Sunday, March 29, 2015

Months 7 and 8

So month 7 and 8 have passed. I have healthy kids! I have had some hiccups and some busy days, but so filled with love. 

Issy is doing better! He is up to date on all his shots for 6th grade! His grades have improved.

Allen is QUITE the handful, but God is he so sweet throughout many days. He is up to 38.5 lbs and 39 inches! He has officially been seizure free 2 years, and off all medications for it for 3 months! He says some really sweet things all the time. Allen knows most of his primary colors (still calls purple pink some times.) We can count to 20. He is also working on ABC's now.

"Momma I just lub her" (about his sisters)
"Momma  I do my magic" (as he spins around)
"Lets pray" (if we try to eat before praying)
"I can't do it" (when he doesnt WANT to do it)

Sophia is now 20 pounds and 14 ounces. She is working on sitting, but doing a great job at it. She can't quite site herself up, but will stay up for a long time if you help her get there. She is crawling and just cut her 5th tooth!!! She is still my easy going girl! Her first word was: nanananana.

Meredith is 19 pounds 14.5 ounces! She is keeping up nicely with her sister! She is crawling nicely. We are really working on sitting up more with her since she still does not do more than a minute or so. She loves kitties! She also has turned into such a sensitive baby. Everything has to be perfect or the tiniest thing can set her off! Her neck has improved vastly with home exercises. She has 2 teeth! She has said her first word: mamamama.

Penny is still my tiny babe at only 17 pounds and 6 ounces. She has 2 teeth. She currently stands up everywhere. She cruises furniture. She is a pro at crawling and sitting up. She says mamamamamamama ALL the time and I LOVE IT! She also said buh buh buh buh (Issy loved that!)
















Harrell Daily Schedule                                      03/2015
6:00     Wake Issy Up – Issy showers, eats breakfast, gets lunch packed
7:00     Allen - dressed, diaper, cup, breakfast,
             Babies - diaper, feed bottle, dressed for the day
7:15     Get Issy on bus
8:00     Playtime for all the kids
8:30     Babies diapers and nap
             Allen hands on Preschool Activity
10:30   Allen - snack time
             Babies - diaper and feed solids (fruit/oatmeal)
12:00   Prepare lunch for me and Allen, eat lunch with Allen, then Allen's nap time
12:30   Babies noon bottle, diaper, and nap
1:00     Clean up living room, fold clothes, prep dinner, make any business calls, prep evening bottles,                     study oils
3:00     Babies - diaper, play mat time
3:30     Allen is usually up, gets a snack
4:45     Issy gets home, does homework
5:00     Baby dinner time (veggie, meat, bread)
6:00     Dinner time
6:45     Babies bath
7:00     Babies - feed, diaper, dress for bed
7:30     Allen's bath
8:00     Time with Issy and Allen
8:30     Bible story time
9:00     Boys go to bed
            Laundry, load dishwasher, makes formula, prep next day’s bottles, clean up living room


***Important Notes***

·         10 ounces per bottle and 1 teaspoon oatmeal cereal Penny gets Enfacare, Sophia  and Merebear get Enfant Premium/Enfacare half and half

Friday, January 30, 2015

6 Months... Already :(

6 Months came and went.

Meredith:
17 pounds 2 ounces (66%)
26. 75 inches (79%)
MJ finally started rolling both ways. She also started scooting around. She doesn't really care for solid foods much. She almost has her first tooth broken through.

Penny:
15 pounds 5 ounces (31%)
26 inches (49%)
Penny is our little over achiever. She crawls on all four! She also has sat herself up! No teeth yet, but she is working on them. She thinks solids are ok.

Sophia:
18 pounds 1 ounce (80%)
26.25 inches (60%)
Sophia has 2 teeth in already and working on her third. She rolls both directions reliably and gets on all four to rock back and fourth. She absolutely loves her solids foods and will eat a whole jar/tub by herself.

Allen is 39 pounds already. He is into everything and continuing to develop more everyday. He is learning and growing so much right before my eyes.

Issy's report card was better than before! I made up a blend to help him calm down and focus. It has been instrumental in how his attitude and behavior has changed so much.

Finally launched my Young Living Career. I am part of an amazin team and have such great resources available. My website can be found here. I love sharing the difference the oils have made for us.

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

5 month Updates

So December passed very quickly. Too Quickly in fact. 

I cannot believe the rush from Thanksgiving until New Years. Jerimiah's hours for the entire month were erratic and I was going a little crazy.

I made it out to MOPS all by myself. I was so happy to be able to fellowship and hear such a wonderful message. The rush getting out the door was stressful, but I honestly feel if I do not rip off the bandage and just do it, I would n=be a hermit forever!

We managed to make it out to the TMOTT family Christmas party and got an amazing picture of all the kids with Santa! The girls played well in the baby gated area. Allen had a blast. It was so nice to be out of the house together as a family. Jerimiah cut all of Allen's pretty curls off after we got home.

I finally took the plunge and joined up with Young Living to get more into the oils that have been changing our lives.

