32 Weeks!

Well, actually, 32 weeks and 1 day.

I am so grateful to be here and hope to make it another 13 days, 16 hours and some minutes to our scheduled C-section. 34 weeks has always been our ultimate goal and I want to get there!

Today I had a cervical measurement, and it is still around 1 centimeter, but not changing. Hard to believe a third of an inch is keeping A's head inside my body! The boys' fluid was even and plentiful and we will have our last full growth along with Dopplers on Thursday to ensure the placentas are still doing their jobs. I also had an NST which the boys aced. Baby A was asleep and we need him to be moving to show us his accelerations, so the nurse brought over something called an acoustic stimulator. It looks like a lighter or something but makes a loud buzzing sound to wake up the baby. She put it on my skin and it buzzed loudly- then I felt some swift kicks. Baby A was not happy to be awoken but we saw that his heart rate accelerated and normalized appropriately when he was moving.

Dr. P was all sunshiny again since I am past 32 weeks. We discussed how if I do go into labor, we'll still try to stop it until 34 weeks, and if my membranes rupture, I will be hospitalized but we'll still try to hold off labor. These next two weeks inside of me mean FOUR LESS WEEKS for the babies in the NICU. They are very important, so we'll keep trying to get there.

She also said I do not need to have anymore cervical measurements or fFN's, to which I replied, "No more transvaginal ultrasounds!" She laughed and said, "Not exactly. A's head is so low that a transvaginal is the only way we will be able to measure his head on Thursday for growth." So that should be interesting. I cannot wait to see how big they've grown, however we measure it! It would be a huge deal to have them around or over 4 pounds now.

Not much else to report. I still have low blood pressure and feel pretty good. I know that I will be eating my words in a week or so, but right now, although I am huge and uncomfortable, I want these boys to keep growing inside. I feel so very grateful that this pregnancy is going well for now. I know things can change so quickly, but for today, I am thrilled that we are in a safer place for our sons. I hope, hope, hope we get to bring home three healthy boys sometime soon.

I will say that the discomforts are multiplying (no pun intended). Last night, I counted six bathroom trips, almost on the hour for a while there. I cannot bend over to tie my shoes, and the days of flip flops are gone in Seattle, so I wear my cozy boots everywhere. My back really hurts, right between the shoulder blades, and my pelvis feels like someone is pushing down on it, very hard. (Oh, Wait! Three someones are!) I am sitting on the couch typing and my belly keeps getting in the way of my arms, so the laptop is elevated on pillows. The whole thing is quite a sight!

Here is the 32 week belly. I cannot believe how big it is! Can it really keep expanding? We will see...



And here is one of me and my husband whose waistline is not expanding, much to my dismay. I am happy to report I do not think I will weigh as much as him during this pregnancy.



Oh, and we are buying a minivan. We tried to resist, but as you know, it can be futile. We already have a ginormous SUV but the third row will not accommodate the rear-facing infant seats, and sliding door would be extremely handy with four little ones. That means we'll have to trade in my non-green SUV, which I love, and get a Soccer Mom Mobile. I always made fun of my friends who had them, and this is what I get. :)

I saw an awesome bumper sticker the other day on a van that said, "I may drive a minivan, but at least I still put out." I need one of these, until A starts reading and I have to explain it...

Non-Substantive Belly Picture Post

Just for comparison ... and just because I like to see how small my butt once was.

11 Weeks


29 Weeks


35 days until our babies are born! (See that? That is reckless optimism, and I will probably pay for it, but I like to pretend like I am in control sometimes.)

We've got cervix, yes we do!

It is a miracle I didn't have a heart attack during this ultrasound. The sonographer who was doing my cervical measurements announced that with no pressure my cervix was 3.2 cm, a marked increase! Then she applied pressure and said, "Ohhhhh. Look at the funneling! Now I get about 1.5 cm." She measured more in the 2.0's while I watched. Heart racing, I asked if she was sure and she said, "Actually, no. I am having a hard time being able to tell what this is... let me go show the doctor." So I laid there, half naked and thinking of being hospitalized.

Back in she comes, thankfully after only a minute, to tell me he said that was just cervical mucus and a shadow- the measurements were 2.2 - 3.2 cm. So yeah, my cervix ... grew. I wanted to cheer and get really excited but I was a little afraid a piano might fall on my head, like in the cartoons when the cat is walking along the sidewalk on a sunny day and BAM! Piano on head. (But I cheered inside.)

