Happy Independence Day

Happy Fourth of July...

 



Coming home with triplets

One week... We have all been home for one week (minus Ryley).  The girls did exceptional in the NICU and the doctors surprised us when they said that not only Mallory, but Samantha as well, would be coming home last Wednesday.  And then an even bigger surprise when they said Taylor would be coming home last Thursday.  The time has flown by and we are still trying to find that 'routine' or 'schedule' everyone talks about.  The girls already are growing like crazy and look so much different since they have been plumping up.  I'm gonna keep this short (due to the lack of sleep and need to feed babies) but here are a few photos since we were discharged from the hospital.

NICU Update (Day 9)

I wanted to give a quick update on the girls.  We are still in the NICU... Day 9.  All of the girls have done exceptionally well.  We are pretty much just working on eating and growing.

 

 

Samantha lost a little weight (as expected with any baby) and has started gaining again.  She was on phototherapy for 1 day due to her bilirubin levels, however, they put her on them through the night and their primary doctor felt it was almost unnecessary.  She gets 4 bottle feeds per day and was just taken off the warmers to see if she can maintain her body weight.  Sam gets fussy when she doesn't have her pacifier.

 

 

Taylor has also started gaining some weight back.  We hope she can get over 5 lbs soon so we don't have to buy her another car seat to get home (The ones we have are rated for 5 lbs, so we are probably going to end up buying/borrowing new chairs that are rated at 4 lbs).  She is our "lazy" eater.  She thinks drinking out of a bottle is too tiring so she is content getting tube feedings.  She is up to 4 bottles per day as well, but sometimes she doesn't finish.  Taylor was also taken off of the warmers today and will hopefully be moved to an open crib soon.

 

 

Mallory... the show off.  Our tiny Mallory has been on all bottle feeds for days and does the best when nursing.  She sucks down her bottles like a champ and sometimes seems to want more.  She has also been in an open crib for almost a week so has been able to maintain her own body weight.  She seems very alert most of the time.  The doctors say she is doing everything she needs to be discharged soon.  They just want to see her gain a little more weight, which she probably won't have a problem doing.

Welcome Patterson Triplets

Brian and I are pleased to announce the arrival of our 3 baby girls on June 7, 2013.

 

Samantha Elizabeth Patterson
8:05 AM

4 lbs 6 oz

17 1/4 in
 

  

Taylor Rene Patterson
8:05 AM

4 lbs 8 oz

17 1/4 in
 

 

Mallory Ann Patterson
8:06 AM

4 lbs 3 oz

17 1/4 in

We are so in love and spending as much time as we can with them right now.  They are in the NICU but doing so much better than we ever expected.  Soon I will post their birth story and update on their NICU status.  For now we are soaking up every minute we can with them. 
 

Me right before the Delivery on Friday morning.  I know I look huge but I still can't believe all three of them fit inside of me.
 

 

Our first family photo together.

 

 

I'm being discharged tonight.  Twelve total weeks in the hospital.  This will be such a bittersweet moment... I can't wait to go home for the first time but to leave my girls here in the hospital will be very difficult. 

 

Thanks for all of the support throughout my pregnancy.  I feel so fortunate to have so many friends, family members, and complete strangers encourage me through this journey.  That definitely helped me make it through this whole experience which ultimately gave my girls the best opportunities for a healthy delivery and a start to their wonderful lives.  Thank you!

 

Last Day as a Family of Two

Well... tomorrow is the big day.  It has been a long journey for us during this pregnancy, and even though I am delivering 5 weeks earlier than a singleton pregnancy, it feels like I have been pregnant for a LONG time.  I am so thankful for the support of my husband and family through all of this.  Over 2 and a half months in a hospital room can get to ya, but I've managed to 'accept' it with everyone's love surrounding me... From the tons of visitors, to the nurses, to the volunteers and strangers that send nice things, to the Chicken telegrams (Don't know what I'm talking about?  See here)... it has all helped me stay sane.  I thank everyone for that.

Tomorrow I become a Mom.  A MOM.  Wow.  I can't believe it.  Brian and I are so ready to be parents and at the same time, so not ready.  Can you ever be fully prepared?  Like did we read enough books, do we have enough stuff, are they going to be healthy?  I figure every soon-to-be parent feels this way.

Right now, I just look forward to seeing their faces for the first time and touching their little hands.  I can't wait to name them and start seeing their personalities outside of my pregnant belly.  I look forward to braiding their hair, watching their first steps, hearing their first words, going shopping with them, and watching them succeed.  I know Brian looks forward to teaching them things.  He loves to share his knowledge and he can't wait for them to soak everything up.

