25 week update

How far along: 25 weeks 6 days

Weight gain/loss: My home scale has been reading 178-180 lbs. depending on time of day. It's hard to say if I've truly gained or not? I'm going to talk with the OB on Tuesday about my slowed weight gain/growth over the last few weeks. Last time they didn't seem concerned and mentioned weight could now fluctuate, but it feels like I should be still gaining. 

Symptoms: Battled the tail end of my cold through Tuesday. So thankful to be better! However, the major congestion has now turned into the familiar mild congestion paired with mild nose bleeds. That's just how it goes! I've had a few bouts of feeling short of breath, it must be dependent on where the babies are pressing.  Showering has become pretty taxing as well. It's not so much the actual showering, as I have a lovely shower chair, but the drying off/putting on lotion/drying my hair part. I have to lie down afterward! 
Maternity clothes: Nothing new here! Enjoying my borrowed maternity clothes :)

Sleep: Now that the cold has passed, I've been lucky to get some decent sleep. Overall, I have been feeling more tired lately and it's been harder to wake up from a nap! 

Best moment this week: I'd say that our babies are still growing inside! 

Miss Anything? Nothing in particular.

Movement:  Lots of movement! Now in addition to protruding body parts and pokes/kicks, I feel the babies rolling or changing positions. The best way I can describe it is sort of a like having a sea serpent under the skin haha!

Food cravings: Still really enjoying oranges! Otherwise, no cravings. My appetite really increased for a few days after my cold, so that's a good thing. I think part of the not eating as much as I had been also has to do with the fact that it's harder for me to get up multiple times to make something to eat.

Anything making you queasy or sick? No

Belly measurement: Biggest part of the belly is still 43 inches. 

Gender: 3 Boys!!

Prayers: I'm very focused on making it to 28 weeks. I pray our babies keep growing well and that I continue to have the strength and health to carry them. I also pray I pass my 1-hour glucose test this week! 

Labor signs: No

Stretch marks: No

Mood: Overall good. Every so often I become a bit overwhelmed and have what I'm calling a little hormonally-incuded cry. 

Looking forward to: At this point every Monday when we hit a new week it is a reason to celebrate. I look forward to an update at this week's appointment. It won't be a full growth scan, but rather a check on fluid, heart rate and my cervix.

25 week belly 

24 week update

How far along: 24 weeks 6 days 

Weight gain/loss: Was 177 at my appointment this week. The nurse said it is normal to fluctuate a bit at this stage.

Symptoms: Unfortunately, I came down with a cold this week and I'm still sick as I type. Being pregnant and sick is not fun and = not much sleep at night. Otherwise, just the usual "non-cold" stuffy nose & nosebleeds, hip pain when sleeping.
Maternity clothes: Nothing much new here, spent most of the week in PJs!

Sleep: This week the hip pain hasn't been as bad at night! That's always a plus. Still getting up between 3-4 times per night to use the bathroom.

Best moment this week: The fact that our appointment went very well! There wasn't much to report, which after another growth ultrasound is good. Babies are measuring:
1lb. 13oz.
1lb. 11oz.
1lb. 5oz. 
Our Baby B is still the little one, but the OB said as long as his growth continues progressing, it is OK. Baby C still has the fuzzy spots on his brain and heart, but again, the OB said these will likely disappear or won't be an issue. My cervix is still measuring around 3.2, which is good. Fluid levels are good! After our appointment we got to tour the NICU. It was really helpful to have our questions answered and to have a better understanding of what to expect with a NICU stay. If the babies are born at 34/35 weeks and have no major issues, there is a good chance our NICU stay would only be 2 weeks.

Miss Anything? Nothing in particular this week, although I can't wait to wear my normal wardrobe again!

Movement:  Lots of action! 

Food cravings: Oranges/tangerines and at this exact moment...chocolate cake! Markus is going out in a bit, he may have to bring back a box of gluten free cake mix (note: I started writing this last night and he did in fact bring back cake mix -- we made it and it was delicious!). Overall my appetite has lessened over the last few weeks, hence a little less weight gain and less growth around the belly. Not sure if this is typical? I'll have to ask. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? No

Belly measurement: Biggest part of the belly is just about 43 inches. The MFM OB doesn't measure the belly like the regular OB did, but I'm guessing I'm measuring something like 36 weeks?

Gender: 3 Boys!!

Prayers: At this point in time, each day is a huge milestone and a day our babies continue to grow and develop. Although each day is a big deal, our next target is the 28 week mark, then 30, 32, and our goal of 34 (or 35!).

Labor signs: No

Stretch marks: No

Mood: Overall good just bummed to be sick :( 

Looking forward to: We are continuing to get the mini nursery in order. I'm excited to see how it looks when it's all done! 

24 week belly

(because I'm still sick and feeling pretty awful, I thought no one needed to see my head in the shot this week haha!)

23 week update

How far along: 23 weeks 6 days

Weight gain/loss: Scale is reading 181 - pretty much outweighing my husband now!

