2 months old!

It's hard to believe the triplets are already 2 months old. I'm a day late on this post but I do not think I will ever make it to anything on time for the rest of my life. They have grown so much and day by day you can see them maturing in the things they do. Tyler is progressing the fastest. He holds his head up when he does tummy time. He also tried to bounce with his legs when you hold him up. Brock is spending much more time with his eyes open. Addison is spending much more time crying. All three love to watch their mobiles. They are much more alert than when we first brought them home. I look forward to the day hey start cooing and swatting at their toys.

Christmas

Sorry for the delay. The kids had a great Christmas. Oaklen is to the left with his MP3 player. He wanted an ipod but he is not yet to the point where he is brand specific so he was still happy with it. Mommy was happy she saved 100 dollars. : ) Oaklen made out very well and got the rest of the money he needed to buy himself a Nintendo DS. Now the problem is we called 10 different stores and they are all out of stock.

The Triplets also made out at Christmas. They got all kinds of floor mats, mobiles, boppy, and plenty of clothes. Adam wants me not to forget to add the Marshall Booties.

For those who think we are being over-protective...

We have had a few question why, if the babies are doing fine, we aren't taking them out of the house and aren't allowing people in the house. We were able to find this on the company's website that produces the babies RSV shots. These are the $300 a month shots. They aren't mandatory, but well worth every penny for our babies health. Even with these shots, they are still susceptible. We are taking extra measures even here at the house. Any time Oaklen and Adam comes home from school and work, they are to change clothes and wash w/ anti-bacterial soap before getting around the babies. Our babies fall right in the danger zone as they have premature heart and lung development (common in preemies). They are still on their lung and heart monitor ($120 a month) because when they get tired sometimes their lungs and heart stop. If they stop long enough, it will sound the loudest alarm ever. We have to figure out which one it is and respond accordingly. Not an easy task at 3:00 in the morning w/ very little lights on and our eyes half open! We appreciate everyone's patience, and I would like to stress we are extremely proud of our babies. We will show them off to everyone, as soon as the weather changes and their health is that of a normal infant.

***Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the #1 cause of hospitalization in babies under a year.

***Respiratory syncytial virus (sin-SISH-shul VI-rus), or RSV, is a common, seasonal and easily spread virus. You've probably had RSV and thought it was just a bad cold. In fact, nearly all children will get their first RSV infection by age two.Most people with RSV suffer moderate to severe cold-like symptoms. For some babies, RSV can be more serious – it’s the #1 cause of hospitalizations in infants. Preemies and babies born with a heart or lung condition are at higher risk for severe RSV disease, which could lead to serious lung infections like pneumonia and bronchiolitis. It is estimated that the annual infant death rate due to RSV is 10 times greater than that of the flu, with up to 400 infant deaths from RSV each year in the U.S.

Sleep over at Noni and PaPa's house

Yesterday our electricity went out. Since the babies are on monitors and only have so much battery we freaked out a little. We called the electric company and they told us they would call us back. We waited an hour and heard nothing. Two neighbors said they were told it would be 11:30 at night so we had to pack up and go to Noni and Papa's to spend the night. Doing this quickly to get the babies plugged back in was not easy. I felt like I was packing half my house up. Bottles,blankets,clothes,milk,diapers,wipes,meds,pack and play, Oaklen clothes, Adam and I clothes, toothbrushes. I was running around like a mad man trying to get it all done quickly knowing it would take me at least 30 minutes to get them all into their car seats and then into the van. So what happens as we walk out the door??? The electric came back on. We decided to head out anyway just incase it decided to go back out.

Thank you

I wanted to take a minute and thank everyone who has given us things in the past couple of months. I'm sorry you have not gotten thank you cards from me. I honestly have not been able to find the time to do them! We are getting so much support and things coming in weekly I can not keep up. We are very touched and blessed with everyone who has given things for our babies. What great acts of kindness it is that we are getting gifts from people we do not even know from all over! We appreciate all the prayers. They are working so keep them up!

P.S. first my camera was broken now it's lost somewhere in the house. When I get a minute to find it I will add more pictures. : )

Doctor visit

Wow what a task! Nana Doe came into town to help me get the kiddos to the doctor. It takes me forever to get the all buckled into their car seats then into the car we have to start 30 to 45 minutes early to get on the road in time. Hoping that one does not spit up and the whole process starts over. These car seats weigh 20lbs without the babies in them!

We went today to get their synagist shots. These are shots they get every month to avoid RSV. It does not completely keep them from getting it but helps keep them from getting it bad enough to be in the hospital. These shots are costing us 300 a month so they better work! Tyler weighed 6lbs6ounces, Brock 6lbs5ounces and Addison is 5lbs. She's mommys little runt. She has done great since coming home she is averaging about an ounce a day. Brock is mommys chunky monkey and Tyler is still mommys fussy butt.

Doing great

I don't know where the time goes! I did not realize it had been so long since an update. Everyone is doing fine. I changed everyone to a 5 hour schedule so we would be getting more sleep except the babies are still backwards. They sleep wonderful through the day and are up at night.

