The Video Diaries

As promised, many nice little videos taken by Rick and I:

NICU Tour
Grace's Hiccups
Feeding Everett
Avery's Fingers
Grandad Simpson
In Da Crib
Avery Bath
Grace Bath
Everett Bath
Feeding Time
Swingers

NOW ON VIDEO! - I always knew they'd be stars...

Here is the first video ever taken of the trio. It is in the NICU in their first week of life. I have a small collection, which now that I have figured out how to do it, will start integrating into future posts. You should be impressed now Dad.

THE STATS

With the World Series in full swing, the statisticians are pouring the numbers out. Baseball is a wonderful numbers sport. 20 -- The number of bucks I am going to loose to Grumpy Bob if Detroit doesn't pull off the comeback.

A common question we get is how many diapers we go through in a day. For my friend Adrian who was always a fan of the 'stats', here is that answer with a few other interesting numbers:

20 - The number of diapers we go through in 1 day.
14 - Cost of 40 diapers.
315 - The amount of bum wipes used per week.
1.1 - Cases of formula used per week over and above the breast milk.
40 - Cost of 1 case of formula.
2 - Load of laundry per day
9 - Outfits that have to be changed every day.
15 - Bottles washed, sterilized, and filled on a daily basis.
50 - Average minutes it takes to get through a feeding.
4 - Hours between the daytime feedings.
3 - Average hours of sleep between the night time feedings.
2 - Number of days between Grace poops.
2 - Number of times I have seen Everett smile.
100 - Average number of good moments we have each and every day.
9 - The number of days I have until I have to go back to work to pay for the bum wipes. :(

VISITORS from the big city!

It was so nice to have Uncle Jeff and Aunt Diane up for a weekend visit. Armed with dinner and some helping hands we shared a wonderful weekend of feeding, changing, and bonding moments. Within hours of her arrival Grace unloaded and Di saw that it is serious business around here.

Thank you for the wonderful dinner, but thank you more for the company. You (and anyone for that matter) is welcome to come by for visit. Please don't wait for an invite because we have our hands full, but we genuinely would love to see all of you. Best time if you want to see the babies awake is 9-1-5-9. The 3 am feeding is closed to visitors because I think we would only draw the disreputable types. Kris, Avery, Grace, Everett, Riley, Presley, Maddie, Daisy, Rick, and I hope to see you soon. :)

Bill's Swing

Thanks to my boss Bill Danyluk and his boss Trish for the wonderful swing. We did a little test and it was a hit. Although we are able to calm them now, a time will come when we need this swing. As you can see from the pictures it is a crowd pleaser.

The greater gift from Bill has been his unwavering support through the pregnancy, delivery, hospital stay, and first month at home. His strong family-first values have been proven though his actions and support. Although it is unlikely he will read this, I want to thank him for allowing me to be at home during this important time.

Thank You Aunt Shannon.

With only a few days remaining, I would like to personally thank Shannon for spending her annual vacation in October feeding kids, changing diapers, and doing laundry. With Rick's help we are able to keep up, with yours we were able to do many other things we would never have time to do otherwise. Your nieces and nephew are getting a more loving experience because you are helping us share the load thereby making the time we do spend much more positive and not so rushed.

Grandpa has the key to feeding!

At 9 weeks Grandpa already has the little ones feeding themselves. At this rate he should have them vacuuming at 15 weeks and changing the oil by 20.

Mommy how is Daddy supposed to feed this?

I told you he was tired. When Everett decides he rather sleep than eat, convincing him otherwise is not easy. I laid him down in the crib trying to trick him into thinking it was nap time (when he likes to stay awake). He is smarter than Daddy and showed him he can pass out with the best of them.

The Diabolical Stinky Burrito Gang

Preceded by their reputation is the Stinky Burrito Gang. This trio of bundled of odiferous trouble are often found hanging around "The Crib". Known for their funky demeanor, when bundled tightly they usually stay out of trouble.

We were introduced to the swaddle in the NICU via a video shown to us. We actually had the book the video was based on, The Happiest Baby on the Block. Like any professed cure-all solution, some skeptism is warranted. I'll just say this; I have no previous parenting experience so my opinion should not mean too much, but we wrap our triplets almost exclusively so that they can sleep soundly between feedings. We bunk them together, so when they are not swaddled they slap the crap out of each other among other problems. I have used the swaddle combined with the side-lay, jiggle, and shushing to calm Everett many nights. Thanks for showing us. It has been the single most effective tool in our parenting arsenal.

