Twins' First Ultrasound

These are the twins' first pictures! They were Day 6 embryos. The one on top is Baby A and was growing a little faster. Baby B is the bottom one. They were transferred on November 16, 2010.

On December 13, 2010 we went in for our first ultrasound and we saw two babies! They are fraternal twins!
Baby A's heartrate was 120. The doctors said anything over 90 this early is great!

Baby A was 0.75 cm long and that measured to be 6 weeks and 5 days.

Baby B is a little smaller, but the doctor said he/she is plenty big enough and will catch up! Baby B's heartrate was 113! It is harder to see Baby B because he/she is located behind Baby A.

Baby B was 0.43 cm long and measuring right around 6 weeks 1 day! This was very close to Grady's same size on his first ultrasound. The area below Baby B is where my blood clot is. We are praying it gets smaller or goes away by the next ultrasound on December 22, 1010 so I can come off the bed rest!

Twins!

We are so excited to share that we are expecting twins on August 3, 2011!!!

We started going through the invitro cycle for the second time back in November. We had two embryos transferred on November 16th. On November 29th I went in for my first bloodwork/pregnancy test late that afternoon. While I was at work on Tuesday, December 30th, Richard got the phone call that we were pregnant! He was so thrilled and my numbers were so high he set up a huge surprise for me! He hung balloons and streamers from the ceiling fan, had cups of baby confetti and silly string! When I got home from school that day with Grady this was the surprise I saw! I was so ovewhelmed and happy! I had convinced myself that it was going to be negative so it took me a minute to even process that this wonderful miracle had happened! My HCG number was 2,429! It only has to be over 10! With Grady we were at 273, so we were already guessing twins this day! Three days later I went in for another blood test and on December 3rd our nurse called and my HCG number was 6,321! VERY high! We were thrilled and thanking Jesus for every part of this miracle! Then, yesterday on Monday, December 13th we went for our first ultrasound. We were very nervous because we thought I was having a miscarriage from some complications I had been having all night. We found out that it was from a blood clot and that we were pregnant with fraternal twins! They are both healthy and doing GREAT! We go back on Wednesday, December 22nd! Until then I am on bed rest to help keep the babies safe!

Grady LOVED kicking the balloons around and dumping the confetti cups! First prego picture! 5 weeks!

Tis the Season

We have really enjoyed decorating for Christmas this year! Grady was really excited to help with the tree. He loved playing with the train track, hanging lights and ornaments. He is learning about baby Jesus and he sings Jesus Happy Birthday all the time! If you ask Grady what he wants from Santa he says, "a big orange car." Well, we'll see what Santa brings!

I know I've gotten almost a year behind on the blog, but I hope one day to catch up on this past year, but until then I am going to try to stay up to date starting now!

He was so proud of himself when he got an ornament to stay on the tree!

Loving the train!

We got a blow-up Christmas tree for the yard this year. Santa Claus peek-a-boos out of the top! Grady is always talking about whether Santa is awake or asleep (turned off or on).
Richard also got some red and white lights to make our light pole a candy cane.

My favorite navitity.

I love sitting by the tree with some cider!

Happy Mother's Day!

What a fun thing to do to put pieces of your life out there for everyone to read! Although this is my first post, I’ve supported Alise in her efforts to save the memories that our family and friends are creating together. We hope to capture the memories for our children that they may know the love and fun our family shared, and to relive the memories that refuse to be forgotten. Memories can be quite powerful, as I experienced the night preceding Grady’s first birthday. Thank you for sharing in with our lives, and to state the obvious, thank you, Alise, for all that you’ve done to document our memories.

I knew for several months that I wanted this to be my first post. I think that it’s important for Alise to be recognized and remembered for all that she’s endured, loved, and provided as a mother. Alise’s motherly love extended well beyond the birth of Grady. If you are familiar with our story, parenthood did not come easy. After seasons of disappointment, surgeries, pain, and prayers, God proved his faithfulness. Alise found herself on the receiving end of pokes, prods, and countless needles as we decided to seek professional help by way of in vitro fertilization. Through all that Alise endured, her spirit remained high, fueled by the bundle of joy that she would carry. One of the most vivid and proud moments that I have as a husband and father was to see the look of love and the tears of joy when Alise saw the first picture of Grady when he was only six days old – a blastocyst! The challenges did not stop there as we found out in week 13 of pregnancy the pain Alise was beginning to experience was rheumatoid arthritis (RHA). RHA is not something you contract, but rather it laid dormant waiting for the right circumstances to reveal itself. Alise’s immune system was triggered to attack her own joints. There’s a challenge with being diagnosed with RHA during pregnancy; there’s no good medication available that isn’t harmful to the baby. Alise had to suffer through chronic pain. One of the only safe medications that may have provided some relief (Tylenol) happens to be deadly to Alise. Do you know how many pain killers contain Tylenol? Alise was able to manage her pain with prednisone, codeine, and by sleeping in chairs to avoid pressure on her joints. During all of this, Alise always said that her baby boy was worth it and that if she had to endure it again, she would.

