tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-238441042012-01-14T22:16:20.604-05:00What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.comBlogger1831100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-85336580958424262011-11-23T16:10:00.000-05:002011-11-23T16:10:10.414-05:00

Since I last wrote, the girls have celebrated their 2nd birthday, battled two rounds of viruses - we're still in the midst of the 2nd virus - added a few new 2-year molars, celebrated Halloween, learned to speak in full sentences, started counting and recognizing colors, and now it's Thanksgiving. They have been sick on and off for almost two months. I can not keep up with them, our life, our

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-60028202828966185722011-10-01T22:57:00.000-04:002011-10-01T22:57:19.593-04:00

A big thank you to everyone for your awesome comments and ideas. So many fun activities to try - I can't wait! It's often hard for me to come up with a fresh, fun idea when I'm alone with my kids, so it certainly helps to have a go-to list in the back of my mind that take very little prep time. Some of your ideas are staples in our house, and I thought I'd elaborate on that a little: FORTS,

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-4267947597751109442011-09-21T13:17:00.001-04:002011-10-01T22:07:14.411-04:00

Sorry for the interruption in our regular "programming." We'll get back to that innocent world soon. Promise. In the meantime, I'm reeling from news from the real world and struggling to process it all. A friend of mine suffered the worst attack imaginable recently. She had a seizure following the brutal attack, which left her unable to speak or move. She passed away on Sunday afternoon.

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-24035626091880411712011-09-15T06:03:00.002-04:002011-09-15T13:34:30.544-04:00

If you've come across a great resource for easy activities to do with toddlers, or have ideas on things to do to keep them occupied, please share by leaving a comment. We sing, dance and read a lot, but I thought I'd attempt to capture some other ideas too. I'm no authority on the subject of toddlers, and this is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but here are some cheap and/or easy strategies

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-49195729963978239942011-09-13T09:37:00.000-04:002011-09-13T09:37:26.157-04:00

Attachment to Blankets The girls are very attached to their "blankies" and "bershies" as they affectionaly call them. The blankets receive numerous hugs, are sometimes "fed" milk from a sippy, stroked, soothed, kissed, and are on the receiving end of the sweetest, whispered, "I love you, bershie" words. The blankets remain inside the house, and they now say their goodbyes to the blankets at the

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-421013784379865272011-08-16T11:45:00.000-04:002011-08-16T11:45:42.324-04:00

First off, let me confess: we don't bathe our kids every night. *gasp* Last night was a non-bath night. My husband came home just around bedtime, and the girls were desperate for some dad attention. In our temporary home, he is the one who bathes them, because my back can't handle it. (I used to just jump in the tub with them, but our temporary house has a tiny bathroom and even tinier bath.)

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-3553974149637371372011-08-09T13:23:00.004-04:002011-08-09T21:11:44.312-04:00

I feel pretty defeated today. I shouldn't feel that, but I do. You see, the kids had their EI evaluations (in our new county and state) today and according to the therapists, they all came out "right where they should be." Yet, they're only looking at "functionality" and only saw the kids at their absolute best. First thing in the morning, right after they slept and ate. I hate being in this

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-67244313528156923452011-07-20T16:29:00.001-04:002011-07-20T18:50:40.454-04:00

I've been teaching the girls a new word, "mine" (myne). I don't want them to push/shove/bite/pull hair when someone takes something that's theirs. I want them to be able to verbalize it. They don't yet have all of the words to ask nicely. So, even though I know I'll regret it, I'm teaching them to stand up for themselves when a sister pounces to grab and run away with a favorite lovey or blankie.

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-67708283364863977352011-07-19T23:42:00.001-04:002011-07-19T23:44:15.471-04:00

As we started running out of time with the packing prior to our move, we started tossing stuff that clearly didn't belong into boxes to co-habitate during the move. Everytime I'd unpack something strange (think baby potty packed with laundry detergent) or books with paper towels (we needed to balance the weight!), we'd get a chuckle out of it and say, "Another priceless contribution from the

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-31325986371033017332011-07-11T01:13:00.000-04:002011-07-11T01:13:22.180-04:00

The news is that my husband accepted a job offer in another state and that we have done the seemingly impossible. We have completed the move and are now in our new house. But let me backtrack. He accepted the offer late Friday evening a few weeks ago. We met with a realtor the Saturday morning, staged the house, took photos, notified our employers of our intent to resign, and listed our house

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-70476251841489358782011-06-28T19:56:00.000-04:002011-06-28T19:56:05.902-04:00

Another update coming soon since we have news galore, but first an update on the girls... The chatter in this household is unreal now. I love listening to them chat in their room. It's incredible to communicate with my children and receive responses that I can decipher easily. "Are you thirsty?" is greeted with vehement head nodding, and then, "Milk!" or "Water!" or "Cup." Okay then, my loves.

