29 +1 Checkup

We started our visit in the waiting room with six people and two children who knew each other but decided to sit on opposite ends of the room.  This led to mom and I surrounded with them yelling, laughing, putting the child up to no good, grandma talking to the baby like it was going to answer her.  It was just really inconsiderate of other people waiting, why not sit together?  Anyway, mom and I didn't speak of them until we got home and both came out with the same opinions.
Mom was my +1 since Kyle had Dawson and Libby yesterday.  Mandy took a little vaca from her child care duties yet somehow she ended up at the pool with Kyle and all the kids, lol.  Guess it's different when its your relatives?
They first did all my stats which I always love getting on the scale, j/k.  My blood pressure is holding steady at 112/72 which is excellent!
Next we went for the ultrasound with one of my favorite techs.  She is always so nice and the only one that calls the babies by names once she is reminded of them.
Ali was, as always, not cooperating.  She was facing my back so we still can't see her face and haven't for months.  She was active and measuring 2lb 13oz!
Sadie was next and very active.  As the tech scrolled over her head, which her and Ray were head to head, she said, "Sadie has lots of hair, long hair", she tried to show us what she was talking about but I'm not sure I can see it.  She even took a picture of it. Sadie posed for the camera as always measuring 2lbs 13oz.

Last but not least is baby Ray, he was active as well.  Just as we started the ultrasound I was having pain in my left side which concerned Nurse/Dr Lady.  It was Ray's butt!  They are large enough now to get in a ball and push out on my stomach which doesn't feel very good.  Anyhow Ray measured perfect and posed for a little picture.  He is now the smallest at 2lbs 12oz.

When the tech was finished measuring them she checked them to see if Ali would turn over and that was a big NO.  She also checked and they all have hair but Sadie has been growing hers for a while.
The girls are still breech and Ray is transverse.  I am hoping they turn so we don't have to worry about hip problems later.
As for me, well they don't check my cervix anymore which I think is odd.  I posted it in my triplet group and apparently it is the same for all the triplet moms.  One said they stop doing it so they don't induce labor. 
Next we talked about my rash, she asked if the prescription was helping.  I mean it is a little I think but my feet are still crazy itchy at night.  She sent me for blood work to make sure it wasn't more serious and anything that would harm the babies. 
She said I was doing great and didn't look like I had three babies in there, to which I laughed.  She asked about work again and said it is typical that a mom carrying triplets at 29 weeks would not be working but she understood if I was sitting and still doing ok.  She did say at about 32 weeks it was time for a new plan.  I'm not going to lie, I would love to not have to get up and make my way to work everyday but I had a plan too that kept me on PTO the majority of my maternity leave so I get 100% salary and don't have to pay back benefit premiums upon my return.  Oh well, I have to just come to terms with the new plan.
BTW:  I got all the baby clothes put away last night after receiving my drawer organizer in the mail.  I also got the diaper caddy so we are getting ready.  As I sorted through the clothes I realized the girls only have two sleepers each, well maybe four but two sets were in my hospital bag.  Guess I will start clearance shopping so they have more since Ray has his hand me downs from Karson.

29 Weeks

How far along: 29 weeks 0 days or 98% survival rate!
Baby's size: Butternut Squash, 15+ inches long weighing about 2.5lbs.
Baby's Development: Babies are exercising their muscles and lungs.  Their heads are growing to make room for their developing brain.  Bones are soaking up all the calcium they can get at this stage.
Gender: It has been confirmed, (2) girls, Ali & Sadie and (1) boy, Ray.
Weight gain: 57 and still have 6 weeks. I might go over my 60lbs... I gained 4 lbs this week which must be all baby and maybe some fluid retention!

Stretch marks: Yes, lots of them and this week they are creeping up on my upper stomach.  I guess I should be thankful since that means the babies are growing at a rapid rate.

Belly button in or out: Out!
Wedding ring on or off: Half on, I am wearing my wedding band. 

Sleep: Due to an allergy pill prescribed I got better than normal sleep but I still wake up to itch and treat my poor rashes.

