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Jackie G6 |
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THE MCTRIPLETS
McTriplet Mommy |
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| Category: Home | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | | | | 1 | | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
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OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW!
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Jan 02, 2009 02:25pm (EST)
Happy New Year all! Scott and I actually made it to midnight this year - first time since the boys were born. We had a quiet night with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and my niece, Jadyn. The boys were thrilled to see their cousin and time with Scott's brother and his wife is always fun. 
Well, I've been putting off and putting off this post - but I go back to work Monday so I better get to it. Since my position with March of Dimes is now "permanent" instead of just seasonal, I will be giving up my volunteer status to work as the Family Team Specialist for our local chapter. I am VERY excited about this opportunity but so very sad to be writing my last (and 386th  ) Share blog. 
There is truly no way to put into words what this site has meant to me. When I first logged on in April of 2005, I was a sad, scared, angry and completely overwhelmed mother of three very sick micro-preemies. I had one child on oxygen with no end in sight, I had two little boys who had just started receiving services for their vision because they were diagnosed as "legally blind" with correction from their glasses, I had a little boy with a feeding tube.... and no one to talk to about any of this. Not ONE person I had ever met knew anything about any of this and, while I have a great support system in my family and good friends, none of them understood any of what we were going through or how to talk to us about it all.
Three-and-a-half years later, I am an entirely different person. I have found support and healing and understanding here which has made me stronger and happier. There are truly no words of thank all to all of you for what you have done for me. I honestly don't know where I would be, emotionally and mentally, had I not found this amazing community.
The three Share Unions I attended where three of the best experiences of my life. The first one in KC I was a little nervous about - I only really knew Denise before I arrived at the VLC... but left that weekend having made so many good, life-long friends. The second one in DC I was only looking forward to knowing what the year before had brought and the one in Houston was the best yet!
It would literally be impossible to single out everyone who has helped me along the way. There is no way I could list everyone who has touched me in some way. Everyone who has ever commented on a blog or post of mine or shared their own family with me by posting themselves on this site have all fit together to make me who I am today. And I thank you ALL for that.
While it would be impossible to list everyone individually - there are several people who I have formed life-long friendships with and feel I owe a lot to.
Karri - Thank you for the comment on my very first visit to this site... you certainly had me wanting more!
Melissa - I don't know if you will ever see this but you have been a mentor and a lifesaver to me. When I was sad and broken - you helped put me together and make sense of my life. Your openness and willingness to share Ben , (and of course Alex, Callie and Donovan) and your family with me has meant so much to me. Your expertise is incredible.
Darcy - Again, I don't know if you will ever see this but your knowledge and support when Lorne was on oxygen was simply priceless. I am sorry we were both in that situation - but so happy that I found you.
Sharlene - Thanks for calling me and chatting! You were the first "Share voice" I ever heard.
Denise - I'm so lucky to have someone so cool local to hang out with (and rope in to March for Babies committees.... ). Thank you for all your hospitality for the girls and me and meeting Chomps and me at Union Station. Thanks for updating my blog when I was otherwise occupied with a child in the hospital. I truly know I could call you if I needed something - and you'd be here in ten minutes (well, an hour... why do you live so far??!!) and that means so much to me.
Katestclair - Oh how I love you. Your positive attitude is so contageous. You are an inspiration and that Kyle... oh my, he owns a big piece of my heart!
Shonda - I never, never thought I'd actually meet someone else in person who had their multiples through a delayed delivery like I did. It was great to meet you at the zoo... it's all history from there! I'm honored I got to accompany your kids to their first MLB game.
Jaclyn - I enjoyed our talk on the way to the airport in April and your life fascinates me, I thought you were great and enjoyed hanging out with you, but didn't feel like I knew you that well... until you came to visit this summer. I had such a blast staying up all night talking and can't wait until we're related some day.
Carissa - My soul sista! You totally rule... I truly felt like I found my long lost twin when we met!
Kelly Ponnnnnnnnsler - Oh my, I never knew you were missing from my life - now I don't know what I'd do without you! I enjoy our phone calls so much - I can't wait to see you again!
