34 Weeks

Here I am at 34 weeks.

Went to the Doctor yesterday and was surprised to find out that I am dilated to a 4.  That is borderline active labor.  I was also having some contractions yesterday, that was a little concerning to the doctor.  I have to go back to the doctor in just a couple days to check on me again.  But as long as I don't get up the contractions lessen.  So the doc sent me home with instructions to come back when I am in actual labor. The doctor also moved up my scheduled C section date to Feb 1.  If I go into labor before then the doctor is no longer concerned with how the babies are doing, and confident that we will be able to deliver with minimal risk to the four of us.

So bottom line we are down to 2 weeks or less!  I'm excited and a little nervous to meet these three little miracles.  I feel like the first time mother who just isn't sure she can do this, only it is times three!

Lets keep some positive vibes coming this way! I'm really hoping to make it to February 1.

32 weeks, in the home stretch!

Here we are.  Lincoln got so excited when he saw we were taking pictures, that we had to take a photo with him.  Plus it kind of shows how he can hide right in front of me!

So I thought I would explain the myriad of doctors that I see on a regular basis.  I originally was seeing my OB who works at Lakeview hospital.  When we found out we were having triplets, we also found out we could not deliver at Lakeview hospital, so we had to switch OB's to a high risk OB. Also our OB office did not have a sonogram machine that would be adequate for triplets.  At 19 weeks they sent me to a specialist,  also known as a perinatologist (I think).  At these appointments I get an ultrasound by a technician, where they usually measure the babies, make sure everything looks good and make sure I am not showing signs of preterm labor.  Then the perinatologist comes in and talks to me and makes all the decisions about my care.  But they can prescribe medications, or deliver the babies.  They then tell the OB how to do his job.  So far we have been to see the perinatologist every 2 weeks, and have only seen the same one a couple of times.  We switched to our high risk OB at 30 weeks, and have seen him twice.  Aside from waiting forever in his office, he takes my weight, prescribes me medications, orders blood draws and everything else the perinatologist has told him to do.  He will do the delivery at St. Marks Hospital.  We see him every 2 weeks. Then we also do what is called NST (non stress test). In these appointments I lie on a bed while they put a monitor on each baby to monitor heart rate.  The idea is to get a continuous heart rate on all the babies for at least 20 minutes.  They also have to do this basically at the same time to make sure they are not monitoring the same baby each time.  This has been incredibly hard so far.  These appointments take forever, and usually end in at least one of the babies not having the sufficient monitoring because the kids like to wiggle and move and kick each other and the monitors right off my belly! We do NST every week.  So we have 2 doctor appointments every week. We try to schedule them at the same time so that we don't have to drive the 45 minutes more than once a week.

Anyway,  we just had our new OB doc appointment.  His name is Dr Watts and we really like him.  He said we were doing great, and at 32 weeks we have passed the worst with the babies and premature birth.  He would like for us to make it another 2 weeks.  After 34 weeks he would deliver us without worry.  If we don't naturally go into labor before 37 weeks (a week longer than my original goal) he will deliver the babies anyway.  So he set up a preliminary C section date for the second week of February.

Next week we go to the perinatologist and hopefully they measure the babies.  Last week all the babies measured between 3 and a half and 4 pounds.  Im so proud of my little ones and how they are growing.

On other exciting news, Jared finally got a set schedule for work so it is being much easier to set up help for when he is not here.  He does so much for our family and is taking care of meals (cooking and planning).  He does all the grocery shopping, taking care of the kids, and the house.  He is amazing even finding time for his school work.  Then he still works full time.  Im so lucky to be going through this process with him.

My body was made for triplets!

I went to the specialist doc today and I am doing so awesome!  All the babies are perfect and growing.  They didn't measure this week, but said everything looks so good.  I'm 29 weeks, and measure already at more than full term (for one baby).  It is getting harder to get around and up and down, but I am impressed with how well my body is handling the added stress of the extra babies.

