25w checkup

Well today was the glucose test. I have heard so many terrible things about it but it was a piece of cake. I had to drink the little bottle of chilled orange drink in 5 minutes. It tastes like flat sunkist. 

I got all checked in, bp 132/86, a little high for me. Hopefully a fluke related to my anxiety about the glucose test since I didn't know what to expect. 

Had our ultrasound and she was the fastest thank goodness. I had to sit up three times because I was hot, dizzy and felt like I was sweating. I don't know what it is about that table but we aren't friends!

All babies looked great. Ali weighed 1.9, Sadie 1.10 and Ray 1.9.

Next I went down the hall to get blood drawn for my test, we will find out in a day or two if I passed. 

Then we saw Dr. Jamie and measure my cervix. It was at 3.9 which is great!

So we are moving right along. We talked about my discomforts and my daily routine. We talked about the NICU and if the babies come today they have a good fighting chance. We also talked about pediatricians and she liked my choice. She actually went to school with her. 

So our tentative c-section is September 9th. Dr. Jamie is off that day but she said that was good, she wouldn't have anything else to do.

We go back in 2 weeks on the 16th! Babies should be able to reach 2lbs for my birthday!

BabyQ

Saturday was my last baby shower hosted by my awesome work friends, Caroline and Steve.
The men played a clothes pin game where you can't say baby or you lose it.  Steve won that game although some professed they didn't know how to play.
We ate so much food with a table full of appetizers and then dinner.

Dinner was fruit, salads, potatoes, baked beans, pork tenderloin and ribs.  The list goes on with Ms. Patti Hall making her famous chocolate sheet cake (YUM)!
We had a good time watching soccer and sitting on the deck and talking.
Presents were too much fun with my little helper Gia Papapavlou!  She did such a good job and we all joked that she probably has a future in sanitation since her favorite thing was throwing all the tissue paper away.  She was just a doll!

It was a really fun baby shower and excuse for us all to hang out :)
Thanks to my amazing work friends and their generosity.  This shower looked like a bottle themed party :)

24 Weeks

How far along: 24 weeks 0 days WOOHOO!!!! WE MADE IT!!!!
Baby's size: Cantaloupe or the length of an ear of corn, 12 inches long weighing about 1.4lbs.
Baby's Development: The babies' skin is gradually becoming less opaque and getting the new pink glow thanks to the small capillaries that have recently formed.  The balance controlling inner ear has developed so now the babies can tell if they are right side up or upside down.
Gender: It has been confirmed, (2) girls, Ali & Sadie and (1) boy, Ray.
Weight gain: 44lbs on track to meet my 50-60lb weight gain. 

Maternity clothes: Still having difficulty finding them to cover my belly but dear old mom found one that works.  I also found that putting my little "too short" dress to work as a long shirt and some capri leggings works really well and is very comfy.

Stretch marks: I  have some pink vein kind of looking things on my lower stomach.  I am not only lathering with lotion every morning but with baby oil every night.  My cousin said oil really helped her and I'm up for anything!

Belly button in or out: Out for sure now.  It is progressively looking more un-human by the day.  I don't think I have ever seen an outie that looked like mine!
Wedding ring on or off: Half on, I am wearing my wedding band. 

Sleep: Still no real change here although I find myself needing more naps like when I was first pregnant.  Strange how you regress.

Symptoms: Rib pain from sitting in a straight back chair is probably the worst at this point.  Standing for more than about 10 minutes at a time causes things to feel very heavy down below.  Still have some congestion and heartburn also.  Ligament pain is normal for me now, it just makes moving much slower.
Food cravings: Most everything tastes delicious at this point.  I have enjoyed ice cream which prior to being pregnant I rarely ate due to lactose issues.

Food aversions: Nothing specific.
What I miss: Hanging out with my husband.  I just don't have the energy to sit at OC for long periods of time and well I don't have the energy to do much of anything which becomes depressing at times.  I also miss when people didn't reprimand me for doing things.  I know they mean well but I can't sit back and do nothing.  I will take a break when I need one.

