First Foods!

The boys are one week away from their 5 month birthday-versary. I started Vaughn on solids EXACTLY the same time. Vance in particular was showing signs of being ready for food. Vaughn got her corndog a little too close to his mouth last night and he tried to eat it. And he's also been staring me down whenever I'm eating anything. A clear sign a baby is ready for solids.

I made my babies some baby food this morning. Bananas it was. I have done a lot of research on this topic and you do NOT have to start with rice cereal. I made all of my daughters baby food. And I plan on doing the same for my boys. Not only is it INCREDIBLY cheaper. It makes me feel good knowing I provided their food. It wasn't made from a factory, but at home, with lots of mommy lovin'. Much the same feeling I get from breastfeeding.

It is not as hard as many people think. I only had to buy ice cube trays, a TINY food processor (I think I paid $10 at Walmart for it), and seran wrap. I learned and still utilize this website www.wholesomebabyfood.com, exclusively for all of my questions and answers and how to's for making baby food.

I puree the food, put it into ice cube trays, cover with seran wrap. The next day pop it out and put in gallon sized freezer bags and label the date and contents. Then to serve I microwave a cube or cubes for about 30 seconds, and add rice cereal if it needs thickening, or water (or breastmilk) to thin. I spent about 1-2 hours every other week making foods for Vaughn. I imagine I won't need much more time with these guys. I worked full time when I made all of Vaughn's too. So it REALLY doesn't take a lot of time, and is easy. And I repeat, SO much cheaper! I can get a butternut squash for a couple of dollars, and it fills 3 ice cube trays, that's about 30 meals!! I wouldn't be able to get ONE meal at the store of baby food for that price.

As I predicted Van did pretty well, he made faces at first, but then ended up REALLY liking it. No suprise there.





Jett also REALLY enjoyed it, and I was again, not suprised. He is SO laid back.



And Pierce. Picky, picky Pierce. What can I say? I tried and tried and he kept spitting it out, just like the others did at first as well. But I continued trying, as you're supposed to. He started gagging though, and eventually PUKED. I guess he's not quite ready for the solids. :)




We'll be trying twice a day though. Maybe he just doesn't like banana's? We'll see. Next up, in 4 days will be avocado's, or butternut squash. I LOVE making baby food!

A little unplanned fun...

I must admit that I like plans. I like organization. I like everything as it should be and for everything to happen when I want it to. This has gotten worse since having children.

Since the triplets have been born we of course cannot focus 100% of our attention solely on Vaughn. And she knows it. Unfortunately.

I've been feeling awfully guilty that I can't give her the summers she deserves.

A summer in the sun.

A summer playing at the park.

A summer of many, many beach visits.

A summer of walks.

A summer of waterpark visits.

A summer of lying in the grass and contemplating bugs.

She's been robbed of a summer that she desperately wants. She BEGS to go outside. She pleads to sit in the front yard.

It hurts us a lot that because we have 3 newborns the majority of her summer she is stuck inside.

Yesterday in between feeding babies and knowing I had about an hour that I wouldn't be stuck to the couch, I was going to make my grocery list. Then I had a thought...

I grabbed some water balloons, filled them up, and told Vaughn to come outside. I pelted her with the balloons, and she squeeled with delight! "Again!" We had our hose running into our pool filling it up, so instead I grabbed that and started spraying her. In her clothes and all! Unplanned, unrehearsed, FUN!

She loved it! I sprayed her, she sprayed me. I let her run into her unfilled kiddie pool and fall down and get dirty..... in her clothes. *gasp!*

We had a fun 20 minutes or so of fun!

I need to learn to brer more spontaneous. For my children. I want them to live freely without strict schedules and planning.

I'm trying.

Who needs a waterpark? Vaughn doesn't know the difference!

Wordless Wednesday

You eat too much, you go home!

Doug is in the field for a few days. So I'm alone. With my 4 kids, and my two stepsons.