The boys look beautiful, with no signs of TTTS, plenty of fluid and practicing their breathing for us. Baby B had a wicked case of the hiccups which made his Doppler measurements challenging, but I loved it. All the little boys are still head down, which causes a great deal of rib-kicking, which I also love. Everyone's heart rates were nice and even, and their boy parts apparent (for those who still wonder if there is a girl in there). Dr. W, who is the stand-in for Dr. P breezed in for about two minutes and said, "Your cervix is great, the babies look wonderful. Go home; you live to fight another day."

I am so grateful! Home again with my family, spared the hospital this week. We are 27w2d, just five days until the biggest hurdle is cleared: 28 weeks. It seems like we might all make it through this but I am scared to say it out loud. Will I get to bring my boys home, to have a baby survive a pregnancy inside my body, and grow into a child of mine? I hope, hope, hope so.

Me and the boys at 27 weeks



Forthcoming posts:
1. The baby showers
2. Will we or won't we: posting pictures of our children and privacy issues
3. Carrie answers your questions (I have nothing but time on my hands!)
Are you excited or what? ;)

26w1d: Holding my breath

12 days until I let out a big sigh of relief. Holding my breath is starting to hurt.

After a sleepless night of anticipating my appointment today (and I do have to pee every 45 minutes), I waddled into my MFM's office for a cervical check. Good news: STABLE! It is still holding around 2 cm, and since my contractions are much less, I am allowed to be at home. Dr. P said her threshold for admitting me is higher now since I've been treated with corticosteroids. Hopefully we'll have another negative fFN on Friday and I'll be allowed to be at home for my baby shower.

A note about the baby shower: I am ridiculously excited for it. I have been dreaming of getting to the point that I could have another baby shower for years. I love to host them for friends; love the planning, invitations, cake and favors that come with these wonderful celebrations. Lately I have attended many, often with a little lump in my throat, wondering if I'd ever carry a pregnancy this far. Now we are nearing the safer zone (if their is such a thing) and I get to open gifts from loved ones, each a little window into our babies' futures in our home, in our lives.

I am sort of afraid that it will not happen, that I might deliver the babies before then and they could not survive. For some reason, this seems to be yet another mental milestone for me or perhaps, a mental roadblock. Once the house is full of baby swings and tiny blue clothes, will they really get come into this family safely? Can the celebration make it real?

Many things have happened recently that feel more... permanent. I have not told you this yet, Internet, but amazing mother who we affectionately call "Gramma" has resigned from her job, sold her condo and has moved in with us to help raise the children! When she first offered, I said, "You don't have to do this!" and her response was always, "What could be more satisfying than being with my grandchildren all day?" She is one of the most selfless people I know, and I am eternally, completely grateful.

I did not want her to give notice until 24 weeks, and when it came and she did resign, I was a little alarmed; I was scared that still, the babies could come too soon and she'd no longer have a career. Her last day will be around 27 weeks, and while that seemed relatively safe a while ago, I am surprised at how anxious I still am now, almost to our first goal of 28 weeks. So I am wondering: when will I feel safe?

As we counted the days until 24 weeks, I had planned to order the cribs, stroller and other big items as a celebration when we hit the milestone. I balked. At 25, my husband was encouraging me to get them, knowing I wanted to buy them, but was scared. I had long ago decided on the stroller I wanted, the Triple Decker and while I knew they could take many weeks to ship, I continued to be hesitant to order one. Yesterday, while searching Craig's List, I found one, with the three car seats and bases for about 1/3 of what it would cost new. I could not ignore the great deal, and felt it was somewhat of a good sign that someone who lived 10 miles from us had put theirs up for sale just the day before. My husband and daughter picked it up, and met the family with their darling 15-month-old triplets. My mom also nudged me into ordering the cribs yesterday.

The Triple Decker:


While I admit to be an anxious person (sliiiiight understatement) I am a bit surprised at myself for not feeling more comfortable. My awesome nanny is expecting and I have been handing down my too-small maternity tops to her (read: all of my shirts). I realized today that another batch now stop at my belly button and need to get sent along, but I immediately thought: what if I have to do this again? What if my boys don't survive and I have to do IVF again and go through another pregnancy? I totally see these thoughts are not rooted in reality, but in fear. I know there are no guarantees with any pregnancy, but ours is a high-risk one, and I am used to waiting for the other shoe to drop. Will I ever stop doing that? Once I am holding my boys, God willing, I hope to let out the loudest sigh of relief the world has heard.

