Triplet Pregnancy Update: 20 Weeks

20 weeks already! I can't believe it!

Here I am! (Is this blurry...or is it just me?!)

I've already been asked a few times if, "I'm due any day now!?" Um. NOPE!

I should also mention our ultrasound has been rescheduled from tomorrow to Thursday of this week. And...we're getting family photos and gender reveal photos taken on Sunday...SO...look for the gender announcement sometime next week!

We asked Madison what we should name the babies. 

Her choices: FiFi, Doh-Doh, and Susie. 

Ummmm....

I'm definitely feeling flutters from the babies daily. Not a ton of movement yet...but definitely flutters on a daily basis. :) Flutters...and pressure...and stretching.

I guess I don't have too much else to report right now. Physically, I'm doing pretty good I think. I just can't sit or walk for too long without feeling a bit uncomfortable. But after a short rest laying down I can get back to whatever I was doing. I'm sleeping ok. I'm never really starving...but am still loving Mexican food, and I want to eat steak at any chance I get. I started drinking Ensure drinks a few times a week for now for the extra protein.

Of course I can feel that I'm not able to lift things as well...and in general...my belly gets in the way a bit more. But...that's expected I guess. 

I'm still getting out and doing as much as I can and feel comfortable with. I want to enjoy my life and routine and independence while I can for the next couple months! October is a busy month for us with a lot of fun weekend plans so I'm looking forward to it and hoping my body continues to stay strong carrying these babies.

As I said, physically, I'm doing ok. Mentally...that's a whole different story. LOL! Thank you, hormones. I still feel irritable a lot, and feel myself losing my patience with people maybe a bit sooner than I normally would. So, can I apologize now in advance to you all?!

Also, I'm actually getting pretty anxious about losing aspects of my independence with the possibility of bed rest down the road. And, once the babies arrive I know I'll need help and will be surrounded by people. Although it will be people I love...for a semi-introvert like me...losing my alone time is a bit of a daunting feeling. I know I will adjust...but for now...I'm just trying to prepare myself mentally....and being a bit of a hermit sometimes.

Also, I know I haven't blogged about it recently, but I do feel like I'm still working through my miscarriage experience from this Spring. Of course I'm anxious about a lot of things in general since multiples are high risk. But, I still tend to hold my breath almost every time I use the restroom because I still get a tinge of fear that I'm going to discover I'm bleeding. I've also had a couple bad dreams where something has gone wrong and one or more of the babies have died. Also, since I've been visiting the OB more, every trip there I can't help but to remember my last visits there before the triplets. *sigh* It's crazy...and I know logically it's all in my head...but...well...it is what it is. Thanks for listening, readers. It's so much easier to write than to speak sometimes.

Anyways, I hope to post again after Thursday to let everyone know how the ultrasound went and possibly post ultrasound pictures, too. 

I really appreciate all of you (our family and friends) checking in on me and offering to help. I promise...if (and when) I ever need anything I will let you know! :)

Foto Friday - Ice Ice...

Baby.

Last weekend while in the car we got to introduce M to this gem.

Josh and I were singing along of course. And, we said, "Madison - sing it. Say "Ice Ice Baby."
Her response: "Mom, this song is silly. Babies don't play with ice!!!"
Love her!

M's Pre-School Update

So M has been in Pre-School for one month now. We are still adjusting. And, I think that's normal. But, I wanted to document a a few things quick.

On Days 2 and 3 she screamed and cried a lot when I left. :( She'd be fine walking in together and putting her back pack away. And then...the big crocodile tears would flow. It was heart breaking. I would just quickly say good bye, give a hug, and tell her I'd be back later, and leave. I had to leave quickly because I couldn't stand to see her like that. I'd worry the whole 3 hours how she was doing and if she was still upset. She was happy both of the days when I picked her up.

After that, she did much better with drop off. She would even tell me she wasn't going to cry as we were walking in. She had a small crying episode last Friday...but Josh dropped her off with me and he had just returned from working out of town so I think she was sad to see him go. As I said...we are still adjusting.

Here's her first Pre-School project sent home! A mouse. She talked most about using the glue stick and his blue nose.