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-3874821352432152212011-05-19T19:08:00.000-04:002011-05-19T19:08:05.784-04:00

When I came home early last night, just in time to tuck them in, Emma looked up and said, "Hello my mama!" It was the cutest thing I've ever heard. This girl is suddenly trying to say all sorts of things, but this was the first phrase. She looked so proud of herself when I reacted in disbelief at what I just heard. Julia started being my echo about a week ago, and now Emma's doing the same thing

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-73292636227141461372011-05-15T08:48:00.001-04:002011-05-15T08:48:48.022-04:00

I'm so furious right now. I just found out Aetna will not cover the Mirena IUD. As you can probably ascertain from the fact that we have both male and female infertility and had to do IVF with ICSI twice, I've never needed birth control. Now while I completely understand that birth control is not always covered by insurance plans, I find it incomprehensible that Aetna would not cover this simple

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-27148222741696615682011-05-08T14:02:00.001-04:002011-05-08T14:04:03.051-04:00

Post from 4/12. Still trying to catch up! *** BUNNIES I showed them a photo of a carrot in a book with images of fruits and veggies. This book only has foods in it - no animals. Suddenly both Emma and Julia brought their fingers to their mouths and pretended to nibble like a bunny. Wow! I've often showed them how a bunny eats when we play with their soft toy animals, and I've told them

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-79926298011414183742011-05-01T17:55:00.001-04:002011-05-01T21:37:52.959-04:00

I'm so far behind and have too many posts floating in my head to ever catch up. In an effort to journal their progress by date, I'm going to go all incoherent on you without any bridges. Please bear with me. This post is from 4/9/11: EXPLORING MAGAZINES... AND THEREFORE REAL LIFE: We've started to give them old magazines to page through and oh my, are they loving it! A fair number of them

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-37381879771158687092011-04-12T21:48:00.001-04:002011-04-13T09:32:02.440-04:00

A STORY ABOUT ADA It was awfully quiet in their room the other day. I peeked in to see Ada carefully and meticulously tearing a book one strip at a time with her left hand, and gathering the paper strips one by one in her right hand. Her sisters were both watching quietly, with little elbows sticking over the cribs and resting their heads on their hands. Mesmerized. It was a board book, but Ada

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-47081146442132230842011-03-27T23:23:00.000-04:002011-03-27T23:23:13.352-04:00

Julia's speech has just exploded! Yesterday, she pointed to her nose and said, "deus", then pointed to her neck and said, "nnne," for "neck" then pointed to her tummy and said, "maaa" for "maag" and followed shortly after by "b" for bellybutton. She's also saying "oe-huh" for eyes, and "ears" sound kind of the same. Lots of ending consonants absent, but she's actually saying several things that

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-30930882992908237582011-02-28T22:05:00.002-05:002011-03-01T09:28:33.706-05:00

So I'm still trying to make sense of where we're at. I don't treat my kids any different post-diagnosis than I did pre-diagnosis. Yet, it feels as if something has shifted in my understanding of my life, my children, and our future. I have more patience with their meltdowns because I know it stems from their inability to process it all. There's more understanding when things get crazy and I have

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-18642062342768600562011-02-27T15:08:00.000-05:002011-02-27T15:08:31.310-05:00

Animal sounds and actions they know: Owl - hoo hoo Gorilla - thump chest Sheep - baah and meh (sheep are bilingual in our household - LOL!) Cow - mooh Wolf - ahoooo! ahoooo! Pig - snorts (can't say "oink" yet.) They crinkle their noses and snort - it's hysterical. Monkey - uhuhuh, makes ASL sign for monkey Chicken - puhk puhk puhk/flaps arms like chicken wings Giraffe - nods yes

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-81788178727229326302011-02-17T22:08:00.001-05:002011-02-17T22:14:19.231-05:00

Ada has figured out how to walk. She started taking steps on Feb. 10, and as of this week, she is taking about 7-10 steps at a time before plopping down. On the same day we received Julia and Emma's diagnosis, Ada took 15 steps on her own, and it was the most I've ever seen her do. It was incredible to watch and just the glimmer of hope I needed after all the recent bad news. At one point, my dad

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-84986508390974057692011-02-12T10:52:00.002-05:002011-02-12T10:59:45.578-05:00

Julia and Emma received a similar diagnosis to Ada's. All 3 of my children have mild cerebral palsy. Those are heartbreaking, excruciating words to have to write, but I guess I have to start facing reality and this is as good a place as any to start. Today I'm grieving the life we thought we'd have, but tomorrow I'll get up and fight again. Thank you all for letting me know you're out there, that

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-34145411178051950762011-02-10T21:19:00.005-05:002011-02-10T22:20:56.544-05:00

I've been holding out on sharing this, because I didn't even know where to begin.Ada was diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy in the fall. Shockingly, she must have had a PVL (brain bleed) the neonatologists were not aware of. Yet, her cognitive function is thankfully unaffected. She is one smart little kid. Receiving this diagnosis was the hardest day of my life. And I don't say that lightly,

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-77914647246767089242011-02-04T23:16:00.002-05:002011-02-04T23:21:43.354-05:00

For my friends who need help with funds for adoption or ART, please look here:Parenthood for Me: GrantsParenthood for Me is now accepting applications for their 2011 grant cycle. Visit their website and read the FAQ for all the requirements. Deadline for submissions is May 1, 2011.My RE "liked" them on FB; that's how I heard about them.

