What They Are Doing Now

This past Friday, the babies turned 18 months old. Today, we had their 18 month check up. While we were in the waiting room, another Mom came out with her set of triplets, who were about 10 months old. I was instantly taken back. The days of infant carriers, snow suits, midnight feedings, bottles, formula, and for the most part every one staying in one spot when set on the floor. Ah, the good old days.

It just reminded me of us last Christmas. I don't know where the time goes? My babies are now 1.5 years old and their next check up will be when they are 2. Holy Crap! They have made that turning point that happens in the second year when kids become more like toddlers and less like babies. I am given reminders of this daily.

They all can run. Clair and Jake jump (actually leaving the ground). They climb, on EVERYTHING! They pretend play: Claire and Quinn love to push babies in the stroller. They help each other by passing out food and cups. They comfort each other by giving each other pacifiers and blankies. They 'help' me and mimic my tasks; when I talk on the phone Claire does too. They are starting to talk and can voice their opinions. They can scribble: Claire does it best. They make animal noise: Quinn is the king of this. They giggle: Jake has the best giggle. They like to figure things out for themselves. They tell me 'No' on a regular basis. They can kick and throw a ball (most of the time at each other). They chase each other. They play 'games' together. They are starting to walk up the stairs.

All in all, they just amazing me (and challenge me) and usually surprise me with something new all the time.

After getting them all weighed and measured today, it is hard to believe how small they started and then to see them now, we ARE truly blessed.

Quinn started life at 5lbs 2oz and was 18 inches long. Today he is 22lbs 9oz and is 33 inches long.

Jacob started life at 5lbs 12oz and was 19 inches long. Today he is 26lbs 3oz and is 32 inches long.

Claire started life at 4lbs 3oz and was 17 inches long. Today she is 20lbs 10oz and is 30.5 inches long.

My my, I guess I really should stop feeding these kids.


Just kidding.

A Trip to the Doctor's Office

The babies went to the doctor today for their 15 month check-up. Our doctor's office has a huge fish tank in the waiting room. The babies thought it was the coolest thing ever. They had so much fun playing. All I could think was, poor fish. All the banging and squealing into the tank must have been giving those fish a heart attack.



All went well at the check up. Everyone is doing just as they should. There was no real catastrophes except for the fact that I forgot to replace the diaper supply in the diaper bag. Wouldn't you know it, they all had to poop, a couple kids even went twice. Thank goodness the office had some diapers. This always happens. I don't know what it is about that place the their bowels.
There are the latest weights and measures, although this was pre-diaper change, so I guess you could take off a couple onces.

Quinn: 21.6 lbs, 31.5 inches tall, 15% for weight and 60% for height.
Jacob: 24.2 lbs, 31 inches tall, 50% for both
Claire:19.12 lbs, 29 inches tall, 10% for weight and 15% for height.

Post-pourri

Another blogger that I enjoy reading, Mindless Junque, did a post like this a little while ago. I thought that it was a great idea so here is my stab at it. This post is all kinds of mini-posts. It has ideas and stories that I have had in my head for a while and need to get out (I have a limited space as it is). Hopefully, you will find something that you find interesting.

When life gives you lemons...

...EAT THEM!!! Yum. Yum. Yum.

Drool much?
I don't know how well it shows up in the picture but notice Quinn's shirt. The drool stain goes most of the way down the shirt. Between teething and Hand Foot and Mouth disease, the kid has been going through 2 to 3 shirts/outfits a day. He is soaked after about 2 hours of drool. It is insane and creating a ton of laundry. Enough, already!


Cure for the Tummy Ache.
Hayden goes to school/daycare 2 days a week while I am at work. They have a rest/nap time each day. Lately, he has not been sleeping during this time. I think that he is trying to give up the nap (to which I say NO!). Anyway, on this day he was not sleeping and he told the teacher that he could not sleep because his tummy hurt. Then he told her, "Don't worry, ice cream from the ice cream truck will make it all better."


