Sunday, December 6, 2009

Second Week at Home!

Tomorrow, Monday, Dec 7th, marks the two week mark to when the triplets came home. Can I just say these sweet girls are little champs! The first week they did great on a 3-hour eating schedule, meaning they ate in about an hour or an hour-and-a-half, and then slept well for for the remaining two hours or one-and-a-half hours respectively. The second week they are doing pretty good on a 4-hour schedule which is giving Mom and Dad a little more sleep. Sometimes one of the girls will wake up before the others, and that gets interesting. All things considering, we feel like things are going really well.

The top questions we get are 1) How is Ann-Marie doing? 2) Are you getting any sleep? and 3) What can we do to help?

To answer these FAQ's, 1) Ann-Marie is doing extremely well in my opinion for being a Mom of triplets. I call her Super Mom, a term that was coined in the NICU by the nurses. She is of course tired and hungry, and each day she has to decide whether she is more tired than hungry or more hungry than tired. To all of her friends out there that may be feeling bad that she hasn't talked to them in a while, thank you for understanding that she hasn't talked to hardly anyone and has spent her energy on the family. She still loves you and appreciates you deeply.

2) We each get about four hours of sleep total at night now that the girls are on a 4-hour eating schedule. Both of us participate in the feedings as it's nearly impossible for one person to feed all three in any reasonable amount of time. Ann-Marie feeds two and I (or someone else in the family) feeds the other with a bottle. After they eat and we clean-up from one feeding there is usually two hours where we can get some sleep. Then the cycle continues...

3) Friends and neighbors have been absolutely amazing in helping out. They've been extremely respectful of our request to keep the girls in "quarantine" until their immune systems are stronger. Furthermore, despite our neighbors being so busy with their own family matters, they have brought meals which has been a tremendous help. Meals at this point have been the most helpful.

Ellis with Ruthie

Gracie and Ruthie

Ruthie, Gracie, and Annie

Annie, Gracie, and Ruthie being so cute for the camera!

Annie didn't move, but Gracie and Ruthie kept doing fun poses

So fun!

Annie, Gracie, and Ruthie in their comfy jammies

Tummy time after feedings during the day!

Mommy and Ellis making gingerbread houses

Making gingerbread houses is a family tradition (thanks to a ton of work from Grandma). Ellis thought of the candy cane hearts himself. What a cutie!

Bath time is quite the effort with three little ones

The girls are still on oxygen, so it goes with them wherever they go:)

7 comments:

  1. Glad to hear things are going so well, and that you are all getting "some" sleep.
    Keep it up!!!!

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  2. AM- it was sooooo great to see you this week. I am continually amazed at your stamina, your sweet disposition and your positive outlook on EVERYTHING! Thank you for the example you set for all of us.

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  3. Hey guys, you may remember me from school. :) I stumbled onto your blog and am fascinated with what an awesome job you guys are both doing! I can't imagine how hard/rewarding it would be. Keep up the good work! Your an inspiration to the rest of us. I also love that you dress the girls differently. I always feel bad for multiples that are always dressed the same. It's good to give them a little individuality! Adorable family!!

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  4. Hee hee! Your ticker says the girls are due in 6 days! Way to go on such healthy little round-headed girls! They're beautiful. Everyone looks comfy-cozy at home, and I'm sure Ellis appreciates having his mom back. He looks like he has had some fun over the holidays!

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  5. You guys are amazing. ALL of you. They're looking so good and healthy. What an adventure you're all living! We're thinking about and praying for you all the time - someday this will all just be a blur!! (Maybe it already is??) We love you!

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  6. That sounds exhausting! You guys really are amazing. I'm so happy things are going well.

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  7. Kel sent me over to your blog. I'm the Mama of 29 week preemie twins (who are now totally healthy 9 year olds!)

    Your photos made me smile and cry, remembering. The infertility, the fear, the challenge and the joy. Congratulations on getting your beautiful girls home. What a wonderful blessing for your family.

    Preemie twins was crazy, preemie triplets? Woah! The title Superwoman DEFINITELY applies!

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