22 weeks: Pardon my belly, it moves on its own

This week we had our second (and final) comprehensive/anatomical ultrasound. The wonderful news is that everyone seems to be ok. This time the appointment only lasted about an hour as the first ultrasound tech did such a great job capturing most of the needed views. At this appointment, they have permanently assigned the babies to a specific letter. So now (and going forward) - Alpha is at the bottom, Beta is on the left and Gamma is on the right. They will be monitoring their individual growth from here on out. At this point, the babies can't rearrange themselves amongst each other but still have plenty of room to flip around within my belly. In fact, Gamma made a point of doing this several times during the ultrasound.

They estimated the weights of the babies to be Alpha 1lb 6oz, Beta 1lb 3oz and Gamma 1lb 1oz. This puts the babies into the 94th, 62nd, and 37th percentile for growth of a singleton baby thus far - great news! The doctor said my goal is to get to 35/36 weeks. I just know that in a couple more weeks, Brant is going to need a wheelbarrow to haul me around anywhere. I have about three hours of energy a day, the rest of the day I spend either laying on my side or sleeping. I am usually such an antsy person, but now my full time job is growing babies and my body seems to need lots of rest. The doctor also mentioned that I need to eat as much as possible. I guess we are in the prime weight gaining period. The time before the babies get so big that I can't eat - so I am trying to fully embrace this and partake in ice cream often.

While resting one afternoon (all I pretty much do anymore) I was feeling some pretty strong movement. Upon examining my belly, for the first time I could see it move when someone was playing. It is a little bit awkward to get used to, reminds me a bit of those alien movies, but overall it cracks me up. Also, Brant was able to experience a 'power kick' which he later described as a similar feeling to that of a reflex test to ones knee - these kids seem strong. Beta and Gamma like to kick when I am squishing them by laying on their side, but unfortunately I can't lay on my back or my stomach so someone has to be squished. This leads to a lot of flipping throughout the night, poor Brant - he keeps getting less and less of the bed.

21 weeks: Big girl

Do you remember the commercial from the 90's - where the little girls sing 'I'm a big girl now'. I think it was for pullups of some sort, anyway, I have been hearing that song in my head all week.

The week started with an infant care class at our hospital. The information was a semi-useful and we left with an abundance of handouts. I must admit though, if we have a question about something we will likely consult with our friends and family before sorting through this ream of paper not knowing if our answer is even to be found. What was most fascinating at the class for me was the size of the other expecting moms. All were due in April except me but I have to say, I definitely held my own when it came to belly size. While there were some people bigger than me, there were also some smaller. When I said I was due in July - several looked shocked....that is of course until I said we were expecting triplets, then they just looked horrified. I have grown to appreciate this response - it cracks me up. Brant and I are so excited to meet our little ones (but not too soon).

Brant began to notice a pile of socks in the living room. Turns out that each night while resting, the tightness of my socks around my calves got to be too much and I would take off my socks and throw them into a pile. While hysterically laughing at the idea, Brant suggested that we go to get some 'bigger socks'. I resigned myself to the need for 'big girl socks' and our pursuit began over the weekend. Even men's socks are too tight. While I'm sure the size of my calves has increased, I really think the problem is that my body is trying to circulate so much blood these days that any tightness is extremely uncomfortable when it previously wouldn't have bothered me. At costco we settled on some anklet socks therefore eliminating the outstanding question of the socks fitting too tightly on my calves. Soon enough it will be flip flop season and then socks will no longer be needed. phew!

My final 'big girl' experience this week came when sitting in a chair at Nicole's house. A chair I have sat in for years, a chair that has never wooed or whined when I previously sat onto it....until now. Upon sitting in this chair and only shifting my weight slightly to save Nicole's phone from Peter a leg of the chair gave way. Not slightly, not cracked, but totally gave in and split all the way through. I was devastated but laughing too hard to cry. Who knew that when inviting me over these days, you must not only prepare for the large quantity of food that I consume, but now you must also test out your furniture to verify it can withstand 'big girl kari' :)

20 Weeks: New job

What a week! My body has begun showing the signs of wear from sustaining four people. I have developed a couple of minor infections including a gum tumor and several bloody noses. All of which will go away after delivery - so they are nothing I can't deal with for several more months. As far as complications go, I would take these over other issues anyday - all mangeable. We even had our first trip to the emergency room, but thankfully everyone is ok. After all of the above, my doctor decided that it was time for me to go on bedrest. I have a new full time job: growing babies. We really need to get these kids to June and the hope is by resting and eating as my primary tasks, the kids will continue to grow big and strong. So far I have gained 33lbs - which coincidentally is the average weight gain for a singleton pregnancy - but I am only 20 weeks!

