25 weeks - The good and the bad news

Bad news first...
I was really hoping my cervix would continue to stay long, but unfortunately,  it shortened a bit this week. It had been staying around 4.5 for the past weeks, but I noticed right away on the u/s that it looked shorter. When I asked the tech the length she said she'd let Dr. N review it and see what he thought. So I knew it wasn't great because usually the tech tells me right away. When we met with Dr.N he said it had shortened but that it is to be expected in a triplet pregnacy, so I shouldn't be too worried... but he did say that if it cotinues to shorten that I would need to be admitted to the hospital. So I need to do my best to stay laying flat as much as possible, aka modified bedrest.

I'd also been having more contractions which have been lasting longer. Dr. N also said this is normal because my uterus is now the size of a full-term uterus. He prescribed Nefedipine to reduce contractions, and said to stay well hydrated. I've only been on them for a day, but I have noticed fewer contactions.

At 25 weeks... measuring 40 weeks

Now for the good news....
I had my 2nd shower this past weekend, and was showered with love and lots of amazing gifts. Four of my sisters hosted the "3 peas in the pod" themed shower. They came up with so many adorable games, party favors, and even food ideas. I'm really hoping one of my sisters sends me their photos because I forgot to bring my camera :( I did get a few photos on my iphone from the shower.

Before the shower, in the nursery

Lots of cute clothes

Diaper cake made by my sister Ginny Sue. I was so impressed, this was her first time making one.

Diaper cake from my friend Melissa. You can't see it, but there are 3 pairs of sock in a pod on top - so cute!

My nieces playing the sock sorting game

My niece Renee playing the 3 peas in a pod game

Friends and family enjoing the tea and beautiful weather

Lots of lovely gifts

The most popular gift - we got 7!

24 weeks!

Well we've made it to 24 weeks which is our first, of hopefully many, milestones to reach in this pregnancy. I had my appointment yesterday and the office must have overbooked because it took us a loooong time to be called back. I was trying to be as patient as possible, but it's getting more difficult to sit for long periods of time, and it was super hot in the waiting room. Someone went up to the front and complained about the heat, turns out the air conditioning was on the fritz. No A.C. + a room full of pregnant women = a lot of pissy pregnant women. Once I did get called back the nurse had me give my urine sample, check weight, and took my b/p, but then she sent me right back into the hot waiting room to wait for an u/s tech. It took over an hour to get in for our u/s. Usually I love when the u/s tech does the growth scan (about every 3 weeks), but this week I was already so hot and uncomfortable once I got called back, I was hoping for a quick scan. Thank god the tech noticed I was hot (my bright red face was probably a giveaway) and adjusted the air (which, thank god, was working in the u/s rooms). First she did a cervix check, which is still holding strong at 4.3 with no funneling. Then on to the fun part; seeing the babies! Of course they had all moved around again. It was difficult to see Baby A on the u/s because he's so low, but both Baby B and C are now breech. The growth scan showed that all three babies are weighing in at 1 lb 9 oz. It was at this point that our peri came in, and the first thing he asked the u/s tech was if she was sure she didn't just measure the same baby 3 times (he's a funny guy). Besides being happy with their weights, he was very happy that my cervix is still relatively long. So he told me to keep doing what I'm doing, and just take it easy. After he left that u/s tech got a few images for us to take home (no 3D this time though :(). We decided that Baby A will probably be the shy type since he's hiding down so low in the dark abyss of my uterus, Baby B will probably be a gymnast since she was in a pike position with her toes by her head, and Baby C will be a model or actress since she wouldn't give the poparazzi (u/s tech) a clear image.

Baby A - All we could really make out was the spine and a hand

Baby B - with her feet up by her head

Other stats:

Weight: 158 (up 39 lbs)

Blood pressure: 102/62

Cravings: Not much this week, just water. I guess I could add French Dips because I ordered this twice this week when I went out - yum!

Symptoms: b/h contractions, swollen hands, backaches, mild exhaustion

24 weeks

I also got the protussis vaccination (T-dap booster) at this appointment since there's been an outbreak around here.

I have my 2nd shower this weekend, that my sisters' are throwing for me. I can't wait!

23 week update

I've been a pretty bad blogger lately... I had friends in from out of town so I completely missed my 22 week update. Considering last week was a hectic week and we had a quick appointment, I don't even remember all the details from that appointment... so I'll just move on to this week. As of todays appointment, everything is looking great! I was a little nervous going into the appointment because I wasn't feeling very hot on Tuesday; I was having difficulty breathing, pelvic pressure, and more contractions (BH) than usual. So I spent most of Wed. laying on the couch drinking lots of water, and it definitely helped.

At todays appointment I found out that all the babies had switched positions; Baby A in now breech (he was previously head down), Baby B is also breech (she was head down), and Baby C is transverse (Previously breech). It's good to know they still have room to move around in there, and that explains all the movement I've been feeling lately. Due to the pelvic pressure, I was worried that my cervix had might have shortened but it is still holding strong at 4.5. My peri said that he was very happy with my progress, but again reminded me that things can change very quickly in a triplet pregnancy and I need to continue to take it easy. He loves to kill my joy ;)

Some other stats at 23 weeks:

Weight: 155

Blood pressure: 100/60

Cravings: Mint chocolate chip ice cream, limeade, and... pickles (I know, it's very cliche)

Nursery progress: Al and his brother put up the cribs a couple weekends ago (pictures to come), glider is set up, changing table is ready, and it's painted! Next up is getting the closet ready. We ordered a closet system that should be in next week, then I can get the closet organized.

