Make it another double, please. (Ashley)

So, since Mr. Stubborn over here had been so adamant about not wanting to know the genders before these two beauties grace our presence, I decided I needed to have 4 names picked out BEFORE I find out.

Done!

4 names.  Good ones, if you ask me.  To be quite honest, we put a lot of thought and heart in to picking out these names.  In fact, these names are soooooo good that....  I want to use them all. Yes, all of them.

SO.... that only means one thing.

We gotta have two more babies.  It's a must.

Yeah, John may have just passed out after reading that.  hahahaha.

Unfortunately, we had agreed that one pregnancy (whether we were blessed with one or two babies) would be all we were going to do.  FORTUNATELY... it's TWO.

I know some people with some really unique and loooong names... but I don't think I am going to do that to these little ones.  However the cookie crumbles and what ever genders they are they will have good names (my opinion). Maybe I can talk one of them into using one of the names not used for their children.

Well, a lot has been going on.  I have been wanting to blog a bit lately but haven't really made the time. I apologize for this and will try to do better.  

Stay tuned, I have some rants about the DR office that we were referred to, some updates about the latest DR visit, a story about a hammock and a pistol, and well, just more talking to do.  : )

But, for now, I'm calling it a night.

G'night all.

Appointment Update (John)

Well, as you know, we had our first OBGYN appointment yesterday.  We will still be making some trips to EVMS because of the high risk (twins) nature of the pregnancy, but at this point we are done with The Jones Institute.  Kinda sad, as we had developed some good friendships with the doctors and nurses there.  A wonderful group of people to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude.

Ashley was supposed to update you on the appointment last night.  But after 3 hours at the doctor's office, dinner, and a tub of ice cream she called it a night.  Such is the life of a pregnant Ashley.

Anyway, we have healthy, active, growing babies and everything checked out beautifully.  Measurements, heart rates, everything was perfect.  One of the twins even rolled over and gave us a wave during the ultrasound.  Priceless!

I have to tell you that, up to this point, this whole experience has seemed somewhat surreal to me.  Everything from the IVF to the confirmation of twins, despite the waiting, has been a cloudy, dusty, whirlwind.  Not anymore!  There's nothing like arms and legs, hands and feet, fingers and toes, and beating hearts to clear the air and drive home the reality.  Ashley didn't see it because she was mesmerized by ultrasound monitor, but my eyes were full of tears and my heart was beating a mile a minute when I saw those images.  Wow!  This is happening and it's happening fast.

Now, for the next big challenge we face.  All the talk now is about finding out the sex(es).  We can do it now with blood work, we can do it soon with 4D ultrasound, we can find out in a few weeks with normal ultrasound.  Wait just a stinking minute here!  I don't want to know!  I like surprises.  And the way I see it, it's the only reason for me to be in the delivery room at the end of all this.  Why else would I want to be in room for several hours with an angry woman, blood and guts, and sight and sounds that could scar me for life.  You see, I pass out at the sight of blood and guts.  Thankfully, I know this and readily recognize when it's time to lay down and put my cheek against the cold tile floor.

Conversely, any of you who know Ashley also know that she wants to find out if these babies are boys or girls or both.  YESTERDAY!  She could care less about a surprise.  So, the plan is for her to find out and not tell me.  Stay tuned to see how that plays out.  :)

Oh, and one last thing.  Ashley's been released for normal physical activity.  She's been taking it easy for about 3 1/2 months during IVF and the first trimester.  Couple that with her crazy work schedule for all of 2014, and we haven't had many opportunities to sleep in the woods together.  So the planning has begun for the next backcountry outing.  Soon we'll be strapping on the backpacks and heading deep in the mountains to take in the nature and solitude.  John, Ashley, the babies, mountains streams, campfires, hammocks...I can't wait!

Waiting... again (Ashley)

I'm finding that there are many instances during a pregnancy that you have to "wait".

Wait to get pregnant.
Wait to see if you're pregnant.
Wait to see how many.
Wait to hear a heartbeat.
Wait to see them babies again.
Wait to find out the genders.
Wait to watch them grow inside.
Wait to meet them.

So much waiting.  (did i mention that i happen to be the most impatient, patient person i know?)

Currently, I am waiting on John.  He's on his way home so we can go to our first official Dr. appointment since I've been cut loose from the In Vitro place.

I get to see my babies today!!!!  

Today I am 12 weeks.  I have been waiting for 5 whole weeks to see them again.  It's torturous, actually.

Dang, seems like yesterday that we got this journey started.  I am so nervous/excited/happy/scared.

Two babies! WOW.  

I wish there was a way to explain the feeling I have right now.  It's so crazy.

