Friday, August 26, 2011
Taylor the Terrific
Our niece Taylor stayed overnight with us last week to help with the babies. She is only 10 years old, but was mature beyond her years....setting her alarm clock for 300am to get up and help Courtney and I with the night time feeding and doing the same at 800am. I am still trying to figure out where she gets the pep in her step at 300am. She is also responsible for bringing the phrase, "Ryleigh is going to blow" and the subsequent, "Ryleigh blew" to our house....as she anticipated her cousin throwing up.
Heading for the border (Indiana.....not Mexico)
Long time between updates.....
When I last wrote, the trips had just started their transition up to the nursery.
It is going pretty well, the boys do well sleeping each night from 900pm until they eat at 300am., enabling Courtney and I to get a good block of sleep most nights.
They are fussy off and on from 400am to the 800am feeding though.
Ryleigh was doing the best for awhile sleeping in her crib, but has a very bad cold, so she has been sleeping in her car seat to help her breathe. She has also been a major handful at some of her feedings, particularly the 800pm feeding. She has her own little binge and purge routine going on....throwing up a big portion of her meal at 800pm. We think it has to do with her severe cold. Hopefully, she can put that behind her this weekend and we can get back to normal.
Courtney and I are heading out of town this afternoon for a 24 hour getaway to Indianapolis. No big plans, just dinner and a night in a nice hotel to get some R&R. Many people are pitching in to make it possible for the short trip, of which we are thankful.
Hopefully some more updates, and pictures next week.
When I last wrote, the trips had just started their transition up to the nursery.
It is going pretty well, the boys do well sleeping each night from 900pm until they eat at 300am., enabling Courtney and I to get a good block of sleep most nights.
They are fussy off and on from 400am to the 800am feeding though.
Ryleigh was doing the best for awhile sleeping in her crib, but has a very bad cold, so she has been sleeping in her car seat to help her breathe. She has also been a major handful at some of her feedings, particularly the 800pm feeding. She has her own little binge and purge routine going on....throwing up a big portion of her meal at 800pm. We think it has to do with her severe cold. Hopefully, she can put that behind her this weekend and we can get back to normal.
Courtney and I are heading out of town this afternoon for a 24 hour getaway to Indianapolis. No big plans, just dinner and a night in a nice hotel to get some R&R. Many people are pitching in to make it possible for the short trip, of which we are thankful.
Hopefully some more updates, and pictures next week.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Moving On Up (to the Nursery)
Last I wrote we were starting to implement the new schedule that involved removal of one late night feeding. It has gone okay and they have been on that schedule for 8 nights now. Not as seamless as the prior reductions, as the stirring usually begins 530am-600am and sleep is choppy from then until the 8:00am feeding.
Our big event this week is the move from the living room / master bedroom, upstairs to their cribs in the nursery. Night one, Sunday, was a partial success, as Ryleigh made it the whole night with no intervention. Gabe made it, oh, about 3 and a half minutes before beginning to scream. He has not been feeling the best the last day, so we decided not to push it and returned him to the familiarity of the living room, with mom or dad couch-side. Cayden was somewhere in between, doing well betweem 900pm and 200am, but more fussy thereafter. As I type, everyone has been up in the nursery sleeping well without intervention for the first 90 minutes tonight. These babies are good at adjusting, and I am confident by the weekend, they will all be doing well in the nursery.
Courtney and I took Austin to the miami county fair tonight. He was able to see / pet pigs, goats, sheep, cows, rabbits, turkeys, ducks, and horses. Courtney's mom braved and survived the trips while we were gone.
Last weekend went well as friends Lisa and Jason and their one year old Ryan spent the day and night Saturday with us helping with the babies and hanging out. We also had the rare chance to go out to dinner Sunday night as Austin's babysitter, Courtney B., and her mom, came over and watched all four kids for a few hours. We had a relaxing dinner at the local Japanese restaurant and even enjoyed a couple of much needed Sapparos.
