Triplets @ 28 Weeks, Day 41 of Bedrest

Today is what is known as "Bronze Medal Day" in the world of triplet baby growing. 28 weeks. If you felt some minor earth movement this morning, that was probably me jumping for joy at reaching this accomplishment. 41 days ago when they put me on bedrest and told me that getting to at least today was the goal, I admit to having some doubt as to whether I could physically and mentally survive. God answered our prayers and the prayers of so many others to allow us to get to this point. Almost every week, I hear of a church family who is praying for us. What a gigantic blessing! James tells us that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" and we have seen that in action during this pregnancy (and before too).

In the world of medical science, reaching 28 weeks with triplets gives them a 90% chance of survival with no long term complications. Clearly we know that God is in control and could have protected the little ones had they come sooner, but it is so nice to know they are staying put for right now and getting the growth and nourishment they need. With each new day that God allows me to carry them, they are likely to have fewer days in the NICU once they are here.

My long term goal is to carry them another 4-6 weeks, and even as I type that I think, "WHERE IN THE WORLD WILL THEY FIT FOR 4-6 MORE WEEKS??" My tummy already looks a little like a war zone. Yes, I have crazy stretch marks already, but you know what, I view them as war wounds. As most of you know, I coach volleyball and basketball. When one of my girls gets a great bruise or a skinned up knee, I tell them to think of it as a war wound to be proud of. When I was in high school, we played volleyball on a carpeted gym floor. During one home game, I was sliding for a ball and ended up with a rug burn on my forehead. Yes, it hurt and yes, it looked ugly for awhile, but I was so proud of that war wound because I had worked hard for it. Bear with me, I'm getting to the point. I have no problem with my stretch marks staying with me for life. They will be a constant reminder of the privilege God has given me to carry these babies and feel them stretch and grow within me, something that we thought for the longest time I would never experience. They are war wounds that will remind me that we serve an amazingly awesome God Who has done above and beyond all that we could ask or think.

And with that, I will leave you for today. Thanks for celebrating with us this milestone. And maybe think about what war wounds God has given you...what marks are on your life that remind you that we serve an awesome God?

Triplets @ 27 Weeks & 4 Days, Day 38 of Bedrest

Yes, I ,know you are probably sick of seeing me in this shirt. However, I'm at the point where I really only have 2 "going out" maternity shirts that fit, so it is this one or the blue one. :)

Yesterday was another doctor appointment, ultrasound and sugar test. I went in with the mental preparedness that they would probably end up putting me in the hospital. I try to approach every doctor's apopintment that way.

Well, much to my pleasant surprise, that wasn't anywhere near how things turned out. The babies are all doing great and the smallest one weighs approximately 2lb 7ounces. The largest one is 2lb 10ounces. Those are great weights and we are excited about their growth.

Nothing else made it appear like a hospital visit was close at hand.

The doctor I met with was nice. At first he said that my next appointment would be in a month. WHAT? Then he noticed that I had gained 4 pounds in the past 2 weeks since my last appointment and decided he better have me come back in a week just to watch for signs of pre-eclampsia. I'm not really stressed about the weight. Before that last appointment I had lost 4 pounds in one week, so I think my body was just readjusting.

He measured my belly and said that I now measure like I am 45 weeks along. :) No wonder life is a little uncomfortable right now. But it is worth every moment of it.

I read on another triplet blog that "they" say that getting to 28 weeks is like winning the bronze medal, getting to 30 weeks is like winning the silver medal and getting to 34 weeks is like winning the gold medal. Tuesday I hit 28 weeks, so I will happily claim my non-existent bronze medal. Then I will start my 14 day countdown to 30 weeks and the silver medal. After all, I've never been satisfied with 3rd place. :)

No matter what though, I'm thrilled that God has protected these babies this long. 38 days ago when I was in the hospital wondering if my babies were going to survive or come far too early, I prayed that God would protect them and keep them safely inside. He has done that and I give Him the glory.

After my appointment yesterday, Mike dropped Jonathan and I off at my friend Julie's house for me to rest until work was over. Little did I know there were plans in place for another friend to come over and spend some time with us that included a most excellent finale of a super yummy piece of birthday cake in honor of Monday being the day that marks another year of aging in my life. It was nice to rest on her couch and still be able to spend time with friends.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support for us in our ongoing journey towards meeting these three precious little ones. By the way, we have now decided on all three names and no, we still aren't telling. :)

Triplets @ 27 Weeks, Day 34 of Bedrest

OH YEAH!

We made it to 27 Weeks! WOOHOO!

I'm not sure if you can tell, but I am excited.

