Larkin - Our Meatball

Whoa! What was that flash? Whoa, there it is again. Man thats bright. Hey people, cant you see i'm trying to sleep in here! I mean i'm only 5 days old folks. Whatya trying to do blind me. At least give me a few months so my eyes will work! Flash. Whoa, this is gettin ridiculous. Nurse! Nurse!! can I see you for a minute?... Nurse! Oh come on. What does a guy have to do to get some attention down here. I know! Maybe if I make this noise I'll get some lovin. Its worked before. Here goes. Whaaaaaa! Whaaaaaaa! Whaaaaaa! ...  Nope. Nothing. It must be this dang plastic cover on top of me. They can't hear me. Thats got to be it. Well, surely there has got to be another way to get her attention. Hmmm. Oh, I got it. One, two, three and HOLD. Keep Holding...Keep Holding... Don't give in just yet. Keep holding. I can do it! Ding, Ding, Ding (Red Flash Red Flash) Yea. That outta get me some attention over here.
--- Lid Raises ---

Nurse: Aww Larkin. You ok? U gotta stop holding your breath like that. It makes you heart rate drop and scares all of us. Just the other day you almost gave your father a heart attack!

Look lady. I don't care if the Pope himself fell out of his plastic car and bumped his bald head. I need some help over here.

Nurse: Ok sweetie what do you need?

Every 3 or four hours or so my cave opens and flashes of light strike down on my face. Can you please tell me what is going on?

Nurse: Well, Larkin, you are very popular. You and your brother and sister have ...

Wait. Wait. Wait a minute. You said Brother and Sister? What on God's green earth are you talking about Brother and Sister?

Nurse: You see sweetie, you are a Triplet. One of three babies born to this sweet couple named Katie and Rhett Fordham. When they had you they also gave birth to your Brother Kade and your sister Maggie.

Oh yeah, I remember those guys now. When I was in my mommies tummy I was on the bottom and one of them kept kicking me in the head while the other one told me I was kicking her in the head. She was smart though. She told us if we all put our heads in the middle of mommies tummy we wouldn't kick each other anymore. She was right but I dont think mommy appreciated it. I heard her tell daddy that I kicked her in the bladder and made her pee on herself. Sorry mamma :(

Nurse: That right Larkin. You were on the bottom. Kade was above you and Maggie was on your mommies left side. You were the ... Opps, hold on a second lil buddy.... (speaking away from the incubator - Yeah, sure you can hold him. Just let me get him ready...) Hey, great news Larkin. Your daddy is here and would like to hold you for the first time. I'm just gonna change your diaper and get you ready for him.

Oh, ok. Sure. I'd like to meet my daddy. I mean, I'm a little ... (Diaper gets untaped and opened up and the nurse lifts Larkins legs to put the new diaper on the bed) whoa, hold on a second there lady. Haven't you any decency. I haven't even met him yet and you are all showing off my junk and.... whu, wait a second, cool air, cool air, COOL AIR, watch out I can't hold it any longer....  Peeeeeeeeeee

Nurse: Oh Larkin

Don't look a me lady. I told you before what that cool air does to me... You'd been warned. U need to remember that my bladder is only 96 hrs old and has a total mind of itself. I have absolutely no control over what it does. Anyway, back to what I was saying... Can you pretty please put me in my little scrubs outfit before my dad holds me? PLEASE, please, please with a cherry on top - I really want my daddy to like me. If he sees me in my scrubs with my name on the pocket he may think I'm a Dr. and be really really proud!

Nurse: Larkin, your daddy doesn't need to see you in scrubs before he will love you. Your daddy has loved you from the second he found out he was having you. He even told me that, after seeing you and your brother and sister for the first time the other day that he did not realize that there was a level of love this deep. He said you are the best thing that has ever happened to him. He is already soo soo proud of how your are doing. He calls you his little meatball!

Meatball? Meatball? What is that supposed to mean? I see no meatball here. I'm pure grizzle. 100% grade a stud. Meatball. Who does this man think he is? Calling me meatball. Thats crazy...

Nurse: Larkin, Meatball is a term of endearment. You daddy said that the first time he saw you that you looked so big and round that he could just eat you up. You know, like a meatball! He also said that with your chest as big as it is he thinks you may end up being a linebacker or catcher. He said that, of the triplets, you reminded him the most of himself as a baby.

He said that? Really? Well thats pretty cool. It makes sense now I guess. I mean, I was the biggest after all.

Nurse: Ok, little buddy. Its time to go to daddy now. Sit tight. I'm going to reach down and pick you up and give you to him. ok?

