Foto Friday - Cooper

Tummy time makes Cooper sleepy.

(Photo taken earlier this week.)

Happy Friday, everyone!

The Triplets' Birth Story

I've been working on this post here and there for the last month. I really want to record it...but now I'm starting to forget some things. So, hope it makes sense, and I apologize for typos...I figured better late than never!

The Triplets' Birth Story

I woke up easily Wednesday, January 22, anticipating the arrival of my three sons. (THREE! Still in disbelief occasionally!)

I was excited. I was scared. I was ready one moment, and totally not ready the next.

I took a shower, got M ready, and before I knew it, 9:30am arrived, and crowded in our entry way was my Dad, my Aunt Kim, Tracy, Bev, and our dear friend (and photographer) Kelli. We loaded up, and headed to IA City.

My stomach was unsettled because I was so nervous, and I was quite uncomfortable (because I was so big) for the 45 minute ride to the hospital.

Here we all are walking through the skywalk to the hospital. My belly looks ridiculous! lol!


Walking into Labor and Delivery, I remember feeling like it was a dream. I couldn't believe the day was really here! I really wasn't sure what to expect. Our family waited in the lobby area, and Josh and I were taken to my room where I would be prepped for surgery. I changed into the 'beautiful' hospital gown, and 3 monitors were hooked up to my belly to scan the babies. It took a while to find all three. I had an IV put in, and then...it was just time to wait.

My three bracelets for my three boys!

A few doctors came and talked to us about what would happen and gave us time to ask questions. After a while, being on my back became too painful. So, they let me switch to my side, but then had to readjust all the monitors. That was kind of annoying, and my patience was limited due to my anxiety about the c-section.

Josh was given his white 'bunny suit' to wear. Can you believe he took a selfie? He did it just for me. :)

I was scheduled to have my c/s start at 1pm...but 1pm came around, and I was told there were two emergencies that the doctor and the anesthesiologist had to tend to. So, about an hour later, it was GO time. It was hard waiting that extra hour. It was boring. And, it gave me more time to think and worry...

Finally around 2pm they wheeled me back. To be 100% honest. I was pretty terrified at this point.

I received my spinal anesthesia, which wasn't that terrible. And then, I was laid down, and the blue curtain was put up in front of my face. I was pretty worried about what I would and would not 'feel.' The anesthesiologist did his tests to make sure I was numb where I should be, and then, all the sudden, I was told they were beginning and Josh was let in to be near me. The anesthesiologist did most of the talking to me. He checked to make sure I was feeling ok. He told me about their progress throughout the c/s. It was kind of funny because I actually felt the most comfort and care from him since he was really the only one talking to me!

At 2:37pm, we welcomed Cooper into the world.
He was 5 lbs. 6 oz., and 17 in. long.


His brothers, Tucker, and then Carter followed at 2:38pm.
Tucker was 6 lbs. 3 oz., and 18 in. long.
Carter was 5 lbs. 13 oz., and 18.5 in. long.




All of the sudden each of the babies were briefly brought to me, and then ushered away. I don't even remember really seeing what they looked like. It was odd, and makes me sad as I write this. :-( It was hard to focus on the babies when you know you are cut open, too!



Josh went with the babies while I stayed to have my tubes tied (no more babies for us!) and to complete the c-section. I still remember feeling so anxious, and just wanting everything to be done. At one point, the doctor said, "I see your appendix, it looks great!" Um. TMI!!! TMI!!! That comment still bothers me.

Here are some awesome shots of Josh and the babies immediately following their birth.

What a proud Daddy!


After what seemed like a long time. I was finally done, and wheeled back to my recovery room. I remember feeling so tired. And, it was weird and really sad to not be with my babies. But, I was also sooooo tired that it felt nice to be a darkened room and to just rest by myself.

After a while, my family came to see me! I was SO glad to see them all. Especially Madison of course! She was officially a Big Sister!


I missed that little one, and I was told she was very worried about me, and kept asking for me.

One of my favorite pictures.

They all eventually went to grab a quick dinner while I continued to rest. I ate a lovely snack of apple juice and crackers.

After 2 hours in the recovery room, I was then taken to my postpartum room where I would stay for the remainder of my recovery time. The babies were all doing well, and were in the nursery. They were brought to my room and I was finally able to hold them! It was still a bit overwhelming both mentally and physically.

