A Day at a Time

Jevin Sleeping

Mia With Her Eyes Open

Deuce Sleeping



Deuce, Jevin & Daddy

Ditto

Good morning all. I thought I would post a quick update. I am home now. I was discharged Saturday. That was a very difficult day! It was so hard leaving knowing my babies had to stay and some nurse would be holding and spending time with my babies that I wanted to be my time.

The babies, however, are doing good! Each day is an improvement. They will stay in the hospital until they are gaining weight and taking all their feedings by bottle. Right now they take 3-4 feedings a day by bottle and the rest are tube fed. Jevin is doing really well with the nipple feedings. Deuce has made improvements, but Mia just doesn't want to spend her time working at eating. She wants to look around and listen to you talk. She has inherited the nosey gene...

All of the babies are gaining weight, so one requirement of being released is being met. Now they just need to bottle feed. All babies lose weight in the first week or so and I am proud to announce that all of them are back to their birth weight as of yesterday. Mia did lose some weight yesterday but she was moved from the islet to the crib with her brothers Saturday and the nurses say that it is expected that she will lose some weight the first few days because she has to use her own energy to maintain her body heat.

They are all so beautiful! When we go to feed they are usually awake and the feeling of them looking at you as if they know you and love every word that comes out of your mouth is so awesome.

Here are a few pics. I will post updates as I get time. Headed to the hospital!!

A Few More Pics

Mia & Daddy ........................ Mia with her new hat

..............Mia..............................Deuce............................Jevin ...........

Mia ....................................Jevin & Deuce

Here are a few more pics for ya'll. I had to censor a few so their junk wasn't showing, but as you can see they were all screaming their faces off when they were first born.

They are all still doing very well. I will update everyone after we visit them today. Hopefully Mia is doing better with her body temp. Also the boys are not holding down their food as well as they were at a lower volume of feeding so they are getting their feedings over an hour period to help them digest better. Every 2 feedings they try to increase the amount they give them until they get them to the desired volume. Jevin is too funny. Yesterday he threw-up after his feeding and he was soooo mad...he cried for at least 10 minutes & at the top of his lungs at that. Deuce threw-up at almost the same time and could have cared less. He fell right back to sleep without a squeek.

Blessed!

My 2 boys

Deuce Jay Thompson

Jevin Shamil Thompson

Mia Kay Thompson

The 3 of them 9/22/09

Well as most already know, The Thompson Trio has arrived. They were born Tuesday, September 22, 2009 @ 12:30 and 12:31. Mia first, then Deuce, both @ 12:30. Jevin arrived at 12:31. No amount of words can explain the experience. They all came out just screaming to the top of their lungs...Good news since they are all able to breath without any assistance. All of them are able to breath on their own. They are having some troubles sucking, swallowing, and breathing at the same time so they do have feeding tubes, but they are bottle fed each feeding for practice really. As of today the boys are in a crib together and Mia is in an incubator because she is having a hard time holding her body temperature. Other then that, they are very healthy and I can't ask for a better out come health wise.

Well, I am sure everyone is wondering what happened... I had my regular OB appointment on Tuesday morning and I felt fine that morning. I got up, took a shower, and got ready with no worries. Then I got to the doctors office waiting room and felt...weird. Not really like I was in labor, just odd. So, I go back and they hooked me up to the monitor and low and behold there were contractions on that thing! Then the doctor comes back to check me and I am dilated to a 3...maybe a 4! Off to labor and delivery I go. This all happened in a matter of 3 1/2 hours and I had 3 really cool babies.

Miss Mia's Room

I decided since the boys got their own post, Mia deserved to have her own. Her room is as finished as it can get until she arrives. Cute, cute, cute. Also, thanks to CeCe for all her help!!

