The Hopperton Family

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Happy 3 months old!!!

The babies are 3 months old today!! Carter is starting to feel better and so far the girls haven't been sick. Mommy puts saline down their noses and plunges them every feed. Plus we have a steam bath or sit in the steaming bathroom twice a day. This has really helped Carter alot and I am hoping it keeps the girls healthy. Well this is all I have time for now...Lila and Maddie and not having a good night. They have been extremely fussy the past few nights. Just wanted to wish the babies a HAPPY 3 MONTHS...and post some new pictures!

Lila

Maddie

Carter

Carter when he wasn't feeling too good but he was being such a good sport

A little sideways wink!

Maddie being so cute!

Friday, February 5, 2010

No more oxygen

Maddie is OFFICIALLY off her oxygen. We couldn't be more happy that this day has finally arrived. We had actually taken it off about 2 weeks ago because she wasn't needing it...but the doctor said on Wednesday we could send the tanks back in a few weeks just to be sure she does okay without it!

Recent weight checks:

Maddie weighs 5 lbs 10 ounces

Lila weighs 8lbs 8 ounces

Carter weighs a whopping 10 lbs 10 ounces..yes in just 2 short weeks he gained 1 lb 1 ounces..what a BIG boy!

Carter is now fighting a cold. The good thing is that he doesn't have a fever and is eating fine so we are just praying that it doesn't turn into bronchiolitis and that he doesn't give it to the girls especially Maddie. Since they were born premature it could land them in the hospital b/c their little lungs are not strong enough to fight off the infection. We are currently giving them synagis shot which are for the RSV virus...it doesn't don't protect them against it but it gives them the antibodies that they are lacking to help fight the virus. I almost decided not to give them the shot this month b/c they are a total of $3800 a month (they actually get more expensive as they get bigger b/c they need a larger dose...this is just the cost for the remainder of the season) and they are to receive them from Nov-April until they are 2 years old. Insurance does pay 80% but that it is still very costly to us....so I guess this little incident was God telling me that I made the right decision to give them the shots despite the costs and that He will see us through

So please pray that we get through this little bug without any serious complications and that Carter feels well in a few days!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

11 weeks old!

My beautiful babies~~~

Lila hanging onto her brother's UK football...it mine now!!

Bottle propping Lila...I said I would never do it but when you have 3 screaming babies at once it makes feeding time alot more calmer. We only do it when necessary and sometimes through the night. God Bless my multiple mom friend Cathy for passing these along to me.

They are growing way too fast...I can't believe that they are already 12 weeks old! There have been alot of fun things happening in the Hopperton household lately. Maddie has started scooting as you can see below...the top of her head started below the blue blanket!!! Then today she rolled over. We were taking pictures of the babies and we had laid her on her belly. We looked away to take a picture of Carter and when we turned around she was on her back. She never ceases to amaze me!!

Maddie right before she rolled over

Maddie scooting

The babies watching some football. Carter is loving it, Maddie is starting to get mad and Lila is down right upset!

Maddie and Carter playing together. Carter has started cooing and screaming and Maddie was trying to compete and was doing a little scream at him too!!!

Carter relaxing in his bouncy seat. He loves this thing!!!

Lila trying to steal Carter's seat....he wasn't too happy!!!

A Cute Maddie...we have been taking her oxygen off of her and she is doing great without it. We are thinking it will for sure come off next Wed...I can't wait!!

Lila is still pretty fussy....we started her on Prevacid yesterday and she appears to be doing a little better. I just hope that once a little more gets in her system it will start to help her!

Carter playing with Izzy's hair and discovering each other...its way too early for this!

The Hoplets and Izzy spending some quality time together!!!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

4 days old adjusted age

The babies are 4 days old adjusted age today...their due date was January 13th. I just can't imagine carrying them until now...looking at their size. Wow I would have been enormous. The babies definitely have their own personalities. Carter is the self entertainer and for the most part is a really happy baby. When he is angry which is usually only when he is hungry watch out b/c he has a death scream. Lila is our drama queen and is very fussy unless she is being held and consoled but sometimes that doesn't even help. We think she might also be having some sort of reflux problem which could be part of her fussiness. Madelyn is pretty laid back but recently has started to fuss a little more. Most nights around 6pm until bedtime at 9pm the babies are the extermly fussy. I guess we should just be happy that its then and not in the middle of the night but when three babies are crying all at once and you only have two hands or even four its not the best situation:)

We went to Childrens for an eye check up on Wednesday and used the double and single stroller for the first time. It was interesting to say the least....we looked like a train coming down the hall. Most people just glanced as the double stroller went by but then when the single stroller came right behind we got a double take and by the time they got it figured out that they were triplets we were already past....but the looks were priceless. There was also parents with twins waiting for their appointment and when we parked near them they looked at us and said "we thought we had it bad". It is funny to hear people say that b/c I don't feel like we have it bad at all and wouldn't change our situation for the world.

