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THE MCTRIPLETS
McTriplet Mommy |
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LOOSE ENDS
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Nov 28, 2007 07:32pm (EST)
I feel like I have a lot "out there" that I need to update.... here are a few...
Sorry for any of you I "fooled" with the bedtime post. It wasn't my intention - it was just for humor's sake.  Sullivan got his staples taken out Monday and was SUPER brave. He was great through it all - I can't even imagine had it been one of the other two how they would have acted!! If anyone is keeping score - Isaac was the *perp* - my sweet, little, everyone's friend Isaac. Guess he had just had enough!! Honestly - my kids hit each other a hundred times a day with a hundred different things... this one just happened to hit *just right*.
Isaac is potty trained! Seriously - waiting until they are READY is the way to go. Both Isaac and Sullivan were basically trained within a week of starting - because they were both so ready when we started. I have no intentions of starting Lorne for quite a while - but he'll get there. ONE in diapers is a dream!!
Lorne got a new feeding pump about a month ago that he can carry around in a backpack - he is SO proud of it! Seriously -I almost wonder if it was NOT the right way to go - as he is SO excited about his pump! He can now eat while playing, walking, outside... way different than his other one where he was strapped to his booster seat five times a day. It has been a Godsend. Also - his eating is slowwwwwwwwwwly getting there. He will take a bite at almost each meal and chew and swallow it and drinks an ounce or so a day - it takes sometimes half an hour (or more!) to get that ONE bite down but what a HUGE improvement from eating NOTHING. Have to keep telling myself that. Again - he WILL get there. For now - this new Infinity pump has made a world of difference in ALL of our lives as we work towards oral feedings.
Let's see... what else.... Oh! School. They still LOVE it. Not only do they all love their schools - I think they truly love having their "own" classes. It is great. I guess Lorne and Isaac get to do some things together (PT, O&M, recess) but are SO independent. I guess Isaac used to wait for Lorne to get off the bus and they would both hold hands and walk down the hall together (their classes are across from eachother) but now - Isaac doesn't even wait! He's so excited to get to his class that he gets off the bus and makes a b-line for class. And Lorne does great getting to his class on his own. The principal walked by while I was there with Sullivan for speech the other day and she stopped to tell me how great both of my boys are. How sweet they are, how they make her smile... Isaac is a little doll. It is hard NOT to love Isaac. But Lorne is a bit more, um, extreme. To hear her stress how BOTH of my boys make her day... made MY day!!
Oh - and a few weeks ago at church the boys were asked to name their "best friend" to write on a heart for an exercise they were doing in Sunday School. Lorne's heart said "Raymond" and we don't even know anyone named Raymond. They all three have a wild imagination so I thought maybe he just made it up - I asked him about it, "Who is this? Who is your best friend?" "Mrs. Raymond!!" - his preschool teacher. I nearly cried. Guess he's liking school!
Sullivan likes having his own school "no brothers." I asked him about it and he told me it makes him happy to go to "his church school" without his brothers - though it is so clear when they "reunite" at the end of the day that they are happy to see each other. The bus is also going great. I am SO proud of them - I was so worried about how this would go. The *ideal* situation - logistically - would be all three at the same school, obviously. But second to that - this could not possibly be going any better.
Isaac sees endocrinology to discuss his growth (or lack there-of) next week. I'm very nervous!!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here! I totally get it now. I know why my parents went all out, why they were so dedicated to making everything "perfect" for us kids... I get it. My kids are SO COOL this year. They had fun decorating the tree, they can tell you that Christmas is Baby Jesus' birthday, they recognize Santa on paper and in person. As obnoxious and stressful and absolutely naughty these children can be (trust me!!!) - this is pretty cool.
Mom and I went shopping on "Black Friday". It was crazy. FUN - but totally crazy. Never would have done it "alone" - but it was fun to spend the day with my mom, even if some of that day was in lines and waiting for our crazy deals! Got ALL of my Christmas shopping done before 9:00 a.m. Friday - so THAT was certainly worth it. I'm excited for the boys to open their presents this year - just a few little things and stockings - but, again, they "get it".