The boys have moved up to newborn clothes but Miss Addison will be in preemie probable through January. She is in a newborn outfit for this pic however swimming in it. She looked very sharp in this color though. They look so good in bold colors. Thanks for the outfits great aunt Karen!

The Christmas Tree is up.

Addison inspecting Oaklens handy work.
















Oaklen decorated the tree and put 42 candy canes on it!
















Tyler on the right finally sleeping after a very fussy 24 hours. Boy am I tired!

All three being peaceful.

Brock in the blanket his great aunt Debbie made for him.

Well we got the Christmas lights up. A little late, but they look alot better than they did last year when we had our house demolished. Also, thought we would put a pic on to show how amazing Nicole is with these babies.

Accomplishing Chistmas

Today Grandma Toni came and watched the babies. I was able to run off between feedings. Mom and I ran to the toy store and I knocked Oaklens Christmas out. Wow does that feel good. I was starting to worry it would never get done. As some of you know we celebrate St. Nicholas on December 6th. Well he is running late this year but plans to drop off stockings tonight. He got a little delayed because of the weather. Anyhow I snapped a few pictures today. The one above is my favorite. What a good picture of Oaklen right? Below is Brock, Tyler and then Addison.

Not as easy as I had hoped....

Trying to get Christmas pictures at home is not easy! Since the babies are not allowed out of the house we tried to do it here. Below are some of the bloopers.

Ok Everyone look to the right!

Addison eats Brocks ears.

Someone has a stinky diaper and Brock is investigating.

Tired

Im so tired but wanted to share a quick picture of Miss Addison.

They are all home!!!

The doctor came through around around 3ish today, and after evaluating Addison, he cleared her to come home. We left the hospital and came straight home. It feels so good to have them all home now. We'll see how long it takes before Nicole pulls her hair out now! We are trying to get them all on the same feeding schedule, which should be fun. As it is now, the boys are fed 4,8, and 12. Addison is every 3 hours. We are going to be tired for a little while, but we'll get it. In order are all three, Tyler, Brock, and Addison. More pics to come soon!

Updates

Oaklen hold Brock and Tyler

Brock and Tyler ready for their doctors appointment.

Addison still in the hospital.

Well this has been a pretty good week so far. Oaklen is doing great with the babies and getting a little less timid around them. He's learned to come home and change his clothes and wash his hands before touching the babies. He's had a lot going on this week with a book fair and secret santa coming up. The boys did great at there doctors visit. They have gained 1 pound each since birth. Still under five pounds but getting close. Addison has graduated from the nicu and is now in the step down unit. Today she took two bottles! Maybe she will be home in a week? They have also taken her off the caffeine which we were orignally told she would come home on. So everything is looking up. It's so hard when I go to see her because I know I have to leave her there. I'm ready to have all my kids home together.

A few pics to share

Tyler Snoozing.


Tylers tired after a meal.

left Tyler right Brock.

Brocks big pretty eyes.

Daddy holds Brock

Here are a few pictures taken by my Aunt Debbie. She does such a great job. Thanks Debbie!

Not much to update other than we are tired but doing great. Sorry no pictures of Addie or Oaklen. Oaklen spent the weekend with a friend and Addison is still in the hospital. Adam and I take turns going to the hospital each day. Addison is taking a bottle here are there but still not very interested. Hope to have her home within a week and half. Adam broke my camera so I will get some pictures as soon as I get it fixed/new one.

The boys are home!

The boys are doing great. The monitors set off a couple times a hour but I'm learning there are a few things that set them off. (Not the babies themselves). The alarms can not be close to each other, the TV and Adam set them off hammering on the wall. All three got their pictures taken together this morning at the hospital. It feels so good to have them home but I'm sad to leave Addison there on her own. Brock has slept ever since getting home and Tyler is my fussy butt.

Maybe Tomorrow

Tyler And his binky.

It looks like the boys may come home tomorrow. Ive gotten their monitors and unless something happens overnight we should be good to go. I hate leaving poor Addie there by herself, but she should be just around a week behind. She needs to learn to eat. Insurance will not pay to keep them all there if there is no reason.

All three share a crib at the hospital. No more washing hands between babies.

Tyler picks on Addison.

Well Adam and I got our CPR training and going home videos done. All babies passed there car seat challenge. We are knocking things off the long list of things to get done. We did some shopping for last minute things we realized we needed. I still need to get this house organized, but I have a feeling it will never be completely as organized as I want. Adam needs to get the car seats in the car. I tried to get him to take them to the fire department so they could put them in but Adam says he can do it.

I am still a little lost on when they will be home. We here different things everyday. At first we thought they would try to keep Tyler to send him home with the other two, but they are saying he is doing well and insurance wont cover him to just sit in there. We are waiting for the monitors to come in and I have monitor training tomorrow morning.

Today I plan on getting a bunch done. This will be the second day in three weeks for me not to go the hospital. It's hard not seeing them. And I feel awful about it but spending everyday up there I can't get as much done around here for them to come home. We still have baby thing that need to be assembled.

