The Hedgepeth's...Party of Two to Five in less than 2 minutes!

The babies arrived safe and sound Friday afternoon between 12:32 (Abby and Claire) and 12:33 (Brayden). Everything happened so quickly...I don't even know if I could explain how it happened. I woke up feeling a little "funny," the doc checked me, I was 5 cm, they sent me downstairs for monitoring, doc checked again, 6 cm, decided it was time to deliver and before I knew what was happening the room was full of family and friends, Joseph got there, away for a c-section we go. Several minutes after all the babies were here and checked out our family was complete...










Things continue to go so well...as of right now ALL babies are breathing on their own, they are not on any oxygen and they are eating 10 cc's (2 whooping teaspoons) every 3 hours.

There was a time when Claire was on a nasal cannula, but she has come off of that and seems to be doing a lot better and is a lot more comfortable. She still has a tube in her nose in case she has trouble taking a bottle, but that has not been an issue since the nasal cannula was removed. Tonight I got to give her a bath and that baby has some lungs on her. I am so impressed with how well she continues to do. At one point yesterday I would have said she is the weakest of the three...but now I would say they are all pretty even. Anyway...introducing Claire Elizabeth...










Brayden was also struggling with his feeds a little bit Saturday so they put in a tube for feedings for him, which he has NOT used since. He continues to defy the odds if you will...boys are notorious for struggling more in the NICU, but not my Brayden. He is doing everything on his own and comes in a close second at feeding time for getting the bottle down and burping. He has remained the most stable so far and is just amazing...I love my baby boy! Introducing Brayden Jae...










Abby, the runt if you will, continues to amaze me and seems the strongest of the 3...she is Joseph's daughter that is for sure, she eats a bottle and burps in about 3 minutes flat! I always secretly worried about Abby and everyone told me the smallest is usually the strongest and well, she is proving all of those people right! She did decide to see if we were paying attention once or twice by forgetting to breath, and they threatened to put her on the nasal cannula but that has not been an issue since Saturday morning. She is going to be one strong willed little girl! Introducing Abby Love...










Sunday had to be one of the greatest days of my life. Joseph and I got to do "Kangaroo Kare" which is skin to skin contact with the babies. This helps them in so many ways and it helps me with the milk issue (which is going so-so). Below are a few pictures from our session, which lasted from about 8:00 to 10:30...the best 2.5 hours of my life so far...and I am sure there are many more great times like these to come!

Here is Joseph with the girls. It takes a real man to whip off his shirt in public and hold his baby girls. I think the girls were excited to be together again, what do you think?










Here is Mommy with Baby Boy. They just slipped him right under my shirt. He got nice and comfy and enjoyed the time with Mom...










Here is a picture of all three babies together again...it's a lotta work to get them together, but the nurses have been wonderful and very helpful in any way that we ask. The order is Brayden, Claire then Abby...










And finally, the most recent picture of our new, completed, five member family...











So...that's the latest with the world's cutest triplets ever! My new goal in life is to spend time with them and get them home, but also to work on giving an update at least a few times a week. I can not thank y'all enough for being part of our journey and I hope you continue to be part of our journey. I love all of y'all. Until next time, as always, Please Remember Jackson!

Nichole (whose working on a new signature...)

Update from the World's Worst Blogger-Week 32+

So, it's 5:20 in the morning, I can't sleep and I thought hey...what a great time to update my blog (aren't you lucky that I can't sleep?)! There has been lots going on and right now my one and only goal is to keep these babies in and rest as much as possible. This morning I decided to rest at the computer. It also doesn't help much that I get all my emails and stuff to my new phone, which means there is no need to really go to the computer anymore...

Anyway...baby news, and there is lots of it! Last week I saw my fav OB Dr. H and she was so impressed that I had made it this far, so impressed in fact that she scheduled a c-section for today-32 weeks and 4 days-but only if the specialist, who is now Dr. F approved it. I saw Dr. F on Monday...he didn't approve it-blah. He had great reasons though and I left there feeling bad wanting to get these babies out. In a side note the babies continue to thrive (which is unusual for triplets this late in pregnancy). They continue to grow and gain weight. Their weights as of Monday are...Abby-4 lbs 5 oz, Claire-4 lbs 3 oz, and Brayden 4 lbs 2 oz. They continue to grow in the 45th-50th percentile which is very rare for triplets and the difference between the Abby and Claire is 3%, and 4% for Brayden and Abby. How can one have a c-section knowing they are doing so great?! I left Dr. F with the promise that I could schedule my c-section between 34 and 35 weeks, which isn't too far away. If an emergency occurs they of course and come out immediately. What is an emergency...1 of 3 three things-my water breaks, I dilate to 6 cm or I become pre-elcamptic.

So, where does that leave us you ask? Well I had to call Dr. H and cancel my c-section and she has since already scheduled another one for May 10th at 11:00...12 days away, which I can do, hopefully! That will put me at 34 weeks and 2 days and there are lots of rumors flying around that these babies aren't even going into the NICU but rather straight home with Joseph and I...holy s***! But we are ready, I can promise you that! I will continue to see Dr. H every week, maybe twice next week because her biggest concern is me dilating. If I get to 5 cm (I was 4 Mon) then I will go into the hospital on hospital bedrest...I'm not really good at that, so hopefully that doesn't happen, but considering I have had 0 sleep tonight and some doozies of contractions, it wouldn't surprise me if I went in the hospital today. Just have to wait and see...