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-48339510672414952982011-01-30T22:05:00.007-05:002011-01-30T22:52:10.635-05:00

Ada has started taking steps this week. Just 2 or 3 steps at a time, but steps nonetheless. It is the most beautiful movement to see.She is moving more freely by the day and now crawls the normal way. She is lightning fast and coordinated on all fours now, not at all like when she started to crawl. She still scoots on her behind every now and then. She was the first to climb onto our Copenhagen

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-22091609716440477822011-01-25T21:43:00.007-05:002011-01-25T22:44:48.770-05:00

TEETHAda is currently cutting all 4 eyeteeth. She has her molars in, but had little gaps where the eyeteeth should be. In addition to the front teeth, Julia and Emma have their top and bottom molars, and eyeteeth. Their teething pattern matched tooth for tooth... yet another cue that they may share more DNA. SLEEP... OR LACK THEREOFWe have had precious little sleep in this household since they

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-19334942523060891432011-01-16T22:13:00.003-05:002011-01-16T22:22:16.732-05:00

The Younglove family lost their dear sweet Piper to Leigh's Syndrome tonight, just a few weeks shy of her 2nd birthday. Please keep Belinda, her husband, and their surviving triplets, Andi and Bella, in your prayers. I'm just heartbroken for them.Piper's Story

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-13578030021968131132011-01-14T22:19:00.004-05:002011-01-14T23:03:14.181-05:00

I've been too busy to pay much attention to anything but my family and work. My feelings rank very low on the totem pole of priorities. Especially my feelings about infertility. Of course, with triplets, it comes up every now and then when someone asks whether we did IVF, whether we're done having kids, or assumes we're done, or when I think about what our lives could have been like without the

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-60286011500896211282011-01-11T18:27:00.002-05:002011-01-11T18:34:20.131-05:00

Yesterday, my dad took a semi-deflated beach ball, placed a pretend sunny-side up egg (made of cotton material) on the beachball, and then launched the little egg skyward by slapping the beachball on either side with his two hands. It puts a catapult to shame. It was funnnn. What can I say, we're simple folk.Today, Ada went to get the beachball where we had packed it away, then she looked for the

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-36723849949642672402010-12-20T21:33:00.009-05:002011-01-01T23:58:20.804-05:00

** MUSIC **We've been singing songs like "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," "Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider" to death in our house. The "wash the spider out" part is Julia's favorite. I pause just before and she giggles and then waves her arms back and forth. Cracks us both up. Julia and Emma are starting to put their index fingers together to show me they want me to sing the song.

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-30081883793334087932010-12-20T21:04:00.007-05:002010-12-20T21:51:56.098-05:00

We finally got our act together and bought a tree. Miraculously, we managed to decorate it the same day. Not our usual classic and tasteful clear-glass-ornaments-only tree. Oh no no no. This year, it's gawdy and pimped out, triplet toddler style. The kids love it, it's hokey, and that's what it's all about. We even bought new colored LED lights and they are like voodoo magic. Our kids have never

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-46045012571169037342010-12-13T06:30:00.003-05:002010-12-13T06:30:00.392-05:00

Today is the girls' one year adjusted birthday. Dec. 13 was their due date. For the past 4 days, all of the girls are on whole milk. We switched Emma back to formula for a week or so (upset tummy), but it turns out it had more to do with the teething than the switch to milk. We weaned them very slowly by adding an ounce of cow's milk per week.The girls are completely off of Pre.vacid and their

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-13402442737462076732010-11-30T22:26:00.003-05:002010-11-30T23:20:22.165-05:00

I'm done pumping! I never thought this day would come. After many tearful episodes of blocked ducts and mastitis, I can finally say, "good riddance!" The Medela Pump in Style Advanced served me well, but I can't wait to pack it up and reclaim the space next to my bed. Providing breastmilk for the girls this past year has been a privilege. I was beyond fortunate to have a decent supply of milk. At

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-61135665706467565532010-11-20T23:10:00.002-05:002010-11-21T10:49:15.777-05:00

Our little monkeys are imitating so much these days. I've been showing them how a gorilla thumps its chest. In the beginning, they were only imitating the motion when I did it, but now they can answer the question, "What does the gorilla do?" They are also starting to use the ASL sign for monkey.Here's the rundown, by date:October 205 days before her first birthday, Ada started sitting up in her

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-55071947927931117232010-11-17T21:52:00.005-05:002010-11-17T23:17:06.546-05:00

As I was preparing for their first birthday - already 3 weeks ago now - it felt just as unreal as when I first found out I was pregnant, or when we first found out we were having triplets, and those first dazed months after their birth. I just can't believe how fast we have reached this point.There is something awe-inspiring about the big milestones. They're almost surreal, too big to contemplate

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-41181789428246605872010-10-25T09:30:00.002-04:002010-10-25T09:35:18.717-04:00

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-44327072392734018462010-10-12T23:51:00.008-04:002010-10-18T20:29:11.870-04:00

For the first time last night, Ada called out for me when she woke in the middle of the night. She didn't cry, she didn't make sounds. She just called, "mama" and I went to scoop her up. Who could resist such an incredible moment? I held her for a bit, and she clung to me, then I laid her back down.She's been sick this past week and it's been challenging at night, but during the day she's happy

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-53334435598794297052010-10-12T23:27:00.004-04:002010-10-17T09:51:16.033-04:00

I took all 3 to an acupuncturist on October 7 hoping it would make a difference with their GERD (reflux). My goal is to get them off the Pre.va.cid and get Julia and Emma eating larger quantities and greater varieties of food.Now, let me preface this by saying that anyone who's ever had a baby in the NICU would understand that having your child undergo any kind of treatment involving needles ever

