Fun...HOT...Playdate!

Today we had a playdate with our favorite quads...The Wells Girls!

We started with a picnic lunch...


Lauren Sharing Her Puffs With Madison and Kennedy



And then moved towards the water fountains...

Lathan (not Logan, ???) and Kennedy seemed to be the bravest with the water



Lathan, Kennedy, and notice Lauren in the backgroud...she loved the fountains from a distance!!!



Logan wasn't too impressed with the fountains today, I think he was sleepy!



Lathan & Madison Sharing A Spout



We said our goodbyes to the Well's and then made our way back home. (The trio fell asleep almost before we left the parking lot!)



Thanks for a fun day Taylor, Kennedy, McKinley & Madison (& their Mommy, Bobbi Jo)!!!

And THANKS to Aunt Pammie who was a TREMENDOUS help, chasing babies and hauling baby goods...you rock!!!

Sweet

Lathan




Lauren




Logan

One Year Ago...

May 28, 2006 was probably one of the scariest days of my life. We got a call from the NICU at 4am telling us that Lauren was extremely sick and that we needed to get to the hospital. Once there they explained to us that Lauren had a very serious infection call NEC and that we were very close to losing her. They told us that they had pretty much done all that they could and that we would just have to wait and see what the day had in store for her.

I remember sitting by Lauren's bed, she had been moved from her isolette and was under warmers, had IV's from her head to her toes, literally (well feet), and was back on oxygen. She was having apneas and brady's left and right. Each time her little heart slowed down or her breathes shallowed I wondered if that might be it, if she would ever recover. I remember wondering if I would ever get to see my little girl grow up, if I would ever get to see what a pretty little girl she would grow into. I sat there telling her all about life on the outside of the NICU. That if she could only get through this mess, what her little life had in store for her. I told her about silly things like her bedroom that was all ready for her and about the amazing things, like all of the special people who were pulling for her and I made Patrick promise her lots of shoes and trips to Disney World (its the little things you know). Most of all, I told her how she was all I had ever wanted and that for as long as I could remember, I had always dreamed of having a little girl. I just needed her to fight this infection and stay strong. I could not imagine losing her.

Days passed, hundred prayed and she kept her end of the deal (and so have we!)





I'm so thankful that everything turned out like it did. I guess that why Jaxon's story is really hitting me hard today. And why a little girl named Livia will always touch my heart (she passed away on Saturday from NEC, the same infection that took her triplet sister about a month ago). I pray for Livia and Georgia's family who have no doubt suffered a tremendous loss. I pray for Jaxon's family and especially his Mom who will probably lose her little boy today. It just doesn't seem fair.

Jaxon

The McConathy Family is hoping to have people pray for Jaxon around the clock. Visit www.mysignup.com/jaxon to sign up for a specific time to pray. His condition has worsened so he can really use all of the help he can get.

Update: Here's a summary of what we're praying for...
Strength for Jaxon to fight this infection.
For his pain to be lessened.
For his eyes to heal.
For his lungs to heal.
For his tummy to start accepting food.
For all of his organs that are working overtime.
For his fractured foot.
For him to come out of this stronger than ever, with no more major hurdles, so that soon he can go home and be with his family, where he belongs.
For his strength and comfort for his parents.
For knowledge and wisdom for all of Jaxon's doctor's and nurses.

3:42 am

What were you doing at 3:42 am last night? Loggie had us all up for a slumber party!!!



I was actually kind of glad they all woke up. I was just about to go to bed and had been reading some blogs about two triplet families I've been keeping up with. One of the families lost all three of their little ones, 22 weekers, early Wednesday morning (they also lost an infant this past September to an unknown liver disease). Their story hit close to home because she was 22 weeks (when I was admitted with our trio) and her water had broken. When my water broke, I was told that as long as I avoided an infection that I could remain pregnant...making it to 28 weeks. This poor girl only lasted a couple of days before an infection set in and all three babies had to be born. They all three died shortly after birth.

