October 18, 2007

It has been a while since our last update. We have been pretty busy since Stone, Tyler, and Kieran learned to walk.

Since April, we have seen our little babies turn into amazing toddlers. This summer they learned to swim, count to 10, and recognize the entire alphabet. They also sign or recognize over 40 signs from the American Sign Language. Their English and Spanish vocabulary is expanding rapidly and verbalizing 2-3 word sentences. By August we stopped making bottles and did very well through the transition to sippy cups. They also learned to use and eat with a fork. We are now in the process of potty trainning as they show many signs of readiness. However, Mommy and Daddy are NOT ready.

We continue to follow a pretty tight daily routine and despite the constant teething, they still manage a good night sleep from 6:30 PM to 7:00 AM. We change about 18 diapers per day. Our grocery bill has increased exponentially with numerous weekly trips to the store. Daily, they may eat about 8-10 yogurts, 3 eggs, 1/2 gallon of milk, 3-6 bananas, 4-5 cups of cheerios, 1 bowl of oatmeal with raisins, 1/4 liter of juice, chicken, or fish, veggies, strawberries and/or grapes, 10-12 crackers, bread, homemade veggie muffins, etc. Do the math!

Every day we wake up in awe of our children. They have come so far from being 3 pound preemies. Every day they amaze us and manage to fill our heart with yet more love than the day before. We are truly lucky and blessed to be their parents and have them in our care.

Thank you for checking our progress.

Love,

The Colgans

April 3, 2007

Welcome to toddlerhood! Stone started toddling around 3 days ago and yesterday Kieran did too. It is both exciting and exhausting. They want to practice this skill at the same time (over & over again) and seem to enjoy it so much. While one walks off from my arms, the other is walking back.

They don't have great balance yet so there are many falls and bumps. Kieran got a split lip yesterday--not a serious injury but that's just the start. He seems to be the most adventurous and a thrill seeker. He's not afraid of trying new things, foods, etc.  

Tyler  loves to look at books. Everywhere we go, she brings her books along and spends long periods of time browsing and studying each picture in detail.

Their vocabulary is expanding as well. They comprehend more than they can speak but they try to imitate sounds. In addition to saying Mama and Dada, Stone can clearly say "clock, mas (more in Spanish), and hat. They all look at many different things when they are named and at times point to them.

I started teaching basic signing words and they have picked up, signs for "more, food, milk, hat, time, and airplane."

It is never too late to learn to swim, so they are learning to swim. Well, more like splash, kick, float, and hold their breaths briefly under water. They are having a hard time with the latter but we are working on it. 

 Until next time,

The Colgans

March 5, 2007

Yeah!  We made it through our first year of triplet parenthood. The past year was extraordinary and we couldn't have asked for more.

We celebrated their first birthday with our family. We took the babies to a Disney resort to have breakfast with the Disney characters (goofy and Max) and they really enjoyed it. The grandparents and Godparents joined us at the house to celebrate and enjoy watching the cake eating and gift unwrapping activities.  

Stone, Tyler, and Kieran fill our days with laughter, giggles, love, and lots of kisses. There is of course the inevitable pushing, shoving, screaming, and pulling of hair-- Keeping us on our toes at all moments. They are cruising along furniture and standing solo for short periods of time, but are good walkers when assisted by a hand and are working up the courage to take off walking on their own--It is just a matter of days.

With their newly attained mobility, some of the things that were seemingly easy and went smoothly when they were infants are now a distant memory. Diaper changes and dressing them has become more like a 3-match wrestling competition.--Not even kidding! They are strong and know what they want and when, nothing to do with the skinny little 3 pounders from a year ago. Oh, I am NOT complaining...this is the best part of the evening routine because it means I am seconds from tucking myself in my bed and going to sleep by 8:30 PM! 

Our happy little girl loves to sing, look at books, and inspect every little nook and cranny around the house. She is definitely a little princess who likes to get her way. The boys are lovable, happy boys who enjoy playing with a ball, chasing each other around the house, pounding the walls, and competing for Mommy?s attention.

Tyler is the only one with a beautiful pair of pearly whites on the bottom. The boys are happy and proud to show off their gummies! Nothing yet for them. Despite their lack of teeth, they can eat anything--and A LOT . Being good eaters makes it easier to introduce lots of different flavors and textures into their diet. They love broccoli, sweet potatoes, squash, beans, lentils, fish, tofu, green beans, pasta, avocado, etc.

