We had so much fun telling people we were expecting triplets. The majority of people didn't sign our guesbook with comments, but just called or emailed their congratulations to our private email. The following are comments from the guestbook of my pregnancy blog and I wanted to transfer them to this current blog. One day I'll have to add in all the email comments too.
Amy Bewley
Fri, March 23, 2007
Was just checking in on your progress and I see you had the babies:-) Looking forward to seeing pictures of your beautiful girls!
Aisling GambleCalgary, Alberta
Mon, February 26, 2007
Congratulations on the birth of the girls. Just got the news from Carolyn Wesley. She sent pictures too. Gorgeous!!!!
Sandra SmithCLovis, NM
Fri, February 23, 2007
I just heard about the girls being born! Wow...I have tears of joy. God is sooooooo Good. God bless you all. Love, Sandra
Aisling GambleCalgary, Alberta
Thu, February 22, 2007
Hey guys!! Thought I'd check in and say hi. Misty, hope you are feeling well these days and taking it easy. This time 2 years ago, I was at home, doing nothing, just waiting for the big day.
Sharon BaconRockwall, Texas
Fri, February 2, 2007
Misty, Happy 30th Birthday!!! This is going to be a wonderful year for you! I am so proud of you! We love You!!! Love, mom & dad
Amy BewleyNLR, AR
Wed, January 17, 2007
We are so excited for you and I hope you are able to make it to 34 weeks. You all are in our prayers!
Clara Gillett
Tue, January 16, 2007
We are so happy that the girls are doing well. You are ALL on the prayer list for our Wednesday night ladies class. These women know how to pray. Love to all 6 of you, Aunt Clara and Uncle Bill PS Abbie Withouse (can't remember her last name) is expecting a boy(Charlie) in April. I will give her your e-mail. Vickie was really excited about the girls.
Anita JaegerRockwall, TX
Mon, January 15, 2007
They all look beautiful! Best wishes to you all and prayers for a joyful life for all of you together and strength and wisdom to help you through! What a blessing!!
Jennifer EnsorBrentwood, TN
Sun, January 14, 2007
I love the names you guys picked out. They are just beautiful. Can't wait to meet those girls.
Grandma Sharon BaconRockwall, Texas
Fri, January 12, 2007
I think you look just beautiful! Can't wait to hold all three of you!!! Love, Grandma
Aisling GambleCalgary, Alberta
Thu, January 4, 2007
Happy New Year guys...and what a year 2007 is going to be for you. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
Steve GambleCalgary, Alberta
Mon, January 1, 2007
Hi guys! Aisling told me about you guys expecting triplets a while back, and we met briefly when you were visiting Jordan Clark. Isn't it fun! Awesome you are having girls......perhaps our boys will meet your girls in the future at Harding? hmmmm, just a thought. Keep up the good work, and feel free to ask any questions you may have directly or via the boys blog site. http://gambletriplets.blogspot.com/
Matthew EnsorBrentwood, TN
Fri, December 29, 2006
Hey Guys...Just thought I'd drop in for an update...Sharon and John showed us some amazing pictures...Talk to you soon hopefully!
Troy & Carrie LakeyKansas City, MO
Tue, December 12, 2006
WOW!! Crazy! That's great news, guys; glad to hear it. Congratulations! We'll definitely be praying for you!
Aisling GambleCalgary, Alberta
Fri, December 1, 2006
So great to see the u/s pics and know that the girls are doing so well. Have a fantastic time at Disney World...it might be the last big trip you take for a while! LOL
Laura LightRolla, MO
Mon, November 20, 2006
Hey Misty and Greg! We're praying for you and those 3 special blessings every single morning. Let me tell you----Girls are Grand!!! (and only thing better than 3 girls is 4!) :-) I can't tell you how excited we all are around this house. We're praying for you too, Greg. And now that we know that they are all girls, we better say a few special prayers for Caden! Won't he be a proud brother! We love you guys! Kenny, Laura, Jenna, Clarissa, Rebecca and Meredith
Aisling GambleCalgary, Alberta
Mon, November 20, 2006
3 girls!! Congrats!! At least Greg already has Caden so he won't be totally outnumbered (I am the only female in our house - even when the dogs are included!! LOL). Think of you guys every day and praying that the pregnancy continues to go well. Have an Happy, Happy, Happy Thanksgiving, as I know you will.
