3 can be a crowd....

Spring is around the corner. We cannot wait here!

I had a wonderful birthday. Todd gave me a mother's ring with different colored sapphires. It is beautiful.

We have ventured outside a little bit. It has been so nice to get out and let the kids run around. Leap year day, we went out and all 3 of the kids walked up and down the block all by themselves. It was a major accomplishment. Today we went out front in the driveway and played around, rode on the cars, and barked at random dogs. We also visited with our neighbors, it's so nice not to be hibernating!

Owen has been plagued with ear infections this winter. He again has another infection. He is allergic to 2 classes of antibiotics that are typically used for the ear infections. We went to ENT last week, and he gets tubes on the 16th. It was an absolute breeze for Grey, we are praying for the same with Owen. He is on another antibiotic right now for recurrent infection. The ENT thinks that he has had fluid around his middle ear for quite sometime, and he phrased it as "chronic". He said that he had no doubt why he is not talking yet, he said to him us talking is like he has ear muffs on. He thinks that his speech will take off within a month of getting his tubes. If not, we will continue to work with him, and get a speech therapist if it is warranted. We had their 20 month check up. He was 36 inches, and 35 lbs. Off the charts for his age, and definitely his adjusted age. Dr. Riddell said he thinks he's great. He said, "Yep, he's big, but he's healthy and proportioned perfectly... he's just going to be a big boy." Fine with us. After all, we called him a tank at 3lbs 3 oz. Owen is definitely in the toddler phase. I would maybe even classify him as a terrible 2. He thinks that all the toys are his, even if the last time he played with it was yesterday.. or last week for that matter. He often plays gate-keeper to the playhouse door. He still loves to clean, run his little sweeper, climb on anything possible, run from you when you try to get him for anything, and hide if he knows you are looking for him. He loves shoes and socks. His new word is "hot". That applies to ANYTHING. Food, water, bathtub, sippy-cup...he doesn't like hot temperature things. If he thinks you might be fibbing to him about whatever he is asking about being hot, he will blow on it, just for safe measures! I love that big O!

Grey loves to be outside! He grooves on walking around himself, although if it is windy he will grab on to you, and prefers to hold your hand while he walks. He is now running around, literally. He has yet to get as fast as Owen, but he isnt' to far off. Grey is great playing by himself. He is usually the victim of toy theft. He usually shrugs it off and finds something else to play with, occasionally he will whine and look at you waiting for you to scold the thief... but more and more he is out and out tackling the assailant. He has learned taking the matter into your own hands provides swifter justice. I try to discourage that, but you cannot help but to turn your head and laugh at times. He is my real climber. He is the mastermind of mischievousness around here. He has figured out that if he pushes the slide over to the playhouse, you can almost climb onto the roof... if you push a chair over to the gate you can stand on your tippy-toes and try to flip the lever to escape, and if you want to make quick friends, get some snacks and go to the gates and feed the dogs. He often is the winner of the stair races. He loves to slide down the slide, and usually at the top he screeches for you to look at him before he departs for the bottom. He has truly blossomed into his own. He is eating like a champ, and drinking much better than he ever has. His dietitian is even going to decrease visits to once a month soon since he is gaining weight steadily.His stats at his check up was 31 inches 22lbs. Small but mighty that little guy is catching up fast! Dr. Riddell was so happy with his progress both physically and developmentally.

