Triplets: 20 (.5) Months Old!

This is a slightly late post because they are closer to 21 months now, but I want to get something up before the new baby arrives! (Still pregnant by the way) Anyways, the triplets are so excited to be big siblings and can't wait to meet their little sister or little brother! They are growing so much and I can't believe they are almost 2! Time goes by way too fast. We have been very busy lately and have tried to do a lot of fun outings with them before we add another baby and can't get out as much. Although we will still go to the park every day! Today we went to the Discovery Museum and they had a blast. We also went out to the beach yesterday, it was such a nice day!!

Declan

Owen

Evelyn

Weights and Lengths: Not really sure but I think the boys are around 25 pounds and Evie around 24. As for height, I think they have hit a growth spurt and the boys may be closer to 34 inches now and Evie 33!

Eating: They eat 3 meals and a couple snacks. They are still going strong on the nursing, but they all are limited 3 times a day. We have been working towards that (mostly Owen) in preparation for the new baby. So now they just nurse when they wake up, before naps and before bed.

Sleep: They still go to sleep around 7:30pm still and are up around 6:30 or 7am. And they are taking one nap from around 12:30 or 1- 3pm.

Clothes Size: All in mostly 2T/24 months now and some 18 months.

Milestones: Lots of climbing and running around, they love to go to the playground and just go crazy! They are getting more independent and don't need as much help so it's much easier now to let them roam! Just in time to add another one :) They are talking so much now and are using more and more sentences (2-3 words). It's so fun to see them grow!

Making Progress... But no baby yet!

Well my due date is tomorrow and baby is still cooking. I had my hopefully last appointment today, but I have another on Friday afternoon if nothing has happened by then. Last week I said I was feeling pretty good and was ok with still being pregnant. Well those feelings are gone haha. I am just about done. I am so ready for this baby to arrive and done with all of the pain and exhaustion. Im ready to become a mom of 4 under 2 even though that will be a whole new kind of crazy! I feel bad for Patrick but he is so amazing. I definitely have a short temper and am probably not the nicest to him but he is doing everything for me without batting an eye. Im sure he is exhausted too. Both his mom and mine have been over a lot and are helping with the triplets and dinner.

Anyways, so at the appointment today, I was 2-3 cm dilated and about 80% effaced. So good progress from 38 weeks and only 2 cm and 50%. Baby is also now at 0 station as opposed to -1 last time. I guess that would explain my basically constant need to pee. I've been having slightly more regular contractions the last couple of days which i'm hoping mean real labor is near but it really is just a waiting game at this point. Baby still looks good and had a healthy heartbeat. My doctor gave me the go ahead to try to get things started naturally so we will be doing several things. Nothing too crazy though. On Friday if things don't seem to be getting going, we may strip my membranes and check fluid levels as well as do a non-stress test. Hopefully things happen though! We are all so ready to meet this baby!!

Pregnancy Update: 38 Weeks! Preparing for Baby!

We're in the home stretch! My due date is in 10 days!!! It's crazy how fast its gone by. I definitely am feeling a bit anxious and like a first-time mom. Prepping for labor and having the unknowns of natural labor is a little scary! The baby is doing well and still measuring very big. I was checked and am about 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. But really that means nothing in terms of how close labor is. I have gotten more real contractions this week but no patterns. My doctor thinks I will go at least another week. We talked a bit about what our plan will be and he is still very confident in me having a VBAC. Baby is head down and has dropped so it's very unlikely for a flip this late. He is only slightly worried about the size if I go past my due date. He knows I want to avoid induction and doesn't want it either but we will need to look at our options if I pass my due date. 

I am feeling pretty good for being 38 weeks and besides being exhausted I'm not miserable. Im not quite to the get this baby out of me stage but it is coming. I just can't wait to meet this little one and find out who it is! The triplets are getting so excited and know the baby will be here soon. They talk about it constantly. They are at such a cute age and I love seeing them get excited about becoming big siblings! I can't believe they wont be the babies anymore! We are almost ready too! The room is mostly set up and all the clothes, diapers, blankets etc. are washed. All the gear is set up and Ive been cleaning and cooking all the time.

Patrick is finally slowing down a bit at work. He passed his tests and is officially licensed! He is loving it and I am loving that his work hours are a bit more set/flexible. It's really nice that he can be home around 5 (or sometimes earlier!) everyday. Ive definitely needed it this week and it will be great with a newborn. 

Here's my 38 week update!

Sorry for the terrible picture with the awkward waistband line, i needed a picture and just took this before getting in bed!

How far along: 38 Weeks!

Size of Baby: A Leek! This one is kinda weird...

Total weight gain/loss: Friday I was up 26 pounds but i'm definitely slowing down in weight gain these last couple weeks.

Gender: We don't know and won't be finding out! (but we have our guesses and the family is all over the place!)

Maternity clothes: All maternity clothes, but that is when I actually get dressed. I'm to the point now where I am living in t-shirts and sweats or yoga pants and I am totally ok with that.

Stretch marks: The ones from last pregnancy have gotten darker and I think they may be slightly longer but I can't really tell. 

Belly Button: It's almost popped. Its weird actually because it seems like it pops further out as the day progresses. Its not nearly as far out as with the triplets though.

Sleep: Its basically non existent. Im trying to nap with the triplets which helps because I don't sleep long stretches anymore. Im up every couple hours either to pee or because i'm in pain. I can't really get comfortable or stay in one position too long.

Symptoms: I have a lot of aches and the round ligament pain is back. My back hurts especially if I hold the triplets a lot. I definitely need to take it easy and try to stay off my feet when I can.

What I miss: My sleep and energy. I want to do so much more but I just can't most days. Thankfully we have lots of family to help or else we would go crazy.

