Monday, February 8, 2010

Breathe...

For the past two weeks, I have been a bad blogger and a bad commenter. I was so nervous about the 12 week appointment and breaking the news to my family that I was instantly hit with writers block anytime I tried to think about anything baby related.

The ultrasound on Friday went very well. Though I'm glad they took my blood pressure afterwards, because I'm sure it would have been elevated due to nerves had they taken it before the ultrasound. Both babies were mellow through about half of the exam. Then the ultrasound tech announced that Baby A seemed to be waking up. Let me tell you, A was not at all happy about being woken up. It scratched it's little head in confusion, and then flipped around a few times trying to get comfortable again. Once again, Baby B had a much quicker heart rate- 178 bpm and A was a bit calmer at 160bpm. Everything looked perfect, and we confirmed that the babies are fraternal and not identical.
For the first time in 12 weeks, I feel like I can breathe. I know that there is no magic date you can cross off the calendar and be guaranteed that everything will be okay. Still, I'm taking a great deal of comfort in passing this milestone.

(another poor quality picture for your viewing pleasure!)

Immediately after the scan, Elizabeth and I packed up the dogs and drove up to Connecticut to break the news to our families. We tried to use some of the creative ideas suggested, but in the end nothing worked. (We couldn't find frames we thought they'd like, the dogs wouldn't sit still for a picture, etc.) We arranged to meet both sets of parents for lunch at a place of their choosing. Fortunately, they get along remarkably well and it didn't seem unusual that we'd be meeting them together for lunch. After everyone had ordered and there was a lull in the conversation, I confessed that we had a motive for bringing them all together, and just came out and said that I was pregnant. As predicted, they were all shocked. Our mothers got very teary and high pitched. My stepfather smiled and gave us a congratulations. Elizabeth's dad sat in stunned silence for a moment. Every time he looked like he was going to say something, he couldn't get the words out so he just smiled and shook his head. They asked a few questions, and then Elizabeth's mother asked if we had heard the heartbeat. No, I told her, we heard heartbeats. It took her a moment to realize what I was saying, but my mother got it right away. So did the waitress, who jumped right into the conversation and told us about her own twins.

Once we told our parents, the news spread faster than an STD on prom night. Our mothers had to call all of their siblings and friends. After keeping this such a closely guarded secret for so many months, it feels strange to have so many people know. There are still a few people who don't know because we're waiting to tell them in person, but for the most part our secret is out.

In other big news, we've finally come up with nicknames that we think will work. It was actually my stepfather who came up with them. Upon hearing about their wildly different heart rates, he said "It sounds like you've got an espresso and a decaf". So from now on Baby A with the slower heart rate will be known as Decaf. Baby B, the little overachiever with a fast heart rate who tried to make an identical twin for him / herself will be referred to as Espresso.

16 comments:

Pomegranate said...

I don't know why, but this post made me tear up (right about when the waitress jumped in). Your families sound so wonderful.

P said...

Congrats on the 12 week mark. Its great to see that they are both doing well. I am happy that both of your families now know and are excited also. Thats a big relief I am sure. I love the nicknames for the babies really creative.

Strawberry said...

I see BABIES!!! :-) congrats on a wonderful ultrasound, and on the pleasure of telling the families. Espresso and decaf...love it!

GIsen said...

It must feel wonderful to breath and enjoy. It's understandable that you would be too distracted to blog.

Elana Kahn said...

Great nicknames!! I love how you said the news spread like an STD on prom night. Very funny!

Btw, I recently created a reviews & giveaways blog. Go check it out! www.thetwinners.com

poppycat said...

Awww, your post made me laugh and made me a little misty too. I'm so happy you are finally sharing this monumental life change with your families. It warms my little heart. Secrtets can be weighty sometimes and I hope you love having everyone in on the secret as overwhelming as it can be.

LOVE the names too! They are lovely those two, just lovely.

jessie said...

What a relief. I think that was a great way to tell them about Espresso & Decaf. They'll never forget that lunch. YAY!

2 Chicks 1 Hatchling said...

Love the nicknames! I too was getting a little teary and very much enjoyed your post. It must have been SO much fun to finally annouce the big news (and have it so well received). Congrats!

Libberal said...

Funny nicknames. Great news about telling your parents and the latest update. Looks like espresso and decaf are progressing nicely!

Ruby at Breathedragon said...

Oh my God, I love your baby nicknames. This is so exciting. Everything is becoming very real - you are having babies!!! I'm so very happy for you guys.

Anonymous said...

Those are the cutest baby nicknames ever. I'm so glad everything went well. I'm also happy for you that you have such a good relationship with your families. That's great.

Schroedinger said...

So glad that the scan went so well and I LOVE your story about telling your families. So sweet. STDs on prom night notwithstanding ;-) I love espresso and decaf. Wow. Breathe!

rachelbk said...

Aw, I'm so glad it all went well and that your families are supportive and happy!

Naomi said...

I've been waiting for this post! First, I got goosebumps and then tears! I'm so excited for you guys! Amazing...I love the nope, we heard heartbeats! Love it!

mama bea, bao in the oven said...

Oh yay! I just got all teary reading this. So glad your parents reacted so beautifully, and I'm delighted to hear that you are feeling more relaxed. YAY!

(Sorry I have been out of it with commenting, btw... I've been thinking about you and E and your little ones.)

Anonymous said...

this is such a great post. i got butterflies! decaf and espresso are looking lovely!