Last but certainly not least... Lillian. Lilly is our dancer. The boys like to dance, don't get me wrong... but she stomps her feet and raises her hands and arms.. twirls around. I need to get a video of it. She enjoys entertaining. This is concerning because she LOVES to disrobe... but we hope they aren't related, and she will grow out of that habit! However, not only does she like to disrobe, but she will put on multiple layers of clothing if allowed, and will scream if they dont' go on correctly. She is a giggle bucket, and can certainly be the troublemaker if given the opportunity. Thus the title of the blog. We recently took our first trip to Kendallville, which is in N. Indiana, my hometown. The kids haven't been there since birth, and we made the trip last week. The kids don't ride well in the car. 2.5 hours, and stopped 3 times for snacks, readjustment of blankets, shoes, socks etc. On the way home the boys were asleep before we got out of town. Right before we got to I69, Lillian promptly took her shoes off (both of them) and since she sits in the middle of the boys in the truck, she clocked both of them in the head at the same time. They both screamed, were startled.. they were asleep. She giggled, and giggled..... Grey went back to sleep, Owen cried for the next 2 hours. Lilly then went back to watching to Sesame Street. She may find herself in the third row on our next road-trip. She too is running in protest to things. She holds her own weight with Grey and Owen. She enjoys carrying around bags like purses. She still likes her rocking horse and the teeter-totter. Lilly is still a "mommy's girl", but is becoming more and more independent! Her stats at the check up was 32 inches, 25lbs. As Dr. Riddell said, "Almost perfect". We'd like to think so too!

Our next thing is to stop the night time bottle after Owen is done with the tubes. By April 1st or so, we will be done with bottles. They all continue to eat fairly well. It's hit and miss like all toddlers, but eat a variety of fruits, veggies etc.

Other than all that, things are status quo. It's always busy, but I feel like we have fallen into a new "normal" routine. Organized chaos is the norm, but it's better and better each week. We could not function and continue to strive without the help of our families and helpers we have in and out of the house. Every one of them helps us stay sane!

20 months and 34 years tomorrow

It's been a "trying" few weeks. Lilly and Owen had ear infections for about 2 weeks. Grey then got it along with a GI bug. We ended up in the ER Tuesday of last week with Grey. He wouldn't raise his head, sit up, or walk. He was dehydrated related to his fever and vomiting.... add an ear infection in there for him as well. He got almost a liter of fluid which would be the equivalent of what an adult would need. From Wed to Friday of last week he had 1 wet diaper. He refused to drink from a cup, and would only take the gerber fruit squeezers. Finally... he ended up taking UNflavored Pedialyte. He has been much better since then. So happy to avoid the ER again. This weekend they all seem better. 2 weeks of fevers and vomiting for them is terrible. My mom got it, my in-laws were sick, I got it, Todd got it... wow... it was a doozy! After disinfecting everything from top to bottom.... we are mended!

Owen is doing super. I believe he might be getting his 2yr old molars. He is really drooling, and picking at his ears. I looked in his ears tonight, and I think they look fine. I will address on the 27th with Dr. S. Riddell getting tubes for the little man. He has been plagued with a lot of ear infections in the past few months. He is RUNNING everywhere. He continues to love his shoes and socks. He loves to play in his playhouse. He likes his fruit squeezers, and although he isn't the best eater we can usually find things that work for him. He loves milk. This child will drink milk over anything! If we'd let him he'd drink 30 oz of milk a day. He is 36 inches tall and 33lbs. He's a solid little man! He giggles like no other. I will have to get a video of his giggle some day... it will make you laugh so hard!

Grey is doing much better than he was last week. He is back to eating and drinking normally. He is walking around just fine... sometimes looks like a drunk little sailor but nonetheless, he is awesome. He is starting to imatate words, and demands attention a lot. He is very funny, and loves to play peek-a-boo. We have a developmental therapist coming to the house twice a month and she helps work on fine motor skills with him. He really is not interested, but he will get there. I firmly believe in that. We are going to start implementing time outs soon. I think they are ready, I know we are! He is orniary... and I am so glad I can say that! Love that little man!

Lillian is really trying to talk lately. She is imitating a lot, and will say "snack", "no, no, no", "hot", and will try almost anything you say. She is obsessed with iPads, phones, remotes, and nearly anything electronic. She is getting her eye-teeth, and has been grumpy this month. She likes to dance, along with her brothers. Todd has taught her to do a karate kick and say "hi-ya" when she does it. Today she bit Owen and drew blood. Biting has been something that they have all taken turns doing, but she has had more biting than the boys. She is also running all over. Her napping leaves a little to be desired. She doesn't think it's necessary any more. Little does she know. Lilly loves to take her clothes off. Lets hope that also doesn't continue....

