. I think I'll probably pull together all my ultrasound pics in a book and show my mother in law...she should enjoy that being a mom herself. I'll post some when I get a chance too.

We definitely have a lot to be thankful this thanksgiving. It's a far cry from last year's thanksgiving that's for sure. Last year I remember thinking that I quite honestly didn't have much to be thankful for with just 1 miscarriage down and no bfp's in sight. It was a very low time for us. Ironic how much can change in a year...it's been a long haul. I hope everyone has a good thanksgiving no matter what your situation is happy or disappointing this year. Just know that if it is a disappointing one, all could be different 1 year from now. And that's certainly something to look forward to.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaat Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaast...

Sorry that's my best Etta James impression through a blog post...

It only took 9 days but it seems like a lifetime.

I was just called by my ob with my amnio results.

Both sushi nuggets are perfectly healthy! Can't even explain the sigh of relief. I just sat in my office with my door closed and cried. :)

I know that there could be many more hurdles especially with a twin pregnancy. But I'm just glad to have this one over and done with.

My next appt. for an after amnio check up is on Friday with my ob and then another with the perinatologist (he wants to check my cervix because of the twins situation - I was told this is standard with all twin patients) on Monday.

By the way I'll work on those pictures of the super jacket and sweater that hide me at work ;) Picture Mary Poppins magical bag but only in clothes style :) I'm sure that some people have an inkling though.

18 Week Update

So where did we leave off? Oh yes leaking. So on Wednesday mr. sushinut talked me into staying home another day and going to the doctor. Went in for a exam and it turns out there's no sign of me leaking amniotic fluid. My ob said it looked like I had a lot of discharge which is normal especially with twins and this is what was probably leaking.

What a relief. Even saw the nuggets briefly on the ultrasound.
So tomorrow will be a week since the amnio. I wonder when they say 8 -10 days for the results if they count the day of. Maybe not. Anyways sometime this week I should be getting them. I hope I'm not at work when I do but since they'll most likely call in the middle of the day I will be. What a stressful call to take. I know my heart is going to stop for a moment.

So it's another week playing the "what baby" game with the clothes. Some of you have beenwondering how I do it. I basically rotate two items in my closet over clothes. A big sweater and a big jacket. Now I actually have to button them up so people can't see. I feel like a fool, I probably look like a fool, to me it's obvious. Maybe they just don't say anything because since people see me each day I look the same. But I'm ready to be called upon by the fashion police soon. My plan is to let my staff know and let the cat out of the bag as soon as I get the amnio results back. That's when I feel I can officially bond. Until then I don't want to hear people's congratulations.

Oh and it looks like there will be like 20 people at thanksgiving this year. Fabulous. What a quaint group to announce our news. I guess I'll probably leave out the 4 miscarriages when announcing...that's sure to put a damper on dinner.

2nd Day of Amnio Resting - to leak or not to leak

So this is what happens when I am forced to stay at home and rest. I compulsively freak because television just doesn't entertain me enough.

Today I am leaking...well not just today, for like the last 2 weeks I've been doing the slow urine leak but now I'm wondering well maybe this leak is from amniotic fluid. It didn't smell like ammonia like it has before so I've gone a step further and smelled the t.p right after I pee...guess what, that doesn't smell like ammonia either. So either I'm actually urinating amniotic fluid or I've taken the doctor's orders too well and I've watered down my pee so much that there is barely a smell.

Well mid day I was getting a little over anxious about this random leaking and had a melt down in front of mr. sushinut. He suggested I call the dr. So I did and my ob basically said that if it was an amniotic leak it would be continuous...like a leaking faucet and I'd have to change my underpants every hour. Well that certainly isn't the case. It's basically a little touch of watery liquid on a pad...every hour. I told her that I even have leaked after I pee and isn't that supposed to not be the case. She said women leak even then, because they rarely release all the urine after peeing but the body becomes relaxed and lets go of the rest. Okay fine.

To make matters worse I think I'm getting a yeast infection...So I mentioned this to her and she did mention the leak could then be the watery discharge that sometimes happens when a yeast infection starts. This made sense...I've never had the icky thick discharge that they talk about when I have these just a watery discharge. She said that she would recommend diflucam for it right now since I should not be sticking anything up the girly parts right now. I didn't think diflucam was safe during pregnancy but apparently it is. I think I'll hang tight for a few days making sure nothing else happens before I take something though.

****I interrupt this blog post to curse myself out for taking a phone call from my mother******
Damn, damn damn!!! My mother just called (as usual a day late on things) to find out how my test went today. Uh it was yesterday but thanks for asking. In her usual tone she asked if it hurt. Why yes it did I was sore all day, but today I feel less sore. Really she says, I talked to someone at work (gee thanks for discussing my personal business with some random stranger) and they said there was really nothing to it. Oh yes, again thanks for making light of what was the biggest decision of my life. Well I said in my usual "I'm in no mood for you woman" tone, did you ask them how it would feel after they had two in a freaking row? Oh, she says, you had two? To which I responded, well yes. After all that's what you have to do for twins. TWINS!!!! YOU'RE HAVING TWINS!!!! Crap. After telling mr. sushinut over and over to not spill the beans, and that we were hopefully (if all goes well) announce the twins thing and the sexes to everyone at Thanksgiving I've now told my mom the twin thing. She no longer cared to hear about leakage or any other issues she just kept on saying "I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO HAVE TWINS!" Seriously...I don't know why I try anymore.

Anyhow...back to the vaginal discharge conversation. So bottom line is I'm not leaking continuously. Like a faucet anyway. So I guess this is good. Knocking on wood that it doesn't increase. But she said if it did tonight I could go to labor and delivery at the hospital or I could come in tomorrow. Although the test they give is not 100% about testing with the swab if it's urine or fluid but I guess she can tell by doing an ultrasound. Hopefully I won't need to come in until my next appointment, which is a week from Friday. On the positive side, I've been feeling sushi nugget girl moving all day...at one point she was kicking the crap out of my lower abdomen. I think I'll play with my doppler tonight to just make sure everything is alright.