Week 8

It's amazing to see the growth of the quads!!! We just had an ultrasound last Thursday and went to see the high risk obgyn on Monday and got another ultrasound! All the babies are thriving and heart rates are going strong! The ultrasound image was absolutely breathtaking! There was a screen mounted on the wall ahead of Jeff and I where for the first time, we could see all the images as she was scanning. All of the babies had developed hands, feet, heads....complete blessings!

We were hesitant about having our doctors changed since we have received such good care from the infertiligy team; but we were not disappointed! There are four high risk doctors and we met one of them; he also gave us comforting news that he would primarily see us unless he is unavailable to prevent confusion. He answered all of our questions and more as to what to expect from a multiple pregnancy. Basically, we left with a few vital must do's in order to have the most successful pregnancy: 1. Eat the required 4000-4500 calories 2. Listen to my body as to how much energy I can exert or odd changes 3. Listen to the doctors and abide by their guidelines; when they say bed rest...DO IT! I am determined to have these babies "bake" for as long as possible and will do anything in my power to make this happen. I feel confident in all of his advice except for eating the ridiculous 4000 calories; but he referred me to a nutritionist who should be able to lend their expertise and help me out!! Although I am only 8 weeks pregnant, I was beginning to notice a bump forming (quite profusely!); and he said I was the same size as a singleton pregnancy of 19 weeks!!!! To grasp the idea that I at 8 weeks am the same size as a 19 week pregnant with one child is CRAZY!

On top of the hearty diet I will be embarking on, he also gave me plenty of supplements to help my body carry the babies for as long and with as little complications as possible. I am on iron twice a day to help my body form new blood cells as my blood volume will double by 100%!!!  I am still taking 2 folic acid pills on top of the prenatal to help in the development of the babies neuro systems and help prevent any neuro defects. I am on a baby aspirin to prevent from high blood pressure or preeclampsia that I am at high risk for. Nausea and vomiting have been my nemesis and he prescribed vitamin B6 and also Zofran melts (which are my saving grace!) to help; which they do!

I also got a call from the housing office (did not hear what I wanted to at first but after a brief hormonal break down, all went well:) telling me our paperwork for our five bedroom house on main Lackland AFB was ready to be signed. The relief in knowing that we will have room to bring home and raise these four bundles was yet another blessing! Perhaps the aspect of the house I am most thrilled about is the separate laundry room!!!! It is a room, like a walk in has counter tops and cabinets....ROOM! Knowing the loads and loads of laundry I will be doing made hearing that I have an actual room (not my units behind the door in the kitchen) sooooo exciting! The impatient people Jeffrey and I are, drove over to scope out the house and neighborhood the same day as I signed the paperwork and we were both impressed and even more grateful! Jeffrey was thrilled to find out that he had a whole week to move in rather than the 1 day he is use to!! I am thrilled with the comfort of knowing we will be settled in and ready to bring home the babies to the new home. Once again...God has paved the way and is meeting more than just our needs!

The idea of us having four babies gets more and more real each time we see them grow and develop on the ultrasounds. I am truly blessed! I refuse to take any of the pregnancy for granted as I give all glory to God for blessing us with 4 of his angels to raise in his name. Whenever doubt sets in as to how we are going to raise four babies at one time, I have to remind myself that God gave us these gifts for a reason and believes that we are fit and able to care for, love, and nurture each to become well rounded individuals.

I find myself praying constantly for the babies to be shielded from harm, keep growing and developing on target staying in the womb for as long as possible, and all come out to be healthy boys and girls. I have faith and commitment to believe that this prayer will continue to come true as God is good and has a big plan and journey in store for all 6 of the Evans'!

Taken just shy of 8 weeks

A New Year

A year ago I would have never thought I would be where I am today! This past year has been full of life changing events; all which held their purpose. Jeffrey and I have almost lived in San Antonio for a year in March. I would have never saw myself as a big town Texas girl; I had always viewed myself in my quaint hometown of Panama City, FL. I could not be happier! It took some time to get use to, but great coworkers and friends made the change pleasurable!

There is a reason for every life event whether we see it at the time or later on down the road. God knew just what he was doing when we recieved orders to Lackland AFB as it was apart of his bigger plan. My childhood dream was to become a wife and a mommy and when Jeff and I had tried and tried to concieve, questions set in as to why such the problem. I have seen numerous doctors on the issue for several years and it wasn't until being accepted to the infertiligy program at Wilford Hall on LAFB that our questions were answered. I was diagnosed with a tumor on my pituitary gland which in turn caused me to be infertile as I did not produce the needed hormones to ovulate. Through the careful eye of doctors, we began the road of infertility treatments.

We had gone through two rounds of hormone injections by the time Christmas came along. Little did we know that a trip to the ER on Christmas Eve for abdoman pain and swelling would give us news that we were expecting! I was diagnosed with OHSS but also as being pregnant which made all of the pain worth it! It wasn't until a few weeks later that the news would get even bigger!
I was thrilled to be pregnant but also found myself worrying about the "what ifs." I still had and was expected to have the OHSS throughout the first trimester. The syndrome brought with it swelling from fluid in my abdoman and pain from that and my enlarged ovaries. Our HCG numbers were high from the start. They went from 330 the day we found out I was pregnant to 840 three days later. When I went on my own accord to get a blood test to check to make sure my numbers continued to rise I had no idea what was to soon come.

My Dr. found out I was wanting a blood test but in turn decided a quick ultrasound would be more useful. His face dropped as he stared at the screen and then uttered the words, "I wish your husband were here." My heart sank and tears streamed down my face as I thought the worse. He turned the screen to reveal the sacks of four embryos....We were having quadruplets! What better way to share the information than to post a sign, "You are going to be a daddy to..." on the garage above  nailed onseies labled #1,#2, #3, #4. This was one day I could not wait for Jeffrey to pull up!

What once was a childhood dream....is now a reality times four! We are now 8 weeks and have seen the babies twice now! They all four have great heartbeats (Baby A: 140, Baby B: 150, Baby C: 180, and Baby D: 140) and are growing on target! We are so blessed and proud to be parents to four bundles! I have now been released from seeing the infertiligy doctors and on Monday go to the first high risk obgyn visit. I know that this pregnancy is not going to be easy nor is raising  four children; but with God by my side, I am ready for the journey!



How I told Jeff about the quads!