23 week photo in nursery:

21 weeks

I had my 21 week appointment yesterday, and it ended up being the best u/s I've had so far. I felt bad because I told my husband he didn't have to go to all these weekly appointments because they probably weren't going to be doing an u/s every week, well, I guess I was wrong. It was a different u/s tech and she was very thorough, plus I was feeling really good, unlike last time when I felt lightheaded and I think they rushed through the u/s a bit. She explained that Babies A and B are both head down (vertex) and Baby C is breech. She also showed me their positioning in my belly; Baby A is very low, down by my bladder and is an anterior placenta, Baby B is more in the middle-right by my belly button and has a posterior placena, and Baby C is way up high on the left by my ribs and has an anterior placenta. My peri came in for a quick check. He said that my cervix was still looking good at 4.5, and that I was measuring about 32 weeks. He was very positive and said to keep taking it easy. After he left the u/s tech was able to get some great 3-D images, although Baby C was being uncooperative - she was scrunched up in a little ball. She tried to get one of all 3, but after several attempts said that they are to big to fit in one image.

The babies weights were: Baby A - 15 oz, Baby B - 14 oz, Baby C - 14 oz.

Baby A

Baby B

Baby C being very shy

Some other 21 week stats:

Blood pressure: 98/62

Weight: 151 (up 32 lbs)

Cravings: I had a craving for mint chocolate chip ice cream the other day, so my sweet husband went out and bought a gallon after dinner. I've been trying to limit my intake to only one serving a day, but I was weak yesterday and had two :(. Other than that, I've still been craving fruit.

Symptoms: bloody nose, lower backache, and some difficulties breathing

Movement: There's seriously a party going on in my belly! I'm feeling Baby B moving around a lot now. At night, after dinner, they go crazy. Last night Al was able to feel both Babies B and C kicking.

20 week appointment

I've made it half way!!! I know, I know, I'm going to deliver prior to 40 weeks, but it's still a great milestone to hit 20 weeks.

It was a quick, but great appointment. The u/s tech did a quick cervix check, and said everything was looking good. Right now my cervix is nice and long at 4.5, and that I don't need to be concerned until it gets in the 2-2.5 range. She did a quick scan of the babies, and I couldn't believe how big they're getting - they take up most of the screen and you can see that they're starting to get a little fat on their ribs. We got a photo of Baby B that looks like she's sucking her thumb - so cute!

When we met with our peri after he said that they are going to be paying closer attention to my cervix from now on, and that I need to start taking it easy. He didn't say "bed rest", but more of a pelvic rest and couch potato. He also said no more sex or excercise besides swimming or floating in the pool. Not that I'd been doing much of either anyways... From now on I will be having appointments every week. I told my dh he doesn't need to go to all the appointments, especially now that they aren't going to be doing as many u/s, but he said he wants to. He's already proving to be a great daddy!

Some other stats:

Blood pressure: 98/60

Weight: 149 (up 30 lbs)

Movement: More and more lately, especially after meals. Mainly I'm feeling baby C; I found out today she is up very high by my ribs (that would explain that pressure up there!), but I've also felt occasional "taps" from babies A and B.

20 week photo from my shower last weekend at the ILs (I will post more photos once I get them uploaded)

19 week stats

Looks like I'm starting to slow down a bit. I'm not feeling terrible or anything, but I've been tiring out much more quickly. I met my girlfriend for lunch breakfast yesterday and parked my car a little over a block away on a slight hill, and by the time I walked back to my car I was exhausted. I'm a marathon runner for god's sake, I'm not used to tiring out after walking a couple blocks up hill! I am trying to listen to my body and limit my activity now that I'm reaching 20 weeks.

19 week stats

weight: 147 (up 28 lbs)

belly: 37 1/2 "

cravings: Pinkberry yogurt (original and pomegranite w/ strawberries on top)

symptoms: nose bleeds, backaches, mild exhaustion

movement: I guess what I thought were movements from baby C may really be braxton hicks. I've been feeling my stomach get really tight and buldge in certain areas, mainl on my right side. I have felt some soft taps and flutters as well.

19 week belly:

Remembering Grandpa T

It's been a bit of rough week since my last post. This past week was the funeral for dh's grandpa, and although he had been sick, it hit my husband pretty hard. Thankfully he went to visit his grandpa in the hospital a few weeks earlier when he was recovering from pnemonia. He almost didn't go because I was sick and it's a 2 hour drive; I'm so glad he decided to go and was able to see his grandpa one last time before he died. He was also able to show his grandpa some of the u/s photos during that visit. Grandpa was astonished and even repeated "three?!" Mh said he wasn't able to talk much, but he could tell he understood because he got emotional and repeated some of the words dh told him.

We went up for the viewing and funeral this past weekend and I was able to learn what an amazing man he was. He served in WWII; he parachuted in on the beaches of Nomandy, fought in the Battle of the Buldge, received a Purple Heart and went on to marry and raise three children. That, of course, is just a brief overview. My dh was able to add his own personal memory of his grandpa giving him a ring for his highschool graduation that had been his "guardian angel" throughout the war. My dh wore the ring to the funeral and said that he hoped to pass it on to one of our grandchilren someday. At the end of the funeral dh said one last goodby to grandpa, then put our most recent 3D u/s photos in the casket for grandpa.

At our wedding; grandma T wanted to dance, and grandpa T was very emotional.

The u/s images that went with grandpa for him to watch over:

Our boy, baby A

Our peaceful little girl - triplet "B"

Our squirmy girl - triplet "C"