Oh Virginia

Greetings All!

Well, we're home.  :Deep breath:

I'll say it again.  We're home.  I can hardly believe it, but I am more grateful than words could ever express.  The journey home was exhausting, but so worth it.  Let me catch you up a bit.

As you may know, a very generous friend helped us get home by way of private jet. We are so grateful to that family as well as to those of you who tried to help us find a way home.  There are no words to be able to tell you how supported I feel.  Thank you.  From my parents' friends from high school to my friends from my hometown to our new friends in Cville to nurses in the NyICU at St. Josephs, thank you for your generosity and love.  I believe it's Proverbs 22:9 that says the "generous will themselves be blessed."  God bless you, generous ones, we are so grateful.

Once we learned that we could fly home via private jet, we began to pack up our Arizona house.  A big thank you to the St. Joseph's NyICU nurses who came to help with the children while we packed.  We couldn't have done it without you.

I'm still recovering physically from my C-section and being on my feet all day as I packed up the rental house was by far one of the toughest physical activities I've had during this postpartum period.  Still, I did go to my last postpartum check up and I've been cleared for all physical activity.  That's a good thing because I'm pretty sure I'll never rest again.  Oh well--on we go!

We packed up the Arizona house and prepared for departure.  Both Michael's and my moms are in AZ with us, so we flew my mom back to Virginia ahead of us to prepare for the arrival and Michael's mom stayed behind and helped us get on the plane.  Then, she flew to Virginia behind us.

The private jet experience was one like I'd never experienced.  I certainly understand the luxury behind this industry.  Wowsa!  We caused quite a spectacle with our five car seats, dog, and 3 adults piling onto this luxurious jet.  Many heads turned as we transferred car seat after car seat out of the car and into the plane.  The kids did SO well on the plane--it must've been that excellent care!

Ready for departure!  Five car seats and all!

We fed all five kiddos two meals while in flight.  I'm afraid I didn't receive the beverage service, but the kids did!

Landed safely in VA!

Millie was bored the entire flight..no movie to watch!

We asked one of the amazing nurses at the nursery ICU at St Joseph's in Arizona to fly on the jet with us in case a medical emergency arose.  She was a rock star.  Changed diapers, fed meals, and kept ME calm all in the course of three hours.  Her husband even drove us to the airport.  We absolutely adore their family.  

After loading into our family's cars, we arrived home.  What a treat.  I think I finally breathed a sigh of relief.  We made it.  I'd gotten our family home.  Maybe these super mommy powers were a real thing?

Many thanks to Screenco (and my Dad) for this adorable sign!!

As we walked into this home that I hadn't seen for almost six months, I smelled the "my house" smells and saw all of the items I'd lovingly furnished our home with.  I immediately felt more in control of this chaos and ready to tackle my new challenge of managing this family.

The first few nights were tough because the kids were adjusting to the new setting (and the new time zone), but with the help of two sets of grandparents, we made it through.  I can't tell you the amount of joy it brings me to watch my children with my parents. My dad can sing some excellent songs as he holds these little ones. He's especially charmed little Ava.  She thinks he's the best thing since sliced bread!

Given that we flew home, we had to leave our car in Phoenix.  Michael's father left VA on Sunday and flew back to Phoenix and promptly drove our car back cross country.  Talk about an act of love!  We're so grateful to him and Michael's aunt, Aunt Margie.  She lives in Scottsdale and has been such a source of support for us. She joined Michael's dad on the drive back east.  It was great for him to have company!

As we got settled, exhaustion set in.  After such a big trip (and lots of packing/unpacking), we were also only sleeping in 2-3 hour spurts.  Unfortunately, for me, I also developed mastitis.  I was dealing with fever, chills, body aches, and breast pain all in the course of adjusting to our new way of life. Thankfully we have both grandmas here with Michael and me as we prepare for our au pairs to arrive in February.  I'm so thankful for our friends who have been bringing dinners and helping with babies this week.  I know I  couldn't have done it without them!

First trip to the pediatrician

The first trip to the pediatrician went well.  We got all of the kiddos to the appointment on time, dressed in coordinating outfits, of course.  Everyone is gaining weight and the doc is pleased with their progress.  Luke, Isabelle, and Clara are all above six pounds.  Millie is 5.14 and Ava is coming up at 4.12.  Given Ava's surgery (and the fact that she's only taking breast milk), this is great progress.

