Surprise!

Overnight on Thursday all three kiddos were moved into open beds. When we got there Friday we saw them. It made each area look so different because the isolettes took up so much space compared to the little beds. Now they are all easy to pick and hold, which we're doing lots.





The nurses took a fun picture as they were changing everything (I wish we were there at the time). It's the first time they have been back together since birth!

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil?


Joshua jumped past the 4 lb mark on Friday! Wow, a whole pound in just 2 weeks. Abby and Ella moved up as well to 3'3" and 3'6".

I got my first shot at bottle feeding Friday night with Josh. We both did well!

Message in a Bottle

Tuesday Elizabeth tried the bottle again with tremendous success! She was able to drink three whole servings (nearly 1 oz each) throughout the day. Joshua surprised us as well by drinking two half-bottles (1/2 oz each).

Wednesday Elizabeth took two more bottles and Joshua took 2/3 oz in one sitting. Wow! I think they're telling us they want to come home soon.

Meet Our Nurses

Brianna is one of our primary NICU nurses during the day.


Tammy is one of our primary NICU nurses at night.


Kim helped take care of Christine when she was in the hospital.


We're so blessed to have such a wonderful staff taking care of our family. God has been very good to us.

Merry Christmas!

Abby


Elizabeth



Josh


Thank you Grandpa & Grandma Fitchpatrick, Grandpa & Grammy Phillips, Uncle Kevin & Aunt Elizabeth, Aunt Angie, and Uncle Brian for all the gifts for the kids!

Time with Granpa & Grammy Phillips

Thanks for driving all the way from Iowa to visit. It's definitely worth the 500 miles.

Lots of Firsts

Elizabeth was the first to try milk from a bottle on Thursday. She did a good job of sucking the milk in, but didn't know what to do with it once it was in her mouth. With a surprised/worried expression, she then spit the whole mouthful back out. Aunt Elizabeth drove up from St. Louis for the afternoon and got the event on video. Abby took a turn at the bottle too with similar results.

Both of the girls finally passed three pounds on Friday. Joshua is the big boy at three and a half. They are filling out nicely, and we can really tell a difference from before.


Abby, Joshua, and Elizabeth got their first baths on Friday. At this point it is a sponge bath, but it's still an achievement. Josh enjoyed his scrub-a-dub.


Abby was the first to have her nasal canula removed on Saturday. The canula provides a flow of room air which can have oxygen added whenever necessary. She now has no breathing assistance whatsoever, and the only remaining tube going in is her feeding tube (which is going through her nose and then down her throat currently).

Worth a Thousand Words

Joshua


Elizabeth


Josh again


Abby

Grandparents Visit

Grandma Phyllis and Grandpa Otis visited tonight. Grandma got to hold Joshua. She was a little nervous at first about holding such a tiny one, but her instincts kicked in and she enjoyed it a lot. Joshua was wide awake most of the time, so that was an extra treat.

Enough with the Hats Already

Joshua: Why did they put this girly hat on me?


Joshua: Well, I can take the blue one.

Weekend Fun

We spent plenty of time getting the kids out and holding them on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. They are doing well off the CPAP, which was removed Friday from all three, and they probably won't go back on any more. Joshua broke 3 lbs on Thursday and the girls may get there in a few days. The girls are getting really good at sucking on their pacifiers too, so that is a good sign for non-tube feedings in the near future.

It's neat to see how different they are. They definitely have their own personalities. They are more alert and reactive as the days pass. Sometimes they'll open their eyes and look at me when I talk to them. They make some pretty hilarious faces when they are awake too.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you Joshua, Abigail, and Elizabeth!!! You are all one month old today. Your Mom & I enjoyed sharing your special day with you.



Joshua, are you practicing your jump shot? I bet you'll be able to hit it with your eyes closed!




Look what Nurse Brianna made for you. That was really nice of her.

Kangaroo!

I got Joshua out to hold during our visit today. He is learning how to suck on his pacifier. The girls are doing better at that than he is at this point, but he'll get it soon. That whole suck, swallow, breathe combination is complicated business for such a youngster.

Oh, You Big Crybaby

Christine headed down early today. She said Joshua was quite upset for part of the day. He made a big fuss and pulled off his CPAP and pulled out his feeding tube. She said he cried so hard there were tears running dow his face. Poor guy. By the time I got there he seemed fine, as if it were any other day. He and the girls continue to progress well.

Kangaroo!

We headed down in the morning to visit for a few hours. Christine got Elizabeth out and held her for awhile. Not much else is going on. The kids are healthy and growing.

In the afternoon, we headed up to my parents' house for an extended family gathering. It was nice to see aunts, uncles, and cousins, and we got some good food too.

Back Again

We finally made it back to the hospital after all the snow and bad weather we've had the past couple of days. We spent some time with the kids in the morning and afternoon. Their Aunt Angie & Great Grandma Birkey stopped by to visit.

The nurse weighed each baby today. Elizabeth is 2'8", Abigail is 2'10", and Joshua is 2'14". Here is Elizabeth on the scale with her hat off.



Someone gave us a pair of little preemie socks. Look, they fit Joshua just right!



Christine & I also spent some time out and about. At the mall we saw Dave Berque, one of my DePauw professors. Janie, Lori, and Rose joined us for dinner at a Thai restaurant.

Staying in Town

We didn't want to take a chance on the highways again today, so we stayed here in Lafayette again. We did take the opportunity to go do a couple of fun things. We saw the new Chronicles of Narnia movie; it was really good. We also stopped at the pastors house to have some fun with a few of our Sunday School friends. Tomorrow morning we're off to see the kids!

End of the Streak

Due to the huge snowstorm today, we were unable to visit the hospital. The weather reports say central Indiana averaged about 8" of snow. This is the first day we've missed seeing the kiddies. I hope they get the roads cleared off tomorrow.

The doctor reported that Abby had to go back on the CPAP. Too bad! Thankfully, they aren't currently having any problems. They're just growing and trying to get stronger.

Kangaroo!

I held Abby today. The CPAP was off so it was a lot easier this time. She was wide awake, and she looked around most of the time. It can't tell if they've mentally developed curiosity yet, but she seems to have a bit of it. She also had the hiccups most of the time. They were loud and she sounded like a pet's squeak toy. It had the nurses and us laughing.

Look at Me, Three

Christine came down to the hospital early today since she had a doctor visit. She got to see Joshua take his first trial off the CPAP. Abby started her second trial as well. So now Elizabeth is the only one with it on. We pray that their lungs get stronger and stronger so they won't have to go back on it. We don't like all those big tubes!

Look at Me, Too

Abigail is getting a trial off the CPAP today, so her hat and big tubes are off. Hopefully, she can stay strong and not have to go back on. She was awake during our visit, so it was fun trying to get her attention.




Elizabeth gained more weight and is up to 2 lbs 8 oz. It's amazing how much they can grow in a day.