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-47341019639617148992010-10-07T23:52:00.002-04:002010-10-12T23:27:45.829-04:00

The girls tried sippy cups on October 3 and Ada couldn't figure out how to get the milk out, but Julia and Emma eventually "got" it. They held it lying down and drank about 5oz each from it, but haven't figured out how to tilt the sippy while sitting up yet. Ada wants to play with the sippy cup, and she brings it to her mouth, but then becomes really frustrated when the milk doesn't flow. Darn

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-32672422855835669612010-09-23T15:02:00.001-04:002010-09-23T15:07:59.974-04:00

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-65529737282661936522010-09-19T23:06:00.001-04:002010-09-21T23:09:44.176-04:00

The girls are 11 months old this week and I'm delighted and overwhelmed at the thought of celebrating their first birthday. I get all bent out of shape just thinking about the year. Their joyous but scary birth, the rollercoaster NICU ride, the months of horrible reflux, the Early Intervention, and all the incredible firsts. I'm already starting to see signs of my "babies" disappearing and

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-24068181938349156612010-08-28T22:13:00.005-04:002010-08-29T20:30:43.741-04:00

Ada started saying "Ada" very clearly. Last week it was just "ah" "dah", but now she's putting it together.Ada waved to the dog and then her dad today, opening and closing her hand. Her sisters aren't waving yet, but are mesmerized when I open and close my hand to show them how to wave. It's like I possess a magic power. They look at my hand, crinkle their nose in fascination, look at theirs,

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-7143947423578605632010-08-19T23:16:00.008-04:002010-08-22T17:08:57.173-04:00

Whoa - we have busy bodies in this house! They are all hitting so many milestones at once that I'm losing track and just had to post to catch up before they're onto the next thing.We have stopped charting and keeping track of every bottle. This is a big milestone for me, because I'm finally trusting that they're eating enough. Emma isn't on the official growth curve yet, but, like her sisters,

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-64088212907766501182010-07-25T21:30:00.000-04:002010-08-22T09:19:45.454-04:00

Boy, are they teething! Julia is leading the pack with 8 teeth, 6 of which are cutting simultaneously (2 top front, 2 top eyeteeth and the bottom two next to her bottom front teeth). Emma is cutting her two top front teeth and 3rd and 4th bottom tooth simultaneously. Ada is taking it slower, with her 3rd cutting now.Suffice it to say we haven't slept much in this household. They've been taking

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-85241468421483608802010-07-24T08:47:00.009-04:002010-07-24T14:37:16.680-04:00

The girls are starting to crawl. I'm trying hard to embrace their newfound independence, but we are utterly unprepared for this next phase. Of course we knew it was coming, but it still feels like it happened overnight.We rushed out and bought an extra tall gate for the stairs that lead to the basement, hastily plugged all of the electrical sockets, and have the XT Superyard up around their play

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-85079726615318687552010-07-07T07:25:00.008-04:002010-07-24T08:47:16.493-04:00

Ada has been sitting up unassisted since June 29. She's not comfortable on her belly and doesn't roll as frequently as her sisters. It'll take some time before she starts crawling, I think. She still falls backwards sometimes, and struggles to go from a seated position to a crawling position, so we still have a Boppy pillow behind her, just in case.For a few weeks now, Emma has been rocking back

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-58291988444731198032010-06-13T11:14:00.003-04:002010-06-13T11:29:02.338-04:00

Being a triplet momma often elicits big reactions from strangers. Even without my kids present. I've gotten used to the idea of having triplets. As used to it as is possible, I guess, because it does still feel weird to use the word, "triplets." I just think of them as my 3 children, born minutes apart.So there I was, presenting myself to the receptionist at the doctor's office. She asks me all

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-10110680583323712362010-06-13T07:38:00.001-04:002010-06-22T23:35:42.117-04:00

The girls are all starting to sit up, but they are not able to sit unassisted yet. They laugh out loud - easily and frequently - and it's just the best sound ever. It melts my heart. Of course, they think their parents are a riot. We pull faces, play tickle games, make funny sounds as we touch their noses and blow raspberries. Any game that works with anticipation is just the ticket. In general,

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-91358747315655948592010-06-11T07:03:00.003-04:002010-06-11T07:07:17.943-04:00

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-37248224005237312092010-06-06T07:55:00.004-04:002010-06-06T08:07:44.653-04:00

Imagine that: a good night's sleep! All 3 girls slept through the night and we did too. No waking, no fussing, no feeding, no nothing between 11 and 7. Not a peep! And miracle of all miracles: both Dh and I slept straight through too. Usually, we're anticipating their wake cycle and struggle to go back to sleep despite being overtired. Dh thought I was up with them and I thought he was up with

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-18807650167895667532010-06-04T07:40:00.003-04:002010-06-04T08:06:58.992-04:00

We've been getting out much more often, which is phenomenal. The girls love it, and I get a sanity break. It is a heck of a lot of work to pack, load, unload, feed, diaper, load, unload on my own when we're on the go, but I manage. Whenever we venture out with the minivan, I'm exhausted by the time we're home. But it gets easier the more we do it.Going out for walks around the neighborhood is

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-52763845773360254082010-04-27T21:46:00.000-04:002010-04-27T22:14:43.412-04:00

