December 2017- Freakin Miracles

I want to back up a little bit and add some after-thoughts to the November post and the transfer of our two em-babies. I remember no fear. I felt no fear, none. I think because we had accepted the outcome, no matter what it would be. We knew we'd be thrilled if both stuck and we got twins, as crazy as that makes us. Of course, that would be hard, but we always wanted 3 children and this was our last attempt so it would be like a 2 for 1 deal. We knew that it could result in one child. That would be slightly disappointing at the thought of losing one, but we'd be so grateful that we could have a brother or sister for Otto, experience a pregnancy and birth, and complete our family! We also knew that we could have a negative result. This would be very disappointing. We had a chance to try 2 more times and we'd give it our best hope. Then, even if all 3 tries resulted in a negative result (no babies), we'd be grateful for the opportunity to try and move on with our lives. Otto as an only child is not at all the worst thing. He is more than we could have hoped for and we are still very happy for the chance to be his parents.

So, this was our feelings going into the experience of embryo adoption. After so many years of infertility, grieving, accepting, and believing I'd never be pregnant, it was enough for me to try. It was enough for me to have the 2 weeks between the transfer and the blood test where I was PUPO (pregnant until proven otherwise). I could say secretly and quietly to myself "I am carrying two babies" and have no reason to believe otherwise.
I refrained from taking a home pregnancy test until my blood draw. My first BETA came in at  278, 8 days past transfer. This number means very little, although above 50 is a good sign. They draw again 48 hours later to see if the number doubles and it came in at 964! I remember trying to distract myself all day until I got the call with the numbers. I had to call into the labs myself in the afternoon because I was afraid they wouldn't get back to me by the end of the day. I was so relieved! I could say it outloud "I'm pregnant!"
So, then I did take a home pregnancy test, just for the thrill of seeing one come up positive. The line turned bright blue before I had even turned the stick over! It was not a "squinter" for sure.
I kept a picture of my embryos and my positive test next to the stash of progesterone and needles I would have to endure every night for the next 10 weeks. Then, it was the wait until the first ultrasound.
It was time for the Christmas season! We got our tree and decorations up first thing and that led to Otto's curiosity about the symbolism of Christmas. We try to find a balance of the spiritual and secular at this time of year. We hold many discussions and reading of books about Christ's birth, sacrifice, atonement, and the symbols of Christmas that honor Him. We also talk about Santa and the elves and Rudolph. Otto gets to write a letter for things he wants or needs. He gets to pick out toys he is done playing with this year and can find new homes for next year. He got really into the idea of "Santa", as I know isn't surprising. His ideas get a little mixed up as he kept referring to Christmas as his birthday and talking about turning 4.

On December 4th, I went to my doctor's office for our first ultrasound. I will admit, I didn't know what to expect. I had not really felt any different, except for the hormone injection side effects. Progesterone shots and 2 patches every 2 days of estrogen will have it's own effect on the body. I had been slightly nauseous at Thanksgiving and certain smells seemed stronger to me.
The ultrasound tech confirmed there were two sacks. I wasn't floored with the news (we'd expected it, after all), but I couldn't stop smiling. I could see tiny little flutters of heartbeats. They were labeled and recorded. At 8 weeks along, I could graduate from being monitored by RE and start seeing my OBGYN regularly. I called Matt at work and sent him this picture in a text. Yup, there is two! Two little "Rice Krispies" as the doctor put it.

 Matt and Otto got really into Kid Craft projects together. We were given some free Home Depot build-it kits and Otto really loved the special time with Dad.
They built a tic-tac-toe board, a toolbox, and a Hummer together.
Safety first!