I will post pictures of the babies later tonight when I get them!

Bye for now!!

Man does this girl have to pee! (John)

Well, as you can tell, I'm not much of a blogger.  A month and a half between posts is a bit much.  I'll try to get better.  This is a follow-up to Ashley's earlier post.

I gotta pee???  That's an understatement!  I don't know how it works, but she drinks 12 ounces and pees 48???  If she was drinking beer I'd understand.  But water and fruit juice?  Makes no sense.

It goes something like this.  I gotta pee.  Man, I've really gotta pee.  No, hold up, I've gotta pee NOW!  Man!  How many times can one person pee in a day?  We're about to find out.

As for this name thing.  Easy?  Well, kinda.  Decided?  Maybe.  But if you know Ashley we'll be deciding, re-deciding, assessing, and re-assessing names until these babies are born.  Hey, it's what we do.  In the end, though, they'll have meaningful names tied to a heritage of good, family oriented people.  That's what counts.

Oh, and the gender thing.  Well, as cliché as it sounds, we truly just want two healthy children.  But, I am concerned about having two girls.  Not concerned for the girls, but for Ashley.  You see, when I meet Ashley she did not even own a dress.  Jeans?  Check!  T-shirts?  Check!  Cowboy boots?  Check!  Work clothes (and I mean industrial strength work clothes)?  Check!  Work boots?  Check!  Batman shirt?  Check!

Dresses, skirts, heels, frilly/girly things?  Notta!  You can count on one hand (maybe two) the number of times I've seen this girl in make-up.

I'm afraid if girls pop out she's gonna say, "AAAAHHHH, put 'em back!".  We'll deal with that when the time comes.

Boys?  We got this!

Regardless of gender, these kids are going to experience life and nature and all of God's creation, and pursue their passions and dreams without inhibitions.  I hope this involves hammocks, tents, backpacks, campfires, bicycles, Volkswagen vans.......

As for her sickness and nausea, I hate to say, for the most part, I am not there for her.  See, she works 6 and 7 days a week and deals with it while building nuclear powered submarines.  Yes, she's badass!  Excuse my French.  When she is with me, though, I hope being wrapped in my arms is better than eating.  If not, I shall cook.

And finally, the physiological changes that My Love is experiencing.  I'll start by saying that she is truly glowing.  I think that comes with being an awesome person, excited about the opportunity to influence two young lives.

Then there's the belly.  Well, My Love has always had a bit of a pudge.  It's just a little more pronounce right now.  Along with other things.  I'll just leave it at that and be thankful for drawstrings and elastic.

I will touch on one last thing, though.  The boobs!  Hear this!  Ashley Bouguet-Maxey is overflowing an A-cup.  Nuff said!

I gotta pee. (Ashley)

It all started with names.

The harsh reality that our lives now revolve around the number 2. Well if you include us then 4. But you get my point.

Names were easy.  We decided on 2 girls and 2 boys.

Reason for the early name choosingness, is that my trusty dusty husband doesn't want to know the genders. GREEEEAT.  I want to know... I HAVE to know.

I think its my duty to find out. Right?

Well, this is definitely gonna be interesting.

I can't keep secrets from him as it is... I get him birthday gifts and he knows what it is before he opens them... heck... he knows before I wrap it.  :/

oh well...

I think I can find out in 5 and a half weeks!! HOLY CRAAAAAP!

What if it's two girls... girly girls.  That want to wear dresses and drink tea. OMG.

I was a total tomboy growing up. Playing in mud. Torturing my brother. Coming home with scabbed up knees. Finding worms after a good rain.

This could be bad.

No, no, no. I got this.  WEEEEE got this.
Calm down Ashley.
I keep forgetting that I have the perfect partner to raise children with.

I keep thinking of all the things I want to do, see, experience.   I know that having kids changes life, but I only see it enhancing ours.

You know, now I'm gonna have a little minion to carry my backpack when we go on long hikes.  lol... not really.

However, John did just get me a double hammock (he already had one) and said that I could comfortably fit me AND a little one in there. He said he can take one and I can take one. (He is way more excited then he lets on I think) He was even looking at kid carrier hiking packs for the both of us. : )  I love him.

-------

Well, let me just say, this pregnancy thing ain't no walk in the park.  It's more like a roller coaster ride on Dr. Dread after you've eaten a four course dinner.

My stomach decides to do backflips every morning that continue on well into my mid-day.  The only way I have found to combat it is, to eat.  Lightly. But continually.

I know everyone is different. I actually have had a lot of good advice on different things to try.  I have tried everything, I think. Crackers. Lemons. Peppermints. Tootsie pops. Ginger Ale. Bananas and milk.

