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

Happy Easter!

We have been updating you on how the babies are doing health wise but haven't updated you much on what they have been up to these days.  They keep their mommy & daddy very busy.  I am home with them during the day.  The babies are on a pretty good schedule with naps.  They take one between about 11-1 and then again in the late afternoon.  Of course, they are having a fussy time in the evening which is great for dad to see when he comes home.  The positive side of that is that I have some help in holding them when they are going through this time.  They say all babies have a time period when they get fussy and it is usually a specific time of day.  This is theirs and hopefully it will end sooner than later but until then we will just try to love on them, as usual, as much as possible with two sets of hands.  We have tried to switch things up a bit in the evening by taking them for a ride in the van.  Jason & I actually get a chance to talk to each other then.  We will give them a bath when they get home, feed them & put them to bed which, of course, usually requires us rocking atleast one of them (usually Bailey these days).  Whatever it takes for them to get their rest.  

All of the babies have been running low grade temps.  We had a scheduled appointment this past Tuesday.  Collin & Anniston are just congested and Bailey is congested and has an ear infection.  They are pretty good sick babies.  They rest very well but are still fussy which makes sense.  I wouldn't be too happy either.  

The babies made their first trip to church on Easter Sunday.  We dressed them in their Easter attire and headed off to church in the family van.  We were able to sneak into the side door and up to the balcony with them.  They did very well during the service besides a few grunts from Collin or should I say several.  He is a very loud boy.  He is very  peaceful when he sleeps though and he slept a lot of the time.  After church we were able to sneak out the side door again with only a stop or two of people wanting to peek and headed to Grandma & Grandpa Bum's house.  The babies opened their gifts and Cousin Xander had dyed some eggs for the babies and Jason & I also.  That was too sweet.  They enjoyed being held pretty much the whole time they were awake.  It is good to spoil them with that every once in while.  We definitely can't do that at home.  They squirm too much now.  We do our best though.

Jason & I have been able to get out a few times with Grandma & Grandpa's helpful watch over the babies.  Sometimes we have to run some errands and sometimes it is an enjoyable evening of dinner, shopping, and/or catching movie.  

Aunt Sharon got to make it out for the first time since they have been home.  She has 4 boys of her own (one being born shortly before the triplets) so she has been busy being a newborn mom too.  The babies enjoyed her a lot.  She gave them baths and swaddled them and held them and just loved on them all day.  I got to see my new nephew for the second time since he was born and he is just beautiful.  I am including a picture of him & I on this blog site.  You will have to check him out.  He is absolutely beautiful and is a very good and happy baby.

Gege got to watch them not too long ago while I went to the dentist.  She really enjoyed seeing them.  She got to love on them for a while and her & I got to visit for a little bit while they were resting.  

Aunt Donna is coming up to see them hopefully this next weekend.  She hasn't been able to see them either since they have been home.  Her boys are dying to see them.  They weren't very happy when we had to cancel on them this weekend because of the babies being sick.  We hope it works out this next weekend.  

We were also planning to visit with Gege, Aunt Stephanie & the rest of the family this weekend but were unable to.  We were all looking forward to visiting with them and were very bummed that we couldn't.

Aunt Tracy is going to try and visit with them a little this week.  She is on spring break which is pretty cool.  I will enjoy the company.  

We have also had several friends come by and help feed them & love on them which is awesome.  Thanks to all of you.

The babies have an appointment on April 9th with a doctor who will evaluate them developmentally.  Please pray that this goes well.  They are definitely not slowing down on the weight side of it all and they seem to be doing well overall so we strongly believe that it will.  

Thanks for all of the prayers & support.  Check out the latest pics.

JKABC

New weights!

These are the updated weights from our last pediatrician visit:  Collin 10 pounds 15 ounces, Anniston 9 pounds 6 ounces and Bailey 8 pounds 14 ounces.  They are all now on a normal weight chart (not the premature one).  Little Bailey has an ear infection that we are treating with antibiotics.  Other than that they are all doing well.  Thanks for your continued prayers.

JKABC

Warmer Temps

Hello all.  The babies are all doing well.  We have been out on several walks with them lately.  It is nice to get outside the house.  We have moved to a 4 hour schedule on feeds.  This seems to be OK with them and it gives mom and dad a little extra time to relax or get something done.  It also helps to remove one night feeding time--yeah!  The kids are getting so big!  We don't have any official weights, but I'm pretty sure Collin is over 10 pounds.  The girls must be around 9 pounds.  We praise our risen Lord for the three little blessing we have.  Enjoy Resurrection Sunday!

JKABC