New Pictures

Here I am today! I am 30 weeks and 5 days along. This will be the only time in my life that Dan will be able to take a picture of me and then say, "You are huge!" (That's our new pack 'n play in the background.)

This is a picture of me in the hospital. Not the most flattering, but oh well. Nothing about pregnancy is very flattering.


Here is a picture of my recent help. The first is Mom and Dan taking a much needed break from all my demands. At least that's what they would want you to think. ;)


This was the next round of help to arrive: my brother, sister and brother-in-law.


Finally, it was my brother's birthday when he was here and this was Dan's solution to lighting all the candles. A blow torch may have been slightly over doing it... don't ya think? The some of the candles doubled over in the heat. Good thing Douglas is a firefighter and we were in no danger. :)


Finally, my big news for the evening: I've always been afraid of passing Dan on the scale and have repeatedly reminded him to pack on some pounds. Tonight we took in the local Pizza Ranch buffet (my appetite has been furocious lately-grow babies grow!) and I just had to compare our weights after dinner. I can't believe I'm about to tell the world what I weight but here it is! Dan stepped on the scale first and it read 226.4. I thought, "oh good, there's no way I'm that big yet..." Then I stepped on chanting "lower than 226!" The scale read exactly 226.4! We were exactly the same!! Not fair, but we had a good laugh. I'm still under what they recommended I gain, and not for lack of trying either. I'm on the see-food diet. I just want the babies to get anything they need and they seem to be eating it all up! They have always measured a very healthy weight, especially for triplets.

I'm feeling well and babies are moving like crazy! Dan had them playing chase the flashlight tonight and that was fun. I feel like I just stare at my belly all day. It's fun. I better go so I can call my sister and wish her Happy Birthday - Happy Birthday Jessica!

Elizabeth

Hello world outside my living room!! The four of us are just hanging out here having a grand old time sleeping and eating and trying to keep the hours flying by. I can't believe how quickly this time has passed. I can totally do another month of keeping these babies tucked away safely... it's just getting hard waiting to meet them. I can't wait to hold them and kiss them and see their faces. But, I will be patient. We're still aiming for May 22 at the soonest.

I have to brag about my wonderful husband for a little bit. The middle of last week was gorgeous outside and was feeling slightly stir crazy since I can't take a walk or anything. Well, on Wednesday he came home for lunch and took me for a ride in the van. He had stopped by Subway on the way home and took me for a picnic at Island Park! It was awesome. He had even stopped by the carwash and washed the van so we could sit in the back and not get dirty. The seats tip all the way back so you rest against the seat and sit on the back of them. We settled in back there and had our Subway and enjoyed the 75 degree temps and breeze. I was able to get some sunlight while we enjoyed the view of the river and trees. It was so perfect and (dare I say) romantic. Dan is just so thoughtful. I love him!

We scored some nice buys at the "Mothers of Multiples" rummage sale in Sioux Falls. We were able to get a single and double frame stroller that you just snap your carseats in. That will be so helpful if I need to take babies out but don't want to take all three. We got a really nice monitor for $5 and a few premmie outfits incase the babies are small when they come home. We also got two adorable bouncy seats that came highly recommended by all the moms. It was a great trip to make even though it was snowing out. We got out of there just in time too... as we were walking out the door the electricity in a large chuck of Sioux Falls went out. We were planning on renting a movie to watch with my cousins in Sioux Falls, but had a MUCH better time getting out some board games. What a blessing a power outage can be!

That's pretty much all the action to speak of around here. Hope everyone is doing well. Thanks for all the comments you've been leaving, it's always great to hear from anyone out there and knowing you are thinking of us. If you'd feel like it's been too long since an update... let me know and I'll post. For now, no news is good news. If something big happens, Dan or I will definitely post asap on here.

God bless you!
Elizabeth

Catch up with the Nebelsicks!

I'm just sitting at home now recovering from our eventful weekend. I'll start from the beginning...