Oh, wait... hold on one sec... How does my hair look? ... What - I don't have any hair. Well, I guess I really am like daddy then :) Oh, ok. I'm ready now but please be careful. Remember I don't have any neck muscles yet so be gentle with my head. I don't want a repeat of last time when the other nurse was giving me to mommy and she fumbled my Noggin. It took 24 hours for that neck pain to go away. Ok, here we go! Weeeeeeeeee (Nurse picks him up and carries him to Daddy)

Daddy: Awww, Now theres my little Meatball ... (To Be Cont'd)

 Hey Daddy!

Man, I'm Hungry

 Ladies, Check out these abs

 Back up buddy or I'll zap you with this Laser they attached to my wrist!

 Daddy's chest is really big and comfy

This is my bed!

Rhett's well being...

For any of you who were concerned about Rhett after his post about cankles.. I am here to let you know.. I let him live!! I do, however, see a nice gift card for a massage and pedicure in my near future :) Honestly he got in more "trouble" because it really hurt my belly to laugh at those posts. We really are trying to take this "triplet journey" as it comes.. with ups, downs, funny times, precious times, stressful times, sad times (hopefully not too many), etc. As you know today, is my last day at the hospital.. so we will see if that has any effect on Rhett's "blogging time" .. because the rocking chair in my hospital room is where he developed the majority of these posts..

KT

Get Out of Jail Card

BedRest Schmedrest. 9 weeks house arrest. Piece of cake. No driving, going to the store, going to work, making dinner, doing laundry, going out to eat, going to friends showers. (going to my own shower) Going to visit with friends and family. No Working out, swimming, running, Yoga no problem. Got that T-Shirt. Been there done that. We just heard from the Dr. that KT gets to go home today! She is doing so much better and it is great news. Its hard to believe that she has been on bed rest and or in the hospital for over 8 weeks. Her strength is coming back quickly. Thank goodness her sense of humor is coming back (see Fat Feet Post below) as well. I can't wait to take her out to Pancake Pantry (Her suggestion)sometime in the next day or two and reintroduce her to the world. Its almost like she is being born again. She has spent every hour of every day for over 60 days making sure that our beautiful babies have grown and developed as best as they could. We ate eggs and Ensure protien shakes whenever possible to give the lil guys their building blocks of life. And it appears that it worked. They are doing so well and it was all a direct result of KT's dedication and dicipline. Now I can't wait to get her home and out and about again. We aren't going to be doing break dancing contests or anything but maybe dinner out or possibly a short walk in the next few days would hopefully be in order. I'm so excited to get my best friend and angel back to her old self more and more each day!

Pics of the Day 7-29-2011

Just a few more pics of KT and I holding Larkin, Maggie and Kade! They are doing so so great. We were told that the Dr. may move them upstairs to the stepdown NICU in the next day or two. If that is the case, then all they will really be hoping for going forward is for the Trio to Feed, Feed and then Feed some more. Growing is what we need now. We wouldn't be out of the woods per se but it would be an amazing step if it happened this fast.

Hope everyone has a great night!

 Mamma and her Baby Girl Maggie For the First Time!

 So Tiny and Sweet

 Mr. Larkin right before he decided to pee over the side of the bed :) Thats my boy!

 Mamma feeding Lil Man Larkin

 Sleepy, Grumpy, Happy and Introducing Baby Dwarf!

 Dumphy and Kade

 Oops! How did that get in there :)

Dad's First time to hold Kade. He was so sweet!

Fat Bastard Feet and Giant Hu Hu's

Giant HuHu's

Before I begin let me please warn some of you that this particular blog may offend some people. It is not meant to do so nor is it meant in seriousness. Katie and I just happened to be talking tonight about some of the funny or unexpected things we have observed over the past few weeks in regards to our pregnancy. (yes I was apart of the pregnancy. Just ask KT. I gained 10lb's, my back started hurting more, and my feet swelled. Strange thing though. I was the only one who craved CHOCOLATE all the time)
In our discussions two things stuck out (Quite literally actually!). Just ask Peggy (Or JP as the Trio will know her as). She was there for a good part of this conversation. She, being an seasoned Nurse Practitioner of 30+ years, also was at a loss for words for our first observation. Which was this. (And again, please do not take this the wrong way, it was simply an observation.) Here goes - - Why did our baby girl have such a giant HuHu? (and for those of you not up to date on a HuHu it is sometime referred to as a JayJay or a... Actually, I better leave that alone) I mean, WOW! It seriously was the first thing I noticed when I saw her. It was not an, "Aww she is so precious. Look at her little rosy cheeks and sweet little hands and feet." No, my first thought was, "OMG, that thing looks like it belongs on teenager." Dont worry though, it was really a very fleeting thought. A split second really. However, it did occur to me later that night that I had seen it. The funny thing is that I saw her first so my expectations for the boys might have been a little scewed. In fact, My mind went to the rational that if her thing is THAT big  I'd hate to see what the boys look like. I wondered, to myself of course, if maybe I had some super power that allowed my children to have... Well, lets just say to be well endowed. Unfortunetly,  much to my dismay, (and to my pride) seeing their lil dingers brought me back down to reality. While they were perfect just like everything else on them they were also just very proportional. :( Oh well, my small glimmer of manly bravado would have to crawl back into its shell for a little longer.

