The last day of babies inside – 33 Weeks, 1 day

Posted on by Sherri


Well, most of you know we are scheduled tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. at Summerlin hospital to welcome these boys into the world. Chip and I thought we’d post one more belly pic since this will be our only experience – believe me 3 is enough – but we’re trying to cherish every moment, even when I am complaining at how uncomfortable and miserable I am. We are so grateful that science could help us get to this.

Here is the Summerlin Hospital information:
Summerlin Hospital Medical Center
657 Town Center Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89144
(702) 233-7000

We saw our doctor yesterday for monitoring and our twice weekly ultrasound scan, which was fine. We discussed how miserable I have been along with a urine dip that turned up some indicators of the babies taxing my liver, which is the beginnings of Toxemia. Blood pressure was good, but I’ve also been seeing spots periodically and waking up with headaches. So with pain in my muscles, back and belly along with serious heartburn, Dr. Bohman decided it is time before anything else happens to me that may make me sicker. So he asked us if we could be at the hospital at 6 a.m. for an 8:30 a.m. c-section. We looked at each other and said absolutely! Both of us were surprised that we could get in so soon. We fully expected for things to take at least a week. So I had a steroid shot yesterday to help develop the babies lungs and then again today to ensure the best possible outcome. Oddly, I had the best night sleep in awhile. Not sure why, but I felt so much better waking up this morning. Maybe it’s because now we know the end is near. I’m not sure.

We then sent our messages and called family all afternoon, which was nice to touch base with everyone either via phone or email. Everyone has been so supportive and warm. It has been so meaningful to us. As soon as we can we will post photos of the babies.

Talk to everyone soon!

32 Weeks + 2 Days Update

Posted on by Sherri



Well, it’s labor day weekend and here we are….not laboring, but still on the sofa with babies in the belly. Very good for them, very old for me, so that’s the same story. We are still monitoring twice a week and it looks “beautiful” according to my perinatologist. No contractions, heartbeats are strong and consistent and there is plenty of water (needs to be 2 cm or more) around each baby. Baby A is laying along the bottom, still has his head in my pelvic bone on the right side. Baby B is our flip flopper, but is vertex (up and down) on the right and baby C is like a crescent on the upper left side. They now roll a lot verses kicking. Each appointment I get scanned with ultrasound, but they don’t measure or give us pictures anymore since the goal is to see fluid and movement. My blood pressure has been slowing increasing from the 120’s to the 130’s, but no one is concerned about it at this point. Yesterday’s was 135/64. This seems to be in the normal range, so the buns continue to bake in the oven. I’m still having a lot of trouble sleeping and up a lot in the bathroom, but that’s every pregnant woman. So, pretty much no new news other than my back hurts and my feet/hands continue to swell, which are hard to stand on. I did have the same issues when I was pregnant with the girls, so it’s no surprise. I think I wore slippers the last month or so. The good news is that if we can stretch to 34 or 35 weeks we can deliver closer to home at San Martin (maybe) hospital or Siena, which would be nice. The other great thing is that every day the boys are inside saves them about 2 in the NICU, which is why I hang on for more time despite the daily difficulties I have. I am hovering at gaining anywhere from 33 to 36 pounds and apparently it’s fattening up the babies which is all good. I step on the scale every day. One day it’s more, one day it’s less.

We received some beautiful afghans from the Harrah’s Reno hotel crew as well as some really nice blankets made with lots ‘o love from Celia and Fred Colvin in Alaska. In addition, we received the “duo” stroller (we are going with 2 of them since we usually have more than one of us going somewhere at a time) that Bunny and Bill had ordered for us. Laura Besiada also gave us 2 dressers that will save few bucks. I’m sorry to see her move to Florida, but appreciate that we don’t have to buy more furniture. I think we’ll change the drawer pulls to something boy and we’ll be good to go. So the nursery is coming together and we’ve taken a true inventory of the things we have which is now posted in the “Updated list of baby items” right behind this post. The only things we didn’t account for are some used clothing I bought for both newborn and preemie on ebay. There’s just too many of one of this and that it would take forever to list. Thank you to everyone for your generosity and kindness. We cannot find the words to express just how much it means to us to not have to do it alone.