That's about all for now!  Babies just started crying for the 10:00 pm feed, so I best get moving.  They are eating on a 3.5 hour schedule, so I feed them, pump, and then try to sleep for an hour or so before doing it again.  Please let me know if you're in VA and would like to come hold/feed a baby, I'll take you up on it (as long as you've had your vaccines).  

More to come later!

m

A Day In the Life

Good Evening!

Well, we've had the kiddos out of the hospital for a few days now and our schedule is starting to take shape.  Before I delivered, I wondered how this would all come together and slowly but surely, we are figuring it out.

As of now, it takes at least three--if not four--adults to care for these little ones.  They feed every 3 hours--8:00 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 8:00 pm, 11:00 pm, 2:00 am, 5:00 am and 8:00 am.  Then, we start over.  That's 40 bottles a day, friends.  Four zero. Typically, four adults do the 11:00 pm feed and then I take the next shift off, sleeping from 12:15-3:45 am.  Then, I'll get up and pump, make coffee, and warm bottles in preparation for the 5:00 am feed.  No, I'm not putting the coffee in the bottles--I'm not that delusional (yet).  Typically, Michael takes the 8:00 am shift off and sleeps from 6:00 am to 9:30 am.  My only fear is that this won't be sustainable once Michael returns to his typical work schedule.  Still, I'll worry about that another day.  This is about survival, right?

L to R:  Millie, Ava, Clara, Luke and Isabelle

We finished our first trip(s) to the pediatrician in Arizona this week.  At one point, we took four kiddos to the doc.  You can imagine the stares we got.  I wish I had taken more photos.  I'm working diligently to organize all of the kids' paperwork and schedule all of their appointments.  Who knew being a mom required such administrative prowess?  I guess all of you moms out there already knew that.   Joke's on me.  

Right now in the temporary Arizona house, we have two babies in each bedroom with the adults.  Luke and Ava room with Michael's mom.   Isabelle and Clara are the room next door and Millie is in my room.  Here's a cute photo of Millie holding onto Isabelle's arm last night.

Millie is on the right and Isabelle on the left.

Bringing our last baby (Millie) home this week was bittersweet.  We are thrilled to have our little ones out of the hospital, but we are sad to leave the staff of the Neonatal ICU at St. Joseph's Hospital.  These doctors, nurses and administrators became our family.  We spent Christmas with them, reading A Christmas Carol to our children.  We spent New Years with them, talking about our hopes and plans for 2017.  We know them by name; we know about their children and loved ones.  We have shared interests and common goals.  Most of all, we love little Ava, Clara, Millie, Luke and Isabelle.  Walking out of the NICU last night brought tears to our eyes.  We miss our NICU family already and we will thank God for them daily.

For now, know that there are indeed angels on Earth and several of them work as nurses in the neonatal units across the country.  

Rest well this week, my friends, knowing that God is good and brings peace and comfort to those in need.  I myself won't be sleeping very much, but know that my soul is at rest, giving thanks for this giant gift God has given us. 

If only we all slept as well as Ava does!

 
We will head home to Virginia this weekend.  I cannot WAIT.  It's like Christmas come again in January.  More to come!

Hold Onto Your Butts

If you grew up in the 80's/90's like me, you remember the magic of Jurassic Park.  The music, the special effects--it was simply one in a million.  In fact, one of my favorite scenes involved Samuel L. Jackson "rebooting" the park's security system and offering up his classic line of "Hold onto your butts."  I always giggled at the scene and since then, I've remembered this line when going into one of life's challenges.

Well, it is yet another "hold onto your butts" moment for me and our family.  We learned last night that ALL of our kiddos are going to be discharged from the NICU this week.  So, Isabelle comes home today.  Millie comes home tomorrow; Luke on Friday; and Ava on Saturday.  So, come the end of the weekend, we will have EVERYONE in this sweet little rental.

The doctors have asked us to stay in Phoenix for a week before going home.  All of this to say, WE'RE COMING HOME in the next 10 days or so.  HOORAY!!  Or maybe uh oh?  I'm not sure!