They are all 20 months old tomorrow. Boy how time flies!

Todd is feeling much better. He recently spent the weekend in St. Louis with some friends, I think that renewed his balance a bit.

I will be 34 tomorrow. I travel to Columbus Ohio next week. Todd will be holding down the fort. I am hoping we stay healthy!
Happy 28th Birthday to my lovely sister Tyann tomorrow!

Happy New Year! 2011 in review

Better late than never, but Happy New Year!

Todd and I had a low key new years eve. We did take the kids to Monkey Joes which is a bounce house place for kids in Castleton. They were quite unsure of what to do in there. There are 2 bounce houses that are for kids 3 years old and younger. It took Grey a few minutes to get used to the bounce house that we were in, and since he was on his first day of antibiotic ear drops because he has an ear infection, I think it was loud in there for him too.

Owen was less adventurous than I thought he would be. He stayed pretty close to us, and just sat back and watched people and bounced a bit.

Lilly was the social butterfly, pointing and crawling over to random children. Grey actually really got into it once he got used to it. We had to take him out of there kicking and screaming literally. He did not want to leave. After that, we went to a Mexican restaurant in Castleton, and it was so nice to be able to take them, and not feel like they were spinning out of control. They ate really well, they were pretty well behaved... and Todd and I actually got a few bites in between cutting stuff, and fetching sippy cups. It was a good evening. We went to bed a little after midnight... and that was that! This is them on an alligator in the bounce house! I had muscles that hurt Jan 1 that I forgot I had!

I wanted to review 2011 in writing. A year of triplet toddlers is a challenge, however I don't think until you see it in writing do you realize how much of a challenge it really is. I know there are those that would like to see us more, and without a doubt, I'd like to make it up to Kendallville in N. Indiana at some point soon. I have come to understand that you won't please everyone, and you have to go about life as you live it, and ultimately do what you have to do. I'm attempting that.  This is long, so read it if you see fit. You will have to correct the typos yourself, cause after writing this, I won't want to reread it for a while.

January 2011.
Grey still had his NG tube in his nose, so that was taken out every week and we were still trying to bottle feed a little bit. He then had to be retaped frequently, as he was getting pretty darn crafty at taking his tube out. That was usually done on Sundays so he could have his face tape free for most of the day, and we could get lotion on it. It got pretty chapped, and often times a little bloody from being dry, and the adhesive remover and adhesive that was on it constantly. Grey was still getting feedings via pump every 3 hours. (I don't miss that pump! OR that tube for that matter) That month Grey had 5 doctor appointments, a swallow study, 2 sets of labs, and xray to look at his bowels in preparation for a g tube, I had a dentist appointment, I had bronchitis, and between Lilly and Grey, they had 15 hour long therapy appointments in January. They also all got their RSV vaccines on the 14th, which would lead to 3 days of grumpy babies. That was monthly from Oct 2010-April 2011. Grey was still on 12 medications; one dose of something every 4 hours.  This picture was January of 2011.... Wow, we've done a lot of growing!

February the basement was started. That lasted all month. We had an ice dam on our roof, which led to a new ceiling in our great room, dry wall asphyxiation, which resulted into a week in Muncie with everyone and the dogs. We also lost power, and spent a night in a hotel. i had my 33rd birthday. Grey got labs once, 14 therapy appointments amongst all of them. Jasmine also had to go to the vet 3x for a UTI. Grey was still getting feedings every 3 hour for 1 hour via pump. He still had his NG tube. Mom and I cleaned our house from top to bottom in preparation for everyone to come back after the drywall mess. Todd took 2 business trips because he started a new job this month too.

March was an ugly month for ear infections. Every week we were at the doctor for someone having an ear infection. The basement was finished. Grey had a study to look at his bowels in preparation for his gtube, which he had surgery on March 19th. He was in the hospital for a few days there. I also got an ear infection, and Todd got a nasty cold too. Grey had 5 doctor appointments, and 8 therapy appointments.