Again, it would be impossible to mention everyone individually and name all of the Share babies who have touched me... everyone who is a part of this community owns a small piece of my heart. I could never thank you all enough for how you have helped heal my soul over the past three years. A special thank you to all of the volunteers who are running/have run this site and made it what it is today. Big thanks to Leigh, Desiree, Mary, Todd, Aimee, Kate, Kena, Jessica, Donnavie and Julie who were on the Resource Group committee when I was chairing it.
Maybe I'm being too mushy and sentimental - but I will miss you all so much! I am so excited for this opportunity with our local chapter though. I'll drop in when I get the chance but you'll see my new log-in. Just because I'm not commenting and posting doesn't mean I'm not thinking about you all! If you want to keep up with the McTriplets - you can check out my other blogs at themctriplets.blogspot.com or my Project 365 blog at mctriplets365.blogspot.com.
XOXOXO,
Kara
10-18-08_BFF_Kelly_Ponnnnnnnnslllllllller
8-2-08_tattooing_to_save_babies
1-20-08_KC_girls
4-5-07_girls_weekend
10-17-08_kara_angi_elizabeth_dinner
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Posted by McTriplet Mommy | Comments: (16) | Permalink
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CHRISTMAS AND EAR TUBES
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Dec 31, 2008 05:05pm (EST)
Christmas this year was awesome. The boys got completely spoiled rotten and it was great. They were so excited to sit with us at church on Christmas Eve (thank God for Sunday school - three four-year olds (one of whom being Lorne Jay the squirmiest boy in the Midwest) in the sanctuary... Scott and I didn't get much out of the service!!) and we saw everyone in the whole world who we love in the matter of a week. Stressful, exhausting - and totally worth it. Here's a funny... I ordered some Chinese food on Christmas eve after the boys went to bed (no, not Peking Duck... ) and when the delivery guy rang the door bell Isaac screamed, "Hey, guys!! Santa just rang the door bell!!!" So cute! They also were really more excited to see if Santa ate their cookies than if he even brought them presents.
Not much else to really say about it - certainly the best Christmas ever.
Okay - here is what I really wanted to blog about but wanted to tell you about our awesome Christmas first! This morning we took all three boys to get tubes in their ears (we thought their name on the board was so funny!). The surgeon was running over an hour late (actually, the surgeon was right on time but the OR we were supposed to use was occupied for an hour longer than they thought) and the boys were soooooo good while we waited! I was so very, very, very proud of all three - they waited SO very nicely for over two hours until they went back.
Lorne went first - waved good-bye and walked hand in hand with the anesthesia nurse back to the OR. He took his stuffed "Sally" with him and was on his way. Totally uneventful. They brought him back about half-an-hour later and he was super silly and a little wobbly but otherwise good. He was a little sad - but cheered up after we "burped" him and was great. Even asked for apple juice!
Sullivan went second and was gone before Lorne returned. He did really, really well. He was excited about his little mask (bubble gum scented!) and the nurse said he was so good while getting the anesthesia before surgery. He barely kissed us good-bye before he ran off with the nurse! He ate a huge buffet of crackers after he brought him back to us in post-op. Of course this one would wake up hungry! He was really back to his old self by the time we got home... then he threw up. Scott and I both got really nauseous after anesthesia so apparently Sullivan inherited this - lucky duck! He has been doing great since and ate a big lunch.
I honestly think part of what was bothering me most about this whole ear tube thing is that Sullivan needed them. I know that sounds silly but we have come to expect complications with Isaac and Lorne and this child has NEVER had surgery and NEVER been under anesthesia. That is a big deal for the little micro-preemies we're raising and I think it kind-of hurt that he had to have a (albeit very, very minor) surgical procedure.
Isaac did great before hand - he was the most "nervous" about going with the nurses but no tears. He had craaaaazy wax in his ears (his doctor literally said he had NEVER seen this much ear wax in a child's ear before) so the doctor had to dig all of that out and Isaac's poor ears were and are rather irritated. He was crying a lot when they brought him back to us and I think is the only one actually in pain after the procedure. He is doing okay, a bit clingy and crying, but physically doing very well. He has ear drops he has to take for the next three days which (as you can imagine) he HATES.
