Week 6: Our new buggy and some big steps

Last updated: 07/09/2015 12:45 by LivingWithTriplets to LivingWithTriplets's Blog
Filed under: MummyBloggers
Well, here we are, six weeks on from the babies being born.
 
I got to drive after four weeks, which was great and my energy levels have reverted back to how they were before I was pregnant. My tummy is not doing too bad on slimming down and although I am tired, I’m getting into the swing of getting up every three hours in the night. What I have not practiced for is that I will be up every three hours during the night when the babies come home, but not for 30 minutes it currently takes me to express. It will be more like 1.5-2 hours, so I don't think I have experienced full sleep deprivation yet!
 
So when are we getting these babies home? Well, while I have hoped and wished for it to happen as soon as possible, I have absolutely no control over it. They are over 35 weeks now and technically all above the minimum weight levels to be able to come home, but we are still not at that stage. 
 
At the moment, they are all getting used to bottle-feeding. Rebecca and Róisín were taking one bottle every two tubes, but have now joined Elliot in taking one bottle to one tube. Elliot definitely turned a corner last week and is opening his eyes, looking round and opening his mouth for the bottle. The girls are not quite so alert right now.
 
In the last week, Elliot and Rebecca have both reached a size where we are able to bath them and last weekend, we got a demonstration on how to do it properly. They showed us a technique where we wash their head and face first while they’re wrapped up in the towel and being held in a rugby ball grip. After that we take off their nappy and put them in the bath, supporting their head across the back of our wrist and holding their far shoulder to prevent them from slipping.
 
Both of them seemed to enjoy the bath and there were no cries, which was good. They recommend to bath them a couple of times a week and they leave it to us to do now, which is great. Róisín will be able to have a bath tomorrow, having finally put on enough weight.
 
The triplets also had their second eye test last week. I was advised by the nurses not to watch as it was not a very nice thing to see, but my husband had just popped in during his lunch break and didn’t want to leave them. The little screeches of crying from each of them while it was being done was heartbreaking. Luckily Conor was there to console each of them after the test was finished. The nurses say it is not actually too uncomfortable and the tests do detect any issues at an early stage, which is good but the babies were so upset you do wonder. Unfortunately, they do have to have one more eye test and then they will be left alone, but so far so good.
 
 
Our new buggy arrived yesterday and Conor put it together – rest assured, we certainly won't be missed with it! We tested it in the boot of the car and it fits. We also tried it with the stroller seats and Maxi-Cosi car seats on and it all looked great. We are just waiting for the bassinets to arrive too and it will be complete. It won't fit through the front door when all the parts are on because it is two-babies wide, but I much prefer it to the three in a row because it is more compact and the babies can all look at you or each other. We had a bit of fun pushing it up and down the road getting in practice before the real deal!
 
As well as getting to know our new buggy, we also had a lovely little blessing for the babies yesterday, which the Chaplain of The Coombe did for us. It was so beautiful and the words were just lovely. The Chaplain prayed for me and Conor, Conor’s parents, my mum and also for my dad who died last year. She then went on to say a beautiful blessing for each child. It was even more special because, by chance, my mum and sister were able to be there.
 
Unfortunately, Conor's parents could not be there due to his mum having shingles, so they needed to stay away. It was such a special blessing with beautiful words so I am so glad we did it.
 
My older brother, mum and sister all visited during the week. It has been so lovely having their company as I go in and out of hospital and also to have my family around. My younger brother comes next weekend so we just have to hope and pray one or more of the babies have mastered bottle-feeding so they can come home to us. 
 
Déanta in Éirinn - Sheology
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