She has been doing great otherwise. She hasn't had any potty accidents. She is always happy when I pick her up and screams, "Mama! Mama! Mama!" as soon as she spots me.

They have 'reading buddies' - third graders that come and read with them occasionally. She loves this she tells me. They get to go to the library at the school on Fridays. She also has Spanish on Fridays. She has school pictures today...I can't wait to see the outcome of that!

Last week the teacher's stuck these two pictures of her in her folder for me. Her teacher tells me she's a very happy girl that loves books and loves to learn. :)


I'm so happy with our decision to enroll her at Rivermont!

Minnesota Va-cay!

Last month Josh and I decided to take Madison on a little weekend trip to the Twin Cities. We wanted to have a little vacation and special treat for Madison before the triplets arrive. I'll be honest...it was also for me...I wanted a special trip for us as a family of three...before we double. LOL!

I didn't take a ton of pictures and most are kinda blurry since they are from my phone...so sorry! But, I still wanted to document this special trip of ours.

We arrived Thursday later afternoon, and after checking into our hotel (we stayed in downtown Minneapolis), we headed to our ol' stomping ground, University Avenue, on campus at the U!

We took Madison to Annie's for dinner!

We showed her where Mommy and Daddy first lived together after getting married. She asked where her room was...and we told her it was before her, so then she was pretty dis-interested. LOL!

She LOVED the big bed at the hotel. And, Daddy spoiled her with movies every night before bed time!

Friday we spent most of the morning and afternoon at the Minnesota Zoo. Only Daddy would allow her a sucker at 10am.

She saw her first IMAX film. She loved it and kept her glasses on the whole time!

Her favorite part of the Zoo was the aquariums.

That evening we went to the Mall of America. She got 2 new pair of shoes (thanks to Daddy again). They were all so sparkly and lit up...but she loved them, so I gave in.

Saturday we went back to the Mall of America. She choose a horse at Build-A-Bear and named him Doh-Doh.

She was so exhausted by this point (no naps and later bedtimes), that she fell asleep before lunch and slept right through lunch. The nice part was that Josh and I got to enjoy a quiet lunch together at Bubba Gumps at the mall.

That night after dinner we took her to Cossetta in St. Paul for dessert.

We had dinner both Saturday and Sunday at Pei Wei (we went to different ones...lol). I wish we had it here in IA! At the time it really hit the spot for me and my pregnancy cravings...and even blogging about it right now makes me miss it! LOL! I know there are a lot of things to do in the Twin Cities...but we really went there with no plans and it was nice to just go with the flow for the whole weekend and do what we wanted to do on our own schedule.

It was so nice to get away and to just enjoy our little family of three. Of course the whole time there Josh and I couldn't help but talk about what vacations will be like after we add three more children to the mix. OY! Hard to even imagine, really! 

I'm so thankful we were able to make this trip happen for our family!

Triplet Pregnancy Update: 17.5 Weeks

So I finally got around to getting (Josh to humor me and take) another baby bump picture!

I'm almost 18 weeks. I realized this week that I'm halfway to my goal of carrying them for 34 weeks! Wohoo! (And...that's also scary that I'm half way there already!!! Seriously.)

I'm definitely carrying these babies so much higher than with Madison. But...again...that's expected (and, really...why I am even trying to compare this pregnancy to Madison! LOL!)

No real cravings recently...except for Mexican food (and fountain Coke). I also told Josh I really needed eat a steak at some point this weekend. :) I'm also still enjoying orange juice with ice.

My belly button has been sticking out for a couple weeks now...but Madison thinks it's hilarious. Me...not so much.

I *think* I've felt some minor fluttering movement from the babies...but I'm not 100% sure it's from the babies.

I go back next week for my 18 week appointment. I'm not scheduled for an ultrasound - so you all have to wait for another 2 weeks to hear the genders! Sorry!!! We just want to be 100% sure before we share!

Ok...feel free to stop reading...the rest of the entry is me kinda venting about things not in my control anyways. :) 

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This has been a semi-stressful week for me. I'm feeling pretty good overall. But, the official worrying about, oh, EVERYTHING has really begun. 