So lets start at the beginning of this week.  We went to the hospital to have our first of weekly monitoring.  So basically that means we went in and they put a heart doppler monitor on each baby and listened to the heart beat for 20-30 min.  This sound like it would be easy, but it took a total time of about 2 hours.  First we had to find each baby, and then they would move.  However, the hardest thing for me was the way I was sitting!  for some reason I started to get sick, and I couldn't roll on my side because they needed access to my belly.  I ended up vomiting and almost passing out before they rolled me over to the other side and I was fine.  It was strange.  I have not gotten sick in months.  I guess the added weight on my blood return vessels was too much, or maybe it was the way the babies were sitting.  I have not felt that way before or since, no matter how I am sitting or laying down.  Well, we finally got that done, and then they gave me a steroid shot.  OUCH! It is my first steroid shot and it is a round of 2 shots given 24 hours apart.  Lucky for me, they let us take home the second dose and Jared shot me at home the next day.  Hopefully I wont have to get more.  They will give me another round if I start having early labor and they think the babies will come too early.  But as my body is awesome, and we are not delivering until between 36-37 weeks (full term for a single baby is 40 weeks), we might not even need them then.

Today we had our specialist appointment, and it was quick and relatively painless.  I don't love the pelvic exam, I guess it is one of those necessary evils. :) I have one at least every 2 weeks, and every time it is the same.  "You are AWESOME!" (which is always nice to hear...)

Here is a pic of me at 29 weeks.

Im starting to have a hard time finding shirts that cover my belly all the way, so if you see a little skin in the future Im sorry, and doing my best. :)

One day at a time

So a few days ago Jared got sick. REALLY sick, and then he decided to go to the doctor on Thursday, but the power was out all over, and he couldnt find a clinic. So he called Friday to go in. The doctor decided it might be meningitis, and did a spinal tap. Sure enough it is meningitis. But lucky for us it looks like it is viral, so that means it isn't highly contageouse or nearly as dangerous as it could be. But he still was admitted into the hospital for observation, and if it does turn out to be bacterial. The day he checked into his hotel I checked into mine.

I'm staying at my moms for a few days. That way she feeds me and takes care of my kids. It was great this morning because she went to bath the kids and I lay back down and fell asleep. Then the next thing I know she is traipsing into the room with hot lunch. Yum. Plus it had sides and juice. Way more than I would have had at home. Also I don't have to change the diapers or practice bedside parenting!

I do miss being home and will probably spend my days split between home and my moms. If Jared has a long work stretch I will likely come down here, and on the days when Katelyn has school I will do my best to get her there. I will do this as long as I can physically get around, or until ordered to stop.

We also finally got the mess in our bedroom taken care of. We had a leak issue, and much of the wall and all the carpet had to be replaced. We have had our bed in the living room for a month. We will move back in and start rearranging furniture when we can, and when we get help. I can't do anything, and Jared will be restricted for a while. But things are moving forward and it will be great to get that room back.

My spirits are much higher, and I'm getting excited. I will be 28 weeks this Tuesday, and that is a huge milestone for the babies. Plus that means only 2 months (8 weeks) until my goal of 36 weeks. I'll post a pic Tuesday after we take our weekly growth shot.

Feeling sorry for myself

I can tell you now this is not going to be a happy post. But I have really been feeling sorry for myself these last few days, and at least wanted to write it down for when I forget and remember this time as all sunshine and roses. I'm just really tired of being pregnant. I'm tired of not being able to take care of my kids, my house, and my family. I'm tired of hurting, and being sick, and not sleeping, and having to pee every second, and not being able to get up and get a drink of water.

I hate the doctors' offices. I see a specialist twice a month and the OB at least once a month. Today the specialist told me I would be going into be monitored once a week from now on. I don't know what that means or how long it will take, but I feel like it is another thing to stress me out. It is like she said "you need to stay in bed, but go to the doctor 4 more times a month, on top of what you are already doing!" She also told me I needed more bed rest. She said the more I am in bed the better off I am. A nice way of saying "every time you get up is closer to me sticking you in the hospital"

Plus today I went through the NICU tour and it didn't make me feel more comfortable about having babies that will be so early they will spend their time living in a square box. Babies I won't even be able to hold.