Time has flown by and we have learned so much about them, from them, and about ourselves. We are looking forward to the next year and years ahead as we know they will be filled with love, wonder, and accomplishment.

Until the next update.

The Colgans

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

And a lovely Christmas it was in our home--perfect in every way. We had our three beautiful and healthy little miracles from God, our love for each other, health, lots of giggles and cuddles, and of course...gifts to unwrap (LOTS of them!).

We are extremely tired just from having to pick up all the toys and the clean up that comes with such a joyful occassion. For our exhausting day began at 0430 when our little Kieran decided he'd waited long enough for Santa and wanted out of the crib to start our day. So everyone up and drinking bottles at 0500 to get ready to start the process of tearing into the gift boxes under the tree. Soon we figured out that 10-month-olds don't care about what's in the boxes, they just want to play with the bows and chew on the carton packages, and go on about their daily routine. So, after a couple of presents, toys, and bows, it was time to nap--solely to repeat this process another 5 times.

Despite our exhaustion, this was the best Christmas ever and we are looking forward to next year.

Update:

All three are crawling. Tyler (as usual) was the first to start about 3 weeks ago, kieran followed, and on Christmas eve...Stone did too! Now, they all go in three different directions. Some times they'll travel as a pack. Kieran is the instigator and the other two will follow as they venture and explore a new room in the house.

Tyler loves to pull herself up or crawl over anything she finds (including her bothers) which, they don't find amusing because their little muscles are no match for her.

They all can sit unassisted and love to feed themselves puffs, buiscuits, well they'll put just about anything in their mouths. 15 jars of baby food,  4-6 bottles of formula, cereal, cheeze, and fruits are the daily norm for our hungry little guys. Of course, more food=more poop (about 20-24 diapers daily).

Despite many letters to Santa asking for some teeth, we are still waiting to see those adorable little pearls in their gums.

November 25, 2006

Hi everyone, sorry about the lack of updates. We have been busy chasing babies, feeding, changing, singing, playing, picking up toys, and...you get our point!

Stone, Kieran , and Tyler are 9 months old today. The past week seems like someone turned on the switch on them. They are very active, wiggly, funny little guys. It is impossible not to have a permanent smile on our faces--It is so much fun to discover along them and experience their first anything.

Tyler creeps around exploring anything in sight. She started to attempt pulling herself up which prompted us to lower her crib matress right away. Kieran loves to play pony and rock back and forth, jump, make funny faces, and laugh. Stone has a sweet, funny spirit--he likes to tease, get tickled, and be hugged--you'll always see him with a sweet smile on his face.

We had a quiet, yummy Thanksgiving with our family here at home. The babies got to eat real turkey, mashed tators, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce. They loved it! Daddy was busy all weekend getting the house ready for Christmas and getting the office set up in our bedroom to convert the office into a playroom.

September 25, 2006

7 months WOW! The babies are getting so big. Stone is 14 pounds, Tyler and Kieran are13.5 pounds. They are almost 5 times bigger than they were at birth. Eating exponentially more and getting to be so much fun.

Three weeks ago they discovered they had a voice and could scream real loud--they are not afraid to practice this new skill. Tyler is very independent and eager to learn. She wants to take mommy's spoon and feed herself, drink from a cup and hold her own bottle. The boys are very content to let mommy hold the bottle for them.

With the new acquired skills come new things to worry about like the fifty or so electrical outlets around the house, stairs, cabinet doors, etc. Our little princess has begun to crawl like a worm. She can worm herself around and cannot be left unattended for one second--very busy girl.

Last week, we had our first cold. It spread very quickly and everyone was sick. Taking care of three sick babies while we were exhausted and sick was not fun--But we got through it like we always do. Oooh, we have so much to look forward to!

Thanks for checking this update.

September 8, 2006

We have posted pictures of Stone, Kieran, and Tyler's birthday. The first week of their life was one of the most stressful, nerve wrecking, tiring, but joyful time of our lives. Remembering our tiny and very fragile babies struggle to breath, facing one set back after the other is a very personal and painful memory that we do not want to forget. We have to remember that time and be ever so greatful that they got through it amazingly well and are now very healthy, spunky, and lovely six-month-olds. We want to share these pictures because they help tell the story of how far Stone, Kieran, and Tyler have come--and in a very personal way, how Andy and I felt that day.