Movement: Kyle finally felt the babies kick.  He was surprised when he finally felt it and jerked his hand away.  It does feel like an alien when you first feel it.  Now he is all about it.

Mood: If anything I have been more moody this week, I think I just feel a little left out at times.  Maybe it's because I am tired and want to hang out with my friends but my body is sore and exhausted mostly.  I did really well to sit in the floor last night and organize diapers.
Best moment this week: Baby shower of course!  Saturday was Mom/Ami's shower.  It was the Thing 1,2 and 3 theme.  Super cute decorations and it was so nice to see old friends and neighbors.  They all had such well wishes for me and the babies.
We also tested out the baby seats in my car and yes, they all fit in the back seat.  That gives us more time to find a new car.
Oh and I painted the tree on the girl's wall.  I think it turned out really cute, now I have to work on Ray's wall and then hang the letters.

Looking forward to: My fourth and last shower!  Hosted by my work friends Steve & Caroline.  This will be a BabyQ for couples from work.  Should be some delicious food!

Monday will be our 25 week appointment and I will do my glucose test.  Can't say I am looking forward to the test but I am looking forward to seeing the babies again.  I  like the reassurance that they are all good in there.  After this appointment we go to every two weeks. 
The shelf is up in the spare bedroom and diapers are organized but it's already pretty full so I guess larger sizes will shift to the basement for later.
Time to start gathering my items for my hospital bag and baby bag.  I've started a list from the triplet mom recommendations.  Crazy to think these babies will be here in 11 weeks!

Norton/NICU tour

Kyle and I went on our Hospital/NICU tour Thursday but I have put off posting about it because it was so much information!
So we started by meeting RN Melissa, she does all the tours of labor and delivery.  I had told her I wasn't supposed to be doing a lot of walking so if there was a lot that I may need to borrow a wheelchair.  She brought one and said she wanted to help keep the babies cooking as long as possible.
She started by showing us how to come in two hours early the morning of my C-section from the parking lot and where to go to check in.  Ironically it is the same triage area that we were in when I went to the ER at 15 weeks.  Once checked in they will hook me up in the recovery room.  Then take me across the hall to surgery.  I will only be able to have one person with me throughout the process.  Believe me, my mom is totally bummed!  But Kyle has his orders and I'm sure he will do fine.
Once in surgery she said they would have the babies out in minutes but the whole process would be about an hour to fix me up after the babies are born.  Hopefully they will be big healthy babies and I will get to see them as they come out.  Kyle's job is to get pictures but not to stand up!  Apparently if you stand up and see over the curtain, well it won't be good for him. lol
So following surgery I will go back to recovery for about 2 hours then they ship me off to my room where I will continue my recovery for another 4 hours before I can go see the babies.  That seems so long but I'm sure I will be so tired from all the meds.
When the babies come out they will each have their own nurse and neonatologist that will take them across the pedway to Kosair.  Kyle is allowed to follow and snap pictures as they go.  He isn't aloud to go in the NICU with them just yet.  She said they want about an hour to check them in and get them hooked up to whatever monitor they may need.  So he will return to me until further notice.
Melissa wheeled me over to the NICU for that tour which was given by Amanda, a very nice nurse.  She showed us around and told us what to expect.  We will only get to have 6 people on our list of NICU baby visitors which may turn difficult having three siblings between us. 
1. Mom
2. Dad
3. Sharon
4. Daryl
5. Mandy
6...... David or Todd.

