Life at Home

Hello! Things are going so well at the house! The boys have adjusted so quickly! They are on a 3-hour feeding schedule: 6--9--12--3, etc. Sometimes they wake up on their own, but mostly during the night I have to set an alarm and wake them up. I have even figured out how to feed them both at the same time! I am really enjoying being home with them. It is such a special feeling that I never would have understood before.

Chelsea, their nanny, started yesterday. She is AWESOME! Such a natural with the kids. I know they will love her! She will work about 24 hours per week. We are so thankful for her! She and I took the boys to the pediatrician yesterday. The Dr. was pleased and impressed with their progress. We will go back weekly for 4 weeks to check weight gain, etc.

Baby Avery is doing very well too. John went to the NPCU this afternoon to spend time with her. (He got some cute pictures too). I'm not sure she will want to come home: she's in a pink crib with pink sheets, and today she was wearing a pink outfit! Avery's nurses are taking great care of her. They are snuggling with her and even taking her around the unit to visit other nurses. John discovered today that she loves it when you take her hat off and rub her hair. He said she made the cutest faces! Turns out the boys like it too!

Tonight we had a loud thunderstorm. It cracked me up because the boys slept right through it, but Cletus and Bella were in John's lap! I took a picture of them too. They are still our babies as well! Cletus is very curious about the babies, and comes to us each time one of them squeaks. Bella will do an occasional sniff, but pretty much doesn't care. And of course Alex totally ignores them...cats.

I'm going to the hospital to be with Avery tomorrow. I haven't seen her since Tuesday, and it is killing me!!!

The Boys are Home!

Sorry it has been so long since I posted! We have been anxiously awaiting the final approval for bringing the babies home. We spent the night at the hospital last night, and got home today around 2:30 PM. It is so great to have the boys home! Everything went very smoothly during our "rooming in." John and I worked well as a team to get everything done. I slept between feedings, but John couldn't sleep. He was too busy checking on the boys!

Today's homecoming, however, is bittersweet since we had to leave baby Avery at the hospital. :( A speech therapist came by yesterday to perform a suck/swallow assessment on Avery. After only a few minutes of feeding Avery, the speech therapist knew that Avery just has immature skills in the feeding area. She is not able to simultaneously suck, swallow, and breathe. This is a typical preemie issue, and she will grow out of it in a matter of days! Dr. Grubbs said this was the best news we could get for Avery: there is nothing medically wrong with her...she just needs some more time to develop. We forget that the triplets still aren't even supposed to be born for 4 more weeks! For now she will go back to taking a bottle at every other feed, so that she can have time to rest and to develop the eating skill. Today she ate very well at her feeds, so we are on the right track!

Here are some pictures of the homecoming! Aaron is always in the blue hat. There is also a picture of Dr. Grubbs and Nurse Brandy holding the babies. Brandy has been the triplets primary nurse, and she has done an EXCELLENT job! We are so thankful for her and the whole NPCU staff.

It is a wonderful feeling to have Aaron and Adam here. We can't wait for Avery to come home too!

One Month Old!

What a celebration today...the Triplets are One Month Old! God has blessed us so richly with three beautiful and healthy babies.

Avery had some issues again yesterday with her feeding. She hates the formula (It's called Alementium) so much that she was gagging and choking on it causing her heart rate and oxygen levels to drop significantly. Initially, the doctor thought she was getting too tired eating, so the nurse had to put a feeding tube back into her nose. That way she could take feeds without having to work for it. John and I knew the problems were because of her dislike for the formula, so we had a long talk with the nurse practitioner last night and the doctor today, and we all agree that the best route was trying a new formula. She did much better with her feeds today. Oh my goodness! She is a Princess...if she doesn't want something, she's just not going to take it! Otherwise, Avery is very healthy and weighing 4 lbs. 2 1/2 oz!

The boys are still gaining weight too! Aaron weighs 3 lbs. 12 oz. and Adam weighs 3 lbs. 11 oz. They are filling out, and looking like little boys and not old men!! They have also found their voices. We just thought the boys were exceptionally quiet babies. Not so! They sure do let us know when they are mad about something! We love seeing their personalities!

Rooming in has been put on hold for now. Looks like it will be early next week!

In all of the pictures, it is Adam, Avery, and Aaron (from left to right).

That is Adam loving on Avery in the last picture!

New Pictures as Promised

Everything is still going well in the NPCU!

