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.

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?