4 month actual (2 month adjusted) Update

We had our 4 month check up with the pediatrician this week and everything is going great....

Campbell is 22 inches long and weighs 9 lbs 12 oz.  She is very alert and stays awake longer than the other two.   She doesn't want to miss a thing!   She smiles and coos more than the others but is also still suffering from acid reflux and now some sinus congestion.  Other than those two issues, she is generally a very happy baby.

Piper is 22.5 inches long and weighs 10 lbs 11 oz.  She is the best baby.  She eats when we want her to, she burps without our help, she even poops when we want her to (during the day when the nanny is there.  go piper! ha).  She sleeps longer than the other two (up to 5 hours at a stretch) and is such a sweetheart.  She has even broken the habit of needing the pacifier.   We are so proud.  ha

Travis is 23 inches long and weighs 11 lbs 2 oz.  He is our biggest surprise.  Given that he started out with eating issues (ie, didn't want to take a bottle), he has now surpassed his sisters and is eating like crazy!   He can take 6 oz with no problem (and that's a lot for a baby his age/size).  He is still very chill and looks around, taking it all in.  The only time he cries is when he is hungry.  Otherwise, he is very happy and an easy baby.

All three are holding their heads up and doing well during tummy time (even if they really don't like it).  They are smiling and cooing and starting to really react when we speak to them....it's starting to get fun.

Preemies like ours (10 weeks early) are judged by two different markers:  "Actual age" (September 23 - date they were born) and "Adjusted age" (December 1 - date they 'should have' been born).   Based on this, we really didn't know what to expect at this appointment.   Were our kids developing normally?   Were they behind for their 'age'?   We knew that they would be 'smaller' than full term babies but didn't really know about their other development.   All we had been told is to expect it to take up to to 2 years for preemies to catch up (weight/height/motor skills/etc) to full term babies.  That said, our pediatrician performed all the routine tests (hearing, eyes, muscle reflex etc).   She said that C, P and T are (clearly) gaining weight (quickly) and their developmental skills are almost in line with full term babies.  She expects them to be fully caught up by their 6 month checkup.   So we couldn't be happier with the appointment.
 
Here are a few recent pictures: 

Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Piper

Travis

Kids first photo session. . .

Although we are a little late (ok a LOT late), we finally had the kids photographed for their birth announcement.  I know, I know they were born in September but we weren't ready given their early birth, Travis' late discharge, the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, New Years and......blah blah blah, you get it.  
Since they weren't due to be born until December, no one would have expected birth announcements until January anyway......so we are just keeping with that schedule, right? 
Here is just a little taste.    More photos to follow.

Piper - Campbell - Travis

Thank you Heidi
www.heidibollesphotography.com

Happy New Year - Holiday Update

Happy New Year!   We hope everyone had a (more) relaxing holiday (than we did). 
Three newborns with acid reflux does not make for a fun-filled or relaxing time but we made the best of it. 

We took our first road trip with the kids to San Diego for Christmas with my dad, brother and his family.   As we were packing the Mini-Van (Jim refuses to say the 'MV' word and instead refers to it as "the Honda"), I quickly realized that we would never fit everything inside that we needed to bring.   I informed Jim to which  he quips "lets just strap some of it to the roof".   Are you @#$%^& kidding me?!  He didn't really just say that?  Isn't it enough that we are TWO men with THREE babies and TWO poodles (ok Labradoodles but you get it) driving a mini-van that is packed to the gills with every baby apparatus known to man for Christ's sake?!   We seriously didn't need any more attention drawn to us by strapping things like luggage/strollers (the nanny) to the top of the van!  
When finished, we had that van loaded up with luggage and strollers blocking the rear view mirror and two bouncy seat frames poking me in the face from the front passenger seat.  Seriously, we looked like the Beverly Hillbillies.   Instead of granny and ellie may in tow, I had Campbell strapped in behind me, Piper next to her and Travis and Jim in the 3rd row seat.     Oh Lord help us!  We were (at best) a Circus Act coming to town or (at worst) a bad Bravo reality show.   I think more the latter as about 45 minutes into the 2 hour drive, Jim informs me that he needed to stop at a bathroom.   Really?!!   We just left!   We were packed in like sardines!  To let Jim out meant moving Piper, the two diaper bags, the pack-n-play and the two dogs!  Besides, we were already late and pushing the babies into a late feeding so there was no way we had time to stop.   Jim said "well, what do you want me to do?"  [At 6:15, did he really want me to answer that?]  So I told him that he needed to set an example for the kids i(n a jokingly paternal tone) that if they didn't take care of business before leaving the house, they would just have to wait.....  haha.  He was not amused....and neither was I when unpacking the van to discover a full "water" bottle had been left in the rear seat cup holder.....I guess he was setting an example for the kids...

