Friday, November 20, 2009

What becomes of a photo session...


I don't know how on Earth people take portraits of more than one child at a time...

Monday, November 2, 2009

Still Kickin...







It has certainly been a very long time since I've updated this blog. Between our computer crashing and circumnavigating the world of triplets we have been quite tied up.

The babies are now 13 weeks old. Time has flown and although taking care of them has been really challenging I am sad to say they are getting bigger. I have been taking out their newborn size onesies and fretting over how little time they actually spent in them and how I will miss them being small so terribly. They are all wearing size 3 months now and Davey is wearing the occasional 6 month size. They are all developing their own individual personalities.
Frankie is the curious one. He is the only one who will actually lay under his jungle gym and be able to stay content for a good 20 minutes. He loves to look at the lights and reach up at the toys even though he can't quite reach them yet. He has started to coo and smile especially in the morning at his first daytime feeding. However that coo and smile can turn into a cowl in no time and the next thing you know he's screaming. Sounds like his mama. He has taken up scooting around in his crib. We put him at the very end on his belly with his head toward the middle of the crib and when we go to get him he is at the opposite end and always manages to have his head jammed into the corner. I think he'll be the next Michael Phelps for his mock like swimming abilities. He weighed 9.12 at his 2 month appointment.
Davey is most certainly the sensitive one. He is sensitive when it comes to sleeping, eating and playing. He has reflux and spits up alot even though he loves to eat. He can't get the bottle down fast enough. He doesn't sleep much. Just when his eyes start to close they open up as if he is afraid he is going to miss something. He always has one eye open at least half way. He sleeps pretty well at night but has a bad habit of taking a huge poop in the middle of his feeding. By the time dad changes him, he has spit up and is way too jazzed up to go back to sleep. He still loves to snuggle and sleep on mom or dads chest. He is so handsome and has the brightest blue eyes which we regretfully think will change to brown before we know it. He weighed 10.10 at his 2 month appointment.
Mattea has changed from the quiet one to the one to watch. She has turned out to be very feisty. I think this happened as a result of her always being in the background while we tended to the crying, screaming boys all of the time. Now she growls when you walk by her. She head butts us and digs into our skin when we are holding her. She does not want to be invisible and she is definitely not. She is still a peanut, weighing only 8.9 at her 2 month appointment. She eats okay but not nearly as much as her brothers. She is beautiful and I we are in total awe of her little features. She is amazing.
There is not a day that goes by that we don't look at these babies and thank the Heavens above. We continue to feel so very blessed. Despite the massive sleep deprivation we are loving every minute of this, the bathing, feeding, cuddling, loving, all of it. From the top is Mattea, Davey then Frankie.





Friday, September 18, 2009

Everybody's Home
















It's been quite a week. Mattea came home on Monday and now the trio is complete. We are so thrilled. It has been such a joy to take care of these babies. It's amazing to see them together, to snuggle with them and nibble on their little cheeks. I love giving them baths, feeding them, getting them dressed up and all that fun stuff that goes along with being a mommy.

They are all getting so big before our eyes. Mattea was 5.14 at her appt. and David was 6.11 at his so they are far from being preemies by size. Frankie is probably a little bigger than Mattea. David is growing fats-his cheeks are so chubby, perfect for kissing, the poor child must be so tired of me attacking them.

We are busy trying to get in the routine of having all this extra life around. Night time has been tiring but not that much worse than having one (in my opinion anyway). This is all new for David and he is uber exhausted.

I hope you enjoy the photos of Mattea. I figured we needed to catch up on photos of her. These are her first wardrobe photos. Frankie's picture shows how he likes to drink his milk and pass out and then there is the one of all three of them. Stay tuned for a video of Mattea and Frankie's billy goat behavior-you'll see what I mean.










Thursday, September 10, 2009

Missing Mattea











Well, the good news is that both of our boys are home with us. Frankie came home last Friday and David joined him this past Monday. So far, life with babies in the house has been such a blessing. Yes, it is very busy and tiring of course but no matter how tired I am I can't help but smile at how beautiful my little sons are. I love nibbling their cheeks and foreheads. They are doing well, eating, sleeping a lot during the day and a little at night, gaining weight, getting to know their new home.








Mattea on the other hand is still in the hospital. She is eating like a champ. She is so alert and doing so well. She was scheduled to come home Wednesday morning but we got a call from our favorite nurse Joyce telling us she had a spell (bradycardia-low heart rate dip) and will have to be there for at least another 5 days. Each time she has a spell she buys herself an additional 5 days there. This is heartbreaking. As much as I understand things could be much worse and that this is something she will grow out of, not having her here is really hard. She will be a month old on Sunday and the guilt of her still being in the hospital is starting to eat away at me. I always ask myself if we would be in this situation if I could have held out another week. It's hard. Luckily she gets a lot of visits from her grandma and grandpa and we try to get up there when we can. I can't wait until they are all here together, as exhausting as I know it will be. We have no pictures of her because when I am there I just want to spend time with her, not take pictures. BUT, she is as beautiful as anything I've ever seen and I will take some soon. Until then, here are some of the boys.








Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Progress...but too slow for an impatient mama....







The babies are all doing so well but I am growing more impatient by the day. Having your babies at the NI CU is not a fun experience. After I've had a couple of weeks to deliver and time for the reality to set in, I have more time to think about how much I wish they were here. It's a bizarre feeling to have carried them so long and have nothing to show for it when I'm home except for a pump at the bedside and a bag of empty bottles waiting to be filled.

All they need to do is to learn how to coordinate their sucking, swallowing and breathing well enough to be able to take all of their feedings through a bottle. This sounds easy but when you are premature it can be quite a challenge. They are 35.3 weeks today corrected. Frankie is doing best with his feedings. He bottles really well and breastfeeds really well. If we are lucky, he may be making his way home by this weekend. Yesterday he was 4lbs9oz so he is growing but is still a little guy and may need a whole new car seat to come home in which rots because we have already bought our car seats, thrown out the boxes and set them up. Oh well, I guess at this point I would be willing to pay a zillion dollars for anything just so they could come home. He is my funny guy. He likes to crack half smiles and loves snuggling. He reminds me of a little elf, hence his new possible nickname, Keebler.

David is getting better with his feedings but is having more trouble. He was the sicker one out of them and so his lungs still need more time to develop in order for him to perfect his feedings. He has no spells though and is growing well and is a trooper otherwise. He also loves snuggling and smiling and also trying to eat his hands. He is the biggest at 5lbs7oz. He needed a little extra time to catch up but he's doing well. He never fit any of his preemie clothes.

Mattea is also feeding really well most of the time. She loves to guzzle her bottle and does so so at breastfeeding. She is almost always alert and as soon as she hears my voice when I come in she starts to wake up and look around. She loves to socialize. Yesterday she weighed 4lbs5oz so she may need a new car seat too the little turkey. As of yesterday she hadn't had a spell in 2 days. Her heart rate had been high for a few days so they decided to run some blood work to see if she was anemic. It came back normal so they did an ECG which also came back normal so they will be watching her. It is probably nothing but he reaction to stimulation. She has also had a little periodic breathing, taking breaks from breathing sometimes but remembering on her own that she needs to do that. She is a rock star otherwise and will probably be the next one home provided she straightens her little self out.

I can't wait for them to come home. David put the first swing together yesterday. We are so ready for them to be here and not there. Everyone says they'll be home when the time is right and la dee da but unless you've been separated from your babies you really can't understand how it feels. So even though I am SO thankful for healthy, beautiful babies it is a rough time with lots of tears and I can't wait for it to be a distant memory.






Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Quick Update

We've been really busy but just wanted to give a quick update. Great news-the babies have been transferred to the hospital that is literally right around the corner from our house, less than 2 minutes away. It is a level II nursery where they will stay until they come home. They are now considered feeder growers so they only need to learn how to take their feedings by bottle to be able to come home. They are all in open cribs now. Mattea's bradys (heart rate dips) have slowed way down, so much that she only had 4 in the past 24 hours. No issues with anyone and I get to see them much more now-yahoo!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Can't post pics...

I've tried unsuccessfully about 5 times now to download some pictures but my computer is not cooperating-sorry!

Happy 1 Week Birthday Babies...

Today our babies turn one week old. What amazing progress they've made this past week. They have impressed us beyond belief. We know that they will be coming home before we know it. We've been there every day to visit, feed them and hold them.



Despite ordering everything on the menu (Vent, CPAP, Survanta, Indocin), David is thriving. We found out his PDA was gone on Thursday with his repeat ultrasound on his heart. This was a huge relief. Because of this, he got to start his feeds that night through his feeding tube in his nose. He loves sucking, loves food, and loves to be cuddled. I also found out he is great at breastfeeding yesterday. It is an incredible feeling to be able to see his face, to watch his expressions and to let him see us with nothing in the way. His favorite way to hang out is on his belly. He wants what he wants when he wants it and doesn't like to mess around. He ripped his I.V. out Saturday morning and hasn't needed it since. I think he may be the most demanding but I also think he'll be a total mommy's boy. I secretly hope they both will be. He is totally snugalicous!



Frankie is doing amazing as well. He has been continuing with his tube feedings and has tried breastfeeding a few times with no success. He is just so laid back and he gets around there and looks around, plays around and ends up staring up at me. He melts my heart. I think he will be our little contemplater. Her always looks like he is in deep thought. He has no I.V. as of Friday night and no bilirubin lights. When I arrived today he was sporting his All Star onesie. It was so cool to see him in clothes. He barely fit in his preemie shirt. We have a lot of preemie clothes but oh well, I find it a blessing that he is as big as he is and I'm sure I will find someone who will need the preemie clothes. He loves being held and looking up at me, trying so hard to focus but his little eyes cross.