Symptoms: Ligament pain of course but the worst is still the rash.  I have moved past the stomach itching.  Not to say it doesn't still itch but not like it did before.  I could have scratched until I bled.  Now the rash has moved to the inside of my arms and tops of my feet.  I called the Dr. yesterday to let them know and they called in Adarax which is in the Benadryl family.  I took it when I got home and it makes me sleepy so I won't be taking it at work.  I can't say it really made a huge difference though but maybe it will shorten the  itchy part of the rash?

Food cravings: Everything tastes delicious.

Food aversions: Nothing specific.
What I miss: Not itching! :)

Movement: Babies are still moving around in there.  I think the space is getting tighter since the hard kicks are getting less and less.  I just don't think they have room to really go at it.  This morning Ali had the hiccups, it was funny to feel the rhythmic vibration.  I also suspect that one of the girls flipped over. The kicking has shifted to a new spot around my belly button.
Mood: Is ok, the itching really takes a toll on you. 
Best moment this week: Diaper Shower, it was so nice of the guys to come out and support Kyle.  They had a great time drinking and getting Ryan started on his 21st birthday outing.  We also collected 2862 diapers!  That is so helpful since the cost of diapers per month is estimated at around $180.  Some guys also went together and got Kyle a "coolest cooler" which he is super excited about!

Looking forward to: Seeing Dr. Jamie tomorrow.  Well seeing the babies tomorrow.  Kyle is keeping Dawson and Libby so Mom is going to join me again.  She is very concerned about my rash so I think Nurse Lady wants to ask her own questions to the dr.  I know I will be doing blood work so they can make sure my rash isn't anything more serious than PUPP.
The changing table/dresser combo is together and in the baby room, I'm just waiting for my drawer dividers to arrive and I will start loading clothes in it.
The book shelves are put together, they just need to be painted and hung.
OH and I started packing the babies' bag for the hospital, that was way easier than packing mine so I started there.  I picked out preemie clothes and newborn so I am prepared no matter their size.  I have pacis, wipes, clippers, bows...  all the good stuff!
As for me, well I started laying out items that I need to pack in my bag although since I have a limited wardrobe there is a lot of things that I can't pack yet.
I guess next will be making baby beds and putting car seats in the car so we are ready.  Maybe next week depending on my report from the dr tomorrow.
Kyle also needs to check the stroller to see if the tires are still aired up or if we need to buy new ones.  We will need the stroller to get all three babies from the hospital to the car.

28 Weeks

How far along: 28 weeks 0 days or 98% survival rate!
Baby's size: Large Eggplant, 15+ inches long weighing about 2.5lbs.
Baby's Development: Babies are still practicing their tricks like blinking, breathing, coughing, hiccupping.  They should also move head down soon.  Ali & Sadie are breach and Ray is transverse.  Thankfully they are C-section but we still want them to be in the right position to reduce complications.
Gender: It has been confirmed, (2) girls, Ali & Sadie and (1) boy, Ray.
Weight gain: 53 and still have 7 weeks. I might go over my 60lbs... Really hope not though.

Stretch marks: Yes, and now I have something (I think) called PUPP which is an itchy rash on my lower stomach along my little vein stretch mark things.  I am in the process of trying all kinds of home remedies.  Next is Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap and drinking V8.

Belly button in or out: Out!
Wedding ring on or off: Half on, I am wearing my wedding band. 

Sleep: Not much of that stuff.  Not sure I will get any from here until maybe next year???

Symptoms: Ligament pain is still there and I have a feeling it will be until I deliver these kiddos.  I still have the heartburn and just overall discomfort.  My PUPP rash is probably the most annoying thing I have experienced to date.  So itchy!
Food cravings: I like ice cream but I also like just about anything!

Food aversions: Nothing specific.
What I miss: Feeling that my body is my own and being a size that is manageable. I am large and no longer fit in some booths. 

