Heads Up Seven-Up ... or The Numbers Game

Hi Everyone!  I can't believe its been a few weeks since the last post.  Time seems to be going so fast these days, and the Lil' Ones aren't even here yet!  Lots of stuff has been going on... Sid went to LA last weekend to visit with family and help his Dad with an outpatient procedure.   Aaron turned 42... not normally a noteworthy event (especially after 30!), but turning 42 means that this is the year I get to meet our babies, so that is something worth looking forward to after a birthday !

On the Baby Growing front, some great things are happening.  As of today (7/28/11), we are closing out week #29, and heading into week #30 - WOW!!  Last week, Heidi had a doctor appointment where an ultrasound to check the heartbeats wound up showing some evidence that the babies were beginning to excercise their lungs - a GREAT sign.   Today, I was able to visit Sacramento for another "Level 2" ultrasound, where detailed measurements are taken of limbs, head, abdomin.   All measurements are looking good! (more on that in a second).   Heidi is looking wonderful, and in such good spirits.  I have to imagine if I had three babies bouncing on my bladder, and beating me up from inside at all hourse of the day, I would be WAY more cranky than she is... what a wonderful person she is!    Heidi and I were also able to go on a private tour of the hospital labor & delivery, as well as seeing the Nursery and NICU facilities.  It was more than a little eye-opening to hear the cries of newborns, and think that in a few weeks, our babies would be joining in the commotion!

From the Ultrasound, we found out that the Three Little Monkeys have been moving around a lot!  All three are now in Breech presentation (head-up).  The picture below shows all three heads in a row!  I wonder if they are conferring on how to get us wrapped around their little fingers as soon as possible?  (Little do they know, we are already there!)  I also can't help of them so close together like little "standing" passangers on a bus... holding on thru the bumps in the road.  Hopefully they don't "pull the cord" to get off the ride for a few more weeks still. 

A few weeks!!  EEEK !! Amazing, huh?  After almost 30 weeks post-transfer, and months before that working through the pre-arrangements (ED selection, Surrogate Match, Wiring Funds, Doctors, Lawyers, more Doctors, and More Lawyers...) we are almost at the point of having our little ones join us on the outside.  Hearing the doctor talk about plans for C-Section scheduling and other preparations kinda left Heidi and I in a little bit of a daze - we both looked at each other like "OMG...we are so close!".  

So here is the current stats and Plans....

• We are currently at 29 weeks, 5 days gestation
• Baby A (Girl) is measuring at 30.2 weeks - Approx 3lbs, 7 oz
• Baby B (Boy) is measuring at 31.1 weeks - Approx 3lbs, 15oz
• Baby C (Girl) is measuring at 28.5 weeks - Approx 2lbs, 13oz
• In the last 4 1/2 weeks, the babies have developed approx:
• Baby A - 5 weeks (ahead of the curve)
• Baby B - 4 1/2 weeks (right on schedule)
• Baby C - 4 weeks (a little behind, but still within standard development)
• Plan is to pass 32 weeks, and stretch (sorry Heidi!) it to at least 34 weeks.  Most Triplets (90%+) are born around 32 weeks gestation. 

The Doctor called Baby B (Boy) "our little Porker" - he has had the most room, and is obviously growing well.   I was concerned with Baby C development, but the doctor wasn't given the rate of development - but I will feel much more comfortable when she is at least over 3lbs... only +3oz to go!   I sure hope all of them are at least 4lbs at birth, but time will tell ... shortly!

The Brain Trust... Literally!  Three in a Row

Heidi - Still smiling !  :-)

Week 25 Pictures

Heidi @ 25 Weeks... Looking Great and Happy !

Hi Everyone!!  Thanks for coming back and checking out the blog.   Isn't Heidi looking great in the picture above?   I just can't imagine what any woman goes through during pregnancy, let alone a Triplet Pregnancy!  Everytime we call and hear her cheery voice on the phone, we are continually remided how lucky we were to have her and her husband choose us to work with through our journey together.  We couldn't ask for any better people to share this experience with!  I hope these kiddo's are patient with us after the great care they are getting in California... Sid and I will need to learn as we go!