Once they schedule my C-section they told me to call the charge nurse and talk with her about visitors.  So it sounded like we may be able to negotiate the 7th.
The NICU's goal is to get all babies together in what they call a "twin room".  It is a private room where you can place two incubators or cribs and they have enough monitoring that they can put three in there.  We would have our own private space with a couch, chair, rocker. They encourage us to hold them so there are monitor hook ups around the room so the babies can lay with you on the couch or in the chair. 
I am sorry friends/family, unfortunately the NICU has no windows so if you aren't on my above mentioned list you will not be able to see the babies besides pictures until they come home.
They told us we could bring in personal things for the babies and gave me these little cuddle knot things to put my smell on so they could put them in the crib with them.  I thought that was sweet.
Finally I asked about release of the babies.  I will be in the hospital about 5 days but the babies have to pass tests to get out. They have to have a CCHD test, hold their oxygen levels for 24 hours, gain weight and be able to hold their temperatures.
Now we just pray they make it to 35 weeks before coming out to visit and we should be in great shape!

Kleber baby shower

Mom and Ami made such a cute baby shower out of Dr.Seuss. 

Ami had everyone sign books for the babies and made that awesome diaper cake. Mom bought the babies the Thing 1,2 & 3 onsies with pacis and leg warmers. 

There was also personalized m&ms with baby names on them, super cute.

The food was great with cute Dr. seuss names like toadstool sandwiches and stink, stank stunk chips.

We attempted to make Thing cupcakes but no one told us the cotton candy would absorb the moisture from the icing and shrivel, they were still yummy!

Then there were games including name that Dr.Seuss book which was very hard since most of us haven't read any in many years! Then we played The Price is Right and wow I'm terrible at that game! Finally it was a word search that I was much better at but still lost. The games were lots of fun!

Finally gifts and there were a lot! I think this is the first shower that I had a lot of gifts from people that weren't there. We got lots more clothes, diapers, lotions and gift cards. I got bottles from Beacon and Simba (the cat and dog) and my brother got us the Baby Breeza. If you don't know you will have to look it up. It is a Keurig for baby formula! Awesome!

Sending a huge thanks to everyone from childhood friends to childhood neighbors and long time family friends. So nice to see everyone and a huge thanks to Mom and Ami!!!

23 Weeks

How far along: 23 weeks 0 days
Baby's size: Eggplant, 12 inches long weighing about 1.2lb.
Baby's Development: The babies' brain cells continue to develop and will control all of the baby's movements and sensory as well as basic life functions like breathing.  Major changes are underway with the lungs in the next few weeks which is why they are so critical.  Surfactant is being produced, a substance that enables the air sacs to inflate and the lungs to fully expand.
Gender: It has been confirmed, (2) girls, Ali & Sadie and (1) boy, Ray.
Weight gain: 41lbs on track to meet my 50-60lb weight gain. 

Maternity clothes: My; shirts are now barely covering my belly.  Thank goodness for those tank tops that extend the length.

Stretch marks: I  have some pink vein kind of looking things on my lower stomach.  I am not only lathering with lotion every morning but with baby oil every night.  My cousin said oil really helped her and I'm up for anything!

Belly button in or out: Out for sure now.  It is progressively looking more un-human by the day.  I don't think I have ever seen an outie that looked like mine!
Wedding ring on or off: Half on, I am wearing my wedding band. 

Sleep: Again, I don't really know what good sleep is anymore.  Kyle bought me some breath right strips and I try to stay up as long as I can so maybe I can sleep through the night better.  Last night I slept straight for a record 4 hours!

Symptoms: Belly stretching is a good one this week.  It feels just uncomfortable but that means babies are growing.  My legs are swelling by the end of the day.  Heartburn is still fun and the ligament pain is probably the worst.  It makes walking undesirable so I kind of stay put.  I can say Sunday was the first day that I think my discomfort effected my socialization.  Several people asked me if I felt ok.
Food cravings: Most everything tastes delicious at this point. 

Food aversions: Nothing specific.
What I miss: Being a busy body.  I can not compete with my husband in this category however I am not able to move about like I used to so I miss the simple things.  I would like to be able to hang out with my friends as late as I wanted and get up from a chair as many times as I want to go get things for myself.  Kyle calls me stubborn and I have to agree.  I hate asking people to do things for me.

