23 weeks!

I made it another week!

Just one more week to viability. yeah!!!!

This is my HUGE belly! You can see how it pulls my back. My poor, poor back. It screams from the painful knots at night and then I feel like screaming, but I don't have the lung capacity so I just whimper. I would cry, but I think it would hurt too much. It hurts to sit up and it hurts to lie down. I have dealt with painful muscles before after running marathons and this doesn't even compare. I WILL make it through!

I have been doing the Home Uterine Monitoring each day this week. A nurse came on Monday and set me all up. It monitors for contractions. I have to put this belt on twice a day that is hooked up to a computer monitor. After an hour of monitoring, I hook the computer up to a modem and then send the information to a nurse who calls with my update. I am allowed to have 7 contractions in the time I monitor and the most I have had is four. I have never even felt one! I don't even know what a contraction feels like since I had a c-section with Brooke. I have a lot of irritability in my uterus each time which are like mini contractions, but that is okay. I don't feel that either. I will have to continue to monitor for contractions from here on out. If I have more than seven I will have to get a pump that injects medication into my leg. I am just hoping to stay out of the hospital.

I have passed my husband up with my weight! Actually probably a few weeks ago since he only weighs 160. Poor Troy gets a workout trying to help me up from the couch or bed. He is very helpful and massages my knots each night. He will probably have to get his thumbs repaired after all of this from pushing on the knots so hard. If he eventually gets arthritis in his thumbs, you'll know why.

This is going to be a FABULOUS week! Monday my hair dresser is coming over to give me a haircut! Yeah! I am also going to get a pedicure at home this week because... I have my friend shower on Saturday! I am really looking forward to the shower and seeing everyone! I have the best friends and neighbors in the world and I feel so blessed they are hosting a shower for me.

The meals are still going GREAT! I just can't thank everyone enough who are bringing meals and signing up on the carecalendar. We LOVE it and it helps more than you can imagine. Thank you, thank you!!!!

Brooke getting ready to get her picture taken with real bunnies for Easter in the dress her Bubba got her.

Brooke and Troy changing the door on the laundry room so that it opens the opposite way. She is his little helper. Troy is getting so much done around the house! This weekend he is painting the hallway by the garage door and the laundry room. Brooke even helps him with the taping and she is pretty good at it.

22 weeks & dr visit

This is baby A (Reagan Faith). The pictures of the other two girls were not that great. I always think they look like smooshed aliens. They are much prettier when we are at the doctor.

Good news!
* My cervix is still closed and tight!
* No evidence of Twin to Twin Transfusion!
*Good levels of amniotic fluid!
* All three babies weigh 1lb. Yeah!
This is very good news because they are a little bigger than expected and Dr. Kirshon thought the identicals would be smaller than baby A since they share everything. Yipeee! He was very pleased with everything and we're still hoping for 34 weeks. Just 12 more weeks to go!
*not dwarfs or little people (I asked)
*no clef pallets (I asked)

Here are the official names:
A- Reagan Faith
B - Paige Anne
C - Kara Grace

We've had to have lots of Faith and Grace throughout this process and will continue to. Ann is after Troy's mom RoseAnn and my grandmother Anneliese.

How I am feeling...
My mood is good, but in the evening my skin on the sides of my belly feels like it is RIPPING open. I mean ripping! I felt like someone had a blow torch on each of my sides last night. I held my sides just in case I got a gaping hole and a baby might come out. I rub all kinds of lotions, creams and butters on my belly. It doesn't help, but I do it every day anyway. It is just growing so fast.
My back is a mess! My belly pulls on my back and I have so many knots. The only thing that helps the knots are when Troy rubs my back and pushes very hard on them.
And finally, I don't sleep at night. I roll from side to side to ease the pain in my back and go to the bathroom at least four times. The doctor said I could take Tylenol PM and did last night, but it didn't work! Before being pregnant if I took two of them I would feel drugged for two days. Last night was a normal night.
At least I am not having any major complications and my babies are doing great.
I have a lot to be grateful for, so I can live with the pain of my skin and back a little longer.

