Friday, May 4, 2007
Week 4: Is Daddy slipping?
I know, I know... I'm taking too long with the updates.
There are pictures to be added, all three have had their first baths (Noah jumped ahead in line due to his tendency to... um... spray). All three did well, although Emily was the fussiest of the bunch. Noah and Sydney sailed through the experience like it was no big deal, unless you consider them relieving themselves in the tub an editorial on bathing...
Emily... Oh, Emily. For someone who started out with breathing issues, she has taken her lung development seriously since coming home. She cries louder and harder than the other two by far. If we're lucky, a pacifier and some gentle stroking of her head combined with soothing talk will calm her. If... we... are... lucky... Once you get her calmed down, she appears to be almost angelic. She'll cuddle up against you, smile at you, make happy little noises and so on... until you try to put her down.
Noah is a sound effects machine in a diaper. He makes the most interesting array of grunts and noises on a regular basis. It's unusual for him to be quiet, although most of the time, he's not crying much. He is still quite the escape artist, escaping his swaddling blanket with astonishing ease. Before you're done wrapping him, he's likely to have a few fingers-- if not an entire hand-- out and moving around. He tries to grab his pacifier to hold onto it, but most often sends it flying.
Sydney is not always quiet, but her cries are more like squawks. She doesn't get wound up and howl like Emily or turn red and scream like Noah, but she gets decent volume and can get her point across fairly well. Other than that, you can just hold her and watch the show. She makes so many faces combined with her crossed eyes, she's just pure entertainment.
They're a couple weeks away from their next Dr. appointment, but we're reasonably sure they're all above 5 lbs. Their Mommy has already begun phasing out the "preemie" size clothing as it fits a little too snugly now. They're growing out of things! It's wonderful and exciting right now, although I'm sure I'll be less thrilled with them growing out of things as they get older.
We got our first package from the makers of Similac today! We filled out information cards at the hospital and again at the Dr.'s office and they are sending us formula for the beans! We are very thankful for any breaks we can get on expenses, and formula will be a big one.
The biggest news in the past week by far has to do with childcare for the beans, especially as Amy's maternity leave draws to a close. Amy and I happily accepted the offer from my parents to stay with us long-term and help us care for them so we wouldn't hire a stranger (nanny or au pair) or send them to a daycare center (didn't appeal to us anyway). The third option would have involved me resigning from my job and becoming a stay-at-home Dad. Thankfully, between my parents and Amy's family coming down from Muncie to help, we should have it covered at least until the end of the year. it's a huge help and we can't thank them enough. The support we have gotten from our family continues to demonstrate to us why it's important to have families.
-John
P.S. The beans send their thanks to Aunt Cecilia for their perfectly matched clock in the nursery and the rain gear she has sent them.
----
To the SSPOM visitor who brought some food and a cake, thank you, we can't wait to try it!
There are pictures to be added, all three have had their first baths (Noah jumped ahead in line due to his tendency to... um... spray). All three did well, although Emily was the fussiest of the bunch. Noah and Sydney sailed through the experience like it was no big deal, unless you consider them relieving themselves in the tub an editorial on bathing...
Emily... Oh, Emily. For someone who started out with breathing issues, she has taken her lung development seriously since coming home. She cries louder and harder than the other two by far. If we're lucky, a pacifier and some gentle stroking of her head combined with soothing talk will calm her. If... we... are... lucky... Once you get her calmed down, she appears to be almost angelic. She'll cuddle up against you, smile at you, make happy little noises and so on... until you try to put her down.
Noah is a sound effects machine in a diaper. He makes the most interesting array of grunts and noises on a regular basis. It's unusual for him to be quiet, although most of the time, he's not crying much. He is still quite the escape artist, escaping his swaddling blanket with astonishing ease. Before you're done wrapping him, he's likely to have a few fingers-- if not an entire hand-- out and moving around. He tries to grab his pacifier to hold onto it, but most often sends it flying.
Sydney is not always quiet, but her cries are more like squawks. She doesn't get wound up and howl like Emily or turn red and scream like Noah, but she gets decent volume and can get her point across fairly well. Other than that, you can just hold her and watch the show. She makes so many faces combined with her crossed eyes, she's just pure entertainment.
They're a couple weeks away from their next Dr. appointment, but we're reasonably sure they're all above 5 lbs. Their Mommy has already begun phasing out the "preemie" size clothing as it fits a little too snugly now. They're growing out of things! It's wonderful and exciting right now, although I'm sure I'll be less thrilled with them growing out of things as they get older.
