Week 26 Begins

We start week 26 with Momma growing by the day. She is uncomfortable and regularly wearing her back brace now, but determined as ever to make it to our goal of May. We haven't posted a picture of the magic belly in a couple weeks, so here is a shot from this morning to mark the start of another milestone week. Keep the prayers and good thoughts coming!

A series of good developments

We are rapidly approaching the start of week 26 this Wednesday, February 25, with Momma doing well. It's been more than a week since the last posting, so here is a quick summary of the latest:

-- a trip to Westfield, NJ on Valentine's Day brought a host of generous hand-me-downs from friends of our sister-in-law who had been kindly gathering them up for weeks, including two baby seats, a custom-made side-by-side jogging stroller for three, and two cribs, all of it in incredible shape.
-- that trip also introduced Pappa to his first triplets. It's one thing to read about triplets; it's quite another to meet them. This was two identical girls and a boy, now four-years old. The energy level was intense, and Pappa got a little taste of the fun and wildness to come.
-- our in-laws visited for a few days and did some more helpful work around the house, including taking the nursery a few more steps to readiness.
-- another doctor's visit included all good news.

Momma has definitely reached the stage now where every day is an achievement, as she grows practically by the hour. We'll post a new picture below soon. We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers as we have entered the phase where every week is another milestone.

Latest doctor's visit

Another smashing success of a doctor's visit. We're getting spoiled by these, but we're not complaining.

The little ones are becoming bigger ones at a perfect pace -- the boy is now 27 ounces, one girl is 25 ounces, and the second girl is 24 ounces. These are super numbers, as are the growth rates, which are nicely just ahead of normal growth rates for a singleton, which is perfect for triplets. Meanwhile, the heart rates for all three are in the 150s (beats/minute), which is also ideal. Mom-to-be is also gaining weight just as she should -- a lovely four pounds more in the last week. The doctor couldn't be more pleased. This check-up can only be called super.

By the way, if you add them all up, our babies now total 76 ounces, or 4.75 pounds, so Momma, at 24 weeks and 2 days, is now carrying what could be considered the equivalent of a full baby. We say that with a big smile. And she is looking good too!

Perspective

Tonight was among the best nights of this experience, as we met for dinner with a group of moms of multiples -- five moms with twins and one with triplets (two girls and a boy to boot) -- who kindly had invited us to join them. The children's ages range from 15 months to 9 1/2 years.

It was so meaningful and uplifting because of the thundering joy they all felt at being the parents of multiples. They reveled in the uniqueness of the experience, of seeing their kids form extraordinary bonds as they grew up together, of the constant suprises, so much so that they could hardly imagine it any different. As one of them put it, "If I had to do it all over again knowing I would have twins, I would do it in a second." Whatever demands the experience will bring, and we have no illusions about that, we also know that we will feel as one of the moms said when she put it all in perspective, "You'll love it so much, you won't even notice the work."

They shared some wonderful insights from their experience besides, about delivery day, choosing names, diapers, local pediatricians, breastfeeding, stroller gear, best minivans for multiples, sleeping arrangements, school enrollment (i.e., do you insist the school keep your twins together? your triplets?), and more.

And we got to see pictures of their little ones to boot.

To top it all off, today marks the start of week 24. Yes.

An important week approaches

We have learned along this arc of discovery that week 24 is an important week. That is 12 days away. Why is it important? Because at week 24, even in the event our little ones were born that week, science has advanced to the point that there would be an 85% chance of their surviving. Now, in the grand scheme this is forbidding. Because our goal is to make it to week 35 -- the first week of May. But we are learning a lot about multiples, and with that date so close, and our having come so far since those earliest days last fall, the fact that we are on the verge of a momentous transition like week 24 is potent.

Meanwhile, on happier subjects, a new pic of the Magic Belly of the Mom-to-be is posted below. To think that how big she will be by week 35 -- well, we prefer not to think about it, actually. One day at a time, as the saying goes.

One of the little girls is tossing and turning like crazy tonight. They seem to take turns every now and then doing their utero dances, and tonight one of the little ladies is getting jiggy. You go girl.