Arizona Triplet Tales: Belly Pix

Showing posts with label Belly Pix. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

P.E. - and not the "Sweaty Sock kind"...

For any of you that are familiar with Surrogacy, you might understand the title.   For those of you that don't, let me explain.... One of the more peculiar parts of the surrogacy process is that after months of bonding with your Surrogate, her family, and friends, and forging a life-long friendship, the "IP's" (Intended Parents) are forced to sue the surrogate, and her husband if she is married.   We were shocked! We don't want to sue this wonderful woman and her husband.... but that is actually the only way for us to be named the legal parents of the children.   It kind of makes sense, its hard to argue the "parental" relationship when the children are still in the surrogates womb, but it is still a little harsh!

The process is known as "Parental Establishment".... and I'm very glad to report that Sid and I are now the full legal parents of our genetically related children - Baby A, B, and C.   The original judgement was entered in July, and due to technical issues, the amended judgement was entered on August 1, 2011, officially severing the rights of our surrogate and her husband, and naming Sid and I as parents!!   We are so excited!   With the judgement entered, the hospital is now "compelled" by the Court to issue the birth certificates in both of our names, and according to our wishes.   This is the last legal hurdle we had to get through, and thank goodness the "paperwork" portion of this process is coming to an end, and the fun part is about to begin... the part where we can hold, kiss, and snuggle with the babies!!

So, since we've just sued her, would it be wrong to refer to her belly as "our kiddie storage locker"?? That is probably going too far, huh??   Just kidding - we have so much respect and admiration for everything she is doing. Things are getting crowded inside and uncomfortable, but this is the "million dollar" smile that she still has.... she is just AMAZING !! As I write this, we are over 1/2 way through our 32nd week, with 3 very active babies still "hanging in there" (literally).   Everything is going well, and we couldn't feel more blessed.

Thanks for stopping by to catch up with our journey!

Heidi at 31 weeks and going strong !

Thursday, July 28, 2011

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 ! :-)

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

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 !