Little Swimmers

We went to a doctor's appointment last week and Collin is now almost 13 1/2 lbs.  The girls pretty much stayed the same.  They also got their 4 month shots which is always sad. They cried. We will have to go back soon to get another shot because they didn't have one of them in.

Our nights are becoming even more peaceful.  The babies are sleeping well into the night after their rice cereal in their bottles at the 9pm feed.  They have slept as late as 6am.  Woohoo!:-)  They are also good nappers so I am able to do some relaxing myself or get things done around the house.  How did we luck out with 3 great sleepers.  

Good news also!   This is a first.  Collin is now taking his rice cereal with a spoon.  I decided on Friday night that I would try him out because we would try them with a spoon of cereal before we put it in their bottles and Collin seemed like he was ready.  He ate it like a pro.  I may try Anniston tonight.  Bailey doesn't seem ready yet.  We'll keep trying but not in a hurry.  She doesn't even seem to know their is anything in her mouth.  She just isn't use to not getting food through a nipple I guess.  She will do it when she is ready and we are just fine with that.  

We continue to take them on walks.  They love the outdoors.  We did take them swimming like I mentioned in the earlier blog.  They loved it.  Anniston could probably float if you would let her.  She is so relaxed in the water.  Bailey is okay with the water.  She just likes to be held close although she isn't scared.  Bailey is always that way.  Collin seemed to do fine.  He just had to figure out what was going on but it didn't seem to bother him at all.  They love their baths so I wasn't shocked when they enjoyed the pool.  It was a heated pool so that was a plus also.  We will probably make it to the pool a little more often as people are available to help us out.  

The babies are continuing to make cooing sounds.  Collin is more than the girls but they have their times too.  They are smiling a ton still and just showing those little personalities.  Collin has now rolled from tummy to back several times.  We put him in his crib for his nap and he sometimes immediately rolls over.  He pulls himself up with his arms and flops to his side and rolls to his back.  It is pretty funny.  I will have to videotape it.  It almost seems when you are watching them, they don't seem to perform. I'll see what I can do. Anniston continues to rollover sometimes also. She performed for the doctor the other day. The doctor put her on her tummy and Anniston followed the doctors hand motions and she rolled over on her back (the doctor was expecting her to do that).  They are also noticing each other more and more.  They just lay or sit and stare at each other.  That is great to see.  They know who their mommy and daddy is.  You can tell.  They will let anyone hold them though.  They love to be held and talked to.

I plan to update the pictures so you will have to check them out.  We plan to get their pictures taken again here soon.  We can't wait because we know they will know a little more of what is going on.  They all seem to be looking at the camera more.  

Thanks so much for the prayers and encouragement.   We definitely feel them through it all.  It can be trying sometimes but overall we cannot complain at all.  God gave them to Jason & I for a reason and we thank him for our precious little ones every day.  We love them so much and we know that they also are comforted in knowing that we do.  

JKABC

They Just Keep Growing

We took the babies to their pediatrician appointment.  They had to get their ears looked at to make sure their ear infections were gone.  They are which I wasn't surprised.  They seem to be much better.  Collin is now weighing a little over 13lbs, Anniston is almost 10 1/2 lbs & Bailey is pretty much 10lbs.  They're getting big.  I reviewed some videos of when they were first born and even before then when I was admitted for my final hospital stay and had to cry a little.  I noticed how big the preemie diapers were on them and now Collin has grown out of the size 1 diapers:-(  It is definitely bitter sweet.  

We have been on a lot of walks in the past week.  The weather has  been great.  Grandma Bum, of course, has helped out a lot with that.  She lives pretty close by so whenever we get a chance to take them for a walk, she is usually able to come along.  We walked them to the park and also got to walk to Great Grandma Thompson's house.  She was excited to see them.  She says that Collin has changed a lot.  She couldn't believe it was him.  We also went to a park in Plainfield with their Aunt Tracy.  Jason roller bladed with Anniston and the other two hung out with Mom & Aunt Tracy.  It was a beautiful day.  We visited our friends, the Carrs, yesterday.  The babies, mom, Kelly & Owen went for a walk while the dads got to go and play some frisbee golf.  They were pretty happy to get away to do something physical.  We also visited their Great Grandma Foster and they showed off their easter outfits she bought them.  We plan to take them swimming for the first time late this afternoon.  I can't wait.  It is a heated pool so I am expecting them to like it but we will soon find out. 