A nurse will be coming out to hook me up to a Home Uterine Monitoring system. For what I understand, I have to put this belt on twice a day and it monitors to see if I am having contractions (some women have contractions and don't even know it). It is hooked up to our phone line and a nurse will read it. I'll let you know how it goes once it is all hooked up. We had to check with our insurance first. It is covered, but we have to still meet our deductible, so it will be pricey.

I had a good week. Troy was in Canada and my mom stayed with Brooke & I. Thank you MOM! Brooke had lots of play dates since it was her spring break. Thank you Julie & Gracen, Wendy & Claudia!
She even got her picture taken with real bunnies for Easter. Thank you Rhonda & Kate!

I got out! After my doctor's appointment on Friday we went to eat dinner at Road House in Pearland. The doctor said I could go out to eat, but no standing. It was 4pm and I was ready to be out! I haven't been out to eat since at least January. January!!! I was looking around the restaurant like a foreigner, soaking everything in. It was wonderful.
On Saturday a neighbor had a crawfish boil and I went. I just sat in a chair in the whole time, but I got to socialize. Wow! It was amazing. Troy even peeled me a few crawfish.
Today I hope to sit outside in the sun. I need the vitamin D and my skin has never been so pale in all of my life. Well, probably since birth. If you come over, you will need sunglasses for my blinding skin. I am hoping a little tan will also help me look thinner!

We've been having fun playing wii thanks to Valerie and Mike. Brooke is really good at bowling and boxing. We may have to eventually buy one.

The carecalendar is awesome! We had some great food this week from:
Alexis-spinach & turkey stuffed shells
Tia - Goode Company BBQ potatoes
Shelley- Chick-fil-A sandwhiches and Rice Krispie Treats
Kathy - Lasagna
Thank you! Thank you!!! I can't tell you how much that helps out.

Troy doesn't travel any more until after the babies are born and Brooke is back at school this week, so things are going smoothly. That is my prayer...healthy babies, healthy mama and things to go smoothly around here.

21 weeks!

We only have three more weeks until the babies are viable! 24 weeks is a BIG number for triplet pregnancies. Viable means they can live if they were born. We certainly don't want 24 weeks because there would be a ton of health concerns. We are still hoping for 34 weeks (June 13). That is the ultimate goal. Once we hit 24 weeks, our next goal will be 28 weeks. I love setting goals and need something to look forward to, so we'll take it one step at a time.

As much as bed rest and being in the house all day gets to me, I certainly don't want the babies to be born too early. I want these babies to be as healthy as can be.

On Sundays Troy teaches a class at church and Brooke goes with him to Sunday school. I watch the service live on line. It is great! Today after they returned I got out!!! Troy took me to Dillard's to exchange make-up and then to Barnes & Noble. I even had Starbucks while there. It was magical! He had to push me in a wheelchair with Brooke on my lap (knees) and it was raining, but that was okay. I was out! I feel like the world is going on without me, but today I was part of it. It really helped my mood. I am now having some cramping so I am lying down on my left side like a good patient and drinking my gallon of water.

I feel the babies move a lot more and it is so wonderful. It really puts a smile on my face. They seem to be a bit nocturnal. They will fit in our family because Brooke doesn't like to go to bed at night and says that she is nocturnal.

This week Troy will be traveling to Canada Tuesday - Friday and my mom will be babysitting us. She was going to be off of work, but they changed her schedule and now has to work 5am-5pm. She'll still be able to spend the night and help with Brooke in the evenings. I am working on finding things for Brooke to do this week because it is her spring break. It is working out. yeah! This is Troy's last trip until after the babies are born.

We have a doctor's appointment on Friday at 2:20pm. We'll be taking Brooke to it for the first time. She is excited to see the babies.

Please pray for safe travel for Troy this week, no pregnancy complications and a good doctor's appointment. We need three healthy babies.

Here our the babies names. Reagan, Paige, & Kara (both Troy and Brooke like Kara). Now, I need some middle names. Any suggestions?

