So long old friends...

Today I had to say goodbye to some dear old friends. It may not sound like much to most people, but to me it is a sad farewell. Today I had to part with my acrylic nails. I have been getting my nails done regularly since I was 15 years old. I've been through many changes from regular acrylic, to white tips, to pink and white or solar nails. I've been seeing the same nail lady since 1997. She is more than just a nail technician, she is a family friend. My nails are a part of my identity and now they are gone. I decided the nails had to go for a of couple reasons. First, I can no longer devote the time it takes to get my nails done. Time will be in even shorter supply once the babies get here. Plus I'm exhausted just getting up and getting a shower. So making it to the nail salon is extra effort I just can't devote right now. Finally, acrylic nails can be very expensive to maintain and we need to save every penny we can. The extra expenses of diapers, formula, child care, and more will be on us before we know it. So I bid farewell to my precious nails for now. But never fear, we will be together again someday old friends.

Back to the doc- 27 weeks

27 weeks?! How in the world did I get here? I'm just a week away from the next (and a very big) milestone. Very exciting! On Tuesday I was back to MFS for an ultrasound. I go again in 2 weeks and then will start going weekly. At 32 weeks I will start going twice a week. This visit was a great one! Each heart rate for each baby is perfect. Luke finally showed the ultrasound tech his spine so they were able to wrap up the anatomy scan for all 3 babies. It's only taken them 5 visits! Most just get one anatomy scan. My babies are very uncooperative and always seem to be in the wrong position! We did get profile pics of Jake and Luke at the visit but couldn't get any of Sarah. We also tried to get some 3-D pics of their faces but all 3 babies were laying face down toward my spine and we could not get them to turn. What do these children have against their pictures being taken??? The tech also checked my cervix and it is still long and closed- 3.7cm. That's close to what it was 2 weeks ago so none of the contractions or cramping is changing my cervix. The doctor was very pleased with this. She said she sees many women just carrying singletons that don't have those kind of numbers at 27 weeks. Good news! Also, my blood pressure was good and the 24 hour urine test was negative for protein. More good news! The prayers and good thoughts from all our friends and family are helping us tremendously. Please keep them coming. Enjoy the pics of Jake and Luke.

Baby Showers

Ok I promised I'd update about the fun baby showers I've had in the last 2 weeks. The first was an awesome party planned by Meredith MacKenzie. My sorority sisters came from all over Georgia and a few from out of state- Dana from Delaware and Megan from Virginia. We even got 9 month preggers Chantal to Skype into the shower from Vancouver! It was like she was really there. We played a couple fun games- name the baby food (gross) and a quiz about this blog. I found out so many of my sistas read the blog! We got so many neat gifts. I love you gals. Here's a group shot and a pic of Mee Jean and I with our big bellies. Well, mine is big. Isn't it funny she and I are due at roughly the same time?! She's having a little boy.

This past weekend Elizabeth hosted a shower at her house. We had yummy food and lots of laughs. Kurt came along for part of the shower and helped open a few gifts. It was great to have Dad and Elizabeth's friends and family celebrate with us. Kurt's mom Mary also brought some of her good friends, one lady we hadn't seen since the wedding. It was fun to get caught up with everyone. Below is a pic of me opening a gift from Kurt's Aunt Ginny. The other is a pic of the cake that had all the babies initials on it. It was so creative!!

Here is a photo from our dining room where we've been stacking the gifts from our showers. I think we need to get a bigger house for all the gifts. We've been so blessed by all our family and friends. Thank you everyone who had a hand in putting together such amazing baby showers. Kurt and I are so thankful.

Happy Birthday Sweet Angel Baby

Happy Birthday sweet Leyna. I hope you are surrounded by loving angels. I miss you every day. Although you were in my life such a short time, you made quite an impact. I loved you from the moment I found out about you. You were so loved and wanted by your Dad and me. Well, by all of your family actually. But we know we could not keep you with us here on Earth. God had a special place picked out for you in Heaven. We know, but we still miss you. One year ago today at 8:30pm you were born and then I had to say goodbye to you. I love you sweet baby. Happy Birthday.

Pics of the Nursery Bedding

Just thought I'd drop a quick note to show everyone the bedding we got for the babies. The boys' bedding has bumble bees on it and Sarah's bedding is a garden theme. These are not actual pics of the nursery because we have not yet finished anything in the nursery. These are just stock photos from their website. But enjoy!

Not too jovial this week

Last Sunday my sorority sisters from UGA put together an awesome baby shower. The fabulous Meredith MacKenzie played hostess even though she and Adam just moved into a new house. I will post lots of details and pics soon but just haven't had the heart to do it.

Maybe it's the hormones or maybe it's to be expected, but I just haven't felt very jovial this week. I've had a lot of fear and anxiety swirling around. First of all, we found out my Uncle Derick (Mom's brother) has a partially malignant brain tumor on his brain stem. In fact, he was just diagnosed this week after having a very painful headache that wouldn't go away. He had surgery on it this evening (Wednesday) and the docs are hopeful they got it all. But we'll have to wait and see how things go. Please say a prayer tonight for him and our family.

Then on top of that, my blood pressure is elevated despite my best efforts at bed rest. I spent today with my OB doc and they are not concerned enough to admit me to the hospital (thank God!) unless my 24 hour urine specimen shows protein. Sorry if that's TMI but there's no graceful way to say it. So tomorrow I'll be peeing in a cup all day- oh joy. As long as that is clean as well as some other blood work, I can continue modified bed rest at home. Please pray this is what the doctor orders.

Also, many of you may remember this is right around the time we lost Leyna last year. We found out on November 21, 2008 that she had passed away and I delivered her the following day at Piedmont-Fayette Hospital. This is such a bittersweet time. I am so thankful to be pregnant with these 3 little miracles in my belly but still grieving the loss of our first daughter. When my blood pressure shot up, I started to panic fearing I could lose Sarah, Luke, and Jake just like we lost Leyna. I don't know if that fear will ever subside until I'm holding those 3 sweet miracles in my arms.

Now that I've been seen by my doctor and we have a plan in place, I am breathing a little easier. Please pray for Derick and our family, for the triplets, for my good health, and for Leyna. And I promise to have a lighter post soon.

Kurt & Sarah

Something really cool happened last night. I was laying on my side in the bed and Sarah started kicking like crazy. So Kurt decided to see if he could get her to interact with him. He started by jostling her slightly then pausing to see if she would move. And she did! Then she'd be still and wait for him to jostle again. Then when he paused she'd kick in response. They did this back and forth for like 10 minutes. It was the cutest thing. We were both giggling. I can only imagine what Sarah was thinking. She already has Kurt wrapped around her little finger- lol.