Noah And The Trio: Miss Aria is home!

I'm so sorry for the lack of update but all it means is I officially have no time to update because...

Miss Aria Marie is home! She came home on Wednesday, December 3rd and spent 125 days in the nicu. The nicu gave us an amazing send off with doctors, nurses, and therapists. We brought Jude and Cadence with us. We got pictures of our three Neonatologists holding each one. Dr. Maciulla, my ob., also came down to say goodbye. We were excited to be done with the nicu, but sad, too, because we've made some very nice relationships.

Ari is doing GREAT at home! She is a very chill baby and only cries when she is hungry pretty much. Her appetite has been increasing since she's been home too and she has really taken to nursing. As of today, she is 7lbs140z! She has also been smiling- not just "I just farted" smile but deliberate, real smiles! She also holds her head and neck up the best out of all three and the pediatrician thinks she looks the most "mature." She is my little cutie with the sweetest round blue/gray eyes and light skin and hair!

Jude and Cadence are doing very well. They are a few Oz shy of 10lbs. I can't believe it! Jude has an appointment with the pulmonologist this week to see if he still needs oxygen. I've been doing room air trials with him with his pulse Ox on and he mostly sats in the 90s. I don't think it will be too much longer! Go Jude! Jude also has the handsomest blue eyes. I think they are blue enough to where they may stay blue. Cadence is doing well and is the best eater. She sometimes even does 4oz bottles! Go Cadee! She is my dark beauty with brown eyes and dark brown hair and olive tones skin. She looks the most different than her siblings but my mom says she looks a lot like me when I was a baby.

Noah is doing great with all 3 home. He is very helpful and lightens the mood so we aren't just in baby moad all day long. We are enjoying watching Christmas movies and shows on tv and enjoying other Christmas things like baking cookies and Tim and I were able to take him on a date to zoo lights and I took him to see Santa at the nicu with Cadence. We wish we can bring him to church, of course, but for now it is better to keep him quarantined from other kids so he doesn't get ill and get the babies ill. It is my worst fear.

We've been practicing feeding two at once and even all three at once. We are introducing a little bit of formula mixed with breastmilk because my frozen stash us dwindling pretty fast. I am proud to say that my babies were exclusively breastfed for nearly 5 months. I still pump 3x a day and produce 40 ounces per day and plan on pumping until I have nothing left. Jude and Aria breastfeeding really well too so I think my supply should be okay for another few months. While bottle feeding, we figured out that Jude and Cadence are up to 18-20 ounces per day and Aria is up to 16-18. I like bottle feeding so I can see what they are taking but breastfeeding is also nice too :)

Thank you, everyone, for the prayers. We could not have done it without all the love and encouragement. We know that The Lord performed a miracle. We heard how unusually well our babies did in the nicu compared to other 26 weekers. Unfortunately, Aria was next to a baby her last week who did not make it and the baby was a 27 weeker. We pray for that grieving family. It makes us hold our babies tighter and thank God everyday for them. We just need to keep them healthy this winter so we do not put their lives in danger. We are praying for health for our entire family right now. The babies have tons of doctor's appointments and I have already shown up to two wrong appointments. Go me!

Thank you, to everyone who signed up and brought us a meal and for all the many gifts. Thank you to everyone who has been helping, too! Especially my mom and Maria, who have been so dedicated in helping us!

Here are some updated pictures of our last day in the nicu and us at home. I love Christmas time and so glad my entire family is "home" to celebrate the birth if Christ.

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Tim, Dr. Livingston with Cadence, Dr. Bayder with Jude, Dr. K with Aria and me.

Me and Cadee, Tim and Jude, and Dr. Maciulla with Ari.

The send- off and triplet stroller (thank you, Jocelyn. Thinking if Kingsley, River, and Sawyer everyday <3)

First picture of the trio "home."

In their Christmas Jammies!

Big brother in his Jammies!

Christmas card photoshoot! (Ok, it is really hard to get triplets and a toddler all looking good!)

All mommy wants is a silent night. The babies, seriously, hardly ever cry and the nicu taught them to self soothe. I just loved these onsies and couldn't resist :)

The nicu invited us to come back and see Santa. It is a tradition we will do every year. I wasn't brave enough to bring all 4 of my kids so I eeny, meany, miney, moed it :) Noah had precidence, of course, and Cadence won :)