To be honest, I was still in disbelief that I had 3 babies. THREE!!!


Love these photos.




Well, this is it for now. I wanted to record this day, and most importantly share some of the AWESOME photos Kelli captured. I was SO glad Kelli was able to be with us that day, so that I am able to see so much of what my family experienced since I was away from them for what seemed like so long. There are many more great photos that I may share on FB one of these days.

My recovery after the c-section deserves it's own post...which I may share some time, too. Up next is the Triplets' One Month post...I hope to have it done this weekend before I forget things!

Happy Birthday, Cooper, Tucker, and Carter! 

Welcome to the World!!!

*all photos (except for Josh's selfie, and the bracelet one) are courtesy of the wonderful Kelli of Bearfoot Photography. 

Foto Friday - Happy Valentine's Day To Us

The BEST Valentines Day gift ever for a new Mom of Triplets:

It's like a Keurig...but for bottles. Within SECONDS you have a perfectly mixed and perfectly warm bottle.

When you're in need of three bottles at a time 3 times during the night...this little machine means extra sleep for me (us) and less crying from babies waiting for their bottles.

Who needs flowers or chocolate anyways? :)

Triplet Bump Progression

Just for fun!

Wow...still can't believe I carried 3 babies in there!
Also...I can't believe the babies are three weeks old today!

We've Survived The First Two Weeks!

(A mish-mash of information. I've been working on this post here and there for the last few days. I'll post more about their birth story later. Just wanted to get this recorded while I can!)

We brought home Tucker and Carter on Sunday the 26th. It was bitter sweet leaving our peanut, Cooper, behind.

Our family was truly complete once Cooper joined us at home on Wednesday the 29th.
Cooper failed his car seat test the second time, so he's in a special car seat that allows him to lay flat. I'll post more about Cooper in my birth story post.

The most challenging part of our days in the beginning was/is feeding time. We are keeping them all on the same schedule. So feeding, burping, and diapering the three babies every 3 hours is what drives the rest of our schedule for the day.

Josh was able to take the week off from work after they were born, but he had to return to work on Monday the third. I got brave on Sunday, and made myself be home with the triplets and M during a feeding time to figure out and learn how to feed all three on my own. It really wasn't as bad as I expected. There is usually one that is still sleeping, so it made it somewhat smoother to be able to feed and burp two of them. Then, wake the third and feed him before changing diapers on all of them.

I am also breastfeeding and pumping as regularly as I can. We are supplementing with formula for now. I feel I am producing enough milk for two newborns...but I need to work on building my supply. In my dream world, I'd love to be able to provide breast milk for all three. So...we shall see. Pumping takes time...and time is limited now that I'm caring for 4 children! :)

I am exhausted most of the day...but it's a GOOD exhaustion. My exhaustion is something that is quickly forgotten whenever I'm caring for or loving on my sweet boys.


Yesterday was their two week appointment. They are all gaining weight and doing well!

Cooper weighed in at 6lbs. / 19.5 in. (birth weight was 5 lbs. 6 oz.)
Tucker weighed in at 6lbs. 14 oz. / 20 in. (birth weight was 6 lbs. 3 oz.)
Carter weighed in at 6lbs. 12 oz. / 19.25 in. (birth weight was 5 lbs. 13 oz.)
Their lengths are really rough estimates. They are pretty squirmy and it's kind of challenging to get their lengths.

So...the last few days I've worked really hard on getting them on a schedule that seems to work for all of us.
Feedings during the day work best at:
6am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm - Give or take a half hour or so.

It works well because M tends to get up around 7am, then after their 1pm feeding everyone can nap around 2pm, and then after their 7pm feeding we can have time for M's bedtime routine around 8pm.


During the night I play it by ear. They are doing fairly well all sleeping together and staying on the same schedule. It's always the toughest if ALL three wake. Usually just two wake and that's manageable. I am actually getting sleep at night, and try and lay down for a nap once during the day.

Cooper sleeps in his crib, and the other two are sleeping in their Rock-n-Plays for now. Occasionally I put all of them to nap in the crib with Cooper, or one in bed with me depending on how badly I need sleep during the night. Overall though, they are doing great! The boys do tend to sleep through each other's crying which is amazing to me...but I'm so glad!


