Hello all! Just wanted to check in again. Yesterday I was officially 31 weeks pregnant. I have my final 2 week appointment tomorrow, then I will be seen weekly. We are praying that everything continues to go as planned.
It's hard to believe that I could have triplets any time now really. Doc says 36 weeks is the longest he'll let me go, and if I do make it to 36 weeks, the triplets will arrive on my birthday. I'm getting pretty uncomfortable these days. Baby B stays under my right rib, and sometimes breathing or bending is really difficult. I will survive! It's a small price to pay.
Many congratulations are in order for several of my blogging friends. Congrats on your adoptions/pregnancies ladies!!!
I'll try to be more diligent in blogging, but picking up the laptop has become a tad more difficult than I ever expected. Prayers for you all!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
27 Weeks
Well, if you want to get technical, I'm 26w6 days. Things have been going well around here, a lot of big changes going on with my house, my body, and my babies. The house has been painted and new carpet has been put down. HUGE difference. My body has grown grown grown, with about a 30 lb weight gain. EEK! My doc says that's good for triplets, but I had gained a lot of treatment weight prior to the pregnancy. The babies are all measuring a little ahead, and today I learned that I have about 8 lbs of baby growing in there! My belly measures full term for a singleton pregnancy, but he assures me I have plenty of room to grow. I ran across a quote from The Sleep Talkin' Man. I follow his blog, and it's one of my guilty pleasures. "I'm not fat. No. It's just my awesomeness swelling up inside me." It made me smile, and I hope some of you could find the humor in it too. Now for a few pictures, and then I'm going to go lay down.
I know I look exhausted...I was! Christmas was fun, but I could hardly manage to keep my eyes open.
I know I look exhausted...I was! Christmas was fun, but I could hardly manage to keep my eyes open.
Jackson: This picture prompted much confusion from me when I looked at it leaving the office. It's blurry, but it says "face." I could finally make it out.....I'll let you figure it out. =)
Brayden: Profile picture with his mouth wide open. Probably trying to tell me that it was time to eat!
Emma was happily tucked away facing my back. She was being shy, but felt brave enough to show of her leg.
Alright, I'm off! It's time for some more rest! God Bless you all and prayers to you in your journey.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Ultrasound pictures
I wanted to go ahead and give you a glimpse inside my uterus. =) Also, we have names!
Introducing: (pictures were taken at 18w6d --I will be 21w on Wed.)
Jackson Ryder Parks (Baby A)
Introducing: (pictures were taken at 18w6d --I will be 21w on Wed.)
Jackson Ryder Parks (Baby A)
Brayden Campbell Parks (Baby B)
Emma Lee Parks (Baby C)
We so love the fact that Emma has her hand on her forehead in her picture. I can just imagine what she was thinking with both her brothers kicking her and the ultrasound tech moving all over my belly.
New weird body things:
-My "girls" seem to be leaking just a little. Ah! I know it's early, but from what I'm told it happens.
-Strange tightening/pulling (slight pains when I move too quickly) at the top of my stomach, just under my boobs. I called the doctor today. He very casually says, "Oh yeah, that sounds like your muscles attached to your ribs are stretching and quite possibly ripping away from your ribs. It's completely normal."
-Not so new, but ever growing belly hair. I noticed an increase of hair just about everywhere as soon as I found out I was pregnant, but now it's kind of starting to look like a happy trail.
Some recent Reflections:
-Thanksgiving- Very bittersweet for me as November 27th was my due date for my first pregnancy. I have very conflicting emotions about this day. I know that without experiencing the loss of our little angel, I would not have these precious babies growing inside of me now. However, I still miss that baby and grieve over the loss.
-I do have so much to be Thankful for now. In fact there are too many to list in one single post.
-Tomorrow is my last day of work before modified bed rest. I also have mixed feelings about that. I will miss my co-workers and students, but I am relieved that I can take it easy for these babies now. We FINALLY found the perfect replacement today. We interviewed 3 today, and I told my principal I just had a good feeling about one in particular, so he went with my feeling and offered him the job!
