6.28.09: Pace yourself
I just felt it was time for some adorable movies of our girls (especially now that everyone is tube free). They are continuing to grow well (everyone is now above five pounds!) and we are expecting them to come home in alphabetical order (Fiona next followed by Stella soon after). They have all been improving their eating skills greatly and now the challenge is for them to remain calm enough while eating to not have a heart rate drop. Stella is the most susceptible to this as she struggles to eat more than Fiona. When she finally gets it - she just can't stop gulping and gets a little TOO excited causing her heart rate to drop. In order to escape the NICU, each girl must go five days without this drop.
Daphne has been settling in well. We have learned that she loves to squirm, always demanding that her arms are free from the swaddle. She also loves to make noises, especially while sleeping. I'm not sure if she talking to someone or to herself, but she loves to grunt and sigh - it is pretty darn cute! She also recently discovered her fingers in lieu of a binkie. I guess we are in favor of this as the binkie can be misplaced, but those fingers are always there - she just has to remember how to get to them.
6.26.09: You go girl
Brant and I (well mostly Brant) spent the day preparing the second bedroom/office for my mom's visit. Due to my extended stay in the hospital and of course of the arrival of our girls, our house has been ignored (we - understandably - have had other priorities). With a couple of grandma visits planned, we knew we had to make them semi-comfortable or else the offer to help us would probably dry up a little quicker. As much as they are both troopers, I have a feeling that sleeping in a stairwell might not go over so well. We have turned our living room into a baby area (including changing table previously known as Kari's office desk). Now if you would have told me that I would be changing dirty diapers in my living room a year ago - I wouldn't have believed you. Of course I wouldn't have believed that Brant would be cheering about poop, but that happens too. Our house is getting closer to making some sort of sense. Knowing we are moving is really a help - making all changes seem temporary. This is a good test run to see what type of space and layout we need now with our family of five. This information will only help Brant when he goes to LA in late July to find us an apartment.
Upon arrival at the NICU to visit the girls, I learned some exciting news. Apparently, Stella decided to take out her own feeding tube. While this did occasionally happen in the past (wouldn't you grab at something stuck to your face? I would) the nurses always put it back in right away. This time, they decided NOT to put it back in. 15 days old and already showing her independence. The nurse joked about how Stella was done with the tube and showing them she was ready to eat everything via mouth. Now, had she not ripped it out, they probably would have left it in for another couple of days, but since she did - they are going to see how see does without it. Go Stella Go!
Upon arrival at the NICU to visit the girls, I learned some exciting news. Apparently, Stella decided to take out her own feeding tube. While this did occasionally happen in the past (wouldn't you grab at something stuck to your face? I would) the nurses always put it back in right away. This time, they decided NOT to put it back in. 15 days old and already showing her independence. The nurse joked about how Stella was done with the tube and showing them she was ready to eat everything via mouth. Now, had she not ripped it out, they probably would have left it in for another couple of days, but since she did - they are going to see how see does without it. Go Stella Go!
6.25.09: Progress
Today was a day of progress for everyone.
Daphne and I had followup doctor appointments. Brant and I had some major anxiety about taking our little one back into the germ filled hospital but we had no choice and just guarded her from anyone or anything that looked suspicious. She gained almost 10oz since her discharge from the NICU only two days prior. Of course, this weighing-in may have included a wet diaper and definitely included clothing. Either way, she is steadily gaining weight - a great accomplishment and of course encouraging to Brant and I as new parents that we must be doing ok.
In my appointment I learned that my heart, lungs, blood pressure, and edema have all pretty much recovered from the stress of carrying three babies. I also learned that I lost 50 lbs in two weeks. Don't I sound like an infomercial? Apparently, if you have triplets, you too can lose this much weight quickly (not to say there isn't another 35 lbs to go, but we won't talk about that). My doctor also informed me that I can't drive for another month (6 weeks total). This makes visiting the girls in the NICU more and more challenging, but hopefully they will be home soon so it won't be too bad. Brant drove down to see the girls tonight while Daphne and I stayed at home. We are still trying to make sure one of us sees them at least once a day but of course we both wish we could be there all the time.
