We Are Thankful

On this Thanksgiving Eve, we have so much to be thankful for in our house.  We have been blessed with great support from our families, friends and even strangers who, even though their questions might be a little intrusive, mean well and wish our growing family the best.  Over the past several weeks, so many people have chipped in to make it easier for me to keep my feet up as much as possible.  My mom and Joel's mom have been here to keep up with the house, make lunches for Seth & Leah, get them off to school (usually via my neighbor Karen), wash laundry, cook dinners and keep everything going as smooth as possible.  Others who have brought by donations of clothes, formula samples, diapers, wipes, let us borrow swings, bouncy seats, car seats...all of you are helping us prepare the best we possibly can for the girls arrival.  I don't know how we will ever be able to show you are gratitude.  We are so thankful for each one of you.

For the past nine years of marriage with Joel, we have had a tradition.  At dinner, we share what we are grateful for that day.  The kids have joined in on this as they have been able to express themselves.  Since finding out abut the triplets, every night both kids have included their new sisters in what they are grateful for.  So tonight, I am grateful that Leah and Seth have such big hearts and are excited to have our family grow into our party of 7.  They didn't ask for this and their lives will never be the same once the girls arrive, but yet they seem to understand what a miracle it is to have Ally, Emmy and Izzy join our family.

We have 23 days until the scheduled date...December 17.  The past two weeks we have been to appointment after appointment to get all of this organized.  My c-section is scheduled at 9:30 in the morning.  My doctor and another doctor from my practice will be there.  We met with the anesthesiologist who performed the spinal for Seth's c-section.  Because I have rods in my back from my back surgery when I was 15, a spinal is risky and we have hand picked who can touch my back.  I have started insulin for my diabetes, so I have met with the diabetes doctor and have all my papers and orders from her.  We have seen the maternal fetal specialist again (with ultrasound - info below) and have started to coordinate any special needs for delivery.  Its getting a lot for Joel and I to keep straight in our heads.  We also have to be prepared that this could happen any time and we need to be flexible.  All records from all these meetings are already up in labor & delivery at the hospital.  So we do feel confident that everyone is prepared. 

For the stats on the babies:
Ally is gaining weight BIG time.  She is 4 lbs 4 oz.  In three weeks she gained well over 1 lb. 
Emmy is doing well.  No kidney issues.  She is 3 lbs. 15 oz.  She gained exactly 1 lb in three weeks.
Izzy, who is now directly on top of Emmy, is 3 lbs 13 oz.  Exactly 1 lb in three weeks.

When you add up their weight, I have a whopping 12 lbs of baby in my belly!  My OB said today that my uterus in amazing!  Ha - that is not something you ever expect to hear!  At this rate, if we make it to 35 weeks, 5 days, the girls will be about 5 lbs each.  I just don't know how that is possible, but we will see!

The specialist are still thrilled and excited that all three are thriving like they are.  They all have plenty of fluid.  All vitals look strong.  We will now have an ultrasound every week.  We see my OB every week.  I have to talk to the diabetes center 2X a week, but at least they are not making me see them each week.

I feel OK - I am starting to complain more.  My stretching skin hurts, I can't seem to sleep for more than 3 hours at a time, I can't get comfortable, and when the girls move, I feel like my insides are bruised.  So for all of you who keep saying how good I am doing and my great attitude, Joel would like you to know that its not always that peachy here :)  I try, but it can be very frustrating.  Despite all the discomfort, I am thankful that these girls are still in my belly and growing strong.  Again, we have so much to be thankful for this year.