On April 4 our twins were born. Nathaniel Schubert was the first one out, followe by his brother Alexander Jeffrey. Both are in NICU putting up a good fight right now. Here is what happene to get to the birth of our beuatiful boys.

On Tuesday I had some vaginal discharge that was disturbing to me so I called the doctor's office. They said it was nothing but I said I want to come in anyways just to calm my nerves. They checked my vital signs, and since I was already having some sympotms of pre-e before Tuesday they were very worried when they found protien in my urine. They sent me to the hospital just to get some lab work done since it only takes an hour to get results here, but a couple days thru the office. My labs came back not normal so I knew I was going to be in the hospital for a while. They started me on Steriods on Tuesday to help with the boys developing lungs, since things happen so fast we didn't know how much time we would have before I worsened and they had to get the boys out to save me. Wednsday morning Dr. Yates came in to check everything out and Alexander (aka Baby B, Alex or AJ)'s heart beat was severly low, below 100. All I know is it took 6 minutes from the time they started pushing me to the OR to the time both boys were out. I was put under general anestisia and the next thing I woke up very disoriented. Alex and Nate were born at 26 weeks 3 days. They both have a very long and hard battle. As of now things are looking good. Everyday it's going to be a dance of two steps forward and one step back or two steps back and one forward. I am going to be discharged on Sunday, but coming back every day to visit my two little angel boys. They are getting the best care at a level 3 NICU at St. Agnes in Baltimore.

Thank you to everyone who extended their thoughts and prayer.

26 weeks

Went back to the doctor's yesterday. Everything looks much better. I spent Tuesday with my feet up the entire day, I think the most physical thing I did was take a shower and make dinner. My blood pressure was back down, my blood tests came back normal, I still have swelling and those fabulous 8 pounds i put on in two weeks, but other than that I am doing well. The boys are very active (We have some kicking going on right now), their heart beats are good and they are sharing their fluids nicely. Even though everything looks good I stopped working as of yesterday. Dr. Y said to remove stress that may cause my blood pressure to rise again, plus Chris and I were talking about it and since I really need to be off my feet a lot it would either be me work 12 hours a week and then come home exhusted and miserable and spend most the time inbetween working recovering, or stop working and pitter patter around the house doning a couple small chores a day and taking it easy. Chris really left it up to me, but I figured I would be more useful and last longer if I stopped working. Yesterday after my Dr. appointment I bought my Thank You cards for my baby shower, and picked up some groceries... I have been craving cupcakes and fruity slushy type drinks. Went home and vegged out, took a nap for a couple hours, folded some laundry (Chris brings it upstairs and i leaves it on the bed for me so I dont have to lift or carry it up stairs). and watched a bunch of tv.

So... I got my baby shower invite in the mail.... let me tell you how "special" it is. So apparently my baby shower is a big secret. I know the day and time and that I go to my mom's house... but I know nothing else about it. So to keep me completely out of the loop they made me my own invite.
It says
"Roses are red
Violets are blue
you're not having one,
your having 2"

On the front it has baby stamps all over it and a hot pink string attatched to it (yes they know i am having boys) and dog bones punched out of it.. apparently in the set of punch outs stamps they got it came with dog bones and they didn't want to let it go to waste.
The inside of the card says
What: Your Shower.... DUH
When: Saturday April 28 @1pmPlace:
YOUR MOM (No really it's at her house)
BYOF: Bring your own fetuses
RSVP: By 4/20 to Courtney or you're uninvited
Now I know that a couple of my friends are "Secretly" helping out with the shower. I love you girls. Just make sure I get one of the real invites so I can scrapbook it.... don't worry my invite will get a special page in my pregnancy book.

Anyways... things I am going to do today:
Nap (I didn't sleep well last night)
Go to Guard practice (I do need to get out of the house every once in a while)
Fold laundry
Do dishes (I made cupcakes yesterday... yummy!!)
Shower
Wipe down the bathroom
Watch TVSuch a rough day!!