Thank you to...
Miriam for letting us (me) try her Spinach Stew this week. Troy or Brooke wouldn't try it, but it was so good! I think the word spinach threw them for a loop. I LOVE spinach!

Valerie & Mike for bringing me a Lenny's Sub on Friday and watching Ellen with me.

Rhonda - pushing me all around at bible study Tuesday in the wheelchair & spending the afternoon with me on Saturday and bringing me lunch. Also, taking me to Target! There is probably lots more. Rhonda's my angel.

Also, thank you Valerie for setting up the calendar for dinners on-line. It is awesome. We can see what meals are coming and when. It gets me so excited and something to look forward to!! I can't wait for stuffed shells this week and Chick-Fil-A from Alexis and Shelly! yummy!
If you are interested in checking it out go to:
http://www.carecalendar.org/
ID 13435c
CODE 7272

My life before, present, & future

MY PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE LIFE

This week was my last week of bible study (my one outing during the week) and it is the last week that I will be able to take Brooke to school. I just can't get myself and her ready in the mornings. I ended up out of breath with my heart racing just trying to get Brooke dressed. What has happened to me?

MY PAST LIFE...

My life has changed tremendously in the past few months. I went from running 3 marathons last year and teaching aerobics to... (well see for yourself below).

Brooke & I at the Race For The Cure this past October 2008. She wanted her own number, so Troy made her one. She wore that shirt to all my races last year. She even had her own "marathon chair" (lawn chair) to watch the races.

AUSTIN MARATHON 2008!!!

We were all supposed to wear those crazy socks, but looks like April had taken hers off.

Getting ready to run the Austin Marathon with my Cheetah girls! We all try to match each race.

I also ran Dallas & Houston last year. (Just one year ago.)

In January I taught my last aerobics class (only two months ago)!

MY PRESENT LIFE.....
THIS IS HOW I GET AROUND NOW!!!

My last day of bible study this Tuesday. Rhonda pushed me in a wheelchair while I held her daughter and Brooke held on to the side. We had it all figured out.

My new way to shop. Just FYI, these carts are very slow and beep VERY loud when you backup. It is amusing.

MY PRESENT LIFE AT HOME....

I am either on the couch all day or...

For fun I can work on my laptop or watch tv or...

Lie on the bed with my big Snoogle pillow. I also have to have a wedge pillow under my belly.

If you are wondering if it gets boring - yes.

If you are wondering if I sometimes feel stir crazy - yes.

If you are wondering if it gets depressing - yes.

Lying down all day also hurts your back and hips.

I know that this is the best thing for the babies and am willing to do whatever I can to keep them in until 34 weeks.

This is Brooke. She put a baby in her belly and said, "I am pregnant on bed rest." It was so funny! She even had my big water cup. Then she pretended to call the doctor and said, "I am tired of being on bed rest. I want to go up the stairs."


MY FUTURE LIFE.....

I will be pushing my triplets in this jogging stroller! I can't wait!

Brooke will be riding along on her bike.

5 months!!! (20 weeks)

I have made it to 20 weeks!!!

It feels so good to be in the 20's. The babies are actually viable (can live) at 24 weeks, so we are on the countdown to 34 weeks. Thirty-four weeks is still 3 1/2 months away (June 13th), but we are making progress. Some days feel like they go by fast, but many days are slow. There are times when I just don't know if I can make it, but I have to shake off the pity party, take a deep breath, say a prayer and try to change my thought process. It can be tough, I won't lie. The babies are moving and that is so wonderful and makes me feel really connected to them. It is a great feeling! Now, we just have to figure out names! I would like to be able to talk to them by name or know which one is kicking me. There are just so many to name! I am tired of calling them A,B & C. So far, we know we like Reagan & Paige. The last one is either Kara or Tori. I like Tori and think it is cute for Troy. Troy prefers Kara. We'll see what happens. Hopefully by next week.

