Christmas

Well, the triplets 1st Christmas has come and gone. We can't believe how fast time is going by and how big they are getting! At the last doctor's visit, which was their 5 week check-up, Brianna weighed 8.8, Chris weighed 8.9 and Ashley weighed in at a staggering 9.4! They are doing so well, we are so happy and continue to feel so blessed. In addition to the health of the babies, we have been overwhelmed with the support from our family, friends and community. A few days before Christmas, our priest came over with gifts that had been given to us from the church and it was amazing. We received over 30 boxes of baby wipes, several boxes of diapers, clothes and toys for the babies, and a bunch of grocery store gift cards. Then, the next day the Knights of Columbus sent over a turkey dinner with all the fixins. Not to mention the meals being dropped off on almost a daily basis. We're so grateful and humbled. It's amazing to receive such generosity and to know so many people are looking out for us! It really enhanced our Christmas joy. Speaking of Christmas, what an adventure! If you don't recall, it was pretty nasty weather that day, raining for most of it. Well, wouldn't you know it, we drive all the way from Levittown to the NJ Turnpike without a problem and as soon as we get on the TP, the windshield wiper flies off on the passenger side, leaving behind the metal arm which is now scraping the windshield. We pulled off the road and parked on the shoulder (always fun on the Turnpike) and tried to fix it but couldn't. We pulled the arm away from the windshield and drove to the next exit where we found an STS. There a man put on a new wiper blade and everything seemed to be working fine. We drove a few miles to get back on the Turnpike and all was well, then we got back on the Turnpike. As soon as we got on the entrance ramp, the wipers collided with each other (our car doesn't have the wipers that move in the same direction, ours criss cross) and bowed out away from the windshield. We turned them off and they seemed to right themselves, so we turned them back on. They bowed again and this time the new wiper snapped off and began scratching the windshield again! We pulled off...again...and fixed the wiper just well enough to drive. Eventually we made it up to North Jersey and got the wipers fixed. That was the end of the drama, we then spent a nice day with family, exchanging gifts with Mike's family then migrating over to Laura's parents' house for the evening. We made it home in one piece and tucked the kids into bed. Christmas day was a little nuts early because we planned on letting Ryan open presents then going to church, then come home and relax the rest of the day, but Ryan decided to sleep in. By the time he got up, we were pressed for time so we had to let him finish opening presents after church. All in all the holiday went well for us, God willing we made it up north and home again safely and now we are looking forward to New Year's when Laura's parents will be watching our babies at our house, allowing us a night out at our friends' house for a party. Woo hoo!

Two sisters with the new sisters

Christopher Michael

Ashley Laura

Brianna Nichol

Picture with Santa

Ryan loves to play with toliet paper, ugh!

One Month

It is hard to believe that the triplets are already a month old. Everyone is doing really well so far. The triplets have developed a gas problem which we are trying to work through. Poor babies get some pretty bad spells with it that can put any man to shame. Sometimes I have to check with Mike to make sure it was one of them and not him, haha.
We are going through formula extremely fast already! They drink a gallon of formula in a day and half. When I make the gallon it takes 5 1/2 cups of formula! I cannot imagine how much they will be going through in 6 months. As for diapers, we are going through about 25 a day! As for laundry, last week I did 9 loads! Ryan and the babies sure do keep me busy but I am loving it!

Finally an update

Sorry it has taken me some time to get on here and update everyone. I know many of you have been asking and checking back to see how things are going.

Things have been going really well. The babies have been putting on weight at the rate of an ounce per day. The doctor said she would have been happy with a half ounce a day so she was very pleased. Right now they are sleeping anywhere from 2 1/2 to 4 hours and then are up to eat. We are learning to use the bottle props to make sure everyone is fed at the same time in order to keep them on the same schedule. I think having them on the same schedule has been a life saver so that feedings do not take several hours (especially the one's at 3:00 am).

In the beginning, Ryan started to regress however, the last couple of days have he has improved.

Mike went back to work yesterday which was more difficult for me. I miss him being around during the day helping out but know he must work.

I am off to the doctor tomorrow to make sure I am healing okay. I seem to have an area of my incision that doesn't want to close and so the doctor is concerned that I may have been doing too much. Hmm... me... do too much, haha.

The first 24 hours

We are so happy to have our family home and can't believe, dare I say it, how smoothly things are going. The triplets are loving sleeping together and we can't get enough of watching them. Ryan has been adjusting wonderfully and we couldn't be more thrilled.

Now, I am all about breastfeeding but I have to say, starting the babies right on bottles has made things much less stressful for me. Mike and I have been lucky that both our mom's are staying with us this week helping out every minute of the day. In fact, I got the middle of the night feeding shift off last night.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone and are so thankful for all your support and prayers. We are open to visitors but request that you call ahead of time. Also, we ask that you are sure that you are not sick and if you have been, to be 5 days symptom free. Although the babies are doing great, it is important for us to remember that they are a month early and really could suffer alot if they were to get sick. Our other request is that when people do come over to please be sure to greet Ryan. In fact, we ask that you greet him before the triplets so that he does not feel neglected in anyway.