Movement: We still have lots of movement.  They have been kind of in a pattern at certain times and when one gets going they all do which is good for me in the future.  I can knock it all out at once!

Mood: My mood has just recently been affected by my discomfort however I refuse to complain about it on a daily basis.  Yes, you can read about it in my blog but I don't want to dwell on it.  We prayed and prayed for these babies so my aches and pains are worth it.
Best moment this week: Baby shower of course!  Saturday was the Pass/Russell shower and I don't think I can even write enough to do justice to the planning skills of my sister in law.  She worked so hard on all the little details of the zoo theme.  It was darling!

Looking forward to: My third shower!  The next one is hosted at Mom's house.  It is Thing 1, 2 and 3!  Should be super cute if it all comes together. This shower is childhood friends, neighbors and a few of dad's side of the family. 
Also get to do our Labor & Delivery/NICU tour on Thursday.  Being the planner, I can not wait to learn more about how these babies will be brought into the world. That seems so crazy.  This whole time I have just been taking it day by day but in just 6 days they will be of viability and can survive if born!  That is just wild, we are really going to have three babies!
I ordered a shelf, thanks to Sheila & Brad Hardesty's gift card to organize the diapers that have taken over our spare bedroom.  We really don't have anywhere else to put things in there besides stacking them higher and higher.
We also have all three car seats from Mamaw & Papaw Russell.  That in itself seems strange that I need three of those things.  We have not tried them in the car yet but that is next on my list.  We need to see just how desperate we are for a new vehicle.
Another item on the list is drawing a tree in the nursery so we can paint above the cribs and get letters hung before I am incapable of moving. 
Oh yes and I saved the "free" baby stuff list and template letter so when the babies are born we can send out all the letters to get free formula, diapers etc.

Russell/Pass Shower

Well I goofed off at the house as long as I could till I finally left for the shower. It was hard to wait and not be involved in all the preparations. 

I arrived at Fern Creek Baptist at 1:42, mom met me at the car and said I couldn't go in yet. Boo! Finally about 5 minutes later they let me in.

There was so much to take in betwen the colors, centerpieces, food table, monkey tree made of fruit, dessert table, punch table... Just so much. I had to walk around and look at everything. I realized what everyone had been working on for weeks!

Here is the most amazing craft:

Thanks to Mandy and pintrest this little monkey was the cutest thing!

I didn't get a picture of the gift table but it was overflowing!

There were a few door prizes and a guess how many Runts are in the jar game. 

I think I opened gifts for about an hour and part of the theme was to bring a book instead of a card. All the gifts had books and they were so cute. All of them were signed and will be great keep sakes for the kids! Now I have to get a book shelf.

It was such an awesome loving shower and I have to thank my SIL Mandy and the Pass sisters for all their work because it was a lot! Love you all!

22 Weeks

How far along: 22 weeks 0 days
Baby's size: Spaghetti Squash, 11 inches long weighing about 1lb.
Baby's Development: The babies are looking more like miniature new borns at this stage.  The tooth buds beneath the gums are developing at the stage.  The eyes are fully formed but the irises don't have pigment yet.
Gender: It has been confirmed, (2) girls, Ali & Sadie and (1) boy, Ray.
Weight gain: 38lbs Perfectly on track to meet my 50-60lb weight gain. 

Maternity clothes: Mom bought me a few more longer shirts and a pair of leggings which are super comfy!  I am quickly outgrowing things.  I can say I'm glad I didn't spend a lot of money on maternity clothes since most are short lived.

Stretch marks: Well... I had a cry about this one on Saturday as I was getting dressed sitting on the side of the bed where I could see myself in the mirror.  I don't have traditional stretch marks but I do have some pink vein kind of looking things on my lower stomach.  I know there is nothing I can do about it but I am lathering with body butter and massaging the area every morning.

