Three Amigos

3 Amigos
















James














Matthew














Walker and James















Walker and James















Walker (with a couple of scratches on his nose)














Hi Everyone,





Here are some pictures of us actually awake. You can start to see how Walker and James are looking more and more alike each day. They are getting so big. Our next doctor's appointment is at the end of September, October 1st (our 2 month check up).











We will continue to send photos.





Jeff, Nicole, James, Matthew and Walker

More Photos

Here are more photos of the boys. We got ready to go to the park today and have lunch. First time we have gone out in 3.5 weeks. We ended up going to St. Mary's and having lunch on a bench within the school and walking through the campus. It was a beautiful day. The boys really enjoyed it. I also wanted to throw in a picture of our pug, Bella, and our little peanut, James.

Enjoy

Jeff, Nicole, James, Matthew and Walker

Doctor's visit today

Hi Everyone,

We had a doctor's visit early. All boys look great and are thriving. At 3.5 weeks old they are:

James = 7lbs 4oz, 19.25 inches in length
Matthew = 7lbs 13oz, 20.75 inches in length
Robert = 8lbs, 20 inches in length

It was a great visit, learned a lot!

Jeff, Nicole, James, Matthew and Walker

3 weeks today!

I can't believe we are already at 3 weeks! Time is flying by. They are getting so big. They have their 1 month check up next week. I am hoping we have 2, 8lb babies and at least a 7.5lb baby. I looked in their crib yesterday and noticed that they are almost filling in the entire length of the crib vs. when they first came home. My God the time flies and they do grow fast.

Anyway, we are all doing well. We are on our 3 type of formula and this one looks like it may work for all of them. Only time will tell. Each one of them is getting their own personalities.

James - Sweet, alert, always awake when we put him down. Really doesn't like to be swaddled but will put up with it. Screams when he does not get what he wants. He makes this really cute quick laugh "ha ha". So adorable. Has the best facial expressions.

Matthew - Going to be the Mama's boy. Always has a concerned look on his face and always worried about things. I tell people that he will be my informant later on. We'll see. He loves to be held and cuddled.

Walker - Pretty independent, gets upset when he is woken up or does not get his way. Turns bright red and "growls" at me. I would say he has a pretty intense personality. He hates being confined and swaddled. Very good eater and sleeper. Likes to be rocked.

Things are great, days and nights are running together. We now have a system worked out where the grandparents are watching them during the day, I am watching them at night and Jeff and I watch them all day and night over the weekend. Prior to going back to work, we will have a night nurse working the night shift so we can sleep. I would say there is a small beam of light at the end of this long tunnel. It is all worth it.

Until next week.

Jeff, Nicole, James, Matthew and Walker

Pictures of Walker

Pictures of Matthew

Pictures of James

2 Weeks and still going

Hi Everyone,

Sleepless in Benicia here..... We are currently on 2, 3 hour schedules and 1, 4 hour schedule with the boys. We are completely exhausted and have now come down with colds (Doctor said I have a low grade fever and thinks it is a virus plus allergies). We are looking at night help because it is killing our parents that watch them during the day, do the night shift also. I would say we need 2 additional set of hands. 1 for the day and 1 for the night. Anyway, we know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel (and it is not a train) with the boys sleeping through the night. I can't wait. Hopefully they will go through the night when they are <4 months old.

We had our first "submerged" bath last night, it was so fun. All of the boys loved it, they were so calm. Once they were cleaned, they got a massage from Nana and then they were put to bed. If I could figure out how to get video on this blog, I will share it with you.

Great news, I am only 10 pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight. I am so excited. I only have to loose 30 pounds now to be at my goal weight. It seems doable after this triplet journey.

Well that is it for now. Pretty exciting stuff. Can't wait for the day and night help to arrive. Things will be better then.

Nicole, Jeff, James, Matthew and Walker

Our first week home

James "Peanut"














Matthew














Walker

Our first week has been pretty exhausting. The boys came home on a 3 hour schedule and have bounced around a bit, but hopfully we will get back on soon. I must say that it has been pretty tough trying to recoup from the surgery and assist in taking care of the boys. We have had a lot of help from the Grandparents with the night/day feedings, so we are so greatful for that. I don't know what we would have done without it.

The boys are growing. I picked up Walker and Matthew this morning and said to myself "gee, they are filling out in their face, and they are getting heavier". They are both out of the preemie clothing and into the 0-3 months already. Can you believe this???? At least James, "peanut", can still wear the preemie clothes.

The boys were circumcised last Thursday (Jeff and I had to leave the house because we could not witness our boys in pain). It was a few nights after it because the boys were in so much pain. They would cry and then the gas would build up and they would cry about that. Let's just say that whomever was watching them, did not get any sleep. For example, last night I thought I was holding one of the babies and it ended up being a lavendar pillow that acts as a heating pad for me (it is about the same size as the boys). The boys are starting to feel better as of last night, so I think we are going to be getting some solid sleep out of them soon. Let's pray for that.