Mattea is a rock star as usual. Her one simple downfall are her bradycardias. She has frequent dips in her heart rate. Even though this is scary it is normal for her gestation. She also has no I.V.. She's still under the bili lights and will have her bili drawn today to find out if she can come out yet. She is a champion bottle feeder and breastfeeds great for small amount of time. She is absolutely gorgeous! She is so curious when she's out of her isolette. She follows voices and looks towards the window. When she is in her isolette she sometimes crosses her legs or puts one up in the air and just leaves it there. She is so funny.



We love these babies so much it is unreal. We can't wait for them to come home so our snuggling won''t be as limited. We know it'll be crazy but we are ready, as we have been for so very long now. We are so thnkful to God everyday for blessing them with such good health, good weight and such beautiful qualities. We just want to give them the world.



Speaking of giving them things. We sometimes feel pretty helpless with them there and us here, not being able to do anything for them. We know the one thing we can give them or I can give them and David can help me is breastmilk. It is an incredible nutrient and so much better for their little guts and brains when they are premature. I totally disagree with the whole "don't cry over spilled milk" theory. Next time your babies are in the NICU and it's 2 in the morning, you're cross eyed and recovering from major surgery, you're pumping with one eye open, you let the pump slip for just a second and you feel a mass of warm liquid run down your side, then tell me that. That is definately worth crying over.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Love Bugs Progress....











Back and forth, slow and unsure, but these little lovies are making progress just the same.

It has been a long couple of days between trying to recover from surgery, trying to keep up with what's going on with the babies and keeping our heads on straight. The babies are doing well over all.
Frankie is breathing room air on his own as of Sunday night, taking feedings through his feeding tube (in his nose) as of yesterday and started phototherapy today for jaundice. He is very feisty and loves to get on all fours and try to launch himself around. He is in an isolette now so I'm less worried abut him throwing himself over the edge. Today he had his hand over his mouth and looked like he was telling secrets-he is adorable, and when he gets upset he makes all these little wrinkly faces.
David continues to be on CPAP. He is basically breathing room air but getting a little help from the machine to keep his lungs inflated so he doesn't have to breath as hard. He does not like to be touched and gets very squirmy and upset when moved. He has a murmur that could be something or could be nothing. We should find out later today if he will have an ultrasound on his heart to differentiate it. Because of this, he has not started his tube feedings yet. He is also starting to get jaundice but hasn't quite made it under the bili lights yet. Today was the best day ever because I got the special treat of finally being allowed to hold him. I've barley even laid a finger on him since he was born and I think the nurse could sense my grief over this. She swaddled him up, tucked all the cords in and I got to cuddle with him in the rocking chair for about 20 minutes. It was wonderful. He was very calm and serene and held on to my finger tightly the whole time with his huge paw. I was hoping he would open his eyes but he didn't and that's okay. He knew I was with him and I gave him lots of kisses. He is beautiful and looks so much like his dad. I can't wait for him to be off CPAP so we can see his face better.
Update: David had his echo today and it showed that he has a PDA (patent ductus arteriosis). This is a duct in the heart that is supposed to close when a baby is born but sometimes it just doesn't happen,more often in preemies. So they will give him 3 doses of a drug called Indomethacin and recheck with another echo on Thursday to see if the duct closed. We hope this will work but if not, these rounds of medicine can be tried again. One step at a time...

Mattea is staying true to her rockstar self. She's been breathing on her own since she was born and also started her tube feedings yesterday which she has been tolerating well. She is also in an isolette under phototherapy lights. I got to change her diaper today and do kangaroo care (skin to skin holding) while she got her tube feeding. I love this because the nurse puts her through the top of my shirt and it's like she's in a little cave. She was laying on my belly with both of her legs spread out wide like a split. This probably has something to do with her beeing breech. She falls alseep like this because it's so comfy. I get sleepy too.

David has been up in the NICU a lot, geeting the hnag of baby care. He's amazed by meconium and how little and cute they are. It's hard right now since they can each only be held once a day. We have to take turns with them.




































Monday, August 17, 2009

Yay for our little troopers....

They are doing so well. I got to have some skin to skin time with Mattea last night and kiss both of the boys. When dad went up to see the babies this morning, Mattea was still breathing on her own, Frankie is now breathing on his won and they think David is ready to come off the vent and beplaced on CPAP again. I am so proud of these little bugs.

David looks exactly like big David. The nurses think that Frankie looks like me and Mattea, it is up in the air. David thinks she looks like me. I think she has his nose and chin, I never fell asleep last night so I am going to try again now.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

More pics











Our Precious Love Bugs Are Here







They are finally here and boy, what an emotional ride this last week has been.