Friday, we had an appointment with the doctor to measure the babies and check-in on everything. My sister, Jessica, got to go with us and see the ultrasound. My cervix had shortened to 1.9cm and was slightly dilated. Not good, but not terrible enough to check me in to the hospital. We decided that my activity has to be severely limited and doing all we can to keep me pregnant. The doc gave me my first of 2 steroid shots. They help the babies develop their lungs for a premature birth. Dan volunteered to give me the second one on Saturday. Brave guy! It's a doozy of a shot. We got some cute pictures - mostly of our baby girl because she was the only one posing for the camera! :)

Baby Girl profile

3-D Baby B, Face with the foot up by it (uh-oh, I think my daughter has my nose!)

Baby C lounging, one leg stretched out and one tucked under

Baby foot



Friday night we had dinner with my family at my aunt Donna's in Sioux Falls. I spent the evening in the recliner or lying on the couch. But, I was noticing some contractions and my heart was pounding at 120 bpm. Just laying there! We figured I must be hyped up on the steroids.

When we got home and settled down for the night, I started noticing more contractions. They were coming more frequently, but I thought I was just freaking myself out and wanted to fall asleep, thinking that would help. The next morning I woke up and was tracking the contractions that came back. I was getting them every 6 to 8 minutes! That's way more than the allotted 4 an hour. I called the doctor and we were off to the hospital!

I got checked in and to make a long story short, they moved me in to a big room and hooked me up to monitors. We knew we'd be there for a while. I also had to face one of my biggest fears - the IV. (duhn, duhn, duhn - imagine ominous music) Dan hadn't been gone 5 seconds to grab lunch and the nurse walked in announcing she was going to insert a humungous needle to stay permanently in my arm. Good thing I've had experience as an actress because I believe I played it pretty cool when my body wanted to run out the door. Unfortunately, the first try in my hand didn't work so and bubbled up. Second time in my wrist took but yuck! The IV became my nemesis for the rest of the stay. All I kept thinking was I better toughen up because that will be nothing compared to the imminent epidural and c-section.

They gave me some medicine for the contractions and it seemed to do the trick. I stayed in the hospital until Monday afternoon and they let me go home. YEA! I feel like I'm recovering from the hospital stay. It was hard to get sleep there because of the many things everyone has to take care of through the night and early morning. Today I slept until 10:30am and then fell back asleep at 11:30 to 1pm! It was just what we needed. The babes are still moving up a storm. It's awesome.

We'll end with the best news of the weekend. All 3 babies were measuring 3 pounds, 3 ounces! 3 times 3.3!! I thought that was pretty cool. All heartbeats looked great and the pregnancy is stable. We are going to keep close track of everything at home and pray I keep going strong. My goal is still making it to 34 weeks, which is May 22. This Thursday will be 30 weeks and I think we can do it! Pray, pray, pray! Everyday the babies stay tucked away is sooo important to their development and health.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers and we'll keep in touch!

What is your thought?

I want to know what your suggestion would be for triplet names! I thought it would be fun to have a record of everyone's ideas because I've forgotten all the ones I've been told. All you have to do is leave a "comment" down at the bottom of this post. I'll figure out how to get comments to show. Dan and I will be picking the most creative!! Let us know!

Target Meltdown

I'm so wiped out but I think it's all emotional and hormonal. My day started well. I went to a Mom's of Multiples brunch in Sioux Falls. The ladies were great and I got tons of good advice and encouragement. They gave tips on nursing multiples (which I’m planning to do). We also got some websites about some car seats that could possibly work with our stroller. It was so nice to talk to mom’s with experience.

My mom left to go back to Gillette today. She's been here for a week taking care of me. That was kind of hard on me because it has been a great week hanging out and working with her. But, I SUPPOSE I have to let her go home to my dad and her work. It was just such a (warning: understatement ahead!) HUMUNGOUS help to have her here. So, I was quite sad to say goodbye after lunch.