Adam weighs 3 lbs. 9 oz, Aaron is 3 lbs. 10 oz., and Avery is now 4 lbs. 1 1/2 oz! The babies are eating between 35-45 ml at each feeding. Aaron is our star eater and burper--it only takes him about 20 minutes to finish off the whole bottle. Adam eats well too, but is much harder to burp. And then there's Avery, poor girl...they changed the formula used to fortify my breast milk and she doesn't like it at all. I feel sorry for her because she has to eat it. I'm interested in seeing if she gained/maintained her weight tonight since it seems like she spits out most of the milk.

It is still looking like we will room in by the end of the week. Each day we take our overnight bag just in case we get to stay. Dr. Grubbs still wants a couple of days of weight gain for the boys and to watch Avery's tummy. I'd be lying if I told you that I wasn't VERY disappointed the last two days. But, I know that God's timing is perfect, and the babies will be coming home when the Dr. feels comfortable. John is my voice of reason about this. I know he wants them home too, but he can look at the situation much more analytically than I.

Here are some new pictures! Aaron is in the blue hat, Adam in the Alphabet hat, and you can easily pick out Miss Avery. I love it when she keeps her eyes open...they are so big! Their outfits swallow them even though they are Preemie sized. It is so funny when their arms and legs get lost in all the material. Enjoy!

Four Weeks Old Today!

Can you believe it has been four weeks since Aaron, Adam, and Avery were born? It has gone by so quickly! They will officially be one month old on Thursday. Yeah!

We were originally going to room in on Sunday night, but Avery decided that she wasn't ready to come home! Saturday evening she had a little blood in her stool...which has turned out to be a milk/soy allergy. Her formula has been changed, and I am having to change my diet as well...no dairy or soy products. All of the babies drink breastmilk that is fortified with formula, so we will just have to make some changes for Miss Avery! It's ironic: when I was pregnant they were forcing food down me. And now what I can eat has been severly restricted! Anything for our babies...:)

It looks like we will room in on Wednesday night and then bring everyone home on Thursday. I was a little disappointed that we didn't room in tonight, but the doctor said that he would feel more comfortable watching Avery for a couple of extra days and allowing the boys to add a few more ounces. Of course we agree, but are so ready for them to be home!

Saturday night I got to bathe Adam for the first time! John was feeding Avery, and the nurse bathed Aaron. It was such a great feeling. It was awesome to see the boys without any wires or diapers...just being a naked little baby like other healthy babies. With all of the "hospital" environment, it was really something so normal.

Sorry there are no new pictures this time. We've been so busy feeding, changing diapers, taking temperatures, and making last minute preparations for them to come home! I promise to take pictures and post them tomorrow.

Getting Ready to Come Home

We are getting everything ready to bring the babies home! According to the doctor, if things continue to go well today, then we will bring the babies home on Monday or Tuesday! The doctor will let us know today when we will "Room In."

When you have children in the NICU/NPCU, you are required to spend at least one night in the hospital before brining them home. The Unit has bedroom suites where we would sleep in the same room with the babies, taking care of them ourselves. If needed, the nurses are there and can help us with any problems. During our Rooming In time, we will get Infant CPR certified, and also watch several videos about the needs of Premies.

We are so excited! In fact, we stayed up until 1:00 this morning getting the last few things ready. At the hospital, all of the babies had to undergo a car seat test. Each baby was strapped into the car seat for 1 1/2 hours. During that time their pulse/oxygen/heart rate was all monitored to make sure their vital stats were stable. They also assess the fit of the car seat. They all passed! Here is a picture of Aaron during his test. Look how tiny he his in a regular-sized infant seat!

The other pictures are their crib in our room (complete with Steeler's mobile!) and their bouncy seats. Please keep us in your prayers as we bring our babies home! You may not hear back from me for a few days as we will be at the hospital. The real adventure is about to begin!!!

A Wagon Ride for the Triplets

The babies were put in an open air crib today--no more warmer! It was such a great sight to see!

Avery is now taking a bottle at all feeds as well. They all did very well with their feeds today! In fact, the boys often eat more than required. They are first given 30 ml, and if they are still hungry, can eat up to 10 ml more. They like to eat! What's it going to be like when they are 16?

At Cook's the smaller children are transported in little red wagons instead of wheelchairs. There was a red wagon in the Progressive Unit, so the nurse decided to load the triplets up and take them for a ride! They all loved it! They were looking around, and enjoying the attention from the nurses and other parents in the Unit. It was so funny!