Yesterday morning we were told that I needed to be delivered because once again my platelets were low, below 100 this time. We were excited, scared and a whole host of emotions I couldn't begin to explain. So we get up to the other floor, I get 2 I.V.'s, one in each arm just to be safe, a liter of fluids, some of those hot netted panites and all that jazz. We are pretty much crapping our pants at the thought of it being over and how things would go and ya know, basically everything. Two hours later they come in and tell us we are getting bumped because we have a mother of twins in labor. They estimated an hour. An hour later the doc comes in to tell us we are not delivering because the redraw on my platelets came up and the NICU is full because they just got unexpected twins and if we had our babies they would have to be transferred out to Children's Hospital. We were like what the living hell at that point, just emotionally drained beyond comprehension.

This morning same story except each time the platelets (first draw) are getting lower, Once again they tell us I need to be delivered. I could not believe it, would not. I wouldn't believe it until the needle was in my back.

Low and behold at 12:23, 12:24 and 12:25 we finally met our beautiful angels. Each one came out crying. David was so eXcited to see everything happening. He was able to take some great photos and even watched them finish my surgery, amazed at how big my uterus was. He was so strong.

So, Mattea weighed in at 4.1 and a whopping 19 inches. I don't have the paper in front of me with sll of the details but Frankie weighed 4.5 and David weighed 5.6, These are GREAT weights for this gestation. They are obviously all in the NICU and will be for several weeks or longer. Mattea is breathing room air so needs no oxygen and is doing great. She is the smallest and doing great, not suprise there. Both boys had some trouble with breathing and were placedon CPAP (continuos positive airway pressure). They both had x rays which showed fluid on their lungs. They both have Respiratory Distress Syndrome but David has it a little worse so they had to intubate him and put him on a ventilator as well as give him some medicine to help his lungs out.

I am going to try and post some pictures. I am super tired. It took me about an hour to type this because I am on a Dilaudid PCA and extremely tired so we'll see if it works. We love them so much and feel so blessed....






Thursday, August 13, 2009

Yes, No, Maybe So...

As of this morning the decision was made to book the O.R. and deliver me due to these nasty headaches an my dropping platelets. I called everyone, texted everyone and the decision has changed once again. I should have known better than to tell anyone or to set my mind to thinking I was meeting my lovies tommorow. The reasoning behind this is sort of complicated and frustrating but I will try to explain the best I can.

I started having some nasty headaches about 2 1/2 weeks ago. They hurt worse when I was laying down or coughing and didn't improve with Tylenol so that is one of the reasons I was admitted into the hospital. In addition to that my platelets have been dropping slowly.

I was seen my Neurology the other day and had an MRI which came out unremarkable. They wanted to do a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) but ended up deciding against it because the medicine (Fioricet) I was taking at the time was helping a little. The catch is, the medicine would only help a little and only for a little while. I was also seen by Hematology/Oncology about my platelets. They drew labs and looked at my blood under a microscope for any fragmentation but came up with nothing so they chalked the low platelets up to pregnancy.

Today they started me on a different medication, Dilaudid. The medicine is great for relaxing me and helping me rest but just isn't helping the headache much. Because of this, they now want to go ahead with the lumbar puncture to rule out any increased intracranial pressure or imbalance of spinal fluid. If for some reason I had this they would give me a medication, such as a diuretic to decrease it. They feel they don't want to take the babies out early if they don't absolutely have to. They would really like to see me make it to 34 weeks. I would too if it weren't for these headaches. So I've decided to keep my trap shut from now on and not tell anyone that I'm going to deliver unless I've already done so.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Quick update

Just a quick update. My labs stayed exactly the same today. My headache is much worse and the medication I'm taking for it is doing nothing.

The good news is that we had an ultrasounds today and it showed that the babies are measuring pretty large. A is measuring 4.5, B 4.6 and C 5.11. Now, they think A and Care closer to 5 pounds but had a really hard time finding the limbs to measure because right now everything is mushed together. They are pretty sure that B is as big as the measurement. That would be int he 80th percentile for a singelton so I am happy about that. I am 32.4 weeks today.

And so we wait, no answers, no date set yet, just baking babies, having horrid headaches and waiting to see if my platelets continue to fall. The saga continues...

It's All About Finding a Balance

Yes, that is what is going on. I am here in the hospital and I am still having these horrid headaches. They are giving me Fioricet which helps but only for a short period of time. My MRI came out clear which is obviously great news. They have decided to fore go the lumbar puncture because they think the headaches are related to the pregnancy or just plain old migraines. Although it's not common to get migraines every day. So that's that for that aspect.

The next is my labs. So, they thought I may be developing HELLP or Preeclampsia. both conditions associated with pregnancy that are quite serious and can be slow developing or very fast developing. However, with these conditions, the blood pressure is usually elevated and mine hasn't been sinve I have been here. What is happening is that my uric acid is rising by the day and my platelets are decreasing each day. Uric acid is an indication of kidney function and platelets control the ability of your blood to clot. They're not as worried about the uric acid as they are about the platelets. If the platelets continue to drop it increases the chance that I will have to have general anesthesia during my c-section, otherwise risks complications from an epidural ,one being permanent paralysis. If this is the case then I essentially won't be present for the birth of my babies and David will also not be as he won't bealoowed in the O.R.. This is heart wrenching for us as we have waited so long for that moment,not to mention the recovery for me would be harder.