-The girls at work are throwing me a shower tomorrow at work. Initially, when they told me they were going to do this I freaked out because it's so early, but they really allowed me to set up some boundaries, so I feel comfortable now. It's now just a gift card shower, and I've also made commitment cards for donations of sick days. They can't really donate until I'm out of my own days, but I figured the more I could get to commit to it now, the better off I'd be. The school nurse said she'd email out a reminder when I was out of days so everyone wouldn't forget to fill out the appropriate paperwork for donations.
Well, I'm off to figure out what to eat for dinner. Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Happenings
I know I've been the worst blogger ever, so I thought I'd give some of you what you've been asking for.
20 weeks 1 day
I've been trying for quite some time to upload the latest ultrasound pictures, but for some reason when I hit the upload picture icon, nothing happens. So, It'll have to wait until next time.
Finally, 20 weeks in...this is starting to feel real. At the same time, I'm beginning to become terrified. You try for so long to get pregnant, that once you finally do, it's almost like shell shock. Don't misunderstand me here...I want nothing more than to be a mother, and I am thrilled that I am pregnant. It's just been difficult for me to really see the end result here, and now I'm so worried that these babies are going to come too early. I guess the worrying is just part of it. My husband once asked me when I was going to stop worrying.....I told him I would stop worrying when my children are grown with kids of their own, and it's time for me to go see Jesus.
As I am closing, I realize I haven't told you all the genders of our sweet little trio. So, please pray for my boys, their sister, and their mom and dad!
20 weeks 1 dayI've been trying for quite some time to upload the latest ultrasound pictures, but for some reason when I hit the upload picture icon, nothing happens. So, It'll have to wait until next time.
Finally, 20 weeks in...this is starting to feel real. At the same time, I'm beginning to become terrified. You try for so long to get pregnant, that once you finally do, it's almost like shell shock. Don't misunderstand me here...I want nothing more than to be a mother, and I am thrilled that I am pregnant. It's just been difficult for me to really see the end result here, and now I'm so worried that these babies are going to come too early. I guess the worrying is just part of it. My husband once asked me when I was going to stop worrying.....I told him I would stop worrying when my children are grown with kids of their own, and it's time for me to go see Jesus.
As I am closing, I realize I haven't told you all the genders of our sweet little trio. So, please pray for my boys, their sister, and their mom and dad!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Quick Update
I haven't posted in several weeks, and I just wanted to let everyone know I'm still doing good. I'm 18 weeks now, and will be taken off work in a few weeks. I have another appointment Tuesday, and hopefully I'll be able to confirm the genders.
Continue to keep us in your prayers, and I continue to pray for all of you!
Continue to keep us in your prayers, and I continue to pray for all of you!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Miracles
I know I have been MIA for a while, but I promise...the wait is worth it. =)
After our loss in April, we allowed my body to heal after the D&C and waited patiently for AF to get back to normal. We decided to allow my body to have one natural cycle after that. I had emotional highs and lows that month. I struggled with "not" trying, and I longed to get back to the insanity of treatments. DH wanted to wait until August to start treatments again, but I convinced him that since school starts back in August, it wouldn't be a good idea. We decided to go ahead with treatments in July, and then take a break in August. We decided not to tell anyone that we were doing treatments, and just be private about what was going on with us.