So there have been some notable milestones in the past few weeks.  Firstly, the week of 6/20/2011 was the "Golden Week" - Week #24, widely considered to be the "week of viability" should the child(ren) be born that week; although not without danger, after week #24, chances for survival are much better.  Luckily we are now past that point (currently in week #26 as of today 7/7/2011), and looking toward the next milestone at 32 weeks.

Also, another round of doctor appointments and Level 2 ultrasound were done a few weeks ago.  Overall, all signs are positive.  However, Heidi has developed a case of Gestational Diabetes.  The O/B Doctor was "expecting" that (she could have told us!), as a multiple pregnancy increases the risk.  Luckily, with monitoring and diet changes, it can be kept under control.    Heidi's diet had nothing to do with this happening, but since it did happen, she has to limit some foods - some of her favorites unfortunately!  Like the trooper she is, she took the news hard at first, but has adjusted well.  The worst part about it is that she had to go to a class, and is monitoring blood sugar levels, so lots of extra work for her unfortunately.

Some pictures from the latest Ultrasound appointment are below.  Babies A & B are showing off profile shots (with some extra hands & feet in Baby B's shot... its getting cramped in there!).   Our Baby C was apparently bored, as she was caught "yawning".   We keep saying, she is going to be the feisty one!

Thank you, one and all - friends and family, as well as strangers that happen by the blog - for all of the comments, love, and support - they mean more than we can express.  It is humbling to know how many people (around the world) are cheering us on, praying, and wishing us well.  We are blessed to have received lots of great generous gifts to welcome our bundles to the world.   Those that know me, know that I'm a little OCD, so its not surprising that I've tallied the diaper and wipe count (just over 2,000 diapers, and almost 1,400 wipes)!   Sid and I are both excited, and a little anxious, but overall we can't wait to begin this new chapter of our lives !

Baby A Profile... She is at the bottom of the pile!

Baby B - He is living large... has the most fluid in the sack, and the most room...

Baby C - This is a "Vogue" face shot ! :-)

Lorelie the U/S Tech wrote us a "note" and listed the estimated weights

First visit to Sacramento ... (part 1)

Sid and I flew up to Sacramento on Wednesday 5/25 for a scheduled 20-week ultrasound on Thursday 5/26 with Heidi and the "Gang".   We got in late Wednesday, and even later by the time we grabbed a bite and checked into the hotel. 

On Thursday, we were able to sleep in a bit, get Starbucks, and do some shopping for gifts for Heidi's children.   Sid was on a mission, and we found the best presents... Star Wars toys and T-Shirts, and a Wii game.  The toys were LightSabers (One Green, one Blue) that actually light up and make sounds.   Who knew that Star Wars would be so popular so many years later?? 

We met up with Heidi, (who is looking as beautiful as ever by the way), and had some lunch, then off to the Level-2 Ultrasound at UC Davis Med Center in Sacramento.  Once we finally found where we were supposed to be (we seem to be directionally challenged when we are all together, lol)... We checked in (more insurance confusion)... and off to the "Closet" that the Ultrasound Tech's work in.   I guess they don't always expect as many people as we had (Heidi, Jeremy, Sid and Aaron), so it was cramped quarters.   For anyone thats ever been through a Level-2 Ultrasound... wow... it's detailed - measurements are taken of all of the extremeties of the baby, as well as the overall length, face, etc.  Then repeat twice over.   The whole process took 2 1/2 hours, and Heidi was such a trooper.  She was being poked and prodded, from both sides of her belly.  She did so great!

The short story, and most important thing, is that all babies are doing GREAT... They are VERY active.  Our little Baby C even peed while the Ultrasound was going on - thats how long it took!  There was a bit of a concern on the 15-week ultrasound, but thankfully this time the areas they were watching were cleared up.  All looks good!  Fingers Crossed!   Next Ultrasound in 4 weeks !

Here are some pictures from this round of Ultrasound...

Baby "A" - Our 1st Daughter at 20 weeks 

Baby "B" - Our Son at 20 weeks

Baby "C" - Our 2nd Daughter at 20 weeks