The best things come in threes

Yesterday our family welcomed three of the most beautiful little ladies into this world. My sister is also doing well.
Baby A & C needed no respiratory support. Baby B is on CPAP on room air. This is truly a miracle. We expected them all to be intubated. I will post more pictures as soon as I get to my computer.

Home Sweet Home

I made it in from Missouri safe and sound on Saturday. The flight was early so I got to spend the entire day with Anna and Gerard. Anna told me stories of how she missed me and cried for me. Gerard told me stories of the fun that they had while I was away. They went to the boat show and climbed in and out of hundreds of boats. I am happy to say none were purchased.

Saturday Anna spent most of her time sitting on lap. She talked the whole way home from the airport which Gerard and I giggled about. Remember when she did not say a word? She told me that she grew while I was gone and I am happy to say when I measured her she did not grow.

I am also happy to say that the three pregnant ladies that I did not want to deliver all complied with my wishes. We stopped to see Sarah last night (one of the pregnant ladies), she watched Anna for me so that I could go see Jenny. I told her that she is allowed to deliver any time now and she laughed.

Jenny is doing fine. I am amazed everyday by how well she is handling this pregnancy. We talked a little bit about what the babies may look like and what things may need to be done to them. She told me that the hardest part is going to be not seeing them right away. I agree. I am fortunate because I do know two nurses that work in the NICU where the babies will be so I feel good about them being there. NICUs are a small world of nursing so I pretty much know someone is all the local ones.

My week in Missouri was eventful. I did full examinations of live men and women. I brought back so may memories of working with adults that I am a little excited at the possibility of working with adults again. I was able to get some home work but I did not get as much as I wanted too.

This week is going to be a busy one. Jenny's C-section is planned for Friday. Her Baby shower is planned for Saturday. Anna has a half day at school today so my job this afternoon is to go and get the gifts for the shower. It should be a long and fun day.

I made it through

Well I survived and I think Anna has fared pretty well this week. I talked to them last night and Anna asked when I was coming home. She told me that she misses me. Bless her heart. I can not wait to pick her up and kiss her whole face.

I am sure Gerard is ready for me to come home too. It is hard to be the only one. The start of the week was difficult because my Mother was so worried about Jenny. I had a talk with her to quiet some of her fears.

I have managed to get a little bit of homework done. Tonight I am going to celebrate with Bar-B-Q! It really is one of my favorite things to eat and not really one of Gerard's favorites. I plan on breaking out my highlighter and knocking out a few assignments. I am so happy that I have completely decided on a break this summer. My instructors and classmates are worried that I may not return but I know I will.

Jenny is holding on. She told me that she is having a few contractions here and there but for the most part she is just hanging out in bed. I will feel more comfortable when I am about an hour away rather than multiple states away. I have so much to do for next week. I have a very early flight so once I am done with my homework I will pack up to be ready to leave as soon as I get up.

Her water broke!

I was sound asleep in my hotel room when my phone rang. I hear Jenny's voice on the other end telling me "I think my water just broke!" All I could think is oh crap! She is officially 30 weeks and 3 days. She was asked to go to the nearest hospital to be transported the rest of the way by ambulance. Well to make a long story short she is finally on her way to her hospital by ambulance.

I am praying that even though her water is broken for one of the babies the doctors will opt to not deliver her for a couple of days. It is still better that they stay inside if the babies are not in distress. I am so worried but I am finding comfort in sitting here quietly and praying that all will be okay. I just know that God would not bring her this far to break her heart.

Two of my sisters are with her and the other two are on standby in case she does deliver. La-La is also with her. If you all did not know I am a bit of a micro-manager in situations like these so being so far away is difficult. The funny thing is that my sisters know to write down my instructions and usually tell me to wait until they get a pen.

I called my work to warn them they Jenny is in route via ambulance in the event that she starts to deliver. They laughed and said they are ready. The funny part is I know that they probably are ready.

I just can not believe that she might deliver without me. I left strict instructions that none of my sister and two of my friends are not allowed to deliver while I am out of town. I guess no one listens (insert smile).

