Family of Four??!!!!

Disclaimer: this is a VERY long post and more details than probably most people want!

Where do I begin??!! Last August, we decided that we needed to start thinking about having a family and we thought December would be a good time to start "trying". Well, December rolled around and I wasn't quite ready so we put it off for a little bit. Then later this year we started making plans for our 4th anniversary trip and decided that would be a great time to start "trying". So that was the plan until Erica called me in July and asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding next August.

Of course, I'm ecstatic for Erica and LOVE weddings and most definitely want to the be in the wedding, but my first thought was "ooh, what if I'm pregnant?". So I told Erica that we were thinking about starting a family and would she mind if I was pregnant. You know me, total planner so I have to cover all my bases. Erica doesn't care if I'm pregnant just as long as I'm there she says. So in just a few short minutes after I hang up the phone with Erica, I do the calculations and realize that I either need to get pregnant real soon or wait awhile so I can attend the wedding!

I immediately pick up the phone and call HG. I said "honey, things have changed and we're going to start baby-making immediately as in TONIGHT!". He just laughs and says what are you talking about. He's been ready for a family and I'm the one that keeps changing my mind (only because I want it to be the "perfect time". I realize this doesn't exist, but a girl can try). So I explain and he just laughs and says ok. I don't think he realizes how serious I am. So I stop by Barnes & Nobles and pick up a book "Making a Baby". I hadn't been too serious about this yet and wanted all the info I could get.

So I learn all about ovulation and many other things (probably too much info) and I'm thinking woo-hoo there's still a chance in July except then I look at the calendar and realize my husband is out of town during the optimal time, but that's ok because there's always a chance.

Well, we weren't successful in July and I was extremely sad about it. I guess I wanted a baby more than I realized, but also knew that it would probably take months for us to get pregnant (or even years), but "must-have-it-now girl" that I am didn't want to wait.

So at the end of August, I start thinking that we're leaving for vacation in a few days and what if I'm pregnant...I can't drink (who wants to miss out on the drinking at an all-inclusive??!!) and it's still a few days early, but I really thought I might be. So I take the test on Monday night and it's positive. I take another one Tuesday morning and it's positive. Okay, now I'm freakin' out a bit! Totally excited, but also thinking already??!! See, I'm such a wishy-washy person!!! Thankfully and ironically enough my annual exam was on Friday of that week and we didn't leave for vacation until Sunday. So my doctor confirms that I'm pregnant (without doing any testing) because he said two positive pregnancy tests is enough and since I was so early (only 4 weeks and 1 day) that I should come back in 3 weeks for my first pre-natal visit.

So no alcohol for me on vacation. Our vacation was wonderful!!! We realized it might be the last time we take a vacation just the two of us for awhile...little did we know! The past 3 weeks have been pretty tough. I've been much sicker than I thought I would be and oh so tired!!! I was beginning to think that I wasn't cut out for pregnancy because I just felt so miserable.

I had a doctor's appointment on Friday. Again, I'm still really early (only 7 weeks) and HG was able to come to the appointment with me...thank goodness as I got the biggest shocker of my life! We're having TWINS!!!!! I know that you're supposed to wait 12 weeks before you start telling the world, but the twins changed everything. I can't keep that kinda secret...twins, I'm mean really...twins!!!

The babies are in separate sacs so they are fraternal and there is a good chance that we could have a boy & a girl...that would be ideal, but we'll be happy with two healthy babies! Twins run in HG's family and my uncle has twin boys (but I always thought it was from his wife's side of the family because we don't have any other twins in our family); however, we NEVER thought it would be us!! Except that since we were dating HG warned me that twins run in his family and I always just laughed!!!

My due date is May 7th, but my doctor did say that twins like to come early. It's fairly normal to deliver at 34 or 35 weeks, but he would really like to see us get to 36 weeks. I'm going to do my best to get those babies to 36 or even 37 weeks. I want them to be as healthy as they can be.

My husband is absolutely amazing and has been more than I could ever ask for. He is so excited to be a father and not even the announcement of twins scared him. He just grabbed my hand and said "honey, we can do this!"

So as you can imagine, we're still a little overwhelmed and the planner in me has already kicked in so I'm sure these next few months will be interesting. I'll keep everyone updated via my blog so check back often (I have to go to the doctor every 2 weeks). Most importantly, I ask that you keep us in your prayers. Like all parents, we want nothing more than two healthy babies!!! wow, 2!!!