Well, what can one say. We went to Hawaii and had a bit of sun and fun and few to many Mia-tia's.
The first sign was the dog, bailey, going nuts at anyone who came near Kristen and then the test came back positive.
We called the doctor's office and scheduled an appointment. Yes, the first appointment was week 9 1/2. It was a very long wait.
First Ultrasound (11/27/06)
2. The Shock, Scare, Horror
Well as one can image the shock was huge and then very quickly the Scare and horror of triplets had set in.
How are we going to manage this? What have we done? How are we going to manage this? You know the normal questions.
Then we start calling people and telling them we are expecting. Most people thought we were pulling their leg.
We are trying to find a specialist that will handle Triplets. We call most of the Doctors here in Sugar Land and nothing.
We are told they only do singles. 'YOU ARE TO HIGH RISK' To say the least that was a shock the Doctors only want easy work for big money! Go figure the blood suckers!
We find one that will do triplets and the first question we are asked is if we plan to Selectively Reduce them or Carry. This was a real shock to be honest. I dont have any issue with it, but seemed kinda cold.
So we find another doctor named, Dr. Hare. Our first visit will be 12/12/06.
3. The specialist
First, we are excited to see new pics and we are praying there are only 3 and not a 4th!!! Good News there is only 3. Kristen will have to go to the Doctor again on the 1/5/07 and then do a cerclage on the 1/8/07. This is a procedure to strengthen the Cervix. they stitch it closed and it will not let it dilate. The best example is a reinforcement. The doctor thinks we will make 33-34 weeks which is great! That will be May.
| The Triplets |
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| Baby 1 |
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| Baby 1 (Heartbeat) |
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| Baby 2 |
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Baby 2 (Heartbeat) |
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| Baby 3 |
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| Baby 3 (Heartbeat) |
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Welcome to week 13 - Start of the 2nd Trimester! |
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It is week 13! Oh god, please let this morning sickness stop! Why are my pants tight. According to the book we are reading, the babies are the size of Jumbo Shrimp. So, guess we will go to Red Lobster tonight (haha). Merry Christmas all.
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Kristen's Christmas Present! |
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Well, I had always told Kristen if she would have 2-3 kids I would get her a Lexus. He said jokingly. Well, She ponied up... So I did also. The car arrived with a Big Red Bow and she had no clue it was coming.
| The Surprise |
The Shock |
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| The excitement |
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| The Lexus (am I good with Adobe or what!) |
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 Well, we have the Flu and cant take anything. Doctor is letting her take some Robitisun for the cough and it seems to be helping. We started doing some painting and other project we needed to finish. Painting the nursery has to be done soon. |
4. 2nd Appointment & Cerclage & 16 weeks!!!
The surgry went well and Kristen came thru it like a trooper. She tried to stand up in recover and a funny drunker soldier moment... "I am fine" as she swayed back and forth. The doctor has put her on High Blood Pressure meds and ordered her to drink more fluids. So, all in all, we are doing well. We started the Nursery (link above). We leave for a cruise on Saturday.
The cruise went well and we had a great time! But I think Kristen will enjoy some bed time as she was getting a bit tired with all the walking. Appointment today so more soon.
We know what we are having. 2 BOYS and a 1 GIRL!!!! Yeah, we are both very excited and happy at what a perfect mix!
Well, we had a bit of a set back after the babies looked healthy, the Dr. Hare said she was dilating and was going directly to the hospital. This came as a huge shock. We did not expect this. So Kristen was admitted and is in:
The Women's Hospital of Texas
Houston, TX
Room 14 (was 362)
Phone: 713-363-5014
kblair1@gmail.com
YahooIM: mblair_2
She is on bed rest with no privileges. So, she will on her back for the next 16 weeks! Yes, 16 weeks. So feel free to call and help fill her day. She is borderline on the sugar test, so they are now watching what she eats. They want her to eat 3500 calories a day!
As if this was not enough, when we got home the from the cruise the Bailey 'our dog' blewout her knee (ACL). So she went to the surgeon to get that fixed. So, life is a bit hectic at the moment.
Looks like we have to watch sugar. Kristen has Gestational diabetes. This is normal for Triplets as she is sharing the insulin with 4 people. We had a good weekend. She is still tired being the hospital, but we both agree she would not have rested the way they are requiring.
We had a little set back last night. Kristen was in a lot of pain and looks like she has a fibroid tumor. This is normal, but still painful. So, the doc put her on an IV again. But on the happy front, we have baby weights, 12oz, 13oz and 15oz. And Kristen says one is defiantly a boy. And after the IV we may get an actual shower once a week.
