14 weeks: Princess mode

This week at our doctor appointment there was no ultrasound just measuring, weighing, listening for heartbeats etc. I gained 7 pounds in 17 days - which is great. When expecting multiples, your goal is to always gain as much weight as possible. The bigger you get, the bigger the babies will get - this is the mantra I am trying to embrace. The doctor even questioned me as to if I really gained THAT much weight - but it was their scale - so I have to assume so. Brant was thrilled that I gained so much, but of course reminded me that I had a lot more to go.

There was a measurement of my belly - which was 18, not sure what is normal but he seemed fine with it. I asked what the 18 means and he said, "for 14 weeks, 18 means you are pregnant with more than one baby" and then chuckled. I have another appointment in 2 weeks (apparently I am on the every other week plan) and I get another ultrasound then.

I have been warned previously not to lift anything over 5 pounds, but I thought now that I was officially in my second trimester maybe it would increase a bit. Of course I am not doing any actual lifting around the house (Brant can attest to this) but just the occasional grocery bag or taking the trash out. I would like to feel useful occasionally. So I asked about the weight I can lift telling him that originally I was told 5 pounds. He questioned why I would lift anything and suggested I could only lift my medical chart. Then with a large grin on his face he said, "for you - 7 pounds". As though it was a treat to be lifting 2 more pounds. Anyway, I guess I am permanently in princess mode.

During the weekend, Brant and I went to a tour of the maternity ward at UofC. We had to do this tour early as we have been warned that bed rest could be mandated as early as 18 weeks for me. While it was great to see the process and standard path people will take, I left slightly discouraged as our experience will be very different than most. We were told that during delivery we would have at least two medical professionals per baby/mom (~8-10 people). Brant just pointed out that it meant we were 'special' and we would create our own path. We have never been good at following the rules anyway :)

13 weeks: Hibernation

This week brought on some of the craziest weather I have ever experienced. Well, to say I experienced it might be a stretch, I watched it from inside the 75 degree house. I ended up hibernating inside for several days while the temperature reached into the -30's with the windchill. Thankfully my job doesn't force me to commute in such ridiculous temperatures. Brant was a trooper adventuring to work each day through snow, ice and even a blizzard.

The weekend brought more moderate temperatures...who would have thought that temperatures in the 20's seemed like a treat. Our week ended in a power outage (even though there was no wind). Brant realized that our refrigerator food was safer outside than inside our house since we weren't sure how long our power would be out. This type of temperature is just something you don't experience in Seattle.

On Monday, I went shopping at the Marrone Pregnancy Store. Nicole loaned out everything I could possibly need in the next several months including tons of maternity clothes, pregnancy books, a pregnancy pillow and even clothes from her friend Maddie. I have so many different outfits to choose from I don't even know where to start. I realize though my excuse for wearing pajamas all the time has dissipated with this accumulation - probably a good thing :)

Overall I have had a little bit less nausea but am still exhausted pretty much all the time. Brant thinks this is because I am not eating enough - I think it is because I spend all my time eating. Surely this debate will continue.

12 weeks: First UofC visit

This week we went into our first appointment with our new Maternal Fetal Specialist (aka high risk doctor). After some research of available doctors, Brant called to make us an appointment and we ended up with our #1 preferred doctor. A doctor who is listed as the top Maternal/Fetal doctor in Chicago (one of five and the only one covered by our insurance) in Chicago magazine. We were SO excited to get this doctor!

At our appointment we started off with an ultrasound. As it had been three weeks since our last ultrasound we were excited to see true baby-like little ones....and we did! All three were moving their arms and legs. Beta looked like he was doing The Robot dance. We were cracking up, but also astonished this was all happening inside of me. I can't feel anything going on, but it is crazy to know they are all having a jolly old time in there. I guess they should enjoy the space to move around while they have it. Gamma was refusing to conform to laying sideways for a typical profile shot and instead spent half the ultrasound simply showing us his foot and butt. All three heartbeats looked good and everything seems to be progressing well.

We then met with the dietitian who told us to focus more on Protein and Calcium then on overall caloric intake - citing that 4000 calories wasn't realistic. I was SO relieved to find out that I wasn't the only person to have trouble with the high caloric intake. We also learned that cooked unpasteurized cheeses were fine for me to eat. I started dreaming of baked goat cheese and don't remember the rest of the meeting. We left with several suggestions and ideas for meals. Luckily I have one of the best chefs making meals, I am very fortunate :)

Next we met with the nurse, physician's assistant and doctor - who were all super nice. We found out that our doctor himself has triplets who are college aged. He was excited for us and very optimistic. We came with a list of questions and he answered most of them just while having our preliminary discussion. It was so nice to have a doctor who knows our situation well.

