I'm Back...and I'm a Mommy!

Sorry for the long hiatus....just needed to take a break and go have some babies. That's right: my long-awaited miracles are here! They arrived May 19 at 33 weeks 6 days. My predictions were right, it WAS my blood pressure that put things in motion. I went in for my scheduled weekly OB appointment that morning and was sent straight over to the hospital. (So no frantic middle of the night ER trip after all!) When I went in that morning, my BP was high and climbing higher, I had protein in my urine, and I was swollen beyond recognition; the doctors were worried about pre-eclampsia and decided to go ahead and deliver. By 6 PM, my girls were here!

Swollen and terrified (but smiling!) before the C-section:



I only got to see Hadley (the biggest) before she was whisked away to the NICU; the other two were taken straight down and I actually didn't get to see them for 24 agonizingly long hours because of the horrendous magnesium sulfate I was on. They were so, so worth the wait, though! By the time I saw them and held them that next day, all three were on room air and doing great. Their birth weights were as follows:

Reagan - 4 lbs 7 oz
Hadley - 5 lbs 3 oz
Madeline - 4 lbs 9 oz

The girls did great and were only in the hospital for about two weeks. They were able to transition down from intensive care to the special care nursery, and were even transferred to a hospital closer to home after the first week. None of them had any major problems; they all just needed to "feed and grow." Coming home empty-handed was heart-breaking to say the least, but it's over now and everyone's here together. Hadley came home on Memorial Day, May 31, and Reagan and Madeline were able to come together on June 3.

Things are out of control crazy at our house right now, and I don't know just how much updating I'll get to do, but it just didn't seem right not to tell how the story of my pregnancy ends...and how the story of our little/big family begins...

33 Weeks

And ready to be done.

My blog-worthy achievement of the week: in my ongoing efforts to maintain as much of my independence as possible, I've now mastered the art of picking up objects off the floor with my feet. Note: this does not work so well with dropped food. Thus, the dog is getting lots of extra snacks these days.

Sailing Right Along

Doctor today w/ growth ultrasound and biophysical profile of the babies. Everyone looked great and they are getting so big!

Estimated weights:
A - 4 lbs 5 oz
B - 5 lbs 2 oz
C - 4 lbs 10 oz

I took my overnight bag along, which I've decided is a surefire way to NOT have to go to the hospital. Like reverse psychology or something. The day's not over, but it looks like my brother in law's prediction of today being The Day may not come true.

My blood pressure was up a little more but still not considered high. My guess is that if it keeps rising every week as it has been, that will end up being the catalyst that eventually lands me in the hospital and having to deliver before the scheduled date. Just a guess, though. VERY tired, so off to rest.

Another Monday

I thought Mondays were only supposed to be lame when they marked the beginning of the work week. Apparently, that's not the case. It seems that you can get a case of the Mondays even when you no longer work. I get used to having the hubby home all weekend...then, come Monday morning, he's off to the real world again and I realize that I'm stuck here by myself all day. Thank goodness for Sampson. My furry buddy is a pretty good companion to have around. The conversation leaves a little to be desired, though.

We had a nice Mother's Day with an impromptu weekend visit from my mom and mamaw. They drove down early Saturday and stayed the night, then went back Sunday afternoon. I know it was a lot of driving for them, but I really enjoyed having them here even for a short time. They helped me with some finishing touches in the babies' room, brought us Chinese food, and gave me a little at-home pedicure; my toes were getting pretty scary since I can't reach them anymore. Since I've totally dropped the ball on basically everything, I hadn't even gotten them cards, so Kevin came up with the idea of making them a special Mother's Day breakfast. With a little help, I was able to put together a breakfast casserole, which made me realize how much I miss cooking. We served it with some fruit, juice, and coffee and it made a nice little spread. I think they enjoyed it, and I also think it's an excellent tradition to start. I'll be expecting my Mother's Day breakfast in bed next year.

My wrists are killing me! Stupid carpal tunnel! Tell me again how this is at all related to being pregnant?

I'm also having the occasional sharp pain on either side of my lower abdomen. It doesn't feel like a contraction (or what I think a contraction is supposed to feel like), it's just a quick flash of stabbing pain. Last night I was feeling a lot of them and was debating calling the doctor, but I fell asleep while I was still mulling it over so I guess it wasn't too much of an emergency. I haven't really noticed it today, but if it starts up again I'll definitely call. The more of these new sensations I experience, the more I start to believe that things might start happening soon. My brother-in-law has predicted May 11 as D-day, and that's tomorrow. We're thinking maybe we should take his predictions pretty seriously. When we first got the official word from the doctor that I was indeed pregnant, they told us that based on my extremely high hormone levels, there "might be more than one." After we shared the news with family, my brother in law laughingly pronounced that he bet we would be having triplets. Not only was he right about that, he also informed us we would be having three girls long before we found out. I have an appointment tomorrow, so let's see if he can go three for three.

32 Weeks!

And no more than 4 to go!

I'm definitely starting to feel some contractions here and there. They're never "rhythmic" and I don't think I'm having more than four per hour, so according to my doctor we shouldn't be too concerned just yet. They're pretty random and mostly come when I'm sitting a certain way.

My lab work came back normal; my platelet levels, etc. were good, so no pre-eclampsia. I'm relieved! It's really hard to tell if the swelling in my feet (and occasionally my fingers) is something to worry about or if it's normal pregnancy stuff compounded by the humidity. I love the nurse who handles the nurse line at my doctor's office so I feel comfortable knowing I can always call and ask her when I'm feeling unsure about something. Which is about once a week or more.

My hormones are just ridiculous at this point. I cry every day over something, and sometimes for no reason at all. It usually starts over something simple like burnt toast (today's example) and inevitably snowballs into "I can't do this anymore" blubbering. It's a good release, anyway. Also, I've never been so thirsty in my entire life. Drinking water is like breathing for me right now. Ah, how I would love a tall, cold, fruity, coconut-y something or other with a little umbrella sticking out of it. If I weren't so paranoid about something happening - and if a 2.5 hour drive weren't the most uncomfortable thing I can imagine right now - I'd seriously consider having Kevin take me to the beach this weekend. I just want to sit and look at the ocean (with that fruity drink in my hand). For now, I'll just close my eyes and pretend.

The date has been set

My C-section has been scheduled for June 3. That's the third day of JUNE. As in, not in the current month. I would be 36 weeks exactly, which is considered full term for triplets. The doctor still insists I won't make it that far; she only set the date to "help me mentally." Uh...? Quite the opposite, but whatever. She told me she has yet to see a triplet mom make it to their scheduled C-section, but that I could always be the first. However, she is confident that by scheduling the date she has sufficiently jinxed me to deliver earlier. We'll see.

Please don't think less of me for my lack of enthusiasm. I do want the biggest, healthiest babies possible. I guess I'm being selfish, and I'm sure there are moms of preemies who would love to trade places with me. I WILL work on my attitude. I just worry about not being able to walk. Or breathe. Or go to the bathroom independently.

I did have to have blood work done today to check for signs of impending pre-eclampsia. This is actually one of the main issues that cause triplet moms to have to deliver before the 36 week point (so clearly, I should be careful what I wish for. Pre-eclampsia is not something I want to have). Right now my swelling is just in my feet and still looks normal, and my blood pressure is still in the safe range, but it's higher than it has been at my last couple of visits so they want to start keeping a close eye on it now. The lab results should be back in tomorrow. I'm a little nervous and will be waiting impatiently for their call.

Seven Years!

No, that's not how long I've been pregnant, it just feels that way. It's actually how long I've been married, as of today! Happy Anniversary to the best husband a girl could ask for. Not every guy could support his wife through a triplet pregnancy the way this one has! I could not do this without him.



Our big day: we look so young! (We WERE so young.) Makes me tear up a little - OK, a lot - but so do commercials, these days.

We've spent past anniversaries in some fun and special places: the Outer Banks, Myrtle Beach, the Bahamas (ahhhhh); last year we decided we wanted to be kids again and spent the day at Carowinds. This year will be a little quieter, but that's OK. Just like in college, when we had no money and there was nowhere to go anyway, I'm happy just being in the same room with him. The tropical vacations may be over for a while, but I'm pretty confident this next year of marriage will be our most exciting yet.