We have looked forward to this day for a very long time.  I would say that 3 weeks ago, I was super nervous about having surgery... but now, I feel more prepared for the surgery.  Maybe its because I'm ready to not be preggo anymore or maybe its because I've had plenty of time here laying in bed to think about it.  I've asked my nurses and doctors all the questions so I feel like I'm pretty educated on the procedure.

We are getting down to the last hours.  Our lives are about to change forever and I couldn't be happier about it.  I know parenthood comes with its difficulties and sleepless nights (especially with TRIPLETS!) but I have no doubt that Brian and I can handle it.  We are so grateful for our friends and family offering their help in this crazy journey we are about to embark on.  We are ready to expand our "Team".
 

A few statistics from my stay here at the hospital:

 

  3... Number of babies I grew in my belly

13... Pounds of babies I am carrying right now

12... Baby limbs wiggling around in my stomach

44... Number of visitors I have had at the hospital

80... Number of nights I've slept in the hospital

52... Pounds that I have gained during pregnancy (33 lbs since I've been in the hospital)
50... Miles round trip Brian drives to the hospital (He averaged coming 5 times per week)

49... Inches around my waist

6... Sticks for an IV

5... Holidays/Events I've spent in the hospital (Easter, Our 5th year Anniversary, Brian's 30th birthday, Mother's Day, Memorial Day)

4... Days until I get to go HOME!

 

The next post on my blog will be the announcement of our girls.  But for now, I leave you with a collage of my "transformation" over the past 7 months.  Wow, I've changed.

Bump Day: Week 34

How far along? 34 weeks.  The BIG day is Friday when we will welcome our three angels.

Sleep? No bueno.  Napping pretty good but I get disturbed quite a bit.  See my post on My Typical Day on Bed Rest.

Maternity Clothes? No, these XL t-shirts are now stretched to the max and my lower belly hangs out... Ooh well.

Stretch Marks? Only on the left and moving in to the center.  But from my right side, I still have nice skin. (I'm looking on the bright side).

Best Moment this week?  Finding out the birthday of our kiddos.

Miss Anything?  My house and my dog.  I get to see them in a week!!!

Movement? Ooh yea, all the time.

Size of the Babies? Three Cantelopes!
As of last Friday...
Baby A: 4 lbs 2 oz
Baby B: 4 lbs 6 oz
Baby C: 3 lbs 15 oz
They should all be over 4 lbs when they are born.  I never would have imagined this 3 months ago.

Food Cravings? Chocolate... nothing different here.

Morning Sickness? Nope.  Managed to be morning sickness free since about 17 weeks.

Gender? Three girls.

Bed Rest? Yep, and I only have 2 more days, yee haw!!  11 weeks in the hospital. 13 weeks total.

Limitations?  Yes, I'd like to say that I have been very disciplined with these bed rest restrictions.  I didn't even walk to the couch.  But maybe I'll try it tomorrow, breaking the rules on my last day, hehe.

Labor Signs? Contractions get frequent every now and then, but doc doesn't seem to mind at this point.  She is ready to deliver whenever.

Weight Gain? 52 pounds.  And my belly is enormous.

Pregnancy Symptoms? Swelling, feeling heavy, waddling when I walk to the bathroom, etc.

Belly Button In or Out? Outtie, but stretched out.

Wedding Rings On or Off? Off, but questionable about fitting... started getting swelling in my hands this week.

Mood?  Excited about becoming a Mommy!

Looking Forward To?  Friday... the best day of our lives.

What Brian is Saying: "I'm excited and nervous".

Bump Photo:

Extra Bump Photo with my parents, who have been so supportive through all of this.  I love them so much.

This is the last Bump Day post.  It is kinda bittersweet.  I loved taking pictures and sharing my pregnancy journey with everyone.  Thanks for all of the support and kind words.  I plan on doing weekly updates on the girls starting next week.  If anyone has any clever ideas for a title, let me know.  Thanks again!!

My Typical Day on Bed Rest

The Freeaakinnnn' Chiiiiickeennn!

I have received many cards, gifts, and nice words since being on bed rest.  However, nothing quite compares to this gift I received a few weeks ago.  Enjoy!

 

 

This "gift" was from a good college friends of ours.  You can take a visit to his blog at Cooking with Nester.  I hope you enjoy his sense of humor.