Oh, it has been such a long time since my last post. I will save you the excuses. The baby update is what really counts. On May 8th, we went to the doctor for our six month vaccinations. The kids had the following stats:
Lila P: 11lbs 5ozs (<3% percentile), 24.5 inches (20th percentile)
Addie G: 13lbs 11ozs (10th percentile), 25 inches (25th percentile)
Mr. Will: 13lbs 12 ozs, 25.5 inches (20th percentile)
Lila has not gained much weight, so we will be visting the doctor for regular weight checks. Given the small relative size of the babies, we will continue using high calorie formula. The babies were quite irritable after the shots. Poor Lila ended up with a 103.6 temperature.
Over Memorial Day weekend, I flew to Atlanta to visit my very pregnant sister. No, she does not have swollen ankles, nor does she waddle. (See, Timathie, aren't I a sweet, much younger sister?!) Derek, with the help of his parents, took care of the babies. I certainly missed them all! But, I did enjoy sleeping in, relaxing dinners out, and leisurely shopping.
Over this holiday weekend, I could not help but think back to last year at this time. I was 10 weeks pregnant. We knew that a triplet pregnancy would be risky, but we did not expect the complications so soon. It was the Friday before Memorial Day that I knew that something was not right. A trip to the hospital confirmed my fears; Baby A was detaching from the uterine wall. With strict bedrest, we could hope that the complication would resolve itself. And, that was the beginning of my home confinement. Of course, it was worth it! Every day, I fall more in love with Lila P, Chunky Monkey, and Mr. Will.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
I made it! (Well, almost)
Today our family traveled to Champaign for the University of Illinois' commencement activities. After two-and-a-half long years, I have almost completed the requirements for my MBA. I did miss one class while I was on bedrest last fall, so I will have to make up the class this summer. The U of I allowed me to walk with my classmates, although they did not put my name in the program. So, I thanked my family for traveling to my fake graduation.
I just want to take a moment to thank my family for their love and support. The last six months have been particularly challenging. So many have helped us on the weekends, which allowed me to study for midterms, write papers, etc. It has been crazy!
Finally, I want to thank Derek for putting up with me. I have been studying for school or some professional exam for the last six years. Today, he asked me what was next, a doctorate? No way, I am done! I am looking forward to focusing on my family and becoming the wife and mother I aspire to be.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Happy six month birthday my loves! (May 7)
I cannot believe how quickly the past six months have gone. I was reading another multiple mama post that said "the days are long but the years are fast." That is so true! Some days are harder than others, but their little smiles just melt the exhaustion away.
Last Sunday we started baby food. I undressed the babies, leaving them only in their diapers. Then, we had some fun! I was not worried about the mess, as evidenced by the pictures. I loved watching their individual responses to the new taste. Surprisingly, Lila was the best eater! Needless to say, the babies needed baths after our adventure. They had carrots from their heads to their toes!
I cannot believe how quickly the past six months have gone. I was reading another multiple mama post that said "the days are long but the years are fast." That is so true! Some days are harder than others, but their little smiles just melt the exhaustion away.
Last Sunday we started baby food. I undressed the babies, leaving them only in their diapers. Then, we had some fun! I was not worried about the mess, as evidenced by the pictures. I loved watching their individual responses to the new taste. Surprisingly, Lila was the best eater! Needless to say, the babies needed baths after our adventure. They had carrots from their heads to their toes!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Wow, it's been quite a while since the last post. We certainly have kept ourselves busy. A couple of weeks ago, the Early Intervention developmental and physical therapists came to our home. They did a thorough evaluation of the babies, and they did very well. Addie and Will have skillsets aligned with 4-5 month olds. Lila performed at a 3-4 month level. Note that the babies were just about 4 months age-adjusted at the date of evaluation. The therapists had only a few comments, which included Will's tendency not to put weight on his left foot and Lila's low muscle tone. But, the therapists think time will resolve these issues. The therapists will reevaluate the babies in six months.
Well, the Holtlets have a new car...a new, shiny black minivan. Yep, you read it correctly. We bought a minivan. I never thought that I would own a minivan. But, I also never thought that I would birth a litter of babies. Anyway, if you have ever met a Rash (my family), you know that we like our cars. So, it was very hard for me to trade my beloved sedan that I had only owned 1.5 years (0.5 of which it sat in the garage b/c I was on bedrest.) Derek encouraged me to purchase the sedan as an early graduation present to myself. Well, I graduate next week. So, the sedan came and went before I even finshed school! Anyway, I teared up in the dealership as they stripped the keys from my hands. I had some serious misgivings about the trade until we loaded up the kids in the minivan for the first time. It was so much easier! And, it was the best vehicle for the kids (and dogs). Shoot, I would drive the sweet pickle bus (if that's what the kids needed! http://www.flickr.com/photos/reebeckisupergirl/469241019/
Well, the Holtlets have a new car...a new, shiny black minivan. Yep, you read it correctly. We bought a minivan. I never thought that I would own a minivan. But, I also never thought that I would birth a litter of babies. Anyway, if you have ever met a Rash (my family), you know that we like our cars. So, it was very hard for me to trade my beloved sedan that I had only owned 1.5 years (0.5 of which it sat in the garage b/c I was on bedrest.) Derek encouraged me to purchase the sedan as an early graduation present to myself. Well, I graduate next week. So, the sedan came and went before I even finshed school! Anyway, I teared up in the dealership as they stripped the keys from my hands. I had some serious misgivings about the trade until we loaded up the kids in the minivan for the first time. It was so much easier! And, it was the best vehicle for the kids (and dogs). Shoot, I would drive the sweet pickle bus (if that's what the kids needed! http://www.flickr.com/photos/reebeckisupergirl/469241019/
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Over the River and Through the Woods...
