Too Hot For Titles

In no particular order:

When I asked my OB about whether they will induce a twin pregnancy at a certain gestation she just shrugged. She said that we can talk about it when it happens and implied with her smile a nice "as if." So no worries! If anyone is willing to let me go to 44 weeks with twins it is the good doctor I am seeing now. When I referenced "they" and "not letting" and "twin pregnancies go much past 38 weeks" I really meant the universal "they" as interpreted for me by google. Because there are a billion (seriously, forty?) studies from all over the world that show the risk of stillbirth with twins decreases after 36 weeks and then sky-rockets for some reason after 38 weeks. Simultaneously, twins generally stop gaining weight at that point anyway. So there is a school of thought that says: why risk it? However this is not to say that all, most, many, etc twin pregnancies go horribly awry at that point without intervention but... I think I am just used to worrying about things. I am trying not to do so. I am perfectly willing to just wait and see what happens. OM.

Steve has a December 8th birthday and I have always been horrified by his family's willingness to hand over Christmas presents with a casual, "Oh and THIS shirt was for your birthday." Birthdays in my world are sacred times of great specialness. So, if (per your advice) all I have to do to make a Yuletide birthday great for the (uh, MAN I need to come up with some kind of a name or names for these two) twins is mark it out as Uniquely Important we will be fine. Their birthday WILL be Important. No problem. Now if I am especially clever I can have one at 11:58pm and the other at 12:01 and give them each a day of their own.      

My very first Mom Moment post is up at REDBOOK. It is largely introductory but I do eventually get down to the trouble I am having telling Patrick about any of this so if you want to scoot over with your advice I would appreciate it. Now before you yell at me, I mean, ONLY if you have not sworn an oath to never darken their site after the Infertility imbroglio and ONLY if the login thing does not drive you nuts and ONLY if you want to do so. I don't want to encourage anybody to act against their conscience, I just want to get a little activity over there so REDBOOK doesn't think I am more trouble than I am worth. Is all.   

Oh! Speaking of Patrick I have the weirdest story.

Yesterday, Steve went to get his annual glucose/cholesterol blood check. Patrick and I were sitting in his office when he took the band-aid off his arm, prompting Patrick to inquire as to whether Steve had had a shot. Patrick got THREE at his five year checkup a few weeks ago and it is still a subject of considerable interest. Steve said no and Patrick observed for the zillionth time that he, personally, does not care for shots. I said, "Oh I get a shot every day, see?" and I pulled up my shirt so that Patrick could look at the dozen or so little bruises from my nightly Lovenox injection.

Patrick peered at my abdomen and then suddenly said, "Oh! That reminds me of a dream I had. There were kids here now and..."

I said, "We had other kids living here? Like you had sisters or brothers?"

"Um, yeah, maybe. No sisters. Brothers, I think. But they were here and... just a minute. I'll be right back!" And he stuck his index finger in the air like he always does, a conversational placeholder.

He returned a minute later carrying a book.

"So we had other kids here," he continued, "and you had black lightning across your stomach. Just like this." He held up the book, which had lightning on the cover.

"Right there, " he said, pointing at my stomach. "You had this black lightning and the other kids were here."

Now, not to sound as fruity as an old orchard, is it me or did Patrick just prophesy two boys and a c-section? 

Comments

[Andrea]

If that really happens, you are going to be freaked out.

[cherylc]

Maybe he got it from you. (Psychic ability, I mean.) You did prophesy twins for yourself, at what, pregnancy five or six?

I haven't congratulated you yet, but I could not be happier for someone I don't even know. Congratulations.

[Catizhere]

Little kids and dogs. They just know.stuff.

I always listen to Maggie when she tells me her dreams. Some of the things she says are scary-accurate.

[Jb]

yes on the brothers. not so sure on the c-section but we'll see. Kids Know Stuff. Period. wish we could explain it away but we can't. Go Patrick!!

[jen]

OMG. Patrick has managed to entirely creep me out in a good way! (I've got goosebumps!)

[Candy]

Holy hell, he did!

Hopefully you acted fast and planned a trip to Las Vegas immediately thereafter.

[Noelle]

CREEPY! But maybe it won't be as hard as you think to tell him about his forthcoming brothers.

[Mel]

Don't put it past him. When my mother was pregnant with my dear baby sister, I (being a lovely 9 years-old) was the only one who was absolutely SURE that the child was a girl. Low and behold, she was. Kids are weird like that.

[throwingutah]

That is thoroughly freaky. I can't wait until the end of the year to see if he's right.
I have a feeling he's going to be naming the babies.

[Ginger]

Wow, I've got goosebumps. Patrick is one smart kid.

[txmama]

Oh my goodness, that's freaky! Our daughter kept insisting there were babieS in my tummy with our second; and we felt she was just tuned in enough to possibly be right (she was wrong, as it turns out). Whew.

[Marsha]

Hm.

Do you think if I called you'd let me talk to Patrick about a job change issue I'm facing? 'Cause it seems like he'd work out much better than my Magic 8 ball.

