Guess Who Stopped By!

Can you believe it!!! What a day we have had!!! Thanks Wendy!

Before the big arrival, my brother, Kevin, babysat with my mom for a bit while I finished up shopping....



And last but not least...my dear friend Rhiannon and her boyfriend Mark also stopped by on her way through town. What a wonderful holiday this is turning out to be!!!!

Quick Update - Pretty boring!

Things are definitely becoming more and more interesting. The babies are becoming very active these days and how to keep them entertained has become the million dollar question! Even before I start to feed them, I am asking myself where I am going to put them once they are done. They really don't like many of the bouncy seats or swings yet but I continue to try. Plus the space that everything takes up!!!! As of right now, we are really contained in the nursery but every square foot has become prime real estate. I continue to work on Aaron to give up his office for a family room which is right across the hall from the kitchen and next door to the nursery...he has started to budge a little bit - we'll see!

Wylie's reflux has gotten so much better. He still has episodes but nothing compared to that horrible last week. Katie and Maggie continue to just go with the flow. Both girls are so alert and sometimes manage to stay awake an entire three hours. They are sleeping pretty good during the night....usually four to five hour stretches with only one or two little fusses in between. We head back to Savannah for our last eye appt on Monday thank goodness - then no more out of town for awhile!

Mom continues to come M-F and help with the babies. As tired as I am, I know what a blessing I have in her. I spoke with another triplet mom who was in the hospital room next to us in Savannah and she has zero help. They finally hired someone last week to come from 11p-2a to help with two feedings but she had been doing it almost completely by herself. I can't imagine how exhausted she must have felt.

With Mom being here all week, Katie has really bonded with her. All the babies love the attention she gives but Katie is something else. She can be asleep to the world and when she hears Mom, she is wide awake and wanting to be held. The other day, she watched Mom walk out of the room and as soon as she was out of sight began screaming. I have to admit it is pretty cute and Mom is eating it up!

The new pastor at First Presbyterian Church came by the house last night to visit. She and her husband Joseph bought their house right around the corner from us and aren't much older than Aaron and me. We really liked her.

Sorry I don't have any new pictures. Our camera is on the fritz - It only comes out as black fuzz. Hopefully Santa will be bringing me a new one or something to capture these sweet moments!!!! I would love to show everyone our mantle that is FULL of Stockings or our Christmas tree full of new ornaments that read "Wylie" "Katie" and "Maggie"....I LOVE IT and may keep them up until Spring :)

Love you all and have really enjoyed the Christmas cards that have come in. Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Season.

Karen

Shots, Christmas Parties, Reflux and Exhaustion

People have asked me since before the triplets were born....How are you going to do it? Since bringing the babies home, it has been naively easy. They eat and sleep and that was about all. I have a husband who is a natural at parenting and is able to problem solve with patience and ease, a wonderful mother who has dedicated herself to these babies and teaches me daily on how to be a good mom, family who call with words of encouragement and friends who talk me through difficult times as we exchange first time parent experiences. All the pieces are here for me to make this work. But everyone crashes sometime or later and this was my first week of an emotional low.

I guess it really started Monday when nothing I did made Wylie comfortable. I was managing by myself for the first time and the day was long. He fidgeted, fussed, cried and then spit up EVERY time I put him down. All he wanted was to be held and with two other little girls needing the same, it wore me out quickly. By Tuesday, Mom and I tried everything but nothing seemed to help. It was exhausting. Then Wednesday night, Aaron ended up just stuffing him with milk. TaDa! The crying stopped (1/2 the problem)! The poor baby must have hit a growth spurt and needed more per feeding. Major miscalculation on my part and really hurt my spirit that I didn't figure that out sooner.

Then on Thursday we had to take the trio to Dr. Thompson's. This always is a big production. I have grown to like my little house and really dread having to leave it - especially with all three babies. Mom and Wendy again went with me. I don't know what I would do without these two...they really are lifesavers and I appreciate all they do to help me on days like this.

All the babies received excellent reports and are really growing at an impressive rate. Katie and Maggie are both weighing 7lbs 12oz. Katie is 20.5 inches long and Maggie is 21.25 inches. Big Boy Wylie weighs 8lbs 8oz and is 21.5 inches.

They ended up getting the first of their immunizations which I hadn't planned on. Originally I had wanted to space these out but decided to get a bundled shot this time. Not sure what I will do in the future but felt Dr. Thompson supported whatever I want. I need to do more research before next visit. I felt completely unprepared at the office....didn't have the research on the shots, didn't bring blankets for the babies (although I had two in my bag by chance...Mom used her layered shirt to blanket Katie after they were weighed), Wylie peed all over me and the floor and then to top it off, it was pooring rain when we left and I had no umbrella....just awful.

Later that night, we had Aaron's Christmas party. It was really nice to get dressed up and head out to Bonefish but about this time was when I hit my wall. Mom and I had been dealing with Wylie's reflux for the third day and I was completely frustrated and felt like a failure. It was really cold and rainy outside and heading out to dinner seemed to be a huge task. When Aaron walked through the door, I broke. The tears started. I hadn't cried since bringing the babies home but I cried at that moment. Something about seeing Aaron and the comfort he brings, I was able to let it go. After some long hugs and reassurances, I pulled it back together and we were able to make it to the island for the party. It really was a nice time and Aaron works with a great group who have supported us throughout the pregnancy with prayers, meals, gifts and calls. However, I thought about the babies all night and was relieved when we finally pulled back into the driveway. Mom, Aunt Patti and Cynthia did a great job and everyone was sound asleep (except Wylie who never got put down) when we got walked in.

That night I decided to give Wylie some of Maggie's reflux medicine. Again....TaDA!!!! Poor baby responded immediately and has been doing great ever since. So now he is eating enough and his reflux is almost completely managed...he can finally sleep (as can I).

Today was a good day. Stayed close to the house and recharged emotionally. The Christmas tree is up and looks great, the babies are all sleeping again, all the bottles are washed and full for the night...we are good to go.

So when people ask me how I manage, I guess the answer will be day to day. Most days are wonderful and full of new adventures....Maggie is beginning to smile and follows us closely with her big round eyes, Katie loves her toys and being "handi bundled" before falling asleep, Wylie has started putting his arms around my neck as I burp him and all three love to snuggle in bed while we fall asleep at night. I love being a mom and would never trade these days for anything. Even when I feel tried and exhausted.

First Day Alone

YIKES!!! Mom called last night to tell me she has the crud....Looks like I will be winging it by myself for the next few days. Honestly, I am a nervous wreck. So far I have kept things above water but it is pretty busy. Just fed Wylie for the second time and the girls are starting to stir leaving me only a couple of minutes to hold him before putting him down (and hoping that he doesn't spit up while I feed the other two).

On top of that, the doorbell! Thinking that I would have Mom to help, we started the most recent renovation on a rental this week. The contractors understand that I am here alone but they are still coming by with questions (the house is just behind us and is easily walked). Am I a glutton for punishment or what! Here is where we are in the project....

Will keep you posted as the progresses....if I can still see straight!

Beginning to look like Christmas!

With Thanksgiving behind us, we have started to break out all the Christmas decorations. I don't think I have ever looked forward to a holiday as much as this year. We are on the search for stockings, have all the Santas displayed and plan on getting the tree this evening. We even had our first family picture taken for Christmas cards! Speaking of.....I am rounding up addresses for everyone, so if you have a minute, drop me an email with yours so I will be sure to get you one in the mail....they are too cute!

Hope all is well with everyone! Here is one of the out takes - It is proving to be very difficult to get all three looking like they are at least enjoying themselves!