We got our first package from the makers of Similac today! We filled out information cards at the hospital and again at the Dr.'s office and they are sending us formula for the beans! We are very thankful for any breaks we can get on expenses, and formula will be a big one.
The biggest news in the past week by far has to do with childcare for the beans, especially as Amy's maternity leave draws to a close. Amy and I happily accepted the offer from my parents to stay with us long-term and help us care for them so we wouldn't hire a stranger (nanny or au pair) or send them to a daycare center (didn't appeal to us anyway). The third option would have involved me resigning from my job and becoming a stay-at-home Dad. Thankfully, between my parents and Amy's family coming down from Muncie to help, we should have it covered at least until the end of the year. it's a huge help and we can't thank them enough. The support we have gotten from our family continues to demonstrate to us why it's important to have families.
-John
P.S. The beans send their thanks to Aunt Cecilia for their perfectly matched clock in the nursery and the rain gear she has sent them.
----
To the SSPOM visitor who brought some food and a cake, thank you, we can't wait to try it!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Day... Oh to heck with it... Three WEEKS of the beans!
No, nothing is wrong, other than severe sleep deprivation.
Now don't get me wrong, we LOVE the beans, but could they sleep... just a little? Please?
Big sister Emily appears to be developing colic. Several nights of heart-breaking cries from her and some phone calls to the pediatrician's office, internet research (well, I *am* the house geek...) and even some old-school things called "books" were consulted. Pretty much nothing we can do except try to comfort her and ride it out. Poor thing sounds so awful crying, it's just heart-breaking to hear.
Noah seems to be growing like a weed. He looks like he's filling out his skin much better and looking less like a shar-pei dog. And the lungs on that boy! When he wants to eat, he will let you know at top volume.
Sydney's blocked tear duct looks much better now, she isn't waking up with her eyelids all but glued shut, and that's such an improvement for her! She is still sweet and quiet (mostly), and thankfully she usually goes right to sleep giving us time to focus on the other two who like to stay awake and fuss. Sydney got her very first bath tonight, Complete with grandparents, video camera, snapshots, the whole media event. She got through it with no fussing, no crying, just took it all in stride. Thank you Sydney for making that first bath so easy! As soon as Daddy gets your pictures sorted through, he'll add them to what was uploaded tonight.
I'm sorry it took a while to get to this, but with everything going on around here, it gets tough to make time to sit at a computer doing this instead of helping out with the babies. At least this time I didn't fall asleep on it...
-John
Now don't get me wrong, we LOVE the beans, but could they sleep... just a little? Please?
Big sister Emily appears to be developing colic. Several nights of heart-breaking cries from her and some phone calls to the pediatrician's office, internet research (well, I *am* the house geek...) and even some old-school things called "books" were consulted. Pretty much nothing we can do except try to comfort her and ride it out. Poor thing sounds so awful crying, it's just heart-breaking to hear.
Noah seems to be growing like a weed. He looks like he's filling out his skin much better and looking less like a shar-pei dog. And the lungs on that boy! When he wants to eat, he will let you know at top volume.
Sydney's blocked tear duct looks much better now, she isn't waking up with her eyelids all but glued shut, and that's such an improvement for her! She is still sweet and quiet (mostly), and thankfully she usually goes right to sleep giving us time to focus on the other two who like to stay awake and fuss. Sydney got her very first bath tonight, Complete with grandparents, video camera, snapshots, the whole media event. She got through it with no fussing, no crying, just took it all in stride. Thank you Sydney for making that first bath so easy! As soon as Daddy gets your pictures sorted through, he'll add them to what was uploaded tonight.
I'm sorry it took a while to get to this, but with everything going on around here, it gets tough to make time to sit at a computer doing this instead of helping out with the babies. At least this time I didn't fall asleep on it...
-John
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Day um... what is it now? (16)
Hey John, what happened to Friday night's post?
Well, you see, when tired Daddy tries to multi-task by posting from bed right before he goes to sleep... Sometimes it just doesn't quite work out and sleep wins.
Friday was a very big day for the beans, too. Their first ride all together in the back of the SUV. Their first pediatrician visit. Their first trip to Babies R Us. They got a lot done Friday.
Dr. Fox is wonderful, I hadn't met her, but Amy met with her before choosing her. She's very nice and has a very good way with the babies. She's very impressed by their progress so far, too.