The Birth Day

November 13th was such an amazing day for our family. We arrived at the hospital at 10:00 am and A Baby Story was there waiting for us. They did some interviewing before we headed up to labor and delivery. I was an emotional mess and so I'm hoping they edit some of that out.

Of course things were somewhat delayed but I figured that would happen. When it was time to head into the OR I was allowed to walk, well in fact I did a little jog, haha. I wanted to make sure to say goodbye to Ryan and the family in the waiting area before going in and my doctor and the other million staff members were waiting for me so I needed to do it quickly. My poor doctor was ready to kill me. I think it's kinda funny to say when people ask if I was on bed rest that I can respond by saying no, I was running down the hospital hall a few minutes before they were born.

I couldn't even tell you how many doctors and nurses were in the room. There was a team for each baby and then a team for me, along with the crew from A Baby Story. Things actually moved pretty quickly and before we knew it Christopher was born 1:24 weighing 5 lb 3 oz. Then Ashley followed her brother a minute later weighing 5 lb 10 oz. Last but never least, Brianna was born at 1:26 weighing 5 lb 8 oz. Each one gave us a wonderful cry and although they looked small, they were big for triplets. They did go to the NICU step down nursery to be briefly monitored but proved it was not the place for them and after just two feedings to show off their stuff they were in the room with me.

Now I know that everyone talks about the pressure you feel during a c-section but that was not an issue at all for me. What was the most crazy feeling was when Ashley and Brianna were pulled out and the wonderful sensation of being able to breath again. I had no idea just how much they were compressing my lungs. Imagine the feeling of having someone sitting on your chest while your laying down and then they get up and you can finally breath. Then the doctors and nurses expressed their amazement at the size of the placenta which was just shy of 4 pounds. So in a matter of 5 minutes I lost 20lbs- not too bad. It took some time to get me all put back together but before everything was closed the doctor showed Mike my lovely uterus and ovaries. Now, most people would probably get a little ill at seeing their wife's insides but not my hubby, he thinks it was pretty cool. So glad I could share my internal organs with him, haha. Our stay at the hospital was nice and we were constantly greeted with amazement about how big, healthy and beautiful the babies were.

There is no other greater love and joy you feel when you bring children into the world. Mike and I could not be anymore blessed in our lives and continue to thank God everyday for our four wonderful children. How lucky are we that we have been chosen by God to raise these four miracles.

Just a few hours left

This is a picture of my belly from last night. Wow, I'm huge!

The day is finally here.... so much care and work has been focused around getting to today. It is crazy to think that in just a few hours we are going to meet the triplets. What a journey this pregnancy has been- testing my physical and mental stamina but it was all worth it. I am so grateful to my family and friends who have supported me during this time.

Now, the reality of having four babies to care for needs to set in~ what a blessing that God has trusted Mike and I to raise four beautiful children.

One Week To Go~~~

It is so reassuring knowing that I only have one more week to go until the babies are born. I went to the doctor yesterday and was told that my body is holding up so well that I could probably carry to 40 weeks (not that the doctor would ever do that). Funny how at one point in your life you could be told that you may never be able to carry a child then become pregnant with triplets and hold up so well. The babies weights are... baby a- 5.3 lbs baby b- 5.3 lbs and baby c- 5 lbs. I am so happy they are at an estimated weight of 5 pounds. This week will help to boost them up a little more and hopefully they all can come home with us.

I am very much looking forward to being able to do things again, like walk without pain. My feet are so swollen. When Mike rubs them for me he leaves dents, haha. Some may think that it is nice being waited on hand and foot but those that know me, know that is so not my personality. I have such a hard time staying still. I look forward to all the running around I will soon be doing with 4 kids.

Halloween

Ryan enjoyed his second Halloween! Much better spending it at Nana and Grandpa's then in the hospital like last year. Ryan dressed up as a monkey and went trick or treating with Mommy, Daddy and Nana. Afterwards, he tried his first Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and loved it.

Ryan's 1st Birthday

Our little man had a wonderful 1st birthday. He loved his cake that Mommy made him and received several toys. It's hard to believe that he is already one~ the year went so fast. Ryan had a good visit at the doctor and was given the okay to stop formula. Wow- Mike and I will get two whole weeks without having to buy formula, haha. His weight is still off the charts at 28.9 lbs but not a problem. He loves being able to try all new table foods and has been given the okay to try anything (just to watch for choking hazards). I think his most favorite thing now is chocolate icing- it gives such a sugar high!