Geez - that's all I can think of right now! We've been busy here - I'll admit I've been super, super stressed with these *wonderful* children - day in and day out. Scott's schedule only allows him to be home an hour - at most - of waking time during the day. So it's basically ME 24/7. But we're doing it. Wow - I'm sorry for all of you going through the "terrible twos"... but three is WAY worse. 
Take care, all! Hope everyone is staying happy and healthy! The boys' Christmas pageant at school is Sunday - I can't wait! They are so cute singing their little songs.
Kara
11-25-07 Santa
11-22-07 Thanksgiving
decorating the three 1
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Posted by McTriplet Mommy | Comments: (18) | Permalink
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WHEW!
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Nov 11, 2007 02:52pm (EST)
My goodness - busy, busy, busy here! Where to start... Sullivan's appointment with the surgeon went okay - the dr said both testicles are "timid" and do retract - but since he can manually pull them down, no treatment is needed at this time. He said since they retract so easily - it is likely he will need surgical treatment in the future - but we will just watch and cross that bridge when it comes.
We visited the Every Baby Has a Story bus last week as well. It was pretty cool! The boys had a great time playing with all of the toys and, I'll be honest - it was neat to record the boys' story on video! Anyone who has also gone (Jaclyn???) knows how long it takes me to get the link to my video? We went last Monday but I still haven't gotten it yet... anyway - it was neat to meet some other parents and the boys are always a hit. "Triplets!! Wow - I've never seen TRIPLETS in 'real life' before!!" Luckily - as annoying as these comments sometimes get - my children just think that *everyone* in the whole world is excited to see THEM. So - that's fine.
Last Thursday was the Bikers for Babies Thank You party. It was so funny, I started my speech with some thing like, "I had this great speech prepared for Bikers and didn't say anything I wanted to because the boys totally upstaged me.... so I didn't really even prepare anything to say tonight - knowing that the boys would show me up!" I'm not even kidding you that I didn't even get that entire sentence out before the boys had grabbed the mic and done just that! It was fun!! The boys got to hand out awards to all of the Grand Donors and everyone thought they were SO cute! Wild - my mom and I left literally drenched in sweat after chasing them - but adorable.
Thank you, thank you, thank you all for your responses on my last blog. You don't know (okay - some of you do know!) how much you all mean to me. How much it means to me to have so many people who *really* - really and truly - understand me and how I'm thinking. And to tell me it's okay to feel that way! You guys are great.
Here are a few pictures of our adventures of our past few weeks. That picture of the boys on the red couch was taken within minutes of arriving at the Bikers party... I mean, really.
Oh my gosh - almost forgot! Isaac has started going peepee in the big boy potty! I'm hoping he continues - he's in underwear at home and pull-ups when we go out now. I told him no more diapers - so he better learn to keep his underpants dry soon! Very exciting!
bouncing on couch
ed hale
outside bus
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Posted by McTriplet Mommy | Comments: (13) | Permalink
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THE BLAHS
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Nov 06, 2007 12:33pm (EST)
Anyone else have a case of the blahs? I'm not really sure what's wrong with me - just... blah. Stuck in a rut. I think I'm too busy - or not busy enough? Who knows. I've put on tons of weight since this summer and I'm so upset about it - yet when I'm upset, I eat, and I know that has contributed to my weight gain. Makes me very mad! Blah.
The children... oh, the children. I love and adore them - but I'm not sure I'm cut out for this stay-at-home mom gig. I don't think daycare is an option as Lorne's sensory issues are still SO appearant and I'm sure no one would take him with his feeding tube. Plus - I don't think I can "afford" to work! That is - to pay childcare so I can work. I just feel like I quit my job to stay home with the boys (which I *definitely* wanted to do when I had kids) and now I'm "stuck." I don't even know what I want to do "when I grow up" or what kind of job I'd like if I did choose to go back. Blah.
I'm trying so hard not to wish time away. These will be our only children. I will never again have a baby or a two year old child. Never. I don't want to wish their childhood away - and regret it when they're older. But they are SO wild ALL of the time. I mean - exhausting and extremely stressful and naughty. Honestly - probably just typical boys stuff - but times three. And put on top of that the medical stuff, appointments, Lorne's feeding, IEPs, therapies... I'm just worn out. Blah.