I am sleeping in the nursery with the boys for now and caring for them through the night since Josh has long work days. I actually don't mind. And, I tend to do better with less sleep than Josh does. I need Josh to be happy so I can be happy, too!

I am healing ok from my c-section. The area around my incision is still quite tender, and my belly area is still working on shrinking down. Without my ab binder, I still look a little pregnant...oh well. I'm doing ok physically I guess...just ready to feel 100% again. I still have some pain from a UTI that's common after surgery. I'm tired of having restrictions and not being able to do everything on my own. Oh well...I know it will come with time. Overall, I was not happy with having to have a c-section, and although recovery is different than a vaginal delivery...it's been much harder on me than I expected.

I can easily tell my boys apart. (Sometimes in pictures it's more difficult.) Tucker has darker hair and a different shaped face than the twins. His skin is more olive-toned. He resembles Madison the most. The twins have lighter hair (it sometimes looks blonde!) and smaller ears. Their skin is lighter. Their features look more delicate to me. Between the twins they are sometimes harder to tell apart...but right now, Carter weighs a pound more. Carter and Tucker are good eaters, and Coopers is the slowest eater. Tucker knows how to nurse...but is lazy and chooses not too! Carter is the best at nursing, and Cooper and I are still working on getting him to nurse.

Their personalities are also different. Cooper is the most relaxed and easy going. He is usually the most alert, too, and the most patient. Carter is the best sleeper (so far). He is also fairly easy going. We call Tucker the 'golden child.' He tends to be the first to cry and the most 'needy.'

Madison is doing WONDERFUL with her brothers and our new family. She is SO sweet to them and tells them she loves them and misses them. She loves snuggling them and helping me with them. If they cry, she says, "Mama! Tucker needs you!" She also says, "Mama, I think Carter wants his big sister to hold him." She knows all their names, but she can't tell who is who yet. If they cry she'll also go them and snuggle them and say, "It's ok, brother, Big Sister is here." It melts my heart!


During the first two weeks we've just enjoyed being home and being together. :) We had their newborn photos taken and went to the doctor a couple times. We've had visitors and it's fun to introduce family and friends slowly to the boys. It's been nice. I do not plan on taking them out and about until after Feb. 17th (their official due date).

Life with the new additions is quite different, as expected, but I do think we are all adjusting quite well.

Our transition home and to our life as a family of 6 would not be as easy as it has been thus far without all of the love, support, help around the house and running errands for me, food, gifts, diapers, etc. that we have received and are still receiving from our wonderful family and generous friends.

THANK YOU all from the bottom of my hearts. Josh, Madison, the boys and I are so lucky to have all of you in our lives.

I hope to post their birth story soon. Kelli captured some amazing photos that day and I will post those, too.

Foto Friday - 'Whack-A-Mole'

Our 4:30pm feeding today on my own reminded me of the game, Whack-A-Mole.

 

No, I wasn't bopping my babies in the head.

More like holding a bottle or burping who ever started crying next. lol! I don't think my arms stopped moving for 25 minutes or so! It was crazy...but we survived! :) Yay!

The Triplet's Nursery

Please excuse the crappy cell phone pictures...but it is what it is. At least I can quickly share how the boys' nursery turned out!

Here's the view when you walk in the door. They took over our master bedroom. My friend, Michelle, helped me pick out the curtains. My friend, Lindsay sewed black out material to the back so the room will be nice and dark come naptime.

Michelle, made the mobiles for me. Lindsay went shopping for the letters, rings, and frames for me. Michelle provided the prints for me to frame and hang.

I'm sleeping the futon for now. Michelle's husband, Nate, built and installed the white shelf for us.

Michelle also made the growth chart for us.

None of this would have happened without my good  friend Michelle of Decor And The Dog and my other friend, Lindsay! And of course Josh for hanging the curtain rods and pictures and everything else. Oh, and also a big thank you to our friends, the Allens, who graciously gifted us the white cribs, and our cousin Jason who transfered them down to us and help put them together. 

I know I'm probably forgetting someone or something, but as you can see...none of this would have happened without the help from our friends and family. The boys and Josh and I are truly thankful!

And with that...I gotta go...I got 4 children to care for now. Yikes!!!