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!

Steven: 5lbs 14oz
Samuel: 6lbs 3oz
Amaya: 6lbs 8oz

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!)