27 Weeks and 5 Days Equals

Some big changes in the Hedgepeth household. Today was my first official day of "modified bedrest." I didn't go crazy, but only because I do not have to stay in bed all day, I am allowed to do little things here and there and today I choose to go to lunch with my Mom and Aunts. So...why bedrest already you may be asking? Well that requires an update from my appointment Monday...

All is great first off, so no worries there! Little stink pot Abby has decided to move into position or "drop" if you will so she is now placing A LOT more pressure on my cervix. My cervix is still perfect, but you can just feel a head now. Plus with the added pressure of stink pots Claire and Brayden, that's a lot of pressure on the cervix. I never really thought I'd talk about cervixes and dilation on my blog, but it's pretty important stuff, so therefore I blog about. If hearing that my cervix is closed/tight/thinning/changing/anything else a cervix might do bothers you then sorry, but as long as it stays closed we are in great shape. There is also no dilation going on, but I'm sure you'll hear about it if/when I do start dilating! The scary reality of Monday's appointment was that Dr. Hilton thinks I've got about 3 more weeks left in me...THREE FREAKING WEEKS PEOPLE! That would take me to 30 weeks, and though early, she said anything after that would be a bonus! Saturday is a BIG day because it marks week 28 which is oh so important in preemie world. So...due to her little predictions, I am outta work and off my feet as much as possible but still able to do a few things here and there (which is a good thing...did you here 3 weeks?!). Now, I just have to work on not pushing it to much, resting and growing babies! Oh...and I did get my "prenatal cradle" in the mail yesterday (after I finished my last day of work) but I will be using that to hopefully push Ab's up a little bit and take some of the pressure off. It's a little uncomfortable, but you do what you need to do.

In other news...Monday is a big day too! We go back to the specialist for an ultrasound and finally another growth scan. The last time we got weights on the babies was March 1st....that's a REALLY long time when you are use to getting them every 2 weeks! The nerve of my doctor to go on vacation! I'm really excited to see how big they have gotten...according to the size of my belly they should weigh about 13 pounds each-haha! According to my book they should weigh about 2.5 pounds but they have actually always measured bigger then the book. I just can't wait to see how big they are. I promise I will update after that appointment, either Monday night or Tuesday sometime!

So, that is where we are...growing babies while on bedrest. My mind is always going a mile a minute and I'm getting anxious about where to have the babies and thinking about the NICU again and stuff like that. I really want Dr. Hilton to deliver these babies, but I'm not sure about the NICU at the hospital she has to deliver them at. I plan to go visit them next week if possible and if I'm not comfortable then I'm just going to have to make the decision to go downtown and have a doctor I've never met deliver but at least I know the NICU in and out downtown. We'll just have to see! Anyway...as always, thank you for sharing in our journey...can you believe we are almost done with this pregnancy?! We love all of y'all and I'll update after Monday's appointment! As always, please Remember Jackson!

Week 27!

HELLO THIRD TRIMESTER!!! Can you believe we have made it this far?! I do not know where I really expected this whole pregnant with triplets story to go, but we made it to week 27 and that is freaking awesome. One more week and I am to my original goal of week 28...holy cow! Things are really starting to set in and I'm going a little crazy trying to figure out what in the world I need to do to get ready. No matter what, I know when these babies come there will be lots of help and love, and we'll make it work!

So anyway...how are things going?! First, sorry for lack of week 26 update but I was:

-put on an inhaler
-in urgent care
-urged to go to the ER
-had a regular OB appointment
-got a chest x-ray
-had a clear x-ray
-found out I have an enlarged heart, nothing major, just something to watch
-took two sick days from work
-been in panic mode getting ready to go out of work (more info below about that)

Friday was a furloughed day at work, so I actually had it off too, but I mostly just rested all day, well, and won some money at possibly my last Bunko! Today I have had zero energy to get motivated, but I am here and blogging. I STILL have a nasty cold and I am taking medicine around the clock. My new favorite med is my inhaler because it really does help open up my lungs, even if it is for only an hour or two...it's the best breathing I get. Sleeping...well, who the heck knows what that is?! I get very stiff if I stay in one position to long, and I have to use the bathroom all the time, so I am up probably every hour to tinkle or adjust positions. Also new these last two days, major swelling in my feet and legs. At least it's staying there for now, but I officially have creases in my ankles (if you can call them that?!) so I am trying to stay off them as much as possible and keep them up as much as possible. Thankfully there are some good b-ball games on for me to watch!

I also made the decision that week 27.5 I would take myself out of work. I see the doctor on Monday and I am going to ask to be written out beginning Thursday the 25th. I could keep working, but with the swelling and stuff, I'm just not willing to take the risk. My number one priority is to grow these babies, even if it is really, REALLY hard sometimes. Up until I got this cold I was really enjoying life and going along great, but this cold has sent me from great to MISERABLE! I get very frustrated because if I didn't feel so bad I know that I could keep working and preparing for the babies, but that's not the case, so we do the next best thing which is take it easy. As I said, I go to my reg OB Monday and then the following Monday I go back to the specialist for another scan. I'm very excited for that scan because we have not had one since March 1st...can you believe that?! All the babies should be well over two pounds and huge, and I am excited to see what they find.

