I Make Humans - My oven, Their bun

Hi all, I think I've reached that "really pregnant" part of the pregnancy already, that most singleton pregnancies don't get until around month 8, the semi-miserable phase when you're uncomfortable all the time and swell easily. And frankly, you just get really irritable and probably irritate everyone else too.  I've been fighting a head cold this week and have not felt good which I know doesn't help. To my amazing boyfriend, really supportive friends and family, and colleagues: I'm really sorry .  I feel bad for people who have to be around me on a regular basis now. I was really hoping that I wouldn't get stuck in this phase for quite some time, but with 2 babies in there, as the rest of all the pregnancy things, it just speeds up the process. I do feel the babies move around all the time now, they even kick my hands if I rest them on my belly. That part is quite adorable. I do feel as though I have an amazing support system around me for...

Lots to cover in this update... thanksgiving, St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend, growing belly...  I know the first thing all of you were wondering, though... if the babies were well fed and liked their Thanksgiving feast. Well, I have to say - I took 2 tries at i­t­, but I was able to put away a full portion of Thanksgiving food. And a piece of pie! This of course was to my breathing and comfort detriment. But SO worth it!! Favorite food by far was the sweet potato casserole! And the babies were moving around a good bit which leads me to believe they were super happy. 😁 I do feel them move all the time. Every once in a while I feel them move at the same time and can tell the difference in which is which. It’s kinda surreal to feel 2 babies moving around. But it’s amazing to know they’re doing good and thriving. Already they are so strong! I was able to record w a video them moving around for the IPs. You can see their kicks every once in a while. The IPs haven’t been able ...

Oh friends... oh boy, do we have a story for you today!!! This past Monday, we had our 20 week appointment. At this visit, we had a very thorough ultrasound visit. They call this the "anatomy" ultrasound where they check all the limb measurements and the status of brain, bladder, stomach, etc. for each of the babies. We also saw the Dr. just to see how things were going. All the other normal things you do at a 20 week appointment.  The IPs were SO EXCITED to get to see the babies!!! And MAN, the twins put on a show for their parents!!! They were moving and showing out. As we got started with the checks, twin A (the lower one is always twin A as they'll come out first - things I never thought I would know) was getting measured. We saw a big ole head, good sized belly and he had very prominent boy parts which my IPs were very proud of. All boy parents are, right? I had never seen a boy part on ultrasound as I have 3 girls. And I mentioned that I only know what to look for...

Every time I write one of these blog entries, I feel like I’m starting to pen a letter to my oldest and dearest of friends. We pick up right where we left off... I­t­s been a couple weeks since I’ve posted an update and a lot has happened since our last conversation.  First, I did have a situation of spotting a few weeks ago, around week 15. I went to the dr the next morning but he pretty much told me I just needed to slow my roll and settle myself. All was well with the babies. Ultrasound confirmed two super strong babies who were settled in their bunk beds. This was just before I was 16 weeks and we were surprised to get to see them so soon bc we didn’t have an ultrasound scheduled. But the boys are doing so good!!! They’re growing so fast!!!  My Dr did tell me I needed to slow my roll. In his words, 2 is significantly more than 1. I know this seems like simple math, but when I was pregnant with my girls, I didn't have to curtail my activities until the end of my pre...

This weekend, I was snuggling with a sweet fat cat known as Bash and he laid up on my belly. When he did, I could feel the slightest flutters from the babies!!! It was super exciting. I text the IPs and let them know our oranges were moving about their cabins nicely! They of course got excited, too. Probably within the month, the IPs will be able to feel them themselves!!! I can’t wait to see their faces...❤️ We are now 15 weeks!! 25 to go. It sounds like such a long time when I say it like that. But the truth is this time will pass so quickly and these boys will be here before we know it! They are now the size of naval oranges, about 4.5 inches long and supposedly actually look like baby humans, as opposed to fish or frogs or aliens. Ha! I’ve felt so blessed lately that I’ve had so much support... from so many friends and readers who are following this story. I’ve also had lots of amazing things happening around me over the last couple months but my most favorite is how happy I’ve b...

Hello friends! We’re 1/3 if the way there! The IPs are getting excited and finally comfortable enough to start telling their friends about becoming parents! I’m so happy for them. They made the MOST PRECIOUS baby announcement!! Made me cry in the Drs office. :) The IPs even bought baby beds and have started working on their baby room. I love seeing them so happy and excited!!! 13 weeks down... 27 more to go! Man, that sounds like a lot!!!  My belly is starting to fill out a bit now and I officially can’t wear any of my regular clothes. I have one pair of fat jeans I can wear still and that helps. So glad to be done w meds and shots! Slowly but surely my back end is getting back to normal and without knots and bruises! Haha! The peeing every 5 minutes has started. It’s so frustrating at times. But all in all it just means the boys are growing well and that always makes me happy! Still craving lots of fruits... but don’t have much of an appetite these days. What’s really weird ...

