Night Time and Dad's in Charge!

So Erin is sleeping, babies start to fuss, and I can't resist. I change them one after the other and placed them next to each other and let them roll around for a bit. Enjoy live baby video.

Papasan Dreams

The current routine is sleep - diaper change - food - sleep again. Eating takes so much energy for the little ones right now that they are getting plenty of cozy papasan swing time.
sometimes together.

And sometimes brothers are fussy together - or at least half of them.

Triplets Together!

What do you do when you have three babies? Why you toss them in a pile and hope that at least 2 of them look happy at the same time of course. Here we are on the changing table.
Here are the single crib sleeping arrangements.

A few shots at the hospital before Ben (in blue) was discharged.

See, I can hold you all at once.

Ben Comes Home!

After two weeks in the hospital Ben was ready to come home and Jack and Violet were exciting to see him. Jack had not been able to see the babies at the hospital (he's only 2). Everytime we came home he would ask about the babnies and as I put him to bed he would say "I like my new brothers and sister" "I love Benjamin" I love Georgia" "I love Dashiell" "I want to hold them."

Well, on Thursday July 16 Benjamin was released and Jack got his first look at his new brother and he was excited the whole night.
Violet was excited as well but needed to keep an eye on her grapes,

But once she finished she got one of her own babies and made herself comfortable next to mom where they could both feed their babies. (Violet's "boppie" is an airplane neck pillow).

Everyone smile!

Ben was home for 3 days before he was joined by Dashiell and Georgia. We have to say, based upon that brief experience, that taking care of one child is EASY! I bet those with one will not see it that way but once all three came home we started our sleep derived near future.

Three of a Kind

Newly born shots from Tu-Tu that I couldn't get. Here is Dash on his way out of the OR.
And Georgia and Ben got to ride together.

Georgia get cozy . . .

And so does Ben . . .

and Dash

Life goes on at home

Violet and Jack prepare cards for the new ones . . .
while the cribs are getting full of baby take-home clothes and gift baskets . . .

And the house fills with flowers and balloons . . .

and Jack starts the path to no-diaperdom.

Hospital Time

Georgia Ben and Dash were in the hospital for a while after they were born. Ben came home after 2 weeks and Georgia and Dash were home after 17 days. While they were there the family spent a lot of time back and forth visiting the babies. Here is Tu-Tu with Georgia.
This is Dashiell under the bilirubin light.

Mama with Georgia.

and with Ben

Dad gets his turn with Dash

Nurse Bok was a regular helping us out

and getting quality time with Ben

Ben huddles up with Dash

They're not even home yet and mama is exhausted

Sibling Rivalry? Not a chance

Violet and Jack came to the hospital on Saturday in order to see momma and and the babies.
Violet was able to come to see the triplets with me and was very gentle with the babies. She would reach out and touch one and then say "I want to see the other boy again!"

Jack was not old enough to see the babies so Aunt Sarah invited him to the Cubs game. Great to know that he is establishing his allegiances right away.

Dashiell

Dashiell Henry Payne - 5:22 p.m. 4lb 7oz

Benjamin

Benjamin Parker Payne - 5:21 p.m. 5lb 8oz

Georgia

Georgia Eliot Payne - 5:20 p.m. 4lb 9oz

July 2, 2009

It is a good thing we took a picture of Erin and I before she headed to her final check-up appointment - a final tune-up before our scheduled delivery on Tuesday July 7. We had a nice parent only weekend planned with two alternatives for Violet and Jack to be watched on the delivery date. The triplets had other plans for us.


The night before her tummy was a little tight but she denied that she was experiencing any "real" contractions. However, at her appointment the doctor said that she was already 6 centimeters dilated and were worried about her going home. So, instead we started scrambling; luckily my sister Sharon was able to make it to our house to watch Jack and Violet.

I raced to the hospital. I made it just in time to say "Hi" and get decked out in my spacesuit before Erin was wheeled to the OR. Did I say wheeled, my mistake, not only did my woman drive herself to her doctor's appointment and walk herself two blocks to the hospital showing up like Rocky, but she walked into the delivery room on two feet.





Before -




And After! I did such a great job. Erin was pretty good to.