Four Weeks Old

My babies are four weeks old today. It hardly seems possible, and yet it seems like I've known them a while now.

We had a BIG evening for David. He ROLLED over!! We laid David and Aria on their tummies for a few minutes of tummy play time. He got mad because he was hungry and rolled himself right over! I almost missed it because I wanted to go get a camera. I'm so glad Dan saved me from running out of the room and said to just stay and watch him. It was awesome. He shouldn't even be born yet... their due date was July 3rd. He and Levi are exceptionally strong and everybody who tries to burp them agrees. Here are some pictures of my strong boys:

David hanging out trying to burp with one of our helpers from church.

Levi lifting his head right off the ground during his tummy time.

The boys hanging out in their bouncy seats, Momma rocking with her toes.


Here is a picture of Aria in my favorite preemie outfit of hers. I love the cap sleeves and the detailed collar. She won't be able to wear it much longer. I'm also going to post a picture taken of her in the hospital to compare how much she has grown. I'm so proud of my little treasures!

Big Levi!

Levi had his follow-up appointment today, a week after leaving the NICU. He shocked us by weighing in at 7 pounds!! I can't believe how big our "Little Levi" is! He is 20.5 inches long now. It's also interesting that David and Aria still feel distinctly heavier when you pick them up. I have big babies! They are growing up so fast. Levi weighed 4 lbs. 7 ozs. when he was born, so he has gained 2 1/2 pounds. I guess they are eating enough. They are definitely Dan's children, growing so well.

It's a little after midnight and I'm up typing while "Jon and Kate Plus 8" is on TV. They give me hope that 3 babies will be manageable. It has been quite manageable with all the help we've had so far. I had a nice 2 hour nap a little while ago so I'm on duty for now. Aunt Mimi is sleeping in the recliner, ready to help when they all get hungry again. We pray they all don't get hungry at once, because THAT is hectic.

My babies are such noisy sleepers. They grunt and groan a ton, and then settle back down. Levi is laying beside my leg and has a tiny snore. I can hear his breathing, which is nice since he is on the monitor and we want him to keep breathing. David does a lot of grunting because he eats as much air as he does food with a bottle. Aria will squeak every once in a while. I've learned I don't need to jump up at every little sound... just the crying when they really are awake.

On Thursday, we will have a nurse come to the house to see how we're doing and weigh them. I can't to see how much everyone weighs.

I don't have a ton to write about other than that. Life is feeding, changing, rocking and sleeping lately. But, it's a lovely life. I have three precious, soft faces to kiss. There are six tiny hands to grasp around my fingers. There are 30 fingers and 30 toes to gaze with wonder at their tiny size. There are six feet to adore and watch kick freely when babies are stretching. I love how each of my babies look very unique and different to me. I've never come close to wondering who I was looking at. I love that I can look at pictures and know which baby is in them. I love that I don't have to be a baby hog and can share this precious time with so many. I'm so glad there have been so many arms to hold and love babies... they need all they can get. I don't have to worry about anyone being neglected.

Ok, everyone is still quiet, so I'm going to close my eyes for a little while. Nighty-night everyone. More pictures another day.

Love, Elizabeth

Some photos with Momma's side of the Family

My mom was here all week with us but had to go home today. :( We took some pictures with the proud Rigsby grandparents. David has the darker shorts and more hair than Levi. I guess looking at the pictures now, the order stays the same: David, Aria, Levi! Even though Mom had to go, my aunt Marie is here with us for the week. We'll have to get pictures with her and her great-niece and nephews soon.





I was pretty excited today to be back in my old clothes. I'm glad I didn't worry about weight issues during the pregnancy and just ate to grow babies. It worked out well for their healthy birth weights and I'm bouncing back fine.




Momma and her baby girl... and I swear she has a future in performing. She's the girl of 10,000 faces.

Aria as relaxed as can be.

David with his Daddy's wedding ring in the palm of his hand.

Everybody is home! The Nebelsick's finally have a full house!

Ok, quick post because I have GOT to get in the shower! Oh yeah, and everyone would probably appreciate it if I brushed my teeth too. No wonder the babies make funny faces when I get close for kisses!