April resulted in a lot of hospitalizations for Grey. We were battling what we now know as reflux, he was vomiting and getting dehydrated. 3x this month we were in atleast overnight with Grey. He then ended up doing continuous feedings, and had his NJ tube placed. This tube was a royal pain. It went into his nose, down to his stomach thru that, into his small intestine. That tube could not be taken out at all. It had to be placed under xray by a doctor, and if it moved even an inch, he'd have to go back to the ER, and it'd again have to be placed by a doctor via xray. This was because we fed him into his small intestine, and when you feed through the intestine it has to be in the right place, or he would reflux and vomit. The feedings had to be continuous because the intestine is not flexible enough to have a large bolus of feedings placed into it. Grey was on feedings for 18 hours a day. Todd also had a week long business trip. 2 MD appointments, and 9 therapy appointments. April also resulted in ear infections for Owen and Grey in different weeks.

May, Grey had another surgery and had his NJ tube discontinued. He had his GJ button placed, and this had to be replaced twice this month, once each week until the last week of the month. This was a procedure that required anesthesia etc. Todd had his 34th Bday. 2 nights in the hospital for Grey being dehydrated with his tube not working well. He also had an ENT appointment. Grey then got tubes in his ears the last week of May. Grey also had an MRI of his brain. So 5 rounds of anesthesia for Grey in May. 7 therapy appointments. Todd also had a week long business trip. Still doing 18 hours of feedings, via feeding pump. He also got his "baby" this month. This was his GJ button that was vented to a diaper because he had so much nasal drainage related to his ear infections in April and May. This diaper was wrapped up and placed in his onsie! lol

June was their 1st Birthday, and their 1st hair cut! I had a business trip the second week to Ohio. Their birthday party was on the 26th. Grey had 3 doctor appointments this month, and 12 therapy appointments. Grey was cleared from the metabolic specialist this month, and he had 3 sets of labs to follow up on this. He was continuing to get feedings for 18 hours a day via pump. Lilly and Owen saw the eye doctor along with Grey. Owen again had an ear infection the last week of June.

July I had a business trip to Virginia. I was starting to have hernia issues, and pain when lifting the kids. (I was wishing it would just go away) I went to see the surgeon and had a CT scan for the first time. Grey had a gastric emptying study and an upper GI procedure. We later found out that Grey was just wanting attention in the middle of the night. This was the beginning of the end of Grey as a roomie with Todd and I. Lillian was released from occupational therapy! YAY. Only 7 therapy appointments this month. Lilly had an ear infection, and Grey also got a post op ear infection. Both had 2 rounds of antibiotics. 6 doctor appointments They also got their 1 year shots! THAT was fun! Grey was still being fed via pump 18 hours a day. Becca also left us! I hurt my back, and ended up in the ER. 2 days off work and flat on my back for that! ;(

August- Ashley our new sitter started. I had a colonoscopy. Grey was in the ER for his feeding tube possibly acting up. Ended up, reflux. Owen had another ear infection, there was a NICU picnic. I went to Chicago for a bachelorette party! YAY!!! Becca had a shower for what is now Leah! Todd had his summerfest trip to KS City. Lillian had a nasty cold that lasted for 3 weeks with diarrhea. 7 md appts, 8 therapy appointments. Grey started seeing a therapist for feeding stuff as well.

September.
Grey had his feeding tube replaced urgently Labor Day weekend. By this time St. V ER knows us by name :). 8 therapy appointments. Grey had his eye muscle surgery. We had window estimates all month, and our carpet cleaned through-out. We saw Grey's liver doctor, and developmental peds doc... Dr. Brei. Dr. Brei told us Grey would take a little while to eat. Still getting 18 hour feeds via pump... that will start to slowly decrease. I had my surgery on the 26th, and came home Oct 1st. I was then off for 4 weeks. sheww... Glad that is over! All 3 had a bad cold that infected everyone that came into our house right before both Grey and I had surgery. Feedings for Grey were give all night, and 3 hours during the day via pump. If his feeding tube comes out, I have 10 minutes to get a catheter in the hole before it closes, and 2 hours to get to the ER.

