17 Weeks

Saw our OB again on Thursday, all the babies looked great and measured well. I can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone by. Within a matter of weeks I will stop working then we'll be off to relocate.
Everyone at my house is sick right now. The kids started with high fevers for a few days then coughs and some sort of stomach virus. Then, I got sick. I haven't been able to to work for the last few days and strangely, most of the pain and discomfort from this cold is going straight to my back. I have a horrible cough that rattles my belly each time, almost gives me a side ache sort of pain after I've been doing it for awhile. I'll be grateful when I feel better and can get some decent sleep.
I can feel the babies moving around much more now, they seem to be so squished in there. I am also surprised that I can actually tell where each baby is positioned in my belly. There's one little guy on my right side at the very top that likes to give me jabs when I move or turn a certain way. He's a funny little thing. There's also two lower ones on my left side that are pretty quiet unless you rub on my belly. The little gate keeper on my lower left side is really close to my cervix and at this point I can really only feel him if I cross my legs.
I've already started in with the lovely painless Braxton Hicks contractions. Doctor said at this point it's nothing to be worried about since I'm showing no change. I'm hopeful that my body will hold on as long as possible especially since this isn't my first pregnancy. I think at this point, simply being grateful that we've gotten this far with out complications is a blessing and a sign. I'm just hoping we will have things timed accordingly and if problems arise we will already be near the doctor and hospital. The staff and hospital in my area are not equipped for this sort of pregnancy and I would have very strong doubts in their abilities to accurately diagnose problems.

Can't believe how big my belly is...

16 Weeks 3 Days

So, we all survived our adventure to the LA museums. The kids had a blast, drove us crazy in the car and I didn't need to use my wheelchair! Things were not as big as I was expecting and there were lots of places to stop and rest while the kids looked around. I love that they chose to go somewhere fun rather than have a birthday party. It's so much easier for us and much more memorable.
The pregnancy so far has been going well, in my opinion. My belly is huge and I've almost grown out of the shirt I wear to work. Comparatively, I wore the very same shirt through my entire last pregnancy and I'm only 4 months along with this pregnancy!
I go for my first Watsu appointment tomorrow. It's a type of water massage/relaxation done in a heated pool. It sounds very appealing and may help my back feel better.
We also have another appointment in LA with our OB on Thursday. I'm looking forward on getting a quick peak at the babies to make sure they are doing ok. Every time we see them, they seem to have grown so much in the 2 weeks in between. We're also looking forward to a longer scan scheduled for 18 weeks locally. They told us to expect it to take between 2 and 3 hours in order to get all of the measurements on each baby. I am hoping we can get some great ultrasound pictures to add to the album for the babies. I actually can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone. I stop working in about 3 weeks and shortly after that we'll be moving to LA and a few months later, that babies will mostly likely be here.
I feel more and more confident in my ability to be successful with this pregnancy as each day passes and with each pound I gain. I am grateful to those around me that notice my positive attitude and encourage me to keep on that way. I remind myself each day that I can do this and I will succeed!
I am thankful for my faith in God and know he has given these babies the will to fight and live and offered me the strength to nourish them.

16 Weeks- 4 Months

So glad to be here, complication free!

I'm feeling good, hungry and as comfortable as expected. I'm having trouble sleeping at night with the babies shifting themselves and creating these odd wrenching feelings in my belly. Plus, I'm very conscious of dangerous warning signs to be watching for so I spend more time analyzing each pain than I normally would.

We are all amazed each day at how much my belly grows, daily it really seems. I know that since this is my 5th pregnancy my body will bulge out faster than someone else's might. I still find myself looking down at my belly and saying I can't believe there are 4 babies in there!!!

I'm braving a trip to a great science museum about 31/2 hours away from home tomorrow for my childrens' birthdays. I'm on the fence about how I feel about using a wheel chair but we have one for when I give up. I have been struggling with major back pain, I can't seem to do more than 1 physical activity (such as buying a few things at the store) a day without coming home practically in tears and needing to lay down and sleep for a few hours. I know it's my body's way of slowing me down and I'm listening! I just hope my kids aren't too embarrassed to have me pushed around while they look around.

I'm officially stopping work at 20 weeks so I can be at home relaxing and eating. I had my first official weight taken where I actually gained...9 pounds in 3 weeks!!! Now, only 40 more pounds to gain in 8 weeks. I'm certain I'll get close, it's my goal at least. My IP's requested I send them my food journals so they can also see what I've been eating each day. After struggling with trying to figure out how many calories and grams of protein each item I ate had each day, I finally found this great App for my IPad/IPod. It's called LoseIt and is meant for someone looking to lose weight however, it works as a great food log. You search through its extensive list of foods, pick your items and how much you ate and your done. When the weeks over, it even allows you to create an emailable version of each day. It has made the daily caloric requirement of 4,000 seem much more doable especially once it's all written down and calculated.

I did purchase a really great belly support band from a local maternity retail store called Mom-Ez Maternity Support. They come in sizes and offer an adjustable elastic waist band for comfort and support. I wore it the other day and I did feel a little better. It runs about $45.00 but to me, well worth the price, plus if you submit the receipt with a note from your doctor, your insurance my reimburse you as medical equipment.

With the support of my IM I also purchased a few body support pillows designed for pregnancy. I know they will come in especially handy if I end up on hospital bed rest. I just got one yesterday and used it in bed last night. The great thing about it is it's versatility and ability to wrap it or lay it different ways, even as back support while sitting on the couch.

It's called a LeachCo Snoogle Total Body Pillow

I also purchased a sleeping wedge called the LeachCo Pregnancy Comfort Wedge. I'm so glad to have all of these modern conveniences!

15 Weeks- BIG NEWS!!!

Hello back pain!





Can't believe it's here already...but my belly is growing.



I have had to slow down signifantly lately from the back pain and from being exhausted. My mom has been a huge help. She comes over each morning to get the kids ready and fed for school, drives them to school and cooks all our meals. She packs food for me to take to work each day and I feel like all I do is eat, but I am hungry! Well, she's doing it right, according to my home scale I've gained 7 pounds!!!



A girlfriend at work has named it "Operation Melissa Weight Gain." I have moms everywhere I turn, it's great. I feel supported, motivated and encouraged that this is possible. I'm certain I will get close to the 50 pound weight gain by 24 weeks.





My mom accompanied me to see our OB for our second trip down to LA on Wednesday. The drive was uneventful in our rented car, except for her dropping her IPhone at the gas station and running it over....but, she got a new phone out of the ordeal! We're the type of family that cannot do anything without having some sort of mishap, it's a family curse.





The doctor was friendly and casual, after a quick ultrasound he said they all looked great and measured right on target. They seemed so much bigger than just a few weeks before.


I asked if it was too early to tell their genders but he said he'd look. In the end he quickly added,








2 BOYS

















2 GIRLS








I knew it! What a perfect family my IP's are going to have. I was so thrilled when they called and was able to give my IM the news. She was very happy and said she was glad for each of her children that they would both be getting 2 of each to play with. I know this was meant to be and feel the only thing missing is my IP's. They are planning to relocate down to LA at the beginning of April, I'm looking forward to having her attend the appointments with me after that. I know it will make it more real for her.





Here's their 15 week scan pictures:
(the doc didn't label them but there's a snapshot of each baby)