Baby Story

Everything went well with the first day of filming with the baby story. It was a long day- the filming crew arrived around 2:00 and didn't leave until 11:00. We had to act out a few things which felt silly but I am sure they will edit it well. Mike and I gave an interview at the end and felt that went good. They gave us a "daddy cam" to use until the big day so that we could capture things throughout our typical days.



Several months back I filled out an application to go on a baby story which airs on The Learning Channel. I did not hear anything back and so we figured they weren't interested in our story. Well, about a week ago I got a phone call from one of the producers of the show and was informed that they were just reviewing applications of people who were due in December. It was then they realized that we had triplets on the way and needed to contact me fast. After much thought and discussion Mike and I have decided to go through with it.
Tomorrow will be our first day of filming. A filming crew will come to my parents' house to film us around the house, go to a doctors appointment and then do an interview with Mike and I. The excitement of doing this is great but I'm also feeling somewhat nervous. I am so happy though that the birth of our trio is going to be documented.
We will be sure to keep everyone posted as to when the show will air.

33 weeks

Today makes me 33 weeks pregnant. This is a huge step because I have hoped to at least make it to Ryan 1st birthday which is this Thursday. I can't believe our baby is turning one this week. The year has gone by so fast and we have loved watching him grow.
My body has officially determined it's time for me to slow down now. I am in pain all the time between my back screaming, my feet/ankles always swollen no matter how much I keep them up, my skin burning as my belly grows by the minute, and hips and legs that have wonderful shooting pains going down them. I know I shouldn't complain too much because I am still not on bed rest though I really can't walk to well anymore. At the end of the day, it helps to know that I kept them cooking another day longer which means a lot for their health and growth.

Our Story

Mike and I met in 2001 while I was in college. We jumped into our relationship head strong and it wasn't long until we knew we were each other's soul mate. On August 7, 2004 we confessed our love to family and friends and united as husband and wife. We had talked about our dreams to be parents and hoped to have our first child soon after becoming married. After a year of trying and no luck we sought the help and a fertility doctor. After undergoing a another year of tests upon tests it came back that the fertility problem was unknown. Our doctor at that time prescribed a medication to help stimulate my ovaries and it was a success. Unfortunately, after 10 weeks of being pregnant we lost our "peanut". This time was one of the hardest Mike and I ever endured. After two years of wanting nothing but to bring a child into the world and losing the baby our faith in God was truly affected. I could not understand why God would not bless us with a child. Upon my miscarriage, it was recommended that I see a high risk doctor before becoming pregnant again due to my thin cervix. The day we had our consult was mind boggling. As we met with doctor upon her review of my previous doctor's records she look at me and asked if I was supposed to be seeing her or an oncologist. It had turned out that my previous doctor failed to tell me that I had cervical cancer when a pap smear had come back abnormal. This doctor had cut so much of my cervix out that there was not much left. I was told that if I was to get pregnant I would need to be on full bed rest from 13 weeks. At this time, I was also informed that if the cancer came back that I would most likely need a hysterectomy. Mike and I processed this news and not for one second did it ever change our desire to be parents. About 2 months later, I was pregnant again thanks to the fertility medication. At 13 weeks a cerclage was put in to help my cervix hold the pregnancy. It held so well... not a day of bed rest! Ryan was born October 30, 2007 and has been an absolute joy in our lives. He is such a good baby, so good in fact he had us trying for another 3 months after his birth. Mike and I tried on two cycles without medication and had no luck. We decided to go back on the same medication that we knew would work. Of course, we were told the risk of multiples as we were in the past. We honestly didn't believe that we would become pregnant with multiples because it had not happen previously. We found out we were pregnant on the first try, however, soon after I began to bleed and was convinced that it was going to be another miscarriage. By the time we had arrived to the doctor for an ultrasound, we were entirely convinced we had lost the pregnancy. As the doctor began the ultra sound he turned to Mike and said your are not having a miscarriage and then told Mike he may want to sit down. The doctor then counted out four embryos. All Mike and I could do was laugh, saying, we can't be pregnant with four babies we have a 5 month old at home. It was shock and we were scared. The following week we went back for another ultrasound and the doctor informed us that the party got bigger and there were now 5 embryos. He was not confident that they would all make it by their size and felt he would know a lot more by the following week. It had turned out that two of the embryos did not make it but three were going strong. Yes, I now had three babies growing in my belly with a 5 month old at home.

My pregnancy is almost finished now and we are about to bring another son and two daughters into the world. We hope to keep our blog updated so that family and friends can continue to follow us in our journey. Although Mike and I know having four children in a year will be a struggle in many ways, we couldn't be happier. We have gone from believing that we may never becoming parents to having four! As for Ryan, he will need some time to adjust since he has been the only one for the first year but we truly believe he will love having a brother and two sisters.