October was a month of ear infection and GI bugs for all 3. Owen had an ear infection and virus that lasted all month into November. It was a month of 12 md appointments, and 8 therapy appointments. We also added speech therapy to help with Grey's eating. He also had a swallow study, and a set of labs. We had 3 monsters for Halloween! 15 month shots were a DOOSY!!! Grey was getting feeds all night, as well as 2 hours during the day via pump. Owen is teething, and not sleeping well at all! (Molars)

November led to persisting ear infections. Owen had hives so bad for 2 weeks I was convinced he had hives or the measles! Grey had a follow up eye appointment. We had family pictures. Thanksgiving was great... Grey is now getting 8 hours of feedings at night in his tube, and one hour in his tube during the day. We added a dietitian to the mix of appointments. I had a cavity filled... I felt pretty recovered from my hernia surgery at this time. 7 therapy appointments. Owen is teething and up many, many nights. (Canines)

December things are looking up! Grey is done with his feeding tube as a trial. Grey then pulls his feeding tube out to seal the deal... Jasmine went to the vet for UTIx1. I had 2 meetings for therapy for next year. Grey had 2 appointments with doctors. He is now taking everything by mouth! GOOD THING, cause he no longer has a feeding tube. We hosted our family Christmas here on the 17th! Grey ended the year with another ear infection.

Wow, that is tiring just typing it. I am glad that I kept all of this in my pocket calendar. It will help me when I look back and wonder where the year has gone. I have high hopes for 2012. Grey has no feeding tube. I am hoping that the illnesses subside with the ears! We have 3 walking little munchkins, and slowly the therapies are going away. They will start preschool in August 2 days a week. I look forward to seeing them grow and mature.

Cheers to a wonderful 2012!

2011 is almost gone....

Wow, Merry Christmas I haven't posted since then. The kids got a lot of toys, all of which they have really enjoyed. We got them a Step2 playhouse. They like going in and out, and putting their heads out the windows. My family Christmas was December 17th, and then Todd's parents come over on Christmas Eve and stay the night, and we do Christmas morning then. We didn't even finish wrapping everything this year. The kids didn't know the difference. They did enjoy unwrapping presents, however crawling on the boxes was the most fun this year. It was an excellent Christmas. Couldn't have asked for anything better with either family. We had a good time with everyone!

We can officially say that we have 3 walkers before ringing in 2012!!!!!! I cannot tell you how happy this makes me! Grey is walking about 60% of the time, and Lilly about 90% of the time. Most importantly they are walking. Lilly rarely falls. That was her plan all along. Grey face plants, and then just gets up in the middle of the floor to try again. Of course we praise them so much when they are walking, and Owen is left standing in the middle of the room... looking at me like... "Seriously, I have done this since July!". I then praise him, and he runs away giggling.

I cannot express how happy I am with these kids. I look at them each day and after I am done running in circles, I thank GOD that I have them, and thank GOD I have my husband. I don't tell him enough, but every day life is nearly impossible without him here. For the first time in my life, I can look at my surroundings, and although it may be chaotic, I love my life. I really do. I have everything I ever wanted. I have a wonderful family both immediate, and extended. I have a great job, great people surrounding us day in and day out. I will also have to remind myself of this and reread this frequently! LOL!This is Todd and Owen napping together, something that RARELY happens.

New Years will bring a healthier me. I am sticking to my diet for sure, and Todd said he would help with that as well. Todd and I plan on going away some time likely for our 10th anniversary alone. Todd wants to go to Turks and Caicos... but I am just not sure that I want to go that far. I want to start exercising again, hoping my mesh abdomen has the same aspirations.

