For those who have been wondering. . .

About once a day I talk to someone who has herself wondered how I'm doing or been asked by someone else how things are going.  Since I will now be on the couch for many hours a day I've got the time to keep you all informed.  This is not meant to be self-serving in any way, it's just a place for people to check on the status of our baby-growing so they don't have to wonder anymore or call my mom and have her not return the call.  Sorry Auntie Joyce.  So feel free to check back as much or as little as you want.

So here's what we know as of now.  All things considered, things couldn't be going much better for me and the three buns in my oven.  As for me, I feel good for the most part.  My back hurts (the consequence of adding 30 pounds to my front in just a few months), but my $12 heating pad has taken care of that.  I can still put on my own socks (bonus!) and bought some slip-on shoes to avoid tying.  I've also resorted to a wardrobe primarily consisting of Jesse's big shirts and sweatpants.  I recently purchased some purple sweatpants at Target, because that just seemed like something a fat girl should wear, purple sweatpants.

You may be asking how I suddenly have the time to do this.  Answer: bedrest.  Well, modified bedrest I'm told.  It was suggested by the multiples specialist in the Cities that I start this at 22-24 weeks.  Now at 25 weeks, my doctor has put that into action.  I returned to work at school after holiday break this past Monday, and after doing a bunch of other things that day had a couple contractions, which were my first this go 'round.  I stayed home from work the next couple days until I went to the doctor, and told her what happened, to which she said, "Yeah, you're done."  So yesterday I cleaned out my desk and left the workforce indefinitely.  :Yikes!  The people at school have been so caring and accomodating through all of this and for that I am grateful.

Anyway, I've set up camp in the corner of our living room sectional, building a nest of pillows, blanket, the heating pad, the remotes, phones, and laptop.  And here I will be for many hours each day.  I'm told it's fine to shower and use the bathroom whenever I need; I can get things to eat or drink (which reminds me, we are out of Tootsie Rolls); and throw in a load of laundry here and there.  Basically I am not to be on my feet for more than an hour at a time.  I've made a list of books I'd like to read and we subscribed to Netflix, the kind that instantly downloads to the Playstation 3.  I may never leave the house again.  I figure I should take advantage of the time now, because I doubt there will be much lying down in a few months.

As I said, I'm 25 1/2 weeks along now.  As of last week at our most recent ultrasound, all the babies are right on track growth-wise, about 1 1/2 pounds a piece.  Their heads are the size of oranges already, plus their bodies - no wonder I feel full and can't breathe.  They're all very wiggly already - one not as much as the others, so hopefully we'll get one calm one out of the group.  I kind of did this to myself, as I said before I knew we were having three babies that whatever it is can't be worse than Axel.  That's not true.  Three Axels would be worse.  Love you, Ax.

People have been asking what we need or what they can do for us, and honestly I don't know what to say to that.  I'm not good at asking for help, but I promise to try.  We probably don't need anything right now, as we're used to being a little messy here and I'm still allowed to do occasional housework and cooking.  Keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and maybe someday I will come up with something for you to do.

I should probably stop writing now, if anyone's still reading this.  I promise in the future they won't be as long, just trying to lay the foundation here for people who have been out of the loop.  Closing with the highlights of this week's doctor appointment:  I gained no weight this week, and I get a temporary handicap permit.  Could have used that for Christmas shopping.

a.