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.