Fat Bastard Feet

Again, please know that this is to be taken in a very light hearted manner. KT, you know I love you??? Right??? Right (She may not after she reads this)

OMG! My eyes were as wide as sacucers as I saw the covers slowly lifted from the bed for the first time post surgery to reveal what I can only compare to Fat Bastard Feet (In case u are unaware, mom I'm talking to you, of who Fat Bastard is please rent Austin Powers Movies) My heart instantly sank. Hundreds of thoughts raced through my mind. I mean, are they going to be like this forever? Please tell me this is reversable! Will she ever be able to wear close toed shoes again? Is their enough room in our bed at home for those things!!! It even occured to me that she may never be able to enjoy her beloved  swimming again. Seriously! Those things will sink straight to the bottom like an anchor! OMG, she could drown! Oh wait, nevermind. With 3 munchkins we will only be in the kiddie pool for the next several years. Whhheww!! That was a close one!
Actually, I feel so so sorry for my sweet KT but she has taken it in stride. Literaly (she has no stride anylonger. she can't pick up those bricks she calls feet) HA J/K Honey. We all know that the swelling will eventually subside and your beautiful legs and ankles will soon return to normal. (we hope :)

Take a look for yourself folks

 Cankles anyone!!!

Mrs. Shrek called... She'd like her legs back :)

HELP!

HELLP .. one of the Fordham Five is falling down... and its not one of the babies!"... The birth story from mama's perspective. Well I hope that this entry does not disappoint anyone who is waiting on the next entry from the proud new dad. He has been absolutely amazing and I am very impressed with how he is keeping up with this blog..{now the pictures he chose of me... well lets just say if I didn't need HELLP .. he would not have gotten away with posting so many "lovely" ones ( yes I am referring to the girl with the swollen, pale face) I have a feeling that this is just one of the many instances where I will have to "take one for the team" so everyone can enjoy pictures of our family}. Okay back to my story....

HELLP.. Anyone who knows me.. knows that asking for help is one of my least favorite things to do. But over the last 7 months I have learned to do just that, have tried to accept it graciously and was amazed, honored and overwhelmed by the love & support of our families, friends, co-workers, UPS man (online shopping).. you name it. Since June 1st when I started bed rest, there was an overflow of support that still amazes me. Well HELLP took a whole new meaning on July 21st (7 weeks to the day of bed rest and my father's birthday!!!). Everything seemed to be going pretty well. We had a growth scan of the babies.. all seemed to be measuring right around 3 1/2 lbs. Rhett and I went from that ultrasound to the OB's office where I got a slightly high blood pressure reading and in turn was sent for a "little lab work".. thinking no big deal. Got home, took 1 hour nap, got call from OB's office.."labs slightly off, we would like to have you go in overnight for observation". Rhett had dropped me off and was heading out to work.. so "its no big deal I will get Jean and Dad to drive me to hospital for overnight stay (just what Dad wants to do on his Birthday!!)
Okay here is where the clarity of things starts to fade a little... 1 day seems like it is 4 days (that might be because they prick you at all times of the night). But here is the jist of things.. my liver enzymes were slightly elevated, my platelets were a little low and my blood pressure was a little high. My 24 hr urine came back at 400 (too high). So now we are thinking pre-eclampsia .. never formally diagnosed with HELLP .. a form of preeclampsia but it means H-Hemolysis, EL- elevated liver enzymes, LP - low platelets. So there you go.. now it was just a waiting game.. we were told that this syndrome only gets better after delivery.. due to the placentas being a major (if not the #1 factor) in creating problems especially for ME. So here is where I get back to one of the "Fordham Five is down" .. never did I think it was going to be me that was going to cause this pregnancy come to a pretty abrupt halt. I just assumed the babies were the "fragile ones" .. don't get me wrong they still are but this reason for delivery was just something I never really gave much thought to. It was an emotional couple of days with labs every 12 hrs (or more) waiting to see when they would be "bad" enough to deliver. That time came at 6:00 am (or so.. its blurry) on July 26th .. "we need to deliver and it is going to be in about a hour in half". Again.. forgive me but it is all a haze.. I had to ask Rhett to go over it with  me again .. play by play.. but still blurry (I guess that is how women get tricked into doing this thing a second & third time.. don't worry about me.. my experience is not THAT blurry)
Everyone in the OR was great, Rhett was great, I was shaking like a leaf.. actually shaking uncontrollably, the NICU team was great.. We got to see the babies, hear them cry and it was truly an amazing, yet surreal experience.
Thank you to everyone who was here for us, our loving families never left us, our friends who wanted updates.. thank you for your care, concern and patience with us while we adjust. Because that HELLP syndrome well.. it continues to cause some problems for at least a couple of days post-partum. I had really low hematocrit (pale face), swelling (face, feet, hands, you name it) & mildly elevated blood pressure. I am just now getting on me feet again.. don't get me started on that awful stuff called Magnesium used to help treat it.. that is a blog by itself.