Might as well call it 34 Weeks

Well a week and 3 doctor's appointments later, I guess I will post something. Who would have guessed, but word on the street is that I will be delivering at 36 weeks unless by some total freak accident, the triplets decide they would like to come before then. I had high risk appointment last week (which if you ask me we can discontinue at this point because obviously this is not a high risk pregnancy) things were Great! Had OB appointment Wednesday...things were Great! Had high risk appointment today...things were Great! I sound disappointed huh? I am and I am not...First I just am so dang impatient. I never expected to make it this far, and I just want to meet my babies something terrible. However, I know that deep down, I really want to make 36 weeks too. It's hard to explain. I truly truly with all my heart, mind, soul, and crippled body, want the healthiest babies I can have. It does give me great excitement that I can and probably will be able to bypass the NICU if I make it to 36 weeks. We found out today, the babies all weigh approximately 4 to 4 1/2 pounds with the margin of error. GO BABIES!!! 2 more weeks and they should be about 5 pounds. Is that not a miracle? I can't imagine how I will feel physically. This last week has been bringing new and uncomfortable pains into the picture. The boys seem to always be laying on top of my lower two rib bones. I have noticed considerably more back pains. I am also realizing the incredible abilities of the human body...well, my human body in particular. Being 5'3" and pushing 170 lb. I have managed to deal with this really well.

So long story short, my delivery is scheduled for 10/6/09. I have no reason to think they will arrive before then the way things have went so far. Minimal contractions here and there, no dilating...I can't even get a 1 or 2 on the dilation scale...looks like they will be Libras.

I posted a pic of the 33 week belly...might as well call it the 34 week belly...I will be 34 weeks tomorrow. No close up though...I decided it is too yucky and someone might zoom in on my stretch marks...yuck!

No girls allowed!

Here are some pics of the boys' room.

32 Weeks and strong

Well, I have made it another week. Pretty amazing. All this time I have been told I just need to make it to 32 weeks so my expectations were that I would struggle to get 32 weeks in. It is kind of a bummer because 32 weeks is here and I don't have any babies, but I really want 34 weeks.

I had a doctor's appointment last Thursday and last Friday. All was well. No contractions, no dilating, etc. I had a doctor's appointment today and dito. I am happy that nothing has changed, but it is slightly frustrating that week by week there is nothing exciting to blog about. I can just log on every week and say for an update see week 27, or 28, or, 30. Or I guess I could explain how I am this close to itching my belly skin off...(driving me crazy!!!!) or how last night I could not go to sleep for nothing and I needed to cry about it, or how, I had a doctor's appointment at 11:15 and had to sit in the waiting room until 11:45 and I probably would have cried if I didn't have Marcus sitting next to me to explain that I didn't know why, but I wanted to cry for waiting so long, but I was able to laugh it off. I don't know if I am getting close to the end and my hormones and emotions are changing or what, but how ridiculous!

We have the boys' room finished. I will take some pics tomorrow and get them posted. I did post a belly pic of 32 weeks. The other pic is me at the doctor today hooked to the monitors. There is one for each babies heart beat, and one to monitor contractions. Look at all the wires. I told the nurse by the time she got done hooking me up, I was going to feel like a science project.

Oh yeah! I got the results back from the fetal fiber something test that is supposed to predict if I will deliver in the next 2 weeks. It was negative!!!! The doctor told me today the results are more accurate when they are negative in a multiple pregnancy. So I have a 90% chance that I will not deliver in the next 2 weeks. Well, acually 2 weeks from last Thursday 9/3/09. Good news right!

Till later.

31 Weeks!!...(and 3 days)

Oh my gosh ya'll! We have made it to 31 weeks with no complications! I think I have 2 or 3 more weeks in me. 35 weeks would be awesome but 4 weeks sounds like such a long time. I am not sure I can handle 4 more weeks. I would do it for the kiddos though. Whatever it takes to give them the best possible chances of being completely healthy. Well nearly whatever it takes...I am sure I could be more confined to the couch then what I have been. However, let me clarify, I have done pretty pretty good sitting on my butt for the most part. It is hard to be strong willed enough to follow doctors instructions 100%. Especially because I want so badly to help Marcus manage our life, our home, etc.

I also heard from the doctor's office Monday about the test that the doctor did Thursday. Turns out the lab was not able to run the test, and the test was time sensitive so they could not run the test Monday because too much time had passed. I will see a different doctor this week just to meet the other doctors at my doctor's office in case my OB is not on call when I deliver. Then next week I will see Dr. Silver again and her nurse said she will rerun the test next week...However, if you think about it, next week I will be close to 34 weeks when I go in for my appointment. I am pretty sure I will be delivering within 2 weeks from next Thursday.

