It’s my first ever mother’s day as a mother and it was so exceptionally special. I woke up to find three “Keep Calm and Call Mom” coffee tumblers waiting outside the bedroom along with a card from Steven, Samuel and Amaya.
Here’s what it said. (If I can actually type this without crying.) Thank you to Jason for dictating. <3 <3 <3
Mommy,
We love when you take us for walks.
We are amazed at your courage to take us out even though you don’t know whether or not we might have an epeeeeesode.
We love when you come to us in the morning, starting our day with love.
We love that you can’t stop caring for us, even for a moment.
We love that you have made sure we always have what we need to grow up nice.
We love when you read us stories at bedtime.
We love when you help us dance.
We love that you risked everything for us, and that you loved us before you knew us.
We love that you made us know what love is.
We love you, Mommy.
Steven, Samuel and Amaya
I have the best family.
I had my usual joy of waking and changing the babies. Once they were fed (thanks Grandpa Homey!), Jason got up and I went back to bed for a bit. I woke up to surprise mother’s day outfits on the babies! After babies were fed (again), we went out for a wonderful mother’s day brunch. Babies were great! They love brunch! Afterward, I took them for a walk, played some, fed some more and we finally started enjoying our deck with the kids. It’s so nice to get fresh air and totally changes the feeling of the 4pm – 7pm time frame when babies start to get fussy. It was a simple, wonderful, perfect day. I’m just so lucky.
Here are a whole bunch of photos from today and some others from recent times. Babies are smiling like crazy and getting the hang of tummy time.
With my babies! (Steven, Amaya, Samuel)
The first family photo we’ve taken in a long time. Only Sally is missing. (Samuel, Amaya, Steven.)
OMG, Jason and Ron are like the same person. It’s amazing.
Wonderful Megan made this happen.
This morning, before they surprised me in their mommy outfits. (Steven, Amaya, Samuel)
And after they surprised me! (Steven, Amaya, Samuel)
Enjoying the deck!!
We love our Wubbanubs. Best invention! Steven is particularly taken with Moo Cow. Amaya loves Lambie and Pink Elephant. Samuel just wants his darn sucky in his mouth.
Brothers during tummy time. Samuel rolled right into Steven. Neither minded a bit.
More tummy time! From 5/6 with Megan. LOVE these pictures!!
Baby time after work, waiting for Jason to get home. (And pretty much how Megan spends her days!)
A few of Steven
A few of Samuel (he found his hand)
And Amaya (including one where Grandpa Homey makes everything better)
It’s Jason’s birthday and, though you’d have to really confirm with him, by all accounts it’s been a lovely day. We’re finally starting to get into a groove. For the second week in a row we went out to brunch. But not before Jason had the opportunity to stay in bed until TEN THIRTY and then took over baby duty so I could get ready. Such a good daddy!
And the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Grandpa Ron’s got the gig down pat!
After the 3:15pm feed I needed to get out of the house so I took the babies to Maybury State Park which is just down the road from our house. It’s beautiful with long, wide walking paths. I suspect (and hope!) we’ll be back often!
Some pictures of the trio from the past week.
Steven
Samuel
Brothers!
Amaya
Amaya doesn’t have a sister but she does have big cousin Charlie and big cousin Charlie’s clothing. Thanks Charlie!
The babies in some Detroit themed onesies from my colleague, Jen. Steven, Samuel and Amaya. (Always in order!)
I just love this picture. (And this outfit was big cousin Charlie’s, too!)
Everyone is getting some play mat time just before the witching hour starts. These babies do like to torture us between the hours of 6pm and 7pm. Just when we get home from work.
Last picture of the week. With my big girl and my little girl. <3
Three months old and we’re smiling! Samuel seems to smile and laugh the most often, and Amaya is smiling the least right now, but they’re all at it and it’s an absolute delight to see! (Huge thanks to Megan for making sure I don’t miss any of these moments even though sometimes they happen when I’m at work.)
Steven
Samuel
During a visit from Grandma Sunshine.