Movement: Babies are very active still. They are kicking and flipping. They rub my belly now instead of just kicking. The girls have taken to kicking my bladder too.
Mood: my mood is good. We are counting down and I now feel accomplished everyday I am at work! I know I'm tough but I really expected to be on bed rest by now so u feel good.
Best moment this week: I got to help a friend improve herself with just a little encouragement as well as some good conversations with old friends. I also had pedis with mom which is always awesome!

Looking forward to: Kyle has a diaper party Saturday. I think the boys will have lots of fun. Just an excuse to hang out and drink!

The dresser/changing table is here! We just have to put it together, maybe tomorrow.

A co-worker was so nice to grab the light and bookshelves from IKEA for me. I need to paint the shelves then hang them. Hope Kyle can handle that.

27+1 check-up

We started the day with Kyle not feeling well and down on his back so I asked Mom if she wanted to come. Of course she did! So I met her at her house and we went together. I have never seen the waiting room so full which made me think we would be there forever. 

They quickly took me back to check me in. I did my urine sample which was fine. BP 117/72 which is great!

As I got done with checking in they said they were ready for me! Awesome. I grabbed mom and we headed back.

Sara did our ultrasound and I tilted to my side which helped tremendously. I told her we hadn't had any good pictures for a long time... well that was the ticket! She pulled out a different wand and clicked the machine to 3D!!!

Ali did not want to play, so much so, she turned over to my back. Sadie was the shining star letting us get several pictures of her and she is super cute. Ray had his legs in front of his face so he was hard to see but we did get a picture.

Can you see Ray's profile?

Sadie

Sadie

Sadie

They were such baby dolls and I was happy to see they have some fat on them. No weights today because I was just there 2 weeks ago.

Dr. Jamie checked my cervix which was holding strong at 4! She was very pleased about that. We talked about how I felt and work. She gave me the green light that if I wanted to cut back on work she would write me a note. I told her I really wanted to last as long as possible to keep my PTO and she told me that was fine. 

We then talked about signs of labor like contractions that are in a regular pattern or more than 5 in an hour. Of course any fluid is another reason to call. 

Lastly she told me I needed the Tdap? Shot which is the tetnus and diptheria among other things. I got it, no big deal. She also told me she would like to see everyone that was going to be around the babies on a regular basis to have the shot. Hear that family? I won't be that kind of mom that pushes everyone to get one but take this as your dr's orders and go get vaccinated.

We will go back on the 30th and then I go every week until c-section!!! Wow, time has flown by!

27 weeks

How far along: 27 weeks 0 days or 90% survival rate!
Baby's size: Head of Cauliflower, 15 inches long weighing about 2.25lbs.
Baby's Development: Babies are sleeping and waking in regular intervals with eyes opening and closing.  They have more brain tissue now so they are more active.  Lungs are still immature but are capable of functioning if they are born today.  Babies are also getting the hiccups which are common.
Gender: It has been confirmed, (2) girls, Ali & Sadie and (1) boy, Ray.
Weight gain: 51 and still have 8 weeks to go.  The majority of my weight is baby but I do have some swelling in my legs that adds a little. Still on track to meet my 50-60lb weight gain. 

Stretch marks: Yes, my pink vein things are still there.  I lotion them every morning and oil them every night.  I also added some veins next to my belly button.  Cautionary tale to those girls wanting your belly button pierced - wow.  My belly button scars from piercing are a hot mess right now!

Belly button in or out: Out!
Wedding ring on or off: Half on, I am wearing my wedding band. 

Sleep: Still not much sleep but I am doing better at taking my naps when I feel it coming on.  That used to bug me because then I would be up late but now I'm up anyway so I might as well get a nap earlier in the day.  I fell asleep last night around 8 but then woke for a few hours at 11.  It did allow me to sleep until my alarm which doesn't happen very often these days.