Our furniture finally finally FINALLY got here. After a month...We were originally told we would be receiving our furniture July 16th, if not no later then July 29. Our furniture arrived August 29th. The furniture store did deliver and set up the cribs for us so that was one less thing that Marcus needed to plan for. The furniture is beautiful! I love it. It kind of finalizes this whole adventure in some odd way. I can't keep myself out of their rooms. Just to imagine little babies in their cribs. Our 2 other bedrooms finally feel like our kids rooms. I will post pictures soon...once everything is situated and the bedding is on (way cute by the way).

High risk and OB appointments Thursday. Talk to you later this week.

Growing...Growing...Growing...

I thought it would be cool if everyone could see a progression of pics of the belly from about 14 weeks until now. I do have pics from earlier on, but they are not on my lap top so I started at 14 weeks. Kind of crazy to see the changes over the last 3 months.

I had a doctors appointment Thursday. No contractions, just some uterine irritability...uh yeah! Your uterus would be pretty irritated too with six arms and six legs, doing hand stands and who knows what else in there. Since my appointment with the specialist showed my cervix shortening again, Dr. Silver ran a test to show the likelihood of me delivering in the next 2 weeks. I won't have the test results back until Monday, but hope that it is negative! If it is positive, it still doesn't mean that I positively will deliver in the next 2 weeks, but it does raise a bit of an eyebrow. If the results are negative, just gives the doctor and us a little reassurance, but again, doesn't mean that I can't or wont deliver for 2 weeks. If the results are positive, Dr. Silver said that she will go ahead and start meds that will stop or prevent contractions.

Until next time...

30 Weeks

Yeah, so it has been almost 2 weeks since my last post. I am sure everyone is curious about what has been going on. Honestly...not much. My doctors appointments have been going pretty well. I have been going weekly to the OB, and I spend about 20 minutes hooked to a contraction monitor thingy. I have had some little hills here and there on the monitor that look as though they might possibly be contractions, but they are not regular enough to warrant any worry, and I am not dilated at all. Again, it is just a week at a time now. I have already had my steroid shots for the babies lungs. The only thing that will happen at this point is IF I do start to have regular contractions with in 10 minutes of each other, I will need to take meds to stop them. Last week my sonogram showed my cervix has shrank some, but the doctor said "At this point, who cares?!?" So as long as she isn't concerned, I won't be either. While I am still a few weeks from our goal of 32 weeks, if they were to come at this point they have 90% chance of survival. As of the 20th Mia and Jevin weigh 2lb and 13oz, and Deuce weighs 3lb and 1oz.



Well, I haven't posted any pics in a while either. I guess since this belly is hooked to my body, I don't realize that it has grown much. Boy was I wrong! Check this out!! This is my birthday belly shot! Turned 33 yesterday and this is my 30 week belly. I think every thing about it is yucky! As you can see, I got all dressed up for my special day. I was going to photoshop off the stretch marks, but at this point why should I really care...I am posting pics to my blog that I would normally never even show my husband so oh well.




So I am still hanging in there. I have had momentary periods of emotional break downs. Very few though. Last week I was taking a shower and it finally hit me...my last few weeks of non-motherhood would be spent in these four walls of my house. My daily soap is quite possibly the highlight of my day. I can't go shopping, run around town, sweep my own floor, do my own dishes, or hardly anything for that matter. So, I got me a good cry in. Then I felt completely selfish. Like, really? Here I am, sad about all the things I can't do? Can't I just happy for the fact that I have had a good, healthy pregnancy, and deep down, don't I really want what is best for them? Of course! So, I got over myself after 20 minutes or so. Then yesterday, Marcus took me to breakfast for my birthday. Then we went to Walmart to look at rugs. It was not fun. I quickly decided that I would rather not shop after all. And of course, I thought I could walk to the rugs so I didn't get the buggy. I quickly regretted that decision! After 5 minutes, I was ready to go! It wasn't going to be an actual shopping spree by all means, just run in see what rugs they have and leave, but that was still too much for me. I definitely would rather be at home. I don't know exactly what it is...if I just haven't been very mobile for 6 weeks, or if I really just can't tote these babies around. Probably a combination of both. Well enjoy the post. Hopefully I won't be so lazy these next few weeks, but I can't promise anything...

