Peace, Love and Happiness...

That about sums it up! We couldn't resist a little photo shoot with our handsome little men. Grandma and I (Mom) enjoyed dressing them up in these little onesies...saving the world...one happy baby at a time.

Life continues to keep us busy, but we are quickly learning the "tricks of the trade".

The boys are entertaining us daily and we continue to see changes in each one. Its simply amazing to me how far they have come in such a short time. I fall in love with all three of them more and more everyday.

Last week, Thursday they went to the doctor to have weight checks and Asher now weighs 8lbs 3oz, Skyler weighs 8lbs and Ryder weighs 6lbs 6 oz.

Grandma M. has been here for almost 6 weeks and has been a sounding board for all of us. She has taught us a lot and I think we have taught her some new things, as for the "baby world" has changed since her days of 2 am feedings and 5am poopy diapers!

We could not do it without her help; she has sacrificed mornings of a nice quiet cup of coffee (actually finishing a cup of coffee), a long hot shower, curling iron and quiet evenings with Grandpa Biggie back in Wisco. We are more than lucky to have her with us to help with the babies, keeping us sane and to see these babies grow.

Grandma M. will soon leave us as Grandma H. will come to learn the whole process. All in all we are pretty darn thankful we have moms that can help us...what would we do without them!?!

We really do hope you enjoy our blogs. This is a big part of our lives that we have ventured into, and we hope to keep you entertained.

Take Care and Stay Tuned...

A trip to the store

Hi Everyone
We thought we would do a couple of updates, we promise some new pictures posted soon.  

Yesterday morning started off very scary.  I (Grandma M) was downstairs changing Ryder and getting ready for his morning feed.  Fist, he spit up a little through his nose,so I suctioned him, then as I picked him up, he had a major spit up of phlegm and started choking on it!!  His heart monitor went off, I screamed for Summer (trying to get a few Z's after a very short night) and she came flying downstairs.  We got him all suctioned out, but it was a very big scare for both of us.  After she called their Pediatrician, they determined he probably had a mucus plug.  He had to be on pedialite for the day to flush him out and nose drops to suction him out some more.  After that he was fine the rest of the day and has been good ever since.  So we are grateful and back up to speed today.  We just feel so bad for the little guy.  This reflux is very nasty and everyone will be so thankful when he outgrows it!!

I have one more story to share that is quite hilarious.  Ryder takes rice cereal in his formula for his reflux.  Tonight we realized the cereal was gone, so Jason offered to go to the store to get more.  After he got to the store, Summer had a phone call from him.  He couldn't find the rice cereal, he had looked in the cereal isle to no avail, so then he went to the rice area!!  After no luck finding it, he called Summer and she told him to try the baby food section.  Bingo, there it was.  Boy, talk about learning something new everyday!! Summer and I had a good chuckle at Jason's expense. (Sorry J)  We both still gave him an A for effort!!

Things are really going good despite Ryder's scare.  Asher and Skyler are both getting more and more alert each day and already growing out of some of their clothes.  We are so enjoying them and appreciating the moments! Tomorrow is another Pediatrician appointment so we will try to update with weights.

Hope everyone is enjoying spring.  We will work hard on picture posts soon.
Love, Grandma M

Ooops

I read my post from last night after a good night's sleep and it seems, well... quite negative.  "Sort of" funny that Summer just walked down after the night shift 2 - 5, and now she is exhausted.  I feel much better after my new shift.  We joke that we need to put a quarter in the jar after saying the word "tired".  Summer is going to just drop a $20 in the jar for the rest of the day.

So after all of this exhaustion and complaining I must say that it is all worth it and that is what we are staying focused on.  I continuously see Summer laughing at one or the other as she sits on the couch talking to them.  Each day they show us something new.  So now that we have the witch session out of the way, we'll move forward and post that new positive stuff that they show us.  So really have a good one.  - Jason

Funny Question...

