We've made it past our original due date!

This week marked the date of when I was originally due at 40 weeks. It's amazing how far these guys have come in just 6 weeks!

On Tuesday, Ryan had an appointment with a plastic surgeon. I said I can't believe he gets to see one before me :) !! He was born with a little skin tag next to his ear. For this little thing, we have been to see the pediatrician, who sent us to the dermatologist, who then sent us to the plastic surgeon. We were told we could just tie it off with fishing line or dental floss ourselves, but then it may leave a mark. So, after all these consults, we have decided to wait until he is 6 months and then the surgeon will be able to go under the skin and if there is any cartilage, she can take it out and there will be no mark. I guess Joe's sister also had one when she was a baby & they just scraped it off in the pediatricians office. My how things have changed! The amazing thing though was when they weighed him. 8lbs 11oz.! I'm assuming if this kid would have made it to full term, he would have been one big baby!!

On Wednesday, Caitlin & Madison went for a well baby weight check at the pediatricians. Caitlin now weighs 6lbs 2oz. and Maddi 5lbs 6oz. The doctor said he didn't think they could have gained much more since last time!

Last Saturday, the babies came down with a cold. I couldn't believe it. But then to think of it, with a brother that is in pre-school, plays sports and gets into just about everything, it was inevitable I guess. Thank goodness they have been fighting it off well. It's funny how one day one baby seems more affected by it and the next another. Now a week later, its just down to some stuffiness. The doctor did not seem very concerned about it. So we have been using saline and the good old blue bulb syringes to clean their noses out and keep them comfortable. They have continued to be good babies and have eaten and slept well through it all.

Joe & I continue to do pretty good on little sleep. I did wash my cell phone in the washing machine this week though and I do not recommend this. Good thing I'm part of Verizon's new every 2 year plan, so I had a free upgrade in about 3 days. I went to Sam's club and bought the biggest tub of coffee I could find. It's Folgers (I've never drank Folgers before) and for under $10.00, I am set to be caffeinated for a good time to come. We had one night where the babies actually did a 5 hour stretch of sleep from 11-4. It was pretty much a fluke I think, but just knowing they can do it is comforting!

JP headed to the pool.
























I'm so hungry, I've got to eat my hands. (We see this every 3 hours)
























Caitlin not quite getting the idea of tummy time yet...


















Madison either.


















Just hanging out.
























Don't bug me, I'm sleeping.

Father's Day & Our One Month Birthday

This year was a special Father's Day for Joe. While we couldn't go out on a family hike like we normally do, we still had fun celebrating the trio's one month birthday and Joe now being a Daddy x4. JP and I made Joe breakfast and later oatmeal raisin cookies (his favorite). Joe said he couldn't think of anything better than watching the US Open eating a warm oatmeal cookie!

Life is good here at the Crist house. People often ask how we're doing and the answer is really great! Yes, we are not getting as much sleep as normal, but we know this is temporary. The babies have already started stretching their nights out now sleeping from 11pm to 3am and then until about 6:30am. They are still eating every 3 hours during the day, but are starting to push the night feeding to 4 hours- yeah! We've had wonderful meals brought to the house this past week by our neighbors and help as well. My sister-in-law Anne came on both Wed & Fri to help with feedings which was awesome. But, my real secret weapon is Joe. Him working out of the house makes it so much easier on me. Once the babies are sleeping I can go take a shower or do something and not have to worry, because he can hear them if they wake up. I know I am very lucky!

This past week we had JP's first Tee ball game. We took the whole family out for the 1st time to watch the big game. We had the babies in the triplet stroller with blankets covering their seats and they slept the whole time. It was so fun to watch all the little boys learning the concept of baseball. JP was first at bat for his team. They are only supposed to run to 1st base and then wait for the next player to hit to advance them to the next base. When JP hit the ball he started running- and didn't stop. People were trying to shout to him to stop at a base, but with the big batting helmet on he couldn't hear and just kept running. By the time he made it to home plate the whole crowd on both sides was cheering for him and his "home run"!

He did 2 other funny things this week. First of all, he got a haircut on Saturday. Not a big deal, but on Friday my 5 year old actually asked me if he could get a Mohawk. I said no way. On Saturday morning I came downstairs and he was anxious to show me some "art" he had done. He wrote these letters on a piece of paper "MOWHAG" and asked me if I know what it said. When he told me it said Mohawk, I told him I was impressed by his writing, but he still couldn't have one.
That's not the only spelling he did. He also received a Big Brother card in the mail from some friends in Massachusetts. They sent him $10- a five dollar bill, 4 ones and 4 quarters taped to the card. Well, paper money is a big deal in his world and he was very excited. So excited I think he wanted more. He went and got a box and cut a hole in it. On the side he wrote "MUNEE PLZ" (money please) he went and grabbed a box of fruit snacks and wanted to go to the alley and sell them. I applaud his entrepreneurial spirit- a kid after my own heart!

We also had a photo shoot at our house this week. A good friend of Anne's who takes awesome pictures came over to take pics of the babies for an announcement. Katy took a ton of great shots and I'm excited to get our announcements out in the next week or so. Below is one of the many I just love.




































JP and I made signs for everyone to wear on Sunday.



















Daddy & his kids sitting on his new picnic table he got for Father's Day.



