Once we arrived at my brother's, everyone pitched in and we had a great time.   My 12 year old niece was particularly amazing with the kids.  She had just finished taking a class on babysitting and you could tell she knew her stuff.  She will be a great babysitter and we intend to use her a lot....if I can afford her!  ha

In other news, the kids are doing great.  They are growing fast (all over 9 lbs) and eating 5 oz per bottle.  
They are all now more alert between bottles and are very good at head/neck control. 
Campbell is still the most alert and enjoys looking around (a lot) and is fussy when we want to put her down for a nap (oh are we going to have problems with her).  She was the first to give us a "real" smile (this past Tuesday) and has been smiling every day since.
Travis was next to smile (or more like a grin) and he is the biggest eater (of course) with Piper not that far behind.  
Piper is still the easiest baby so far.  She eats when we want her to, she burps easily (sometimes on her own) and sleeps like a champ.  All is good with Piper provided she has a pacifier when SHE wants it.....when you are tardy getting her to the pacifier party, she becomes a different child!  

I am back at work full time and Jim will follow suit in 3 more weeks.  Our Nanny is doing great and Grandma is keeping busy making us bibs, blankets and everything in between.  We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful support group!

I promise more pictures soon (we just had the birth announcement photos taken last friday and will post as soon as we get them)

In the meantime, here is a shot I took this morning before leaving for work (and a rare shot with Piper being the only one without a paci!)

Travis  -  Piper  -  Campbell

And here is a short video of Travis this morning.

Cute huh?

Happy Holidays

Ok Ok Ok
We know
We have been terrible bloggers....
But we have an excuse (or THREE) remember!

Everything is great in our world.  Although we are tired, we are enjoying getting to know our kids.  All have different and unique looks and personalities.   They are all on a 4 hour schedule (give or take a half hour on either side) and are eating/pooping/crying like champs.   They just had their first round of shots today and they were great.  All are growing normally and are doing well.


Campbell:  Blond hair/blue eyes.  7lbs 12.5oz.   Loves to stay awake and look around.  She is the fairest of the three and the one that is most alert. 

Piper: Dk Brown wavy hair/blue eyes. 8lbs 6oz.     Loves to eat and suck on her pacifier....oh how she loves her pacifier and will let you know it if it's missing from her mouth.

Travis:  Brown hair/blue eyes.  8lbs 1oz.  Is still the most chill baby and only cries when he really wants to eat (or is getting messed with by one of his sisters). 

 

 

 

Travis - Piper - Campbell

This time last year, these kids were just a dream.  Jim and I have a lot to be thankful for this Christmas season.  As we close out the year, we want to give thanks to our families, our friends, the doctors and nurses, the blog followers and of course Momo for giving us an incredible year.   You have each supported us in your own way and we will never forget you for making this year so special.   We hope that you all have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends and we will see/post you in the New Year!!!.

Christmas 2011

Happy Holidays

JR, Jim, Campbell, Piper and Travis James.

THANK YOU to Sharp Mary Birch Hospital and Travis is on the Move!

Travis is heading home.....sorta.

Yesterday, we heard that our insurance company had agreed to have him transferred from the San Diego Hospital where he and the girls were born to the hospital closest to our house....and it's happening today!   Like the San Diego hospital, the new hospital has a stellar reputation in neonatology and the good news it is within walking distance of our house.  

Travis' only remaining issue is to learn to eat all his feeds from the bottle.  The doctors thought this might take another week or so.  That said, he must have heard the rumor he was being transferred and wanted to make his SD nurses proud as he has taken the full bottle the last several feedings!   If that continues, we should have him home in the next few days.

Although we are very happy to have him closer, it's bittersweet.   We have been going to SD every week/weekend since Morgan was admitted into the hospital (August 4) so it has become our way of life.  In the process, we have fallen in love with San Diego and with the doctors and NICU staff at the hospital.  We know some of them will be lifelong friends.  We look forward to seeing them every year at the NICU reunion and on our frequent trips to SD to visit family

At the risk of forgetting someone, Amy C, Amy W, Alina, Craig, Dana, Dulce, Donna, Ellen, Erika, Heather, Keri, Kristi, Lauren, Marie, Marissa, Melissa, Dr Bernstein, Dr Suri and all the other doctors and nurses at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital, you have taken such GREAT care of our kids.  Campbell, Piper and Travis appreciate all the times you fed them, burped them, changed their diapers and loved on them day and night.  They appreciate the time you spent teaching their dads how to care for them when they get home.  Jim and I appreciate all that you have done for us since that first night in the NICU when we were emotional messes not knowing what to do or where to start.  Since then, you have given us the tools to care for our kids and showed us patience, compassion and respect at every step of the way.   Our children have been given a great start in life and have bright futures because of you and for that we are eternally grateful.

You are amazing people doing amazing work every day and we Thank You.

Settling in with two [more] girls at home

Our first girls watching over our newest girls. . .

Campbell and Piper are going home tomor.....I mean THURSDAY....

Doctors said that the girls were ready last week but something about it didn't 'feel right' to us.   After spending the past 6 weeks with them, Jim and I have really gotten to know our kids.   Call it parental intuition but we just didn't feel in our gut that the girls were really ready.  So we pushed for one more week.   After doing some investigating, we found out that it was the insurance company pushing to have them released.  Go figure.  We were glad we pushed their discharge date as both girls were tested again yesterday and showed MUCH improvement on all the markers required for release.  The Doctors are now confident that they are ready....so, Thursday is the official date with no going back. . .

Again, here we go!