 Grandma Carolyn was in town to visit her daughter's family in Hooper and we got a chance to stop by and visit with them. We were on our way to Brigham City to spend the holiday with my family. We love to see Otto's aunt, uncle, and cousins. They are very kind to let us invade and feed us a meal while we are there.
On these occasions we can easily face time with Marissa and say a quick hello. It was her birthday earlier in December and we miss the days when we could be with her to celebrate in person.
It is such a blessing to have this extended family through adoption. Not only for the relationships that Otto can keep throughout his life, but for us to have more people that we love and trust. We were in the process of planning our January Hawaii trip and wondering if Otto should come with us if there wasn't anyone that would be a good fit for him to stay. His Aunt Lori didn't hesitate to offer and was insistent that she would love to have him!

Christmas Eve was jam packed full of tradition and merriment. . .almost. Grandpa Mike was in recovery from shoulder surgery right before the holiday. It was a delight to see the older grandkids stare in wonder on Christmas Eve when Santa showed up at Nana Rasmussen's house anyway! They had all been sure it was Mike that dawned the red suite, but he sat knowingly on the sofa while everyone took turns sitting on Santa's lap! Only Jordis suspected who this Santa helper could be. Otto didn't seem to recognize his OTHER grandpa's voice. We all noticed that THIS Santa liked to crack a few more jokes than usual this year.
It was late night of merriment, food, reenactment of the first Christmas, and joke presents that made us laugh.


Then, we go over to Grandma and Grandpa's house for presents. Otto gets spoiled rotten with toys, as every year. We had decided that at 10 weeks along, it would be a good time to announce our expected arrivals to just our immediate family only. As it was still very early, I was uncomfortable with the idea of everyone knowing just yet. Even just telling our parents, we decided to keep the new of twins for a few more weeks yet. Telling them we were pregnant was exciting enough. However, a holiday announcement to our parents was just too tempting to pass up!
We gave Mike and Becky a present in a wrapped box with a lid. Inside was a picture of an ultrasound and a note that said, "Baby Earl coming July 2018"
The funny part (to me) was that we had a different ultrasound picture for MY family to be shown the next day. Each set of parents got a picture of a DIFFERENT BABY! They didn't even know it. I find that hilarious.
This video shows the moment we gave the present to Grandma Becky.

 That night, we set out our stockings and got into matching PJs at my parent's house. Megan and Coltan had just drove back from St. George with Coltan's brother Brennan tagging along. We love having a full house on Christmas. Matt and I set out an extra tiny stocking with a "B" for baby. We put the ultrasound picture inside. We waited to see if anyone would notice. We stayed up late talking and setting up Christmas morning stuff, but no one said anything.
The next morning, after all the gifts had been unwrapped, I finally said, "Did anyone notice an extra stocking?"
Coltan and my Dad both shouted that they had seen it, but didn't say anything! *eye roll.

My mom, who had just been waiting and wondering since the ultrasound, said, "Are we making it official? Is it just one?" So, I suppose everyone had just guessed and assumed anyway. I didn't admit to it being twins just yet, but I said, "Usually when transferring two, you will end up with at least one." Which is true.
Otto was very excited to wake up and see what Santa brought. He got a strider bike from Santa and Lightening McQueen helmet. Mom and Dad (we) got him a Gravedigger monster truck and a baby doll with stroller. He got a lot of new games and a working garbage truck.
He wanted to keep playing with everything all day long.
We took a break from playing later in the day to go see The Greatest Showman. Otto promptly fell asleep in Matt's lap.

All in all, it was a Christmas to remember!


 After Christmas, our lives went on as normal.

One of my favorite memories here is going to get Sushi. Otto loved the rolls and attempted to use his chop sticks while they were still attached.



We came back to the Reeder house for December 31st, New Years Eve!
Brennan and Hawkin (Coltan's brothers) made the evening full of laughs while the Barbers brought some hilarious games and our long-time friends, the Price's joined us with their kids to make it a party. I had a horrible cold that night, so I was just trying to keep from passing out, but we still had a grand time. The kids watched movies in PJs and we laughed ourselves silly with games. I think I actually won Trivial Pursuit, which is odd.
Otto actually stayed up until midnight! We watched the ball drop and then we dropped.