Update 3/28

Hello World...

Is Me, Asher.  It has been a good week for me and my brothers.  Skyler and I have been busy "high fiving" in the crib together while yelling across the room to our brother Ryder (especially when the nice giants wipe our wee-wee's with those cold rags).  I overheard one of the doctors today saying that Ryder may be able to hang in the crib with us in the next few days.  That will be so fun.  We all got to yuck it up on Saturday when the nice giants took our picture.  I had a blast sucking on my brother's head.  I was just so hungry that I couldn't help myself.  Tasted kind of like vanilla, ummm yum...

(Look to the right, at the picture links where you can see our shenanigans.  There is also a video over there from when we were still warm and in the dark.)

Today was a little strange.  I just felt this weird nip in the air.  The big people were conversing around us, and then I got this shot of yummy fluid.  Before I knew it I was strapped down to a bed when a really big giant made a snip snip.  I can assure you it was uncomfortable and scary.  My other brothers returned with the same shocked face.  I can only imagine that the big giant snipped them too.  So tonight I'm a little uncomfortable and really need to go.  Bye for now.  -- Hoss

Grandma M has arrived

Not much new to report, but if I don't Auntie Dawn may just have a coronary...

The boys continue to feed and grow.  Yesterday Skyler had some excellent distance on  a pee pee all over himself and Summer.  Asher is more and more awake everyday.  And the little man aka "Benjamin Button" continues to gain weight.  Both Asher (Hoss) and Skyler are approaching 5 lbs and Ryder is approaching 4 lbs.

Tonight will be Grandma M's first attempt at bottle feeding the little guys.


 How's that Dawn?

PS, stay tuned for some youtube video in the near future

Changing of the Guard

The first "Changing of the Guard" is taking place tomorrow.  Carole, (Grandma H) has been here for 4 weeks, helping Summer and Jason during the last troubled stretch of Summer's pregnancy.  Thankfully the last 17 days have been the ultimate joy for both of us.  Summer is feeling a lot better and if you didn't know she just had triplets, you'd never guess it be seeing her.  She looks great!  Now the boys.  I don't know where to start.  I was still in Oregon the day they were born and waited very impatiently for word that Summer and the Boys were all OK.  It seems like worries increase the farther you are away and the last few days and hours were pretty rough from 2100 miles away.  I arrived the next day and got to see Asher, Skyler and Ryder that evening. I'm over joyed to say that I never thought the boys would be doing as well as they are. In the last 17 days they have gone from oxygen and breathing gear and erratic heart beats to three pretty cool little guys breathing unassisted room air and drinking out of a bottle.  Carole and I have held all three and had a chance to give them their bottle.  It is a miracle how much they have progressed.   But it's now time for us to go home and let Grandma M come and help.  Carole will be back in May and I hope to be back in July or Aug.  It's sad to leave and not see their daily progress, so Summer and Jason will have to put up with our calls.

We Love You All
Mom and Dad (Grandma H and Grandpa H)

33 Weeks

Ryder

Asher and Skyler

33 Weeks and Truckin' along

I finally can take a moment to say "hello"! It has been a crazy few months, but what miracles have we been given. Jason has done a great job keeping everyone involved in our journey.

I am not quite sure where to start, but to keep it simple...I Love being a MOM! It is kind of from a distance, but my days are spent starring at each one and learning how to take care of our little guys in the NICU. The boys are so beautiful, they all look like brothers, but they distinctly already show different characteristics. They already seem to be growing into "little guys"! All of you who say children grow up too fast...well...I can already see that. I can't believe how much Asher, Ryder and Skyler have grown in such a short time.

Having the babies so early I wasn't sure how healthy they would be or what kind of struggles we might have been in for, but they have surprised all of us. They are fighters! Every day I go in with anticipation of what they have accomplished over night and we are already proud parents of "over achievers"...in my book that is.

Consistently, they each are gaining weight and just this last week we started them on an evening bottle feed. They are just now at the gestational age where they would learn to suck and swallow so this was new for them. The first day was okay, the second a little better, the 3rd a little better and today...Skyler finished the whole bottle! Ryder was close and Asher got a little pooped out, but did great.

Last night the Dr. had orders to try Asher and Skyler in a crib together. Last attempt was a little much for them, but this time they were able to keep their body temp and they remained in their own little crib at the NICU all day! A proud sight for mom, dad and grandpa and grandma H.

