Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!






The babies first Halloween was a success! Katie dressed up as a bee, Seamus a tiger, and Helena a pumpkin. We had limited spitting up on costumes, VERY limited crying, and all around cute pictures while visiting Grandma and Grandpa Huddas, Uncle Steve, Melanie, Aunt Becca, Uncle John, Clay, Drew, and Grandma and Grandpa Murphy. Good Times! The only thing we didn't get to was carving our pumpkin, so instead we just drew 3 little faces on with a black marker. On another note the babies helmets are in and we have an appointment to go get fitted on Wednesday. Let's hope it doesn't take the 2 hours per baby that they were predicting!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

5 Months Old!





The babies turned 5 months old yesterday. I still can't believe it's been that long. The last 5 months have been a little bit of a blur but it's nice to sit back every now and then and think about how far we've all come. Today they had a doctors appointment to get their first dose of the RSV vaccine. Pat had to come straight from work so Grandpa came with us just in case he was running late. It was nice having an extra set of hands especially since we were there for an hour and a half and then had shots. They have grown a ton since we were there about 3 weeks ago. Katie has jumped into the lead weighing 15 lbs 9oz, Seamus is 15 lbs 8oz, and Helena is 12 lbs 15oz. Tomorrow is Halloween and we have plans to dress up and go see the grandparents and Aunt Becca, Clay and Drew. We also need to look for a Christmas outfit for Seamus this weekend. The girls already have theirs I just hope they don't outgrow them before Christmas. We want to go attempt to get some pictures done in the next few weeks since we haven't had them taken professionally since they were 8 weeks old. Not looking forward to that! Enjoy the pictures of Pat and Helena Beana and the babies playing in the jumparoo. (Seamus, Katie, Helena)

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Helmets on the Way

The babies had their appointment on Friday to see the cranio-facial specialist. Our appointment was at 9:10 down at Children's Hospital so even though Pat and I took the day off we didn't get to sleep in. We got the babies up, dressed, and packed into the car by 8am so that we could make it there on time. Not knowing how the day would pan out, we packed a ton of supplies just in case we needed them. Let's just say good thing we did! The babies had been up at about 5am so they weren't ready to have their breakfast before we left, so we had to pack for that too. We got to the hospital, got checked in, and while I filled out a million forms in triplicate, Pat started doing laps with the stroller. Of course around this time all 3 babies decided that they were hungry. Katie, our best eater sucked down her whole bottle. Seamus and Helena couldn't even make it through half of one between the 2 of them! They were a little stressed out about being in a new place and having to wear their jackets. They hate them! We finally make it into the office and of course our stroller barely fits into the room. We ended up having to take all 3 babies out to be able to fit in, put the stroller in the hallway, and did a juggling act for the next 45 minutes. The visit started by all 3 babies having to have their heads photographed. We were there on one of the clinic days which basically means there's a million people being seen by the doctor all day long. After the photos, their heads got measured by the nurse practitioner. The doctor then came, asked us a whirlwind of questions, measured the babies again, and said yep they need helmets. Oh yeah, not just 2 of them but all 3! Katie and Seamus we were anticipating but we were a little surprised by Helena. The way the doctor explained it was that if she were an only child chances are we'd just let it go but since the other 2 were for sure getting helmets, it wouldn't hurt her to have one and that way we wouldn't second guess ourselves later on. She does have a little bit of flattening, but it's not much compared to the other 2. After we checked out and made a follow up appointment for a few weeks from now we were escorted over to Detroit Receiving to get them measured and molded for their helmets. On clinic days I guess you are able to get it all done at once. Who knew! We weren't complaining! Measuring and molding was not fun. The babies were tired since they hadn't had a nap. They were hungry since 2 of the 3 refused to eat much breakfast, and again we were juggling 3 babies because our stroller wouldn't fit! The whole process took about an hour, which for 3 babies isn't bad. Katie went first and of course threw a fit. The had to get measured again, and then had this sock like thing put on their heads so that they could be wrapped with this thing that looked like a sticky, wet ace bandage. I got to wear a lovely hospital gown to try and stay semi-dry while holding them during this. Pat had it worse though since he was holding the other 2 while they were getting more and more fussy by the minute. The good part was by the time it was Seamus and Helena's turn, they had worn themselves out from crying and slept through the whole thing. We picked their designs for the helmets (which should be done in about 3 weeks) and then we were on our way to have some x-rays taken back at Children's. Both of the girls needed to have skull x-rays done. Seamus already had his at the beginning of September. This is just a precaution to rule out any issues with skull sutures being fused. It's no fun for the babies or the mom who has to hold them down while they're strapped down with velcro and screaming because some crazy lady is attacking them with big foam earmuffs and squishing their faces in a million different directions! We were all starving and tired at this point since it was around 1:30 and we were still at the hospital. The final thing we had to do before leaving for the day was to set up Seamus's appointment to have a 3-D facial CT scan. The doctor wants to run this additional test on him because they're still concerned about the narrowing of the back of his head. Even though the x-rays came back negative, I guess they don't always show everything. Until making the appointment we were unaware that there is actual prep that needs to be done for this. He can't eat before hand and actually has to be semi knocked out to (I'm assuming) keep him still during the test. Pat's going to be on his own for this one since we made the appointment for a day he already has off of work. Grandpa thought that he was going to have the day before Uncle Mike's wedding off. Guess not anymore! He'll be home with the girls instead. Needless to say Friday was a VERY long day that I don't look forward to repeating again any time soon. Even though I know we will be again when the helmets come in... good thing we have a while to recoop! I have my Fall concert today. Pat, his parents, and the babies are all planning on going. It should be fun!!


