22 Weeks

Hey everyone!

Here we are at 22 weeks!!!! So happy and grateful to be here. Big accomplishment!!!!! It's been a quiet and peaceful week. No doctor appointments or complications - Praise the Lord! I am starting to get some pressure here and there but usually because I'm walking or up on my feet for too long. My body is starting to tell me when I've done too much - and this tends to happen everyday! Work is getting harder to do. I'm filled with energy in the mornings but by noon I'm ready for a 5 hours power nap. By the time I get home I'm exhausted and go straight to bed. Needless to say I'm counting down the days to my maternity leave. November 15th is my last day at work which means that including today, I have 13 business days however I've got two holidays, 3 days off and 1 day of training so that only leaves 7 actual office days left to work... YAY!!!! I can't wait! I'm ready to do absolutely nothing but rest and get ready for these girls. 

Maternity Photo Shoot
Tito and I had our maternity photo shoot this past Saturday, October 26th with our good friend Sabrina! The photo shoot was scheduled way in advance and we had no idea what the weather would be like on the actual day of the shoot. The weather was in the low 50's but it was very very very windy. I had a one shoulder strap dress and I bared the cold for almost an hour and a half. All worth it in the end as I LOVE our photos. We took so many pictures and posses. I only have a few right now but as soon as I get the rest I'll post some more up. Here are my 3 favorites so far:

 Photo by: Sabrina Lee Photography

 Photo by: Sabrina Lee Photography

Photo by: Sabrina Lee Photography

Basic Updates:
Last weigh in at 21 weeks = 158 lbs.
Weigh in at 22 weeks = 162 lbs (I gained 4 pounds!)
Cravings: Ice Cream!
My belly is feeling heavier and heavier as the days go by, here it is:

Upcoming Events:

1. November 1st, 2013 - Ultrasound with the Specialist to finish my Level II scan since the girls weren't cooperating the last time. 

2. November 2nd, 2013 - My uncle Jorge in Delaware is having his last service as a pastor and I will be in attendance. I can't wait to celebrate him!

3. November 9th, 2013 - Family and Friends Baby Shower - OMG I've been so busy doing last minute stuff for this. This weekend is project "Get the Favors Done." LOL 

Next Update: I'll definitely be updating again on November 1st after my appointment =) Stay Tuned!

21 Weeks

We've made it another week!!! Praise the Lord...

Anatomy Scan / Level 2 - October 21st, 2013
I had my Level 2 scan (also known as the Anatomy Scan). The usual length of time it takes is about 45 minutes to an hour for one baby. My scan took almost 4 hours! They measured everything!!!! They measured fingers, hands, toes, ankles, femur, head, brain, heart, kidneys etc. Each baby gave us a run for our money on certain parts and therefore I have to go back in two weeks for another scan but all in all they all look great! They are growing well and at 11 ounces already! I can't believe how big and human like they look now. We can confirm that they are all girls indeed. Over all the appointment went very well and for the first time since the beginning of this pregnancy I left smiling with good news!

Baby Names
So Tito and I thought that we should share the names as they are official! Each name was picked out personally by the two of us and for very special reasons. Baby A is Hadassah. Hadassah means one who brings joy and deliverance. We have chosen this name from years ago. I have always loved the story of Esther/Hadassah and everything she stood for. After our long long long journey of trying to conceive Hadassah came along and delivered us from the dry land of no conception and has brought us so much joy already! Baby B is Isabella. Isabella means oath of God; promise of God. The Bible says the no child of God (woman of God) shall be barren! Children are an inheritance and are promised by God! I was promised my children over 3 years ago and here they are! We also love this name because it incorporates my grandmother's name Isabel. Baby C is Cianna. Cianna means for God is gracious! And boy has He been nothing but gracious! We can't wait to meet our baby girls! Here they are at 20 weeks and 5 days:

Hadassah

Isabella

Cianna

Work Baby Shower

I had my work baby shower yesterday, October 22, 2013. I was blessed with many gifts for the girls. It was such an awesome turn out considering my line of work! My unit did such a great job decorating and providing snacks and goodies to everyone. One of my co-workers took pictures at the shower so I have to wait for her to send them to me. But I did get two pictures of some of the gifts I got. 

Teethers, toys, bibs, head bands, booties and hair clips, pampers, wipes, detergent.

Bath items, Converse booties, blankets, wipe travel holder, bottle cleaner etc.

Sleepers and Onesies!!!! One of the onuses says "someday my prince will come."