Oh and to my DC friends, If/when I get put on bedrest feel free to skip work and come visit me. We can watch sappy cheesy movies, play board games and sit on my deck drinking virgin margharitas. (Maureen already is all about that!). Hopefully it will be a while before that happens... but just so you guys have something to look forward to. Oh well... off to start my lazy day.

So I am 25w1d and since Saturday I have been getting swelling in my hands and feet and legs. I got it randomly in my hands on saturday while i was sitting in the blechers at the competition. I shook it out and it was gone within like 15-20 minutes. Yesterday after lounging in the recliner for almost 2 hours i got up to wash dishes, took off my engagement ring (i leave my wedding band on but take off my e-ring when washing dishes and what not). after washing dishes i couldn't get it back on my hands were swollen again. This morning i woke up and my hands and feet were swollen and it hurt to walk for a bit. Hung around the house with my feet up till chris came back from his dentist appointment then i went off to work (they are painting the walls). Also noticed that I habe gained almost 10 pounds in 2 weeks. After work I called my mom and she said I should run it by my doctors. Called and left a message with the receptionist and got a call back about 10 minutes later. Told the nurse what was going on and she said she would call me right back after running my info with a doctor. Got a call back saying to come in immediately. So off Chris and I went to the doctors. My urine came back fine (no protien build up). I have gained 8 pounds since my last doctor's visit 12 days ago. My blood pressure isn't bad, the top number was fine but the bottom number was higher than normal for me, so that did concern the doctor. The babies are fine, their heart beats are a good strong number, and we saw them for a few minutes being very active with plenty of fluid around them. Gave up some blood for testing. I go back in on Wed. for my normal appointment and we will have test results back on what exactly could be going on. Right now it's just swelling (but she used a fancy word for it), but they are going to watch me like a hawk now because it can turn into pre-eclampsia. I have to put my feet up even more now and cut back my hours at work even more.. i am only working 12 hours a week... so yeah... down to like 8 or so. I am not on bed rest YET... however I will probably be on house arrest soon, meaning I can move around the house (not cleaning or doing anything strenuous) and leave the house on rare occassions, like dr. appointments. But the babies are fine and i wont know any more till wed. morning.

I am quickly approaching 25 weeks (as of sunday) and that means I am 13 weeks and counting (or less if they decide to surprise me). My back is hurting as is my butt.... but that may have a correlation to walking. I walked to Panera for lunch (had to get a tuna sandwhich cause it's lent and I like their tuna better than subway). So went to the other side of the mall. Plus I did a sit.. but it was one of my favorite customers and her twins, who are 13 months. Already took a shower when I got home... more like a soak... I may do it again soon. So completely tired as well. Only working 3 days a week.... but man is it killing me.. I think my last day may be april 20th.......

I am offically 23 weeks and 2 days pregnant (as of Tuesday). I have a Drs appointment Wed. for a sonogram and normal check up. I am feeling tons more moving in my belly nowadays, Chris catches a feel every now and then, they like to move when I am resting... they were moving at work... but I don't like to share my belly to much so I kept the moving and shaking to myself.... I am selfish like that. I am feeling great... minus being tire all the time. I am stepping down the week after next as Assistant Manager of the store, I will no longer be salaried. Probably work 4 hours a day 4 days a week, and not on weekends either. I just have no energy and it's getting uncomfertable to do photo sessions. I am kind of hoping my doctor encourages me to quit working all together, but not on bed rest, there is so much housework that has to be done. I now weigh in at 175, by far the heaviest I have ever been. People still don't believe that I am now almost 6 months pregnant with twins.. but I am 5'11 and slender so I hide it well. Here are some pictures that Kim took of me at work.... everyone gets to practice maternity posing on me... I am not showing as well as I do standing up. but here are the photos