Over these past 6 months, I've learned to distinguish my babies' cries from one another, to pick up on their tired and hungry cues before it reaches epic proportions, and to be in the moment with them. They're acting more like little girls these days rather than fragile preemie infants and it's wonderful to see. Ada has started cooing more frequently and with a larger repertoire of sounds. She

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-31851656185273876322010-04-18T08:15:00.002-04:002010-04-18T08:55:34.420-04:00

The girls have been smiling and cooing for quite some time and every now and then we heard Ada giggle. Yesterday, suddenly, they all got the gigggles. What a delight to hear all 3 laughing out loud! It was more of a gasp-giggle sound, but I'll take it.Now I know it's easy to entertain any baby with "tickle tickle," peekaboo, funny noises, face pulling and blowing raspberry games, but mine had

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-63432414685183458692010-04-06T07:31:00.003-04:002010-04-06T07:35:48.012-04:00

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-85397848613277285052010-04-03T11:28:00.000-04:002010-04-03T11:31:58.125-04:00

This post has been brewing in my mind since the early days of infertility. I've often wondered how I would bond with my child(ren). Would it be an instantaneous feeling at some significant "safe" point during pregnancy, a progressive realization culminating in birth, or a combination of experiences and interactions prior to and post birth?I felt an instant connection when I first saw 3 little

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-47003763959901012962010-04-02T01:50:00.009-04:002010-04-02T22:51:27.283-04:00

Today a year ago I took a home pregnancy test and well, the rest is history. I can hardly believe our babies are five months old already. As I was packing away their 0-3 month clothes, it just hit me how fast they're growing. Ada is 16 lbs, Julia 12 and Emma 11. Ada is in size 3 diapers - rapidly approaching size 4 - and wearing 6-9 month clothes. Julia and Emma are wearing size 2 diapers and 3-6

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-54417113989206188742010-03-09T20:46:00.006-05:002010-03-13T16:33:49.113-05:00

Today, a year ago, I woke up in the depths of despair. The first self-pay cycle had failed and I just couldn't see us continuing to throw money down the drain for a shot at parenthood. I was lost, sad, angry, frustrated. I had spent months researching procedures, clinics and stats, reading forums and coming up with a plan, only for it to end in failure. Sure, my Endo surgery was successful and I

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-13237277592811942132010-03-06T09:20:00.015-05:002010-03-13T10:11:02.061-05:00

Expecting parents ask this question on Triplet Connection all the time. I hope this post helps parents-to-be, specifically those with multiples. When I was pregnant, I fashioned my own list of things to register for based on the information I found on blogs and forums, but I wished that someone could have done this legwork for me.I'll be adding to this post as I think of more can't-live-without

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-19790828798949640992010-02-28T10:53:00.006-05:002010-03-14T12:23:40.650-04:00

Our little "middle" monkey is on a roll. This morning, Julia flipped herself from stomach to back. We didn't witness this incredible milestone, but I placed her on her stomach, changed her sister's diaper and when I returned, she was lying on her back with her head against the crib railing. So either she flipped herself over, or the aliens surreptitiously took her for a spin in their UFO.**Edited

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-43056439031353259952010-02-28T09:53:00.004-05:002010-02-28T10:52:05.223-05:00

Our little Ada slept 7 hours straight last night, from 11 to 7. Oh, the joy. She fusses and gives her colicky cry for a few hours before she goes to bed, but once she's asleep, it's bliss!I'm feeling indescribably excited and hopeful about longer sleep cycles in our near future. These past few months have been wonderful, but the sleep deprivation is a doozy. It impairs my ability to function and

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-31060471930517626942010-02-21T10:10:00.006-05:002010-02-21T17:46:09.682-05:00

The girls are doing beautifully. The joy and rewards have increased a million fold these past few weeks. They are now interacting with us on a consistent basis. They recognize us. I don't know why this surprises me so much, but they KNOW me. I know they know me, and have known they would know me from the moment I fell pregnant, but it is different to see the recognition in their facial

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-33248750282478639652010-02-21T10:01:00.002-05:002010-02-21T10:10:02.972-05:00

I woke up this morning (yes, I get to sleep! sometimes!) to this thrilling news from Kate, tucked away in her award post. My heart is singing with joy for her and I just wanted to shout it from the rooftops.

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-60101877298615417722010-01-30T23:10:00.007-05:002010-01-31T01:59:56.096-05:00

As I write this, the 3 little munchkins are lying in a half circle around me, cocooned in their swaddle blankets, secure in their Boppy pillows on my bed. It suddenly struck me that I should probably soak up this scene. I don't know how much longer they'll be content to be tightly swaddled, and safely stay where I put them. Our swaddling days might be numbered given that our "oldest" - Ms Houdini

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-49296574174649488802010-01-10T10:21:00.006-05:002010-01-10T10:59:52.127-05:00

My poor babies have all been diagnosed with GERD and it's been a rather frustrating ride. Feeding time is supposed to be happy bonding time and instead it's turned into a torturous scream fest interspersed with episodes of projectile vomiting. Our living room is spitup central. Feeding time these days is painful for everyone involved.Initially, the spitup was so bad it would frequently spurt out

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-21977938183850766652009-12-31T06:07:00.004-05:002009-12-31T17:43:09.993-05:00