The 26 week belly:

No, I am not Bi-Polar

Here we are, 25 weeks and 2 days! 18 days until the 28 week mark! Thanks to everyone for the kind comments and encouragement after my meltdown yesterday. I wish I could say it was a good day, but I cried a good part of the day and felt more and more like I needed to have a better talk with Dr. P. My husband and I talked about the options and he came to lay in my bed with me last night to talk (after working all day and taking care of our daughter).

What I realized while talking to him, my mom and friends is that I want more than anything for these boys to be safe and sound and sound and born at a healthy, 30+ week gestation, and I also want to be with my family. I felt like I had to choose between these two things yesterday, and obviously am being as cautious as can be with the boys. My husband and I both decided I'd have to stay put unless Dr. P suggested that there was no need for it at this point.

I was so excited to talk to her this morning, but she ended up doing rounds late this afternoon instead. When she came in I was ready to communicate clearly with her, and get her opinion. It went something like this:

Me: Okay, I really want to be cautious and make sure they stay in as long as I can, but am I any safer here?

Dr. P: Not right now. Your contractions have been SO few the last couple days, and your cervix is stable. In fact (takes me off toco monitor) you don't need to be monitored anymore unless you feel a lot of contractions.

Me: So is it reasonable to measure my cervix again on Friday and do an fFN and if all looks the same I can go on strict bed rest at home?

Dr. P: Yes. If it is the same, and the fFN is negative, I will discharge you. You will have to be on more strict rest- no trips up and down the stairs, no walking around. Having you here is being extra cautious, which is fine, but it is not really necessary right now. I will check your cervix twice/week and if it shortens at all, you'll be readmitted.

Me: (Trying to be as explicit as I can) If all is okay on Friday and I head home, I am not in anymore danger of delivering early if I follow the rules and take my meds?

Dr. P: (Looking at me like I am kind of slow) That is right. I will schedule your U/S and fFN for Friday. We'll talk then. You should get to have your baby shower at home now!

Me: (Sniff, sniff.) THANK YOU! We should talk like this more often! (Not really, but that is what I was thinking.)

Who has a big grin on their face? ME! It was awesome to be reassured by her that I was not risking anyone's life by sleeping in a different bed. I will be taking the same meds and resting as much. I asked about home monitoring for contractions and she said since I've demonstrated that I know when I am having them, it is better to just call and be seen.

I feel so much better today! Now I know that if I have to stay (due to more contracting or a shorter cervix on Friday) that it will be necessary and if all is the same, I can rest at home, hopefully preserving a shred of my sanity.

The boys and I at 25 weeks. They have grown!



The physical therapist just came in and talked with me about the wonderful affects of losing muscle mass while bed resting and how to do some simple exercises. She also told me Kegel exercises can help strengthen the cervix and prevent shortening! True or not, I will be doing mine religiously now.

Happy Viability!

Dear Boys,

Happy Viability Day, my sweet sons! Today, we have reached the much anticipated milestone of 24 weeks which means that if you were born today, you would have a chance at life outside Mommy. That said, please try to stay inside as long as you can, for another eight or ten weeks. Every day you stay inside, you grow stronger and more ready for the world, more ready to meet your family. If you can make it just another four weeks, we are almost guaranteed that you'll be healthy and here to stay. So listen to Mommy, since I know what is best in this case, and stay inside. I am doing everything I can to make sure my body keeps you safe.

Enjoy the days of swimming in a warm and safe place, of feeling your brothers right next to you and hearing our muffled voices. We can hardly wait to see your faces, kiss your heads and hold your little hands. We have been waiting so very long for you to make our family complete, and we can wait a little longer while your bodies grow bigger and stronger.

I love you!
Mommy

Here is a song for you, boys. Coldplay's "A Message". When I was trying to conceive your sister, and then you, I felt like this song sang to you, my future children whom I wanted so badly. Now sometimes I listen to it and imagine you singing it to me. Here are the lyrics. (Give it a listen, but don't watch the silly homemade Youtube video.)


