Another angel among us - Friday, July 27, 2007

Today I am 12 weeks along.

The babies now measure about 2 inches in length. I've gained 6.5lbs. It's not the 8-12lbs they wanted me to gain by 12 weeks which is a bummer—but VERY hard to do. I can't remember ever eating constantly, not exercising, and having such a hard time gaining weight. I'm practically a food machine. Also, my belly popped. I wasn't this big with Gabby until I was at least 18 weeks along. In looking back at photos, I don't think I even popped a belly with Gabby until about 15 or 16 weeks. I guess this is normal with a multiple pregnancy though. Apparently, twin pregnancy bellies measure 6-8 weeks ahead, and triplet bellies can measure up to 10 weeks ahead.

It's getting difficult to strategically hold papers over my mid-section when up & about at work, so I’ll probably tell my employer soon. With Gabby I could hardly wait to share our wonderful news. And, with this pregnancy… it seems I want to crawl into a hole and I could wait until the babies arrive to announce the pregnancy. The stress of the multiple pregnancy can really take a toll on ones emotions.

To help fuel what I'm sure will be a lifelong emotional roller coaster, we now know that Baby C is an angel in Heaven. I've cried more tears than I've ever cried in my life. And, I know I will never go a day without thinking about Baby C. The most difficult thing for me down the road may be when people refer to Baby A and Baby B as the "twins"... when really, they started out as a triplets.

People tell me with the best intentions that "God only gives you what you can handle". And while I respect that saying and appreciate the thought behind it... at times I'm not sure I believe it. While there might truly be a plan for each and every one of us… it’s hard to swallow when plans come to an end, unforeseen health complications enter our lives or when we're faced with life situations that one wouldn't wish upon their worst enemy.

We are so thankful for such supportive family and friends. Please keep these babies in your thoughts and prayers, and help us find comfort in knowing there is another angel among us.

Unlucky Friday the 13th

Today I am 9 weeks, 6 days along and we had our first level 2 ultrasound appointment.

All babies are looking about the same approximate size—between 3.12-3.15cm from crown to rump. All three had healthy heart beats. The doctors noticed a potential problem with Baby C today. The NT scan seemed to show an abnormal amount of fluid in Baby C's neck.

Please continue to keep the babies in your thoughts and prayers.

My heart skipped a beat... Thursday - July 12, 2007

Today I am 9 weeks, 5 days along. I had my first regular OB appointment for the babies & I with our newly assigned high-risk MD. All the regular stuff - blood tests, review of health history, physical exam, etc. And, some new stuff...

Because of the triplet pregnancy we had to discuss all the differences with carrying multiples, the complications and risks, what not-to-do's, how much more food I need to be eating and weight to gain. I also have to do an early glucose test - YUK! I hate that test. And, it's been real tough trying to put weight on. I've gained 3lbs. But I swear if I didn't have 3 little parasites inside me I'd probably have gained about 15lbs by now with all the extra food I've been eating. Well, a combination of the food and not being able to run anymore.

Also, because I'm pregnant with multipes we were also able to peak in on the babies via ultrasound again today instead of just getting to listen to the heart beats. I was excited about that... it's always fun to see what's growing inside you. And, I kind of had an itch to see them again and how much bigger they've grown. Because it was a simple portable ultrasound machine, it lacked good picture quality - but it still did the trick.

We were able to locate two of the baby's heart beats real easy - baby A and baby C (baby A is the baby closest to the cervix and then you go clockwise from there). Baby B wanted to make mommies heart skip a beat... as we couldn't find a heart beat right away. Baby B was positioned in such a way that we could only get a good shot from the top of the head. My heart was in my throat as we were waiting to see if the doctor could locate the heart beat. I was honestly worried and hoping that we'd find baby B's heart beating. Sounds like an odd feeling coming from someone who is so unsure of this whole triplet thing... but it's truly how I felt. Once we located baby B's heart beat I felt a sigh of relief. Whew!

Triple-take - Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Today I am 8 weeks and 4 days along. We went in for our second and last ultrasound at the REI clinic today. It was bittersweet. I made the MD check three times for three heart beats, etc., because I still can't believe three babies are growing inside me. The more I see them growing, and all the features starting to become clearer, the less I know I'm going to wish I was only pregnant with two. Today we could see that arms and legs have sprouted. We could see them wiggle a little. We could also see the faces a little better defined. It was fun to see the kiddos again. They still look like jelly bean babies of course, but much more human than two weeks ago.

Gabby came with Dan and I for the appointment today. And, it was funny because both the REI MD who put Gabby in my belly and the OB MD who delivered Gabby were in attendance. Too bad we didn't bring a camera! LOL!

The MD's said I need to try and gain 8-12 lbs in the first trimester with a multiples pregnancy. Well... I am already sadly failing to do that. This must sound crazy, but it's REALLY hard to pack weight on when you've got three little leeches growing inside you. I've gained one pound so far. So... if I estimate correctly, I have to gain 7-11 pounds in 3 weeks and 3 days. Lord only knows how that's going to happen. I feel like I've been eating constantly WHEN I don't feel like puking. And no - I have not thrown up yet, but I have gagged at least once every morning for the past 2 weeks. Ugh!

Please continue to keep these little ones in your thoughts and prayers! Hugs and Kisses!