Don't Laugh, Don't Laugh.
Hayden has a hard time focusing on more than more thing at a time. Especially, if the TV is on and Jeff or I are talking to him. Usually, TV will win his attention. I was sitting with a couple babies and he needed to get his pajamas on. I told him nicely about 3 times to get dressed with no result or acknowledgment. I then began to yell at him to listen and obey me. He turned to me and looked me right in the eye and said, "I know. I know. I'm working on it. Just give me a break! Ok?" It took everything in me not to laugh at him. I had to look away or I was going to loose it.


Weights and Measures
Earlier this week, we took the babies in for their 12 month check up. They are doing great and right on track with all the developmental mile stones. Which is awesome considering that they were 6 weeks early. Here are their latest measurements.
Quinn: 20lbs 4oz and 30.25 inches tall
Jacob 23lbs 1oz and 29.5 inches tall
Claire 18lbs 9oz and 28 inches tall
They were not able to get all their shots at this visit because they were not healthy enough. I understand but now just as every one it getting healthy and happy, I have to take them back in and get their shots which will cause some more days of unhappiness (sigh).


"Mommy, Look at This!"
Hayden used every single one of his magnets to make what he called a mansion. Once he did this he asked me if I would take his picture and put it on my special computer page. What was I going to say, no? I don't know what's up with the face. He wouldn't smile.


Thank You!
I want to end this post by saying Thank You! Thank you for reading.I love all the new people (all you old and faithful readers, I love you, too! You have special place in my heart.) that have come over to read my little blog and comment about what is going on in our crazy lives. I just can't get enough. In fact, the other night when my comments reached double digits, I squealed with delight (Yes, this actually happened. I squealed like a little giddy girl. Ask Jeff, he was there.) I just think that it is so cool to meet other people (ie moms) who are going through the same things that I am, and we can share ideas, thoughts, time, tears, laughs, whatever. So I will keep writing and reading. Here's to more comments and new bloggy friends.

The Weights Are In

This past Wednesday, the babies turned 9 months old and on the next day we took them in for their well child check-up. It is always funny to me when we go the doctors office because they all seem like chickens with their heads cut off in the frenzy of weighing, measuring and paper work. Thankfully, this time we get a break from shots. Yeah!
Anyway, our doctor is very pleased with their growth and development. He said that he doesn't see the babies being delayed at all and we are in for a busy summer because all should be walking by then. We are are so blessed to happy and healthy babies. It is a true miracle that I thank God for everyday.
Here are their latest weights and measurements:
Quinn 18 lbs 2 oz and 29 inches long
Jake 21 lbs 8 oz and 28 1/2 inches long
Claire 16 lbs 3 oz and 26 1/4 inches long
Thats all for now.

Reflections

The other day, I was talking to one of my co-workers and she asked how old the babies were now. With out a second thought, I said almost 6 months. Her next comment was, "Wow, you made it a half a year." Until she said that, I really had not thought about it but now, holy cow, we survived the first 6 months!
I really can't believe that the babies are all ready 6 months old. I can't believe how fast time goes by. Aside from the fact that I have no memory of the first 3 months of their lives besides a lot of crying (from both me and the babies), it has gone pretty well. I can't imagen life without the babies. I don't know what I would do with all my free time.
The babies just had their 6 month check up and our doctor is pleased and amazed at how well everyone is doing. They are right on tract with everything developmentally. They do all the stuff any 6 month old baby would do; sit-up, roll over, play with their toes (especially Quinn), babble, laugh out loud, smile, respond to their name and so on.
They are now all on the charts for growth and height, although Claire is just on but she is just going to be a small kid.
There are the latest numbers;
Quinn: 15lbs 11oz and 26.75 inches long
Jake: 18lbs 12oz and 26.5 inches long
Claire: 13lbs 13oz and 24 inches long.
There is just so much to be thankful for this Holiday season, I don't know where to begin. What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time, I was struggling with the fact that I was pregnant with triplets and how would I be able to handle it. And now they are here and we wouldn't have life any other way. Praise God!

