JP plus 3: Can't believe its been 2 Weeks!

Wanted to post an update. I can't believe the trio have been here for 2 weeks, especially that Ryan has been home a week already. Here's what been going on in our world:

JP- Joe graduated from pre-kindergarten on Wednesday. They had a real ceremony and the kids wore caps and gowns. JP was chosen to carry the flag in and lead off the Pledge of Allegiance. They also had the kids say what they wanted to be when they grow up. Joe also led off the kids and said "My name is Joseph Crist and when I grow up I want to be a Control Tower Operator". You can tell he's ridden on his share of planes and we live on the former Denver airport!

Ryan- He is doing so well! It is so nice to have at least one of the babies home. It's letting us get back in the swing of things- getting up for middle of the night for feedings, changing diapers, etc. Since he is still a preemie, he mostly only sleeps and eats. I know this will not last for long. We joke that Ryan has been to so many places- graduation, a restaurant, stores. Something his sisters will probably not be able to do once there are 3 all at home. We told him not to tell them! He had his first pediatrician appt on Tues and he weighed 4lbs 13oz. Considering the Friday before he was 4lbs 6oz when he was discharged, everyone was very impressed!!

Caitlin- Still in the NICU with her sister, but doing great as well. The two are now sharing an isolette and it is the cutest thing ever. Caitlin is still beating up on her sister, even outside the womb! Maddi doesn't seem to mind at all though. Caitlin is just learning how to eat from a bottle and get ready for open air living. She weighs 3lbs, 15 oz as of yesterday. It won't be long before she hits Trenton street. Probably close to another week or so yet though.

Madison- She is doing well also. She weighs in at 3lbs, 8 oz and is just starting to take to the bottle more. She doesn't quite have the on/off switch mastered when it comes to bottle feeding yet, but she is practicing everyday and it should just "click" shortly. Maddi also had a couple of "Bradys"- where her heartbeat takes dives down low for a short period of time. This is very common among preemies, and she hadn't had any until yesterday, so we hope this stops. It's an automatic 5 day extension in the NICU until these stop. Other than that, her platelets are going up on their own and she is not set to be poked again for a couple more days to check again. She continues to be the one who is most awake when we go to visit- we love that. I asked the neonatologist this week if any of these problems the girls have had can be long term issues, and she assured me that the will outgrow these minor things and be just fine!

Joe and I are doing well too. We are so grateful my Mom is still here. It's hard to believe its been a month already. Luckily, she feels the same way! I am getting better everyday. Starting to be able to walk more and more and feeling a bit more normal too. I'm so lucky that my Mom and Joe tell me to lay down at least once a day. It's usually only for an hour, but I'm sure its helping toward my overall recovery. We are hoping that the girls will be home soon. We're still hearing another 1-1.5 weeks, but we know they are exactly where they need to be to get stronger, so we will patiently wait to welcome them home.