Fiona had her feeding tube removed because she was doing so well eating. She also had her oxygen saturation monitor removed. Both signs that she is getting ready to come home. Let the countdown begin.
Stella (not to be out down by her sisters) became a super eater overnight. The nurses all agree that this eating thing just finally clicked with her. She still has her tube in but has begun taking almost all of her feedings via mouth (rather than via tube). A couple more days of this and she too will have her feeding tube removed. In weight gaining news, Stella finally reached 5lbs - this makes all the girls 5lbs or more. I think Fiona and Stella realize that Daphne is gone and want to come home too - and we are SO excited to have them.
Also in the NICU, we are finally no longer required to wear our masks. For about a week, the hospital required everyone to wear masks when around intensive care patients as there was a mini-outbreak of the swine flu amongst some hospital workers. Apparently, this threat has been contained and we are able to enjoy smooching on our little ones without breaking the rules.
Progress is progress and we will take it!
Daphne and I had followup doctor appointments. Brant and I had some major anxiety about taking our little one back into the germ filled hospital but we had no choice and just guarded her from anyone or anything that looked suspicious. She gained almost 10oz since her discharge from the NICU only two days prior. Of course, this weighing-in may have included a wet diaper and definitely included clothing. Either way, she is steadily gaining weight - a great accomplishment and of course encouraging to Brant and I as new parents that we must be doing ok.
In my appointment I learned that my heart, lungs, blood pressure, and edema have all pretty much recovered from the stress of carrying three babies. I also learned that I lost 50 lbs in two weeks. Don't I sound like an infomercial? Apparently, if you have triplets, you too can lose this much weight quickly (not to say there isn't another 35 lbs to go, but we won't talk about that). My doctor also informed me that I can't drive for another month (6 weeks total). This makes visiting the girls in the NICU more and more challenging, but hopefully they will be home soon so it won't be too bad. Brant drove down to see the girls tonight while Daphne and I stayed at home. We are still trying to make sure one of us sees them at least once a day but of course we both wish we could be there all the time.
Fiona had her feeding tube removed because she was doing so well eating. She also had her oxygen saturation monitor removed. Both signs that she is getting ready to come home. Let the countdown begin.
Stella (not to be out down by her sisters) became a super eater overnight. The nurses all agree that this eating thing just finally clicked with her. She still has her tube in but has begun taking almost all of her feedings via mouth (rather than via tube). A couple more days of this and she too will have her feeding tube removed. In weight gaining news, Stella finally reached 5lbs - this makes all the girls 5lbs or more. I think Fiona and Stella realize that Daphne is gone and want to come home too - and we are SO excited to have them.
Also in the NICU, we are finally no longer required to wear our masks. For about a week, the hospital required everyone to wear masks when around intensive care patients as there was a mini-outbreak of the swine flu amongst some hospital workers. Apparently, this threat has been contained and we are able to enjoy smooching on our little ones without breaking the rules.
Progress is progress and we will take it!
6.23.09: Welcome home Daphne!
We had a really nice weekend, spending father's day with the girls. Daphne even decided to give dad some extra 'presents' while getting her diaper changed, which left us both hysterically laughing (I thought the opportunity for 'spray' would only be from boys, but turns out our girls are talented in strategic aim as well). It is amazing, I never thought I would be cheering on poop, but I was - of course it helped that dad was changing her :)
On Monday, when arriving at the NICU we were greeted with the wonderful news that Daphne would be coming home on Wednesday. She has been completing all of her minimum feeds and in record time. Brant and I were thrilled, our first little girl was coming home. Of course we wish all of them were coming home, but progress is progress and we will take it. We went home in the afternoon between our day and evening NICU visits and began really sorting out what we needed, had, and prepared appropriately. We left our trip to Target for Tuesday night but ordered several key items via amazon (thanks again Kochmans for the free 2-day shipping)
Upon arriving to the NICU on Tuesday around 9:30am, we were surprised with the news that Daphne was coming home THAT day - and it needed to be before noon to prevent another day of NICU charges that our insurance may not cover. While we were thrilled to have her home sooner than we expected, I became immediately overwhelmed with the abundance of things I wished to accomplish before she arrived. We also needed to watch a CPR video before we could take her home and again, the clock was ticking. Regardless, we completed the necessary trainings and wisked away our middle daughter into her new snazzy car seat and prepared for the 30 minute drive home (during which she slept the entire time).