In addition to us not being able to be present for the delivery, general anesthesia can pose complications to a full term infant, not to mention three with immature lung. One aspect we have in our favor is that I have received the round of steroids to help hasten the devleopment of our little lovies lungs. So, now we weigh the options. Do we wait to give the babies more time in the womb to mature, knowing that my platelets may continue to drop and general may be required or do we take them out sooner?

I will have more labs drawn this morning and see the Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist and once again, the minds will converge and decide at least what the short term goal is.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Admitted.....

Okay, so there was a chance I'd be delivered toady but it's probably not going to happen. I saw my high risk doc this morning and my blood pressure was fine and my cervix has lengthened-go figure. This is always the case when I think I know what's going to happen. I've learned with this pregnancy not to plan ahead, to take it day to day. One concerning thing from my visit was the constant headache I've had. The doc was concerned so her sent me over here to the hospital for a neurology consult. He was worried about the prospects of increased intracranial pressure among other strange things that can happen. So he figured why not add another PIH eval. And so here we are...
My labs were drawn. Once again, my platelets are droppingm my uric acid is rising and so is my creatinine,but my liver enzymes remain fine. It's all so strange. I saw a Neuro med student and am waiting on the resident to further assess me but in the meantime they want to admit me for a 24 hour urine and to monitor the labile blood pressure. I may be here until I deliver or I may not. I may deliver tommorow, I may deliver 3 weeks from now. It is all just a huge roller coaster which by the way has been completely exhausting. And to think I"ve been one of the lucky ones who has not had to be admitted this pregnancy so I don't know why I'm complaining. So, if anything more exciting should happen I shall make it known.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Dear babies...

I can't believe you may be here with us within the next four days . The thought is so overwhelming that I just cannot wrap my head around it. As hard as I try to imagine holding you, kissing you, touching you, in my mind it still seems so far away. I've been dreaming of this day for so many years now and for so many years thought it may never happen. Now it is inevitable and still, still, I just won't believe it until the moment is here. It'snot tangible enough for me, not even with all of the appointments, the 9 weeks of bedrest, the huge melon under my ribs, even the feeling of movement in my womb. A part of me feels like it is a cruel trick, a dream still lingering.
I wonder if you'll greet me with loud hardy cries when you emerge or if you will keep me in suspense, quiet until forced to be ready for the world too soon. I wonder what you'll look like, if you'll have hair, or even if your features will distinguish you from your dad or I. I wonder what your personalities will be like. I wonder how long it will be before I actually get to see you, touch you and even hold you. I hope and pray that you're ready for this world and I can't wait to meet you. I love you.....

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Monday or Tuesday??

So, today was the second day I was told I might be delivered. My BP was up again. Sooooooo, over to the hospital I trekked again to have labs drawn. Of ocurse when I got there my BP was pretty stable. My labs continue to be acceptable but they are creeping into the not acceptable area. I got my walking papers and once again stepped off the scary rollercoaster I've been riding since last week. I have had such a healhty pregnancy that I never expected to have blood pressure issues but 1 out of 3 carriers of multiples has bP issues so I shouldn't take it personally.

So tonight I'm just trying to calm my nerves with a little bit of Bejeweled and I get a call from my OB. She was checking up on me because I was at the high risk docs today and didn't see her. She told me in her words,"I think we'll be delivering these babies on Monday or Tuesday." Now, I never know what to make of these statements. Will I go Monday and everything will be miraculously perfect and I'll be on my merry way home? Maybe, but she did say that if I check out okay she may just admit me into the hospital for further observation and keep me there until my labs go yucky enough to be delivered. I've never felt such conflicting feelings. I am petrified of having 3 preemies, of not knowing how well they'll do, I'm glad I've had the steroids to help develop their lungs, I'm exicited to meet them yet overwhelmed at doing so so soon. I just don't know what to think. I don't see how it could be humanly possible to get even a wink of sleep from now until Monday.

In addition to the crazy day I had, I recieved an amazing text message right before the nurse told me I would need to go over to the hospital. Some of you who know me well know that I do pediatric home care and have been caring for the same young girl for a little over a year now. She has mitochondrial disease and has been waiting on organs for a multi-visceral transplant that would includes liver, stomach, intestines and pancrea. These transplants are rarely done. Anyway, the text was tolet me know the organs came through and the surgery is currently underway. Talk about so many things being thrown at me at once. Oh my lord, what a frickin' day.....

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

31.3 Weeks







Yesterday was a fun filled day of appointments. First we saw my OB. I found out that I had lost a pound, had protein in my urine and my blood pressure was elevated. Now, my blood pressure has flipped flopped the last few visits so I wasn't entirely suprised. Some days it's high and other days it's low but I hadn't had protien in my urine yet and with the headaches I've been getting, I was a little nervous. The doc sent me off with a lab slip and told me that if my liver enzymes were elevated that I would have likely been delivered today. It scares me how things can move so quick. I certainly wasn't ready for that.