Symptoms: Oh the usual congested/slight bloody nose, a few episodes of heartburn, hip pain when sleeping
Maternity clothes: My friend Rebecca who just had twins, sent along a whole bag of maternity clothes! I'm so excited to have some more options to wear :) I also ordered a pair of drawstring, underbelly skinny sweats from A Pea in the Pod in size large -- they came yesterday and are SOO comfy! Yay! I also got to sport my  dress from ASOS maternity at my shower this week (however had a bit of a breakdown trying to fit into maternity pantyhose. Bad idea. I ended up wearing leggings underneath). 

Sleep: Unfortunately, I had some nights with really uncomfortable, painful hips this week. We put one of those egg shell mattresses over our mattress and it does help, but some nights just seem to be worse than others. If I tuck the down comforter under my hip, I get some relief, but the only true relief is sleeping sitting up or just getting up. I think my record for middle-of-the-night bathroom trips this week was 5! 

Best moment this week: My beautiful baby shower! My aunt Astrida did such a lovely job organizing and decorating. Although several friends and family members couldn't be there, I was so excited to see everyone who came. Weather was perfect, a crisp fall day and a view of colorful fall leaves over the Grand River in Grand Rapids. Markus and I are so appreciative of everyone's love and generosity! 

Miss Anything? My mother in law is in town and I missed being able to go shopping and lunching with her and my mom. Too much for me at this point :(  I'd love to go out to an apple orchard or go on a long walk and look at the fall leaves...

Movement:  Lots of action! 

Food cravings: Nothing in particular this week...except Jimmy John's haha

Anything making you queasy or sick? No

Belly measurement: Biggest part of the belly is still around 42.5"

Gender: 3 Boys!!

Prayers: We are now at viability, so every day babies stay in is a miracle! I am grateful for every day they grow and continue to pray for their health and mine. 10-11 weeks until our goal!!

Labor signs: No

Stretch marks: No

Mood: Overall good

Looking forward to: We always look forward to our appointments, but there is always a bit of anxiety when having the detailed growth ultrasounds. We will get an update on how babies are doing at next week's 24-week scan. We will also get a tour of the NICU. 

23 week belly - with my sister photobombing ;) 

At the shower with my grandma

22 week update

How far along: 22 weeks 6 days

Weight gain/loss: I was 176 at this week's appointment (~39 lb gain)

Symptoms: The usual congested/slight bloody nose, a few episodes of heartburn, slight carpal tunnel in my hands (more so in the mornings)
Maternity clothes: Many triplet moms seem to outgrow maternity wear and I can definitely see this happening. On my shopping list is a pack of Hanes men's v-neck t-shirts to sleep in and who knows what kind of pants I'll need in a few weeks! I currently only have 3 pairs of pants that are comfortable -- only two of which I wear in public haha ;). I really thought my maternity leggings would be comfier, but the over belly band ends up feeling restricting and when I wear it folded down it feels a bit tight. My mom gifted me two cute maternity sweaters (size L) from Motherhood Maternity this week. I was so excited because when putting them on I felt cute and not frumpy haha. 

Sleep: Still waking 3 times per night to use the restroom. Again, most nights I can sleep pretty well and then there are those nights my hips really start to hurt, so I just get up early and take a morning nap later.

Best moment this week: Not having any more sciatica! The chiropractor is helping a lot. My neck pain and shoulder blade pain have diminished as well. We received new bassinets and they're perfect! We had to return the original ones because they were only 26" tall and were meant as a bedside bassinet (we are setting up a mini nursery in the room across from our bedroom). I found these by Babyletto and they are actual mini cribs at 36" tall -- much better for me at 5'9" and Markus at 6'0". :) 

Miss Anything? Deli sandwiches :)

Movement:  Babies are still very active!

Food cravings: Still craving those deli sandwiches and pumpkin everything.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Not really

Belly measurement: Biggest part of the belly is now 42.5"

Gender: 3 Boys!!

Prayers: At this past week's appointment the MFM OB initially thought Baby C had too much amniotic fluid, which can pose problems. After she consulted with their new MFM OB director, he felt it wasn't a concern and said "we shouldn't lose sleep over it." I continue to pray for our babies' health and all of their fluid levels. I pray for the strength to keep carrying these babies to our goal date. 

Labor signs: No

Stretch marks: No

Mood: Overall good

Looking forward to: My upcoming baby shower and our next growth scan in a week and a half. We hit viability on Monday at 23 weeks which is a big deal! 
Other: As I mentioned in a previous post, we've now fully transferred our care to the Maternal Fetal Medicine office rather than also seeing a regular OB. After talking to the new director at the MFM office, he would like their OBs to do our C-section and we will just be watching at each appointment, not really setting a date in advance quite yet. He said if things are going extremely well, he'd let me go to 35 weeks. That being said, our goal is still either the week of December 21 or December 28. 

22 week belly

...My new maternity sweater ;)