triplets

Triplet MacGyvering

We have to hit up target the other day and didn’t want pack up the stroller for our quick visit. Our car seats fit nicely in the target shopping carts, but they can only fit one… until you MacGyver like a boss and bungee cord the second one in the cart! Triplet win!

PIC Assessment

Quick update on the girls since we haven’t posted in a few days.

PIC (Parent Infant Children) came out on Thursday and did an assessment on the girls. They are a non profit program that assesses how babies are developing and if they need any special assistance or therapy to continue to grow and thrive.

The girls were on good behavior for the visit and all cooperated. Reagan went first and passed everything with flying colors, showing the lady how well she can hold up her head and do tummy time.

Harper also did well and both girls are considered in the normal development range for their adjusted age (7 weeks adjusted/14 weeks actual). Harper enjoyed the different things the lady tested her on and was a good sport!

Emerie put up a bit more of a fight, probably because she was in the middle of a bottle, and…because she’s Emerie (lol). Since she’s a bit smaller, she has more to do to catch up. She is also our fussier and more demanding baby in terms of feedings and tummy time, so her assessment showed she is on the cusp of the normal development range. This is typically for the smallest premie and no reason for concern.

Overall everything looks good and there isn’t anything we need to worry about. At their suggestion, we are going to start transitioning from sideline feedings to the normal front feedings, and get them used to that. Hopefully they pick it up pretty quick and we can find a new, efficient propping method for all three.

Butterfly Feet

Yesterday we decided to attempt an arts and crafts project with the girls. They weren’t super thrilled at the idea but I think it came out pretty decently! We will definitely give it another try soon, and have a few other body part ideas!

A list of items for this include:

  • A cute baby with baby feet!
  • Acrylic paint (it washes right off): don’t want any permanent purple baby feet!
  • Mini brushes
  • Canvases of any size: I got a few different ones so we could try out a few different things.
  • Newspaper to limit the mess, and a wash cloth to wipe those feet off when the hate rage begins!
  • Two sets of hands is also helpful, one set to coddle the minion and one set to press the foot into the canvas. We had a few alien feet attempts…

They didn’t particularly like the feeling of paint on their toes, but overall were good sports. We did individual butterflies for each of them and a group canvas as well.

Next I want to try a few handprints on a coffee mug. After painting their feet, we gave them each a break to recuperate. It’s surprising how strong they are when they don’t want their painted feet pushed against a canvas! Reagan definitely fought back the most, and Harper and Emerie tolerated it for the most part. I think it will be a great addition to their memory boxes.

Triple(t)rouble- 3 months!

The girls hit 3 months on Wednesday. It’s been a long week, with the current developmental milestone causing a few long, cranky baby nights. But, while that hasn’t been so much fun, seeing the changes in personality are worth it! A quick update on each kiddo.

Harper

  • Harper is up to 11 pounds, 7 oz, and is still in the lead on weight.
  • She has started smiling a lot. When she wakes up in the morning she is all smiles for us. She’s also started baby talking a little, and it’s super cute!
  • She is still our best sleeper, and doesn’t mind the crib compared to the rock and play.
  • I think we’ve finally won her over on the play mat. She doesn’t just cry now when she’s on it, and is starting to chuckle at the colors and music.

Emerie

  • Emerie is up to 9 pounds, 15 oz! She has grown the most of the three, but is still the smallest (by a bit!)
  • She is also grasping the responsive smile better now, and likes to smile at us, toys, and, of course, the fan.
  • She is definitely the cuddler of the group, and needs snuggles everyday from whoever is around! She also doesn’t mind snuggling up to her sisters.
  • Emerie likes the play mat as long as her sisters are on it with her.
  • I put a headband on her the other morning (none of them are fond of them), and she sneezed so hard it flew off her head about a foot. It was hilarious.

Reagan

  • Reagan is 11 pounds, 1 oz and really trying to catch up with her sister!
  • She’s still our biggest smiler and been that way since birth.
  • During playtime on Monday, she rolled from her back to her stomach. We were not expecting that (I don’t think she was either), and she wouldn’t do it a second time for the camera.
  • She loves toys and enjoys laying in the crib and looking at them. She’s also an escape artist from her swaddle sacks.
  • So far she has the strongest neck muscles, and can hold her head up really well and loves looking around and out the windows.

All in all, everyone is advancing great, especially on sleep. As I write this, sitting in the dark in the nursery, my Fitbit tells me I slept for 5 straight hours. First time since…ummm…the day before their birth. Feels pretty great.