Monday, January 25, 2010

Irish Twins

I feel I owe somewhat of an explanation for my long absence. There are several reasons that have kept me from the computer. All of them good. But I have to say there is one little secret we've been keeping, okay BIG secret.


The beautiful little 5 month old in the picture above will become a BIG sister before her first birthday! To say we are shocked is a huge understatement. We found out almost 2 months ago. Just to refresh every one's memory 2 months ago was just days after Katie's heart surgery. She was only 3 1/2 months old!


The only plan for babies in our house over the next several years was to be puppies birthed by mommy Koda. There are several reasons why we have waited until now to share our news. Some of those reasons I'm not so proud of. The first couple weeks was filled with complete shock. Yes, we know where babies come from, this being my 5th pregnancy in 6 years, but we are quite baffled to say the least. For any of you who have had a sick child know it is more then a full time job and the emotional toll it takes is indescribable. We were preoccupied by many things during those months. The shock soon became overtaken by extreme morning sickness. I made a bed on the couch and rarely moved for 5 weeks. This was the main reason for my disappearance. Pregnancy is hard on me. I hear stories of woman loving pregnancy and I can honestly say that has never been me. Just being honest. Like I said there are feelings associated with this new baby I'm not proud of. Our 3 kiddos were very planned, I required clomid to conceive Kaitlyn. We've always wanted a large family, but at this point in our life our plate was extremely full. We were open to the possibility of a 4Th but at a much later date.


Ohhhh our two little boys. We've just started talking to them about the possibility of another baby. Their feelings about the issue change day to day. They love their little sister but are still traumatized by our separation at her birth and then again for even longer during her surgery. Every time I leave they need reassurance that I won't be gone long, and if I tell them Kaitlyn or I need to go to the doctor they make sure its not the "faraway doctor." This pregnancy has become an adjustment for all of us. I am confident that we will feel pure joy at the birth of this baby, the guilt of it not happening yet is horrible.


Little Kaitlyn, her smile and love make each day. Even when I felt horribly sick just one look at her made me feel better. I have been able to find good in her having a younger sibling. It took awhile! She needs me, but I'm confident there will be enough love to go around and her having a close sibling will bring an aspect to her life that will be more then I could have given her. Brady and Bryce are 16 mths apart. They are best friends and are each others half, they have the most amazing connection and love each other beyond words. Kaitlyn can have that too. It will be like having 2 sets of twins. Our doctor (while chuckling) told us that two babies born within 12 months of each other are Irish twins. Who knew?! :) Did I mention my due date is Katie's birthday!!! Your laughing at me aren't you!?! Since I will have a c-section they will be a few days shy of 1 yr apart.


Isn't she beautiful!!!


I am in my 13Th week of pregnancy and have already begone the testing for Trisomy 18 and 21 in this baby. Down syndrome is a genetic disorder but is rarely hereditary. A women at 30 has a 1/500 chance of having a baby with Ds. Since we already have a child with Ds our chances before testing are 1/100. The quad screen that detected a 1/80 chance of Katie having Ds was done around 16 weeks. An amnio at 19 weeks confirmed it. Since we already know we are at a slightly higher risk we were told that doing testing (a sequential screen) between 11-13 weeks is a lot more accurate then the quad screen. This is combined of a blood test and an ultrasound done to measure the thickness of a certain "tube" at the back of the babies neck. It is easier to get this measurement at this stage in pregnancy then later on. I will get more blood taken in a couple weeks and they will give us our odds. The preliminary results came back 1/3000 for Ds and 1/10,000 for T18. We were relieved but will hold off celebrating. After the final results come back we will be given the option of an amnio. This is the only way to get diagnostic results. We aren't sure what we'll do yet?!
(Yes, we could have had a CVS, done between 11-13 weeks, but with a 1/100 chance of miscarriage this wasn't an option for us, this too is a diagnostic test)

So there you have it, our BIG secret is revealed!!! I apologize if you are in our close circle and are upset you didn't get a phone call. We just told our parents! With my Mom sick there never really seemed to be a good time. I will update on her soon. She's strong, but its been a real fight!

18 comments:

  1. OMGoodness!! Congrats Jenee!!!! I have to ask-will this be your 4th c-section? We may have a fourth but I'm nervous about have a 4th section! I can't believe your little girl is going to be a big sister!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes my 4th csection, and my last! Crazy news but definately part of a much bigger plan! I haven't even processed this to the point of thinking about another surgery! I have a great doctor though. I have to turn all of this over to the man upstairs, its the only way to get through! He's taught me that lately!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I say CONGRATULATIONS!! The best things in life are unplanned so it will all work out just fine for you guys. God wouldn't have it any other way!! I can't wait to hear if it is a brother or sister for Kaitlyn. Hope you are feeling better now.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congratulations! Children are a blessing from God, no matter how closely they're spaced! :) If it makes you feel any better, I know a woman who has Irish quads...twins in January and then twins in November. (Same woman has also had 11 c-sections, btw,). Feel better already, don't you? :) I'm with you on hating pregnancy...blech! Hard to believe we have six singletons. Hope you're feeling better!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my goodness! A great big Congratulations to you and your family! I can already tell that Kaitlyn is going to make a great big sister!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congratulations! Jenee you have a huge heart and have always been an encouragement to me. Way to embrace what God has given you and make the best of it. Each one of your children is a blessing from God. You are a great mom and you have a wonderful family.

    ReplyDelete
  7. CONGRATULATIONS!!! What wonderful news and I think that Kaitlyn will make the best big sister, too! I can relate so much to how your boys must be feeling -- but I'm sure they'll be more reassured as time passes.

    Again, congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  8. CONGRATULATIONS!!! That's all I can say! I'm very excited for you all! I'm also very glad that you are feeling better now!

    ReplyDelete
  9. CONGRATULATIONS!!! How exciting that Kaitlyn is going to be a big sister! I can understand your shock and surprise. I am so happy for you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congratulations!!! Kaitlyn is going to be such a great big sister! I can't imagine how you have handled being so sick and looking after your kids. I hope you are feeling better now! What a blessing!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tears of joy here in Manistee for your great news. What a joyous addition to your wonderful family.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congratulations!! What exciting news! God has great plans for that baby in your belly -- just like he does for Kaitlyn.
    Hope you start feeling better soon!

    ReplyDelete
  13. WOW! Congratulations!!!! You will be busy - but will have a house and heart full of love and laughter!

    ReplyDelete
  14. WOW!!! congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you and will be praying for you and this new little baby your expecting!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. OMGosh! I think this is GREAT! I can't even tell you how Paul and I kick ourselves for not giving Carly someone to grow up with. I think its FANTASTIC! Congratulations to all of you! I'm excited for you!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Kaitlyn's gonna be a big sister, wooo hooo! Wow, what great news. Congratulations.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congratulations! I really, truly know how you feel. I'm expecting baby #5 and your post is like reading my thoughts, which I've not been willing to share publicly on my blog. It's been very rough mentally for me... especially the first 3 months. I'm now at 22 weeks and other than the level 2 ultrasound, am not doing any invasive testing. I'm enamored with John Michael, and since my chances of having another baby with Ds is super high (I'm 42!), I just don't worry about it. Of all my children, JM has been the easiest going yet! Of course, I pray for a healthy baby. ANyway, this is about you, not me. I'm very happy for you. Your adorable children will be awesome for your new baby.

    ReplyDelete
  18. LOL congrats!!! My sister and I are 10 mos 10 days apart! And my girls are 9 mos apart, but adoption is a different story! LOL

    ReplyDelete