One of the triplet moms in our group (that has quads) has an excellent blog. She recently wrote a post that struck me, and I know a lot of my friends feel the same way. I struggle with guilt, working, having others take care of them during the days, worrying too much about how they are coming along developmentally, how we compare to what we should be doing at this age etc. I worry about wishing their lives away, as it has gotten much easier as the months tick by. I don't miss the baby stage, it was too chaotic... but I do have those guilty feelings that creep in. This is an excellent post. If you get a chance, read it. Here's the link. I also want to work on this too.

We have no plans on New Years Eve. A quiet night hopefully here. I noticed tonight that Grey had some purulent drainage coming out of his left ear, which makes sense as he has been very grumpy at night. He has no fever, and no cold symptoms... so saying little prayers that the other two remain healthy! We'll start ear drops tonight, hopefully it will nip it!

I think that's it...Happy New Year everyone!

Cheers to 2012!

O' Christmas Tree

I didn't have an opportunity to do a post last year of our Christmas decorations... but here it is this year. This is a very typical picture of around our house. The tree shaking in it's stand because there is a toddler pointing at it! Funny Grey's physical therapist came in the door the week we put it up and asked what the tree did to be caged in as such.... It's a beautiful, fake, 10ft tree. I love to see it all lit up, but this year as Todd put it, "That thing can't come down fast enough". We are very thankful it hasn't been toppled over yet!

This was an ornament my mom got me in 2002 right after we got married. This we bought in Hawaii on our honeymooon.

This is an ornament that a pharmacist from the NICU gave to us last year before Grey was discharged from the hospital. It is very dear to us.

This is from Jamie, a very close friend to Todd's late brother Travis, and still to the Maurer family! Jamie went to Notre Dame, and still lives near by. She and her mother prayed there frequently for Grey when he was sick. It's a priceless piece.

This I believe Todd got in 2006 when we bought this house. This likely signifies the chaos I put him through by having the whole house painted on the inside twice because I didn't like the first color. He has such patience with me!

This I bought I believe at Potterybarn in 2008, acorns signify fertility... this was just as we were beginning to dealve into it all!

This was a 2009 ornament along with the bird below. We took one last trip to Gatlinburg, TN before we did our final IVF in December 2009. We went home from that trip with peace that whatever this IVF would bring was what it was meant to be.... JACKPOT!

These are our animal ornaments... Hendrix

Jasmine

RIP Happy kitty. This is Owen's first ornament. Very fitting that it's somethign similar to a sock!

This is Lillian's.

This is Grey's first Christmas ornament.

These I thought were so fitting. I found them at Target last year.

This is outside our house. It was too cold to go out and get a shot from the front. Funny there is 3 penguins pulling the sleigh. I love the big polar bear too. That is my favorite animal. This is our foyer. We added a foyer pre-lit tree this year. It makes our house look a little more festive, since lights outside haven't been a huge priority the past few years!

There are so many more ornaments that mean a lot to us both. I'll maybe be able to do this again next year! lol

Where to begin??

Seriously, I always think that each month has a lot of milestones, but this last month has been spectacular.

Where to start?

Well, we have the some great updates for the kids.

Grey has NO FEEDING TUBE. He pulled out his feeding tube on Dec 20th (this Tuesday) and it is no where to be found. I don't know if he hid it, a dog ate it, it's in the tree... we have yet to find it. He is on an antibiotic, the site looked infected at first, but has since closed up, and looks absolutely wonderful. He is taking his antibiotic much better than I expected, as it normally would go down his tube just to make life easier. It has been about a month since we had used the feeding tube anyway, Dr. Maisel told me to tell him congrats, and keep eating! He loves to eat, and will try almost anything. Currently his favorite things are: Greek God's Yogurt (strawberry honey), mac n cheese, whole milk with whipped cream, grandma's ranch oyster crackers, grape-mango- peach Welch's juice, pop-tarts of any kind, gerber ravioli, gerber mystery meat (it's what I call it, if you have seen the jars, you know what I mean) he loves salmon, pudding, oatmeal, scrambled eggs made in the microwave, grilled cheese... the list goes on and on and on. The kid loves to eat. The last time the dietitian was here she said he has lost some weight despite taking in sufficient amount of calories. Since he has a shorter small intestine than he should have, absorption of nutrients remains a little less than it should be. Therefore, I talked to the doctor she thought we should increase his calories by about 100-200. We have tried that. I think his weight has remained the same. We will find out on the 27th. Grey is almost walking. He very routinely takes 5-10 steps and he is determined to walk. It could be even by the beginning of the year. He will be proficient soon. He is currently 21lbs and 30.5 inches. He is wearing mostly 18 month clothes, but 12 month pants still (his waist and legs are small). The doctor and dietitian said that his growth was super, and nothing to worry about.