How do we find time to do menial things like wash bottles by hand, you ask? Well, we've learned to multi-task with the best of 'em and do everything three times as fast. Seriously. :DThere's rarely a moment these days that I'm not doing 2 or 3 things at once. Pumping, typing and chewing can all be successfully accomplished together, you can fix bottles while holding a baby, or have your morning

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-84741210160714992082009-12-30T22:55:00.006-05:002009-12-31T03:28:51.669-05:00

BB raised the issue of how we clean glass bottles: You mentioned you are using glass bottles to feed them. That is something I would like to do, but I am a little concerned with the cleaning/sterilization part... I mean most people nowadays use the "BPA-free" plastic bottles (which I don't quite completely trust) and the microwave sterilizers, and from whatever research I have done so far, nobody

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-59903226698675018122009-12-23T00:49:00.009-05:002009-12-31T02:07:36.420-05:00

One piece of sage advice I received from parents of HOMs and my friends was to try a variety of bottles before purchasing a large quantity because babies don't always take to whatever brand the parents may prefer. This turned out to be so true. Our girls were fed breast milk from Similac one-time use bottles in the NICU and are now used to those latex nipples. I have been trying various bottles

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-23612026911833038172009-12-20T18:51:00.009-05:002009-12-20T19:33:34.515-05:00

Our trio is making such rapid progress; it's hard to keep up with the daily changes.Their little faces are changing by the day. About two weeks ago we noticed they suddenly had eyelashes and this past week their eyebrows started to become more prominent. Just yesterday, I noticed the girls are now crying real tears. It breaks my heart when they cry, and the addition of tears doesn't help mom's

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-33698985506769960902009-12-15T01:32:00.003-05:002009-12-15T01:36:07.331-05:00

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-35911690018937065592009-12-09T22:52:00.009-05:002009-12-10T01:08:33.702-05:00

It's been a crazy, wonderful, sleep deprived two weeks. We are on a 3-hour schedule with the girls, and it usually takes at least 90 minutes to get everyone fed, burped, diapered and back to bed at night. Often, one will wake up early, throwing our entire happy little "routine" for a loop. We respond by feeding the early waker a little more from that feeding onwards and it seems to get us all

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-65731387326746669572009-11-25T12:19:00.003-05:002009-11-25T12:32:34.650-05:00

We finally have all three girls home! As you can imagine, we're trying to find a routine, getting to know each baby's personality and cues, and generally just settling into the schedule the NICU used. It's a zoo, but we are enjoying every minute of having them home. I often walk into the nursery just to stare at them while they're sleeping. I still can't believe I have three babies - it just

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-44593590216123953292009-11-21T13:58:00.003-05:002009-11-21T14:11:49.079-05:00

Emma came home on Thursday and everything has been going well with having two out of three babies home. When we swaddle Ada and Emma and lay them down in the crib together (spaced apart), they turn their heads towards one another, without fail. It's the cutest thing in the world to witness, especially after they had been separated for four weeks in the NICU. They definitely take comfort in one

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-54798244675828397542009-11-17T17:30:00.003-05:002009-11-17T17:51:50.444-05:00

I was worried about triplet pregnancy weight gain (and subsequent postpartum weight loss). During the pregnancy, I gained approximately 50 pounds. Even though it's on the lower end of what Dr. Barbara Luke recommends in her book, "When you're expecting twins, triplets or quads," the girls were always right on target with their growth, which eased my fears about not gaining enough. I tried my

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-6105611354999479912009-11-17T17:00:00.003-05:002009-11-17T17:30:28.947-05:00

If all continues to go according to plan, Julia and Emma will be coming home together on Thursday! We are beyond excited to have them all home with us. They will be moving to open cribs tomorrow, and I will be spending the day with them at the NICU. (Dad will stay home with Ada.)Ada's first ped visit went well today. She now weighs 2 kg (up from 1.875 on Saturday) and is 17.25 inches long. She is

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-18795040622309380992009-11-16T15:37:00.004-05:002009-11-16T16:05:15.815-05:00

Wonderful news from the NICU today: Julia and Emma are both progressing beautifully. They are each drinking 31 ml of breast milk every three hours. Their nasal cannulas and Julia's IV have been removed, and Julia is no longer receiving phototherapy. Yay for not being hooked up to Vapotherm, hyperal and intralipids! Freedom.Dad went to visit his two baby girls in the NICU today while I stayed home

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-41827987475858806392009-11-14T21:41:00.003-05:002009-11-15T17:47:23.922-05:00

We brought our precious little Ms Ada home with us tonight. It is an indescribable feeling to know she's sleeping soundly in the next room. We are so excited to have her home and can't wait for her sisters to join her. Before Ada was discharged, we were able to hold all three of our babies together for the first time. They were all moved to one area of the NICU two days ago, but since Julia and

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-91368406709690011502009-11-12T08:06:00.005-05:002009-11-12T15:10:59.792-05:00

In terms of being pregnant with triplets, I've had it pretty easy: no hospitalized bed rest and no major complications other than cholestasis and thyroid issues. However, the maternity gods have decided that I shouldn't get off scott free.I developed post partum HELLP Syndrome while I was still in hospital and naively thought I had paid my dues. A week after I delivered, I developed a low grade

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-80658334979432307172009-11-08T21:01:00.006-05:002009-11-14T21:41:32.540-05:00