7pm at my house is what I like to call "baby witching hour." Vaughn was this way too. The babies, at least two of them, everynight, like to marathon feed. Or just be plain crabby until about 10pm. Never fails really, and it is a ROUGH couple hours. Vaughn also starts getting crabby and tired this time of night, so we're dealing with the babies, and Vaughn. Well, I had to do it alone last night. My stepsons helped as much as they felt comfortable, but of course I did most everything.

Van likes to eat. He LOVES to nurse. He'll nurse himself sick. Literally. Vaughn did this too. She really just wanted to suckle, but wouldn't take a pacifier, so she'd eat until she vomited. Fun. I learned the trick of giving her the side of my breast to suck on, so she wouldn't get sick. I had hickies all over my boob from her. Van doesn't realize when he's had enough. And I'm started to realize that. With all of the craziness last night alone I didnt' realize either when he had enough.

One second I'm bottle feeding Van some breastmilk next to me, and also doing the same with Pierce, on the boppy, and my stepson is feeding Jett. When Van pulls off the bottle and vomits about 3 ounces all over the couch. I pick him up and over my shoulder, and he vomits about 3 more ounces all over me.



Haha. He's adorable. Gotta love him. But he LOVES him some titty bar! We constantly tell him in our best asian accent from an SNL skit "You eat TOOO much, You go HOME!"

Wordless Wednesday

They're Here!! 1 month old!!

Okay, I know this is WAY late. But the boys arrived on May 7th, 2010. As scheduled and planned.




The first, at 12:07 is Pierce, weighing 4lbs 11oz, 18 1/2 in.




Second came Jett, at 12:08 weighing 3lbs 15oz, 17 in.





And third, at 12:09, Vance (Van), weighing 5lbs 10oz, 19 in.




All of their apgars were great. All were healthy and looking perfect. I was discharged 4 days later, after an easy C Section recovery, and Van & Pierce were discharged the next day. Jett ended up staying for 13 days total in the NICU due to typical 36 week issues, maintaining body temp, and suck/swallowing/breathing.






We loaded the two up and went to the NICU everyday to see Jett. We headed back from Minnesota home to Virginia 4 days after Jett was discharged. Doug drove with Vaughn. And I flew with the triplets, with my moms help.

The day we left with all 3!



We've been home now for almost two weeks. And Doug went back to work almost immediately, and Vaughn to daycare. Things have been going pretty well. We have no family here, but a ton of friends. Friends have been a big help as far as cooking / preparing meals for us, which really is a HUGE help. My 12 year old and 17 year old stepsons are also living here for the summer, so they help with a lot of chores, so that is nice as well. We are pretty much doing it solo though. I don't get more than a two hour stretch of sleep, but I think it would feel weird at this point if I did. I am nursing Van & Pierce, and pumping for Jett, and he also gets fortified milk, and sometimes straight formula. He never quite got the hang of nursing after going back and forth between gavaging, going back in the incubator, etc. But it's all working out!

Here's some recent pictures! They're already over a month old!



Jett:

Pierce:

Van:


Pierce: "Hey, I think I found a boob!", Van: "Me too!" Jett: "What the heck!?"

It's here!! Delivery Day!!

WOW. What a road this has been. I still don't think that it has truly hit me that in just under 5 hours from now my C Section will start and probably within 5 hours from now I'll have seen all 5 of my sons. WOW. This has truly been an incredible journey for me.

I feel SO lucky to have not had a single day of mandated bedrest, I have had zero complications, no swelling, and no problems with any of the babies. I really have an amazing support system of friends, family, and "online" friends. And I have to believe that their prayers, positive thoughts, chants, naked dances around the campfire, whatever it is to show their support for me, has really pad off.... for me and the babies to have all made it.... healthy. So a HUGE thank you to all of them, because I REALLY don't believe I could have made it this far without them.

