One year ago today...

I would like to start off by saying sorry for the rambling in this post :o).

One year ago today our lives were changed forever. This was the last chance our insurance would pay for an IUI and our next step which was IVF was going to be out of pocket. We had been trying to conceive for over two years and had some really tough months. Dr Lee our Reproductive Endocrinologist was positive from day one that I would get pregnant some day, just not sure when or how. I had already had five months of injections plus medicine, one which worked and ended in an ectopic pregnancy. The shots Brandon had to inject in my stomach were a different brand this month plus I was taking even more medicine. I remember being more nervous this time as I was just drained emotionally and was not sure how many more times I could be disappointed.

After eight days of waiting on August 1st we found out we were expecting, we already knew we were pregnant from a home pregnancy test; I took this 3 days before it should have found a positive pregnancy. The day we found out the IUI worked (officially) the nurse called and told me my HCG numbers, we were hoping for at least 50, and when she said my numbers were 865 I was in disbelief. I asked what this meant and I was told we were most likely pregnant with “at least twins”. When I told Brandon this he went into complete shock and couldn’t wait to get to the doctors’ office for a scan. I repeated blood tests to make sure my levels were not dropping and they just continued to increase…YEAH! We had to wait until September 5th for a sonogram, what a wonderful but nervous wait that was.

I luckily did not work the day of the sonogram, I was so nervous. The night before I had a dream we were going to find four babies, Brandon thought I was crazy and was sticking to twins. Dr. Lee started the scan and then called her nurse in, they then called in the sonographer that works with another doctor in the office. I was terrified of what they were going to say, I just knew something bad happened and I had all of these people in my room watching the monitor as they look for the babies. The sonographer said “well you had three…and now you have four.” The third fetus split into 2 creating identical twins. The room was silent, I was smiling from ear to ear and at the same time I was in complete shock. Brandon didn’t really say anything until we got to the car. Dr. Lee talked to us afterwards and told us there was a chance something could go wrong but to relax and take it all in.

The first thing that came out of Brandons mouth as we were driving down the highway was “you know we’re done right”. I agreed at the time thinking that maybe I could change his mind one day. We called our parents and they were happy but scared for us. Although it was still so early our family and close friends knew we were trying and knew there should be some results soon.
Everything went great in the following weeks, I had my weekly scan to make sure there were four heartbeats and that they were growing as they should. I was trying to eat my 4500 calories; I had morning sickness (better called all day sickness) for a long time and did not have an appetite so this was difficult. Then came November 13th, I was in my eighteenth week it was my last day of work and I didn’t feel right in the morning. On the way to work I call my OB to let them know something just wasn’t right and they told me to come in ASAP. They were so cautious as were we with any little pain or and feeling I had. I was admitted to the hospital due to incompetent cervix and had my cerclage put in. They told me after the weekend I should be able to go home, yeah right; things were steady but not improving. I laid in that hospital bed in trendelenburg position, with my feet higher than my head, which caused many headaches.

Then the fateful day came when on the sono Cody no longer had a heartbeat. I have never really talked on the blog about this, I still get so emotional and do not understand why this happened. In the sono that day I think I was the first to see that there was not a heartbeat. I remember staring at the screen and hoping that Cody was just lying in a funny position. He laid there with what looked to be his hands together over his abdomen and so still. The nurse had tears in her eyes and I knew what I saw was true. She felt so bad and didn’t know what to say, nobody did. It, so far, has been the worst day of my life and I never wish that on anyone. We call him our Hero and our childrens Guardian Angel as he sacrificed for his brother and sisters. He will always be with us and I treasure the time I got to know him in utero. I was able to feel when Logan kicked Cody in utero up until the day I delivered and all four of our babies were delivered at the same time. On a positive note I am so lucky that I can look at Logan every day and know what Cody would look like. I was told to remove the cerclage and see what happened, well being so stubborn there was no way I was going to do that. I told the doctors to tie me to the ceiling by my toes and I meant it if that was the only way to protect our babies. I was bound to prove I could do this and that I could carry our children to at least viability and much longer. My OB asked what he could do and all I could say was send me home, I was home for the week of Thanksgiving and then right back in I went.

I was then on bedrest another 80 days, 92 days in all on hospital bedrest. Believe it or not I actually miss being in the hospital. I LOVE the nurses I had, they become family and they were always there for me no matter if I needed water or someone to talk to. I miss my nurses so much and I keep saying I need to visit but I never have the time and am not ready to take the kiddos just yet. Love you ladies!!!!

I cannot believe it has already been a year and what a difference that year has made. I have three healthy babies here with me and love them more than life. They are my world and I would do anything for them. Brandon is such a wonderful father and tries to spend time with each one individually every day when he gets home. Everyone is doing great. Naps and sleep at night is still a work in progress. The girls are eating more cereal, only through bottle, we are still working on Logans allergies with everything.