We still don't have anyone interested in helping us on the private jet front, so I think we'll have to start considering other options in the near future.  What those are, I'm not sure, but I've got about 10 days to figure it out.

Michael's mom is already here helping with Clara, so we have her help this weekend.  My super parents are currently driving to Virginia to put the finishing touches on our house before my mom turns around and flies out here at the beginning of next week.  I'm not sure who will be more exhausted--me or her.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.  It's going to be a bumpy few days and I pray God will give me patience and a sense of humor.

Hold on to your butts!

Asking for Help

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday.  I'll admit I feel stuck in a fog--it's funny to even try to compare last year's holiday season to this year's.  Last year for New Year's we went to a friend's house to play Cards Against Humanity.  We stayed up 'til midnight, enjoyed lots of laughs, and woke up in our own home, hopeful for a new year.

This New Year's was spent in the St Joseph's NICU learning how to dress our babies while talking with doctors about PICC lines, TPN feedings, bowel strictures, and much more.  I'm so grateful for our insta-family, but I'll tell you, I spend a lot of my time feeling majorly overwhelmed.  I wish I knew how to process this better, but the best I've come up with thus far is to just put one foot on front of the other (and cry in the shower).  Well, that, and texting with my girlfriends.  There's nothing that helps me more right now.  God bless my friends.  

This week our lease expired and we had to move out of our apartment in Scottsdale and into a new house.  Good thing our moms and sisters were visiting this week!  We did find a place closer to the hospital, so that's been a welcome change.  Our new place also has more space, so now we have room for visitors and more baby paraphernalia.  

This week I've been reflecting on how I ask for help.  For those of you who know me personally, you know that up until now, I rarely asked for help and when I did, I typically tried everything I could by myself before attempting to ask for even an ounce of help.  Until now, I thought I could do it all.  I could clean the house, work a full time job, sign a new client, make dinner, run a volunteer non-profit, have a glass of wine with my bestie, chat with my mom, walk the dog, and be home in time for the Bachelor (or Dancing with the Stars...whatever is in season).  I realize now how prideful that was and how I let that pride get in the way of asking for help.   But, in asking for help, I would have to be vulnerable.  As we've discussed before now, I struggle with being vulnerable.  That's a muscle I really need to be build.

Now, with five babies miles from home, I MUST ask for help.  That whole "asking for help muscle" is getting built whether it wants to or not.  I need the nurses to help me dress and care for my kiddos; I need the doctors to explain their conditions to me; I need my mom and mother in law to help me with feedings and cleaning the house; I need friends to help me find baby swings/pack n plays; I need help from pretty much any and everyone I come in contact with--and THAT is unsettling for an overachiever like me.  It makes me feel weak and sometimes, it even makes me feel like a failure.  Each day, I try to tell myself that asking for help creates bonds and relationships--and those bonds are going to hold me up during the next 18 years of raising these precious angels.

My biggest "ask" is still yet to come.  I need to get my babies home to Virginia and despite several tries, I haven't found a way to do so. Yes, I could fly everyone commercial from Phoenix to Virginia, but given that this is RSV season, I don't believe the babies could handle that exposure to germs this early in life.  I need an alternative.

I've asked several companies, friends, and even non-profits.  My dad has so graciously done the same.  No one has been able to help us (yet).  But, this journey has shown us the beautiful generosity of so many people, I'm quite hopeful that someone will come through and God will give us the perfect avenue of traveling home. 

With that said, here's the update on the kiddos: 

Ava:  Ava had a week of ups and downs.  Her ups included meeting her aunt Merrill and cousin Emma Kate.  Merrill (my sister) and her daughter Emma Kate joined us here in Phoenix this week.  I absolutely loved seeing them and spending some girl time together.  In visiting the NICU, Merrill and Ava bonded.  Ava, who's dealing with some reflux/spit up issues, was so comfortable with Merrill she didn't spit up once!  I was jealous, given that Ava has now vomited on me twice in the last 10 days.  Ava loves her some Mere Mere!   Unfortunately, Ava's spitting returned after her time with Merrill and doctors started to worry about infection.  After a day off from eating and several tests, doctors agreed that there was no infection but that we needed to adjust Ava's nutrient/vitamin intake and hope that relieves some of the irritation in her bowels.  Ava is taking only my breast milk now while the four others are on formula.  We hope that once Ava's tummy calms down a bit, we can share breast milk with everyone.  