Babies in matching jammies L-R Katie, Helena, Seamus


Helena in the jumparoo


Katie playing in the exersaucer


Seamus acting "Irish"

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Oktoberfest and Eye Doctors

The babies took Pat and I out to Grandma and Grandpa Huddas's Oktoberfest on Saturday. (Or do I have that backwards...) It was an interesting experience. It's really the first time since their baptism that we have been gone all day. They are much more aware of their surroundings now so they don't adapt quite so easily. It took a little while for any of them to go to anyone but Pat and I. Seamus was the worst, he was so upset when we got there that he would not even go to Grandpa who watches him everyday! All he did was scream and want his daddy. He's probably the most sensitive of the babies and will scare easily if he doesn't recognize you. Poor little guy, he's so pitiful when he gets that bottom lip sticking out and those big blue eyes start to tear up! All three of them got to participate in our First Annual Oktoberfest Shoe Kick. For those of you who were not there, we have been trying to think of some competition that everyone (kids and adults) can participate in and this is what we can up with. I know.. we're that exciting! A special thanks to Aunt Kathy, Aunt Becca, and my cousins Laura and Kathy for helping the babies to "almost" win the competition. Pat was one of the judges but somehow he stayed impartial and it was Dylan who won for this year.
Monday afternoon the babies all went to the eye doctor for Katie and Seamus's recheck. Grandpa went with us since Pat had to meet us there after work. Their retinas look fine and they were very well behaved while we were there. Helena actually slept the whole time! Katie may have to go back in a couple of months if her plugged tear duct does not clear up. I guess it's pretty common for babies to be born with it so we're not concerned right now. If it's still there in a couple of months they discussed having to go in and manually open it up. Let's just say it involves something like a paper-clip type wire going in through her tear duct so let's hope it clears up by then on its own!
Friday is our appointment down at Children's. We've been anxiously waiting for this one of a long time. Hopefully all of our questions about their head shape issues will be answered then. We'll post an update when we know...

Oktoberfest 2008- Grandpa and Seamus looking like they both are enjoying the beer!

