Little Miss...

Tomorrow morning Gracie will be measured for her cranial helmet. Her little body will be supported by braces from her feet to her head with her leg braces, neck brace, and helmet. I feel happy and kind of sad because it is so much but I know out of the 3 she is the only one that can handle this stuff. To think of where Ricky and I've been with us planning a funeral for this sweet little girl while I was pregnant to her now, she is a true miracle!
Something weighing heavy on my heart is the unknown with her. Her vocal cord paralysis, Genetics, her leg and feet, the fact she may have to walk with a walker. My guard is up so high for her. I'm ok with whatever she will need and whatever her best is but I'm hear to say that I will not tolerate ignorant questions or people being mean to her. Not that anyone has but the questions we get already are horrible and people are so mean to those who are not the "norm". You know what the best thing God gave her? It is her smile. She lights a room with her smile and little spirit. What a gift she is to us!

Krista

Great news Tuesday!!!

I feel like we are the luckiest little family in the world. Today was full of wonderful news so I will try to explain everything over my excitement.

Today we had Orthopedic and Pulmonogist appointments.

The pulmonologist checked Brody and Gracie out and I must admit, a mother's intuition is correct 99.9% of the time. For some time now I've had Brody and Gracie off of oxygen and all the medications. I did this for a couple of reasons : 1 because we monitored their saturation and they were great like 95-100% at play and at sleep 2 because the medications were $3000 per child and insurance did not cover all of that.  Anyway, I was really dreading the appointment because I didn't want to be yelled at or for the doctor to think I was a bad mom so I kind of went in there with my tail between my legs and head down. She checked Brody out and was blown away with his growth and his energy. She was so pleased with him and kept commenting on how healthy he is looking. She looked over Gracie too and said something along the lines of she has grown a lot but she is your little one out of the bunch. Well, she reviewed the file and said I was right with discontinuing the oxygen and medications!!! Just call me Dr. MOM :)
After leaving there with pep in my step we fought for a elevator big enough to fit the triplet stroller (all to go down 1 floor). The Orthopedic looked at Gracie's foot and we also talked about her leg. Basically we are going to go back into the AFO shoe without the brace when her foot finishes healing. The little tiny bit of negative news is Gracie's leg is more like a webbed leg. The doctor wants to see what Genetics thinks before we look into Botox, casting, etc. but she thinks we will probably end up doing a surgery to release that tendon when she is a little older. The great news is we didn't need to go back in a cast.
Continuing on with the great news. Ricky applied for a new position within his company about 3 weeks ago and we waited..... and waited...... and all our family and friends waited...... and asked...... and annoyingly asked again..... and we found out he got the position!!! The HR lady told Ricky "They (meaning the management and department) are going to be so excited you have accepted this job. I'm going to go tell the right now!" How awesome is that?  The even better news...... wait for it.......wait for it..... are you sitting down..... your ready....... IT IS ONLY 4 DAYS PER WEEK!!!! Do you know what this means for me???? I get help 3 days per week!!!!!! The other wonderful news is he will be off work at 4:30 pm every single day. This is HUGE for our family. The 15+ hour days 80-100 hours Monday- Sunday are over!
The other great news is we are getting our roof replaced on Thursday for a GREAT price.
Things are really falling into place for us. Health wise for our babies and our daily lives.

Gracie got her neck brace yesterday. It is not fun at all. We hope she breaks the habit of turning her head to the right as soon as possible so she will be able to stop using it.

We've got triple therapy tomorrow so I better get to sleep.

I'm so thankful that God continues to show favor to our family. Thanks to all who pray for us.

Krista

Brody's eye appointment follow up

I didn't have a chance to post about Brody's eye appointment so here goes:

We arrived about 45 minutes early. I was excited to actually have a wait time so I could feed the babies but no such luck, they called us in early. Anyway, Madi was beyond mad because she was hungry so she cried the whole time and Brody and Gracie joined in. Anyway, Dr. Coats walks in, asked me what was going on, and I explained all of mine, Ricky's, and our therapists concerns. He looked at Brody and said, "Man, two milimeter pupils!" I said that was another of our conerns. He told me not to worry about that, Brody is just that way. Dr. Coats pulled out a couple of toys without lights. Guess what Brody did...... just guess...... well the boy looked to the right, left, up, down, all around. Yep, he never does that at home. So then Dr. Coats stands up, goes to the right and left, squats down, stands up, etc. guess what Brody does.... just guess.... oh he follows his every move looking right at him. I turned him to face me and said "Well I guess you made a story maker out of me!" I told him about Brody crossing his eyes all the time and of course we couldn't make him do it.  SERIOUSLY?  The doctor said "He sees better than you think he sees." I asked about his eyes shaking and he told me that is from his brain bleed. We will need to follow up with the Neurologist about that.
Moral of the story is this: I'm going to pull all my hair out and have a freaking anxiety attack because Brody is so strong willed and hard headed. This is also why I'm not an Opthamologist because obviously I know nothing about eyes. The doctor does not think he needs vision therapy and at this time does not need glasses. The crossing of his eyes is ok as long as he can uncross them. If there comes a time (which there might) that he cannot uncross them then he may need eye surgery. This is another effect of the laser surgery. He wants to see him back in 6 months , and did I mention Brody is driving us crazy when he does not look at us? But, this is really great news that nothing is wrong.

Am I only turning 25 this year?????

Aging by the minute....

Krista

OMG!

BRODY CAN SIT!

I sat him up and let go and HE DID IT!! HE DID IT!!

WHOO HOO!!! YES!!

Watch out world :)

Busy Babies and Busy Momma

I'm not sure the kids and I could be any busier. Monday and Wednesday was therapy, today we had Madi's Cardiologist appointment, and tomorrow Brody has an eye appointment.
Madi's Cardio appointment went very well. She does not need to go back to the Cardiologist unless the Pediatrician feels there is a concern. I asked the doctor if he would also take a look at Brody and Gracie's case since we were already there and luckily he agreed. Brody does not need to go back. Before he was released from the hospital there was a very big concern of him developing corpulmonal which is fatal. Our Cardiologist today actually was the physician that reviewed his Echo while in the hospital and told me today that we have nothing to worry about with him and he will not need to be seen again. Gracie has a tiny hole that is of no concern and will eventually close by itself. I also asked him about all of them having the PDA (heart surgery their first week of life) what affects that will have on them in life. I asked if they would be able to be active and play sports or whatever (I've been concerned with all the kids dieing lately of heart conditions during basketball or football games) he said we have nothing to worry about and it was actually an extra cushion since they have the little clamp on that valve.  So bottom line: we don't need to see the Cardiologist again and I am so thankful for that. * He did comment on how well behaved the babies were and that they are so calm and friendly :)
Tomorrow is a very big appointment for me. I want answers. When we went to Brody's eye appointment in January, we did not see our Opthamologist that did Brody's laser surgery and has seen him and the girls every time. It was someone he had never met and very old. He told me Brody didn't need glasses and his eyes were perfect. I'm no Opthamologist but something is going on with his eyes and I'm anxious to see our actual doctor tomorrow. I don't know what Brody's vision is but for him to only respond to bright lights is an alarm or look directly at bright sun light and it not bother him. He does not look at us and when he is looking at something it is off in a distance like he is in another world. His eyes are crossing and they shake at times. We are trying to get into the Nova Clinic. The clinic is one of a few in the world that can tell you every detail of his eyes. The problem is we are on an 8 month waiting list. There is no way I can get around that and that sucks.
Moving on to more of our busy schedule....
Monday the kids have their RSV shot, Gracie will get her collar for her neck and they have triple therapy, Tuesday Gracie has her Orthopedic appointment about the issues with her leg braces and to see if she needs to go back into a cast, Wednesday we have triple therapy, Thursday ECI is coming out for the monthly check in to see how we are doing and what appointments we've had and the results for the month, Gracie will also be fitted for her cranial helmet, and on Friday the babies will be 9 months old (how is this happening?) and they have their 9 month check up with the Pediatrician and more shots.
The following 3 weeks after that will be busy too. I guess our little break has been nice but time to get back in the swing of things.
For now I'm going to enjoy my weekend. I'm having dinner and shopping with a friend tomorrow night and Saturday my niece Kelsey will have her first T ball game that we will be attending. It might be smart to sleep on Sunday :)
Please keep the kids in your prayers. We can never have enough and always appreciate them. I will update with doctor visit statuses as I can.

Krista

My Dad...

