Almost 8 weeks old

It is hard to believe our boys are almost two months old.  Today was their due date, March 8th, although we knew we would never deliver on this day.  It has been several weeks since we updated you on their progress, as we have been a little busy.  Every minute is worth it and we feel so blessed; however, I must admit that I ask, "Why Me?" when we are up "partying" most of the night.  Sometimes it is hard to see the blessing when you are surviving on just a few hours of non-continuous sleep.  Then the morning light comes and you focus in on those sweet little faces and I feel unworthy of having such perfect little gifts.  We know that this stage will pass quickly and we will miss these days.  We are about a month away from breaking them out of the house.  The dangerous RSV season will end in April and then we will be able to be around more people since the boys are stronger and less infection will be floating around.

All the boys are growing but Lincoln has had some difficulty gaining weight.  However, he seems to be on track now.  Poor little guy just doesn't love a big meal like the other two.  Today we went for their two month appointment and their weights and measurements are as follows:

                             Weight                 Length
Cade                     6 lbs 7 oz             19 3/4"
Evan                     6 lbs 12 oz           19 1/2''
Lincoln                 5 lbs 12 oz           19 1/2"

We are so thankful for all of the prayers, gifts, and help we have received over the past several months.  It is truly taking a city to raise these boys.  Without all of you this would be so much more difficult!  THANK YOU!!!

Please continue to pray for Cade, Evan, and Lincoln's health and growth.  Brock is a great big brother, so we ask that you pray that he continues to feel like these little brothers are a blessing and not a curse :) and for Brian and I that we will make it on the small amount of sleep we are getting.

The following pictures were taken at 5 weeks.  Elisha Farmer, a very good friend of mine from high school, who has taken many pictures of Brock, traveled down to spend the day with us and take pictures of the boys.  WHAT A GIFT!!!

The boys are home!

All 3 Boys Are Home!!!!!!!



After five days of just having Evan and Cade at home, Lincoln got to join his brothers at home.  From the hospital, to taking pictures, to the doctor for their first check-up, it has been an eventfully day.  It is amazing how different having all three home feels.  Maybe it is just a feeling of our family being complete.  We look forward to this next phase in our blessed adventure.

Lincoln now weights 4lbs 9oz and is 18 1/2 in. long
Cade is 4lbs 8oz and is 18 1/2 in. long
Evan is 4lbs 14oz and is 18 in. long

Please continue to pray for these 3 blessings!

Pray that Cassie and I are able to juggle all of the tasks that need to be done to take care of Brock, Lincoln, Cade, Evan and ourselves.

We continue to amazed by all of those thinking, praying, helping and providing for us.  Every bit is appreciated!

Almost 3 Weeks Old

It has hard to believe that in a couple days Cade, Lincoln, and Evan will be three weeks old.  Much has changed since our last post.  All three boys are in open cribs and are over four pounds.  Their weights are as follows:  Cade 4 lbs 3 1/4 oz, Lincoln 4lbs 4 3/4 oz, and Evan 4 lbs 9 oz.  Yesterday, they all passed their hearing screening.  Today the doctor told us that we will likely be able to take Evan and Cade home on Saturday.  Both are taking bottles and no longer need their feeding tubes.  Lincoln is a few days behind and will hopefully begin taking a bottle on a regular basis very soon.  It is a little bitter sweet to be able to take two of the boys home but we are sad to leave Lincoln there.  Please pray that it will soon "click" with him and he will join us at home. 

We never cease to be amazed by the love, support, and help we have received from all of our friends and church family.  Thank you just doesn't seem to be adequate.  We are so grateful for each of you!  Please continue to join us in prayer for Cade, Lincoln, and Evan.  We pray they will continue to thrive and meet recommended milestones.  Also, pray for a smooth transition home. 

Love,

Brian, Cassie, Big Brother Brock, Cade, Evan, and Lincoln

Cade

Evan

Lincoln

Cade showing off his new bed

Evan showing you what a big boy he his taking his bottle

Quick Update (1 1/2 week old)

The boys are just over a week old and much has changed. They are growing and changing each day.  Brian has gone back to work and tries to see the boys at least once a day, mostly after work. I often go to the hospital for their 9:00 am and 12:00 pm feeding.  We are able to help take there temperatures, change their diapers, and assist in feeding.  Of course, our favorite task is holding our sweet babies.  All three are trying to take bottles but we are waiting for it to click and for each of them to consistantly take a full bottle without falling asleep.  Poor sweet Lincoln is still spitting up and having a harder time gaining weight.  Their current weights are:  Lincoln 3 lbs 12 1/2 oz, Cade 3 lbs 13 oz (his birth weight), and Evan 4 lbs . Even though we are spending a lot of time on the road, it is worth it and we look forward to our time with the boys each day.