Tito said, "not for a long time." LOL

Blessings All Around
Yesterday I got a call that someone has "taken care" of all three of my cribs! I don't know who the person is as they want it to be a surprise but I'm so very thankful and grateful! I couldn't stop crying yesterday. God is good all the time and he always supplies our needs! Whoever you are, I'm sure I'll know soon, THANK YOU!!!! I've also been blessed by many friends who are passing down their daughters clothes and baby items. I'm so so so so so grateful! Keep them coming ;)

Overall Feelings
I'm feeling well. I'm much more tired then usual and finding it hard to move around for a long period of time. I'm in some pain which I'm not sure what it is caused by. I can't tell if its my bone or muscle but I'm calling it in either way. Keep us in your prayers.

What's Coming Up Next
My maternity photo shoot is this Saturday! We are all so excited!!!!!

Here's my belly shot for 21 weeks:

XOXO,
Jackie

Half Way Point 20 Weeks

We have made it to the half way point - 20 weeks!!! I am so thankful and grateful to God for allowing my husband and I this amazing opportunity to bring to life to his three daughters... yeah I might be giving birth to them and raising them but they are ultimately God's daughters! So much is happening right now and so many changes occurring!

20 Week Check Up
I had a 20 week check up at the obgyn on Monday, October 14th. My husband was finally off and able to go with me. We met Dr. Minter and LOVED her! They checked my weight, sugar and blood pressure and everything was great! There are no concerns right now for gestational diabetes or high blood pressure - Praise the Lord! My belly got measured but I was to sleepy to pay attention and I missed the measurement. We got to hear all three heartbeats! Baby C had the hiccups - so cute! At first it was very hard to get the heartbeats due to the girls constantly moving around but they settled down enough to catch their heartbeats. Baby A and Baby B were in the low 130's and Baby C was around 143!!!!! We are truly on cloud 9 with these precious girls. I can't believe how much I love the girls. Nothing in the world could have ever prepared me for this love!

MATERNITY LEAVE
I got confirmation from my obgyn that if all goes well my last day of work is going to be November 15th, 2013. I'm truly looking forward to going out of work. I love what I do but lately it's gotten really hard for me to truly do my job when I'm 100% sleepy by noon and often times cramping. I think I've worked late every other day for the past 2-3 weeks and that's not good for me or the babies. So I'm counting down the days to maternity leave from work. Also, for those who know me well, know that I'm very active in my church with a School of Worship Arts (dance/mime) and of course Kids Church. Sadly, it's time to take maternity leave from those two as I have no time to rest and by the time Friday evening comes I'm completely worn out and in pain. It breaks my heart to be so restricted but I know that it is only for a season.

BABY REGISTRY
Omg! I never thought a baby registry would be so darn hard to complete, especially when you're planning for three. Tito and I started our registry in August and we just finished it! Actually, I still go on occasionally and change/add items. The first day we went to Babies R'Us, Tito and I were in there for almost 3 hours. At one point I just sent him to scan stuff... LOL He's picky and so am I ... therefore it was a very intense 3 hours! But we made it! We are officially registered at Babies R'Us and Target!

WORK BABY SHOWER
My co-workers are throwing me an office shower on October 22, 2013 (just next Tuesday). I asked them not to but they won't listen to me. I hate attention and I hate opening gifts in front of people, especially co-workers you know? But it is what it is and they are so happy and excited to throw it that I just can't pull them from throwing that darn thing. LOL

FAMILY BABY SHOWER
For those who truly know me, you know that I suffer from some serious OCD, therefore I have planned my entire baby shower myself! Yes, I designed, printed and mailed all the invitations myself. The centerpieces are done and the favors are coming along. I even planned the simple meal. I have harassed my maternal aunts with possible shower dates and booking a hall. My baby brain did show up during this process as I addressed many invitations as "Mr. & Mr." instead of "Mr. & Mrs." And I even mailed two invitations without the address so they came back to me. Other than that, everything seems to be coming along. I just pray and hope that people actually come and show up, you know? LOL The original date was scheduled for December 7th, 2013 but due to possibly having to go on hospital rest around that time, I had to reschedule the shower for November 9th, 2013. But I'm super excited to celebrate the coming of the triplet girls with family and friends.

My Statistics:
Pre-pregnancy weight (as of June 1st) - 147 lbs.
Current weight - 156 lbs.
Maternity Clothing Size - Still a small =)
Movement - As of today, 20 wks, I can feel the babies movements from the outside! So cool!
Cravings - Anything with cheese! I love cheese and strawberry milk!
Next Appointment - Gender Scan / Level 2 Scan on Monday, October 21st, 2013!!!!

Like always we ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers and thoughts. Everyone one of them counts.

XOXO,
Jackie