11 Weeks!

This week not much has changed since my 10 Week post, since ahem, that was only a few days ago.


I think in the last few days I am really starting to eat a lot more. I seem to always be putting something in my mouth and I feel like my skin on my stomach is stretching to the max (the way you feel after Thanksgiving dinner).

How Far Along: 11 Weeks



How Big are the Babies: They are each the size of limes (1.6 inches). Your babies are currently at a 1:1 ratio between their bodies and heads, and they have skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through it. But fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds, and nail beds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive future.(thebump.com).


Weight Gain: According to the doctor's scale I am 126.5 so only 1.5 lbs gained so far.


Symptoms: Nausea (a little), thirsty, CONSTIPATION, peeing a lot, headaches, hunger and a WHOLE LOT OF FORGETTING!!!!!!!


Emotions: Considering I had a panic attack during the sonogram on Monday, I am really starting to let the fact that there are three human beings in my belly sink into my brain. I am down-right scared, to be honest. I pray that God will give me the strength and the wisdom to handle this journey, and I have confidence that He will, but I am still scared.


Something Funny That Happened: Can't think of anything.
Best moment of the Week: Seeing the babies floating around inside of me, their little feet and arms just flying about...it was amazing but so real at the same time, hence the reason for the panic attack. 

Also, the sweet women that I am building bonds with already who have triplets, they are so full of great advice and knowledge. I feel so comforted by just talking to them and hearing all the good advice that are giving me. I would have never known some of the things unless I would have reached out!


Movement: None...just constant stretching, cramping and pulling sensations. VERY crampy.


Maternity Clothes: Yes, yes, and yes.


Stretchmarks: None yet! :)


Sleep: Back and forth. Some nights are good, some aren't. And the dreams are so crazy! Up peeing every hour which makes sleeping a little tough.


Food cravings: Hmm, I don't think I had any this week other than, of course, PICKLES!


Gender Predictions: I know it's going to be two girls and a boy. Tim still says "all boys"... but if it's all boys, I think I will cry. I need a little girl!! (I keep talking to women who have triplet girls, I don't know if God is trying to tell me something or what, but having the babies be all of one sex, scares me too.)


What I Miss: Nothing.


What I'm Looking Forward To: Seeing how much the babies grow each week and eating whatever I want whenever I want! :)

Weekly Wisdom: DO NOT wait until the end of your pregnancy to do things, ya never know when things will happen. We were told to have everything done by week 25! That's crazy, but very true when carrying multiples.


Milestone: Every week that goes by, pregnant with triplets, is a milestone!!


Question(s): None...this week.


Here's my baby bump photos of the week...

Sonogram Photos and Updates of the Tumbling Three!!

This morning I had my sonogram. It went...well, interesting. I had to go by myself due to everyone going back to work from vacation and being super busy, so I was kinda sad to not be able to share the experience with anyone.

Anyway, I went in and layed on the table and when the nurse started peering around at the babies I started freaking out. Oh my gosh, have they grown!!! She started with Baby C, the singleton, and he/she is huge! Ok, really only 3.87 centimeters but he/she looked huge!! His/her heartbeat is 168 bpm. I could not believe my eyes...I really started to panic when I saw a big head, a nose, arms and legs flying about...I just couldn't believe it. I mean I know they are babies, but oh my gosh, they really are!!! That's the only way I can describe it. I know if there was just one baby I probably wouldn't have been so freaked out, but I HAVE THREE BABIES...6 arms, 6 legs, 30 fingers, 30 toes.... OH MY GOSH. It's scary!!!

I really had one of the worst panic attacks that I have had in a loooong time. I had to ask the nurse to get my water bottle from the floor next to my purse, because I thought I was going to faint, even just laying there. I didn't hear half of what she said during the middle part of the sonogram, because I was just trying to calm myself back down and self-sooth. The sonograms take forever, and really I don't mind, but I was seriously not feeling well.