Spoke Too Soon

Yep, spoke too soon about the whole "second wind" thing. I'm back to being a big immobile lump. It doesn't help that it's been 90 here all weekend. Was it really me who said I never again want to live anywhere colder than this? I only meant it back in February. I'd like to take it back now, please.

I had a(nother) good cry this afternoon, just because. Because I'm bored and I'm ready to be done. Because I've forgotten what my normal life used to be like. Because it's hot and it hurts to move. Waahhh. Anyway, hubby provided lots of comfort, as always, and then a good friend came by for a visit and brought barbecue chips and cheese puffs. Things are looking up.

And...as of this morning, the carseats are assembled and installed. I still want to be rid of this money-draining Jeep (seemed like such a good idea when I was working two jobs instead of none), but at least all three carseats fit in the back. Of course, if Kevin drives, he'll basically be sitting on top of the steering wheel. Then again, we're guessing there won't be that many outings in the early days in which we haul all three newborns to the same place at the same time. Looks like we'll be in the market for a van sooner than we thought, even if it does mean we lose a little on the Jeep. I'm pulling a Scarlett O'Hara on this one: I'll think about that tomorrow.

Oooooh, maybe I'll get Kevin to rent Gone With the Wind for me. I could knock out an entire day watching that.

31 Weeks (plus 1 day)

Another week has passed! I'm happy to report that I survived the full moon (but I love how all my friends e-mailed me the next morning to ask "Are you still pregnant?"). The question is, will I survive this heartburn? The jury's still out on that one.

It seems like it's getting a little harder to pass the days. I'm so over watching TV, reading, and playing online, but there just isn't much else for me to choose from. At this point it seems too late to start any kind of crafty project. It does kind of feel like I've gotten my second wind in this pregnancy, though. I suddenly have a little more energy to be on my feet and I find that I want to expend most of it in the nursery getting things ready (which translates into me walking around touching everything, looking at outfits for the millionth time, and practicing putting the crib rails up and down with one hand. I guess there really isn't that much left to get ready; I just like being in the room). We've had great weather too, so it's been nice sitting out back on the swing. Funny how when I'm inside, I can never just be still; I always have to have the TV on or my laptop open. But when I'm outside, I can just sit and do nothing and be perfectly happy.

I've been feeling reflective lately as I sort through all the emotions that come along with realizing how much our lives are about to change. This time last year, my biggest concerns were whether or not to go back to school yet again and complete Montessori training (glad I decided not to), which summer concerts to see, what kind of bathing suit to get for the beach, and how to deal with the nasty case of ringworm I picked up at school (go ahead and cringe, I know, it's gross). I worked all day, came home and cooked dinner, went for hour-long walks with Sampson, and ended each night hanging out in the tub with a glass of wine and no worries as to how I was going to get back out. It's easy to be wistful when thinking about those carefree days, but I also distinctly remember that overwhelming feeling of "is this all there is?" Now, with our babies on the way, I'm bored and uncomfortable - and anxious about the future - but I no longer feel like something is missing, or that I don't know where I'm headed. I actually feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Just in Case

Although I should have been ecstatic after my "no news is good news" appointment yesterday, for some reason I came home in a not-so-great mood. I really couldn't put my finger on why. I guess it's because I'm a control freak and a planner and I really just wanted someone to say "you will give birth on ____________." The good news is I am realizing that one cannot exist as both a control freak/planner and a parent of triplets at the same time. So the sooner I learn to correct the problem, the better. I'm a work in progress.

Since the day I found out there were three little peanuts making their home in my belly, I've been pumped full of all the possibilities of things that could go wrong. So I guess that's what I've been expecting. To be honest, I expected to be in the hospital long before I gave birth, because that was what I was prepared for.

But that doesn't seem like it's going to happen. So...if I'm not in the hospital prior to the big day...and there's little chance I'll make it to a scheduled delivery at 35+ weeks...I have to make my peace NOW with the fact that most likely, the action will start here at home. I very well could be here by myself. (Thank you, Lord, that Kevin's office is only 15 minutes away.) We might have to make that frantic drive to the hospital after all. Things will most definitely not go according to any plans I've made. I am accepting this. I am trying very hard, despite my fears, to be ready.

Did I mention we were wrong about the full moon? It wasn't last night. It's tonight.

Today's tasks, just in case:
-Print out directions to hospital in case someone gets frazzled and forgets where to turn. Post on fridge next to phone numbers for hospital and doctor on call.
-Finish the packing of the bag. Place bag in central locale.
-Begin enforcing our agreed-upon rules: all cell phones charged at all times, no cars with less than a quarter tank of gas at any time.
-Post "Don't forget your glasses" note to self in visible spot.
-Lay out comfy outfit in case of middle of night panic (can't go to the hospital in just a giant T-shirt).
-Secure care for Sampson. This is tricky. Many friends have volunteered, but all work during the day. If we leave in the middle of the night, this dog will go nuts by himself all the next day. And will leave unpleasant surprises on our carpet. Hmmm, I talked with a neighbor last night who gave me her number and said call if I need anything at all. I'll check with her.
-Get ice cream. Preferably early in the evening. It's 31-cent scoop night at Baskin Robbins! House arrest stinks, so I'm busting out.

No news is good news

It's funny how much you look forward to doctor's appointments when they're basically your only outings. By the way, the end of this pregnancy has given me a new sympathy for older folks who are "shut in." It makes me very sad to think of people who can't drive themselves, can't get out, and don't get a lot of visitors. At least I've always known my situation is temporary. (Maybe when I start my non-profit, it will provide visitors and transportation to shut-ins. I'm not sure if this will be before or after I start my cake decorating and dog-walking businesses. You know, in all the down time I'm going to have as a full-time mom of three.)

Anyway, back to my appointment. It was basically just a very quick ultrasound to check heartbeats and make sure everybody looked OK. They did, which as always was a relief. Somehow I've gained five more pounds in the last two weeks. It's amazing how much the human body can stretch, I guess. My blood pressure was still normal, my "monster feet" appeared to be from typical pregnancy edema, and I was assured again that I'm not crushing or squishing the babies when I lie down on my side. No one would commit to even speculating as to when we might see some action, but no one seemed at all concerned that it might be soon. I KNOW this is great news for the babies, and I KNOW that's the most important thing. But it's hard not to have a small, selfish part of me wishing we could wrap this thing up. I was told that in a couple of weeks they would schedule a c-section date for "the beginning of my 36th week" (!) but that was immediately followed by "but you won't get that far." Interesting. I guess I need to start mentally preparing for the terrifying, water breaking in the middle of the night scenario I was hoping to avoid. My friend tells me that if we're going by the full moon, it will either be tonight or May 27. Given these options, I choose May 27. Maybe when it comes down to it, I'm not as ready as I thought.

Nursery Progress!

Today I am 30 weeks and 3 days pregnant! Every day seems to count at this point. I no longer recognize my feet; they're very Pillsbury Doughboy-esque. Good thing I can hardly see them anyway. Yay for cankles!

There doesn't seem to be enough fruit in this entire town to keep me satisfied. I have had a few random cravings throughout this pregnancy but this is intense. Strawberries, bananas, grapes...you name it, I have to have it. By the truckload. Kevin brought home one of those economy size bags of navel oranges yesterday. Yes, there are still a few left. But not many.

The rest of today's post is a photo tour of the nursery! We've made serious progress and are essentially finished. I'm still waiting on my waterproof crib pad to come in the mail (I DID break down and do some online shopping, and it was so worth it) and then I'll be able to get the sheets on the cribs and have them completely ready for our little girls to sleep in. We also need to get curtain rods and hang our curtains, but we should be able to take care of that in the next few days. Other than that, I'd say we're about DONE! The room is a little mix-n-match, but I think it's absolutely perfect, especially since I can count on one hand the number of items in there we actually paid for out of our own pockets. I don't mean to sound like I'm bragging...quite the opposite, in fact. It's humbling how generous our friends and family have been! We appreciate everything so much.

30 Weeks!

I've been staring at a blank screen for 20 minutes because I'm having trouble finding words to express how I feel about hitting 30 weeks today! Let's just say I am:

happy
thankful
excited
terrified

and of course, uncomfortable. How funny that I thought I was uncomfortable two weeks ago! And yes, I know I'll probably be saying the same thing two weeks from NOW, should I get that far.