I don't know - I was talking to a friend this morning and actually aknowledged feeling this way. I feel so vulnerable! We had our first Family Teams committee meeting last night for March for Babies and one of the staffers called me "Super Mom" - it almost made me cringe because that is a lot to live up to! She meant it as a compliment - like she didn't know how I did it all - but sometimes, I feel like I'm just barely holding it together and others would totally think less of me if I "couldn't" ("didn't") do it "all"... with grace. Blah.
<sigh> Sorry to vent - but I am so thankful for this safe place where I can come share my *real* feelings and not be judged. My husband is SO absolutely wonderful and amazing - and I feel like *he* has more to be upset and stressed about than I do so I hate to sometimes "burden" him with my feelings. SO I've come to all of you. Thanks for letting me get it out!!
Also - our next live chat is Thursday, November 8th at 3:30 Eastern. We'll be talking about RSV, protecting our children during these winter months, cabin fever during lock down and.... wait for it... Dr. Berns will be our guest speaker! I will be at the dr with Sullivan so I will miss it - but look forward to reading it later!
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Posted by McTriplet Mommy | Comments: (19) | Permalink
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TERRIBLE MORNING - GREAT NEWS
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Nov 01, 2007 03:23pm (EST)
So - we had to be at the hospital this morning for the boys' retinal exams under anesthesia (EUAs). I hate these things... not only are retina exams horrible and typically yield bad news - putting your kid under anesthesia is no picnic.
Last year, I was very worried about putting the boys "under" as Lorne had only been off of O2 for less than a month. I was "completely unconcerned" (okay - less concerned) about the actual exam results. Last year - the results were okay... not great, but okay. The anesthesia (for both) went off without a hitch however.
This morning we had to be at the hospital at 7:15 (after a last minute appointment yesterday with anesthesia to make sure they were healthy enough for "surgery" - but I'm over that). We waited for what seems like years (I think it was almost two hours) and they finally came to get Lorne. We were given the information last time that we "could request" (in fact - she suggested it) that the boys have a "calming medication" (Darvocet) in order to make the separation/administration of anesthesia/intubation, etc. much less traumatic for everyone. These boys are SO "doctored out" and we thought that would be a great idea.
So - the boys had their meds and they went with the nurses with no problem. We had to wait a little longer than I would have liked for them to come get Isaac but that was fine. The retina specialist came to surgery recovery to tell us how great the boys' eyes looked. Anatomically - totally good. The pressures were "okay" (they are at increased risk for glaucoma so high pressure could be a problem) - Isaac's left eye a bit on the high side - but not cause for alarm or treatment. Both boys were already in recovery at this point and we were so relieved with the results.
Then the recovery nurse called. Said Lorne woke up absolutely hysterical, couldn't be calmed, they were worried about his safety and wanted to know about his baseline behavior at home. I told them that he was a WILD man at home. I wasn't quite sure what they were getting at. She said great, she'd call us to come up soon. Called back a few minutes later - they had to give Lorne some medication because he was SO upset (when we finally talked to them later she said he was "glassy eyed and unresponsive" and called it "emergence delirium" as per the anesthesiologist) - but the medication had caused him to be SO drowsy that his oxygenation was suffering and they had to put him on oxygen to maintain sats just above 90. I totally lost it. He had been OFF of oxygen and healthy for over a year. They said it was "no big deal" and, honestly, with Isaac - I wouldn't have really thought oxygen after anesthesia was THAT big of a deal - thinking he would come off soon. But I was SO worried about poor Lorne who had had so many respiratory problems up until this point already.
Fast forward another hour when we finally got to go up to recovery. Lorne was absolutely, totally, fast "asleep" but we got to go up and hold him. Isaac then came in and she informed us that he had to be intubated (the exam only takes 10-15 minutes so they were hoping to just use a mask) and when they extubated him - he had tons of nasty secretions and sounded terrible - so he had been given oxygen and breathing treatments as well.
