More Baby Stuff

I have new stats on the girls... as of my Tuesday ultrasound Lia weights in at 3 lbs 5 oz (60th percentile) Brynn is a whopping 2 lbs 14 oz (50th percentile) and little Claire had a great growth spurt and is tipping the scales at 2 lbs 10 oz (40th percentile.) They seem to be thriving... and I couldn't be more happy with their progress. I hit 29 weeks tomorrow. I take medication as needed to stop my contractions, which are becoming more frequent. My cervix is still holding strong and measured 3.9cm. Odd considering that last time it was 3.7 cm. Can a cervix grow? Whatever, who really cares. I'm getting more and more tired and it's getting harder to move, but I'm still only on modified bed rest. I figured out that with three 3 lb babies, 3 placentas and 3 sacs of amniotic fluid, I'm carrying around what would be equal to a singleton pregnancy with roughly a 15 pound baby. By the time I'm finished hopefully the girls put on at least another 1 1/2 to 2 pounds, so by then I'll feel like I'm lugging around what would be a single pregnancy of a 20 pound baby. Sheesh, Miriam only weighs 25 pounds. Speaking of my sweet little Miri, I look back at how difficult I thought the end of my pregnancy with her was and want to laugh. When I was 39 weeks pregnant with her I thought I was so miserable I couldn't go another day so I went out jogging to induce labor. Well, it worked. My contractions started that afternoon, water broke at midnight and I delivered her at noon the next day. Oh, life was so simple then. What I wouldn't give to only feel 39 weeks pregnant :)

OK, so I have to post a picture of our enormous stroller. We weren't able to find a store that carried it, as it's probably not the highest demand item, so we read great reviews on it and ordered it online. When it showed up on the porch in 2 massive boxes, I knew it was going to be huge, but I'm telling you, this thing is ridiculous. It's about 6 feet long and has a freaking steering wheel. Not to mention it was insanely expensive. Unfortunately, there aren't many triplet strollers to choose from. The stroller is so big you can't even see our dining room table that is swallowed up behind the stroller.

And last, I just think these little booties are adorable. They are about 2 inches long. Awww...

Family shower

First, I need to just say that between my mom, two sisters, eight sister's in law and my mother in law, I have some of the greatest women and most wonderful friends in my family. Thanks for such a fun family shower. You are all the best. Needless to say the triplets were very spoiled.My big sis Jenette, me, little sis Julianne (aka shmoobs) and my fabulous mommy at my family shower.

My Own Personal Holiday

Today is a holiday for us Lloyds... I hit my 28 week mark, which I feel is the biggest of my pregnancy. The triplets really could come anytime now, but I hope to keep them cooking for another month, and don't have any reason to think they are coming soon. On Sunday I went in to Labor and Delivery again because my contractions wouldn't stop. They discussed giving me steroid shots to help develop the babies lungs, but decided against it. They explained to me that they do this only if they feel the babies will be coming within a week, and they didn't feel that was the case in my situation. I was given medication to stop the contractions and after about 5-6 hours was sent on my way. My cervix is still long and closed. My ultrasound on Tuesday showed no problems. All of the girls have great heartbeats and plenty of amniotic fluid. They will measure the babies growth and give weight estimates at my ultrasound this coming Tuesday. I'm pulling for little Claire to have had a big growth spurt! I can really tell the girls are growing, not just because of the size of me, but how forceful their movements are becoming. It's amazing to watch my stomach when they all get moving. Feeling them move really is one of the best parts of being pregnant. It's a happy holiday!

The almost 26 week post

This weeks doctors appointment was very promising. I was a little concerned during the ultrasound when I was told that my cervix was now at 3.7 cm instead of the 4.7 it was last time... hmmmmm. The ultrasound tech assured me it was nothing to be worried about and so did the mid wife. My doc was out of town, so when I got home I emailed her. This was her response "I'm not concerned with 3.7 cm at 25 1/2 weeks, in fact I'm thrilled! You are in great shape right now." Lia, Claire and Brynn all looked great. Lia and Brynn are just over 2 pounds and little Claire is our runt. She is only 1 1/2 pounds. That also caused me to feel a little concerned, but I was again assured that it's nothing to worry about. She is continuing to grow at a normal rate, and that is what matters. All three have good amounts of amniotic fluid and strong heart beats. I asked for a picture of all three together, and since they are now so big, this was the best they could get:What you're looking at here is Lia's bum on the left and Brynn and Claires heads.