We are going to the pediatrician today to look at Walker's eye and to see if he has a cold that may be starting up. Jeff and I are starting to get sick from all of the lack of sleep and we believe Walker may have picked up something. We'll see today. We are also going to talk about formula, sleeping routines, holding/stimulus, interaction with family/strangers (what is too much), and have them look at their wee wees to see if we have been treating them appropriately. Let's hope for the best.

Jeff, Nicole, James, Matthew and Walker

Update on post birthing experience

Hi everyone,

I wanted to update our experience of the surgery and the post op experience since I finally have some strength. I was in the hospital for about 3 weeks when the scheduled c-section came. I remember being so happy to be in the hospital so if anything happened I would be safe. It really did not seem that long. It was all worth it.

Leading up to the day of the surgery, I was extremely nervous and wanted to know everything I could about a c-section. My friends on Triplet Connection assured me that the c-section was not to be concerned about, but the recovery. Well, let me tell you, they were all right. The IV hurt more than anything in the Operating Room. The spinal was not bad, quick prick and that was it. It was pretty weird to have a warm sensation run through my legs and then not being able to feel them. I did feel a phantom feeling where I thought my legs were bent at the knee, but the nurse assured me that they were straight. Weird. The c-section went fast, 20 minutes to be exact. The OR team was fantastic, I could not have asked for a better team. The experience was great. Everything was so surreal. When they were pulling the babies out and I heard them cry, I could not believe that they were our children. My husband was able to capture the c-section on video and the boys in the NICU being evaluated. He was very emotional and I was so glad that he was able to experience all of this as I was stuck on an OR table.

After the surgery, it was not bad until about the 2nd day. The day after surgery, the hospital released them from the NICU and put the babies in my room! I couldn't even walk, let alone take care of 3 babies. My husband is such a trooper and he jumped right in and took care of the situation, with me at his side as much as I could me. I did over do it and the pain caught up to me pretty quick. Not good. We were all released from the hospital on the 3rd day. After 36 hours at home, I must say this is pretty overwhelming even with the amount of help we have. I guess I am feeling terrible that I can not help as much as I would like to. I know I need to get well, but I want to help so folks don't burn out. I am hoping that I will be better soon to contribute to raising these 3 wonderful boys.

I am trying to take in every moment, as I will never see this again. These are our last children so we need to savour this precious time. Wish us luck. We will be posting more pictures soon.

Love,
Nicole

We are Home

It is Sunday afternoon and we have experienced our first 24 hours at home with the family. The boys are doing great and have been able to maintain a fairly consistent 3 hour schedule. Of course this has totally wiped out 6 adults in the process, but the new shift starts today and the troops will be refreshed and ready for round 2. Our first doctor visit is set for tomorrow morning, another first life experience in this new world for James, Matthew and Walker.

The Crenshaw Pit Crew continues to run like a fine oiled machine. We just have more room to work in, compared to the hospital. Nicole is feeling stronger, but still recuperating from the surgery. She continues to get stronger with each day.

The ride home from the hospital gave us a touch of reality, realizing just how long it takes to get the three little ones packed up, loaded into the car seats and then into the car. We don't see anyone going anywhere without at least 2 adults per trip and allowing an hour just to get in the car and out the driveway!

Well, my shift has started and the hour chimes 3 times...... time to start the routine. With 4 sets of grandparents, we are able to out number the little guys and stay on top of things.

Here are some photos of our exiting the hospital, preparing for our first car ride, home in their new bed, and some time in the sun for the slight jaundice. Enjoy. We are in heaven with our new family. More photos to come.

Love ya all,
Crenshaw Pit Crew

We're Here!

James (4.14, 19")

Matthew (5.12, 19")
Walker (5.9, 19")

For those mathematical wizards, that's 16.3 pounds of baby!

All are well and resting in the NICU. No need for life support, oxygen, etc. All have had their lunch, and successfully gotten rid of it and are back to sleep. We will see in a day or so if they will be coming home with Mom and Dad on Saturday.

What a ride!....... Thanks for all your wonderful thoughts and prayers. It worked.

Love ya
The Crenshaw Pit Crew......

The Arrival

Hi everyone....
The little ones have arrived.... all are healthy and came out scream'in......James weighed in at 4.14, Walker weighed in at 5.9 and Matthew weighed in at 5.12...... Mom is doing well. We will post pictures later this afternoon..... Just wanted you all to know all is well. Thank you for all your positive thoughts and prayers....
Love,
Crenshaw Pit Crew