Some progress to report - we finally have an ETA on the babies - APRIL 20th! Kristen's doctors continue to insist that she can carry these babies to 36 weeks and it looks as if, barring any secret plans by the babies themselves to stage a suprise, earlier arrival, they will do a C section on April 20th, at 10:30 AM PT. In some ways that seems like a long time away - over a week yet. But Kristen's attitude is that it's only a few more days to wait, and after 14 weeks in the hospital, what's a few more days? Clearly, she must have gotten her patience from her dad, since I have been pacing for days now wanting these babies to get here. :)

At 36 weeks, the babies may indeed not even have to be in NICU very long and there is a real possibility they could come home with Ben & Kristen. While that will be wonderful and would mean the babies are strong and healthy (everything we have asked so many of you to pray with us for!), it does also mean that they have had to re-think their strategy a little. Recovering from a C section for triplet delivery will be a little more of a process for Kristen and she is already going to need a little extra time to begin to bounce back after such a long bed rest. All along, the best scenario we hoped for was that she would deliver around 30 weeks. Had conventional wisdom been correct and had they arrived a little earlier, Kristen always just assumed that by necessity the babies would spend a few days in NICU. She was comforted by the fact they would be well taken care of in a controlled setting with specialized nursing care, where she would be able to spend several hours a day with them at the hospital, all while having a little time to recuperate a bit herself before having full responsibility for three babies on her own at home. Please pray for God's peace for Ben & Kristen this week that they will not be overwhelmed with the exciting change in plans and that Kristen's recovery and energy level will be quicker, faster than doctors predict.

What a huge praise - God has been faithfully at work in Kristen's entire pregnancy and these little ones are approaching being born at what is considered full term for triplets - 36 weeks!