NICU = No Income Covers Us

Ah, the (not so) fun times in the NICU. Don't get me wrong, the nurses and doctors were wonderful. But having three children in the NICU is not fun for anyone. Once the trips were born, they went straight to the NICU for evaluation, getting hooked up to all their tubes and placed in their isolets. We started in the main part with the maximum amount of care required. Throughout our stay, we had one nurse assigned just to us. Care pretty much consisted of constant monitoring, hooking up the feeding tubes, checking for signs of intestinal bleeding and a myriad of other medical issues. These nurses are highly skilled and genuinely care for "their" babies.

After about 3 weeks in the main section, we were "graduated" to the step-down nursery. This is still in the NICU department, but is an open room for feeders and growers. The babies were medically stable and were only working on their eating skills and needed time to grow some more. It was this room that became "Camp NICU." The open room with babies all around the outside made it feel like the kids were at camp and not so hospital-y. Camp NICU time was bitter sweet. We made some friends who were other multiple parents and I met a fellow SFA Lumberjack who was the roommate of one of my former students. Small world!

One thing I learned about the NICU is that it's a great equalizer. No one cares what kind of car you drive, how big your house is, or what you/your spouse do for a living. It is all about the babies. When one of our Camp NICU "friends" had a set back with intestinal issues, my heart broke for that mother seeing her baby have to be re-hooked and go back to feeding tubes. We also rejoiced when our kiddos got to go home. Since then, I have stayed in contact with several of our NICU nurses and parents.

All in all, we had 7 weeks from the time the babies were born to Faith finally coming home. I wish there was more I could tell you about this, but it's highly detailed and would be quite boring for anyone but me (and probably my mom).

Well, the never-ending load of laundry calls. Next time, I'll start telling you all about life at home with these guys.

So Much Has Happened Since Last We Spoke

Looking back on the whopping TWO entries I've posted since we found out about the trips, I realize that I have A LOT to make up for. This may be a little long or maybe done in multiple postings. I'll catch you up on what has happened since November.

I had a great triplet pregnancy until about 22 weeks. God put two amazing doctors in my path, Dr. Marco Giannotti (OB) and Dr. Thomas Rowe (Perinatologist). LOVE these two men! I could not have made it through this pregnancy without their expertise, kindness, and genuine concern for the wellbeing of my children and me. I was also working full-time until 20 weeks. This was good as it helped the time pass faster. I was blessed to be in a great work environment with people who love me. Grace Community Church in The Woodlands is a wonderful church family if you are ever looking for a church home! I'm fortunate to still be connected even now.

So, at 22 weeks, my body got a little confused and thought it was time to deliver these babies. That started a fun time of hospital bed rest for the duration of my pregnancy. I got through the rest of the pregnancy with magnesium sulfate and lots of prayer! There were definitely times that the prayer was doing more than the meds. The nursing staff at the hospital became like family. I cannot thank them enough for all they did and their friendship during my stay.

Daniel, Faith, and Matthew were delivered on April 24 at 10:25, 10:26, and 10:27, respectively. We made it to 31 weeks, 4 days. That was one busy delivery room! All and all, it was a perfect c-section delivery. Daniel inhaled some fluid on his way out and ended up intubated for a couple of hours but no harm was done. All the babies went directly to the NICU where they got all hooked up to their oxygen and IV lines. They started off with all their nutrients coming from the IV and worked into tube feeding a couple of days later.

Dr. G delivered 3!

Faith at birth

Daniel at birth

Matthew at birth

Beautiful, tiny hands

Daniel and Faith in their isolets

Matthew in his isolet

Total time spent in the hospital for me was 67 days. Once the babies were delivered, it was strange to A) not be pregnant, and B) instantly double the size of my family.

It's time to get some sleep, so I'll continue (hopefully) tomorrow with life in the NICU.

Good night!