[Leah]

If anyone can prophesy that sort of thing, my money's on Patrick.

[Jennifer]

I'll second the kids and dogs things...Son was giving me tummy kisses before the blood ever hit the vial for the beta. I still think that he knew something that I didn't. Patrick is a smart kid, and while he may also be in possession of some psychic abilities, he also is observant enough to probably already know that something is up. Now, if he's right about the whole boys and c-section, well, I can always take him off your hands for an all-educational trip to Nevada....

[Laura K.]

Okay, that would totally freak me out if it were true, but people are right - kids do knowt he freakiest stuff. My niece told me I was pregnant (after I lost A) before I had even told my sister.

[maggie]

1. Patrick is a seer.

2. If you have babies at 11:58pm and 12:01, you are a freakin' genius.

[Molly Chase]

My cousin, when his wife was pregnant with twins (but before they knew they were twins) broke the news of "a new baby" to their two-year-old. The two year old shook his head and said, "Two babies." And two months later, they discovered that it was indeed two babies.

[Lisa]

That sounds like C-section boys if I ever herad it!

Can't wait to hear what he says when he finds out there really will be other kids in your house. Knowing Patrick, he'll have something wonderfully interesting to say about the whole deal.

Change the link on the right from ID to Mom Moment!

[Lisa B]

What's he get if he's right? The opportunity to be the oldest of three boys (oi!). If he's wrong? The oldest of either three boys or two boys and a girl. Either way, he wins. :)

[Her Grace]

That story forced me to comment with a:

HOLY CRAP.

That Patrick may be on to something...we'll just have to wait and see!

[meg]

I know you don't know me... but I follow your blog and just wanted to tell you how happy I am for u! I hope it wears off on me as I am about ready to do IVF myself. Kids do know alot, I think he may be on to something... Have you thought about names by the way???

[JenH]

Whoa. Sure sounds like a prediction to me!

[julia]

I'm not sure I understood correctly, but I think you were saying that your doctor might try to let you go past 38 weeks (if it gets to that point)?

I hate the way physicians try to intimidate with that attitude that glosses over the fact that YOU are a partner in making the decisions. I'd bring it up again in a month or so, and ask her point blank if she's willing to follow your wishes and induce at 38W (if you don't go earlier). If she doesn't want to, she'll refute your research, but I'd stand firm. Don't be like me -- don't wait until you get close to that time, because you'll be nervous about it the entire pg, and because that angst will ramp up and up as 38W grows closer, if it's not settled.

Can you tell I've been there? Ugh. When I visited my NEW obstetrician a few months ago and we were discussing future pregnancies and I was told, "Well, we don't like to do c-sections, but it is your body and ultimately it is your choice" (I'd healed so badly from a tear in birth 1 that I couldn't have sex for 2 years), I knew I'd found a doctor with the right attitude. In your case, geez, 38W is full term, and if YOU want to be induced then, that is your choice.

A house full of 3 boys!? How fun!

[littlea]

Wow. You're so good at giving me goose bumps. Any chance Patrick has been having secret conversations with the Mayo clinic and Doreen about the CVS results and your pregnancy care? If not, then yeah, he seems to have just made a pretty interesting and completely spontaneous prediction.

[Sarah]

Maybe for names before birth, you could call one Mayo, in honor, you know, and the other, Sligo? I am afraid my last child was called Rufus Bayonne until delivery, and anyone could do better than that.
In general, how are Patrick's psychic abilities?

[Kristin]

That was quite the prophecy. It was also the perfect opening to tell him about the twins. Go on and do it! If he's like most kids, which I realize he's probably not, the announcement won't be that big a deal. It'll be the babies' arrival that makes him realize that life as he knows it has changed.

[Amy]

missed opportunity!
that would have been perfect to say to Patrick, you know what? You might be right because (big brother reference here).

When you do tell him, you should totally bring this up. Like it was all his idea.

[Jennie]

I'm a twin - My mom carried us the full term and we were both 7+ pounds a piece! My poor mom.

[Ollie]

Ok, I heart Patrick as much as a random reader who's never met him could, and yet, that is wildly creepy. If this turns out how he predicted, then sign that boy up for his own infomercial.

[kaleigh]

Okay, sounds more like he's predicting stretch marks than a c-section to me. But I'm just sayin'.

There's an old wives' tale that if you're pregnant with a boy, then a little girl (baby or toddler) will give you lots of attention. And if it's a girl, then the tot giving you attention will be a boy.

Happened with both of my pregnancies. And the toddlers were correct both times.

[Pat]

We won't mind the c-sec if it means twins. Brothers. For the psychic Patrick. LOL.

Really though, don't read more into it than a pleasant coincidence. :)

[Alli]

Hey, my due date is Jan. 8th, but my first was 3 weeks early on her own and my next will have to be a section so I, too, may have a Christmas baby. Oh, and I think you are having boys, too! YAY for you!

[Amy]

Spooky!

