So Much to Say...

A whole lot has happened since I last blogged, and not all of it is triplet related. I don't know about you, but these last several posts seemed to have lost sight of the original star of our show. Right now I am at a loss as to who that was, I may have to go back a read a little to see who I used to write about. I do see her around here from time to time, short, cute, kind of goofy. I just can't seem to remember her name, hmmmmm, Gorilla, Goofball, Monster, Lemon, Zoid, Emi, EMILY! That's it, Emily! I knew I could remember if I thought about it long enough. This blog used to feature her almost exclusively, but as you may have realized, we have added three more cast members to our little family drama. With these three new members, life will and has definitely changed for our original star. You may have noticed that her role in the blog has diminished. I hope that as time marches on everything will balance out, we will see.

All of that being said, let's talk about Emily. Those of you keeping track may have realized that Sunday (June 14th) was Emily's half birthday. Christa and I thought that since Emily had been suffering for our attention between hospital visits and work, she deserved a day with us, all to herself. So after a very brief visit to the Trips to deliver clean clothes, blankets and such, we went out for a special breakfast. Following some delicious chocolate chip pancakes and hash browns, it was time for a trip to the zoo. Emily got to see the Butterfly exhibit, which she sort of enjoyed, she got to ride on the tram (which she calls the choo-choo) around the zoo, she got to play on one of her favorite playgrounds, she got to see the monkeys, and she got to ride the tram some more. After the zoo, it was time to visit the Greats, which Emily also enjoyed. From there, it was on to Mama & Papa Choo Choo's house to have a half birthday dinner, complete with cake. All in all, a pretty good day for a little girl who had been missing her Mommy and Daddy.

So here we are at the new cast members, what have they been up to since Saturday. . .

Meghan: Megabella has been doing very well since Saturday. She started really feeding well on Sunday, and by Wednesday was on cue feedings, which means she tells them when she wants to eat and can have as much as she wants...as long as she has at least 100 mL every eight hours. She has been averaging 65 mL every 3 1/2 to 4 hours. She may very well have her NG tube pulled tomorrow. After losing a few ounces she is now over her birth weight.

Charles: Charlie slipped backwards after his strong start and was not taking the bottle; he was therefore getting everything by NG tube. He has since started taking all of his food by mouth. He is taking 40 mL every 3 hours and may be going to cue feedings soon, if he keeps it up. He is also gaining weight very well, and is over his birth weight.

Elizabeth: Lizzie is a whole other story. She has been rocking and rolling since starting bottle feeding. She started cue feeding on Sunday night and did that very well all day on Monday. Tuesday, she had continued cue feeding and gained weight, so they removed her NG tube right before her 12:30 pm feeding. She continued to go strong, so on Wednesday, Lizzie took a very big step...she did the Car Seat Challenge (insert trumpet fanfare here). If she could pass this test, we could bring her home!













SHE PASSED!!!!!!!

















WE TOOK HER HOME!!!!!!!!!!



That's right...the first Trip is home, and we are very excited!! Megabella is on track to come home soon, and Charlie is showing signs of waking up.

There you go, lots of news in one little post, here are some pictures and we will talk again soon. . .

"What's that, Daddy?"

"It's a butterfly, Emily. Isn't it pretty?"

After the butterfly house, Emily spent some much needed time running around and climbing at the park.


Look how good she has gotten at climbing!

Emily still loves slides, especially tornado slides!

A very tired Daddy & Emily walk back from the monkey house.

Emily looks at Lizzie with me and congratulates her on getting her feeding tube removed.

Yay, Lizzie!

I love you, Lizzie.

I feel so bad for you that your cheeks are so red from the tape holding your tube in place. I hope that gets better soon, little girl.

Lizzie's first close-up without her NG tube in!! Her cheeks look better already!

At the hospital for Lizzie's Big Day...Daddy & Emily say a quick hello to Meghan first.

Lizzie, are you ready for your test?

Emily keeps herself occupied with her baby doll and her polar bear.

Emily checks out Charlie's name sign...she was making sure that all of the name signs were properly secured to the bassinet shelves. What a good big sister!

Melanie puts Lizzie into her car seat for the big Car Seat Test prior to Lizzie's discharge.

Lizzie, all snuggled into her car seat for her test.

Go, Lizzie, Go!! You can do it, kiddo!

Having passed her car seat test, and all dressed in her "going home" outfit, Lizzie says goodbye to Meghan (at least until Meghan comes home herself).

"OK, Charlie, you need to hurry up and get used to the whole eating by yourself thing so that you can come home too."

Daddy gets Lizzie packed back into her car seat for the ride home.

Yay, Lizzie, first one home!

Emily looks in as Lizzie gets all settled into the seat next to hers.

Emily helps Daddy get Lizzie out of her car seat, now at home!!!

Daddy then removes Lizzie's hospital ID tags.

Our newest little baby burrito relaxing in the pack 'n play after arriving at home.

Since Mommy got to do the feeding in the hospital before we left, Daddy got to do the first feeding at home. We're so glad that you're home, Lizzie.

We love you, Lizzie.

We can't wait until your brother and sister join you at home...hopefully very soon.