Sharon BaconRockwall, Texas
Mon, November 20, 2006
Life is so full of surprises and that's what makes it fun! Caden is so cute pretending to hold his 3 little sisters and gathering up his little letter toys to give to them!!!
Ron, Wendi, Lainey, & Jackson SissonMemphis , TN
Sat, November 18, 2006
Congrats! How exciting! We are expecting baby #2 (a boy, Jackson), in March but I bet you will deliver before me! We will be praying for all 5 of you!
Jennifer EnsorBrentwood, TN
Fri, November 17, 2006
Wow! Three girls! Congratulations. Just like that you guys already passed Matthew and my two girls. You are going to have so much fun!! Good luck with the name game. Maybe we will see you at Christmas? Jen, Matthew, and Vail
Lorisa LittlejohnDallas, TX
Fri, November 17, 2006
YAYYYYYYYYY! I think God is complimenting you two- I can't think of another couple that would be better parents of three baby girls and a precious little boy. Love you and miss you.............I can't wait to meet them! Praying for you.....(P.S. have you considered Lorisa as one of the six names you'll have to choose? : )
Patrick & Amy BewleyNLR
Thu, November 16, 2006
Wow!! You two beat the odds!! All three girls will melt your heart. May God bless all of you with good health throughout. I am still shocked that there are three little babies in tiny Misty! I would love to see pregnancy pics as you progress:-)
Patrick & Amy BewleyNLR
Thu, November 16, 2006
Wow!! You two beat the odds!! All three girls will melt your heart. May God bless all of you with good health throughout. I am still shocked that there are three little babies in tiny Misty! I would love to see pregnancy pics as you progress:-)
Aunt Marilyn & Uncle Lawrence McshanOrange, TX
Thu, November 16, 2006
Three Girls - all at one time!! Wow!! We pray for your family everyday, but with 3 little sisters we better say some special ones for Caden! I'm sure he will be a wonderful big brother to all of them!!
Sandra SmithClovis, NM
Thu, November 16, 2006
''Girls just want to have fun!!! '' Good thing they have an awesome big brother to keep all the bad boys at bay. I pray for you often and tell everyone else to pray also. I'm so proud that you guys are taking good care of yourselves. Wow...3 girls....Love, Sandra
Patti Ensorabilene, texas
Thu, November 16, 2006
that is wild...congrats....girls are alot of fun...until they become teenagers...haha not really....hope to see you soon. patti
Aisling GambleCalgary, Alberta, Canada
Fri, November 10, 2006
Hey Misty (& Greg). Thanks for the link to your site. It's going to be so great to follow along with you guys, knowing that I went through the same process just 2 years ago. Hopefully you'll be able to find out what the little ones are - it took 3 seperate ultrasounds for them to confirm it was all boys for us. Take care. You know how to reach me by email if you have any questions or just wanna chat. Aisling (Steve, Keegan, Josh & Connolly)
Karen and Robert BaillieSYDNEY AUSTRALIA
Wed, October 25, 2006
Congratulations, what wonderful news. We are thrilled for all of you. We look forward to seeing more baby pics. Love and warm wishes Karen and Robert
Leslie PiggClarksville, tn
Fri, October 20, 2006
What a wonderful doctor's visit and a great report! I bet ''Baby A'' is a girl for sure, if she was hamming it up for the camera! I am so happy that things are progressing so well and we'll be continuing to pray for your health, Misty, and the development of the three babies. Love you guys!
Billie EnsorRuidoso, NM
Thu, October 19, 2006
I love being able to be able to keep up with your progress for such a super exciting event. Thanks for keeping me posted. You are on my mind just about every day. Love you all so much. Josh and Naci were due Oct 17. We are still waiting on that little Jude.
Grandma Sharon Ensor BaconRockwall, Texas
Thu, October 19, 2006
WOW!!! Life just keeps getting better! This is one of the most exciting things that has happened in my lifetime! I am so proud of you for eating good food and getting plenty of rest! I heard Greg and Caden are taking good care of you and have given you a lot of surprises - ssshhh!