Finally, we made it to the twins and they were a little less ready to have their photos taken. It was much harder to get photos of them. They are "wild party animals" my doctor said. Lovely... They also looked much bigger but not nearly as clearly able to be seen as the singleton. Baby A was 3.67 centimeters and his/her heartbeat is 165 bpm. Baby B was 3.94 centimeters and his/her heartbeat was 167 bpm.

All three heads!

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The twins!

Baby B

They just didn't want to have their pictures taken!

When the nurse took all of her photos, measurements, blood flow areas and everything, the doctor came it and took some really great photos of the twins. I was like, "those are the best photos I have seen in the 30 minutes she was on my stomach"! I got about 20 photos of them all, I could barely carry all the photos. They also did the 3D ultrasound with just looked like a bunch of distorted blobs but they said we will get to have the 3D each time! Whahoo! Also, we will get a DVD of the babies twice during their time in me!

The doctor said that at this point there is only about a 1% chance of miscarrying the singleton and maybe about 3% of miscarrying one or both of the twins. I was so glad to hear that. Since I am progressing well and doing everything they say, they aren't worried at this point. I got the all clear to stop my estrace and endometrin when my prescription runs out, which makes me very happy. I hate the endometrin and remembering to "put it in" 3x a day is a pain! Also, the doctor said that I would mostly likely be in the hospital for 5-7 days when I deliver because of the risk of hemorrhaging, since the risk is higher because of birthing 3 babies.

I had my blood pressure taken (normal) and my weight (only up 1.5 lbs.) and each time I am going to basically going to have a physical at every visit. Also, they will start measuring my cervix next time too. I was there almost 2 hours again, just this time! She said expect to be here that long each time because there is just so much to do. Making sure the babies are ok and making sure I'm ok. Whatever, I will do it! They also said the more I can eat the better and the more I can rest the better! Gee, ok!! Also conitue to drink 2L of water each day along with my protein shakes and everything high calorie.

My blood work was all ok, expect my red blood cells which is why I am now on the iron supplements. I will have blood work every other time at my appointments, so once a month.

They also asked about where we would deliver and to go ahead and take the birthing class and tour of the maternity unit by week 20. They suggested having everything done by week 25 because you never know how I will progress or if I will be on mandatory bed rest...that anything can happen, so it's better to not wait to do anything. Also, we need to pick a pediatrician by week 20. I was like, "look I just had a panic attack, and now you want me to go and pick a pediatrician..." HUH!???

There was just so much information, it's almost overwhelming....ok, it IS overwhelming! My next appointment is Wednesday, August 11, 2010, where we will have genetic counseling, sonograms, my check-up, cervix check and pap smear.

10 Weeks! (A little late)

OK, I know this is very late...so I apologize!! We were on vacation up in the mountains and even though there is Internet, it was the farthest thing from my mind and I didn't want to open up my computer...which I managed to do! It was just too relaxing to even post a blog.

I got a call from my Nurse on Wednesday and looks like I am already anemic. Hence the reason, I keep passing out and am so tired and weak. I mean, going up the stairs is like running a marathon for me! So, now I have to continue to add more vitamins (I can't remember if I posted that I am now taking 2 pre-natal vitamins, B-6 (which I swear is why my nausea has been so minimal), 4 fiber supplements, 2 stool softeners) and now iron once a day too. I mean, I'll do whatever for theses little peanuts but IF ONLY I COULD GO TO THE BATHROOM LIKE A NORMAL PERSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am going to have my blood taken more often from now on too...GREAT, but I won't be going alone though!!



How Far Along: 10 Weeks


How Big are the Babies: They are each the size of prunes (something I should be eating but it's hard to keep it down), about 1.2 inches! With bones and cartilage starting to form and vital organs beginning to function, the babies are making major progress. Body length will almost double in the next three weeks, and arm joints are now working (soon, legs will start working too) (thebump.com).


Weight Gain: Last week I was up 4.5 pounds from 126, so 131 and now I am


Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting (mostly just gaging from smells of things), sore boobies (not so much), thirsty, CONSTIPATION, peeing a lot, headaches, some hunger and a WHOLE LOT OF FORGETTING!!!!!!!

Emotions: Ok, this week.


