Baby Land.

What a week we've had. The days seem to go by so quickly when you are working around a 3 hour feeding schedule. We did fortunately find out that we don't need to wake the babies up in the middle of the night to feed anymore. That would've been nice to know. But the nurse that does our home visits says it's a-okay to leave them sleeping. Of course, ever since then they have been waking up like clock-work to eat when we've been waking them up in the past. And now even wake up earlier sometimes. And if one wakes up, we just wake up the other two, so we don't have to wake up an hour later to feed them. It seems they all take their turns being the fussy one at night, and sleep like angels during the day. Actually, it's usually one of the boys. Ruby is a little Angel day and night. So, it's all a game of what's-going-to-happen-tonight around here. I think I'd rather just set my alarm for 2 and 5 am to feed them like we've been doing, than be disappointed that they wake up. The nights can get pretty frustrating, especially since their not even technically born yet, so they still are a bit slow and uncoordinated. Sometimes each of us might get a couple hours of sleep during a whole night. But even as tired as I am, or as hard as it is to keep my eyes open in the middle of the night (my mom describes it as having toothpicks in her eyes), it seems that they are always so sweet, and lively at night, making it hard to be upset that they woke you up (though I still manage to harbor some harsh feelings at times). Especially Ruby. Her eyes get so wide when she eats. I love it. Those little faces aren't hard to love. And as a lot of you have reassured us, this stage doesn't last forever (I try to repeat this over and over to myself when I am having a meltdown).We try to make the monotony of the feedings fun sometimes by having bottle races, or watching movies. I really am trying to enjoy my tiny babies and sweet middle of the night moments while I have them. It seems every night one of them needs a little sleep on mommy's chest time, and I don't usually have a complaint about that.

So, onto some fun things going on over here. Auntie Melody and Gabe came to visit this past weekend. The time always goes by WAY too fast when we're together. It was so fun to see Gabe's big smiley face that I haven't seen since he was a newborn. And he has grown quite a bit. I'll miss those chubby cheeks and his chattering in the doorway bouncer. They fit right into our baby lifestyle. Melody helped out so much, holding and feeding as we needed her, provided her little one didn't need her at the moment. We had a great time comparing the sizes of Gabe and the triplets. They look a lot different in size now, but sometime down the road they'll be so close you'd never know there was such a difference. They are almost the same age, after all. We miss them a lot, and Juju and Jonny that didn't join them. Hopefully the Robinsons and the Rehjolecs will all be together someday and we won't have to say goodbye anymore. It really isn't fun to say goodbye. I can't wait until we're neighbors like we always said we'll be.

The weather was perfect for their stay, and we are able to take several walks. It was the most perfect fall weather you could ask for, and it was nice to get the babies out into the fresh air. It's a good way to get out without having to load them into the car, or exposing them to germs by going somewhere where there are a lot of people. I hope we get a few more days like that this year. This is the slide show from Melody's blog.

We love you guys!

Well, this house is all baby these days, with the 'round the clock feedings, loads of laundry and constant hum of the dishwasher running to wash all the bottles. We also rearranged the furniture to make it easier to maneuver around this place. The babies just sleep in the living room in either the crib, the swings, or the moses basket. We usually take shifts sleeping on the couch to sooth whoever it fussy. Sometimes that person actually gets some sleep. It nice to have them in the open area so we all have a place to sit and feed, and it's closer to the kitchen to prepare bottles. It's amazing how transformed into baby-land this place is. Pacifiers everywhere, diapers withing an arms reach, empty bottles on the end tables, and burp clothes on all the arm rests.

Being preemies, they need a lot of follow-up appointments with several different doctors. On Tuesday we had one with the Pulmonary Pediatrician to talk about the boys' monitors. The doctor was happy that he didn't see anything alarming, and says that we can take them off the monitors when they are being supervised (which is all the time since they sleep in the living room, but we put them on in the middle of the night when we might be sleeping), and we are to go back in a month, which will be a couple weeks past their due date, to take them off for good.

That same day we had to see the Ophthalmologist for an update on their eyes. They have a mild form of ROP, Retinopathy of Prematurity, where the blood vessels in their eyes aren't growing properly. But like it said, it's mild, and we just have to keep a close watch on it so that if it doesn't resolve itself, we can have it corrected. It's pretty scary looking, what the doctor does. First they get a series of drops while we're in the office. We have to wait in the waiting room for about an hour and a half for their eyes to dilate, and then when we get taken back, they get some numbing drops. They are then swaddled to keep their arms out of the way while the doctor uses a speculum to pry their eyelids open. It is horrible looking, and the babies get very upset. I didn't watch, but KC had to hold them still while it was being done. The poor babies. It was only about 30 seconds to a minute of torture per baby, but it's so sad to hear them cry so hard. I always try to put my emotions aside during important procedures, since I know it's important. We get to go through all that again in about two weeks. Hooray.

And we went to the the pediatrician again today for some vaccines. The fun never ends. They didn't love it, but didn't cry for long either. I am supposed to wake them up to eat right now, but I'm afraid they;ll be really cranky when I do. Oh dear. They are turning into giant babies, Alex being the biggest at 7 lbs. 1 0z., Ruby second at 6 lbs. 11 oz., and Bennett 6 lbs. 10 oz. Soon I won't be able to hold them with one hand anymore. I am so glad they are growing like they should. We did find out that Bennett my have a hernia, and we're keeping a close eye on him to see if that's what it really is. The poor thing would need surgery. The doctor says it's a very short, outpatient procedure, and it's not something to be too alarmed about. But who wants surgery? We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. So we go back in two weeks. These trips to the doctor are wearing me out. Especially when they are after a fussy night, like last night. I wonder if I'll ever feel rested again.