I spend most of my days on the couch now, which gets pretty boring, but at least I know it's not for much longer. I CAN still get up and make myself meals, take potty breaks (lots and lots of potty breaks), take a quick shower, and take the dog outside. Five minutes seems to be my limit for being on my feet. I haven't left the house in, well...a long time. I guess since my last doctor's appointment, about 10 days ago. Sometimes I feel like the walls are closing in on me, but there's not much else to do besides wait it out. I have a lot of time to think, which has never been a good thing for me, and I've been getting a little anxious lately when I think about the reality of what our lives are going to be like soon. I worry sometimes that maybe I'm not up for the challenge. Will I really be able to handle this...three newborns at once? I'm praying for courage and strength...and so thankful that help is coming!

Worried Mother Hen, Act I

In light of the fact that a woman recently tried to steal a baby from the hospital at which I plan to deliver, I'm putting on my Mother Hen suit and tightening up security. (Note: happily, the would-be baby thief did not succeed, but still.) So...I think I'm going to make this blog private soon. When the babies arrive, I want to post their pictures and info here for my family and friends, but I don't want too many details available to just anyone.

I don't know exactly how it works, but I think once I change the settings you'll have to send a request and then log in to read my blog entries. It's a little less convenient, but I hope that if you're already a "loyal follower" you'll stick around and see what all of these ramblings of mine have been leading up to! I really appreciate everyone who reads my blog (and I thrive on your comments, hint hint) so please know that I'm not trying to deter anybody who is already a reader/follower. This is just the first of many occasions in which I'll demonstrate my overly-worried, over-protective parenting nature.

A few random tidbits

Just a few thoughts on this beautiful (but somewhat long and lonely) Monday...

*I think I have carpal tunnel! Just one more weird pregnancy symptom/side effect that I never would have expected. It started out as extreme wrist pain but now it's mostly in my fingers. I tried to write a thank you note and could barely grip the pen. Doesn't help that my fingers are swollen up so much that they look like small sausages.

*On the positive side, I think I'm going to have some killer triceps after this from pushing myself up off the couch/bed. They've been really sore for a few days (because I have to push a lot harder now to get up!) and feel the way they did waaaaay back when I used to work out.

*I ordered the hospital-recommended breast pump last night and I'm extremely excited about it! I might be less enthused once I start using it for hours a day but that's not something I'm focusing on right now. I debated a long time about renting vs. buying (and buying new vs. used) and decided that this was going to be a pretty important piece of equipment for feeding three babies, so the investment seemed worth it. Although it was expensive to buy it new, I found a pretty good deal on Amazon, and I'm happy that I'll have the warranty. For all the use it will get, I felt like it was crucial to have one with a full life ahead of it. I figure the better the pump quality, the less we'll have to spend on supplemental formula, or so I hope.

*I'm in serious nesting mode! My in-laws visited over the weekend and brought the last two cribs and the double Snap-n-Go they found for us. They helped put the cribs together and built shelves in our closets. All the nursery furniture is in place where I want it to be, and all we have left are some finishing touches...mostly hanging a few things on the walls and getting all the crib bedding put on. Pictures coming soon!

29 Weeks 2 Days

Out of witty comments for the moment

29 Weeks!

Just one more week in the 20s! I can hardly believe it! These babies are going to be here soon. Wow.

Good news: the nurse from my doctor's office just called with my lab results. My glucose levels were normal - no signs of gestational diabetes! Celebrating appropriately with a Cook-Out mint Oreo milkshake to be delivered this afternoon by a friend. As tempted as I am to just skip lunch and go straight for dessert, I'd better make myself sit down and have some real food first.

My iron levels are still low, so I was told to take a second iron supplement every day (I'm already taking one along with my prenatal vitamin). That, I can handle.

Perhaps an updated picture will be coming soon, IF I can find some decent clothes that actually fit. I've been alternating the same ratty shorts and yoga pants with my men's 3XL T-shirts for days. Maybe I'll break out the tribal-print caftan my mom sent me. But then again, maybe not. At least not for photo day.

Officially Handicapped

Today was another doctor day! I STILL can't convince them to see me once a week (which I acknowledge is a good thing, but the two weeks of waiting drive me batty). So, my next appointment is two weeks from today, and then after that I'll finally start going in every week. I can't even imagine what I will look and feel like at that point. Let's not think about it.

I have now gained 40 lbs.

I am now carrying 9 lbs 6 ounces of baby.

Reagan appears to be the runt at 2 lbs 12 oz, Hadley weighs 3 lbs 3 oz, and Madeline is our little chunker at 3 lbs 7 oz. The doctor isn't worried about the weight discrepancy. He says everybody is right on target.

Miraculously, despite the 9 plus pounds of constant pressure, my cervix is still closed and 3.1 cm long. Thus, the doctors aren't expecting much action anytime soon. Funny, 'cause last night I was sure labor was imminent based on the cramping and dull ache in my pelvis and lower back. Apparently, this is normal. I can't wait to see what's "normal" when I hit 30 weeks and beyond. After all my fears about preterm labor, why do I suddenly get the feeling that it will be late May and I'll be begging them to take these babies out?! Although it would be fantastic and is in fact what we're shooting for, I may need to be sedated if that happens. I can do this!

Oh, and I'm officially handicapped, at least temporarily. The doctor filled out a form for me to get a temporary handicapped tag for the car (you know, for all the driving and running around I do). Under explanation, she checked the box that read "applicant cannot walk more than 200 ft without stopping to rest." For some reason this is super funny to me.

Getting Prepared

Since I've heard that I should be ready for anything after 28 weeks, I decided hitting this milestone would be the right time to get a hospital bag packed "just in case." So far I've only packed some travel-size toiletries. I have my overnight bag laying out, but I feel like I can't put anything in it yet because I only have a limited number of comfy clothing items that actually fit, and I want to be able to wear them now instead of just having them sit in a bag. If only I could take myself shopping, then I'd pick up a couple of extra things I could pack away. Maybe I'll follow the lead of a fellow pregnant blogger and spend a little time shopping online today, although I fear that might wake a sleeping giant and get me into trouble. I could see that becoming a new favorite hobby fast. Maybe today I'll wash my extra bath robe and at least have that, my slippers, and some extra undies tucked into my bag. I've heard a lot of stories of triplet moms going to their regular OB/perinatologist appointments and being sent straight to the hospital from there. I'm not really expecting that to happen, but then again, I'm sure they weren't either. It couldn't hurt to be overly prepared in case something unforeseen comes up.

The number one thing I can't forget to grab should we have to make a quick run to the hospital is my glasses! I've told Kevin to remind me, but if we're frazzled or panicked, I can see this getting overlooked. Maybe I should make a big note to myself and stick it on the mirror. Apparently, you can't wear your contact lenses during a C-section, and without those or my glasses, I'm essentially blind. (The optometrist always has to special order my contacts because they never have a high enough prescription in stock, if that tells you anything.) It would NOT be cool to be in that situation and not be able to see what's going on.

In the spirit of getting prepared, last night Kevin said it was time to decide on definite middle names. We've been tossing out ideas for weeks and mulling over the possibilities, and we finally came up with three full names that we both like:

Reagan Olivia
Hadley June
Madeline Helen (for my grandma - non-negotiable)

I keep saying them over and over in my head. They sound perfect!

28 Weeks: The good, the bad, and the ugly

If I could dance, I would. I've made it to that major milestone, 28 weeks!! I remember when it seemed so far away. Now I'm looking ahead and thinking, I could be having these babies in a few weeks! Most of the moms on my online triplets board who've already had their babies delivered between 29 and 35 weeks. People have been telling me "you're almost there" for a while, but I'm actually starting to believe it.

I feel the babies move almost all the time now and I love it. Well, for the most part. I love the kicks and jumps and the slow rolls that make little waves move across my belly. What I don't love is when I get pummeled in the cervix/bladder area. Ouch. Still, if they're moving, it tells me they're OK, and that makes me a very happy mama. When they're "resting" and I don't feel much for a while, I get uneasy. Luckily, it doesn't usually take long for at least one of these little monkeys to start up her acrobatics again.

