Gender Reveal!

When I was about 16 weeks pregnant, I had my first ultrasound with the perinatologist. At that ultrasound, they asked if we'd like to know the genders of our twins. Since Kurt couldn't be with me, I asked if they could indicate it somehow on paper and put it in an envelope. The plan was to skype after I got home so we could open the envelope together. However, after calling Kurt on the phone and letting him know I had the envelope in my hands, he said he couldn't wait and wanted to know right now! So I opened the envelope and this is what was inside:

Baby A is a girl! She was not shy to show us... haha ;)

Baby B is also a girl!! YAY!

Kurt and I were sooooo happy! We both wanted girls, even though Kurt changed his mind a few times. Another thing we learned was that our baby girls were identical! We know this, because they share one placenta.

They are considered monochorionic (single placenta)/ diamniotic (two sacs) twins. Mono/di twins carry the risk of something called Twin-to-twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) which is when one baby starts to steal all the nutrients from the other. This is a very serious risk, and because of it, I have to be seen by the perinatologist every two weeks so that they can make sure the babies are growing at the same rate and that there's no discordance in their sizes.

This video explains it REALLY well, better than I could:

I am currently in my 20th week of pregnancy and just had my third appointment with the perinatologist. The twins are growing just fine and have no discordances. We are SO grateful for that and hope it continues throughout the remainder of the pregnancy.

Since finding out that the babies were identical twin girls, I have had many more ultrasounds. Here are some of them:

Baby A at 17 weeks during my visit to the ER.

Baby B at 17 weeks :) 

Our babies cuddling at 18 weeks old :) 

Baby A at 18 weeks. The doctor said that because Baby A is positioned lower, the
ultrasounds of her wouldn't be as clear since they'd always have to be dodging
Baby B when they take it. 

Baby B at 18 weeks. The doctor called Baby B a "movie star" since she's so photogenic.

Kurt and I are SO excited to be welcoming these baby girls into the world in just a few months :) We have already received tons of amazing gifts for these babies from family and they are already so spoiled! We love them soooo much and REALLY hope that they keep growing perfectly for the next 15 weeks or so. We feel so blessed to be having them in our family :)

Kicking!

Today (at about 19 weeks and 2 days) I felt the babies kick for the first time! It took me by total surprise as I was lying down on the couch. I almost fell off the couch when I felt it! I immediately told Kurt and tried to describe the sensation to him and this was the only way I could: it feels like someone poking me from the inside.

We were so happy that they kicked (still not sure which one it was) and that they are healthy.

Here's a little update on what's going on with me and the babies for those of you who don't know:

- At about 14 weeks I got really sick. I resigned from my job and had to just stay at home in bed.

- Kurt and I were rejected from Medicaid, after waiting for TWO MONTHS for an answer (no thanks to the government shut-down) and we knew that I needed health care ASAP. Going through the process of reapplying could take just as long and we weren't willing to risk waiting around for the government while I remained uncovered and with no care.

- My parents have Kaiser, but they don't cover me in Utah. Therefore, I'd have to go to Hawaii to receive care.

- We prayed about this decision a lot and knew that it'd be so incredibly difficult for us to be separated, but knew that it was the best for me and the babies.

- My mom flew up to Utah (which was so AMAZING of her, and I'm so grateful) to come get me and bring me home to Hawaii. I threw up the night before leaving and a few times before going to the airport. I was in bad shape :(

- Kurt and I said goodbye, as he remained in Utah to finish out the semester and I went home to take care of myself and the babies.

- At my first appointment in Hawaii with my OBGYN, they immediately set me up to see a perinatologist (high-risk pregnancy doctor). They send all twin moms to the perinatologist because of the complications that can ensue with having twins. They said if everything's ok, I'll only see him once a month. If not, then every two weeks.

- I went to my first appointment with the perinatologist and after an hour long ultrasound, they told us I'd need to come every two weeks. The babies are fine, but because of the type of twins they are, they'll need to be monitored A LOT more closely than others.

- At 17 weeks or so, I came down with a fever of 101. I called my doctor to see what I could take to lower the fever, and they told me to get to the Emergency Room right away. They hopped me up on an IV and hooked my belly up to an ultrasound immediately. The babies were fine which was a HUGE relief because a fever can be a sign of preterm delivery. I, however, had a bladder infection which needed treating. Once my temperature was regulated and my heart rate lessened, they discharged me and gave me some antibiotics to take for the infection.

-All in all, Kurt and I know that me coming to Hawaii was the absolute right decision. The babies are

 receiving fantastic care and all of their needs are being addressed here. We had no idea that they'd need to be monitored by a specialist twice a month, and can't imagine what it'd be like if I stayed in Utah and waited around for Medicaid to come through while paying out of pocket for all of these necessities (including the expensive ER visit).

We are so excited for our two healthy little bundles of joy to join our family!!! Kurt will be flying down for Thanksgiving and then again for Christmas which is when he'll stay and take the semester off to be with me and the babies. We've got probably a little over three months until they're born (since they'll be born in March at the latest).

Here are some pictures of our beautiful babies:

Baby A at 16 weeks

Baby B at 16 weeks

Baby B's cute loser sign