The Good, The Sad, and The Ugly

Recent doctor/vet appointments indicate everything is progressing as it should be. The kids are gaining about 1 oz per day and are all closing in on the 7 lb mark. The animals are adapting well.

Everyone is eating well, some a little too well. Riley helped himself to 11 butter tarts one day and consequently re-decorated the house overnight. Presely, having had sloppy seconds, re-re-decorated the house the following night. After a few nights of feeling punky, everyone is out of the diabetic comas and back to their obnoxious selves.

The kids are also creating messes on a regular basis, some less often than others. Grace feels it is more efficient to wait for every second day and then fill her entire jumpsuit. Not sure I agree with her logic, as typically I am the one dropping her into the bath for a simple diaper change.

Everett is our sad soul. Mommy says he is going to be a scientist, and the joke is that he is not going to be a MAD scientist but rather a SAD scientist. We picture him in the laboratory, beginning to weep, lower lip quivering, "My beaker broke....boo hoo hoo."

Avery is Miss Congeniality. Nothing phases her. She just lays between her sad brother and stinky sister and smiles quietly. She eats well, poops regularly, sleeps quietly, and rarely cries.

All in all the Simpson Family Circus is firing on all cylinders.

Your Suite Awaits.....

Well you asked for a TV in your room and after re-wiring the house, mission accomplished. There is only one small glitch; we have a double booking issue with the spare room. It seems a certain chubby beagle has claimed one of the few remaining bastions of free real estate, in our now crowded house, for himself. I have discussed the matter of his missing reservation, but as you may have heard beagles can be stubborn. You may need to get comfortable on the couch. Luckily we have a TV in that room also. The matter remains unresolved.

MOMMY - The E! Hollywood True Story

Here are some shots of the most important person in this whole endeavor.

The story of 'The Blankets'

I would like to share a wonderful story about the trio's Grandmother Linda and Aunt Marylyn. Early in Kristen's pregnancy, Linda began her plans for the children. One of the many projects she began was to knit three large blankets meant to be their 'blankie' for years to come. When her health took a turn for the worst, she was unable to continue. With the blankets not finished, she asked her sister Marylyn to continue the knitting campaign. The blankets traveled to New Brunswick where Marylyn made some progress. The blankets still partially completed then traveled back to Sudbury during a moment of remission when Linda felt she had enough strength to continue them with Marylyn. She did not have the strength and was quickly returned to the hospital. Marylyn resumed work on the blankets. Having promised Linda she would finish them, she had to once again take them back to New Brunswick. When they were done, Linda was in the Palliative Care facility at Laurentian Hospital, and in a touching moment, the blankets had returned to Sudbury and presented to Kristen for her future children.

Linda was giving person; this final gift will not be forgotten. Thank you Marylyn.

Simpson Road Trip #1

BABY ON BOARD, BABY ON BOARD, BABY ON BOARD!

The first of many family road trips happened this week. This one was to North Bay for an eye appointment. The appointment was mandated by the sub 1500 gram birth weight of Grace and Everett. We decided to take Avery along because she is still a little too young to stay by herself. So Grandpa, Mom, the trio, and I loaded up in the loser cruiser and ventured down the highway.

Like most kids, the drive was a non-issue as the vibration of the vehicle put them all to sleep (including Grandpa for a while). We did our first road feeding in the waiting room of the hospital as the schedule dictated. It also went well with three successful bottles complete with diaper changes. The eye tests had good results indicated we had nothing to worry about.

We ventured home, and even stopped at Wal-Mart to pick up $250 of bare essentials; diapers, formula, and wipes. The triple stroller sure draws a lot of attention. Most frequently asked question? "Are there three babies in there?"

All in all a fun and successful trip. They may not all go that well! I can't wait to try one in the RV.

All You Need Is Wuv.....

I am looking forward to developing our closeness as a family unit. I have every intention of becoming an affectionate father like my father was. I feel it provides a warmth that can carry you a long way in life's rocky sections. Besides it gives me an excuse to lay on the couch and take a break. Here are some shots of it developing already.

Some photos for all...