Tummy Time

Here are a few pictures I took yesterday of Anna and Kate during tummy time. They are really strong. They will get their legs under them and push and Kate will actually turn herself around in circles. She moved so much, I had to get another blanket for Anna so she could have her own blanket to move on. Also, Anna rolled over yesterday...and so did Kate. Kate did three times. I know this is not real, but still! I think once they put on some weight it will be harder to roll. These girls are strong!

Anna and Kate
Anna

Kate

Here We Go!

We are hopeful Elizabeth will come home by Tuesday or Wednesday of this week. Today she was 1700g, or 3 lbs. 12 oz. Since we were only waiting for her to gain weight, she is ready to go. They dropped her calories from the 24 cal/oz. to the 22 cal/oz. and they want to see good weight gain for two days. I know it will be hard with 3 babies at home, but the commute to see Elizabeth is hard too. I am ready to stay home for a while and spend time with the girls and Jack. I feel like I have been busy rushing around and not been able to relax much. I remember thinking when Jack was older how fast his baby days went. With three at home, I am determined to spend time with each one and let other things go.

Kate's First Bath at Home

Here are a few pictures of Kate's first bath at home yesterday. Unlike her sister, Anna, Kate seemed to enjoy her bath...at least she didn't cry at all.

9/12/09

These pictures are from today. Jack wanted to hold one of his sisters, so here he is holding Anna.

We thought this picture was cute of the two girls sleeping. Right now, we have the pack-n-play set up in the family room and I have been sleeping on the couch so I can get up with them. We have another pack-n-play in the dining room, so we may have to transfer this one back to the dining room when Elizabeth comes home.

Dr.'s Appointment & Preschool Teachers

We took the girls to the doctor today. Anna's weight was great, she gained 3 ounces since her Tuesday appointment. She is now 4 lbs 10 oz. I started her back on the extra calories with her bottles which has helped. Kate had her first appointment with Dr. Kaczor. She has gained an ounce and a half since her discharge from the NICU on Wednesday. She is now 4 lbs. 4.5 oz. She is just a quarter inch shorter than Anna. She is now 18 inches. They are growing and eating better each day! Jack also was in the office and received a flu shot. With three in the office at once, I am glad our nanny, Madeleine was there to help me! She has been coming 4-5 hours a day and helping us out so much. Jack really loves her and asks every day if she is coming to play with him. Elizabeth's weight stayed the same today, but she had two great days of weight gain the previous two days. She weighs 3 lbs 9 oz. Yesterday the girls were 36 weeks and today they are 3 weeks old. It is crazy to think I could still be pregnant with them!

Today Jack's teachers came to the house to visit him before his preschool starts next week. He was a little timid at first, but I think he will do well in school. Next week the parents attend with the child to get them used to the classroom and school day. What a busy September!

Kate Leaving the NICU

Kate came home yesterday (9/8/09) and we have been busy at home! My first day alone with 2 infants and a 2 year old. The 2 year old was the hardest! He loves attention. Thank goodness we had some visitors today to distract them. I did fairly well and actually got a shower in!

Today was the first day I have not been able to visit the NICU where Elizabeth still is. John saw her this morning and she was doing great, she had great weight gain last night and is now 3 lbs. 9 oz. She must have realized she needs to gain the weight fast to get home to be with her sisters. Kate is a great baby, she hardly puts up a fuss and is an excellent eater. She will see her pediatrician tomorrow. Anna will also get a weight check tomorrow and Jack will get a flu shot! I'll have all three in the doctor's office at once.

Here are a few pictures from yesterday when Kate left the NICU.

Same outfit Anna came home in from Grandmom and Granddad.

Anna's thinking, "Oh, no. Now I'll have to share my time with mom and dad with my sister!"

2 of the 3

Home. The two girls sleep in the pack-n-play downstairs in the family room and I have been sleeping on the couch so I can set an alarm to feed them at night. They are doing well with nursing. They get some bottles. I have been giving them bottles at night (I set them up on the boppi pillows and feed both at one time--John jokes I need a third arm for Elizabeth...Ha Ha, the third arm will be his!). They also get bottles when they are too sleepy to nurse. Somehow, they can suck down a bottle without opening their eyes.

We hope Elizabeth comes home soon. The girls miss her.

Anna's First Days at Home

Here are a few pictures of Anna's first days home. Big brother Jack likes to hold her.Here are a few pictures of Anna's first days home. Big brother Jack likes to hold her. First bath at home. 9/7/09
She was not a fan of getting her hair washed

 First bath at home. 9/7/09
She was not a fan of getting her hair washed

Kate is Scheduled to Come Home Tomorrow

Kate is scheduled to come home tomorrow. They took her off the 24 calorie breast milk and is now on the 22 calorie. As long as she gains weight tonight, she will come home with us. She now weighs 4 lbs 2.5 oz. We are anxious to get her home, but it will be hard for me to visit Elizabeth with two others (plus Jack) at home. Today we were told Elizabeth will have to be 1800g (about 4 lbs) before she goes home. She is 1555g today (almost 3 lbs 7 oz.). So, we are thinking she may be there for at least another week. Of course, this could change when another neonatologist comes to her service! We keep hearing different things about when she will come home. For now, we want her to gain the weight and come home when she is a little larger.

Anna went to see her pediatrician today. She weighed 4 lbs 7 oz. and was 18 1/4" long. This is what she weighed on Saturday before she left the NICU. We will go back to the pediatrician on Friday for another weight check. Hopefully she will gain some weight, or we may have to increase her calories again. Otherwise she checks out fine.

That is all that is going on here, we are ready for Kate to come home.