All in all really, really, really very uneventful. I admit I was nervous but ear tubes are truly "nothing" as everyone kept assuring me before hand. Thank you all for your e-mails, texts and phone calls today!
We're ready for a big New Year's Eve... wonder if Scott and I will make it past ten o'clock this year?!
12-24-08_Christmas_eve
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Posted by McTriplet Mommy | Comments: (8) | Permalink
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PLAN OF ATTACK! KIND-OF...
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Dec 15, 2008 04:13pm (EST)
First of all, I want to thank you all so much for your comments on my last entry. Thank you for not rolling your eyes and saying, "Come on, it's ear tubes... I mean really," - like I am for some reason doing to myself. I think you're all right - it's just that one last straw. It's like when you have a horrible day and you're holding it together - and the cable goes out, and you lose it. No, it's not that big of a deal - but the feelings coming out aren't because of cable or spilled milk or ear tubes - they're everything leading up to that. So while I shouldn't need anyone to tell me what I'm feeling is normal - it helps that you understand.
So - feeding clinic appointment at 1:00 today with Lorne. It didn't go badly - but she basically said, "You're doing everything right. Good job!" which is awesome and makes feel good - it wasn't the miracle answer I was hoping for! She basically said to continue what we are doing - offering what we eat and letting him "self-regulate" how much and what he wants. The only thing she suggested is waiting until after he eats to start his pump and maybe he'll be "hungrier" - though I doubt that. We're going back in three weeks to meet with nutrition (who I really thought would be at the appointment TODAY) and see how he's doing. If he's made any progress - we may go to night feedings so he can be hungrier during the day but still not miss any nutrition in a 24 hour period.
You should have seen this kid today - drank 4 ounces of water, ate 3 oz of applesauce, two Teddy Grahams and THREE mini-ravioli! The OT was SO nice and really, really involved Lorne in the decision making process. Oh, and have to tell you what my dad said... "Well, maybe the first step would be to get him to sit at the table with everyone while you're all eating." And he really said it in a helpful way - but it made me so mad! First of all, we DO that - it's when he's at their house or a restaurant that *they* don't make him to adhere to the rules. Okay, I guess there's no second of all but wanted to vent!
So - the appointment went okay but I was just SO excited about it and really wanted to walk away with a plan - which I don't feel like we did. In time he'll get there - it's so funny to look back at the old notes we have (I brought it all with me today) saying that our goals were to take two sips of a drink, one bite of puree, etc. So him eating all mentioned above is HUGE progress!! I told him he couldn't take his tube to kindergarten... so that's about 18 months.
Thanks for your continued support!
Take care,
Kara
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Posted by McTriplet Mommy | Comments: (11) | Permalink
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I WAS WRONG...
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Dec 01, 2008 12:17pm (EST)
I know - it doesn't happen often! You may recall Saturday I wrote, "We have another eye doctor appointment Monday with the ophthalmologist. I am nervous about this one as I was with the retina specialist. I can almost guarantee their Rx has changed which will mean a new pair of glasses. "
Well, just got home from the eye dr - the appointment was great! The boys were very cooperative and Dr. O was impressed with the letters they knew while reading the eye chart. Their eyes look good. He didn't even have to dilate them b/c we had just seen the retina dr.
Lorne had a slight change in the Rx in his left eye though he said not enough to need new glasses. The doctor said the next step is to make his prescription so he can see further away with a bi-focal up close… but he doesn’t want to go that route at this point because of his age and most of his world is up close anyway – so he is going to “keep him” near-sighted. Lorne was VERY cooperative and the dr was impressed with all of the letters he knew when reading the eye chart! He estimated Lorne’s vision at “a little better than 20/200” with both eyes. (as an aside - if you aren't familiar with vision - "normal" people who don't need vision correction have vision of 20/20 meaning that they can see at 20 feet what "normal" people see at 20 feet. So Lorne's vision means that what he can see at 20 feet (first number in fraction), someone with perfect vision would be able to see from 200 feet (second number in fraction).... I've gotten questions about this recently so wanted to clarify! Also FYI - 20/200 is what is considered "legally blind.") He said he wanted me to know for just FYI future testing that testing his eyes individually won’t really indicate his true vision. I told the dr he is always turning his head to see things – he said that’s because of his nystagmus (“eye shaking”) and wasn’t worried about that either.