Progress

I appoligize that it has been a few days since an update. I have a feeling they are going to get farther apart though as we take on more. I have been travelling to the hospital everyday and making it back just in time to get Oaklen. After getting his homework done, cooking dinner trying to get caught up on my house work, and getting everything for the babies through the laundry I'm just too tired. I'm not getting to bed until after midnight then waking up every three hours to pump as well as pumping every 2-3 hours through the day. I also get up at 6 to get Oaklen to school. So to save time we will only be giving updates when we feel it is something we need to share. We ask that you please understand that we have three babies in the hospital and may not always have time to make or take a phone call.

As for the latest. Tyler is taking all his feedings by bottle and should be home next week. They are trying to get the other two to catch up with him. If Addison can get her weight up they will move her to a crib bed like her brothers have. She also has not taken a bottle. The doctors are hoping to get all of them ready to go home together the end of next week. It originally sounded like monday for Tyler but considering the other two are so close they are going to hold onto Tyler a little longer so they can come home together. If one were to go home Adam and I would have to take turns travelling to the hospital as once a baby is release he would not be able to go into the NICU with us and we would not want to bring that baby back out of the house. All three babies are still having A's and B's (Apneas and Brady's) so they will all be on monitors for months after coming home. They are on Caffiene to try and limit some of these. We will also have to have a sleep over night at the hospital to prove we will be able to handle all three babies on monitors. To be released all babies must be able to sit in their carseats for 30 minutes without having any A's or B's and we must take some saftey courses. We have a lot going on and this week I am trying to get all appoinments and last minute things tied up so I won't have to leave the house once they get home.

Homecoming Kings '07

Good news! They think Tyler may come home in a week, with Brock shortly to follow. Tyler was the first to try to feed from the bottle. He fell asleep half way through though. In his next try, he stayed awake the whole time. Since then, he took 3 of his feedings completely from the bottle in one day. Brock fell asleep 1/3 of the way through on his first try, and has since taken a whole bottle. Addison could care less. She is just happy being here. She is taking her pacifier a little, where as the boys were taking it alot just before they went to the bottle. They aren't completely off of their feeding tube just quite yet, but well on their way.
The two boys are weighing 3lb 15oz each today. At 4lbs they will let them go. They would like however to move them to a crib, so they can test if they can maintain their body temperature. There have been no issues with it so far. When we take them out to hold them, it's not like they get cold. They have been out for upwards of an hour and no change in body temp, so it is looking good for the home team!

No new pictures today. Adam and I were very busy with the babies yesterday. Tyler and Brock both attempted their first bottle yesterday and today Tyler took a whole bottle. Adam finally got to hold all three last night for the first time and I got to try to nurse Brock. Whom feel asleep on my as soon as I was in his mouth. He's my lazy one. : ) Today was my first day not to go to the hospital and it was hard, however I called once and had Adam call once and Ill call later to check again.

Today was nice. I got a lot done and Oaklen and I spent some time together. He had no school due to Veteran's Day, so we watched two movies (I folded laundry). Oaklen made cookies for daddy to take to work. And we played two board games. I think it was much needed time.

Anyhow, I will update again when there is something to update about.

My recent favorite pictures

We plan to visit the nicu later so I will update on the babies tomorrow. Today I wanted to post my favorite pictures .

The first one is our precious Tyler. The second one is Brock (I think he looks a little like Oaklen here). Then there is daddys little girl. And Adam and Oaklens first day out in the woods this year.

After many requests the blog is born.

Hi everyone. I've had many requests to start this blog and decided there was not enough time in the day so I better just make time. I hope this will end up being to my advantage on keeping everyone updated all at once. I would start from the begining but it would take me forever so jumping to current times. Adam and I are very proud parents of four. And everyone is wanting to keep up with what is going on with our kids. I don't blame them..they are all so good looking. : ) We have Oaklen our 9 year old and 11 day old triplets (Tyler, Addison, and Brock).

So everyone wants to know what Oaklen thinks of the triplets. He's had mixed emotions. He was very overwhelmed with the thought of taking care of three babies until I told him it was not his responsibility it was ours as parents. I think he thought he would be doing this on his own? I think this stemmed from everyone saying he was going to have to help mommy. Now he is very excited about being a big brother and is ready for his brothers and sister to come home. He is too young to go visit them in the hospital so he has been enjoying pictures and making things to hang on their houses in the nicu. We did get to sneak him in for a quick second one time for him to meet them. See the picture with him in the cute gown.

The triplets are doing great! They have spent over 60 hours off their c-paps (oxygen). Addison is still having bradys but they say she should out grow this. She may be sent home on monitors if she still has them at time of discharge. We hope to have them home by the beginning of December. I got to hold all three today for the first time. It was such a great feeling. Brock has an eye infection and they are doing a culture on it. We should know more about this tomorrow. Other than that I am happy to say it was a nice uneventful day.

Between Adam and I we will try to keep this blog as updated as possible.