Good news!

Hello! We hope this email finds everyone well!

I am happy to report that Matt's visit to the doctor yesterday and his sonogram was a success! His stomach was looking good and there was no evidence of pyloric stenosis at all. Praise God! We think this is just going to have to be something that he grows out of, it doesn't make it any easier but we are sure glad that he does not have to go under the knife! We've got him on formula and rice cereal to thicken up his feed, hoping that the thicker feeding will stay down better.

Drew and Claire, well, they are Drew and Claire! They are both a hoot too and little Claire is quite the Diva! She certainly knows what she wants and when she wants it. We are trying to get them all on a four hour feed schedule today, wish us luck, we're going to need it! :) They all go back to the Dr. on Friday for a growth check. I seriously cannot wait to see how much they weigh and how much they have gained in two weeks! Those two boys are a good workout on the biceps, trust me!!!

MORE GREAT NEWS!

Our pictures from the photography session are done and look fantastic! Here is how to view them all!

1. Go to www.melissazihlman.com

2. Go to mzkids

3. On the lower left, click "clients"

4. The password is "messerle" NO capital letters

The slideshow will then start! Enjoy and let us know what you think!

OK gotta run and help out the gang here! Please continue the thoughts and prayers for the babies and especially Matty-Poo, he is a real trooper! Peace, love and happiness always!

Love,

Todd, Katie, Claire, Matt and Drew

Today would be the day!

Well, today was Katie's original due date, August 25th, before we knew we were having triplets! I told this to Drew this evening and he just looked at me like I was nuts! Tomorrow they will be 7 weeks old, where does the time go?

Claire went in this morning to have her eyes examined by an infant eye doctor. Due to her low birth weight, they wanted to make sure that the blood vessels in her eyes had developed and that they were growing. She got a complete clean bill of health, her eyes look great! She is really eating great right now too, she will slow up on a bottle or two then empty the next one. You can really tell she is growing. I have this weird feeling that she is also ready for football season. I went into the nursery the other night/morning and this is how I found Claire sleeping! Out like a light, just like this... TOUCHDOWN RED RAIDERS!!

Our bigger issue this week is with Matthew. He is VERY uncomfortable and he is spitting up BIGTIME, on every feed. We took him to the doctor and also to get a sonogram on his stomach this week. They found that his stomach isn't emptying as fast as it should and that his Pyloric valve or muscle that goes from the bottom of his stomach to his small intestine is causing spazam's and not letting his food through. The concern is like any other muscle the more it works the bigger it gets and this muscle can get bigger and just shut off the opening out of his stomach. That would be bad. He is still making dirty diapers, that is good, he is not dehydrated and they say that he will grow out of this condition over time. I sure hope it happens soon because to see him in that pain and rearing back and arching his back is just really horrible to watch. He is such a cutie and such a good boy. We go back on Friday for a follow up sonogram to see if it is getting better or worse. If it gets worse and closes up, that means surgery...

Drew is doing just great! He is a little angel and you can tell he is growing and he is beginning to put things together a bit. He is watching and listening to me when I jabber at him, etc. All of the babies are still in the nursery together and in the same crib, here is a sneak peak at the boys all ready to count sheep!

So far our diaper stash is holding up nicely but we are going through formula like nobody's business! We're making up the bottles in bulk and mixing the formula in a huge Pampered Chef pitcher type deal, 24 bottles at a time. One feed uses up on whole can of this formula! Ummm, how long does this formula program last!? LOL Katie and I are doing well, my dad was here all last week and he is here all this week. It is really a treat for me to spend so much time with him, its been years since we have spent this much time together, good stuff. He is heading back home on Friday and coming back after Labor Day, his help is truly amazing! We're looking forward to a visit from Paul and Judy next week and spending Labor Day weekend with Katie's mom Caroline! Its really great that the grandparents can see and spend time with their grandchildren, I love it.

Please think and pray for Matt as he struggles through this pain and issue in his tummy. I have all the faith in the world that he is going to be just fine but seeing his hurting that bad, is really a bummer. Our family is doing great, we appreciate everyone thinking about us! We all hope this email finds everyone happy, healthy and full of all that is good! Till next time!

Love,

Todd, Katie, Claire, Matt and Drew

So far, so good!

We've made it a full week with the gang all here and so far I think we are holding up pretty well. A large part of that due to Paul, Judy and my dad spending significant time here helping Katie and I keep our sanity!

The babies are doing great. Matt's reflux is really the worst thing going on right now. He is just miserable for about 2 hours after feeds and spits up a ton. He is on Prevacide for the reflux by in my opinion, its effectiveness is minimal. I feel bad for him with the reflux and being attached to that monitor, its a real drag for him.

Drew and Claire are doing well. Both are eating well and really growing! It is just amazing to see these babies grow and change really before your eyes, blows me away. Its mind boggling to think that the babies are going to be 39 weeks, 6 weeks adjusted tomorrow! Are you kidding me, a month and a half old already? Where has the time gone? I know, I know, it is going to fly by too! Unreal.