Here is some 20 week baby info:

* 10 inches long (about the size of a banana)

* can detect sounds inside & outside womb

* swallows, sucks thumb & gets hiccups

Now... that is a belly! 5 months pregnant and I still have 3 1/2 to go. It feels like it is busting at the seams sometimes.
It's Rodeo Time In Texas! Brooke had "Go Texan Day" at school. She loves her pink cowboy boots with the silver tips.
Brooke's NEW room. It is pretty much finished, we just need some accessories! It is very pink & she loves her big bed.
We had a painting party on Saturday. My brother Ronnie and his girlfriend Sarah came in town from Austin and helped Troy paint the study (which will be the downstairs nursery). They also painted the formal living room. Sarah's sister even helped paint. My mom made us a yummy lunch. Thank you all so much!
Brooke helped to paint too! She had a roller just her size.

Thank you this week to:

Shawna - for a great dinner on Sunday. It was so nice to get out of the house and sit in your recliner (instead of mine). The company is priceless.

Lisa F - delicious homemade spaghetti dinner. Yum!

Rhonda - taking me to bible study & everything little thing daily

Bridget - Pei Wei & playing with Brooke while we were feeling down

Kim - keeping Brooke on Wednesday and taking her to cooking class Friday.

Sandy - carmel brownies! so good.

Dolores - burritos!! yeah!

Wendy - carpooling & taking Brooke to the park. I always enjoy your visits too.

Miriam - cupcakes! Brooke ate two of them.

Jamie - veggie soup & chicken dumplings (always thinking of us with your meals) & my blog!

Mom - philly cheese steak sandwiches (delish NJ meal), washing clothes, changing my sheets and just helping out

Sarah & Mom - taking me to Target & pushing me in the wheelchair.

My wonderful husband - painting, feeding me, cleaning up, helping me up, making Brooke's lunches and getting her clothes ready, rubbing my aching back and listening to me complain or have a pity party when I don't think I can make it another day.

Thank you to everyone who even just calls, emails or comes by. The days that go by slow are the worst and any outside contact helps.

19 weeks & dr. visit

Baby A: 9oz

Baby B: 10oz

Baby C: 9oz (baby C doesn't have a hole in her head, it is the way the light from the u/s was shining). I was sure to ask!

(16oz=1lb, they are getting close)

We went to the doctor on Thursday for our big ultrasound and everything looked great! There were no signs right now of TTTS (Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome) in the identicals. I shouldn't have looked it up on line because it is not good. The babies can get it at any point, but right now everything with the little ones is healthy. yeah!

Our delivery goal is 34 weeks, which is June 13th. Dr. Kirshon said if we can get to at least 31 weeks there is less of a chance of brain bleeding which is huge. There are four levels of brain bleeds and level 3 can lead to cerebral palsy among other not so good things and level four can be fatal. 31 weeks is May 23. I have to keep these buns cooking in my oven.

My weight gain is on target which is a big deal for getting the babies to a healthy weight. The books say I should be eating 4000 calories a day (non pregnant is 2200). I also have to drink a gallon of water daily. I drink the water, but I doubt I eat the calories. My weight gain should be between 59-75lbs! Crazy! I have gained 30lbs so far and boy do I feel like it. It is a chore just to roll over in bed and get up from the couch. Troy gets his work out from helping me up. It feels like I have a bowling ball under my skin.

It is official we have THREE GIRLS! We saw the proof. We are actually very excited. I feel like this whole experience is God's plan and three girls is what we were meant to have. People seem to be worried about Troy's reaction, but he is so happy. He is a great dad and an even better girl dad. He will put on fairy wings and fly around the house with Brooke, let her put bows in his hair and on the flip side let her help him with repair projects. She has used an electric drill, measured, used a screw driver, you name it. She even has her own tool belt. Two weeks ago they went to Home Depot for a class and made a jewelry box together. Like I said, he is a great dad and is very patient with her while teaching her. They will go play 9 holes of golf and he takes the time to teach her the rules and what clubs to use. About a month ago she wanted to know how a toilet worked and he took the tank off and explained everything for about 30 minutes. I think she may have a little engineer in her. He can be a softy and pamper her, but also discipline her when needed. They are at Cavender's right now picking out an outfit for her Go Texan Day at school. Troy is going to be all right.

