Bittersweet

Yeah, we saw heartbeats!! It was amazing, these little tiny babies the size of a blueberry with pumping hearts just flashing on the screen. Words can't describe the feeling that comes over you the first time you see that heart beat.

We had our 2nd ultrasound on Thursday at 7 weeks and the doctor was not kidding that we would see so much more in 1 weeks time. The first thing that we found out is there were actually 4 sacs which means we conceived 4 babies. When I was inseminated I had four follicles which means we had the risk of quads and it is unbelievable that all four were actually conceived. The fourth sac that we didn't see last week was small and nothing really came of it. We also found out that the 3rd baby stopped growing, so we are no longer having triplets. Yes we are sad and grieved but now we need to stay strong for our two babies that our fighting for us.

We have now graduated from the fertility clinic and will have our first OB appointment along with a 3rd ultrasound Feb 2nd at 8 1/2 weeks. I have attached a picture from the ultrasound on Thursday where you can see both of our babies. It is hard to tell from the picture but you can actually see both heartbeats in both sacs. The one on the left is the clearest, it is the bright white spec in the center and the one on the right is in the upper left corner of the sac.

Things are starting to get interesting...

So anyone who has been a first time mother knows that you worry about everything and that this starts out the second you find out your pregnant. I guess I am no different! On Tuesday night this past week I started worrying about some things and mentioned this to my mom. Now if you know my mother, you probably know how she reacted...she freaked out and insisted that I call the doc first thing in the morning. After calling the doc they had me come in to take a blood test to check my HCG levels again. They knew that I had an ultrasound the next day but wanted to help out my nerves before then. If you remember my last blood test, it had jumped from a 70 to 295 in three days and the nurse said that it was a great number and that I didn't need any more blood tests. That was 1 1/2 weeks prior so I wasn't sure what kind of number they would be looking for. I asked the nurse what would be a good number for me that day and she said 2000 would be a great number. She called me with the results and this is how the conversation went:

Nurse: Ami, your number is fabulous!

Ami: What is it?

Nurse: 5645

Ami: Does this still mean one baby?

Nurse: This is a really generous number, but we will find out tomorrow!

Holy cow, there might be more than one baby was the thought process that was going through my mind. Which brings us to the ultrasound the next day.

My drive to the ultrasound was peaceful because I was listening to NKOTB to clear my head. I just really wanted to hear good things from the doc and was a little nervous. I met Scott at the fertility clinic and they pulled us right in for Dr Malo to perform the ultrasound. For all of you who haven't had a child for a while the ultrasound that they use these days are internal which can detect a lot more. He stuck the thing in and immediately looked at me funny and then turned and looked at Scott funny, we looked at each other in worry and said, "WHAT??" and he said, "there are 3". Holy sh**!! I reached over and grabbed Scott's hand as I proceeded to ask the doctor every question possible while Scott sat in silence. He took our babies portraits (I couldn't figure out how to download them to the blog, but most of you have seen through email) and asked us to come to his office when I was dressed. As he left the room I started crying because I know all the risks that come with triplets, but I quickly composed myself because I knew I needed to clear some thing up with the doctor before leaving.

Basically the doctor said that it is really a week too early to tell anything about the babies. He saw the start of a baby growing in two of the sacs but had a hard time getting a good view of the third, which worried me but he said that it is really just too early. He didn't see heartbeats in any of them, but wasn't worried because he said it was too early. He said if we didn't see the heartbeats next week then we should worry. He said something to me that really stuck, he said, "The cards have been dealt and now we are just waiting for them to overturn." There is nothing we can do right now, but pray because God is playing cards with us, but I am sure hoping he draws a 3!

Sorry for the gross picture of my pregnancy test, but anyone who has struggled to get pregnant can relate at how joyous 2 lines can be. I had to capture it on film because I didn't want to hold on to the stick. The really dark line that you can see is the "I'm pregnant" line!

My sisters Jill and Cara have decided on a name that they will call the baby until it is born This name they decided to call the baby stems from a couple of years back, in a story that I once told them. Scott and I were at a wedding of one of my St Mary's friends in which I ran into people I hadn't seen for a while. I was talking to a friend and he was telling me that he had two little boys, one named Fletcher and I can't remember the other one. I said, "Fletcher, that is so cute! Scott, isn't Fletcher the cutest name?" Scott replied, "Are you kidding me?" At this point I couldn't figure out why Scott was being so rude in front of my friend about his son's name. Scott then said, "Fletcher Ketcher?" Then it dawned on me that I was no longer Ami Schumacher and realized how bad that name sounded. We had a good laugh about this and I am guessing my sisters never forgot the story because they now call my poor unborn baby Fletcher Ketcher. Cara was even trying to teach my niece Ella how to say Fletcher. So for the next 35 weeks I guess I am carrying Fletcher Ketcher!

There is another story from this week that made me laugh so hard. I wasn't going to document this in the blog, but this is for Scott and I to remember everything so I had to include it. Thursday afternoon I was missing Scott really bad. He had to work both Wednesday and Thursday night so I knew I wasn't going to see him until Friday. I text messaged him, "I guess my hormones must be in full effect because I want to be near you and I miss you so much!" Scott then replied back by saying, "My book said you would go through a time of extreme closeness to me." Seriously, how funny and cute is it that Scott is reciting The Expectant Father a book that he got as a present and is obviously reading! He is going to be the best daddy!

My good friend Frances sent Scott and I a big package today that I found out she had been collecting for two years and was so excited to finally send it. Scott and I were just as excited to receive it! She sent books, CD's and a baby t-shirt but the present that stood out the most is a kids book called Punk Farm about a bunch of farm animals that started a rock band. It is the cutest book and you can download the song they sing at http://www.punkfarm.com/. Thanks Jordan Family!

3rd Blood Test

The baby is the size of a sesame seed this week!

Monday Jan 5th I went in to get my HCG level tested again. The nurse told me ideally they wanted a 140 or higher which is doubled from Friday's level of 70. The nurse called and told me my number was 295! She said that this was just an excellent number and that I no longer needed to get my blood tested and that they would see me at the ultrasound Jan 15th. The baby is doing great and growing perfectly. The nurse also told me that after the ultrasound I would be done with the fertility clinic which makes me sad because I love the nurses there so much, but hopefully I never have to go back!

My sister Jill, brother-in-law Ryan and niece Ella sent us some fun gifts for being pregnant. I got the book 'A Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy', Scott got the book 'The Expectant Father' and the baby got it's first book 'Guess How Much I Love You.' Katie who I work with also got me 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' and a jar of her homemade pickles and boy are they good! Thanks guys for all of the books, we should start to understand everything with this process soon!

Today I made my first appointment at my new OB that came highly recommended from so many people. I have to go to an OB education class next Wednesday before my first appointment Feb 2nd. I am excited to learn all I can!

September 10th, 2009!!!!

That's right, our baby is due September 10th, 2009! I had my blood drawn again yesterday to confirm that my HCG level is rising. The nurse had told me on Tuesday that she wanted it at a 60 and it was a 70 so that is really great news! With the number being a 70 that confirms that there is only 1 baby growing in me. As fun as multiples would have been, there are so many risks and we have already had enough drama so we are thrilled. I have also scheduled my first ultrasound Jan 15th which marks 6 weeks, that should really make everything feel real.

I am feeling really good today but actually welcome feeling crummy because it is so reassuring. I have had headaches since Sunday, been light headed and winded, and totally exhausted. I love it! Bring on the vomiting!

Ozzy is modeling a onesie that my good friend Elizabeth had made for us. It says, "i was worth the wait" and we couldn't agree more Elizabeth, thanks!