the big day

Well Yesterday was the big day...Laura's wedding. Delaney was one of the flower girls, she was going to be the 1st up the isle. At the last minute she freaked and decided not to go...=( She came in and sat with me until the end of the service, after which she followed the bridal party out dropping the petals. How funny, she is the biggest ham I know ans then she chickens out. There was this old lady who was kinda gettin' on her about how to walk and speed etc. I think she made her nervous. Then this lady picked her up and sat her on a pew. She told us later she thought she was in trouble....why would someone purposely make her nervous. It made me sooo mad. Oh well what can ya do.

Later at the reception that lil girl danced her butt off!!! You think I'm joking but from the time they opened the floor til the lights came on and time to go home that girl danced! She learned the electric slide and that's all she has done all day today. I have some awesome pics of her dancing, I got a pretty funny one of her trying to break dance! I wonder where she comes up with this stuff. It's not like Greg and I break dance around the house. She was a hit! I'll get some pics up for you to see.

To Dean and Laura,

I wish you two all the best. We Love you guys. Thanks for letting Delaney have a special part in your big day. It really meant alot to her. She had a blast (we all did!)

PS ~ Delaney said you looked beautiful, just like Dolly Partner! LOL!

wishing for rain

Delaney staring out the window

So we have been stuck in this house for months now. I know the babies can't be around tons of people, but come October we will be on full lock down until the end of RSV season. I really don't know how the heck we're gonna make it. I hate to sit still, everyone knows that. For almost 4 months now we have been trapt inside. I just wanna get outta here. I was thinking about taking them for a walk around the lake today, but I just don't have the right stroller. I have 2 doubles...that won't work, not another person to push it. I have a triplet....that won't work because the babies can't sit up enough for it yet. I have a quad stroller that won't work because I can't lift it, and the seats don't lay down far enough for the babies. This really stinks! I seem to love rainy days more and more ~ at least you don't want to go outside in the rain.

a night out

The Girls waiting to go on the 1st ride!

On the Kangaroo ride!

Shantel, Me, Paige, Cj & Delaney.

Delaney & Mama, not a very good picture. We were at the top of the Ferris Wheel and I was scared I was going to drop my camera. Look at her eyes! =)

Saturday night my Mom and Dad came over to watch the triplets, while Greg, Delaney and I all went out for the day. ***Thank you guys soooo much, we really needed some time off duty!***

We went to Mamaw Pat's and Poppy Gary's to go swimming....Well Delaney went swimming. She had fun swimming with Cj and Paige. We had a little cook out and just relaxed. After the girls were done swimming we decided to take them to the Portage County Fair, we've taken Delaney every year. We couldn't not take her this year, especially since this lil lonely girl has been cooped inside almost all summer. We decided to all pack into our van and go. While we were pulling out of Shantel's drive way she made the comment....

"I never thought I'd see the day we all go in Shell's van" Thanks Shantel. You just had to remind me the days of the lil red sports car are over..=(

We had sooo much fun! Delaney was such a BiG girl this year, she rode the rides and the BiG Ferris wheel. She didn't want to leave, she begged me to let her stay the night, she said "Please Mama, I can sleep with the cows, they'll keep me warm and give me milk to drink" Isn't she so stinkin' cute! All the girls got these big inflatable crayons. When they went on a ride Greg held all of them as they were getting off the ride, Greg decided to beat them with the crayons (not really beating them, just messing around) Then he gave them all back, and the girls retaliated! Take a look at the pics! Those girls had so much fun, can't wait to go next year with all the kiddos!

Greg getting beat with crayons!

Neurosurgeon Visit

Well Yesterday the neurosurgeon's office called and said they would like to see Ryan ASAP. So at 2pm we went to the Hospital (that's where his office is) and had him take a look at Ryan's soft spot. It's still swelling and starting to become a little firm. The sent him downstairs for another CT Scan, same as before. Two enlarged ventricles in the brain. They said the one actually looked a bit smaller than before. They sent us home and told us just to watch for any changes or vomiting. When is all this worry going to go away?

