12 weeks

We're almost out of the first trimester which means little bear has grown to the size of a plum and has developed all of its major systems. This week it will be working on reflexes - so opening and closing it's fists! How amazing is that!

Yesterday, I met with my family doctor. Dr. V is wonderful. We talked about the surrogacy, and I told him a little bit about my wonderful IPs. He is very excited because after giving my DH a vasectomy three years ago, he thought it failed! LOL Then, he remembered I spoke to him about becoming a surrogate. Let's just say he was relieved.

We went through the normal questions of a pregnancy and reviewed my previous deliveries and miscarriage. We talked about the weight of my full-term babies, but then said, "Well it might not matter because the IP and ED will play more into that then you!" Yikes, I really hope both of them were small when they were born.

The last part of my exam I laid back on the table and anticipated hearing little bear's heartbeat. He put the gel on my abdomen and turned on the sound. I'm not sure what the tool is called that he uses, but I'll ask next time. After a while and swipes across my abdomen we still couldn't hear anything. I knew it was early to hear but since the 10week ultrasound had such a strong heartbeat, I thought for sure we'd hear it. Dr. V continued pressing and prodding in hopes to get a clear sound. There was nothing. I started to worry a little and Dr. V must've sensed this so he said, "It is early. The heart is about the size of a pea, so it is hard to hear. I'll see you back in two weeks." All the while he was saying this, he was still going back and forth over my abdomen and then about 5 seconds later - BAM! There it was - we could hear the heartbeat! I was so excited and a bit relieved. He counted the beats and said it was, "About 170 bpm." Very strong! Dr. V is so patient, that is why I love him! I'm glad he kept trying.

The twenty week ultrasound is also scheduled. It's right after I return to teaching full-time but we needed to schedule so my IPs can plan on returning here and seeing their little miracle. It will be wonderful to see them both again and it's only 8 weeks from now!

I've decided that my IPs are going to have their hands full! Little bear doesn't let me sleep much, loves cheese in the middle of the night, and was already being stubborn!