Then it was off to my high risk doc, where my bp was still elevated. He wasn't overly concerned but wants to see me back on Thursday just to keep a closer eye on it. He said that "delivery is closing in, something is going to get me and I may as well pick my poison." I don't want it to be pre-eclampsia. There was also a little protein in my urine there. The babies look great. They did not measure them this week but they are all squirming around in there and one of them, I believe Baby A is engaged in my pelvis which is probably why I have been feeling so much pain when I walk. My cervix looks great and has not shortened at all since last week and remains closed-woohoo!



I didn't get my lab results back until after 6 which totally had me on edge, waiting, wondering if I would be meeting my babies today. The labs were considered acceptable or within normal limits to my doctor so they will just continue to watch me. However, the labs were a little screwy and the doc thinks maybe I'm dehydrated. I don't see how that is possible because I literally drink about 150oz water a day. I believe that my labs are showing the beginings of PIH. BUT, I am not the doctor so I will have faith in their interpretations and let them guide the way. Of course I am not ready to meet these babies and I'll lay here in bed and drown myself out before I let something like dehydration take me out. I can't really control my bp so if that is my poison then so it shall be.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

31 Weeks and still going...

Yahoo! Today is the we turn 31 weeks. It sounds sort of strange. Maybe I should say today is the day we have made it to 31 weeks or reached 31 weeks. It's all relative. This week had us wondering if we would reach today so every day continues to be a milestone. Thursday we took another trip to the good old B.I.(Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center), as I will refer to it. I thought I was leaking amniotic fluid. It was just pee-another glorious part of having three 4 pounds infant cruising around on my bladder. We spent 5 hours there which always rots but were assured that everything was fine when we left. I think that trip woke the babies up because in the preceding days they had been so inactive no matter what I did. Since then I feel like they've been swimming around in circles in my giant belly.
So the body has been tested this week greatly, between the steroid shots,the leaking, the massive heartburn, the difficulty breathing. I must add that pregnancy causes a 50% blood volume increase. Some days I feel it more than others and the other night I felt like someone was hanging me upside down. Yesterday was a good day and today is just starting so I hope it will be a good day as well. However, any day the babies stay put is a good day. I have gone from thinking we would deliver this week to thinking maybe we will last a few more weeks. The not knowing is enough to drive anybody nuts but is just part of the territory.I'm already looking at pictures and videos of other peoples babies and mourning ours growing big too soon. I know just how fast these little people go from being newborns to big babies to toddlers and so on and I swear I already miss them being babies. I will try to take some more pictures later today and post them for all to ooh and ahh at the amazing capabilities of the human uterus.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Good news and not so good news...

We had an appointment scheduled for Friday but we just couldn't wait that long to see the babies so I snuck in today. I'm glad I did. As you may remember from my last post, the nurse didn't check my cervix last week. She said it had been fine all along and wasn't really necessary. Well, today we found out it shortened. It went from 3 to 2. Although it comes with the territory it was still disappointing, considering I am already on bedrest so there is not much more I can do to keep it long. I also haven't been feeling any contractions lately that might have shortened it so that makes me nervous. It could stay intact for 4 weeks or shrivel up by tommorow-there really is no telling, SO, the doc. sent us on our way to the hospital to receive the first dose of Betamethasone. This is a steroid that will hasten the babies lung development should they be born within the next 3-4 weeks. We will have the second and final shot tommorow and pray that they hold off for at least 4 weeks. We asked if we could get the first shot tommorow and the doc said he wanted it done today. That made me nervous. It could mean something, it could mean nothing. We also had a little scare with the fluid levels. The babies have gotten bigger, making it hard to find the membrane that seperates their sac. The nurse couldn't find it but the doc could and reassured us that the levels are okay. The babies were also very lame today. The nurse had to use a buzzer that vibrates to get them moving. It was definately the most nerve wrecking appointment yet.

On a positive front, the babies are all growing better than we expected. Frankie is estimated to be 3.10, David 3.15 and Mattea 3.10. We were hoping for over 3 pounds so we were very excited about that. We can only hope that these estimates are accurate. David and Frankie remain vertex and Mattea is breech and in the middle, thus giving her free range to kick her brothers in the head. So, every day is a blessing from God at this point, another day for our babies to grow.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

30 Weeks-Yay!







Today I have reached my 30 week mark. I am so happy to have made it this far and that my babies are getting the opportunity to continue growing, practice breathing and build up their brown fat. Sounds so rudimentary but these things are all so important when they are in the outside world.