Isaac’s prescription was also pretty much the same (yeah!!!) and he also does not need new glasses. The doctor estimated his vision at 20/300 (see above - meaning he can see at 20 feet what "normal" people can see at 300 feet). Isaac was also very cooperative reading the letters and sitting in the chair as well. He said Isaac’s eyes are still crossing but it isn’t too bad, 5 degrees or so and he was not worried about it. The dr has mentioned previously that he may need surgery to correct this in the future but for now it's not bothering him of affecting his vision. I mentioned Isaac started his eye poking again in the left eye and he said it’s just a habit we need to break – that there is no physical reason for it so he wasn’t worried about it either.
Woohoo!
Then I took them to the grocery store and all h-e-double-hockey-sticks broke loose. Isaac ran face first in to a cart (he was turned around looking behind him and ran right in to it) and when I turned around to help Isaac, Lorne tripped over his own feet and put his front tooth through his top lip. Poor guys - I just needed to pick up some medicine! A good day though - I am SO relieved!!!
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Posted by McTriplet Mommy | Comments: (9) | Permalink
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I MEAN, SERIOUSLY...
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Nov 29, 2008 06:09pm (EST)
This is a conversation at dinner. (and this is a very Todd/Elliott conversation... ) Keep in mind... this child was born at 23 weeks, we never thought we'd bring him home.... at that - we had no idea what he would be capable of mentally. He's constantly asking questions like this....
Lorne: What is a shape with 12 sides called?
Me: I don't know - we can look it up on the computer when we're done with dinner.
Lorne: Well, what shape has one side?
Me: (playing dumb - though I would have said "line") I don't know, I can't remember... what is it, Lorne?
L: A circle! And an oval, too.
M: (looking at Scott): Um, yeah. (testing him) What shape has five sides?
L: A pentagon!!!! It has five angles, too. Five sides and five angles.
M: Um, yeah.... that's right, too.
L: What is a shape called with four sides?
M: A rectangle...
L: Oh yeah, forgot about rectangle... I was going to say a square.
M: Yeah, and a square. How many sides does an octagon have?
L: EIGHT! Got it!!! I beat you!
M: Yes, Lorne, you beat me...
This four-year old child also counted to 100 (without any help at all) last weekend.
Seriously. That MRI he had in infancy which showed "thinning in the white matter" of his brain causing us to seriously doubt his future mental capacities no longer haunts me. This child even corrects our grammar - it's almost scary.
We had a great holiday! We went to the lake last weekend with my dad and step-mom. We had a great time though they put us to work raking leaves. On Thanksgiving, we went to my mom's and we are going to Scott's family Sunday. We are blessed to have so many people to celebrate with! The boys had a great time with their grandparents and their uncles.
Last Monday was also Grandparents day at school which the boys LOVED. They were SO excited to have their grandparents there and show them off. Luckily since we have three boys in three separate classrooms - we have three sets of grandparents.
We have another eye doctor appointment Monday with the ophthalmologist. I am nervous about this one as I was with the retina specialist. I can almost guarantee their Rx has changed which will mean a new pair of glasses.
The boys ALL failed their hearing screenings at school (which they did twice to be sure) and we have an appointment with the ENT in December also. I'm hoping the "worst case" is that they need tubes or something - I told friends I swear I will lose it if I find out they have hearing loss which needs correction. I mean really - one more thing?? We'll cross that bridge when we come to it but I'll admit I'm stressing a bit....
Lorne sees the feeding specialist later this month. THIS is the only appointment I'm actually looking forward to because I could use some direction in this arena. I'm anxious to know how much they think we can push him. He drank EIGHT (EIGHT!!!!!!!) ounces of Pediasure today!! And is obviously smart as ever - they are all doing SO great. I just hope the appointments go well over the course of the next few weeks....
Hope everyone is doing well. Thinking of all my friends struggling right now especially those with sick kids - and glad Sammy is home!!!