Something Funny That Happened: When I have to pee, WATCH OUT...I HAVE TO PEE!!


Best moment of the Week: Enjoying vacation and on Wednesday I looked at myself, and said, "Wow, Tim, I REALLY look pregnant, look at me!" He said, "Well, yeah!" 


Movement: None...just constant stretching, cramping and pulling sensations. VERY crampy.


Maternity Clothes: Yes, yes, and yes...got some cute things from a super nice lady on Craigslist for cheap and got a $4.00 pair of motherhood maternity shorts at the GoodWill in Berkley Springs! :)


Stretchmarks: None yet! :)


Sleep: Back and forth. Some nights are good, some aren't.  And the dreams are so crazy! Up peeing every hour which makes sleeping a little tough.


Food cravings: PICKLES....I CANNOT get enough pickles! And hot dogs too! I constantly want, pizza and Chinese food.

Gender Predictions: I know it's going to be two girls and a boy. Tim still says "all boys"... but if it's all boys, I think I will cry. I need a little girl!!

What I Miss: Nothing. But it would be nice to go more than six hours without being reminded to take a zofran. I can't imagine going through a pregnancy without it, and I don't even think my nausea has been too bad--only have "been sick" maybe twice in a week, and that was a bad week.

What I'm Looking Forward To: My OB appt. on Monday!

Weekly Wisdom: You need A LOT of vitamins and extra calories when carrying multiples!!!


Milestone: Every week that goes by, pregnant with triplets, is a milestone!!


Question(s): None...this week.
 Here's my baby bump photo of the week...

Survived an EARTHQUAKE!

This morning, Friday, July 16th, 2010 at 5:04am there was an earthquake in Maryland! Crazy, crazy. It registered at 3.6 on the national earthquake scale and the center was approximately 10 miles from our house.

I was wide awake, as I usually am between the hours of 3:00am and 5:30am, and felt a weird sensation. My first thought was, what was that, followed by oh, those crazy cats knocked something over downstairs and I hope no one just through some bricks through my patio door. Then I thought, maybe a plane crashed nearby, or a bomb went off in DC, oh, Holly, stop, wait, maybe thunder? I even picked up my phone and checked the radar--clear as a bell. Hmm, that was weird. Tim turned over and said, what was that and I replied, I don't know, the cats I guess.  Never did I think what it really was.

After finally falling asleep, I woke up a few hours later ans called my mom, as normal and she said, "Did you feel the earthquake???" It all started to make sense and then I was actually glad that I as awake for once and got to experience my first earthquake. I can't wait to tell my children one day, that Mommy survived an earthquake when they were in my belly. Haha. Anyway, still pretty cool, and I am glad it wasn't much worse.

Cabin Weekend!

This past weekend, Tim and I ventured up to our cabin in Berkley Springs, WV. My best friend, Kim and her fiance, Roger were able to join us, along with Bradley and Katelyn, two children very close to my heart that we were babysitting fr the weekend. We had a great time, even though we only had one night there, we packed in activities but still had a relaxing time.

When I woke up on Saturday morning, it was POURING rain outside. I was not happy. I had to pack everything up myself since unexpectedly Tim had to work Saturday so we had to change our plans all around. So, Tim went to work, and Kim, Roger, Bradley, Katelyn and myself made it out of the house by 8am and were on our way hoping for better weather along the way. It's just a quick hour and twenty minutes away, so it's not a bad drive at all. By the time we made it half way there, the sun was shinning and it was turning out to be beautiful day!

We made it there, had lunch and napped. It was so nice. I was so tired and we all just layed down and we were out cold. Even Bradley, who said, "I'm not tired", was sound asleep right next to me when I woke up. It was so cute. Tim arrived pretty quickly after we woke up and we all got changed, packed the cooler and went down to the river. It was so nice to get wet and relax!

Tim, Roger and Bradley tried super hard to catch minnows and cray fish, but no such luck, however, we did see some big cray fish! Oh, and a few tubers floating down the river.

Katelyn could not get enough of the river. She kept calling it "a pool", and just loved it. I was so worried she would have a hard time trying to get in since it's very rocky and can be very slippery but she did great. She was so brave and could not get enough of it.

