Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Sixteen weeks, sixteen pounds...and three healthy babies!

I have to say that these last few weeks I have been a lot less anxious about my pregnancy. :) It's been great... and I have actually begun to enjoy my pregnancy with our precious triplets!
Going into my doctors appointment today - I tried to remain calm. Tried being the main word in that sentence. We took my blood pressure before going in...and of course, it was elevated. But still... I wasn't stressing over it.
I got called back for weight (gained four pounds!!), blood pressure & urine specimen (which if that had come any later I probably would have created a small flood in the waiting room!). When the lady took my bp, she didn't say anything...so I assumed that it was high. I asked if it was elevated...and she was like, a little but it's actually not bad. :) Everyone in that office probably could see my grin. The top number was a little elevated... but considering what it's been the last two visits or so - it was great. Even Dr G & my nurse were impressed with the numbers.
Next came my office visit with Dr G. Can I just stop here and say that I love LoVe LOVE my doctor. :) He is seriously awesome. Anyways, Dr G came in...looked at my charts - said that he was pleased with my weight gain (16 pounds so far)...then we got to listen to babies!! We heard Baby C's heart beat pretty quickly, beating at 147-150bpm. He was searching for Baby B's heart when I told him that I had felt Baby A swimming around this past weekend. He looked at me - kinda like he didn't really believe that I had felt the babies moving this early. I pointed to where I had felt the baby move over the weekend - and as soon as he put the doppler to my finger...BOOM. Or should I say beat (around 160bpm that is!). :) I wanted to say, "told you so". Instead I just smiled. As did Dr G - saying, "Hm...I guess you did know where baby was!". Once again my heart beat is SO loud in my stomach - it's hard to pick up the babies. Baby B's heart beat was intertwined with mine. So I had Dr G check them all again. He then picked up Baby B loud and clear, ringing in at about 144bpm.
We were all very pleased at hearing all the babies heart beats - especially since we had such a scare two weeks ago. :) I love having a doctor who you can look at and just TELL that he enjoys his job - and who gets joy out of reassuring us that our babies are doing well. When he finds a heart beat - I think he enjoys it just as much as we do. Seriously...he just grins when he hears the heart's. *sigh*
Dr G says that everything looks good - and that I am at the "calm" stage of my pregnancy. He said that my blood pressure should start going down for the second trimester (which it has), that I'm not really at risk for pre-term labor, and that there isn't much risk of miscarriage either. :) All in all, he really put my mind at ease.
Unfortunately, we do not get to see Baby Genitals for another FOUR weeks. Can you see me pouting from here? I was really pulling for two weeks - but Dr G is a firm believer in 20 weeks. That's when we had our ultrasound with Lilly. BUT the way I see it - at least if we wait a whole month...they will be more developed, and we'll have a better chance at getting a peek.
However... I do have another appointment in two weeks. But Dr G isn't going to be in the office - so I am seeing a nurse practitioner, T. :) We saw her once during my last pregnancy, and I really really liked her!! In fact, I might have actually considered seeing her as my primary provider - BUT - she doesn't deliver. BUT she has an ultrasound machine in her exam room. :) And let me just tell you that this lady LOVES to look at babies. So I am fairly certain that when she finds out that there are THREE babies in there, she is going to want to play. So here's to hoping that the Smith Babies want to show their junk! :) At least let Mommy & Daddy catch a glance!!! We shall see.
God is so good...and Clif and I are both SOOOO thankful for the wonderful report today. We are just that much closer to meeting our little ones face to face.
OH...Dr G told me today that they would be monitoring the growth of the babies, and that as long as everything goes well - he will let me go between 36-38 weeks. However, he thinks I probably will go sooner than that. He also told me that I have approximately eight more weeks left of work before he takes me out. Which, it freaks me out a little... but I'm expecting it. So that's okay. :)
Well...American Idol is recording on the DVR - waiting to be watched. Yes... I admit... I'm an American Idol fan. :) So loving Casey & James!!
Hope everyone is having a great week!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Tomorrow = 16 weeks

First of all - here is a picture of the bump from last week, week 15 :)





So tomorrow I will be exactly sixteen weeks. I really can't believe that I have made it this far. I feel guilty for doubting that I'd make it this far. I know that God is with me all the way...

We also have a doctors appointment tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 :) One second I'm excited... and in the next, I'm nervous.