Wanted to comment to give you another option regarding the Christmas-time birthdays. Its a little unusual, but I've heard of some people in this situation who actually have their family celebration on the HALF birthday in the summertime. It gives them something special at a time that isn't always so busy. Just something to consider.

[Yak]

Delurking like so many others to say how PSYCHED I am for you and to offer two minor and probably redundant bits of advice: (1) change the link on your home page from Infertility Diaries to Mom Moment, and (2) start researching doulas or temporary nanny/housekeepers now, since you are so gonna need help with twins plus Patrick, not to rain on your parade, but better to prepare than to be blindsided with the fatigue and possible anxiety that are natural byproducts of being a new mom. Best of luck!

[Trisha]

I haven't been reading all the comments the last few days, but my son as a friend with a Christmas birthday. She celebrates in December with her family but then has Half-Birthday parties in the late spring with her school friends. I thought it was clever.

Congratulations, by the way! I hope the remainder of your pregnancy is hopelessly boring! :)

[Holly]

It is definitely a goose-bump-inducing prediction. I like the thought that it might turn out to be stretch marks as opposed to a c-section - my twin nephews were that much more challenging since their mama couldn't do a lot in the beginning.

Again, I'm so excited for you and your family, Julia. I was talking with a friend on the phone over the weekend and she said "Do you still read Julia?" And we both had a squeal and a sigh over your fantastic news.

Hope you're feeling good and enjoying growing those babies!!!

[Jen]

I was thinking 'two boys and stretch marks'. Hmmm, we will see!

[Becca]

Call Montel now. I am sure they would replace Sylia Brown with the Amazing Patrick.

[Amy]

I know someone personally that had to be induced with twins as she was overdue. And they're all fine. :D If there's no concern with health (yours or theirs), why not let them stay as long as they can?

[Celeste]

Well, he has 1:6 chance of being right. I say let the boy pick your next lottery ticket combo.

[Flicka]

All that and a prohpet, too? You're going to have your hands full with three!

[nate]

Good lord. Well, if he really is psychic, then I guess you won't have to worry about how to tell him! But I hope he's wrong--I'd like you to have a girl. And it'll be hard enough to deal w/ twins w/o recovering from major surgery, so I hope he's wrong about that too.

re: gestations--the 2 women I've known who had twins (one my SIL) both had to have "emergency" (well, I think medically it's considered emergency, but they had a day or so to prepare) c-sections when at about 34-36 weeks they found out that one twin was growing, but the other had stopped. All of the children involved are now fine, btw.

My SIL arranged for a special "twin nanny" to help when her boys were born. I don't think this woman was especially cheap--they live in Westchester County, and the woman eventually moved to LA and nannied for Reese Witherspoon and Julia Roberts. But anyway, it really helped save her sanity and may be something to look into.

And birthdays--my birthday is at the end of February, and my family still gives combo presents (although I don't think they did when I was a kid). It's just part of life...

So, when is Steve getting that knee surgery?

[Ginger]

Wow. Patrick is one smart kid. I have goosebumps after reading your post.

[nate]

Oh! Books!
Since I'm too lazy to register for REDBOOK, my only book suggestion (for later, maybe closer to when the babies are due) is Kevin Henkes' "Julius, Baby of the World."

And maybe Mr. Rogers has something? There are a bunch of those Mr. Rogers books that address those issues--some directed at kids, but some are parenting guides too.

Sorry I don't have more, but I'm a medical librarian, not a children's librarian... (Dammit Jim, I'm a doctor, not a children's librarian!)

[elsimom]

An incision might look even more light lightning when the staples are still in . . . kids know stuff.

Our dog always knows when I'm pregnant - she starts laying on the floor by me, instead of on her bed.

We give our babies goofy names in utero because it's no fun to call them "it" for 9 months. So, our first was Nacho, our second was Scooter, and the current little one (due Jan 15) is Gumdrop. I have friends who I see about once a year who still ask how Baby Nacho is doing (she's five!)

[Patty]

Patrick's amazing!

I have twin boys who just turned 1. They are a riot of fun. ;)

[Caris]

When I was six months pregnant, a friend's son said "Oh, I think it's going to be a little girl with curly red hair and blue eyes!" And, while I suppose my own hair could be considered reddishesque in certain light, it's mostly light brown. And only possibly wavyish. My husband has brown hair, brown eyes. So I was really surprised when my daughter was actually born with a full head of curly red hair and blue eyes!

It's so nice to read these last posts, the tone is just brimming over with happiness and well-being. Enjoy!

[kb]

my sister was induced with her twins three days before he due date. the induction (for two days) didn't work and she ended up having a csection one day before her due date. we never thought it would have gone on so long--she was on bedrest after 28 weeks. i guess you never know when these little buggers are going to show themselves.

[throwingutah]

re: names:
When I was pregnant, our names were "Cornucopia Diesel" and "Dudley Calinctiphus" (emphasis on the second syllable, there). The former name was brazenly stolen from his first (childless) marriage. Wife One apparently has a well-developed sense of humor.