Ryan is such a little ham, he loves all the attention. He just smiles and coos for all the Dr's and the nurses....he's such a flirt! He really doesn't even seem like he has any problems. He's still rolling and cooing and being the same ole Ryan. So keep him in your prayers, hopefully nothing will come of all of this.

nicu follow up visit

Well today we went for the 1st NICU follow up visit. Everyone looks pretty good.

Dylan weighs 11 lbs 2 oz

Ryan weighs 9 lbs 8 oz

Ava weighs 9 lbs 6 oz

Ava and Dylan scored a "low" for developmental delays.

Ryan on the other hand scored a "moderate". Ryan also has to go for a Neurosurgery consult, due to the soft spot swelling. At first the Neurosurgeon (over the phone) said just to watch him for some certain signs that would indicate a problem. Today when the Dr called the surgeon, they said they need to see him, due to his eyes being puffy. I'm pretty freaked out, but we've been through some scary things before, and things always seemed to work out. So hopefully it's nothing (*finger's crossed*) They also told us that Ryan has low muscle tone, which we already knew. His intervention specialist is coming Thursday for her 1st assessment. She came out a few weeks ago for all the initial paperwork. Now she will begin the therapy.

So say a special little prayer for Ryan, hopefully it will be OK.

When we were walking through the hallway at Children's there was another set of triplets behind us. They seemed to be maybe 2/3 yrs ol, they were adorable, but a little scary too. It was 2 boys and a girl just like us. Greg looked at them and then back at me and said can you believe that's going to be us. I kinda freaked a bit thinking about 3 mobile kids and Delaney running behind bossing them around....Oh boy! Actually I can't wait for those days, just remind me I said that when their all running in different directions! =)

eight months

The Babies are 8 months today.

So the kiddos are 8 months old today. I can't believe that it's been 8 months already. It really doesn't feel like it's been 8 months~well some days it feels like 8 years =) !!! We have a NICU follow up appointment Monday. There they will go over everything the babies are doing, etc. Each appointment is an hour and a half long. That will be a fun day! I will update everyone after the visit.

Wish us luck!

A week with the Triplets!

This is the bottles for 1 day. My mom and Greg make the bottles, while I get the kids down for the night. It takes about an hour to wash and sterilize all the bottles, mix the formula and assemble. Each bottle has 6 pieces. Both formulas have to be mixed a special way (for extra calories) They do the bottles at about 8 pm and they last until about 6 pm the next day.

This is all the food the triplets eat in one week (give or take a jar of food). I did forget to put one can of cereal.

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FAQ's

Here's the food totals for a week!

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Similac Alimentum

7 cans of premixed a wk at $10 per can 1 can of dry formula a wk at $26.32

Total ~ $ 96.32

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Similac Neosure

7 cans a wk at $15.33 per can

Total ~ $ 107.31

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Polycose

1 can a week at $10 a can

Total ~ $ 10

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Cereal

2 cans a wk at $3 a can

Total ~ $ 6

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Gerber Baby Food

10 packs a wk each pack has 2 jarsat approx. $1 per pack

Total ~ $10

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Grand total (not including diapers, wipes, meds etc.)

$ 229.63 per week!

That's $ 918.52 a month.

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Diapers 20-30 per day

Haven't had to buy any yet, we're still using the ones from the baby showers and gifts.

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Wipes 1-2 tubs a week

Haven't had to buy any yet, we're still using the ones from the baby showers and gifts.

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Laundry JUST baby clothes, NOT including bouncer & swing seat covers etc.

5 loads a week

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Batteries for bouncers & swings only

40 D batteries a week

I need to quit buying the cheap ones, and invest in some rechargeables!