In case you didn't hear the final names are: Vale Truman, Pierce Cullen, and Jett Hudson. We are waiting to decide who is whom until we see them and see which fits which. Wouldn't it be fun if we had a Blonde, a Brunette, and a Redhead? :) That's actually how Doug is, he's blonde, his brother is brunette, and his sister a readhead. I think that is so neat. No, they aren't triplets :)

Doug came home from his 7 month deployment two days ago. Vaughn was a little shy at the airport, but by the time we got home I couldn't get her off of his lap and she was eager to show him all of her toys and play. It was a wonderful, perfect sight. That was the hardest thing about him being gone. Not me being pregnant without him, not me missing him, not me doing everything myself.... it was seeing him missing out on SO much with her, and her growing further away from him. He is amazed at how much she has grown and changed, and for her at least, it is like her daddy never left, she is already that close to him :)

I don't feel nervous yet. I leave for the hospital in less than 2 hours. I'm sure the anxiety will start soon though. I just wanted to make sure I documented before I headed off. This being my last few hours as a mommy to 1.

Here's my last "pregancy photo" I am 35weeks and 3 days here. As of today at 35 weeks and 6 days I measure 46 1/2 inches around, and total weight gain is 23 1/2 pounds. Darn. I was shooting for a nice square 4 feet around. Almost made it!

And here is a photo of Doug and Vaughn shortly after getting home from the airport reconnecting :) A beautiful sight.

Now, onto the next great journey....

And the countdown is on!!!

I had my 34 week appointment on Friday and everything was looking great! C's fluid hadn't gone down anymore. A's had gone down a lot, but still within what they like to see. They're fat little boys! A is the biggest at 5lbs 9oz (a week ahead!), B is 5lbs 3oz (on time), and C is 4lbs 5oz (1 week behind). So they are doing super!!

My C section is scheduled for May 7th at 11:30am (I'll be 35weeks and 6days)!! And my husband Doug comes home 2 days before hand!

It is still unreal to me that in 10 days I'll be going from the mother of 1, to the mother of 4!!! Gosh. Yes, it certainly has NOT hit me yet.

I feel huge. I am measuring 46 1/2 inches around! I have gained 1 1/2 inches of that just in the last week!! These boys are running out of room! I have gained less than 30 lbs total somehow though. I feel like my arms and butt have disappeared. The doctor said they would take from my fat reserves, and they obviously are. I don't know how I am not gaining more! After 9pm tonight I had Dairy Queen, AND chips and dip!

I have a wonderful rash, PUPPPS. It's a VERY itchy rash that affects some pregnant women, more commonly those who gain excess weight, or who are carrying multiples. The cortizone lotion doesn't help much. But I am determined not to itch it, and I have been very good about it, because it can scar.

I have a doctors appointment tomorrow morning. One on Friday, one on Tuesday, then I deliver that Friday!! Yay!! I'm hoping all goes well at these appointments and the babies hold out until the 7th!! But I bring my packed bag with to my appointments now, just in case.

I'm off to bed! Here's a photo of me last Thursday (33 weeks and 5days). And a photo of my gorgeous daughter :)

I knew the other shoe would drop...

Had my 33 week appointment today. I informed them that I have felt FANTASTIC since Saturday so that I did not want to deliver at 34 weeks, and would like to charge on until 36 weeks. Even though some would jump at the chance to deliver early, I am not one of them, I know every day is better for these babies, and although they would all probably be fine if born in 10 days, I'd rather them be WONDERFUL and continue cooking.

Anyhow. I figured everything would be FINE. As it always has been. But it appears my little runt, baby C's ambiotic fluid had gone WAY down since last week. Every week all 3 have had GREAT fluid. Above and beyond what they need. Well, apparently C still has adequate fluid. But they were concerned about how much of a difference there was between last weeks amount, and this weeks. When the tech came back with the doctor he said he was concerned, but not enough to deliver me today. Good. But he is concerned enough that now from here on out, I will be having two appointments a week instead of just one. So my next appointment is Tuesday.

I haven't had a growth scan in 3 weeks now. And my next one will be a week from today. And ever since my last I have kind of been predicting that they would deliver me at this next one. Baby C has just always been behind the other two, and that gap gets wider and wider every time. And I just have this gut instinct that next Friday they are going to say that the gap is wider than they feel comfortable with and want to deliver me. But now my new prediction...... hehehe. (A girl is entitled to change her mind, frequently, right?) is that they are going to want to deliver me on Tuesday, OR Friday, due to this fluid issue.

