49. 4 months, endless smiles, meeting triplet mums, how im feeling and routines.

We are now closing in on 5 months! Sam and Will are way over 14lb and Robin is more than an lb bigger than them!!!! 15lb is nearly their combined weight at birth! Every time I pick him up, I can't believe how heavy he is and I really can't believe this weight was just part of what I was carrying in my belly a few months ago. 

Sleep routine

Life has been getting better and better, they doing their usual feeds every 3 hours, but regularly drop a 4 hour gap in on a lot of days. At night they tend to do a 7hr stretch, and we have seen a few 8 hour stretches too. These stretches are amazing, but not solid sleep for me yet. The first 2-3 hours after the feed are usually uninterrupted, but after that, I regularly get up to put a dummy in or do the magic fart leg wiggle. I have noticed, the last few nights, they wake up but don't necessarily want a dummy, they just chill or play with their feet, or just go back to sleep. 

Touch wood, their choking has decreased massively over the past couple of weeks. Robin woke with a small choke but cleared it in a matter of seconds. I didn't even make it to the cot before he had settled himself again. And trust me, I jump out of bed when I hear it happen.

He did however have a big one this week and it really frightened him and he took a long time to settle. He was fine but just kept wanting to tell me all about it, over and over again. 

Bedroom juggle

We needed to change our single cot to 2 cots a few weeks ago due to their size now. I put 2 cots together in their bedroom (where we still have a double bed), and we moved upstairs for a couple of nights. I put them in bed after their big night time feed (which is any time from about 6.30 at the moment), I would get everything I would need for the night time feeds set up in the bedroom and then get my head down. I took up bottles, water, formula and anything else we would need. Also, the feeding pillows, blankets, muslins and nappy changing stuff. It was quite an operation, and the actual feed was a hassle, we have a good setup downstairs. I was also worried about them crying and waking Jack and James, which made it feel rushed and stressful. James agreed that it was really hard work upstairs. He had the job of bringing them all back downstairs for the later morning feed before Jack got up. This was when the plan changed back. He had 2 of them feeding in the lounge with the monitor on the third, still asleep upstairs. He heard him snuffling so went upstairs to get him and realised he was actually choking. Nope, too scary, everybody back downstairs!

I set up the cot bed again in our bedroom with a pillow underneath the sheet in the middle so 2 heads were in the middle with feet at the ends of the cot and I set up a travel cot for the third. We have realised that having the cot on books or with a rolled up blanket underneath the sheet has helped a little with puking and choking. Hence the pillow. 

This layout only lasted a couple of weeks due to their size, so we now have 3 travel cots squeezed into our bedroom for the time being. 

When I pushed the 2 cot beds together, there is a gap between the mattresses. I rolled up blankets at the side for now, but I asked what other families did on the triplet page. One mum told me that she had heard about a twin dieing due to wriggling into her sibling, so they kept theirs separate until they were strong enough to move themselves out of danger. That's it, separate cots for ours for the time being. So its 3 travel cots in our room. It's a real squeeze, but not worth the risk for the sake of a couple more months. 

What we have been up to

We have settled into a really nice routine. Jack has also settled into it brilliantly too. 

Just for a quick moment to big Jack up. He had been really starting to test me and push his boundaries on purpose. I felt like I was putting in more and more effort with him and his behaviour was getting worse and worse, but just with me. James saw it too. I had to keep reminding myself that he is 2 and this is what they do. Don't take it personally! Anyway, we scrapped the naughty corner after I was told that older siblings can see that as being removed from the new family unit. The new plan is to threaten to, and remove his favourite item of the moment. I don't know what exactly has happened, but he seems to have turned a massive corner. He has gone back to listening really well and he has been a dream for the last 2-3 weeks! I can't tell you how much easier life is when he is being 'normal'. These last couple of days especially, I feel like we have reconnected. In the night he woke up and was acting a bit odd, like he had been sleepwalking but was crying "mummy, I want a cuddle". I climbed into bed with him and gave him a cuddle of course. And tonight, before he went to sleep he called down to me for a cuddle. (All of this has been daddy for the last few months). I got into bed and he said to me "I need you all of the time." Melted heart all over the place!!

