Sleep, Rest-- really??

Well, the fatigue of these internal and external changes are starting to really set in.  I have been so very tired the past week, until, of course it is time for bed.  The minute I lie down, my head begins racing of all the things that need to be done, my concerns, apprehension, excitement, etc.  Other than the fatigue and occasional ache when I get up, I still feel pretty good (especially considering there are 3 in there!!)
We had our first shower this past weekend.  It feels so real now that we have begun to bring baby items into our nursery (room is still a work in progress).  We were so lucky to get our 3 car seats at the shower this weekend--(which reinforced the fact that we still need a new vehicle) and some adorable monogrammed items.  We are so blessed to have such wonderful, giving friends!
My check up went well on Friday and no real remarkable events occurred this week. The kicks have become more frequent and stronger, but are still not annoying or painful at all.  My project for this week will be to get a closet orgnizer to try to keep these babies clothes somewhat organized! 

23 Weeks!!

As another week rolls by, I am, thankfully, still feeling unusually well.  I am obviously tired and getting a little uncomfortable, but overall still doing good.  I will begin my 23rd week/6th month of pregnancy tomorrow and looking forward to/becoming anxious about the days ahead.
The babies movements I have been patiently waiting for others to be able to feel came this week.  Still no breath taking kicks, but enough movement that Travis and my mom have been able to feel them (or at least one of them) move.  People keep asking if I can tell which one is kicking/moving, but I honestly have no idea.  I have a general idea of where each baby is lying in my belly. but can not differentiate any specific kicks.
My growth US and prenatal appt went well yesterday.  After freaking out for about an hour when the sonographer would tell me nothing about what she was seeing, the MD came in and said "everything looks good".  He again told me to "keep living life as normal as I can" and was out the door before I knew it.  Before he left he did tell me that each baby weighs approx 1lbs right now, which he says is normal at this time.  I just keep reminding myself that if none of the MD's are concerned about anything, I should not be either.  The one piece of information the sonographer did decide to share with me was that I was having a contraction.  I immediately panic and figure I am going to be put on bedrest on the spot, but after a few moments, she goes on to tell me that the contractions are normal and everything looks fine.  Thankfully, still no bedrest and 3 growing babies with good strong heartbeats!

Another week flies by!!

So another week has passed!  Tomorrow I will begin my 23rd week/6th month of pregnancy.  Over the past week, the kicks I have been so patiently waiting for really began.  No breath taking kicks thus far, but definitely strong enough to be felt by myself and others.   I was so excited when Travis was finally able to feel the babies move earlier this week.

22 Weeks!

    Another week has flown by--I am 22 weeks pregnant today and still feeling pretty good!  I had my weekly "check up" yesterday, which thankfully went great.  The babies all appeared to be very active on US and are growing right along.  The sonographer was surprised to hear that I could not feel the babies movements during the US, considering how active they were yesterday.  I do feel them move some, but I have yet to feel that "gut wrenching punch or kick" many have warned me about.  I am sure I will regret saying this later, but I actually want to feel the kicks and punches right now and even more want Travis to be able to feel them move.  Who knows, maybe the punch or kick I have been waiting for will come this week!  The sonographer went on to tell me my fluid levels look good (which is vital to prevent preterm labor) and was very encouraging.
    This week started a little rough with me being very tired and having a mild backache, but as the days went on, my energy actually picked up and my back stopped hurting.  I truly believe work is a good thing for me right now.  I hope to be able to continue working till the end of Oct (7 more weeks) as planned, but I guess only time will tell.