I guess I'm nervous because of what happened the last time. *sigh* I feel "great" (< as great as any woman 16 weeks pregnant with triplets can feel). I honestly think our babies are fine... but I know I'll feel so much better after I really KNOW. That's sounds crazy when I actually write it down. ha!

Anyways...so if you have a second, please say a quick prayer for me, the three Skittle's & Clif too - as we go to our doctors appointment tomorrow.

Also - please pray for a friend, R, who is going in early tomorrow morning for her c-section. Please pray that Mama and Baby H both do well. :) Good luck, praying for you guys!!!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

calm my ANXIOUS heart

Let me start off by saying that I have one of the greatest church families in the world. No lie. Our group may be small, but we are close knit…and everyone is so caring and loving. Clif and I have truly been blessed to be part of such an amazing church.



Last night after our Wednesday night Bible study, one of the ladies gave me a gift. After getting home and looking at it – it was a book. One that I had never heard of… but I have to admit, it was like the title fit my life. :)


I started reading this book today on my lunch break…and well, I’ll just tell you all about it :) The book you ask?


“Calm My Anxious Heart” by: Linda Dillow


“WOW” is all that I can say. I am currently nineteen pages into the book, and already – I have been blessed!

As you all know – since becoming pregnant with triplets, my heart has been very anxious. Along with every other part of my body. And reading those first few pages of this book, I have been shown some things that I need to start working on. Especially to make it through the coming months, until my babies are here safe with me.

In the opening pages, the author, Linda Dillow writes these words…
“At all times, in all circumstances, Christ is able and willing to provide the strength we need to be content. Contentment occurs when Christ’s strength is infused into my weak body, soul and spirit.” (Phil. 4:13)
I want to be content. I need to be content. I need to do something to calm the anxiety constantly rising inside of me. In my heart.


The thing that hit me the hardest had to be the story told of the two monks…


“I need oil,” said an ancient monk, so he planted an olive sapling. “Lord,” he prayed, “it needs rain that it’s tender roots may drink and swell Send gentle showers.” And the Lord sent gentle showers. “Lord,” prayed the monk,“my tree needs sun. Send sun, I pray thee.” And the sun shone, gilding the dripping clouds. “Now frost my Lord,to brace it’s tissues,” cried the monk. And behold, the little tree stood sparkling with frost. But at evening it died.


Then the monk sought the cell of a brother monk, and told his strange experience. “I, too, planted a tree,” he said, “and see!It thrives well. But I entrust my tree to it’s God. He who made it knows better what it needs than a man like me. I laid no condition.I fixed not ways or means.” ‘Lord, send what it needs,’ I prayed, ‘ storm or sunshine, wind, rain, or frost. Thou has made it and Thou dost know.”



Linda says:


“I had failed to make God my trust because I tried too hard. You may be like me or you may be at the other
end of the spectrum. You fail to make God your trust by default. Your life is out of control, so you give up.”


“We miss God. We miss His infusion of strength that leads to contentment”


I have found that maybe I shouldn’t be praying… “God…will you do this? And will you do it this way – and by this time?” But instead, “God… I am putting these babies completely in your hands.” I don’t need to lay conditions. God made these babies that are growing inside of me… and He knows what they need. And He knows the outcome of their little lives. He knows…and I just need to let Him control things.

Monday, March 21, 2011

fourteen...a few days late :)