Dan and I went by Target to get necessities for the babies. I used the electric cart there for the first time and it was OBNOXIOUS! I was so humilated because the store was super crowded and the reverse on my cart was SOO LOUD! I would get stuck places and have to back up and everyone around me would jump out of their skin and then stare at me. As if I needed more of that. Just to describe it: the coal mines in Wyoming probably get their back-up alarms from the same manufacturer. No kidding, I thought some people were going to hit the deck if I HAD to back up. The baby section had people crawling everywhere so I just had to sit in the big areas and have Dan bring things back and forth. I had been so excited for the trip and shopping together and it was miserable at times. This was probably one of the last chances to get this done so I didn’t want to come back another time. Anyway, when we got to the checkout, I started crying! Right in the middle of the store!! I'm usually a rock with fighting tears and so poor Dan asked what was wrong. Big mistake... talking=more tears. I was feeling so overwhelmed at all we needed to buy and how much we were spending. I was frustrated over the shopping experience with the stupid cart and exhausted from being out all day. Most of all, I think I was just tired and sad and it was a bad combination. I can’t explain hormones and my tired emotions to Dan very well. He calls crying “cheating”. I know he just wanted to fix whatever was wrong…. But I’ll have to get back to him when I figure out what it was. I wonder if Dan will ever take me in public again.

Well, at least now that my mom was here we can say that we are as ready as we'll ever be for three babies coming into our lives. We could get by the first month or so anyway. The nursery is set up as well as another room for sleep-over help. We’re going to put a crib in there too in case one baby is extra fussy and causing problems. Otherwise, we plan on trying to co-sleep them as long as they like it and are nice to each other. House construction is finished and clothes are washed and folded. Dan finally said today that he feels ready. I know we’ll never be “ready” to be parents, much less to three babies. Nevertheless, it’s nice to feel as prepared as possible.

Sleep time now… gotta go.
Until next time,
Elizabeth

Yo-Yo and 28 weeks!

Yesterday we had our 11th ultrasound(as far as I can calculate from the recliner)! This was a check-up after our scary report from last week. It is becoming obvious to me that I have a yo-yo cervix! It is back out to 26mm from 18mm. The docs view anything 25 and below "danger zone". Taking it even easier this week did it's job. I had my suitcase packed, but luckily I didn't have to go in to the hospital. My goal is to stay away from even a chance of a hospital stay so we don't have to fret about it so much!

Things have been hopping at the Nebelsick house. My mom has been here for a week and it's a new house! Dan's mom came over on Wed. too and they painted one of the upstairs "future children's" rooms. It's sooo refreshing since it has been a junk tomb for four years.

Mom has also helped me organize tons of baby supplies, shampoo carpets, cook meals, wash baby cloths and fold them,organize our office which got moved to the basement, and countless other things that I couldn't begin to take care of before babies come! She's awesome!

I have to give a "shout-out" to my aunt Marie because she spent a day of her time in Sioux Falls making enough food for an army to put in our freezer! I'm not able to stand up and make
I was so excited to reach the 28 week mark in this pregnancy. Now the babies would have a very good chance if they had to be born anytime. This was a milestone. The next big milestone is to get to 32 weeks - the average for triplets. MY goal though is at LEAST 34 weeks. At that point in time the kids would be fairly developed and would need less help surviving in the outside world. The doctors won't let me go past 36 weeks because there are more benefits for them on the outside than the inside where they run out of room and supplies. (Full term for single babies is 37 to 40 weeks.) Just a little education for those who don't speak "pregnancy" - I never did. :)

Sorry I haven't gotten any ultrasound pics up lately. Our scanner isn't hooked up right now so we'll have to wait.

Please pray for safe travels as my mom heads home tomorrow and my sister and he husband come to visit on Thursday. Pray for Dan as he finishes up house stuff while caring for a invalid wife. Pray for the babies that they grow stronger (much to the pain of my ribs :)) and stay hidden away in the "secret place" (see Psalm 139 - my favorite!).

God bless you and your families!

PS - One cruelty of pregnancy: the butterfingers I have which makes me drop everything, and the belly which keeps me from picking it up!!

My Gorgeous Bathroom!

Here are the pictures I promised:





YEA DAN!

Hello from the Recliner!

I just woke up in my nest. I have four pillows stuffed in various places around me and one behind my head. The recliner is my new 24/7 hang-out. Dan tucks me in here every night and I stay here as much as possible during the day. Here's why:

On Friday, we had another check-up on the kids. They are growing and doing awesome! Baby A is 2 pounds, 4 ounces. Baby B is 2 and 6 oz. and Baby C is 2 and 7 oz. They are all close in size so that's a great sign. And they've all gained a pound in the last month!

The downer of the appointment was my report. The docs don't like the cervix to shorten below 2.5 cm and we've been blessed enough to maintain lengths around the 3's. Well, now it is down to 1.8. Not good. I was given the instructions to take it "even easier" and to go back in a week. We are headed back for a check-up on Thursday.