Dr. Grubbs is still certain that the babies will get to go home next week. He was even talking about them coming home at the first of next week! We'll see how the next few days go...

The babies also passed their hearing test today, and they will have an eye exam on Monday. The hearing test really looks at the ear's morphology, and the eye test examines the retina. We hope the eye test goes well too.

Here are more pictures! (The first is Aaron...Adam in the wagon by himself...The triplets moving around while awake...The triplets sleeping...The Wagon Ride!)

A Day full of Surprises...

I always call at 3:30 AM to check on the babies while I'm up pumping. Nothing new to report...the babies were doing fine and had eaten well. So, you can imagine my surprise upon arriving at the hospital at 9:45 this morning to find our babies in CLOTHES! Based on yesterday's conversation with the nurse, the babies would probably be put in an open crib by the weekend. Well, it happened today! At 5:00 AM the nurse took the babies' temperatures, and they were all burning up although the isolette was set at the lowest temperature. So, the nurse turned off the bed, raised the lid, and put our babies in clothes! Yeah!! As of this evening, they were all holding their temperatures very well.

I got to feed and Kangaroo hold each baby today. It was a very special day that got even better when Dr. Grubbs did rounds this afternoon. The boys will now take the bottle for EVERY feed--the nurse even removed their feeding tubes! Avery will now be nipple fed in 2 out of 3 feedings. She's making great progress too! And they are still gaining weight...Avery stayed at 3 lbs. 14 oz., but the boys now weigh 3 lbs. 3 ozs!

Dr. Grubbs told us that he is pushing the babies a little: it is a lot of work to nipple feed that much and hold your temperature. But, he said that our babies have risen to each challenge he has presented, and he feels certain they will do great. He said that we can always back off of the nipple feeds and reinsert the tubes if needed. But, he wants to see what they are capable of doing.

So, logically, I asked Dr. Grubbs when the babies might be ready to come home. He said it would most likely be the end of next week...at the latest!! Can you believe it? Of course, this latest challenge might be very difficult for the babies...We are praying that they all do well and can come home next week! Please keep the prayers coming! The boys could even be home before they weigh 4 pounds. It is absolutely amazing and miraculous!

Here are some pictures of the boys without their tubes, one of the three babies (look at Avery's squishy, puffy cheeks!), and a great picture of Mr. Aaron. Hope you enjoy!

PS. To all of my school friends/family: I know that you will be reporting to work this week. My thoughts are with you...I hope you have a wonderful school year, and know that I will miss working with you!

Three Weeks Old on Monday

The Triplets were three weeks old yesterday!

Everyone is making wonderful progress! Avery weighs 3 lbs. 12 oz., and has been moved up to taking 4 bottles per day. She was very sluggish with her eating, but the light has clicked on, and she is doing much better now!

Adam weighs 3 lbs. 1 oz. and Aaron weighs 3 lbs. 3 oz. The boys are wonderful eaters, and will be taking the bottle at 2 out of 3 feedings. They are well on their way to a bottle for each feeding!

The next big step for the babies will be a move to an open crib. When babies reach 3 1/2 pounds, they are usually able to hold their own body temperature in an open crib. Avery is big enough to try this move, but we (us, nurses, and doctor) think it will be best to wait for the boys to reach that weight so that they can all try it together. If the boys continue gaining weight at the same pace, it is possible they could try an open crib in about a week.

Dr. Grubbs, the Neonatologist, is extremely pleased with their progress. He said that once babies get to the 4 bottle per day feeding schedule, it is usually only a week before they are taking bottles for all feedings. So, within a week it is possible that they are all taking 8 bottles per day, and hanging out in an open crib! It would even be realistic to think they could be home in 2-3 more weeks! (Criteria for going home are: bottles/breast feeding for all feedings, maintaining body temperature, vital signs stable).

We are spending more nights in Fort Worth, and will continue to do so as the babies are getting closer to coming home.

John has officially nicknamed the kids! (If you know John very well, he has a million nicknames. I don't think he has ever called me "Jill.")

Avery: General Squeaky --She makes little squeaks all the time! It is so cute and so funny. We are worried that Cletus may think she is a squeak toy! :)

Adam: Captain Slappy--Adam finds much pleasure in slapping his brother and sister with his wild, uncontrollable arm movements.

