I think this is the first time that I have actually typed a post on this blog. What a long journey this has been. Starting on Dec. 7th with the shock of three heart beats, then all the appointments and sonograms, to being admitted three weeks ago and then the birth. The last 34 weeks have definitely been filled with ups and downs but they are behind us. We are now on our new journey of getting the girls to grow, keep their body temperatures and feed so that they can join our family at home. It has been harder than I thought since we have been home. Trying to spend as much time as possible with Hannah while giving myself time to heal and feeling guilty about not being with the babies at the hospital has been difficult. My recovery has been harder than I ever imagined. A C-Section for triplets requires a great deal of "tugging and pulling" (as the doctors put it) which has made me so sore and made the recovery harder. I got a lecture last night in the NICU about taking care of myself. I'm trying to relax today but that is easier said than done. It is so hard to have them so far away. Hannah has been adjusting but its been hard on her. She is really nervous when Tom and I leave for the hospital that we are not coming back. Good thing she is so tough and seems to adjust fast. She visited her sisters last night and took them pictures that she had made specially for them.
I have so many people to thank for so many things done to help us during the pregnancy and hospital stay. First Tom who slept by my bedside each night that I was in the hospital and helped me with things that most men would not want to even think about. He has been amazing juggling work, me, Hannah and the babies. I truly think he was meant to be the father of four girls. Next, my parents, JuJu and Bull and my grandmother, 88 year old Grandma Kate, who have dedicated the last 17 weeks or so to taking care of Hannah and me. My mom has been with Hannah around the clock for the last couple of months and has been the biggest help. They have kept her on schedule and taken her to all of her activities. We would be lost without them. For those of you who know a three year old you know that this takes a lot of energy and patience.
All the cards, calls, emails, prepared meals, and prayers from friends and family have helped to keep me sane and have the babies arrive healthy. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. My aunts, uncles, and cousins have been so supportive and so much help.The generosity that people have shown to us is overwhelming. It brings tears to my eyes to think of all the things that everyone has done for our family. Even people that I have never met have shown us such kindness. The girls are so lucky to have so many people that care about them.
To all the other triplet moms: Kelli, Cherie, Karen and Debbie who have been so kind and supportive. I think that you will on speed dial for the next couple of months. Thank You!!
The labor and delivery nurses at UMMC were amazing. They took care of me and helped me survive bedrest and the birth of triplets. I will always be grateful to Nurse Suzanne who held my hand and talked me through the c-section . She stayed with me in recovery while Tom was with the babies. She kept me calm (which I did not think was possible) and allowed the doctors to get the babies out quickly and safely.
Now the NICU nurses who are caring for our three little girls. I call often and I'm sure drive them crazy. They are so kind and working round the clock to get the girls doing the things they need to do to come home: They need to keep their body temperature regulated, stop having bradys, not aspirate their food, and nipple feed all of their feedings.
So that brings me to the girls' updates. They are all doing well and I think they get cuter each visit. They are each getting occupational therapy once a day to work on feeding and sucking.
Brynn: She surprised us yesterday when we visited. She was keeping her body temperature so she was moved out of her isolette and into an open crib. Very exciting news. They did warn us that some babies have to go back if their body temperature drops. But we will think good thoughts and hope that she can stay out. This also means that we can snuggle with her as much as we want. Her feedings were moved up to 30ml and she is not having any aspirates with that. Her bottle feeds are going ok. She gets really tired and loses interest fast. She is going to need much help with this. Hopefully that will come with time.
Brooke: Her feeds also went up to 30ml and her aspirates are getting better. She is getting close to holding her body temperature so hopefully she will be out of her isolette soon. Her bottle feeds are like Brynn's - she gets tired and loses interest fast.
Lexi: Little Lexi as the nurses call her is the smallest of the three and a little behind the other two. The occupational therapist said that she is the best feeder of the three which is so funny. She is still having bradys (where she forgets to breath) and can't come out of the isolette until they stop and she can hold her body temperature. Her feeds are 15 ml, which is half of that of her sisters and she is still having aspirates. She is doing better with the bottle than the other two. We just need to get her to tolerate more food at each feeding.
We will post new pictures soon! Thanks again to everyone. Keep the girls in your prayers.
Erin