Oh yeah! Don't forget to post you guess for the babies birth date...scroll down a bit and add your comments if you haven't done so already. My sister's man guessed the 28th I think...how nervous do you think that makes me? 28th...throwing that out there in the universe like that...better not jinx me or I will take my guitar back...

Just a Little Update

The doctors appointment went well yesterday. The monitor didn't show any true contractions, but there were some little tiny hills that would suggest there is some "uterine activity" which can cause contractions. I did take a steroid shot yesterday and went back this morning for my second shot to mature the babies lungs, So I am sure they are in there just "practicing" breathing like crazy. It is crazy that a few little shots can prep their lungs so quickly for life outside. It sure makes me feel better about the fact that they could come anytime (hopefully not till September) and they have a better chance at being healthy. I will say the shot itself does not feel too good when it is injected and about 10 minutes after it is injected. Stings like heck!

The babies have been moving like crazy lately. It seems when one stops another starts. There still are the few hours of complete quiet, but sometimes, even though I feel bad, just wish they would lay still. Then again, I am glad at the same time they are so active. When I start to feel as though they haven't been as active as normal, I start to get worried.

Then, sleep for myself has definitely become a chore. I haven't slept all that well for a while but here lately it has nearly driven me to insanity. I don't know that I sleep for more than 30 minutes at a time. The left side hurts, the right side hurts, I definitely can't lay on my back. I get this hot feeling running through my spine similar to the time I almost passed out at the doctors office, so I am sure my circulation is not good on my back, and the feeling through my spine is not comfortable. I don't know what to do. I wish I could sleep on my tummy like I used to 6 months ago, but that is out of the question. Ugh! I guess this is natures way of preparing me to be up most the night for the first few months of motherhood.

I see everyone is starting to get their guesses going. Some have a strategy, very interesting...cool to read though...

My next Dr. Appointment is 8/20/09. I have the OB and the Perinatologist on the same day.

Guess the triplets birthday!!

Hello! CeCe gave me a good idea to give everyone an opportunity to be a little more involved. The birth of the triplets is getting so close. As I am approaching 29 weeks, I thought it would be fun to let everyone guess what day you think the babies will be born. I will be 29 weeks on Saturday. I am expected, as of right now, to deliver around 32-35 weeks. So, everyone needs to post a comment on what day you think the babies will arrive. Click on comment and post your guess. I don't think you have to be a follower to comment. If your not a follower, make sure you leave your name in your comment so I know who guessed what. I will be putting everyone's guesses in my baby books. My guess is September 16th. Good luck!

P.S. Sorry there will be no prize for the winning guess...unless we decide down the road to re-gift one of the triplets....not likely, but you never know ;)

27 Weeks!!

I've made it to 27 weeks and it is looking promising that I will make it to at least 32 weeks. Actually tomorrow, I will be 28 weeks. My appointment with the perinatologist went well. My cervix hasn't shortened anymore, but there is some funneling. Funneling is where the top of my cervix shows a funnel shaped opening when pressure is applied to my uterus, but Dr. Brown-Elliot seems to be optimistic that I am going to get to the next milestone. She said she was worried when she decided to put me on bed rest, but is happy with the decision to do so.

I had an appointment with the OB afterwards. The toco monitor looked as though I might have had a few contractions, but she feels this is expected. I didn't feel them if they were really contractions. I haven't had any real pains that I would be concerned about. Dr. Silver just said if I do feel like I am having contractions and they last more than a minute to let her know. I will probably be doing my steroid shots next week. Just in case. If I happen to make it to 35 weeks then I will probably take another set of steroid shots as the ones next week will only be effective for about 4 weeks.