Growing and Growing and Growing

Yesterday we had the pleasure of take all four of our kids to the doctor. It went pretty well expect for when all four were screaming after their shots; that was pleasant and loud. I think we might have scared all the other kids in the office. I guess it was a good thing that we were the last appointment of the day. Oh and in case you were wondering a doctors appointment for one 3 year old and three 4 month olds takes over 2 hours. (Needless to say Jeff and I were exhausted at the end)
There are the latest measurements;
Hayden 38 lbs and 35 inches long
Quinn 13lbs 5 oz and 25 inches long
Jake 15lbs 13oz and 24.5 inches long
and last but not least Claire 11lbs 10 oz and 23 inches long.
As they say in the movies; "Thats all for now."

Time flies when your having fun or really busy

I can't believe how quickly time has gone by. Summer is over and fall is now upon us. Next week the babies will be 3 months old and I will be going back to work. Next month, Hayden will be three years old. I guess time really does fly when you are having fun or at the very least it flies when you have 4 kids.
The babies are all growing up so fast. They are all smiling now and everyone coos/talks. Claire a typical girl, she has a lot to say and loves to "talk" to anyone who will listen. Jake loves to talk to his "friend" in the mirror and Quinn has a lot to say in the mornings. He sits in his bouncy seat and tells me all about this night while I feed his siblings. Jake has also learned a fun new trick. He can now role over. He is very proud of himself and usually has a big grin on his face when he turns from his tummy to his back.
The babies are not only developing nicely they are all getting very chubby, especially Jake with his three chins. Here are their latest weights.
Quinn 11 lbs, 1 oz, 23 inches long
Jake 13 lbs, 3 oz, 23 inches long
Claire 9 lbs 10 oz, 21.25 inches long.
For the most part things are going well but it can be real challenge at times. Recently, we have begun to experience the lovely fussy time from 6pm to about 10pm when the last kid finally settles down. I find peace in the fact that this stage will pass. Hopefully it will pass sooner than laster.
Please remember us in your prayers. We need all the help we can get :)

T-plus 2 months, 2 days

Yesterday, the triplets had their 2-month checkup with the pediatrician. Quinn's eating habits, Clan of the Cave Bear and Jacob's umbilical hernia were the topics of the day.

We left with nothing to be concerned about -- we're just battling reflux in varying degrees with all three babies, but other than that, everyone is healthy and doing exactly what they should be doing. Here's a quick rundown of their stats after 9 weeks:

Quinn: 9 lbs 14 oz, 21.5" long
Jacob: 11 lbs 5 oz, 21.5" long
Claire: 8 lbs 11 oz, 19.75" long

As a side note, the combined weight of the triplets is 29 lbs 14 oz, 3 oz shy of doubling their combined birth weight. According to our wildly inaccurate bathroom scale, Hayden weighs in at a hefty 32 lbs, so they've almost caught up with him, too. I think I'll start a pool concerning when my children outweigh me.

Fun Facts

This post is all about numbers. I am going to give you all a glimpse into what life is like for us.
Baby weights: Jacob 7lbs 6oz, Quinn 6lbs 11oz, Claire 5lbs 12oz
Weight mom lost since giving birth: 45lbs.
Formula used per day: 64 oz. Each baby will drink between 2 and 3 oz per feeding.
Hours between each feeding: 3.
Times each baby is fed daily: 8.
Diapers used per day: 27.
Time it takes to feed all 3 by a single parent: 50 minutes.
Hours of sleep per night for Mom and Dad: 4 to 5.
Loads of laundry per week: 10 to 12.
Number of yawns per day by Mom and Dad: too many to count.
Number of times we walk up and down the stairs: I stopped counting.