We'll see. I hope they stay in there. I hope he doesn't lose anymore fluid. I hope he's a fat chunker and keeps growing. But.... I just have this feeling.

My daughter Vaughn is at my dad's house for this weekend until Sunday sometime. So I am officially making this "get ready for babies weekend." I'm organizing the things that remain to be organized, putting in the carseats, and packing my hospital bag. I went to Target today and rode around my little cart and picked up my travel sizes of toiletries I'll need for the hospital, and a few other things I'll need for right after (AKA Gigantor pads), etc.

In happier news. The tech switched the u/s to 3d for me. And A & C are on bottom, and they are curled up in a ball. But B's in the penthouse and he had just a perfect profile shot. And seriously, he looked JUST like my husbands baby photos! Full lips, mop of hair, round nose, and little bags under his eyes. TOO cute! It's so hard to tell with those 3D shots though. But guess we'll find out soon enough! My Mom doesn't have a scanner, so my Dad is going to scan that pic for me, so I'll post it whenever he emails it to me!

If these babies DO make it, to 36 weeks full term, than 3 weeks from today and I'll be delivering!!! I am going to tell them I want to deliver on May 7th. That gives my husband adequate time after he gets here to recoup from his jetlag. But not TOO much time, because we have limited vacation, and don't want to sit around doing nothing. 3 weeks feels pretty far away right now! But I know it'll be here quicker than I realize!

The belly is taking over!

I have been felling MUCH MUCH better since the day after my last doctor's appointment. So, if this continues I am cancelling my amnio and trucking on to 36 weeks!! I went to the mall yesterday for a haircut and pedicure. I sat most of the time. But my ankles and feet swelled up from it! They have never done this, so this is new to me! They aren't CRAZY swollen, but definitely I can tell. They still aren't down today.

Here's my gigantor belly!! (32weeks 5days)

Finally!!!

I had a nice lunch / playdate at the mall with a childhood friend of mine & her sister & our 3 kids today. Afterwards while we were saying goodbye outside I proudly lifted up my shirt to show them my ever expanding belly in all it's glory. Haha. Then put it back down.

Well, a few ladies walking out of the mall came over to me "Excuse me, can we ask you something? Are you having twins?" hahaha. I have NEVER been asked that yet! More recently I get things like "Oh, any day now, huh?", or "You must be close to your due date." In which I respond "I have two months until my due date.", or "well, it would be any day, except I'm carrying triplets, so I have 2-4 more weeks."

Of course I told these ladies "no, it's triplets!" And they had a few questions, which I hurredly and politely answered because I was trying to say my farewells to my friend. Nothing too nosy, just what the sexes were, and was "this one" (Vaughn) mine too. Then of course "Bless you, I'll be praying for you!" Which of course, I accept and appreciate all of the blessings I can get.

Sounds silly, but I like that I look pregnant with multiples now :)

On a less happy note. I have been lucky so far to only get about 5 stretch marks on my the backs of my hips. And really, they're pretty small, only an inch or so, or smaller. And I have one above, and one below my belly button. But, I am EVER vigilant! And EVERY night I take out my 10x magnification mirror and look for changes in my stomach. Well, I grew some stretch marks overnight it would seem. *Sigh* I feel lucky to have made it this far. I am not delusional. Really HOW many people carry triplets and get NO, or LITTLE to NO stretch marks on their stomaches? If I had delivered a few days ago, that would be me. But I found not 1 on my lower stomach tonight, but like 7. Ahhh. And they're all already over an inch long. And they were NOT their yesterday. Was it the mall? Perhaps I need to stay indoors!! :) I'm okay with it, really I am though. I have said from the beginning I don't care, these babies are worth it. I'm not going to LIE and pretend I would love NONE. But, I'm okay if my stomach was COVERED as well. Vanity of the body kind of takes a backseat when pregnant with triplets! :)

The doctor is putting me out of my misery!

