End of 15 Weeks - Our Village

Our 15th week ended with being surrounded by lots of our loving family and friends -- many of the members of the village for our babies. (not the whole village...but most!)

It's amazing that simple stuff like picking up a cake, decorating and showering will already zap my energy before even getting to Scott's birthday party - but it does! But Scott's surprise 40th ended up being perfect and he was so surprised and happy. He was so emotional when we walked in...and he was so confused - he thought it was a surprise for a baby shower :) So many of our great friends were there to support him. And so many smiling faces and hands rubbing my belly...we are blessed. I lasted until almost midnight - which was really borderline turing into a pumpkin for me. My belly felt heavy tonight and everyone couldn't stop staring at what has become a very visible uterus. As long as they are staring at my belly and not elsewhere...

Sunday was brunch with some of our family and we loved having Miles, Ella and Cohen and Colsen running around our house. The pod already have such loving cousins waiting to be their friends and grandmas and grandpas waiting to love them.

15 wks 4 days

Registered yesterday w/ Katie, Lauren, Ella and Grayson :) For some reason this was way more fun and fulfilling than the wedding registry...just because you picture your little loves in all these cute things. Pregnancy brings many hormones, and one of them must be "all of a sudden pack and plays are so exciting" hormone.

We were there over 2 hours and I felt a little out of control with the gun as I was scanning 3 of most things and 24 of some things like bottles and burp rags. Very helpful to have my little helpers and Scott was the most relieved ever to get out of this duty.

We made it literally the whole way around the store and were in the last aisle looking at monitors and that's where the last straw broke. I had done pretty good keeping up until I fell backwards into what I thought was big box on a shelf, but the shelf was empty, so my balance put me on the floor. We are all laughing so hard until all of a sudden my neck got really hot and my laughs turned into serious tears. I couldn't breathe. So weird.

So in the last few days I have cried over falling, listening to the song "Bitch", when I couldn't find my car in the Target parking lot and while watching Bethenny getting married (which I'm watching right now loving that she is waddling on her honeymoon and hating her for being in her own private pool in St Barts - I need my own private pool).

Today I had a sharp pain in my right upper side that freaked me out. I feel like such a loser to call the doctor all the time, but today I just felt totally off all day. They got me in just to tell me it's probably just my stomach being pushed up and the extra gas that progesterone makes you produce. I did get to hear each and every healthy heartbeat which always makes me feel better. This is the first time I hear them w/out an ultrasound and it's cool because you hear them moving all around in there too!

Monday is the big reveal and confirmation of these babies sexes!

Babies first items

The babies got their first item today...3 little matching giraffe blankets all the way from Aunt Mackenzie in California!

And then mommy way overspent on her first mommy item...a Petunia Pickle Bottom convertible diaper bag. I keep reading and being told that a backpack is the way to go for triplets..but I was having trouble giving up all my coolhood - a minivan and a backpack?? So this one is so stylish and pretty..AND it is glazed so rain and other weird wet spills of which I can't even predict yet, won't ruin it. You can't even see the secret seat belt straps on the back...

Really wanting to know the sexes and check on them again. I think I feel flutters - but also anxious to feel real movement. Finally gave in and took Sudafed because these headaches are probably the worst I have ever had. (just sinus pressure -- like everything else, a product of hormones) The Dr said I could, just still feel weird taking something you have to show your license to buy from behind the counter while you're growing human life.

I have to be careful with my energy spurts...I get going and then realize...better lay down before I really crash. So, still just allowing myself a certain amount of activities (walk from mall door to car while on the phone carrying bags = way out of breath). In other news, I am happy to say I am loving nectarines, plums and strawberries and bananas on my cereal! I am also taking ALL the vitamins and supplements recommended for triplets - vitamins, DHA, iron, Vit C, Vit E, and Calcium Magnesium. All helping us on the road to week 34!

The start of 15 weeks

I did a little better - only gained 4 lbs this past week. Man...still not something I would ever feel normal about.

My energy is for sure really picking up - but it has pockets of time. I crash pretty fast. But I'm really feeling out of the fog of just surviving and feeling like an active participant in being pregnant and loving it. I get so happy walking around and thinking about it all!

