triplets, triplets, quads .... oh my!!

Today was one of our busier days to date & boy is mommy tired!  We had our follow-up eye appt to see how our eyes are developing (ROP - retinopathy of prematurity - is a concern that most preemies face, especially if they are low in birth weight, which basically means the eye isn't developing as it should).  We were told to plan to be in the office for about 2 hrs because the babies would need to have their eyes dilated  & that alone is a 30min process.  Mommy's day started even earlier - our Choo Choo needed to be loaded, clothes picked out, diaper bag packed with treats/toys/etc, lunch packed & just about anything else we'd need to entertain us!  (sidenote .... if this is any indication of how packing lunches will be when the babies are in school, they'll be eating in the cafeteria EVERY day!!!) :)

in the parking garage on our way to the appt

cass was our helper, holding the lunch :)

in one part of the waiting room at the eye dr

a

b

c

the children's waiting room

We received some great news & were told that their eyes were "developing wonderfully" and that they'd see us in "3-5 years" :)  Thank you Lord for continuing to bless us & protect our growing little miracles!!!!

our last appt here EVER .. thank goodness! (we're only here b/c they took care of us in the NICU)

my littles

such a stud .. look at those shoes!

waiting in the room before getting dilated

my little prince hamming it up for mommy!

After the eye appt, we decided to go to the NICU.  A few months ago, through one of my MOMs (mothers of multiples) groups, I met a woman pregnant with triplets named Fauna.  About 4-5wks ago, she had her little miracles at 23wks (if I remember correctly, it was 23w5d) & they  have been on the all too familiar rollercoaster ride that is NICU life.  Fauna came out to say hi & officially meet me & the angels before she started her day of kangaroo care, pumping, etc :)  She is such a strong woman & her little fighters have been through so much already - we pray for them constanly & hope that they will grow strong enough to go home with their mommy & daddy soon!

can't wait until we can have the other 3 in this picture!

In this hospital the NICU is on 2 floors - 7 & 8.  The more severe cases are on the 7th floor & that was where we were at the longest.  The 8th floor is for less severe cases & for those who are closer to going home.  We had our favorites from each level & I still keep in touch with a few of them! I was introduced to a grandmother of spontaneous triplet girls who got my info so I could be a support system for her daughter & share our experiences & the lessons we've learned these past 16 months!

goofing around

oh we LOOOOOOVE mrs teresa!!!!

 Most people assume that I meet all other MOMs through my multiples groups, but often I find them through word-of-mouth.  One of those wonderful women is the lovely & talented, Mrs. Amber Bell.  We've been in contact through our blogs as well as Facebook, but once she was recently admitted to the same hospital that I delivered the babies in, I decided to make an effort & meet this lovely lady in person! :)  She is currently 26 (almost 27!!!) weeks pregnant with QUADS (3 girls & a boy) - yes, you read that correctly .. whoo hoo, someone who will have more babies at once than me! ;) (as my brother-in-law put it ... "someone who will make you feel normal" :)  yep that's a wonderful feeling - so many people make us feel like triplets are "freaks" when obviously we know that's not the truth so it's nice to connect with other higher order multiples & recognize that it is "normal" to have a life like we do!"

Without going into too much detail ... I'm sure we terrified poor Amber!  For a crew that is so accustomed to their routine, we aren't on our best behavior when a nap is missed & we are stretched to our limit with dilated eyes, being stuck in a wagon for hours, etc.  The babies were wild to say the least & looking back, I have become "that mom" with "those babies" sighhhhhh  Poor, sweet Amber on bedrest was subjected to screaming/fussy babies throwing food/sippy cups/books/etc all over the place.  Don't even get me started on the dirty diapers ... thanks children for embarassing mommy (the first of many I'm sure!) :)  

in front of Mrs. Bell's "quad squad" door

oh yes, there are SEVEN babies in the picture!  (we should have taken one with both mommies, but the cameras were only taken out at the end so it was a bit of an afterthought)

brandon kept staring at her tummy like, "WOAH!!!"  (oh little man, if only you could have seen just how BIG your mommy's tummy was .....)

Everyone was so exhausted from our busy morning that they all passed out before we exited the parking garage....  What a blessing it was to be able to connect with these ladies, encourage those who are going through similar situations as us & to continue to succeed in the daily struggles of a preemie (even if they're 16 months old!).