I have been MISERABLE this week. Frequent nausea, a very bad gag reflex, which leads most times to me puking, hip pain, and lack of sleep, and terrible sleep. I have lost two pounds in 4 days from lack of appetite, and then puking 3 days in a row from gagging from taking pills, and once from a bug flying into my mouth, lol.

Well, I had my doctors appointment today. And they are used to me saying I feel GREAT. So they were all kind of shocked when I said MISERABLE. The appointment went well, babies are all doing what they're supposed to, and are looking great. I met with a doctor I had never before and I brought up the fact that a different doctor their had said that if I reach 34-35 weeks and am miserable than we could do an amnio on the largest baby, and if the lungs look good, then we could deliver early. I never thought I'd feel miserable. And I really wanted to wait it out because 1) for the babies sake, every day longer in there is better for them, and 2) we will have to pay for Doug to come home early.

So we discussed it, and she said triplets are really full term between 34-36 weeks, based on how the babies are doing, and how the mother is doing mentally and physically. She said she did not want me to have 4 more weeks of feeling like I do now, and I agree whole heartedly! So, looks like 2 weeks from today (April 23rd) we'll do an amnio, and later they'll call me, and if everything looks good, then we'll plan on delivering 2-3 days later... just to give Doug a couple of days to get here in time for the delivery!! So it is looking like April 25th, or April 26th, the babies will be here!! Me and the babies will spend at least 4 days in the hospital. Recovering from a C-Section from triplets, is a LOT harder than from 1 baby from what the doctors are telling me. The babies may be able to leave when I leave.

The doctor said the worries that they have for the babies at that gestation isn't "physical", but normally they don't have enough fat to regulate their body temperatures, and eating. They aren't coordinated enough yet, to get the suck, swallow, breath thing down.

REALLY the babies will be almost 35 weeks when their born. Because their gestation is based on my last menstrual period, but based on my conception date, they're actually 4 days farther along. Because of the WAY we conceived we KNOW the day we conceived. And my doctor(s) are aware of this as well, and that is why the babies have always measured a little bit ahead, because, well, they ARE a little ahead. But they won't change my due date, because it's less than a weeks difference.

So looks like April babies it is!! I can't believe only 2 1/2 more weeks. Now, if I start to feel better. I'll tell them forget it, let them cook another 2 weeks. But my doctors really believe I'm only going to feel worse and worse. Yay.

I can't believe only just over 2 more weeks. I do NOT feel ready! But I don't think I ever will!

31 weeks!

My belly is getting really pointy!!

Working smarter not harder!

I got smart at Target and used the electric cart! My mom is NOT good with the camera phone, but you get the idea! This was MUCH easier on my back and belly!

31 weeks today!

30 week appointment

Had my 30 week appointment on Friday. I had a BPP(Bio physical profile,) growth scan, and NST(Non stress test).

The boys all did great during the BPP. And they are all growing great. Baby A was 3lbs 11oz, B was 3lbs 12oz, (both measuring about a week ahead), and C was measuring on time right at 3lbs.

During those I was having contractions about 5 minutes apart. So afterwards the doctor came in and checked my cervix. It was basically unchanged from 3 weeks ago, at 4.75cm! I told her I was hungry and also not very comfortable lying there, so that was probably why I was having so many. She wasn't worried because my cervix was long and closed.

They all did good during the NST. Pretty long, by uneventful appointment. My next appointment is only 2 days away, because they were booked for their end of week appointments.

Went shopping last night with my mom for spring clothes for Vaughn. I got SO many stares. People probably thought a baby was going to fall out of my vagina at any second! Haha.

My daughter and her Quintuplets!

People must be trying to help me "train" Vaughn into getting ready for these triplets. Because I gathered all of Vaughn's baby dolls up yesterday, and realized she has 5! I think she actually has 6, I think one is MIA. I only bought 1 of these, the rest have all been gifts since xmas! She loves them all, but her newest one, the one that can come in the bath is her favorite right now :) And the water leaks out where the "potty" would be, so she is excited about that, and frequently sets the baby on the potty now. Hopefully this will be a helpful tool in our potty training!

