[larklynn]

As far as stretch marks and bellys go I have had really bad stretch marks for years!! I felt horrible when I first got them after my oldes ds and was very much into no bikinis. You are all right they are worth it though. He is a great kid and I don't feel as bad about as I did at 19 though. Why do you think there are no belly pics posted? lol just kidding.

[Celeste]

Tracy - what a horrible tragedy, my prayers are with Sam's family.

Yeah, the joy of strech marks. With DD, I didn't have any at 36 weeks and 3 days later she "dropped" and all of a sudden they were everywhere, she was born 1 1/2 weeks later. All that cocoa butter for nothing!

[designdiva32]

Tracy I'm so sorry about little Sam, I can't even imagine the pain his family are going through right now. I will keep them in my thoughts.

Shelley, my guess is its not just a triplet thing. My sister has had three children and her stomach has that shattered glass look too. Now her youngest is 2 shes hitting the gym with plans to have a tummy tuck soon. I don't blame her or any of us who choose to do that. I know I'll have one and a breast lift if required. I don't see it as vanity at all. I mean, our bodies are our vehicles...and would you let your car get rundown and saggy with paint peeling off?? No way, you'd get it detailed. So thats what we should call it...we are just going in for a detail. lol

My OB phoned today to tell me she wants me to keep having NST tests for Reed for another 3 weeks just to be sure, which is good as I'd rather be safe then sorry. She also told me shes leaving for Australia with her doctor hubby at the end of July!! I can't believe my OB is leaving!! While she never had much time to see me, she was really nice and now I get to have another OB who is going to be even busier as she will be taking on all my doctors patients on top of her own. Argh, what a nightmare. It was funny though, she said she felt awful leaving us all like this...but I told her I would leave too if it meant moving back to Australia. She is going to have so much fun there, she'll get paid alot more too. So I'm annoyed and jealous at the same time. I might have to pay her a visit oneday.

[fossie]

I definitely have no problem with getting a tummy tuck and breast lift - unfortunately I don't have the wallet for it necessarily but maybe something will happen in the next few years to make it possible - if I have the dough I am definitely going to use it to make my stomach look less like dough!!!

Well, had my 3D ultrasound today - pretty cool! The pictures didn't come out great partly because they are still a bit small and partly because they are laying on top of each other and punching and kicking and turning so much that we never could get good shots without arms or legs or backs of the heads of one or both of them! I didn't realize that they were interacting so much already since all of my ultrasounds have only shown one baby at a time. They are literally in each other's space!
Here are a couple of pics - Katie is the one that is face on with one hand covering her eye. Tyler would not cooperate and his pic is profile. The other one is both of them - her laying on him but you can't see him .

[sarahelaine57]

Fossie-how cute do those babies look!!! I actually think the third one is kind of neat. The sibling rivalry has begun already!

Alana-sorry to hear about your OB...I don't know what I would do if that happened to me.

Tracy-I will be sending a prayer out for that family and hope those tornadoes are gone!

Shelley-I would imagine with three babies it wont take you long to get back into shape!

So I have discovered that I cannot wear my sunglasses for a long time because they are fogging up! This must be a result of pregnancy because it has never happened before! Oh and is anyone feeling hiccups yet? Just wondering what they feel like...yay for 25 weeks!!! Celebration time!

[BabySteps]

Shellie, your pictures of the babies are so beautiful. I think they turned out great. It was really crowded when I got mine done and it was hard for them to get a face shot. Your babies look so peaceful in there. Thank you for sharing. I just love seeing baby pictures. They are the most precious thing.

Alana, sorry about your OB moving away. I hope the one that replaces her is a good one and spends the time with you that you need.

Sarah, congratulations on making it to 25 weeks!! Yay. I know it was a great feeling to make it to the viable stage

I had my wkly doctors appointment today. The babies were moving a lot, my blood pressure was great and so far my glucose numbers look good and I don't have to go on insulin. I got my support hose yesterday but I could not fit them over my toes. I measured my leg and ordered according to their size chart but still they are too tight. My doctor gave me a prescription to get a custom made pair. LOL I have to laugh. I did not know there was such a thing. I hope my insurance covers some of the cost....

Next week I get my 28 week measurement scan and RhoGAM shot because I am RH negative. This last month has gone fast!!

[designdiva32]

Shellie, the babies are adorable. I love that they are interacting already. I have my second 3D u/s in two weeks and now I can't wait!

Sarah, nope I don't think I"ve felt hiccups. But then what would they feel like? I guess the sunglasses thing is the extra heat we are all experiencing. Just be careful not to wear them when driving! lol

Shelley, wow 28 weeks, your little ones will be here in about 7 weeks! I can't believe how fast the time is going, I'm 26 weeks tomorrow, although Reed is measuring about 27 so who knows when my due-date is now. Its coming quickly that I do know!

[sarahelaine57]

Is that normal procedure to have a growth scan at 28 weeks? I won't get another u/s until the time after next, which means I will be 30 weeks! I wish there was someone around here who just did 3/D u/s...my doctor won't let me have one until my next u/s, and I am just too impatient to wait another 5 weeks!

Shelley-that is crazy to think you only have a few more weeks until those little bundles of joy are here!!! How exciting! Glad to hear your appt went so well.

Alana-I know I am feeling some different sensations lately and just wondered if that was what they were...but I noticed I am not getting a lot of big movements anymore, a few here and there and when they do happen it's the kind that makes me jump. DH was talking to the baby like he does every night before bed and the baby must have done a sumersault in there, and I jumped and it scared DH! I think I might have already told this story but at this point I can't remember my phone number anymore! But is anyone else feeling more smaller movements? He is more active throughout the day, whereas before he was just active after lunch and then dinner time, but there were bigger movements then? Only 1 1/2 more weeks of work!!!! Wahoooooo!

