Kelby & Mallory
They would smile until we took the picture!
I can sit all by myself - well as long as you prop me up!
Relaxing with Gran after breakfast.
We have been home for 2months!!!
On Monday April 14th, Kelby had a doctor's appt. to get released from her monitor. Jeremy is normally able to help me but had a meeting. Not wanting to hassle a stroller, steps, a cramped elevator and two hopefully non-screaming babies I asked Alyssa to keep Mallory for me. So at 7:45am Mallory and I walked across the grass to play with Kaylen. Alyssa and Vance are great neighbors and have two adorable kids Kyler 4 and Kaylen 4mths. Mallory and Kaylen had a great time and begged to get back together. It is so funny to see what a "normal" 4 mth old should look like, our perspective is a little warped since we started at 1 lb.
The girls slept in their own beds for the first time last Friday night. It was a sad day... next step... big girl beds.
They're getting bigger so fast. We want to slow it down and enjoy them being tiny for a little bit longer. OK, so they're not that big yet, but it seems like they're becoming big girls too fast.
Kelby
Mallory
As Jeremy mentioned in an earlier post Mallory has started smiling. She smiled at him for the first time on April 10th. Now she is smiling more often, but of course as soon as the camera is ready she stops. Kelby smiled for the first time Saturday at me. Nothing warms your heart or makes you forget being pewked on faster. As soon as we get a picture with a smiling face we will post it. But for now here are a few of them in their Bebe Pods.
Our First Road Trip! The first of April we went to see everyone in Lubbock. A combination of wanting to show the girls off mixed with Mom being stir crazy sparked the idea to drive 6 hours with two 4mth olds! It took one whole day to get us ready for our 4 day 3 night trip. You would have thought we were going to stay for weeks. For the girls we packed 24 outfits, 9 pairs of pajamas, 1 case of formula, 1- 54 pk of diapers,2-pks of wipes, socks, burp rags, blankets, towels, bibs, bows, the monitors, bottles, sterilizer, boppy's, bath stuff and I think that was it. Then of course all of Mom and Dad's stuff. - Yet we still did laundry because we ran out of clothes! We left town around one and drove straight there. You learn to not stop when the car is peacefully quiet. About an hour from Gran's house we got a little fussy, but thankfully Momma can still climb over seats to feed kids at the same time. On the way home Kelby and Mallory took turns reminding us that they did not like being in their car seats. But overall they did great. We got to see both sides of our family and a few friends. Haven't planned the next trip yet, but safe to say we will try road trips in the future.
The last week has been pretty good. Jen took the girls to the specialist for their reflux last week and they've both been doing so much better. Mallory has been a little uncomfortable because she's been constipated, but I think we got that taken care of. They are both getting so big (almost 9 lbs). They are doing great. Some therapists and specialists came out to the house last Friday from ECI (Early Childhood Intervention) to check their progress and to see if they needed to be started on any therapy programs, etc. The girls weren't really interested and slept through most of it, but they checked out great and are progressing right on schedule and didn't even qualify for their program. They're going to come back out in four months to check on them again, but so far, they're doing great. Better than anyone expected, I think. We want to thank everybody again for their prayers, we know that's what has kept them doing as well as they are.
Last Thursday I got home from work and it had been a pretty stressful day, had a few of those lately - and I sat down at the table with Mallory - Kelby was sleeping in her bouncy seat - and started talking to her and she got a huge smile on her face... Wow... That could make anybody's day better.
She has done it a couple of times since then, but I'll always remember that first time. Kelby is starting to interact a lot more also, so I'm working on getting the first one out of her... :)
First off so sorry we have not posted in over a week. We have been meaning to and then the girls start demanding attention and well another day passes. We have a lot to update and will get you caught up on the last week very soon.
Meanwhile........
Today Kelby had a doctor's appointment. Our neighbor kept Mallory for us. (thank you so much Alyssa you are a lifesaver) On the way to the appointment our song came on the radio- Everlasting God- Lincoln Brewster. I say our song because when I was pregnant every time it came on I would sing (in my car only) and would feel the girls kicking. Possibly they were saying "Mom please stop, you can't sing" but I always believed it was them dancing along. Anyway today when the song started I of course turned it up and began singing along. I glanced in the back and Kelby was wiggling along to the song. I smiled and almost cried!