Well, the first marker is 24 weeks so we are close. We has an ultrasound yesterday. We are now positive it is 2 Boys and 1 Girl. The boys are showing the world and the girl had her legs crossed. It was kind of funny to see. One of the babies is pushing on the Cervix and this is causing our problems. So we sit and keep our fingers crossed for every marker. Markers are at 24 weeks, 28 weeks, 32 weeks and 34 weeks. We have new pictures below. Kristen has now gone 13 days with no insulin and is working hard every day to avoid it.
| Baby A (1.2 pounds) |
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| Baby B (1.1 pounds) |
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| Baby C (1.0 pounds) |
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Well, things are going well. Katie came to see Kristen this weekend. Well this week I start or tiling the bathroom. Yep, I picked tile and I pray Kristen likes the final look. I added a counter to the top of the page with the idea of how long we still have. Kristen has been taken off the diet, as she is doing major Atkins. (lol) The Doctor decided she needs to eat more and ignore the insulin to get her keytones down. The IV is out and she is very happy about that.
Week 24 is the first Hurdle. The babies are done combining and creating. They are now down to the growing part. Oh joy for Kristen, can anyone say bring on the strech marks! Everyone is well and Kristen will get her steriod shot this week. This set of shots will (2 this week) start the babies lungs maturing. Kristen had pizza last night and really enjoyed it.
The nurses came and brought Kristen some cake today for making 24 weeks. The Doctor asked why she was getting it and then laughed.
Things look great. We had an ultra sound this on Sunday, the pictures are below. I got to see the 2 boys kicking at each other. It was really cool. The babies are growing well. Boy A is 1 pound 10 ounces. Baby B is 1 pound 8 ounces. Baby C is 1 pound 6 ounces. All three are right in line with a single is weight. This is very good the doctor said. On the monitor yesterday Kristen said that baby B had hiccups. The best news is we got an order for a shower a week. This will get Kristen out of the bed at least for a bit, and I know she will enjoy the shower. After the ultrasound, I took Kristen for a ride in the wheelchair around the hospital. Well at least the floor she was on. This was the first excursion she has taken in over 52 days. And you can get a little tired of look at the some room all day. We made it around the floor and she started looking really green. The Motion of the wheelchair made her a bit sick. She joked I needed to bring my car to get her when they are born as she does not want to be sick in her new car. Lol. Oh did I mention only 9 weeks left till she gets sprung! We started watching the series 24. We are both surprised. It is really good with no commercials and no waiting till next week to see what is going on.
Well, Lana and I are off to Babies-r-us to do some listings. Yes, I am going to pick out baby stuff. Oh God, the world has come to an end. Oh wait, that was when we found out it was triplets, so this cant be near as bad. Only joking.
| Baby A (1.10 pounds) |
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| Baby B (1.8 pounds) |
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| Baby C (1.6 pounds) |
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Well, Bailey is still waiting on Kristen to come home. And Kristen will kill me for posting this one.
| Bailey sits and waits for her return. |
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Kristen's new growth
And Yes I got her
out of bed to
get a pic.
My Fault |
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We had a lot of visitors on Saturday. Kristen and I really appreciate everyone who comes to see Kristen. It is really hard to look at the same 4 walls day in and day out. So people are really enjoyable. We are 2 weeks away from the next marker, 28 weeks. The babies are having hiccups and they are kicking Kristen now. We are looking at a Shower for Kristen on April 21st. from 1:30-3:30 at Texas Woman’s hospital. For more information please contact Lana Smith at (281) 252-4690. All are welcome and I will post more about it ASAP.
Well, Thursday night Kristen had the sac rupture on baby A. Well every thing is ok, I guess, except they say I have 4 now. Yes 4.
The one that ruptured may pass away by MULTIPLE issues or could be fine. It could cause Kristen to deliver early, infections, etc. Basically the worse possible outcomes. The doctor proceeds to tell us that the baby may be crushed by the others into the size of a pancake. Now does anyone need to know that? And how this is our fault for not reducing from 3. So we should live with our mistake. Needless to say that Doctor will never be allowed to see Kristen again! Unless it is on a Hunting trip!
Then the neonatalogist came in and give us the HORROR stories about premies, like I did this on purpose. And how they will all be messed up and how they will be processed in the NICU. From Heart operations to Lung injuries, oh yeah and a spinal tap.
The first doctor we called about high risk asked if we wanted to reduce. Was that a missed opportunity? Should we have done it? We are in tears as we had finally come to a happy place with 3. Now if the baby A passes we will have to do all that is required. We have been told that we could loose them all.
On Monday, we passed the 72 Hour marker. This is the 50% chance of delivery. So, we are now looking at May1 or 32 weeks for delivery. It is all up to what Kristen can hold out to.
We are still really in need of prayers and hope.