She just HAD to outdo me and have quintuplets! LOL.

Sorry for the crappy quality of the pictures. Taken with my phone last night after her bath. I really need to find my cable for my DSLR!

Her with all of the babies gathered round! I propped them all that way :)



Her "feeding" all of her babies. SHE set them up like this. She is a little OCD sometimes!

They were showing off for the doctors!

Friday I had my appointment, which included an NST (non-stress test), and also a biophysical profile.

First was the biophysical profile. They do an ultrasound and look for the baby to do certain things. 1) have good movement 2) practice breathing 3) practice fine motor skills. They give each baby 30 minutes to do everything. If for some reason a baby or babies are sleeping the entire time, and they can't get them to "wake up", by jostling them, etc., or if they weren't meeting expectations, then they would pretty much wheel me straight down to the OR to be delivered. Scary. But I thought there wouldn't be a high likelyhood. Then the Tech told me the lady who was in my room before me got wheeled down to be delivered during her bio-profile because they couldn't get her baby to wake up! So I guess it isn't uncommon. My boys did spectacular though - slotted for 90 minutes, we were done with all 3 in about 35! Yay! She said they did "excellent."

Then we did the Non-Stress test. It's called a non-stress test because it is in no way stressful to the babies. They hook up fetal heartrate monitors to my stomach over each babies heartbeat and monitor the heartbeats for 20 minutes, or as long as 40 if needed. In that time frame they hope to see each heartrate accelerate by at least 15 beats per minute above their baseline heartrate - twice. But the nurse said that they really didn't even expect mine to do that, because usually they didn't until 32 weeks, and I was 29 weeks. Well, wouldn't you know, my little show offs ALL did it! Within about 25 minutes!

A pretty uneventful appointment besides that. I gained NO weight in the last two weeks. The doctor didn't even care. He said the babies would take it from my "reserves." So I guess he means my "fat" reserves. I hope they take it from my cellulite reserves too! LOL! I was reading something yesterday that said the increase in progesterone in the 3rd trimester, makes me digest food slower, as well as my stomach is SO squished. I'm supposed to eat small meals throughout the day. I'm trying, but I'm just not very hungry! To date I've gained 20-22 pounds. With Vaughn I gained a total of 30 pounds, I'm guessing I won't even gain 30 this time, with how slowly I've been gaining lately. I was ALL for gaining 50+ pounds! My body and my appetite have different ideas.

Next week we'll do another bio-profile, NST, as well as a growth scan ultrasound. Can't wait to see what these boys are weighing! One of the triplet blogs I follow, she made it right up to 36 weeks (or so), and her BBB Triplets were all just under 6 lbs! Amazing! Scary, thinking of carrying around 17 pounds of baby! But amazing! Vaughn was 6lbs 13oz at 41 weeks, so that is nuts that at 36 weeks I could possibly deliver 3 boys weighing only a pound less than her. We'll see! I'm hoping for chunkers though :)

Besides that we are battling over the last boys' name. Right now we have Vale Hudson, and Pierce Cullen. The other was Brooks Truman for like 3 months - which was my husbands pick, then about a month ago he decided he didn't like it anymore. Right now I think we're leaning towards Cutter Truman. A LOT of people don't seem to like it. But we could care less really what other people think! :) In any case I would like our names solidified soon! I do NOT wanting to be recovering from a C Section trying to pick a name!!

28 1/2 weeks along

Went to Babys R US today with my two 20% off of one item coupons and bought my last carseat and one of my portable swings. Whoohoo. Two of my big items off of my list! Saved $35! Now I have two MORE 20% off coupons to go back with and use, gotta get one more swing. I don't think there's any other "big" items left besides my stroller after that, which I'll be ordering online. And I decided between my two diaper bags I received so I have to return the other one I don't need.