Typically, when I do treatments, I tend to be uptight and pessimistic. I prayed A LOT and asked God to bring me peace through treatments, and boy did he ever! I have never felt so calm in my life. The game plan was similar to what got us pregnant the first time, so I was familiar with the routine. We did 150 units of Menopur and 75 units of Follistim with trigger and IUI. We were finishing up meds on vacation (we only went to Guntersville-- so we wouldn't be too far away from ART) and it turned out that each day that we were on vacation, I had to drive to B'ham to get follicle scans. The first scan was a little scary to me, but I reminded myself that God was in control. They talked about canceling my cycle because I responded too well. My ovaries were big, fat, and juicy. There were about 16 follicles counted, and 6 were in the lead. The next day, when I went in, a few of those had taken a lead, and by time we were ready to trigger, it looked like I had 5 that could be counted as mature. The nurse told me that I was at risk for multiples, and asked me if I wanted to go ahead with the trigger and IUI. With no hesitation, I told her that I was prepared for whatever happened. I prayed a lot, and just told God that I knew he was in control, and he would not give me more than I could handle.
The IUI was much different than I remembered from the first one. I had a lot of cramping, and I was so bloated I was sure I was overstimming. I drank lots of fluids, and took it easy until I started to feel a little relief.
Fast forward to the 2ww. I have to admit, although I did become anxious, it was by far the best and easiest 2ww I have ever lived through. When beta day came, I went and got my blood work early, and hoped they would call early. At about 2:00 I got a call from the nurse. First beta: 678!!!!!! She was very calm, and set up my next appointment, until I said, "That means there is more than one?!?!" She laughed and said, she was hoping I wouldn't know any better, but yes that I probably had multiples, but we couldn't speculate on how many.
We had our first ultrasound at 5w2d and the u/s tech looked at the screen then asked us how many mature eggs we had. We told her, and she said that she was seeing 2, possibly 3 babies. 2 gestational sacs had yolk sacs and a third possible sac, could have been just a fluid build up. They put us in a room to talk to a nurse. Everyone expected us to be shocked, but we were both pretty calm. The nurse advised us not to tell anyone that we were pregnant with triplets because I would most likely come back next week and they wouldn't all be there. (least favorite nurse--I think I've complained about her in the past)
The second ultrasound was a week later and we saw 3 babies and 3 heartbeats! Each week things seemed to be progressing well. At 9 weeks, Dr. L felt like things looked so good that it was time to say goodbye. He referred me to Dr. R who has had a lot of success with triplets. We saw him at 10 weeks, then again at 13 weeks. Praise God that the babies are all still looking good at this point.
I had my 10 year high school reunion last night, and I decided to let the cat out of the bag. So, today I'm letting the rest of the world know. I know that there are plenty of risks with a triplet pregnancy, and even though we are almost to 14 weeks, I am not out of the woods. I ask that you pray for Nick, Baby A, Baby B, Baby C, and I. I pray that we have 3 healthy babies at the end of this pregnancy.
After our loss in April, we allowed my body to heal after the D&C and waited patiently for AF to get back to normal. We decided to allow my body to have one natural cycle after that. I had emotional highs and lows that month. I struggled with "not" trying, and I longed to get back to the insanity of treatments. DH wanted to wait until August to start treatments again, but I convinced him that since school starts back in August, it wouldn't be a good idea. We decided to go ahead with treatments in July, and then take a break in August. We decided not to tell anyone that we were doing treatments, and just be private about what was going on with us.
Typically, when I do treatments, I tend to be uptight and pessimistic. I prayed A LOT and asked God to bring me peace through treatments, and boy did he ever! I have never felt so calm in my life. The game plan was similar to what got us pregnant the first time, so I was familiar with the routine. We did 150 units of Menopur and 75 units of Follistim with trigger and IUI. We were finishing up meds on vacation (we only went to Guntersville-- so we wouldn't be too far away from ART) and it turned out that each day that we were on vacation, I had to drive to B'ham to get follicle scans. The first scan was a little scary to me, but I reminded myself that God was in control. They talked about canceling my cycle because I responded too well. My ovaries were big, fat, and juicy. There were about 16 follicles counted, and 6 were in the lead. The next day, when I went in, a few of those had taken a lead, and by time we were ready to trigger, it looked like I had 5 that could be counted as mature. The nurse told me that I was at risk for multiples, and asked me if I wanted to go ahead with the trigger and IUI. With no hesitation, I told her that I was prepared for whatever happened. I prayed a lot, and just told God that I knew he was in control, and he would not give me more than I could handle.
