We had our first pediatrician's visit with all three babies yesterday, which was an adventure to say the least! Loading the three of them into car seats and into the car requires some advance planning. The pediatrician's office is great. They have us come through the back entrance so we don't have to wade through any potential germs. All three of them are doing very well, and growing so fast!
Sam is up to 6 lbs., 12 oz. and is 19.75" long.
Adah weighs 6 lbs., 4 oz. and is 18.75" long.
Peyton weighs 5 lbs., 9 oz. and is 18.875" long.
They also had a little photo session yesterday at home. Bev Pye is a friend of the Hassel's, and she came over to take lots of pictures. She does really great work! You can see some of them here, although she hasn't had a chance to put them all online quite yet. Everyone (including Mom) is sleeping right now, so I took some time to post this update!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Peyton's Homecoming
We had gotten used to taking care of two babies when we got the call from the hospital to bring the car seat in. Truthfully, we were grateful to bring our visits to the NICU to a close. It is a wonderful place with great nurses and doctors taking care of beautiful babies, but we were ready to have everyone home for good. Peyton came home on Tuesday, January 22. She weighed 4 lbs., 11 oz. when she left the hospital! Peyton had the privilege of coming home during the daytime, and she was greeted by a big crowd at the Clifford house. Wilson was relieved to hear that this would be the last addition to the family.
Peyton had her first doctor's appointment (by herself!) on January 25. The doctor gave her a great report! She weighed 5 lbs. and was 18.25" long. Peyton is definitely the princess of the three. She is very particular about nearly everything from diaper changes to sleeping positions. We've struggled a bit trying to find out how she wants things done, but when we get it right, she lets us know!
Peyton had her first doctor's appointment (by herself!) on January 25. The doctor gave her a great report! She weighed 5 lbs. and was 18.25" long. Peyton is definitely the princess of the three. She is very particular about nearly everything from diaper changes to sleeping positions. We've struggled a bit trying to find out how she wants things done, but when we get it right, she lets us know!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Sam's Homecoming
We had expected that Sam would come home first, because he was the biggest baby and steadily gained weight. I think when he found out that his sister beat him home that he was jealous, so he decided to join her. We got a call from the hospital on Friday, January 18 that Sam would be going home that day. Mom and Dad went to the hospital to pick him up and Adah stayed at home with Bogey, Marmi, and Nonni. Three adults to take care of one tiny little baby! Room in the back seat of the car started to get precious, with the addition of another car seat! We brought Sam home to see everyone and I think he was pretty excited to see his sister again. Wilson, on the other hand, was a little disappointed to see another one come through the door!
Sam weighed 5 lbs., 7 oz. when he left the hospital. At his first doctor's appointment 4 days later, he weighed 5 lbs., 13 oz. and was 19 inches long. Sam is very patient and rarely cries or gets fussy. With Mom and Dad trying to feed three babies at a time, Sam patiently waits until both his sisters are finished. He's pretty laid back and takes his time eating. He likes to be swaddled and sleeps very well in his crib. He also likes being on his tummy and doing some strength training by lifting his head up off the floor. Sam had his first "sink bath" today and he really like being in the water. His dad is hoping he'll be a swimmer!!
Sam weighed 5 lbs., 7 oz. when he left the hospital. At his first doctor's appointment 4 days later, he weighed 5 lbs., 13 oz. and was 19 inches long. Sam is very patient and rarely cries or gets fussy. With Mom and Dad trying to feed three babies at a time, Sam patiently waits until both his sisters are finished. He's pretty laid back and takes his time eating. He likes to be swaddled and sleeps very well in his crib. He also likes being on his tummy and doing some strength training by lifting his head up off the floor. Sam had his first "sink bath" today and he really like being in the water. His dad is hoping he'll be a swimmer!!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Adah's Homecoming
Adah was the first to come home, on Thursday, January 17. When she left the hospital she weighed 4 lbs., 12 oz. Dad made sure to install the car seat and mom rode in the back seat with her on the way home. When we got home, Wilson was very glad to see us. We brought the car seat into the house, but he didn't know that Adah was in there. We sat down with him and when she made a noise, he was pretty startled. Wilson is a skittish dog by nature, so he was a little taken aback at the new arrival. At first, he was pretty jealous of all the attention she was getting. After a week (and two more babies), he understands that he's no longer top dog.