My parents are leaving tomorrow to go back to Oregon. We couldn't have done the last few weeks without them. They both have learned a lot about preemies right along with us.

All in all I am healing, the boys are doing great and it is wonderful to finally have our own little family. I can't wait for them to come home!

Thanks again to all for the love and support from family and friends. You all have been amazing.

-Mom

First Bottle Feed

Mom & Grandma H's Work

Update 3/15

The boys continue to do well.  All have increased feedings, are off IV's, breathe room air, and put on weight.  Not much more we can ask for at this point.  Mom's blood pressure is still high, but can be expected from toxemia. 

Proud Mom

Happy Birthday Grandpa!!

Thanks for being there, and taking such great care of us during this past week and a half. 

We love you,
Asher, Ryder, Skyler

Hi Everyone, Grandma M here!

I have the  honor to update the written blog tonight.  First, let me begin by telling you I have fallen in love three times a week ago today and each day that love grows and grows!!  The little guys are just perfect angels and who knew such tiny, perfect little people could make your heart swell so much just by grasping  your finger with their little hands!!  I won't be too sappy, but my, oh my, being a grandparent is such a huge treasure and gift!!

Things here continue to go very well.  Summer is slowly continuing to get stronger.  We keep telling her to be patient with herself, just a week ago she gave birth to three perfect little babies, and she has been through alot.  We know she just wants to be with them 24/7 but she is improving each day and before she knows it her whole little brood will be home and that will be a great day of joy for her and Jason. She is a pro when you watch her with her sons!!

Jason is doing good, he started back to work today.  He is very fortunate to have a job that is flexible and they are very understanding.  He is amazing all of us in his new role as Daddy.  He is very sure of himself with the babies, loves to hold them and is even changing diapers already.  For those of you who know Jason, you know he has not held a baby,  really ever, but somehow now, it is like he has been at it forever!  It is very endearing to watch both he and Summer with their little boys.  Asher, Skyler and Ryder have a wondeful set of parents, they are very lucky little guys, but they already seem to know that.

Asher graduated back into the 4 lb. club yesterday.  After birth he lost some weight and fell below 4 lbs., so now he is back!!  Yea Asher!!  He also got to wear real clothes today, not just a diaper, because he is maintaining his own body temperature and no longer needs the heat lights.  It is so cute to see  him in little clothes!

Skyler is still needing a little assistance breathing, but he is coming along.  His nurse Karen said today he is not far away from wearing clothes either.  When he can it looks like both Asher and Skyler will be in a crib together.  By the way we love all the nurses, they have a great team at Children's.  Last night their nurse Donna was so patient with us, as we got to hold all the babies and she went out of her way to let Jason and Summer hold them together.  We all feel so confident when we are not there knowing they are not only in capable, but also loving arms!

Little Ryder is also making great progress.  He has gained weight too and is now almost reaching 3 lbs.  I believe  he was 2 lb. 14 oz. today.  He is very active and has a tight little grip when you hold his hand.  It is amazing such a little peanut can steal your heart in such a big way!

I am heading back to Milwaukee tomorrow for 10 days or so, then I will be back for 6 weeks.  Summer's parents Steve and Carole will be here through next weekend.  The three of us (and Mike for 4 days last weekend) have had such a wonderful time enjoying this amazing miracle!  (or I should say miracles!!)

Thank-you for all of your calls, emails, comments, prayers, care, and concerns.  It is all so appreciated knowing there are so many of you who care so much!!  We send you all of our love and thanks!!

OK, before Jason cuts me off  I will sign off for tonight.

Love, Grandma M

My Three Sons

Pic Updates

http://picasaweb.google.com/jrmeade77/Week2#

Asher All Dressed Up

Mom's Home

Summer got discharged today and happy to be on the outside!



The boys are doing good.  
They have some important tests coming up in the next few days.  The first is a brain scan, and the second is some blood work to look for metabolic disorders as well as genetic conditions.  Hopefully they will continue to do well.

Pics

http://picasaweb.google.com/jrmeade77/Meade_Boys2#

Updates

Sorry it has been so long.  Here's an update:

Summer is still in the hospital, and of course she is not happy about it.  Each morning the doctors have been doing blood work to check for fluid retention, as well as other things.  Unfortunately she has not been able to rid fluid around her lungs and heart.  She had a heart study done a couple of days ago and that turned out fine.  So that indicates that her body is just having a hard time getting rid of the water from the pregnancy.  X-rays continue to show water around her lungs.  Her blood pressure is also high averaging 130/90.  So tomorrow we hope that the blood work shows a reduction in fluids around her lungs; and better yet a lower blood pressure.  The doctors think she'll be able to go home tomorrow, but the blood work will decide.