Clara:  Clara came home this week!  Man was that terrifying!  We found out on Christmas Day that Clara was going to be discharged this week.  After her hearing test and a few other tests, she was discharged on Thursday.  Granted, Thursday was also the day we moved out of the Scottsdale apartment and into the new house.  I would not recommend moving and bringing home a baby on the same day, especially for those lucky women recovering from a c-section.  I consider myself to be a trooper but wow was that a tough day!  Thank goodness both my mom, Michael's mom and Michael's sister were visiting.  We needed as much back up as we could get. 

Here goes nothing!

On our way to the car!

Two of Michael's favorite ladies snuggle him.

Clara's first feeding at home

Clara and Ellie snuggle Mom during Saturday afternoon football.

Clara is adjusting to home life very well, eating on a four hour schedule and snuggling any and everyone! 

Millie:  Millie is doing well.  She is taking almost all of her feedings from the bottle and her breathing is more consistent than last week.  She got to snuggle Michael's sister Bridget this week, and I know she enjoyed that!

Luke:  Luke is also doing well.  He's taking most of his feedings from the bottle, but some days he just doesn't feel like it and the nurses have to feed him through a feeding tube.  Once he can eat more consistently from a bottle, he will be ready to go home.  

Isabelle:  Isabelle is probably next to come home.  She's very healthy and eating well.  Doctors say she'll probably be ready to come home in the middle to end of the upcoming week.  I can't say that I feel ready (at all!), but I'm proud of the progress our girl has made!

That's all for now!  God bless each one of you in this new year.  

Quints for Christmas

Hello hello!

Merry Christmas! This week has been yet another whirlwind. 

St. Joseph's Hospital hosted a press conference on Wednesday to celebrate our children as the first set of quintuplets in hospital history. We are grateful beyond words to St. Joseph's.  I can't say enough about the OB nurses (Jessie, I know you're reading this. Love you, girl!).  These ladies took amazing care of me pre-labor, during my surgery, and post-op.  Most of all, these nurses are my friends.  Since we have such a small network of friends and family out here, these doctors, residents, and nurses have become our extended family.  I can't imagine going through this experience without them. They will forever be etched in our memory and on our hearts. 

The NyICU staff never ceases to amaze me.  The NyICU at St. Joseph's is a well-oiled machine brimming with some of the most kind, giving, and comforting individuals you can imagine.  There are so many ups and downs in the NyICU.  These men and women know how to comfort us while making sense of some of the most nerve-wracking situations.  I actually love sitting with the nurses every day and getting to know their stories.   These nurses look out for our babies and for us.  To give you an idea, one nurse who I love texted me to say went shopping for our kiddos a new outfit.  These nurses truly care--heart and soul.  I can't tell you how much they mean to me.  Our family will be forever grateful. 

I imagine if you're following our story, you saw some sort of press coverage for us this week.  We so appreciate the support and excitement.  I think the highlight of our week was when the Busby family (of TLC's Outdaughtered) contacted us.  We love their show and have learned so much from them and their adorable six daughters.  We are so thankful to have someone lead the way through this quintuplet world.  It makes us feel less alone, just knowing they are walking this quintuplet path with us.  This is my favorite picture from this week.  We had such fun dressing everyone and getting them together.  I can't believe they were all in my belly--how did that even happen?!

L to R:  Millie, Clara, Luke, Isabelle, and Ava

On to an update on the kiddos..that's what you're really here for!  Ava is doing MUCH better this week.  Thank you so much for your love and prayers.  She is now taking my breast milk from a bottle AND she has gained more weight than any of the other children and now weighs the most of the quints.  Can you believe that?  What an answer to prayer! She is, however, dealing with some reflux, so we are going to work on getting her a slower flow nipple in hopes of improving her eating situation. 