Amber KnaussWylie, TX
Sun, October 1, 2006
Wow Guys!!! Congrats!!! We'll plan our 15th reunion soon so yall have time to find a babysitter!!! :) Seriously, three new blessings. Thats awesome. Take care, Amber
Jordan ClarkCalgary, Alberta
Tue, September 26, 2006
That's a funny way to tell me Greg! Wowzers! What wonderful news... one more and your family could field a baseball team - ha! (I don't imagine Misty wanted to hear that). Take care of yourselves and rest lots. Love Jordan, Kari and Peyton
Sandra SmithClovis, NM
Sun, September 24, 2006
I have tears streaming down my face. I am so shocked! What a delight. God couldn't have chosen two more precious people to send these babies to. How can I help? Misty, please rest, rest, rest. Call me to help anytime. Greg, Misty and Caden I promise to pray God's glorious blessings on all of you. Love, The Favorite Aunt, Sandra
Marie ClementNashville, TN
Sat, September 23, 2006
Congratulations you guys! We are excited for you..we will keep you in our prayers! God Bless! Matt and Marie Clement Caleb, Ian and Riley
Amy SchlupCO
Sat, September 23, 2006
WOW, WOW, WOW!!! Congratulations. Your house will be overflowing with joy, love, and excitement. You guys are awesome and I am sure you will be great parents to your new additions. Caden will be a lucky big brother too. God Bless You!
Michelle NoelNorth Little Rock, Arkansas
Wed, September 20, 2006
Congratulations Greg and Misty! We are so happy for you! Wow, what a blessing from God! :) Love, Tommy and Michelle Noel Claire, Emilyn, and Allie
Sara SelbyBartlesville, OK
Wed, September 20, 2006
We are excited for you! Wish we lived closer! We miss you and you will be in our prayers. You have a special family and we're so glad God has blessed you with 3!
Ling NeeleyTomball, TX
Wed, September 20, 2006
How awesome! I'm so happy for y'all. Lifegroup is just going to be one BIG happy family.
Leslie PiggClarksville, TN
Wed, September 20, 2006
You got me last night, sister! I am still completely conusmed with thoughts of your THREE...such surprises and such blessings!! As I've told you, I absolutely hate that I'm not in the Woodlands to be of more ''physical'' assistance but I will certainly be of ''prayerful'' assistance! Love to you guys...Leslie
Laura LightRolla, MO
Wed, September 20, 2006
WOW!!!!! That's incredible!!! We'll be praying for healthy babies and healthy mommy! I guess this means it will be a while before we get to see you.. :-( Love you guys! Laura, Kenny and girls P.S. Lucky girl--you'll catch up to us and only have to suffer through pregnancy twice instead of 4 times! LOL!
Sharon BaconRockwall, Texas
Wed, September 20, 2006
WOW! What a shock! We love you! You family just received three more of God's greatest gifts! Caden is going to have fun with all of his new playmates (brothers/sisters)!!! We are going to have fun too! Greg and Misty you are both so special!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW
Carolyn Wesley
Wed, September 20, 2006
Congrats! Congrats! Congrats! All our love and prayers, Carolyn, Bryan and Alyssa
Micah EnsorLos Angeles, CA
Wed, September 20, 2006
OH SNAP!!!! What are they putting in the water out there? Congratulations!!!
Friday, March 23, 2007
Triplets Fourth Week in NICU (March 17-23)
Mommy and Daddy are bonding with the girls more each day and it is becoming more difficult to leave them at the hospital. They are so sweet and seem to be happy and comfortable. Every day we see new parents with all their balloons and flowers and the mother holding their baby as they leave the hospital to go home. We anticipate the day we can all be home as a family. Mommy is going to the hospital four times a day and Daddy will help feed the girls usually during lunch and in the evenings after work.
Over the weekend, the girls met their Uncle John and Aunt Amy and cousins Scarlett, Mitchell, Nicholas and Savannah. John held Addison for awhile and put his finger out to her tiny foot to measure it from his knuckle to fingertip and couldn't believe how beautiful and little all the girls were. Aunt Amy couldn't hold the girls because she had just had a polio vaccine since she is going to Kenya soon, but Amy and the kids got to see the babies via the window. Caden had so much fun playing with his cousins over the weekend. We thought John and Amy were crazy for having four kids and we always knew we would only have two (maybe three) children. God sure must think it's funny now that we have four kids too! Grandma and Paw Paw (Misty's parents) never imagined they would have eight grandchildren.
