March 22 to 28, 2011

Once again this past week has flew by and our triplets are definitely growing!  We had tons of help from our families again.  Sarah's Aunt Jane finally got to meet the triplets and she brought us a cake from The Lovin' Oven.  Sarah and I also did some nights by ourselves, which was hard, but nice at the same time.  We also went for our first family walk!  The Peg Perego stroller worked awesome and Hayden loved running and throwing rocks.  Sorry it has taken so long to post an update, but I have been busy doing grad-school homework and trying to get a lot of it done before I go back to work.  I plan on going back part time the week of April 4th.  I go back full time the week of May 22nd.  My Grandpa Gescher was admitted to Salem Hospital and is on the floor I worked on up until this January.  He has PEs and DVTs.  Please keep him in your prayers.  The Statesman Journal and The Stayton Mail are going to do a story on our family within the next few weeks!  Thanks for following our blog and plan on updates about every week!

On 3/22/11, their weights were:

Hunter 7 lbs 5.5 oz (up 13.5 oz from 3/15/11)

Hadley 6 lbs 4 oz (up 9 oz)

Holden 6 lbs 13.5 oz (up 11.5 oz)

Hayden putting in Hunter's soothie

Our first walk

Hunter

Hadley

Holden

Hayden running and throwing rocks

Hayden loves playing catch!

So happy to be playing outside!

Thanks,

Casey

March 18-21, 2011

These past days have once again flew by!  My Dad stayed 2 nights and he got up at all the night feedings to help out!  He was off work this week.  My Mom also stayed and so did Nancy.  As far as meals, our parents both made us dinners.  My uncle Dennis, Aunt Loni, and Travis and Kim finally got to meet the triplets on Sunday.  They also brought them gifts and some baked ziti pasta that we froze for a dinner later.  My Grandpa and Grandma Lulay brought us a bouquet of daffodils and also a frozen lasagna and some homemade bread.  They visited a few times these past days.  My Grandma Gescher has come over these past days to help out too.  Katie, Kyle, and Olivia, and Ashley came over to visit and have dinner with us too.  I have been busy with school and am deciding when to go back to work part time since my PTO runs out soon.  I am putting in for Caring and Sharing at work in case staff want to give me some hours.  I am hoping I can stay home longer since things are still hectic around here.      

As far as the triplets, they are all growing like crazy and are much more alert.  Hunter seems to be awake the longest.  Hunter and Holden seem to switch days in being fussy and wanting to be held.  Hadley is still laid back and only cries here and there.  Sarah is now breast feeding 3 times in 24 hours and then pumps in between for the bottle-feeding.  We were told to not let them nurse more than this until they are full term.  They will already be a month old tomorrow and are now 38 weeks! 

Hayden sleeping in our bed, next to the triplets' bed

Attempting to get all 4 kiddos with Sarah in a picture

All snuggled in our bed

Hayden loves his brothers and sister

Hunter has big dimples

Matching outfits Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Barham got them

Thanks,

Casey 

March 12-17, 2011

Sorry it has been so long in an update on the blog, but things have been really busy and time flew by!  Where do I begin?  First of all both my Mom and Dad have been rotating shifts with Nancy.  On Monday, Julie Martin of ZoZoBugBaby photography came to our house with her friend, Kim Adams of Elite Photography to take pictures of the triplets and Hayden.  She had vendors donate blankets, hats, and onesies for the triplets.  She even made Hayden a shirt!  It was a lot of fun and took about 4 hours!  We had heaters going in our front room to keep them all warm.  My aunt Annie brought us some chicken enchiladas, salsa, and chips that night.  They were awesome!  On Tuesday, March 15, the Linn County Health Nurse came to our house to do measurements and weights.  The weights were:

Hunter: 6 lbs 8 oz

Hadley 5 lbs 11 oz

Holden 6 lbs 2 oz

Both boys are now 19 inches long and Hadley's was 18 inches.  Their heads were all perfect too.    

Bob and Nancy and my parents made us dinner throughout the week.  On Wednesday, March 16, my aunt Val made us her famous chicken pasta as well as salad and Skinny Cows.  It was nice to have her visit.  That night, Val, Katie, Nicole, Chad, my Mom and Dad all ate dinner together.  Val made a ton of pasta, so we got to have left-overs.  Nicole took Hayden for a walk, so I asked her to get our mail and I gave her the key.  However, after a half hour of her being gone we began to wonder.  She called us and told us the key wasn't working, so we talked her through it.  Then she said, "It is PO Box so and so" and we were like, "Um no, it is by our house."  She walked all the way there.  I felt bad because I should have told her where our mailbox was.  Oh well, Hayden had a blast walking and jumping in mud puddles! 