Seamus and Laura shoe kick

Helena and Kathy shoe kick

Katie and Aunt Kathy shoe kick

All of us at Oktoberfest 2008

Friday, October 17, 2008

The Graduate

It's official. Seamus has graduated from physical therapy! He now will only need to go back if and when he gets a helmet. His torticolis has been overcome and he now has full range of his neck. Katie is still going twice a week but will hopefully be able to cut down to once a week very soon. Her issues were much more pronounced than Seamus so it's taking a little longer. It's no wonder considering she had to hold up 2 babies on top of her before she was born. Poor kid! Katie and Seamus have their eye doctor recheck on Monday and all three of them will FINALLY see the craniofacial specialist on Friday down at Children's hospital. At this point we just want to know if they are going to still have to be put into helmets or if we've seen enough improvement in their necks that the head shaping will take care of itself. I guess we'll find out in a week.
On Wednesday the babies had cereal for the first time. Katie and Helena had never even sat in a high chair before so this was a big deal for all of them, and especially for Pat and I. A few months ago when they were in the hospital on feeding tubes, it didn't feel like we'd ever get to this point. I can't believe how much they have grown. The pictures show me feeding Katie her first spoonfuls of cereal, Seamus's messy face and Helena trying to smile while her daddy feeds her cereal. Tomorrow is a big day for all of us. We'll be going to Grandma and Grandpa's Octoberfest! Let's hope the weather is cooperative!


Monday, October 13, 2008

4 Month Checkup




The babies had their 4 month checkup today. They were all very good even though they had to get shots and we were there for over an hour. All three of them have had colds this past week and are finally starting to feel better just in time to most likely get sick again from their immunizations.
Katie is now 14 lbs 5oz, 24 1/2 inches long, and roughly in the 50-75th percentile for both height and weight. This is amazing considering how early they were born and how small they were then. Their pediatrician is very impressed with the fact that all 3 of them are hitting the 4 month milestones even though their adjusted age for being preemies is really closer to 2 1/2 to 3 months. Katie is also starting on medicine for acid reflux to try and help out her breathing issues. For those of you who don't know, she kind of sounds like a little piggy when she gets excited or is sleeping. She also spits up even though she has cereal in her bottle so we're going to give medicine a try to hopefully help out.
Seamus is now 14 lbs 9 oz, 25 inches long, and in the 50th percentile for both height and weight. He is still the most advanced physically and has started to roll over from his back to his tummy along with still rolling from his tummy to back. He's quite the little rolling machine and wakes himself up while doing it. That's been a bit of a problem recently because at about 2am when he starts doing this he then decides that it's time to play and won't stop until he has his sisters awake with him. At this rate if he keeps it up much longer he's going to get him own room by sleeping in the pack and play!
Helena is now 12 lbs 2 oz, 23 1/2 inches long, and in the 25th percentile for both height and weight. She's still our little bean! Her acid reflux is still acting up so we're raising the dosage of her medication. Her pediatrician is hoping that we'll be able to wean her and Katie off of the medication by the time they are 6 months old.
None of them have gotten their RSV vaccines yet. Chances are we will wait until November to start that series of shots. Fine by me! The 3 they got today were more than enough!
On a more exciting note, we get to start the babies on cereal!! I can't wait! It's been getting harder and harder to feed them recently since they've come to learn that they can grab a hold of their bottle holders and chuck them onto the floor. When you're feeding 2 of them it's tough but if you've got all three at the same time, it's almost impossible not to have a bottle casualty or two. Seamus especially finds this hilarious. He gets bored about half way through his bottle now and I have a feeling starting him on cereal may help us out. Well, it's almost time for Jon and Kate plus 8 so time to sign off! They are my heroes after all. Enjoy the pictures of Seamus reading the sports page, Helena being a bouncing bean, and Katie hanging out with Daddy!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Working out Babies

The babies keep getting bigger, and now they are learning how to play in their Excersaucers and Bouncer. Since most of the stuff we have is from cousins that all seem to be boys, we have a bright Pink Excersaucer. Sorry Seamus, its only fair. Mary and my 4th Anniversary is tomorrow (And Opening day for the Red Wings) and we get to go to the game and out on Saturday too! Hooray for baby-sitters!! They all are seeming to get a cold again, and they are set to get the first of their RSV vaccines at their Dr. appointment next week. We hope to get them all started on solid food soon because some babies are starting to lose interest in their bottles. The first picture is me and Seamus waiting for the Red Wings to start playing(look at his eyes...he can't wait!) The next pictures are of the babies showing off in their Excersaucers; 1st is Katie, then Seamus. The last picture is he babies' dress rehearsal for their first Halloween.