Ahhh...finally! We reach the third trimester. :) Actually, I'm a little late getting this post out.lol. I'll be fifteen weeks on Wednesday. I cannot believe how quickly this pregnancy seems to be going.
For the most part - I feel great. My blood pressure remains manageable. And believe it or not - it is much lower when I up on my feet and active. :) Which makes me happy. I tend to get tired by mid afternoon, and back aches are starting. But I welcome it all. Oh, and did I mention heart burn?? It's horrible. I can literally drink a bottle of water and get heart burn. ha! I remember this with Lilly too... I had heart burn from about 10 weeks all the way until the day of delivery - and then, boom. It was gone.
As I said in my last post, I gained five pounds in two weeks. CANNOT believe that. Before we found out that we were having multiples - I had only planned on gaining twenty pounds. That went out the window!! So far, at almost fifteen weeks, I've gained about ten pounds. It's a little depressing. BUT I have to tell you all that I went to buy new maternity pants yesterday (for work!) and I am still in the same size pants as I was BEFORE I got pregnant. THAT made me very happy. The majority of the weight I have gained has been gained in my tummy (all baby...grow babies grow!) and in higher regions. :)
Well...just wanted to give a quick little update on how things are going. Clif and I go back to see Dr G on March 30th, and then hopefully two weeks after that we will know the sex of our little Skittle's. SO SO SO excited about finding out. I feel like I will finally be able to start planning and decorating. Before I was really feeling two girls and a boy... but now I am HOPING for two boys and a girl. Only time will tell...
Thank you all so much for your continued prayer for me, babies, and for Clif too! :) Speaking of prayer, if you think of it... please say a prayer for a blogger friend of mine - Annette. She lost her second baby a few days ago, "Little Bee". Annette and her hubby suffered the loss of their beautiful little daughter, Valentina, just a short time ago. I can't imagine the pain that they are feeling as of now. :( Love ya, Annette!!


Thursday, March 17, 2011

talk about a scare...

So my precious Skittle's gave Mommy and Daddy a bit of a scare this afternoon. >.&lt;

Dr G came in, and (you guessed it) I was laying on my left side. Of course my blood pressure was high when they finally called me back. But once again, my urine revealed no protein...so we're good.

He had me roll over on my back so we could take a listen...and a fell. Ouch! I'm sore. Dr G says it's not time to start measuring me yet - BUT that  I have grown considerably in the last two weeks (I should have! I gained five pounds!!!). My uterus is now almost even with my belly button. :) Growing babies. So he took out the doppler - and of course, my heart beat dominated over A,B & C's. We finally heard Baby A's - and possibly Baby B's (

We lucked out and she was between appointments so they hurried me in and up onto the table. Dr G went with me, which at first freaked me out - but then made me feel better. Lights went out, and tada! Three babies (that actually look like babies now!!) and three little beating hearts. Thank you God!! Dr G says that they all appear to be about the same size - and that fluid levels are normal for this stage in pregnancy. Ah, what a relief to see my little ones after four long weeks.

Dr G also set my mind at ease about the blood pressure. It really hasn't been super high - in fact, they say that they don't really worry about the bottom number until it reaches high 90s - into the hundreds. And he also said that it normally doesn't become a problem until the third trimester. :) So I do feel better about that.

All in all - it was a really good appointment (aside from the scare and barely missed melt down!). We go back to see Dr G in two weeks and hopefully two weeks after that we will know the sex of the Skittle's.

Clif seems to think (actually swears) that Baby A is a boy. Only time will tell. When we saw them today - Baby A was punching my insides. CANNOT wait until I can feel that little boxer move!! :)

Well, that's all for now... just wanted to give everyone a quick update on how things went!! Hope everyone has a good rest of the week, and a great weekend.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

13w4d

:) Not much change in belly size since last week - or at least, I can't really tell. Please continue to pray for the growth of our little ones & the health of Mommy (aka me!). Ligament pains are better most days, and then other days they are twice as bad. Learned that my friend having the twins is experiencing the same pains - so at least I know I'm not alone, and going completely crazy!
Clif and I have our next appointment with Dr G on this coming up Thursday - I plan on discussing the flu shot & a high risk doctor, if necessary.
Well...that's all I've got this morning. We're off to church! God bless...

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

minor melt down :)

So I might have had a minor melt down yesterday. Well… it actually started the day before yesterday. With this pregnancy, I’m going to be on pins and needles until these babies are here…safe in my arms. Naturally!

But the night before last I started feeling like I was walking with a bowling ball between my legs. Literally! I was SO uncomfortable. The bottom of my stomach felt like it weighed a ton…and I had little shooting pains in my sides. I really didn’t feel any pressure… but I did feel pressure. If that even makes sense.

So after an afternoon and night of worry, yesterday morning I decided to call my doctors office and speak with my nurse, “J”. I’m pretty sure that I’ve mentioned J before – because she went through a very similar situation with a previous pregnancy of hers. She has even told me on several occasions that when she was pregnant with her son, she was afraid to go to the bathroom for nine months. So sad. ANYways…all that to say, I really like my nurse. She’s awesome… and seems to really care. I had to leave a message for her – but she called me back within like fifteen minutes. As soon as she asked me what was going on – I started to tear up. I just couldn’t help it! I explained to her the feelings in my stomach. She asked if I had been cramping. No. Had I been spotting or bleeding? Nope. She then asked if my “pain” (for lack of better word) was “V” shaped. Actually, yes… it is kind of. It starts at the low part of my sides and goes under my belly – right down to my pubic bone. J says that she is almost certain that it’s ligament growth/stretching pains.