August 25, 2006

We are half-way to our first birthday. Today the babies turn 6 months old! Unbelievable...at times it still just doesn't seem real. Three babies, three times the fun, three times the love. And how could we love our babies any more? Just when we think our love for them could not possibly grow anymore, there is a little suddle smile at you, or their first actual word         "Da-Da" that just melts our hearts and we can feel that love meter go way high!

Everybody told us it would be A LOT of work (having the three babies)--a lot of work they are, that it would be VERY expensive to raise them--it sure has been, that the life we had as a couple we could have NO more--right on the money! That our new life would be the best ride of our lives...it has so far surpassed every expectation and how amazing it is to have our three wondeful little babies.

Yes, today for the first time Tyler repeated after me "Da-Da" (twice). Of course, as long as Daddy is watching, she won't say it. She also started to hold the bottle on her own with some assistance. Stone and Kieran are not very far behind. All over 12 pounds, they have started to eat solid foods and make a "controlled" mess.

Two weeks ago we held a small ceremony to celebrate the babies' christening at the Holy Church here in town.  Tyler had the distinct honor of wearing the "Colgan Christening gown" which has been worn for 67 years by all the Colgan children and passed down from generation to generation. The boys wore the gown for pictures, which will be placed in the memories book that travels along with this special gown. Congratulations Stone, Kieran, and Tyler for becoming members of our Christian community.

July 12, 2006

10 pounders!! Wow...they are growing sooo fast and how much fun we are having. They have started to baby talk--cooing, agaaah, hey, ka! etc., calling your attention to them and giggling when you look back at them. We see some definite likes and dislikes--Kieran loves the swing, Tyler likes the aquarium bouncy seat, and Stone is a TV watcher! They continue to sleep through the night, now from 8:30 PM through 6:30 AM--while their naps are getting shorter and shorter.

Yesterday, as we were walking into the pediatrician's office a lady carrying an infant said to me as she held the door open..."three babies? uuh... I am so sorry!"  I have to say that out of all the comments we get --most of which are positive and supportive, this one seemed to have truly touched a nerve in me. My reply to her and to anyone who wonders what is like to take care of three little angels at the same time is the following:  "Stone, Kieran and Tyler are the greatest gifts in our lives. We are truly blessed and happy to have had the three of them and there isn't a thing we'd change! So, please don't feel sorry for us. Be happy because we are!" 

Thank you for checking the updates

The Colgans

June 17, 2006

HURRAY!!

We are sleeping through the night!! and Mommy is soooo happy and well rested!

June 11, 2006

Time flies by when you're having fun! Days are a blur. Seems like we are on a fast track and can't slow down. The babies a growing sooo fast and achieving milestones ahead of their time. This is our life summed up in a paragraph.

Well, we moved into our new home and are settling in nicely. There is still much more unpacking to do and projects to get done but we are enjoying every minute of it. The babies have their new (dorm) nursery and are enjoying the separate sleeping arrangements--They were getting too crowded and disturbing each other's sleep, so they sleep in their own cribs now.

Despite their prematurity, the babies are achieving milestones appropriate for a 3-4 month old. Developmentally, they should be at a 1-month-old stage (This is calculated by their due date "adjusted age"). They hold their head with a slight babble, pick their heads off the bed to turn from side to side, track objects, and smile back.

While Grandma Ruth is in New York, Grandma Pat and Pop are with us helping out with the babies. The night shifts are not easy even on a 4-5 hour feeding schedule and having the grandparents help is invaluable. We walk around like zombies during the day but everybody just keeps plugging along!   

Tyler: 8.6 lbs

Kieran: 7.13

Stone: 7.15

Since the triplets came home we have fed more than 1,000 bottles of formula, changed more than 1,300 diapers and gotten fewer than 5 hours of sleep on any given night.

Until next time,

The Colgans

May 7, 2006

 Sorry about the lapse since the last update. As you can imagine, there is "NO MORE FREE TIME".

Stone, Kieran, & Tyler came home 4 weeks ago and since then, we have been pretty busy getting acquainted and trying to figure out a routine. The first week was exhausting, to say the least. All three babies came home on apnea monitors and that made it all the more difficult to get any "z's" whatsoever. They did very well for the first couple of days (no apnea or bradycardia episodes) and the monitors went out the window.  We were able to get them on a pretty good feeding schedule (every 4-5 hours); it allows us to get at least 2 hours of "interrupted" sleep in between--someone is always fussing about something.