Please Pray for:
Brock to adjust well
Brian to be able to balance work, time with the boys at the hospital and family at home
Cassie to be able to continue to provide the boys with enough milk and to get enough rest

The boys to start/continue to keep their food down, maintain their temperature, keep growing and start being able to take a bottle at each feeding.

This picture is the only time we have been able to have all three together at the same time.

From left to right, Cade, Evan, Lincoln

I'm growning up I'm 3 days old......

 Lincoln - current weight: 3lbs 9 1/2oz

 Cade - current weight 3lbs 6 1/2oz

Evan - current weight 3lbs 8 1/4oz

Lincoln, Cade and Evan continue to hang out in the NICU and are doing as well as can be expected.  Lincoln and Evan are still "showing off" as the respiratory therapist said, by not needing all the normal breathing care of preemies of their gestation.  Cade continues to show signs of improvement one moment, then signs that he is still struggling to maintain a preferred repertory rate a short later.  It is either too fast, or he just forgets to breath and his heart rate begins to drop, scaring Cassie and me and causing the nurse to stand at his isolette waiting to see if he can correct it himself. Each boy is also receiving phototherapy (light treatments) for their jaundice.  They look so cute with their little shades on.  Evan and Lincoln no longer need fluids through an IV.  Cade continues to improve his tolerance of the breast milk and we are hopeful that he will no longer need his IV after tomorrow. 

We are so thankful to all of the nursing staff in the NICU.  They are amazing!  It is with some sadness we leave the hospital tomorrow since it will be without our three littlest boys, but we leave them in really great hands.  A special Thank You to Meggie Bumpus, the most incredible night NICU nurse!  She has been taking amazing care of our little guys and makes sure they are in the best hands. Meggie has been wonderful to answer all our "first time preemie parent" questions.  I think the boys have already developed all of their first crushes on the adorable nurses they have each day and night. 



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The Boys are here - the first 24 hours!

Cassie delivered 3 beautiful baby boys yesterday at 3:06, 3:07, and 3:08pm.  Baby A - Lincoln, weighed 3 lbs 14 1/2 oz and was 17 1/2 in., Baby B - Cade weighed 3 lbs 13 oz and was 17 in, and Baby C - Evan weighed 3 lbs 14 oz and was 16 1/2 in.  The boys are in the NICU to monitor their breathing, vitals and make sure they get food and fluids.  Cade does have an oxygen tube but we are told he is the norm and Lincoln and Evan are the (good) exception.  Cade was given a "treatment" to help his breathing, and he has since been taken off the oxygen, but his breathing tube remains in just for air. The doctors and nurses are very positive and when asked for an estimate of how long the boys would be in the NICU they said about 2 weeks.  I have been able to change diapers, check temperatures and most recently tried to bottle feed Evan.  All of this is being done through an isolet now.  Evan took a little of his bottle, then fell asleep; so to make sure he got his food, he now has a feeding tube. Cassie did awesome and is doing well now. She has been able to get down to see the boys a couple of times and we are looking forward to watching their first bath and may be able hold Lincoln and Evan briefly, maybe as soon as tonight.



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Hospital Stay # 2

Another update and it hasn’t been a week.  Yes, that means we have had another adventure besides the weekly appointment.  Yesterday Cassie called me while I was at work to let me know she was feeling worse than normal with pressure and contractions, and to give me a heads up that she may have to go to the hospital to make sure everything was okay. An hour or so later, she called to say things weren’t better and I should come get her.  Once at the hospital, Cassie was put through the usual tests; monitor the babies’ heartbeats and her contractions.  Monitoring the babies is an ordeal for the nurses.  They are not use to getting three heartbeats at a time so their machine isn’t set up for them to see all three on the same monitor.  They had to call in back up.  Cassie’s OB checked her out and everything is still looking like the babies are not ready arrive just yet, but her doctor wanted to keep her overnight.  By dinner time Cassie’s contractions were practically gone, so Cassie said she planned to come home the next day.

