18 weeks: Where are my organs?

This week was our first comprehensive ultrasound. We were warned from the beginning that we would likely need two of these longer ultrasound appointments as the multiple babies can make things difficult to decipher. We were also warned that this ultrasound would take several hours - and it did. The great news is that everyone looks good (insert huge sigh of relief here). The tech was able to sort out a majority of the necessary views. We still have our second comprehensive ultrasound in a month, but apparently it will be normal length since there is only a couple more things to verify.

We were thoroughly entertained just watching the babies move around for two+ hours - who knew all that smiling and laughing would be exhausting. Imagine if you will, a nice side profile view of a baby (similar to the pictures above), the tech begins measuring something - then all the sudden - bam! two feet slam to the front view while the rest of the baby disappears into my deeper belly. It was hilarious to watch.

I was also shocked with how much baby there is inside of me (approx 8-9oz each). At one point the tech had to push on my ribs to get a certain angle of a baby. I was shocked with the image of a baby up near my rib cage and asked the tech where my organs were. Her response, "your neck" (with laughter of course). Honestly though, I have no idea where my organs are these days, but as long as they continue to work, they should enjoy their new location.

This weekend also marked our final adventure in travelling. We went down to Indianapolis for a short weekend. While it was great to see everyone, it became clear about 2 hours into the 3.5 hour drive down that this would be our last trip for a while. Sitting has become rather uncomfortable and I spent most of the trip shifting and probably whining (although you'd have to ask Brant for the ratio of each).

Besides seeing family and friends, we checked one major question off of our pre-baby list. Will three infant carriers fit into our only car - a 4-door Honda Civic Hybrid? It is with great pride that I announce that in fact you CAN fit three infant carriers into the backseat of our car. Granted, they are the most expensive infant carriers that exist at babies r us and there is no extra room - but they fit and that is the most important part. If the answer was no, we'd have to buy another car - so this was a huge relief.

All in all, it was a good week. The first comprehensive ultrasound looks great and that is all we can ask. For now, more resting and eating. I am about 1/3 the way to my goal weight and hoping to make serious progress in the next month.

17 weeks: The waddle

This week I seem to have noticeably developed 'the waddle'. I don't really understand why this happens, but it seems to happen to more people than just me. For those of you unfamiliar with the waddle, imagine how godzilla walks in a sideways weight shifting type of fashion. Insert red hair and pale skin - and now you've got the visual of me. The feminine walk with one foot in front of the other is gone (hopefully just temporarily) and replaced with this godzilla walk/waddle.

I have also noticed that my increased appetite has caught some people by surprise. I have always been a breakfast girl, but it seems to have gotten to a whole new level.

waiter: turns to me What would you like?
kari: I'd like a strawberry crepe
waiter: Looks to brant for his order
kari: AND I'd like an english muffin
waiter: smiles at me and looks to brant for his order again
kari: AND I'd like a fruit bowl
waiter: chuckles and stares at me this time to be sure I am done ordering food
kari: I then attempt to awkwardly justify my order Sorry, I'm pregnant
waiter: laughs then turns to brant What would you like?
brant orders his one normal sized portion
waiter: turns back to me to verify that I am still done ordering
brant: once the waiter leaves, brant is laughing it is pretty obvious, you probably don't have to justify it

This weekend we went to a class on feeding multiples. It was (as expected) a bit overwhelming. This class was held at a different hospital, but we thought since there was a class especially catered to multiples, we should go. As the class begins, the instructor asks the 15-20 couples the following questions:

- Is there anyone here less than 24 weeks? I raise my hand but explain that I will be on bedrest soon and not able to attend classes later. I am the only one less than 24 weeks.
- Is everyone here delivering at this hospital? We raise our hands as we are delivering at a different hospital - we are the only ones.
- Is anyone here expecting more than two babies? We raise our hands again. We are the only ones expecting triplets, everyone else was expecting twins.