PRAY that it lengthens back out and we can all feel slightly safer. I really don't want to be checked into a hospital at this point yet. I know it is probably inevitable near the end but it is way to early at 27 weeks and 5 days. We are praying the babies stay hidden away until at least 34 weeks - May 22. I want to be home where Dan can take care of me because my 3 hours in the hospital last week were uncomfortable and I didn't see any recliners! Dan also would have a much better time not having to run back and forth to Sioux Falls nightly. Yikes... it's a scary thought.

I'm very grateful to have my mom here this week. She's able to help me and be my hands and feet while Dan is at work. We got another bedroom cleaned and sorted so that only leaves the basement to be tackled. Then we can take a deep breath and know that the house is ready to welcome our children. Dan has finished the bathroom!!! I'll include a picture this afternoon after I've gotten a chance to go upstairs for a shower. I try and limit my trips up the stairs to 1 or 2 a day, even though I'm still crawling. It's getting harder now cause the knees hit the belly!!

I can include a few pictures of the nursery and what we have so far. We have 2 cribs set up and curtains. We're working on dressers/changing table at the moment. Against my better judgement, I'll also include one with my big belly in an ugly "no one will ever see me" outfit. Comfort rules the wardrobe now. Outfits are picked out according to "what will I have to adjust the least as I sit all day?" So here you go:




I'll be back later today to show off my husband's handywork. The bathroom is truly beautiful and it's such a relief to have it done.

Ta-ta for now,
Elizabeth

April Fool's Mommy and Daddy!!

It's official... we were April fooled by our babies! Kinda... Here's how we spent our evening:

This afternoon I was really concerned about some clear/watery discharge I had been having. I called the doctor's office to inquire about it and to my surprise they said "come to the hospital." What? Hospital? Now? They said come to the front and be admitted. What? Admitted? Holy cow! (Not me... just an expression for the situation ;) ) So, I called Dan and loaded up a bag, just in case I was going to acquire a new address for a little while.

It was a bit of a nerve-racking trip after that. I was admitted to the hospital at 4:30pm and given a room. They hooked me up to monitors and tried to find heartbeats. The little buggers were no where to be found! It is not like they could have gone far. So then they wheeled in the ultrasound machine and there they were! Three healthy moving babies still nice and protected in their watery home. All fluid levels looked good. After a couple hours the doctor got there and also didn't find anything wrong - there wasn't any amniotic fluid leaking. Pheeeewww! So, we were released with instructions to take it easy and call them the instant we thought something could be wrong. I was feeling a little dumb for having a false alarm but the nurse said that they want me to call every time. The most important thing about keeping these babies healthy and safe is calling right away. Time is of the utmost importance. That made me feel a lot better. We got to head home at about 8pm.

I've never been so thankful so be heading home! I know I will be comfy and well cared for here. Daniel is soooo good to me and takes care of everything I need and then some. AND on top of that he said he was glad I was coming home too! I thought he'd be jumping at the chance to give someone else the responsibility of caring for me! Just kidding. That would have been hard on him. I, unfortunately, was STARVING when we left because the nurses didn't know if I should eat and we passed supper time in the hospital. I foolishly hadn't eaten since 1pm. Over dinner at Culver's we were discussing April Fool's Day and Dan realized that our babies had really gotten us tonight. They sure had me going! I kept trying to think of some way to fool Dan all day but I could only come up with pregnancy stuff - and that's just plain MEAN to joke about that. (I eventually got him by filling his Mt. Dew cup with water - he made a great face.)

Anyway, that's the story of our evening. I'm spending my second night sleeping in the recliner. My ribs hurt too bad when I lay on them now so this is the most comfortable place in the house. As long as I can keep all my pillows tucked in around me, I sleep like a baby... that is as long as my babies are sleeping. They LOVE to move around and play "kick the wall" when I'm laying down. But, if they keep me up, I just lay here and enjoy it. I can sleep in as much as I need to and take naps so they don't bug me. I've waited my whole life for this and I don't want to miss a thing!

Thanks for following the drama that is the Nebelsick Triplets. Until next time...

Elizabeth