All joking aside, things are going really well here at home with three babies. My mom is here and has been a bigger help than I could have imagined or ever expected her to be. Also, our pastor's wife has scheduled help to come for 6 hour shifts a couple times a day. Having extra hands when all three babies want food is so helpful! They've all allowed me to get sleep and take care of myself as well as the kiddos. We are so blessed!

We have enjoyed lots of good times already at home. They all took their first baths in a tub the other night. We are learning that David is an incredible burper as long as you can get it out of him. Aria is our best sleeper and is very consistently good for us. Levi is our little squeaker and still on a monitor. He has had a couple spells, so we are grateful to have that warning in place.

Here are some recent pictures of our family.

Everyone together in the NICU lobby at their first graduation. We love our triplet stroller and were so proud to wheel them out together.


This is Dan riding in the back with the three babies in the carseats. We have had one of us riding back there keeping an eye on them. They love their carseats so far and never stir when they are in them. We'll see if that lasts.


The boys in some matching outfits. They sat together very well.



Aria in her little summer dress.


The trio on their three week birthday!! We took this at 3:02, celebrating when they were born! I'll never forget it.


Dan and his little girl after her bath. He did the little curl on top of her head too!

Happy Father's Day, Daniel!

I am writing to you from what I hope is our last night in the NICU. We got news today that Levi is supposed to be headed home a day early!! It's Sunday night and I'm staying over to make sure that I can be here when everything is happening in the morning. Needless to say, it takes a village and a couple hours (maybe slightly less) to get David and Aria ready to leave home... at least it did today. So, this way we don't have to worry about rushing to get here in time for anything. David and Aria are safe and sound at home with their Daddy, Grandma Rigsby and Aunt Mimi. Yes, it takes three of us. Dan and Mom recruited Mimi tonight in place of me. :)

Of course, Friday was a little hard on us. It was less than wonderful to leave little Levi behind. But, I know we needed him to stay so we know he is okay. God has a plan for our family and we trust Him. He gave me a huge blessing as we were leaving town with our little ones. A soft mist of rain had passed quickly over Sioux Falls, and we drove toward a double rainbow with our duo. I knew God was watching over us and sending me a promise of His faithfulness.

Ahhh, it has been so wonderful to have two of our babies home. The first night/morning could have gone better, but the trouble was not their fault. I was up with them for the 3am shift and was freezing cold! Then I got nauseous, and then was burning up. Finally, about 6am I realized I should probably see if I had a temperature and sure enough... 104.5 degrees. As soon as I told that number to the doctor, he said to go to the ER right away. I was a little freaked out, but feeling crummy enough not to over-react. After being checked over at our hometown emergency room, their determined I was getting an infection, mastitis. I started on antibiotics right away. Dan and my mom sent me to bed for the rest of the day and I'm sooo grateful. The fever was down by that night and I'm feeling pretty good. I've heard this is supposed to be really horrible feeling but I'm not getting that yet.

Today was an awesome day!! I'm so glad we have a day to celebrate fathers! First of all, I have a great father who is really itching to be with his grandchildren. I'm pretty sure nothing could stop him from coming this weekend to see his grandbabies. Then there is Dan's dad and getting to celebrate the man who raised my husband to be who he is today. And finally, I get to celebrate the most wonderful, caring father I could imagine being married to. He is thoughtful and sweet, patient and kind. Even in his exhaustion, I see contentment and happiness in him that hadn't been there before. He did so much to make sure they had the best start by helping me stay pregnant 35 weeks. I couldn't have done it without him. Now, I feel like he's still taking care of me and them! What a Daddy.

Well, I have got to get some sleep before Levi wakes up for the next round of changing and eating. I'll post some pictures and call it good! Keep in mind some of these pictures are old because I didn't have a computer all week.

David, sung as a bug in a rug, still in the hospital last week.

Levi

Aria... she slept like this for an hour and never stirred. She LOVES her feet out! We'll have to talk about being lady-like another day.

Aunt Amber avoiding an explosive burp from Levi. He initiated her into Auntie-hood.