After the news of my imminent bedrest as we were leaving the doctors office, I was so thrown off by no longer officially working that I apparently decided to lose my cell phone in the medical building. Thankfully, the woman who found it called 'mom home' and then Brant was able to go back to the medical building and get my phone. Phew! That would not have been fun. Thankfully, since my phone is held together with tape, I'm sure the woman realized that it was worth nothing to anyone but the owner. Either way, I owe that woman flowers on my next doctor visit.

I believe we have a triangle! While the kids still seem to overlap a bit it seems that they have finally reached the inverted triangle as expected. Alpha is at the bottom, while Gamma is on my left and Beta is on my right. They can still move around within their areas, but the days of reordering themselves is probably up, they are just getting too big.

Up until now, I have been feeling Beta move primarily. According to the ultrasound tech, Beta is in the front of his sac while Gamma and Alpha are in the back. This explains why I primarily feel Beta moving. Beta's movement has been gentle tickles but enough for Brant and me to feel, which is fun.

I imagine Alpha will demand the most cuddling once born due to his squished nature at the bottom right now, he is getting used to tighter spaces and will likely want to be held and swaddled endlessly - we are excited!

Ohh Gamma. While Brant and I were watching a superhero action movie this weekend, I began feeling what I can only describe as bubbles popping in my belly. After several more 'bubbles' I realized this is Gamma punching, kicking or stretching. When the movie was over Brant and I were discussing this new movement which feels much harder than Beta so far - and Brant suggested that maybe Gamma is a super hero and was practicing fighting off the bad guys like in the movie. Then the following morning when I flipped off of my left side (where Gamma is) I felt a bunch of movement from him too. I guess that was Gamma kicking Brant out of bed!

19 weeks: Top ten list

Top ten things I didn't appreciate enough before getting pregnant:

10. Considering style before comfort. These days it is not about WHAT I look like, but HOW comfortable it is. Those stilettos will see daylight again, just maybe not for another 6-9 months.

9. Walking at a brisk pace. Spending time in Boston, my walking pace definitely increased from the west coast days. I have recently become 'that person' that is walking so slow in a crowd. People occasionally huff at me when walking by. In the future, I will probably huff a little quieter when there is someone walking slow in front of me.

8. Clumsiness. I don't know if it is a balance thing but I have apparently decided to drop things more often than normal as of late. Most recently I decided to toss the brita water jug from the counter (and yes, for those of you wondering - dropping it onto wood floors does cause it to crack and spill everywhere. luckily, easily replaced).

7. Leaning over. Something as simple as washing my face has become more of an adventure. I find myself doing a squat in order to lower myself to the sink level. Bending at the waist just doesn't happen anymore. I guess I am getting some exercise this way.

6. Sitting at a desk. Besides my inability to focus, which is a whole separate issue - I have recently discovered that my belly doesn't fit under my desk anymore. Slouching has become crucial just to get near enough to the desk. Of course Brant reminds me that I could just lower the chair, but that would be too obvious.

5. Symmetry. I don't know if this happens to every pregnant person, but the symmetry of my belly definitely changes daily. Sometimes when looking down at my belly there is a serious slope. I can't remember the last time I saw my belly button in the middle of my belly - let alone into it.

4. Reaching my feet. When did my feet get so far away? I have a whole new appreciation for putting on socks. Especially those tight fitting knee-hi socks for those cold winter months. I find I have to turn my leg sideways just to get to my foot. Soon enough, I probably won't be able to see my feet at all - then maybe it won't matter if I have socks on. Thankfully - I have slip on sneakers - phew!

3. Incontinence. I have a new found sympathy for those with long term incontinence. I find myself visiting the restroom at least every two hours. Alpha (who seems to be resting on my bladder) and I have discussions about how during the middle of the night I prefer to only wake up once for this purpose - sometimes he goes along with this plan, but most nights he doesn't. We have discussed prioritizing this visit in return for the prompt visit upon waking up as scheduled in the am. Currently we are still under negotiations.

2. My lap. I never realized how much I used my lap, until I had less of it. Something as simple as resting a plate on my lap is no longer as convenient as it once was. My lap is so much further away and includes a decent sized obstacle when food is travelling from lap to mouth. Maybe there should be bibs for pregnant woman instead of just babies.

1. Squeezing by. Gone are the days of squeezing by someone in a crowd. I have found that turning sideways does almost nothing for my attempt to fit through a tight space. I do find it an entertaining game to run into Brant with my belly while still being several inches away from him everywhere else. He hysterically responds, 'Well hello family'.

Obviously no actual complaints, but these are just things that make me chuckle throughout the day when I run into them. Still growing/eating and trying to get as big as possible. My new goal is to make Brant's eyes water when I sit on his lap. Still just getting a whimper - but I have several more months to accomplish this goal.

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.