26w1d

Well, we made it to 26 yesterday! I honestly never thought I would get to this gestation after my water breaking 11 days ago. We did have confirmation that it was indeed, my son, Jude, who ruptured. I woke up yesterday morning around 4am with rhythmic menstrual-like cramping and noticed I was leaking amnionic fluid and spotting again. I also have been passing my plug the last few days. I wasn't scheduled for another round of steroids until 26w2d but my Dr. ordered it for today, so a day earlier. Since it gave me a lot of contractions the last time, they are really keeping an eye on me. He said he might administer another round of magnesium sulfate. I hope they give me plenty of warning for that because I need Tim here to help me through the initial hard dose of it because last time I was so incredibly thirsty and they wouldn't let me drink so I had to chomp on ice chips. My nurse last time I was given it said she had never seen anyone react so badly on it. Most people think it's awful but I felt like I was going to die. It makes you feel like you are entering the gates of hell with how hot and on fire it makes you feel. I will do anything for these babies though!

The hospital does at least one nonstress test (NST) on the babies each day. It's always hard to get three babies on the monitors (I have no idea where they hide), but once they are on, they always get a good bill of health! The nurses comment on how Jude looks like a 30 week baby with all his accelerations and decelerations.  It makes me feel so much better because I have been worried about this little boy from day 1. First, he is a boy and boys do not typically do as well as preemies. Second, he has a two vessel umbilical cord giving him nutrients instead of the normal three. Third, his water bag broke 11 days ago and he is swimming in practically nothing. They measured his water pocket yesterday and he only had 2cm where as the girls had 6cm. Jude is the St. for when things are hopeless and it seems he is hopeless. My little boy is going to pull through, I just know it! He is going to be a real miracle baby. I felt that way from the beginning with him. From weeks 7-10, he measured a full week behind his sisters and by week 11, he caught up. He is such a fighter. He is the one that my fertility Dr. was recommending that we eliminate. He and his sisters are little fighters and are going to do great things in their lifetimes. I feel honored to carry them and for the opportunity to raise them. I am going to raise them to love Jesus and understand His earthly sacrifice so that we may live.

I miss Noah and Tim terribly. My mom, mother-in-law, and Tim bring Noah here at the hospital everyday. He hung out with me 6 hours on Monday! He is starting to understand that mommy is here now and she has to be here for the babies. He gets bored here so Tim takes him downstairs to the Diamond Children's Center where they have a library, gift shop, and Choo Choo Train. Poor Tim is learning how to balance work, Noah, the pets, and taking care of the house. I am so thankful for him and all he does for our growing family. Right now, as my Dr. puts it, I am "a uterus." Everyday the trio is in mommy equals to 2-3 days in the NICU.

I want to thank all my family and friends who have visited me and sent me gifts! People are so kind and I am so grateful for amazing, generous people in my life. Thank you also to those who have sent me messages of concern and encouragement. I am so blessed.

I have to set small goals for myself so at this point, I am just setting my eyes on them being born in August. Only two more days until August! I just pray for peace as we wait for the trio to arrive.

Psalm 46:10

¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

Noah enjoying hospital food half asleep.

My daily nonstress test. It is quite a task to get all the babies on and to keep them on!

One of my favorite gifts. One of my Dailystrength friends from FL sent me this fun, hands-on project!

25w1d

261d; slightly different angle so I look smaller but even the Dr said I've grown!

25w1d

My water broke on Friday at 24w3d just about 12 hours after receiving my first steroid shot to help develop the babies' lungs. The steroid gave me crazy contractions and I had them for weeks now but these were different. The med I was given to help counteract them did not work too well. I woke up at 730am and felt leaking and ran to the bathroom and saw blood on my undies and I felt a gush. I was not in active labor though and I calmly told my husband, packed a few things and headed to th hospital. At triage we did a test and it was negative for amnionic fluid so they thought perhaps I peed my pants. We did another test and sure enough it was positive. They checked my cervix visually and thank God it only looked about 1cm dilated. I was admitted and immediately given magnesium sulfate. That drug is awful but it's supposed to help the babies neurologically and help with contractions and it did. I was on it 28 hours. I was also given more steroids and loads of antibiotic which I am still on. I am here at the hospital til the end. Everybody has been wonderful and they seem to care about me, Aria. Cadence, and Jude so much. The entire nicu team at umc is prepared for them and they have an entire wing for us ready. The entire ob team is committed to keep the trio in me as long as I can without causing harm to me or them (an infection would be detrimental to all of us). They check my temp and blood pressure every few hours and check the babies with a non stress test. I feel very thankful to be at umc and the United States! I am very scared but am trusting in the Lord's perfect timing.

Philippians 4

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

24 Weeks today!

24 weeks= viability= 28 days 'til 28 weeks! I am honestly amazed that I have even made it this far. I didn't think I would have a chance. I feel now that I have reached this first big milestone that maybe I do have a fighting chance. I am beginning to do things in this pregnancy I never thought I'd get to. I am receiving steroid shots to mature the babies' lungs on Thursday and I did my big one hour glucose tolerance test today. This is really happening! I've recently joined a triplet forum on Facebook and some of those ladies are going to 36+ weeks. Crazy! Average is 32 so hopefully I can get even further than 28.

The babies were measured at my 22 week appointment. Aria and Cadence both weighed 1lb1oz and Jude weighed 1lb2oz. All three looked perfect. The doctors were all pleased with their growth and the next growth ultrasound is at 25 weeks. The 23 week appointment went well, my fundal height measured in at 32 weeks pregnant and my cervix still looked about 3cm long on the ultrasound. Phew! Later that day, my friend who is a professional photographer did our maternity shoot. I love how the pictures came out! Thank you, Maria!

We bought the cribs last weekend! I was waiting until almost 24 weeks. We ended up buying mini cribs at Buy Buy Baby. I love that store! Tim assembled all three and now all we have to do is begin decorating. I am very low energy lately, mostly because my body is in resting mode and I am losing my strength. I think Tim will just have to take orders from me (poor guy is getting used to that).

My mom is throwing me a small baby shower this weekend. Many of my good friends are out of town because it's the summer months, but I am happy to at least have a few friends attend. My mom and I are having fun planning the decorations and favors. My next update will have pictures from the shower!

Thank you everyone for the prayers during this difficult pregnancy. Unfortunately, another mother expecting triplets whom I recently befriend lost her pregnancy a few days ago.  My heart has been hurting with hers. I cannot imagine what she is going through. Please pray for the "H" family during this difficult time.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."



Monthly Pregnancy Survey 

How far along: 24 weeks!
Weight gain/loss: 31 lbs so far!
Maternity clothes: Yes
Sleep: Lots of potty breaks so not great sleep; can't get comfortable!
Best moment this week: Maternity photoshoot! Noah saying Aria, Cadence and Jude!
Miss Anything? Playing with Noah constantly and cleaning the house.
Movement: Yes! Mostly from A and C.
Food cravings: None.
Anything making you queasy or sick: I feel sick and light headed after eating breakfast.
Have you started to show yet? I am huge
Gender predictions: A- Girl; B- Girl; C- Boy!
Worries: Preterm Labor.Premature Rupture of Membranes (my water breaking)
Labor Signs: Lots of cramping; braxton hick contractions- some are taking my breath away!
Belly Button in or out? Out!
Stretch Marks: Not yet.
Mood: Happy and anxious!
Looking forward to: Baby shower at 24 weeks and of course, 28 weeks!

22w3d

23w6d