Remembering Leyna

Last Thursday was Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. Families all over the globe were encouraged to light a candle, say a prayer, or anything else that would commemorate the special child that was lost. Kurt and I lit a candle and made a small memorial for our sweet baby girl Leyna lost last year on November 22, 2008. Leyna passed away in utero during my pregnancy and I delivered her at 8:30pm that chilly November day. I took a picture of the memorial we made. In addition to the candle we lit for her, the memorial had a UGA onesie we bought when we found out we were pregnant, an ultrasound of Leyna, a blanket and hat knitted for her by the nurses in the hospital, a pretend birth certificate the nurses made (because you don't get a real one if your baby is not born alive), and the hospital bracelets she and I would have worn. The 2 little black smudges on the certificate are her very tiny footprints. Kurt and I had not looked at these things in nearly a year. I was surprised by how just seeing them again could bring back those old memories and feelings. I thought I had grieved and healed most of these feelings. But there they were all fresh and new. I felt transported back in time. But although this memorial brought with it lots of tears, I was glad we did it. We love and miss you Leyna. We will never, ever, ever forget you.

We have a plan!

So I talked to my boss yesterday about the plan to reduce my work schedule and he agreed it was a good idea. So I'll have a modified schedule for the rest of October. Then the first week in November I will officially be off until after the babies are here. I have mixed feelings about being off work. Part of me is happy because I'm so tired, not sleeping, and getting bigger and slower by the day. Part of me will miss working and my day to day routine. I have found that it's easier to rest, eat better, and stay hydrated when I'm not working. Plus it will give me additional time to plan for the babies. So it's official, we have a plan!

Am I bigger today???

Okay not to keep commenting about the ever growing belly but I think I'm bigger today than I was just one week ago. I'm wearing the same maternity top as I was in the 20 week pic I took. Here I am today at 21 weeks pregnant. You be the judge...

Back to the doc- 21 weeks

As is our routine every 2 weeks, we headed back to the doctor this morning. It took us about twice the time to drive there as it usually does because of the massive amounts of rain and traffic in Atlanta. But we finally got there. I love seeing the babies. All 3 babies are doing great! The first pic above is of baby girl A's front. She's looking right at the camera with her "alien" looking face. I think her fists are balled up in front of her. She kept opening and closing her mouth like she was talking to us. She was probably saying "stop poking me"! The 2nd pic is of baby C's profile. He is the most stubborn one and never stays still for a shot. This is the best one we've had so far. The 3rd pic is baby B's profile and he has his hand up to his face as if trying to suck his thumb. So cute! All 3 heart rates are around 150 (perfect) and they are measuring right on track. They estimated the weights at 12 oz. for baby A, 15 oz. for baby B, and 1.0 lbs even for baby C. The doc said baby A is probably a little bigger than the estimate because it was harder to get her measurements. Her brothers are sitting on her and make it tough on the doc to get a good look. They also measured my cervix and it is a whopping 5.0cm! That's great news because it means that any of the pains or contractions I've had are not shortening or opening my cervix. The one thing that was up today was my blood pressure. The doc is not too happy I'm still working full time. She asked that I talk to my boss about getting reduced duties for the next 2-3 weeks and be officially on leave from work by Nov. 1. If they cannot give me reduced duties then she will put together the official paperwork to take me off work sooner. So cross your fingers I can get a modified work schedule for the next few weeks. I'm not ready to go off work but don't want to jeopardize the pregnancy either! So all in all the visit was great!

20 Week Pic

I thought some of you might enjoy seeing an updated pic of "the beast" aka my huge baby belly. It is literally getting bigger every day! I've still only gained 4 pounds but the belly is taking on a life of it's own. It is so hard to get comfortable at night. I am having a hard time turning myself over in the bed and sitting up. I will probably only be able to work for a few more weeks. It is exhausting just getting out and doing my job. Over the last few days I have felt the flutters off and on and now I'm sure they are the babies moving. Back to the doc on Monday for my 21 week check up. Behold the Beast!

I felt flutters!

Every day I see someone who asks me "do you feel the babies move yet?". Every time I say "no" I feel worse and worse. Especially since I'm approaching 21 weeks. When will it ever start? I even contemplated just lying to people. Well now I don't have to. I'm pretty sure I felt my first flutter! Last night I was getting ready for bed and I felt a bubbling on my left side. After I laid down it kept happening off and on. It felt like a butterfly fluttering around in my low belly. It was so awesome! I know later on when they are jabbing me in the ribs I'll be begging not to feel every little thing, but for now it is so exciting. I can't wait to feel someone move around again!

Doctor visit- 19 weeks

Monday morning (7:30am to be exact) I went in for my bi-weekly scan. The babies all look fantastic! Each are growing appropriately and the heartrates are great- still in the 150's and 160's. We also got confirmation Baby A is a girl and B & C are both boys. Now let the shopping begin! We still haven't decided on the nursery theme but hope to pick that out by this weekend. The doctor measured my cervix at 4.5cm which is still nice and long and still locked up tight. This is great news. I have not had any contractions or any signs of pre-term labor which is what they check for every visit. With each passing day though I am getting more and more uncomfortable. I am still working full time but the doctors feel I will only be able to do this for another 4-8 weeks. I am hoping to stay as mobile as possible for as long as possible but it is getting so hard to do my job. The pictures they gave me are of babies A and B. Pic 1 is Baby girl's profile. Pic 2 is Baby boy B's profile. Pic 3 is of Baby A's girl parts. I already put the boy part confirmation pics on another post. Somehow they forgot to give me Baby C's pics this visit. But rest assured he is a healthy little wiggle worm. He just doesn't like the camera as much as his brother- lol. Some have complained that the black and white pics are not as clear as the 3-D color ones and they have requested I get some 3-D ones done. Those cost about $150 so if anyone wants to send me gift cards for Baby Dimensions...I'll gladly accept them...lol!