The Adventures of Registering

Our first baby shower is June 26th. When my parents came to visit a few weeks ago, I had decided that taking my mom on the baby registering experience would be a great idea. She's had kids and knows whats needed to survive. Though she didn't have twins, she still had me and my sister and that pretty much sums up the adventures she had/has.

We tackled Babies R Us first. Go big or go home right? For those of you that may have never experienced Babies R Us, I'm jealous. It can be an overwhelming experience for first time moms. Especially when they have so many options for basic things and then they throw in big words like 'scientific research' to support their product. Instead of going through every detail, I'll give you the ESPN Sportscenter-like highlights.

A) Baby Monitors: they don't sell these in discount packs for twins. sad day. However, they do sell REALLY fancy ones that come with bigger flat screen monitors then I currently have in my living room. Also, when the box doesn't provide you enough information to see if you can have 2 of the same thing and avoid technical complications...give Dad the assignment to call the company hotline on the back of the box. Immediately. Success.

B) Warning: Do not allow the daddy-to-be to have the scanner in the toy aisle. You have no idea what will show up on the registry later.

C) Bottles: How did babies survive when there was only ONE kind? I have no idea. This is the area, where I defaulted all decisions to mom. You would NOT believe the options that are out there. I can only hope we/Mom made the right decision on the brand here.....

D) Missing Assistants: Mom and I were diligently trying to wrap things up and had managed to make it to the back of the store. As we scanned the last items, we both wondered....where are Dad and Daddy-to-be? As we wandered to find them, I catch Daddy-to-be out of the corner of my eye....in the glider rocker section. I'm pretty sure his head was back, and eyes were closed. WAS HE ASLEEP!?!? I'm the incubator, I get the pass for sleeping in public.

Both David and Dad successfully found the most amazing glider rocker ever made. It has now found its home in our house, thanks to my parents.

E) Maternity Store: Because David and I live in a relatively rural area, shopping trips to Babies R' Us and maternity stores are rare. Maternity stores are fancy these days. This one had a free massage for me, fresh juice and ice water, and a nice lounge area with leather recliners and a flat screen tv for "patient" daddies. As I waited for my massage, my awesome personal shopper (aka mom) starting stocking up the dressing room with reasonably priced and fashionable items. When I returned from my massage, mom was still diligently working. Dad & David....GONE. Where did they escape to? They went to the bar & grill across from the store and enjoyed a drink. So now they get naps and drinks!?!? So unfair.

F) Homebound: I'm pretty sure I was asleep before we left the parking lot and woke up when we arrived in the driveway at home.

Next on the list, Wal-Mart. David and I would tackle this one on our own. We had Babies R' Us under our belt. We were prepared for anything. For anyone who knows me, you are probably shocked and appauled that Target is not listed instead of Walmart. Sadly, we don't live near a Target and since my shower is local we decided to make it easy on the guests to buy something in town. Again, that rural area thing calls for creativity.

A) We arrive at the Waycross Wal-mart. This isn't just your average Wal-mart. This Wal-Mart fulfills all Wal-Mart stereotypes after only 5 minutes. It serves about 5 counties in South Georgia. One of the most profitable Walmarts in the state, if not the most profitable. This doesn't mean they have good customer service or the items you need when you need them. We went to the fancy registry machine, filled out the form, and then took our registry number to the jewelry counter to get the scanner. We were then told that the Waycross Walmart doesn't have scanners to register with. However, we could write down all barcodes and then enter them online ourselves. Gee. Fun. Ain't happenin'.

B) Drive to Douglas, GA.

C) Register at a nice, calm, clean, friendly Wal-Mart in Douglas, GA - WITH a scanner.

Registering is done. Hopefully all the mommies I hope to live up to, approve.

Dr. Intense

Over the past month, we've visited the Perinatology office at Memorial Hospital in Savannah on two separate occasions. Based on these experiences, my mom has provided a nickname for this doctor (aka. Dr. Intense*).

We had an idea going in to the first appointment in mid-May that they take everything very seriously. However, I must say after the 1 1/2 hour ultrasound at the first appointment - I was nothing short of overwhelmed with LOTS of information and the most random statistical possibilities. David on the other hand was playing his part as the calm, cool, collected daddy-to-be. He still is. Hormones make things so unfair.

Here are a few things I learned at the first appointment.

A) Perinatologists don't care about mommies. They care about the babies. Don't expect to feel like you matter.
B) EVERYTHING is serious here. Don't expect magazines in the waiting area. You must watch the health tv provided or stare at the wall.
C) You must have permission to pee here. Don't worry, if you forget, they put stop signs up everywhere to remind you. By your second appointment, you will learn that it is just a game the ultrasound tech plays with you by pressing on your belly while you have a full bladder. (I broke the rules at the second appointment. HA!)
D) Your regular OB will earn the nickname Dr. Warm & Fuzzy.

Dr. Intense has informed us that they are monitoring the babies for a slight presence of twin-twin transfusion syndrome. TTTS only occurs in identical twin pregnancies, since they typically share everything. In William & Robert's case, they are sort of sharing. Robert has a little bit more amniotic fluid then William. They share the same sac, but the sac is divided by a membrane. This membrane prevents the umblical cords from tangling and harming the babies. In addition, it allows for each to have their own amniotic fluid. Here lies the issue. Dr. Intense has a scale to measure severity of TTTS. The scale is based on 'pockets' of amniotic fluid on each side of the membrane. You want them to be between 2cm and 8cm, with little difference between the two. In addition, they will take this information and compare it to the weights and see the percentage of difference. If there is a significant difference in size or fluid pockets that are too big or too small, its a red flag. At the mid-May appointment, William had a 2 cm pocket and Robert had a 5 cm. (Light Red Flag) At the appointment last week, William had a 3 cm and Robert had a 6 cm. MUCH BETTER! William is a little over 12 oz. and Robert is 13 oz. Great news! We'll go back in mid-June for another check up, but Dr. Intense has little concern that TTTS will progress further. Phew. I almost skipped out of the doctors office on Friday.

I've attached pictures of the ultrasound from Friday. Unfortunately, William will allow us pictures of only one part. Luckily, we are confident he is a boy and his constant reminders at EVERY ultrasound are helpful. One day, we might see the profile of his face.

Robert however loves to have his picture taken, and has provided you a profile picture, a leg, and footprints. I hope my dad is proud of his namesake.

Upcoming adventures:

Dr. Intense Appt #3: June 18th
Baby(s) Shower: June 26th
Dr. Warm & Fuzzy: June 22nd


(Ultrasound was done at 21 weeks, 4 days)

*Dr. Intense = Dr. Royek