On Thursday, March 17, my aunt Michelle and my cousin Presley came over to see the triplets for the first time.  They brought us a big basket full of goodies!  Michelle helped feed Hunter and Presley held Hadley.  It was nice to visit with them for a few hours.  Michelle is going to be "Super Nanny" and help us out every week.  We really appreciate this and look forward to it.  My cousin Nicole made us some awesome pizza rolls for dinner on March 17th. 

Hadley all dressed up

Thanks,

Casey

March 10 and 11, 2011

My Mom stayed the night of the 10th and Nancy stayed the night of the 11th.  Days seems to run into each other since we are so busy.  On Thursday night, my sister Katie and Olivia, my sister Ashley and Creed, my Dad and Mom, and my Grandma and Grandpa Gescher ate dinner with us after my Mom and Grandma made it.  It was very nice of them.  We would like to congratulate Brooke and Ben for getting to finally have all of their triplets at home with them.  They got to bring Payton home on the 10th!  We look forward to some fun triplet play dates and big brother play dates too (they have an older son too, that is around 2 1/2 years old).  The evening of the 10th, we gave our triplets baths and Hadley loved it, but the boys fussed some.  Hadley acted like she was sun-bathing on the foam mat.  On the 11th, Nancy took Sarah and Hayden up to Portland for Sarah's follow-up appointment with Dr. Pandipati.  Everything went awesome and he told her that she is, "A perfect example of a triplet pregnancy and despite her severe preeclampsia she help onto our triplets until an amazing week-34 weeks 1 day."  This made Sarah feel really good.  She also got to take off her TED hose, but still has to continue her Labetalol.  We got to eat dinner with my Grandma and Grandpa Gescher again, along with My Mom and Dad, and Bob and Nancy because my Grandma made us dinner again!  We are still amazed what our life is now compared to a short time ago.  It is definitely busy, but fun and exciting!

Matching outfits my Mom got them

Hunter holding Hadley's hand

Sarah, my amazing wife and mom to 4, holding Hunter and Hadley

Thanks,

Casey    

March 9, 2011

Today we woke up early to feed the triplets before we had to leave at 8 AM for their doctor appointment.  Nancy stayed here with Hayden while we were gone.  It was helpful to have Nancy here last night to help with the feedings.  The doctor appointment went well.  We were the center of attention and everyone stared at us with our 3 car seats being carried through the office.  Dr. W checked them all out and said they were perfect and she was amazed how healthy they are and also amazed that none of the required any oxygen at all after birth.  She told Sarah how awesome she is and that she did great in carrying them to 34 weeks 1 day. 

The weights at today's checkup were:

Hunter: 6 lbs

Hadley 5 lbs 3 oz

Holden 5 lbs 9 oz

They have all gained great weight!  We came home and Hayden was happy for us to be home.  Nancy stayed here and helped us with things and made brownies.  She left around 5.  Then, my Mom and Dad brought dinner for us (we couldn’t eat meat since today is Ash Wednesday).  My Mom is staying tonight to help us. 

Quite the production in changing them,

undressing them, then weighing them.

Thanks,

Casey 

March 8, 2011

First day at home!  Today was a great day.  My Mom was here to help us get settled in.  Hayden woke up in a great mood and wanted to hold his brothers and sister.  He is very interested in being right there to help out.  Every 3 hours we fed the triplets and got them on a 7, 10, 1, 4 schedule for feedings.  Sarah is able to get enough breast milk for every feeding, so we are just adding Enfamil Enfacare to their bottles to boost their caloric intake (breast milk is 20 kcal and the doc wants 24 kcal).  This afternoon my Grandma Lulay and Grandpa Lulay came over to meet our triplets for the first time!  They loved every minute of it.  Then, Bob and Nancy came over.  My aunt and uncle, Mary and Dean brought us over some meals, eggs, and cookies.  We are so thankful for this since we don't really have any free time to cook!  Thanks again Mary and Dean!  Nancy stayed the night since tomorrow we have to take the triplets to their first pediatrician appointment at 8:45. 

Hayden holding Hunter for the first time and he loved it!

Hayden smiling for the camera holding Hunter

Hayden holding Hadley.  He only held Holden

for a short time, so no picture.