The nursery is coming together; we got all of the stuff out of the middle of the floor and into dresser drawers and closets. All of the newborn - 3 months sized clothes are washed and ready to go. Diapers are stacked neatly in the corner until we figure out a better storage plan. And, my mother-in-law found us two beautiful Pali cribs on Craigslist for an amazing deal and snatched them up. Those should be delivered in a couple of weeks, so if all goes according to plan, we'll soon be putting the finishing touches on the room and I'll post some "after" pictures. Yay!

So now that I've followed good teacher-like etiquette and focused on the positive first, I get to complain a little. (I know, what else is new, right? Wait, I'm growing three people. Don't judge.) I'm hot. I'm huge. My belly hurts every time I stand up. Or walk. Or attempt to move. I can't take a full breath. My back is never going to be the same again. I have a constant thirst coupled with a constant need to pee. And it feels like I have stretch marks from my waist to my neck. I still try to tell myself they're battle scars, but it's starting to look like I lost the battle. Yikes.

But...I still wouldn't trade this experience for anything. (Or at least that's my attitude for today. We'll see how I'm feeling when we get to 29 weeks, God-willing. I may be writhing on the floor begging for mercy by then.) Every second of this pregnancy is a blessing. I may forget that on occasion, but let me not forget how much I wanted this and how long I waited for it.

Wedding fun...and some fears for the future

My dear friend "AR" and I have known each other for over three years now. During that time, we've had many conversations speculating the likelihood of my having a baby and her finding a worthy guy and getting married. At least in the beginning of our friendship, we each doubted that we'd get to have these experiences (well, we doubted for ourselves, but were always confident for the other).

A few months ago, we realized that 2010 was going to be our year. Finally! Here I am, about to have not one baby, but three. And, just last Saturday, I got to be there to see her special day - her wedding! Ever since we learned I was having triplets, we've wondered if I'd be able to be a part of the festivities. To be honest, a few months ago I had my doubts. We vowed we'd do our best...wheel me in on a gurney, have the ceremony video streamed to a hospital room, if necessary...but thankfully, I was there, live and in person - and on foot. I decided I was too proud for the wheelchair AR's darling fiance had so graciously secured for me and decided I felt good enough to walk in to the church (but did a lot of sitting the rest of the afternoon). It was an absolutely beautiful wedding and I was even recognized in the program as the "honorary matron of honor - seated." Of course, lots of hormonally charged tears fell when I saw the girl I consider my "honorary little sister" walking down the aisle looking so amazing and so happy. And even though I was exhausted by the time I got home, it was worth it to have gotten to share her day with her. Congrats Mr. and Mrs. W!

It's apparent, though, that this will be my last big event of any kind until after the babies are born. You know that 27-week picture I posted a few days ago? Well, I swear I've gotten bigger since then - it happened seemingly overnight. I'm going to keep on going for as long as I can, but I fear that my days of walking unassisted, for even very short amounts of time, are numbered.

I wonder what the weeks ahead will bring...will things start happening, or will I just lie around uncomfortable but more or less complication-free, waiting and waiting while the babies (and my belly) keep growing? I don't know what to expect, and I'm starting to feel scared and nervous. Scared of having some problem here at home by myself, having to wait for Kevin to come home and then trying to make a frantic trip to the hospital...scared of getting bad news at a routine appointment...and yes, scared of the C-section, now that I'm finally letting myself really think about it. I feel nervous when I think about maybe having to be in the hospital for a while before delivering, and yet I feel nervous when I think about NOT being there for a while (in a way, it might seem safer to already be there). My head is spinning - and my body is hurting - but I guess I'll just keep taking it one day at a time.

27 Weeks!

Me: I don't think the world is ready for my next belly pic.
Kevin: Who's going to make fun of you? I'll kick them in the face.



Maybe this picture will help legitimize all my complaints about being uncomfortable...

Back to the doc and not much to report...

I'm still having my appointments every two weeks. They're almost boringly routine...which is great!! Heartbeats good, fluid levels good, cervix good. I do realize how very lucky we are, and I am grateful. I'm at 26 weeks and 5 days, so at my next visit (assuming nothing comes up in the meantime that requires me to go in) I'll be over the 28 week hump! WOW. I'm pretty much expecting to spend the entire day there at my next appointment...regular OB visit, growth ultrasound, AND the glucose test. I have to drink the Glucola drink and then wait an hour before they draw my blood. Maybe they can squeeze the ultrasound into that hour and it won't take as long as I'm imagining.

I'm in better spirits than I was when I last posted. Good reports from the doctor tend to do that for me. Not to mention, it's a beautiful day...supposed to be in the 80's over the next few days...and I've got a couple of BLT's here with my name on them. I'm going to settle in with those, a glass of lemonade, and some Price is Right! Cheers!

House Arrest (26 Weeks & Counting)

OK, I'm not really on house arrest, it just feels that way. I CAN get out, in that my doctors haven't told me not to. It's just so incredibly uncomfortable that it's generally not worth the trouble. Even when wearing my support belt, the extreme pressure of three babies - two with their heads vying for position on top of my cervix (at my last ultrasound the tech said it looked like they were racing to get out) - makes standing for more than 5-10 minutes practically unbearable...and walking for any longer than that is out of the question. I force myself to at least walk down to the mailbox every day. I have this kind of shuffle that I've mastered that allows me to walk incredibly slowly while barely lifting my feet off the ground or moving my legs too far apart. Go ahead and laugh - my doctor did - but with every step it feels like the babies are just going to fall out at any minute. And don't even get me started on riding in the car. I can change the position of the seat 20 times and it doesn't make it any more comfortable. I have to hold onto the little handle above the door and kind of lean up off the seat to take the pressure off my lower back and, well, my behind.

By the time Kevin got home from work yesterday, I was a weepy, emotional mess from being cooped up in the house by myself all day, so he decided a trip to Wal-mart would cheer me up. It's one of the only stores around that has the manual wheelchairs as well as the motorized ones, which scare me too much; I can easily picture myself crashing into a display. So, we had some fun with him pushing me around the store (ironically also nearly causing a few crashes). It wasn't that comfortable but at least we got some laughs out of an incredible mullet we spotted. I was a little frustrated by all the stares I got...they seem to have changed in recent weeks from the "oh look at the cute pregnant girl" stares to "that is the biggest belly I've ever seen in my life, shouldn't she be in the hospital" stares. I try not to let it bother me. But I'd really like to make a shirt that says something like, "I'm not due tomorrow, it's only triplets." Because the next time someone tells me I look like I'm about to pop, I may not have the energy to explain yet again that no, it actually won't be any day now (or so we hope).

I've been feeling a little discouraged in the last few days, but I really am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It feels like I'm coming into the home stretch...unfortunately it just also feels like it's going to be the hardest stretch. Thinking of the payoff!

Stop the Madness

So yesterday, I could have done many things: I could have written a letter to a friend, finished (OK, started) my thank you notes, read some Dave Ramsey, come up with middle names for my children. I probably could have even done the dishes, but Kevin keeps saying "You don't need to be doing that" so who am I to argue? There are many productive ways I could have used my time yesterday, but instead I spent most of it...worrying. I wasted an entire afternoon just stressing about baby stuff, which led to wasting even more time studying endless product reviews.

I wondered...
-Is our beautiful, FREE crib a hazard because it's a drop-side, even though it has never been recalled?
-Where should we get our next crib, and what kind should it be? Is the budget-friendly Ikea crib as safe as the $400 model at Babies R Us? What about buying used on Craigs List? Can I really trust strangers not to sell me a death trap?
-Does baby powder really cause cancer?
-What kind of bottles should I use? The expensive fancy-shaped ones that reduce colic and ear aches, or the cheaper basic ones that were good enough for our mothers and didn't seem to do us any harm? But wait, are those BPA-free?

Today, I've decided: enough is enough. My mama didn't raise me to be like this. She raised me in the common sense/everything in moderation school of thought. I wasn't allowed to play in the street or anything, but if I ate something that fell on the ground, nobody tried to stop me. We didn't have instant hand sanitizer. I got all my vaccines. And I'm pretty sure my little behind saw PLENTY of baby powder. I even took the occasional Lunchables to school in my lunch box. And here I am, alive and well.