JULIAShe is still on 2 to 3 litres of vapotherm and 30% oxygen. Her feedings have been increased from 3 to 6 ml of breast milk every 3 hours. The goal is to get her to 24 ml so she can be weaned from the IV feedings. A chest x-ray showed she has fluid in her lungs. The neonatologist said the hyperal and intralipids increase the retention of fluid, so they will be trying hard to get her to 100%

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-74892100553755076772009-11-01T17:57:00.002-05:002009-11-01T18:15:27.530-05:00

All three girls are now receiving gut stim "practice feedings" of 3 mls of breast milk three times a day. They're lovin' it! I can't believe they are already a week old. EmmaShe had been struggling the most, but is progressing wonderfully. Emma has moved to an isolette, just like her sisters, and has finally been taken off the ventilator. She is sporting a nasal cannula and breathing room air.

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-86764986450357245092009-10-30T21:02:00.005-04:002009-11-01T17:56:28.669-05:00

Julia is making great progress. She moved to an isolette on Thursday morning! The nurse unhooked several monitors and tubes and I had a chance to change her diaper, remove her eye protection, swaddle her in two blankets and hold her. She's still jaundiced, but the nurse said it was fine for her to be out of her isolette for 20-30 minutes, so we jumped at the opportunity. Both my husband and I

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-77188509208210022862009-10-30T20:07:00.004-04:002009-11-01T17:41:22.559-05:00

I woke up on Wednesday morning with rock hard boobs - my milk had come in overnight. Since it had been about 2 and a half days since I delivered, I had a significant amount of milk from the get go. I've never been so pleased with my body, especially after what it's gone through with carrying triplets, and recovering from HELLP Syndrome.The nurse who helped me out of my "between a rock and a hard

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-47343589533373113882009-10-28T18:27:00.001-04:002009-10-30T20:02:21.878-04:00

All of our girls are stable and doing as well as can be expected. Ada and Julia are receiving oxygen through nasal cannulas, but Emma is on a ventilator and struggling the most of all three. It just breaks my heart to see them all so fragile, and using their entire bodies to take a breath. It looks like breathing is the most exhausting thing in the world for them to do. Their entire torso moves

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-71976946243331453682009-10-26T23:11:00.004-04:002010-08-27T22:19:37.782-04:00

My water broke on Sunday afternoon at 1:35. We arrived at the hospital an hour later and I was 5 cm dilated. Shortly after 4 pm our babies came into the world, kicking and screaming in surround sound.Baby A3 lb 15 oz4:03 pmBaby B3 lb 14 oz4:04 pmBaby C3 lb 13 oz4:06 pmAll 3 girls are in the NICU receiving help with breathing and hooked up to IVs for nutrition. I saw them for a few minutes on

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-90928303706374022442009-10-23T09:23:00.003-04:002009-10-23T09:55:54.086-04:00

Another week down, 24 more days to go to reach our approximate C-Section date of November 17. The peri is waiting until we get a bit closer to schedule the actual date, but if all continues to go well, it will be sometime during week 36. Of course, the girls could decide to come any day now, but it's nice to have a goal to shoot for.During this week's appointment, the girls all scored 8/8 on

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-26941758627516325442009-10-16T14:59:00.006-04:002009-10-16T15:28:51.239-04:00

The girls are still safely in utero, and I'm still chugging away at home. This week's doctor's appointment went well - no surprises, thankfully! The girls scored 8/8 on their 4th biophysical profiles and everything looks great, so we live to fight another week.I'm waiting for the injectable H1N1 vaccine (thimerosal free) to become available later this month and plan to get it based on the long

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-60898224842669549042009-10-10T10:24:00.005-04:002009-10-10T11:22:30.169-04:00

Some things - like doctor's visits - simply can't be rushed. 10 hours of waiting, scans, and testing, many of which was spent getting acquainted with the Labor & Delivery unit... More on that little excursion later.First, we have lots of good news to celebrate. Our three baby girls are growing like weeds!Baby A: 3 lbs 8 ozBaby B: 3 lbs 11 ozBaby C: 3 lbs 4 ozThat's 10 lbs 7 oz of babies. My oh

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-5866247310130140392009-10-07T12:51:00.004-04:002009-10-10T11:31:40.012-04:00

Cool to have the 100th post on my blog coincide with typing the coveted "30w" in the title line. Every single day, I wake up with the thought, "I can't believe we made it this far" followed by the calculation of how far the trio and I still need to go. 12 days to 32 weeks, 33 days to 35 weeks.For the moment, I'm still blissfully at home and go back to the peri on Friday for a growth scan of the

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-6261652596401383442009-10-03T12:08:00.004-04:002009-10-03T15:20:04.107-04:00

I knew this would get harder as the weeks progressed, but I guess you can't be truly prepared for it until it starts to happen. Compared to a single pregnancy, I'm overdue now. Two doctors' appointments ago, the fundal height was at 40 cm. My uterus is already stretched to the limit, but we have several more weeks to go. To 36 weeks, if I can make it.The past few days even the usual discomforts

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-72017417901861543612009-09-27T09:34:00.007-04:002009-09-27T10:12:40.132-04:00

This week brought yet another marathon 4-hour appointment at the perinatologist. It was probably the last appointment I could drive myself to, given that we live more than an hour away from the doc and the appointments will become a weekly trek from this point onwards.The perinatologist is nothing if not thorough, which I appreciate tremendously. The glucose drink for the gestational diabetes