As for our routine. James drops Jack at nursery in the mornings. I usually have a plan for Mondays, whether it's seeing someone or going to town or the supermarket. On Tuesdays we used to go to a baby group. Since it finished, we have continued to meet up. As a group of 6 mums, we get on like a house on fire so our Tuesday meets have become a bit of a therapy group for us all. Something to look forward to and really good reason to go out. Somewhere to have a laugh or a cry if we need one. So far, no tears but a huge amount of laughs. Oh, and the support and suggestions are a real lifeline. For example, it was Kat at this group who told me about the naughty step issue. She also leant me some cream to try on Williams eczema, and it's been fantastic! They have all also been such a big help for me. They help to get us all in to whoever house or garden we are meeting at. They help with feeds and changes and just pass babies around if they need settling or burping. They really are the best group I could've wished for.

Wednesdays are Jack's long day in nursery. I'm currently going to a mum and baby pilates class on a Wednesday at lunch time which is great fun.

So many people seem surprised that I'm even leaving the house. As long as I've always got in mind what time the next feed is due, anything is possible. I tend to make sure I have everything ready that I will need before I start a feed, so I can get them into their car seats as soon as the last burp, change and barf has happened. Some feeds can be as quick as 25 minutes, but it's almost guaranteed that if we want to go out, it'll take an hour and a half. 

Feeding them out and about isn't easy, but it's fine. I prop them in their car seats or on blankets, depending where we are and what I've brought with me. So far it's not been a problem at all, just a bit of a faff getting bottles ready.

On Thursday's and Fridays, I try and have plans in place. I try and make sure I have someone with me, or at least 'on call'. Paul always takes Jack out on a Friday afternoon, Annabel tends to come over on a Thursday morning if she is free, and my mum is often here on a Thursday afternoon so I've only really got Friday mornings to cover and I can usually find a fairly willing candidate. I often try to arrange for someone with their child to come and play. Jack plays really well with kids now, so they entertain themselves a lot of the time, while I can focus on the babies with the other parent. Lots of to-ing and fro-ing, but much less than if I was on my own. 

One of us tries to do an activity with Jack at the weekend. Whether it's a play centre or a trip to the supermarket and park. It's a nice excuse for everybody to get out and about and have some quality time with him. 

Weekly shop

Usually, we do the shop at the weekend and incorperate an activity with Jack, like the park. He does enjoy getting a kids trolly and being asked to find items, but it needs to be a small shop because the novelty doesn't last long. 

Not very often, I will take the triplets to do the shop, and today was one of those days. I fed at 11.20 then straight after, bundled them into the car and went to Tesco. All we did was the shop and straight home. Baring in mind, it takes some time to get the pram or trolly organised. I was lucky to find a twin trolly today, so had William in the carrier. I also got the scan as you shop set up so I just needed to put everything in the bags instead of unloading the trolly at the end. But my goodness, it takes so long to get anywhere because of the endless people stopping to ask questions and have a look. We got home at at 2.15, so straight into the next feed. During the feed I did bits of unpacking, I then burped and changed them all, had some lunch, put the rest of the shopping away and POW, it's 3.45!! This is why one activity a day is enough for us. 

The pram

I have moved the babies up to the seat part of the pram now as they are too long for the basinettes and, Will especially, loves to see what's going on. This seems to make the front even more off balance as they are seated a little higher and further back. I have now started using the pram as a twin and putting one baby in the carrier. It has been a game changer. The pram is now SO easy to push around, and I can get through most doors. Also, I have a LOT less attention. People either see a pram and a carrier, or they see a double pram and don't seem to notice the carrier. Haha. 

I have been keeping my eyes open for a stroller wagon with the hope to move them into that around Christmas time, and sell the pram. Well, guess what? One was advertised for sale IN CLITHEROE!!!

The lady selling it is somebody I had spoken to after a friend put me in contact with her. She spends most of the year abroad and her triplets are 3, so we hadn't spoken since I was pregnant. I messaged her immediately and I went to pick it up and had a lovely chat with her. It was so nice to have a conversation with someone who has been through it all before, and to speak to someone who finds all of this completely normal. She said she had heard about identical triplet boys being born locally, so we assume that is us. She also told me that 2 placentas doesn't mean they are not identical. My mind is blown again! 

Back to the identical question

The day after buying the stroller wagon, I went to meet Beth, and her 5 week old triplets. I told her about the 2 placenta thing and she explained it to me. Here is my latest understanding. If the egg splits before it has implanted, they will share a placenta, if it splits after implantation, they then create their own placentas and membranes. 