Needless to say, after answering her questions we stuck out even beyond the flaming orange hair that usually draws attention. The instructor did a good job of incorporating triplets into the information and we did learn a lot. Primarily we learned that we are going to be VERY busy for the first year or so but overall it will be very rewarding. We are thankful and excited to meet these little ones in ~4 months.

16 weeks: Flutters

This week brought another visit to the doctor which included an ultrasound. This ultrasound was intended to be a quick 'make sure everyone is ok' ultrasound but turned into a 30+ minute adventure in sorting out limbs, etc. For some reason, I envisioned the kids resting in their own section of an inverted triangle - but this is the just not the case (yet). Turns out that Alpha and Beta were together in the lower right region while Gamma was in the upper left region. It took the tech about ten minutes just to sort out who is who and where they all were. I heard the mission impossible theme in my head as she attempted to isolate each baby.

The heart beats all look good and everyone seems very active. Brant and I loved watching everyone move around as the tech struggled to identify limbs, brains, etc. Everyone is in the normal range for size although Gamma is now the biggest - perhaps because he found his own region to grow and thrive. Beta is now the smallest, leaving Alpha in the middle for size - but since they are all in the normal range - we are thrilled. The tech even switched on the 3D mode for the pictures although Gamma is the only one whose picture is an identifiable baby. Alpha and Beta were being shy and hiding so their pictures are the normal 2D.

My weight gain is going well. So far I have gained 20lbs!!! I never thought I would be excited to say that, but I really am. My goal is near 70-80lbs and I have been warned that in the third trimester it is especially hard to eat due to the amount of baby pushing on your stomach - so I must continue to eat, eat, eat. The nurse laughed at me because I was so excited about my weight gain - I imagine most people dread the weighing in part, but I embrace it :)

There was also some blood taken even though many of the standard genetic tests can't be done due to having multiples. This blood work (probably) involved crying, shaking and of course burrowing my head into Brant as I struggled through something most 5 year olds can handle - but I would never admit to it.

In the past week or two, I have been feeling some flutters in my belly. At first I just assumed it was gas/digestion because books and my resourceful friends tell me that you can't feel anything until 18+ weeks. However, as confirmed via the ultrasound, I can feel the occasional flutters in my belly. I think due to multiples I am on the 'fast track'. I can't feel every time they move or even 'what' body part is moving, but I can definitely feel something is going on. I describe it only as flutters, but it also tickles. Brant has also been able to hear gurgles in my belly and feel the occasional movement. So if in the next couple weeks we are in the middle of a conversation and I begin to giggle for no reason, it is probably because they kids are tickling me.

15 weeks: Pants are overrated

A while ago I read on some website that there is a whole missing market out there for expectant mother of multiples maternity wear. Upon reading this, my conclusion was dismissive and I assumed people expecting multiples just needed to buy larger clothing to account for the larger belly. Well, now I understand.

Early this week, I began to find my maternity pants (both styles, elastic band and full panel pouch) bought at week 9 uncomfortable. I began sagging these pants around the house like a teenage boy. By mid-week, I had abandoned the pants all together and resorted to Brant's boxers deciding that pants in general were overrated. It got so bad, that before heading off to my girlie crafting night with Keren and Nicole, Brant actually had to ask me if I was planning to wear pants (and he was serious). I knew this was a bad sign.

The final straw was when Brant and I went to breakfast (in public) and I had to hold my pants away from my belly the entire time we were eating. After this display of discomfort, Brant and I immediately went to find some new pants. I ended up buying the largest size they had at Macys with a nylon top and no band - which makes me wonder what will I wear in another couple months?!?! Will I just resort to a moo moo?

Another notable this week was when I sat on Brant's lap (in normal Kari fashion) except this time a huge sigh/groan was let out and it wasn't from me. I checked to see if Brant was exaggerating, and he wasn't! He was actually surprised at how much I weighed. I didn't believe him that my weight had changed THAT much. We both leapt with excitement over to the scale where it looks like I am continuing to gain appropriately. We will know for sure at our doctor appointment next week, but for now, I have a new form of torture - jumping on Brant's lap.