We are continuing to put our budget together and figure that we will use 1 can of formula and 20 or so preemie diapers per day, which is $27.00 per DAY for babies, not counting anything else. Hopefully when they get a little bigger we can buy larger diapers at Costco for much less. So….life is going to change for us big time in a financial way. I think Chip worries the most about that. Both of us are looking at it from every angle often to ensure we are accounting for everything. 3 kids at once along with 2 others is VERY scary.

The girls are back in school this week. Kaitlyn started 6th grade at the middle school which is a whole new experience and makes me feel old! She’s loving all the options and new things. Her biggest thing has been no more uniforms. This year she picked her own clothes. I carried the checkbook and the girls pushed me in a wheelchair at the mall. Totally uncool, but that’s what it took to school shop this year. Gillian began 3rd grade and now has the elementary school to herself. She’s still in uniforms and had fun picking new clothes too. The girls are also both busy with gymnastics, girl scouts and Gillian started fall soccer in the last couple of weeks. Don’t even ask how we’re going to do all the running when the boys come. Their dad has been really helpful, so hopefully that will continue. Both girls are really excited…we all are excited. We are seeing the girls become more independent and helping us around the house. I can’t believe how big they are, but it makes me proud that they can pitch in where needed. Today they are going to help Chip put the duo stroller together. They have all the pieces laid out and ready to go as soon as Chip is done watching the Michigan game (first of the season, against Appalachian State). They’ve helped me keep count of the baby stuff too and were awesome at putting the nursery stuff together from Abby (THANK YOU ABBY).

Happy 26th Anniversary to my mom and dad on August 31, can’t believe it’s been a year since the big party. 🙂

IF WE GO INTO LABOR….the plan right now is to call one person from each side of the family and then have them get information out. If my mom isn’t here already, we’ll call her, but if she’s here, we’ll plan to call Kristy on my side and Bunny on Chip’s side to pass the word on. I’m putting together a list of people to call/email when the big event happens. If you want us to add you to our email list, please let me know via email at sherri@metaforge.net

I’ll try to post on Tuesday, but if not, I’ll post on Thursday, which will be 33 weeks….WOO HOO!

31 Week Update

Posted on by Sherri


We’ve been monitoring twice a week and today we made it to 31 weeks, which is the national average for triplets! Very good news indeed, however I am so worn out, that I am ready for these babies to join us on the outside. Get a look at these beautiful pictures and you’ll have an idea as to how tired I am. Not my most flattering I must say, but it is what it is. I’ve managed to gain 33 pounds now, which surprises even me, as I wonder how there is anymore room for food or babies. The heartburn is a nightly reminder! It is also incredibly difficult to sleep and be comfortable in bed, however I am adhering to doctors orders of modified bed rest.

Dr. Bohman says we will “let it ride” for a couple more weeks (how very Vegas). 3 or 4 more weeks if we can and if my body cooperates. This will depend on so many factors. First and foremost, it will depend on if anyone – the babies or me – become distressed. The second will be contractions. Right now I’ve had exactly 1 contraction in the almost 4 weeks we’ve been monitoring twice a week. I am beginning to swell up in my hands and feet, so that could become a blood pressure problem which will lead to babies being born sooner, but we’ll see. I sincerely want to go longer so that the babies spend less time in the NICU and could possibly come home with us if we can make it to 34 or 35 weeks. That would be fabulous.

The monitoring appointments take 2 to 3 hours each and they listen to each heartbeat and monitor for contractions. It also takes a long time because my specialist’s office doesn’t have a triplet monitor, only for twins. Then the doctor does an ultrasound scan to ensure each baby is moving. Sometimes they are stubborn. Baby A doesn’t move much and hangs out really low by my pelvic bone, baby B flops like a fish between the middle and the right side and Baby C moves around some and hangs out very high almost in my chest, which makes it difficult at times to breath deeply. So we are now in a holding pattern. Holding for whatever comes next. We will keep everyone posted as to what is going on as soon as more news is available.

On a lighter note, my sister Kristy, her husband and her daughter came from Winnemucca to bring some things from Grandma that will really come in handy! They also brought some much needed equipment from Abby. We had a great time together too! This week Carrie also came by to visit along with Bonnie who all brought some great gifts for the babies. I’m so grateful for visitors, it sure makes the time pass more quickly.

