How Much???

Sometimes it feels like our lives revolve around eating, sleeping and pooping! At the moment, the most asked questions are: “How much do they eat?” “How many diapers do you go through?” and “How much sleep are you getting?”

Well, eating and diapers seem to go hand in hand. On average we go through 24 diapers a day, give or take a few. I am pretty close to being able to change a diaper one handed, and have definitely done it in my sleep more than a few times! I make a little more than one container of formula a day. Once a day each baby gets 1ml of vitamins with iron and ¼ tsp. of a probiotic added to a bottle. We just finished the last round of antibiotics (knock on wood), but they also took that once a day. Here is a look at what they consume in an average day:
In a week we use around 168 diapers and 8 cans of formula. Thinking about those numbers, here is what a week looks like :)

Crazy, isn’t it??? I know we would go through that much if we had three kids individually, but it sometimes shocks me when I consider the daily amount at one time. I usually buy diapers in bulk from Sam’s or order them online. I had great coupons recently that I could combine so I bought the individual packaged instead.

The babies were completely fed breastmilk for close to the first four months. I lost 3-4 weeks worth of pumped milk in a freezer mishap. (We will not go there or I may start bawling again!) It became very difficult to care for the babies and pump as often as I needed. I slowly weaned my pumping as I increased their formula over a few weeks. We now use the specific formula Neosure due to the babies being preemies.

Now for sleep… That takes a little more explaining. Since my last post about their sleep schedules, we have made great gains. I have tried very hard to stick with the eat/awake/sleep schedule. A few weeks ago we took out the 10:30 feeding. The babies were then sleeping two longer stretches of time and waking up once around 3:00am. That lasted about a week as they started to stretch towards the morning. They have gone several nights sleeping eleven hours straight. It really depends on what their formula intake was for the day. So, we are working on in-taking more formula during the day in order to stretch them at night (without pushing it too far). I am confident (hoping!) we will be consistently sleeping through the night soon. If only I went to bed when they did, I would be so well rested. The house would be a mess, nothing would get done… but, so well rested :) I am also looking forward to consistent full nights of sleep because that is less diapers that we will go through!

Quin is doing a nice job with potty training. I would give her about 90%. She will go a day without wetting, and then have a few accidents the next day. I am just happy she is making progress! Less diapers/pull ups during the day will be a huge help for us!

PS – No nasty comments about how many diapers we are putting in the landfill! I already feel guilty:) When I found out I was pregnant, I was planning on using washable/cloth diapers. It was an overwhelming thought for me when I found out that we were having triplets. As they get older, there is always time to get away from disposable diapers.

My Tribute To Jason

No, I didn't forget Jason, how could I!!! I tried to post this yesterday, but had some issues (No comments on my issues, please!). They are hosting a blog carnival over at the Multiples and More site, so I thought I would throw my two cents in. Here it goes.
First, I have to say that I think most successful families with multiples have a supportive and loving husband/partner who believes in a strong partnership. The few dads of multiples that I know fill these shoes, and my husband is no exception.

I know that many, many people can make strong cases for why their husbands are the best, and I think my husband can hang with all of them. There are so many words that describe my husband Jason: dedicated, hard working, determined, loving, leads by example, protective, forgiving… The list could go on and on.

My admiration for him grows each day, and has definitely multiplied in the last year. His attitude about the birth of our triplets was encouraging and positive, even when I was not. It was when I was put on home bedrest at 19 weeks that he had to step up and take on my role in our household. When he thought he couldn’t do anymore, I was put on hospital bedrest at 23 and half weeks. Although I knew he had it in him, I knew working full time, taking care of our house and a then almost two year old would be difficult. He performed this flawlessly. I laid in awe each day as he would describe what he and Quin were going to eat, his accomplishments at work, their plans for the evenings… I actually thought maybe they didn’t even need me. Because of this time together, he and our oldest daughter have an amazing bond that I am sure will never be broken.

Jason has not let me down since the babies have been born. He is an equal partner in everything we do. I have the tendency to like things done my way (call it what you will), and he just rolls with it. He spends many weekend hours with all four of our children so that I can have a little bit of alone time (I never realized how much I would look forward to grocery shopping). When he is home, he jumps in wherever I need him. People often ask who comes to help me. When I answer no one, most look at me like I am crazy. I don’t usually feel the need for help – mainly because of Jason. His support is our family rock and without him, we would fall apart. I am so thankful and appreciative for all he does. Thank you!

I took a ton of pictures, and this was the best :{ Four kids and a dad don't always cooperate so well. I am already dreading Christmas pictures.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all of the amazing fathers out there!

I would like to say thank you to my dad, Popa. Jason has always had a lot to live up to. My dad is caring, compassionate and supportive. I might have single handedly caused the hair on his head to fall out - he is a worry wart, and I have given him a lot to worry about. (He tells me it will all come back to haunt me some day relatively soon, hmm...) I couldn't have been luckier ! And, of course, he is also an amazing grandpa to my four babies. It is so neat to see him with them, and to watch him interact and love on them. Thank you Popa!

Popa and Ellery:

Photo Editing Program {Question}

Question for all of you -
I have been playing around with the online photo editing site picnik.com, which I think is pretty cool. What drives me nuts is that I have to load my pictures, edit them and then save them back onto my computer before posting and/or ordering them. Does anyone have a suggestion for a program that they really like for editing pictures on their computer. I would love to get/buy something that can be used right on my computer. I don't need anything fancy smancy. Remember, I am far from being techy! I would like to add text, change pics to B/W or sepia, basic editing... Help! Thanks!

