Abby, Izzy, Ally

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

32 weeks

We went to the Dr. yesterday and got the weights of the babies! Baby A = 4 lbs 5 oz, Baby B = 4 lbs 5 oz, and Baby C = 3 lbs 8 oz! I was surprised at how big Baby A and B were, but very excited. The Dr. was not concerned about the variance between C and the others. He said, with 3 babies in there, one is going to get less than the others. They're all still within the normal range of a single baby at 32 weeks. This means, I'm carrying around over 12 pounds of baby!!! I've found myself feeling worse since I found out their weights... I'm certain it's a mental thing... it just kind of made me feel a little more tired knowing how much baby is in me right now!

The girls really moved around since the last big ultrasound and now I'm confused about who is who. What we do know is: we're going to name them in the order they are born. Isabelle will be 1st, Abigail will be 2nd and Allison will be 3rd. We chose to name them this way because we find it easier to say their names in that order: Isabelle, Abigail and Allison.

The Dr. is still unsure of whether he will go out of town next week... he says he's a procrastinator and will decide at the end of this week and will give me a call. He said he's considering not going because of me and a patient who is expecting quads! She's about a month behind me right now, but will obviously deliver early! I'm really praying he doesn't go... I would just feel so much better if he was here next week, since I could have these babies anytime now. Of course, if he goes, someone will be assigned to take care of me, but he's the only Dr. I know at this point.

Well, I'm off to take a nap... These girls are wearing me out!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

31 Weeks 4 days... but who's counting?!

You'd think since I'm no longer working, I'd have lots of time to update the blog, huh? Well... I'm just getting more and more lazy! Seriously, I started to post an update yesterday afternoon, wrote a few sentences and decided to take a nap instead! I'm at 31 weeks and 4 days as I write this... things have still been going relatively smooth, but I've had a few hiccups this week...

I've written about my uterine monitor in other posts- the machine I hook up to twice a day for an hour each time. It's a belt thing that goes around my belly for an hour. I dock the monitor and fax the results to a 24 hour nurse line and they call me back with the results/contractions per hour. Before this week, the norm was 2 per hour; however, this week I've had 10 or 11 each night. Seven is my limit, so they have me monitor again (for another hour) to see if it continues. Each night, the second time I monitor, the contractions are still above the limit, but decreased. The Dr. said since they're decreasing and not increasing by the hour, it doesn't worry him AS MUCH. He did say with this extra "uterine activity" he's not sure I'll make it to 35 weeks though :( I can't feel the contractions, which is why they have me hook up to this monitor in the first place.

I go to the Dr. again on Tuesday, 4/28. At this appt, we'll get measurements of the babies again to see how much they weigh, etc. I'm hoping that each is over 3.5 lbs. About 3 weeks ago, they were all just below 3. I'll try to update the blog soon after my appt with the weights.

In the last post, I wrote about the Dr. leaving to go to a conference in my 33rd week... not something I was too happy about. At my last appt, He told me he didn't want to get my hopes up, but said he's thinking of reconsidering going on the trip. I asked if it was because of me, and he said I'm a factor. I'm happy about that, but it also makes me realize he definitely thinks I could deliver in 2 weeks! EEEEK!!! I'm really starting to get pretty attached to Dr. Fumia. At first, I couldn't see what all the fuss was about, but he's always so patient to answer all of my questions (and I always have a lot) and he makes me feel like I'm his only patient. This is definitely not something I've seen from a Dr. in a very long time.

We sold my 2-Door Accord this week... it's definitely a blessing, but I had a hard time letting go of that little car. I bought it new and had it for 7 years! I'm beginning to notice I don't always deal well with change... Kinda get into my routine and stay there for a while. So now, thanks to Dale and Cheryl's generosity (remember: Matt's parents GAVE us their van!!), I'm the offical owner of a mini van! The funny thing is, I find myself driving it even when the other car is available. It's A LOT more comfortable for a big ole' pregnant lady to get in and out of... that's for sure!! We sold the Honda to a 19 year old girl. She was so excited about her new car, which made me really happy! As a matter of fact, as we drove the mini van to get dinner that night, we saw her crusing Main street with the windows down and the sunroof open! At least it went to someone who will enjoy it like I did! How sad is it that I'm rambling on about my old car?!!? I'm weird, I know!

The nursery decorating is pretty much done! I still have some baby laundry and closet/drawer organization to do, but it's starting to all come together very nicely. I've posted some pics below, so you can see!

Before I sign off, I would like to officially say: I'm so glad I stopped working. It is SOOO nice to be able to take my time in the morning getting around and take a nap when my body feels like it. I've barely had morning sickness since I stopped working. I don't have to just get up and go... I can ease into the day. I eat breakfast and don't move a muscle for about 20 minutes to make sure it stays down. Breakfast is usually the only "iffy" meal that might come back up. Though... that's not ALWAYS the case.

Check out the nursery pics...