My little people in there have went from ever so gentle punches to showing me how well they are growing and like to give me a real good kick or punch every now and then. And several times throughout the day they have shown me how they have become miniature contortionists. They like to get in this awful position that is very uncomfortable in which I politely ask them to please please just move back to a place in mommy's belly that will be most comfortable for the both of us. And very good news, Mia is 2lb 6oz, Deuce is 2lb 8oz, and Jevin is 2lb 3oz. All of them, according to the paper work from Dr. Brown, showed to be in around the 50th percentile. Not too bad huh? The sono was also too cute. Jevin was in there munching. You could see his cute little lips moving like he was chewing. It was so cute. Mia was practicing her breathing skills. You could see here belly rise and fall. Deuce...wants to keep all of his tricks secret. Of course he is never in a good position to be very visible. Truly, there is just not much room left in there. Baby parts are everywhere!

I posted a few pics. One is a pic CeCe took while she baby sat me Thursday. The other is a picture of me on the scooter at Walmart. A little self conscious, riding around on a motorized buggy and all, but have to do what you have to do I guess. At least I got out of the house... I really can't get around all that well without getting winded anyways. Walking up or down my stairs leaves me out of breath. I thought this to be odd, but if you think that all of your abdominal organs are pushed into your chest, it only makes sense I would have a reduced lung capacity. I don't frequent the stairs. Only once in the morning as I journey to my favorite couch and once at night to go to bed. I get enough movement back and forth to the restroom all day long.

Well, I have an OB appointment next Wednesday. I go back to the specialist on 8/20. Wish us luck! We need at least 32 weeks gestation!

I Passed!

I just found out I passed the three hour glucose test from Friday. Not sure why I failed the first one. Must have been the half a dozen yummy chocolaty, butterscotchy, cookie bars I ate Sunday. Oh well, the good news is I don't have gestational diabetes!! Thank goodness.

Bed rest is still going well. I do wish I was able to still do the things I used to. It is hard accepting that I shouldn't be doing dishes or housework. It makes me feel bad even having Marcus be the primary person responsible for making sure all the things around the house get done. He doesn't complain a bit, but I wish I could be of some assistance. As I get further along, it really sets in that I have to do everything in my power to protect the babies, and it just isn't in my best interest to be up and around. Things can change at any moment. Instead of being excited for my Dr. Appointments, I am now nervous. I think, as I am approaching 28 weeks, these babies can come at anytime, and as I have learned, a great visit last time, doesn't mean the next visit will be the same. I do a pretty good job of laying on the couch all day though. Marcus and CeCe have tried to come up with things to keep me occupied. I still have my sanity. I have had a day here and there where I have been slightly emotional about being so confined, but it passes quickly.

I have been thinking quite a bit lately about how I really need to take the time to cherish this time of my life. I will never experience pregnancy again, and I am certainly blessed that I have been given the opportunity to experience it now. Some friends of our asked me if the pregnancy has been enjoyable, and I responded, "Not really." Aside from getting to feel the babies move and the early excitement of seeing the little people on the sonograms, I haven't really sat back and "enjoyed" the pregnancy. I have had an easy pregnancy until recently, and truly it hasn't been a bad pregnancy as of recent. I have had minor aches, pains, and struggled a bit to get around for some time, but I guess I just haven't stopped to realize how precious this really is. So my goal for the next 5-7 weeks is to focus on all the special things about being blessed with this pregnancy. I used to pray for Jesus to allow me this experience, and I am afraid I will forget what it was like after this is all over with.

Talk to you later this week.

The Test

So I went in this morning at 8:30. I had to fast from midnight on. Nothing but water. Not too bad beens I go to bed pretty early. The hard part is not having my morning cup of coffee, but anyways, they drew blood...there is one poke (Well actually 2 pokes...lost the vein the first poke). I drank the nasty orange sugar drink. This time it was twice the strength as the drink from Monday. YUUUUUCKY!! Then I had to wait an hour, and they drew blood again...3 pokes. They look for a blood glucose level under 180 after the first hour. Then I had to sit and wait another hour. So I sat and stared at the walls, did some eaves dropping, and burped yummy orange sugar. 10:35 came around and time for poke 4. Not sure what the level should be after 2 hours, but back to staring at the walls for 1 more hour. My last poke was at 11:35, and I was finally able to leave...and eat!! I will not know the results from today's screening until Monday, but I am sure I will look like a heroin addict for the next week.