I still haven't decided what kind of bottle to use? Recommendations? I used a natural nurser for Vaughn and they were SO expensive, like over $10 a bottle, so I'd rather not with these boys. But that was only because she was exclusively BF for so long, and took a bottle only about once a week until 8 weeks, that she was super picky and that was the only bottle she'd take. These guys will get BF and bottle fed right away, so I want to get something less costly. But I don't want dropins. I'd rather something that is easier to clean, as I am thinking I'll need somewhere around 18 bottles or so a day....

Here's a photo of me from today before shopping. I wonder if the people at BRU thought I was going to go into labor, the way I kept stopping and hunching over, catching my breathe, or sitting down! haha! Motorized scooter here I come - next shopping trip! LOL!

Me and my big mouth!

Ugh. I spoke too soon! The next morning after my previous post I noticed a tiny pink scar looking thing right over my belly button, but under my belly button scar. A TINY STRETCH MARK! I totally think I jinxed myself. Because I check my stomach like TWICE a day for stretch marks. And that little sucker CERTAINLY was not there the day before! That's what I get I suppose. I'm going to keep my mouth shut now about all of the negative things that pregnancy can bring that I haven't been experiencing this time, or haven't experienced much of.

In other events. It has been pretty nice out here and I haven't left the house in 3 days :( It is like 50 or so, wet, but sunny. Okay, I take that back, I went to Target Saturday. I'm bummed that I can't take Vaughn even for a short walk. :( I get tired and a backache from doing that, and it is something I'm not supposed to really do due to my "modified bedrest". Today I have been cleaning my room (aka the basement at my mom's house), and obviously I have been overdoing it, because I have had a few terrible back spasms. A sign I'm doing too much.

I slept TERRIBLE and am kind of crabby for it. Luckily Vaughn is in a SUPER good mood, so it is hard for me to stay in a bad one with her so darned happy and cute :)

One of my best friends is going through some pretty major stuff right now, and even though it has no direct bearing on my life, it is causing me a lot of stress. I just worry for her, and know she has some tough decisions to make. I am not posting any details because I really don't know who all reads this, and wouldn't want to spread her business. I just hope she makes wise decisions, and thinks things through thoroughly. We talked on the phone for a good bit and gave her my advice on the entire situation, which I'm sure she didn't want, but I had to do it anyways, I had to get it off of my chest. I am thinking of her, and her family and hoping that she has the strength to get through this hard time.

28 Weeks!! 3rd Trimester!!!

Today I am 28 weeks!!! According to my LMP. But REALLY, according to my conception date I am 28weeks and 4 days. But the doctors won't change my due date. So bah. Whatever. I'm 28 weeks!! I made it to my 3rd Trimester!!!!!

My last doctors appointment was 8 days ago, when I was 26wks/6days. And everything was looking marvelous!! Babies A & B were 2lbs 8oz, and 2lbs 9oz respectively. Each about a week ahead! And Baby C was 2lbs 1oz, which is right on time! All were looking very active and posing nicely!! My AMAzing cervix was measuring at 4.75cm. Whoohoo! The u/s tech joked I should rent it out :) The doctors, nurses and u/s techs are all still so impressed with my cervix. It's not something you're normally proud of or brag about, but GO CERVIX GO! WHOOHOO!! hahaha. The "average" cervix length for someone carrying a singleton in the 2nd trimester is 3-4 cm. Considering 5 weeks ago my cervix was almost 6cm, and a week ago almost 5cm with TRIPLETS, I guess is amazing in the medical field. Makes me wonder how long it was with Vaughn, especially since she had to be evicted at 41 weeks, and it took 3 days of induction to even get me to 1.5cm! Now I am thankful for my stubborn cervix though ~ I was MADE to carry triplets! Lol!

Everything else at the appointment went well. I forgot to update that I did indeed pass my 2 hour glucose test! Yay! Starting in a week I will be getting biophysical profiles and also regular checkups every week. At the bio profiles they check for the babies to be doing certain things, and if they don't perform a certain "score", than they have to deliver, like THAT day. I'll post more about what they were checking for next week.