Cravings: Ive been really wanting anything sweet. Girl scout cookies could not have come at a better time. I have also been really hungry all the time.

Aversions: Nothing! Yay! Im so glad I don't really get these past the first trimester.

Best Moment: The baby dropped last week and it has been great to not get kicked in the ribs all day and struggle to breathe sometimes. Also because there really is no more room, the baby isn't really kicking as much as just rolling. Its really fun watching the full belly movements and this baby is active! The triplets have noticed and they are mesmerized (and slightly weirded out) when it happens.

Welcome 2015! And a few updates :)

Its taken me a while to get this post up but i'm finally getting it finished. We have had a very fun and busy beginning of the year! The past year has flown by and I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for us. We have celebrated so many milestones and I can't wait for many more!

I'll start off with some life updates...

Patrick is in the middle of switching jobs, which we are so excited about because it will mean he is home with us more often and will be a much better career longterm. But it is a big transition and is a bit crazy right now. He has been in law since he graduated college and is switching into finance. They are similar but he is basically back at square one and has to go through all the training and testing again. He is so much happier though and is working at a company with one of his really good friends. He should be taking his tests to become licensed in mid February so by then everything should calm down. Just in time to prep for the new baby! For now he is busier than before with all the studying!

The triplets are 18 months old, almost 19 months now, and are so much fun. They are getting so big and its crazy how much they have changed. It is so cute watching their little relationships and personalities grow and they are starting to realize that life is about to change (in a good way!) We have talked a lot about the upcoming arrival and I think they understand a bit about what it means. It will still be a big adjustment (for all of us!) but I can't wait to see them be big brothers and sister and I think they are really excited too. They have all been really into playing with babies and point them out when we are out and about.

I am 33 weeks pregnant and it is finally sinking in how crazy it is about to get. We still have a lot to do and we are in the home stretch! Its crazy to think at this point in the pregnancy with the triplets we were already in the "it could be any day now!" phase. Im so glad I have another 7 or so weeks left to prepare. I am feeling really good though but I know that wont last. With Patrick being busy more of the day I am handling a lot more of the triplets duty. Its been going well but i'm so excited for him to slow down a bit again. Declan was up most of last night sick and congested which was hard. Im hoping its just a quick cold and wont pass to the other two or me but i'm not wishing too hard. I also have a slight feeling it may be ear related which i really hope not. Ill have to do a day in the life soon before and after the new baby! I had an appointment last week for the baby and everything looks great. Baby has moved head down which is awesome and still is measuring big, already 5 pounds at 32 weeks! We talked about induction but I do not want to do that unless totally necessary. My doctor thinks I will be fine to deliver a big baby, we just will have to be wary of shoulder dystocia. That worries me a bit but my doctor isn't concerned. He also is very confident for my VBAC which i'm so excited about!

We are taking the triplets to the snow this weekend as a last little getaway before the baby. Although we may do something else if the weather stays nice and i continue to feel this good! There is not tons of snow this year, but we should be able to find somewhere to go sledding with them and enjoy it!

Ok, so here is a pregnancy update and (late) 18 month post for the triplets!

32 weeks and 3 days

How far along: 33 Weeks!

Size of Baby: A Pineapple! 

Total weight gain/loss: At 32 weeks (on Friday) I was up 22 pounds.  

Gender: We don't know and won't be finding out! (but we have our guesses and the family is all over the place!)

Maternity clothes: All maternity clothes. I have actually been good lately and want to dress cute (I mean sweaters legging/jeans and boots) but i'm sure soon that will change as last time towards the end i lived in big t shirts/ sweatshirts and yoga pants or sweats.

Stretch marks: The couple I have from before have darkened a bit which is normal but no new ones yet. Im not surprised though because this belly is nothing compared to them! I have been keeping up with moisturizing to keep from getting itchy.

Belly Button: Its almost flat. Im not sure it will pop out this time around as it was very late with the triplets but who knows.

Sleep: Loving my pregnancy pillow but the sleep in surprisingly good! I do have to get up a few times to pee but thankfully I don't have issues with falling back asleep. Im getting a bit more uncomfortable but thats to be expected.

Symptoms: Definitely needing to slow down and take it easier. My back hurts more especially from carrying the triplets around but not too bad. The round ligament pain is back but not too bad and i am having a lot more Braxton hicks.

What I miss: Cuddling, both Patrick and my babies!  Also I miss being as active as I was although i'm still very active just can't overdue it.

Cravings: Not much this week although over the weekend I was seriously wanting all things salty.

Aversions: Nothing! Yay! Im so glad I don't really get these past the first trimester.

Best Moment: Well the best and worst was having Declan be sick all night last night and today. He was just so cuddly and sweet and wanted to nurse (which he hasn't wanted much of) and I loved it. Owen and Evie knew something was up too and were being so sweet to him and were very well behaved today which i was very thankful for since I didn't sleep much.

Declan

Owen

Evelyn

Weights and Lengths: At 18 months just after Christmas, O was 24 pounds 12 oz. and 33 inches, D was 24 pounds 9 oz and 33 inches, and E was 23 pounds even and 32 inches.

Eating: The have 3 meals a day with several snacks and nursing varies. They all nurse when they wake up, before nap and before bed but the length changes and sometimes they will only nurse for a minute. My milk has come back so they are more into it. O never really lost interest but now all three are back. 

Sleep: They go to sleep around 7:30pm still and are up around 6:30 or 7am. They are taking only one nap and sleep from around 12:30-3 or 3:30 pm.

Clothes Size: All in mostly 18 month sizes with a few 2t things fitting and a few 12 month sizes still fit.

Milestones: Their words are just exploding and they are working on sentences. They also are really getting into climbing and doing things themselves. Definitely getting more assertive and acting like 2 year olds!