Saturday, February 16, 2008 10:20 PM, CST
Our days are quickly passing with the trips up to St. John's. Thursday night we made our stay short since we were both so tired from Wednesday night. We gave Luke and Brooke baths, kisses, and then left for home. (Zach's body temperature wasn't high enough for us to get him out and bathe him.)
Friday night, we went out to eat for Valentine's Day and then spent a few hours with the triplets. We did a quick wipe down for baths and then I held Zach while Chad held Luke. It was good to see Zach again after not being able to hold him due to his body temperature. Brooke did very well with her bath and didn't even pitch a fit!!! We stayed much later than we thought we would and didn't get home until mid-night.
Today was a quick day. We slept in, did some work around the house and then made our way back to the hospital with my mom and dad. We were there in time to hold all three babies while they were being fed. I held Luke, grandma Bren held Zach, and grandpa Wes held Brooke. While I was holding Luke, Chad got nominated for diaper patrol with Zach. Too bad, no surprises were left for him! Chad gave up his turn for holding tonight and probably won't let that happen again! :)
Each baby is doing well. They have tested their billy reuben counts and so far, all are within a "good" range. They are all back up to their birth weights after a full week and we are very thankful for that. Their feedings have increased from 3.5 mils to 7 and hopefully they will all be digesting their food normally and stay at the higher feeding level and gain more weight. The nurses did have to move their IVs again and thank goodness, Luke's is gone from his head! We were told today that they could possibly remove them altogether in the next few days. (We're keeping our fingers crossed for that!) A few less tubes to work around would be wonderful.
We are going back tomorrow to spend the afternoon and praying for more of the same news tomorrow. We would again like to thank everyone for their prayers -they truly seem to help us through and the babies are doing awesome.
Sunday, February 17, 2008 8:03 PM, CST
We had another good day today! When we got to the hospital, the nurse told us that they had upped their feedings again! More food - more weight gained! :) As they continually up their feedings, the closer we get to removing their IVs.
Chad kangarooed Zach, who wiggled his way into Chad's shirt and down his stomach- was quite funny! I had Brooke who was very quiet and content. We stayed like that for a long time and then decided to head home.
More trips up this week and hopefully another quiet one with more good news. I'll be sure to update!
Monday, February 18, 2008 11:23 PM, CST
My mom and I went up to the hospital today to see Luke, Zach, and Brooke. Grandma and Brooke bonded today. Brooke heard about Goldilocks and the three bears over and over again! She was sleeping soundly after all that!
Luke had already started his feeding and it is best not to disturb them when they are trying to digest their food, so I held Zach today. He wasn't hard to entertain either. Once they put him on my chest, he was sound asleep and stayed that way the entire time.
I called up to the NICU around 10p.m. to see how the rest of the afternoon/e
Tomorrow we are going back with Kathy and Dennis and hoping that they get a chance to hold someone! Until then....
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 11:24 PM, CST
Our goal for this evening was to make sure Kathy and Dennis got a chance to hold one of the triplets. We planned our night to give baths and then hold while they were feeding... everything went as planned until we reached the NICU.
We found out minutes after arriving that Luke, Zach, and Brooke were getting a new address! It took quite a long time for them to unhook everything and make the trek, but eventually all three were move successfull
After they were all adjusted, Mawmaw got to hold Luke for the first time and Pawpaw held Zach. Luke's oxygen level wasn't on target which meant the bonding session didn't last as long as we'd hoped. We are just happy that they finally got to visit with each other!
All three are still doing well and their feedings have increased again. Zach is still regulating his own body temperature. Luke's IV came out again and they were trying to get a new one in while we were there. (We are still praying for those things to be gone!!!) Brooke was just hanging out and continues to get stronger each day.
Thursday, February 21, 2008 7:46 AM, CST
Chad and I were able to hold Luke and Zach last night while we were visiting. We both kangarooed with the boys. As the nurse was helping me get Luke situated on my chest, he found my hand and grabbed my finger. He wrapped his little fingers around mine and stayed like that most of the time we were together. It was enough to melt my heart!
When my time was up, I turned to see Chad and Zach taking a nap together. Talk about peaceful! I was mush by that time!!! :)
No one was weighed while we were there, but their weights from Tuesday had Luke and Zach both weighing 3 lbs 4 ounces and Brooke at 3 lbs 7 ounces. All three are now regulating their own body temperature
I was planning on spending my day today at the hospital with the triplets, but the weather ruined that plan! I have a follow up appointment tomorrow with my dr so Chad and I are planning on making an afternoon of it with all three!
Monday, February 25, 2008 10:04 AM, CST
My doctor's appointment on Friday went well. I am free to drive! But...still have to take it easy when it comes to house work!!! ;)
Chad and I spent the afternoon and early evening with the kids. They all had their IVs removed - YEA!!! Luke and Brooke had their oxygen removed and they were getting ready to remove Zach's. The nurse also told us that we were free to bring clothes to dress them in. The washing machine and dryer were running like crazy after we got home - I couldn't wait to put some clothes on them!!!
Satu
Grandma held Luke, Chad kangarooed with Zach, and Grandpa held Brooke. Brooke was listening to Grandpa tell stories and I think she already has him wrapped around her finger. A few times, she gave him an open mouthed smile and laughed at his jokes!
At one point the nurse took all three babies and put them in Chad's arms. HOLY COW - - - we'd been holding one at a time and then to see all three together - - - kind of brought reality home! :) (I don't think Chad could have been happier.)
Chad had to work on Sunday so we went up later in the afternoon and were able to give baths to Luke and Zach. Zach didn't want much to do with his bath either night and let us know about it. He is also the one who surprises me each time I change his diaper! Chad laughs and thinks he is cool because they've never done that to him, but people tell me he'll get his fair share in too!!!
Chad kangarooed with Luke and I got to hold both Zach and Brooke. It was awesome to finally see them side by side for a long period of time.
The past two weeks, we've been trying to look for differences in the boys. We know there are differences
Everything else seems to be going well. They are watching Brooke. She has been spitting up some of her food and vitamins. (I'd probably spit those up too!) They are not sure if she has reflux or if something is not agreeing with her, but as long as she doesn't lose weight, all they do is monitor her. Zach and Luke had high temps on Saturday throughout the night. After a blood count check, they decided to turn down their beds - they were probably just too hot!
We're going back again tonight to see all of them, and counting the hours until that time!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 12:04 PM, CST
On Tuesday, Kathy and I went up in the early afternoon to see the triplets. MaMa held Luke for well over 2 hours and never complained once!!! ;) I kangarooed with both Zach and Brooke in that same time frame.
We ate dinner in the cafeteria and by the time we were coming back upstairs, Dennis and Chad were there. We gave Luke and Brooke each baths. Luke let us know that his little lungs are getting stronger - he really is laid back for the most part, he just hates getting a bath! And...Miss Brooke who we thought had an attitude has really calmed down and seems to just take it all in. That's not to say she doesn't make a peep, she does, she's just not as vocal as she was a first.
Chad kangarooed Luke, PaPa held Brooke, and MaMa got to hold Zach for the first time! It was a good day - a long one, but good!!!
Ever
Another visit tonight...
Sunday, March 2, 2008 8:47 PM, CST
Many new things to report on...
Thursd
Frida
Satur
We were both excited to get to the hospital today to see them in real beds and not in the plastic houses they had been in! They all looked so warm and cozy in their new beds and we were thrilled to be looking at them clearly and not through plastic.
We were told their weights again. Luke weighs 3 lbs 14.7 ounces and Zach is at 3 lbs, 14 ounces. Miss Brooke decided to show both boys up by reaching the 4 pound marker first!!!
We held Zach and Brooke during their feedings today. Gave kisses to Luke and told them all we'd see them again tomorrow!
Monday, March 3, 2008 10:53 PM, CST
We made the journey to the hospital again tonight even though the weather was iffy. We were there to weigh Zach and Brooke and give them each their baths. Zach has bypassed Brooke in weight! (We'll see how long he can hold that title!) Brooke weighed 4 lbs 1.2 ounces and Zach was 4 lbs. 1.3 ounces!! He better keep eating to outdo his sister! :)
I held Luke for awhile, but with not knowing what the weather was like outside, we decided to cut our visit short and leave a little earlier. It was kisses and then we were heading home.
