Whew! I’m back, just for a minute……

Well……….I’m back, sorry for the delay (who didn’t know as soon as I started typing this post Scrappy would begin to fuss, be right back).  OK, back again, where was I……..I’m covering “my shift” right now and figured I could do a quick post.  I can not believe I have not posted since November 1st!  Where has the time gone?  I know some of you have been following our story on Kristi’s blog  and apologize for my lack of updates.  Needless to say, things have been pretty crazy.  Let’s see, how can I sum it up in a run on sentence…….”Boom” the guys are here, “phew” the van got a flat tire in the ramp of the hospital, “bam” the pathfinder “pathy” is a near total loss from accident on the way to Eli’s memorial service, who cares though the boys are here and doing great, “huh” – what’s wrong with Austin…..VSD?  Heart surgery?  He’ll be fine though when they do surgery in a couple months, great! Gerrit is coming home, what’s that?  Austin is having surgery this Friday?  Well, let’s get Gerrit home and start packing for Ann Arbor………….

Get the idea?  It’s been crazy.  I could have gone on but I didn’t want to bore you.  One thing is for sure, this road to parenthood has had many detours, turns, construction rods (caused flat on van tire), twists and burns but Kristi and I have said many times, if we had to do it all over again we would because these guys are the greatest and have been well worth the wait. 

So, again, sorry for the delay in posting but I hope to do better in the future with at least a post update every week or so. 

I end this post with this brief story.  A couple days ago I was feeling a little bold and told Kristi she should get out for a few hours and attend the knit-a-long, or knit-a-thon or whatever they call it at Threadbear.  It would be good for her to get out and enjoy some time with her knitting friends and plus, the boys had been as quiet as two mice in a…… (I can’t remember the saying).  Well, as soon as Kristi walked out the door the choas began.  Austin started with a flurry of grunts, stopped, gave me a quick stare as if to say, “get ready Dad, here we come”.  Then came the shreaking cries, from both of them as if to try and outcry each other.  I focused on Austin because he was obviously leading in the crying game (wasn’t that a movie?) and I noticed he began to change colors right before my eyes and much quicker than that mood ring I had when I was in 5th grade (I traded it for a Steely – Steel marble).  Then came the bugging of the eyes, Marty Feldman-esque.  Something had to be terribly wrong, this can’t be normal.  What should I do?  Pack them both up and head to the Pediatrician’s office?  Call Kristi back?  I couldn’t do that……she was probably just getting there and started to cast on or something (isn’t that what you call it?).  Well, I resorted to the trusty old taking of his temperature.  I took his temperature but didn’t know what to do with it when I got it……..what’s normal?  Where’s the owner’s manual for these little dudes?  I began to feel like I was in over my head.  So, I called the Peds office instead and talked to the nurse practitioner.  She was very nice but not very supportive of my situation.  We had just had an appointment yesterday with Austin and he seemed fine.  Long story short, I answered her many questions and she finally gave me her professional opinion, “Noel, your boys are fine, you’re just going to have to weather the storm”.  Weather the storm?  What storm?  Foolishly I giggled (trying to maintain the slightest bit of dignity) and thanked her.  After about 10 more minutes of swaddling, stuffing binkies in mouths, that Kangaroo thingy, checking diapers, trying to find the right swingie or bouncie to stop the madness.  Finally silence, in amazement that the crying had stopped I looked into Austin’s eyes and swear I heard him speak his first words.  It went something like this, “Dad, we’re the storm!”. 

THE STORM!

Elija (Eli) Domingo

Kristi and I would like to thank everyone for their kind words, thoughtful messages and continued prayers.  Baby Eli will never be forgotten and someday, when they are able to understand, Eli’s brothers will know about their courageous triplet brother.  Again I would like to thank everyone;  Kristi’s knitting community and my new friends (“Knitter’s ROCK!”), our family and friends and co-workers.  Kristi and I have grieved and will continue to grieve for our Baby Eli but are focused now on the well-being and arrival of Eli’s two brothers.  Yesterday’s ultrasound showed they are doing fine and continue to grow.  Kristi has mentioned it in her post that upon returning home from a Doctor’s appointment last week, my co-workers had left a beautiful flower arrangement and a framed poem, “To All Parents by Edgar A. Guest“ on or porch.  I would like to end this post with that appropriate and comforting poem that warmed our hearts and allowed us to cry together and begin the healing:

To All Parents by Edgar A. Guest

“I’ll lend you for a little time a child of mine..”  the universe said,

“For you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he’s dead”

It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three,

But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?”