And that folks is where we are at. Can you believe that in 12 days or less you will be meeting Abby, Claire and Brayden?! I know I sure am ready to meet them. Now...you know me and my rules and regulations and thoughts and opinions, so don't get too excited that you are just gonna run over here and meet them...there WILL be guidelines, but we'll get to those in another post (maybe around June-hehehe). For now I am off to get ready...I get really bored during the day so today Joseph is dropping me off at my Mom's and she is taking me to my appointment at 2:20 then hopefully bringing me back home afterwards. The best way to keep up with what is really going on is via Facebook...if we aren't friends friend me people, then you don't have to worry so much about this blog! Thank you for sharing in our journey...we are almost to the biggest day of mine and Joseph's life, then the next journey begins! As always, please Remember Jackson! All my love!

Longest Post Ever?! Take Two!

I know it has been forever since I have updated the blog, but things have been REALLY crazy, and I have already written this post once, but lost it, so I'm having to start all over again. Anyway, a week after going out on bed rest I ended up in the hospital and everything started to happen so fast. I am going to try to give a run down of what has happened, what we should expect to happen and what will probably happen...

First report...Babies

-I am super happy to report that all babies are doing great. They are in my belly where they belong and continue to grow and thrive. They have been monitored, measured, monitored, measured some more and scanned a lot. They have tolerated the pre-term labor very well and have been nice enough to stay put! I go for a growth scan on Thursday, so I will have updated weights then, though there are no promises that those weights will end up on this blog...just look at my track record lately! Anyway...the most important thing is all babies are doing GREAT!

Second report...Mommy (that's me)

-I have been doing well. The whole bed rest thing is really hard and though it sounds like a walk in the park it's not, especially when you know you have triplets coming and a lot to do to get ready for them. However, after last night's trip to the hospital for more monitoring (more info below) I decided that I have got to stop trying to be SuperMom whose all ready for babies and become SuperIncubator who cooks these babies as long as possible. I have so many people around me who are willing to help, and I just need to take advantage of that. As for my lovely stretched out body that you think could not stretch anymore...well we are good. I got as dilated as 4 cm, but have dropped back since taking it easy to 2-3 cm. That muscle can open and close which I never knew, but I guess it's a good thing that it went backwards for me. Just means more time for the babies. Being in the hospital took its toll on my too, I did not like that, which is just another reason to stay off my feet at home in my bed. Other then not sleeping much and some serious back pain I feel good for having three close to 3 pound babies in my belly.

Third report...hospital stay

-So on April 1 I ended up in the hospital for 5 days due to pre-term labor. The really crazy thing is when I went to the doc I just wanted conformation that everything was fine, I did not in the least bit think I was in labor. But once I got to the hospital and on the monitors it was obvious I was having serious contractions and thus began the process to stop labor. First step was my first steroid shot for babies lungs, followed by an ambulance ride downtown to the big hospital where they started two meds to try to stop labor-and those are the worse meds ever, stay away from them if you can!! I am still foggy on a lot of stuff and randomly remember things I said and did. Anyway, I got a second steroid shot, continued to dilate (was 2 at the doctor's office and got to 4 quickly). Saturday marked 29 weeks which wasn't great, but not to bad either and they decided to stop all meds and we were prepared for the babies to come. They had a different idea...after touring the NICU (just to get out of my room-hehehe) and having the neonatologist come down and talk to us labor stopped on it's own and everyone who was ready for the Hedgepeth Triplets was now bored. Monday they allowed me to go home to my bed where I would rest better, and that's kinda where we have been ever since...well until last night. Last night wasn't that big of a deal, it was more of a Mommy flip out. I hadn't felt the babies move and you know that sends me into a tizzy, so off to the doc I go who says it could be b/c of blah blah blah, and to go get monitored. Which I did for peace of mind. The babies did great, we came home and I am working hard on bed rest!

Fourth report...What to Expect Next

-No one knows. What we do know is that everyday the babies are in me is a day or two less they are in the NICU. As long as they show no signs of distress and I am not in active labor they will stay put until 34 weeks. If I do happen to go into active labor though they will not do anything to stop it at this point, which is a little scary, knowing they could come at any minute. I go back and forth on if I can make that or not, but I'm already close to 31 weeks, so what the heck is 3 more right?! We have made the decision that no matter how far I make it we will deliver downtown at CMC Main. This is a bad comparison, but I figure I'm having a liter of babies and one of them may be a runt who needs extra help and instead of having 2 babies here and 1 there I have decided they will all be at the best NICU available. That didn't go over to well with my OB, but he'll be ok! So our main goal is to grow babies and stay off my feet!

And that is where we stand. I am very sorry for the lack of updates, but as you can tell it has been a crazy few weeks ever since going out of work. I am so thankful for all the family and friends who have been so helpful! I am thankful for all of you who read these silly updates and pray for us...Lord knows we need them. I go back to the doctor Wed for a Mommy check and Thursday for the Babies check and though no promises are being made, I will try to do better about updating. As always, I want to thank you for sharing in our journey and I just ask that you continue to pray for Joseph and I along with these babies. I can not believe we are closer to the end then the beginning. What a journey it has been. And, like always, please Remember Jackson!

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