Summer got a funny question (maybe only to us) today on the phone.  The question was "what do you do for entertainment"?  We all had a chuckle with that since these kids are our only form of entertainment, work, whatever you want to call it.  I was on the driveway with the neighbor yesterday for a half hour and really had nothing to add to the conversation.  We've watched no news, no sports, nothing but these babies for a week now.  So what does that all entail one might ask, well let me try and lay it out some:

Summer is on call from 11 pm - 2 am.  This seems to be the most fussy time for the boys, so her time is spent tending to each of their needs.  Mostly that equates to helping Ryder with his tummy problems.  Actually I am doing this shift tonight and go back and forth between him and the blog; about 5 minutes with each.  At the 2 am mark the torch is handed to the next person at the feed time.  It takes about an hour to get them up, change them, feed each, and get them back to bed.  Then for about an hour and a half you can doze here and there getting up to check and/or clean spit up. At about 4:30 am they will wake up and want some more food.  Best to hold them off closer to 5 to keep them on schedule.  Then go wake up Grandma at 5 and help her get started feeding.  Same routine for her, maybe a little light sleep then up at it again for the 8 feed.  Sometime before the next feed Summer gets up to help Grandma. 

Then...

Clean up the night's mess (bottles, clothes, burp clothes, diapers, wipes, bedding, changing area, and medicines)
Move kids, monitors, boppys, and blankets downstairs

11:00 am feed is little easier since Grandma is not alone.
By this time we are all up and drinking heavy amounts of coffee.  The boys are most alert at this time so we are playing with and holding them. In between this time we may get time for a shower (I haven't for a couple of days), maybe a walk with Bella, or trip to the grocery store.  Mostly though we are cleaning the kitchen and rest of the house.  Or doing laundry, or stocking the bonus room with goodys for the next night.  Before you know it, it is the 5 o'clock feed.  A couple of us take care of the boys while the other takes care of dinner.  After dinner, time to clean up and get bottles and formula for the night.  8 o'clock quickly approaches... Move the boys back upstairs as well as all the gear.  Feed and get ready for the 11.

So where does the day go?  We have no idea.  I'm surprised this blog can even get written, but I know you can enjoy a read before the work week.  Have a good one everyone.  Enjoy sleep, enjoy the weather, enjoy being out in the real world.

Meeting of the Minds

Morning Ya'll

Triple Pandemonium

Hi Family and Friends

We are so sorry we have not updated in a while but as the title says, it is triple pandemonium around here. (or "wonderful chaos")  The last of the little guys, Ryder came home on Wednesday.  It is a world of feeding, burping, diapering, bathing, changing,  holding, cuddling, making up bottles, washing bottles (no small task) doing laundry, keeping changing tables supplied, enjoying, loving, watching them, amazed at the constant changes we see in them almost hourly times three!!!

Jason and Summer took the boys into the pediatrician on Thursday and the latest weights are:  Asher, 7.6 lbs., Skyler, 7.3 lbs., and Ryder, 5.10 lbs.  So, needless to say they are growing leaps and bounds.  Little Ryder does have reflux and he takes rice cereal in his formula.  He can be uncomfortable at times but the  Boppy (something new to me) is a very handy little device and very useful in keeping Ryder at an elevated position  and more comfortable.

The days whiz past and we barely have time to catch our breath.  Jason was off work this last week with all of the boys coming home, and he will go back to work soon (at least part-time, still lots of appointments this next week).   We work constantly at being organized and keeping things flowing. We split the night in shifts, usually Summer has the 11PM feed, she stays with them until 2AM when Jason takes over and he stays with them until I do the 5AM feed.   I usually stay with them and do the 8AM  also so Jason and Summer can catch a few hours. Preemies need to be fed every 3 hours so until we get the word from the Dr., that is what we are doing. It was a little difficult for an old Grandma to "wake a sleeping baby", but of course I agree with anything in their best interest!!! I am proud to say things are actually going great.  (although 8 hrs. of sleep sounds wonderful to all of us).