I told Marcus I thought I should be processing sugars pretty well considering my diet consists of one soda a day, coffee with cream and sugar, anything you can put maple syrup on, or any breakfast food that goes well with 2 tablespoons of sugar, a bowl of Ice cream at least once a day, yummy 7-11 Slurpees, and lots of cookies. Every meal needs a desert! I just can't help myself! Well we will see if my glucose screening was a fluke on Monday. Hopefully I passed today with flying colors. I think I might almost rather take insulin then give up chocolate ice cream!

26 weeks...

So, I missed 25 weeks. Very sorry. But no worries, here I am in my too small T and my way too big boy shorts or as Hayden would call them, Markie pants. This has become my daily attire. Now that I am not able to work anymore, there is no need to spend any more $ on maternity clothing just to lay on my couch everyday. I will try to find something some what presentable to go to the doctor in as I still do have some self conscious tendencies.

So the first two weeks have not been too too bad so far. I do look forward to doctor's appointments since this is nearly the only time I get to leave my home. I keep trying to tell myself that I just have to make it 5-7 more weeks. This is all for the babies. This is all for the babies. This is all for the babies. Thankfully, I do still have permission for some limited mobility. I can go to the restroom and make myself a quick meal. So, at this point I am not completely confined.

My appointment on Monday was fine. I had the glucose screening, which I just found out earlier today that I failed. This screening is to test for gestational diabetes and what they look for are sugars under 140. I was 146...Seriously?! So I go in tomorrow morning for a 3 hour screening to retest my blood sugars. Nice!! Other than that, I had no contractions show on the monitor and it still doesn't appear I have dilated any.

The bad news for right now is I have began to develop stretch marks. Can you believe it? I was sooo disappointed. I have religiously put on the magic belly potion for 25 weeks and had not seen any sign of them. Then beginning maybe Saturday or so, my skin kept hurting off and on all day. So of course, trying to look and see if I could tell why it was hurting, I found them! The only way I can explain the pain is...You know how you have set on a leather (or pleather) seat and ripped your skin off of it after sitting there for a while. Ouch! So off and on throughout the day I have this aching tight belly skin...I knew weeks ago I didn't have much left to accommodate three little growing babies in there, but I was still being completely optimistic. I am sure once they arrive, all of the pain and marks they leave me with won't matter at all.

I will let ya'll know how it goes tomorrow. I am going to have her check for contractions again while I am in there. Yesterday I had some weird pains along my side

Ok Momma!!

Ok momma. You wanted to see yet another profile pic of the babies. The sono of Mia is from the beginning of July because the appointment on 7/13/09, all I have is a shot of the spine. The sono's of Deuce and Jevin are from 7/13/09 and too cute. It appears that there are little tiny bubbles in front of their faces but these are their finger tips. You can count them, one, two, three, four, five little fingers. So anyways, you can check out the noses on the boys. Possibly mine...maybe not...it won't be long before we will know.

Well, the appointment yesterday went well. Things look better. My cervix has lengthened a bit so that is good. The bad thing however, is that when you put pressure on my belly you could see the top of my cervix start to open. I am not sure whether I should be worried or not. Of course I know that I shouldn't worry and create undo stress on myself, but the doctor did mention she was worried about me last week. Like I mentioned earlier, Dr. Brown-Elliot was very composed last week, and it was a surprise to me to hear that she had mentioned the hospital to my OB. So, who's to say she isn't worried this week and just very professional. Never the less, it proves that I don't need to be on my feet more then I have to.

So, one weeks of bed rest down, hopefully about 8 more to go. (I can't believe I am saying that.) But truly, no matter the mental state I will be in from hardly leaving the house, and horrible day-time television, it is what is best if we want the healthiest babies possible. It's not about me at this point. It's all about the babies and giving them the best start at life we possibly can given the circumstances. I am hoping to keep myself in good spirits for the duration of the bed rest thing. When I had knee surgery, I did feel like I was going a little crazy looking at the same wine colored walls for over a week and nothing but bathroom privileges. I would get slightly emotional here and there...but so far so good. It hasn't been too bad. I have found ways to occupy my time. It has given me some time to reflect on the reality of the whole situation.