Amaya
Here’s a little attempt to start indoctrinating my kids early. A business partner from Comerica Park sent over some Tigers hats and I needed to send him a special thank you note. I’m sure he loved these photos! Samuel’s got the hang of it but Amaya is not impressed. Give her time…
My mother and grandmother are here this weekend for a visit. Here are two photos of my grandmother with great grandchildren #s seven, eight and nine!
Steven (7), Amaya (9) and Samuel (8)
And it was a BIG weekend for me! I took the babies with me when we went out for brunch today. It can be done!! We just timed it during their afternoon nap and it worked like a charm. Every time I take them out it gets easier and less intimidating.
And some bonus pictures.
Daddy managing Boppy Island.
Steven and Amaya curled up with each other in Nana’s arms.
Steven in an outfit I adore.
Amaya in a cute outfit of her own.
Nana taking care of Steven and Amaya.
Right now, my mother, grandmother and Jason are giving the babies their nighttime bottles. It was really difficult to sit this one out (the GUILT) but this momma needed a break. It really does take a village. Next up on the visitor schedule…Grandpa Ron!
Hello! Hello! Steven, Samuel and Amaya are THREE MONTHS old today!! There are a TON of photos down below so just scroll on down if that’s what you’re here for. 🙂 This set of photos includes the FIRST EVER picture of Jason holding all three of his children. <3 <3 <3
After all of my teeth gnashing, it turns out that I love being back at work. It’s work so there’s certainly going to be frustration and stress but I can’t believe how easily I eased back into the routine. I definitely think I’ll appreciate my time with the babies even more and, while I’m at work, I’m really focused on being there (with the bonus of regular text updates from Megan).
The most difficult part is figuring out how to get anything done that’s not work or babies. The babies are usually settled around 8:30pm, I go to bed at 9:30pm and I’m up a little after 6am. Aside from the early hour, I do love my morning routine! I relieve the night nanny, Corrie, at 7am and have a half hour to myself with Steven, Samuel and Amaya. Every morning I pick out outfits for them and start getting them ready to eat when Megan arrives at 7:30am. It’s only 30 minutes but I’m glad for the time.
So what have we been up to? We’ve had the most wonderful family visits!
Last week, Aunt Alysia, Uncle Todd and cousins Nancy and Abe came to visit from DC!! There are lots of pictures of the visit down below.
One thing I’ve learned, which I didn’t know until now, is how much nicer life is with amazing in-laws. I knew Ron and Sherry and the Scofields were awesome before the babies were born but the past 3 months have solidified it 100 fold. There’s just so much love for our family and so much HELP. I hear stories about in-laws coming and disrupting routines and making life difficult and my experience is the complete opposite. Every time family visits life gets easier, easier, easier and our babies are showered with love. I’m so lucky. (Same goes for my family but I’ve known that for my whole life.)
The highlight of the visit (for me) was a surprise seder. I had mentioned that Passover is my favorite holiday and I was sad that I wouldn’t be in NY to celebrate and that I didn’t have the time to plan anything here. In a tremendous show of love, the Scofields went shopping for all of the Passover fixings and surprised me with a seder! I still tear up thinking about it. I told the babies the story of Passover. Todd cooked a lamb and boiled eggs and made charoset. We had wine (and grape juice) and dipped our parsley in salt water and, at the end, Nancy and Abe went head to head on a search for the afikomen. It was one of the most special Passover seders I’ve ever had. Scofields – you are unmatched. <3
Then, after SIX LONG MONTHS, my best big guy, Chase, came to visit with Aunt Sara and Uncle Dave. I hope I never, ever, EVER go that long without seeing him again. It had to be done but it’s too long and not right. He was amazing with the babies. After some initial trepidation, he held them and helped feed them and became an expert at replacing pacifiers. He’s such a good big cousin.
On Saturday, to get out of the house, we ventured to the Detroit Zoo and, at Sara’s suggestion, I took one of the babies with me! Chase chose Steven to join us. I’m so glad we tried it! Steven was great and it meant that Jason was only home with 2 babies. (Hahahaha. ONLY.) Next weekend, when my mom and grandmother are here, I’m going to try naptime brunch with all 3!