The boys, in alphabetical order:







And the (ginormous) belly in which they reside:



Tomorrow I have a full growth ultrasound to see how big the boys are, and a cervical measurement. Hopefully it is unchanged or has grown, but it is not so likely. I will bring my hospital bag and be prepared for admittance (which as Miss MVK suggested may jinx me into getting to come home) for a while. Thank you again for all the cheers, support and celebration!

Show and Tell: Miscellany

For today's Show and Tell I have a little bit of everything. As most of you know, I am on strict-ish bed rest with the triplets and am counting the days until viability begins (24 weeks) and today is ten days to go! I installed a really useful Ap on my iPhone that counts down for me, so the exact time remaining is 9 days, 13 hours and 17 minutes. Not that I am excited or anxious.

The good news is that the higher dose of Niphedipine seems to be helping with the contractions, but I am still having them. They have told me more than once that four an hour is fine as long as it is not ALWAYS four in an hour, but if it is six in an hour that I need to be seen. Hoping that they stay under that and I can coast into my Monday appointment with a long and strong cervix. (Please, please, please.)

First of all, my dear friend B, who I have known since we were twelve sent me the most amazing card. She has always been a very creative card-maker and an avid cheerleader of her friends. I almost cried when I saw this in the mail, and have read and re-read the card all morning. I do think the envelope is the best part:



If you can't tell, the sentiments on it include: "Is it time for a protein shake?", "October or bust!", "Rest, rest, rest" and "You can do it BOYS!"

Secondly, Deb from Waiting on Life Part 2 gave me an award! As she pointed out in her post, some of the recipients did not even know she read their blogs at all (me included) so it was a great surprise! I am supposed to tag 15 people, but I don't know who has received it already. So if you feel so inclined, consider yourself awarded! I read all of your blogs and love their variety!



I will leave you with my 22 week belly picture. The boys are growing so big, and it is evident here! I tend to bump into things with the tummy now since it grows so fast that I don't have time to adjust.



Once again, a big, triplet-belly-sized thank you for all of the encouragement. The comments, links to other blogs and prayers are like gifts to me. When I read comments, I savor each one like a treasure and re-read them when I am feeling low. Thank you!

Go see what everyone else is showing today at Mel's Show and Tell!

Busy Boys

I would like to dedicate this post to Air Conditioning, without which I would not be able to function in the humid, 95 degree Seattle weather. Even with it I am still too hot and cannot sleep at night, but I am so thankful we have it at all.

Okay, back to your regularly scheduled programing.

I saw the boys today, and they look great! Still no signs of TTTS, and my cervix is... wait for it... still over 3.5! This is wonderful news. Dr. P has returned from abroad, and she had no idea I'd be waiting with an itemized list of questions for her. That'll teach her to take a family vacation! (I am really kidding and eternally grateful to her for all her excellent care). Here are some of the highlights:

- I got in trouble for losing a pound. Must drink more protein shakes.

- She is thrilled with my "competent" cervix and said it is doing a nice job... let's hope it continues to do so!

- She said, in a triplet pregnancy at 21 weeks, this is the best case scenario. My bed rest and meds are controlling the contractions and she said I could stay like this (modified bed rest) until the end as long as all continues the same.

- She told me that we need to pick a day for my C-section. I almost fainted! Is this really happening? She said to choose a day the week of Halloween and we will make it our goal. I keep thinking of how our daughter could visit me in her costume and then go trick-or-treating with Daddy. Makes me smile from ear to ear. If I go into labor before then and we cannot stop it, they will do an emergency C-section, but we will aim for our C-section date.

- I felt SO much movement out of B last night! It felt like he was kicking constantly for an hour and at one point, I felt his feet sticking out. At the appointment, we saw that he has flipped himself completely back to head down position. That takes some effort given the space considerations.

Everything (aside from the enormous growth every day) has stayed the same which is JUST how we want it. I am feeling more hopeful, hoping my boys make it, hoping they will come home with me in a few short months.

Me and the boys at 21 weeks:



In this picture, it looks like A (on the right) is whispering to B, or maybe giving him a little kiss. Regardless, this picture makes me smile- to see them snuggling together is hopefully, a glimpse of what is to come.



Here is Little C, oblivious to A and B's shenanigans. Could his nose BE any cuter?

20 weeks!

Okay, this is getting a little insane. I am officially bigger than I was when I had my daughter, and the boys and I are only 20 weeks! I have a feeling stretch marks are imminent.