My next appointment is Monday. I will be doing the glucose screening to check for gestational diabetes. I think I am good there...We will find out. Well, that is all for now. I will have a 25 week pic for ya'll in a day or two.

24 Weeks

So here it is. 24 weeks...whoa! It just doesn't look right does it? You will have to excuse my appearance, I am bed resting! Don't care to wear normal cloths or make-up at this point. Just be glad I have showered because that it getting uncomfortable too.

Well we had a tiny little itsy bitsy scare today. The OB called and wanted me to come in today. Well the OB's secretary called...she didn't know why the doctor wanted to see me. She said she was just told to call and see if I could show up today at 1 or 1:30. We could only assume that Dr. Brown-Elliot had forwarded the information to Dr. Silver from Monday's appointment. We arrived and Dr. Silver had heard the news about the incredibly shrinking cervix and bed rest, and she wanted to monitor for contractions and check if I had dilated. So, I was hooked to the monitors for about 45 minutes, and thankfully there were no contractions and I haven't dilated. Dr. Silver informed me that her and Dr. Brown-Elliot had discussed the steroid injections and I might be taking those as early as next week, but if we can hold off until week 28 and there are no more negative changes in the cervix, that will be better. Then, Dr. Silver said that the high risk doctor also mentioned possible hospital bed rest. I am not so sure that we need to go there... I told Marcus that Dr. Brown-Elliot was pretty composed, and never mentioned the hospital to us on Monday so it didn't seem so serious. I know it is a little bit of a concern since this is the first time anything abnormal has come up, and the doctors are just trying to stay a step ahead of the triplets, which is a reassuring, but just pray Tuesday, there are no more surprises. I now have both Dr's appointments on Tuesday.

Eliminated...

So, I have officially been eliminated. Monday my perinatoligist put me on bed rest. I made it to 24 weeks and 2 days. As usual, the doctor checks my cervix. My cervix started out around 4.5 cm. Two weeks ago it measured 3.8 cm. Monday it measured 2.3 cm. In the last 4 weeks it has shrank over 2 cm. I asked the doctor what that means...she said "It means your cervix is not as long as it used to be." So to keep the pressure off of it, I have been ordered to bed rest... I could sense that it was coming. I told Marcus I didn't think they would put me out Monday, but I would be surprised if I made it past my next appointment and not have been placed on bed rest. I can definitely tell things are changing. I have been asked how I feel. Truth is, I am not sure how I am supposed to feel so I don't really know that I am feeling bad. This past weekend did wear on me a bit. I wasn't all that active and Sunday evening did not feel well at all. Such small amounts of activity really tire me now. I have 8 to 11 more weeks before we want the babies to be here, preferably 11, but I am a little apprehensive of what is to come.

Other than that, the babies are still doing good. Mia weighs 1lb 9oz, Deuce weighs 1lb 12oz, and Jevin weighs 1lb 10 oz. Their weight is very good. We were not told which percentile this is, but Dr. Brown-Elliot said this is very good. The heart rates were all in the 140's, also good.

I have to say, the babies are moving like crazy! Last night when Marcus and I went to bed, Mia was kicking up a storm. I told Marcus she was kicking and any minute she would wake the other two up. Sure enough, before we knew it, the other two were in there kicking. They seem to be pretty active at night. Maybe because I have to move around to get situated in bed, but I hope this doesn't prove to be there favorite time to be awake when they come. There are definite patters when they are awake and moving. Usually in the mornings around 8am, then 11ish, 2 ish, 6ish, and evenings around 9ish. Don't ask me why I have paid attention to this. I couldn't tell you. I usually do the same things everyday, drive to work, Glenda goes to lunch, time to go to the bank, my drive home, and bedtime, so I guess I have related it to when I am doing something else.

In addition to all the movement, I has been difficult to eat for a few weeks now. I can tell they are restricting the size of my stomach. After I eat, I feel at any moment, if I breath too deep, I might just throw up. Rather annoying, people have told me to eat smaller meals, but most times I can't help myself. Food is yummy!