[tracyinterior]

Shelley--yay on your blood sugars. I am glad that you don't need any insulin. You are doing an awesome job of carrying those three babies!

I won't be around for a week or so. So, don't think I am giving up on you guys! My husband is the youth pastor at our church, so Sam's tragic death has really been hard on us and our whole community. Our church yesterday was an absolute media circus. I am sure some of you have heard about this on the national news. Anyway, we are extremely busy with memorials and his funeral, plus just visiting and being there for his family. So, please forgive me for not being around for awhile. Hope you all have a great week and I will return!!

[charms]

Tracy - I am so sorry to hear about Sam.

[Justine]

Tracy-I'm so sorry to hear of the death of Sam and the other boy scouts.

Alana-congratulations on the great appt and sorry to hear about your OB leaving, but sure she'll leave you in good hands.

Shelley-that's great news on your appt too--great job!

Fossie, funny you saw that show, maybe I can catch it if it runs again. I'm not worried about getting back into shape, such as losing weight after delivery, although I'm sure it will take time. What I wonder about is the extra hanging skin that remains after having multiples due to needing to gain over the usual 25 pounds. That's what Kate had, also the pregnancy damaged some of her muscle integrity and they had to reattach in surgery.

I don't think I'd worry about it with one baby. Last year my sister had a singleton and a few months later looked almost back to normal. I know to watch the types of food I eat now so the weight I gain is more beneficial, but I do also give into cravings for not so healthy things. In general I follow the 'listen to your body' mindset. I have indulged in licorice, cookies, sausage, pizza,etc. at times. I also think it is some of the fun of pregnancy to experience and satisfy cravings and just go with it!

Time really is moving quickly now and it's starting to get exciting. I'm in works to arrange for time off from work but I could give birth sooner too so cannot set a date. Our current plan is that I'll take 1-2 months off, depending on everyone's health (e.g. premature issues), and then return to work part-time/2 days a week on DH's days off, so he can take over baby care. We don't have family here but my inlaws will likely come for a long visit from Germany in the early fall, which will be stressful, but also great, I think. Again I'm going with seeing how I feel about daycare for two newborns: I may feel fine with it, but right now, do not. The expense of two would be more or equal to what I would make full-time. I'm thinking we'd do that, possibly, when they get older. Honestly so much is on a wait and see basis as this is our first time as parents and we don't really know how we will feel or what will be best for us all until we're there. So, we'll be flexible until we gain more experience to make some solid decisions. Make sense?

[fossie]

Justine - my dh last night said all nonchalantly - I don't want to put the babies in any childcare until after January!!! That is the first time he has said it but he is adamant that he just does not think it is responsible parenting to but babies that are likely to be premature in daycare that young. I agree somewhat but I just don't think he is being realistic on being able to care for both babies in those first few months by himself and also get work done - just don't think it can happen and I have to work. Childcare has been my biggest stress by far so far because it really is all wait and see - wait to see how my dh can handle it, wait to see what the babies are like, wait to see how much extra it really costs with two babies in the house, wait and see if we are offered any kind of childcare help from the in-laws that live in town, etc., etc. on top of most places having wait lists so I really can't wait and see forever. I know it will all work out but I can't stop thinking about it!

Oh, and the extra skin is my worry too but to get to that point I have got to find a way to put on more weight - they say the earlier the better and I have already missed that window but I'm going to do what I can!

[Justine]

I hear you Fossie! So many variables. Do you know if your salary would cover the cost of two newborns in daycare?

I had a former coworker who had twins and worked full-time--she told me almost her whole salary was spent for the daycare. (her husband worked f/time as well.) Her reason for doing it was so she could continue to earn clinical hours for 3 years in order to obtain an independent license and she could open her own practice. She also felt that the later years were more important for her to be home for her children.

Most important thing at this point is to have a healthy pregnancy and carry as long as possible, so I try to focus on that but it is difficult. I just found I get too overwhelmed when I think too far ahead.

In your avatar photo you look big..has your doctor told you that you need to put on more weight? As of last week I put on 25 pounds and they've advised 40ish. I've been eating too much sugar lately, I haven't been perfect, that's for sure.

[sarahelaine57]

Dh and I are talking about daycare as well, my mom might quit her job and watch the baby for us, but she just had a interview opportunity somewhere she really likes so now she may not be watching the baby, and I am not a big fan of daycare places, I would much rather have family care...but even for one it can get expensive if it is quality care. And as a teacher I know the first two years of a child's life is the most important so I want to find someone who knows and understands that, but it is sooooo hard.

I was very bad today and gave into my six month long craving for a ham and cheese sub! Of course I had them heat it in the microwave until the container had steam in it (30 seconds, hope it was long enough), but then dummy me googles it AFTER eating an entire 12 inch sub and now worry about listeria...but it tasted so good!! How horrible am I??!!

[BabySteps]

Would you girls consider getting an au pair? I hear that is can be more affordable if you have more than one child. Of course you have to be ok with someone living at your house. I will be a SAHM but eventually I would like to find something I could do to make some extra money. I am sure once the children begin to get bigger they will become quite expensive!

How much weight do they suggest you put on for twins? I was told to put on between 50 and 75. Seriously So far I have gained 53 lbs. It is getting really uncomfortable, yet there are people who think I do not look that big for carrying triplets. I am not sure what they are thinking???? I am huge!!! I think they have been watching too much tv and are comparing me to Kate's belly that was full of 6 babies. I know I will have extra skin and separated muscles. I have seen pictures of triplet mommies and read postings of their tummy tuck adventures. I would have preferred to avoid it all but I wouldn't have changed having 3 babies, even if I could