Kristen has been told the babies are round 2 pounds each so that is good, and this explains why she is so miserable. As she is close to 10 pounds of baby and 20 pounds of fluid, placenta, etc. Oh and the Diet lady said she should be eating over 4000 calories. That has to be one laughter point in all this.
NICU will cost about 1.3 million for the babies. So... I hope insurance covers some of it.
Part 2
Our Doctor told us this is Guinness World Records event. So, we now have proof Kristen is a freak show. We had an ultrasound this morning. Kristen got sick on the table. After the viewing, she can now take a shower, bed side potty, and the IV is out. This will make Kristen feel much better. We have a new Neo group and we like them better. We seems to be stable and things look ok.
Baby Sizes
A. 1 pound 12 Ounces. (the Problem Child)
B. 1 pound 14 Ounces.
C. 1 pound 14 Ounces.
D. 2 pound 2 Ounces.
Pics tomorrow.
On a side note, I took a belly picture of Kristen last night. The babies reacted to the flash of the camera. It was like a mass migration away from the flash point. It was really cool. It is the first time we saw real movement. So, anyone wanna see the belly picture? Well, you will have to email Kristen to let me do it.
Welcome to the 3rd Trimester. Things were looking up until last night. Kristen is back on an IV with a Mag (magnesium) drip. She started contractions last night. They are monitoring her ever 2 hours, so she is really tired. Dr. Hare offered to deliver them last night, but Kristen said know. As we are in the home stretch, I have to keep Kristen focused on May 1. It is really important for her and the babies to try to get as far as she can. Everyday is an extra 20 grams and there is a lot of eye, brain, and other development going on right now. I will post more once I know more.
Baby A & Baby B
Baby C & Baby D
Kristen was moved to Labor and Delivery today. So, the babies can come at any time now. She has a new number it is. (713) 363-5014.
Kristen had been having contractions and the Mag was not helping much as the day goes along. It is 7:45 and we are going to Delivery. Kristen is showing signs of an infection and Dr. Hare does not see it as wise to wait. Kristen is doing great. They take her away to get prepared for the C-Section. I get on the scrubs. The C-section was neat, I guess. Kristen was a real trooper. She is amazing. The babies are born with in 1 minute of each other. We have 3 Boys and 1 Girl. And you have to love when a doctor says, “Wow he is defiantly a big boy!” We then go to see the family in the waiting room and tell them what we had, while they remove the Cerclage and get Kristen to recovery. We were in recovery until like 1 am. Dr. Hare comes by and tells us that Kristen was at 5 centimeters dialated.
We saw all 4 babies and they are doing well. 2 on C-pac and 2 on 30% vent. Which we are told is really good. The babies healthy and whole.
Baby Weights
A. 1 pound 11 Ounces, 13 inches.
B. 1 pound, 15 Ounces, 14 1/2 inches.
C. 2 pound, 4 Ounces, 15 inches.
D. 1 pound, 13 Ounces, 13 1/2 inches.
The interesting fact is on this date of April 4th, was the day Kristen and I went on our First date, 16 years ago. So, it is kinda cool. Now, back to the kids. The boys were delivered first, then the girl. The Neo team was awesome and extremely helpful. They came by and told is how everyone was doing.
NAMES: We will decide them today. We need to see them to decide, if one fits better.
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| Baby A |
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| Baby B |
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| Baby C |
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| Baby D |
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All the kids are off ventilators and breathing with C-pacs. Which is amazing and the Neo doctors are really surprised. The babies are really doing well, but this is still a day by day issue. Kristen is doing well and has an IV and spinal and cath still, but tomorrow will be a tough day as they start taking her off.
We have pick a few names.
Boys:
Matthew Laughton
Andrew James
Nicholas Alan
Girls
Avery Grace
Kristen is doing well. The Catheter and maybe the IV come out today. The Epidural is today or tomorrow. She is so happy not to be stuck with all the needles any more! The Water diet ends this morning and we can try some Toast and eggs. If all goes well she will have a good dinner we hope. I am thinking Papa John's Pizza as she has not been able to have pizza. Kristen also go to see the Babies for the first time today. This will be hard on her emotionally and physically. She also has to start walking again today. This will be interesting after 11 Weeks locked to a bed.
But all in all. It is going to be a GREAT 'Good Friday!'
