2 Months Already!

Where does the time go??? The triplets were 2 months yesterday already. I can't believe it.

Alli being cute today

Jimmy - 2 mos
Jim and Cassie
Jenna - 2 mos
I was able to catch Jimmy smiling
Wanted to do one of those cute pictures with all the heads together, but I obviously didn't have much luck to get a good one ;)
Mom (Grandma) with her Clauser babies (Cassie, Jimmy, Jenna-and of course, Alli)
Jenna - 2 mos
Jenna and Cassie talking to each other
My sister Jackie and brother in law Bill came in from Nashville this weekend to finally hold Cassie, Jimmy, & Jenna
Jimmy taking a bath
Great Grandma G with Jenna
Diane, Kristen & Me holding Jenna, Jimmy & Cassie

We are adding another set of TWINS to the family

No, Jim and I are not pregnant again---just in case we scared anyone! My little sister Ann and her husband Tim found out a few days ago that they are expecting TWINS! They were just married in July. We are so excited for them. Our family grew by 6 members last year (Tim, Cory, Sully, Jenna, Jimmy & Cassie) and now they are bringing two more babies into it. My sister Jackie already has identical twin girls (Amy & Angela-20) and then I had triplets, and now them. Talk about a fertile family ;) Twins do run in our family though. My dad is a twin too. I think Ann and Tim's will make the 9th set. She also has a blog set up if anyone wants to follow along. I'm not sure if she'll be as good as me at updating--haha!

www.timandannmeadows.blogspot.com

Growing Family Pictures

I've been meaning to post these for the past two weeks---you can look them up on the website (www.growingfamily.com), but after 3 separate hour long phone calls, they still didn't change them to the correct names. And on top of that, the order I placed at the hospital never made it in either, so I had to choose all of my pics again, etc. These were taking on 1/4, so they were about 5 weeks old. Oh well, at least they turned out cute :) See for yourself!

Jenna Catherine
James Lynn
Cassandra Lauren
Group

Quick update and a few pics

Hi everyone! Jim had to go back to work today, so now the real fun begins. I have people lined up to come help me out this week though. The babies are doing great! They had their first pediatrician appt. last Monday. Jimmy weighed 5lbs 140z, Jenna weighed 5lbs 10z, and Cassie weighed 5lbs even. They are getting so big. There really isn't too much to report because they are just sleeping and eating. Nights are a little rough, but they do go anywhere from 3-5 hrs between feedings. That is better since the Dr. did tell us that we can let them feed on demand, rather than waking them up every 3 hrs. We still let one lead the pack though, so once one wakes up (usually Jimmy!), we feed them all to keep them somewhat on a schedule. And Alli is doing great with her potty training!!! I have to return to work sometime in April. Sorry for the lack of updates this week.....we are trying to get a few things done around the house while the babies still sleep a lot.

Jenna after her first bath at home

Daddy and all of his babies
Jimmy

Alli and daddy getting into mommy's makeup

We also had some visitors (I didn't get pictures of everyone, but remind me next time you are here).
Aunt Gina and Jenna (Happy 32nd Birthday)
Cousin Janie
Aunt Kelly & Uncle Billy
Papa Jim

Snug as a Bug in a Rug

WE ARE FAM-I-LY....

The babies are all finally home. We couldn't be happier. Allison is doing great. A little bit of acting out the first night and every so often, but that's to be expected. She must be trying to get some attention for herself because yesterday for the first time, she went on the big girl potty 2 times! We are so proud of her! Not to mention, it would be great to only have 3 in diapers, rather than 4:) So far, it hasn't been too hard except for the middle of the night feedings. Besides that, they just eat, sleep, and poop :) We were told only to hold them while feeding them for the first few weeks because we don't want them to get overstimulated...they just need to rest and grow. I'm sure it will get A LOT harder when they get a little older and are awake more and are more vocal.

Jim is off all next week...guess I need to get the 'Help Wanted' sign up sheet ready for the next week! And we are excepting visitors, but we are saying no kids for now (for a few weeks) and no one that is sick or has a sick person at home. Just give us a call because they can't be in crowds either. It kind of stinks that they were born in the winter during RSV season because I just want everyone to meet them---I know everyone has been waiting patiently. But, we just want what is best for our babies and for them to be healthy and grow. Soooo, sorry for all of the rules and we hope everyone understands!

Just to be fair, I'll post some pictures of Jenna coming home and her with Allison.

After first bath at home for Jimmy
After first bath at home for Cassie
Allison taking her babies to Chuck E Cheese (how would you like to ride in that stroller? haha!)

We're Finally All Home!

Here are a couple of quick pictures. I don't have time to blog right now (because it's time to feed the babies again) but we'll catch up soon. Hope these hold you all over for now.

Two down, one to go!

Getting ready to leave NICU South and move in to our new home with our family

Cassie - so tiny in her carseat

Jimmy - he filled it out a little better, but was still pretty tiny

Alli seeing her brother and sister for the first time at home
Three of our kids

Allison holding Cassie for the first time

Allison holding her brother for the first time

Jimmy sleeping peacefully in his new bed

Sorry we had to leave you Jenna! You will be home soon enough! We love you!

Jimmy & Cassie

We are leaving in a few hours to pick up Jimmy and Cassie to take them home! We are so excited. Jenna should be coming home on Friday if she doesn't have any other hiccups. Can't wait for Alli to meet them!

One day at a time....

We have been told about 7 different 'coming home' dates for the babies since my last posting. We realize now that we have to take it day by day and just be ready when they call and tell us to come pick up our kids. They have had a few hiccups to set them back, but they are nothing major---they say the babies are just acting their age (almost 36 weeks). We were told we can take them home on monitors, but we didn't really feel comfortable with that, so we were going to let them know, but then the DR. came in and made it easy for us...he didn't think it was a good idea himself since there are 3 of them. We will be too busy. So, we will continue our daily trips up to the hospital, knowing that they are in good hands while we can't be with them. I'm guessing they will probably come home later this week or this weekend?

Jimmy weighed 5lbs 3 oz, Jenna 4lbs 9 oz, and Cassie 4lbs 7 oz last night. They are filling out their preemie clothes! Nothing else too exciting going on....just trying to get the house ready. Allison is so excited to meet her brother and sisters! I can't wait to get some pictures of all four of them together.

Jenna had an MRI last Fri and we had an appt with the neurologist this afternoon. He pretty much told us the same thing about not really thinking they cysts on her brain are going to be a big deal. It could still lead to something, but only time will tell. From his experience in seeing this type of stuff, it usually turns out to be nothing. But for now, she is just perfect! He said it could lead to a learning/development disability, but probably nothing more than any other preemie has the risk of. The location of the cysts are on the front of the brain and isn't consistent in what he has seen when there are major problems. Thanks for all of the prayers (and keep them coming for all of them!). All of the babies qualify for a program called First Steps, where they do follow ups on the babies and make sure they are developing okay (sort of like a Parents as Teachers type program). Since we had this issue with Jenna, all of the babies will probably be followed up by Dr. Mantovani (the neurologist).

Look--no more tubes/wires on our faces :)

Cassie

Jenna

Jimmy