This week their feedings were increased to four times a day of breastfeeding or bottle feeding (the other four by tube). They are all gaining weight each day. On Monday Addison tipped the scale to 4lb. even, Emery weighed 4 lb. 6 oz., and Harper was 3 lb. 13 oz. On Wednesday Addison weighed 4 lb. 2 oz. and the other girls both gained in grams. Thursday Addison and Harper stayed the same and Emery went up to 4 lb. 7 oz. The girls were doing so well with breastfeeding/bottle feeding four times a day that the doctor increased it to six feedings on Thursday. Another decision the doctor made was to take Addison and Emery off the caffeine. beginning Friday. Harper never needed any - our spunky littlest girl!
The girls are now one month old~ we can hardly believe they have been in the hospital this long. Time sure does fly by quickly....
Friday morning the girls had ultrasounds on their heads again. We were most worried about Addison since they had found a small bleed in her brain on the previous ultrasound. We have been praying that she would be okay and our prayers were answered! They didn't see any bleeding on any of our girls and they all look great. We are so thankful that they are doing so well and are amazingly healthy for being born so early. The nurses have told us they expect us to bring them home early next week! YIKES....now the real fun can begin!
Over the weekend, the girls met their Uncle John and Aunt Amy and cousins Scarlett, Mitchell, Nicholas and Savannah. John held Addison for awhile and put his finger out to her tiny foot to measure it from his knuckle to fingertip and couldn't believe how beautiful and little all the girls were. Aunt Amy couldn't hold the girls because she had just had a polio vaccine since she is going to Kenya soon, but Amy and the kids got to see the babies via the window. Caden had so much fun playing with his cousins over the weekend. We thought John and Amy were crazy for having four kids and we always knew we would only have two (maybe three) children. God sure must think it's funny now that we have four kids too! Grandma and Paw Paw (Misty's parents) never imagined they would have eight grandchildren.
This week their feedings were increased to four times a day of breastfeeding or bottle feeding (the other four by tube). They are all gaining weight each day. On Monday Addison tipped the scale to 4lb. even, Emery weighed 4 lb. 6 oz., and Harper was 3 lb. 13 oz. On Wednesday Addison weighed 4 lb. 2 oz. and the other girls both gained in grams. Thursday Addison and Harper stayed the same and Emery went up to 4 lb. 7 oz. The girls were doing so well with breastfeeding/bottle feeding four times a day that the doctor increased it to six feedings on Thursday. Another decision the doctor made was to take Addison and Emery off the caffeine. beginning Friday. Harper never needed any - our spunky littlest girl!
The girls are now one month old~ we can hardly believe they have been in the hospital this long. Time sure does fly by quickly....
Friday morning the girls had ultrasounds on their heads again. We were most worried about Addison since they had found a small bleed in her brain on the previous ultrasound. We have been praying that she would be okay and our prayers were answered! They didn't see any bleeding on any of our girls and they all look great. We are so thankful that they are doing so well and are amazingly healthy for being born so early. The nurses have told us they expect us to bring them home early next week! YIKES....now the real fun can begin!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Triplets Third Week in NICU (March 10-16)
Mommy and Daddy have noticed that we are getting much more comfortable with the girls as we are now picking them up ourselves from their beds and placing them back. The first two weeks, we mostly relied on the nurses to pick the girls up and place them in our waiting arms.
We are now used to seeing the girls wearing clothes rather than only diapers and normally bring clean clothes each day and bring their dirty clothes home to wash. Since the girls are still in an isolette which regulates the air temperature around them, the outfits we have been putting the girls in have been onesies that do not cover the girls' legs.
The nurses told us that most premie babies will only like the pacifiers that the hospitals use. . .ones that cannot be purchased anywhere. This didn't make Mommy and Daddy very happy since (1) we wouldn't be able to by these pacifiers anywhere and (2) because we already purchased personalized MAM pacifiers for each girl with their names. So on Saturday, we found two nano MAM pacifiers for premie babies and took them up to the girls to introduce them beofre they are no longer impressionable. We gave one to Emery who seemed to enjoy the new pacifier. We will try to give Addison or Harper the other on Sunday and go buy a third nano MAM pacifier for the other.