I've decided, if I avoided everything that "could" cause cancer, or autism, or asphyxiation, or the growth of an extra limb...then I'd have to raise my own children on a commune surrounded by a plastic (BPA free) bubble and feed them only carrots that I grow myself. And if I worry about every little thing AFTER they get here as much as I've worried during pregnancy, I'm going to be a wrinkled, drooling mess by the time I hit 30. I can't do it anymore. I need to relax a little, find some balance, make good common-sense choices and trust God with the rest. It's time to stop the madness!

Time to tackle the nursery....

Things have actually been busy busy around here, and time is passing by much more quickly (for now anyway). It's time to get going on the nursery, and we definitely have our work cut out for us.



Let's think of this as the "before" picture. Last weekend, we (and by we I mean Kevin) started bringing all the baby stuff we've acquired out of the attic and closets and decided to just dump it all in the floor of the nursery. Since then, we've actually been lucky enough to add more to the pile, thanks to the amazing staff and parents from my school, who held a shower in my honor on Thursday. It was so nice to see everyone; the food was delicious, they waited on me hand and foot (which I am getting way too accustomed to, I'm afraid), and gave us some really generous gifts...including a triple jogging stroller!!! I just can't get over how blessed we are to have the friends and family that we do. Everyone has done so much to help us out and we are so grateful. Sometimes all of this just seems too good to be true, and I kind of feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop, but that kind of thinking doesn't do anybody any good. Positive thoughts! All I have to do is look around, and focus on how far we've come, and that makes it easier to chase the doubts away.

(Here I am cheesin' at my shower...I think I'm starting to love being the center of attention)


Hopefully we can use this gorgeous Sunday to get some work done on the babies' room, although all I really want to do is sit outside in the sunshine. Kevin's under the weather and I'm as big as a house, but maybe we'll at least get a little organizing done today. Can't wait to post the "after" pictures...but it could be a while.

24 Weeks 6 Days

Almost at 25 weeks...I have officially gained around 30 pounds! I had the best encounter with a lovely elderly couple on the elevator at my doctor's office yesterday. They just kept smiling at me, and finally the man just said, "When?"

"You'd be surprised," I told him.

When I explained, they were so genuinely excited for me. They didn't look horrified or act like they didn't believe me, which are the responses I often get when I explain the situation to strangers who ask me if I'm due tomorrow. Instead, they clapped their hands and laughed, congratulated me, and wished me good luck. When I got off the elevator, I could still hear them saying, "Triplets! Can you imagine? How wonderful..." No snide remarks, no "What are you going to do?!," no ridiculous comments about how I'll have my hands full. And best of all, no "Are they natural?" They were so sweet!

Big Babies!

Just got back from the doctor's office and finally learned the babies' weights. Baby A, Reagan, is 1 lb 9 oz; both B (Hadley) and C (Madeline) are 1 lb 14 oz each. That's over 5 lbs of baby in there, folks! (No wonder my body hurts.) My cervix is still holding strong, down to 4.1 from 4.5 two weeks ago, but still good. I asked the doctor if there was anything I could do or not do to keep it that way; he asked about my current activity level and thought I had a good balance of time spent with my feet up and time walking around, so he just wants me to keep doing what I'm doing. No talk of bed rest yet - please, let it stay that way! I rest a lot during the day anyway, and I really believe that's helping everything go so smoothly. (That, and a little luck, and a lot of prayer.) They still want to see me every two weeks for now until I hit 28 weeks, unless something unexpected comes up in the meantime. At my 28 week appointment, I'll have to do the glucose tolerance test to screen for gestational diabetes. They don't do it any sooner than that with triplets because there just isn't enough data on triplets to determine what is a "good" amount of glucose. They are much less worried about it than I am...so I guess I'll keep drinking my lemonade and enjoying my Moose Tracks ice cream for a while!

Studies show that babies can hear sounds outside the womb at this point, so I've started reading to them (Charlotte's Web!) and spending lots of time playing music and singing to them. I sing everything from Jesus Loves Me to Pearl Jam (of course, they're daddy's girls) to mommy and daddy's wedding song (The Luckiest - Ben Folds). I'm thinking today would be a good day to introduce them to Dolly Parton. Who knows what kind of musical taste they'll end up with? Might as well expose them to all the best right from the beginning.

Second Chances

On this day three years ago, I said good-bye to my first little one. I had only known I was pregnant for nine days, which barely seemed like enough time to process the idea. But it was still plenty of time to fall in love with that little life.

I remember writing about this on another blog just last year. I wrote, "I'm no closer to being a mother than I was two years ago." Even then, I honestly thought we might never become parents. And if anyone had told me just how different things would be on this day THIS year, I would not have believed them. Today I remember my first baby; I know I always will. But today I am also so very thankful for second chances!

24 Weeks - Viability!!!

We've made it to the next milestone, one I've been anxiously awaiting for so long! I am 24 weeks pregnant today, and my babies are now considered viable. As I've mentioned before, if they had to be delivered in the event of an emergency or serious complications, they would have a 50% chance of survival. It would not be a good thing for them to come now, but there's some comfort in knowing that they would have the potential to live as opposed to no chance at all. The more I hear and read about preemies, the happier I am with our choice of hospital, which houses a Level III/IV intensive care nursery. We're lucky to live so close to this hospital; I've done some research and found that severely ill/low birth weight babies from all over the state are often transferred there...which means their families often have to travel long distances or even relocate temporarily to be close to their little ones. Of course, I give these girls regular talks about staying put until May, so I'm hoping they listen to their mother and hang tight. I'm not interested in making any hospital trips any time in the near future.

Now that I've gotten this far, I'm really starting to believe this is actually going to happen. I'm so attached to these babies...that in itself scares me quite a bit, but it also pushes me to try and stay positive and strong. I just keep praying that things will continue to progress as they should and that we'll bring home three strong, healthy little girls in a couple of months! Kevin's office threw us a really nice baby shower a few days ago. We got so much great stuff for the babies, and everyone was so excited for us. Up until the last few weeks, it's been hard for me to look at baby stuff and think we're actually going to get to use it, but now it's truly starting to feel like a reality. We're slowly filling up the nursery with necessities...soon all we'll need to add are the babies! I can't wait until the day we're able to bring them all home. Only about 8 weeks until May!

Nightmares & Daydreams

I had a nightmare over the weekend. I dreamed that my water broke, and I kept calling Kevin at work saying he had to come get me and take me to the hospital, and he kept saying he was on his way, but he never got there. Then I tried to call the hospital, but I couldn't get the numbers right. I just kept saying, "We've got to save the babies, it's too early, even if we get there we might not save them." It was awful.

To combat the anxiety this has caused, I've been doing a lot of daydreaming. I picture our family two, three, five years down the road. I imagine birthday parties, Fourth of July picnics, three little girls with pigtails running around the backyard with Sampson. My favorite thing to imagine is a family vacation at the beach: ruffly little bathing suits and tiny toes in the sand, and our daughters riding Daddy's back around the swimming pool. When these daydreams become reality, every ache and pain and every tear and worry will have been worth it.

23 Weeks - Hello, Stretch Marks

Did I really think I could carry three babies and not get stretch marks?

No, I didn't. I've been expecting them, so they don't really bother me all that much. I figure I'm going to walk away from this experience with quite a few battle scars. Considering the way I used to feel about weight and body image when I was younger, it's surprising just how OK with that I am. Maybe it's because my body is actually doing something really cool. And also because it's taken four years to get these babies, and the next couple of months are going to be the hardest leg of the journey. I'm earning my battle scars. I think I'm going to be kind of proud of them.

Of course, my stomach has a lot more stretching to do....

Another Tuesday, Another Doctor's Appointment

OK, so even though time in general seems to have practically STOPPED for me, it actually feels like I was just at the doctor's office a couple of days ago instead of two weeks. A few highlights from today's appointment:

*I am now the size of a full-term singleton pregnancy...a good four months before singleton mommies get this big
*The babies are looking good, but we didn't find out weights today like I thought we would
*The doctor says my cervix is "holding like Fort Knox"! This is really good news, especially for someone with a uterus as big as mine
*The pain I've been feeling at the top of my ribs is just my organs repositioning. Ew. I guess my intestines are getting slammed against my rib cage or something. Ew.
*I was reassured that, though it may feel otherwise, nothing is going to fall out when I stand up and walk around. (I know my doctor thinks I'm a nut. It's amazing how little I care at this point.)
*I got the OK to eat hot dogs! Whoo-hoo! I've been craving them in a big way. Back off, nutrition police. Growing three people earns me a free pass every now and then.