Thanks,

Casey

March 7, 2011

Day 50 in the hospital and the day we all get to come home!  They are 36 weeks today!  This morning Sarah and I were anxiously waiting to get to bring the triplets home, so we were up early and packed the rest of our things before the 8 AM feeding.  We met with Dr. K and he said that our triplets are ready to come home and told Sarah how proud she should be in keeping the triplets inside for as long as she did, especially with her severe preeclampsia.  I told Sarah the same!  All morning we did discharge stuff and we ran to Babies R Us to get the triplets "Swaddle Me" blankets for use at home.  Britt, another triplet mom, came by and visited us to give us some tips when we came home.  The schedule is a must, so she shared her chart she used with her trio.  We also met Brooke and Ben and 2 of their triplets on our way out.  We are praying that Payton gets to come home soon too!  After the 2 PM feeding, it was time to come home!  We were told by the nurses that it is very rare for all 4 triplets to come home on the same day, so we are very thankful for this!  When we loaded our triplets in the car, we were overwhelmed with the feelings and emotions we had going on.  It had been 50 days since Sarah got to be home.  When we got home, Hayden was anxiously waiting with Grandma Nancy for us and his brothers and sister to arrive.  That evening, Bob, Nancy, my Dad and Mom all ate lasagna that Nancy made.  It was the most amazing feeling to be home!  My Mom stayed the night to help us.  That night, when I was in bed, I couldn't help but stay awake and think about how blessed we are and that we have 4 kids sleeping under one roof for the first time!  We continued with the every 3 hour feedings as well.

Their outifts fit perfectly for their homecoming.  The boys' say,

"Thank Heaven for Little Boys."  Hadley's says, "Thank Heaven for Little Girls."

First night at home sleeping together!

Very Happy Hayden after his bath.  He loves finally being home!

Thanks,

Casey

March 6, 2011

Day 48 in the hospital.  This morning we got to sleep in until around 6:45 AM.  We skipped the 5 AM feeding since Hayden was with us.  It was amazing to wake up with Hayden sleeping with us!  My Mom and Dad came over at 7:15 to watch Hayden since he was still sleeping so Sarah and I could go to the trips' 8 AM feeding.  We found out that all 3 ate great throughout the night and Hunter and Holden passed their car seat challenges!  Dr. K came by and said that the plan is for all 3 to discharge tomorrow!  Grandpa Don, Grandma Darlene, Bob and Nancy brought up my Grandpa and Grandma's truck to haul the trailer home.  They, along with my Mom and Dad, helped us pack most of our things up.  Hayden had fun with us today.  We have sure missed him!  Bob and Nancy took Hayden home with them and are going to keep him tonight.  My Grandpa and my Dad drove the trailer home and my Mom and Grandma did some errands for us.  This evening, Hadley passed her car seat challenge.  We had to borrow Katie and Kyle's car seat they have for Olivia in order to do Hadley's car seat challenge because the one we had for her is rated at 5 pounds (and she is not 5 yet).  Olivia's is rated at 4 pounds.  At 5 PM, all 3 trips nursed 18 ml from Sarah, then finished the rest with their bottles.  We love their Tommee Tippee bottles so far!  Sarah and I cooked some enchiladas Nancy made for us.  We cooked them in the common area in the guest housing.  We plan on going back to the 8 PM feeding to weigh them and feed them.  We plan on getting lots of rest tonight, so Sarah is going to pump throughout the night, and I will run over the breast milk for them.  That way, we can get lots of sleep tonight.  We will go to tomorrow morning's 8 AM feeding.  Wow, what a journey so far!  Tonight is our last night here at St. Vincent's!  We can't wait to bring our triplets home tomorrow.  Hayden will be anxiously waiting for their arrival! 
Current weights, which will be their going home weights are:
Hunter 5 lbs 11.6 oz (up 20 grams)
Hadley 4 lbs 14. 6 oz (up 55 grams)
Holden 5 lbs 3.8 oz (up 55 grams)