On top of that my kids are out of control. There is only so much "parenting" I can do from the bed. And I have learned there is a lot they can get into. I used to think my house was pretty well baby proofed, but everyday it is another mess that I have to leave for someone else to clean up. A couple days ago it was magic marker on the walls and each other. Today it is saline and lotion on EVERYTHING! And the worst is I think to myself "they are playing together really quiet, and not fighting.... I should check on them." but then I don't get up for ten min, so that I can use the bathroom at the same time and only get up once.

Anyway I know it is so much hormonal. I know I am just feeling sorry for myself when I really have so much to be grateful for. I know it won't last forever. Still sometimes I guess I just need to have me a good cry. Then I just keep going. Everyday I can keep going is huge for the babies. 1 day is equal to 3 NICU days. The most important thing is that I stay positive.

Another triplet mom told me that when I look down at those tiny babies fighting for life I will either feel like I did all I could to give them the best chance, or I will be kicking myself and feeling like if I had just taken it a little easier would they be better off? I want to know I did all I could for my miracle babies.


Positively.... I did get good news at the doctor today. My babies all look really good. They were kicking and punching each other the whole ultrasound. They now weigh 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4 pounds. That is great news that they are all so close. And great news they are all over 2 pounds. I have also reached the third trimester (I think.... Maybe not till the end of week 27... Who knows?).

My many blessings

Today my mom came up to help me do inventory on the shower gifts we received for the babies this last couple weeks.  It was amazing.  I was constantly taken back by how generous and kind everyone has been.  I have been amazed at the outpouring of love, help, and support we have and continue to receive everyday.   I know there is no way we could do this alone and I know the Lord knew that when he brought us to this ward.  I want to thank everyone for the support and help.  Thanks for the monetary and physical help.  These babies are already so loved and they have not even finished the journey to get here.

I wont bore you with the many gifts we received, except to say we need very few things at this point.  We did have to exchange a few duplicates and things to fill in the gaps, but I am feeling much more prepared for these miracles to join our family.  I do want to mention something that is particularly amazing to me.  The other day Jared and I came home to find someone had bought us 2 brand new cribs and dropped them off with grandpa.  I thought it was a joke at first because it was so amazing and I had never imagined anyone so generous.  This person told grandpa they wished to remain anonymous, and that we would never know who this amazing blessing came from.  I didn't and still don't know whether to laugh or cry.  It is just such a blessing.

We also continue to have help coming in to clean for about an hour 2 times a week.  The kind ladies come and clean up my kitchen, and vacuume my floors (something I have not been able to do in months) and will take the kids laundry and bring it back all clean.  I don't think you will ever know how much this helps my family.  This short hour of service is something I cant do.  It changes the feel in my home, and helps me in so many ways to better take care of my family.  It also frees up time for Jared to do his homework and actually get to spend some time with the kids (and they need that so much from him especially right now).

Then there are those who come take my little kids everyday and play with them and get them out of the house so I can rest and they can play.  This is such a blessing to me, and gives the children so much joy.  I miss them so much while they are away, but always know they are being well taken care of.

I know this isn't forever, and that is what gives me the strength to keep going.  I know that right now all I can do for my babies is rest.  The longer and more I rest, the longer I will be able to stay out of the hospital and the longer I will be able to carry my babies, giving them the best chance as they start this life.  I have always had a hard time asking for help, and accepting help, so this has been a huge learning and growing experience.

Thank you to everyone who finally wouldn't let me say no to the help, and could see that I needed more help even when I was refusing to believe it.  I love you and appreciate you.

This pic is from Halloween, but I had to share my blessings and these two are at the top of my list!

Cravings

I am loving potatoes right now.  I pretty much could eat them all day everyday.  I will eat them any way there is to eat potatoes.  Some of my favorites are: hash browns, smashed with gravy, baked with sour cream and gravy, twice baked, fries, cheesy.... yummmm.

I found this online and it looks really goood!!!!

The funny thing that I am craving that I normally don't like is crushed ice.  It is funny to me because I have always been a "no ice please" kind of person.  Now I  cant get enough of the crushed ice.  My favorite is the soft pellet like ice they have at hospitals.  I still have not sent my husband to the hospital with a cooler to fill, but I admit the thought has crossed my mind.