The whole going out with the triplets thing… I learned the best way to meet neighbors is to have triplets. Try it! You’ll see for yourself! Now that I’m going out for walks with them I’m stopped right and left in the neighborhood. Last week a woman said, “so they’re 12 weeks old, right?” People are talking! Right now it’s proving to be useful. It turns out there are a TON of kids and babies in my neighborhood and I’m not sure I’d meet these families without my triplet caravan. But ask me how I feel about it in a few months. (Of course, at the zoo we saw a family with QUINTS and a toddler. Sort of puts things in perspective!)
Okay! Pictures!!
Happy Three Months!
Chase getting in on the action. He was so patient.
Steven!
Samuel (and his faces)!
Amaya! (I will dress her up for as long as she’ll let me!)
Naked babies! (Steven, Amaya and Samuel)
Nananananananana BATMAN! The Goldbergs got the kids these adorable costumes. Love them! Jason determined that Steven is Batman and Samuel is Robin and he’s totally right. Steven is our stoic, steady little guy and Samuel’s the goofy little feller.
Family photos with the Scofields!! (Samuel, Amaya, Steven).
Aunt Ouize with Samuel, Steven, & Amaya. (Jason’s sister Alysia is known as Ouize. Long, wonderful story.)
Abe and Nancy with Steven, Amaya and Samuel
Nancy and Samuel.
Chase and Dave meeting the trio for the first time. (Amaya, Steven, Samuel)
Well, this is it. My last day of maternity leave. Tomorrow I go back to work. So here’s an open letter to my babies. Maybe they’ll read it someday.
Steven, Samuel and Amaya –
I love you, I love you, I love you. Before you I was a happy, satisfied person but, in an instant, you become the most important thing I’ve ever done. I work because I enjoy what I do, because it will make me a better mom and because it helps provide for our wonderful family but, when I am away from you, you are all in my heart and on my mind ALWAYS. We are never really apart.
If you need me, I will be there. I will move mountains, cross rivers – whatever it takes – to get to you. Not just now. ALWAYS.
During the day, when Daddy and I are at work, you’re being taken care of by someone wonderful, who loves you, too. She will feed you, sing you songs, tell you stories and make sure you feel safe and cared for. And when I come home at night and walk in the door to see you, it will be the happiest moment of my day. ALWAYS.
Steven, Samuel and Amaya had their 2 month doctor appointments on Wednesday. They did great! Samuel’s head control is better than our doctor would expect from a FULL TERM two month old and Amaya’s weight is in the 1 percentile on the full term newborn chart!
Our pediatrician also noticed a few things. Steven and Samuel had inguinal hernias and, as expected, Steven has a flat spot on the right side of his head and may have a lazy eye. This means a few things:
1) Steven and Samuel were scheduled for surgical consults at U of M Mott Children’s Hospital. The only way to correct an inguinal hernia is with surgery and we’d have to weigh the risk/benefit of early surgery vs. general anesthesia on a baby so young. (The risk of waiting to do the surgery is that the hernia can become incarcerated or strangulated. We really don’t want that.)
2) Steven was scheduled for a consult with a U of M pediatric ophthalmologist.
3) We have to work diligently to reposition Steven on the left side of his head. We’ll reevaluate at his 4 month appointment and, if it’s not better, will have a consult for that as well and, possibly, a helmet. Baby boy doesn’t like the repositioning but I suspect he likes it better than he’ll like a helment.
We also got our 2 month vaccinations. I wish I didn’t have to worry about herd immunity or diseases like measles or mumps in 2014. If you meet an anti-vaxxer send them my way. I’ve got a huge science based soap box ready for the occasion.