Some great news is that we gave the babies a little rice cereal in their bottles last night before bed.  We decided to let them sleep through the 1am feed.  They haven't been eating much during that feed and haven't really been awake too much either during that feed so we knew they could sleep a little longer so when one of them woke up we would feed all of them.  My big fear was that all of them would wake up screaming because they weren't use to waiting that long for food and when they would wake up they would all realize how hungry they were.  It wasn't that way at all.  Collin woke up and then I had to wake the other two up.  I think the girls could have slept a little longer but we will wait a little longer before we let them do that.  Our babies are just great babies.  We really can't complain at all.  Even if they are fussy some in the evening, we are grateful that they sleep during the night and they sleep well at that.  Praise the Lord for that for I know their are families out their who deal with kiddos who can't sleep well at night.  The babies amazed us last night with their sleeping skills.  They slept through the 1am feed and all the way to the 5am feed (a straight 8 hours, Woohooo!)  Daddy was especially blessed because I got up to feed them all and he got to sleep till sometime after 8am.  It was a great thing for me too.  The 1am feed is sometimes rough.  

Well, I think that is all of the updating for now.  I will try to update the pictures.  The babies are napping right now but if they wake up I will have to upload them later.  We'll see how it goes.  

Thanks for all the prayers and support!

JKABC

Appointment Update

We went to the appointment today where the babies were evaluated developmentally.  They evaluated them on motor skills (fine & gross) and also cognitively.   All babies are doing well given they are preemies.  There are some areas where they are right on track and some they will need some time (should catch up before or up to 3 years old) to naturally get on track or in other areas, will need some encouragement to get on track.  

The way the babies performed was very fitting to each one of their personalities.  Anniston was very strong in gross motor skills.  She is our curious one so it makes sense that she would do anything it takes to see everything.  She has rolled from her tummy to her back three times now.  The first time being when she was about 2 1/2 months (not even a month old adjusted age, I'm impressed).  Anniston also raises her head 90 degrees for an extended period of time.  I have posted some pictures for you to see with her Aunt Tracy and there is also one with Grandma Bum.  She will also use her little arms & hands to raise herself up to see things higher than she is.  It is very cute to watch.  She also lifts and turns her head very well and very often.

Collin shows very strong cognitive skills.  This makes sense because he is very laid back so he is able to focus on something for a longer period of time than Anniston.  We are very proud of him.

Bailey was good in both areas but wasn't the highest in either.  This makes great sense because Bailey isn't out to impress anyone.  She will do things on her own time and that is fine with her. I love that about her.  

This was neat to see because it just confirms our view of each one of them.   They each have their own special looks & personalities and we are loving it.  I don't think we would want it any other way.

I am including some new pictures so check them out.

Thanks for your prayers!

JKABC

The Latest Weights are in

We took the babies to the doctor today for their last RSV shots of the year and we have their weights & lengths.  Collin is about 12lbs 5oz and approaching 23 inches.  Anniston is 9lbs 14oz and is almost 22inches and Bailey is about 9 1/2 lbs and somewhere around 21 inches.  All continue to grow.  They seem to be over their ear infections and congestion for the most part.  Collin & Bailey are still on their antibiotics and will finish those in a few days.  We will go in for a follow-up appointment next Thursday.  Tomorrow we are off to Dr. Escobar.  He will evaluate them developmentally due to them being born prematurely.  We will update you as soon as we know anything.  Like I stated before, I don't think they are slowing down on the weight any so I think they are good there.  There are other things they will be looking at though so it will be a little more involved.  Please pray for them as they undergo this evaluation tomorrow at 8am. 

Other than that, I am sure you will be seeing us more often with the triplets as the month of April comes to an end and their isn't as much sickness going around.  We will come out of our so called hibernation and the triplets will start seeing and exploring more of the world.  As for now, we are enjoying our walks when it is nice and sunny outside.  We have taken a couple this week.  My sister, Donna, & her boys were able to come out this past weekend and the boys were so eager to help out with their care.  They helped feed them, console them, & put them to bed for the night.  We were happy to see them and spend time with my family.  We also took another walk down to the park with Grandma & Grandpa Bum this past Sunday.  What a beautiful day it was.  The babies enjoyed it.  We had to venture back sooner than we wanted to heat up their milk.  They weren't liking it too much being cold.  

I think that is all the news we have for now.  Thanks for all of your continued prayers.  

Enjoy the Spring weather.

JKABC