And ya know… I remember having them with Lilly. BUT they came MUCH later in my pregnancy. And I guess it never crossed my mind… I just automatically think something is wrong. Nurse J reminded me that things will start happening a lot sooner this time – because, as Dr S put it, I’m having three pregnancies. I’m 13 weeks pregnant as of today – I don’t remember feeling this until at LEAST 20 weeks with Lilly, possibly father along than that!! Duh! I feel so dumb calling Dr G’s office every time I have a little ache or pain… but like I told J yesterday, I’m freaking out… ALL the time. It’s just how it’s going to be.


That’s something that I’ve come to terms with. I would have been stressed with a single pregnancy. I was stressed at the mention of TWO pregnancies… and I’m afraid they all but lost me at three. Okay, it’s not that bad. It’s just that I’m worry wart anyways. Before all of this pregnancy stuff came about. Before I got pregnant… before I got married. I’m just one of those people that worry about things that they can’t control. Ever been like that??

I know and believe with all of my heart that God gave us these three babies… and no matter what happens – they will be used for Him. He has a purpose for those little lives, and I cannot wait to find out what His purposes are.

Well…I have had a hard time finding the energy to update my blog as often as I used to. As often as I’d like to. I fear that people that are going to think that this blog, created out of heartache is turning into a pregnancy blog. Not really the case… it’s just my life. My journey. I think that’s why I titled it “Journey to Motherhood”… because it has been a journey… and continues to be. I find it very easy to share my heart here – oddly enough, with *mostly* complete strangers. But I like it. It’s therapeutic. It really has been a huge help in my healing process.

Anyway… since I haven’t been updating like I want – I want to leave you all with a few prayer requests. Most of these requests are for friends of mine that are also expecting little bundles of joy… but a few are not :)

~R – who is expecting twin girls in July.
~R – who is expecting a little girl, any day!
~K – who is expecting a little one September 15th – the day after me!
~B – who is expecting a little one towards the end of September – just a week & 1 day after me!
~A – A blogger friend who is expecting…not sure when. I think she is about 6 weeks pregnant?
~A – my best friend that is 28 weeks pregnant with a baby boy, due on June 2nd. My wedding anniversary!
~C – a girl that works at the same company as me… who is currently 8 weeks pregnant?
~And as always, please continue to pray for my health and the wellbeing of our three little ones. That God would grow them like they need to grow – and that they will be here in a few short months, live and healthy :)


I am SURE that I missing some people in there – and if I forgot you, please forgive me!! My brain cells are going out the window faster and faster these days!!! And now some other requests…


~Please pray that if it be God’s will that He may open the door up to a day time position where Clif works. The job that he applied & interviewed for fell through :) Which is okay – we take that as God telling us that it wasn’t time yet.
~Please pray for a friend, “A”. She is having some physical problems – and the doctors just can’t seem to get it together. No one knows where the problems lies, and this has been going on since she was pregnant with her little boy :(

Sunday, March 6, 2011

name that baby!