Well stay tuned for the 24 week picture. I will get one posted in a day or two. I have an OB appointment Monday, and high risk appointment Tuesday.

Slacking!

23 Weeks!!!!!!!!

My Neighbor Amber & Grandma Pat

Marcus' Mom & My Mom

Keisha & My Mom...Cheating!

Don't know ???? & The Cake! Cute!!

Ana--I think she won...

Ok so it has been nearly 2 weeks, if not 2 weeks, since I posted. So So Sorry! And honestly, I don't think I can remember what has happened in the last 2 weeks. I have had a few doctors appointments, baby showers, and just life as we know it now. My doctor's appointments have went well. I saw the high risk doctor on the first. The babies still are doing very well. The fluid on the boys was a little high again, but the doctor said better to be too high then too low. I did have a little episode. For a while the doctor has repeatedly asked me if I am feeling ok, do I feel dizzy, light headed, anything. Each time I replay, "No, I am fine." and watch my little babies on the screen. The only thing that had been uncomfortable was laying on my tale bone for so long. Keep in mind, most of my sono's are about an hour long or more. Well, on the last appointment, the doctor ran through all of the symptoms, and asked if I was warm or any of that. About 30 seconds later the back of my neck started to get warm and I almost fell out! It was so crazy! The doctor had to roll me to my side, and bring in a cold towel. After a few minutes, all was well, but I learned there is a blood vessel along you spine that returns blood to your heart. The combination of pressure on my belly and laying on my back cut off the circulation. A little scary! I will definitely have to pay more attention to how I am feeling and not try to be so "strong" from now on. I did think it odd about a month ago, the nurse said, "You haven't felt dizzy or light headed yet?" "YET?" I replied. I was certainly sure at that time that I would be the exception to the YET question. I was going to make it through all 7-8 months and never pass out! After all, my pregnancy has went so well so far and there haven't been any problems at all, so why would I have any reason to think that I would experience anything common?

I had another appointment on Monday the 6th. At this point I feel as though I am on some kind of maternity game show. Each week I make it through elimination, and move on to the next round. I was checked to see if I was dilating---Nope! I will mention, I would like to go back to the just peeing in a cup, weighing myself and letting the Dr. measure my belly appointments. They weren't so bad after all. So, anyways, I will go weekly to check if I am dilating, and the next appointment they will check for contractions. In 2 weeks I will be tested for gestational diabetes, and in 3 to 4 weeks I will take the steroid shots for the babies lungs. It is getting sooooooo close. I have 9-12 more weeks and we will meet our new little people!

Then, I had the baby showers....I can't believe these little people in my belly are taking over my house! Swings, bouncers, cloths everywhere, nursery bedding, bibs, onsies, socks, towels, diapers....oh my goodness! Like the Marcus and I still do pay the mortgage, and little by little we are being pushed into our one little room in the house, our bedroom. This is the only thing left that is still only ours. it is soooo crazy. After the baby shower, we got home, unloaded the cars, had a room full of baby paraphernalia and I had to stop and realize...I am having a baby! (x 3)...I still don't think of myself as a mom, but it is weird to think that I am about to give birth to these three little babies that will soon be using all this stuff that took us a week to put away, well move out of our living room anyways.

I do want to say thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!! I can't express how truly thankful I am. Everyone who has reached out and given us a gift of any sort, hand-me downs, gift cards, baby gear, etc. It is so so much appreciated! From everyone at Marcus' job, Erica, Jenny, Connie, Ernest, the Paris office, Tim, Michelle, Carrollton, Gaby, Isela, John & Tara, Luck & Nataya, Dad, Grandma M & P, Mom, Julie, and everyone that I will probably never have a chance to personally say thank you to. Thanks Ana and Dan Weaver for opening their home and hosting the shower. You guys are such great great awesome wonderful friends!!! To CeCe for doing so much work getting all the stuff ready, sending the invites, getting a special cake, and collaborationg with my family to make the day very special!! So enough of that, I don't wanna cry... Just thank you so much!

Enjoy the pics.