Grey likes to play by himself a lot. You can find him off playing with his ball popper that he got for his first birthday, or trying to walk, or climbing on the furniture. Grey is what I would call the most mischievous one of the 3. He is the one that figures out how to open the gates etc. He just recently figured out how to get into the gated tree area, and lifted the gate so that Lilly and Owen could also breech the perimeter. He is a stinker. Grey is getting his molars now, so a bit grumpy the past few days. I could not be more happy with Grey and his progress. One year ago, I would have never thought this little man would be where he is. The kid is a true miracle.

Owen is changing daily. He is the true definition of toddler. He does not want to be fed, and will refuse to eat if you think you are going to literally feed him. He wants to feed himself, and is picky at times. The old stand-by meal is grilled cheese. He likes to snack, but if you put it on a spoon in hopes to feed him... FORGET IT! We have had some sleeping issues with him in the past few months, perhaps it's because he has a full set of teeth now. His room was a bit chilly, but we just got new windows in the majority of the house... this has helped. It has also helped the noise in his room... that might have been a reason for his sleeplessness too. He is running all over. He LOVES to clean. If there is anything that resembles a rag, or washcloth, he is running it across any surface that he has seen cleaned. He likes to run his toy vacuum. Owen loves his shoes and socks, or anyone's shoes and socks for that matter. He is still pointed and making noises when you ask him where objects are, not really talking yet. He absolutely LOVES his father. When Todd walks into the room, he lights up. He has gotten a few toys this Christmas so far, and he loves to push around his toy truck and car he got. Owen can be heard growling alot..... hopefully that will subside when he decides to talk!

Lillian, oh, my Lillian. Lilly is WALKING! Yes, walking. I have had her looked at by every therapist that has come into our house. They all say she is just "cautious, and has the skills to walk if she wants to". URGH! She prefers to bear crawl, or walk on her knees, but just these past 2 weeks or so she is walking a lot more. She has been walking through rooms, and back and forth, rather than on her knees. She is the screamer. If she doesn't like what is going on, she will shriek like no other. She currently is wanting to be rocked to sleep at night... and we are trying to break that habit. She is a stubborn little sister... but, she is a true momma's girl. She is trying to talk, and if you sound out things for her, she will repeat it... like T-T-T tree... she will do the T-T-T. She is doing much better with the shape sorters, and is the first to point to everyone's belly button whether it is solicited or not. She was the first to realize that Grey's feeding tube was not there... wondering if he had help with that... hmmmmm

We got family pictures taken, and Lillian was the ham. Owen wanted to run around and chew on sticks, and Grey was teething... he cried the whole time.

They also went to see santa, and I'll see if I can scan that picture... it's hilarious. Grey is screaming, and Lilly and Owen look scared out of their mind!

We have changed around the house a bit. We have new gates up, and Owen is the first to test them to see if they truly closed. If not, he escapes very quickly with 2 others following right behind.

I am really looking forward to this Christmas, it's so much different than last. I will try to post a little more, as I got a new lap-top from Todd for Xmas!

http://www.jamiesangarblog.com/index.cfm?postID=927 Here is the post to Jamie Sangar's blog that has our pics and a slide show is you want to visit it.

This picture is priceless.... All 3 in the tub, obviously before Grey pulled his feeding tube button out!