Symptoms: Ligament pain is still there and I have a feeling it will be until I deliver these kiddos.  I am having more heartburn and a new one... leg cramps!  From what I read they are very common at this stage in the pregnancy since you are carrying extra weight all day they happen during the night which would be true for me.  Don't worry, I eat bananas and take magnesium on a regular basis but that doesn't fix it.  Still have the rib pain from just being huge and sitting up.  Oh and I'm getting hot now.  I had some hot flashes on Sunday and then today I had to put my hair up at work because I was hot.  Strange for the lady that is always cold!
Food cravings: Kyle and I have determined that I like everything.  Everything tastes delicious so when they ask me what I want for lunch I tell them it doesn't matter because I will love it no matter where we go.

Food aversions: Nothing specific.
What I miss: This week, probably just sitting in a chair without pain.  The simplest things are complicated and painful.

Movement: Babies are very active and have started something new, I guess because they are bigger now.  They are moving in positions that make my belly lopsided.  It is a strange thing when you look down and there is a lump.  I can feel it (something firm) and I can push on it to make it move, so funny!
Mood: I am doing ok in this area especially since we are close enough to meeting these babies that I have a count down :)
Best moment this week: Just spending time with friends and family over the weekend.  We did a little each day and I even got to spend some time at the pool on Saturday.  I couldn't really move much once I sat on the edge of the pool but the water was cool which felt good on my feet.

Looking forward to: We see Dr. Jamie tomorrow, well I say we but not sure if Kyle is going to make it.  His back is bad again but he says he wants to go so we will see.  I think I'm going to schedule an appointment for him first.
Shelby (the cat) is doing better.  Still breathing heavier that normal but she is acting herself.  She comes for food and has been playing and visiting which are all good signs.  We will schedule another appointment for her when her pills run out, probably early next week.
I finished the mobiles that I mentioned last week.  No picture yet because they aren't hung.  Kyle was going to do that on Monday but the back was an issue and he was down on the couch.  Time to get my bookshelves and my dresser so we can finish up the baby room.  We could meet these little people anytime now although I am doing my best to keep them in until 9/9!

26 Weeks

How far along: 26 weeks 0 days or 80% survival rate!
Baby's size: Lettuce, 14.8 inches long weighing about 2lbs.
Baby's Development: Babies eyes are starting to open and they have eyelashes.  They are soaking up my antibodies to build up their immune system for life on the outside.  They are still practicing breathing  with amniotic fluid.
Gender: It has been confirmed, (2) girls, Ali & Sadie and (1) boy, Ray.
Weight gain: I forgot to weigh this morning but on Friday I had not gained anything.  Still on track to meet my 50-60lb weight gain. 

Stretch marks: Yes, my pink vein things are still there.  I lotion them every morning and oil them every night.

Belly button in or out: Out!
Wedding ring on or off: Half on, I am wearing my wedding band. 

Sleep: Not much, I might have gotten 3 or 4 hours last night between being uncomfortable, peeing and Kyle being worried about Shelby.  I got up at 5:30 and went on to work but that lets me go home early and have a nap.

Symptoms: Ligament pain is still very painful.  It feels great to lay on the couch but it's like a pulled muscle when you aren't stretching it.  It tightens up fast and hurts more when you get ready to stand.  Other than that I have some rib pain and am just heavy and stretchy.  Just overall discomfort but since I am probably measuring larger than 40 weeks at this point that is to be expected.
Food cravings: Nothing too much but I do like the milk still.  I also like ice cream :)  Partially because it's hot outside and partially because it sounds delicious.

Food aversions: Nothing specific.
What I miss: Moving freely.  It is an effort to get up and go, even to the bathroom.  I know when these babies come I will miss them in my belly but I will love to be able to take a walk or go to the store with out making considerations and planning out my steps.

Movement: Babies are very active these days.  They are kicking, rolling and what I think feels like punching each other.  It feels like one of those girl flap fights.

Mood: Considering my experiences over the last week I think I'm doing pretty well. 
Best moment this week: I passed my glucose test which is awesome!  I was very concerned about that even though I don't have that much longer to go, I still didn't want another added stress.  It is also much more likely that you don't pass with triplets so I was double concerned.
The 4th of July was a great weekend with family and friends.  I stayed up later than I probably should have but I stayed home after lunch on Sunday to rest up for the work week.