And So it Begins

Well, what can I say? Jen and I had 3 beautiful babies a little after Noon on June 19th. The atmosphere in the OR was calm and the procedure went completely according to plan. Jen is recovering well from her surgery (she moved from the bed to the wheelchair and back twice tonight) and all of the kids are doing well. Pictured from top to bottom are Quinn Richard, Jacob Jay and Claire Suzanne. Here's some information for each of our new additions (sorry, Leon -- no batting averages or ERAs yet.)

Quinn was born at 12:13, weighing 5 pounds 2 ounces and measuring 18" long. He was having a little trouble breathing at first, so he taken to the NICU and was on CPAP (a very nonintrusive treatment that blows puffs of air into the nostrils to help the lungs stay inflated) for a few hours but is now breathing well on his own. If all goes well, he'll be joining his siblings in the morning. He was awake around 10:30 PM when Jen and I visited him so he looks like he's shaping up to be our night owl.

Jacob came at 12:14, weighing 5 pounds 12 ounces and measuring 19" long. Jake seems to be the more easy-going, calm one of the three. Perhaps he's just saving his energy. Or perhaps he'll be the big brooding behemoth of the group.

Claire came at 12:15. While she's our smallest at 4 pounds 3 ounces and 17" long, she's doing the best with breathing and eating. Her size isn't going to keep her down -- I'm pretty sure she'll make up for it with attitude. Of course, I believe she's getting the attitude directly from her mother.

Jen and I are immensely grateful for all of the words of encouragement, prayer, and other support you have all given us. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers for a little while yet (I'm thinking the next 20 years should just about do it.)

I can't express how thankful we are for our three healthy babies. Each one is truly a blessing by itself. To have all three of them together is nothing short of a miracle.

I am so proud of Jen I can't stop typing even though I'm drained. Her (mostly) positive attitude and willingness to put the babies first through this entire process has shown an inner strength that I don't think either of us knew existed. After over ten years together, she still finds ways to amaze me, and that's why I Love her (yes, I capitalize Love because I feel it deserves special treatment -- call me sentimental.)

Those of you familiar with the photo album at our home site can find more pictures there. Be warned, however -- I'm working (in my free time) on a more flexible method of categorizing images so things may look screwy from time to time.

Thanks again to all of you. As we learn more about these three little people, we'll do our best to keep you up to date.

Quick Update

We are rapidly approaching the date of the c-section which is June 19th. It was moved to Tuesday because of scheduling issues with the hospital. I had a growth ultrasound today and everything is great. The weight of the babies is as follows Jake 5 lbs 9 oz, Quinn 5 lbs 9 oz and Claire 4 lbs 6 oz. This is great news. I praise God and thank Him for His continued faithfulness. I ask for continued prayer for a safe delivery and uncomplicated surgery.

Remarkable

First, I want to thank every one for flooding heaven with prayers on behalf of the babies and me. Last week, I was kinda in a funk and crabby. I feel that I lost sight of the good things that are happening around me and what remarkable things the Lord has done for me.
First and foremost, the most remarkable thing that is I am carrying three healthy babies. Although at times it is not fun and can be very uncomfortable, it is still a great blessing. All three babies are doing so well and growing like weeds. Their weights are as follows; Jacob 3 lbs 12 oz, Quinn 4 lbs 1 oz and Claire 3 lbs. I have now passed Hayden's birth weight. He topped the scales at 10 lbs, 10 oz and I am now carrying 10lbs 13 oz of babies. There is only one words that can be said, remarkable.
The second thing that amazes me is all the love and support that I get from my family and friends. The fact that so many people are out there praying for me and my family. I truly can feel God's presence and support. Remarkable.
Last but certainly not the end, is the fact that I have been able to carry these babies for 30 weeks with the hopes of going to 34 weeks. I did not realize this significance until Jeff and I visited the Neonatal unit. Everyone we talked with, was so impressed and over joyed that I was 30 weeks. To me it just seemed like another number in my count down but after seeing those tiny babies, I now know how remarkable it is.
I am now going to try and enjoy the ride that this journey is taking me on. I have learned so many things about myself, my husband, my sister and many others. This ride will soon be over and I want to try and see all the remarkable things about it.