I was thrilled to discover that overnight Brant had developed the 'daddy driving gene' a gene that makes men drive calmly when a baby is present. A word to all you ladies out there - keep this benefit in mind when deciding if you want to have children. Upon arriving safely at home, we put Daphne into the crib (all the girls will be co-bedded until we move to LA). Then Brant and I just starred at her sleeping, for probably an hour. We sat on the side of our bed and just stared. It kind of reminded me of Christmas Eve and trying to catch a glimpse of santa clause. Every stir, grunt and groan, one of us jumped up to make sure she was ok. I am happy to report, that eventually we calmed down. Perhaps it was due to the list of things we still needed to do while our little one was sleeping since she arrived home a tad earlier than expected.
After her next feeding, we knew we had a couple hours of napping time before she would awake. We contemplated our scheduled trip to Target and then realized that we had to adventure out with her at some point - why not now. So we did it. We packed up a diaper bag and went to Target collecting only the essentials as we knew her clock was ticking. We made it all the way home without any crying or even big stirs. We did however realize that a trip such as this with three little ones would be very different and likely impossible for a while - but one day at a time and this trip was a success. Thanks Daphne.
Later that night we decided to press our luck and see if we could make a trip down to see Fiona and Stella who are still in the NICU. Again, just after Daphne's feeding, we packed her up and headed down to Hyde Park. Daphne is no longer allowed in the NICU and hanging out in a hospital lobby full sick people didn't seem like a good idea - so Brant took Daphne into work while I went up to the NICU. I was able to feed Stella, Fiona and pump all within 1.5 hours. The amazing thing is that both Fiona and Stella were eating about half of their feedings via mouth (the other via tube) but tonight, they BOTH ate all of their feedings via mouth for me. I think they know that Daphne is gone, and they want to come home too. The nurses were amazed and thrilled. We were told that the desire to eat would just click for everyone one day and we are really hoping that this is the click they were talking about - of course it is really too early to tell, but again, progress is progress.
As you can tell, things are going really well. As of Tuesday, the girls are 36 weeks gestational age and 12 days old. To already have Daphne with us is a huge treat and probably a good way for us to learn what we are doing before everyone is home. For now, we continue some sort of crazy schedule balancing one newborn at home, two in the NICU and figuring out this whole parenthood thing.
6.19.09: One tube down, two to go
Today (at 8 days old) Daphne had her feeding tube removed as well as her monitor for oxygen saturation. She is taking more than her minimum feeding requirement via mouth (I think she takes after her dad with her ability to down a bottle quickly). This is a huge accomplishment and basically the only one preventing the girls from coming home. Fiona and Stella are taking about half of their feedings by mouth, they are both making progress each day but taking the time they need. Rumor has it, if all goes well this weekend, Daphne will be heading home mid to late next week!
We have just figured out our daily routine but of course once Daphne comes home everything will change. Typically we go to Hyde Park together in the morning. Brant puts in some time at work (preserving his paternity leave for once everyone is home) while I hang out with the kids. Then Brant comes to help with their afternoon feeding and after that we head home. Usually we end up doing only the required household functions to survive (pay bills, etc) and then we end up taking a nap. After a quick dinner we go back to the hospital to help with the nighttime feeding and meet the night nurses (shift changes between 7-8). We return home around 10 and usually crash only getting up to pump. It makes for a long day, but of course totally worth it.
I really look forward to the day when everyone is home. I am a bit nervous for some being home while others are still in the NICU - I think it is going to be really difficult to split our time since no one under 18 is allowed into the NICU - even siblings. We will figure it out though, and hopefully soon enough they will all be home. Send us lots of happy eating thoughts!