This day, 365 days ago..... our family was all home.

What a difference a year makes.

Today was the day of Grey's NICU discharge. 157 days is a very long time. Grey came home to us on an apnea monitor, an NG in his nose for feedings... and a scared little boy that had only been out of the NICU once since birth, and that was to go to the main hospital for a scan to look at his liver more closely. He didn't have very wide horizons yet. Grey came home a jaundice, yellow little boy. He barely took anything by mouth, drank about half an ounce twice a day; the rest was put down his tube for nourishment. As far as activity when Grey came home, he mainly just lifted his arms off the bed to look at his hands. He mainly looked at his right hand, but occasionally his left. He didn't yet lift his head, nor did he really try. He has just gotten off of oxygen a week before discharge, and didn't ever require it again.

We knew when Grey came home that our lives would change from the routine we had been doing. We knew it would definitely be an adjustment for him as well. Afterall, he'd not been in a car, not been in a different bed besides his isolette, only been outside once, and he had never seen our house, dogs, and hadn't smelled or heard the things that he would come to later know. We had a lot of work ahead of us, and so did he. Grey was used to his own little room, his own environment, and his own ways.... and now, he was part of our ways, our life and our environment. He adjusted slowly to all of this.

He slowly had to learn that he wasn't the only baby in the house. I think though, he adjusted better than I thought he would. At first, he needed darkness, silence, and tightly tucked blankets to make him feel like he was safe. I remember at our Christmas gathering with my side of the family the week before Christmas Todd spent the whole time up in our room rocking him, and keeping him in a low stimulation environment. We had him in therapy 3x a week that either Todd or I had to take him back to the hospital to complete. He didn't do well with going out of the house to therapy. We then consulted First Steps of Indiana which allows therapists to come to the house, and that has been a GOD send to us! Wonderful therapists, and so much easier on all of us. I remember the evaluation for First Steps with the therapists that come to the house to check out if they qualify, how developmentally they are, and what therapy they would benefit from. The therapist said to me, "He has a long way to go to catch up to where he should be. Kids like this just don't bounce back quickly. You will have to be patient with him." I remember going back upstairs to my office that day and being tearful for what Grey had already had to endure, and how it was always him that had to work harder, and do more. He recently was re-evaluated for his yearly evaluation for First Steps. The therapist that said that to me came again, and instead of bringing her toddler toys in to the house to evaluate Grey, she brought her baby toys as she remembered him from the January 2011 evaluation. The look on her face when she saw him trying to take steps, pulling himself up, and crawling up the stairs as fast as he could was simply priceless. I truly doubt that she remembers what she said to me, and I am more than sure it was no way maliciously stated.... but I said to her back, "He might be the exception to the rule, but he did bounce back quickly, and he is definitely not far from where he should be." She looked over at me and said, " I am simply amazed at how well this little guy is doing, I should have brought in my toddler toys."

With that, I will end this post.... but I again want to thank St. Vincent Woman's NICU staff, doctors, therapists, etc. Special thanks to Becca, Erin, Brooke, Cathy, Laura, Shelly, Lindsey, and Alex for keeping Grey alive, and me sane. Also, I cannot even name all of the doctors that took care of Grey, but namely Drs. Bensaad, Tauscher, D, Simon, Hendrickson, Kokaska, Maisel, Roberts and so many others.


This is Grey's last picture in his crib in the NICU

Grey's first picture at home. Notice the apnea monitor cords, his NG, yellow skin, and his 0-3 months clothes that he is swimming in:)

Grey in a hat that I thought he needed.... I think he is wondering WHY?

This was his favorite pose. He loved his hands!

Here they all 3 were. 1 year ago today.

Wow.... what a difference a year makes!

Here is a little video of Lillian and Grey entertaining one another a few nights ago. THIS is a little boy that doesn't have too far to go to be right where he needs to be. Thanks to GOD, a lot of prayer, a lot of work, a lot of tears, and a boy with a will power that just doesn't stop!