On the 14th of December we officially joined our new church family at Wilson Community Church. We have been attending there since last April whenever we were able to make it out and more regularly since September. It was such a special occasion!

Issy caught the flu and I managed to keep everyone else healthy through it! Allen stayed with grandma and grandpa, but the rest of us weathered the storm pretty well. I constantly diffused Theives blend in EVERY room in the house. 

The girls started their Synagis vaccine to help prevent RSV. They got a shot early December and late December. The later appointment statistics and current milestones are below.

Sophia weighed in at 16 lbs 14.5 oz. She gets to start solids. She also got with the rolling over program and can roll both ways. In fact she uses it to cross the entire living room floor. 

MJ was close behind at 16 lbs even. She also gets to start solid foods now! She is also high enough percentile to go to regular formula. MJ's murmur was unable to be heard at all! She still only rolls from front to back. Hoping to help her build her strength up more.

Little Miss Penny was only 14 lbs 3.5oz. No solids for Penny she was still just below the 20th percentile. We are leaving her on Enfacare a little longer. Penny scoots everywhere and has been rolling both ways since November. 

Allen came off of his Trileptal completely. He seems to be coming out of a fog. Its so crazy that he was on it for so long. Intellectually he is blossoming and it makes me so happy.

Issy is behaving better than before. Hoping his report card in January reflects better behavior as well.

Scheduling:

Harrell Daily Schedule            12/2014 Revision 2

6:00     Wake Issy Up – Issy showers, eats breakfast, gets lunch packed
7:00     Allen - dressed, diaper, cup, breakfast, meds
            Babies - diaper, feed, meds in bottle, dressed for the day
7:15     Get Issy on bus
8:00     Playtime for all the kids
9:00     Babies diapers and nap
            Allen hands on Preschool Activity
10:30   Allen - snack time
11:00   Babies - diaper and feed
12:00   Prepare lunch for me and Allen, eat lunch with Allen, then Allen's nap time
12:30   Babies afternoon nap
1:00     Clean up living room, fold clothes, prep dinner, make any business calls, prep evening bottles,             study oils
3:00     Babies - feed, diaper, play mat time
3:30     Allen is usually up, gets a snack
4:45     Issy gets home, does homework
5:30     Issy plays with babies until dinner is done
6:00     Jerimiah usually home by now, Dinner time
6:45     Babies bath if bath night (every other day)
7:00     Babies - feed, diaper, dress for bed, babies meds in bottles
7:30     Allen's bath
8:00     Time with Issy and Allen
8:30     Bible story time
8:50     Issy and Allen meds
9:00     Boys go to bed
            Laundry, load dishwasher, makes formula, prep next day’s bottles, clean up living room

***Important Notes***
·        All babies get 9 ounces per bottle and 1 tsp oat cereal Penny gets Enfacare and Sophia and Merebear get Enfant Premium
·        Baby meds ZantacPenny – 1.5 mL and Sophia – 2 mL
Allen meds Zyrtec 5mL


Thursday, December 4, 2014

Hahaha New Daily Schedule

babies decided they wanted more to drink every bottle and to eat less often so our schedule just got thrown out the window. Here is a tentative new schedule based on the last few days:

Harrell Daily Schedule            12/2014 Revision

6:00     Wake Issy Up – Issy showers, eats breakfast, gets lunch packed
7:00     Allen - dressed, diaper, cup, breakfast, meds
            Babies - diaper, feed, back to bed, meds in bottle
7:15     Get Issy on bus
8:00     Do learning and hands on activity with Allen
9:30     Babies diapers and dressed for the day
10:00   Allen - snack time
11:00   Babies - diaper, feed, dress for the day, baby nap time
12:00   Prepare lunch for me and Allen, eat lunch with Allen, then Allen's nap time
1:00     Clean up living room, fold clothes, prep dinner, make any business calls, prep evening bottles
3:00     Babies - feed, diaper, play mat time
3:30     Allen is usually up, gets a snack
4:45     Issy gets home, does homework
5:30     Issy plays with babies until dinner is done
6:00     Jerimiah usually home by now, Dinner time, Allen’s meds in cup
6:45     Babies bath if bath night (every other day)
7:00     Babies - feed, diaper, dress for bed, babies meds in bottles
7:30     Allen's bath
8:00     Time with Issy and Allen
8:30     Bible story time
8:50     Issy and Allen meds
9:00     Boys go to bed
            Laundry, load dishwasher, makes formula, prep next day’s bottles, clean up living room

***Important Notes***
·        All babies get 8 ounces per bottle and 1 tsp oat cereal Penny and Merebear get Enfacare and Sophia gets Gentlease
·        Baby meds Zantac: Penny – 1.1 mL and Sophia – 1.2 mL
Allen meds Zyrtec 5mL, weaning off Tril

Monday, November 24, 2014

4 Months: We are still surviving

4 Months have passed since I have birth to my beautiful princesses. I am alone during the day now. Honestly the stress of worrying how I would make it was killing me, but I am actually doing better than I expected. I still have not ventured out solo with all 3 babies yet. I did take 2 to the doctor alone for reflux (Sophia and Penny.) The zantac and oat cereal has been helping it sooooo much.