22 Weeks 3 Days - Belly Pic, Etc.

Showing off Kevin's mad crib-assembly skills (or trying to, anyway; the belly pretty much eclipses the finished product). This is crib #1. We think we have a second one coming soon. I'm not freaking out that we haven't acquired all three yet. In the beginning at least, I'd like to use sleep positioners and keep all the babies in the same one. Note: the baseball pictures in the background are coming down, as Kevin makes his peace with saying good-bye to the man room.

We should be learning the babies' weights on Tuesday. Based on my girth alone, I'm expecting a good report.



Our changing table! (Can you spot our tiny helper coming in for a closer look? He's very curious about all the new stuff in our house. We anticipate some sibling rivalry.) My wonderful in-laws were down for a visit over the weekend and helped us put this together. They volunteered their assistance with any projects, so we took them up on it. They helped move furniture, got our crib mattress and changing pads for us, and supplied a batch of Karen's homemade oatmeal raisin cookies. Luckily Kevin doesn't like raisins, so I get to devour the whole batch all by myself. Which, at the rate I'm going, shouldn't take more than a day or two.

"Hey Dad!"

Over the past two weeks, I've gone from feeling the occasional questionable flutter to feeling like the inside of my belly is a popcorn popper! My future soccer players have definitely been making their presence known. Every night - their favorite time to start rockin' and rollin' - I grab Kevin's hand and try to get him to feel it too, but they always seem to stop just when he puts his hand on my tummy.

Last night, he finally got to feel his first kick! It was a good one, too - big enough for us to actually see my skin twitch a little. We think it was Baby B (Hadley), wanting to say hello to her daddy. It was hands down one of the best moments we've shared since we first saw the ultrasound that revealed three little peanuts.

22 Weeks - Excited & Overwhelmed

I'm so happy to hit 22 weeks! But...it feels like time is slowing down! Of course, when your sole focus is on making the time pass, it doesn't usually pass that quickly. I try to keep my mind occupied, but some days that's easier said than done. It's exciting knowing that 1.) I've made it so far and am still doing really well, or at least according to my last doctor's visit, and 2.) I only have two weeks to go to that magic "viability" point. (I hate that word. I know why they have to use it, but I just don't like it.) I like to pretend I'll relax when I get that far, but come on folks, we all know that I will probably never fully relax until I hear 'em cry, and then the cycle will start over and I'll have a bunch of new worries! Ah, such is life.

I think I need to take a break from the pregnancy forums and message boards I frequent; it's just too overwhelming. If you think about it, most people only post on those sites when they're having a problem or are concerned about something. Lately, it seems like every day brings a new horror story: preterm contractions that have to be stopped with medication, cerclages (a surgical procedure that stitches the cervix shut if it starts to shorten or dilate too soon), complete bed rest (which in some cases can mean bed pans and sponge baths), and hospitalization for various and sundry complications. These stories are coming from women who are at around the same stages of their pregnancies as I am - and a lot of them are moms expecting twins, not just triplet moms. In fact, one group member actually did have her twins last week - thankfully she was at 24 weeks and so far the babies are hanging in there. I feel for these ladies, but everything I read convinces me that the same thing will happen to me. I just don't think it's good for me to get too immersed in all that at a time when I need to be in my best possible frame of mind. I'm thankful every day that I'm doing as well as I am. I just hope and pray that it continues for a while! Every time I feel something new, which is pretty much every day, I debate calling the doctor to see if I can come in sooner than my scheduled appointment. At some point in the near future, I'll start having appointments every week instead of every two. I can't say I'm not looking forward to that.

Kevin says my "only job right now is to grow these babies." That helps me put it into perspective when the days seem endless. This is the hardest job I've ever had! But I'm so happy for the opportunity.

SURPRISE!

It was a busy weekend for a traveling saleswoman such as myself. I had two Thirty-One parties booked, one on Saturday and another on Sunday. Or so I thought.

Saturday's party went well...I met some very nice women, sold some bags and had a lot of fun. Feeling successful, I couldn't wait for a repeat scenario on Sunday. So imagine how incompetent I felt when I arrived at the home of my "hostess," my dear friend Heather, and discovered all these cars already in the driveway. I walked in prepared with some kind of lame one-liner about the consultant arriving late, and was met with...pink baby shower decorations and shouts of "SURPRISE!"

Talk about being the last to know. My friends, my husband, even my mom in another state knew all about the surprise shower. I really did think I was just there to sell purses! I guess I really am that oblivious. But the shower was way better than a purse party. Great friends, great food, and wonderful gifts for three very lucky little girls - and me, sitting with my mouth open for the first 10 minutes or so while I processed everything. After all that it didn't seem right to break out the tote bags, but they insisted I give my spiel, and then they shopped anyway. I love my friends.

21 Weeks - Finally a Little Relief

The chiropractor is helping! I'm finally feeling some relief in my leg. This time last week I was having meltdowns every night before bed because of the pain. It is much, much better than it was. I can walk more and I sleep better, and it no longer feels like someone is shredding my thigh with a knife. All good things! That said, I still cringe and say a silent prayer every time the chiropractor pushes on my lower back to adjust my pelvis (this is while I'm lying face down on a hard table, but it does have a hole cut out for my belly) because I still have irrational fears that he'll hurt the babies. But, my high-risk OB reassured me again that it was fine, and I still feel everybody moving around in there as always, and since it does seem to be helping, I'll be sticking with it. Right now the chiro has me coming in three times a week, but I'm hoping I can start coming less as I make progress. As long as he can keep easing my leg pain, if I have to tap into my retirement to pay the man, so be it. I don't know how people live with chronic pain. At least I've always known there was an end in sight, even if it's a few months down the road. My heart goes out to people who suffer and have no way to find relief.

I tried to scan in some ultrasound pictures, but there's some issue with our scanner and so far it's not working. Maybe if I'm bored later (and chances of that are looking pretty good), I'll take an actual photo of the ultrasound pictures and try to upload those. The quality won't be great, but it's something.

After much discussion, we decided that it makes the most sense for us to stay put in our house until after the babies come. The primary reason is that Kevin's office is only 15 minutes away, and we're only a few miles from the interstate that is our most direct route to the hospital. This works out well in the event that I need him to get here fast. I would hate to imagine having some complication and having to wait for him to drive from his work to the outskirts of nowhere (where we could get more house for our money) to get me, and then still having to drive all the way back to the hospital. I know it will be hectic (and crowded), but we'll be just fine having the babies here for the first several months. Our "helpers" might be on air mattresses on the floor, but they've waited a long time for grandchildren. I doubt they'll complain.

More Good News

Kevin's company had annual performance reviews yesterday. He not only scored a small raise, but was rewarded a bonus as a top employee! This could not have come at a better time. I remember the day a little over a month ago when I realized I would have to quit work sooner than I thought and went into total panic mode about how we'd get by. Since then, I've been constantly amazed by how things are working out. Yes, finances will still be tight around here in the months (OK, years) to come, but God just keeps providing.

Great Doctor's Visit!

I feel like celebrating! I've had a lot of concerns on my mind the last few days with different feelings I've been having, and of course I worry way too much. Going to the doc today put my mind at ease, though. So far, so good! The babies were measuring right on target for their gestational age, and everybody was cute and wiggly. They finally got a good look at Baby A's heart, and it looked fine. Whew!