Today is the 7 year anniversary of my Dad's death. Ricky and I cannot believe it has already been 7 years. In so many ways it seems very recent and in others a decade ago. We miss him so very much but are so thankful we were able to witness God's love as He sent angels, my dad's brothers, to take him home for eternal life. If there is a such thing as a beautiful death, it would be my father's.
I'm so grateful for my dad's love for me. It was not until after his death that I realized how amazing his life story was. He came from nothing to become very successful and finally at the end, God fearing during his fight with cancer.
The biggest sadness I have today is the reality that he is not here to be Papa for Brody, Gracie, and Madilynn. He would have been at that hospital every single day during their fight and would be a very big part in their daily lives. I know that for sure. I do know that he is our guardian angel. I feel very lucky that our little family has him looking over us and I know he was by their sides in the darkest hours.
A lot has changed since his passing. I was 17 then, now 24. Not a day goes by without me thinking of him.
Madilynn Faith is named after my dad, Lynn's Faith = Madilynn Faith. His journey with cancer and his Faith changed mine and Ricky's lives forever.

Lynn Austin Bice
May 30, 1957- March 20, 2004

Ready to hit the waves!!!

Eating

Have I shared that I've been making the Triplets' baby food? Well, I have been! Meme & Papa bought me a food processor for Christmas and I've put it to great use. So far, I've made kiwi, sweet potatoes, carrots, bananas, and boiled chicken. Now don't get too crazy thinking I don't buy baby food because I do but I'm trying to cut back on that for a couple reasons: 1 we go through so much! Gracie and Madi eat 3 containers 3X per day and once Brody starts eating food consistently he will be there too. 2 have you ever looked at baby food? If not, the next time your at the store just stroll down that isle and pick one up... I dare you!!! The meats smell like dog food, yuck! 3 I would like them to eat fresh foods as much as possible. I'm on a mission to have my kids eat healthy and as sugar free and processed as possible. That being said, Ricky and I will need to do that too before the kiddos call us out on it :) Now the main reason I'm still buying baby food is because the girls are so crazy about  texture. Gracie is the worse about it but Madi has a little struggle too. Anything that is not extremely smooth makes them gag (they are so dramatic) so I dip my baby food then dip the Gerber baby food until I've tricked them into eating just my food  :) sneaky momma!!
Tomorrow our Dream Team is back out. Usually they only come out on Monday and Wednesday but we are making up Monday's appointment we had to cancel. I'm excited to visit with our Speech Therapist regarding Brody. He had a very bad episode Tuesday while eating and I thought he might die on me. He threw up ALL of the food he had ate but he can't swallow all of his saliva so he couldn't clear his airways with the food and saliva. I grabbed him out of his high chair and put him on the floor, rolled him on his side and pat his back but he still was not catching his breath, meanwhile, he is flapping his arms and legs like he was drowning. Finally after what seemed like forever he cried. I knew then he could breath but it took him a few minutes to recover. I was a wreck after. I couldn't stop shaking. That kind of stuff scares me to death! So, we need to come up with a plan of action that will work for me and Brody everyday even when Speech is not here. That is what is so sad with Brody because he is hungry but he will either stop eating and start crying, won't eat at all, or make himself throw up. All of the above is why he is not gaining weight. I've got major pressure. Pressure to make sure he is safe and pressure to make sure he is gaining weight.

Wish us luck! This will get better I'm sure of it but I wish it would be better now. Oh and the reason he can't swallow his spit like he should and keep his mouth closed is because all of his facial muscles and muscles in his mouth are extremely weak from being on the ventilator for so long.

Krista

HUGE, HUGE, HUGE progress!

Brody STANDING up PLAYING with his toy with the assistance from our DREAM TEAM! A month ago Brody couldn't stand because he couldn't support his weight. A MONTH AGO! He is hard headed for sure but the kid is AMAZING and our team of people great too!

BL3SSED!

Krista

update on Gracie

She will be just fine. The doctor put her on antibiotics and she is not to wear the brace until it heals up which he said could take up to 10 days. We have to keep ointment on it and clean it at least two times per day.

Thanks for the prayers.

Krista

Prayer request for Gracie

It has been a while since we've had an urgent prayer request but we've got one.

Gracie's brace has rubbed the back of her heel very badly. It is infected  and some skin has even turned black. The adjustments to the brace have prevented her from being able to get her foot out of the brace but she has not changed her behavior in trying to get it out so it has rubbed it raw. We are taking her to the Pedi this morning and I will post an update ASAP.