Adah's first night was a little rough. In the hospital, she was always very calm and quiet. We had her sleeping in a basinette in our room, but that only lasted until 4am. JoAnne couldn't sleep because of all her little noises. She moved her to her crib in the nursery and we turned the baby monitor on (low volume!). Adah got a visit from Grandad and Nonni on Friday morning and she spent the rest of the day hanging out with us! Hanging out, of course, meaning eating and sleeping. She didn't get spoiled too long because her brother was coming home that night. Bogey and Marmi came over to help take care of her while we went to pick up Sam.
Adah is very particular. We tried to swaddle her because the nurses always swaddle the babies at the NICU, but she likes to have her arms out now. We think that she wakes herself up moving her arms around, but that's how she wants it, and who are we to get in her way? She has been a very good baby so far. She's still the best eater, and at her first visit to the pediatrician on Monday, she weighed 5 lbs., 2 oz. and was 18.25" long. We thought we weren't feeding her enough, but since she gained 6 oz. in 4 days, I guess we were proven wrong! She had her first bath at home and, as usual, didn't like it. She's really enjoying being at home!
Adah's first night was a little rough. In the hospital, she was always very calm and quiet. We had her sleeping in a basinette in our room, but that only lasted until 4am. JoAnne couldn't sleep because of all her little noises. She moved her to her crib in the nursery and we turned the baby monitor on (low volume!). Adah got a visit from Grandad and Nonni on Friday morning and she spent the rest of the day hanging out with us! Hanging out, of course, meaning eating and sleeping. She didn't get spoiled too long because her brother was coming home that night. Bogey and Marmi came over to help take care of her while we went to pick up Sam.
Adah is very particular. We tried to swaddle her because the nurses always swaddle the babies at the NICU, but she likes to have her arms out now. We think that she wakes herself up moving her arms around, but that's how she wants it, and who are we to get in her way? She has been a very good baby so far. She's still the best eater, and at her first visit to the pediatrician on Monday, she weighed 5 lbs., 2 oz. and was 18.25" long. We thought we weren't feeding her enough, but since she gained 6 oz. in 4 days, I guess we were proven wrong! She had her first bath at home and, as usual, didn't like it. She's really enjoying being at home!
Catching Up
We're sorry that this has not been updated recently. We have a good excuse, I promise!!
All three of the babies are home now, having been discharged from the NICU over the course of last weekend. We are slowly getting used to their patterns, so hopefully we can update the blog more frequently (sleep permitting). A lot has happened since the last post, and we'd like to share some of those stories. Following this post, we'll recap the homecoming for each of the triplets, and hopefully from here on out, this will be more up to date.
All three of the babies are home now, having been discharged from the NICU over the course of last weekend. We are slowly getting used to their patterns, so hopefully we can update the blog more frequently (sleep permitting). A lot has happened since the last post, and we'd like to share some of those stories. Following this post, we'll recap the homecoming for each of the triplets, and hopefully from here on out, this will be more up to date.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Bring in the Car Seat
We asked one of the nurses yesterday about how much notice we would get before one of the babies was discharged from the hospital. She said that usually they tried to give you about a week's notice. Apparently, once they ask you to bring in the car seat, it'll be 3-4 days. JoAnne and her sister were visiting the babies today, and they all seemed to be doing well. No real news to report. When she got to her car, there was a message on her cell phone from the nurse saying that they need us to bring in the car seat for Adah. So, Adah might be coming home in a couple of days, and Sam will likely be right behind her (they asked us later this evening to bring his car seat in tomorrow). We're are both in a state of shock, fear, and excitement right now! Hopefully everything goes well tomorrow and they can come home for the long weekend. Peyton is also doing well. Her nurse was going to try to bring her out of the isolette tonight and see how she does holding her temperature. We think she'll still be there for a little while. Stay tuned for pictures of Adah and Sam's homecoming!!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Taking the Lead
Adah has taken the lead among the babies and might be the first to come home. They've taken the feeding tube out of her stomach and she is eating all of her meals from the bottle now. She had only been taking three feedings from a bottle only a couple of days ago, so she's made great progress!! Dad fed her today and she did very well. She's up to 4 lbs., 10 oz.
