Christmas 2010

Tonight I had a cool moment thinking about the triplets' future. Kurt and I (well mostly just me- he was on the internet) were watching a show about quadruplets and they were celebrating Christmas. I started picturing what next Christmas will be like for our 1 year old triplets. I think they will have lots of fun playing with boxes, paper, and bows. Knowing my family, they will probably get bows stuck on their heads like I did when I was a kid. Then I started thinking about all the years of holidays to come. I can't wait to get their pictures made with Santa and have him come and bring them toys. Christmas is always my favorite time of year. It's so exciting to think of sharing it with my children. We probably won't get to meet them by this Christmas just a little over 3 months from now, but by Christmas 2010, we'll be sharing the holidays with our 2 sweet boys and 1 sweet girl.

Yes, I spilled the beans...we're having 2 BOYS and a GIRL!

Other people's sad news

I'm feeling a little blue today. Two different friends had sad news to share and both have affected me deeply. The first was an update on the deteriorating condition of Kristy's sister-in-law Sandy. About a week and a half ago Sandy had a brain aneurysm and has been hospitalized and unconscious since that time. She had surgery to try and repair the damage but it appears the doctors are fighting a losing battle. Everything about the situation is sad but to me the saddest thing is the two 18 month old twin boys she would be leaving behind. Sandy fought so hard to hold on to those boys and to even get them here after a difficult pregnancy. She fought hard to keep them alive as they spent months in the NICU. Everyone is still praying for a miracle but are realistic about the situation.

The second friend who shared sad news today told me she just found out she has lost the twins she was carrying. This is the second friend in 2 weeks I know who has lost their multiple pregnancy. Both times the story is the same. They go into the doctor's office for a scan and the doctor can detect no fetal heartbeat. This is pretty much what happened to Kurt and I during our first pregnancy. No warning. No signs. Just I'm sorry they are gone. The friends are both members of the same infertility forum I belong to. I've developed close friendships with many of the women on the forum. We've shared many ups and downs. I was so happy for both friends when they became pregnant. Both have long struggled with infertility. I was elated to find out they were both having multiples like me. Now I'm just so sad their babies are gone. When I heard the news I felt like I was back in time. I felt like I was sitting there listening to my doctor tell me our baby was gone. I was hurt, angry, and stunned. Later I just felt empty and broken. I pray for peace and healing for these women. I wouldn't wish the pain they're feeling on my worst enemy. And although as of my last appointment the triplets were as perfect as can be, there's still a little part of me that fears that we could again know that awful pain.

So please today pray for Sandy and her family. Please pray for the 2 women mourning the lost of their babies. And please pray for the continued health and development of our triplets. Thank you.

Beach Babes

Since last weekend was a "long" Labor Day weekend, my Mom, 2 friends (Carla and Dianna), and I took off for Panama City Beach, Florida. Although it was just a short trip, it was a lot of fun! It was also very eye-opening at the changes in my body.

* During the trip I had to be extra careful not to get hungry as that would bring on nausea.

* I also still struggled with eating dinner even at my favorite places.

* I was more tired than usual just spending time out by the beach and pool. I had to nap every day.

* I was out of breath just toting my towel and beach bag back and forth from the beach.

* Finally, I was super uncomfortable on a lounge chair. I can't lay comfortably on my back or my stomach and it is nearly impossible to lay comfortably on your side on a lounge chair.

Sometimes I don't even notice how "different" I am pregnant. But this trip sure reminded me. It was also kind of strange to think this is probably the last trip I will ever take without 3 little ones to tote around. And I can't wait!!

Back to the doc we go!

Monday we had another visit at the doctor and another ultrasound. This time my Mom joined Kurt and I and she got her first look at the babies. All 3 babies were very active and it made getting pictures quite difficult. Also, the tech could not determine genders this time so we're hopeful for our next visit in 2 weeks. I will be 17 weeks then. Cross your fingers! I feel like 17 weeks will be a milestone for us. That was the approximate week our little girl Leyna Koenig passed away in utero last Thanksgiving. Even though I carried her longer, based on her measurements she likely died during that time. Once we get this pregnancy past the time when we lost Leyna, I think we will all breathe a little easier. They did not measure the size of our little monkeys this visit but I could tell they had grown a lot in just the last 2 weeks. Their heart rates were perfect measuring 164, 162, and 166 beats per minute respectively. They also checked my cervix which is nice and long and closed. That is a very important thing as that is sort of the indicator of change they are watching for. Things will progress as normal until such time as they notice cervical change. That is usually the time when women will be asked to go on bedrest. So please keep those prayers coming I can stay "upright" as long as possible. Here are the new pics of A, B, and C. As usual, A and B are cooperating while wiggle worm C would not stay put long enough for a nice photo. We hope you enjoy!

Banos, Banos, Baaaanos!

So today was an interesting day. We had a late afternoon doctor visit and got to see all three wiggling babies. I'll post a separate blog commenting on the visit when I upload the pics. But rest assured everything is great and no, we do not know the genders yet.

Kurt and I decided to go to our favorite mexican place up the street. Everything was going fine for most of the meal. We ordered our favorite dishes (me fajitas) and cheese dip...yummy. As I was scarfing down my 2nd fajita I felt a familiar wave of nausea and stopped eating. This happens to me a lot when I eat so I thought it would pass as usual. Wrong! Suddenly I was completely overcome and I had that moment where I know I'm going to "lose it". Unfortunately there was no time to make it to the bathroom. My dinner plate became the lucky recipient of my partially digested food. Kurt desperately tried to flag down the waiter as neither of us could remember where the bathroom was. Unfortunately, we get the non-english speaking busboy who does not understand "bathroom". Kurt is frantically trying to communicate "bathroom" and I'm trying to yell through rounds of vomiting "banos, banos!". The busboy understood what I was saying and directed me to the fastest route. Mortified, I made my way to the bathroom but by then the majority of the damage was done. Kurt quickly finished his food, paid the bill, and left the waitress a hefty tip. So embarrassing!!!

But not all was lost. Kurt did manage to snag the last few remaining shrimp off the part of my plate I hadn't desecrated. Go Kurt! But it is disappointing to have lost all that good dinner. Plus I'm pretty sure a lot of the water I'd consumed during the day was also lost. Better go fill up my mug and start over!

Our furniture has arrived!

Last weekend we got a great surprise!

Dad and Elizabeth came down to Newnan for lunch. After lunch the four of us headed over to Babies R Us to look around. While there we found the perfect nursery furniture on clearance. While we didn't plan on purchasing furniture this early, we just couldn't pass up the good deal. Dad and Elizabeth surprised us by purchasing the whole set- 3 cribs, a large dresser, and a changing table. Since they didn't have all the pieces in stock, we had to order them from the warehouse. We just got the call everything has arrived!

Growing Pains?

For the past few days I've had some cramping. At first it wasn't too worrisome. But yesterday I started to get concerned. I know most of the time things are "nothing" and go away on their own. But what if it was the one time when "nothing" was actually "something" and I ignored it? So I called the doc. They advised me to put my feet up, rest, and drink lots of water. If it got worse or if the cramping was accompanied by bleeding, I should come into the office. It did not get worse and I have not had any bleeding so I guess things are ok. But the nagging cramping is still there even today. I guess it's just growing pains. Because my belly sure is growing!