We’ve updated the listed to reflect the last gifts we’ve received. Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support both with gifts and kind words. It means so much to us

29 and 30 Week Update

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I can’t really believe it, but we almost at 30 weeks. We had a very lengthy doctor’s appointment today. The girls went with us and hung in there so well. They did an extensive ultrasound to measure each baby and look at the fluid around each baby to ensure all was ok. Each baby weighs about 3 lbs. and is about 15 inches. We are still in the same range as a singleton baby, which is great! Especially since I have gained just 27 lbs. The goal was between 40 and 60 pounds and it’s not for lack of trying. They know me at Krispy Kreme and Jack In The Box, as we are there at least once a week, sometimes more. Gotta love cheeseburgers and doughnuts. I’m so trying! What a cruel joke….I can only laugh. Never in a million years did I think that someone would be telling me to gain more weight!

The ultrasound also showed plenty of fluid around the babies. They look for 2 centimeters or more and we are well over 3 per baby. All the heads and bellies look good too. We could even see The doctor said we are doing very well and maybe could go past September 1. I’m hopeful we can, but as I said in my last post, my body is pretty tired and I don’t know where I have room to expand.

We then went on to monitor the babies. They put monitors on to look at heart rate of each baby along with measuring any contractions. Still no contractions, which is more good news and the heart rates are right where they need to be at between 140 and 160 beats per minute. They also drew my blood to check my thyroid. There won’t be any news on that until Thursday. So now I go twice a week to monitor heart rates and contractions. We’ll be at the doctor on Mondays and Thursdays now.

The girls are getting so excited too. They rub the belly and talk to the tummy. Gillian has been carrying her doll in the new stroller for the boys. It’s great!

These days at home are off and on. If I can get a good night’s sleep all is good, but if not, it’s a rough day. I have a lot of lower belly pain and when they move sometimes it’s painful. Chip has been so good about rubbing my feet and back almost every day. Sleeping is a real challenge. Chip told me last week that I sounded like I was 90 years old. Some days I feel like it! Getting out of bed is rough! I try to roll over and it’s painful. I’ll be sitting on the sofa and all of a sudden I will just get a painful cramp. That’s when I know they are moving around. It hurts underneath the ribs. I also have 3 times the blood volume of a not pregnant woman, so my veins stick out and I get weird rashes from my blood vessels pumping so much blood. These are things that aren’t fun, but I am so grateful that the babies are doing well and that we are getting this miracle. I’m truly excited to see these boys.

In the pictures above you can see where they showed us that one baby has hair. It’s amazing! Check out the bottom pic for baby b. The babies are so big now we can see neat stuff, but never more than 1 baby at a time. On the picture on the right, you can see a fisted hand next to the side view. It hurts my back to sit for the ultrasound, but I love seeing all the parts from hair to the blood flow to the heart. It is always reassuring to hear the heartbeats too. That part never gets old. We started our second video tape since we have so much ultrasound on video. It will be a great for them to watch later. Maybe I’m just being sentimental.

I also have an updated list of baby items we have/need, which will be posted in both the past post of “updated list of items needed and received” as well as after this post. Thank you again to everyone who has helped us, supported us and who continues to keep in touch. We can’t wait to call of you on the big day.

27 and 28 Week Update

Posted on by Sherri




We’ve finally reached 28 weeks. It seems like it has taken forever to get here. I have to say that we’re so happy that these babies are healthy and growing, but boy, my body is worn out and I have a very big stomach! Feet hurt, belly hurts, hard to sleep, all that goes with pregnancy….some days are hard, but it’s so worth it. It won’t be long now, and I sincerely hope that we can make it to September 1, which will be 33 weeks. I want them to come out so I can see these boys, but I also want them to stay in and grow as long as possible. The next monitoring is Monday, Aug. 6, so we’ll see what is happening then.

Last night we made our first trip to the hospital – in Summerlin – to be monitored. I felt as though the babies weren’t moving as much as in the past and it alarmed me. Immediately, I was thinking the worst and hoping for the best. Turns out the heartbeats were fine and we monitored for an hour or so and came home. Nothing to worry about thank goodness.

I also took the 3 hour glucose test, which was rough on an empty stomach, but it came back normal,which was very good news. It was also amazingly wonderful to get stuck 4 times considering how much I love needles. It will be so worth it when we can cuddle those baby boys. The glucose test was on 7/26/07.