Daddy playing mechanic on the carseats. :)

Daddy and his three angels.

A close-up.

My Grandpa Dickey and his first great-grandchildren. He's the only other person to hold all three babies besides Dan and I.

Four generations.

Family photo time! Just before splitting up for the weekend.

In the double stroller out in the NICU lobby. Forever released to our care!! Yay!

The rainbow... who says Friday the 13th is bad?

David and Aria at home at last!


Nigh-Night!

Graduation for David and Aria

David, Aria and Levi are doing sooo great. They are all eating lots and growing so well. We get compliments from the nurses about how they are such good babies. I hope they keep these personalities for home!

Not the best news ever today. Levi has to wait to come home until Tuesday. The rule is he has to stay 7 days after having his last "spell". He has a mild bit of sleep apnea (I have no idea to spell that on this much sleep!). Levi will go home with a monitor for when he's sleeping or in a carseat. But, that makes us feel better about making sure he's okay. It's so funny that he started out the strongest with breathing and now he's holding up the game.

Obviously, this does not make a happy mommy out of me. I am quite upset about leaving my little Levi and splitting up the babies for a few days. Once David and Aria leave the NICU, they cannot come back in, so there will not be a reunion possible until Levi is discharged. I'm really sad because my grandpa and aunt are coming for the weekend and the kids won't be together to spend time with them. I'm feeling jipped for everyone, including the kiddos. But, I know this is for the best so I have to get over it and make the best of the situation. We are very blessed my mom is coming this week and can make having babies in two locations a little easier.

One plus is that Dan and I will be immersed into parenthood with taking home two babies, instead of completely submerged by taking home all three. I know Levi is in great hands with 24/7 intensive care nurses, but they aren't Mommy and Daddy. I don't know how much we will get back up there, and Levi can't have visitors without one of us there. It's quite the pickle they put us in.

I still don't have a computer to download pictures on. I apologize. Now I must try to sleep. Pray tomorrow is not too hard on this sad Mommy.

Love, Elizabeth

Weights

My babies are getting big! I keep forgetting to post their weights!

David Andrew - 5 lb. 13 oz.
Aria Louise - 5 lbs. 10 oz.
Levi Timothy - 5 lbs. 7 oz.

They are all 3 oz. apart! Levi is working his hardest not to be the littlest anymore. I think he wants to be a big brother to his sister. He has a little more chin now, not so much neck.

Off to the hospital!

Such a big day

David and Aria passed their carseat "test". They had a to prove they could maintain all their stats while in a carseat for 30 minutes before they can be discharged. This is one more goal taken care of before going home! Levi will pass his tomorrow (Mommy says confidently... :D ). We will know more about the rest of Levi's status with going home in the morning.

Sorry there are no photos tonight. I can't get the photos off my camera without my computer, and it is at home.

In other news, I got to lay on my stomach to sleep for the first time since Decemeber today! This was huge for me because I was always a tummy sleeper. I've also already lost 40 pounds, so I should write a book about the triplet diet, don't cha think? Ha. Can't say I really recommend it for everyone, I guess.

Dan got to FINALLY hold all three of his children at once tonight. It was the cutest thing ever! The nurses all paraded in to see the beautiful sight. They all oohed and ahhed. I thought Dan would be embarrassed or something but he loved showing off his adorable kids. It's hard not to just burst with pride. I can't wait to put the pictures on here. Dan is supposed to be bringing our computer back tomorrow.

Time for sleep again. We don't have very much longer of the 24/7 nursing care so I must take advantage for two more nights! Wow! Life is about to get BUSY!

Friday? Could it be??

The best news yet!! NICU graduation is in sight! I showed up this morning to clean-faced babies! All the feeding tubes are gone. David, Aria and Levi are all getting all their food through bottles and nursing. They are doing SO well! There is talk of David and Aria coming home on FRIDAY! They won't say the same about Levi yet because he had the spells. Levi hasn't had one since yesterday, so there is hope. He is going to be monitored extra close tonight for 12 hours. IF he passes... he could be headed home with us too. I want that sooo bad. I pray for my family to be all together. It would be hard to have Levi far away and try to still care for David and Aria. Pray, pray, pray and I know it can happen. It has been so wonderful that the kiddos have stayed at the same level developmentally so far, and I don't want that to change.