So Monday was an exciting day for my IPs!!!! We had our first visit to the Drs since I stopped meds and they were able to see their little nuggets again!!!! The parents are now so excited and I'm so thrilled they are ready to start telling the world about their baby boys!  This week is week 12 - we have two little plums in there - twin A and twin B(pictured above). On the ultrasound you could see them both moving and waving their little arms and kicking. It was precious! And so made my heart happy to see the IPs so happy!!! Due date is April 2nd and the babies are measuring perfectly. If there's one thing I do well, its grow beautiful healthy babies!!! I also asked about flu shots and massages. And I'm good to go on both!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!!!! So what's happening in the pregnancy world you ask? Nausea is in full swing Can't sleep on my belly Can't really sleep period. I keep waking up in the middle of the night randomly and am just. Awake. (Hence I'...

Hello friends...  I know, it's been a minute since I last posted. There's so much to update you on, but not that much all at the same time.  Babies are doing good, as far as i know. my belly is definitely getting bigger. I am always so tired. and I have no appetite. but other than that, all seems well.  Since i'm 11w2d now, i get to stop my meds! WOOHOOO!!! Those shots are no joke y'all... my rear end looks like a field of land mine testing. Lots of bruising and swelling but hey... it's working so that's good.  As I expected tho, as I have come off the meds, i'm getting more nauseous. it happened FAST too... I usually lose like 20 lbs in my first trimester with my girls pregnancies so this is all normal.  I'm almost to the point that I can't sleep on my belly. That part is exciting because soon people will actually be able to tell I'm pregnant and not just getting chunky. HAHA! You can be all 'oh you're preg, everyone will know t...

This update is way overdue I know... we are now 9w5d. And I've been so tired, it's been hard to find the energy to finish this post.  #itshardgrowinghumans Well, last Friday the IPs and I were able to hear two sweet little heartbeats!!!! ❤️❤️❤️ They were so happy when they saw two little nuggets on the monitors... it was breathtaking to watch their faces. I was so mad that I didn't have my phone!!! I wanted to video their responses... but I failed! Lol.  I love getting to spend time with them, they are genuinely good humans and I'm so thankful God brought us together for this. I'm not super struck w nausea, but I do get it in waves. I'm thinking the hormones I'm still on is what is helping but I dunno... for sure no scientist in this. But I'll go w it. Hopefully I only have 1 more week of hormones and pills to take! :) My cravings have changed tho. They seem to change weekly... what I can remember from previous pregnancies is I loved salads and fru...

This post is titled, more time. because i wish i had more time.  Couple things you can be sure of when you're reading my blogs: i don't lie i don't sugar coat things i don't tell you every detail because - well - i promise you don't want to know the weird stuff.  I don't care about capitalization. and spelling is sometimes an issue. but if i use the wrong word or leave out a word you can bet that was an accident bc that annoys me  i can be honest to a fault, which means sometimes, i may overshare. :S whoops i am an overachiever. i'm trying to come to grips with this So apparently my post of "Whoooooooooooooo's having two!" got  deleted . no idea how... and i'm so bummed. i loved that post. That was where I shared that 2 embryos took!! I had over 1500 hits on that post alone! so, if you were looking for it, i don't know what happened, be sad with me - promise it was not purposeful. but for you to know, we are having two (as...

so I keep thinking of things to blog about! so I thought I’d do a little post until I have more substantial news to share. But here’s some updates on what’s happening around me. my levels are all moving in the right direction! So that’s a good sign. Almost immediately, my jeans didn’t fit, but of course, that does nothing to help me have clothes that fit and are comfortable. So I just feel large and in charge – because let’s also be honest that all these hormones got me sassy and easily irritable. To that point, if I have offended you over the last several weeks, I’m sorry. And I might as well make apologies if I do offend you in the future… I’m weaning myself off caffeine the best I can. And this SUCKS. My eyes are SO MUCH BIGGER than my stomach. I’ve been ravenous lately (morning sickness has not kicked in yet) and when I eat all that food that I think I want, I’m miserable bc there’s just not room for things and, my stomach is just not that big. I lost a ton of weight in...

