Gianna and Easton have been moved AGAIN. They are just spreading the Sizemore’s around, wouldn’t want anyone to get too spoiled with us :) There was an influx of admissions on the neonatal floor, so they moved Gianna and Easton to an ‘overflow’ room on the fourth floor. This is the floor that I was on during my bedrest. Sometime in the past few years they have combined several patient rooms to form an extra neonatal area. Both Gianna and Easton will be here until they are discharged (knock on wood!). This room is for babies that are breathing on their own, and relatively free of alarms (due to apnea and D-SATS). The room itself is very cramped, but it is nice to feel like we are that much closer to going to home. I also look forward to catching up with some of the nurses who took care of me when I was on bedrest.
Ellery has been a dream. She is a VERY good baby (I have probably just completely jinxed myself by putting that in writing). Of the three, she seems to be the most easy going. It has been a nice introduction to the world of babies for Quin. Quin is slowly adjusting. She LOVES Ellery, and looks for her as soon as she gets home, or up from sleeping. She is constantly trying to kiss her, hug her, give her ‘up highs’ (high fives)… We are often talking with her about having nice hands and gentle touches, but she is getting better. I really think 95% of the time it is in the name of love, and the other 5% is out of frustration. It cracks me up to hear her call around the house for Ellery – she calls her E-l-l-l-lery. I just hope we can keep this positive interaction as the next two come home.
Ellery had her first pediatric appointment this morning. She has gained six ounces, and is up to three pounds and fourteen ounces. This is wonderful! A wet piece of paper towel still weighs more than she does, but at least we are gaining! The doctor was happy with her progress since she has been home and expects her to continue in this direction.
Easton continues to make gains. He has been taking a full bottle or two, but then goes back to drinking about half of the next. He is definitely doing better each day! He weighs just under four pounds three ounces.
Gianna must have been jealous of Ellery because she has stepped up her game! She has taken full bottles for close to a day and a half now. They took out her feeding tube in hopes of not having to put in another one. She is just under four pounds five ounces. She was taken off of caffeine last Friday (which helped keep her nervous system alert to help prevent D-SATS). She needs to be off of the caffeine and alarm free for at least five days before they will consider sending her home. Jason and I are guessing maybe Friday?
We are so thankful for the triplets (and Quin’s) continued progress. Now that Ellery is home and we are juggling more, it is difficult for me to get back to all of your emails and calls (not that I was on top of it before she came home). Please know that I am not ignoring you, and that Jason and I are so thankful for all your support!!! Thank you!!!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
One Home, Two To Go
Jason and I are so excited to have Ellery home. It may take some convincing for Quin to be excited though. The fact that Ellery is so small doesn’t help the matter. I’m not sure if Quin is connecting the idea that Ellery is alive, and fragile (she has a 'baby' doll that is about the same size as Ellery). She loved interacting with Ellery when she was on her lap, and tried to help with a few things. It is going to take some lessons on how to be gentle and nice before she can interact without an adult within a short arm distance away. Quin is a lover, but is a little rough. She was also not thrilled with the fact that Jason and I could not hold Ellery and help/hold her at the same time. This will be a life long lesson, I am sure! She will grow to love her. It should be interesting when Gianna and Easton come home :{ Thanks to everyone who emailed or commented with best wishes. Here are a few pictures from this evening:
Seriously - what a peanut! Yesterday we found out that they were not going to have us roll up towels to place around her. I am assuming that this is because the carseat if made for babies four pounds and up (opposed to most carseats that are made for five pounds and up).
Seriously - what a peanut! Yesterday we found out that they were not going to have us roll up towels to place around her. I am assuming that this is because the carseat if made for babies four pounds and up (opposed to most carseats that are made for five pounds and up).
Ellery getting some love from Quin - not sure how she feels about this though :)
Bottle Holder in training! It may take awhile, but we will get there.
Our First Love - Happy Birthday!