Katie and I of course with the help of our folks are hanging in there, we both are in "survival mode" right now! Katie has a wonderful attitude and she is doing so great, how lucky am I to have such a wonderful and caring woman for our children! Man, I am blessed!

The babies go back to the pediatrician on Friday morning for another check up, I can't wait to see how much weight they have gained in a week! LOL Next week they all are going to an infant Opthamalagist (sp?) to have their eyes checked. From what we understand with babies born as young as ours it is pretty much standard to have their eyes checked for development, structure, etc. so off to Plano they go next week. That is going to be REAL interesting, I can't imagine they are going to like that too much!!

We are both just THRILLED with the sneak peak from our pictures from last weekend and CANNOT wait to see the whole photo shoot when Melissa gets done with it! I thought the pictures turned out just awesome!

OK, well time to roust Matt get him changed, fed and back down till we wash, rinse and repeat again in another 3 hours! Hope this email finds everyone healthy, happy and grateful for each day! Continued thank you for the thoughts and prayers for our family, we are blessed beyond belief... Perhaps in my next post I will expound on that a little bit more, I have really been giving that a ton of thought lately.

Till next time!

Todd, Katie, Drew, Claire, Matt

Photoshoot Sneak Peek!!

Yesterday was a bit of a mad house around here, more than usual actually!! We had a photographer come over to the house and photograph the babies and some of mommy and daddy too, her name is Melissa Zihlman. This woman seriously has the patience of a SAINT! I really have NO idea how she does it or stays so calm, I was coming out of my skin just watching her try calm these babies.

We took some shots in our bedroom with Katie and I holding the babies, I hope they turned out good! The babies were au natural and daddy being the BIG MAN, decided to hold two, which ended up backfiring because Claire decided to PEE on daddy, not once, but TWICE for Pete's sakes! We even got some shots with our other kiddo's Lille and Frank (our dogs!) Katie looked wonderful, I really hope that the pictures with her and the babies turned out well...

Big things in store with these pictures but check out her blog site for a sneak peek from the shoot yesterday. I think you'll see what I mean about patience when you see the first picture!

Check out her blog! http://melissazihlman.com/Blog/

P.S. How about the one in the hats!? WoO HOo! Get your guns up!

Happy Sunday, Y'all!

Todd, Katie, Matt, Drew and Claire

Well the gang is all here!!

Wow. Where has this week gone! I'll try to get up to date here. Monday we brought Matt home and Tuesday Little Miss Claire took the trip home to Lantana! All the babies are home!

Claire is doing MUCH better on the bottle, she is breathing better and really taking in a ton of formula. She is growing great! She is such a little pumpkin, so small and petite, she loves sleeping in the crib with her brothers. She does have one heck of a set of lungs on her too, when she cries, YOU KNOW IT! Here is a picture of her in her going home outfit on Tuesday!

We have been blessed with having Paul and Judy Branch, Katie's folks here since Saturday and today my dad came into town when Paul and Judy left and he is going to spend a while with us to help with feeds at night and help a bit during the day. We really can't thank them enough for all the help, understanding and assistance that they offered to us. There is no way to repay them...

To say that Katie and I are exhausted is seriously and understatement. We both have no idea where the time and the days go, it is a 100% full time job keeping up with them! Katie is doing great considering all that has been thrown at her, we're all just pitching in and working together to make it happen.

We took all three babies to the doctor this afternoon to get their routine check up as well as the Hepititis B shots. They did great! In the blue corner Matt is weighing in at a robust 6lbs 10 oz.! In the green corner Drew is weighing in at a respectable 6lbs, 6 oz and in the pink corner Claire is weighing in at a wonderful 5lbs, 9 oz.! They all got the big SMILEY face on their chart, hearts, lungs, digestive, etc. looked just perfect! Here is a picture as the crew was ready to head in for the big appointment! (remember to click to make bigger!)

I promised some random pictures this update, so here we go!

Is Drew just a DOLL laying and sleeping on his daddy's chest??!! I just eat that kid up...

OK, Claire was NOT happy at this point with here first bath at home! She was letting it RIP!

This was the first night with all of them home and snug as a bug in their crib! Claire was wide awake, she was still getting used to being home. (Claire, Drew, Matt - Left to Right)

Typical "baby set-up" at the house, taken Monday when Matt came home. Drew on the left and Matt on the right. Those Pack and Play's and the bouncy seats are a life saver!

On Saturday we are having a professional photographer at the house that is going to shoot a bunch of photo's, should last a couple of hours and be very interesting! I'll post after that deal takes place!

Despite the work and lack of sleep, we're having fun and just blessed to have all of our babies home safe and sound. We are so blessed and honored to have people helping, thinking and praying for our family. Off to help Dad and Katie get the kids fed and down till the next feeding! Hope all is well!