Emily is weighing in at 5lb 4oz, and has been self-pacing her feeding very well. But Daddy still nervously watches her face while she eats to make sure she doesn't turn any funny colors on him.
Noah is just shy of the 5lb goal (for the nice car seats) at 4lb 14oz. Of course, that was two days ago, he might be over 5lb by now. He is eating very well. Not always sleeping very well, but he does eat.
Sydney is close to her big sister at 5lb 2oz, but she's eating like she wants to top it. The doctor said she can go on the same formula as her siblings, which makes our life easier as we only need mix one pitcher versus two now.
Saturday, the beans made their first tour of the neighborhood. Mommy and Daddy strapped them into the seats and snapped them in place on the strollers (a double and a single) and took them out. The canopies shaded them nicely (we don't need Noah getting any redder than he already is...) and even though Sydney complained VERY loudly at first, by the end of the driveway, she had quieted down and they slept for most of the trip. They attracted some attention, but not too much. I guess we'll have to get used to being something of a spectacle.
Saturday night, Daddy was up until 3-ish trying to calm Noah down. Mommy came down and relieved me and I went up to sleep for a good stretch before coming down and letting her go up to rest. Grandma Ayres was a big help with the Cheesman/Johnson contingent back in Muncie for a couple days. We sort of drifted through Sunday but were paid a nice visit by friends Melissa and her boyfriend Greg. They're moving North soon and wanted to see the babies and visit before they left. Good luck on the new jobs, Mel and Greg! Good luck with all of it! Thanks for the very nice candies, they are popular with the caretakers of the beans.
So here it is, Sunday night, I'm catching up on this while Grandma and Grandpa Cheesman feed the beans upstairs. (Thanks for coming back!) I'll close here because I need to get some sleep before the 5:30/6:00/6:30 AM feedings and then off to work for me.
The beans are very active these days. They stretch and flex their limbs, they're raising their heads more (especially when you're trying to burp them... hold still!) and generally showing a lot of interest in their surroundings. They have each had a turn now on their swing and they seem to like it very well. It kept them quiet enough that we might need another one of those things... Maybe two...
-John
More pics coming tomorrow!
Well, you see, when tired Daddy tries to multi-task by posting from bed right before he goes to sleep... Sometimes it just doesn't quite work out and sleep wins.
Friday was a very big day for the beans, too. Their first ride all together in the back of the SUV. Their first pediatrician visit. Their first trip to Babies R Us. They got a lot done Friday.
Dr. Fox is wonderful, I hadn't met her, but Amy met with her before choosing her. She's very nice and has a very good way with the babies. She's very impressed by their progress so far, too.
Emily is weighing in at 5lb 4oz, and has been self-pacing her feeding very well. But Daddy still nervously watches her face while she eats to make sure she doesn't turn any funny colors on him.
Noah is just shy of the 5lb goal (for the nice car seats) at 4lb 14oz. Of course, that was two days ago, he might be over 5lb by now. He is eating very well. Not always sleeping very well, but he does eat.
Sydney is close to her big sister at 5lb 2oz, but she's eating like she wants to top it. The doctor said she can go on the same formula as her siblings, which makes our life easier as we only need mix one pitcher versus two now.
Saturday, the beans made their first tour of the neighborhood. Mommy and Daddy strapped them into the seats and snapped them in place on the strollers (a double and a single) and took them out. The canopies shaded them nicely (we don't need Noah getting any redder than he already is...) and even though Sydney complained VERY loudly at first, by the end of the driveway, she had quieted down and they slept for most of the trip. They attracted some attention, but not too much. I guess we'll have to get used to being something of a spectacle.
Saturday night, Daddy was up until 3-ish trying to calm Noah down. Mommy came down and relieved me and I went up to sleep for a good stretch before coming down and letting her go up to rest. Grandma Ayres was a big help with the Cheesman/Johnson contingent back in Muncie for a couple days. We sort of drifted through Sunday but were paid a nice visit by friends Melissa and her boyfriend Greg. They're moving North soon and wanted to see the babies and visit before they left. Good luck on the new jobs, Mel and Greg! Good luck with all of it! Thanks for the very nice candies, they are popular with the caretakers of the beans.
So here it is, Sunday night, I'm catching up on this while Grandma and Grandpa Cheesman feed the beans upstairs. (Thanks for coming back!) I'll close here because I need to get some sleep before the 5:30/6:00/6:30 AM feedings and then off to work for me.