To start with, I learned that there was a confirmed case of Fifths Disease in Madison's class last week. This is really no big deal for most children and adults because it's kind of like a viral cold that is followed by a harmless rash...BUT, it is one virus that CAN be passed from a pregnant mother to her babies. Madison came down with a fever on Tuesday. So...I called my OB immediately on Wednesday. M's fever was over by Thursday morning (no rash...yet) and now she just has a slight tiny cough. Now, it's very likely I had this virus as a child and am already immune (best case scenario), but, to be safe, I had to have my blood drawn for testing. The test can tell me if I'm already immune or if I have Fifths Disease or if I don't. Then, I have to go back in a month for ANOTHER blood test no matter what the results just to be sure. Ugh. I haven't heard back from the lab yet...so I have to wait all weekend and was told I might not hear back until Tuesday. Oh well. Either way...there is really nothing I can do about it. So, I'm just crossing my fingers I'm already immune. (And trying not to worry all weekend!)

I'm also spending too much time on Google (and probably should be spending more time blogging - haha!) and getting worried that I'm not eating enough, not drinking enough water, not resting enough... And of course I'm worried about the possibility and severity of bed-rest I may have to endure and how that will effect Madison. Of course I'm also worried about what it will mean to have to care for preemie babies...etc. etc. etc. Whew. I know it's normal to have some anxieties...and I also know so much is out of my control...so I really am trying my best to relax. It has nothing to do with not feeling support from family and friends...just my own thoughts and fears as a Mother.

I miss my Mom. A lot. I mean, I always miss my Mom of course, but when I'm going through these big life events there's always a tiny bit of emptiness in my heart. I know it will always be there. It's just more noticeable during certain chapters of my life. 

I'm also not 100% satisfied with the current OB doctors I'm with. It's a long story. But sooner rather than later Josh and I need to make a decision to switch OBs and/or find a specialist in IA City. I go for my Level 2 Ultrasound Oct. 1 at 20 weeks and we will talk more with the doctors there once we know the results of the ultrasound (another thing I'm already worrying about). *sigh*

Ok. Whine fest 2013 is over (for now). I got it all out and now I need to get over it. I need to...I will think positive and just enjoy my beautiful family, wonderful friends, and the life I'm living.

I'm gonna post this (sorry if there's typos) and work on some more blog posts! *gasp* I am also going to try to get back to my Foto Friday posts starting next week! Wohoo!

Triplet Pregnancy Update: 15 Weeks

I figured it was time for my first 'baby bump' picture of the triplets. I've been showing for a few weeks now...but just hadn't gotten around to getting a picture. The picture was from last Wednesday.

So...here I am!

Not the best picture...but humor me and tell me I don't look too gigantic. :)

The growth of my belly is certainly different than Madison for obvious reasons. Here's a link of my first belly picture with M. I was 18 weeks a definitely smaller than I am now.

After the first trimester I finally started feeling better overall with a much better appetite. I'm still pretty exhausted most of the day, and simple tasks like grocery shopping and unloading groceries seems to wipe me out now. But...overall, I'm feeling ok considering my body is busy sustaining 3 other human lives. (How crazy is that!?)

My diet/cravings has changed a bit...during the first trimester I survived on cereal, milk, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, lemonade and Eggos. Recently I've been enjoying cottage cheese with peaches, water, orange juice, and Mexican and Chinese food.

Things that I can't really seem to eat (but I normally would) is ground beef (like cheese burgers) or pizza. Yuck! I mean, I can still eat it...they just don't taste as good.

I also feel SO much more irritable this pregnancy. (Poor Josh!)  Seriously...once 3pm rolls around it seems as if my patience is gone. It's kinda annoying...for those around me I'm sure...and even for myself! The other night I was kinda hungry...but I couldn't decide what I wanted to eat. Then, while trying to decide as I was laying on the couch, I ultimately decided I was too tired to actually eat anything anyways. LOL! Josh was laughing at me...it was pretty funny (in hindsight).

I haven't felt any movement from the babies. But, I can sometimes tell if they've shifted from the top/side of my belly to another area.

We were told the genders a couple weeks ago...and we will share...but I'm waiting for one more ultrasound to confirm since it's still early. So...I'll just leave you with that teaser.

I go in later this week for my 16 week check-up. I can't believe it's been 16 weeks already!!!

That's it for now...until next time!