Again thank you for all you support, concern and prayers. We still have a long journey in the NICU and we will do our best to keep everyone posted.

On that same note...
Our precious babies are still very fragile even though they are doing great for "31 weekers". One of the main reasons for this blog is to keep everyone informed (both close friends/families and others. I know that I got a lot of comfort and past a lot of time of bedrest reading blogs).
We will (Rhett will..) continue to post pictures and let you know how they are. We know that many people would like to "see" them and we love to show them off (cuz they are so cute.. biased). However, the NICU has some "rules" about visitation so if you can just check with Rhett or myself about that ... we don't want anyone getting disappointed about "visiting" .

Much love and hugs to everyone..

KT

Daddy's Girl and Mamma's Boy

Tonight was truly one of the most special nights in my life. For the first time ever I got to hold my baby girl. As I sit here now trying to think of the right words to describe the experience I am having a difficult time. How does one describe perfection? The only answer I can think of is you don't. Each of us experiences that feeling differently. Some find it in a beautifully scribed song. Others find it on a foggy creek bed with an early morning sunrise. Many find it on a muggy Saturday in Knoxville amongst 100,000 of your closest friends all clad in the most beautiful shade of orange and singing rocky top at the top of your lungs. I just found it in my 3lb 14oz baby girl. Maggie - Wow, just saying her name makes me weak at the knees. I only met her two days ago and I already love her with a depth that I have never felt before. Her perfect little lips could bring anyone to their knees. Her delicate pink skin that ,to me, feels as soft as a feather and holds together her perfect little self is amazing and new. She is my angel. My little little love bug.
Maggie, you are and always will be Daddy's Girl :)

I want everyone to think about the most beautiful thing that they have ever seen in their life. Maybe its a stunning purple and pink sunset, or the view from the top of a mountain in the winter. I know what mine was. In fact, it happened just the other day. It was seeing my beautiful wife hold her baby boy Kade for the first time. The sparkle in her eyes was undescribable(sp). It had a child like innocence/feel really. Do you remember being 5 or 6 years old when your parents got you the Christmas present that you absolutely HAD TO HAVE? Now try and remember what your eyes and face looked like when you shredded the wrapping paper away and realized that your dreams had come true. (Mine was a shinny red go cart that Rusty and I received when we were about 10 or so! - On side note, please warn your children not to ride their go carts on the Church soccer fields across the street from your house b/c they will probably lose their riding privledges pretty fast) That is what Katie looked like. The glow in her eyes as the nurse handed him to her was unmistakable. This was HER baby boy. (Larkin, I promise I'm not leaving you out. Mamma love you just as much its just that we haven't had a chance to hold you yet. Hang in there though. We'll have a story about you big noggin soon enough) SHE made and carried him kicking like a jack rabbit (His nickname is Thumper) for 7 months. Now she was able to truly "carry" him. In the flesh and blood. Her face told me everything I needed to know. KT is/does love our babies with all her heart. To her, Kade and Larkin will always be Mamma's Boys.

Love you guys! Rhett

Goodies!!!