Unfortunately, the drugs designed to help stop her contractions, started an intense migraine. Come three o’clock in the morning, Cassie was throwing up in the bed.  Luckily she got better.  Her OB came in Friday morning and confirmed the obvious, that Cassie’s body was “done,” but since she was not in danger her goal is to make it two more weeks.  Funny thing is that when Cassie told me about her talk with the doctor I caught that the doctor said Cassie’s body was done, but from somewhere, I though Cassie said that the doctor told her she would like Cassie to make it a few more days.  I thought we were setting a delivery date and even shared that news with our parents.  After talking with Cassie again later when she was telling me what the high risk doctor said, I asked Cassie what happened to a few days.  Cassie was confused as she said she never mentioned setting a delivery date so soon.  I am sure I misunderstood, but maybe all of Cassie’s drugs hadn’t worn off and she had said it? J 

Cassie was quick to let me know that she was told she got to come home tonight.  Cassie is more uncomfortable than ever and twice as swollen as when she went in to the hospital.  We are all home now and whether it is a few days or two weeks, we will take what time we have to enjoy the three of us, until the other three arrive. 

Prayers:

1. Continued well being of the boys
2. Health and comfort of Cassie.  She does not feel well, but is willing to hold on a couple of weeks to benefit the babies.

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Big Milestone...32 Weeks

Today is a very exciting day.  We have made it to 32 weeks.  Thank you for all of the prayers, we know that is why we have made it this far.  Feeling so blessed!  So many risks decrease at this point. The babies are estimated to be approaching four pounds and 16+ inches long.  So lets run the numbers for fun...that is about 12 pounds and 48 inches of babies in my large belly.  Funny to think about, and believe me I am starting to feel it.  With each day I become more uncomfortable and am beginning to wonder how much longer my body will hold up.  Yesterday, I went to see my OB for my weekly check-up.  It was the first time I didn't drive myself to my appointment.  My friend, Debbie, was kind enough to drive me and keep me company.  I promised myself and several others that I would be completely honest with Dr. Haney about my "aches and pains."  Like most people I am guilty of saying, "I feel great!" even when I am wondering how much more I can take.  The appointment began with a weight check (which I won't share because it is becoming depressing, I am seeing numbers I never thought were possible) and then the blood pressure check.  I was concerned about my blood pressure numbers because I am beginning to swell  (the benefit to this is that my wrinkles are filling in).  Thankfully my numbers were great.  Dr. Haney spend a good ten minutes stressing the importance of heading to the hospital if I felt any changes.  So much can change and take a turn for the worse at this point so she wanted to be sure I understood the importance of listening to my body.  Because of all of my discomfort and sudden swelling, my doctor felt it would be best if I went over to the hospital for monitoring.  After spending over five hours monitoring heart rates, contractions, blood work, and an ultrasound we were thankful to find that our boys are doing well and not showing signs of stress.  Home sweet home!!!  We had our bags packed just in case we needed to stay.  As wonderful as the nurses and staff are at Baptist Hospital ,there is no place like home.  Praying that I will be able to continue to "enjoy" my bed rest at home and not at the hospital. 

Please continue to pray for the babies.  Each day is a bonus and will help our babies spend less time in the NICU.

Many of you have requested belly pictures. My goal has always been to avoid pregnancy pictures, for the most part.  It is fun to have one or two to look back at but I don't need an entire album :).  However, I have reluctantly decided to post the growing belly for all to enjoy. 

31 Weeks

It's Brian. Yes, I am back, but not because of a hospital stay this time.  Cassie is just tired and doesn't feel like even sitting up long enough to type.  She has moments of getting really tight and even a few contractions from time to time. 
Now for the good news. Cassie and the boys have made it to 31 weeks and everything looks great.  Baby A is now 3 lbs 6 oz, Baby B is 3 lbs 11 oz and Baby C is also 3 lbs 11oz.  Of course as the babies get bigger, the possible range of their actual weight increases.  For Baby A it is plus or minus 8 oz, and Baby B and C are plus or minus 9 oz.
Our short term goal is one more week and from there we will take it one week or even day at a time.  Cassie's OB doctor did say that she would look at setting a date for delievery when she sees her next week. 
Please continue to pray for our family and every aspect of this blessed adventure.
We thank you so much for your prayers and for each of you who has helped us is so many ways during this time.

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