We have hopes of getting some pictures tomorrow and updating all of you on how big (and adorable if I do say so myself) they are getting. This is so special to be here and share in this amazing world!!

Thanks for all the love and prayers, care and concern.
Grandma M 

First walk for Asher

We thought we would update everyone on Ryder; as many of you know he had a test today.  He does indeed have reflux and the doctors decided to try him with a little rice cereal in his bottles, this might take care of it.   He will stay in the hospital for another day or two as they work through this and hopefully his bradies will stop; they are caused by the reflux..  All of us are so very anxious for  him to come home, but we know this is the best for him.  We  hope and pray this does it and he will be here this week!

Jason and Summer took Asher (and Bella) for a little walk this afternoon.  It was 81 degrees here, another beautiful day.  All of them enjoyed it!!  Grandma M stayed in the house with Skyler.  Once Jason and Summer decide on a stroller they want and buy it, they will be able to take him along with his little monitor (and Ryder and his monitor too!)  They are super-excited for that day to come.  Asher did love the front pack and said he will be willing to take turns sharing that spot with his brothers once they are done with those little machines!

Asher and Skyler had appointments this morning with their new pediatrician.  It was a great appointment, and Mom and Dad were happy to be set up with a doctor now that they will not be seeing the neo-natal pediatricians anymore.  They loved her and think this will be a good fit.

Everything else is going good.  Quite hectic, bottles alone take a long time to wash!!  Bottles these days come with alot of parts!!! 

We will let you know as soon as Ryder gets home and we will be sure to get some new pictures of the little brothers re-united!!

Routine -- Exciting Week

Sorry it's been so long.  Hopefully you can enjoy the blog with a morning cup of coffee.  You can think of Summer in the wee hours as it will be her time to be "on call". 

Grandma is in charge now until 2 am when I go to it; until 5 am when Ms. Summer picks up the slack.  That's the plan so far, and we're trying to get into the routine.  For now one of us can handle both Asher and Skyler in the evening/morning hours.  It's a chore, but doable.  It's been an interesting week trying to get a handle on how all of this is going to work.

Ryder is still in the hospital because he is having some heart rate drops here and there.  Tomorrow he goes in for a test to determine if he has reflux.  That may explain the drops.  They won't let him come home until he starts behaving a little better.  We hope that is soon, as it is nice having them home.

Grant Aunt Patty left yesterday and it was a real treat to have her here.  She taught us a lot and for that we are grateful.  She may even have been able to persuade Summer into joining the mini van club. 

And tomorrow Grandpa leaves.  It is sad to see everyone leave; maybe Ryder will come home in the first half of the week to make up for it all.  It was great that Patty and Grandpa got to enjoy the two at home. 

Parting Thoughts:

Even Asher Seems to be Enjoy the Fun in This One:

There is Some Time to Relax:

GREAT AUNT PATTY'S THOUGHTS

I've had the privilege of spending the past 5 days fully involved in this triplet miracle!!!  The days at the Summer and Jason Meade home are filled with unexplainable hustle, bustle and anticipation of what's ahead on their journey!!!  Each moment, hour, day has been filled with joy and things change constantly as the moments go by!  The news that the boys would be home on Wed. has had a slight delay.  Asher had one breathing incident, Skyler a couple and littlest Ryder had some acid reflux moments, so the homecoming has been pushed off a day or so!  All of the setbacks are minor, nothing to be too worried about, but this household is just getting mighty anxious to get these babies home!!!  Today Summer fed Asher his 2:00 bottle, then handed him off to me, (meanwhile Grandma Cindy was feeding Ryder), I had a very exciting hour and a half talking and interacting with Asher as he was awake and aware for the whole time (see Asher video to the right)!  Some great news today, Skyler and Ryder both passed their hearing tests (Asher had already yesterday) and all three boys have officially passed their car seat tests.  We're all hoping and praying for a great, peaceful night in the NICU tonight  for these precious little guys!!!  Stay tuned...........