And here is the belly that is housing the three girls:

I am now officially bigger than I ever was during my pregnancy with Miriam. I am measuring over full term and I've gained 30 pounds. I know it's just a matter of days before the stretch marks start appearing and I'm ready for 'em! Bring it on.

Our First Big Milestone

Last week we had two events... first of all I ended up in Labor and Delivery yet again because my contractions wouldn't stop. They must have given me a dozen tests. They informed me that I had a yeast infection (pregnancy is so glamorous) and they said that could be causing contractions, so I was given medication to treat that. They told me I'm anemic (not enough iron) and was slightly dehydrated. They pumped me full of fluids. After about 5 hours my contractions still hadn't stopped. The doctor (who I swear was at least 5 years younger than me, can you be a doctor at 24?) told me that if my contractions didn't stop, I couldn't go home and they may have to admit me. They gave me some medication that finally did calm them down, so I came stumbling home around midnight, exhausted but relieved that everything is alright. By the way, my cervix is still super woman strong, and that's what really matters.
My great news is that on Friday I hit the 24 week mark, which is considered the "viability" point. Most of the time babies born at this point will live, but roughly half would have some type of neurological problems or other long term issues... so of course we're praying every day for our girls to keep cookin' as long as possible. Our next major milestone will be at 28 weeks. At this point babies usually don't have neurological problems, but basically live in the NICU for months. Our goal is 32 weeks, which would be September 19th. I feel like I'm a little kid waiting for Christmas. Maybe I should make a countdown paper chain.

Getting Bigger by the Day

Well, for anyone interested in seeing my triplet carrying belly- here it is at 22 weeks. I'm getting close to measuring full term. The girls like to have dance parties and I've put on 23 pounds. Last time I went to the doctor, I asked about this strange rash I've had for the last two months on my chin. The NP told me "Oh honey, that's not a rash, that's acne." Lovely. Derek thinks it hilarious because I never went through the teenage acne stage that he so painfully had to endure. It's some kind of psychological revenge for him. Apparently the acne is courtesy of all the extra estrogen I have pumping through me. I think it is also to blame for me crying during shows like "A baby story" on TLC. Do these make anyone else cry? I have an ultrasound next week so hopefully I'll have some good pics to post!

I've been tagged!

So in updating myself on friends blogs, I realized I've been tagged... twice-Once by Dev and once by Suzy. Here goes... I'll try and make it short and sweet:
What was I doing 10 years ago? Lets see, I was at Ricks College rooming with Sara. Derek was getting ready for his mission. Little did I know in a couple of months Derek was going to give me the ax. Thanks honey. Love you.
5 years ago? I was working as a social worker for Salt Lake County Aging Services and going through fertility treatments.
1 year ago? Spending lots of time with Miriam at the pool. We had just sold our Draper town home.
Yesterday? Church. THANK HEAVENS for the nursery. It is by far the best church program in existance. For the past 6 weeks I've actually been able to listen and relax during Relief Society and Sunday School. Last night was dinner with my family and extended family home evening. Sundays are my favorite.
Favorite Snacks? Cherries, Rasberries, Watermelon, Peach ice cream, Old Fashioned dounuts.
Favorite Books? I Love "The 5 People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom. The best book I've read in the past several months is "The Book Theif" by Markus Zusak. I love the story and the way it's written is brilliant. "Silas Marner" by George Eliot is a great classic and I have to admit I'm in love with Stephenie Meyers "Twilight" series. I can't wait till the next book comes out in August. My favorite childrens book is called "Someday" I honestly can't read it without crying.
Bad Habits? I let clean laundry sit in the dryer and get wrinkly. It drives Derek crazy. Also I get impatient a lot.
Places I would like to run away to? I love any sandy beach. I'd like to go back to Italy and Derek really want's to show me Holland (where he served his mission.) It will be years before I get another vacation and then it will most likely be Disneyland.
Things I would never wear? I'm open to new things usually, but highwaisted jeans are a no-no. Honestly, who WANTS to look like they have long bum?
Pet peeves? Right now my pet peeves are maternity clothes, heartburn and leg cramps.
Famous People? No one really comes to mind. I've never really been the star struck type. People I want to tag! Julianne, April, Becky and Jen.