I actually started to research strollers, car seats and sleeping arrangements. Although I learned to do this through the info from my moms of multiples group - because even if your are innocently googling what to have triplets sleep in when they first come home, you will run across a post that makes you mad or worry. And it may lead to a you tube video of the birth of triplets. And it may lead to you clicking on more you tube videos...until you are crying because the babies all have tubes and are 3 lbs. So, Scott talked me off the ledge and I am back on track to having positive images and thoughts about our babies and enjoying the list making for a registry.

My belly is looking more like a bump and I have been rubbing the best belly balm ever on my belly every day - (I will call it a true miracle if I get out of this journey with no stretch marks..but worth the try). I guess it's what Heidi Klum used and of my pilates instructor friends gave it to me - it smells and feels like a spa - it's the highlight of my day and is motivation to actually shower so I can use it after (sad, I know)

Although I am feeling energy boosts, I still crash and am moving slower by the day. I also have learned not to judge. I used to judge people eating fast food, and now I have been one of them. I used to think drive-through windows were for lazy people...and today as it was 95 and we had no water filter at home, I was wishing that Walgreens not only had a RX drive-through, but a window to just buy bottled water. In fact, I think everybody should have a drive through.

Otherwise, things are going great. Showers are getting planned and we are getting closer to knowing the confirmed sex. It all feels so fast...so I'm trying to be extra careful to rest and be nice to the team...so we can get to that goal - December 6th!!!!

14 weeks - the realization of the umbilical cord(S)

I will say that I have noticed a little boost of energy and a little more of an opening for food other than nachos and burgers. In fact, I am excited to say I have moved way on from my french fry addiction and have actually been able to eat salads and pizza again and have been able to have some form of fruits and vegetables every day. The nacho love is still by my side and may be for awhile. I am pretty loyal and don't really ever let a day go by without a dose of salty crunch and creamy sour creaminess. I added mango salsa and felt healthy.

Highlights from the back end of 14 weeks...

I worked the whole weekend open to close everyday we were open and felt like crawling in a hole and was really thankful Dr. Box put me on disability. Paperwork in process -- thank God I'm doing all of this while I have the energy, they don't make disability easy. I slept most of Sunday and Monday.

I did give into buying some solid, real maternity. Totally worth doing - I feel pregnant in clothes designed for pregnancy - not as fat as I do in clothes that are either tight and give you muffin top or baggy clothes that make you feel even worse.

And the other thing that sticks out this week -- the dip of some sort of hormone that opened up the emotions and crying floodgates. The weirdest is when you are crying and all you know is that you are crying and you don't really feel sad or anything, just the emotion of crying. I had 2 pretty significant sessions..the first was driving home from the grocery and missing Magoo. The other -- Scott was reading a book my mom gave to me called "7 Reasons for being grateful to have a Newborn". We were sitting in the sun room and I thought it would be a pretty innocent activity until I completely lost it during the opening page when the author made mention to the feeling right after birth of "what just happened, and who just cut the umbilical cord?"

It hit me. It took me all this time to understand the common phrase of "you need to cut the umbilical cord". I felt sad and weird that my sweet little troop will be out of me and physically no longer dependent in one quick cut of a cord. I had such a reaction that it lasted the whole book - I just couldn't stop thinking about how innocent and sweet they really are, and how much I keep falling in love with them. I can't imagine the feeling when you actually see the miracle outside of you breathing, eating and crying.

They are with me everyday and everywhere - they trusted me enough to let me get them from a little tiny speck of a follicle to a beating heart with a working brain and legs that kick and flex. I just want to protect them! So...as crazy as it sounds, I suddenly wanted pregnancy to slow down. I love literally having them with me everywhere we go. Every day I make decisions for them, and I love it. So -- I guess that's really the time you get -- 9 months (or maybe a little less for me) to have them to yourself -- before that cord is cut and before you share them with the world. I remember Katie saying this, and this book said it too -- kids are like watching your heart walk outside your body. I can only imagine -- but for now, I am really liking those hearts inside close to mine :)

Doctors Appts and Skinny Girls - 14 weeks

You really don't know how skinny you are until you are pregnant. Or how well your hips fit in things without smooshing out the top as you squeeze in pants. Lauren said everyone would start looking really skinny, and she was right. Imagine how I felt as I was sitting in the back room today listening to a conversation in the fitting room about how our guest is training for a fitness and body building competition. She was saying how lean she felt and that her calories are really restricted this week, so she was feeling a little "off". As I was listening from behind the curtain, I was eating bbq chicken quesadillas dipped in sour cream in my new size 10 top. That is feeling "off."