On Saturday, we learned that the girls' have each gained five ounces since their birth as Addison was 3 lbs. 9 oz, Emery was 3 lbs. 14 oz, and Harper was 3lbs. 6 oz.
To date, the girls have been getting feed solely throught their feeding tube. The doctor wanted the girls to try to begin to nurse once a day. This went on for a few days until Wednesday when the girls were moved up to two feedings a day. We were told that the girls would not be able to come home until they eat eight feedings in a twenty-four hour period.
On Monday, the girls were moved from the more critical NICU area to a less critical area. The nurses said that our girls didn't need as much attention as some other patients and needed the extra room for others.
On Tuesday, the girls were moved from their isolette to an open-air crib. As previously stated, the isolette would regulate the air temperature around the girls at a temperature of about 82 degrees. In an open-air crib, the girls will have to regulate their own body temperatures in a room about 72 degrees. This will cause the girls to burn more calories and possibly lose more weight. We started dressing the girls in warmer clothes and began wrapping them up in blankets to help them stay warm. We also moved Harper to the middle of the girls to help her stay warm as she is still the smallest.
On Wednesday, the girls' feedings were increased to two times a day. Since they did so well on this schedule, their feedings were increased to three times a day on Thursday. This meant that the girls were ready for their first bottle feeding. Since Mommy nurses two at a time, Daddy is able to bottle-feed one of the girls at each feeding.
On Thursday night, Addison weighed 3 lb 13 oz, Emery weighed 4 lb 3 oz, and Harper weighed 3 lb 10 oz.
We are now used to seeing the girls wearing clothes rather than only diapers and normally bring clean clothes each day and bring their dirty clothes home to wash. Since the girls are still in an isolette which regulates the air temperature around them, the outfits we have been putting the girls in have been onesies that do not cover the girls' legs.
The nurses told us that most premie babies will only like the pacifiers that the hospitals use. . .ones that cannot be purchased anywhere. This didn't make Mommy and Daddy very happy since (1) we wouldn't be able to by these pacifiers anywhere and (2) because we already purchased personalized MAM pacifiers for each girl with their names. So on Saturday, we found two nano MAM pacifiers for premie babies and took them up to the girls to introduce them beofre they are no longer impressionable. We gave one to Emery who seemed to enjoy the new pacifier. We will try to give Addison or Harper the other on Sunday and go buy a third nano MAM pacifier for the other.
On Saturday, we learned that the girls' have each gained five ounces since their birth as Addison was 3 lbs. 9 oz, Emery was 3 lbs. 14 oz, and Harper was 3lbs. 6 oz.
To date, the girls have been getting feed solely throught their feeding tube. The doctor wanted the girls to try to begin to nurse once a day. This went on for a few days until Wednesday when the girls were moved up to two feedings a day. We were told that the girls would not be able to come home until they eat eight feedings in a twenty-four hour period.
On Monday, the girls were moved from the more critical NICU area to a less critical area. The nurses said that our girls didn't need as much attention as some other patients and needed the extra room for others.
On Tuesday, the girls were moved from their isolette to an open-air crib. As previously stated, the isolette would regulate the air temperature around the girls at a temperature of about 82 degrees. In an open-air crib, the girls will have to regulate their own body temperatures in a room about 72 degrees. This will cause the girls to burn more calories and possibly lose more weight. We started dressing the girls in warmer clothes and began wrapping them up in blankets to help them stay warm. We also moved Harper to the middle of the girls to help her stay warm as she is still the smallest.
On Wednesday, the girls' feedings were increased to two times a day. Since they did so well on this schedule, their feedings were increased to three times a day on Thursday. This meant that the girls were ready for their first bottle feeding. Since Mommy nurses two at a time, Daddy is able to bottle-feed one of the girls at each feeding.