So it's 9:02pm...and I'm eating Wendy's Chili. Not very smart - huh? I actually already had heartburn from the Baked Spaghetti that my mom cooked for lunch.Oh well... what's done is done - if I puke, I puke. :)
The morning started off pretty good today... slept in with my hubby (he had to work last night and didn't get home until about 7:00 this morning!). Got up, ate some breakfast (1/2 bagel & strawberries...YUM) and then got ready and headed out to church.
After church I headed to Mom's house for lunch. When I got there I checked my blood pressure, and it was slightly elevated (though - thinking about it, I HAD just walked up their stairs). Anyway... I got it to come down with just sitting, but it was still higher than I like. So after I finished up there, I headed home to crawl back into bed with Clif and take a nap. :) An hour and a half did me good... and I got up feeling somewhat refreshed. My blood pressure has been pretty good since, mainly because I have been laying around on the couch.
I know I'm probably starting to sound paranoid...and people probably think I'm ridiculous for checking my blood pressure every two seconds... BUT...I think that I have reason. And I think that I am going to have to accept that my bp isn't going to stay 120/75 like I want it to :) Because I have a LOT going on inside me. Three babies is bound to get the bp up a little, right?
Well...with only six weeks or so before finding out what our little Skittles are, we have started to throw around some baby names! It's been fun... and we've settled completely on three girl names - which I will not disclose at this time. Ha! But we've only come of with TWO boy names, one of which I'm not really sold on.
All the names that we have chosen so far start with an "E"... anyone have any suggestions for boy names starting with "E"?
We have also decided on nursery colors, no matter the sex of the babies. :) We will be using a pale green (the same color that we originally painted Lilly's room) and brown. This way if we have girls we can incorporate pink, and if we have boys we can incorporate blue. I figure it's a win win...and that way we can go ahead and get started on things NOW while I am still mostly mobile.
OH! Something cool that happened...Clif recently ran into a nurse from RMH (the hospital where Lilly was born) and recognized her as one of the very few nurses that were kind to me on the floor they moved me to after my c-section. He said that she had taken care of me while recovering from a csection, and she argued saying that I would have recovered on the Labor & Delivery floor (which she does not work on). Clif explained to her that our daughter had been born still, and that the doctors had moved me of the L&D floor. She asked my name, and when Clif told her "Desiree"...she immediately remembered me. And our story. AND she even told Clif the room number that I was in during my stay on her floor. Weird? Anyways...she was really excited as Clif told her that we are expecting triplets in September. :) She went on sharing the news with other nurses...and I'm sure that word leaked to the Maternity Ward.
SO many people have made it known that they are thinking of, and more importantly, PRAYING for us and the babies. And I cannot even begin to tell you how much this means to Clif and I.
Currently I am at peace. I know that whatever comes - God is in control of it all :) I believe that His intent is to bless us...more than we have been already. Oh, are we blessed. And though I am a bit worried about my bp, and the whole idea of carrying three babies...I know that in the end, everything will work out as it should. My God is watching over me. He has plans for my life... and those plans do not include harm towards me.
God is so good...we are blessed...

                                                            ....and I'm sleepy :) Goodnight!

Friday, March 4, 2011

12w2d



I really plan to take at least one picture per week :) I want to document everything about this pregnancy that I can... and when carrying multiples...size is a big part of that!
So I'm 12 weeks and headed full speed for the second trimester. And SO thankful to be there. Though it doesn't even begin to calm my nerves completely - it's like I have just crossed an invisible line. I made it to twelve weeks! I don't know...may sound stupid... but it made me feel good.
At twelve weeks, I have gained between 2-4 1/2 pounds (I think). Dr G told me that I should only gain a few pounds in the first trimester - so I feel a little accomplished there.
Clif and I are continuing to trust God with this pregnancy. :) Will keep you all posted.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

short & sweet

I am exhausted and it's been a very hectic last few days with work and such :) But I wanted to update and say that my appointment with Dr G went very well yesterday.
He didn't change my blood pressure medication - he was pretty well satisfied with how it had been running. :) Except yesterday. *laugh* Of course, I have "white coat syndrome" when it comes to any type of doctor. So my bp was up a little when we finally were called back. They sent me to the exam room and had me lie on my left side - and literally two minutes later, Dr G came in and took it again. It was perfect. He told me to go ahead and roll over on my back so we could "take a listen" to the babies. When I rolled over - Dr G was like, wow...you've gotten a lot bigger since I saw you last. I just felt like saying - oh thanks!
It was semi difficult to pick up the heart beats, number one because I'm only twelve weeks - and there are three of them in there. And secondly - when he stuck the doppler to my tummy, MY heart beat was super loud. :) We heard Baby B & C pretty good, and A was a little harder to hear because s/he likes to hide down by my pubic bone. I heard a very faint something, and Dr G was very confident that it was the third heart beat. He says that everything looks good... and he wants to see me again in two weeks.
Crazy thing... he showed me where my "fundus" is (the top of the uterus) is. At twelve weeks - it's normally about an inch or two above the pubic bone. MINE is about an inch and a half below my BELLY BUTTON. Really? ha!
Clif and I are so grateful - and praising God for yet another good report. We are so blessed to be given three precious babies.

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