XOXO,
Kara
boys_leaves
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Posted by McTriplet Mommy | Comments: (4) | Permalink
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THAT KID
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Oct 29, 2008 07:48pm (EST)
Remember that kid in school? The kid who was obnoxious and crazy and no one even wanted to be his friend because he was *such* a spaz? The one who was *always* in trouble - not for big things but just because he couldn't sit still or follow directions and was always in everyone's space? The one who you just rolled your eyes about because he was SO "extreme?" I won't name that kid from my school - but if I said his name around anyone I went to elementary school with - they'd remember him. My mom even remembered him when I used his name the other day.
I don't want Lorne to be *that* kid. Scott and I have said if we can get his behavior under control - this kid could be the next Einstein. I mean he is SMART, he is funny, witty, friendly, loving... but I don't think most people can get past his behavior to see *any* of this. Today at the library he went up to another boy dressed as Superman and started touching his costume - his "muscles", his belt, etc. He asked the kid his name and how old he was and who his mommy was - and ten thousand other questions. This other boy was SO uncomfortable and pushed Lorne away (Lorne's behavior *was* inappropriate but he just wanted to see the costume...) looking so annoyed.
Part of it is Lorne's vision - he NEEDS to be that close to see things. He needs to examine and touch and smell things to really "see" them because of his poor vision. But most of it is his Sensory Integration Disorder. This little boy is SO "sensory seeking" that he really, truly can't help himself sometimes. If he *knows* he's going to go to time-out or miss out on something big like trunk-or-treating (cough, cough, last Saturday...) - he still just can't help it and MUST touch whatever it is he is supposed to stay out of. Last Saturday it was the water dispenser on the fridge. Yesterday it was the coach's stop-watch at soccer, today it was a child's Halloween costume. I just feel so "sorry for" him. I don't want him to be *that* kid. I don't want kids in ten years going, "OMG - remember Lorne McB??" 
Here's another *kid* I rolled my eyes about... this adorable little seven-year old at our first NICU reunion. He was SEVEN - and had a feeding tube. We talked extensively with his mom who told us how he simply *won't* eat. She said he is now responsible for all parts of his feeding - cleaning and maintaining the pump, changing his tube, everything. I am not kidding that I all but laughed in this woman's face. Seven?? Seriously? Geez, my kid was barely one-year old and we were not going to have the tube for that long. I mean, really....
Now he's four. FOUR. Still has that tube and while we aren't in the exact same place - we've made ONE step of a hundred in the right direction. I could be that mom who has the seven-year old at the NICU reunion still refusing to eat who has a g-tube. I mean he is *going* to get there - I just really have started worrying that it is not going to be before it affects him socially. Eating with Lorne is horribly gross - and I'm his mom. Don't get me wrong - a year ago I would have given anything for a *gross* dinner with Lorne meaning he was actually putting things in his mouth and chewing it and we rejoice in his accomplishments and progress. But - four-year olds aren't as forgiving. Five-year olds will be even less and kindergardeners? Forget it. It's just that he has so much else he's fighting against (see above ) that if we can get rid of this one thing - maybe he'll be more "accepted"? He just started swimming lessons and for the first time EVER I think he kind-of realized he was a bit "different" than the other kids.... he wears a swimming shirt (because *I* don't like those looks from parents and comments from kids about his tube) and he made a comment that "I'll wear my shirt so no one can see my tube." I just hate that he sees himself as different - but doesn't really have all the cognitive abilities to truly understand how wonderful and inspiring and special and loved he is.
I've been kind-of stressed lately - sorry for my downer of a post. I just love this boy SO much and am SO proud of him and his progress and SO hopeful for his future - that if even *I* am frustrated, I can't imagine what kids who are fickle and give in to peer pressure will think and how they will act around my sweet boy. Oh my - I wish I could protect them forever! Isaac is SUCH a loving, wonderful kid. He has his many, many quirks and can be SO frustrating - but I have absolutely no worries about this child socially. Sullivan we've never really worried about much of anything after he really started developing and showing us how well he will do. Lorne is the one we never knew if we'd bring home and we are SO thrilled to have the chance to raise this little miracle - as a parent, I would love him no matter his abilities or challenges. But I am just a mom who wants the best for her child and wants them to fit in and have friends and be HAPPY.
lorne finished
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Posted by McTriplet Mommy | Comments: (14) | Permalink
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