On Thursday night, Addison weighed 3 lb 13 oz, Emery weighed 4 lb 3 oz, and Harper weighed 3 lb 10 oz.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Triplets Second Week in NICU
On Saturday, Mar. 3, Harper's IV needed to be replaced but after four attempts, the nurses could not replace the IV so Harper's feeding was increased to 20 ML to compensate. The nurses were not very concerned as the girls' IV were expected to be removed by Monday anyway. Addison's feeding was at 18 ML and Emery's was at 20 ML.
On Sunday, March 4, it was Addison's turn to give us a scare and she stopped breathing and her nurse had to breath for her using CPR. We are thankful for the NICU nurses and doctors watching over our girls and saving their lives. They moved Addison to her own isolette so they can get to her easier if there is another emergency. She is being given a little caffeine and 2 liters of room air through a cannula in her nose to stimulate her breathing. Emery and Harper are both off their IV, but Addison's is still in her head.
On Tuesday, March 6 they took out the IV in Addison's head, took out the cannula, and decreased the amount of caffeine since she is doing so well. All three girls are just above their birth weight. Addison is 3 lb. 5 oz., Emery is 3 lb. 10 oz. and Harper is 3 lb. 2 oz. When we went to hold them after dinner they were all together in one isolette again and wearing their first clothes!
On Wednesday the doctors gave the okay to try and start nursing once a day although they may not be ready yet. By Friday, March 9 the girls all continued to gain weight with Addison at 3lb. 7 oz., Emery 3 lb. 13 oz. and Harper 3 lb. 4 oz.
On Sunday, March 4, it was Addison's turn to give us a scare and she stopped breathing and her nurse had to breath for her using CPR. We are thankful for the NICU nurses and doctors watching over our girls and saving their lives. They moved Addison to her own isolette so they can get to her easier if there is another emergency. She is being given a little caffeine and 2 liters of room air through a cannula in her nose to stimulate her breathing. Emery and Harper are both off their IV, but Addison's is still in her head.
On Tuesday, March 6 they took out the IV in Addison's head, took out the cannula, and decreased the amount of caffeine since she is doing so well. All three girls are just above their birth weight. Addison is 3 lb. 5 oz., Emery is 3 lb. 10 oz. and Harper is 3 lb. 2 oz. When we went to hold them after dinner they were all together in one isolette again and wearing their first clothes!
On Wednesday the doctors gave the okay to try and start nursing once a day although they may not be ready yet. By Friday, March 9 the girls all continued to gain weight with Addison at 3lb. 7 oz., Emery 3 lb. 13 oz. and Harper 3 lb. 4 oz.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
The Triplets First Week
The triplets are now one week old. The last week has been very educational as we watch our girls take small incremental steps that get them closer and closer to coming home.
After their birth, each baby was placed in their own bed that had a heat lamp with a wire that was taped on the babies' skin to monitor their temperature. The lamp would adjust its temperature to keep the babies warm so that they were not burning calories to stay warm.
When Caden first saw his sisters, he said he wanted to touch them. We said that would have to wait a little while. Caden then saw Emery and, while almost laughing, said, "I want to tickle her."
The girls were given IV's to provide them with fluids. Initially, the girls were only given saline solution. By Saturday, the saline solution was replaced with a TPN solution (multi-vitamins) and lipids (fats).
While Emery never required any breathing assistance, Addison and Harper were on a small amount of oxygen for about one or two hours after birth (41 percent at 2 liters per minute). The airflow to Addison and Harper continued, but the oxygen percentage was reduced to the amount that we all breathe in a normal environment (21 percent). The airflow kept Addison and Harper's lungs inflated so that they didn't have to work hard to breathe.
On Saturday, the girls' also began to receive their first feedings through a feeding tube. Initially, Addison and Emery were given 4 ML each feeding (every 3 hours) and Harper was given 3 ML each feeding. As the quantity of the feedings increases, the quantity of the IV fluids will be reduced until eventually the girls will no longer require IV's. Mommy and Daddy are looking forward to this accomplishment as the IV's are frequently moved which requires the girls' to be stuck (not a happy event for anybody involved). The IV's have been in various locations including the hand, arm, foot and head (everybody's least favorite).
