Hello 3rd Trimester!

Happy 28 Weeks!

We made it! We have now entered the 3rd trimester as this is Week 28! This was a huge goal for us and we are super excited that we made it! Our next big goal is 30 weeks, then 32 weeks, and finally 34 weeks! We have had a good week so far--my sister, her husband, and my niece came in on Monday and they are here for two weeks. Here is my cute niece--she took a picture of herself on my phone :)

 My sister has also been working on doing touch-ups on the wall hanging that my dad painted when they were here. She finished that up and then sprayed it with a couple coats of polyurethane today. I think it is going to look really nice hanging in the baby's room. Abigail also decided to be helpful and she has helped with the touch-up process :)

Michael has been home a little more this week as well which has been really nice! I have enjoyed seeing him more. He worked on Monday for Labor Day which counted as overtime so he was able to just work his regular schedule this week and still get 8 hours of overtime :) If only every week was Labor Day! My parents are coming up here this weekend as well for my sister's birthday so it will be good to see them again too. 

We had a doctor's appointment this morning as well as an ultrasound. My sister came along so she could see the babies. However, it was a little disappointing because the ultrasound tech just measured the major parts and then was finished. So, we didn't get to see too much of the babies and we didn't get any pictures either :/ This is the first time since the babies were six weeks that we have not gotten pictures of them. Oh well--I guess I can't be too disappointed. This was our 12th ultrasound this pregnancy and we have gotten a lot of pictures of them so far. I am going to try and make a book of all of the ultrasound pictures that we have so far. 

Anyways--on to the appointment. So, after the ultrasound we did the usual waiting time. We have gotten pretty good at waiting to see Dr. Bellardo. They still have to book the ultrasounds for 1 1/2 hours even though the lady today took about thirty minutes and she spent a majority of the time trying to figure out who was who. All of the babies are doing really well though! Everyone is still growing concurrently which is a HUGE blessing. Babies A & B (Ethan and Naomi) were 2lbs, 9oz and Baby C (Levi) was 2lbs, 8oz. So, they were in the 42nd and 47th percentiles. The doctor told us a while back that he would accept a 25% span of the percentiles between the babies but it is awesome that they have all stayed together. The babies are measuring exactly on target for where they should be despite that there is three of them! We have truly been blessed this pregnancy! Dr. Bellardo said that my cervix is still long and closed which he said is awesome at this stage in the pregnancy. So, he is really happy with our progress and how they are doing. He was so pleased with our current progress and states that he doesn't want to see us again for two weeks! :)

The babies have changed positions (again!). They really can't stay still. The ultrasound tech even commented that she had never seen triplets so active as these babies. Baby C (Levi) even moved positions during the ultrasound--it was difficult to keep them still! So, this time everyone is in the breech position but Dr. Bellardo said it doesn't matter since we are doing a C-Section. It was really cute but at one point she was looking at the babies and all of their heads were in the middle--it looked like they were just hanging out together talking. I told Michael that maybe they figured out if they all keep their heads together then no one can kick them in the head :) I would draw you all a picture again but I'm not sure I could do it justice :)  

I asked Dr. Bellardo more about the C-Section since we now have a date scheduled. He said that I would check in 2 hours before and they would prepare me for surgery. He said that they would do the spinal thing and put my IV in--he said that they would do several tests to make sure I couldn't feel anything which I appreciate :) He said that I would be awake the whole time so I could see the babies for the first time. He said that after he pulled the babies out they would weigh them and check their body temperature. He said they may take them to the NICU but they would bring the babies around so I could see them first. He said that I probably won't get to hold them then but I'm happy that I will get to see them. Dr. Bellardo said that if they weigh enough and their body temperature is okay then they may get to hang out with us in the OR a little longer. Dr. Bellardo said that after he finished sewing me up and I went through recovery then they would take me to the NICU so I could see the babies. I didn't ask but I hope that if they take the babies to the NICU then they would allow Michael to go with them and be with the babies. It is all becoming a little more real for me--it's a little scary to think about yet at the same time I am really excited to meet these three little people whom I have grown to love so much. Dr. Bellardo said that the C-Section and sewing me back up again should take him about 1 1/2 hours. We have 6 weeks left! 

And now for the :/ news--I did the first glucose test but Dr. Bellardo said that it came back "a little off." I'm not exactly sure how off it was yet I have to go back on Tuesday for the 3-hour glucose test :/ Oh well...Dr. Bellardo didn't seem too concerned with it as it is pretty common with multiples. Dr. Bellardo did say that the blood work said I was not anemic which he said is amazing due to how much the babies are taking from my body. So, the 3-hour test is what actually determines if you have gestational diabetes. Dr. Bellardo said if I have it then they will set up an appointment for me to meet with a nutritionist to help create a diet for me. And then if the diet doesn't work then they move on to insulin shots. However, Michael and I processed all of it later when we were driving home and I'm not really sure we will reach insulin shots. By the time we get the blood results back I will be 29 weeks and then by the time I see a nutritionist I will be 30 or 31 weeks. So, by the time they figure out if the diet is working I should be close to 34 weeks and delivering these babies. So, we'll see but I am trying not to stress about it too much. I try my best to eat as healthy as possible so I am going to add a few more veggies to my diet and carry on until I learn differently. 

So, I believe that is all of our news for now! We are really thankful for everything so far and how well this pregnancy has gone. So, please continue to keep us in your prayers over these next 6 weeks! I feel really confident that we can do this, yet I know that this is physically draining on my body as the babies are growing and stretching me in ways I didn't know possible :) I am currently carrying about 7lbs, 10oz of baby plus all three placentas and their fluids which doesn't sound like much yet it is not completely pleasant for the body :) But we can do this! 6 weeks, 1 day! :)