Time to vent...   
As I have met many mothers of multiples over the past few months, I have been warned about the comments I would hear ("UGH...3 at one time", "well, i dont know if I need to tell you congrats or condolences",  "it is going to be hard", " how are YOU going to carry 3", "how did this happen?"--REALLY???, etc...the list goes on and on).  I thought I would be able to just ignore them, but after 22 weeks of hearing negative comments about your pregnancy, it does sort of start to take a toll on you.  Sometimes I wonder if people think I planned it this way...i know it will be hard, but these 3 blessings were a gift from God. 
    I truly appreciate the occasional words of encouragement that I receive and I love it when someone is actually excited for me.  I am excited about the new challenges that have been placed in my life and feel ready to face them head on.  I have a wonderful support system (God, husband, family, friends, church family) surrounding me which gives me constant reassurance that everything will be fine.
It has been interesting to me that 99% of the people with negative comments are those that have no experience with multiple children.  The mothers of multiples I have met have told me that this will be the most fun I have ever had in my life--and I believe them.  Okay, enough venting...I just heard one too many negative comments yesterday and needed to get that off my chest.
   

Registering

Well today was interesting and very overwhelming.  Today was the day I attempted to register for these little ones.  I knew that we were going to need a lot (since we have NOTHING right now!), but I dont think I realized exactly how much I would need.  Luckily, I had my experienced friend with me to help.  Together we came up with a list from Target, but I have yet to make it to Babies R Us or Walmart. 
  I also picked up my triplet toddler stroller today (given to me by a mother of triplets).  Wow, that thing is huge!!We will definitely draw a crowd anytime we get out.
 

From the Beginning...

  Until this year, I have lived an absolutely normal, wonderfully average and typical life.  This year, however, has changed my so called "normal" life into an extraordinary story.  After waiting for God to bless us with a baby for about a year, in May of this year, Travis and I discovered I was pregnant.  It all began on Mother's Day.  I had a feeling that something inside me was different and that my prayers had been answered.  Little did I know that the Pink Plus sign I read that morning meant that my prayers had been answered x3!!  I went in for blood work the following week to confirm the home test that YES! I was pregnant!  Two weeks later we went in for our first US.  I can not remember the last time I was that nervous and excited.  I was praying for a heart beat and again our prayers were answered (and answered and answered!!).  I will never forget the shock between Travis and I when the sonographer looked up and said "Well, you got three".  "HUH" ...... was pretty much all we said for the first couple of minutes.  The sonographer went on to tell us how each baby was doing (by looking at heart rate).  Baby A and B's HR looked great, but Baby C's was a little bit slower.  We would have to go back in a couple of weeks to check on Baby C.  Thankfully, Baby C caught up quickly and measured comparable to A dn B at the next appt.  As our shock began to set in, the reality of our future came crashing down.  "How are we going to care for 3 babies?"  "I am going to need a new vehicle" " Will I be able to work...I have to work, I have 3 babies on the way!"
  The next few weeks were suprisingly easy.  I was expecting severe morning sickness (since they say it is 3x as bad with multiples), however I luckily did not experience the nausea that typicaly accompaines first trimester pregnancy.  Some mild headaches and pretty severe fatigue were the extent of my "first trimester blues".
  As each week passes, I have become more excited and less fearful of the future.  Many have reminded me that God will not give us more than we can handle.  I also frequently look at a bracelet given to me by my sister with Psalms 56:3 on it-"When I am afraid, I will trust in you".
  Since I am having triplets, I am considered a "high risk pregnancy".  Although this sounds bad, it definitely has its perks (especially since I have had a wonderful pregnancy thus far).  I am monitored very closely to ensure I do not need to go on bedrest which means I get an US every week at this point (weekly US began at 17 weeks).  At 15 weeks, Travis and I discovered we were having 2 boys and a girl--the perfect combination for us.   We are so excited about "instant family" as many have called it and can not wait to meet our sons and daughter.
  I am a little late getting started on this blog, as I will be 21 weeks tomorrow, but I figure better late than never.  I had another appt today which thankfully went well.  I have been told to "live my life as normal as possible" and "rest".  Resting is not in my nature, so this has been harder for me than expected, however I feel that as I contine to grow, I will be forced to rest--like it or not.