On Sunday morning, Mommy and Daddy enjoyed holding the girls for the first time. What a feeling! When we hold the girls, we are able to hold them skin-to-skin (called Kangaroo Care). Mommy and Daddy sit in a chair and the nurse places one of the girls on each of our chests. At first, Daddy could feel the heat of Addison's body on his chest but after several minutes noticed that Addison's body temperature was the same as Daddy's. After another 30 minutes, Daddy commented that Addison felt cold on his chest. The nurse informed us that this was Daddy's body cooling off to regulate Addison's temperature. How amazing!
For babies born at a gestational age of 32 weeks or less, an ultrasound is performed on their brains to check on an internal bleeding. While Emery and Harper's results were fine, Addison's results showed that she has a small amount of bleeding on the right side of her brain. We were told that this is common and most often heals itself within 30 days of birth. The nurses did not seem to be too concerned as they are not going to retest until right before Addison is discharged.
On Tuesday, Feb. 27, Addison weighed 2 lb. 15.6 oz, Emery weighed 3 lb 4.6 oz, and Harper weighed 2 lb. 12.3 oz.
On Wednesday, Feb. 28, Addison and Harper's feedings increased to 7 ML and Emery's feedings increased to 8 ML. On Friday, Mar. 2, the feedings doubled to 14 ML for Addison and Harper and to 16 ML for Emery.
After their birth, each baby was placed in their own bed that had a heat lamp with a wire that was taped on the babies' skin to monitor their temperature. The lamp would adjust its temperature to keep the babies warm so that they were not burning calories to stay warm.
When Caden first saw his sisters, he said he wanted to touch them. We said that would have to wait a little while. Caden then saw Emery and, while almost laughing, said, "I want to tickle her."
The girls were given IV's to provide them with fluids. Initially, the girls were only given saline solution. By Saturday, the saline solution was replaced with a TPN solution (multi-vitamins) and lipids (fats).
While Emery never required any breathing assistance, Addison and Harper were on a small amount of oxygen for about one or two hours after birth (41 percent at 2 liters per minute). The airflow to Addison and Harper continued, but the oxygen percentage was reduced to the amount that we all breathe in a normal environment (21 percent). The airflow kept Addison and Harper's lungs inflated so that they didn't have to work hard to breathe.
On Saturday, the girls' also began to receive their first feedings through a feeding tube. Initially, Addison and Emery were given 4 ML each feeding (every 3 hours) and Harper was given 3 ML each feeding. As the quantity of the feedings increases, the quantity of the IV fluids will be reduced until eventually the girls will no longer require IV's. Mommy and Daddy are looking forward to this accomplishment as the IV's are frequently moved which requires the girls' to be stuck (not a happy event for anybody involved). The IV's have been in various locations including the hand, arm, foot and head (everybody's least favorite).
On Sunday morning, Mommy and Daddy enjoyed holding the girls for the first time. What a feeling! When we hold the girls, we are able to hold them skin-to-skin (called Kangaroo Care). Mommy and Daddy sit in a chair and the nurse places one of the girls on each of our chests. At first, Daddy could feel the heat of Addison's body on his chest but after several minutes noticed that Addison's body temperature was the same as Daddy's. After another 30 minutes, Daddy commented that Addison felt cold on his chest. The nurse informed us that this was Daddy's body cooling off to regulate Addison's temperature. How amazing!
For babies born at a gestational age of 32 weeks or less, an ultrasound is performed on their brains to check on an internal bleeding. While Emery and Harper's results were fine, Addison's results showed that she has a small amount of bleeding on the right side of her brain. We were told that this is common and most often heals itself within 30 days of birth. The nurses did not seem to be too concerned as they are not going to retest until right before Addison is discharged.
On Tuesday, Feb. 27, Addison weighed 2 lb. 15.6 oz, Emery weighed 3 lb 4.6 oz, and Harper weighed 2 lb. 12.3 oz.
On Wednesday, Feb. 28, Addison and Harper's feedings increased to 7 ML and Emery's feedings increased to 8 ML. On Friday, Mar. 2, the feedings doubled to 14 ML for Addison and Harper and to 16 ML for Emery.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
The Triplets Have Arrived
On Friday, February 23, 2007, the Mathews triplets arrived. We went to Misty's doctor on Thursday and decided to give Misty her steroid shots for the babies' lung develop in case they decided to make an appearance. After the first steroid shot, a second needs to be given within 24 hours. So Misty received her first shot on Thursday morning and received her second on Friday morning.Since Misty was having a lot of contractions from the time she woke up on Friday morning, her doctor decided to admit her to the hospital to monitor her contractions. Misty was not dialated significantly on Thursday morning, but was 3 cm on Friday morning.