I can’t believe that it has been two wonderful years since Quin entered this world. We should have known what we were in for – not many first babies are born less then three hours after their water breaks, and within 45 minutes of arriving to the hospital. I feel as if I blinked and she has gone from a cuddly infant to this outgoing, sassy, determined two year old – where did that time go?!?! I have always been happy that Quin has ‘quite the personality’. She is tough, sticks up for herself and you never have to guess at how she feels or what she wants. She can make us laugh at the shake of her booty, as well as make me want to pull out my hair when I see that mischievous grin! She is such a lover though, and can’t give me a kiss without giving one to Jason as well. As I look through pictures, the memories are so vivid but the time feels like it flew by. I wish I could go back in time and relive some of those amazing moments.
I remember that I found her first birthday utterly depressing, and this one is right up there. I remember how long some of those first nights were, but how fast the days went by. I wish nothing but the world for her! I hope to see her continue to grow into a self motivated, caring and giving child. She has taught us so many wonderful lessons.
We love you Quin!!!
I remember that I found her first birthday utterly depressing, and this one is right up there. I remember how long some of those first nights were, but how fast the days went by. I wish nothing but the world for her! I hope to see her continue to grow into a self motivated, caring and giving child. She has taught us so many wonderful lessons.
We love you Quin!!!
Late Night Prowlers
No, I am not talking about Jason and I (yet). Last night we had some late night prowlers, who we caught pink and blue handed. I went into our front room to make a phone call last night and noticed that our bushes had (what I thought was) toilet paper on them. We quickly saw the balloons, and one of the culprits a couple of houses down! What fun! Thanks to Whitney and Shari for the great decorations. Quin loved the balloons and it will make for a great homecoming for Ellery!
Also, many of you asked about the triplets hats from the last set of pictures. The hospital has amazing people who voluntarily knit hats. There are bins full! I was able to find three matching white ones. I added the ribbons at home, making sure that each of the girls bows were perfect and that Easton’s knot was boyish. Unfortunately, I severely underestimated the size of their heads. I was bummed that the bows/knot had to be retied once we arrived the next morning, but they were still cute. Thanks for the compliments.
Ellery passed the carseat challenge with flying colors (doesn’t the word challenge make it sound fun? – Survivor here we come!). In fact, she was so content after the hour was up we left her in there until her next care time. Leave it up to Ellery to make it look easy.
Also, many of you asked about the triplets hats from the last set of pictures. The hospital has amazing people who voluntarily knit hats. There are bins full! I was able to find three matching white ones. I added the ribbons at home, making sure that each of the girls bows were perfect and that Easton’s knot was boyish. Unfortunately, I severely underestimated the size of their heads. I was bummed that the bows/knot had to be retied once we arrived the next morning, but they were still cute. Thanks for the compliments.
We will try to post tonight with an update about Ellery’s arrival home!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Slight Panic
As I walked into the ‘Sizemore Suite’ today I was greeted by one of the neonatologist who promptly told me that Ellery was scheduled to go home tomorrow (Wednesday). I am sure he thought I was a total nutcase, but all I could say was, “Oh, I don’t think so”. He just stared at me as I tried to explain that I had three rooms of furniture piled into our master bedroom, an empty nursery (it does have carpet now!), cribs in a warehouse and not a single preemie diaper in the house. He agreed to push her discharge back a day to Thursday, which happens to be Quin’s birthday - She won’t remember, right?!?! They can’t justify keeping Ellery because she has been bottle fed for over 48 hours and maintained her body temperature. All she is doing is growing, which they claim she can also do at home. She is a whopping 3 pounds and 8 ounces. Our nurse told us today that while she isn’t the smallest baby ever sent home, but she is definitely among the smallest. Our carseat is made for babies who are four pound and up, so we will have to roll up blankets and place them around her to keep her stable while riding in the car. She will be taking part in the ‘carseat challenge’ tomorrow. She will need to stay in the carseat for an hour to make sure that she will be able to ride back and forth from the hospital to home.
So… barring any big changes, our peanut will be coming home on Thursday. Although I feel like it has snuck up on us and I have some apprehension, I couldn’t be more thrilled. It is wonderful to think that they will all be home soon. In their best guesstimate, they think Gianna and Easton might be home in the next week or two. I hope and pray that they won’t be separated for terribly long! We will keep you updated as things progress over the next few days.