 

Searching for cray fish!

So brave!!!

She so loved "the pool"!

We got changed after we got back from the river, took showers and made dinner. It was an easy dinner (not one of my favorites but since I wasn't feeling well, it wasn't a four course meal). We had grilled hot dogs, beans, potato salad, and cut-up cucumbers with ranch dressing.

But of course everyone was waiting for smores! Who doesn't love smores?!? We put on LOTS of bug spray and headed out to the campfire.

Katelyn wasn't so sure about a smore at first but once she figure out how to eat it, she was all over that!!!

I just love the marshmallow all over his face!

Oh yeah, this is great, Ms. Holly!!!!

Needless to say, this package of graham crackers stayed outside until morning.

We had a great time and the kids were great! They slept good, ate good and had a lot of fun! We can't wait to go back up this weekend, for a whole week, just us and the pooch! It's going to be wonderful, peaceful and quiet.

The 4th of July! (VERY belated post!)

This post is very late...opps! We have been busy and frankly I haven't had too much energy to write about anything else not related to the babies. I promise though that the blog won't come completely about them, because we still do have a life.

On July 3rd, we went with our good friends, Nathan and Christan and their mom, Fran to the annual Antietam Battlefield Fireworks. Tim had been many times but this was my first time. We hadn't had anything planned, since we weren't sure how I would feel, especially int he heat, but Friday night at softball, Nate invited us to go.

Saturday morning we just decided to pack it up and join them and I am so glad we did. It was good for me to get out of the house, and it wasn't too much of a hot day as there was a constant breeze and no humidity. I had never been (I'm ashamed to say) to Antietam. I have been to Gettysburg hundreds of times, but never to Antietam. So, I was excited but also a little nervous to be in a crowd with thousands of people not being able to get to a restroom when needed. Of course I took my zofran and had plenty of water, shade, sunscreen, bug spray and food (when I felt like eating).

Fran and I got dropped off with Christan and Nate and Tim went to park the cars. We carried a few things and left the rest for the boys. We then found a great spot nice and close, since it was still early, not a whole lot of people had trickled in yet. I was so surprised to see all the tarps and blankets marked out for people's "areas". You are allowed to mark your area at 6am in the morning and man did a lot of people do that.

Tim, Nate and Christian hauling everything in! Such Great guys!!

People can set up their marked tarps at 6:00AM!

It begun to fill up quickly!

It began to fill up quickly and we just enjoyed each other's company, talked and laughed a lot. We made comments about the amount of stuff people would bring in for only a few hours because at 7pm, everything had to come down, no tents, no tarps, no umbrellas, just chairs and people. The elaborate set up of some people made me think they were here to camp for the weekend.

Nate loves his wine!

There was plenty of good wine and ICE COLD beer which I wanted so badly but only had two little sips the whole day. It was a perfect day to have a nice glass of wine or a beer, but I resorted to water and Gatorade. We had some good food too!

The Maryland National Symphony started promptly at 7pm, and they were so good. I love listening to live orchestras. It brings back all my memories of playing in orchestras since I was little. I miss it a lot and it is something I hold close to my heart. Maybe one day I'll make it back into one, but not anytime soon. Now, I just play by myself, alone, normally when I am really upset or mad, it calms me right down. The symphony played all the traditional Independence Day songs and had a huge sing-along which I thought was fun too! They also played a song for all the Armed Forces and people from each branch could stand up, it was so wonderful. I felt so honored to be surrounded by so many men and women who served our country and were the reason why we could sit here and enjoy this lovely evening.

The ants attacked Nate's glass....the wine was very sweet!

I LOVE listening to orchestras!

Cannon FIRE!

I just thought this picture was cool.

Switched my settings are got really cool fiery shots!

The fireworks were literally one of the best shows I have ever seen in my life. I couldn't believe how long they lasted and how well they were put on.

We had such a great time!!!!!! I am so glad Nate invited us. I don't know if we will make it back next year since the babies will be only five or six months old, but we will make it back sometime!