Mom fed Sam, and he also ate everything that was in his bottle, and he's also out of his isolette. He's doing very well also, and is eating 2 out of every three feedings from a bottle. Sam weighs 5 lbs., 6 oz.
Peyton's heart rate dropped a little bit yesterday, so they've put her back on the pulse oximeter (measures the amount of oxygen in the blood). No one is really concerned about that, but it's a minor setback. Her red blood cell count was a little low, so she received a blood transfusion yesterday. We found out that she, and her brother and sister, are all A positive. She is up to 4 lbs., 2 oz. She's up to four bottles a day and ate everything that Dad had for her. This was the first time that all three babies ate everything in their bottle. We were so proud of all of them!
Mom fed Sam, and he also ate everything that was in his bottle, and he's also out of his isolette. He's doing very well also, and is eating 2 out of every three feedings from a bottle. Sam weighs 5 lbs., 6 oz.
Peyton's heart rate dropped a little bit yesterday, so they've put her back on the pulse oximeter (measures the amount of oxygen in the blood). No one is really concerned about that, but it's a minor setback. Her red blood cell count was a little low, so she received a blood transfusion yesterday. We found out that she, and her brother and sister, are all A positive. She is up to 4 lbs., 2 oz. She's up to four bottles a day and ate everything that Dad had for her. This was the first time that all three babies ate everything in their bottle. We were so proud of all of them!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Bath Time
We posted some new pictures to the NICU album on the website. One of the nurses was nice enough to take one of Peyton with her Mom and Dad!
Saturday is bath day at the NICU, so we scrubbed everyone up. We can only wash them down with a washcloth, so I think they all get pretty cold during the bath process. They all expressed their displeasure at being taken from their warm beds at first, but then they all seemed to enjoy it!
Peyton is still taking three bottles a day, and she's doing very well with that. She's almost to four pounds now, which is great news. Adah has joined Sam at four bottles a day, although she's a much better eater than Sam. He's pretty lazy, and usually falls asleep about halfway through his meal. The nurses are confident he'll get better as he gets older. Their gestational age is 34 weeks as of Saturday, and they seem to be doing very well considering they're still 6 weeks shy of their due date.
Saturday is bath day at the NICU, so we scrubbed everyone up. We can only wash them down with a washcloth, so I think they all get pretty cold during the bath process. They all expressed their displeasure at being taken from their warm beds at first, but then they all seemed to enjoy it!
Peyton is still taking three bottles a day, and she's doing very well with that. She's almost to four pounds now, which is great news. Adah has joined Sam at four bottles a day, although she's a much better eater than Sam. He's pretty lazy, and usually falls asleep about halfway through his meal. The nurses are confident he'll get better as he gets older. Their gestational age is 34 weeks as of Saturday, and they seem to be doing very well considering they're still 6 weeks shy of their due date.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Three Weeks Old
Mom fed Peyton from a bottle today and she did great! She finished the whole thing in 15 minutes. Peyton is closing in fast on four pounds. She's now 3 lbs., 13.3 oz. She's up to three bottles a day and doing very well. Today she had one of JU's finest nurses, Laura, taking care of her!
Sam's temperature has been a little low recently, so they put him back in the isolette to keep him warm. They ran some blood tests to make sure he wasn't sick, and those came back normal. His nurse told us that they'd probably keep him in there for a couple of days, just to be safe. He's up to 5 lbs., 4.8 oz. now.