4/4 Update

Boy oh Boy we are all tired tonight so I'm going to need to be short...

The boys had their car seat tests today.  Each had to sit in their car seat for an hour without any drops in their vitals.  Both Asher and Ryder passed while Mr. Skyler didn't make it to the finish line.  He will retry again tomorrow.  We also found that Ryder and Skyler didn't pass their hearing tests in their right ears.  So they will be retested on that again tomorrow.  This test is often failed by premature babies and is most often resolved on the second try.  So these are minor set backs, but there is still optimism that they will be coming home this week.  Summer and I have a class on Tuesday to learn how to use the monitor that both Ryder and Skyler will be coming home on.

We did manage to have some fun today at the NICU taking Easter pictures.  These boys better get used to posing as Mom and Grandma are big picture takers.  I'm sure Uncle Mikey will teach them the true Meade pose when the time is right.

A special thanks to Mary for the hand made afghans. We've already started putting them to good use as they were a perfect back drop for the Easter pictures.

Ryder Passing His Car Seat Test

A Late Update

When we got in the NICU today the boys had their feeding tubes removed.  They have been feeding exclusively on bottles since yesterday.  It was nice to see their little faces unobstructed.  Then

the PA took us off guard...  As if we were informed that the little guys would be coming home this week.  Of course Mom has been saying all along that this week was the week, but to hear the confirmation was shocking.  Nothing is for sure, but it seems that they may be coming home sooner than later.  Tomorrow we take in the car seats to see if they can handle a test that determines if they are capable of handling the ride home.  If they pass that and continue to progress on their current paths, then they have a high probability of coming home.  We'll see how tomorrow goes.  Happy Easter All!!

MOM & DAD

Grandma M here again, blogging tonight.  I have been back here since March 24th and we have been at the NICU everyday for 5-6 hours each day.  It is so much fun and the boys are doing amazing!  We are getting to change, feed, burp, rock and hold, it is awesome, such perfect little miracles, growing and getting bigger and cuter each day.  Aunt Patty arrived from Wisconsin today and she loved meeting her great-nephews and getting to hold Ryder for over an hour. (Mommy had Asher, Grandma M had Skyler and Daddy was videotaping it all)

Ryder is officially in the crib with Asher and Skyler. The first 24 hours out of the giraffe (isolette) are important, if they can maintain their own body temperature for that length of time they are pretty much ready to be in a crib.  Well, Ryder has now been in the crib with his brothers going on 72 hours so he should be there to stay.  The sight of all three together is beautiful and you can just tell they love it.  Together again!!!

The bottle feeds are increasing each day. (bottle feeds vs. through the g-tubes, that little tube that goes into their noses and down into their tummies).  They need to be on all 8 feedings per day with the bottles before they can come home.  Today they were switched to 2 bottles, 1 g-tube, 2 bottles, 1 g-tube, 2 bottles, 1-g-tube (every 3 hours).  That now means they are on 6 bottle feeds per 24 hours.  That is great progress and is huge strides towards coming  home, something we are all so excited about!!!!!

Another big thing that happened last night is they got to move into the NICU II, which is  for babies who are doing good and moving closer to going home. Their weights are now:  Asher, 5 lbs. 15 oz, Skyler, 5 lbs. 10 oz., and Ryder is 4 lbs. 3 oz.  Skyler and Asher have already outgrown some of their preemie clothes!!

So, check out the photos, Jason does a great  job of adding new ones, and we always seems to be taking pictures!!  We plan to get some great ones of their first Easter, so stay tune!

Thanks again so much for all of the Love, Care, and Concern .  It means so more than you can ever know!!
Happy Easter to You All!!

Auntie Patty Has Arrived