I have been going weekly for monitoring, which has been very uneventful in terms of contractions. I’ve also finally quit working and went on leave as of Friday, August 3. It’s a little scary, as now I really don’t have much to do with with my mind now. At least with work I had that to keep me occupied, however I am also VERY tired because it’s really tough to sleep at night. So now I’ll have plenty of time to rest.

There’s been a lot going on though. The nursery is all done as far as paint and trim. Now we need to finish decorating. Bunny helped us at Babies R Us pick out a sea theme, which goes very well with the blue/green of the paint. The paint is fantastic! Chip wants more “boy” stuff, but I told him we need to pick a theme. Chip wants some baseballs and stuff. So….the theme may change.

Bunny left on 7//28 and Chip’s other sister Sue came in on 7/31. It’s been nice to see them both! We feel so fortunate to hear from and see so many people. Kristy and Jeff will visit in a couple of weeks, which will be fun and then hopefully mom and dad when babies are born.

26 Week Update

Posted on by Sherri

We had our doctors appointment on 7/16/07 and it was a long one. I did the one hour glucose test first, which wasn’t fun, but wasn’t too bad either. Then we had our ultrasound, which showed that the babies were laying across the bottom of my belly, stacked one on top of the other like a triple decker bus. All heads are laying on the right side and feet were to the left. No wonder I get kicked the most on the left side. Babies A and C are about 2 lbs. and baby B is about 1.5 lbs. and sandwiched in the middle. They are about 14 inches from head to toe. Then we went on to our first monitoring session for contractions. We will be monitoring weekly now for a month. There were no contractions the first session. My cervix has shortened by 1 centimeter and is now at 2 cm. The doctor said this was normal. We looked at the cerclage stitches and it seems to be the ONLY thing holding everything in. Wow, just amazing to see on the screen. Since it was a very lengthy ultrasound, we saw all the hearts, brains, kidneys and blood flow to both the placenta and through the umbilical cord. Very interesting to watch. The doctor thinks we’ll go into the low 30’s for delivery. I’m still shooting for 33 or 34 weeks, but Dr. Bohman will be happy if we make to 31 weeks. We will definitely need to go to Summerlin to deliver.

Tuesday, 7/17/07 we met our new pediatrician, one that is very well known in the Vegas Valley, Ralph Conti. It was good to see his new office and talk face to face about how he manages multiples. I had taken the girls to him 8 or 9 years ago, but his old office was so crowded and the waits were very long. We discussed how we couldn’t bear to do that again, so he really eased our fears and was very good about offering support by providing us a beeper number and a cell number, which is an extreme rarity and we certainly appreciate that he’s making himself available. We’ll see what happens.

Tuesday night Bunny came in and it’s so great to see her! She made 3 baby quilts that are absolutely beautiful! They are so colorful and will be awesome in the nursery and using them on the floor for tummy time for the boys. Bunny, Bill, Jamie and Danny also ordered strollers for the boys and we’ve received one of them. My mom bought the infant seats and we picked those up on Wednesday. Thursday morning I received a call from the doctors office and my glucose test results are high. My blood sugar was 168 and norm is under 135. So Monday I will take a 3 hour glucose and get stuck for blood 4 times. The fun never ends!

Today is Saturday and it was a rough morning for me. Contractions I think. I woke up at 5 a.m. with so much belly pain and back pain. Finally after about an hour or so, I was able to go to sleep again and then at 8 a.m. the pain was back again. I called my doctor, but haven’t received a call back, which is highly irritating to me, but the pain has also subsided. So, I’m not sure what has been going on. It always makes me scared because it’s too early to deliver. Not sure, but maybe he’ll send me to the hospital for monitoring, which I don’t want to do. The last place I want to be is in the hospital.

Also today, Daniel and Christopher are here after coming over last weekend to show us some paint colors. Today all the work is being done. Bunny, Chip, Christopher and Daniel has been working like crazy since about 11 a.m. The girls are here this weekend too and have pitched in to help. We changed our configuration of the upstairs and nursery for the babies. Chip and Bunny primed Gillian’s old pink room, which was very pink! Now it’s the new nursery. The guest room will be our “spare” room which is also getting painted today. I’m so excited! Since I can only go up and down the stairs once a day I haven’t seen the action, but Chip has taken a few pictures, which I’ll post. It looks good from what I’ve seen.