I am having a tough time with names!!! Hopefully by next week we will have some names to share.

Troy and Brooke went to get the jogging stroller today!!! I am so excited to have it and will be running as soon as they are big enough to push them. I pushed Brooke last marathon season every Wednesday for 7-9 miles and I think that is how I improved my time so much. I should be able to qualify for Boston next year pushing three! ha!

We have had so many people to thank for so much, so I thought each week on my update I could include the thanks for the week so... here goes.

THANK YOU TO:

Valerie - bringing me lunch on Monday and sewing the strap on Brooke's leotard

Shanda - coming in from Florida with her boys to babysit us while Troy was in Tampa

Kim - pushing me in the wheelchair Wednesday while registering Brooke for school and watching her all day on Friday

Heather Jane - making a delicious meal Thursday. We loved the artichoke & sausage stuffed shells, green beans and brownies.

Shawna - making yummy chicken noodle soup, greens beans and cookies

Rhonda - what can I not thank Rhonda for. She drives me around, shops for me, spends time with me, refills my water - you name it.

Also, thanks to everyone for their prayers for our babies. Next Saturday will be 5 months (20 weeks)!!!!

Next doctor's appointment is in three weeks.

17 weeks (4 months 1 week) & new purchase

I made it to my half way point of 17 weeks! My goal is 34 weeks, so we are heading in the right direction. I go to the doctor next Thursday (Feb. 26th). On this visit he will measure all the organs, so I pray that my little ones are healthy. We'll see also if we still have three girls. I want to see pictures, so I can have proof.

Bedrest Update:
I just take it day by day and week by week. This week went by pretty fast! That is a good thing for me. I think it was because I had lots of visitors, which I love. This week and next Troy is going out of town (Vegas & Florida). My mom is staying two nights to babysit us this week and my friend Shanda is flying in from Florida to watch us next week. I am not sleeping well at all. I have to sleep on my side and my big belly pulls my back on the sides and it gets so tight and sore. All night I toss (or roll) from side to side, go to the bathroom and change my pillows all around. I can handle the long nights if my days are short. I hope for another quick week going into week 18!

Our new purchase:
Today we went to a guy's house that Troy went to highschool with who has triplets. Hans and his wife, Lauren, have 16 month old triplet boys. I was afraid that I would either have a panic attack when I left or be relieved and I was very relieved. The boys played wonderful together and Lauren gave me tons of good tips and advice. We also bought our first triplet purchase from them. It is a triplet stroller and it looks like a LIMO! We still have to buy the carseats for it. They will transfer from our car and just clip to the stroller. I am starting to get very excited.

Hope everyone had a good weekend and Valentine's Day! Troy and Brooke went to a nursing home yesterday and Brooke (along with other kids from church) sang songs. It was so good for her to serve those those grandpas and grandmas. She passed out Valentine's and even went into their rooms to give Valentine's. I was very proud of her.

More later... See you on week 18.

Doctor's appt. & 16 weeks (4 months)

My doctors appointment yesterday went great. I was a little nervous and just praying that all of them were healthy. The pictures are 3D, so they look a little alien-ish. They are of B & C which are the identicals. The top two are of heads and the last is s body shot. They are in the same sac, but have a tiny wall separating them. You can see both of them in the last picture.

The good news:

1. All babies weigh 5 oz. (The doctor was impressed. Generally one multiple is larger or smaller than the others).

2. Baby A's placenta has moved away from my cervix. (This was probably the reason for the bleeding, so this is great news). Baby B & C share a placenta due to them being identical, so I have two placentas.

3. Baby B & C will have to be watched closely due to them being identical and sharing a placenta. One can get more nutrients, blood, etc. It is called twin to twin transfusion and there were no signs of this now.