If you haven't ever really listened to the words I have copied them at the end of this post. This song meant so much to me during the second trimester. As we prayed for our baby girls we knew our hands were tied all we could do is wait upon the Lord. Little did we know one of our little girls would soon rise on wings like an eagle to heaven to be with Jesus. He increased our strength as we watched our little girls grow from fragile one pounders to almost nine pounders.
He defended them, comforted us and He did not faint. A constant reminder that He Reigns Forever! What an amazing God we serve! We are all so fortunate to be called His Children.
At the end of the song the lead singers little boy recites Isaiah 40: 28b-31. It reminds me of Evan everytime
-current stats. Mallory 20" & 8.12 lbs Kelby 19.5" & 8.5lbs- monitor free!
Everlasting God by Lincoln Brewster
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary
You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles
(repeat)
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
The everlasting God
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
Wait upon the Lord
Wait upon the Lord
(repeat)
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
The everlasting God
I will wait upon the Lord
I will rise on wings like eagles
http://lyrics.christiansunite.com
Thanks Aunt Jamie for our new outfits...
Apparently they've just had an argument....
OK... so here's the plan.. I'll wake up at 2 and you just stay asleep... then when I'm all done and back asleep, you wait an hour and then it'll be your turn. It'll be so much fun, they'll love it.
I've got a better idea... I'll stay awake until 3, then I'll go to sleep, then you wake up and stay awake until 8 am.
Sounds like a plan....
All conked out on the couch because we were up half the night.... ;)
We love our cousin Brenlee...
As most of you have seen we have formed a March of Dimes team to walk for healthier babies. This year the walk is called March for Babies.
Here is why we are walking...
When we first found out we were pregnant we had no idea we were having triplets. I felt great and everything seemed normal. When I went for our 16 week check up my doctor thought I was measuring a little bit bigger than I should. That is when we found out God had blessed us with three beautiful babies. I laughed and cried and Jeremy (as soon as he could breath) did the same. Still up until the girls were born I felt great- as big as a house- but great! On November 15th I began running a fever and feeling very tired. The longer I ran a fever the more I hoped it was just a cold.
The girls were born the next morning at 3:37 & 3:39. I was only 24weeks. We were both so excited when they said everyone is doing OK. We had prayed so hard for them especially our little Evan. What a relief she made it! I woke up at some time- honestly I was on so many medications I have no idea what time it was- They NICU transport team brought Mallory and Kelby in briefly then rushed them off to the level 3 NICU. At the time they said we are just getting Evan a little more stable, she will be up soon. But then they called back, Evan isn't going to make it, we will baptize her for you and bring her to you. Jeremy and I were devastated to say the least. Never in a million years did we dream that the day our baby girls were born would also be the day we lost one.
As we picked ourselves up and continued to trust God that He had control of the situation, we began to see all the miracles God had in store for us. I truly believe that God uses foundations such as the March of Dimes to work these miracles, as well as the amazing minds of the NICU physicians, nurses and transport team. Without the efforts of the March of Dimes, level 3 NICU's like St. David's would not have the technology they have. Reading through our blog you can see all the magnificent mile stones our girls made. They are simply 3 of thousands of babies that benefit from the research of the March of Dimes. Even our little Evan benefited from them, though she was here for only 5 hours.
Jeremy and I still work to understand it all. Time and prayer can only help you digest everything. We know that we are truly blessed to have such beautiful, healthy baby girls. We thank God everyday for them and for placing us in such good hands during all of it.
We would love for you to join us on May 10th as we March for Babies. We hope to make this an annual tradition. If you can not join us, but would like to donate to the March of Dimes just click on the link to the right of the slide show.
This post was not supposed to be a book. But the girls are sleeping and well I just get to typing and off I go! We love all of you that check in on us everyday so much!
Hope you can join us in May.
Love,
Jennifer
Well, we've had a few of those. It hasn't been too bad, though. Just wanted to update since we haven't blogged in a while. The girls are doing great. They went to the doctor on Monday for their four month shots - five of 'em - Not fun...
They did pretty good. Of course there was lots of screaming. The doctor thought they looked great and are progressing right on schedule. Mallory was 8 lb 5 oz and Kelby was 7 lb 11 oz. Kelby's reflux is so much better. She still shows signs of it, but the Prilosec is working wonders. We are starting to wonder if Mallory might have reflux also. She just spits up a lot and sometimes acts like she doesn't want to eat even when she's starving. Overall they are both doing great though.
