Hey everyone, thanks so much for all of the support we've received since last weekend.

This is me in my pajamas at 29 wks 2 days. Sorry I didn't change into something better but that is what I mostly wear lately so I wanted to be authentic. Things have improved somewhat since then. At my appt on Monday they did a test on my cervix to see if I would go into labor within the next 2 weeks. It came back negative so we can be pretty reassured that they will stay in there until 31 wks, at least. That was great news although I think Lance was a little disappointed. I think he is more than ready to see them and take over some of the parental duties. It has to be a little hard for dads to not get to really bond with their babies during pregnancy the way mom's do.

So unless something else goes wrong the babies will keep being "roomies" in my belly. Though this is ultimately better for them it is difficult for me to imagine how many more weeks this could go on. I hate to sound like I'm complaining because I know it will be worth it in the long run, but it has been tough lately and the light at the end of the tunnel seems so far away right now. If anyone wants to really experience what it feels like to be pregnant with triplets, just take 3 miniature poodles (I hope they aren't that hairy) and swallow them. That may be exaggerating it a little but it sure feels like it to me some days.

Last night I got a small taste of what the future holds. Ashlyn has a cold (which she lovingly passed on to me) and she was awake from 3:00-4:30 am last night. Then just when we finally got her settled the babies decided they didn't like the sound of my stomach growling so they protested by jumping, kicking, punching and whatever else they do in there until around 5 am. I can tell they are growing daily because the wrestling matches get more and more fierce. I expect that if they don't come out soon, one day I will see a hand poke right through and wave. It's actually reassuring to me that they are so strong. Ashlyn was the same way and to this day she is a fighter, so I am positive that they will adapt easily to the outside world no matter when they are born.

I want to once again thank everyone for everything that you've done for us lately. Especially Grandma Vicky, I don't know what we'd have done without her. She has been picking Ashlyn up almost every day and even cooking for us on occasion. Lance has also been a super hero and deserves a medal. I told him I promised I'd give him something really great when all this is over. Something like..... 3 beautiful babies. He agrees that sounds fair. My mom and sister have been a huge help too by taking me to appts when Lance can't go and helping out with Ashlyn. And to anyone who has called and allowed me to ramble on and on, a special thank you cause I know that can be torturous. Lance also thanks you cause then he doesn't get bombarded quite as much when he gets home.

As you can see I have been cheating a little on my bedrest. Shhh!! I do take it easy for the most part and the contractions seem to have slowed significantly. Also my cervix has not changed at all so I think the bedrest is a little extreme. I think I will be able to recover from surgery faster if I get up some. I know my limits though and any time I feel rotten I head right back to bed.

Ok, I will sign off now and will probably not have anything important to say until after Monday, when we go back to Sioux Falls. We are hoping to start forming a plan of some sort with the Dr. about the birth.

Thanks again and hope things are well for you all.

I have to make this quick and it will be a while before I can post again unless I can get someone to post for me. I am officially confined to bed per doctors order. We ended up going to Watertown hospital at 1:30 am early Friday morning because I was having pain and contractions. They put me on the monitor and they were coming every couple of minutes and it felt like Baby A was trying to claw it's way out. We spent most of the day there and they started me on Procardia to try and stop them. They did finally slow down but I am to stay in bed except for bathroom privilages, and continue the medication every 4 hours until told otherwise. I am hating it already and the medication makes me feel awful. Poor Lance will be my slave for the next few weeks. We are still hoping to make it to at least 32 wks. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. I will find a way to update as soon as I can. I will still see Dr. Benson on Monday.

Hey everyone. Sorry it takes me so long to update my blog. The computer is becoming more and more difficult to use because of my ever expanding waistline. I can only sit for a few minutes and my back aches and my stomach cuts off the circulation in my legs. So I will make this quick.

We had a Dr. appt in Sioux Falls on Monday and the babies all looked wonderful. Lots of movement and they are experimenting with breathing. Babies this age practice breathing for when they are out of the womb by moving their rib cage in and out. It looks just like they are breathing. I'm sure there is a more scientific way of saying all that but that would be boring. The weights were:

Baby A-- 2 lbs 14 oz
Baby B-- 2 lbs 12 oz
Baby C-- 2 lbs 11 oz

They gained almost 2 lbs between the 3 of them and I only gained 2 lbs so they must be getting most of what I eat now. I have been sick off and on again due to crowding of all my organs. I have only vomited once but feel the urge often. It has been hard to keep eating like I should. I had heard this would happen so I'm glad now that I gained as much as I could during the past few months. My waistline is up to 44 inches now and there is always something, or should I say someone, sticking out. They are also starting to use my rib cage as a xylophone for their 3 baby band. I could say my cervix is the drum since it feels like someone is pounding on it. Baby A is still head down.....so I guess that one is a head banger.