We had 2 Dr. appts this week. Monday we saw Dr. Box, our regular obgyn, who I just love! She is motherly but laughs with us, and really listens. I normally feel like it is my responsibility to paint a rosy picture about how I'm feeling, but with her this week I was out in the open about all my fears and worries and became a self proclaimed Debbie Downer. My list had grown since last time and included things like my weird, itchy rash, terrible headaches in the morning and night, weird stomach cramping, an overall feeling of exhaustion living in my back and muscles and of course the reality of the 6 lbs gained in one week.

She reassured me that sinus issues are normal and cause headaches, my back hurts because of my growing everything and that rashes happen with pregnancy. And for the 6 lbs...she thought about it...and maybe she just didn't want to make a pregnant girl cry, but after thinking and looking at my chart she said she wasn't worried. Hmm...but I'm worried. We end our time with her with a note saying due to pregnancy complications I can not return to work until after delivery 1/17/10. You would think I would be fighting for my identity and will to work and be in society and all I can think about is air conditioning, movies and online baby shopping. I am thankful for her executive decision because I know I can't handle the retail hours anymore. And I know these little pumpkins come first. And besides, I have done NOTHING to prepare, and with the threat of possible bed rest, I want to at least have a little nesting time. And deep down, I want to sleep in. Because mornings feel like waking up after spring break in Mexico every morning - so if I can have a few more months of morning sleeping, I will take it. I bet I won't sleep for the next 18 years. So, yeah, disability is just fine starting at 15 weeks.

She sends us to hear the heartbeats and get my cervical length checked. We meet Jodi, the tech and she asks us if we know the sex. We say no, it's too early... and right away she proudly says, "Well I can tell you". Ok, unexpected ultrasound, but of course we will take it. She puts the wand on my belly and we see the three little sections moving in and out. She starts to look at them one by one and all we want to know is about the heartbeats. She said they all look good, so we are relaxed and enjoy just watching them. We love the techs because they always let us watch them play! We see Baby C kick Baby B in the head! And when we are getting Baby A's heartbeat he/she is jumping like it's on a trampoline, so every couple of beats we hear a big VWOOP with the jump. It's so funny, it's like they just figured out how to use their legs. Baby C gets in the normal look at my cute profile pose and Baby B seems a little more calm today.

The tech looks at Baby C -- clear girl. Of course, she cooperates for even this. We are not surprised, we knew she was a girl. On to Baby B.. a little more shy. Jodi probes my belly to try to get it to move. It opens up and ..... she says girl!!! WHAT?!?!! We would have bet that Baby B was a boy with how crazy it moves! At this point, I look at Scott and he is literally sweating down his temples and he is up and pacing. He said later he was more nervous at this point than we he asked me to marry him. I am trying to be the steadfast "I'll love whatever we get..just want them healthy" .. but I too feel sick because 3 girls makes me that nervous. Baby A is curled up and doesn't want to let us peek...but finally, Jodi says she gets a glance of a nub. So we think Baby A is a boy. (Which I have always thought - because Baby A would be the boy and the leader in the front). But really...we are only 14 weeks, so we aren't buying any pink or blues yet..but I will feel really, really good to see at least one penis if I told the truth. Of course, I love them no matter what..

So we leave with 2 really unexpected pieces of news - I am a disabled pregnant woman and we have high chances of paying for 2 weddings within a year of each other in 26 years.

Wednesday is our scheduled ultrasound with Maternal and Fetal Medicine w/ Dr. Dungy-Poythress. I am so excited because my mom and sister are coming to see the babies! My mom has never seen an ultrasound, so it will be really cool for her to see!! Jessica comes too, which I think is cool, I would have maybe been freaked out to see that when I was 20! We meet Steve and Katie and the kids at what we call the fat buffet (Pizza Hut buffet) and I feel really pregnant as I hover over the buffet waiting for taco pizza.