After a long day at the doctor we were hungry and went to dinner in Hyde Park. Where you ask? Medici, the closest place that had baked goat cheese, of course. I think Brant got a bite or two, but I can't be sure. I do love my baked goat cheese.

note: Brant and I don't know the gender - nor do we plan to find out - so any reference to gender is just for simplicity sake.

11 weeks: Happy New Year!

We finished out our holiday excursions travelling from Kentucky to Indianapolis and finally back home to Chicago. 2009 is going to be an exciting year for us so we are just trying to enjoy each day and week as it comes knowing it will all go by so fast.

I finally broke down and bought some maternity tops. Although Nicole has supplied me with ample tops (and bottoms), I didn't think I would need them while travelling and had only been wearing maternity pants from week 9 on. When my belly began hanging out from my top, I knew it was time. I have to admit, it was nice to give in to wearing these tops. I look pregnant and no longer like a very plump apple. Occasionally I still find it entertaining to wear a normal top as there are inches of belly exposure. It always makes me laugh and feel like we are making good progress to our goal of exponential belly expansion.

10 weeks: Annoucements

We wanted to tell our families that we were expecting in person - or as many people as we could. Since we were going to Seattle, Indianapolis and Kentucky this week, we thought this time made sense. Since we weren't able to tell Ragan and Christina in person, we mailed them a card and were on the phone with them while they opened it.

Overall people were excited. Some people suspected we were pregnant, but no one guessed triplets (of course this includes us).

Christmas eve also marked my first time of getting sick and no, it wasn't because of Kelly's delicious blackberry pie. I still blame it on chocking on a vitamin but did manage to make a mess. Sorry about the carpet, sheets, towels and clothes Kelly and Rob. Glad to know the evidence has been removed from the scene.

9 weeks: Graduation

During our third ultrasound appointment 12/16, the tech was unable to get all three babies into one picture and had to do a split screen to get a picture of everyone at once. Already?!? Turns out Gamma wasn't interested in being near Alpha and Beta and decided to wonder off. In this ultrasound we can start to see a baby-like embryo - enough to see Beta is happily resting upright while Alpha has decided that upside down is the most comfortable position. Gamma was bunched up in a way we couldn't really identify the position. Perhaps all those times that Kelly and I hung upside down from the spiral staircase wasn't just because we were odd, but because it was hereditary.

After chatting with our doctor for a while, he decided it would be best for us to find a specialist for High Risk pregnancies. The average triplets are born under 4 pounds and at 32 weeks. Keeping in mind that both Brant and I were over 10lbs when born, I am not interested in being average. We are officially due 7/21 but instead setting our goal to be delivering in June rather than May and trying to get these kids up to 5lbs. I'm not sure how realistic these goals are - but you gotta shoot for something, right? The bigger the babies get and longer they stay inside, the better. I say that now, but you might need to remind me of that when I get so big I can't physically move. Our doctor suggested that home arrest (I mean bed rest) could start as early as 18 weeks. The bed rest is intended to help everyone grow as big as possible.

In the meantime we learned that I should be eating ~4000 calories a day! Think about that, think about how much food that is. First thoughts, that sounds great, second thoughts, is that even possible? To gain up to 80lbs as a vegetarian. Can you get fat on fruit?

We headed to Seattle to begin our xmas travels of three states in so many weeks. While into hour 2 of the 4+ hour continually turbulent plane ride, I NEEDED to go to the bathroom. I asked the flight attendant of the odds of the seatbelt light turning off and she seemed hesitant. I gave her my serious 'Kari eyes' and asked what I was supposed to do because I really had to go. She said she couldn't tell me I could go but also couldn't stop me if I went 'at my own risk'. I hesitated but then realized there was no option. While making my way to the back of the plane avoiding the nasty glares of those passengers in my same predicament, two flight attendants gave me a nasty look when I reached the bathroom. I went ahead and on my way out said, "Look, I'm pregnant - I had to go." This was my first public declaration that I was pregnant. Of course the instant I sat down they announced that no one should be out of their seats unless it was a medical emergency. I turned to Brant and suggested that a medical emergency is subjective, right?