Meeting Beth's triplets

It was wonderful! Her and her husband were great! They are in a perfect routine, and recently started doing the sleep shifts which has been a game changer for them. Their 2 baby girls and baby boy are thriving and absolutely gorgeous. They look so tiny next to our little chunks, even though they were born bigger than our trio. 

I had half forgotten about those first few weeks where I was endlessly waiting for smiles and some interaction. It really was like a conveyor belt of feeds. 

When we arrived, I brought two babies into their hall and went out for number 3 and when I came back, the 2 inside were beaming at Beth and she was loving it! A few minutes later I was bobbing one on my knee and he was really enjoying himself. It was nice to see Beth and her husband watch our jolly little babies, smiling and trying to giggle and play, and see what they have to look forward to. I didn't find it a drag in those early weeks, but I was really looking forward to exactly where we are now. 

Jolly babies

We really do have the happiest little babies. All 3 of them beam whenever you look at them, it is the most magical thing to see, 3 beautiful little faces, 3 gummy little grins and 3 beautiful little sets of dazzling blue eyes, gazing up at you. There is nothing better. 

  

Nail growth and gross hair

Unfortunately, the fabulous pregnancy hair is no more. It is flat, limp, greasy and falling out. I'm back to washing it every other day, and even that is a push with the way it looks. I was amazed at how much fell out after Jack was born, and I am amazed again. Dark haired girls say they see bald patches. I am very grateful for being so pasty during this phase of recovery. But my goodness, it's SO annoying! I throw away loads every time I brush my hair, and all day long there is always some tickling my neck and arms, and I am constantly untangling it from the babies hands. Fun times!

I have noticed a strange line on both of my big toe nails. In about the same place. I figured it was something to do with growth during pregnancy, and yep, it is. Apparently, your nails can grow quicker and thinner during pregnancy, so the line must be when I became pregnant, about 13 months ago.  Looking closer, I think there is also a small dent in both nails, which could be the pregnancy I miscarried. How bizarre that I have a kind of a pregnancy timeline on my toes. 

Choking updates

We finally had a referral for the choking issue. We went to Burnley hospital and it was exactly what we expected. He examined them and asked loads of questions. He insisted on doing one baby at a time and asked the same questions for each one. The answers were the same for all 3, and I said that at the start. He wasn't even filling in forms, it was all just notes he was making. Anyway, at the end of the appointment he told me it is probably just their immature systems creating reflux and not keeping fluids down sufficiently. As they get stronger it will stop. He also said that when they move to solid food, that should also help. They are all very pukey babies and we spoke about that too, which also will improve in time. 

On our way out of the hospital, I followed signs to a different exit, and walked right past the ultrasound department. It was a Tuesday. Multiples clinic day! I popped in and was able to say hi to Caroline and a few other staff members. And of course, introduce them to the little black and white blobs they had all seen so much of on the screen. They also told me that they have 3 sets of triplets going through right now! So much for their rest after us, and the usual 1 in 1 out system! Bonkers!!

In sync. 

These babies are so incredibly similar, or in sync, I don't know what to call it, but every milestone they hit, them seem to all do it within a day or two of each other. The smiles all happened at about the same time, and babbling too. Robin is the most expressive when he chatters, but they have all found their shriek voice now too. William found it one morning, then the other two followed the next day. A few days later, Will started to lift his legs in the air, Sam followed suit the next day. Robin hasn't joined in with the legs in the air so much, instead, he puts one in the air as if he is showing you his foot. Just the one foot. However, he rolls onto his side, which the others don't do, he also wants to be on his tummy a lot more than the others. This, so far, is the only really different thing they do.  

Me

Me? I'm feeling great! I feel like I barely stop, but I feel great because of it. I have actively been watching what I eat for a few weeks, and pushing myself with the pilates and doing some exercises at home to try and help me to gain a little strength and start to tone up a little. I've never been a fitness nut, but I have always been a bit careful with diet and weight. I started climbing at uni and it helped with back problems, so it became as much if a necessity as a hobby. Aerial has replaced climbing andbecame much more than both of those things, and the biggest benefit is how good it makes me feel, and I love the way it 'had' made me look.... 

But for now, it's no biscuits, no crisps, no cake, no chocolate. Well, not endless snacking on these things, which is what I was doing. I was tired and it was an easy sugar kick, and habit. This with the bits of excercise I am doing has very quickly made me feel better. I feel more energised and I feel like I'm starting to look a bit more like I want to look again.