22 weeks

Had another doctor's appointment yesterday. Everything looks good. I am 21 weeks and 3 days along. From here on out I will be going to the doctors every week or two, depending on whats going on. Fun! Saw the babies briefly just to check their hearts out and to make sure everything looks good. They were moving around a lot... so cute as usual. My weight and blood pressure is good. Saw Dr B. we briefly discussed birthing options, I said we were pretty sure we were just going to do a planned C-Section, since there are risks no matter how you slice it. Nothing is set in stone yet (though I am pretty much set on it) but if/when I get a C-section they will schedule it for Monday June 25th. So as of now the latest my boys will be born is June 25th. That is providing they stay in my belly and don't decide to show up on their own schedule.

I started to feel the babies kicking late last week... I felt it just a couple times... my hands happened to be on my belly when it happened... well tonight they are very active and Chris felt them kicking too... so exciting!!! It is such a weird feeling... no words can discribe it..... its just AMAZING!!!!

Had another doctor's appointment yesterday. Everything looks good. I am 21 weeks and 3 days along. From here on out I will be going to the doctors every week or two, depending on whats going on. Fun! Saw the babies briefly just to check their hearts out and to make sure everything looks good. They were moving around a lot... so cute as usual. My weight and blood pressure is good. Saw Dr B. we briefly discussed birthing options, I said we were pretty sure we were just going to do a planned C-Section, since there are risks no matter how you slice it. Nothing is set in stone yet (though I am pretty much set on it) but if/when I get a C-section they will schedule it for Monday June 25th. So as of now the latest my boys will be born is June 25th. That is providing they stay in my belly and don't decide to show up on their own schedule. Nothing else new to report, I have a sonogram in two weeks at my next check up.

So I am 20 weeks and 1/2 way through my pregnancy... well realistically more the half way through since twins like to come on avaerage 3 weeks early. I have decided I am more than likely getting a c-section since with twins there are tons of risks with natural birth and even if A comes out naturally B may still need a c-section. Plus then I know exactly when I will be delievering and I can prep better for it and parents can get into town, since this is the first (and second) grandchild on both sides. No one who doesn't know me believes that I am carry twins at 20 weeks. I guess I am smaller than they expect me to be. I was pretty skinny to begin with (not thin... but not over weight) and I am 5'11 so I guess I hide it well. The boys are doing well, I feel movements every now and then. They are fairly active.

Sleeping isn't a problem yet. Sometimes it takes a minute to get comfertable and I take my time rolling over because if I turn or bend funny it can get uncomfertable. I have woken up on more than one occassion with pains in my legs (i call them charlie horses.. but i guess some people never heard that term). Morning sickness has been gone for a while. I really didn't do that badly for having twins. Once a day a couple times a week. I was doing well for even one baby. I am getting tired of working. I am ready to just stay home and get ready for the babies and count down the days/weeks till I get to hold them. But I am going to work as long as I can. Though I think I may talk to Chris about stopping work at the beginning/middle of May so I have time to do things and also relax before they get here. That's assuming I am not put on bed rest.

Still working on names. I think we have chosen middle names. The first boy out gets the middle name Schubert, which is Chris's middle name, as well as his dad's, grandfather's and great grandfather's. So its a family name. The other boy gets the middle name Jeffrey. Which is my dad's first name. That way both sides of the family are represented. I am still getting a list together of real contenders for first names.

It's a Boy... and another Boy!!!!

Saw the boys again today. They are doing well. They are roughly 10 inches long an 11 ounces. Their backs are to eachother and head to foot opposite eachother. B decided it would be funny to sit on A's back and kick him in the head. And then he showed off the fact that he is in fact a boy :) A was not in the mood to deal with anyone today. Oh well. Next sonogram is in 3 weeks!!