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The babies pediatrician Dr. Lugo talked with their Similac representative, and since then they have been delivering Ryan's premixed Alimentum free. About every 3 weeks I will wake up to 3 cases of Alimentum sitting on the front porch. I can't believe they actually did this for us, it was such a nice surprise. So there's your answer...I bet your shocked. I know I was when I started adding it up. I really didn't realize that we went through that much. Can you imagine when their teenagers...Yikes!You know to see each one of their beautiful smiles and hear their little giggles...Makes it worth every penny. Who would have thought they would have made it this far.I just want to say "Thank You" to each one who has helped in one way or another. I don't think We could ever really thank you enough. Your thoughtfulness and generosity has truly been overwhelming.

Greg and I blessed to have friends and family like all of you.

Thank You.

Love to all,

Shelly

Hello Everyone,

I figured I would start this blog to keep everyone updated on our family. That way I don't have to worry about sending out the updates all the time. You can come check out the page and see some new pics! So don't be shy, leave me a comment and tell me what you think.

Here are some NEW updates on the trio....

The Hill Triplets unplugged....

All of the babies are finally off the Heart Monitors. YAY!!! Dylan & Ava came off a few weeks ago, and Ryan came off yesterday.

That's how I roll....

So we have seen the 1st signs of mobility, and frankly it scares the heck outta me! Ava can roll and scoot a bit. She'll lay on her belly hold her head up high and smile & laugh...one word, ADORABLE!

Dylan is almost there. Every time he tries to roll he gets stuck on his side, and gives up.

Ryan on the other hand, is rolling all over the place. I can lay him on the floor, go to the other side of the room, call him like a dog, and he will come a rollin'!

It's pretty neat to see all these kids starting to hit their milestones.....Also very scary!

Well I gotta run. I look forward to reading your comments!

Love Ya's!

The Roller Coaster

Our time in the Nicu by far was the hardest time of my life. Everyday there seemed to be something new, something that could change the entire scene. Just when the babies seemed to be doing better, along would come something else that seemed to smack us in the face. I would sit by there Isolettes everyday watching other babies come and go, and wish it was our turn. All the nurses there would you a quote that I truly hated, "The Nicu is a roller coaster, there are always ups and downs and you never know whats around the corner." I hated that expression, I really did, but there is no better way to describe your time there.
There were things that happened there that I don't think I could ever forget, the things we saw, the feeling we had and the friends we've made. I really believe that everything happens for a reason, I'm not too sure what the reason for us being there is. I really can't wit to find out the answer. Sometimes I think that it was to build our faith, or to help others, or to volunteer it could be anything. I just know I will never look at a sick baby the same, or hear of a premature birth that won't make me think of us, or when you hear of someone losing a baby I saw it happen. I will never take my life or my children's lives for granted. One second the babies there were fine and next thing you know there would be a team around the bedside, and you just new it wasn't good. I have a lot of guilt for leaving the Nicu with all of our babies. There was a woman who was pregnant with quads and she left with one, there was a girl I went to school with who had a full term beautiful baby who passed after two months of being in the Nicu. Here I am with 3 babies that were born 16 weeks too early who weighed less than 20 oz, who had every odd against them, they weren't even predicted to live through the 1st night, Here I was with all of this and our babies made it...why? Not that I'm not happy that their here. I just feel so guilty. When we took Ryan home (he was the last to come home) I walked right out of that Nicu, I never looked up or around I just cried as we left. I know how it felt to be in the other rooms watching other parents leave with their babies, just wishing that it was us. All I felt was guilt, how could I feel guilty when for 4 1/2 months all I wanted was to take my babies home. I still cry every couple of days, like why did our babies make it when others don't. I don't wish they didn't but how do you make this guilt go away?
Some of you have asked what exactly did the babies have when they were there. A few really thought the only reasons they were there was because they were too small to come home. I figured this id the perfect opportunity to give you some of the details....