The IUI was much different than I remembered from the first one. I had a lot of cramping, and I was so bloated I was sure I was overstimming. I drank lots of fluids, and took it easy until I started to feel a little relief.
Fast forward to the 2ww. I have to admit, although I did become anxious, it was by far the best and easiest 2ww I have ever lived through. When beta day came, I went and got my blood work early, and hoped they would call early. At about 2:00 I got a call from the nurse. First beta: 678!!!!!! She was very calm, and set up my next appointment, until I said, "That means there is more than one?!?!" She laughed and said, she was hoping I wouldn't know any better, but yes that I probably had multiples, but we couldn't speculate on how many.
We had our first ultrasound at 5w2d and the u/s tech looked at the screen then asked us how many mature eggs we had. We told her, and she said that she was seeing 2, possibly 3 babies. 2 gestational sacs had yolk sacs and a third possible sac, could have been just a fluid build up. They put us in a room to talk to a nurse. Everyone expected us to be shocked, but we were both pretty calm. The nurse advised us not to tell anyone that we were pregnant with triplets because I would most likely come back next week and they wouldn't all be there. (least favorite nurse--I think I've complained about her in the past)
The second ultrasound was a week later and we saw 3 babies and 3 heartbeats! Each week things seemed to be progressing well. At 9 weeks, Dr. L felt like things looked so good that it was time to say goodbye. He referred me to Dr. R who has had a lot of success with triplets. We saw him at 10 weeks, then again at 13 weeks. Praise God that the babies are all still looking good at this point.
I had my 10 year high school reunion last night, and I decided to let the cat out of the bag. So, today I'm letting the rest of the world know. I know that there are plenty of risks with a triplet pregnancy, and even though we are almost to 14 weeks, I am not out of the woods. I ask that you pray for Nick, Baby A, Baby B, Baby C, and I. I pray that we have 3 healthy babies at the end of this pregnancy.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Song
I am so saddened by some blog news I read today. I heard this song on the way home, and I felt compelled to share it.
"Love Them Like Jesus"
The love of her life is drifting away
They're losing the fight for another day
The life that she's known is falling apart
A fatherless home, a child's broken heart
You're holding her hand, you're straining for words
You trying to make - sense of it all
She's desperate for hope, darkness clouding her view
She's looking to you
Just love her like Jesus, carry her to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves her and stay by her side
Love her like Jesus
Love her like Jesus
The gifts lie in wait, in a room painted blue
Little blessing from Heaven would be there soon
Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn to gray
As the little one slips away
You're holding her hand, you're straining for words
You're trying to make sense of it all
They're desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view
They're looking to you
Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus
Lord of all creation holds our lives in His hands
The God of all the nations holds our lives in His hands
The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands
He cares for them just as He cares for you
So love them like Jesus, love them like Jesus
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus
Love them like Jesus
"Love Them Like Jesus"
The love of her life is drifting away
They're losing the fight for another day
The life that she's known is falling apart
A fatherless home, a child's broken heart
You're holding her hand, you're straining for words
You trying to make - sense of it all
She's desperate for hope, darkness clouding her view
She's looking to you
Just love her like Jesus, carry her to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves her and stay by her side
Love her like Jesus
Love her like Jesus
The gifts lie in wait, in a room painted blue
Little blessing from Heaven would be there soon
Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn to gray
As the little one slips away
You're holding her hand, you're straining for words
You're trying to make sense of it all
They're desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view
They're looking to you
Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus
Lord of all creation holds our lives in His hands
The God of all the nations holds our lives in His hands
The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands
He cares for them just as He cares for you
So love them like Jesus, love them like Jesus
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus
Love them like Jesus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)