Anatomy Scan

Most pregnant ladies (if they are seeing an OB for their care), have an anatomy scan between weeks 18-22 to get a more detailed view of the babies including measurements and development of organ systems.  This is the appointment when most moms find out the genders of their babies if they choose to.  As you know, we've had multiple scans to date and have been fortunate to see our babies about 10 times already.  On March 28th, we had our very own anatomy scan to check on the babies.  This scan was different than any that we have had before.

First of all, I was laying on the table with goo on my belly for just over two hours.  To be honest, it got a little uncomfortable.  Unfortunately, they don't make the exam tables out of memory foam.  As you can imagine, three babies have a lot of parts and a lot of measurements.  The ultrasound tech measured each baby's length, head circumference, mid-section, and leg length to get a composite score that they used to estimate weights.  Baby A was 9 oz (80th percentile), Baby B was 10 oz (90th percentile), and Baby C was 8 oz (70th percentile).  The percentiles are calculated using the same charts that are used for single babies.  The average size of a baby at 18 weeks gestation is 6.7 oz.  That means we have some big babies!  That's great news.  Apparently eating myself into oblivion is benefiting our little ones.  It's very important that our babies be ahead of the curve if at all possible, because at around 28 weeks, they start to run out of space and grow at a slower rate than a single baby (the Fish Bowl Effect). Hopefully we can keep them bigger than average up to that point so they have a head start.  

Other things that they look at during the anatomy scan are the four chambers of the heart, the kidneys, bladder, stomach, brain, spine, and sex organs (still Girl/Boy/Girl).  They also check to make sure each baby has all four limbs and they appear to be developing normally.  Our babies all checked out completely normal with all parts present and accounted for.  They told us that at this point, they could only see major defects in the heart, so at 22 weeks when the hearts are more developed we will have something called a fetal-echo cardiogram to take a closer look at each heart and make sure there are no minor defects.  

Almost every time I see our babies up on the screen, one of them does something sweet that brings a little tear of happiness to my eye.  I'm so in love with all three of them and we haven't even met yet.  While we were there, they took an 3D picture of each of them.  I can't get over how amazing it is to get such a clear visual of each of their little faces this early.  

Baby Girl A.  What a peaceful little face.

Lil Man B.  I feel like I could pick him up out of this picture.

Baby Girl C.  Always covering her face with her hands.

So far, the pregnancy is going about as well as we could possibly hope for.  Keep the thoughts and prayers coming--they are certainly working.  

A Surprise Baby Shower

As of last Sunday I am officially 20 weeks pregnant!  I have so much to catch up on from the last three weeks.  I have been putting it off hoping to get my laptop fixed because it has been running so slow that I can't write a post in less than two hours.  As it turns out, my hard drive is crashing, so I will be updating on Ryan's computer while mine is in rehab.  It feels very unnatural.  I'm oddly attached to my 6-year-old computer.  Anyhow, modified bed rest began on Monday, so, needless to say, I've got some time on my hands.  A lot has happened over the past three weeks, so I was thinking it would be best to update one event at a time, so that I can give each one the time and attention that it deserves over the next few days.

On Sunday, March 24th, I finished up my shift volunteering at the Humane Society and rushed home to meet my husband and head to a friend's house for a late lunch.  My former dental assistant when I was stationed at Peterson AFB recently bought a beautiful new home and her and her husband had used my husband as the realtor for the endeavor.  Since December when the house was purchased, we have been talking about getting together for a meal at her home.  Deana and her husband Dan had invited us over and we were finally available to take them up on the invitation.

After rushing home to pick up Ryan, we were still running about ten minutes late.  The whole way over to Deana and Dan's house I was talking about how I had hoped she hadn't timed lunch to begin right at 2:00.  Deana is a magnificent cook and I didn't want to mess up the timing of the meal by being late.  As we rolled up to her home, there were tons of cars parked on the street.  Ryan said, "Wonder what this is all about."  In my infinite know-it-all wisdom I replied, "Oh, it's March Madness.  Her neighbors are probably just throwing a party to watch all of the basketball games."

As we approached the front door, I noticed an odd Dr. Seuss poster on the front door, then the door flew open and Deana said, "I guess the jig is up.  This is a baby shower."  Unbeknownst to me, my coworkers at Peterson AFB had collaborated with my new friends a the USAF Academy to throw me a baby shower.  The most amazing part is that they were able to get my husband in on the secret and he didn't spill the beans.  Ryan is the world's most terrible liar.  I can usually tell he's going to lie before he even opens his mouth.  Hopefully our children get this quality.  It will make our lives much easier.  

Deana was the hostess of the shower and had gone out of her way to make it truly lovely.  Everything was decorated in a Dr. Seuss theme and she made the most beautiful Dr. Seuss themed snack table complete with Hop on Pop Popcorn and Green Eggs and Ham cookies.  We played games and opened gifts.  Three of the girls at the USAF Academy dental clinic, Holly, Chariti, and Lindsey, had gotten together and crafted the most beautiful three-tiered diaper cake filled with washcloth roses and other wonderful baby things.  Everyone was so generous and kind.  The whole shower was completely unexpected and it filled up my heart to know that everyone cared so much.

Hop on Pop Popcorn

Green Eggs and Ham Cookies

Loved the Jello goldfish bowls and the cotton candy Truffula trees!

Later this week, I will update on the various other events that have happened since my last post. The triplet anatomy scan, the trip to Kentucky and the family shower, the car accident, the cocktail shower in Louisville, modified bed rest, and the 20 week doctor's appointment.  Whew!  That's a lot!  Hopefully while on bed rest I can catch up quickly.