Hunter, Haldey, and Holden

Far to near: Hunter, Hadley, Holden

Hunter and Hadley

Thanks again,

Casey

March 5, 2011

Day 47 in the hospital.  Today was a great day because our trio all ate all day without any tube feedings, so the plan is for the doctor to decide tomorrow if they can come home early next week!  Sarah also got to discharge!  My mom was still here so she helped us move Sarah into the guest housing.  Sarah took a 3 hour nap, which was needed after her long road thus far.  The nurse today said that in her 11 years of working in the NICU here and at Legacy Emanuel, our triplets are only the 2nd or 3rd set that potentially could all discharge at the same time!  She was amazed how healthy they have been since birth and we were thankful that all they needed to do was learn to eat and grow.  The nurse praised Sarah for making it to 34 weeks 1 day.  My Dad and Ashley brought Hayden up to see us.  Hayden got to finally meet his 2 brothers and sister for the first time.  This was such a special moment!  When we held him up to their crib, he wanted to climb in with them.  When I was holding Hunter, he came over to me and put his head on Hunter's legs to snuggle and give him "loves."  This brought tears to our eyes because this was the moment we have been waiting for since they were born.  Wow, we have 4 healthy, cute kids!  We are so blessed!  Then, Katie, Kyle, and Olivia came too.  We all ate at the Olive Garden to celebrate Sarah getting discharged and the success of our trio so far.  My Dad and Mom stayed in the trailer and Hayden got to sleep with Sarah and me!  Sarah and I gave the triplets a bath around midnight, so we never got to bed until around 1:45 AM.  The plan is to do Hunter and Holden's car seat challenges.  In order to do this, they sit in their car seats for 2 hours and they watch their oxygen level to make sure it stays within normal limits. 

Hayden was so excited to see Sarah

and give his brothers and sisters a gift!

Hayden pointing down the haul to the trips' room

Hayden wanting to climb into their crib with them



Thanks for all your prayers,

Casey    

March 4, 2011

Day 46 in the hospital.  Last night was a huge milestone and memory we will never forget.  Hunter, Hadley, and Holden all drank their entire bottles at the 11 PM feeding.  Today we had our awesome nurse Angie back and we got a lot of things done today.  Hunter also got his NG tube out early morning today.  Then, Holden got his out today too!  So, they are all eating and growing good!  Hunter and Holden got circumcised today, and they did great.  I watched, and I was glad I did so I could help comfort them after they were done.  Hunter fell right asleep, but Holden had a harder time, so we got both of them Tylenol.  Hayden was with Bob and Nancy this morning until my dad took him this afternoon.  We may get to bring Hayden for the first time to see our triplets!  As far as Sarah, she is staying another night to make sure the Labetalol is working even when she is up and about more.  Her swelling is better too, so we are thinking she can discharge tomorrow, then we will stay in the guest housing until we get to take our trio home.  My mom stayed last night and all day today to help out.  She is going to stay again tonight so she can help me move Sarah's things into the guest housing.  Bob, Nancy, and Amy came up tonight.  Amy got to finally meet our trio and got to see Sarah for the 2nd time since Sarah has been here.  I ordered Dominos pizza for us tonight, which brought memories of the ante partum room where Sarah was forever before delivery.  Sarah is still busy pumping every 2-3 hours to make sure our trio gets mostly breast milk, fortified with some formula.  We took an infant CPR class today with another couple that had twin boys born on the same day our trips were born (in fact I remember seeing their twins right next to our trio in the level 3 NICU. 

I decided to "tandem bottle-feed" Hadley and Hunter

Angie, the trips' nurse was phenomenal!

Thanks again for your continued thoughts and prayers.  We finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!

    -Casey

March 3, 2011

Day 45 in the hospital.  My mom and I stayed in the guest housing and I got the best rest I have since being here.  Hayden stayed with my dad last night.  Sarah was up all night pumping every 2 hours to send the milk to the NICU.  This morning my mom and I went to the triplets 8 AM feeding and Hunter drank around 43 ml, Hadley drank her full bottle (45 ml), and Holden drank 23 ml.  Dr. K said that all 3 triplets are "the healthiest and cutest triplets he has ever seen!"  He is going to trial having Hunter and Hadley's NG tubes out today.  Holden is not far behind.  Dr. M. saw Sarah this morning and they are going to keep her another day, give her more Lasix IV, stop the magnesium, and watch her blood pressures.  After 24 hours of not getting to see the babies, Sarah got to nurse all 3 babies.  Hadley got to get her NG tube out.  The goal is for each baby to eat 400 ml in 24 hours.  They are getting 50 ml each feeding.  If Hadley is not able to eat this full amount, then they will put down the NG tube and give a feeding through this, then take it out.  This will be the same case for the boys.  This afternoon Sarah's headache was bad and her blood pressure was still high, so she was started on Labetalol 200 mg BID.  My mom is staying again tonight to help us, which is really nice.  My mom and I brought Sarah Best Teriyaki food back to her room and ate with her.  Then, we went to the 8 PM feeding and Hadley drank her whole bottle (45 ml) so she still does not have her NG tube in.  Hunter also drank his whole bottle (50 ml).  If he drinks one more full bottle, he can get his NG tube out too!  Holden is close behind.  He drank 16 ml.  Sarah started to feel better tonight. Hayden is at his Grandma and Grandpa Bradford's house. 

