So Shoe Me

19 weeks.

People at work who don't see me for a few days in a row, say that I am changing on an almost daily basis, so i'm trying to be better about documenting the change. 

Here's a photo Amelia took of me this morning.

Here's my attempt to take a shot of my stomach myself:

I can definitely see the difference since my birthday shot in this mirror...

Weeks 18 and 19 update. Also, I'm officially "waddling."

We've had a couple of big sonogram and doctor visits in the last few weeks, and I continue to grow exponentially as well.  Being on the recommended triplet diet of 3,200 - 4,000 calories a day and 200 grams of protein a day helps pack it on pretty quickly.  Bonus, I can now eat Barefoot Contessa's Mac & Cheese without guilt.  (12 oz of Gruyere?  yes please.)

At 18 weeks we had our big long sonogram where they measure every part of the babies: head, legs, heart, bladder, foot etc. etc.  This is typically a pretty long sonogram to begin with and having to measure all 3 it took well over an hour.  All that laying on my back put quite a bit of pressure on my main vein causing me to get dizzy and nauseous.  But, we got a ton of photos, many of which looked like this:

Yes, yes... we get it.  That's a boy.  And we were already 99.9% sure after the CVS, but if there was any doubt, people we have like 10 photos like this.

Also sweet little photos of teeny baby feet:

And we also got to find out where they are all hanging out.  B and C were head-to-head at the top of the uterus, while baby A was relaxing horizontally at the bottom. Couldn't get a picture of all 3 together, but it looked something like this:

I know, you are in AWE of my sweet drawing skillz.  So, poor Baby A was getting his head stomped on.  At 18 weeks, they were all 9 oz each, and measuring about 19 weeks in size.  Which is great news.

For our 19 week appointment this week we did a lighter sonogram but still got great photos.  This week, Baby B who is apparently the go-between for his brothers was head down and head to head with Baby A.  Here they are:

Look how close their heads are together!  They must clonk each other all the time.

Here's baby C now, just chilling by himself at the top of the uterus:

I'm still working and feeling good.  Pretty tired and sore by the end of the day.  I've gotten to the point where if things fall on the floor, I literally have just said "F**k it, that's where that lives now."  I am choosing a lower heel on a daily basis (sob) and painting my tonails is no longer something I can handle on my own.  I'm taking it easy so that hopefully I can avoid bedrest and be able to still do a few things for myself.  I get out of breath from the smallest tasks (load of laundry, giving Amelia a shower, buckling my seat belt), so Mike gets to do a lot more around the house, but for now at least I can buckle my own seatbelt.   Small victories.

 

The face of 41.

Happy birthday to me.  So far, its been a lovely day, with a decent hair day, high heeled shoes that fit and didn't hurt, and burgers and fries at lunch w/ a wonderful friend.

Here's the face of 41 at 17 weeks pregnant:

and this

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As opposed to last year which looked more like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and this:

and this:

Both birthdays great in different ways...

 

Ignorance is bliss...

I've worked with doctors, hospitals and hospital systems almost my entire legal career.  I spend a lot of time in hospitals with administrators, I understand the healthcare system fairly well, and I feel pretty comfortable in them.  So, when an opportunity to go and view the NICU with a group of other "Moms of Multiples" came up, it seemed pretty benign. 

Ever since I found out I was pregnant I've tried to get as much information as possible about what I can expect from this unique pregnancy.  Books on multiples, reading triplet blogs, joining a multiples group here in town.  So, when the hospital based multiples moms group had a NICU tour scheduled, I of course decided to go in the spirit of more information is always better.

NOT.  TRUE.  Going into the NICU was one of the most overwhelming and heartbreaking places ever.  Impossibly tiny babies, overwhelming medical equipment and struggling families surrounding them.  I had to leave the tour halfway through to avoid crying in front of the rest of the tour.

Whose bright idea was it to take a bunch of hormonal pregnant mothers into that setting?  I normally like to have a good idea of what to expect, but this time, I think I would have been better off not knowing.  I can't get those images out of my mind! 

I know so many friends whose children have gone to the NICU and are healthy happy kids now.  Those are good stories to hear.  Just need to remember those.