Thursday, April 16, 2009

30 Weeks

I'm at 30 weeks, and everything is still going well! I have noticed a rapid decline in my appetite and when I don't notice, I pay for it by losing my lunch if you know what I mean. I've read that your stomach will run out of room around this time, but it hit me like a ton of bricks earlier this week. The Dr. says to start supplementing with Ensure shakes and being particular with what I eat... for example: chicken instead of cake. I try to do this for the sake of the babies, but the cake always sounds so much better!!

We had our final baby shower this week... Matt's work (Dollar Thrifty) had a very nice shower for us. We played games, ate cake and got the last of what we needed for gifts. I'm always so surprised at everyones generosity and I know Matt was feeling very blessed as well. At least at my office, we don't generally do all of that for the dad... we just go in and get them a gift. I think it was nice for Matt especially, and he got to open all the gifts for once. Of course, etiquette was out the window as he barely skimmed cards and was unsure of certain items, but that's to be expected from a first time dad. The people at his work didn't seem too offended... I think they're pretty use to him!

I'm absolutely loving not working, but have not been getting as much done as I would like. I sleep in, do my uterine monitoring for an hour, eat breakfast, watch tv, get somewhat ready for the day and by then it's noon! After all that, I'm about ready for a nap! It is nice to be able to rest when I feel like it, but I have a bit of guilt from not getting the basket of laundry folded or the bed made every day. It's amazing how the smallest things wear me out now. I'll be glad when I can finally clean my house or do laundry without having my heart rate go up!

More to come next week!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Week 29

I went to the Dr. on Wednesday and I have GREAT news! We had a big sonogram where we measured each baby and looked again at their hearts, kidneys, bladders etc. All babies look great! Baby A was 2 lb. 15 oz, Baby B was 2 lb. 11 oz and baby C was 2 lb. 12 oz... all very good weights for 29 weeks. They're still tracking at average for even a single baby! The Dr. was very optimistic and said he thinks we're going to have no problems making it to 35 weeks. Though, he never says that with too much certainty and says things can change at a moments notice. He also said if we make it to 35 weeks, he believes the babies will come home within days of each other and within days of their delivery! He wasn't sure I would like that news, given that I will be recovering from a C-Section with 3 babies to take care of, but I know I'll have plenty of help... it will just feel good to have the babies healthy and home. As a matter of fact, I think it would be pretty hard to be sent home without them and have to leave them all up at the hospital all by themselves :(

One thing I learned that was a bit disturbing: My Dr. will be going out of town for a week when I'm at 33 weeks... that's a little scary! He's the only one I've seen this entire time! The solution: we set up a big appt (like the one this week) for 32 weeks. If he sees something that concerns him, we may deliver that week. If all is still smooth sailing, we'll take our chances. Obviously, I'm praying it's all still smooth sailing and we make it to 35. 32 weeks would be the end of April and they would most likely be in the NICU for a while.

I'm loving not working! It's been really nice! I've been setting a small goal for myself each day. For example: wash all of the baby blankets and put them away, run a few errands around town, make dinner. This would be considered a pretty busy day for me these days and would wear me out just enough. Not to mention, I feel a little sense of accomplishment... that's always important.

The babies are kicking and moving like crazy. I can always tell which baby is moving, but the highest baby: Allison, is the most prominent. I can feel her stretching and turning and kicking... it is such a crazy feeling! I feel baby A (Abigail) a lot too, but not as much. Abby is on my left side and pretty much has the whole side to herself with a few arms and legs from other babies invading her space every now and then. Baby C (Isabelle) is SO low in my tummy it feels more like butterflies, though sometimes I'll feel a swift kick. Izzy causes me the most pain, being so low... the ligaments down there are definitely stretching and anytime I stand or walk for very long, that's where I feel the pain.

I say this about every time, but please keep praying... I am certain it is the diligent prayers of my friends, family and community that is making everything run so smoothly. God is listening!!!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Another update

This post is in addition to my 28 week post...

I had a Dr's appt yesterday. He wasn't too concerned with the contractions I had the other day... said he'd be a lot more concerned if I was feeling them. He did say I could most likely prolong my pregnancy if I stop working... so, that was not a difficult decision to make. I was given a couple of days to work from home to finish some things up, but after this Friday, I'm done! The good thing is: I'm not on bedrest, but will not be working. But, believe me, I'm definitely going to take it easy... I'll do a little laundry, sit a little, make my bed, sit a little, etc.
The Dr. has had me double up on the blood pressure medicine and it makes me really tired, so I'll probably being taking a nap every day too!

As far as work goes, I have a lot of vacation, personal and sick time saved up, so I will be getting full time pay for the next 6 weeks or so. After that, I'll go to 60% pay for a little while too...

I hook up to the uterine monitor twice a day for an hour each time, then wait to hear how many contractions there were. The past few days, there haven't been more than 2 in an hour, which is apparently nothing to be alarmed about.

Another thing the Dr said: if the babies were born at this point, there would be a 95% chance that they would survive with no long-term health problems. It's somewhat comforting to hear that though we want them to cook a lot longer!