Date: 4/7/07
Kristen got the catheter and Epidural out. She is trying to learn to walk again. Which is not fun or exciting. She is doing well with it. But it does take it out of her. She is going to be in the hospital till Monday or Tuesday depending on how she is doing. When she comes home I have no idea how she is going to make it up the stairs and the dog is going to be so excited to see her. Kristen saw the babies for the first time yesterday and it is a shock as they are so small, but they are doing well and this was the same feeling I had. She is sad she could not keep them in longer, but that is really not her fault with 4, for God's sakes. She did her best and 3 months in the hospital on your back in a bed is enough for anyone. I do understand her shock as I had the same experience when I saw them the first time, but the third time is much easier. So, She will go see them twice today and we will have fun. I have some pictures I plan to post today.
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We filed for birth certificates today and Social Security cards. Kristen is moving a bit better, but it is still really hard for her after all that bed time. She got an actual shower today and really like to be able to wash her hair by herself. When the babies were born Dr. Hare took out all 4 babies and then said hey there is a 5th. Only joking! I really laughed. Kristen almost got off the table. I think I forgot to tell that story.
Date: 4/8/07
Today, the staples come out from the C-Section. They have Kristen trying to walk the halls and it is goign to be a long day. Happy Easter to all! She may be home tomorrow (Monday or Tuesday).
Date: 4/9/07
Pictures from the Nursury with a lipstick tube. We hope this helps everyone understand the size. This is why they will be in Nicu until late May.
| Baby A (Matthew) |
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| Baby B (Andrew) |
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| Baby C (Nicholas) |
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| Baby C (Nicholas) |
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| Baby D (Avery) |
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Date: 4/9/07
Kristen is released from the hospital. She gets to see her puppy for the first time in 3 months!
Date: 4/13/07
We have completed our first week in the NICU. They are progressing and we have to pray for a lot to come. There are head ultrasounds and heart ultrasounds coming soon that we need to be good on! The Baby shower is back on, look forward to seeing all who can come.
| Baby A (Matthew) |
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| Baby B (Andrew) |
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| Baby C (Nicholas) |
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| Baby D (Avery) |
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Date: 4/14/07
Going to try and get feet and hand prints for the baby books. If we can I will post them. The feet and hands are really neat! Remember to read the NICU Report to see other issues. Avery is having some issues, but when do girls not have issues. lol. Kristen stop hitting me. Looks like they will do them for us when they bath the babies. So that is easier. Also, Thanks for the medical corrections to the doctors!
Date: 4/16/07
Kristen's says that french fries dipped in a Frostie from Wendy's is just not as good now that the babies are here. All is going well with Kristen. She is moving better everyday. We even ventured out to a baby store for a short trip yesterday. It was her first time ever buying an outfit for the kids. We have her Doc appt on Thursday. I hope she gets clearence to drive.
Date: 4/18/07
Kristen is going in for her follow up today. We are hoping she will get approve to drive. All is looking well for her. She is walking more, but still getting really tired.
Date: 4/19/07
Kristen can drive small distances and got a clean bill of health. We got the report back and YES they are all Fraternal kids. They are not identical. The NICU makes us do the kids laundry. Yes. This does seem really wierd, but it is what they make us do. So, on the way home we had to get Drift baby detergent and wash the kids stuff. Bailey went head first into the bags, Yeah 4 bags, and sniffed her heart out. I think she knows the smell.
Date: 4/20/07
This is ONE MONTH of Formula!!! 1 case per day! No joke.
More Coming soon.
Date: 4/22/07
| Baby A (Matthew) |
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| Baby B (Andrew) |
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| Baby C (Nicholas) |
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| Baby D (Avery) |
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Today is the marker Kristen wanted to make. The Kids are still growing and doing well. Nick is opening his eyes and it is really neat to see his and Matthew's faces. We held them for the first time on Sunday. It was a great experience. I will post some picture soon.
All is well, the babies are ahead of schedule and are now in Level 2 NICU! That is just great! They are going to try and see if they will take a bottle today. The Doctors tell us 3-4 weeks and they might be home. This was a shock. We are getting ready for the baby shower on Saturday. We havea great group of doctor's: Dr. Simchowitz, Dr. Caplan, Dr. Haney, and Dr. Al. They are a great group and really make us feel informed and a part of the process.
It is 34 weeks and the babies will be coming home soon. Andrew and Nicholas will be first then Matthew and Avery. We have a lot to do to get ready for them. 72 bottles, diapers, shopping for stuff in general. The shower was great. We had a lot of fun and a lot of great baby items for the kids. Kristen is doing ok, her feet are still killing her to stand to long, but she is starting to walk better. We are going to have to take CPR for babies before the kids come home and some other classes. Yep, School to teach us what to do and not to do. You know it is funny, but I am sure it will be really helpful. We have been told we will have to get a nanny to assist for the first few months. So that is what we are looking at.
Nicholas comes home!
Andrew comes home! We had 2 babies come home before 36 weeks this is amazing. They are good eaters and we are adjusting.
Last Update: 5/29/07