I also forgot to say I had an amazing baby shower!! SO many adorable outfits, tons of diapers, more than $300 in cash and gift cards, 2 bouncers, a diaper genie, and TONS more! I feel so blessed!!! I have to sort through everything in these next couple of days. I know there are at least a couple of things I will have to return due to duplicates. But I STILL Do have a TON of stuff to buy. I still have NO bottles, blankets, swings, I need 1 more carseat, a changing pad, crib mobiles, and some other things. I'm going to order my triplet stroller this week. That will be my MOST costly single item. It will be around $400. But other parents of multiples have told me this is the "one", easy to transport, and it is just great I guess. And will be worth it in the long run! It's similar to Jon & Kate's 2 triplet strollers they have, except just a little more light weight. I don't see us trecking up Mt. Trashmore (a Virginia Beach "hotspot"), going on hikes, or anything like that anyways, not with me pushing ALL that weight! So I don't need something heavier duty anyways.

I'm starting to get MUCH bigger! I'll post a pic probably tomorrow, I look and feel like pooh today, so I'll spare you. But suprisingly I measured and have only gained 1 inch in 2 weeks. Bringing my belly to 43 inches around, and I have gained 20 or so pounds. I haven't been gaining fast at ALL this trimester. I have gained only 2 pounds in the last 6 weeks. But the doctors are not concerned in the least, because the babies are doing SO great. I still have NO stretch marks on my belly. But I would be SHOCKED if I NEVER got any. I do have 4 or so small (less than an inch each) stretch marks on the backs of my hips. But I'd rather have them there than on my belly anyways!

The babies are getting so big - around 15inches each. And it is starting to get pretty painful when they do BIG stretches. Sometimes I'm carrying something and they punch or kick so hard or fast that it actually DROP what I'm carrying! Luckily it hasn't been Vaughn that I've dropped yet!

Speaking of Vaughn it is getting rough with her and my stomach! Even her just resting against it, is SO uncomfortable and makes it harder for me to breathe. :( My poor thing just wants to snuggle!

I'll leave this with some adorable photos of my little peanut Vaughn. One is the day after my shower in the basement.... she loves sitting on the babies' carseat, and watching cartoons, which was nice, because I needed a shower - alone! And the other is her with my moms dog in his kennel. She'd stay in there and play ALL day with him if I let her! (sorry these are with my crappy camera phone). My DSLR doesn't hook up to my moms computer, because I didn't bring the software, but one day I'm going to get that figured out, because my camera phone SUCKS!

Am I brave, or just blissfully ignorant?

Today at the neurologist's (which btw they can't do anything for my headaches right now, that isn't already being done. Duh. I pretty much knew this, but my doctor wanted me sent anyways).

Anyhow, at my neurologist's I informed the nurse I was pregnant with triplets, and amongst her MANY nosy questions was "how are you going to do it? How are you going to raise triplets and another child under the age of 2?"

I get asked this question, a LOT. Especially when people realize that after the babies are born me and Doug will be back in VA, where we have NO family. Lots of friends, who I am sure will be helpful, but still, not the same.

And I just say "we just will."

I remember when I was pregnant with Vaughn and Doug was deployed and we knew he wouldn't be back until she was 2 months old, or longer, and I was in VA, with NO family, people were shocked and asked the same thing. How did I do it? I just did!

When put in situations where you can either curl up and cry or just suck it up, give up sleep and do what needs to be done, I've just always done what needs to be done. I have no clue if this comes from my 10 years of Navy experience, or my husband being deployed almost half of our relationship, or my ALWAYS positive attitude, or what? But, I just don't see a reason to worry, I just know I'll take it day by day, try to keep myself, and my family alive and sane, and somehow, I'll know everything will be okay, or better than okay.

Anyhow. That's just been on my mind. People also ask "how are you preparing?" Really, is there a WAY to PROPERLY prepare for triplets!?! haha. I'm trying, but I'm sure most will be learned as I go!

Here are some fun belly photos taken one week ago, when I was 25 1/2 weeks. My stepmom and sister did my belly up with temporary tattoos :)