So, that is all she wrote for week 27. I just ask that you continue to pray for us and these babies...it's becoming more of a reality everyday! I am so excited to meet them and begin our new life as parents of triplets, but they need to stay put a little bit longer. It is crazy to think they could come anytime between now and 7 weeks from now, though we are aiming for 7 more! As always, thank you for sharing in our journey and for the continued prayers and support. We are almost to the finish line...WOW! And also like always, please Remember Jackson!



Oh...and another great thing about week 27?! New Moon came out on DVD which I am off to buy with my winnings from last night-woohoo!!

Week 25 (and 24, 23, and 22)

I do not even know where to start...first, so sorry for the lack of updates. Things have been really crazy with baby showers, work, setting up the nursery and battling a nasty, NASTY cold, which is still going on. But...I have finally found a few minutes to sit down and update everyone, and I'll try to keep the words short and just entertain with pictures-hehe!

Week 25 is feeling great...we are a week past our first "goal" which was week 24. At this point, if something happened and the babies had to be born, they would have a chance of surviving. Now, it would be really hard, but at least they would have a chance. From here are next goal is week 28, which was set by my specialist at like week 7, so that what we'll aim for. As for my regular docs, they seem to think these babies are never coming out and that they will have to induce me based on their exams. Contractions are a lot more frequent, and actually the other night got as close as 3 minutes. The minute I pick up the phone to call they stopped. I once again blame it all on stress because I had a really stressful day at work...long story short I messed up my FMLA and had to get it taken care of so that I could continue to work. That's all taken care of, I can continue working, the next two weeks are 4 days weeks, then a 5 day week, then another 4 day and then it is Spring Break...so I'm thinking I might be able to handle that. My main goal is to work 152 days of this school year so that I can get my year's credit and my pay raise for next year. That falls around March 23rdish, so after that, I will not feel bad about going out. And I finally have a long term sub, which is a former 2nd grade teacher from our school, and I'm actually in her room, so I know my students will have the best, and that was a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders. And other then the nasty cold, which Joseph and I both are battling, things have been really good. I had 3 awesome showers and got lots of goodies for the babies! The nursery is really coming along. We have a rather long to do list (thanks Chris!) but at least it is keeping us on track.

And in some baby news...as of last Monday's appointment the babies weigh the following:

Abby- 1 lb 6 oz
Claire- 1 lb 9 oz
Brayden- 1 lb 13 oz

Once again the difference between Abby and Brayden is 25%, which is a little high, but he was measuring 25 1/2 weeks, so that makes the numbers off. All babies are growing and doing great! I go back this Thursday (which is the wrong day!) My doctor is out of town, so I will be seeing a new doctor. They most likely will not do a growth ultrasound, so I probably won't have new weights, but they will be checking fluid levels and making sure the girls aren't experiencing twin to twin. Also this week I have my sugar test-yuck-which I am not looking forward to. With Jackson I failed my first test and had to go back for the 3 hour test, twice!, because it made me so sick. Hopefully that will not be an issue this time...

And now...the reason everyone comes to this blog, pictures of the babies. I will include a picture of each baby from week 22 and 24 for your viewing pleasure (except for a 24 week picture of Brayden because he was not photogenic that day). And there is also a belly pic...it just continues to grow and grow and GROW.

Abby Love...
22 weeks and looking like she is ticked off at the world, but I would be too if I was holding up a brother and a sister...






And in Week 24 you can see just how squished she is...I have a 4D, but she has two heads pressing into her face, so it's not so cute...






Claire Elizabeth...
Just enjoying life in the middle of everything








A great shot...you can really see her features, which are all Joseph in my opinion!







Brayden Jae...
Wishing Claire would move her tush outta his face...And probably because of this embarrassing picture decided to not give us a good week 24 picture. Maybe on March 29th...





Then there was this very neat, and rare picture...

They normally are not all head down and especially not in one shot, but there are three heads for ya!






And finally, the ever growing monster of a belly...

It gets bigger everyday...trust me!







And that's all! I really am sorry for the lack of updates, I know many of you are anxious to hear how the babies are doing, and though I do the best I can, I promise to do better! Thank you for sharing in our journey and for all the prayers. We feel them everyday as these babies grow and practice karate, or soccer, or whatever sport they are playing. We are so thankful for all of you in our life. As always, please Remember Jackson!

Coming Soon...I Promise!

I know that I have not updated a lot lately, and I apologize, but a good update is coming this weekend. I am still battling a cold, work is getting stressful trying to get everything ready to leave and I'm just plain ol' tired. So hang with me, and I promise a good update soon, including pictures!

Before I go I need to ask for prayers for the Wagner Family please. They lost their son Andrew to SMA last night. Andrew fought the disease for so long, but his body gave out. He was born a few months before Jackson and we communicated a lot when J was here. I know how that family feels right now and I just ask that you lift them up in prayer so they can get through this. And just for the record, SMA SUCKS BIG TIME...sorry I said sucks Mom, but it does! Thank you for all the prayers for Joseph and I and these babies, for Andrew, for all families who live with this disease everyday and for Jackson. Please don't ever forget him...

Nichole