TEAM BABIES::THE RECOVERY

Today is my DUE DATE! Can you believe that? 

I can't.

I still feel like I'm floating on air not being pregnant. I want to say we are slowly getting things back to normal but in all actuality we got back to our normal a long time ago. It's probably because I'm OCD like that and I thrive on my routines.

My body is doing good. This being my first C-section, I was shocked how hard it was. But that's just the thing, if I knew what to expect I would have been more prepared. All I ever heard was how easy they were. Big fat liars. Nothing about that recovery was easy. But now that I've done it, I can see why people can do them again. Because they know what to expect. And everyone was right. Give it one week and you'll feel so much better. That's exactly what happened. One week and I felt like a different person. 

And truly after that week I've recovered super quick and really can't complain. My incision looks great, I think? I haven't seen anyone else's so I really can't compare. K I just googled c-section scars and mine looks fabulous.

You know how Costco carts are built for people 6 feet or taller? I'm not exaggerating when I say the bar hits right at my boobs. Well this seems to be the only time anymore that I experience any kind of pain or tenderness around my incision. When Esther kicks me right in the gut. Bless her heart she doesn't do it on purpose but my natural reaction is to want to rip her little foot right off. 

Since my stomach has been shrinking back to it's "new" normal I've noticed a few extra stretch marks. Dang it all. They are really low though so I guess that's good. I came across this picture during my quest to find c-section scars and I can always look into something like this to hide everything. Just keeping my options open. 

 I suffer from varicose veins in my right leg when I am pregnant. Well not just in my leg, I think I'm one big vein when I have any extra weight on me. But my leg is looking good. It's pretty much one of those things, when the baby comes out the veins go away. But not completely. Each pregnancy there are new areas that just don't go away. Hopefully I can go have them stripped this year while my deductible has been met. My legs oddly enough are one of my best attributes, or so I'm told, so I need to keep them looking smart, since that's not one of my best attributes.

Recently, I literally had a hemi pop out of nowhere. If you're thinking ew gross then you probably haven't been introduced to yours yet. Don't worry, you will sometime in your life. I was in a lot of pain for about 3 days. Like a lot. I'm not sure if it was triggered from exercising or what but lets hope it doesn't happen again. The small talk in that Doctor's appointment would be pretty awkward. So... hike the narrows lately?

I did go see the Dr. to have a couple moles removed last week. I'm not sure if it's common but with every pregnancy new moles cover my body and old ones grow like a little pet. Although bonded I was glad to see my little friends go. I'm hoping they don't test as cancerous or anything like that. He said they looked fine, fine enough to keep connected to my body actually. But no thank you.  

Wow I really could go on....back fat, sore breasts, going bald, chubby fingers, the first poop. But I would like to keep some of my joys for the scrapbook. Im kidding. I really don't scrapbook. I'm just really really glad things have gone as smoothly as they have and I'm getting my body back to normal! Nothing beats that feeling of I feel pretty darn cute today. And I can't wait!

TEAM BABIES::MOTHER'S DAY

The triplets were released from the hospital sooner than we anticipated! So it was just fitting that Curtis bless them on Mother's Day. 

It was a very special Mother's Day indeed. Not only am I the Mother of the 4 most amazing kids there ever were. Kim finally got to celebrate the day with her own babies. She finally gets to feel what I feel. That's all I ever wanted for her.

Unfortunately at the end of the day we had to say our goodbyes. Kim and Curtis were leaving first thing in the morning to start their new lives in California. I can't explain how hard this was for everyone. A common question is how much do I miss the babies? It's much more than that, it's how much I miss Kim and Curtis. And how much my kids miss Auntie Kimmie and Uncle Curtis. Olivia especially had a hard time. Probably because she fully understands what a 12 hour drive in-between us means. Her tears continued well after the goodbye and I know that's how she fell asleep that night. But what keeps our spirits up is that we already have plans to visit in a couple of weeks and we'll just have to make some serious efforts to keep these cousins close!

TEAM BABIES::COUSINS MEET

We had been waiting for this day. We wanted it just perfect. And it was. 
Liv, Drew, Alex and Esther finally got to meet Cruz, Kash and Julie.

Our amazing photographer Lauren was there and so was channel 2. I am in love with these photo's as I am in love with all the people inside of them. We are so blessed.

TEAM BABIES::THE HEART

Everyone has been so sweet with their concerns about my emotions after having the babies.

As much as I thought I will be fine throughout this whole process I really didn't know for sure? I've never done this before. 

Your mind and heart start preparing for something like this long before the babies are born. Unconsciously I was preparing. I've said it before I am so glad I wasn't a teen mom because I wouldn't have be strong enough to give my baby away. There's just no way. But when it's not your baby, I've learned, it's totally different. 

I am so glad I waited until I was done having children to help Kim and Curtis. I can't imagine being pregnant again. Obviously we didn't know they would have triplets but having triplets has closed the doors for this body. Carrying 7 is enough right?

I remember when we told the kids about our plans to put "Aunt Kimmie and Uncle Curtis' bubbles in Mom's belly to see if they would grow". It was such an exciting time for our family even though we had no idea if it was going to work. The kids have been so accepting. We can all learn from kids. They just mold to any situation. I have had no worries or concerns about their little minds. Honestly I assume they think it's just totally normal for Aunts to carry their nieces and nephews. Which is fine by me.