To the heart of the story…on Friday morning Samuel was particularly fussy and wouldn’t stop crying. Around 1:30pm in the afternoon when I was out with my mother, Megan was changing Samuel and noticed that his hernia seemed to be harder along with some unusual swelling/discoloration. This was a HUGE red flag as it’s a sign of incarceration or strangulation so she called me with the message a mom never wants to hear – we have a problem. My mom and I drove to Mott, after confirming with our pediatrician that we should go there vs. the local, closer hospital, and I got Samuel checked in while we waited for Megan to arrive with all three babies in tow. I got Samuel squared away and my mom and Megan took the other two babies back home.
Samuel was a trooper. He got poked and prodded and his very first ultrasound. The surgical residents saw what Megan noticed. The good news was that they were able to reduce the hernia which means they could push it back in where it belongs. Pretty gross, but still good news. The ultrasound showed no sign of compromised blood flow. (To do the ultrasound they wheeled our hospital bed to the u/s room and I held Samuel on my lap. It was a nice set up in the ER, actually. I was in the hospital bed and Samuel was on my lap the entire time.)
The good news about these results was that it meant we weren’t in for immediate, emergency surgery. They decided to admit Samuel and do the surgery over the weekend. (The doctors said that they almost always do this type of surgery on the same hospital visit because it’s going to have to happen anyway and they don’t want to risk sending a kid home only to find the situation gets more acute.)
Samuel got to the ER around 2:30pm and was finally admitted around 7pm. I was able to feed him and his daddy came to check in on him – and bring me an overnight bag and some contraband wine in a thermos!
In the middle of all this, Papa Gene was arriving from NY! He took a cab from the airport and made it home in time to meet Megan and feed babies and help hold down the fort while Jason and I were at the hospital.
Surgery was scheduled for Saturday morning at 9:30am. I was rooming in with Samuel and Jason went home to help through the night because our new weekend night nanny doesn’t start until 4/17. I was able to feed Samuel at 11:30pm but he wasn’t allowed anything after that until post-surgery. I got a little bit of sleep between 12:30am and 3:30am but then Samuel woke up HUNGRY. Poor little guy. The nurse asked a doctor if we could give Samuel some medicine to help ease his discomfort but they wouldn’t allow it. I suggested, then, that maybe the doctor wanted to come up and hold his pacifier all night. I couldn’t help it! It was in the middle of the night. I was tired. My baby was hungry. And it was a stressful time. The very nice nurse took Samuel for a bit so I could get a little more sleep.
Believe it or not, surgery was actually fairly uneventful aside from my anxiety and tears. I was able to hold him from the time we left his room until they took him in to the OR. The doctors were amazing. We were particularly impressed with the anesthesiologist who did an exceptional job explaining everything to us. It was no more than 2 hrs from the time we said goodbye to Samuel until we saw him again and the actual surgery was only 30 minutes of that!
Such a trooper! Samuel was wide eyed almost immediately and in relatively little discomfort. Rather than give him narcotics, he had a spinal block and was given Tylenol when he woke up. We were back in his room before noon! Jason stayed for a bit and then went back home to relieve my mom and Gene so they could come see Samuel. (Huge thanks to Megan for working on a Saturday AND coming by the hospital on Saturday night to check in on Samuel.)
Samuel did great through the rest of the night. This is outpatient surgery for older kids/adults but, at his age, they want to be sure he doesn’t have adverse reactions to the anesthesia. No concerns there so we were set for discharge on Sunday morning and home by 10am!
Super stressful and NOT FUN but, since it was going to happen anyway, once the scare was over it was good to get the surgery over and done with. I’m still a little nervous about Steven’s turn but far less than I would be if we hadn’t been through this with Samuel. And on the upside, if we can find one in this situation, is that I had a ton of quality time with Samuel. I think I held him for 4 ½ hours straight on both Friday and Saturday. With triplets, I never get that kind of one on one time. Even with the circumstances, it was very special. <3
Doctor’s office on Wednesday, 4/2. The calm before the storm (both the vaccines and Samuel’s Big Adventure). Steven and Amaya were buddies while Samuel got some shut eye.
An ER selfie with Samuel.
Jason took this picture on Friday night after Samuel was admitted. Concerned mommy, sleeping baby.
The morning of surgery. Saturday, 4/5.
