Surprise, Surprise!!

Ten days before our departure on 15 June 2011, we had our first ultrasound. I was instructed to drink four 8 ounce glasses of water 1½ hours before the appointment—a huge challenge for someone who doesn’t drink water. I can’t say that I drank that much, but by the time we were at the appointment, all I could think about was going to the bathroom.

The technician kept sliding the device back and forth in different angles with one hand while the other worked the keyboard and the mouse. She looked at the screen intently creating lines that I assumed measured the baby’s size. After a few minutes, she said she had to step out to complete some forms. When she came back, she was accompanied by another lady.

With their eyes fixed on the screen, they talked quietly for a minute before asking if the doctor had said anything specific to us. All of this would have probably sent some red flags to other people, but we were clueless. All Dennis could see were blobs that kept changing shapes; I couldn’t see much of the screen and was thinking about how I really needed to go to the bathroom. Nope, everything is normal—there was some blood work, but we didn’t hear anything back which usually meant everything is normal.

“So you’re having one baby?”

We didn’t know that we were supposed to respond that.

“Because there’s another one in there.”

“What?!? Are you serious?!?” Dennis held my hand.

“Yup. Here’s one… and here’s the other.”

Had Dennis’ smile been any bigger, he would have swallowed his head. He was thrilled, and I could already see the stars in his eyes as they envisioned twin boys competing in 2-on-2 basketball and volleyball tournaments. Don’t get me wrong—I was thrilled, too, but that was instantly followed by panic. I thought about the only things we had ready for the move (the baby stuff) and how I have to get more bottles, nipples and pacifiers. How we’re going to need a double stroller and two car seats. How we’re going to need another nanny. How we’re going to have to tell the school. Dennis was completely overwhelmed with joy—I was just completely overwhelmed.

The tech was just as happy asking us if we really didn’t know. “People usually know… I’ve never surprised anyone before.” She said something about how twins are monitored more closely, etc., and how we were now going to take some cute pictures.

After taking pictures of Baby A and Baby B, we were free to go to digest this new development. I finally got to go to the bathroom. When I returned, Dennis was still smiling looking at the twin’s pictures. I could hardly believe what I was going to say, “Do you think we should stay?”

Dennis was surprised, and so was I. “Don’t you think it’s a little too late for that?”