There is not much news which I guess is good news. I had 2 appointments this week. At the first one I got to see Mattea yawn and stretch and David practice breathing. My bp was a little high that day but seemed to go down by my next appointment. My second appointment was rather boring as they did not do a growth scan. The doctor was on vacation and the nurse said I didn't need it (funny because it has been done every 2 weeks since I was 20 weeks-slacker???). That was disappointing because I was really hoping to see that they were all over 3 pounds by now. In any case they were all there with heartbeats accounted for and they are still in the same position as they have been for weeks now. I will find out how big they are this coming Friday. Now is the time when I need to keep the hospital bag in the trunk when I go to my appointments as the doc said anything can change in a moment's notice.



Aside from being so happy to have grown them this long I am definately getting more and more uncomfortable. My hands are starting tio swell. My XL maternity clothes are getting too small. I am suprised by that because I've seen larger pregnant woman. I'm not sure what they wear. I don't have a clue what I will be wearing soon. Again, another milestone reached and we are so thankful. Enjoy the pics of my lump!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

In the home stretch....


I am certainly in the home stretch now. Today I am 28.3 weeks. I had an appointment yesterday that went well. I hadn't been feeling the babies move all that much lately and come to find out the culprit was just the anterior placentas again. It can be pretty nerve wrenching at times. My cervix is starting to shorten but is still acceptable at 3-3.2cm and pretty much expected at this point. I think, if I am not misunderstood, that the doc said if it hits 2.5 or below that I would reside in the hospital for the remainder of the pregnancy. My BP was great which was good to hear because I have been waking up with swollen hands that hurt.


I saw the babies, who all looked fabulous. The nurse said that little Frankie was a wild man and that he was kicking his siblings non-stop. Poor little fellas. Mattea was flashing her business all around. They were all so cute-I can't wait to meet them. And even though everything hurts right now and I am feeling like dog poop I am still hoping and praying to keep them baking at least another 4 weeks or more. And here is the proof that this belly is looming very large these days~

Sunday, July 12, 2009

S.O.S.....INSOMNIA!

If you are reading this specifically for any important updates then you can close it out now. If you feel like having the pleasure of jumping into my world for a short time then read on. You may get a laugh if not five minutes of something to do.

The hardest thing about being pregnant with Breahna was the lack of sleep I got in the third trimester. That is hands down the hardest thing I've had to deal with this time as well. Despite the bedrest, the anxiety, the lack of money, the feeling that my insides will fall out every time I stand up or that my vagina is going to split in half or the horrendous case of teenage style acne I've developed. Not to mention the struggle to produce a clean catch urine sample each appointment without being able to see below my below and rendering myslef completely helpless. Not sleeping is the worst. During a typical night, I go to bed around 10:30. I flip over around 11:00, then decide I need to get up to pee. After peeing I go to the kitchen and chug a little pink lemonade then bcak to bed. Same process repeated about 6 times each night. I can't lay on my back nor my stomach. My doctor doesn't want me sleeping directly on my hips because they will be sore (they already are). And so are my shoulders. So, I have been looking for the secret to levitaion if anyone has it. No magic wands or snapping fingers could possibly move this big belly.

So here I lay. It's 4am. My husband is snoring away. Scipio is on the floor snoring away and the house is quiet. I can hear the neighbor's sprinkler sysytem. I think I hear Penelope meowing outside. She decided to spend the night there last night. I think I'm going insane. The babies aren't moving much this weekend, depsite all the cold water and pink lemonade I could muster without getting one of those freeze headaches. The doppler tells me they are fine but it seems like they always hunker down and stop moving around on the weekends. I'm not sure why.

I really wish I had a Lazy Boy. I guess that's how big mamas get sleep towards the end. But there's no rooom here for such a luxury. I would have to park it on my back porch. And then God forbid, I actually inhale freshly emitted O2 from the grass below. And sunshine, well good lord, I would probably have a reaction. I mean, I do get out once or twice a week for an appointment but it's usually raining. I've also been known to make a great escape to CVS once a week to peruse the aisle of acne washes. Who knew there were so many frickin' acne washes on the market? My pick this week was the Neutrogena Grapefruit Scrub, It won't work. But it smells good.

I just wish I could sleep...

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Lots to be thankful for...

I certainly do have a lot to be thnakful for. I had another great appointment today. The doctor is thrilled that 1. I have not had any hospital stays yet, 2. I have needed no steroids for the babies lungs yet, 3. my cervix is holding strong, 4. my bp is good and finally, 5. the babies are growing beautifully. I was hoping for two and a half pounds each today and almost got exactly that with the exception of one ounce. However, one baby made up for this short coming. Frankie was 2.7. Mattea was 2.8 and David came in at a whopping 2.12. These are great weights and I am thrilled that they seem to be growing so well.
I have been very uncomfortable the past week. The doc says most carriers of triplets hit a wall around 28 weeks and I've done that. I don't sleep at night and can barely keep my eyes open during the day. Little things wear me down fast. Both boys have flipped over and are head down which I suspected with all the pressure and pain I have been having. The little lady is still lying sideways on top of the boys and has her little legs in a pike position. I am once again thankful to have made it another week and that they are doing so well.
David is back to work-thank God. It is a blessing and a curse because he has been taking such good care of me and the household. My mother in law has been making us some really yummy dinners and my father in law seems to be on the mend froom his back surgery. My sister in law and brother in law came for a visit last weekend and we got to spend some time with them. I may even get a visit from a dear friend from VT tommorow. So, all is well and I have so much to be thankful for.