Here is the issue: her heel is not where it should be. The bone itself is raised and that foot is very flat because it has been corrected by being turned the right way. Since her foot is like this, she has been able to get out of all her braces. We are on her second pair (they cost $1500.00) so they have tried to fix them to where she can't get out of them. They've done this for two reasons, 1 because there is no other brace option and she needs them but 2 because they cost so darn much. When they adjusted them they put a little piece of foam above her ankle bone in the back but she keeps trying to get out of them which has caused the new problem.

Thanks for the prayers for her.

Krista

Brody March 13, 2011

I just discovered my toes!!

Brody finally leaving the hospital 5.5 months old December 15, 2010

Brody 1 day old 1 pound 14 ounces

BFF

Best Friends!

Hi everyone!

Spring is here!! I'm so happy! Therapy was so great yesterday. It was a very long day but so worth it! Brody drank out of a CUP yesterday!! It was an actual cup with no lid or straw. Speech thinks he will be able to do better using a cup then bottle so he does not burn so many calories. He also ate food using a special spoon. We have a lot of work to do with his facial muscles but we will get there, I'm sure of it. He was so tired by the time he got to the PT therapist that he fell asleep within 5 minutes of exercising but he did wake up for the OT therapist and got a very good workout.

Gracie did great as well with speech. She was doing great with texture until the therapist made the food very thick, she cried then. That's my Gracie 0-60 with no warning. She had a great workout with PT and OT and is even tolerating her head being turned to the left.

Madi did great with OT and PT. She gets so exhausted after just one workout. I tell her to look at her bubby and sissy with their 3 workouts. She is scooting forward now and reaching for toys a lot. I'm so excited but am I ready for her to be crawling? Probably not.

Anyway, the therapist were here from 9-2 and then a lady came out to fix Gracie's brace at 3. When a looked up again it was 5. Where do the days go? The lady did such a great job fixing her brace and refused to charge me or our insurance. Isn't that so sweet? And that was the very first time we had ever dealt with her. It won't be our last for sure.

I was looking at pictures last night from when the babies were born. It is so amazing at how far they've come and how big they've gotten. Ricky and I are so lucky. The outcome could have been so bad but for whatever reason God showed favor to us. It is something we don't take lightly and don't forget. In the next couple days I'm going to post some pictures of each baby from birth to now. I'm so excited to do this little project! But first, I've got to get everything ready for our taxes!

Have a great day!

Krista

AWSOME stuff from D.R.

So I'm not sure if I've posted about Dave Ramsey or not be I heart Dave Ramsey! If your not sure who that is, GOOGLE HIM! His concepts work. Anyway, I was reading something he told one of his callers and thought it was so fitting and of course I'm going to share :)

"You're going to find you have relatives you don't agree with. That's part of the beauty of family. You get to hang out with people you otherwise wouldn't. You'll just learn to love some of them anyway. You don't have to be mean about it, but you do have to be tough on the concepts."

Isn't that great? Now, if you have ANY debt, start his program! We only have 2 debts left!! On ONE income!!!


Very quick update:

I'm still sicker than a dog and now Ricky is getting it too :(   NO FUN!
Luckily, the babies do not have it.


Krista

Quick update

This has been a bad week for me. I've been sick for several days. Luckily the babies or Ricky have not got this terrible bug. Not sure where I got it since we don't go anywhere but it has hit me like a ton of bricks! Let me just say, it is so very hard to take care of multiple babies while you are sicker than a dog!

We have a new speech therapist for Brody and Gracie. I'm very excited. I think we finally have our dream team of therapist. The other lady just wasn't cutting it. Both responded very well to her today. We have a lot for Brody to accomplish in a very short amount of time when it comes to his feeding. The bottom line is he has to gain weight and thrive. He also has to get stronger to support his body which is growing length wise daily. There are so many issues with his muscle tone that affects his feeding and every day life. His posture is weak therefore it affects his head. Everything else is a domino affect. He holds his tongue out at all times. This is not good at all. Once we go to the Neurologist at the end of May we will find out if we can use an electro device to stimulate his facial muscles. We have to make sure his brain will be able to tolerate it. There is so much pressure on me to make sure his eating issues are resolved. I'm really looking forward to his success and the weight off my back.
Gracie is doing well. She is starting to "bat" at toys. This is a huge step in her therapy.
Madi is starting to reach for you sometimes.

Well, I better get busy. I've got a ton of laundry, bottles, and house cleaning to catch up on.

Have a great weekend!

Krista

8 months old today!