Everything.

I will say this... mommy lesson learned number 1!...   orange juice is BAD.
I had never had indigestion/ heart burn... until... orange juice.

It hates me.
Now, the feeling is mutual.

-------

That isn't the only body changes taking place on this ol thing. Belly is sticking out (mostly from food, not babies yet.)  Boobs are getting HUGE. Well... okay, huge for me.  I think I can finally classify myself as an A cup.  hahaha.   About time.   Them dang training bra's were a bit embarrassing.

I did go up two pant sizes already.  And I have to wear John's gym shorts around the house.

Oh... and I have to pee about 72 times a day/night.  I get no sleep and no work done.

Speaking of.... I do need to pee.  So, I think I will end it here today.

: )

Times Two! (Ashley)

It's been 25 days since you've heard from me...  

I have lots to say too... I have had emails and messages from people asking me why I haven't blogged lately.

Truth be told, I hadn't had a day off since I got back from my vacation. And, I am still on these dag-gone estrogen pills and patches that are making me so sleepy.

Let's pick back up at 4th of July...

I was actually on vacation in New Mexico, visiting my great-grandma (soon to be great-great).  We have a little get together every 4th for those who won't be able to attend her birthday in October.  She will be 101 this year. And she is pretty much the coolest grandma ever. Probably even cooler than yours.  But who knows. : )

Well, my original pregnancy test was June 26th.  They confirmed the pregnancy with that initial test but wanted to do a follow up to make sure everything was going well.   So, I had planned to do the second blood work in NM.  Mind you, I don't know my way around this town we are staying in, so my aunt and uncle offered to take us to get blood work.  Poor them.  We went to the hospital and the line for blood work was practically out the door and sweeping around the building.  

So, on to LabCorp.  

Ok. We walk in... no one was in line.  we stood there... and stood there.  We could hear people talking... but we stood some more.

Finally, a lady comes out and finds out what we need.  I ask here the probability that we could have the results before COB today because my doctors needed the info today.  She says... chances are nil!!

They send all their blood work to Dallas!  TEXAS!  WTH??

So, I look at my poor unsuspecting aunt and uncle and ask if we could try one more place.  Of course they say yes... they may just be the most chill people I know. 

Well we make it to a hospital.  At this point, I figured I would be lucky to get the results by the time I get back to VA.  But, while the girl is drawing my blood, I explain to her the situation and she seems super eager to help get the results expedited!!

She did just that.  They had my results back to me within a couple of hours!! AAAND, she even called my DR office to tell them she faxed them to them too. There are still good people in this world.

Well, as I am looking at the results and doing the "math"... it seems that my numbers (of HCG) are pointing to a likely hood of twins. 

---------

Now, fast forward a little. 

I was told that I need to schedule an ultrasound for anytime after the 15th of July.  The first available was the 18th!    I'll take it!

When my DRs office had called to me go over the second results, she told me that my due date was March 3rd.

MARCH 3RD???

So, I did some more math... (a lot of math goes on when you're getting knocked up)

That means that I will be 7 weeks pregnant on the 15th!!!   Holy crap! I think we skipped some steps. 

-----

We went and had the ultrasound on the 18th... yet again, I was faced with that dag-gone wand that goes inside. I hate that thing.

I don't think she got that durn thing even remotely close to inside and she said " ope! We have TWINS!"

hahaha!

Two beautiful (as much as we could see) and healthy sounding ( we heard two solid heartbeats!! ) babies!

Did I mention?  ...  IM GONNA BE A MOMMMMMMAAA!  (TIMES TWO)

:)

(so, this is less than 2 weeks ago, I will catch you up on the rest tomorrow) promise : )

The 'first' results (Ashley)

Thursday morning I headed in to the institute for blood work.  Specifically, my first pregnancy test.

They drew the blood... in and out in less than 10 minutes.

THEN... another wait. 

These people and their WAITINGNESS!!

Don't they realize that not all of us 'normal' people can do all this waiting?  

I think it was the longest day of my life. I'm sure it was. 

The lady that drew my blood told me that I should hear something by 1:30 that same afternoon.

....tick tock.... tick tock...  

At 1:30 on the DOT I got a phone call. I looked down at the number and almost couldn't answer it.

What if they say it didn't take? What if I AM??

"Hello?"

'Ashley?'

"Yes?"

"Hi, this is Dr. O. I have some really good news for you."

'Oh?'

"Yes, apparently we transferred two beautiful embryos and now we have a beautiful pregnancy."

OH MY GOODNESS... IM GONNA BE A MOMMMMMA!!!