Bed rest is turning my usually steel-trap-like mind into mush, but here are a few things happening:

- We are 4 weeks from some viability, 8 weeks until the MAJOR milestone of almost 100% survival without problems. Please keep cheering for us as we get there!

- There is some kind of party happening in my uterus and I was not prepared. They move so much and are already so strong. I love feeling their kicks, rolls and occasional foot, knowing they are thriving inside, and stretching out. Space must be getting tight!

- Tomorrow (Tuesday) I have a full growth ultrasound in the afternoon along with the usual Doppler studies (checking for TTTS) and a (gulp) cervical measurement. They told me to plan for 3 hours, and bring snacks. Sort of like seeing "Harry Potter". (Which I was allowed to do yesterday and loved it, but movie seats suck.)

- Bed rest is not so fun, but I do it happily knowing the boys need me to rest. I cry easily and generally worry and fret more since I cannot distract myself with doing anything. A motorized cart trip to Target may be in order.

I will update tomorrow after the appointment. I cannot say it enough: thank you for each comment, cheer and prayer. They mean the world to me and the boys!

Also, Stacey had her babies yesterday at just over 27 weeks and all are doing remarkably well for their gestational age! Go say congrats!

19 Weeks

...and only FIVE weeks until the V-DAY! For those of you who think I am crazy for counting down until Valentine's Day in August, I am actually referring to Viability Day. Babies begin to have a CHANCE at surviving if born at 24 weeks, and since multiples can come earlier than most, it is more of a milestone. Although their chance of survival is about 50/50 then, it shoots up to almost 100% by 28 weeks. Of course we hope to be having big 35 weekers, to know that they could survive outside my body in a couple months (with lots of medical help) is amazing to me. Stay inside a long, long time Boys and stay closed and long, Cervix! (Yes, I frequently converse in my mind and out loud with my cervix.)

My husband and I took a "Life with Multiples" class at our hospital. It was so fun to be around other pregnant-with-multiples parents, although we were the only ones who already had a child. At one point, we had several couples sitting around us, taking notes about the newborn experience, car seats and breast pumps. The second half of the class was mostly about what to expect from the NICU and how to begin breastfeeding preemies. I learned much about how parents can be involved with NICU care, and what the reasonable expectations for them are depending on when they are born.

Out of 11 couples in the class, 9 had twins, and 2 (including us) had triplets. The other BBB triplet mom there was in "bed rest" chair which reclined, and she looked much more comfortable than I. Those chairs were BRUTAL and I am thinking at the next class in about 3 weeks, I need one of those, too. She is almost 28 weeks and looks miserable. She looked at me and said, "This is going to be you in 8 weeks. Get ready for it." She also sees Dr. K at our MFM and was put on bed rest 4 weeks ago when her cervix went from 3 to 2 cm in a week. She has held strong there and they are hopeful there won't be anymore changes to it. It frightens me how much it can change in such a short time. Frequent readers must know that every twinge or cramp makes me worry about mine.



And, the 19 week belly. Wow, is it growing. I am surprised at how much harder it is already to bend over, get up off of the couch or roll over in bed. My body is changing rapidly making yoga pants my favorite thing and it necessary for a new bra, STAT. The one I am currently in (already up from my normal size) leaves large indentations all over me. I am loving feeling the boys move more now, and laugh at how active Baby B is compared to his brothers. Baby C likes to snooze, and A is more of a sporadic mover, but B seems to move almost constantly some days. I have a feeling A is still kicking him in the head, poor guy.

My next appointment isn't until Tuesday (how DARE they make me wait 8 days? Don't they know about the neuroses in my head?) afternoon, so I will update then. Hoping to have more good news, with the twins sharing their placenta evenly, and my cervix still over 4 cm. I also need to talk to the substitute doctor about activity and bed rest since she is less concerned about it than my own doctor. I might start calling her the too-relaxed-for-my-taste-doctor but it takes a long time to type. Oh, how I miss my conservative Dr. P. I think she returns from Europe next week, thank goodness. She is not the hugging type, but I might just have to tackle her when she gets back.

Off to watch "True Blood". Nothing to take one's mind off preterm labor like sexy vampires and the Deep South!

18 Weeks and CUTENESS!

All right, I admit it. I have been a bad blogger. Weekly updates are all I am managing right now, and it is usually because whenever my daughter is napping, so am I. Also, my laptop has been heading down hill. Right now, for example, I have to hit the "k" key about 5 times before it will produce a letter. Makes for slow blogging. Today I have some cute pictures to share of my boys, and a quick update from the doctor (the in-a-hurry-substitute doctor since mine is in Europe).