Monday, July 6, 2009

27.1 Weeks Pic


No new news but just wanted to post a pic of my 27.1 week belly. It is growing very large very fast. It's like a whole new addition placed on my body. Please feel free to dismiss the grease spots on my boob. Breahna left a tube of lipstick in the wash and my clothes got the brunt of it.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

27 Weeks

Well, today I reach 27 weeks. Even though it's not a huge milestone it is one week away from a huge milestone. At 28 weeks, the babies viablity goes up and the rsiks of complications goes down although it is still a concern of course. My cervix was holding strong this past week at 3.4 which is down from what it was before but that is to be expected. The babies weren't measured but will be this coming Tuesday. I'm hoping they are all around 2 1/2 pounds. That is on the higher end of what is expected but why not shoot higher.
Last weekend I made a great escape to my friend Wendys. I lounged in the sun and floated in the pool. It was nice to get out for the day but I paid the price when I got home as my whole body hurt. I'm just not used to doing anything besides laying in bed anymore. Today is the fourth of July. Breahna is gone to the beach and David is at the park with the dogs. Laying in bed is getting old but on the up and up the children have descended from under my left rib cage and I'm feeling a lot of relief from that.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

So Fine, I Don't Have Any Broken Ribs...

Fine. Okay, you're right, I have no broken ribs. Although I didn't have an x-ray to prove it, I did have an ultrasound that clearly showed the leg of Mattea wedged under my rib ALONG with the big ole melon of Frankie jammed up in there for company. It is not my imagination, the pain and uncomfortableness of moving from one side to the other, of sniffling, sneezing or coughing. Thanks kids. Ya know, for reminding me of your presence. Now just stay put in there and keep growing. I love you.

Monday, June 29, 2009

The Not So Fun Part

The last couple of days of this pregnancy have been hard. Sleeping is getting almost impossible. Something is going on with the lower left side of my rib cage. It feels like I have broken ribs. It kills when I breath, sniffle, cough, move, aagh, it is the worst pain ever. I've had a broken rib before which wasn't fun and remember there is nothing that can be done about it so I guess I just have to deal with whatever is going on. Rolling over in bed is such a task. I'm dying to sleep on my back or stomach. I would kill to have a Lazy Boy right about now. I look like poop. My nose has grown to what seems like giant proportions as well as my lips. It's hard not to complain when I am already measuring full term and can only imagine what it would be like to go another 8 weeks.
However, in spite of being uncomfortable I am so grateful for each day that I get to continue to cook these amazing babies. A fellow forum member had her triplets the other day at 25.5 weeks. They are doing well for their gestation but they are just so little. At the same time, when I look at the pictures of those babies I can't believe I have 3 in here that are even bigger than that. I just can't fathom it. I wish my stomach was see through and I could see where they are. Granted my belly is very big but I still can't imagine how they fit in there all together. It continues to blow my mind. And even though I have a hard time grasping that they are all in there and will be out soon, I already love them so much.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Getting Huge...




I am certainly getting quite large. I had an appt. yesterday with my regular OB. My fundus is measuring 37 weeks and I have gained 20 pounds so far so I feel that I will be an elephant very soon. You'll notice I haven't added any face shots with my pics. This is because for one thing, I have always hated having my picture taken and two, I look terrible. My skin is awful because I've been left to fester in my own pile of grease and I just look very unfavorable. In any case, enjoy the huge belly pics...

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Triplet Sandwich

Yes, we have a triplet sandwich. I haven't been feeling the little ones move too much lately and was quite bothered by this. I spent the weekend poking my stomach, shaking it, downing lemonade. Today at my appointment ultrasounds confirmed that each baby is lying transverse (across my belly) with their heads and feet in opposite direction. Since all the placentas are across the front of my stomach I'm not feeling their jabs. I saw them today though and they were very active.
They all have adequate fluid and are measuring a little over 26 weeks. Baby A (Frankie)measures 1.15, baby B (David) 2.1 and Baby C (Mattea)1.15. My cervix is measuring about 3.9 which is very good. My BP is good so everything is going wonderfully so far. I look like I should've given birth last week.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Yay-Nursery Almost Complete
















The nursery is almost complete. We need only the area rug, the chnaging pad and the perfect lamp. I have enjoyed my new discovery of mod podge. With it I've made the wooden letters for the wall and also some little birdhouses. My mind is spinning with all of the things I could make with mod podge, not for the nursery though because it's already busier than I wanted it to be. Maybe Breahna will let me make something for her room, if it's not too kiddish. Here are the pictures. Here it is: