Katie has started to "dance." Sometimes when she hears music or if I sing, she starts to bob up and down. It's so cute.
Here are photos of the girls in the tutus made by my sister-in-law, Rima, who lives in France.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Little Ballerinas
Last Friday night, we had a major photo shoot at our house. We took pictures of the girls in three different outfits. Yes, that means 12 outfit changes, including getting them back in their normal clothes; it was exhausting. We used some of the photos for our Christmas card, which we have already had printed. I'm so excited to send it out. It's the first time that I have ever done Christmas cards.
Katie has started to "dance." Sometimes when she hears music or if I sing, she starts to bob up and down. It's so cute.
Here are photos of the girls in the tutus made by my sister-in-law, Rima, who lives in France.
Katie has started to "dance." Sometimes when she hears music or if I sing, she starts to bob up and down. It's so cute.
Here are photos of the girls in the tutus made by my sister-in-law, Rima, who lives in France.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Is this a daycare?
On Wednesday, the dryer repair man came to my house. He walked in the door, looked around, saw the girls and said, "Is this a daycare?" Seriously? I think that is one of the funniest comments I've heard about the girls. Many of the comments aren't that funny though.
To illustrate how rude people can be, my husband (with a little input from me) made this video:
To illustrate how rude people can be, my husband (with a little input from me) made this video:
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Every day is a blessing
Today is Prematurity Awareness Day , a day bloggers are devoting to the topic.
There are small moments in time that change your life forever. The girls have changed my life for the better.
As you already know, since I've mentioned it so many times, my girls were born at 29 weeks 6 days. Yes, I know, I've thoroughly beaten the proverbial horse to death already. But, please read on! When I first found out I was pregnant with triplets, I thought I would easily carry them to at least 34 weeks. My body seemed to be on board with that plan as well. I wasn't showing any signs of premature labor. And, as I've also mentioned before, I was even given the "go-ahead" by my perinatologist to go on a 10 night cruise at 17-18 weeks. After the cruise, I started to slow down. It was harder to move around, and I was very uncomfortable, but I still thought I would have no problems carrying them to at least 34 weeks.
Maggie had other plans. I don't know why, but her sac broke at 27 weeks. At the time, I did not realize the gravity of the situation. Even though I was admitted to the hospital, I still had no doubts I would carry them to at least 32 weeks. The doctors and nurses kept telling me that every day is a blessing. Every week, a new milestone. Getting to 28 weeks is a big milestone. While I was in the hospital, I kept wondering what was going to trigger the girls' birth. Day after day, they were monitoring me for infection (and they gave me A LOT of antibiotics) and pre-eclampsia. In my mind though, I was not worried about either of these things. Somehow I knew that everything would be ok. I did worry about the amount of antibiotics that I was receiving. I worried that they would harm the girls. It's so hard to say no or question the doctors when you're in the moment. You want the best for your baby(ies), and you have to trust that the doctors and nurses know what they're doing. Mistakes are made all the time in hospitals, but you just have to hope that they won't happen to you.
When the day finally came, it was surreal. The NICU was not a scary place for me. Carrying triplets, I already knew that they would likely end up in the NICU for at least a few days, if not longer. I had no idea it would be as long as 70 days. Some days, I'm sad I didn't get the "normal" baby experience. Before I got pregnant, I had a birth plan. I would go to a birthing center right next to the hospital (just in case there were complications), I would not have an epidural and I would only consent to a c-section in the most dire of circumstances. That whole plan went out the window the day I found out it was triplets. I was still encouraged by my doctor that a vaginal birth was not out of the question. So long as baby A was head down, it was still a possibility. Baby A was never head down, and even if I had carried them long enough for her to turn around, she probably wouldn't have had to room to do it. In some ways, I guess I did get a normal experience in that the girls weighed a total of 8lbs 5oz. I was as big and as uncomfortable as I would have been with a singleton pregnancy.
Sadly, I have to admit that I get frustrated with people who claim their babies are premature when they were born at 35-36 weeks. While I know that they are premature, I wish I had the chance to carry my girls that long. In my mind, they don't know true prematurity. I guess in a lot of ways, it's jealousy. I could even argue that I do not know prematurity either. I have become close friends with two women who both had twins at 27 weeks. They have gone through so much more than I have.
Ultimately, the nurses were right. Every day a baby is in your belly is a blessing.
There are small moments in time that change your life forever. The girls have changed my life for the better.
As you already know, since I've mentioned it so many times, my girls were born at 29 weeks 6 days. Yes, I know, I've thoroughly beaten the proverbial horse to death already. But, please read on! When I first found out I was pregnant with triplets, I thought I would easily carry them to at least 34 weeks. My body seemed to be on board with that plan as well. I wasn't showing any signs of premature labor. And, as I've also mentioned before, I was even given the "go-ahead" by my perinatologist to go on a 10 night cruise at 17-18 weeks. After the cruise, I started to slow down. It was harder to move around, and I was very uncomfortable, but I still thought I would have no problems carrying them to at least 34 weeks.
Maggie had other plans. I don't know why, but her sac broke at 27 weeks. At the time, I did not realize the gravity of the situation. Even though I was admitted to the hospital, I still had no doubts I would carry them to at least 32 weeks. The doctors and nurses kept telling me that every day is a blessing. Every week, a new milestone. Getting to 28 weeks is a big milestone. While I was in the hospital, I kept wondering what was going to trigger the girls' birth. Day after day, they were monitoring me for infection (and they gave me A LOT of antibiotics) and pre-eclampsia. In my mind though, I was not worried about either of these things. Somehow I knew that everything would be ok. I did worry about the amount of antibiotics that I was receiving. I worried that they would harm the girls. It's so hard to say no or question the doctors when you're in the moment. You want the best for your baby(ies), and you have to trust that the doctors and nurses know what they're doing. Mistakes are made all the time in hospitals, but you just have to hope that they won't happen to you.
When the day finally came, it was surreal. The NICU was not a scary place for me. Carrying triplets, I already knew that they would likely end up in the NICU for at least a few days, if not longer. I had no idea it would be as long as 70 days. Some days, I'm sad I didn't get the "normal" baby experience. Before I got pregnant, I had a birth plan. I would go to a birthing center right next to the hospital (just in case there were complications), I would not have an epidural and I would only consent to a c-section in the most dire of circumstances. That whole plan went out the window the day I found out it was triplets. I was still encouraged by my doctor that a vaginal birth was not out of the question. So long as baby A was head down, it was still a possibility. Baby A was never head down, and even if I had carried them long enough for her to turn around, she probably wouldn't have had to room to do it. In some ways, I guess I did get a normal experience in that the girls weighed a total of 8lbs 5oz. I was as big and as uncomfortable as I would have been with a singleton pregnancy.
Sadly, I have to admit that I get frustrated with people who claim their babies are premature when they were born at 35-36 weeks. While I know that they are premature, I wish I had the chance to carry my girls that long. In my mind, they don't know true prematurity. I guess in a lot of ways, it's jealousy. I could even argue that I do not know prematurity either. I have become close friends with two women who both had twins at 27 weeks. They have gone through so much more than I have.
Ultimately, the nurses were right. Every day a baby is in your belly is a blessing.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
We're Getting So Big!
The girls had their 9 month check up today. Dr. Jim couldn't believe that they didn't make any noise during the whole visit. They're such good babies. He didn't even realize that the appointment was in the middle of their nap time and ran right up to their feeding time, and still they were quiet. I love my girls!
It looks like Isabella's bottom two teeth are about to break through, and he guesses that Katie's bottom two will be in within 2 weeks. YIKES! He didn't really have any answers for Katie's spitting her food out problem. Hopefully it's a phase that will QUICKLY pass.
Here are their stats:
Katie:
16lbs - 10%
27in - 30%
43.1cm - 25%
Maggie:
15lbs 9oz - 5%
26.5in - 15%
42.4cm - 10%
Izzy-B:
14lbs 10oz - <3%
26.25in - 10%
42.9cm - 20%
It looks like Isabella's bottom two teeth are about to break through, and he guesses that Katie's bottom two will be in within 2 weeks. YIKES! He didn't really have any answers for Katie's spitting her food out problem. Hopefully it's a phase that will QUICKLY pass.
Here are their stats:
Katie:
16lbs - 10%
27in - 30%
43.1cm - 25%
Maggie:
15lbs 9oz - 5%
26.5in - 15%
42.4cm - 10%
Izzy-B:
14lbs 10oz - <3%
26.25in - 10%
42.9cm - 20%
Monday, November 15, 2010
9 Months
Wow - I cannot believe the girls are 9 months old today. On Saturday, I met my friend's one week old baby. What a precious little boy. It makes me wish the girls were that small again. It is overwhelming to think how much the girls have grown. Katie is crawling; Maggie is sitting up on her own and I think I even saw her crawl tonight; Izzy-B is my little peanut.
We forgot to take pictures of all three of them together.
The girls are eating solid foods now. However, Katie has decided it's fun to spit everything out. It's really frustrating. It gets EVERYWHERE, and it doesn't matter what it is. I'm not sure what the problem is, but it might just be that she is having fun.
Their little personalities are blossoming. Maggie wants whichever toy the other girls have. She will roll and drag herself across the room just to steal a toy. If a toy is taken away from her, she screams. It's funny right now.... Katie is the quiet one, and she is very observant. I think this may also turn out to be trouble. Izzy just likes to be held.
We were lucky that we didn't have any problems with the end of daylight savings time. The girls easily slept an extra hour that night.
Snow finally made an appearance in Denver, but it was all melted by the end of the day. The weather has gotten so much colder. The girls are finally at the age that they will enjoy going on walks around the neighborhood, but it's so cold!
Tomorrow the girls have their 9 month check-up, so I will post their "stats" then.
The girls are eating solid foods now. However, Katie has decided it's fun to spit everything out. It's really frustrating. It gets EVERYWHERE, and it doesn't matter what it is. I'm not sure what the problem is, but it might just be that she is having fun.
Their little personalities are blossoming. Maggie wants whichever toy the other girls have. She will roll and drag herself across the room just to steal a toy. If a toy is taken away from her, she screams. It's funny right now.... Katie is the quiet one, and she is very observant. I think this may also turn out to be trouble. Izzy just likes to be held.
We were lucky that we didn't have any problems with the end of daylight savings time. The girls easily slept an extra hour that night.
Snow finally made an appearance in Denver, but it was all melted by the end of the day. The weather has gotten so much colder. The girls are finally at the age that they will enjoy going on walks around the neighborhood, but it's so cold!
Tomorrow the girls have their 9 month check-up, so I will post their "stats" then.
Monday, November 8, 2010
On The Move
Well, she finally did it. Katie officially crawled today. I tried to get video of it, but every time I get out the camera she refuses to move. She just stares at the camera.
Also, Maggie is the first to get to sitting on her own. She did it this morning for a short time. I'm so amazed by her. She has some muscle issues, and has been seeing a physical therapist weekly. I never thought she would be the first to actually get all the way to sitting on her own. Katie has been very close for quite some time, but she just can't quite get past leaning on her hand for support. I'm so proud of Maggie!!
The girls had their first spice today. I gave them Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal baby food this morning. I had to try it since cinnamon is my favorite spice. It tasted just like an apple pie. Mmmmmm. Katie didn't like it as much as the other girls, but she still ate it.
Also, Maggie is the first to get to sitting on her own. She did it this morning for a short time. I'm so amazed by her. She has some muscle issues, and has been seeing a physical therapist weekly. I never thought she would be the first to actually get all the way to sitting on her own. Katie has been very close for quite some time, but she just can't quite get past leaning on her hand for support. I'm so proud of Maggie!!
The girls had their first spice today. I gave them Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal baby food this morning. I had to try it since cinnamon is my favorite spice. It tasted just like an apple pie. Mmmmmm. Katie didn't like it as much as the other girls, but she still ate it.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
RSV, Synagis and Maggie's first "words"
The March of Dimes has designated November Prematurity Awareness Month. As you know, our girls were born prematurely. During my pregnancy, I was healthy, the girls seemed healthy and I did not have any signs of premature labor. Then - boom - out of nowhere, my water broke at 28 weeks 1 day. I was admitted to the hospital where I was closely monitored for infection, signs of distress, preeclampsia, or other signs of premature labor. I was given steroids to help the girls' lungs develop, but nothing is as good as staying in the womb. The girls were born at 29 weeks 6 days after Maggie's placenta started to abrupt (it was her sac that broke as well). Premature babies are at risk for many complications. So far, it appears our girls are healthy. *Knock on wood.*
RSV is one of the most significant threats to a premature baby. Most infants and toddlers get RSV, but RSV can simply be too much for the lungs of a premature baby. Seemingly healthy babies can suddenly become extremely ill and die from RSV. While some of you already know that I have issues with vaccinations (we're following the Dr. Sears alternate vaccination schedule), I take RSV very seriously. There is a drug called synagis that can protect a baby from RSV for 28-32 days. It is extremely expensive (anywhere from $1,500 - $3,000 per shot; the dosage is based upon weight). Needless to say, if insurance will not cover the cost of the shot, then it is cost prohibitive. Synagis is given once a month for 5 months starting in November. The girls each got one dose of it before they left the NICU last April. The American Academy of Pediatrics provides guidelines for who should get synagis. We were lucky that Maggie was eligible to receive it this year, and the insurance company agreed to cover all three girls because they are in the same house. This morning, they received their first synagis shot of this RSV season. I am so grateful that our insurance company is covering the shots. The total cost of the shots will be between $22,500 - $45,000. Here is a link to one of our friend's blogs. Their boys, who are almost exactly one year older then our girls, were not eligible last year, and they contracted RSV. Luckily, it was only a mild case. Other families are not so lucky.
Some of you will be upset that I am being so protective of my girls during this RSV season, but I cannot and will not risk them contracting RSV. This first winter poses the biggest risk. Come Spring, we will all be out on the town exploring the world. Until then, I appreciate your understanding my need to keep the girls isolated from RSV and the flu. I hope the links I have provided give some perspective.
On a lighter note - Margaret has said her first "word." She is babbling away today saying "da da." It warmed Robin's heart! The girls are also (and I know I've said this before) about to crawl. Both Katie and Izzy can take one or two crawls forward before flopping on their stomachs. Maggie has mastered "army" crawling. She can drag herself just about anywhere.
RSV is one of the most significant threats to a premature baby. Most infants and toddlers get RSV, but RSV can simply be too much for the lungs of a premature baby. Seemingly healthy babies can suddenly become extremely ill and die from RSV. While some of you already know that I have issues with vaccinations (we're following the Dr. Sears alternate vaccination schedule), I take RSV very seriously. There is a drug called synagis that can protect a baby from RSV for 28-32 days. It is extremely expensive (anywhere from $1,500 - $3,000 per shot; the dosage is based upon weight). Needless to say, if insurance will not cover the cost of the shot, then it is cost prohibitive. Synagis is given once a month for 5 months starting in November. The girls each got one dose of it before they left the NICU last April. The American Academy of Pediatrics provides guidelines for who should get synagis. We were lucky that Maggie was eligible to receive it this year, and the insurance company agreed to cover all three girls because they are in the same house. This morning, they received their first synagis shot of this RSV season. I am so grateful that our insurance company is covering the shots. The total cost of the shots will be between $22,500 - $45,000. Here is a link to one of our friend's blogs. Their boys, who are almost exactly one year older then our girls, were not eligible last year, and they contracted RSV. Luckily, it was only a mild case. Other families are not so lucky.
Some of you will be upset that I am being so protective of my girls during this RSV season, but I cannot and will not risk them contracting RSV. This first winter poses the biggest risk. Come Spring, we will all be out on the town exploring the world. Until then, I appreciate your understanding my need to keep the girls isolated from RSV and the flu. I hope the links I have provided give some perspective.
On a lighter note - Margaret has said her first "word." She is babbling away today saying "da da." It warmed Robin's heart! The girls are also (and I know I've said this before) about to crawl. Both Katie and Izzy can take one or two crawls forward before flopping on their stomachs. Maggie has mastered "army" crawling. She can drag herself just about anywhere.
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