Homecoming Anniversary

Marcos and Sofia...

Your homecoming anniversary is here.  

You have been home one year today (August 23, 2012).

That was one happy and emotional day. 

I remember thinking Marcos and Sofia are free!

Marcos, weighing a little over 5 pounds, while tiny but mighty Sofia had not even reached the big 5.  I'll never forget your discharge day.  It somehow took a long time to get out of the hospital.  Maybe I was procrastinating, only because your big brother, Carlos, could not join us yet. 

That first evening was chaotic.  

Your big sister had Back to School night and not long after unloading the van and getting you out of the car seats, Daddy had to go to her school.  

I attempted to feed you both at the same time.  

A few loud screams, nursing, pumping, and bottle feeding, it's now a big blur.  

Marcos, you are mama's boy and love to be cuddled and tickled.  Most of the time you are mellow unless you are lacking sleep. Here is our picture on your discharge day.  I love how you love food.  You are so willing to try everything mama gives you.  Today you ate puree peaches and cherries, buttery toast and Cheerios for breakfast. Today you took your first bite out of a peach, and LOVED it.  You kind of scream at me when I don't feed you fast enough.  You are so tolerant and let big sis cuddle you and squeeze your cheeks.  

Sofia, you were feisty from day one.  We are so thankful for all your strength.  We all know you are in charge.  I love how you always sit back and observe.  You take the world in.  You have come so far, and as your pediatrician said this week..."You have exceeded everyone's expectations."

It's Back to School Night again.

 This year mommy went, while daddy did the night routine.

We feel so blessed to have been chosen to be your mom and dad.  It hasn't been easy, its been quite the journey (and still is) but we are so happy God allowed us to bring you home. 

Your first few weeks of life were hard. I'll never be able to explain why.  

We no longer question your premature birth but know you truly are one of God's little miracles.

Happy Homecoming Day!

 Carlitos's Homecoming Day is coming soon along with the first adjusted birthday!!

One post way overdue

In April before illness number who knows what began, the hubby and I got a much needed break!  We had amazing babysitters, three of our NICU nurses came to visit and watched the babies, while Isabella went to the city with my sister who was visiting from Arizona.  It felt like a real date! A nice, quiet and relaxing lunch, some good wine later followed by a good cup of joe.  Thank you nurse Jacqui, Jen and Monica!!

We loved our team of nurses. One of the many blessings since the babies were born. We often felt like the trio had their own dream team who took care of them.  We started with three different teams of primary nurses and as the trio got bigger, healthier, started co-bedding and closer to discharge our teams merged.
This always kept me guessing who would take care of the three.  I even heard rumors that the nurses would try to sign up for them, and they would take turns.  It was the greatest feeling knowing that our babies were well cared for and loved.  And now we are so lucky to have quite a few of them visit once in awhile.  I love it!
As happy as I was to have all three babies home, it was weird not seeing our nurses and visiting the hospital every day.  I think well into month 2 of our NICU stay, we had a pretty good routine, I knew what my day would look like everyday starting with the long commute. Visiting our babies in the hospital became our norm.  It makes me so happy to still see our nurses.  We love the entire ICN staff at Kaiser San Francisco and our babies would not be here without them. I can't believe this micro preemie triplet journey began exactly one year ago (tomorrow).

Some pics of their day:

Previous visit with Nurse Jacqui and Nurse Monica back in November:

 I think Sofia was sleeping...

And our most recent visit..thank you ladies! My massage was wonderful.

Thanksgiving weekend

Thanksgiving sure was different this year.  A bit hard to enjoy the turkey when you have 3 screaming babies.  I don't think they screamed more than they usually do, maybe a bit since Marcos is sick but I guess we have not tried to actually sit at the table since they have been home.  Our Thanksgiving dinner (cooked by my mother in law) lasted 10 minutes before one, two and three babies needed something. I kinda  had a feeling.

To be honest, I really wasn't in the mood.  I was feeling a bit homesick.  This is my first Thanksgiving in CA away from family and friends, and I felt it.   

It was impossible to get all three babies awake and happy for a picture all day long. 

They all took turns sleeping...the cons of having no schedule yet for this trio. 

But I was happy to at least get some pics with their Thanksgiving clothes on.

And some pics with mommy...these are rare.  There are only so many days I actually get fully ready and put make up on.

And so the holiday season begins...not sure what to expect.  This is the first black Friday I have missed in a long time.  I missed it.  I even gave it some thought...would sacrificing the little sleep I get be worth the door busters? I decided against it.  Besides Bella and Marcos were still coughing a lot.  And I started feeling sick that night. Sickness plus 3 months of little sleep and crying babies did not allow us to get the Christmas tree out this weekend.  Weeks like this past one make me feel that it may be somewhat of an impossible task. I have absolutely no down time...Ok, I cannot start complaining.  God help me not sweat the small stuff and give strength and patience to get through each day.

It's really hard for me to get in front of the camera but participating in Mommy and Me Monday has gotten me some great pics that I will treasure forever!

Won't you join us?

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?