I can't wait until my babies don't have wires attached anymore. I can't wait to hold them all in my arms. I can't wait to see them lay together in their crib in their own nursery. I can't wait to be there when Dan gets home from work. There is so much to look forward to.

I only have 30 minutes until it's time to feed my little David again, so I'm going to go lay down and rest. Hopefully I'll have time to post pictures tonight!

Six bottles per day x three babies!

Quick post... but we have another milestone on our path to freedom! The kiddos are bottling SIX feedings per day now. They are eating VERY well so far so I'm praying they don't get tuckered out as they have more and more in a row. They ambushed me with crying a little while ago and I realized how short I am on hands! (The nurse was out of the room, but it was a good reality check!) It will be helpful when they are not wired to seperate corners of a room too.

Other news: we have used 1300 of 1400 minutes on our cell phone this month! I'm going to have to stop with middle of the day updates but we'll make it to the 15th somehow. I can't believe we have used so many, but it has been the month of our lives!

Alright, back to my three babies!

Eating!

Just so you know... this is my second post today... 16 adorable picture are below this post! :)


We had a great surprise today! All three kiddos are taking their full feedings through a bottle. They only get to bottle feed 4 times a day out of eight, but this is really big news. Previously, they were only getting to try parts of a bottle. Now, the goal will be to eat all their feedings without getting tired and pooping out. If they do well, they will get to bottle 6 times per day. The last step they have to be successful at is 8 feedings a day. So, we don't feel we have a terrible amount of time before they get to go home.

We get asked SEVERAL times a day if we know when they are coming home - and no, we will not know until a day or two before it will happen and they won't tell us until then.

I ask you to pray that they are all strong and have endurance for eating and gaining weight. I would LOVE to have them home by Father's Day. What a wonderful present for one of the best fathers I have ever seen. We've been told that is a steep goal, but nothing is impossible with God.

Ok, gotta get back to the bebes!

New Pictures!

My little cuddle bugs


Triplet bonding time… Look at those hands!


Peek-a-boo!! David peeking at Aria, and Levi is loving his spot back in the middle of everything.


Another version of a favorite photo


Our “home away from home”. The little ones all snug in their beds.


Here are some personality pictures:

Aria doing what she loves best, stretching! Look at those knees!


Levi VERY upset he had to get naked for his turn on the scale and getting a bath. He’s holding on for dear life!


Levi with one tiny finger stuck under the feeding tube.


David’s deep soulful eyes... very calm, cool and collected.


After a bath time, each babe got a nice clean preemie outfit. These photos give absolutely no perspective as to how tiny they really are! They are in order again: David, Aria and Levi.


Aria looks like she's getting ready to direct her first choir!




Here’s some perspective: MY thumb next to Aria’s leg


Daddy reading David his “birth” day present: Happy Birthday to You by Dr. Seuss. Each baby got a book from Daddy with a love letter inside and Mommy got one too. Could he be more wonderful?


Levi and Daddy doing some “Kangaroo Care”. They fell asleep on the couch.


Angel bears looking over the baby bears. Thanks Aunt MiMi and Aunt Donna!!


Here are the lyrics to a lullaby I like to sing the babies when I have them snuggled close. It’s always been my favorite song and now I hold the ones I’ve dreamed about my whole life.

Masterpiece
(spoken: “You made my whole being. You formed me in my mother’s body. You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother’s body. I praise You because You made me in an amazing and wonderful way.”)

Before you had a name, or opened up your eyes
Or anyone could recognize your face.
You were being formed, so delicate in size
Secluded in God’s safe and hidden place.
With your little tiny hands and little tiny feet
And little eyes that shimmer like a pearl.
He breathed in you a song and to make it all complete
He brought the masterpiece into the world.

You are a masterpiece, a new creation He has formed
And you’re as soft and fresh as a snowy winter morn
And I’m so glad that God has given you to me
Little lamb of God, you are a masterpiece.