My levels are all going in the right direction! This is a huge relief because we know it's at least working!!!! More tests to come. More tests to do. But keep your fingers crossed!!! My IPs are for sure resting easier knowing it's going in the right direction.  What are we dealing with today: It's f'n hot.  I sweat. A lot.  (Autocorrect said swear and I'm doing that too) Cramping is still happening. Which I believe is a good thing.  I'm hungry. A lot at the moment. And can't eat a lot. At the moment. Lots of little meals I'm still taking a lot of meds.  I still look like a battered woman w all these bruises.  My friend Tara likes to shoot me up (with my fertility drugs). And we like to freak others out by saying she's gonna stab me. 😂😂😂 Boobs are indeed sensitive. I'm getting lots of muscle cramps. Need more bananas.  Send more bluebell.  No I don't have mood swings how dare you ask. (Get it?) 

Implantation was done 8 days ago.I got my first blood test done today. Late today. After 4 days of executing the best and only employee event we have each year for all of my workplaces' staff. We all come together 1 time a year and get training and meet together to review the year that was and the year to come. It truly motivates me, moves me and gets us ready for another stellar year!!    Well. Now that all my events are over, we can now focus on if we got a bun in the oven!!! It's been over a week since implantation and let's get caught up on where we are: I can't work out I can't suck in I've had cramping every day I'm hungry. So hungry. But can barely eat it. And if I stuff myself I'm miserable. It's legit like there's less room in there.  I have to act as if I'm pregnant so no raw fish, no deli meat. No alcohol.  No hot tubs I take shots daily  My rear looks like I've been beaten from all the knots and shots. It's been...

So several months ago, I met my IPs and we saw a love connection for me to carry a baby for them. But when talking w the fertility guy, they learned they'd have to wait to start the process because they traveled to a Zika area. So. We waited. And waiting is not a bad thing... it's just... we do so much of it! LOL it's worth the shout out. :) We then get the go ahead on the blood tests And had approval to go forward with their contribution but... we had to get a signed contract and find an egg donor... so. We did what? We wait.... Then. Once we got confirmation on an egg donor and egg retrieval, so 4 months later we signed a contract and our IVF/fertility doctor got some eggs and some sperm and took cells from those pieces and put them together and made some embryos. Then what did we do? You guessed it!!! Wait. The doctors then performed a lot of testing on those embryos and determined which were best to survive. and it's not a short process.  Soooo...... Yep. ...

So my friends, I've been on this new journey with my new couple for a while now. It's always a matter of hurry up and wait. And now. The waiting is almost over.  I had a huge event at work that we were preparing for. It was June 23rd. It was the first time we'd ever done a fundraiser with a board meeting and anniversary celebration. It was the highlight of my career so far. We killed it! We knocked our goal out of the park!!!  On June 25, it was my birthday. Yay! Happy birthday to me! I had a great day celebrating with family and friends and I called it my day of last rights. BC it was the last day before I started meds. Started on June 26 and now, 3 weeks later, we're getting ready to go get knocked up! (I laugh every time I say that).  There's nothing like the feeling of giving yourself to someone for something they simply cannot provide for them self. It's just. Incredible. I am so blessed by this couple. I love them - they've become amazing soli...

I call this phase of my life: Think Thick! With all of the changes our family has been thru in the last year, it goes without saying that I got a little thick - of which, i have lost 30+ LBs so i'm not as thick as i used to be. :) but there's lots more that I've needed to be thick lately and are not. For instance: I need my weather stripping to be thicker.  I need my skin to be thicker.  I need my door jam's to be thicker I need my wallet to be thicker I wish my hair was thicker! You catch my drift here? And now... we've been praying for my uterine lining to be thicker and i'm happy to tell you it is! Went to the Dr. for my first check up since i started meds and it's going really well so far! so that's all good.  now we just need to get thru 2 more weeks for implantation! This is SO EXCITING!!! Truly, I'm besides myself and I really hope we continue to have a blessed, safe, productive, successful journey!  In other news, we had ...

Well, we are back on track now. I have had a lot of life changes over the last year but we are now back in business!  Last time I posted, I was matched with an amazing couple from up north. They are such sweet people but we just had some road blocks that made us have to part ways and it broke my heart... However, we both have to move forward on different avenues and I truly wish them success in their endeavors. They deserve to hold a sweet baby of their own.  After many changes, I'm now matched with a local couple in Memphis. I am so happy with our set up! I have known one of them for many years and they are such sweet souls. They're so excited about the process and as thrilled as I am that we've finally gotten started! I know they are going to make amazing parents and I cannot wait for the moment they get to hold their baby for the first time!!! And this is our end game goal! We finally got to start meds this week to get me prepped for implantation! I have had some r...