First of all, here is the 18 week belly in all its glory. Today, they measured my uterus and it is measuring at 28 weeks. Holy Hell!



This morning I had a long ultrasound which again showed no signs of TTTS and a long cervix... now let's hope it stays that way for another 18 weeks! The boys are so very active in there, especially Baby B. He head down, along my right side, lowest. Baby A is the long way across my belly button, and Baby C is at the top on the left side, usually taking a big old nap, since no one is kicking him in the head.

I had a scary incident at 5 am on Saturday when I had severe cramps that I would NOT go away. I called the on-call doc who was had me take 600 mg of Advil and call if it had not gone away in an hour. It did go away, and he checked in with me later that morning to tell me to continue the Advil until I saw Dr. K today, and to call if it came back. I was terrified, having visions of my water breaking, of losing the boys, but it really didn't come back at all. When I saw the stand-in doc today, she said it was most likely growing pains (since my cervix remains unchanged) as this is a rapid growth period for the babies, but if it returned, she'd want me back in this week. Stand-in freaked me out a little- she kept saying, "With triplets, the cervix can change rapidly, but I think you;ll be okay..." which I already know, but seriously! Don't remind me of my biggest fear!

She also said that unlike Dr. P, she does not automatically put people on modified bed rest at 20 weeks unless there is a reason. She kept saying, "I am more liberal than her" and we'd wait and see. Honestly, I don't know what to think! I will continue taking it easy, but I guess I might have a few more weeks of freedom before the serious resting starts.

The awesome sonographer asked if I'd like to see my babies in 4-D... UM YES!!! Here are my little boys, looking so beautiful to their mommy. I could not help but cry when I saw their faces.

Baby A:


Baby B:



Baby C:



I know they are a little blob-like but I see their Daddy and their sister already. I cannot wait to meet you, boys, but keep on growing inside for 18 more weeks!

17 weeks and a Growth Spurt

Those babies, they are a-growing! My talented husband made this to show the triplets' progress over the last four weeks:



Some other highlights:

- I can feel Baby B moving around! Sometimes I can feel A and C, but B is low, and protests with a little jab when I bend forward. I love feeling them.

- I am worried (no sh*t!). More nightmares- and I have some mental block about these upcoming weeks. In some tragic cases, the cervix cannot handle the next weeks, so I am on super high alert. Can't we invent some home cervical monitoring device? Anybody?

- My daughter said to me, "The babies are going to be okay Mommy! Worry, worry!" which tells me I need to stop it already (easier said than done) or at least spare my darling daughter Mommy's neuroses. You all get to read about them instead!

- It is "True Blood" night, and a new series called "Hung", about a gentleman in the oldest profession in the world premieres tonight on HBO ... looks quite entertaining.

Hopefully all will be well with the twins and all three tomorrow. Update then!

16 Weeks (!) Belly

Wow, have I grown! My entire family and my friends are sort of shocked each time they see me. I feel like I am growing inches every day! Someone recently said, "This is starting to seem like a horror movie" (in a nice way) and I do feel like my abdomen is on the fast track with three in there!



The stretching thing has been much better this week. I attribute it to having wonderful family around to help with A so I could lay and nap, and drinking obscene amounts of liquid every day. That nurse was right about the irritable uterus!

Long ultrasound day tomorrow! Have I mentioned how much I love going to my MFM every week? Well, I LOVE IT! I cannot wait to see them again, and feel reassured that the cervix is holding strong and the twins are sharing their placenta well.

Happy Father's Day to my most amazing husband. The way he speaks to our daughter with such kindness and love and the enthusiasm with which he discovers the world with her are more than I hoped for. For all the hand-holding during pregnancy loss, the injections, the appointments, the many times he has answered the question, "Do you think the babies are going to make it?", and his unfailing belief that all will be okay, I thank him for being an amazing father to these boys before they are born.

Pictures and updates tomorrow. Off to watch "True Blood"-- the only show for which I could stay awake.

15 Week Belly and Vampires

Thanks to everyone who was so encouraging about my last post. I got so many calls and emails from friends and family wanting to help, and the comments were very appreciated. One of my friends reminded me that just because I experienced infertility and losses does not mean I cannot complain when I am feeling tired or in pain, because pregnancy is wonderful and AMAZING but sometimes tough.