As for me, my biggest concern is my leg, and while my doctor is sympathetic, she's not too worried because she knows it won't affect the babies or my long term health. My blood pressure is normal - actually down a little from last time - and my cervix is nice and long (a shortening cervix is sometimes the result of the weight of all the babies in a multiple pregnancy and can be a precursor for preterm labor, which is my biggest fear right now). I was right about one thing: I WAS having contractions over the weekend, but they were Braxton-Hicks, the safe "practice" kind, not the scary kind. As long as they are not coming more than 4 per hour, I've been told not to worry. I've officially gained 21 pounds at this point, and probably a little more, actually, since I was already about 7 or 8 weeks along when they first recorded my weight. I've never before been glad to be gaining weight, so this is a first. The bigger I am, the bigger the babies will be, and that's what we want with premature babies. I am, however, making it a goal to lay off the cake and ice cream a little, even though that's what I crave! I'm worried about my sugar intake. I don't want to overload these gals with sweets.

We looked into selling our Jeep back to Carmax last night and officially becoming a one car family, but the price they offered was lower than we'd expected. We'd essentially still owe $3,000 on it. Since the point was to not have a second car payment, we're not sure it would be worth it, since we'd still be making payments for quite a while and have no car to show for it. We're still considering all the options, but I was counting on that as a way to save money each month. We'll figure something out.

I stopped by school today to deliver some purses that someone had ordered (Thirty-One! You should check it out!) and was stampeded by little people, who were outside for PE. I was happy to get lots of hugs, and it made me miss them a lot. I can't wait until I'm taking my babies there to show them off.

20 Weeks 3 Days - Belly Pic

Four people, one body. Yeah, it pretty much feels the way it looks.

20 Weeks: Not really a milestone, but...

Twenty weeks seems like a major milestone for some reason. It's not, really, but I think I just like seeing that 2 in front of the number. If this were a singleton pregnancy, I'd only just now be halfway there - sheesh! That's hard to imagine! It's somewhat comforting to know that in just four weeks, I'll be at the point where if the babies had to be born, they would have a small chance of survival. Of course, we do NOT want them coming that early, but I still think I'll relax a little more once I get to that point.

For the last few days, the nerve pain in my leg has been absolutely unbearable. While I used to find relief from it by sitting or lying down, lately there is no relief to be found. Lying down actually makes it worse, which is bad news for me, because I'll be lying down a lot more as my pregnancy progresses. In a state of desperation, I decided to try a chiropractor to see if it would help, even though (despite my doctor's OK), I've been more than a little hesitant to try that for fear it might hurt the babies. Apparently, chiropractic is very safe for pregnant women and even newborns. I'm not going to lie, though - I still worry about going and have not totally given up my fears. That said, I went yesterday for a consult, and since they say they can help me, I went back today for my first adjustment. It wasn't an instant fix, but I do feel it will help ease my pain if I keep going back, which they want me to do. Wish me luck!

I found out we don't qualify for WIC yet, and I'm not sure we will until the babies come. I sat for two hours in a crowded, uncomfortable waiting room to be told this. It was a little discouraging, but that's the way it goes. I did come home from that long, unpleasant afternoon to find...two big boxes of diapers on my doorstep, a gift from Kevin's brother Brian. Wow, my girls will have two great uncles! I wish they could have known their Uncle Garrod, but I believe he will always be looking out for them.

Now for the fun news: I can definitely feel my babies moving! Those little "flutters" I've been experiencing lately have been happening more and more often, and I now feel them in various parts of my tummy. I love it! I wonder exactly what they're doing in there. I imagine lots of wiggling and kicking. Wish I could see them!

Speaking of seeing them, I realize I've completely neglected putting updated ultrasound pics on here. How did I get so far behind? I'll have to make time this weekend to scan in some of the most recent ones and post them.

Random Thoughts

*Being pregnant with triplets is hard. HARD.

*I am letting go of all my pride and applying for WIC. And possibly Medicaid for the babies.

*Kevin has decided we need to go ahead and look for a place with more room now instead of later, in a more affordable area. I know he's right, but I love our town. And I love this little townhouse. I can't imagine not living here. But I can't imagine having three children here for any length of time. It's what you call a conundrum.

*My husband is the best in the world.

*We have tentative baby names. They could be changed at any moment. But for now, we think our daughters will be: Hadley, Reagan, and Madeline.

Nesting at 19 Weeks

So, I'm not sure how much "nesting" I'm actually going to get done since I'm already loping around the house like a big elephant. But I'm certainly in the mood to nest. I totally (and randomly) threw out my idea for the nursery a couple of days ago, which was going to be based on a woodland animal crib set I found at Target and had actually already put on my registry. All because someone gave me the cutest little baby shirt with a ladybug on it! Now, all I can think about are ladybugs...and how sweet a ladybug theme would look in our nursery (which by the way, is currently a guest room/office and the only other bedroom besides our own; rearranging is going to be very interesting). We've decided to leave the walls light blue; I think the red from the ladybugs will look great next to that color. I'm so proud of Kevin, who put our (first) crib together - without instructions, I might add. It looks great! (Just wondering where we're going to put the other two, when we get them.)

I've also been in the mood to clean. Amazing, huh? Who would have thought? Of course, it's easy to be in the mood to clean when you can use the excuse of not being able to bend and reach all by yourself, and thus needing help. Thankfully, my mom and mamaw were able to fight the snow and make it down for a few days last week. They cleaned my house, cooked for us (including Mamaw's soup beans and cornbread, mmmm), drove me around, and helped me organize and label all of the baby clothes we've gotten. It was wonderful! I was pretty sad to see them go, and moped around for the next two days after they left. Being home by myself all day is taking some getting used to. I always dreamed of "not working" but it's actually not as much fun as it sounds.

Lately, I've noticed a strange phenomenon: there are never any clean spoons in our house. We might have a drawer full of clean spoons one day, then the next day they're all in the dishwasher again. I finally figured it out. Every food I crave is something you eat with a spoon: cereal, pudding, ice cream, yogurt, mandarin oranges, soup. We're going to have to buy a big box of plastic ones to get me through the next few months.

And though this is totally unrelated to nesting or spoons, I want to share my joy at having discovered a way to experience temporary relief from my discomforts: swimming (well, "pool walking")! I went with a friend yesterday to an indoor pool complex. It was heavenly! I did some research, and our town's aquatic center is about the same price as the one I visited yesterday and is only a few miles from my house. I may be there every day next week!

18 Weeks 5 Days - Belly Bump

Maybe it's the shirt (isn't black supposed to be slimming?) but I don't think I look any bigger in this picture than I did in my last one two weeks ago. I feel bigger, though. And the doc says I've gained 3 more pounds.



In other news, our car seats arrived today! Thanks, Uncle Steven!

18 Weeks...and a Lady of Leisure

Today was my last official day at school, and I'm feeling a lot of mixed emotions. Leaving work now was not doctor's orders, merely a suggestion, but I just want to do the right thing to keep this pregnancy going smoothly and keep those babies healthy. I feel guilty, though; I'm wondering, did I leave too soon? Couldn't I have kept working a few more weeks? It was really hard saying good-bye to the kids; this is my second year with a lot of them. There were lots of little hugs and "I'll miss you's," and I promised to come visit and attend the Valentine's Day party in a couple of weeks. It's just hard, realizing I won't be part of their everyday activities in the class anymore. However, being a preschool teacher isn't a job you can really do from a chair, and despite my best efforts to move around the room with the children when I can, I've been spending a lot of time sitting lately. It doesn't seem right to get paid for that.

So...I guess for the next few months, I'm a lady of leisure! I'm not sure what my days will be like. I worry that Kevin will come home from work and I'll still be in my bathrobe, staring blankly at the TV. Of course, there's plenty to do to get ready for the babies. And I'll be keeping busy working on my new business venture selling purses and bags as a consultant for Thirty-One (shameless plug). Hopefully, I'll quickly get into some sort of a routine and not become a total couch potato if I can help it.

As for how I'm feeling, I have really good days and then some discouraging days when it seems like everything hurts and there is no way to get comfortable - not sitting, standing, or lying. I'm still managing to sleep pretty well for the most part after my previous little bout with insomnia (which was mostly due to congestion), for which I'm so thankful. I wake up a lot - sometimes screaming from leg cramps, which terrifies Kevin, poor guy - but I almost always go back to sleep. Physical therapy is a no-go for my back/leg/nerve issue due to my TERRIFIC insurance company, but...I just ordered a cheap-o $15 maternity belt off of Amazon and I have to say, so far it's fantastic!! It lifts up my ever-expanding belly and takes some of the pressure off my back. I was skeptical at first, but now I'd highly recommend it. I think I'm going to give swimming a try, too.