Then there is the McConathy family whose triplets were born March 2nd of this year. Jaxon has been struggling for the past 84 days and has had some pretty major setbacks here lately. (His brother and sister passed away about 7 days after being born). Our trio's NICU days seem like a breeze compared to this little guys journey. Logan had to stay the longest, 76 days, poor little Jaxon is 84 days into this, still on the ventilator (got put back on ocillator tonight), had laser eye surgery last week and his eyes are having a tough time healing, and his tummy has never taken to food. Actually today he became even worse (they're pretty much back to square one) so if you can, sends some prayers their way.

So very sad, makes me REALLY appreciate my incredibly messy and unorganized house, crazy busy days, middle of the night slumber parties, and of course my healthy babies (who have gotten very good at pitching fits!).

AND...that $3345 you all helped us raise for the March of Dimes...even sweeter.

Another Flashback...

This is a video of Logan one year ago, May 23, 2006. I remember coming in to the NICU that day and thinking that he actually looked SO good. He was getting plump (about 3 1/2 pounds!!!), was very alert (not the norm) and was wearing clothes (a shirt) for the first time. It was a turning point in our NICU stay, the little ones finally seemed to be acting more like babies who just needed to learn a few skills and grow a little, instead of extremely fragile, sick preemies. I ran to my car to get my camera, this is why...

Uh oh...

As I snapped this picture of Lauren, the boys were behind

me pulling down a lamp!!!

Grammie Come Back!!!!!!!!

Grammie, you simply must come back home. The Guinn's are absolutely lost without you and are quite frankly starving (the parents at least). We need for you to pack your bags and give little Miss Emmy lots of hugs, because its going to be a while before we're giving you up again!

*** For those of you who don't know...when I was admitted to the hospital March 16, 2006, Grammie made sure starting that night, that Patrick and I were always fed a good home cooked meal. It has been well over a year and Grammie STILL brings us dinner EVERY SINGLE NIGHT! There have been times when others have fed us, or that we have gone out for a bite, but Grammie has always been there to fill in any and all gaps. (I think I remember her saying that she would continue this until the babies turned one, but she's still feeding us and we're not complaining!)

She left last Thursday to visit her newest Grandbaby, Emmy, and rumor has it she's returing tomorrow.
We can't wait...we find her and her services invaluable!!! ***

And one last side note... today I tried to bathe the babies in the "real" tub. As you can see it didn't go over well AT ALL!!!

Birthday Party & Market Street

The Robinson Triplets joined the 1st birthday club!
Today was their party to celebrate.


Emmy the Birthday Girl



Not only were we over an hour late, but Mommy wasn't paying attention and didn't know this was a pool party. Our little ones just sat on the edge and watched the others splash around.



(It actually wasn't that pitiful, Jessy had extra swim diapers that we could have put them in)

Lauren was quite content trying out all of the walkers that were set up around the yard. Notice how she wouldn't let her feet touch the grass though!!! (And people said she'd be a tom boy!!!)



The Wells girls were there...always fun when they're around!

Lathan and McKinley
She was ticked that Lathan hadn't returned her call and
was giving him a piece of her mind.



He said he was sorry and that he'd do better!



But then, he got himself into more trouble. Once the Well's girls changed out of their matching bikini's, they all put on matching dresses. Lathan thought that he was talking to McKinley when it was actually Madison. (You really can't blame him though, they do look an awful lot alike and are all so cute!)



Lathan realizing his mistake.



He was so embarrassed.



And then there was Logan, who was a little tired throughout the party but that didn't stop him from showing off his smile!



The Robinson Triplets...Happy Birthday Little Ones!!!



After the party, the five of us went to Market Street.

Logan and Daddy (this boy has got some WILD hair on his head...
PERFECT for his personality!!!)



We really tried to urge them to just sit back and let the water splash them.



But the boys preferred to stick their faces over the spouts and soak their entire bodies!