When we did the first embryo transfer last June and it didn't work, that's when I knew it was going to be different emotionally. I had to give Kim and Curtis that awful call that it didn't work. While they were absolutely crushed. I was confused and eager to try again. I wasn't sad like them. I was sad for them. 

I knew the next try would be the final try. And I was fighting the emotion of failure. I didn't want to feel like a failure to Kim and Curtis. I didn't want them to be disappointed in me. Even though it had nothing to do with me and I knew they loved me no matter what the outcome. I did not want to give them that call again.

I was so happy I got to send this picture instead!

The first probably 4 months were full of ups and downs. It was definitely exhausting on the mind. I always felt I was loosing the babies. I bled on 3 different occasions. One time I was in so much pain, Tyler had to take me to the ER, which I thought for sure we were going to see the triplets gone. Try to imagine the worry I had that I was going to have to tell these now elated parents their babies were gone... Those times were hard. Way harder than being ginormous, uncomfortable, hot... I think people were just waiting for me to break down and complain when I was carrying these triplets. How could I complain? I had 3 healthy babies thriving inside of me.

Later in the pregnancy is when you usually start preparing. You are thinking names, setting up a nursery, wondering who they will look like... I didn't experience urges to do these things. It just wasn't there. I was so focused on my own family that these things weren't on my mind. I did experience nesting, but my house needed a good organize anyway!

Now the babies are being pulled out of the belly. What am I thinking at that time? Even though it doesn't sound very personal I thought of this journey as a job or a goal of some sort. And until I knew those babies were 100% perfect and healthy my job wasn't done. So that's what was going through my head. Please be perfect for Kim and Curtis. It was probably a blessing the births happened so fast. There really was no time to be emotional.

Seeing and holding the babies for the first time was amazing. And that's when this weight was lifted off my shoulders. They're healthy, perfect and my journey is finished. My job is done and my goal has been met. There's not a better feeling. It's like here you go Mom and Dad, have fun! 

I had a moment in the hospital when I was missing one of Drew's baseball games. I obviously wanted to be there and I couldn't wait to find out how Drew did. That's when it hit me. My life has changed. We are out of the baby stage and onto the next phase. Which excites me. Since Kim and Curtis have been married so long without children, I've always been a little jealous when they can just hit dinner and a movie at any given time. Or actually go to a store childless.... Now we've switched and it feels wonderful. Thanks to my awesome built in babysitter, Liv, Tyler and I have a lot more freedom. Kim and Curtis are doing exactly what they want to be doing, taking care of 3 sweet newborns and we are doing exactly what we want to be doing, not taking care of any newborns. 

How was it leaving the hospital empty handed? Haha. My hands were empty. But imagine how full my heart was. There was no sadness. Actually I was nauseous (those darn pain meds). You have to remember I was pregnant with triplets. Leaving the hospital I was no longer pregnant with triplets. I wanted to dance in the street, bend over to tie my shoe and run up a flight of stairs! I never knew how hard it was to carry them until I was done carrying them. Life is good.

I love these babies so much. I love them like a proud Aunt would love them. I love that I could bring them here to their Mom and Dad. I love that they will always be special to me and me to them. I love that they have amazing parents that will guide them into amazing people. But above all, I love how much my kids love them. Nothing makes me more emotional than that.

So I seriously appreciate all the concerns. Even Tyler would ask every day, "How are you doing, no like your emotions, how are your emotions?" Haha. I think he was expecting a major meltdown or at least some postpartum at any moment. Luckily I'm just not that emotional in the first place. Just another walk in the park I guess.

TEAM BABIES::THE TUMMY

Me, Tyler, Kim and Curtis are in the ultrasound room. A week prior to this there were zero heartbeats. Now there are three. THREE.

When you put two embryo's in someone you expect 2 babies or 1 baby. Three never entered our minds. 

After the pure joy of hearing a heartbeat, three in this case, we were all concerned how my body was going to get this done. I don't have the ideal body to carry triplets (really short syndrome). And I also know a few of us were concerned of the lasting affects this would have on my body.

I started growing quickly. I saw our Dr. twice a month and seriously I was gaining a few pounds every time I was going in there. I thought with this rate I am going to gain 80 lbs. Average weight gain for woman carrying triplets is 50 lbs.

But then things really started to slow down. There were 6 weeks where I didn't gain anything. I was still growing but I felt like the babies were taking all my extra storage. I ate the same as I normally do. I didn't feel I had an extra appetite just because I was carrying triplets. 

Fourteen weeks

 Sixteen weeks

 Nineteen weeks

 Twenty weeks

 Twenty-four weeks

 Twenty-six weeks

 Twenty-seven weeks

 Twenty-nine weeks

 Thirty-one weeks

I ended up gaining around 35 lbs total. Which is funny because with my 4 kids I always gained around 25-35 lbs so why should this be any different.