Please pray that they are able to hold off the delivery for a couple of days. I am more home sick than ever now. Anna asked Gerard tonight if I was home. She spent the evening with La-La and that made her happy. I wonder what she will think  of the triplets when she see them. I will update as soon as I know more.

Making my preparations

**Just a quick note about the sticker chart. Anna is just fine with getting a sticker but I think as she gets older and wiser she may want a reward when she reaches a certain number.

For the last week I have been dreading Friday and the weekend. I know this so does not sound like me. Next week I will be traveling for school to Independence, Missouri. I will be gone a total of 7 long days. I knew this was coming up so I should not feel this way but somehow going this time feels much different than the last time.

I guess there are a few big differences. The first trip was only 4 days and it was 2 years ago. So what has changed in two years? Well our attachment. When I left the last time she asked about me but when I got home she was not excited or phased in the least. She was less verbal and thinking back she perhaps was mad at me that I was gone but it still felt as though she was indifferent to me being gone.

Fast forward to the present. Anna and I spend much of our time snuggling and playing. She is such a big part of my life and I am an even bigger part of her life. I hear her play with her toys and much of the talk involves the Mommy and daughter talking. I have told Anna that I will be gone next week but that she will be home with Daddy. Nanny will stay at our house and Papa and Grammy will also help out. She has already told me that she is sad that I am leaving...insert my breaking heart.

We talked about how I will call and talk to her everyday. I also have put together a treat bag for good behavior from the dollar store. I had been hoping to be put on call tonight but it has been crazy busy at work so I will need to go in I think. The list of things that I need to complete is so long that I fear I will be up for the next couple of days just trying to finish them.

My biggest hope is that I will be able to finish a number of projects for school during the evening next week. Each class has a tremendous amount of little projects like 75 each. If I can knock out 10 additional ones for each class that would be a big help. Wish me luck on that.

The Sticker Chart

In our house we have instituted the sticker chart. It has been going strong now for about 3 week. I strongly encourage this for anyone who is having some difficulty with chores or behavior. I can not believe the difference in Anna. Anna and I decide at the beginning of the week as to what she to do to earn a sticker. We started off with brushing her teeth and putting her shoes away. This week Anna asked me what else she could do for a sticker. I was a little shocked and happy all at the same time.

We sat down and decided on 15 minutes of independent reading, putting her shoes away, picking up toys, brushing her teeth (am & pm) and vacuuming the kitchen with her dirt devil. She LOVES the dirt devil another thing I highly recommend for children her age.

This morning she got up brushed her teeth and was picking out her sticker. Then she looked at me and asked for another one. I asked her which chore she would like to do. She decided on vacuuming and ran for the vacuum. So this morning Anna earned two stickers and I have a clean kitchen floor. This has made everyone happy.

I know for her the best part is picking out which sticker she is going to get. It can be a difficult decision after all. I love how she takes her time and looks at each sticker carefully before she decides which one she wants. I encourage her to take her time making the decision too. I pray that as she gets older this will help her to understand that she needs to take time to think about the decisions that she is making.

Sent home

Jenny was sent home. Her labor is stopped for now. The babies still look good. I am praying that she will make it until February 16th. This Monday she will be 30 weeks I know that does not sound like a big difference but each day the babies lungs grow more mature. I will keep you all updated.

Wait and see

I spent the better part of the day with Jenny. Her contractions started to resolve. The babies all still look good. I believe that she will be in the hospital for sometime just to be observed. I think the realization that she is going to have three babies is hitting her. I was able to calm her down and make her laugh. We are still talking over names. Suggestions are welcome.

Pre-term Labor

Jenny was admitted to the hospital last night for pre-term labor. She is 29 weeks. The babies look good for now. Of course this is way too early for them to deliver. We are hoping to be able to stop her contractions. If you would not mind sending up a quick prayer for them all. Jenny is so scared and keeps asking if she is going to die. No amount of reassuring her is helping.