We have just figured out our daily routine but of course once Daphne comes home everything will change. Typically we go to Hyde Park together in the morning. Brant puts in some time at work (preserving his paternity leave for once everyone is home) while I hang out with the kids. Then Brant comes to help with their afternoon feeding and after that we head home. Usually we end up doing only the required household functions to survive (pay bills, etc) and then we end up taking a nap. After a quick dinner we go back to the hospital to help with the nighttime feeding and meet the night nurses (shift changes between 7-8). We return home around 10 and usually crash only getting up to pump. It makes for a long day, but of course totally worth it.
I really look forward to the day when everyone is home. I am a bit nervous for some being home while others are still in the NICU - I think it is going to be really difficult to split our time since no one under 18 is allowed into the NICU - even siblings. We will figure it out though, and hopefully soon enough they will all be home. Send us lots of happy eating thoughts!
6.16.09: No more isolettes
Here's Fiona!:
Here's Daphne!:
Here's Stella!:
Today was the first official day of the new 'Intermediate' room and so far so good. As we arrived this morning, Daphne was already removed from her isolette (isolettes are the plastic mini-greenhouses used for a premie) and resting comfortably in her new open crib. Stella and Fiona also graduated to this new open crib soon after. It is fantastic to have them out of the isolettes - it means we can simply walk up to them and pick them up - no more need for help from the nurses. All of the IVs have been removed for the girls and now they are just hooked up to monitors for basic vitals.
Eating will be the biggest challenge for our young ones. I have been trying to nurse each girl several times a day but as with all things some of them are a little better than others - but hey we are all still learning here (and will be for a while). Also with the removal of the IVs brings a challenge to make sure everyone gets the needed intake. When bottle feeding or nursing, the girls tend to wear out / fall asleep and stop eating therefore not meeting their needed intake. The solution to this is to add back the feeding tube. It is only used when the girls get too tired to finish their food (via bottle or nursing) - we have to remember they would have been 35 weeks old today and at such a young age, sucking/swallowing skills are still developing. Also now that they are in the open air beds, they must use some of their calories to control their proper body temperatures.
They are doing great, I can't reiterate enough how wonderful it is to have them out of the isolettes. We are tired but thrilled our little girls are doing so well.
Here's Daphne!:
Here's Stella!:
Today was the first official day of the new 'Intermediate' room and so far so good. As we arrived this morning, Daphne was already removed from her isolette (isolettes are the plastic mini-greenhouses used for a premie) and resting comfortably in her new open crib. Stella and Fiona also graduated to this new open crib soon after. It is fantastic to have them out of the isolettes - it means we can simply walk up to them and pick them up - no more need for help from the nurses. All of the IVs have been removed for the girls and now they are just hooked up to monitors for basic vitals.
Eating will be the biggest challenge for our young ones. I have been trying to nurse each girl several times a day but as with all things some of them are a little better than others - but hey we are all still learning here (and will be for a while). Also with the removal of the IVs brings a challenge to make sure everyone gets the needed intake. When bottle feeding or nursing, the girls tend to wear out / fall asleep and stop eating therefore not meeting their needed intake. The solution to this is to add back the feeding tube. It is only used when the girls get too tired to finish their food (via bottle or nursing) - we have to remember they would have been 35 weeks old today and at such a young age, sucking/swallowing skills are still developing. Also now that they are in the open air beds, they must use some of their calories to control their proper body temperatures.
They are doing great, I can't reiterate enough how wonderful it is to have them out of the isolettes. We are tired but thrilled our little girls are doing so well.
6.15.09: Intensive to Intermediate
After spending the day at the NICU, just as we were about to leave we learned that the girls were being transferred to a different section of the NICU. Turns out they were in the Intensive - Level 3 section of the NICU and have already been upgraded to the Intermediate section of the NICU. This is an excellent sign although it is still hard to get information. One would think that due to this upgrade in status and decrease in need of critical care, that they would be coming home soon - however depending on who you talk to the departure date varies quite a bit. The standard answer to predictions of departure date is - when they were due (which is 7/21 for us). However, sometimes you hear that they consider 37 weeks to be full term - in which case they would be coming home in late June early July. Then sometimes you hear people say in could just be another week or so. Basically this means we have no idea, but the move from NICU (Intensive) to NICU (Intermediate) is a positive step in the right direction.