But Grady wasn’t giving Mama any breaks either. Proving to have his father’s stubbornness, he elected to stay in his Mama’s comfortable womb for too long, requiring a C-Section as fluid levels dropped and risks mounted. After about 20 hours of labor, we were able to lay our eyes on the most precious gift that easily erased the sense of emptiness that we felt as a family. Alise elected to forgo necessary RHA medication and continue to suffer for the next six weeks as she weaned Grady on breast milk. Grady returned his thanks by being one of the most well-mannered babies there is. We were fortunate to have a child with his disposition, hearty eating, and sleeping habits.

Grady is now 21 months old and I am always amazed at how purposeful and focused Alise is in Grady’s every waking moment to give him quality attention. She knows his needs. She knows when he wants to play, cuddle, eat, sleep, wrestle, slide, check out animals, etc. Alise is very in tune with her little boy. She never feels put out or exhausted by the attention and friendship he craves from his Mama. I can remember in our conversations before Grady was born Alise saying that all she wants is a child to run up to her, hug her legs, and beg to be held. I often remind Alise of her wish as Grady does this to her regularly. Alise soaks up every moment.

As Grady is getting older, we are beginning to see his mischievousness and assertive tendencies emerge. I can’t say I’m completely surprised by his actions – he’s 100% his Dad’s boy as he is his Mama’s. For me, disciplining seems foreign and I’m learning as I go. However, Alise is much more methodical and she reveals her everlasting patience. She often seeks advice from her mother – is there a better compliment to Meme than that? I’m confident that disciplining is a right-brained activity. It’s more of an art form or balancing act, and subject to the direction the wind is blowing. Whatever her ways are, Alise is effective in disciplining Grady without crushing his spirit.

Above all, I’m thankful for the spiritual role model that Alise provides for Grady. There’s no doubt that Grady will know the love of Jesus. Alise leads by example and makes a concerted effort to ready the Bible, pray, sign Biblical and praise songs, and tells stories with Grady. Grady has said “Amen” for many, many months now. He also folds his hands together during prayers. His bible is the only book he requests that goes by a name other than “book”. I couldn’t be more proud.

Alise, I love you and I’m so thankful that you are my wife and are such an amazing mother. Your motherly love is an earthly reflection of our heavenly father. Happy Mother’s Day!

- Richard

This post would not be complete without pictures of some of my favorite memories of Alise being “Mama”.

In good spirits prior to one of her surgeries


Laying down for 48 hours, even if it requires travel during Thanksgiving


While we were on our trip to New York, we did not forget that we had a medication schedule that kept us from wandering too far


Here's a picture of some of the meds that Alise had a love/hate relationship with. These were only a few of the needles. The pile would look a lot bigger if there were more shot sets instead of needle heads that screwed off.


Mama greeting Grady for the first time outside of the operating room


Lots of kisses


She could stare at him all day


Nap buddies


Mama held Grady through many Clemson football games in the past two seasons


Alise is always by Grady's side, especially when boo-boos occur


Out at the beach


My favorite people


Mama's always on the lookout for a fun time!


"My Mama!"


Alise is always trying to get in more cuddle time, no matter how old Grady is


Sharing some fun water time together

Clemson vs. Florida State Game

The Clemson vs. FSU game was November 7th, 2009 and we had a great time tailgating with our friends. Grady loved laying down on the blanket, playing corn hole (or at least a one year old's version of it) and he really loved the dance party we had after the game! Then we spent the night at Nana and Papa's house and had a great time with them, cousin James, Aunt Sarah and Uncle Jamie.

Katy, preggers Leslie with baby Ben and me

Dancing with Daddy

Mark and Daddy

Lindsey, Grady and me

Grady and James with Nana

Grady loves cheese puffs

Trying out the old swing!