Belly button in or out: Out for sure now.  I am sure it will get worse but it is poking out now and was pretty sensitive at first.  Poor belly button has never seen the light of day!
Wedding ring on or off: Half on, I am wearing my wedding band. 

Sleep: Oh we want to talk about sleeping again.  What is a good nights sleep?  I couldn't tell you.  I am awake about 2-3 times a night to pee and then wake up multiple times just turning and adjusting.  I fell asleep on the couch last night at about 9:30.

Symptoms: Heart burn for sure, comes in waives throughout the day.  Swelling is setting in too but not terrible yet.  I am achy just from carrying around a very large bowling ball and then there is the ligament pain.  That one over rules all others these days.  Have you ever pulled your groin muscle, well that is pretty much how this feels all the time.  Walking is probably the worst but getting in the car and lifting my leg in the car sucks.  I also never realized how much I sit with my legs crossed which is always! 
Food cravings: Most everything tastes delicious at this point. 

Food aversions: Nothing specific.
What I miss: Walking without pain.  I think it will be a good 10 weeks before I can do that, well maybe a little longer but at least after delivery I get pain meds!

Movement: Oh we have lots of movement.  Funny part is I can't feel as much as you can see on ultrasound.  These kids are constantly on the move, flipping around, stretching and kicking each other.  I do feel more movement from the inside and I think I figured out what the strange pull, pain was on the right after watching Sadie push off and pretty much stand up in my stomach to stretch her legs.  The babies are all in the 60% and above in size which is great.

Mood: Still think I am ok.  I do have moments of weird imagination that make me wonder what it will really be like with three babies in the house after living for so long just the two of us.  I know it will be wonderful and challenging.  Friends, please don't forget us, I promise you will see us again!
Best moment this week: Baby shower of course!  Saturday was the shower in Campbellsville and it was so nice thanks to my Aunt Bea, Meredith and Erika!  It's just nice to have actually made it this far, those showers are a milestone for us!

Looking forward to: My second shower!!!! This is the ginormous shower that my sister-in-law and family are planning.  The guest list was over 60 people so I'm sure it will be overwhelming but awesome! :)  I will update you on that one after Saturday!

22 week checkup

Today we arrived about 5 minutes early for the appointment. They took me back immediately to do my weight, bp 118/64 and my urine sample. Then they put us in an exam room to wait for ultrasound. 

We waited and waited about 30 minutes for someone to come get us.

Once in the u/s room they scanned Ali first, Sadie next, both were punching each other and very active. Ray was last but as she started on Ray I started to get hot, and uncomfortable. I had to ask to sit up for a minute and they got me some water. I felt better quickly and we continued. She also propped the table up a little and it kept me from feeling suffocated. 

Ray was fine too and active. She tried to get a profile pictures of each baby but they wouldn't sit still so the pictures are terrible.  All babies weighed the same at 1lb. which is good news, it means they are sharing nutrients well.

Cervix was 3.8 which she was very pleased with.

We discussed my aches and pains which are all normal. We discussed taking a tour of the labor and delivery downtown, antipartum and the NICU. We talked about tube tying and breast feeding too.

Last I was informed the next visit will be my glucose test and then I will go to 2 week appointments.

We are just really making serious progress now! 

Campbellsville Shower

What a great day from riding down with the fam to spending some quality time with family!

The shower was hosted by my Aunt Bea and cousins, Erika and Meredith at Pleasant Hill in the Christian Life Center.  It was decorated so cute!

The menu was chicken salad sandwiches, hot ham sandwiches, popper dip, veggies and dip, cheese ball, fruit stroller and some amazing dessert. There were cupcakes, key lime pie bites and a beautiful cake.

Erika was very crafty with the games. First was pregnant twister which gave us a pretty good laugh then baby food tasting. I won that game unfortunately, baby food is gross!

