"How long are you in bed mommy?"

Well the babies aren't even here yet and I am already having a hard time keeping up the blog. :) I am winding down my 28th week which is a huge milestone in the pregnancy. I feel like we should have a party. After this week there is a big decrease in the chances for several disabilities. Last week (27 weeks) I had another growth ultra sound done and Caroline weighed 1 pound 15 oz, Gabe weighed 2 pounds 2 oz, and Ethan weighed 2 pounds 4 oz. The doctor was happy with their growth and my progress. Their growth will be checked again in a couple of weeks. Last Wednesday I came down with a terrible sinus/respiratory infection. Luckily I did not have to be put in the hospital, but Thursday night I did tell Michael I thought I was going to die. :) When you think not much could be more difficult than being pregnant with triplets, I assure you, being that sick and this pregnant took the cake. I am happy to say that a round of antibiotics and a week later, I feel much better. Being on bedrest is hard and more so the past couple of weeks than others. The babies are getting bigger and I get fatigued much more quickly when I am on my feet, even for a short time. So, most all day every day I spend in my bed, not even getting up to lay on the couch anymore. I received some very sad news last week when a wonderful, previous coworker of mine was killed in a car accident. She was an amazing person who did amazing things for the special needs children she taught. It broke my heart that I was unable to attend her memorial service. That realization was hard to swallow. Then, on top of that my sweet four year old came home from preschool the other day and says, "how long are you in bed mommy?" That statement brought tears to my eyes. He brings books to me and crawls in bed and watches tv with me, but it is hard not to be able to get up and with him outside, or to the store, or anywhere for that matter. In the long run, it will be so worth it, but it is hard and to say it isn't would be a lie. I am very lucky to have a loving, patient husband and a mom who is willing to sacrifice her weekends to drive here and help us out as much as possible. Both of our families have just been so supportive and I don't think there is anyone in our family who hasn't done something to help us. We are blessed and don't take for granted our friends and family. The goal is 34 weeks and that date is quickly closing in on us. I am trying to look at it as the more miserable I am, the healthier the babies will be. :) Again, please just continue keeping us in your thoughts and prayers over these next few weeks. Every week they stay put is a bonus! Thank you all for sharing this experience with us and the many more to come!!

Sweet but Uncooperative Babies

Lots going on in our world. We are 26 weeks into our pregnancy today. We started the morning with my trip to labor and delivery to be monitored. What normally takes a singleton pregnancy 20 minutes or so, took this mommy of three 2 hours! These babies refused to sit still. :) Two nurses and an ultra sound machine later they gave up on getting them all at the same time. The poor nurse had to resort to hold one monitor on my stomach at a time and chase the heart beat. Next we saw the ultra sound tech who did a couple of 4-d pictures. The bottom baby, who we haven't decided on a name yet, gave us a sweet picture and Caroline did too. Gabe, however, did not want to have his picture made. So maybe next time. I saw the dr and everything looks great. I received my first steroid shot today and go back tomorrow for the second. We will continue weekly visits. Week after next I get my blood sugar checked....not looking forward to that. If everything continues to go well, it looks like we will schedule these babies for a C-section the first or second week in April. We are praying very hard we make it. On the home front we are making progress....or Michael, family, and friends are making progress. I am laying in a bed watching. We have sweet friends that are painting a tree with animals in the nursery. I have lots of boy clothes but I need to get busy buying some girl clothes. Michael and I are trying to include Tripp in as much as we can with all the baby "stuff" so he doesn't feel left out. We have also been trying to make extra family time for the three of us. It is a sweet time for us, but a twinge of sadness knowing how fast four years flew by and in a few short weeks our family of three will officially become a family of six. If the memories to come are as a great as the memories we have already made then I can't wait. Looking forward to seeing my sweet, uncooperative babies in person...just not for a few more weeks!!

Another week come and gone.....

Today began my 25th week. With every week I become more excited and more anxious. I know how critical the next few weeks are for the development of these babies and all my energy is going into making sure I am doing what I need to do to keep them in my tummy. This weekend was a lot less eventful than last. Tripp had to go to the doctor on Saturday with fever, congestion, etc. Luckily, it was nothing too serious. The doctor ruled out strep, pnemonia, and mono. He said it was just a virus of the tonsils and would just have to run its course. He is feeling much better today and got to go to school. I know how exhausted my husband has to be from juggling everything: me, Tripp, work, and all the house hold duties. It would be a lot for anyone. Never once has he complained (or lost his mind). There are just not enough words for what he means to me because I could not be doing this without him. I would not have imagined that some thing like this would have brought a couple closer, especially since we are closer than most, but it has. Needless to say, he deserves a husband of the year award. I went to the doctor today and spent most of my day there. My sweet friend Lisa went with me for moral support. Friends are good assets in any part of life, but I am most thankful for them at times like these. I went to labor and delivery and was put on the monitors for about an hour. Next I went upstairs for ultra sound and doctor visit. Everything looks great. The babies look good and I am doing great. The doctor, again, seemed pretty excited. I go back next week for my steroid shots. One will be given on Monday and I will go back Tuesday for my second. This will expedite the development of the babies. I will be monitored again and checked via ultra sound and doctor. After next week I will continue weekly visits but it will become a waiting game. She said she would not hesitate to take them at 32 weeks, but she definitely would not let me exceed 34 weeks. I know I will take a big sign of relief after the 30 week mark. :) Ultimately, no big news and that is just fine with me. I think most people would probably tell me to enjoy it while it lasts. :) Please keep the prayers coming!!