This past weekend, the babies took their very first trip to Grandma Linda and Grandpa Rick's house, while Daddy traveled to NYC to see friends. The babies and I had a great time. Now, I had to take vacation on Friday to pack and on Monday to unpack. :-)
Just a quick funny story about Derek's travels... Derek packed in a backpack that I used to carry breast pump parts. Unbeknownst to him, I had left a speciman cup of Palmolive dish soap in the bag. As he went through security, they were very concerned about the composition of this liquid. Derek, not wanting to even broach the topic of breastfeeding, insisted that security just throw out the container. But, those kind-hearted security guys would not let Derek just throw out his "medicine." After much persistance, he conviced them that he would be fine without it.
Just a quick funny story about Derek's travels... Derek packed in a backpack that I used to carry breast pump parts. Unbeknownst to him, I had left a speciman cup of Palmolive dish soap in the bag. As he went through security, they were very concerned about the composition of this liquid. Derek, not wanting to even broach the topic of breastfeeding, insisted that security just throw out the container. But, those kind-hearted security guys would not let Derek just throw out his "medicine." After much persistance, he conviced them that he would be fine without it.
Monday, April 7, 2008
What a day!
Sometimes, all you can do is laugh! This morning the babies and I were to travel to Peoria to visit the pediatriac neurologist. Now, I will get to the details you all care about, but I cannot resist sharing the comical details of our day. As the nanny was loading the kids into the car at home, a bird flew into the house. All we could do is close the house and pray that the critter did not spread its little avian germs (aka poo) across the house. We were running a bit late, but it should have been fine. Ah, but I missed my turn onto the interstate, and my keen sense of direction did not alert me to my error until I had traveled an hour in the wrong direction! My 45-minute trip to Peoria lasted nearly two hours and wound through countless one-stoplight towns. I tried to call the neurologist to alert them to our delay, but no cell phone service. Alas, we arrived, only to find that the doctor had left the office only five minutes ago. He agreed to see us after lunch at his other office. Yeah! And, his receptionist, recognizing my directional impairment and our struggles to get anywhere, personally escorted us through town to his other office.
Will and Lila were referred to the pediatric neurologist for possible positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome). It is particularly common in preemies and multiples, who spend even more time lying on their backs than other babies. Will's case is mild-to-moderate, and Lila's is classified as moderate. Fortunately, the doctor has given us two months to try to correct the problem on our own before prescribing helmets. This means lots of tummy time! The doctor was nice enough to give a quick look at Addie. Her skull also is slightly abnormal, but the abnormality does not fit a classic positional plagiocephaly case. If her skull does not improve, she will need an x-ray to rule out any premature closures of the cranial sutures. However, he does not believe this to be the case.
Well, it was a hectic day. I arrived home to find that Derek had produced a video documentary of his bird hunt. He excercised great care for the bird as he expelled it from our home. The Crocodile Hunter, himself, would have been proud. And, I was proud of Derek for protecting our home! :-)
Will and Lila were referred to the pediatric neurologist for possible positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome). It is particularly common in preemies and multiples, who spend even more time lying on their backs than other babies. Will's case is mild-to-moderate, and Lila's is classified as moderate. Fortunately, the doctor has given us two months to try to correct the problem on our own before prescribing helmets. This means lots of tummy time! The doctor was nice enough to give a quick look at Addie. Her skull also is slightly abnormal, but the abnormality does not fit a classic positional plagiocephaly case. If her skull does not improve, she will need an x-ray to rule out any premature closures of the cranial sutures. However, he does not believe this to be the case.
Well, it was a hectic day. I arrived home to find that Derek had produced a video documentary of his bird hunt. He excercised great care for the bird as he expelled it from our home. The Crocodile Hunter, himself, would have been proud. And, I was proud of Derek for protecting our home! :-)
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Play Ball
The Holtlets celebrated opening day, although their spirits were dampened with the Cardinals' rain out. We have had a great week. I have a break from school, which is allowing me to enjoy even more moments with the babies.
Today, the babies tried rice cereal for the first time. Addie was first up, since she is quite the eater. She was not sure about the strange substance but quickly decided it was worth the effort. She finished the whole bowl! Lila wanted nothing to do with the cereal, and Will was just too impatient to eat spoonful-by-spoonful. We had varying levels of success but a big mess!
Today, the babies tried rice cereal for the first time. Addie was first up, since she is quite the eater. She was not sure about the strange substance but quickly decided it was worth the effort. She finished the whole bowl! Lila wanted nothing to do with the cereal, and Will was just too impatient to eat spoonful-by-spoonful. We had varying levels of success but a big mess!
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