Okay, I have gone on more than I had planned, but some things just needed to come out. Thank you to everyone that has been there whether we know you or not, I know there were so many prayers out there for us from our family, friends, and blogger family. Thank you to our family that has come down from Michigan to help. Thank you to our neighbors for stopping in to help out and for the delicious food. I don’t know where we would be without every single one of you. I hope one day we can help you all in some way. We love you all!

Here are some recent pictures of the little ones.

Bumbo time!

Logan and Mommy spending quality time

This is what happens when you don't nap or
sleep at night.

Madison and Logan loving on each other

Madison striking a pose...too sweet!

The girls during gym time...they love "talking" to everything

Sweet sweet Elizabeth

Madison showing off, we cannot wait for them
to all do this every feed

A little more sisterly loving!

Love - Amy-Jo

Heart Doc Updates and Stages of a Tantrum

First we can start off with some good news, Madison and Logan had their follow up with the Cardiologist last week. Madison had a small PDA which closed on its own between now and the time she left the hospital so she is free and clear. Logan still has an ASD which is growing at the same pace that he is, the hope was it would get smaller or grow at a slower rate. Still the good news is it really won't effect him in any way right now and will be reevaluated in a year. It was quite a day a the doctor. AJ and I were flying solo and we were there for 2 hours and 45 minutes. There were several diaper changes and one feed that took place in the room. Mommy and Daddy were whipped and thought the kids would sleep when we got home, we were wrong. Long day turned into long night, but we survived.

The kids never want to be good so here is AJ holding Logan and Madison, I am taking the picture and holding Elizabeth.

Madi and Logan sitting in a tree.....

Lizy saying "Hey my heart is fine why do I have to sit here all day?"

I have been saving the below pictures since the "rewards" blog. We had already loaded up the pictures last time so we didn't add it then but planned on posting it later. This was my "solution" to the rewards problem. He couldn't stop going so I was determined it would not leak out the next time. This is a size 6 diaper by the way, probably a bit of over kill but hey I was desperate.

We said good bye to the last of our helpers 4th of July weekend as AJ's Nana flew home. Thank you so much Nana for all your help, the babies are all missing you. For those who have not had the pleasure of meeting Nana, I can promise you there is not a Great-Grandma anywhere with more energy then her. As a matter of fact she has more energy then me, if you add up my two best days. She kicked butt and took names, but I think she missed her golf a little. Well that and the outdoors since we didn't let her leave the house the whole time she was here!

Here she is with all three. (M, L, E)

Some good close ups off the kids.

Logan

Lizy

Madi Belle

I thought it would be fun to show everyone how much "stuff" we use on a weekly basis. Yes you read that right the picture below is what we use in a week. It is 7 cans of formula, 280 packets of thickener, 216 diapers, and 4 packages of wipes. I usually buy all the formula the store has on the shelf and the check out person always makes a comment, when I tell her it won't last 2 weeks they are typically stunned in silence.

This is one day's worth of formula, our night nanny saw this for the first time yesterday and was shocked so I thought I would post it as well. I guess it is no big deal to us by now, I mean I make one up every day.

I will leaving you with the following pictures I call the "Stages of a Tantrum"

Starts with a nice pout lip

Pout lip starts to quiver

Almost there, wait for it....

And Tantrum is achieved!

Happy 4th of July

We hope to have a longer post up soon, for now here a couple pictures.

Have a Happy Fourth of July!

I'm Back - And Pics

That's right I'm back on the blog after a long, long break. Life has forever changed and between work, feeding and my "honey do's" blogging has been forced to take a back seat. Sorry but a guys gotta sleep. But I am back in charge of the key board for a least one day so I am hear to give you the real deal on life with Triplets!

So many things to tell, I will start with my self imposed home confinement. We have tried a few "adventures" outside of the house. Once to Wal-Mart and once to Hobby Lobby. Wal-Mart was not too bad, which is why the trip to Hobby Lobby was ever even attempted. We had help at Wal-Mart, the Lobby not so much. And of course the kids knew this and took full advantage. At one point all three were crying, so out of the stroller they come. I have two in my arms, AJ has the other. All three still crying, as if we do not already get enough attention with our limo sized stroller they need to cry and carry on. We eventually got a couple of them calmed down enough to put back in the stroller, until AJ walked away to pick up a cart that is. Then off again, the only help was a nice women at Hobby Lobby who ended up saving Madison from her crying spell. So all of this has led to no more trips out of the house. TOO much work! It takes 30 - 45 minutes to get them loaded up and on the road and they HATE the car seats. Lots of crying and not a lot of fun.