We are hoping to make it back again tomorrow night to try a bottle feeding! We're making progress!!!Friday, March 7, 2008 10:52 AM, CST
Chad and I didn't make it to the hospital on Tuesday. We decided not to brave the snow storm. (And...we had a friend who forbid us to drive in it since she was having such a hard time getting home in it!) We ended up calling the NICU before bed and were told that they all had their first bottle!!! Zach and Brooke drank a little but were wore out. Luke drank all of his and let out a hefty burp! (We'll see if that was beginner's luck or if he is going to be a good eater.)
Wede
We ate dinner and then I was off to a CPR class. By the time I was finished, Chad and Dennis were there ready to hold. Dennis held Brooke and Chad gave Luke his bottle. (Luke didn't do as well as the first time, but he was happy Dad was feeding him!) I fed Zach his bottle, we tucked them all in, and then we headed home.
Thursday, I went to the hospital for the first time by myself. I met with a nurse who taught me how to do infant massage with Brooke. It relaxed her so much, we weren't able to finish due to her filling her diaper!!! (We'll try again next week!)
While I was there I was able to bottle feed each baby and bond with them! It is so amazing to see them changing. They are becoming so much more alert and aware of things around them.
We are watching a little infection Luke has on his face, but we've been told it isn't anything serious so medicine and baths will clear it up. Luke and Zach were right at 4 lbs 2 ounces the last time they were weighed. Brooke was 4 lbs 5 ounces and still gaining!
Tha
Sunday, March 9, 2008 11:11 PM, CDT
On Friday, we went up earlier than normal and got to spend more time with the triplets. We talked to a dr who explained some things to us, we talked about baptism, and some other events dealing with time and coming home. They really don't have a definite answer except ... as long as they are doing well it will be sooner rather than later.
Saturday we went up and gave them each their baths, held them for awhile, and then left. It had been a long day with having a shower and then with the time changing, we needed to catch up on some sleep (that we'll probably never get again!).
Tod
We asked about height and weight again - We are thinking that the premie clothes are going to be outgrown soon! Luke is now 17 inches, an inch longer than at birth, and he weighs 4 lbs 8 ounces. Brooke weighs 4 lbs 7 ounces and is 17 inches long - 3/4 in longer. Finally...t
Ho
Tuesday, March 18, 2008 8:02 AM, CDT
Well...I learned rather quickly not to wish for a quiet week!
Last Monday we received a phone call from the hospital around 11:30 saying Brooke was severely anemic and needed a blood transfusion. Chad and I rushed to the hospital to talk to the drs. We saw the hematologis
Tuesday, I spent the day with the triplets. I was there at 9:30 to do a massage with Luke! He was so limp and relaxed afterwards; I was ready to get one too!!! I was able to feed each baby and do their diaper changes all day. Chad got there around 5, we went to grab a bite to eat and then we met with the hematologis
W
Thursday, Kathy and I spent the afternoon with Luke, Zach, and Brooke. We were told that Brooke's blood counts were stable and that she would be retested again on Friday.
Frid
Satur
Sunday afternoon, we headed to the hospital to let the triplets meet Uncle Blake and Aunt Sara. While we were there, Luke finished his entire bottle - a first!!! I fed Zach and he finished his as well. Chad was feeding Brooke and I made an off hand remark about her finishing her bottle. I mentioned that it had never been done that all three had finished their feedings at one time and if that happened, we would take Blake and Sara out to eat. I should have never opened my mouth!!! :)
Finally, (I've learned not to wait a week to update the journal - this is taking forever!) last night while we were visiting with Kathy and Dennis, we got to introduce Uncle Brad and Aunt Beth to the triplets. Cousins, Makenna and Maggie were able to "see" from the windows. We had bath time and feedings while they were there visiting.
Brooke's heplock from the transfusion
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