8 weeks: I think I'm showing

As one would expect with triplets, everything that happens is magnified including the constant nausea and exhaustion (obviously totally worth it). We decided it was time to begin taking weekly belly shots so everyone far away can watch as my belly increases expontentially over time. This week, the largest part of my belly was already up to 35 inches.

As most triplets spend some time in a NICU, we knew it was important to be selective about our hospital. Thankfully we live in the third largest city in the country and have plenty of options. We toured the nearby hospital NICU and Brant went to tour the University of Chicago NICU. Turns out when you tell people you are having triplets, they are more than willing to give you a special tour. While at UofC, the nurse told Brant they were delivering two sets of triplets that day. All the sudden, we weren't THAT odd. After discussing the benefits of a nearby hospital versus a hospital 15 miles away but better resources/facilities, we decided to go University of Chicago as our hospital. If there was ever a time to sacrifice convenience, this was it.

7 weeks: Three heartbeats - it's official, triplets!

On 12/2 we went in for our second ultrasound to see how everyone was progressing and to see if C got a heartbeat. The tech was able to find a heartbeat for all three and with that Brant and I were officially expecting triplets!!! We were thrilled to see that everyone was growing appropriately. The tech named them A, B, and C. However at that point, seeing the heartbeats, Brant quickly renamed them Alpha, Beta and Gamma (the greek alphabet used to label stars). Gamma (C) is the smallest one but beyond that everyone can move around and reorder themselves - while there is still room.

Brant pointed out that I was 80% of the family now. I asked if that meant I could make up house rules as he was outnumbered - this didn't go very far. Something about how they weren't old enough to vote yet.

We ended up going to Indianapolis again this weekend. Brant, Bonnie, Chris and Di all went to the Colts game while Grace and I hung out painting and coloring. Of course there was a holiday party for Bonnie's work and of course it was at a brewery. At this point, after a third weekend of not drinking, we were sure Bonnie had caught on. Thankfully, nothing was said and we continued on with 'our little secret'.

6 weeks: How many?

We went in for our first ultrasound on 11/25. We were SO excited to find out if we were having one or two little ones. Brant saw it first - or should I say them(!). There were THREE black blobs, not one, not two, but three. We were able to see the heartbeat of two, but couldn't see the heartbeat of the third. The tech named them A, B, and C. The doctor warned us of a 'phantom twin' one that diminishes over time. So we arrived at our appointment wondering if we were having one or two and left wondering if we were having two or three - needless to say we were both shocked.

One night when trying to decide what to have for dinner we were gazing into the refrigerator hoping to be inspired. I have been so frustrated with nothing sounding good yet knowing I need to be eating far more than I was. I started crying because nothing sounded good to me. Brant burst out laughing while consoling me declaring "Oh my god, you are SO pregnant." It made me laugh too - perhaps I am already emotional.

Later that week we drove to Indianapolis and Kentucky for Thanksgiving. We had a lot to be thankful for, but just didn't know how much. During the drive with Bonnie, there were many bathroom breaks and two bags of cheetos consumed before noon. I think the last time I ate cheetos prior to this trip was 5 years ago - but all the sudden, I NEEDED them. Jason noticed that I was sleeping a lot while in Kentucky and asked if Brant was drugging me. I wanted to respond "I'm trying to grow babies, here" but reserved this response in exchange for my typical dig on a dislike of trivial pursuit.

4-5 weeks: Let's check that again

We went in for a blood test on November 13. Brant got a phone call with the results around lunch time which happened to occur when he was mid-sentence leading a Thunch Meeting. I made him repeat the positive result several times when he called to tell me. We were both SO excited and couldn't believe we were officially expecting! The nurse casually mentioned that my level was very high and I needed to get another test to make sure things were progressing appropriately. Turns out a good test result is above 50, mine was 675. Now, we didn't know the upper limit but my scientific husband pointed out that this had to be at the higher end of the range.

Two more blood tests confirmed that my levels were doubling appropriately every two days - which is great news. With continued high levels we began some internet research and discovered a trusty(?) website showing that my level was often in the range of those expecting twins(!). We began to prepare ourselves for the ultrasound results the following week.

In the meantime, we went to New York to celebrate Ragan completing his defense and becoming an official Phd. Normally I would be all over a trip to New York but this time I was pretty nervous. Eating had become a challenge which of course explained some of the exhaustion. We attempted to disguise the lack of my drinking at all of these three celebratory events as my feeling ill - I'm not so sure how far that cover went.