Sorry to everyone as we have been struggling to balance our time. Wanting to spend every moment possible at the NICU while still attempting to conduct semi-normal basic tasks (ie shower and sleep) has left us behind in our blogging - although we have been good about taking pictures. In the next week or so, we will figure out a routine and a balance but for now we are just enjoying that chaos that is the arrival of the three newest Robertsons :)
Sorry to everyone as we have been struggling to balance our time. Wanting to spend every moment possible at the NICU while still attempting to conduct semi-normal basic tasks (ie shower and sleep) has left us behind in our blogging - although we have been good about taking pictures. In the next week or so, we will figure out a routine and a balance but for now we are just enjoying that chaos that is the arrival of the three newest Robertsons :)
6.14.09: Released!
After several intense days and many, many tests, I have been released from the hospital. The discrepancy with my vitals has been manageable via medication and a couple more tests. Please keep in mind I was in the hospital from May 29th until today - a good two weeks, but it was obviously worth it. Being able to carry the girls for an additional couple weeks probably made a big difference in their size and stability.
The girls are still in the NICU but doing really well. Occasionally when someone gets really worked up, they will be put on some oxygen. If someone has trouble eating then they get help with a temporary feeding tube. They all have IVs as the fluid intake is critical to get correct when they are so small. Overall, things look great. We hear over and over again how wonderful our triplets look and we are very thankful for that. The just need to stabilize their body temperatures and learn to eat a bit better and of course 'beef up' a bit more.
The girls are still in the NICU but doing really well. Occasionally when someone gets really worked up, they will be put on some oxygen. If someone has trouble eating then they get help with a temporary feeding tube. They all have IVs as the fluid intake is critical to get correct when they are so small. Overall, things look great. We hear over and over again how wonderful our triplets look and we are very thankful for that. The just need to stabilize their body temperatures and learn to eat a bit better and of course 'beef up' a bit more.
6.12.09: Introducing
Fiona Verna (previously known as Alpha)
Arrival time: 9:35am
Weight: 4lbs 13oz
Length: 18 3/4 inches
Daphne Buelah (previously known as Beta)
Arrival time: 9:36am
Weight: 4lbs 14oz
Length: 18 inches
Stella Mae (previously known as Gamma)
Arrival time: 9:39am
Weight: 4lbs 9.5oz
Length: 17 1/4 inches
Our little girls received the names in the evening of June 12th after Brant and I were able to travel to the NICU together and hold each of them. By the next morning, the night nurse had already made each of them a sign with their names and information - this NICU is great!
While recovering from the surgery in the middle of the night, my vitals were significantly off. I ended up getting a chest x-ray in my bed in the middle of night to identify if I had fluid or a clot in my lungs - turns out it was the better of the two (fluid) and I was put on more medication to help lower my blood pressure. I also had a significant decrease in my oxygen level and was put on oxygen for several days to come. All recoverable, but an intense couple of days to say. Poor Brant spent several days running from the NICU to my room trying to take care of all of us.
Arrival time: 9:35am
Weight: 4lbs 13oz
Length: 18 3/4 inches
Daphne Buelah (previously known as Beta)
Arrival time: 9:36am
Weight: 4lbs 14oz
Length: 18 inches
Stella Mae (previously known as Gamma)
Arrival time: 9:39am
Weight: 4lbs 9.5oz
Length: 17 1/4 inches
Our little girls received the names in the evening of June 12th after Brant and I were able to travel to the NICU together and hold each of them. By the next morning, the night nurse had already made each of them a sign with their names and information - this NICU is great!
While recovering from the surgery in the middle of the night, my vitals were significantly off. I ended up getting a chest x-ray in my bed in the middle of night to identify if I had fluid or a clot in my lungs - turns out it was the better of the two (fluid) and I was put on more medication to help lower my blood pressure. I also had a significant decrease in my oxygen level and was put on oxygen for several days to come. All recoverable, but an intense couple of days to say. Poor Brant spent several days running from the NICU to my room trying to take care of all of us.
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