Hunter is getting more and more alert every day!

Our tiny Hadley, notice that my thumb is almost as long as her head!

Holden doing "kangaroo care" with Sarah

Sarah holding Holden and Hunter while I was feeding Hadley

Thanks for your prayers,

Casey

March 2, 2011

March 2, 2011, Day 44 in the hospital.  Today was the first day since the triplets were born that did not go good. The triplets are great, but Sarah is not doing so well. We went for a lactation consult and the nurse took her blood pressure and it was 164/93. The nurse called Dr. Pandipati and he wanted to see her asap. I took her to his office and her bp was 160/100, so he readmitted her to the hospital and he is giving her iv magnesium and some iv Lasix. He said that in some cases preeclampsia gets worse after delivery, which is Sarah's case. Now she can't see the babies until she is off magnesium, which won't be until tomorrow afternoon. I am exhausted and this brings more stress, so lots of prayers are needed. However, we got into guest housing today because the trailer we have stayed in for 2 nights has a 1/2 full gray water tank already, and we have no place to dump it.  The guest housing is within walking distance and is like a hotel.  It has a common area for cooking and our room has a tv, fridge, microwave, shower, and queen bed.  This will be nice for us once Sarah gets to discharge.  My mom came up tonight to stay with me and she helped me move stuff from the trailer to the guest housing.  Sarah's parents then came up to see Sarah and Nancy got to see the triplets.  Hayden stayed with my dad tonight and had fun with him.  My mom stayed with me while I fed the trio at their 8 PM feeding.  Tonight they all ate the most they have at the same feeding!  Hunter ate 42 ml, Hadley ate 45 ml, and Holden ate 25 ml.  Their current weights tonight are:
Hunter 5 lb 6.8 oz (up 14 grams)
Hadley 4 lb 10.8 oz (up 46 grams)
Holden 4 lb 15 oz (up 28 grams)

Thanks for all your prayers!
-Casey

March 1, 2011

Day 43 in the hospital.  Today we decided to spend most of the day in the NICU.  We got to sleep about 1:30 AM and then got up at 4:45 AM.  This is our longest stretch of sleep we get since we skip the 2 AM feeding.  Sarah nursed again today and one feeding Hunter got 20 ml, Hadley got 12 ml, and Holden got 14 ml.

They are getting closer to their birth weights:

Hunter 5 lb 6.3 oz (up 38 grams)

Hadley 4 lb 9.2 oz (up 26 grams)

Holden 4 lb 14 oz (up 28 grams)

Tonight we finally got to see Hayden, after a week of not being able to due to his sinus infection.  It was awesome!  When he saw Sarah and I he smiled great big and ran around laughing.  My parents and Grandma Darlene and Grandpa Don brought him up along with our Excursion so we have the car seats here.  My Grandpa then took us out to dinner at Red Robin.  Hayden had a blast with all the balloons there.  He also ate really good!  The neonatologist said that she thinks they should all be able to come home in 10 more days.  This seems like a long ways away, but this is nothing compared to how long Sarah has been here.  Hadley is getting closer and closer to getting her NG feeding tube out because she ate her entire feeding twice today and almost a 3rd time!  Hunter and Holden are taking in about 1/2 their feedings at times too.  We can't wait to be home!

Thanks again,

Casey

February 28, 2011

Day 42 in the hospital.  Today is Sarah's discharge day!  Sarah was discharged today, but it was bittersweet since out triplets are still in the NICU.  However, Sarah got to finally breathe outside air after 42 long and hard days on bedrest.  We stayed in my grandparents' trailer, so this was also our first night "camping" since we have 4 kids!  The triplets are still learning to suck and swallow and doing much better!  Their current weights are:

Hunter 5 lb 4.9 oz

Hadley 4 lb 8.4 oz

Holden 4 lb 13 oz

They are getting closer and closer to their birth weights!  Sarah was sent home with knee high compression stockings for her severe swelling.  Our friends Drew and Jenn (along with their cute son Krew) came and met our trio for the first time.  This was a lot of fun.  Our nurse today did not seem to really help Sarah with breast feeding, so Sarah was quite upset.  Therefore, we decided to nurse them at 11 PM and they all got the most they have by nursing!  Hunter got 10 ml, Hadley got 14 ml, and Holden got 12 ml!  This shows that Sarah's milk is coming in at a perfect rate!

Thanks for all your prayers,

Casey