We get to the Dr's and of course we are lost. We find the office and wait to go back. We meet Dr. Dungy-Poythress and I'm not sure what we are supposed to talk about. It's sort of awkward because I'm not sure if she wants to answer any questions about pregnancy or just get down to business with the ultrasound. So I let her just do the ultrasound. We see all three and we get to hear each heartbeat. She pointed out each baby's spine, stomach, bladder and diaphragm. She says the fluid looks great and they all look wonderful. Great news! The ultrasound with the audience is a little boring because she moves through so quickly and takes a lot of pictures, which means we didn't get to see much playing or moving :( I feel bad they didn't get a very good show - but they were excited to see them and I'm glad they got to meet them! She also checks my cervix and it measures around 5! Which is still really good - so for now - babies, mama and cervix are all looking good! I pray it continues!

Week 13 - A Blur!

My first real week in the 2nd trimester was such a blur because of opening the store. It happened to be the busiest week Scott has ever had since I met him, so needless to say life outside of work was pure chaos. At the end of the week, the sink and house were full of dishes (mostly plates from my addiction to colby jack nachos w/ sour cream) and about every room in the house had an article of clothing from when I got hot and took it off.

I didn't enter the much talked about glory land of the 2nd trimester, and felt pretty yucky and tired, but was able to get up everyday and go get the store ready. The 95-100 degree heat is rough on me, but I've been good about a lot of water...which means I should just move in the bathroom. I have been getting bad headaches in the am an pm and wake up with totally blocked sinuses. But I also get images in mind of holding a sweet little warm body to my chest and it makes all that yuck go away.

The showroom opened successfully and it was so much fun to talk to mommies and pregnant people coming in the store about the babies. The fun part about being pregnant is that you instantly have a bond with anyone that is pregnant or has ever been pregnant. Most people still stare at me like I should be laid up in bed and not allowed in public. But occasionally, I meet people that have had triplets or a friend who has triplets and I feel better because they share stories about making it to 35 weeks or about how skinny their girlfriend is because she breast-fed her triplets.

The weekend killed me from either standing or sitting on a hard bar stool. I kept thinking my cervix was opening and the babies were suffering. But I made it through. I don't know if I have ever been so tired, but I made it and it was enough proof for me that I can't push myself. Not worth it! I've barely made it out of bed since Saturday night.

My belly has really popped and my friends that saw me this weekend couldn't believe the change in one week. My belly pop is for sure attracting a lot more hands to it ... which I don't mind - it makes me feel less fat all over if someone is focusing on the area that is supposed to be growing.

Speaking of, I think I can back down from 4000 calories (not that I ever got there in one day), but I did gain SIX POUNDS in one week. Scary...where is all that weight? I know it's not the babies...

I still haven't totally connected that we will actually have three little real life babies in our arms (and many other arms) in less than 6 months..probably less than 5 months. This week I was waiting in line for the bathroom and heard a mom and her son in the stall as he was trying to go to the bathroom. She was SO frustrated with him because he was whining and wanted to take ALL his clothes off to go to the bathroom. She was telling him through her teeth he doesn't need to take his shirt and socks and all his clothes all the way off to potty...and he wasn't having it. It was one of those moments that hit me. It hit me because I would have 3 times that, and it also reminded me of what we are actually doing all this for! For little personalities and big hearts that sometimes make you mad and mostly make you smile. And then I can get excited and not focus so much on my headaches, weird appetite and feeling sorry for myself for not being able to workout.

Another moment happened this weekend that hit me in a weird way - maybe just a pregnant state - but regardless, was a moment. I was leaving the showroom after we closed around 7:30 to drop by my friend Ang's bachelorette party. I was in Broad Ripple on my way, and still dressed in lululemon...so pants that give me muffin top and a lime green lululemon top that made my belly look like it had spotlights on it. I felt so exhausted and couldn't believe I was going to go to a bachelorette party where I would really feel like an outcast. But it wasn't the party that got to me. It was the fact that Broad Ripple brew fest had just let out...and I was in bumper to bumper traffic of cabs, drunk people trying to drive and even more drunk people thinking they were walking in straight lines. There was actually a drunk girl passed out by a stop sign and another girl in the street directing traffic. As I sat in stopped traffic in the extreme heat, I realized that life would never be a carefree afternoon of getting drunk, hanging on my friends and Scott and walking to get pizza and pass out until the morning came. And I cried. I cried because I was sad for those days, happy for the days to come and probably just because I felt like crying. Ahh...those pregnant moments. I do love them!