Our big event this week is the move from the living room / master bedroom, upstairs to their cribs in the nursery. Night one, Sunday, was a partial success, as Ryleigh made it the whole night with no intervention. Gabe made it, oh, about 3 and a half minutes before beginning to scream. He has not been feeling the best the last day, so we decided not to push it and returned him to the familiarity of the living room, with mom or dad couch-side. Cayden was somewhere in between, doing well betweem 900pm and 200am, but more fussy thereafter. As I type, everyone has been up in the nursery sleeping well without intervention for the first 90 minutes tonight. These babies are good at adjusting, and I am confident by the weekend, they will all be doing well in the nursery.
Courtney and I took Austin to the miami county fair tonight. He was able to see / pet pigs, goats, sheep, cows, rabbits, turkeys, ducks, and horses. Courtney's mom braved and survived the trips while we were gone.
Last weekend went well as friends Lisa and Jason and their one year old Ryan spent the day and night Saturday with us helping with the babies and hanging out. We also had the rare chance to go out to dinner Sunday night as Austin's babysitter, Courtney B., and her mom, came over and watched all four kids for a few hours. We had a relaxing dinner at the local Japanese restaurant and even enjoyed a couple of much needed Sapparos.
Friday, August 12, 2011
A Mother's Perspective
We've had plenty of wonderful factual insights from Dad (thank you Jon!) - but it is about time for the Mother's perspective. And that of course means discussion of thoughts and feelings. As the babi3s are now over 3 months old, we are starting to get glimpses into their unique personalities.
Cayden is our resident cuddler and mover. He will wiggle his way to the side of the crib or next to a sibling, looking for a sense of security when he is napping. As the one who was in the middle of the heap before being born, he seems to have gotten used to always having someone nearby. He is also the 'old man' of the group. Not just because of being born first, but also because of the wrinkly forehead that is his favorite expression which dominates most pictures. His expression makes the observer think he has already lived through a lot. Having witnessed his brother and sister kicking his head during one ultrasound, I can see how he feels.
Gabe is the best napper. All of his 'beauty sleep' may be how he maintains his title as the largest of the three. Despite his size, he still doesn't have control of his limbs and has been known to land punches or kicks at unsuspecting siblings as he gets very excited to be free to blankets and bouncy seats. Like his little brother Cayden, Gabe loves tummy time. However, it often turns into an unplanned nap.
Ryleigh is awake the most, constantly watching what is going on around her with her big eyes wide open. Unfortunately this means she is taking in all of big brother Austin's mischeif and may account for all of her funny facial expressions as she watchs the chaos around her. Ryleigh will fight sleep in order to ensure that she doesn't miss any of the action. Ryleigh seems destined to follow in her Aunt Abby's footsteps as the 'sheriff' - the person who will ensure that no deed (particularly the bad ones) goes un-noticed. Speaking from experience, this is going to be disheartening to her brothers.
--Courtney
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
14 weeks old
The trips turned 14 weeks old today. They had a doctor appointment this morning and weighed as follows:
Gabe 9 lbs, 13 ozs
Cayden 9 lbs
Ryleigh 9 lbs
They are not little preemies any more.
Austin went to the doctor Monday and wants the record to show that he weighted 27 pounds.
The doctor was pleased with the triplets progress and did not have any concerns. They all still run in the lower percentiles for height and weight, even on a preemie adjusted schedule. Austin was always in the lower percentiles for weight too.
Last weekend was rough, as Ryleigh was running a 103 temperature early, early Saturday morning accompanied by a lot of crying. Fortunately, she was feeling better by Saturday night and it appears it wasn't passed on to her brothers.
In the most significant event, the babies made it Monday night with only one late nite feeding. They ate at 800pm, slept until 2:00am when they ate again, and then held off until 7:15 am. The sun seemed brighter this morning as a result. Unfortunately, Courtney does not get the same relief as she has to stay on a regular schedule for pumping milk.
The babies each have had a few monstrous spit-ups in the last week as they adjust to their increased intakes. Cayden even shared the love with his Aunt Abby last night who is in town helping this week before going back to college.