Here is the large-and-in-charge belly picture for 15 weeks! I cannot believe we are already here! Now we need the babies to stay inside for another 20 or so, and they will be great. The strangest thing happened with my pregnancy with A, and is already happening now. From right under my bra line to my mid-abdomen, I am completely numb. It sometimes tingles like a foot that is asleep, but mostly I cannot feel anything! Apparently it is the uterus pushing on nerves, but feels so strange. Amazing how much earlier everything is happening. Last night I dreamed that I had sextuplets, and they just missed three of them this whole time. I must be feeling big for a crazy dream like that!



I have literally been counting the days (and today, the hours) until the BEST show on television, aside from "Mad Men" comes back on. Tonight, my friends, is the premiere of "True Blood," a sexy, bloody, funny and intelligent show about a culture where vampires are "out of the closet" and living among us humans. If you haven't seen it and get HBO, I highly recommend it. You can download the first season on iTunes, too.

Doctor's appointment tomorrow... will report!

13 Week Picture

Well folks, not a lot to report around here. I suppose the three main things: I am tired; I am hot; I am growing (and so are the babies)!



I am happy to be almost officially out of the first trimester and that everything seems to be moving along as it should. I am continuing to get really tight and sore in the pelvis and uterus, and I called the sweet nurses at my MFM clinic and was told it is most likely dehydration. They were right! When I keep up with an insane, nauseating amount of water, I feel much better. The heat makes it even harder, but we had some air conditioning guys come today and it will be installed next week. WOO HOO! Hot pregnant lady needs her air conditioning.

Quite like most of my pregnant bloggy friends, I am so very tired, and not being a good blogger. I promise my post about all the WACKY things people say to me tomorrow or ... soon. :)

12 Week Triplet Belly Picture

Until I saw the comparison of 11 and 12 week belly pictures, I didn't think I had expanded much, but well, I have! I do not generally run around in bikini tops, but we had just taken A swimming at Gramma's house, and I was hot. I am often hot now, and not in a Sports-Illustrated-Swimsuit-Issue kind of way. More like who-turned-on-the-heat-hormonal kind of way. Not as attractive.



On the weight gain front, I am proud to say that I have gained 9 pounds or so! I never thought I would be happy about it, but all the doctors and nurses stress it to me about every 2 minutes, so I am eating when I can, and trying to get a good amount of protein, too. My thighs are starting to show it, and it is not pretty. I knew that early weight gain to build up fat stores had to go somewhere, I just hoped it would be my breasts and my belly... not so much. Today when I put on my bikini, I was saying I looked like my hips and thighs had grown (in a sad voice) and my daughter comes in and says, "Oh Mommy! You haven't grown. You are still short, so don't worry!" She always yanks me right back to what matters. In this case, baby-growing, not looking toned in a bikini.

11 Week Triplet Belly Picture

...as promised.





Now you can see what I am talking about...big for 11 weeks! When I was pregnant with my daughter, I did not look like this until month five. Seriously.

The nausea has eased tremendously, making it much easier to get close to my calorie goal. I am getting good at eating when I am not hungry, eating protein bars while driving, drinking whole milk. Basically everything they tell you NOT to do when trying to lose weight. I am up about seven pounds! That is great for me, and I am actually working hard on it. Never in my life have I wanted the scale to go that direction. Every bite I take, I think of heavy, healthy triplets who can breathe and eat on their own. This is my goal.

NT scan is on Friday. I feel like this is a real milestone, and after this I can get more comfortable, tell more people. We have told some close friends, and it is pretty obvious when people see me, but we haven't made any announcements yet. They will be able to tell us with a pretty good amount of certainty what our chances are of one of the babies having a chromosomal abnormality. I had a pregnancy with Trisomy 18, but I read, and am told that one Trisomy pregnancy does NOT increase our risk for more. I know I have my age on my side, but I am terrified something will be wrong with our babies who we love so much. Please hold a good thought for us.

I continue to be in puppy love with my Doppler. We listen to them every day and can usually hear the piggy-back-racing sound of the twins, usually in the 170's and then a single one in the 160's. It is kind of our new party trick... and it has given me a new optimism and comfort that I am so grateful for. It is amazing to know they are okay inside. Such a gift. Those Babybeat people are going to get a big cookie basket soon.