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-69309012388606998312009-09-19T12:58:00.009-04:002009-09-19T15:00:50.327-04:00

We have had not one, not two, but THREE baby showers! The girls, my husband and I are so incredibly spoiled by our friends and colleagues. Not just with the unbelievable baby showers, but with the most amazingly thoughtful 2nd hand clothes, blankets and other gear like high chairs, playmats and swings we have received from our generous friends.In the words of a colleague, "Baby shower? Gmph! It's

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-40934198317791878882009-09-13T21:26:00.004-04:002009-09-13T21:59:57.414-04:00

Our baby girls continue to amaze the perinatologists and sonographers with how well they're growing (not just compared to triplets, but compared to singletons!) My peri is ecstatic with their progress - she gave them a thumbs up for sharing their "real estate" equally, and growing consistently:Baby A: 2lb5oz, 142 BPMBaby B: 2lb2oz, 142 BPMBaby C: 2lb4oz, 134 BPMThat's almost 7 pounds of babies!

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-84934177180620445582009-09-08T22:02:00.008-04:002009-09-09T09:12:30.993-04:00

Before we get to the update, I wanted to let you know how much your comments mean to me. Every single comment lifts me up, and gives me the strength and encouragement needed to stay positive. So thank you!Today the belly circumference measures a whopping 44 and a half inches. It's feeling heavier, to the point where I want to lift the belly with my arms to reverse the forces of gravity. An

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-40892629124221403922009-09-07T10:05:00.006-04:002009-09-07T10:58:59.325-04:00

My friend Carrie is expecting 3 boys - the perfect complement to our 3 girls. Her efforts to keep growing her boys through multiple scares, while on hospital and now home bed rest, and caring for her young daughter has been nothing short of heroic. Since Carrie asked for more frequent updates, and she has been my inspiration, I simply can't refuse. So here goes:As we're gearing up for the girls,

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-6359179095093476732009-09-06T09:21:00.004-04:002009-09-06T09:43:20.997-04:00

Some days, I feel like I'm going through an initiation process. Every funny look or strange comment about our triplet pregnancy is preparing me for what lies ahead. CONVERSATION #1:This one is the prize-winning conversation of the week:Neighbor: I heard you are having triplicates.Me (having a hard time keeping a straight face): Yes, we sure are.Vocabulary-challenged neighbor: Now, will they all

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-46034227548597493062009-08-29T21:02:00.004-04:002009-08-29T21:27:21.371-04:00

I've been having contractions more frequently, and mostly in the late afternoon and evening after a day at the office. "It's time to stop working," the perinatologist said. For once, even the workaholic in me knows she's right. I've been expecting those words and didn't fight them, but it still came as a shock since I've been doing pretty great.She wants me to lie down (hard to do when you're at

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-35559201400409768082009-08-20T17:52:00.005-04:002009-08-20T18:10:52.595-04:00

On Monday I'll be 24 weeks along and celebrating the first of many survival milestones. Viability is generally believed to begin around 24-25 weeks. Although micropreemies born at this stage often face lifelong challenges, they do have a shot at survival with prolonged intensive care. Since babies born before 23 weeks often don't survive, I'm looking forward to crossing the 24-week threshold.I'm

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-87366664102601133202009-08-16T22:53:00.006-04:002009-08-16T23:26:07.915-04:00

Our baby girls are all doing well and already weighing in at more than a pound each! The great news is that they're on target in terms of length and weight. This is even more terrific given that they are triplets. The average for singletons at 22 weeks is 15.17 ounces and at 23 weeks is 1.10 pounds.Baby A: 1 lb 4 ozBaby B: 1 lb 5 ozBaby C: 1 lb 4 ozFor those of you not interested in doing the

What IF?http://www.blogger.com/profile/17296831848220411473noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23844104.post-17803845497908769852009-08-05T19:30:00.006-04:002009-08-05T19:51:45.918-04:00

The trio's movements have been much more noticeable this week. After months of anticipation, I finally know what a true baby kick feels like! Baby A has been practicing karate kicks this week and it's the most miraculous feeling in the world. No longer do I just feel the occasional flutter or squirm when I lie down at night, but I'm feeling true, discernable kicks. On Sunday night, I was lying on

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I've gained 21 lbs so far and couldn't be happier. As someone who loves to eat and who usually gains weight by just looking at food, I could never have imagined that it would be a struggle to add pounds to my frame. With triplets, it's important to add the weight early as it will be hard to find room to eat larger meals later in the pregnancy. Higher birth weight will also help to give the babies

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The sonographer did a quick heartbeat check and all three of our baby girls are doing great. We have to wait another two weeks to see them again in detail and for the next set of measurements to be taken.My cervix is still holding at a short but stable 2.6 cm - it's even 0.1 cm longer than the previous measurement two weeks ago. That's not much, but I'll take it. At least it's not shortening,

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Every time I see a reflection of myself it makes me smile. On some level, I guess I keep forgetting that I'm actually quite pregnant. Then I see a photo of myself, or I accidentally brush a door against my belly and realize, "Hey, wait a minute, there's another inch there that wasn't there yesterday." My body's perimeter is changing rapidly. The belly is growing by the day, prompting mirror

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