Doctor's appointments are a challenge. It takes about 2 hours to get ready and out the door--but in case I don't want to be late, I build another 30 min. into prep time (someone inevitably has an accident right as I step out the door). Feedings occur on schedule as the three are pretty good eaters--no need to set up the alarm clock! Tyler is demanding--she wants her food NOW! Stone and Kieran are very patient and are just happy to be. They are very good babies.

Andy is working VERY HARD to provide for our instant family and he misses his helper (me) at the office. When at home, our time is entirely devoted to caring for our little ones. Grandma Ruth helps out immensely with feedings, baths, laundry, preparing dinner, giving cuddles and kisses, etc. (Couldn't do it without her!)

Now that we have settled into a decent routine it's time to pack and move. Yeah! As if we didn't have enough on our plate, we are moving this week. Our new home is finished and on our "FREE TIME" we sort, pack and throw away stuff we haven't looked at in 10 years--It seems like we just got here.

Quick weight stats: Stone 5.6, Kieran 5.8, Tyler 6.0 (Good weights for their due date of May 3rd, 2006)

Speaking of which, I have to run to feed a very hungry little girl. Thanks for checking this update. Until next time...

The Colgans

March 4, 2006

Hello family and friends,

We would like to thank all of you for your warm thoughts and prayers.

Our three bundles of joy arrived February 25, 2006. Stone Preston, Kieran Brady, and Tyler Alexa were delivered at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach. They weighed 3.3, 3.1, and 2.11 respectively. The boys are blonde, have a full head of hair and look like their Daddy. Tyler has dark hair and looks like Mommy.

All three babies are in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). They are now breathing on their own and needing no supplemental oxygen. Although they have their premature moments, overall are strong and thriving in their new world. 

Please continue your prayers so that we may bring them home soon.

Love to all,

Andy and Alexis

February 8, 2006

We reached yet another milestone. 28 weeks today!! The babies weigh an average of 2.5 lbs.  Statistically, they now have a 90% chance of survival. The lungs are maturing, which increases the chances of survival in the event of premature delivery. The body continues to fatten. They can move more, kick, and punch. Their eyes can now open and they begin to stay awake and alert for short periods.

As for me, the glucose tolerance test (checks for gestational diabetes) was negative. The FFN test (checks for signs of premature labor during the next 2 weeks) was negative. Blood pressure is good. I am now on full bed rest with bathroom privileges and the weekly doctor's appointments. The body loses muscle tone and strength very rapidly which means I tire very easily (a trip to the shower does it for me), the joints become very stiff and achy. I also need to maintain a high but healthy daily caloric intake of 4000 calories. Mandatory bed rest is not fun and tough I'm not particularly enjoying it, I lovingly do it because I know each day that passes provides the babies a better chance of survival and a smaller risk of health problems.

Last Sunday we had a very nice and successful babyshower. Our friends from Daytona, Curt and Maria graciously hosted it. Family and friends alike shared the work of making our shower very special. Thanks to our guests and those who could not attend for your generosity.

Alexis

January 20, 2006

This week was a very good week in that we completed week 25 and the babies are still in their little cacoons. Alexis is healthy and doing well. The contractions have lessened but the weight keep creeping up (130 lbs and counting). It has also become increasingly more difficult to do any type of activity--including breathing, sleeping, you name it.

Today we went for a 4-D ultrasound and it was an incredibly sweet, life changing experience. We got to meet our babies while still in the womb. They are perfect and beautiful. We can't wait to have them with us.

January 9, 2006

Today we went for our monthly ultrasound scan. The perinatologist checks each baby from head to toe and so far, their physiological markers are all within the normal growth curve for their gestational age. Babies A, B, and C weigh 1lb 6oz, 1lb 6oz, 1lb 5oz respectively. They are very active in their little world. Our baby girl loves to suck her thumb and one of the boys likes to stretch his legs without regards for Mommy's bladder.

We are in week 24 of gestation. This week marks an important milestone because the babies are now considered to be in the viability period. This means if the babies were born now, they would have a small chance at survival outside the womb. These little guys are tough! We'll keep praying that they hang in there until at least week 34.

Alexis continues to take medication for contractions and modified bedrest as prescribed. The babies are growing so fast that every day the belly just gets bigger and bigger!