So home we stay in our bubble of sleep, change, eat, repeat. Oh, except for bath night, I really hate bath night. It seems every bath night the trio want to 1. Eat early which causes 2. Hysterical crying. Its not bad when we can play man to man, but the few times it was just AJ and myself it gets a little overwhelming for dear old daddy. Mom is unshakable, but I crack pretty quickly.

Big news is we actually finished the nursery and moved them from the dining room to their actual room. This is good, except for the fact the nursery is on the second floor and the master is on the first. I am pretty sure AJ and I will have legs of steal by the time the kids 1st birthday comes around. Up-down-up-down, even getting a little 3 AM work out in, nice.

The kids are all getting into a nice little routine. We are still getting Mr. Logan to feel better. He has had a little issue with his stools, which from this point forward will be referred to as "rewards". So the doctor put him on a "rewards" softener to help relieve some of the pain. When a little didn't work he put him on a lot. We are finding out today that it has worked, very well. He has been rewarding us all day with his "rewards". And they are not fun "rewards" they are all over the body, clothes, blankets, bouncer "rewards". He has even apparently signed up for a multiple "rewards" program that has us cleaning just about everything in the living room. I hate "rewards", I think I am canceling my credit card rewards today just to be safe.

Lizy is kicking booty with the sleeping thing. She is giving us a break about every 2 out of 3 days. No idea why its not every day but I'll take what I can get! She has found her "voice" as AJ calls it, which is a nice way to say she now cries, pretty loud. So it turns out she is a baby after all, who knew.

Madi, dear old Madi. She hates getting changed, day or night does not matter the girl screams her head off anytime that diaper comes off. Mad, mad Madi. She usually bounces back though as soon as you take her off the changing table. She has this habit of scratching her head and face with her nails. As a result she is now "Gansta Madi" with her hat and mittens on around the clock. Poor girl has it rough but she could be like Logan, when he gets really mad he gives himself "titty twisters". It's very funny and yes we stop him when we can.

Okay here are some pictures which the only reason you all read the words above anyway. These are just random, no time line just how they came together.

Logan doing some tummy time in the Jungle

Gangsta Madi - without gloves

Logan sleeping with his "lovie"

Lizy searching for her "voice"

Madi showing off her tummy skills

Lizy - she hates tummy time this is the one time she didn't cry

The girls. Madi left, Lizy right.

Our friends the Gerwer's on our night out. Drinking hurts more then I remember.

Amy-Jo's Grandma and Mom with the gang. Logan, Madi, Lizy.

Nana showing us a new technique for putting Mr. Craptastic to sleep.

My first Father's Day. I am hopeful they will be a little easier on me for my second!

4 month check up, Madi and Lizy loved the mirror. So much for a tom boy.

Daddy I got your "rewards" right here!

The boys.

Lizy passed out last feed of the day.

Biggest smile for Logan, this does not happen too often (but he is feeling better now)

Amy-Jo's cousin Alyssa reading to Madison

Aunt Connie with Lizy and Logan.

Four Months!

I would like to start by saying a belated Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there, especially Brandon and our Dads!

My laptop became ill last Saturday and I just got it back. What would we do without 24 hour access to the world? I will post pictures this weekend.

I cannot believe our little miracles are FOUR MONTHS OLD, well a week ago they were. It seems like just yesterday I was in the hospital trying to keep everyone safe. We had their four month check up this past Monday and everyone is doing fabulous! They are all developmentally in the four month ranges, growth wise and weight they are just a little smaller. Logan is 10lbs 5oz, Elizabeth is 11 lbs, and Madison is our smallest at 9lbs 12oz. They are all 22in in length! In my opinion they are so so big, I actually miss my 3lb babies. I know they are so much healthier now and growing, but there is just something about the first two months and how tiny they were that I miss everyday.

We have had so many visitors lately. After Brandon's Mom left we had a week by ourselves and then my Mom, Grandma, Aunt Connie, and cousin Alyssa were here for a week and now my Nana is here. We are so grateful and thankful for all the help.

Elizabeth and Madison have slept through the night a few more times, mainly Lizy, and Logan has a total of two times now. We are now doing 4 hour feeds and they are doing great. I honestly think Elizabeth would eat any amount we put in front of her, that girl loves her food still. We now just need to work on the others.

Brandon and I were able to go out last week with our wonderful friends Casey and Robbie Gerwer, we had such a great time, THANK YOU for making us get out and have some adult time. We also were able to go on a little date by ourselves, of course we talked about the kids almost the entire time, but it was nice to have a date night again.

I promise to post too many pictures in the next couple days. Have a fabulous weekend!

Love - Amy-Jo