Love,

Todd, Katie, Drew, Matt and Claire

Matt has entered the building!

Well, 2 down, 1 to go! Matt made his grand entrance this afternoon into Lantana this afternoon! There was fan faire and a parade, basically consisted of Judy, Lillie and Frank but a parade none the less!

He is really doing great! He is home on a monitor that keeps track of his breathing and his heartbeats. Its a bit of a drag to haul it around but it isn't too bad. Matt and Drew will be sleeping again together in the crib tonight! Matt has been "Brady-Free" for two days now so maybe he is growing out of that stage. Here is the big boy or Baby B home at last! I think he is at about 5.5 lbs now.

Claire will be coming home tomorrow afternoon. She looks great and is really eating better. We are looking forward to having her home and the whole family together at home! I THINK we are ready, we'll soon see!

Our living room and home has quickly turned into a full blown nursery! Katie just said this place is Disney World for babies! And she is 100% right! Here is a picture that I took this afternoon shortly after we got Matt home, Drew and Matt were just zonked out in their bouncy seats that have been moved into the pack and play. (Remember that you can click on the pictures to make them bigger!)

I will get more pictures up tomorrow evening of the whole crew when we make it to the house! It is now time to try to catch a few winks before the next feeding frenzy begins! Till tomorrow!

Love,

Todd, Katie, Claire, Drew and Matt

The best laid plans...

Well, some times the best laid plans don't pan out. Katie, the doctor and I made the decision yesterday to extend Claire and Matt's stay in the hospital. We all were not comfortable with their current progress and were concerned that they might be coming home too soon.

Matt continues to have these Brady's episodes and he failed the car seat test this week meaning that he had a Brady when they put him in the car seat. We do have him on a portable monitor, which we got yesterday, in case he did come home. He eats like a maniac and doing well otherwise but he still has not out grown these Brady's.

Claire has been Brady-free, we think, for the past several days, which is great. She passed her car seat test this week. But she is having an awful time getting down the process of eating and breathing at the same time. She will suck on that bottle and just stop breathing, concentrating only on eating and not on breathing. Her lips and her face just turn blue, no exaggeration. When I saw this first hand yesterday, I was like, "ummm, no way".

Having three premature infants at home is going to be tough enough, but to add on the fact that two are still having health issues; its just too much. We are evaluating their progress on a daily basis now to see how things look.

Drew is doing great. He is growing, grunting, moaning and groaning his little head off! We gave him a bath last week, here is a quick picture from our bath experience!

Katie and I are hanging in there, there is a ton of juggling going on right now in the household, we'll have our own set of juggling issues when they are all home but having them split up and making sure we are doing what we need to for all of them right now is tough. We'll make it!

I'll continue to update the blog as I have more information regarding Matt and Claire making their appearance in Lantana! Hope everyone is doing well! Till next time!

Love,

Todd, Katie, Drew, Matt and Claire!

Moving right along!

Hello! Been a week or so since I have updated the blog. Katie and I are still getting used to having a baby around the house and the schedule that it takes to make it all happen! Wow...

Drew is doing real well on his transition home I think. He is pretty much used to the place now. He is struggling with a bit of reflux which isn't fun, trust me. He is on a half a Prevacid each day to try to keep that under control and we moved him off the powder formula and to the premade liquid stuff. I think it has helped a little bit. He weighs 5lbs 4oz now, quite the growing boy! I honestly can't count the number of times I have kissed his chubby little cheeks!

We got word this evening that Claire will be coming home on Friday and Matt will be coming home on Saturday! Claire is doing well, gaining weight and sleeping awesome, no Brady's in over three days! She is a tough one to feed though, she is still struggling with breathing and eating at the same time and so she is a SLOW eater and it takes a ton of patience with her. If she eats too fast, she'll just stop breathing. She weighs 4lbs 9oz, now.

Matt is growing like a weed too! He is over 5lbs as well and eats like a horse. He is still having the Brady's episodes so he is coming home on a monitor. :( That is going to be interesting. We'll see how that works out.

We are excited to have the whole family home with us at last! I can't wait to be able to hold both of them like we are holding and loving on Drew. Besides being pretty tired and exhausted, Katie and I are doing good so far. We are thinking about some changes we are going to need to make around the house to make everything happen like we need it to. If other people can do it, we certainly can! Right!!??

I am going to make my post short and sweet tonight, so I can get a little rest before I have to feed Drew. Thank you to everyone that has been thinking and praying for us as well as to the folks that have been sending cards, etc. We appreciate everything so much. We are so grateful and blessed to have three beautiful babies coming home, our prayers have come true with everyone's help! We hope that this note finds everyone safe, happy and healthly! Till next time!

Todd, Katie, Claire, Drew and Matt!

P.S. I continue to draw the "short straw" on the diaper changing, EVERY TIME this child has pooped its been Daddy's turn to change him! What the heck!? Oh well.... :)