New Year's Eve

Peyton gave us a little scare yesterday. The nurses suspected that she had a stomach infection, which could range from nothing much to a serious problem. She stopped getting food yesterday and started an IV and regular X-rays to look at her belly. Today she's doing much better. Her X-rays have all been fine, and she's starting to eat again (only a half-teaspoon at a time though). She's taking some antibiotics to battle any potential infections that she may have, but so far the doctors haven't seen any bacterial infections. Peyton lost her umbilical cord yesterday, so we can see her belly button!

Sam is doing well. He had three bacterial infections, but one of them is gone. He's still on antibiotics for another week or so to make sure the other infections are dealt with. He's almost 4 pounds now, and is breathing "room air" now, which is great news! He's always very active when we come visit him (that means he will cause us lots of trouble!).

Adah is also gaining weight well. She's almost 3 lbs., 12 oz. She's being very good for her nurses while they take care of Peyton. Adah lost her umbilical cord today!

Sam's Infection

Sam's bloodwork shows that he has an infection, so he'll keep the antibiotics up for 1-2 weeks. His platelets were a little low, so he got a blood transfusion today too. We found out that he's A positive (like his dad!). Sam's nurse, Kim, says that despite the infection he hasn't shown any signs of distress, and that "he's a strong boy."

Adah has gained some weight (3 lbs., 11 oz.) and can wear clothes. She was in her first (of many) pink outfits. She is off of her nasal cannula and breathing on her own now! She's also off of her IV fluids because she's eating well enough. Peyton is also off of her IV fluids. She and Adah both got a bath today!

Diaper Changes

Peyton, Adah, and Sam got their first (of many) diaper changes from Mom and Dad today. They are all in isolettes now, which makes diaper changing a little difficult. Adah has moved right next to her sister, so they can start plotting against their brother now!

Adah weighs 3 lbs., 9 oz. and is eating 24 ml every three hours. JoAnne also got to take her temperature today!

Peyton weighs 3 lbs., 2 oz. and is eating 22 ml. She is progressing to go off her IV in the next day or so, which would be great news!

Sam weighs 3 lbs., 12 oz. and is eating 21 ml. He's on some antibiotics for a possible infection. We're hopeful that he'll get over that pretty quickly with the antibiotics.

Christmas Day

We brought the babies their first Christmas presents, and JoAnne was released from the hospital so she could spend Christmas at home!

Sam got a few outfits for while he's in the NICU, a blue checked blanket, and a plush boat. Adah got some clothes, a pink blanket, and a plush penguin. Peyton got a pink checked blanket, some clothes, and a plush ladybug.

JoAnne and Matt both got to hold Sam.

Christmas Eve

Today was a tough day. We were hoping that JoAnne would be discharged from the hospital today, but her blood pressure has been acting up. Not surprisingly, the holidays, newborns in the NICU, and nurses telling you "just relax" don't add up to low blood pressure.

We decided to make the best of it. JoAnne got to hold one of them for the first time, which was awesome!! Mom and Peyton got some good quality time together on Christmas Eve. Peyton, despite being the smallest one (less than 3 lbs. now), is doing really well. She's been upgraded to an isolette, which keeps her environment warm, quiet, and dark. Adah and Sam are still in the layette, but when they stabilize they'll move to the isolette too.

Mom's First Visit

JoAnne got off of her medicine (Magnesium Sulfate) this morning, so she was able to get out of bed for the first time in a few days. She took it easy but was really excited to go visit the babies in the NICU. We went down there after lunch and had a great time visiting! So far, Peyton is the most like her mom (she sleeps with her mouth open). We can tell that they all look different, which will help us know who's getting into trouble! The babies are all doing well and are starting to take feedings pretty regularly. They all have some form of jaundice (not unusual for preemies), so they're wearing sunglasses and hanging out "under the lights" to help that out. They should all be under the lights for a few days.

Day 2

Peyton, Sam, and Adah all are doing really well! They've all been taken off of the CPAP machine that helps them breathe, which is great news. Now that the CPAP is off, we can see their beautiful faces! They all seem to be much more comfortable now, too!

We found out that a JU graduate, Laura, works in the NICU. It's great to see a familiar face!

JoAnne is still bedridden because of some medicine that she's on, but Matt's been taking plenty of pictures of the babies for her to see.

Birth Day

Today was the big day! JoAnne was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday for high blood pressure. Her doctors suspected that she might have pre-eclampsia. This morning they told us that she had severe pre-eclampsia and that the babies would be delivered today. She went in for the C-section at 2:00pm.

Peyton Bailey Clifford was born at 2:23pm. She weighed 3 lbs., 5 oz. and was 15.5 inches long.
Samuel Grady Clifford was born at 2:24pm. He weighed 3 lbs., 14 oz. and was 17 inches long.
Adah Claire Clifford was born at 2:25pm. She weighed 3 lbs., 10 oz. and was 17 inches long.

JoAnne had to stay in bed so Matt went to visit the babies in the NICU. All of the nurses said they were doing really well and so big for 30 week triplets! All of them were placed on a CPAP machine that helps them breathe, but that's not unusual for premature babies. JoAnne was doing really well and happy to hear that the babies were doing so well!