Synagis Shot and Girls Growing!!

We went to the doctor's office today for the girls to get a synagis shot. Very few people we've talked to have even heard of this shot, so if you're interested go to http://www.synagis.com/faq.aspx. This shot gives them antibodies to help them through the RSV season (through April). They each get a shot once a month and each shot costs $1,700 (thank goodness for insurance!) Insurance companies don't usually cover the cost of this shot, but because the girls were born so early, studies have shown the cost of the shot is cost effective as the girls will likely be in the hospital if they get RSV. RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus and is passed like a common cold, but it can be deadly to babies.

The fun news at the doctors office was their weight gain. We were pleased to see that Annie weighed 11 pounds 3 ounces, Ruthie 11 pounds 4 ounces, and Gracie 10 pounds 3 ounces!! We were surprised as that was a full pound more than we thought they would weigh. The doctor asked with a smile on his face, "What are you feeding those girls?!"

As for length gain, Annie measured 22 inches, Ruthie 22.25 inches, and Gracie 20.5 inches.

Their growth charts are amazing to see. They start out obviously much lower than babies born in September since they were so early, but they growth line looks almost vertical as they are quickly catching up to common growth patterns.

Gracie is on oxygen, but she is needing it less and less. Annie and Ruthie have been off of oxygen for about three weeks. All three girls are on the monitors as they need to show consistent breathing (no breaks as was common when they were in the hospital) and consistent heart rate (no drops as was also common in the hospital) for two months.

Gracie, Ruthie, Annie

Gracie, Ruthie, Annie

Family Photo Shoot

On December 20, 2009 we had a family photo shoot (thanks to Grandma, Papa, David and Karen who helped handle the logistics of doing so with triplets).

Ellis with Annie, Gracie, and Ruthie

Mommy with Gracie and Annie

Daddy with Ruthie, Mommy with Gracie and Annie, and Ellis with a great smile!

Annie, Gracie, and Ruthie

Annie, Gracie, Ruthie, and Ellis in their Christmas stockings

Ellis

Ellis with his gift for Mommy

Daddy with Ruthie, Annie, and Gracie

Mommy with Ruthie, Gracie, and Annie

Babies' First Christmas

Here are the girls on Christmas Morning. We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and we thank you all (including those we don't know who acted anonymously) for the kind gifts, thoughts, and prayers. We love and appreciate you!!