Triplets on Tax Day??

Well we are down to the wire and I think everyone is sitting on pins and needles at this point. The absolutely wonderful news is that we are 32 weeks today!!! As my doctor said today, "32 weeks is a great place to be." After being told all the risks involved in this pregnancy and all the things that might go wrong or could go wrong, it is really nice to hear we are at a good place. I'm not naive enough to think there may not be any problems to come, but I feel very blessed to have come this far. With all that said, last Monday I began having regular contractions. Luckily, I was at the doctor already so they were able to watch me on the monitor. My primary OB was out of town all week, and the OB I saw was one familiar with my case. She has a very different outlook on things than I do. Her line of thinking was "you have made it this far and it is farther than a lot of women carrying twins. I don't think we would stop you if you go into labor." My way of thinking is, if my body is handling everything ok, the babies are ok, then I want them to stay put for as long as possible. Luckily, my primary OB feels the same way. After last Monday things settled down and my contractions have not been as frequent. They still come and go, but not nearly as intense. Today, everything looked great! It was the quickest NST I have had and we were done with monitoring in about 30 minutes. Via ultra sound today, the fluid looks good, babies look good. Caroline and Ethan are head up and Gabe is head down and sitting pretty low. I feel he is the reason for a lot of my discomfort. I am not dialted, which to the doctors and nurses is shocking, but they are pleased. My cervix is softer than before, but not by much. Next Monday they will do a growth ultra sound to see approximately how much the babies are weighing. Dr. Christine says this will go a long way in helping us determine where we are headed with delivering them. IF all looks good then she will let me go unil week 35 which happens to fall on tax day. She will not let me go past Wednesday of that week. IF I make it until week 35 there is a possibility of not having a NICU stay. IF the babies are not gaining like they should or something looks unusual on the ultra sound Monday, then she will schedule me for week 34. So let's all be happy for once about April 15th and pray for tax day!!! :) We are all taking everything one day at a time. Michael is working, what seems to be, around the clock to make sure everything is perfect. Tripp is getting more and more excited. He is also a lot more clingy and knows that changes are happening. He loves Ragball and I think it is a great distraction for him and will continue to be. He kisses the babies often and tells me that my tummy is getting so big and it is going to pop. :) Thank you all so much for your prayers and words of encouragement. It means the world to us. Keep the prayers coming, they have gotten us this far!! Love!!!

Four weeks or less

Today I am 30 weeks and 1 day!! Big accomplishment. :) We are very excited about how far we have come, but pray we can make it a few more weeks. My appointment lat Monday went well and there was really no change to report, but last Wednesday I began relapsing with the respiratory infection and by Friday definitely knew I had to see the doctor. After a few tests it was determined I had bronchitis and a sinus infection. Neither of those surprised me. They gave me more medicine...not overly fond of taking medicine, but I knew if I didn't I would end up with pneumonia and then I would really be in trouble. Since Friday I have been feeling better, not great, but better. I am learning the art of sleeping sitting up. I literally have to stand up to switch sides in the bed. I will never take being able to roll over for granted again!! I woke up this morning feeling especially light headed and dizzy. It really was strange. We went to the doctor where I get monitored first. The babies' activity and my stats looked good. No real answer for shortness of breath or feeling woozy. They did a growth ultra sound today which We were excited about. Ethan is weighing about 3 pounds 3 oz.; Gabe is about 2 pounds 13 oz. Caroline was laying in an awkward position that made her difficult to measure. They measured her at about 3 pounds 13 oz., but she is probably not quite that big. Either way, very happy at their weight gain. When I talked to the doctor she seems concerned that my respiratory situation is not better than what it is. She is happy with babies' growth and weight gain. The doctors in the group are having a meeting tomorrow to discuss "complicated patients," which I guess includes me. :) Ideally, she wants me to make it to at least 32 weeks. Ideally, I would like to make it to at least 34 weeks. My stomach is measuring between 42-44 weeks. She is supposed to call me later this week and tell me what they are all thinking. Please say a prayer they let me keep going until 34 weeks. I know two weeks may not seem like a lot, but every day right now is better for them. Even if she has to monitor me in the hospital for a couple of weeks, I'd rather they do that than take them earlier than absolutely necessary. I am so thankful God has brought us this far and pray He will let us go a few more weeks. Keep us close in prayers as we get very close to the big day. We will know more of a plan in the next couple of days. It is hard to believe that we are already at the end of this journey and about to begin another. Love!

"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!!

Grow Little Beans, Grow!!!