Followed by gifts. Everyone was so generous! We received some homemade blankets from my mom's nursing school room mate which was very sweet. We got lots of super cute outfits, diapers, wipes, bath items, gift cards etc. also received a really cute picture that will hang in the nursery from Aunt Mandy.

Overall, it was a wonderful day! 

Next step is to put all of the gifts away so the cats can once again lay in the floor of the nursery. It's their favorite spot!

Thank you to all of my Campbellsville family! We love you very much!!!

21 Weeks

How far along: 21 weeks 0 days
Baby's size: Pomegranate, 10.5 inches long weighing about 12.7 oz.
Baby's Development: The babies are practicing marital arts as the initial flutters are now full fledged kicks and nudges.  Baby's eyebrows and lids are fully developed and babies can blink.
Gender: It has been confirmed, (2) girls, Ali & Sadie and (1) boy, Ray.
Weight gain: 32lbs Scale fixed and wow did I grow!  Guess that 50-60lbs will be a piece of cake.

Maternity clothes: I have outgrown some of my tops already.  I can kiss wearing my long regular tanks under maternity shirts goodbye.  But I figure I will only be wearing these for another 10-14 weeks, I can make it through.  Just remember if you see me in the same items a lot, well that is all I have.

Stretch marks: Nope

Belly button in or out: Mostly in, it now sticks out a little, I'm sure it will pop out soon.

Wedding ring on or off: Half on, I am wearing my wedding band.  Since I am swelling in the spring heat there is just too much chub to my finger to force my engagement ring on it.  I could do it but then it scares me that I won't get it off.

Sleep: Oh sleeping... well I think it is God's way of getting you ready for baby.  Your body is uncomfortable, my hips ache because I am in one position and then when I roll a little to my back, well it hurts.  Not complaining just stating the facts.  I was up three times last night and decided to pee each time to help me sleep a little longer the next phase.

Symptoms: Breathing is still a large factor now that Ray has grown and is up further toward my ribs.  It feels like I need to sit up so straight that my back is arched to take full breaths.  Can you imagine what this will feel like in 10 weeks (wow).  I have moved to a slower gear now, they commented at work that they have never seen me move so slow. I told them I can't breath and my ligaments hurt so walking fast just isn't going to happen.

Food cravings: Most everything tastes delicious at this point.  I do love some popsicles, veggies and fresh fruit!

Food aversions: Nothing here really except those items I didn't like anyway just stand out more like Salmon and mushrooms.  ICK!
What I miss: Sleeping so sound that you don't wake up until the alarm goes off and you are startled because you were in such a deep sleep.

Movement: We have movement on the outside now!  Kyle keeps trying to feel them at his convenience but he hasn't yet.  They are on their own schedule.  I had an Orange Crush yesterday for lunch and boy were they all active after that.  So Kyle says he is going to go out an buy a case of orange crush so he can feel them too.  It is very comforting to feel them, just lets me know everyone is ok in there.

Mood: I think it is ok still, I am a bit bored at night.  I have done so many nights of coming home from work and laying on the couch till it is time for bed that it is boring.  Last night I went outside with Kyle for a bit and sat on the porch until I couldn't breath.
Best moment this week: Probably yesterdays orange crush episode.  Who knew I could get them fired up like that?  It was short lived but I did get to feel multiple kicks all around.  We also got the baby beds together finally.  Daryl came over and helped Kyle.  They are so cute and a perfect size for our trio.  I was a little concerned they would be too small.  Mom also found some sheets at Walmart for them so we should be able to test that out soon.  

Looking forward to: My first shower!!!! Can you believe it?  I feel just so blessed to have so many people that love me and these babies.  I never thought I would get to have a baby shower and now I get 4!  I am not one to ask for things or ask for help, I guess I am pretty independent so it is a little weird to have people hosting parties in honor of me.  I'm going to remember that these parties are for my sweet babies and enjoy every minute with my family and friends.  So if you are present, take lots of pictures for me so I can show the babies how much they are loved!