Dylan Gregory

Born at 24 wks, 1 lb 3 oz, 12"

Prematurity

Extremely Low Birth Weight

Multiple Gestation

Respiratory Distress/Failure-now resolved

Patent Ductus Aeteriousus (PDA)-indocin x2 courses

Patent foramen ovale (PFO)

Apnea of Prematurity

Hyponatremia-now resolved

Anemia-PRBC/multiple blood transfusions given

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)-had appendix, 5% of colon and 5cm of bowel removed. Stoma given 2/22. 4/11 reanastomosis

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP, eyes)

Hypoglycemia-now resolved

Immature Feeding Pattern-now resolved

Ryan Andrew

Born at 24 wks, 1 lb 3 oz, 11 3/4"

Prematurity

Extremely Low Birth Weight

Multiple Gestation

Respiratory Distress/Failure-now resolved

Patent Ductus Aeteriosus (PDA)-indocin given-now resolved

PFO

Apnea of Prematurity

Anemia-multiple blood transfusions given

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP, eyes)

Hyperkalemia-now resolved

Immature feeding pattern

Hypertension

Marginal Hearing loss

Ava Jane

Born at 24 wks, 1 lb 2 oz, 11 3/4"

Prematurity

Extremely Low Birth Weight

Multiple Gestation

Respiratory Distress/Failure-now resolved

Staph Epi Sepsis-now resolved

Patent Ductus Arteriousus (PDA)-Ligated 1/8/08

PFO

Immature Feeding Pattern

Apnea of prematurity

Hyponatremia-now resolved

Anemia-multiple transfusions given

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)-medically treated

Bilateral Intra-Ventricular Hemorrhage grade 2. (brain bleed)

Microcephalic

Inspiratory Stridor-bronch on 4/18

Hemangiomas

Bilateral Ovarian Cysts

Right Subependymal cyst (cyst on brain)

Mild Subglottic Stenosis


So this is the small generic list, there is so much more. Now with the babies having all of these things can you even imagine the things we seen happen? I've seen it all. I was there through all of it. I watched them put in and take out breathing tubes, blood transfusions, I saw them unblock Dylan's stoma with a long pipe cleaner, we have seen all of the babies turn completely blue, with no heart rate, we watched as the nurses would bag them and bring them back to life. I really don't know how I watched all of this, but we did. The one time that sticks out the most is when Ryan decided he didn't want to breathe anymore. He stopped breathing, his heart rate went from 246 down to 17 then to 2 then nothing, the nurses were frantic. All of a sudden there was at least 20 people in the room working on him. I just stood back and watched, praying that he would just breathe. It took 6 different people and an hour and a half to get his breathing tubes back in. He was blue not just blue but the purple-blue you see in the movies. They picked him up to turn him, and he just flopped, his little arms fell down there was nothing to him. I really believed he wasn't going to make it though this one. The Nurses kept trying to get me to leave the room, there was no way I was leaving. After the episode the NNP came up to me to let me know he only went completely without any oxygen for about 2 1/2 mins, your brain doesn't start to loose anything until about 4 mins. I just cried.
When Dylan became sick with the NEC, they let us know ahead of time that alot of babies that get this don't make it. His bowels actually perforated and was spreading ecoli through his body. Before he went to surgery they told us that they had a room empty so we could say our goodbyes there, that way we could take all the time we needed. That was the longest 3 hours in the surgery waiting room.
There were many times in the Nicu that we almost lost our babies. Greg and I started to make arrangements for burials a few times. We were even told that it was cheaper to have them cremated, but for some reason they are still here, and I thank God everyday. It really could have been so much worse. Like I said before, it is truly amazing that they are alive. Even the Doctors have said these babies are miracles. They never thought they would have made it out of the nicu and even if they did they would be extremely sick. Guess these babies showed them. Our little fighters! I think that is why I feel so guilty, babies that should make it sometimes don't, and ours did. Life isn't always fair, there is a reason for these babies to be here.
I am now a firm believer in the old saying "What doesn't kill us, will only make us stronger."