I mean really - Lorne on oxygen for less than two hours and Isaac on oxygen for a few minutes and one breathing treatment... and I'm THIS upset??!! But I had totally let my guard down - I was prepared for bad reports on their retinas - I was not in ANY way prepared to face problems with the anesthesia. We are all now home and fine - Mommy is just emotionally drained!
So - the boys' eyes all look good! Retinas attached, everything looks healthy, pressures okay... and this was, by far, one of the worst eye exams ever!.
I'm off to my triplet dinner tonight. I need it!
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Posted by McTriplet Mommy | Comments: (13) | Permalink
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DA BOYZ
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Oct 24, 2007 06:20pm (EST)
While Share Union was first and foremost on my mind when I blogged yesterday - a lot of other things have been going on around here, too. Here is the latest on the boys...
Lorne
Really only good news to report here. This child has (KNOCK ON WOOD) stayed amazingly healthy. We're working on almost 18 months hospital free! It amazes me that I never thought we'd get two months in a row - soon we'll have two YEARS in a row! His eating is still not "getting there" as fast as I would like - but I have to keep reminding myself that he IS making progress. Yesterday he ate two goldfish at school and a bite of quesadilla at dinner. ATE! Not chewed and spit out, not drooled on, not licked - ATE! Ingested! Consumed! Devoured! SWALLOWED!!! Very exciting stuff. He is SO interested and motivated lately - I am really trying to encourage it. He has *finally* "gotten over" Elmo and Sesame Street... while he does still enjoy them - Cars is his new favorite! We let him watch a movie at night whiel he's going to sleep (how's THAT for playing favorites?????) and he has chosen Elmo for the past almost year - the past week or so it's been Cars.
That's about it on the Lorne front.
Isaac
The week before I left for D.C. was Isaac and Sullivan's three year check up. Poor kid... barely gained a pound and an inch in a year. Still *well* below the growth curve even taking into account his "adjusted" age. We decided to go ahead and see endocrinology in December. No plan of action except a consult with endo - so that's fine.
He and Lorne also have EUAs (exam under anesthesia) November 1st with the retina specialist. Have I mentioned lately how much I *hate* visits with the retina specialist??? Through no fault of his own... this man is SO sweet and nice and very professional and understanding - but we've received way more bad than good news from the retina doctor. I will be holding my breath until then.
Isaac has already received a note from his teacher that he is "loved by all" and has "many friends" in class. This kid is SO sweet.
Sullivan
Sweet Sullivan. Or often - not-so-sweet Sullivan. He is such an "easy" kid - his preschool teachers have told me on more than one occasion that he is the "easiest" kid in their class... I believe it! He is SO well behaved, follows all the rules, is quiet and wants to impress... strangers. He does NOT act like this for Mommy and Daddy! Don't get me wrong - I can absolutely count on Sullivan to do things "right" - but he is tough kid.
His speech is coming along but he is still very, very hard to understand. I know how frustrating this is for us - I can't even imagine how much more so it must be for him! He still is SO excited that the school bus is coming to his house - and doesn't seem to mind that HE is not getting on it.
Sullivan had a little "complication" at his 3 year check up that his doctor couldn't find his left testicle in his scrotum. Yes - in twenty years, he'll *hate* that I posted this on the internet.... but I am really struggling with it. It is absolutely rediculous and I know it seems silly - but Sullivan is my *healthy* child. Sullivan - my 1 lb 11 oz 26 weeker who wasn't breathing at birth - has NEVER been rehospitalized. He has NEVER had surgery. He has really never had anything all too concerning. We watched his heart defect - and it closed. Now - an undecended testicle is like a surgery for an appendix or tonsils or even mono in my mind. It's a totally "normal" complication of childhood. Some kids have this problem - some don't. It typically doesn't matter what the birth circumstances were. But to ME - Sullivan needing surgery - no matter how "routine" or "common" the problem really makes me angry! I need to call the surgeon to make an appointment tomorrow. He may or may not even need surgery. We'll have to see. The good news is there is no doubt that his testicles are there and healthy - just not where they should be. He was SO brave during his exam!
So - that's the update on the boys! They are ornery as ever - and I usually love it. Although I am thinking of finding a retail job this holiday season - just to get out of the house! We'll see.