It should be noted that Greg had been to every single doctor's appointment prior to the Friday morning. Caden had a dentist appointment on Friday and since Misty was just going in to get her second steroid shot, we decided that Greg would take Caden and Misty would go alone. Misty believed that she would be going home on Friday and that the contractions could be stopped. Greg called Misty after the dentist appointment and said he would be on his way, but Misty said that Greg should take Caden to lunch with Gran and Pop, can go home to get the camera just in case and then could come to the hospital.
During lunch, Misty called and said that the nurses didn't expect the contractions to stop and that she should expect to meet her girls today. Misty passed this information on to Greg and still believed that the process was still multiple hours away. Greg was again instructed to go home and get the camera. After finding the camera (but not new batteries), Greg started driving to the hospital which is about 15 minutes away from our home.
Misty called about 5-10 minutes later and asked how much longer it would take to arrive and said that she had told the nurses that it would be about 15 minutes. Greg asked why the 15 minutes was important and Misty said that the C-Section would begin when Greg arrived. Yikes! Greg learned that you can drive 70 mph on Woodlands Parkway safely (typically 45 mph).
Upon arrival, the nurses gave Greg some scrubs to dress in and were in the process of moving Misty's bed to the operating room. While Misty was getting her spinal injection, the nurses showed Greg the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) beds that the babies would be placed in upon arrival. Two babies would be placed next to each other, but the third would have to be across the hallway due to the arrangement at the time.
The nurses invited Greg to join Misty in the operating room, where her C-Section was just beginning. Greg sat down by Misty's head and started taking pictures. Since new batteries weren't found, the camera instructed us that no more pictures could be taken (babies are still inside Misty). We had a backup plan for just such a contingency and pulled out our disposable camera. But we wouldn't be able to take any videos. Just then, a nurse came in the operating room and handed Greg a DVD-camcorder. What a coincidence! We noted that it looked just like Gran and Pop's camcorder but we did not know how to use it. We had about 5 seconds to learn and right when it said, "Recording," the first baby was arriving.
Addison Hope Mathews was born at 1:00 PM, weighed 3 lb 4 oz and was 15 3/4 inches long. She was taken to a little bed and showed us that she already knew how to cry. We were impressed with her volume. She had an APGAR score of 6/9.
Very soon after, the second baby was arriving and Misty told Greg to record her arrival. Greg turned to film and didn't see the second baby and noticed that she had already been taken to the bed next to her sister.
Emery Grace Mathews was born at 1:01 PM, weighed 3 lb 9 oz and was also 15 3/4 inches long. From the beginning, Emery seemed very comfortable with the whole environment. She had an APGAR score of 7/9.
Greg didn't want to miss the arrival of the third baby and panned the camera back to Misty just in time to record the arrival of the final triplet.
Harper Faith Mathews was born at 1:01 PM, weighed 3 lb 1 oz and was our tallest at 16 1/2 inches long. She was very skinney just like her big brother Caden. She had an APGAR score of 7/8.
The girls were taken to the NICU and Greg quickly followed. Addison and Emery were next to each other and Harper was in the room across the hallway.
More to come. . .Misty and Greg are going to see the girls again!
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice
We can hardly believe it is 32 weeks today and we are thrilled! We expect to deliver the babies in the next couple of weeks- any day now but we find out the results of the fetal fibernectin test tomorrow. Addison weighs 3 pounds 13 oz., Emery weighs 3 pounds 12 oz., and Harper weighs 3 pounds 6 oz. Harper was the most active today and we saw her knees moving back and forth. All three of their heads are near eachother in the middle. I got a steroid injection today and will get another one tomorrow that will help develop the babies lungs faster. Our doctor is very positive that we've made it this far without any trips to the hospital or without too many complications. Now we are just waiting for either my water to break or for the terbutaline pump (this needle with a tube that goes in my leg and stops contractions) to stop working. We look forward to some exciting times in the Mathews family!
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