What’s so “terrible” about two?

With Ellie almost halfway to three, I have yet to fully understand why the twos get such a bad rap.  Yes, there are tantrums, whining, and demanding behavior.   But, the 80% of the time she is NOT exhibiting those behaviors are some of the best times we’ve had.  It is fascinating to watch her memory, intelligence, and humor develop. 

Let me describe what I enjoy about Ellie’s personality as a “two”:

• Eagerness/energetic: “Where are we going?” (she asks with great anticipation, nearly every time she wakes up in the morning or from her nap)
• Enthusiam: “Yeah, that’d be fun!”
• Pride: “Yay! I did it all by myself!”
• Funny: (in a very deep voice) “Hey dad!”
• Helpful: “Take SaNannah for a walk, daddy?”
• Empathetic: “Mommy, it’s okay.” (if I spill or drop something)
• Observant: “When you’re a little girl, then you can wear bows.”
• Curious: “Mommy, do you sleep with a pacifier?”
• Rule-abiding/enforcing: “Daddy, you eat all your dinner and then you can play.”
• Creative: “God lives at Trader Joe’s.”

Since Ellie has always been a fairly easy child, someone once said to me that our second child will be the one to do us in.  That individual had no idea that we would have our second, third, and fourth child all at the same time.  That just may do us in.  Or, perhaps we’ve been spared the “twos” and will get some payback during the “threes” or adolescence.   

Regardless, before her brothers take the center stage on the blog for awhile, I wanted to acknowledge the profound love and joy we have for Ellie.  When I first became a mother, I underestimated the amount of contentment and fulfillment a child could bring.  I feel blessed beyond measure to be Ellie’s mother and I am grateful that we’ve had so many special moments this summer to bond and laugh.

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August 3?

This could very well be the babies’ birth date. I am scheduled for a c-section that afternoon, unless of course the babies decide to come on their own timeline. It is very odd to even be discussing the possibility of delivering the babies in August, the month they are due. For months, we had hoped to get to July (instead of May or June). We never even considered anything beyond that point.

My doctor determined this date because I will be 36 weeks and 1 day. At 36 weeks, there is little benefit to the babies in continuing to remain inside and there is an increased chance of complications, such as placenta issues, developing. If anything happens between now and then, the doctors won’t hesitate to deliver right away and doing so will result in minimal effects on the babies. We are so lucky!

I now have a new anxiety as we face the possibility that one or more of the babies could come home when I am discharged, or shortly thereafter. I had anticipated using the time when they were hospitalized and I was at home to rest and start on my recovery from a difficult pregnancy and c-section. We may be thrown into it all in the span of a couple of days. I’m not sure we’d ever be fully ready, anyway, so we’re just going to have to take it as it comes.

Now, I am trying not to focus on the fear I have about delivering by c-section. At least my doctor showed no signs of hesitation in delivering triplets. She said, “I have to assist my husband in surgery at 1pm, so let’s have the babies at noon.” I appreciate her confidence and Wes is relieved that her husband will not be assisting in our delivery…you know, just in case any marital discord arises over the weekend.

Stay tuned…

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34 weeks and more…

At today’s ultrasound, the babies all measured about 5 1/2 pounds. This is still ahead for their gestational age, but not off the charts as before. I think we finally got a fairly realistic prediction; the other sonographer was a bit generous. I also wonder if I would have collapsed had their been a reason to think 18 pounds of baby resides in my midsection.

It is weird reaching this point in a triplet pregnancy, because it really is phenomenal to still be carrying them, at home, with no bed rest. The doctors have no concern if they are born now, but also they’d love to see me get to 36 weeks if my body allows it. It seems every time I reach a major milestone, the bar gets set higher. Who knows if and when labor will begin. I think we’re already being trained for life with our new babies; things will not be predictable and will require a lot of flexibility. We’re taking things day to day now, and will be for many months to come.

Ellie is in school for the next two weeks and she is thrilled about it. It is great timing for us. If the babies come, it gives her some structure and predictability for a few weeks. If they don’t, it gives me some predictable rest and break.

We know we’re truly blessed that so many of our prayers have been answered during the last few months!

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Countdown to babies!

Everything looks great with the babies and me.

The onset of labor is very hard to predict, but the doctors think it will be soon.

We’re filled with anxiety and excitement, and much impatience.

We’ll update the blog as things unfold.

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Ellie and Daddy’s ‘Venture’

I recently took Ellie on an adventure, or ‘venture’ as she called it:

Goin' on an "venture" to the nature museum

Ellie's new pet...an opossum

Goin' on a bear hunt..

Finally finding a bear

Puzzled

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Diaper Sandcastles

Last week, I entered Ellie’s room to find this master creation she designed independently and called, “sandcastle:”

Today, she decided she wanted to make another “sandcastle.” She was adamant that I take a picture, but she was equally as adamant that the camera and I not appear until she was completely finished:

I love to see her budding creativity and imagination. I appreciate that she takes after her daddy in this regard.

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Growing, Growing, Growing

Our 32 week ultrasound brought another good report.  These babies are big!!!  Still no bed rest required.  At this point, I think it is less about what activities the doctors will permit and more about what I desire or can tolerate.  I am certainly not used to the physical limitations I am self-imposing.  It will be well worth it, though, when these babies arrive large and healthy!

If my body does not naturally go into labor in the next couple of weeks, the plan is to schedule me for a c-section at the end of July. 

Here are today’s growth measurements:

Baby A: 5 pounds, 8 ounces

Baby B: 5 pounds, 2 ounces

Baby C: 4 pounds, 15 ounces

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Our week in pictures…

Since purchasing his iPhone, Wes is rarely seen without it clipped to his side. Those of you who are local have certainly not missed this detail. Neither has Ellie. On a rare moment in which Wes removed his clip, Ellie grabbed it and came up with this idea:

Like father, like daughter

The rest of the photos speak for themselves:

She really is this sweet and cute (most of the time that is)

31 weeks pregnant, measuring 41 weeks

Crib 1 of 3

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At least two more weeks to go?

I was pleasantly surprised today to learn that the results of my fetal fibronectin test were negative. This means that despite some signs of preterm labor I’ve been having, there is a 97% chance that I will NOT go into labor in the next two weeks. I was also relieved because a positive result on this test is not necessarily a great indicator that labor is imminent, but it would require immediate steroid shots to help develop the babies’ lungs and permanent bed rest for me.  Things can certainly change at a moment’s notice at this stage and it is not unusual for minor problems to develop that are best rectified by immediate delivery.  However, the results today are very encouraging.

We are so grateful for all of you who are praying for us. Being this far in the pregnancy with a good report is such an answer to our prayers.

Another ultrasound with growth measurements to come on Monday.

Happy 4th to all!

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