Austin is having more and more fun with his brothers and sisters. The extra weight noted above is needed as they try to fend off his well intentioned advances. He is always wanting to share some hugs and kisses and the occasional tickle. He loves to call his sister Ryleigh Rooo, each time resulting in a smile from mom and dad.
Providing an enormous help with some delicious home made meals the last few weeks were Aunt MaryAnn, the Asburys, the Dosecks, the Nolls, the Burts, the Seigles, and Grandma Stangel.
Gabe 9 lbs, 13 ozs
Cayden 9 lbs
Ryleigh 9 lbs
They are not little preemies any more.
Austin went to the doctor Monday and wants the record to show that he weighted 27 pounds.
The doctor was pleased with the triplets progress and did not have any concerns. They all still run in the lower percentiles for height and weight, even on a preemie adjusted schedule. Austin was always in the lower percentiles for weight too.
Last weekend was rough, as Ryleigh was running a 103 temperature early, early Saturday morning accompanied by a lot of crying. Fortunately, she was feeling better by Saturday night and it appears it wasn't passed on to her brothers.
In the most significant event, the babies made it Monday night with only one late nite feeding. They ate at 800pm, slept until 2:00am when they ate again, and then held off until 7:15 am. The sun seemed brighter this morning as a result. Unfortunately, Courtney does not get the same relief as she has to stay on a regular schedule for pumping milk.
The babies each have had a few monstrous spit-ups in the last week as they adjust to their increased intakes. Cayden even shared the love with his Aunt Abby last night who is in town helping this week before going back to college.
Austin is having more and more fun with his brothers and sisters. The extra weight noted above is needed as they try to fend off his well intentioned advances. He is always wanting to share some hugs and kisses and the occasional tickle. He loves to call his sister Ryleigh Rooo, each time resulting in a smile from mom and dad.
Providing an enormous help with some delicious home made meals the last few weeks were Aunt MaryAnn, the Asburys, the Dosecks, the Nolls, the Burts, the Seigles, and Grandma Stangel.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Weight Cheque
Today marked the three month birthday for the babies. No cake, no ice cream, no party......just milk, lots of milk. Hard to believe 13 weeks have come and gone.
As of Friday, the trips weighed as follows:
Gabe 9 lbs, 3 ozs (gained 24 ozs in 21 days since last doctor appt)
Cayden 8 lbs, 14 ozs (gained 19 ozs in 21 days)
Ryleigh 8 lbs, 11 ozs (gained 21 ozs in 21 days)
The next doctor appointment is Tuesday, August 9th. At this pace of growth, the doctor should be very pleased.
We have been working hard this week so far to cut out one of the two night time feedings. This is being done by gradually reducing the ounces they receive at 4:00am. Hopefully, a week from now, we can report that they are down to one late night feeding.
Our biggest adventure to date happened Saturday when we took the triplets to church accompanied by my sister Leslie and her two kids. They did great, barely making a sound through the entire service (the triplets, not the Nolls).
Austin went to Idle Hour Ranch with his grandpa at the same time. Idle Hour
At this point in his life, he prefers goats to the Bible.
As of Friday, the trips weighed as follows:
Gabe 9 lbs, 3 ozs (gained 24 ozs in 21 days since last doctor appt)
Cayden 8 lbs, 14 ozs (gained 19 ozs in 21 days)
Ryleigh 8 lbs, 11 ozs (gained 21 ozs in 21 days)
The next doctor appointment is Tuesday, August 9th. At this pace of growth, the doctor should be very pleased.
We have been working hard this week so far to cut out one of the two night time feedings. This is being done by gradually reducing the ounces they receive at 4:00am. Hopefully, a week from now, we can report that they are down to one late night feeding.
Our biggest adventure to date happened Saturday when we took the triplets to church accompanied by my sister Leslie and her two kids. They did great, barely making a sound through the entire service (the triplets, not the Nolls).
Austin went to Idle Hour Ranch with his grandpa at the same time. Idle Hour
At this point in his life, he prefers goats to the Bible.
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| outfits by Carmen Canan |
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