So… barring any big changes, our peanut will be coming home on Thursday. Although I feel like it has snuck up on us and I have some apprehension, I couldn’t be more thrilled. It is wonderful to think that they will all be home soon. In their best guesstimate, they think Gianna and Easton might be home in the next week or two. I hope and pray that they won’t be separated for terribly long! We will keep you updated as things progress over the next few days.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Movin' On Up, Again!
The triplets were moved to their very own room today. This is a wonderful sign of their continued improvement! I am excited to have a room to ourselves. It is much more personal and private. We can sit in the middle of the room (it isn’t much bigger then 15x15) and look at all three babies. There are times when Jason and I are there, each feeding a baby, and feel badly for the third. At least now, we will be much closer in proximity to the third. There will still be one nurse who will oversee all three babies.
All three continue to grow. On average they are gaining about one ounce a day. Gianna continues to weigh the most at 3 pounds 14 ounces. Easton weighs in at 3 pounds 9 ounces. And, Ellery is a petite 3 pounds 7 ounces. Gianna has been off of oxygen for about four days now. Both Easton and Gianna have decreased in D-SATS!
When we walked into their new room today we were shocked to see the tops of both Gianna and Ellery’s incubators all the way up! They had both been maintaining their body temperature since the move earlier in the morning. Amazing! They are hoping to open Easton’s in the next few days. All three have also continued to do well on their bottle feedings. Easton and Gianna are not consistent yet, but usually drink 1/3 to1/2 of their bottle before having to tube feed the rest. They are not coordinating their suck/swallow/breathe patterns well enough to take the entire bottle. They will get there.
Ellery has taken all of her feedings directly from her bottle for over 24 hours. The nurses and doctors are guessing that she may come home by the end of the week. She needs to continue to maintain her temperature, and drink from the bottle for 48 hours straight. I have to give it to her – she likes to beat the odds! More likely than not, if she comes home when they are estimating, she won’t even be four pounds yet. What a fighter!!!
Many of you may be wondering if we are ready for them to come home. Not even close! The carpet for their bedroom (and two other bedrooms/the hallway and the steps) is finally going to be installed tomorrow. This has been holding up our progress for the nursery. The walls and trim have been painted (thank you Monica!). Once the carpet is in, we will pick up the cribs. There is so much to do, in so little time – but we have made a lot of progress since their birth. It will all work out. The bathroom is almost finished – yay! I will post pictures of all of our projects once they are complete.
Thanks again for your continued prayers! It has been amazing to watch as each prayer has been answered.
All three continue to grow. On average they are gaining about one ounce a day. Gianna continues to weigh the most at 3 pounds 14 ounces. Easton weighs in at 3 pounds 9 ounces. And, Ellery is a petite 3 pounds 7 ounces. Gianna has been off of oxygen for about four days now. Both Easton and Gianna have decreased in D-SATS!
When we walked into their new room today we were shocked to see the tops of both Gianna and Ellery’s incubators all the way up! They had both been maintaining their body temperature since the move earlier in the morning. Amazing! They are hoping to open Easton’s in the next few days. All three have also continued to do well on their bottle feedings. Easton and Gianna are not consistent yet, but usually drink 1/3 to1/2 of their bottle before having to tube feed the rest. They are not coordinating their suck/swallow/breathe patterns well enough to take the entire bottle. They will get there.
Ellery has taken all of her feedings directly from her bottle for over 24 hours. The nurses and doctors are guessing that she may come home by the end of the week. She needs to continue to maintain her temperature, and drink from the bottle for 48 hours straight. I have to give it to her – she likes to beat the odds! More likely than not, if she comes home when they are estimating, she won’t even be four pounds yet. What a fighter!!!
Many of you may be wondering if we are ready for them to come home. Not even close! The carpet for their bedroom (and two other bedrooms/the hallway and the steps) is finally going to be installed tomorrow. This has been holding up our progress for the nursery. The walls and trim have been painted (thank you Monica!). Once the carpet is in, we will pick up the cribs. There is so much to do, in so little time – but we have made a lot of progress since their birth. It will all work out. The bathroom is almost finished – yay! I will post pictures of all of our projects once they are complete.
Thanks again for your continued prayers! It has been amazing to watch as each prayer has been answered.
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