So after the 14 lbs of baby was taken out of my body it wasn't really hard to start shedding the baby weight right away. Well after the water weight left I guess. Holy puff face and kankles. I did not swell with my kids. And it took a good 2 weeks for my eyes to look like a normal persons.

My tummy two weeks after I had the babies. Granted I am not standing straight or laying flat but I think it's a cute little hairless puppy dog.

 Three weeks postpartum. I like this picture because it's shows my stretch marks. I got stretch marks with my first pregnancy and they grew with the triplets. Little reminders of all 7 kids I've birthed. I also finally dared to weigh myself and I only had 3 more lbs to shed to get to my pre-pregnancy weight! (when your daughter wants to get her belly button pierced, say no)

 Four weeks postpartum. Back into most of my normal clothes. Just because I only had 3 lbs to go doesn't mean I'm at my ideal weight. I think all the estrogen I was on for months made me gain some weight even before I got pregnant. So I still have to put some work in to get to my sexy size.

Five weeks postpartum. I can still make my tummy crinkle. I started exercising today! Summer is approaching and approaching fast...

I can't tell you how pleased and surprised I am with how quickly my body is getting back to normal. I feel like I am continually being blessed.

TEAM BABIES::BEHIND THE NAME

I love when there is meaning behind the name.

Olivia Laurel Dabo, Laurel is my Mother's name.

Andrew Boyd Dabo, Boyd is my Father's middle name.

Alexander Tyler Dabo, named after his Dad, Tyler.

Esther Nicole Dabo, Nicole is my middle name.

We would ask Kim and Curtis about names. They pretty much knew the boy's names but they were kind of wishy washy with what they would call the little girl. I knew they wanted to use Tyler and Kim's Mom's name so I thought they would use it in the middle. 

When the babies were born Kim and Curtis released to us what the baby's name would officially be!

BABY A- CRUZ TYRONE BROWN 
Curtis' middle name is Tyrone.

BABY B- KASH DABO BROWN 
Kim's Maiden and now middle name is Dabo.

BABY C- JULIE LYNN BROWN 
They surprised all of us with their decision (that they knew all along). Julie is Grandma's name and Lynn is my Maiden name!

I love my Maiden name so I was so happy! It's obviously a perfect middle name and of course my whole childhood, everyone thought my first name was Jamie Lynn. What is your name? Jamie Lynn. What's your last name? Lynn...Then a moment of confusion.

I ALWAYS wanted to use Lynn in one of my girl's names but it just never felt right or sounded right so I'm so excited baby Julie has taken the name! So incredibly special to me. I love all of their names!

TEAM BABIES::THE BOOBIES

I decided when I was pregnant with the Triplets I wanted them to have the same opportunities as every other baby. 

Remember when I said I do pregnant well? That was the whole reason I knew I could carry Kim and Curtis' baby for them without any problems. Which unexpectedly turned into 3 babies..... Well I have magic boobs too. 

I did nurse all 4 of my babies for a period of time. Ranging from Olivia, I only nursed her for 6 weeks because her reflux was so bad she wasn't gaining weight and needed a special formula. Then there's Esther that refused to ever take a bottle in her little life, forcing me to nurse for a very very long 10 months. 

But through all 4 kids I never experienced any problems. None. 

Sore this. Cracked and bleeding that. Mastitis. Pain. Never had any of it. It's a sunny walk in the park when I nurse or pump. And on top of that I'm one of those people that can pump 10 ounces at a time. I think they call that a cow. 

So why the heck wouldn't I pump for the triplets?

The pumping started the day they were born. Of course we hear the "gold" is the colostrum so we wanted to make sure they got that. The nurses said even if you can only get a drop, they would put it on a q-tip and swab it inside their mouths. Gold I tell ya. 

Here's my first pump of colostrum.

Then I started hearing that with a C-section your milk can sometimes not come in for like a week. I had never thought of that? Mine always came in while I was still in the hospital. Well this time was no different, it did come in while still in the hospital. 

And I was sent home with a hospital grade pump.

He's a he (for obvious reasons) and he's a beast. But he get's the job done and done fast.

Dairy Queen (that's me) runs are a daily thing at this house. Fresh is best. So Kim or Curtis or whoever come get the milk and take it to the babies.

These were the bottles early on.

Now we've moved onto the big boys, 10oz bottles.

Nothing makes me happier than to see the babies drinking my efforts. Keeps me a little connected for a moment longer...

BUT as I write this I've already started to wean... The babies bottles right now consist of half breast milk half formula, so their tummy's can get used to the formula. So the hospital has plenty of supply to get this family to California. Sad times for sure. Whether it be with my kids or the triplets it's always so hard to wean. It should be a joyous occasion but no matter what you always feel guilty. No worries though, I'll be over it in a couple of weeks or days.

So questions have been did I make more because there were three? And my answer is probably not. It's so different when there are no babies around you while you are pumping. Although Esther or babies at church would occasionally cause the let down it's just not the same. And I never was super aggressive with it knowing I was only doing it for a month. So I think it's been about the same. But I do have to say I know it's played a huge role in my fast recovery (my body blog post will come soon).

I'm so grateful I could do this for these babies even if it was short lived. Looking back it means a lot that I could give them the start to life they absolutely deserve.