Surgery is over! YAY!!! (“What happened, Daddy? That was wild!”)
Resting in his room. He had the tiniest little hospital gown.
This is a special necklace for Samuel commemorating his hospital stay. He has special beads for: being admitted, pokes, an IV, NPO, oral medication, radiology, surgery, intubation/extubation, special people who love him, going home!
Papa snuggling with Samuel.
Steven and Amaya at home on Saturday waiting for their brother’s return.
Papa feeding Amaya. Thank you, Papa!
From earlier in the week (Wed., 4/2), Amaya is trying out her new spring wear including colorful leggings and her little white shrug.
It’s been a busy week and a half, and a tiring one. Last Saturday (not the one that just passed, the one before), our night nanny let us know that she had some sort of stomach virus. Sad, sad, SAD. She works Sunday night through Thursday night and my hope that it was food poisoning was dashed when she was still sick on Sunday. I pulled an all-nighter on Sunday night and was prepared to do the same on Monday night when my mother-in-law swooped in from Lansing and came to the rescue. (Again, saved by family!) For the next four nights, I went to bed from 8:45pm – 11:45pm and then took the midnight- 4am shift with the babies. Sherry relieved me every night at 4am. I love you, Sherry! (And not just because you swooped in to rescue us!)
In theory we should have been back to night help on Friday night but our weekend night nanny made a sudden decision on Monday that, for personal reasons, she wasn’t going to stay on with us. We didn’t get enough notice to hire someone new so Team Triplet had to improvise and cover the weekend shifts as well. This was a little easier because Jason was able to cover some of the middle of the night time but still a huge drain after the week we’d had. I give huuuuuuuge kudos to all of the parents who do the triplet night gig on their own every night. They’re superheroes.
The good news is that Corrie was back with us last night and I think I found the perfect help for weekend nights. Please keep your fingers crossed that Corrie stays healthy and this new nanny works out! (If you pray, that’s a good route to go. If you believe in causal determinism, let’s hope the big bang set this up for us. If you think it’s all dependent on chance and the free will of individuals, then we can hope the dice and/or free will roll in our favor!)
So, I’m in the final stretch of my maternity leave. Booooooo hisssssss. I wrote about it on facebook on Friday and I’ll just repost what I said there:
“I go back to work two weeks from Monday and I need help from anyone who’s been through this before. In theory, I want to work. (And, financially, I need to.) I love my job and, frankly, I’m not cut out to be a sahm with triplets. My hat’s off to those who can do that job because it’s hard. I mean really, really *hard*. And I have an amazing, amazing nanny who will do a wonderful job caring for Steven, Samuel and Amaya while I’m gone. All of that said, the thought of returning to work and leaving my trio sends me into a near panic attack. I know how I feel is normal and I know it will eventually pass but I need coping mechanisms. How do I survive this? How do I get past the squeezing grip on my heart? How do I make it through those first days (weeks?) back at work without bursting into tears throughout the day? Help me, please.”
I received SO much advice and support. The outpouring was really something from comments on FB to messages to phone calls. (Thank you, Nicole!!) It helps to know that everything I’m feeling is normal and expected and it will get better. I just have to keep reminding myself that it will get better. I’m trying to get out of the house every day between now and 4/14 to help ease me into being away from my trio.
We will have a ton of visitors through the month of April! My mom (twice), Gene, Savta, the Goldbergs (including Chase, minus Charlie), and all 4 Scofields! What a wonderful month!! And yesterday my lovely friend Meghan came by. She stayed for hours and changed diapers, fed babies and tolerated being spit up on by Samuel.
To kick off some photos, here she is!
We went out for our first walk today! It was so nice to get outside with the babies for something other than a doctor appointment. The Triple Decker stroller is cumbersome, the front wheel doesn’t rotate and we have issues with the alignment but, other than that, it’s smooth sailing! 😉
Samuel
Amaya
Steven
Here are some pictures of Super Daddy from the weekend. Or last weekend. SOME recent weekend!
The Engels – Glori, Mark, Miles and Sailor – sent us these awesome blankets for the babies. We all love them!