He’ll bring his charms to gladden you and shall his stay be brief.

You’ll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.”

“I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return

But there are lessons taught there, I want my child to learn

I’ve looked the wide world over in my search for teachers true

And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes, I have selected you.

Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,

Not hate me when I come to call to take him home again?”

I fancied that I heard them say, “Thy will be done”

For all the joy a child shall bring, the risk of grief we’ll run.

We’ll shelter him with tenderness, we’ll love him while we may

And for the happiness we’ve known forever grateful stay;

But shall the angels call for him much sooner than we’ve planned.

We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.”

 

Our love to you now and forever Baby Elija,

Mom and Dad    

Grief

Hello everyone, we have some bad news.  Our doctor informed us today that Baby B died within the last week.  He had no explanation for the loss so far along in the pregnancy and as you can imagine, all of us are shocked as  each boy was progressing well.  We are undergoing tests and constant monitoring to ensure that the the other two babies remain healthy.  The only guesses at this point is that Baby B had some heart or chromosonal abnormality.  We are praying that it was nothing that could impact the remaining two boys who at this point, the doctor believes are doing fine – they are 3 lbs and 2 lbs 8 oz and strong heartbeats.  We are both just devasted with shock, grief, and fear.  We have the delivery date scheduled November 17 if we are able to make it that far and if all remains well with the the two remaining babies.   Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. 

CHECK OUT BOYS IN UTERO

Quick post here to let you know I have updated the “Boys in Utero” page.  Click on the tab above to view.  Enjoy. 

Thank you all for your nice responses to my first post.  Take care and keep in touch.

Welcome to Los Tres Dutchicans

Welcome everyone to my first blogsite that, of course, will keep our family and friends posted with all the information on our upcoming delivery of triplets.  Kristi is doing good although each day becomes a bit tougher and a bit longer.  I will say though she is being a champ and not complaining too much.  We, well she, has made it to the 28 week mark which is considered a crucial mark in triplet pregnancies.  Each Thursday marks another week and Kristi’s new goal is the 30 week mark which will hopefully be followed by 32 then 34 and so on up until the 36 week mark.  The average gestation in triplet pregnancies is 32 weeks and if all goes well (as it has so far) the kids will be with us in mid to late November or early to mid December.  They will probably spend sometime in NICU upon arrival as it is very common that triplets are born preemies.  The way the Doctor explained it to us is that every added week now will more than likely reduce a week in NICU when they are born, for the most part.  As you can all imagine Kristi and I have gone through many emotions in this pregnancy; excitement at the learning we were pregnant, shock to find out they were announcing we were more than likely having twins, and then of course major league shock when they told us “there’s another one in there, your having triplets”.  Kristi and I were literally in a state of shock for 3 to 4 days, only muttering words to each other in passing such as, “three?” or “triplets?”.  We truly couldn’t be happier and yes, we know, it’s going to be crazy crazy crazy!  For those that do not know yet, our latest news is that the triplets are all boys.  I have been scheming and planning for a way to get urinals installed in our bathrooms.  Nah, I’m sure they will all be GREAT aims, hopefully anyway, unlike their father who is now content with simply sitting. 

So, welcome all, welcome to OUR LIFE WITH TRIPLETS.  We will keep you posted and please be patient with me, I am just a beginner blogger and am sure to make mistakes. 

I also wanted to welcome all of Kristi’s knitting  friends (more like family) by officially telling you all in my own words, THANK YOU – THANK YOU – THANK YOU!!!!  I will say it now and say it always, “KNITTERS ROCK”!!!  For those who don’t know it yet Kristi’s knitting community has started an on-line virtual baby-shower, or knit-shower for Los Tres Dutchicans.  See for yourself.  What a great group of people who have been there with Kristi through this entire pregnancy and even been through our prior bumps and bruises.  Thank you all again you wonderful wonderful people, KNITTERS ROCK!