Ryder  (our little man) is doing great.  He has some help with oxygen and continues to catch some rays under the lights.  He's the smallest of the bunch, but may just end up passing his brothers by.  A lot of times the little one has to fight for everything in the womb and when they get in the NICU do much better.  And that is what he continues to do.  I held Ryder yesterday for the first time which was awesome.  He just looked up at me and I think I heard him ask "when get can get outside and enjoy this weather".

Skyler (second man) is also doing good.  He is also catching a tan like is brother Ryder.  This is to help with jaundice and very common for premature babies.  The good news with Skyler is that he is no longer using a C-PAP to help him breathe.  He is using a canula that assists him with 20% oxygen.  So he's doing much better.  He also seems more comfortable which makes us very happy.  Mom has been holding Skyler a lot and he just loves to focus on her voice.

Asher (the big man) is doing the best.  He is the biggest and gets the most attention since he's so far along.  He likes to hold hands and keeps his eyes focused on who's talking to him.  Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Grandpa have all been able to hold him.  Mom even did some kangaroo care.

Jason is doing fine.  I've been spending most nights at the hospital in an awesome pull out couch.  Some of you I'm sure know the kind.  I'm happy to be home tonight, but missing Summer.  I really hope she can come home tomorrow.  Other than that I'm just making things work and hoping for the best.  It is still very surreal... 

Today's bit of encouraging news, Asher could be moving out of his Giraffe into a crib in the next few days.

So that is it for now.  I hope to blog more and not fall behind.  Thanks to all of you for the calls, texts, and emails.  I apologize for not getting back to you, just not enough time in the day.  - Jason

Pics

Sorry I'm exhausted.  Summer is at the hospital sleeping.  I'm at home with the grandparents taking it easy.  The boys are at the NICU in good hands.  All is well at this point.  We are ready for the roller coaster ride...  I will post more as I have time.  - Jason

http://picasaweb.google.com/jrmeade77/Baby#

Pics.

http://picasaweb.google.com/srharding/TheMeadeBoys

They have arrived...

They finally made it and are in good health!  Ryder required a little help breathing at first, but now they all are doing well on their own.

The weights are 4.16, 4.1, 2.13

A lot bigger than I ever would have imagined.  I have no idea where Summer was hiding them.  They have gone over to the NICU where they will stay until healthy enough to go home.

Ryder

 

Skyler

 

Asher

Toxemia

The doctor came in this morning and told us that Summer is progressing in the wrong direction and has toxemia.  There is a cure for Toxemia, and it is delivery.  So we will be delivering babies today around 2:00.  Holy Crap!!

Fun Fun

News from the Doc

Dr. Stephens just made a visit.  Some of Summer's blood work indicated preeclampsia.  Going to continue monitoring blood pressure and the babies for the next 24 hours.  Tomorrow do blood work again, ultrasound in the morning, and finish 24 hour urine test.  Put all the pieces together and determine the next course of action.  He thinks anywhere from 24 hours to 10 days for delivery.  She will for sure stay here until then.

All Hooked Up

The doctor visit started off good.  The babies were practicing breathing and moving around.  Their weights are 4.5, 4.6, & 3.  Ryder is still lagging behind.  They checked his fetal doppler and it was abnormal again.  They backed that check up by looking at a vein in the brain as well as one in the liver.  Both of those were fine.  So we are still watching Ryder closely.  If one of these other back up checks goes into an abnormal range or if the fetal doppler goes any higher then we'd need to deliver.  So all that news was stomachable.... 

Then they took her blood pressure which was 140/90.  Summer was very familiar with that number as it is a good indication of preeclampsia.  Then nurse brought in her urine results which showed higher levels of protein.  All that added up to room #10 in labor and delivery.  That's where we are at.  The Grandmas and me hanging with Summer who's all hooked up.

Early Dr. Visit

 Summer woke me up last night at 2:30, "I'm going to call the doctor in the morning.  The babies have not been moving lately."  She called first thing this morning and they want her to come in.  They are concerned that the babies may be stressed.  We'll keep you up to date.