Today we met Dr. Lydia Wright. She is a specilaist for high risk pregnancies. Unfortunately, I am considered high risk but fortunately, Dr. Wright is fantastic! We were able to see the babies on a huge flat screen TV via ultrasound. We could barely give each other any looks because we could not take our eyes off of the screen. Those sweet little angels were so wiggly! Dr. Wright was quite informative. She informed of of the many risks including TTTS (twin to twin transfer syndrome) and pre-term labor. After she gave us the heart-tugging details we quickly switched to more positive conversation. We have SO many great things going for us and me carrying these babies. I (Steph) have faith in GOD, have a very long torso, am tall, in good health, young, and have tremendous support everyway I turn. We do need to be realistic and follow all the rules. One rule I have no problem following is eating around 3,000 calories every day. WHOA! I was shocked when she told me to do this! I need to be able to gain around 45-50 pounds during the 1st & 2nd trimester. It is going to be difficult for me to eat during the 3rd trimester so I've got to store some energy now to be used later. I feel like a bear. Dr. Wright thinks I can carry the babies to 36 weeks which is fantastic! If you are reading this, please take a moment to say a prayer or positive thought regarding our babies. We can do this!

Since our last appointment I (Steph) have been feeling like I was hit by a transfer truck and was then forced to run a marathon backward through landfills. I hurt all over, I am beyond exhausted and EVERYTHING smells terrible (even Nutrisystem commercials). I have taken everything possible to ease my discomfort and 'wet cat mood'. This includes tylenol, vitamin B6, emetrol, and throwing things. I could not wait to go to the doctor to see what more could be done to help me and make Nick not be so scared of me. So, on Jan. 27th we went to see Dr. Cooper for a check up. We wanted to see those little 'iddie biddies' again (seeing them makes us feel so happy). So here we are, looking at that black and white screen waiting to see our twins, and lo and behold- a surprise. There was a hider!!! As soon as a saw that cute little blob on that screen I knew exactly what it was. At my realization, I turned to look at Nick, whose body has found the wall to hold him up. During his delerious laughing fit, he thoughfully grabbed my hand and asked if I were okay. I said yes, of course because I had no choice! Dr. Cooper was stunned! He said he had never had this happen to any patient of his who had NOT taken fertility medications or gone through in vitro. No wonder I felt like crap! I was pregnant with triplets! ONE! TWO! THREE! People, I'm having 3 babies! They cannot all fit in my wrangler. We have SO much to do to get ready for our little 3 pack! All I could think of was Dorothy saying 'Lions, tigers, & bears! Oh my!' as she continued her journey with anxiety and determination down the yellow brick road to a place of the unknown. P.S.- I made sure Dr. Cooper looked around some before we left. My nerves can't take another 'surprise'.

After confirming the pregnancy a few days earlier, my doctor, Dr. Cooper, wanted us to come in for a sonogram. My hormone levels were very high and they believed I was further along than we had anticipated.  We were SO excited and could not wait to see our little peanut. So, during the examination Nick & I had our eyes glued to the all-telling monitor. Then all of a sudden, my heart skipped a beat and I started laughing! Well duh, my hormone levels were so high because there were TWO babies in there!! Nick's eyes were wide open and he was smiling all over his face! Your life can really change in an instant! Dr. Cooper was surprised but I wasn't. I knew in my heart of hearts there were 2 little peanuts. God told me a long time ago. With this news, we flew! We told everyone we knew- our family, friends, and co-workers. Spreading our double miracle to all could do nothing but help us. Pray, pray, pray and send thoughts of strength & positivity to these babies!

nicks gift

Telling our families at Christmas was wonderful! Great timing huh!? We felt so blessed by God to be able to share our news to both families in person over this sacred & joyous holiday. The Callahan's were thrilled! We decided to tell them through presents- Steph's mom, Pam, opened a gift with the book titled, 'Always Have Popcicles- A guide for grandparents'. It took mom a second but when she looked at my giant smile, she started screaming with joy! We gave my dad, Red,  a bag of M&Ms with the words 'baby Boehmer' & 'I'm Pregant' printed on them.  It is their first grandchild and the moment was full of excitement. Aunt Toni was pretty stoked. Her Christmas wish came true. When we left for Pennsylvania, Nick & I decided we would anounce our great news on Christmas day. Well... that didn't happen! We just couldn't wait. We poured some of our printed M&Ms into a candy dish and just waited. Not long after, Kathy (Nick's mom) came downstairs with a HUGE grin on her face and congratulations. In typical Bill fashion (Nick's dad), he waited in silence for his perfect moment to express his happiness. There were hugs all around! Later on when Steph (Nick's sis) came over, she began to cry happy tears when she found out. (she had eaten several M&Ms before she realized what they said!). We were thrilled to know that our news was not the only fantastic news in the family. Cristen (cousin) & James found out they were expecting a few weeks earlier and celebrating our miricles together at Christmas could not have been more special! 

nicks gift

Yipee! We're gonna have a baby!!! This day we found out we were going to be parents! We were so excited! Nick had no idea I had taken a pregnancy test early this morning. Nick found out when he thought he was checking out a 'necklace gift' for his sister. Nope. Inside the little box was a positive test and a DUKE pacifier. Tricky Steph!!