The trio enjoying some fresh air.
























It's rare when the girls are wearing the same outfit, so I had to take a picture.

4 Weeks Old! Some New Videos & Pics

Here's a video of exercise hour at our house. Imagine what it will be like when they actually can move!


Madison was having the best time. She thinks her brother is pretty cool!


A couple pictures of Madison:



































Caitlin with her binky on the boppy:


















Caitlin and Ryan passed out after a meal. There's no shortage of binkys around here!

Madison is Home! Here comes the Fun!!

Today we welcomed home Madison. We are happy that our family is now all home! We are very glad not to have to go to the hospital anymore, but we are so grateful to the Rose Hospital ICN for taking such good care of our babies. The final day tally: Ryan- 8 days, Caitlin- 22 days, and Madison- 25 days. They are all doing great.

We started off the day with a trip to the pediatrician for Caitlin's newborn visit. Nana, Ryan and I took her. The doctor thought she looked wonderful. She weighs 4lbs, 13 oz. and is adjusting to home life well. I think she still has her days/nights a little off. 2 out of her 3 nights she was fussy from about 2:30-4:00 am. I'm trying to get this straightened out ASAP! Walgreens had Aerobeds on sale this week and we purchased a twin bed that blows up in one minute for $19.99 after rebate. As I have spent much of the past few nights in the baby's room, it is making my stay much more comfortable!!

Since we were already there, we went ahead and had Ryan weighed also. He is now 6lbs. 8oz.- unbelievable! What happened to my preemie boy?? He's now just about out of preemie clothes and the doctor says its time to take him off the high calorie preemie formula.

After the doctor it was time to take Nana to the airport. She was here 6 weeks and we are so grateful for every day she spent with us. From taking care of me while I was on bed rest, to setting up the nursery, making meals and doing laundry, being in the operating room, taking the 8am feedings as Ryan and Caitlin came home and much, much more it made this transition from 1 child to 4 about as easy as it could be. My dad was here for the last week and I think he was ready for her to come back to South Carolina! I think its just about the longest they have ever been apart! Joe's parents come out from June 30-July 15, so we are now counting the days!

Madison came home today at 4lbs. 3oz. She is so tiny compared to the others. the neonatologist says that she could remain littler than her siblings for a long time. She is healthy though, so although she will probably be on the higher calorie formula for awhile, they will not try and do anything extra to have her gain weight.

Other than that, we will now focus on creating a schedule. Those of you who know me well know this is my specialty! We know things will always come up and have to make changes, but we will do our best. Our neighbors have signed up to bring us meals for the next 2 weeks, so I'm sure we will be eating well- thanks Tracy for coordinating this! As for other help, I'm hoping in the next few days to figure out the best times and things needing to be done for all the wonderful people that have offered to come over and help. Hopefully I will get a calender going in the next week or so that people can sign up.

Here are pictures from the past few days:



















Nana with Ryan and Caitlin



















How does Joe handle the feedings: He props Ryans bottle and gives JP a quarter to feed Caitlin- just kidding! JP asked if he could feed Caitlin. Unfortunately, his attention span only lasts about 2 minutes and then he's done.

























Ryan showing off his muscle.



















Both my boys asleep on the couch. JP does not nap anymore, but after a birthday party on Sunday he couldn't resist. I love the Scooby-Doo bandaid and the Ring Pop from the party that's inching its way closer to the couch!



















Caitlin holding my ring. She says diamonds are a girls best friend!



















Joe calls Ryan "Mini-Me" and keeps telling me his plan to clone himself is nearly complete!!



















The triple threat! Together at last!!




















So happy to be back together!!

2 Outta 3 Ain't Bad: Caitlin Comes Home!

We're beginning to see the light at the end of the NICU tunnel! Caitlin came home today!!

If all goes well Madison should be home by Monday or Tuesday. It was hard to leave Maddi alone at the hospital today- there was some comfort in knowing the girls were there together. Madison just has to go 3 more days, a total of 5, without a Brady (letting her heartbeat dip down low) and then she can come home too. We were so excited when we visited this morning and they said Caitlin could come home with us! It was my Mom, Ryan and I at the hospital so I called Joe and told him to get them video camera ready, we were coming home with a surprise. I think its God's way of easing us into the reality of triplets- add them to the mix one at a time!

As of yesterday, Caitlin weighs 4lbs. 10oz., Madison is 4lbs. 1oz., and Ryan is well- big (he hasn't been weighed lately, but I'm sure he's over 5lbs now.) We are so lucky that they are all doing so well with no long term issues. All of the concerns about Madison's health have been resolved. Her platelet count is now normal and she is doing really well. The doctor said she may continue to be smaller for awhile, but its nothing to worry about. It makes it easy for us to tell them apart!

People always ask how JP is adjusting to his new brother and sisters. He's actually doing very well. There are moments when you can tell he doesn't like sharing the attention, but he really loves his brother and has been really eager to give him his binky or let us know when he smells! He understands that he is the big brother and gets to do so many more things than they will be able to do for a long time, like t-ball which starts next week. We'll see how he does when the girls are here, but so far so good.



















Caitlin (L) and Madison (R) made it to an open crib together on Monday.

























Pretty girl in her personalized hat.



















Move over Ryan! This bassinet can fit us both!