So, Steven seems to favor lying with his head facing to his right. To help correct this, we got him a hat called the Tortle. It prevents him from lying on the side he favors. You can see him in all his Tortle glory below. Pretty adorable! When he’s calm and happy it doesn’t bother him a bit. When he’s fussy, it’s acts as a fuss accelerator. (The issue with so significantly favoring a side is that he can develop a flat head and/or a condition called torticollis. Our neonatologist recommended this hat to us.)
My babies like to spit up. A lot. ” ” Here’s some evidence.
Samuel
Steven x 2
Amaya
Amaya’s starting to try out some of her high fashion outfits!
And, finally, super nanny Megan with the trio!
On Wednesday, we go to the doctor for their 2 month check ups including their first round of vaccinations. Wish us luck!
Steven, Samuel and Amaya are two months old today! The love is indescribable.
In order – Samuel, Amaya and Steven. (They’re in this order because Steven favors lying on one side of his head. We’re working with him on that but, in the meantime, the goal here was simply his cooperation.)
Steven!
I’m obsessed with his profile.
Samuel only gets one photo because it doesn’t get much more perfect than this one. He definitely smiles the most and I don’t think it’s always gas.
Amaya!
With my trio.
Sharing the photoshoot with nana via facetime.
We took a whole bunch of photos yesterday, too, featuring wonderful hats that Aunt Bonnie made for us.
Samuel!
Amaya!
Samuel and Amaya
Steven
My attempt at a photo of all three. Someone wasn’t having it!
A classic Samuel face. 🙂
Sweet Amaya
Amaya, Steven and Samuel getting ready for a toga party.
Samuel photobombing Steven. I could stare at this picture for hours!
Brothers! (Steven on the left, Samuel on the right)
Jason playing piano for Steven. All three babies got to hear their daddy play for them.
The last of my breast milk.
First of the last bottles to Steven.
Last of the last to Amaya. (Sorry Samuel. You got yours, just no photo!)
Thank you for coming to Michigan to visit and HELP, Aunt Bonnie! (Steven, Amaya, Samuel)
Getting ready for baseball with Amaya!
Multitasking with Amaya
Loving on Amaya this morning
Loving on Steven this morning
Samuel, sleeping in my arms and not suffering from reflux pain. 3/13.
And some video of taking pictures.
Nana seeing the photoshoot via facetime.
Plus a bonus story – today, Steven spit up on the changing table and it went so far that it hit Samuel who was near the middle of the nursery in his rock n play. It was pretty amazing.
It’s been almost 2 weeks since an update. Time sure flies in our little world. Let’s see what’s happened:
Visitors came and went!
* Grandpa Ron went back to Iowa
* Grandma Sunshine (Sherry) came to visit
* Nana Ellen came to visit
* Aunt Bonnie arrives tomorrow!
* Steven, Samuel and Amaya are ALL over 7 pounds! Holy moly, they’re growing fast! I’m guessing they’ll double their birth weights by 2 months! Good thing because they’re still in the 0 percentile. And they passed their due date on 3/10. Today they are officially 7wks 2days, or 2 days corrected. (Drs will continue to pay attention to their corrected age until they’re 18- 24 months old.)
* I took care of the babies by myself (alone in the house, all by myself)! To be fair, both grandmothers have now also done this but I was on my own for the first time for about 5 hours straight. It was intimidating and nerve wracking but also wonderful to be one on one with the babies after all that time we spent together when we were four hearts and forty fingers and forty toes. Plus, now that I’ve done it I know I can do it and I’ve done it again (and again)!
* I’m getting smaller! At 7 weeks postpartum I was 11 lbs above my pre-pregnancy weight which means I lost 55 lbs not including the 20 I gained in those final days. I still can’t fit into most of my pre-pregnancy clothing but I’m getting there. And I’m going to try to go to yoga this weekend. I had dreams about yoga when I was pregnant. I hope I still love it and I hope I can get there once/week.