Looking forward to: Next week is a little milestone for the Kleber family since I will be 27 weeks.  That is the week Todd was born 40 years ago!  That was so early then that they didn't expect him to survive.  Finishing my mobiles, still sitting there waiting for me to get motivated.  Maybe tonight after a little nap.  I have a feeling I'm going to need more paint samples too. Several of you probably read that our cat Shelby is really sick.  She isn't suffering but she has labored breathing so we have her on Lasix to take the fluid off her lungs and relieve the pressure to help her breath easier.  I am hoping it works and she is feeling much better really soon!  In the mean time the other cats are ticked because she gets wet food whenever she wants it and doritos at will.  I'm going to stop and get her some cheesy popcorn on my way home (her favorite). I am super grateful for all the prayers from everyone, even people I don't know.  We need them and at this point I would call them a success!  I have carried these babies into an 80% survival rate and every day is that much closer to "take home babies".  That is our goal on 9/9.  We want babies that are at least 4+lbs that are on room air in their own triplet suite in the NICU.  They will have to hold their temp, eat and pass all their tests to go home with us on the following Saturday 9/13.  Funny, we have the beginning of September taken care of.  9/8 - Sharon & Daryl's Anniversary, 9/9 Babies born, 9/10 Todd's 40th birthday, 9/11 Mamaw & Papaw Pass' Anniversary.  Poor Uncle Todd will have to share his birthday a little with the trips but then he was never a big party guy so I guess he won't mind too much.

25 Weeks

How far along: 25 weeks 0 days
Baby's size: Cauliflower, 14 inches long weighing about 1.10lbs.
Baby's Development: Babies are fully developed at this point and now they are putting on fat.  They are still working on the lung development and practicing breathing.
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. (no change from last week) 

Maternity clothes: I have a few more shirts thanks to mom and a few new dresses from the Target.  I should be able to make it through the next 10 weeks with what I have.

Stretch marks: Yes, pink veins are present on my lower tummy.  Not sure of all places why there since it isn't a tight skin area but I guess it doesn't really matter since I won't be showing it off anytime soon.

Belly button in or out: Out!
Wedding ring on or off: Half on, I am wearing my wedding band. 

Sleep: Still no real sleep.  I got up to pee I know 4-5 times last night although I was so thirsty last night.  I think it may be from my glucose test yesterday.

Symptoms: Ligament pain is the most common now.  I do have some heartburn off and on but other than that just large and heavy.
Food cravings: Most everything tastes delicious at this point.  I am really enjoying milk, again something I hated before being pregnant besides being mildly lactose intolerant.

Food aversions: Nothing specific.
What I miss: Being involved and doing for others.  I kind of feel left out at times with friends but I know they do it out of sympathy for me and my exhaustion.  I also know if I was invited everywhere I wouldn't be able to go anyway.  It is just an adjustment and I have to figure out how to stay connected without being present.

Movement: Babies are moving and shaking in there.  I feel them most of the day now at different intervals. 

Mood: Doing pretty well this week, just a little annoyed at stupid stuff that just doesn't matter in the big picture.
Best moment this week: Baby shower of course!  Saturday was my work shower and it was so nice. 
We also got to see the babies yesterday briefly due to my hot flashes and discomfort. 
I finished the baby walls too, now I just have to finish the mobiles that have become very time consuming.

And then there was story time.  Kyle has been reading to the babies and they get active in there so they must like hearing his voice so close to my stomach.  Last night was the cutest though.  I was laying on the couch, Kyle was on the floor and all three cats showed up to listen for story time.
 

Looking forward to: Just making it another week is exciting now.  Every one means our babies are closer to coming home with us instead of staying at the hospital.  Makes me feel better about trying to manipulate my time off so I can be there for them when they do come home.  We also got that confirmation yesterday that 9.9 will be the date if nothing changes.

I have to call the pediatrician and make sure they will take us, believe it or not, many of the triplet moms out there have been turned down do to low birth weight babies and complications of triplets. 

Hopefully next week I can show you the baby rooms with mobiles, maybe if I get really motivated!