Our New Best Friends

The Bumbo/Lionheart seats! The babies are enjoying their new found freedom and a new view of the world. They can't sit for too long, but they do love to sit up and look around. It is nice to be able to add another 'activity' to our awake time. I remember that when Quin could finally sit up in her Lionheart seat, it changed her whole demeanor! She was such a happier baby when she could see what everybody else could see. I think it making a nice difference for the triplets also.

The following pictures are a few weeks old, but I couldn't resist. I would love to add word bubbles above Gianna's head in the first two. I can already imagine the interaction that we are in for between Gianna and Quin - it will definitely be a love/hate relationship. They are going to be a lot alike! Doesn't help that Gianna looks a ton like Quin did when she was a baby.

Gianna tries the dirtly look first. Then Gianna tries to tell her, 'Um, that is NOT your seat!" Quin says, "You can't make me move!" And then there is Ellery, "Can't we all just get along, please."
Quin loves to sit with them. They are always on the look out for her - she keeps them entertained!

Could It Really Be Summer?

We are very ready for consistent, nice weather! When we spend a lot of time cooped up in our house, it is always a nice release to run/play/grill/eat outside. We have enjoyed the nice weather both yesterday and today (and really hope it continues!). Every so often I do have wishings of being a ‘small’ family again so that we can take off at will and go wherever we want, but know that won’t be happening any time soon. I just have to learn to rework my train of thought – get out the toys, balls, bikes… and have fun in our yard (or the neighbor’s yard in the case below).

Quin spent some time over at the neighbor's house yesterday playing in their pool – yeah! Until about a month ago my 'tough cookie of a daughter' hated water. Bathtimes were a huge struggle!!! That was my main concern for Jason when I was laid up at the hospital for so long. Quin has slowly started to tolerate a short bath, but is still terrified of getting water on her face. I was SO excited to see her in their pool. She and Izzy had a blast. A big thanks to Izzy for being a water loving example!

In Case You Didn't See

We wanted to share the babies’ birth announcements with everyone. So many of you supported us with prayers, positive words, caring gestures… I would have loved to send an announcement to each and every one of you, but unfortunately couldn’t. Jason and I would again like to thank all of you for your help in getting us this far. Our babies are so happy and healthy, it is amazing to watch them grow and develop each day. Thanks for all of your support!!!

Amber at http://www.inababycarriage.com/ did an amazing job helping me with the announcement. There aren’t a whole lot of options for triplet photo announcements. She worked with me to find just the right arrangement. I would highly recommend her and her company! We are so happy with the way it turned out. It is a little busy, but what do you expect with three babies on one card?!?!

It is back-to-back.

Missing Myrtle Beach

Don't get me wrong - I love my life now, but I am going through vacation withdrawal. A year ago this week Quin, Jason and I drove down to Myrtle Beach. We had a blast! My sister, Abbey, and her husband, Kirk, flew down to join us for the first half of the week and then we spent the second half of the week just the three of us. Fun in the sun, afternoon nap and exploring in the evening. I don't foresee our family of six doing that any time soon :( I just checked their weather - 89 degrees, partly sunny am and 30% rain in the pm. Sure beats the gloomy and humid weather we had here today. At least I have memories and pictures!

15 Years, Really?!?!?!

Yesterday was a nice reprieve from our usual Saturdays. We made the trip over to Corunna for Jason’s 15 year reunion. What is crazy to me is that we have been out of school as long as we were in school (I actually graduated 16 years ago – yes I’m older, but not by much!). When I graduated I thought 15 years was so far away, and I would be so old. Little did I know! I still feel so young.

There wasn’t a huge turn out, but it was very nice to catch up with the people who were there. It was also nice that it was a family event, or else we wouldn’t have been able to make it. Thanks to Tucker for organizing it!

The babies did great both in the car and while we were there. Quin... not so much. I think we heard, “i out, I Out, I OUT!” every five minutes on the way there. She loved the kids and the action while we were there, and actually did very well for not having a nap. The first 45 minutes of our ride home was heaven – all four kids slept peacefully. Unfortunately once Quin woke, she screamed the rest of the car ride home (45 more minutes!). I am still glad we were able to make the trip, although I was reminded why we don’t venture too far from home :)

The babies took a catnap in their pack n' play.
No Nap Quin was in no mood for pictures.

We would have definitely loved more of this:And, a little less of this!

4 Months

So it really is 4 months and a few days, but who is counting. It is neat to compare the 3 month pics compared to these. They are really plumpin' up. At least Gianna thought my antics were funny! :)
Ellery, Easton, Gianna
Check out the chubby-wubby's. They are actually starting to get rolls. I have to make an extra effort to clean out the 'cheese' from under their necks - I love it. Give me a chubby baby any day! The skinny, wrinkly preemies are gone :)

I Have Caved!

I have done it. I am somewhat disappointed in myself :) I have caved to the peer pressure of Facebook! I know I don’t have time, and will undoubtedly become obsessed. I didn’t think I had an addictive personality until I started this blog. I find myself thinking, ‘oh I will spend five minutes checking my email/blog/google reader… before going to bed’. Then, all of a sudden it is an hour later and I am deeply enthralled in somebody’s blog that I don’t even know (I know I'm not supposed to admit that, but I am just hoping you can relate!). Oh well. Many of the blogs/websites that I like have special deals on their Facebook pages that I always feel like I missed out on. But, the final thing that pushed me to join was that we almost missed the info. on Jason’s 15 year reunion that is happening this Saturday (maybe missing it wouldn’t have been a bad thing, we will see…) Anywho, just one more obsession for me to try and control.