I wanted to take some individual pictures. The pictures are a little dark, but I'm choosing not to care.

A

B

R

Oh, and we wanted to see how Alex likes the bumbo. Of course we know he's not big enough for it yet, but it was good for a laugh.

And a video for fun.

So, now that the honeymoon stage it over, I'm trying to evaluate how things are going. I knew having these babies would be a HUGE challenge, but also equally rewarding. I was right. We have are highs and our lows. Right now they are all sleeping, I think. I better get some rest. Or do the laundry. Or take a shower. Or eat something. Or pump. Or make my bed. No, rest sounds the best.

A few words to describe my life lately.

Very tired. Lots of bottle washing. Laundry galore. Feeding charts. Grunty noises. Burps. Hand sanitizer. Dr. appointments. Adorable faces. Poop analyzing. A few tears (mommy and babies). Very tired. Lots of smiles. Pumping. Nursing. Swings. Baths. cuddles. Cat naps. Millions of kisses. Did I say very tired?

It's been crazy at times, but also wonderfully wonderful. Enjoy the after-bath hairstyles.

A

B

R
P.S. If you look at the close-ups of the boys, you'll notice a chin zit that Bennett is sporting. It's been there for weeks. It used to bug me, but now I am very glad it's there because it's sometimes the only way to tell them apart (and Alex's painted toenail-sorry buddy) now that they are so close in weight and Alex's chub doesn't immediately give him away.

I should be sleeping.

Yes, sleep when the babies sleep. Isn't that the rule. I do my best, and sometimes actually succeed. But I just had to get a few things down.

We had a little photo session after their baths this morning. KC's sisters made them these cute onsies with their names on them. We have to give a picture of them to the NICU for the "Wall of Fame". I thought these little shirts would be great for that so everyone would know who is who. They were very cooperative, and were so awake and alert. Here are a few.

And I thought this was a great portrayal of our state of being after a night of feedings. Funny how they are in the same position. Like father, like son, eh?

I'm constantly in awe at what is taking place in my life right now. I do have my moments of weakness when I'm too tired/impatient to fulfill all my responsibilities as a mom of three, but I'm learning. Their little faces just make me melt every time I see them.

The evil plot.

Ruby: (whispering) Hey you guys, what do you say we all plan to poop right when mom is putting us in our carseats.

Alex: Hmm, I think that can be arranged.

Bennett: I'm totally in.

First days home.

This post has been in the works for quite sometime, so I'm hoping it actually gets posted this time. Bennett is on my lap as I type. The three of us have had a great time with the babies these past couple days. It's just amazing to have them here. I can't get over it. Of course there are times when they are all crying because they hungry, or for many other unknown reasons, and we all feel a little spent, but before long they are all sleeping and I forget I was ever overwhelmed because they are so angelic, peaceful, and adorable. My mom is a HUGE help with the feedings, and nights, and meals, among other things. We are just having so much fun cozying up and watching old movies while we are constantly feeding, and changing the babies. I also get to keep pumping to provide the milk for the third that doesn't get to nurse at every feeding. Hooray. They take turns, you see. But even amidst all that craziness, I have actually been able to get quite a few things done, and treated myself to a nice bubble bath. KC has taken the last few days off of work, and we're all getting this 3 hour feeding routine down. There are still come kinks to work out, but they all get fed. That's the important thing.

I have to say one frustration is waking up the babies to eat when they are sound asleep. Especially in the middle of the night when we want to sleep ourselves, but until they are big and strong, they have to eat all the time. It will be wonderful to let them sleep to their heart's desire. Of course, by then, they'll probably rebel, and wake up every 3 hours or less just to be funny.

Our biggest adventure was taking them to their first appointment to the pediatrician. They love riding in the car, we found out, and actually behaved extremely well for the doctor. They hardly made a peep as they all laid on the table wearing only their little diapers. It was so cute as were near each other skin to skin again. They haven't been like that since they were born. It was pretty funny when Ruby turned toward Alex and started licking his forehead. I guess she was a little hungry. He didn't seem to mind. And man, the boys sure are looking more identical everyday, especially when they are naked and right next to each other. The doc had only great things to say about my little loves, and we are happy to see that they are gaining weight well. Ruby at 5 lbs. 12 oz, Alex 5 lbs. 11 oz, and Bennett at 5 lbs. 4 oz. My, how my babies have grown.


We were fortunate to have a nurse from the hospital come do a follow up assessment at the house to make sure they are gaining weight well, and doing what they should. They passed her test, and she'll come do that again in a week to make sure all is ship shape. And a week after that we have appointments with the Ophthalmologist to see how they eyesight is developing, and another doctor to see about taking the monitors off. It's always an adventure to leave the house with everyone.



Here are some more pics of our first couple days at home.
Here's to more strength and naps as they days go on. These babies are worth every hour of sleep I don't get.

Whoa babies!

We have three of them. In our house. What?! As of about 2 pm this afternoon we now house a family of five plus one guest. Things are going okay so far. We'll see how I am after a night with them here. But oh boy, are they cute. I love just walking around with any one (or two) of them in my arms. You should've seen the parade we made as we were leaving the hospital. Yeah, we're gonna be busy, but what's a better kind of busy to be? I don't foresee much blogging in my near future. I'll do my best.

Maggie Simpson impersonator

This video was taken a while ago. It makes me laugh. And, I don't really know who made that silly name tag in Ruby's crib. I guess I could've been more creative with crib decor, but I didn't want them to get too comfortable there.

Only mere hours before my babies are home. This is better than Christmas. I've been going nuts all day with nervous excitement. I hope I'm able to sleep tonight.