Per usual, Clara is killing it.  Clara is just an ounce behind Ava in weight and Clara is totally off of her feeding tube and eating entirely from the bottle.  Clara was also the first child this week to come out of her isolette.  An isolette is that glass-looking box that the kids have been in for the last three weeks.  Once the children weigh enough and can maintain their own body temperature, they "graduate" to an open air bassinet.  This is a huge step forward.  Of course, Clara was the first to get her bassinet yesterday.

So proud of our Clara!  Maintaining her own body temperature with just a swaddle blanket.

Following Clara, both Millie AND Ava (wow, I know!) graduated to bassinets this week.  We are so proud of our girls!  Luke is a little slow to gain weight, so we're going to keep him in the isolette for a few more days.  Isabelle is gaining weight, but a bit slower than the other girls, so she'll be just a few days behind them as well. 

Millie's breathing has been a little erratic this week, so we put her on some oxygen just to help her lungs mature a bit more.  We imagine she'll come off of this by the weekend.  Millie also had an infected tear duct this week.  One of the nurses put a bit of my breast milk on her eye yesterday and it's almost totally healed today.  I'll admit, it reminded me of My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Windex.

Isabelle and I had some great snuggle time today.  She's our dainty one.  She's so funny---she makes all kinds of noises and coos as she eats and snuggles.

I could snuggle sweet Isabelle all day!

As we enter the Christmas weekend, I've been thinking about what it means to be truly kind and generous.  We have been shown so much kindness--it's been eye opening for me. God has given us so many gifts this season--I'm not sure the word thankful does my feelings justice.  From a stranger buying our lunch at Chick Fil A to our parents flying out here at a moment's notice to a warm hug from a supportive nurse, I can't begin to describe just how much kindness has been shown to us here in Arizona.  If you're reading this now, I want to encourage you to think about how you can show kindness to those around you.  A meal to a new mom?  Buying the lunch of the stranger behind you at a fast food place?  A last-minute angel tree gift?  Kindness is truly contagious.  Please search your hearts and think of to whom you could show kindness.  It is such a beautiful fruit of the spirit. 

Michael and I will spend Christmas with our new (large) family.  We will miss our moms, dads, and siblings during this holiday, but we are looking forward to seeing them when they visit next week.  We love you all and we thank you for your love and support.  God bless you during this special season.

Week 2 Update

Hello Friends!

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers for our children this week, especially Ava.  Ava is doing better.  The surgeon removed the drain from her tummy and it's healing nicely.  Now, we'll start feeding her with breast milk. If her body tolerates it, she'll be able to move forward like her siblings.  If she can't tolerate food, then we'll have to meet with the surgeons again and discuss other options.  Please continue to hope and pray Ava can tolerate her feedings and that this weekend is a success.

Ava is now well enough to be out of her isolette and held by Daddy.

Other good news this week is that the NICU staff was able to move all of our children into the same "pod."  For those of you unfamiliar with the NICU, this means that all of our children are now in the same room, sharing the same nurses.  We can close the glass doors and read/sing to all of our children all at once.  It's such a blessing.  

Before moving to our own pod with Isabelle, Luke, Clara, and Millie.  Holding two kiddos at the same time is absolutely amazing.

In other news, the children (except Ava) are now "non-nutritive feeding."  This means we are allowing them to practice breast feeding right after I finish pumping.  This way, they're not getting too much milk, but they are able to practice sucking, swallowing, and breathing.  Classic overachiever style, Clara has taken to this like a duck to water.  We practiced again today and she immediately latched on.  She's such a smart cookie.

We also like to think of Clara as the healer.  Shortly after she and Millie held hands (see below), Millie's breathing has improved and she came off of her ventilator and supplemental oxygen. We are hoping Clara and Ava can get some time together this weekend.

Clara and Millie hold hands

The other news from this week is that the hospital would like to host a press event next week.  We would love to celebrate the hospital and all they've done for us, but we'll admit that being the center of attention is not our normal. But, I am very excited to dress the quints (they're big enough to dress now!) for their introduction to the world.  

I've also spent time this week talking to other moms of multiples, pediatricians, insurance agents, and much more.  When we aren't at the NICU, I'm usually on my phone or computer trying to finish paperwork and tie up loose ends.  I don't think it's even hit me that Christmas is next week.  But, we have all the presents we could ask for, so I'm content to let the season wash over me with peace and joy.