* I am very near the end of supplying my babies with breast milk. It feels deeply personal and BIG. I’m so, so happy to be done with the endless pumping and clogged ducts but, at the same time, it’s the end of this incredibly intimate and amazing thing I was able to do for my children.
In summary – I’m glad I did it. I’m sorry I didn’t like it. I’m thrilled I had a choice about whether or not to continue. Buy stock in Similac.
* The babies are so much more alert! No more eat/sleep/eat/sleep and so on. The babies want to look around at things and take in their environment. Every day is something new!
* I visited my office. This was good for me. I want to work. I am not cut out to be a stay at home mom with three newborns/infants but it’s still emotional to think about going back. It’s so special to be home with these three. While I was visiting work I was there. I even went to a team meeting for 30 minutes before I left. It’s going to be a tough transition, though, and I’m really not sure how to balance 3 babies and my job but I feel pretty sure it will all work out once I get into a routine.
Now pictures and video!
Steven sleeping. I love his profile. I think he looks like a Simpsons character only less yellow and with more fingers.
Samuel sleeping. Restfully free from reflux at the moment.
Dress up with Amaya!
)
Learning to use the baby carriers. (Yes, it’s the middle of the day and I’m still in my PJs with my glasses on and my hair in a bun.) First I have Samuel and then Steven. Jason’s got Samuel.
Grandma Sunshine with Steven
Jason starting the ball card tradition with Samuel.
Playmats! Put together with care by the Karsch kids. In order, Steven, Amaya and Samuel.
Megan with Amaya and Samuel.
Starting the process of tandem feeding with Amaya and Steven.
)
This is how we do things when I’m on my own.
Steven’s cries. They’re so high pitched. It cracks me up.
If you make it through everything I have to say, we have video! (Or you can just skip right past all the words and go straight to the pictures/videos. 🙂 )
It’s been a challenging week here in the Cline house. After a surprisingly relaxed weekend where Jason, Ron (my father-in-law) and I were masters of the universe, I woke up on Monday with a stomach virus. Unfortunately, Jason had it, too. Ron and Megan were able to hold down the fort all day on Monday but late in the day we learned that our night nanny, Corrie, was sick as well. That’s sad, sad news on any day in this household and even worse news when Jason and I are sick.
So it’s been a week of loooooong nights for all of us. Right now it can easily take 2+ hours to feed all three babies which is fine when there’s more than one of us and we’re wide eyed but very, very tough when it’s one of us and it’s the middle of the night. Fortunately, our weekend relief, Sally, will be here tonight and, most important, none of the babies got sick. It was also exceptionally lucky for us that Ron changed his plans to stay through the week or we’d have really been in trouble!
On Wednesday, Megan and I took the babies to the doctor and it was the first time out with all 3 since the boys came home. We did it!! And the babies are growing!
Amazing!!! That’s still the 0 percentile for newborns their age but ranges from the 25th- 50th percentile for preemies. (The newborn scale is what they’re measured against for development. The preemie scale is just for fun reference.)
In other news, after a lot of thought, too much guilt, and even more tears, I’ve decided to stop expressing milk for the babies and, with that, the limited nursing I’m doing. It was a horribly tough decision until I made it and now I know it was right. To maintain my supply, I have to spend 4- 5 hours/day pumping. That’s an awful lot of time I could spend with my babies (or sleeping or SHOWERING)! It’s difficult enough as it is to feel like I’m giving each baby enough individual attention. When I go back to work the time will be even more valuable.
I’m glad I provided milk while I did, particularly because it is proven to reduce the incidence of certain preemie-prone illnesses but now it’s time for me to spend that time loving on Steven, Samuel and Amaya directly. They’re pretty irresistible. See?
Bath day! (2/28/14)
Amaya
Samuel
Steven
Grandpa with Steven, Samuel and Amaya
Our first outing! Visiting the doctor on 2/26/14. (In order, Samuel, Steven and Amaya.)
Plus some video!!
Steven eating on 2/25/14 (with Megan)
Samuel eating on 2/27/14 (with Megan)
Amaya eating on 2/28/14 (with Grandma Sunshine – she’s back!)
