Summer Fun

Last week, I stayed home with the kids. Vacations in the past have involved sleeping late, naps on the beach, magaritas, etc. Well, on this vacation, I was up at my usual 5:45Am, and I certainly did not have time for a nap. But, it was the best vacation ever! I really enjoyed my time with the kids. In some ways, this week made up for a disappointing maternity leave from work. For the first three weeks, I did not have all of the babies home. And the last five weeks of my leave were so intense! I was a zombie...feeding babies, changing diapers, soothing, etc... This week, I could really enjoy my babes.

We were very busy. Last Tuesday, we had our first playdate...with another set of triplets! The Schirano Triplets came over. Cameron, Ella, and James are a few months ahead of us. They certainly showed off their newly-acquired skills...crawling, eating cheerios, cruising. I was so impressed...and slightly scared about my babies becoming mobile. Mamma Schirano offered some great advice. I just wish that I could have been more helpful! On Wednesday, we headed to the mall. The kids were very well-behaved, and I only got the triplet stroller stuck in the clothing racks once. And, on Friday, we headed to Decatur to see Grandma Linda's co-workers at the Millikin Library. The kids were all smiles. I love this phase!

Yesterday, the kids and I went to Peoria for our second appointment at the Pediatric Neurosurgeon. Early this sping, we noticed that all of the babies had some flattening on the back of their heads. This is common in preemies and multiples, given cramped space in the womb that may pressure the skull, softer skulls of preemies, and increased time that preemies spend lying down. Usually, the condition, known as plagiocephaly, improves as babies become more mobile and spend less time lying down. Thankfully, this has been the case with Will. But, poor Lila needs a STARband helmet. She will wear it 23x7 for the next 3-4 months. So, yesterday, she was measured for her new accessory, which will be decorated with pink butterflies. It looks like Addie will escape the helmet, but she does has some cranial asymmetry. She had a skull x-ray yesterday to confirm that she does not have craniosynostosis, which is a very serious condition that requires surgery. Just the discussion with the doctor brought tears to my eyes. So, just say a quick prayer for her. Hopefully, we will have good news by the end of the week. But, I think the asymmetry is improving, which would indicate that she does not have the condition. Regardless, I think I have the some of the prettiest little girls! And, as we have done through the risky pregnancy and early days of the babies, we will take it one day at a time.

Now, for the fun stuff! On Tuesday (6/3), Addie cut her first tooth. She is such a big girl now! Will is sitting up and getting very close to crawling (although even without this skill he seems to get around quite well). Finally, Lila is babbling up a storm. Every day, we hear new consonant sounds. She does say "Dadadada," but in frustration. I love to tease Derek about that!