I am continuing to heal fairly well.  I developed a bladder infection this week which was no fun, but we've got it under control now and I'm feeling much better.  I got my staples out and I'm only using pain medication to sleep.  I'm looking forward to being able to drive myself this weekend (freedom!!!!) and walk a bit more each day.

I think that's all for now.  Thank you so much for your prayers and generosity. We so appreciate the gifts, the donations to GoFundMe, the homemade dinners, the gift cards to restaurants, and much more.  We are so humbled.  Merry Christmas to all.

One Week Old

Greetings Everyone!

I apologize for the lag time in our posts.  As you an imagine, things are moving at lightning speed now and we are trying to hold on to some sense of normalcy (whatever that is!).

Let me update you.

Miss Ava is first. Ava is battling digestion issues and a perforation in her bowel.  She had to have minor surgery last Wednesday, but we are indeed seeing some progress from the procedure.  The surgeons at Phoenix Children's have been so good to us.  Still, when we arrived at the NICU today, Ava was clearly in pain. This didn't sit well with me, the 'ole Mama Bear. Doctors say she's just dealing with gas pain and they are pleased she's "fighting through it."  As much I appreciate that, that wasn't enough.  I insisted on holding my Ava.  I held her for over an hour, singing to her and comforting her.  She settled down quite a bit, but leaving her at the hospital brought on the tears all over again.  Please pray for God to heal Ava's body and bring her some pain relief as soon as possible.

Ava hasn't started on the milk yet; she's still on liquids, antibiotics, and pain meds.  Given that Ava is behind on her feeding schedule, we imagine she'll be in the NICU longer than most of our other kids, but we'll have to wait and see.  We are thankful that doctors took her off the ventilator yesterday and she continues to breathe well on her own.

Our Ava is a fighter.  We know she will be stronger for this.

The other children, Luke, Millie, Clara, and Isabelle, are now together in the same "pod" in the NICU, so they're roommates. We love that!  When we first joined the NICU, the children were spread out over several pods.  So, we'd walk in and the nurses would say, "Isabelle is in pod 2; Luke in pod 6; Clara in pod 4; and Millie in pod 3.  Then, we'd literally travel from pod to pod spending time with each one of them.  Now, all four are in the same pod and we're in heaven. We can literally sit in one space and be surrounded by our bundles of joy.  It's absolutely wonderful.

Clara continues to be our overachiever.  She's taking the most breast milk and gaining weight very well.  Luke had to slow down his eating due to some air in his belly, but he's slowly picking up steam again in pursuit of Clara.

Sweet Clara is mesmerized by her Dad, especially his Christmas songs.

Millie is doing much better in the later half of this week.  As you may remember, Millie was born with the cord wrapped around her neck, so she had fluid in her lungs and some trouble with her breathing. We were thrilled when doctors took her off the ventilator earlier this week.  Her breathing is still a little erratic, but doctors say she's slowly adjusting and they're pleased with her progress.  Millie is just a dear.  Not our complainer in the least.  She leaves that to Luke.  He loves to make a lot of trouble when you try to take his temperature or change his diaper.  That little man in opinionated!

Isabelle is a snuggler.  She loves to be held, sung to, and rocked. She is eating well and seems to be happy with her little lot in life. She's quickly catching up to Clara on feedings as well.  All five of our children have some issues with jaundice, which is normal for preemies, so each one spends a bit of time in the "tanning bed," as we call it, to help improve their bilirubin levels (and fight jaundice).

Isabelle and Luke celebrating their one week birthday with Mom.

As for me, I'm doing pretty well.  I was discharged on Friday with several different kinds of blood pressure medicine.  I've battled BP issues for the last several weeks, so doctors are trying to bring it back to a healthy level.  After two days at home and a bit more sleep, it's coming down nicely.  The nurse took out my staples before I left the hospital on Friday, so now it's just taking care of my incision and trying to re-train my ab muscles.  I'm trying to increase the distance that I walk each day and ease off the pain medicine.  

I've already lost 35-40 pounds since the delivery and that's helped my back pain tremendously.  Now it's just a matter of getting back to a healthy diet and lifestyle.

That's all for now.  Please send some positive thoughts to our Ava.  I'll try to write more tomorrow.