I’ll post whatever pictures I can very soon. We finally replaced our digital camera, which met it’s maker in Hawaii after 5 good years. I’ll have Chip take a belly pic or two and we’ll post those too.

Thank you to everyone who has commented that they read the blog. I am enjoying writing and keeping a good journal of this incredible journey. My body hurts and is tired and my mind isn’t as sharp these days. I need a place to keep all my thoughts in order. Thank you to everyone for their support and help with this endeavor. It has meant the world to us and from the bottom of our hearts we can’t thank everyone enough.

Week 25 Update

Posted on by Sherri



We don’t have a doctor appointment until July 16, so no photos of the boys this time. Chip has been really busy putting together pack ‘n plays and we’ve been washing all the new gifts from the shower. We also received a glider rocker so Chip has that on his agenda to put together this week as well.

I am still working full time at home and sleeping less and less at night. I must say I’m not making life very fun for the rest of the folks in the house. Despite being VERY excited for these babies, my whole body just really hurts, especially the underside of my stomach. Chip gets to enjoy me tossing and turning throughout the night. He always asks what he can do, but there’s not really much. The end result is that I am crabby sometimes and everyone feels it. I just keep apologizing. Both of the girls have stepped up so much and are doing a lot more around the house. Chip is a champ too and does all the running for the girls as well as taking good care of me.

I’m still working, just working exclusively at home. I’m putting my plan for leave together and need to get it to my boss by Friday. It’s hard to leave my little work babies too, but will be one less thing to worry about. I’m torn about how long to work. It keeps my mind busy, which is very good, but it wears me out some days. I’m going to keep going as long as I can, not sure how long that will be.

I’ll post new ultrasound photos as well as new information that we learn at the next appointment.

Chris and Daniel are headed over this weekend to paint the nursery and next week Chip’s sister Bunny is coming out to visit from Florida and help us get ready with more painting and organizing. Our list of items to be done is everything from changing faucets in our upstairs bath to repainting Gillian’s old room which has become out guest/help bedroom. Right now it’s very pink and I hope to tone that down a bit. We’d also like to get the upstairs bathroom painted as well. We’ll need to put another crib together and pick up a third. Still so much to do, not sure how much time we have to do it before these boys show up.

We learned we will be delivering across town in Summerlin and I am trying to get a tour of the NICU, but apparently it’s a popular place. July is already full and August isn’t open yet. I’d like to take a look before there are wires and machines all over the boys (hopefully that won’t be needed) and we are freaking out because we don’t know what anything is.

I’m still at a weight gain of only 20 lbs. but feel huge. I’ll have Chip take some more belly pictures and post those soon. All of us are enjoying the baby kicks all day long too. The babies are more and more active. It’s just amazing that I can feel so much.

We’ll post again soon.

Baby Shower

Posted on by Sherri





Today was the baby shower than Lin Goldstein threw for us. Lin did an absolutely fantastic job. WOW! It was just wonderful. We had a great time with all the good people we have in our lives. It was so good to see everyone and we are now a little better prepared for the babies. All the gifts were things we really need. Kristy came from Winnemucca Sunday morning and we took video and tried to stream over the internet so mom and dad could watch. That didn’t go so well, but at least we pictures and we are sending out a DVD to Kristy. Kaitlyn and Gillian came over for the shower as well. We had a fantastic afternoon, but boy it wore me out!

Lin brought a chocolate fountain and did tons of hard work! She had some great games that we played after folks left, but Lin just went all out. Chip and Dan brought sandwiches from one of our stores. So much yummy food and good company. We had the following guests: Deann Paulen, Jennie Gauchi, Christopher Brighton, Daniel Wathen, Don Kachline, Hank Hope, Laura Besiada, Lori Buchanen and her friend Stacie, Kristy Newman and Teresa Cortorillo

Kristy being here was such a big help! She took all the pictures and made sure we got video. Chip got a break for a couple of days. Kristy trimmed bushes in the back yard, did dishes, made us breakfast and grilled an awesome tri tip on the grill. It was just too short of a time! Sure wish she could have brought her whole family and stayed longer. She promised she would come back in January. Can’t wait!

I will post photos on the photo page.