I thought for sure they'd cry when the water splashed them (and surely got in their noses), but of course I was wrong...they LOVED it!

Lathan




Logan



Lauren pretty much kept her distance from the water
and only got a little wet.
The boys on the other hand were drenched from head to toe
requiring the removal of their clothes!







Good thing we spent so much time outside enjoying the pretty weather this weekend, looks like everyday this next week will be rainy...yuck!

A Day At The Pool

We spent this afternoon at Granny & Grandpa's swimming. It was the trios first time in a real swimming pool!

Lauren




Loggie & Daddy




Daddy would go under the water and then pop up.
The boys couldn't stop laughing!


Logan




Lathan




Lathan in his shades...




Logan Splashing

Sweetness X 3




Little Moo




Logan




Lauren




Lathan




Thanks so much for entertaining us today Granny & Grandpa!!!

Walkers and Talkers

This time last year we were working hard at becoming "feeders and growers" in the NICU. THIS year, we are working hard at our goal of "walkers and talkers". At our last appointment with Dr. Savrick, we were told not to expect talking for a while. Multiples tend to communicate with each other and don't really have a need for learning "our" language just yet. But we're on our way to being walkers...Lauren in the lead.


And here's why...Notice how Lauren is pretty smooth and cautious while using the walker. Logan, however is as usual pretty wild!!! (This video is from earlier this month - May 3rd to be exact!)



And although they're little steps, it will be recorded in Lauren's baby book that her first step was on May 17th! Here's a little of the baby steps we're seeing!!! (She might do a whole lot better if she didn't clap all of the time! She gets so excited that she's standing/taking steps that she starts to clap. Its super cute, but it usually causes her to loose her balance!)



Fun Stuff!!!

Bunny Slippers

P.S.
Lathan & Logan are ready for a boy cousin Aunt JuJu!!!

One year ago...

I was just thinking back to this time last year and realized that yesterday was the anniversary of the first time I got to hold Lathan. Up until May 16 he had been too unstable to be held, and even then I was only able to hold him for a minute or two before his alarms all started going crazy and we had to put him up. I remember it seeming like an eternity and now today, it seems even longer. The worst part was that I really felt like he wanted to be held. Logan and Lauren were usually asleep most of the time, but Lathan was always very alert. He would just stare at me with those big blue eyes and everyday I felt like he was disappointed that I just stared back and didn't sweep him up. I think I'll go hold him right now...just cause I can!!!

Saturday

We had so much fun last Saturday, I wanted to post some more pictures...

First thing on the agenda for the day was Patrick's company picnic down at Memorial Park.



They had a moon walk which our babies were not too impressed with...maybe next year!



They also had a huge play area which the babies really enjoyed...they went down their first slide! Lathan had so much fun, he kept trying to crawl back up the slide!



Missy Moo



Loggie Bear



After the picnic, we made a pit stop over at Maw Maw's to regroup, then we were off to our NICU reunion at the Children's Museum.

This was the coolest place and we definetly plan on going back. They had a "tot lot" for kids 2 and under. Everything was their size and they could roam freely without us worrying that they would get hurt.


Logan



Lathan & Logan



Logan



Lathan loved the bubble column. It changed colors and kept his attention for quite a while.




Lathan mistakenly thought that this puzzle piece was a pacifier! (And that was another cool thing, if something went in your babies mouth you put it in a dirty bag and it got washed and then put back out!)



The tiny door was a hit. It had a doorbell and everything!



And of course with all of the mirrors around, our trio couldn't stop smiling!

Lauren



Lathan



Lauren & Daddy



Then there was the car...



Lathan finally convinced them to stop and fill up!



Loggie tried out different costumes...

Loggie, Officer of the Law



Loggie, Fire Chief


And finally, Logan as part of the contruction crew!



Logan, Lathan & Lauren



It was so nice to see some of the doctors and nurses that we spent so much time with last year and I especially enjoyed seeing some of the babies that our trio roomed with. It was nice to see that everyone turned out so healthy!