What a crazy weekend! I have to say I am very thankful for family, and this weekend, most especially thankful for my mom. There were too many things going on and I was stressed just watching everyone else working around me. Saturday was Tripp's birthday party. We kept it low key and simple. I did my best to keep my place on the couch, but had to get up to see him open presents and blow out his candle. I over did it and paid for it. After his party I went straight to bed and slept for four hours and learned that I am on bedrest for a reason. Saturday night they went to the circus and Michael sent me lots of pictures so I wouldn't feel so left out :). Yesterday was my shower and part of me was tempted to try and sneak out, but common sense kicked in and I stayed laying on the couch. The kindness and generosity of people definitely filled my heart and I am just so very thankful for the outpouring of love and support. All the pictures were beautiful and everyone involved out did themselves. Well today was a big day at the doctor. I was pretty concerned that she might put me back in the hospital. I had my ultra sound done first. The babies are measuring in the 38-43 percentile. They all are weighing about 1.5 pounds and measuring at almost 24 weeks each. This is all amazing and God has taken care of as I am right at 24 weeks, and just stand in awe that the babies are right on track. Why are we always surprised when we see God answering our prayers?? The doctor checked me out and everything continues to look great. She is keeping me on my medication and bedrest at home. I am not happy about bedrest, but I will take my bed over a hospital bed any day!! So, really it was the best possible news I could have gotten. From here I go back in a week. I will go straight to labor and delivery to be monitored for contractions and then back up to the office for ultra sound and doctor visit. This is a critical time for development and we are going to do everything we can to keep these babies in place for another 8-10 weeks. Thank you for the all the messages, phone calls, and most importantly prayers. If I haven't been able to return a phone call or email, I am sorry. The medication lowers my blood pressure and then usually puts me to sleep. Just know we have felt everyone's love, support, and prayers. Thank you doesn't seem to be the word that fits, but that is all we can say. Well that and grow baby beans, grow!!

And So It Begins

Thank you everyone for the recent prayers and well wishes. Wednesday morning I took my iron supplement. An hour later I got really sick with vomiting. Soon after being sick my stomach began cramping and the cramping continued most of the day. It wasn't strong enough for me to be overly concerned, and I wasn't sure if it was just an upset stomach from the iron pill. I went to bed and woke up Thursday, not feeling great, but better. Luckily, I already had a doctor's appointment that morning. I was fine until I got to the hospital. By the time I got in the office, my stomach hurt so much I could hardly talk. Once I sat down, the pain went away.i didn't figure this was good going to be great news. I saw the doctor and she immediately shipped me off to labor and delivery. A little while on the monitor and it was confirmed I was having some small contractions. Unfortunately, with three, nothing is treated as "small," so being admitted was not a question. They began me on medal and fluids and soon the contractions stopped. Everything stayed quiet overnight and am not dilated, which is good. The babies look great on ultra sound and monitors. The OB called this irritability contractions. See let me go home today where I am to remain on bed rest. I go back on Monday for a follow up. For those unfamiliar with pregnancy and labor I will elaborate a little...because I don't know a ton either. :) some contractions are normal and do not indicate preterm labor. It is hard to be sure which contractions mean what, but as long as they are controlled the concern stays low. I will begin weekly mo into ring now in labor and delivery at least once a week and continue my meds to control contractions. Dr. Christine, the OB, did warn me that it is not unusual for women carrying triplets to end up staying on bed rest in the hospital for an extended period of time. This came us no surprise and we have been preparing ourselves for this to happen. If they do this, it is no reason to panic, it is just the best way to watch the babies and me to ensure the best care. The good news I'm home, the not so great news, I'm on bedrest. This throws a whole kink in my entire weekend. Tripp's party is Saturday and I have a shower on Sunday. I can work it out with the party that we can at least do cake and presents at our house. The shower,on the other hand, is not going to be as easy. I missed my shower with my first pregnancy because of bedrest and it looks as though I will be missing my second one. I never have enjoyed being the center of attention. Perhaps this is my bodies way of getting out of it. ;) Either way, Michael gets to be the stand in pregnant woman. I should make him stuff a pillow underneath his shirt. Good thing he loves me. The next few weeks will be very telling and I am thinking pretty eventful. 23 weeks is the week of viability and that is where I am. This means if the babies were born they have a good chance of surviving in the NICU. I am still praying for 34 weeks and I know every extra moment is better for everyone. Please keep us in your prayers...and if you see Michael Sunday afternoon, give him a hug. Love to all. :)