Aaron: Sgt. Stinky--Aaron made the WORST smelling poop last night! John was holding him, and I thought he was going to throw up before I got Aaron and changed his diaper. Can a three pound human really make a mess that big?

Thanks for checking up on the kids and for keeping them in your prayers! Look at how the boys love their passifiers!

We are all over 3 pounds now!

Sorry it has been so long since I posted! John and I have been keeping the road to the hospital hot. On the days when John works part time, I have been trying to get the nurseries ready. I'm still not 100%, so it takes me longer to get things accomplished!

Things are still going very well for the triplets. Aaron and Adam both weigh 3 pounds, and Avery is weighing 3 lbs. 8 oz. The boys are still doing very well with their bottles, and Avery is performing about the same too. She just doesn't like to stay awake long enough to take a whole bottle!

If anyone ever tells you that a baby doesn't already have a personality developed upon birth...please call them a "Liar!" You would not believe how many nurses in the unit come look at the triplets, and upon watching them, all come to the same conclusion: Avery is the queen, Adam is the wild-man, and Aaron is the snuggly, laid-back one. Thursday evening we put Avery between her brothers in the isolette. She threw a FIT!! She cried and started flailing her arms around. As soon as we moved her back to the left side, she fell right asleep. Oh no....

John and I each held all three babies at one time today! It was truly an amazing feeling.

Hope you enjoy the pictures. Shayla, one of the Trips' night nurses, wanted them to look patriotic. Hence, the Red, White, and Blue bedding and matching hats/bows. (Aaron green hat--Avery multicolored hat--Adam yellow hat)

We appreciate your continued prayers for their growth and health.

More eating and growing....

The Trips were taken off of their pulse/oxygen monitors today! That is really another good sign. It means the doctor is very comfortable in their ability to just stay on room air. One less thing attached to our babies!

Aaron and Adam have been moved to three bottle feeds per day, and Avery is staying at two. The boys just gobble up their bottles, but Avery could really care less. She eats about 20 ml, and then gets tired. She is so laid back! The boys can be moving their legs and arms all around, and she just sleeps. I hope that means she won't worry about things like her Momma does!

Today she wore a pink bow. I love these pictures because you can tell that the babies are filling out. Avery's getting some cheeks, and the boys are starting to have something between their skin and bones. Look how long waisted Avery is...she gets that from her dad. The boys' hair color has lightened some, and I'm thinking it may be brown like mine. They are all doing a great job of staying awake during feedings. It is so special to see them looking at the lights and moving their eyes to follow our voices. They are really maturing!

The babies have all gained weight! Their weights are: Avery--3 lbs. 7 oz, Adam-- 2 lbs. 14 1/2 oz., Aaron--2 lbs. 12 oz.

Still going strong

Today was another good day for the Triplets! Everyone is doing a great job taking their bottles, and they will all be moved up to 3 bottles per day shortly. Everyone gained weight yesterday! Avery is 3 lbs. 4 oz, Adam 2 lbs. 11 oz., and Aaron is 2 lbs 10 oz. The nurses weigh the babies every night, so John and I will be calling soon to find out if they gained weight again today.


Avery wore her first bow today! Courtney P., a lifelong friend of Sonja's from Stanton, made the cutest little bows for Avery. She wore one today for about 20 minutes before knocking it off. Julie--I know you will be so proud! Thanks for the bows, Courtney!














Shirley Craft made John's day today. Shirley had her daughter make three Steeler's "Taggie" blankets and burp rags for the kids. Here is a picture of John, Adam, and one of the blankets. I think Adam is smiling!

The boys love to snuggle. Thought you would enjoy this picture of them!

All Together Now...

Larry, Moe, and Curly are all in one isolette now! Avery is trying to keep her brothers in check, but she has a long road ahead....

They are all doing so good! The doctor would like for them to be gaining weight a little faster, so they will be given more breastmilk at each feeding. If that isn't enough, my breastmilk will be fortified with protein and other nutrients as needed. It is the first time a Power has ever been told that he/she needed to gain weight. :)

John fed Avery for the first time today. In fact, it is the first time John has EVER fed a baby. He did a great job! Avery didn't make it easy either. She likes to pucker those lips and give her Daddy fits.

Sorry for the delay on new pictures. I'm having problems with the photoshop program on my computer. Hope you enjoy! (That is Aaron in a crocheted hat made by a volunteer. It's a little too big, huh? But, hilarious!)