Wednesday is Picture Day

Unless something just hits me, we will be using Wednesday as picture day. I will try to get a few pictures on every Wednesday - even if I don't have much to post.
Enjoy - Picture Wednesday

Ellie

Ellie enjoying her boppy time with mom.

Ellie's first Dr visit. She got a good report. She weighed 4lb 10oz - so she has gained 4oz since leaving the NICU last week.

Evan

Charlotte

Charlotte's first doctors visit. She weighed 5lb 4oz. She took her shots like a champ.

Multiple Babies

Mom with her girls

Home Sweet Home!

We have been in this house for 2 yrs and 4 months and never could get that title to sound just right. Not boasting, but we built a house much to big for the just the two of us and our dogs. So it is about time we hear the sound of a baby (babies) crying - even if it is at 3 in the morning.


We are not complaining - not the least. Having our home filled with children has been a dream of ours for several years and here it is - with no time for dreaming or sleeping.


Everyone is asking "how's it going?"


We are attempting to organize "Controlled Ciaos". The system is just as in hospital. Wake, Change, Feed, Burp, and Sleep - times 3. We have had some success on setting a schedule. Ellie is eating much better and has moved to a 4 hr shift like Evan and Charlotte. The schedule is set 1am, 5am, 9am - 1pm, 5pm, 9pm. It takes two to get through the feeds. Jenn's mom and dad have assisted and my mom has assisted as well, but at night we are all on our own. Evan is the only one that is not sleeping from feed to feed at night. He gets about 3 hrs and up and at'em. We have increased his amount in attempt to get him more rest at night. The ladies seem content getting a little more sleep before they get up to eat. As for Jenn and I, sleep is taken in small bits. I can get up do my thing and then go right back to sleep with no issues. Jennifer has trouble getting back to sleep, but eventually dozes off - right before time to get back up.

Here are some shots to get you all caught up!



















Family Photo - Out at road in front of their baby announcement posters.

Welcome Home - Ellie!


















WELCOME HOME EVAN!
































WELCOME HOME CHARLOTTE!

Ellie and Charlotte break free.

They are finally home and they got to leave together. No additional children left behind. Last week we feared several more weeks for the ladies, but they got it together and home they came. Here are some exit shots:

Charlotte in car seat - leaving the NICU!

Ellie in a car bed - she is too small for the car seat - couple more weeks!

Ellie's coming home outfit

Charlotte's coming home outfit

Hanging out on the couch - Evan tells the girls all about living in the their new home!

Nap time with paci!

As anticipated, we did not get a lot of sleep last night. Evan and Charlotte eat every 4 hrs and they are scheduled 30min apart - perfect. Ellie is on a 3 hr schedule and is only on the same feeding schedule as the other two twice a day. Once we get them all on a 4 hr schedule it might be a little easier. In effort to get a system in place, I will be camped out at home for a week - memories to be made!!!

Evan's looking for Company!

He has truly enjoyed his one chance to be the only child, but it's time for some company. And he is about to get it. On Monday, we were told that the girls schedule for coming home was most likely Charlotte on Wednesday and Ellie on Friday. Some notice - nice. This notice allowed me to get things together at the house and set up my work schedule. When Evan was scheduled to leave we were given little notice and did little planning. So I will take the notice! So plans were set. Only one problems - Charlotte got pushed back a day. So much for planning - but I got a feeling that will be the way my house life will be for a while. This is odd for me because I am a planner.

Charlotte had a small drop in heart rate during her feeding yesterday morning. She has a tendency to do this on occasion, but Jenn and I are very familiar with how she eats and we are able to keep her from doing it. She was pretty worked up from her eye exam so I guess she was just too excited. Never the less, she was pushed back a day.

Ellie was moved up a day. She is still much smaller than the other two, but has gotten better on eating. She weighs 4lb 4oz. After her eye exam, Ellie was too tired to eat so they had to re-tube her. She has recovered and has taken over 24hrs of bottles. So she's getting the boot.

If all goes well tonight, we will be getting the ladies tomorrow afternoon.

Evan has already had an eventfull week. He had his first pedi-doctor appointment yesterday followed by his eye exam. This was the first time out of the house since he came home. We have been able to keep him on a strict 4 hr feeding schedule but he has been sleeping better during the day than at night. It might be to dark and quiet for him at night. The girls should add some comfort later this week. We have introduce the dogs to him. Phoenix was not bothered - she liked to smell him and that was it - no big deal. I'm sure she is ready to play the role as the protector. Zona was a little different. Being a redtick coon dog - he wants to tree Evan every time he makes a peep. We are pacing the interaction. Here's a shot of Zona trying to tree Evan.

Happy Easter!

Yes! The Easter Bunny did find Ellie and Charlotte in the NICU. No candy - just love. Evan was not left out - He too was left some goodies.

Here's the crew getting ready for Easter:

Evan, I begged mommy not to do this to you!

Sorry ladies - your fair game.

Charlotte

Ellie

The bunny came and left eggs all over the place.

Evan even got in on the action - OK I'm busted. These pictures were taken before Easter Sunday when Evan was still in the hospital.

Here are the real shots from today.

Ellie is First!

Charlotte

Evan

We had a lot of fun with the babies today. I can't wait till they are old enough to hear and understand what Easter truly means. Thanks be to God for his gracious love and for our Savior - Jesus Christ!