Adah is still the solid rock of the family. She was a little fussy yesterday waiting to eat, and we heard her cry for the first time. Premature babies don't usually cry a lot until 34 weeks, so we're told. She's up to 4 lbs., 8 oz. and eating three bottles a day.
Sam's temperature has been a little low recently, so they put him back in the isolette to keep him warm. They ran some blood tests to make sure he wasn't sick, and those came back normal. His nurse told us that they'd probably keep him in there for a couple of days, just to be safe. He's up to 5 lbs., 4.8 oz. now.
Adah is still the solid rock of the family. She was a little fussy yesterday waiting to eat, and we heard her cry for the first time. Premature babies don't usually cry a lot until 34 weeks, so we're told. She's up to 4 lbs., 8 oz. and eating three bottles a day.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Grandma Names
JoAnne's mother came to visit the triplets today. She got to hold her first grandchildren (Sam and Adah), which was pretty exciting. Sam is over five pounds, Adah is at 4 lbs., 5oz., and Peyton is 3 lbs., 11 oz. Sam is eating from the bottle four times a day, and the girls are at 2 bottles a day.
There has been some debate in the family as to JoAnne's mom's "grandma name." Candy has been tossing the following ideas for her "grandma name:"
1. Nonni (Nah-nee)
2. Cici
3. Gigi
4. MoreMom (this is not really in the running, but it was one of the funnier options)
These are the grandma names that are not in the running:
1. Grandmother (Candy's mother)
2. Grandma (David's mother)
3. Mimi (Matt's mom)
4. Marmy (Matt's dad's wife)
We've included a poll (over on the right) on grandma names. Please let Candy know your top choice. This is almost as important as those primary things happening around the country.
There has been some debate in the family as to JoAnne's mom's "grandma name." Candy has been tossing the following ideas for her "grandma name:"
1. Nonni (Nah-nee)
2. Cici
3. Gigi
4. MoreMom (this is not really in the running, but it was one of the funnier options)
These are the grandma names that are not in the running:
1. Grandmother (Candy's mother)
2. Grandma (David's mother)
3. Mimi (Matt's mom)
4. Marmy (Matt's dad's wife)
We've included a poll (over on the right) on grandma names. Please let Candy know your top choice. This is almost as important as those primary things happening around the country.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
New Pictures
We put some new pictures on the website in the NICU album. There's a great one in there of Sam yawning! Peyton is up to two bottles per day now, and Dad got to feed her today. Everyone else is doing well, and got a visit by their Great Grandma! JoAnne's grandma has been anxious to see them, and she finally got a chance to visit today. She was pretty excited. Sam is almost 5 pounds now, and Peyton and Adah both gained two ounces. Sam also finally lost his umbilical cord, so we can see his belly button. They are all very stable now and just working on resting, practicing eating from a bottle, and getting bigger!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
A New Experience
Peyton is starting to bottle feed also! Mom got to feed her today, which was great since she's been cooped up in the isolette for awhile. She's just getting the hang of it, but she did pretty well for her first time. Adah and Sam also nursed for the first time today. Obviously, it was a new experience for everyone, but they did pretty well. Everyone continues to grow and make big strides.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Dad's Turn
Dad fed Adah from a bottle today. She did great, and finished the whole thing off! Her dad is taking all the credit, claiming she wanted to impress him. She's maintaining her weight and is 17.25 inches long. Sam has gained two more ounces (4 lbs., 12 oz.) and is 17.75 inches long. Peyton is long and lanky (3 lbs., 8 oz. and 16.75 inches long). Everyone had a good day today!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Bath Time
We had a great time with the babies this weekend. They are all gaining weight pretty well now. Peyton is at 3 lbs., 6 oz. Adah is at 4 lbs., 3 oz., and Sam is really putting on the pounds. He weighs 4 lbs., 10 oz. Sam is feeding from a bottle twice a day, and Mom fed him from the bottle on Sunday. He fell asleep after about half his bottle, so he needs some more practice! We fed Adah from the bottle on Saturday. She wasn't really interested in eating, but she did alright. Sam got a bath from Mom and Dad on Saturday. He was kinda fussy at first, but he got used to it after a while. Peyton is doing really well. She is keeping all of her feedings down and being really good for her nurses. She's big enough to wear clothes now, so we put some pictures of her up on the website. Enjoy!