4. I am still on modified bed rest, but I can go out to eat every now and then!!!

5. Baby A is still a GIRL and... the identicals are also GIRLS. Yes, three girls. Dr. Kirshon said he was 99% sure. We will see at the next appointment in three weeks if it changes again. I am not ready to go pink crazy yet. I was also a little sad not having a boy. I had gotten used to the idea. All we really care about are healthy babies.

Four girls!!!! Do you know what that means? It means eight pig tails, eight bows and lots of ponytail holders. Also, 40 toes to paint and with fingers that is 80! I think we will start out needing lots of diapers and then hair supplies and nail polish. ha!

I am not buying anything until 28 weeks, just to be sure. My next appointment will be the big ultrasound where they measure the heart, stomach, kidneys, brain, etc., etc. Pray for three healthy babies. He did some measuring of bones this time and all looked good.

Bed rest update:

Bed rest is TOUGH!!! I can't cook, clean, go to the grocery store, run errands, etc. Wait, did I say this was tough? Actually, it really is. I love taking care of Brooke and our home. It is also boring and lonely being on the couch or the bed all day. My sides and hips get sore lying down so much. I have had little angels helping me (friends, family, and neighbors). We have had lots of meals, which is huge because Troy was running around with a chicken with his head cut off in the evenings after getting home from work trying to cook, wash, do dishes, straighten up, bathe Brooke and put her to bed. It helps a ton! On the weekends he has been painting Brooke's new room and moving all the rooms around. It has been slow because he is doing it by himself on top of doing the grocery shopping while taking care of me and Brooke. He is a great man and doesn't complain at all. I also have Brooke taken care of each day and that is such a relief. She is having fun and having a normal life. Thank you so much Kim and Maci!!

We are truly blessed to have such great help. We thank everyone so much!

Brooke's sibling class at the hospital

Brooke had her sibling class at Texas Woman's Hospital today.
There were four girls in her class and they had to go around and introduce themselves and tell what their mommies were having. Brooke went first and said her name and then, "Two boys and a girl." The reaction is always great! You always hear some gasps. I don't think people totally believe it coming from a little girl. We always have to say, "Yes, it is true." They had to adapt the class a bit for her since the others were only having one baby.

Brooke learned how to properly hold a baby, change a diaper and what kinds of toys were safe for them to play with. We then took a tour of the hospital to see a labor & delivery room, the waiting room and nurseries. We didn't get the tour adapted so that we could see the operating room for the c-section or the NICU. :)

I thought I was being proactive by scheduling this class early, before I may go on bed rest. Well...I had to be pushed around by Troy in a wheel chair! He had Brooke on his shoulders and was pushing me for the tour of the hospital (or Brooke rode with me). It was Troy's first time pushing one, so we ran into some door ways. I could get used to being pushed around and it was so wonderful to get out of the house! The world is still going on with out me :(

Oh, it was so embarrassing, I ran into a doctor that came to my aerobics class. She couldn't pin point at first how she knew me and then we figured it out. I went from teaching aerobics to being in a wheel chair!

Brooke did a great job at the sibling class. She got a certificate and a "Big Sister" shirt.

15 Weeks! Only 17 more weeks to go!

My brother's wedding

Troy, myself and Brooke before the ceremony. We had a great weekend even though I couldn't do much besides sit around. I was happy to see my brother, Bobby, get married and see Brooke as a flower girl for the first time. My doctor was not going to let me go since it was in Louisana, but when he found out it was only 2 1/2 hours away he was okay with it. whew!

Brooke did such a good job as the flower girl. We were all so proud of her. If you know Brooke at all she can be pretty shy and reserved, so I didn't know how she would react with everyone looking at her. She was perfect! She dropped her flowers slowly and even sat on the stairs by the bridesmaids during the ceremony. At one point she told the "ring boy" (as she called him) to "shhh" when he was trying to talk to her during the ceremony.

We had lots of family members who came to Louisana for the wedding and what a group photo this was!

This is where I sat during the whole reception. My bootie was hurting after sitting for the whole weekend and I had to change shoes quickly. Brooke and I did a little dancing while I sat in my chair. I sat by the dance floor, so I could enjoy the entertainment from everyone dancing.