Mommy decided to have a photo session with the babies....

Carter, Maddie, and Lila

Maddie, Carter and Lila

Naked babies are the best

Daddy with Carter and Lila

Carter sporting his UK sweatshirt that is still a little big

Madelyn...mommy took off her oxygen for a quick picture...so sweet

Carter sleeping...he doesn't do too much of this

Lila was happy once she had on her dress....so precious!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

8 weeks old...my how time flies!

The Hopperton generation Terry, Brad, Mawmaw and the babies

I can't even begin to explain how blessed we feel to have three beautiful healthy babies!! They are absolutely amazing. Even though we are sleep deprived I wouldn't want it any other way. My mom has been here helping us feed the babies, clean, do laundry and clean bottles. She went home for few days before the New Year and honesty I was anxious for her to go so I could have some one on one time with the babies. But after 48 hours I was calling her asking when she would be returning. Turns out she was doing WAY more they I had thought. When she was not around I couldn't spend anytime with the babies because after their feedings I had to clean the bottles, prepare the milk, do a quick load of laundry and whatever else needed to be done. Brad and I were sleep deprived as well...that one extra person really helps. So on New Years Eve we packed up the kids and headed to Mamoo and Papoo Hoppertons for a slumber party...and we got the slumber that night:)

Carter, Lila and Maddie arriving at Mamoo and Papoo's

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE HOPLET FAMILY

9am: Wake up for the day...Move the babies into living room and fix Maddie's oxygen tank up in living room so she can hang out for the day. Feed and change Lila, Carter and Maddie and pump while feeding

10:30 am: Put the babies in bouncy seats and clean up the feeding mess and make bottles for the next shift

11am: take a shower, get dressed and try to wake my tired self up

12pm: Feed and change the babies and pump while feeding

1:30pm Put the babies down for tummy time and play and clean up mess and make bottles. Mom does laundry and cleans or we take a break and do some us things and try to eat some lunch.

3pm: Feed and change the babies and pump while feeding

4:30pm: Play with the babies and whatever else we can get done

5pm: On Wednesday and Sunday start giving the babies a bath...it takes about an hour for all three.

6pm: Feed and change the babies and pump. Brad begins to help when he is home after work is over

7pm: Start dinner...eat and clean up and watch TV or play on the Internet

9pm: Feed babies, change, pump, and then put them to bed in their cribs for the night

10:15pm: Get ready for bed

12am: Mom and Brad get up to feed and change the babies

3am: Me and Mom get up and feed and change the babies and I pump

6am: Brad and I get up to feed and change the babies and I pump. Then sleep until 9 and Brad gets up earlier to start work and it all starts again!!!

So mostly our lives revolve around dirty diapers, milk and no sleep....but the snugly time we have makes it all worth it!!!

On our way to the doctor

Yesterday we went to the doctor for the babies had their 2 month checkup today and they are growing like weeds. This was the first time we have all been out together and we were a spectacle to say the least. Every nurse and doctor was peaking in our room to check out the babies and on our way out several people were stopping us asking if they were triplets...duh!! During this appointment they received their normal vaccines and their RSV Shot. So the babies received three shots and an oral medication. I was so upset and didn't want my babies to be hurt. They brought in an extra nurse to help console one of the babies afterwards since it was just mom and I....at this point I just thought this can't be good. So Carter was the first victim and he cried blood murder when the nurse gave him the shots and as soon as she put the last band aid on he just went right back to sleep...almost like he past out. The nurse said she has never seen anything like it...our little man is so laid back. Then it was Lila's turn and she really didn't cry too much and when it was over she whimpered a little but I gave the paci to her and she was fine. Then poor little Maddie had to go and she has no fat on her little legs and I know it must have hurt her. She cried out so loud but when it was over she was just looking around like nothing had ever happened. I am so proud of how they did...I guess those little shots are nothing compared to what they had done in the hospital. They all did really well when we got home...Maddie was the only one that woke up in the middle of the night screaming...I guess she was dreaming that the nurse was giving her more shots!!!

Here are their weights:

Carter is 7 lbs 14 ounces 20 inches long

Lila is 7 lbs 1 ounce 19 1/2 inches long

Maddie is 4 lbs 10 ounces 17 inches long

Maddie has grown a pound since she left the hospital just 2 short weeks ago. I think being home with mommy and daddy and her brother and sister has really helped her growth. She is doing wonderful and amazes me everyday when I think back to just how little she was 8 weeks ago...it is a miracle from God...they all are and I believe that they were put here to show us just how much God loves us all and what a little prayer can do. For a brief moment I felt as if I was put here to take care of these babies that would need so much care especially Maddie but they have shown me that I have just been given the opportunity to take care of three very special people that are here to fulfill something awesome that God has planned for them.....look what they have done already...they have so many people who love them so very much and have so much fight in them.