Blood pressure was still fantastic. It's better than it was when I was pregnant with Ashlyn. I really think it has to do with not working. I was a full time student and working part time during that pregnancy. I have only been a full time toddler chaser this time. The only news that was different this time is my cervix is starting to change. I had some funneling, which means it is starting to open up from the inside and it had shortened from 3.2 cm to 2.1 cm. The Dr. did check to see if I was dilated from the outside and he said it was still closed but was getting softer. Sorry if that is too graphic for ya'll but when your a nurse it's second nature to describe body parts and functions in detail. I can't help myself. So anyway, Dr. Boyle was not concerned and said he would be more surprised if there hadn't been a change since I am 28 wks now with 3 heavy babies in there. It could very well go on like this for weeks. I have been having more contractions the past week but still nothing that told me to go to the hospital. I have an appt with Dr. Benson in Watertown on Monday the 25th. In the meantime if I have any bleeding or leaking of fluids, increase in contractions, or back pain I should hit the road, as Dr. Boyle said it.

I feel very grateful to have made it to 28 wks and hope to make it to at least 32. The days seem to be dragging and I am mostly miserable but I keep trying to picture how small they would be if they were born now and that helps me hang on. The majority of triplets weigh between 3 and 4 lbs and I'm pretty confident ours will be at least that. They seem to be gaining steadily.

We toured the labor and delivery wing this appt which is where I will be staying until I am discharged after my C-section. They have beautiful rooms that can almost compare to a 4 star hotel (you could even have the colon cleansing that seems to be so popular these days...except I think they're called an enema there). Cherry wood and everything. I can even say I am looking forward to my stay there. That is sad, isn't it? Maybe Lance and I could call it our 10 year anniversary getaway that we never got to have last month. The babies, if they are in the ICN (intensive care nursery), will be on the same floor but a different wing. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to see them until the next day, after my surgery, but they said I would be able to see them the first day. Mostly though I will be resting while Lance has baby duty. Let him hold them for a while, I've had them for long enough. If it's anything like Ashlyn, I only got to hold her when I nursed her for the first 2 days. Lance wouldn't share.

We only got one ultrasound picture this time because the other babies wouldn't cooperate. It was of Baby B. We got Baby A last time. They all look the same to us and definitely all have the same nose as Ashlyn. I picture 3 more with black hair and brown eyes just like her. I'm hoping for at least one blue eyed blondie but if they are as beautiful as she is, I can't complain.

Well my feet are asleep and my stomach is growling so I better stop here. I will try and post as soon as I can when the babies come but I'm not sure when I will be able to. There may have been computers in each of the patients rooms but they might just be for the nurses charting. We will try and call everyone with the news though and I promise I won't be hopped up on Demerol this time. Last time I had to start crossing people off the list as soon as I called them because I couldn't remember who I called and what I said. Until then I will try and update at least once a week. We will see the Dr. every Monday now so I should have some kind of news.

Take care everyone. I hope everything is going well for you too.

Talk about "Big Mamma". I have gained a total of 30 lbs and my waist is measuring 43 1/4 inches. I'm starting to run out of clothes to wear but since my trips out of the house are getting less and less, soon it won't matter. Anyone have any old bedsheets or drapes they want to get rid of? I am thinking of starting a trend. Togas can come back, right?

Mostly I have been staying home and taking it easy. That has to be the reason that this pregnancy is still going so well. We had a Dr. appt on Tues which was 26 wks and 1 day. Dr. Benson made me feel good by telling me that I was a model pregnancy for triplets. They couldn't find one thing wrong. Blood pressure was good (112/60), I had the gestational diabetes screening done which came back normal, and my hemoglobin which was starting to dip down over the last 3 visits was the highest it's been. So other than my belly getting too heavy for my legs to carry, I can't complain much. My hips were really sore at night, making sleeping next to impossible, but since I got a foam mattress pad I have been sleeping much better. OK, want to hear something cute? As I'm typing this entry, Ashlyn came up and saw my belly shot on the screen. Even though you can't see my face she points and says "Mamma". Anyway back to the Dr. visit. We got some really great news when the Dr. said that our babies had passed another milestone. He said that when babies are over 1000 grams, their chance of survival without any lasting birth defects are very good. 1000 grams is equal to 1 kg which is equal to 2.2 lbs. Our babies weighed in at 2.6, 2.2, and 2.3 lbs. So if they were born today they would have a really good chance of being normal, healthy babies.

A very cute thing happened during my ultrasound. My appt was at 8 am and when the technician started on Baby A we saw it yawn and roll away from us. Just like it was saying "leave me alone, I'm still tired". I said that one has to be a girl. Baby A is still head down resting right on my cervix, which explains the more frequent contractions. So far we have only had one evening when we were thinking of calling the Dr. If I rest and drink lots of water they seem to go away. Otherwise I only have them occasionally throughout the day. Baby B was sitting straight up with it's head right under my ribs on the left. Baby C was laying across the top and down the right side, with it's head right next to Baby B (I think they are planning something, hopefully not how to break out). It's feet were kicking my right hip.

Well Ashlyn is tiring of this game so I better find something more exciting for her to do. Luckily she still loves reading books because that is our major source of entertainment since mommy can't do bucking bronco like daddy. Take care everyone!! Our next appt is Sept. 18 in Sioux Falls. I told someone the other day that 32 wks was Oct 16th and took a big gulp when I realized that is next month!! I really hope to wait until after Halloween because I want to take Ashlyn trick or treating. She has a cute kitty costume and I think she will really enjoy going to houses this year.