Take care,
Kara
10-22-07 boys busses
10-19-07 Carissa, Sherri, Kara, Ed
10-21-07 Jessica Carissa Kara
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Posted by McTriplet Mommy | Comments: (10) | Permalink
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SHARE UNION ET. ALL
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Oct 23, 2007 11:54am (EST)
Okay - first things last because I know you're all dying to know - Share Union.
I was privelaged to attend last year - would have kicked myself for not going since I live half an hour from the hotel! So it was really cool to get *back* together with some friends I made last year - like Jaclyn, Karri, Donna, Michele, Darcy, Stacey, Shonda, Denise, James and - my partner in crime - Carissa. Thank goodness the two of us don't live closer - we'd probably be the first MOD volunteers in history who would be asked to NOT participate in things together!  As I was checking in early Thursday morning for the VLC I said my name - and the *adorable* girl (whose cute hair I was already checking out!) behind me said, "Hi, Kara! I'm Jessica Bracy!" I was also able to meet Todd, Melissa, Karen, Brandi, Colleen (and Ken and Grady!), Melissa Middleton and Kate St. Clair before the festivities even began! It was awesome to hang out Thursday night and just get to know each other - and drink some white zinfandael.
Saturday, as everyone started checking in, it was cool to get to put names to faces. Or in the case of some - hugs to faces as I would have recognized them anywhere! It was great to meet a lot of friends I was dying to meet - and to meet some new people who thought Share was something they'd like to start to get involved in! We learned a lot about the March of Dimes - how we can get involved and some history that I found very interesting. Saturday night was, of course, the Remembrance Ceremony. Poor Aimee - she really wasn't kidding, I bet she *did* cry for two weeks when she first logged on to Share. She and Kelly, Sharlene and Elizabeth were hilarious together. Shonda read a poem and Kate lighted a candle for prematurity, Sharlene read a poem and started crying because I coudln't light MY candle for birth defects , and Collen read a poem and Jessica just skipped the candle (smart girl!) to honor those families touched by infant mortality. Then we watched the beautiful video Carissa put together to honor and remember our children. It was amazing.
Saturday night was an early night for me - considering Friday was such a late one! Sunday "we" (they) scrapbooked. I honestly wasn't *trying* to get out of it, the scrapbooking session was one of my favorites last year - it was neat to get some ideas, and it was awesome to see everyone else's pictures and talk to everyone. But I just forgot my pictures! I took some supplies to work on later. Really - I'm *really* going to do it. I'll show you my awesome book *next* year!! Melissa Middleton, Share member extraordinare turned fabulous MOD NICU family support specialist, gave us some insight about how we can help in our communities with other NICU families. That is something I'm very interested in! Then - the best session of the weekend - March for Babies Family Teams! Okay - maybe I just *thought* it was the best.
Darcy then taught us some fancy codes and things to trick out our posts. Check The Cafe for some of us showing off! The weekend came to a close with hugs and tears (and presents!!). It was hard to say good-bye!
It was so great to meet *everyone*. I was thrilled to be able to hug Sharlene in person and I think I found my long lost twin in Kate St. Clair. Jessica Bracy totally rules and Melissa - I'm sneaking in french fries next year! Robin - it was awesome to meet you and I'm thrilled we turned Jody "to the dark side" and that we'll see him around here soon! Stacey thanks for being such a quiet roommate - even if you got in trouble with security. Carissa - Denise and I decided on the way home that we are already ready for another trip - so we're bringing our stuff to YOU instead - we'll sleep on the floor! Amanda - I'm glad you "crashed" us - you are so sweet! Amy - I'm glad you decided to come back and tell us more about your kids - keep it coming!! The entire planning committee did a fantastic job - it amazes me every time I go to something like this that, while James and Darcy most certainly put a lot in to this - the event you attended was organized largely by volunteers!! EVERYONE was great - I'm sure I forgot to mention some wonderful person I met - but I'm winging it here. All of the California girls who we met - so glad you were there!! Next year as you have probably seen is in Tex-as - we'll see many more of you there, I hope!
I'll blog tomorrow about the boys - lots to say there, too.
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Posted by McTriplet Mommy | Comments: (14) | Permalink
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