They are getting more aware of the things around them now, I think. They have started smiling a little bit in their sleep. We haven't gotten a real smile from either of them yet when they're awake. They have been looking at us a lot more now - especially when they're eating - they will just stare up at us - so cute. Right before bedtime they are both usually wide awake and just looking around, checking out their new surroundings. Heidi (the dog) has gotten used to them - finally. She wanted no part of it at first and definitely wanted to be rid of them. But she has grown to accept them as part of the family. She seems to worry about them when they're crying - she goes to check on them and when they're in the bouncy seat on the floor she'll go by and sniff them or nudge their feet. She was rather annoyed at first during the nighttime feedings, wondering what we were doing up at that hour, but she has gotten to where she sleeps right through it, she gets annoyed at times, but just buries her nose in her pillow.
Although there are some nights when we moan and groan when we hear the cries of hungry babies at 3 AM, when we get in there and see their sweet little faces it's easy to remember how lucky and blessed we are to have them home.
All bundled up for their first Dr's visit
Sleeping girls...
Hanging out at the house...
Napping in Mom's lap...
So, we had an appointment with Kelby's pulmonologist yesterday morning. She's been on Theophylline since she came home to help with her breathing and she's been on a monitor that monitors her heartrate and breathing. She's also been having trouble with reflux including a lot of screaming during and after feedings (sometimes all night)- her pediatrician started her on Prilosec late last week. A few days earlier this week she was breathing really hard and sweating most of the day. We called her pediatrician and she said that as long as she doesn't have a fever she should be fine.
We talked to the pulmonologist yesterday and he looked at the output from the monitor and said everything looked great - so he took her off of the Theophylline. We asked him about the sweating and rapid breathing, he said that he thought it was probably a side effect of "too much Theophylline". So - thankfully - her last dose of Theophylline was yesterday morning at 7 AM and since then she is doing so much better!
She still shows some signs of reflux, but not anything like it was -she's eating peacefully now and there's no screaming afterward! The prilosec seems to be working and since getting rid of the Theophylline she has been great! Our sweet Kelby Grace is back to normal!
Especially if you partied all night!
While my little angels are finally sleeping I thought I would add a quick post. First I wanted to add a note about the Play Time = Nap Time- If you notice Kelby had a wardrobe change in between shots. She loved practicing rolling over so much she pewked!
Things are going good so far. Kelby has been put on Prilosec- thankfully! She has a touch of acid reflux and her Theophylline just adds to it. After a few nights screaming we got the perscription on Friday night. She has been spending lots of time in the bouncy seat and laying on the dryer. (perfect solution to anyone with an upset baby- lay them on the dryer and the vibrations and humm will lull them to sleep in seconds!!) The Prilosec seems to be kicking in today- either that or she is so tired from last night that she doesn't care. haha!
Thankfully her crying doesn't upset Mallory, she just lays there and sleeps or stares at her. Mallory is quite convinced that the swing is the best invention, that along with a relaxing warm bath - what more could a girl ask for!
Overall things are normal: Feed the girls, Burp the girls and Change the girls~ Wash bottles and repeat!
-as soon as Kelby feels a little better we will post some pics of her. The last thing she wants now is the camera in her face- can you blame her?
Loving Motherhood!
The girls have been doing great at home so far. They are both really good, of course they sleep most of the time. They are definitely awake and very alert at times also. Sometimes right when we're getting ready to go to bed! The night time feedings have taken some getting used to, but it really hasn't been that bad. We'll let you know in a week if we still feel that way!
We had some company over the weekend, but they have all returned home. The girls had their first doctor's appointment yesterday. It went really well. They have both gained several ounces at home. Mallory is now 7 lb 11 oz and Kelby is 6 lb 12 oz. The doctor was pleased with their progress so far. We had been feeding them every three hours and the doctor said we could increase that to four hours at night. They are both eating like crazy. Kelby is having a little trouble with the Theophylline, it upsets her stomach a little we think, the doctor said that is a normal side effect. Luckily it hasn't been too bad. Not much else to report - we love having them at home - we think they like it here!