Three more days until my next ultrasound that will show growth and get an idea of if Baby Girl is still pushing out. Six more days until my 35th birthday and the official mark of "advanced maternal age" goes on the record. Seven more days until we reach the big benchmark hurdle of 28 weeks.

When I started bedrest 34 days ago, the idea of making it 41 days was overwhelming. So I broke it down into weekly goals. Now we have only one more week. Then we'll start the countdown of trying to make it to 32 weeks.

The past week included lots of lying around, stretching and grunting. My nose is swollen and congested most of the time, though I don't think I'm sick. So, I breathe heavily and grunt with nearly every movement.

I'm working hard to keep chugging the fluids. Most every day I'm over 100 ounces of water.

I did have some stabbing pains over the weekend and thought I might have to go into the hospital yesterday, but they seem to have subsided, so I am aiming for making it to the ultrasound on Friday.

Some days I'm still overwhelmed at the idea that in the not-too-distant future, Lord willing, we will go from a family of 3 to a family of 6. I have had 18 weeks to get used to the idea of triplets and yet I still find myself in shock sometimes. I start thinking through different details of life and wondering how to make that happen with triplets and a preschooler.

God has blessed us exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think and I know He will give us the strength day by day for what He has planned for us. I can't wait to meet these three little miracles and continue to praise Him for them.

Triplets @ 26 Weeks, Day 27 of Bedrest

WOOHOO! Today I celebrate another weekly milestone and I'm so thankful that God has brought us this far. The initial goal is at least another 2 weeks and that will get us to the 28-32 weeks goal. The closer I can get to 32 weeks, the better.

Physically, I'm doing okay. Comfort is hard to come by. The doctor on Friday said that I'm measuring at 37 weeks, so I am experiencing what most expectant moms go through at the end of their pregnancy.

I did really like the doctor that I saw on Friday. She related well to me and I trusted her right away. She answered some of my concerns and isn't stressed about the shortening as long as I don't have other symptoms like bleeding or water breaking. She scheduled me for the next appointment on April 13th. That will be a growth check for the babies as well as the sugar test that I've heard so much about. I will also get to follow up with a doctor on that date. I'm thankful that they were able to get everything on one day instead of requiring multiple trips during the same week. That makes life easier for Mike and it requires me to be out and about fewer times. She also made my day because I talked to her about some of the concerns I've had with my least favorite resident in the labor and delivery ward at the hospital. She said that he might be rotated off by the time I'm in. Just the thought of possibly not having to see him again probably contributed to the lowest blood pressure readings I have had in the last 5 visits (just kidding - they had already taken my blood pressure, but I'm happy to hear that I might not have to see him again).

A few blessings we've recently had:

Mike's Mom and Grandma were both able to come visit and help us, which meant that out of 27 days of bedrest, today is only the second day that I've actually been home alone. They were a gigantic help to us and I'm so thankful for their servants' hearts.

Through a high school friend on facebook, I was able to connect with another mom of triplets that was actually at college the same time I was (though we didn't really know each other back then). Her triplets are 9 months old, and it has been such a blessing to have someone that I can ask questions and know she totally understands exactly what I'm going through and she has great wisdom to share.

Several families at church have been contributing meals for us so that Mike picks up one on Sunday and one on Wednesday night. This has been HUGE! When he gets home from work, there is usually something he can just heat up and serve rather than having to get home from a long day of work only to have to start from scratch to get us supper. What a blessing it has been to see the outpouring of support from our church family.

Childcare for Jonathan during this bedrest time has also come together pretty well. My friend, Julie, has taken him many days but had family come into town for two weeks. One week was when Mike's mom was here and Jonathan was able to stay home with us, which I loved. This week, he is having playdates with 3 other families (and I'm still working to fill in Friday). Then I think next week he will be back to spending time with Julie. It has taken a big stress off of my mind to know that there are people who I trust who are willing to help with him. This is an adjustment time for all of us and his world will only continue to get rocked more and more as the time comes for the babies to arrive and go through NICU and then come home. Knowing that he is with people who have the same general parenting style we do is a big blessing.

God continues to provide for us. Sometimes it can be easy to get overwhelmed when you look at the big picture and start to worry about diapers for babies or transportation that will work for all of us, but God has never failed us in the past and we have been able to see His goodness. I'm always reminded of Psalm 27:13-14..."I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." What a privilege we have to know the comfort of that truth. God is good. Just the very fact that I'm at 26 weeks carrying triplets is a testimony to that fact.

Well, this update has been rather verbose (a tendency of mine, I know), so kudos to you if you have managed to stay with me. I'll try to get a new picture in the next few days. Thanks for your prayers and your support through this time.

PS...I think yesterday we decided on the second of three names. YAY! We still have one to finalize that we are mulling over, but I'm excited about that. And no, we aren't telling. :)