A&B


A


A&B


B

19 week belly shots

Here they are two pics of me and the twins. Find out tomorrow the sexes... hopefully!! Assuming they are identical we only need one to roll over. With my luck they will gang up on their poor mommy and spend the time mooning me and laughing!

we are happy, excited and scared all rolled into one, still in shock but very excited. I have my normal 4 week check up on the 12th, we may find out the sex of our babies, if not we go to the hospital for another sonogram on the 15th and we should know by then. We are oing to be seeing a lot of the babies since I will be getting sonograms and ultra sounds done regularly to make sure both of the babies are sharing the food and nutrients and oxegyn equally. I am 17 weeks and after 34 weeks if I go into labor the doctors wont stop it so I am offically 1/2 way through my pregnancy especailly because twins more often than not come early (by average of 4 weeks early). Here is my belly at 17 weeks

Well I am in complete shock even though it has been many hours since I heard the news. They have to rerun the tests because yes the level of AFP was high for one baby... but we aren't having one baby... we are having IDENTICAL TWINS!!!!So the technician was scanning my belly and after a minute or two paused, looked at my paper work and looked back at the screen. Now I thought I saw two heads... however I am not trained and couldnt tell a head from a butt so I had no idea what I was seeing. The technician than asks me how many babies I thought I was carrying and I responded 1, knowing imediately that wasn't the correct answer anymore. So SURPRISE we are having twins, identical twins. Don't know the gender yet, but from the sonogram everything looks really good. I am sure the test will come back fine the second time around. The babies names are offically right now Baby A and Baby B. Baby B is much more active and was moving around a lot during the sonogram, B waved and turned around and even mooned us. still a little too early to determine gender, so we still have to wait for next month.

Baby A waving





Both A and B



Baby B profile

As you all know last week I had some blood test taken for down syndrome and spina bifida. The Down Syndrome test is fine but the SB test came back with a "at higher risk" result. I am going to the hospital tomorrow for an emergancy detailed sonogram to make sure everything is alright. It could be absolutely nothing, there are plenty of things that could cause a higher reading, the AFP (which is what they tested) is higher at the end of the first trimester and it comes down during the second, so it could still be high from that, it could be due to twins (wouldn't that be a fun surprise!). So we are still feeling good about what could happen tomorrow, if there is a spinal issue it could be so small and insignificant or it could be something larger, we won't know till tomorrow morning. The good news is that since they are doing a detailed sonogram with lots of technology stuff, they are looking at the spinal cord and all organs closely, we may find out the sex of the baby tomorrow (lets keep our fingers crossed). So everyone say prayers for a good outcome and I will update you as soon as I can.

Had a doctors appointment today. I have gained a healthy pound and 1/2 since my last check up (4 weeks ago). Haven't had morning sickness is over a week (but I think the last episode was due to stress last weekend). Baby's heartbeat is a nice, steady and strong 160. I had to give up some blood today, only one vile which isn't bad compared to the 8 I had to give up the first time. The blood will be used to run tests for spinabifida and down syndrome. Hopefully everything will come up normal and healthy. We are offically on count down to learn the sex of the baby. My next doctors appointment is Mon Feb 12. Chris and I both get to go in and see the baby again, and hopefully if the baby is facing the right way we will be able to add a pronoun to our vocabulary (He or She!) If you wish to make an offical guess you have till Sunday Feb 11. I am hearing both boy and girl guesses. I have looked at some old wives tales and even took an online test, which says it is 52% likely to be a girl and 47% likely to be a boy (where is the other 1%?). So its almost split down the middle evenly.

Happy 2007!!!

Well its offically 2007. Last night was very uneventful. I was in bed by 10:30. Chris came up right about midnight to give me a kiss. Spent yesterday shopping with my mom for maternity clothes. Bought TONS of clothes, including a black dress I am going to wear Saturday night for Chris' company party. 2007 is going to be a very interesting year, I am going to have our baby THIS year! In 6 more months to be more exact. I am 13 weeks, as of yesterday. Everything going well. Just wanted to wish everyone a happy New Year!