Finally, I just want to reiterate how thankful I am and how blessed I feel to know so many generous, thoughtful, wonderful people! We just keep getting all this free baby stuff that people aren't using anymore. I LOVE going through all the clothes. I can't wait until there are little wiggly bodies in those outfits that I can snuggle!

Just For Fun: Things I Will Never Again Take For Granted

1. Being able to consume the following without a second thought: caffeinated beverages, artificially sweetened beverages, wine, cold deli meat, feta cheese
2. Sleeping on my stomach
3. Lying on my back
4. Being able to see (and reach) to shave my own legs :-)
5. Going for walks
6. Having a belly button
7. Taking medicine without having an "I shouldn't have taken that!" meltdown afterward
8. Accepting aches and pains as a part of life instead of wondering if I need to go to the ER every time I have one
9. A day without aches and pains
10. What a blessing it is to be able to bring children into the world! Once my girls get here, I pray that I never take them for granted for a single day.

Quick Update After Our Looooong Ultrasound

Today was the day of the big Level II ultrasound/anatomy scan! During this ultrasound, the doctor looked at pretty much everything: brains, spines, hearts, kidneys, bladders, noses and lips, and even fingers. Multiply that times three babies and you can imagine how tiresome it was! Totally worth it, though, to get a good report. Mommy was struggling a little (being on my back does not agree with me - the last two ultrasounds, I've come close to fainting!) but the important thing is that all three babies looked really good. The tech was so patient, bless her heart. She must have thought I was pretty high maintenance, but I couldn't help it - there was NO getting comfortable on that table. I just had to keep flipping from side to side, and then eventually she just let me sit all the way up for Baby C, who is pretty high up in this big belly of mine. We are so thankful that there were no problems or abnormalities detected today. The doctor did say he wants to take a better look at all three hearts next time, but not because he's concerned or worried about anything; they just had trouble getting a really good view of all the heart chambers because of the way the babies were positioned (or perhaps because of the way Mommy was flopping all around like a beached whale, although they never said that). Also, no little parts showed up today that weren't there the last time. Still girls! We're narrowing down names - it's harder than you might think!

16 Week Belly Shot

Getting bigger by the minute! Might be about time to retire the large pants and move on up to XL! Decided to go for a short hair cut, which has already been dubbed by a co-worker as "serious mom hair." Whatever makes life easier!

Drumroll, please......

Yesterday I went in for what I thought was just an OB appointment, no ultrasound. But when they sent me into the ultrasound room anyway, I didn't argue. (What's another few hundred bucks added onto our already ridiculous medical bills? By the way, thanks again, insurance company. You rock.) So, I'm sitting there, anxiously waiting for them to pick up the heartbeat of Baby A when the tech asks very nonchalantly, "Do you want to know what you're having?"

I think I was just frozen for a good 5 minutes, at least. I didn't even bring Kevin to the appointment; we were NOT planning on obtaining this information until our big Anatomy Scan next week. I didn't want to find out without him there, but I knew I couldn't wait a whole week, so...I had them write down the genders and seal it up in an envelope that Kevin and I could open together. And as soon as I got out of that office, I drove straight to his work and called him to come outside. For some reason, we were both really nervous! It didn't help that they actually sealed up three separate envelopes, one for each baby. So, we took turns opening, and we learned that...

Baby A is a girl
Baby B is a girl
Baby C is a...................girl!!!

To which Kevin responded, "I love you! And, I guess this means we're not done yet."
To which I responded, "No comment."

Of course, we realize that sometimes things can "hide," but as of today, our triplets are little princesses! Bring on the pink! I'm trying to imagine what our house will be like 15 years from now when Prom Season rolls around, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. I'm just ecstatic that they're all still growing and still healthy. Can't wait to meet our girls!

Hospital & NICU Tour

Today we made the trek to our chosen hospital for the big tour. The "bum leg" was already doing it's burning thing before we made it out of the tunnel connecting the parking garage to the hospital. Luckily, the lady giving the tour took one look at my hobbling and immediately grabbed a wheelchair. So, I got to sit back and enjoy being pushed around by my hubby. He only ran me into something two or three times, so we considered that part to be a success.

Some things we learned:
-Hospitals actually have intern sleeping rooms, just like on Grey's Anatomy!
-The interns don't really look like the ones on Grey's Anatomy!
-When the time comes, I'll actually go in through the Emergency entrance, and then be taken straight up to the Birthing Center
-That's because it's highly unlikely I'll just show up for a scheduled C-section. Most likely, "something will happen" that will require me to be admitted, and then it will just be a matter of "eeking out some more time" until it's safe for the babies to be born, or until they HAVE to be born, safe or not
-It's possible that one triplet could be born and then the others could be kept in for a while. Not probable, but possible. Case in point: one triplet in the NICU was born New Year's Eve, then the siblings arrived a week later. So they were born in different years!
-Unfortunately, the New Year's Eve baby we saw was one sick little peanut, born at only 23 weeks. I've never seen anything so tiny, and I cried all the way home. (Kept it together at the hospital though!) But, that little one was ALIVE and still surviving. Gotta have HOPE!
-The hospital doesn't rent out breast pumps. And the ones they recommend for pumping at home are very, very expensive. Hmmm, a new Registry idea? And, I will have to supplement with formula. It's pretty much a given with three.
-All three babies will be cared for by the same team, but they may not be in the same room/nursery. They don't do co-bedding there (I think for liability - the chance of SIDS increases), which makes me sad.

There was more - lots more - but my head is kind of spinning from all the info and the emotions it stirred up. Going to lie down for a while and pray that I don't have to go back there until May at the earliest!

15 Weeks and Slowing Down

I love Thursdays, because that's the day I get to count off another week of pregnancy. When the wait seems unbearable (which is pretty much all the time), it helps tremendously to be able to add another number to my weekly progress.

At 15 weeks, there is no longer any question as to whether or not I'm pregnant. Not that I've tried to keep it a secret (obviously), but at least three people (parents that I hadn't yet told) came up to me at school this week and said, "Oh my! You're expecting! I had no idea." Um, really? I know I wasn't thin to start with, but did people really think I was just packing on that much weight that fast? (And doesn't word generally travel much faster than that in a small school/office/company/whatever?) I guess I HAVE been wearing mostly baggy clothes to work, primarily for the comfort factor. But, baggy clothes or no, there's really no hiding it anymore. As the kids love to say, there are babies in there!! It's pretty much obvious to the world now.

As for work, it's become apparent this week that I'm almost done. My body is making it clear that it's ready to be resting at home all day, despite what our wallets are telling us. I'm attempting to make it to the end of January, but to be honest, I don't know if that's going to happen. I have a doctor's appointment coming up on Tuesday and I'm anxious to talk with them about everything I've been feeling recently. I'm going to see what their opinions are about work and consider their advice...but based on what my body is telling me right now, I'd say I'll do well to finish out the upcoming week. I'm sad to leave, worried about the inconvenience of leaving so quickly, and of course concerned about the boredom factor and the financial strain of not working, BUT...staying healthy, and thus keeping my babies healthy, is absolutely more important than any of those things.

Our first step in easing the financial stress: we've decided to become a one-car family for a while. Once I'm for sure done with work, we're going to be selling my Jeep back to Carmax. Although we just bought it in September and we'll still have a few payments to make after we sell it, we know it will save money in the long run. Eventually we'll probably be looking for a used van - or something van-sized with room for three carseats - with a smaller price tag, but for now, we'll be sharing Kevin's paid-off Corolla. It's going to be tough, but hey, so is everything else in our lives! Like everything else, we'll find a way to make it work.

I wish I could update everyone on the babies with this post, but that will have to wait. This is probably the longest I've gone without an ultrasound, and although there isn't one scheduled at my upcoming appointment on Tuesday, I might just demand one for reassurance. Now, the trick is to stay busy until then - hard to do for someone as impatient and anxious as me. Oh well. I'm going to be an expert at waiting by the time this is all over.

Our hospital tour is set for Monday! Should be interesting, especially since I can't walk for more than 10-15 minutes at a time without my left leg burning/tingling/going numb (the doc thinks my uterus is pressing on a nerve). Yep, I am definitely slowing down.