Friday, January 4, 2008
An Exciting Day
Today was an exciting day! Adah and Sam both moved out of the isolette and into a basinette. They are doing well enough to be able to maintain their body temperature without being in the warmer. They're still bundled up, but we were excited to see them out in the open! Sam also fed from a bottle today for the first time. He ate 25 ml. over 30 minutes, which was pretty good for his first try! They will keep feeding him from a bottle once a day to get him used to it. Peyton had a good day too. She is still in the isolette, but she's almost back up to her birth weight, which is great news.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Another Move
Peyton moved to the "B" side of the NICU. She has ORSA (Oxacillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) on her skin, so they want to keep her away from the other babies in the NICU. The nurses were not overly concerned about her. ORSA is very common in hospitals, especially in the NICU. She is not "sick" from it, so they are going to just wait for the ORSA to run its course. She's doing well, otherwise!
Adah weighs over four pounds now, which is great news! She continues to be very stable. Sam is also gaining weight, and is at 4 lbs, 4 oz. It was a pretty good visit today. Matt took the opportunity to tell Sam that he would be attending Davidson while he held him! We put some more pictures up in the NICU Album.
Adah weighs over four pounds now, which is great news! She continues to be very stable. Sam is also gaining weight, and is at 4 lbs, 4 oz. It was a pretty good visit today. Matt took the opportunity to tell Sam that he would be attending Davidson while he held him! We put some more pictures up in the NICU Album.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Hiccups
Everyone seems to be doing really well today. Peyton got a little bout of the hiccups when her mom was holding her this afternoon. She's doing much better. She's back in the isolette and weighs 3 lbs., 6 oz. She also had a slight case of PDA that Adah has, but her artery has since closed up on its own. Adah spent some time in her dad's arms, and she weighs almost 4 lbs.! Sam is also putting on the pounds. He's up to 4 lbs., 3 oz.
We uploaded some new photos to the website. Check them out!
We uploaded some new photos to the website. Check them out!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Change of Address
Sam moved to "the other side" of the NICU today. He weighs 4 lbs., 1 oz., and is doing very well. The nurses told us that they sometimes move more stable babies to another part of the NICU. He's still on his antibiotics for another week or so. Sam was also donning his first outfit since he arrived. We're really excited that he's doing so well!
Peyton is doing much better. Her feedings are back up to 27 ml. and she weighs 3 lbs., 3 oz. She's been taken off of her antibiotics and is going to move back into the isolette tonight. She seems to have moved past the potential stomach infection, which is great news!
Adah had a heart echo this morning and the doctors think that she has patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). All newborns have a small artery that connects the aorta to the pulmonary artery. Usually, it closes in the first few days after birth. PDA is a condition when the artery does not close. It's not unusual in premature babies, and it may still close up on its own. They can also give her some medicine that could help it close up. If not, we'll keep an eye on her and eventually she'll have surgery to fix it. She's still being very good for her nurses and her weight is up to 3 lbs., 13 oz.!
Peyton is doing much better. Her feedings are back up to 27 ml. and she weighs 3 lbs., 3 oz. She's been taken off of her antibiotics and is going to move back into the isolette tonight. She seems to have moved past the potential stomach infection, which is great news!
Adah had a heart echo this morning and the doctors think that she has patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). All newborns have a small artery that connects the aorta to the pulmonary artery. Usually, it closes in the first few days after birth. PDA is a condition when the artery does not close. It's not unusual in premature babies, and it may still close up on its own. They can also give her some medicine that could help it close up. If not, we'll keep an eye on her and eventually she'll have surgery to fix it. She's still being very good for her nurses and her weight is up to 3 lbs., 13 oz.!
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