The beans are very active these days. They stretch and flex their limbs, they're raising their heads more (especially when you're trying to burp them... hold still!) and generally showing a lot of interest in their surroundings. They have each had a turn now on their swing and they seem to like it very well. It kept them quiet enough that we might need another one of those things... Maybe two...
-John
More pics coming tomorrow!
Friday, April 20, 2007
More pictures!
The slew of pictures we've taken to date have been added to the album. Including shots from the beans first outing today to the doctor's office. Details in tonight's post.
-John
-John
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Day 13: All present and accounted for!
Emily is home! We have the full set!
Except for a short trip to meet with the Southside Parents of Multiples for the first time (but not the last...), we devoted our evening to getting a feel for the feeding rotation with a third player.
I just don't have words to adequately express what I felt to see all three of my children, in our home, no tubes/wires/monitors... Us getting used to them, them getting used to us... Emily and Sydney sharing a nap in a pack-n-play... the first time they were all asleep at the same time, like they are now... It's this kind of emotion that sustains me through the fear and doubt.
Looking forward to the networking that the SSPOM will provide. Already saw a couple friendly faces and Amy and I were recognized from the pictures on this blog. We met some very nice people who were very warm and welcoming (will I always be the only guy there???). Amy and I both have a sister that carried twins, both sets naturally-occurring. My sister strongly suggested we look into an organization like SSPOM, so here we are.
I need sleep now.
-John
Except for a short trip to meet with the Southside Parents of Multiples for the first time (but not the last...), we devoted our evening to getting a feel for the feeding rotation with a third player.
I just don't have words to adequately express what I felt to see all three of my children, in our home, no tubes/wires/monitors... Us getting used to them, them getting used to us... Emily and Sydney sharing a nap in a pack-n-play... the first time they were all asleep at the same time, like they are now... It's this kind of emotion that sustains me through the fear and doubt.
Looking forward to the networking that the SSPOM will provide. Already saw a couple friendly faces and Amy and I were recognized from the pictures on this blog. We met some very nice people who were very warm and welcoming (will I always be the only guy there???). Amy and I both have a sister that carried twins, both sets naturally-occurring. My sister strongly suggested we look into an organization like SSPOM, so here we are.
I need sleep now.
-John
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Day 12: Almost home
Yay Emily! She's doing great and looks like everything is on track for her to finally join her sibs in keeping her parents busy.
We visited her for what we hope is the last time in the NICU tonight. She ate well, got a new outfit and nodded off to sleep.
Since I know the NICU nurses will read this, let me express again what I said early on. Our three children were initially cared for by a wonderful staff of truly professional people who define the term "caregivers". They could not have been more helpful or patient with two new parents who were struggling to figure out how to suddenly care for three tiny little babies. I remember thinking how small and fragile they looked and being more than a little afraid of accidentally doing something wrong or inadvertently hurting them. They got us past the initial fears and worries, told us it'd be OK and helped us do as much as we could to care for them. I know they will miss having the Ayres triplets around to care for, but it looked tonight like they had plenty to keep them busy. I'm glad they had some time with our children, I know Amy and I appreciate everything they did for us and the beans.
When we got home from the NICU we decided to stay up for Noah and Sydney's midnight feeding. Now that they're taken care of, Amy and I are going to sleep and wait impatiently for the time tomorrow when we can bring our first-born home at last.
...now the fun *really* begins...
-John
We visited her for what we hope is the last time in the NICU tonight. She ate well, got a new outfit and nodded off to sleep.
Since I know the NICU nurses will read this, let me express again what I said early on. Our three children were initially cared for by a wonderful staff of truly professional people who define the term "caregivers". They could not have been more helpful or patient with two new parents who were struggling to figure out how to suddenly care for three tiny little babies. I remember thinking how small and fragile they looked and being more than a little afraid of accidentally doing something wrong or inadvertently hurting them. They got us past the initial fears and worries, told us it'd be OK and helped us do as much as we could to care for them. I know they will miss having the Ayres triplets around to care for, but it looked tonight like they had plenty to keep them busy. I'm glad they had some time with our children, I know Amy and I appreciate everything they did for us and the beans.
When we got home from the NICU we decided to stay up for Noah and Sydney's midnight feeding. Now that they're taken care of, Amy and I are going to sleep and wait impatiently for the time tomorrow when we can bring our first-born home at last.
...now the fun *really* begins...
-John
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