Wow!!! With great trepidation I decided to go back to work today. I needed to get back at it and want to save time off for when the Trio first get home. While in the NICU  I know they are receiving the greatest of care. Whereas when we first get them home I am going to feel like a duck out of water and will need time to get adjusted to my tripod in their new surroundings. Well, much to my suprise, when I was able to get down to the hospital this afternoon KT and I had a room full of goodies waiting. I mean, stuffed bunnies, finger puppets, giftcards, baskets of yumness, flowers and even a couple original paintings (Thanks Cuz Candace) of Katie and I's favorite teams and schools. (Even though some would say Vandy football is hardly a sports team - GO VOLS!) I mean, this is AWESOME people. I would have had them 10 years earlier if I had known I would receive this much love and support. KT and I are truly blessed and appreciate everything our Friends and Family have done for us. (And we are going to need you guys more and more in the next coming months) THANK YOU :)

So, check out the pic below of all our goodness today. (Thanks, Lauren, Aunt Becky and Ray, Cuz Candace, Bro Rus and Leslie, Beverly and Big Pappa(yes Dad, I'm referring to you), Baba, DeDa, Mimi, Ditzy/Bitzy)

P.S. Its about time for Kangaroo Care. Check back later for pic of us holding all babies for the first time!

Goodies

4 Generations

Special Treat. We had 4 generations of Jewett women in the building tonight. Yep, you got it. The one the only Barbara Jones aka Baba has made an appearance all the way from Amelia Island. With the legend on deck we had the opportunity to capture 4 generations in one picture. Well, of course, we had to act on this momentous occasion. So, feel free to check out our incredible photo opp.

Rhett

 Baba, Momma, JP and Maggie

 Same quintet here folks

 Finally talked them into a pic with lil man Kade

Momma, Daddy and Maggie

Day Two Cont'd - Afternoon Visitors

Grandparents, Friends and Nurses oh my! Hello everyone. We are new to this world and we are very very small. But don't let our size fool you. We are Fordham's. We are strong. All of us are off our CPAP's and breathing on our own. You may say, "but I see some nasal inserts in the pictures." Well, that is the case but it is only there for emergencies. Don't believe me? Well, just ask nurse Jerry. She has been at this for 28 years and told us we are some of the best 31 week Triplets that she has ever seen. And we believe her :) My brother Larkin and my sister still have their UAC lines in their belly buttons but Dr. Palmer told me they could probably take those out tomorrow. That means that all of us will be able to eat orally. Isn't that great. I mean, who shows up to this life 9 weeks early, is already able to breath on our own and within a couple days can eat on our own? Well, i'll tell you. the FORDHAM TRIO thats who.

This afternoon we had some visitors. Nurse Jerry told me that we are very rare and to expect a lot of visitors. She also told me that I have an unusually large family. She said I have like 8 grandparents, 10 aunts and uncles and lots of triplet groupies. I don't really know what any of that means since I'm 32 hrs old but thats ok. My dad (I think he made me) took a lot of pics (you can see them below) because mama said that is what does. Takes lots of pictures. Today, we were all able to meet Bitzy (our dad's mom), DeDa (our mom's dad), Mimi (our mom's stepmom), Big Willy (my dad's best friend - Dad told me he has a hard time pulling the trigger or something and he was there to check us out and see how this whole parenting thing was) and Lindsey (Big Willy's girlfriend). Everyone that visited was so so nice. All they wanted me to do was stick my butt up on the air for them. Piece of cake. any 32 hr old can do that. I even heard they changed my brother Larkin's diaper and helped my sister Maggie take her temperature. See what I mean by being so nice. Anyway, I'm tired so I'm going to stop dictating this to my dad now. I can see his eyelids closing slowly now anyway so i'm sure he is pooped as well. He told me he was going to add some pictures below if you want to take a look. Don't hesitate to tell your friends about us. We expect to be famous by day 44 :) 

Kade

 Bitzy and Larkin (She wants to be called Ditzy. Maybe we should do a poll between Bitzy or Ditzy)

 Bitzy/Ditzy, Deda and Mimi

 Grandmothers with Maggie

 Daddy changing Larkin's dirty diaper (1st time ever)

 Maggie

 Big Willy and Lyndsey

 Maggie sitting up

Bitzy/Ditzy and Daddy with Me.

Day Two

As you would expect, day two coming out of a major surgery is very difficult. Katie's platelet levels are still low, her blood pressure is still out of whack and the pain is severe. So far its been magnesium, percocet, and an IV Drip for fluids. I feel so sorry for her and wish that there was more i can do to help her. However, I still know that she is the toughest woman i've ever met so if anyone can do it she can. The good news is that she is feeling good enough to stand up for a few minutes every couple hours. In fact, she felt good enough around noon that we decided to take a little tromp up to the NICU to see our new additions during feeding time. I've attached the pics below for all to enjoy. (KT even got to change her 1st diaper. Don't worry though, we'll only be changing 19,967 more in the coming year)

Catch ya later Hommies

Rhett

P.S. The first 3 pics are with Larkin. The next three are with Maggie and the final three are with Kade

How We Got To This Point

A few pics of Katie and I sans trio...