19 weeks

Time has gone by so fast. It is 19 weeks of pregnancy and we are half way through.

Babies' sensory development is exploding! Their brains are designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that they may be able to hear voice now. We already have our recordings of stories and songs so "S" could play to the babies.

They weigh about 8.5 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom, about the size of an heirloom tomato. Arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of their bodies now. Their kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on their scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on the skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

A video of 19 weeks pregnancy

15 to 20 weeks pregnancy

First ultrasound

Following confirmation of pregnancy, we were scheduled to have the first ultrasound on August 20. The gestational age of embryos was 5 weeks 4 days.

At this early stage, not much could be seen by ultrasound but only to find out if both embryos stuck. 

It was very exciting to see the ultrasound via Skype. Because pregnancy had been confirmed, we expected there would be at least one gestational sac. The first sac was found right away and appeared on the screen and was measured well. The tech called it Baby A because it was closer to the cervix. The second sac was not seen right away so we thought maybe only one stuck. After some more checking, the second sac was found and also measured well. And it was Baby B. We were ecstatic and felt so blessed that two little miracles had found home. 

We only hope they continue to grow and grow strong through the first trimester, and all the way until they are born. 

Pregnancy confirmed!

Time flew as we quickly approach half way of the pregnancy. So far it has been an incredible journey and adventure. Here is another surprise from "S"!

After we transferred our embryos on July 31, our clinic had scheduled a blood test on August 11 to confirm pregnancy. Counting down the days to the moment of truth was tough, especially after we knew we had no frozen embryo to try again. Even though we tried to stay optimistic, there were many moments of "what if transfer has failed." We discussed this and decided it was best not to even think about it. If transfer failed, we would then think about it and go from there.

August 8 at 11:54 am - our phone rang. Caller ID showed it was from our clinic. Immediately we were concerned if something went wrong because the last few phone calls had not been good news and we weren't expecting any news until August 11. Upon answering, it was the nurse. She congratulated us right away on our pregnancy. It took us a moment to realize what had just happened. We were ecstatic with tears and relieved. A heavy weight on our shoulders had been lifted and our dream could possibly come true. The reality hadn't set in and "S" called us a few minutes later. We really wish that it was her who broke the news to us because none of these could be possible without her. Not only did she do everything she could to help but also spare us an agonizing weekend. 

It turns out that she started home pregnancy test three days after transfer. It was negative. Day 4 came positive so did day 5. It must have been very hard for her to contain all the excitement because we had told her our preference to wait for the blood test. Because the home pregnancy test seemed to be conclusive, she contacted the clinic to do the blood test earlier and we got an early positive pregnancy result. A second blood test a few days later showed her hcg level went up nicely. 

Thinking back, there were signs telling us that she was pregnant. We would text her and check how she was feeling. She mentioned twinges she had experienced - one of the early pregnancy signs which we had learned. 

With pregnancy confirmed, we had to wait two weeks later at the first ultrasound and find out if both embryos stuck. 

18 weeks:)

18 weeks today!! A twin pregnancy is considered full term at 37 weeks so we are almost half way through. Yoohoo!! This blog also passes 1000 views! Thanks so much for following our journey. 

Babies are the size of a bell pepper measured 5-6 inches long from crown to rump and weigh about 5.3 ounces. Their ears are approaching their final position and eyes are also beginning to face forward. The retinas may be able to detect light. 

Bones will continue to harden and the pads for their fingers and toes will form.  

Later today, we are heading to babies' grandparents house to reveal their sex. Grandparents are already very anxious to know. It is gonna be a fun and exciting day. Cake, balloons, and presents are all ready! 

17 weeks and ultrasound

It is 17 weeks. Baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — the lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Babies weigh about 5 ounces now (size of an onion), and are around 5 inches long from head to bottom. They can move their joints, and sweat glands are starting to develop.

We had an anatomy scan yesterday. Babies were measured from crown to rump (and what a cute rump it is!), around their middle, and around their head. The four chambers of the heart were viewed, as well as the kidneys, bladder, stomach, brain, spine, and sex organs. It is pretty evident to us what both babies are. :-)

Ultrasound shows both are measured well and they look great. What miracles they are!! We could not be happier and excited. Almost half way through. "S" belly bump is becoming noticeable. 

Baby A heartbeat

Baby B heartbeat

It is very interesting to see they interacted with each other

Happy birthday, Daddy!

Today is your daddy's birthday. We celebrated his birthday when you were all here last Sunday. Daddy was showered with goodies plus a cake that he could not resist. Papa got him a t-shirt and I helped you two pick something for him, a mug to enjoy his coffee and a book to read to you. There were cards from "S," her boys and you guys too!

It was one of his happiest and best birthday. Happy Birthday, Daddy! We love you!

Babies' sex

We got a BIG surprise last Thursday. We thought we probably could find out about babies' sex at our next ultrasound on November 10 but "S" and her husband planned a sex reveal on their way to our house. We certainly didn't see that coming. While we were sitting at the dinner table chatting late in the evening, they said they got presents for us - two big boxes and two small boxes wrapped beautifully with baby footprints and ribbons. 

We were really touched by their thoughtfulness. They told us to first open two bigger boxes - each contained a beautiful glass mug engraved with "Papa" for me and "Daddy" for DH. Then, they said two smaller boxes were gifts for the babies. "They are lucky babies and already getting their presents," I said as DH and I unwrapped the boxes with excitement and curiosity. DH got his open first and took out a gorgeous silver rattle with one of the babies' names engraved on the side plate. (We already had our names picked in rank order for boys and girls). "XYZ," DH read the name he got. I opened mine, another gorgeous silver rattle with another name and it was "ABC." As I was thinking that maybe each side of the rattle had different names, DH burst out "we've got ______?" I sat there feeling totally surprised and didn't react soon enough. There were already lots of hugging with excitement and congratulations. Right there, we were surprised with babies' sex. We are super excited!! Whatever their sex is, we had already prepared ourselves and love them regardless of anything. Knowing their sex makes the whole thing even more real.     

We also received a lovely card with ultrasound photos. It turned out "S" went for an ultrasound the day coming to our house and wanted to give us a big surprise. How exciting to finally have names for the babies - instead of Baby A and Baby B. DH was joking that we can now start shopping!!

"S," thank you so much for such wonderful gifts for our family. The photo on top showing the gorgeous presents we received. I have blurred babies' names. Below are ultrasound photos. Their wee-wee or hoo-ha is covered. ;-) 

For now, we are going to keep the babies' sex to ourselves but we promise it will be revealed soon. While you are eagerly waiting, there is a poll on the right side of the blog for you to guess. 

As this post is written, "1 boy and 1 girl" has 10 votes, "2 girls" has 2 votes and "2 boys" has 4 votes. 

Did babies' heartbeat rate confirm the sex? Did "S" dream of 1 girl and 1 boy come true?

Stay tune!

16 weeks

You guys are home this week with "S" and her family. We are so happy to have you home and to spend the first Halloween together. You were in your first costume and we were one "skeleton" family. We had a lot of fun and it was one memorable Halloween. "S" and her husband gave us a huge surprise and they got us all a very special present. "S," thank you all very much for such thoughtfulness.

Right now, you are about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. Your legs are much more developed, head is more erect than it has been, and your eyes have moved closer to the front of head. Your ears are close to their final position, too. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, your heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as you continue to develop.

Next week we are going to have an ultrasound. Papa and daddy can't wait to see you guys again.