Sophia is so vocal now. She tries to talk all the time and is just the happiest baby. She is also trying to flex her stomach muscles to sit up. So far she manages to roll over from back to front while trying to sit up and be nosy. She loves to snuggle. She weighed in at 15 pounds and 3.5 ounces! She is 24.75 inches now.

Merebear is so particular about her bottles and demands a specific temperature. She has the most beautiful chuckle when she laughs, which is frequent lately. She is also cuddly. She can roll from front to back. She is still our middle baby in weight at 14 pounds and 0.5 ounces. She is also 24.75 inches! Meredith also was diagnosed with Torticollis, where her neck muscles need some work. They have referred us to physical therapy for it.

Penelope is way happier than she was a few weeks ago. The colic has severely improved. She smiles so much now and gets so excited. Out of all three she is the one most prone to over stimulation still. We have learned to recognize these episodes and separate her before she has a meltdown. It has greatly improved our life. She is still our little tiny girl at 12 pounds and 14.5 ounces. She was only barely behind her sisters at 24.5 inches!

Each baby eats close to the same amounts each feed. Penny and Sophia get 1 tsp of single grain oat cereal added to each bottle due to reflux. Sophia is now on Gentlease, while Meredith and Penny are still on Enfacare. Morning feeds are 7 ounces, 3 midday feeds are 6 ounces each, and the bedtime feed is 8 ounces. For the most part they sleep through 8pm until 7am.


Our Day looks mostly like this:

6:30 Wake Issy Up
7:00 Allen - dressed, diaper, cup, breakfast, meds
        Babies - diaper, feed, back to bed
7:15 Get Issy on bus
8:00 Do learning and hands on activity with Allen
9:30 Babies get meds
        Unload Dishwasher, prepare bottles, lay out clothes for baby
10:00 Allen - snack time
          Babies - diaper, feed, dress for the day, then on playmats
11:00 Prepare lunch for me and Allen, clean up kitchen more
11:30 Eat lunch with Allen
12:00 Allen's nap time, hands on play time with the babies
1:00 Babies - feed, diaper, baby nap time
2:00 Clean up living room, fold clothes, prep dinner, make any business calls, do any online work
3:00 Allen is usually up, gets a snack
4:00 Babies - feed, diaper, playtime
4:45 Issy gets home, does homework
5:15 Issy plays with babies until dinner is done
6:00 Jerimiah usually home by now
        Dinner time
        Babies meds
        Allen's meds
6:45 Babies bath if bath night (every other day)
7:00 Babies - feed, diaper, dress for bed
7:30 Allen's bath
8:00 Time with Issy and Allen
8:30 Bible story time
8:50 Issy and Allen meds
9:00 Boys go to bed
        Laundry, load dishwasher, make formula, prep next days bottles, clean up living room
10:30 Mommy goes to bed


Of course thats the usual schedule, but life sometimes happens and those times are slightly flexible. We have been doing it alone for a few weeks now and I couldn't be happier. My stress levels have gone down so much. We spent so much effort worrying how we would make it and hearing "Well I can just leave." That we were scared of what it would be like. Its busy and chaotic, but its our life. We both have felt better with our current situation and the stress and chaos has been minimal. Its exhausting, but joyful.

My church family has stepped up and taken such good care of us. Whenever we need prayers or company they are there. They have kept the kids, cleaned our house, even brought us meals. They have given us sooooo much in the way of time and gifts. I am not sure how anyone in my situation could get through without such an amazing church family.

My in laws do still help by keeping Allen some days. That is a huge help. Allen loves to go see grandpa and asks almost every single day for him. Every time a loud vehicle rolls by he says I want to see grandpa on the tractor. He loves to be over there!

Lexapro is helping my depression and my birth control is helping get my hormones in check. My hip pain is better than it was but still troubling. It helps to be able to take Aleve now that I am not pumping at all!


Play time!


Selfie Master


My Support System Collage


My Girls 4 Month Check Up!


"Momma Take My Picture"


And no pictures of my overly dramatic "preteen" as he calls himself. "Please don't take my picture mom!"

Monday, October 6, 2014

Week 11: Family of Beach Bums

Tuesday was spent trying to get back into the routine of things. It was difficult adjusting back to babies. My Allen missed me so much. Jerimiah stayed home sick with his plague as Meredith started to show signs of it too.

Wednesday was a packing day. I packed and Natalie packed. We literally spent an entire day packing for the beach trip. Nothing else got done but packing and the house was left in a terrible mess afterwards.

Thursday we drove down to Emerald Isle. On the way both Natalie and I had to stop to throw up. We think it was the BBQ sandwiches we had right before the drive. We got down there about 4/5 pm. The house we stayed in had an amazing layout for our family, but was severely run down. The stove didn't work and the fridge smelled so bad of fish that it leaked into the girls milk. We had to go out late and get stuff to try and fix it. They offered to deliver a new stove the day AFTER we left. Blinds were torn down and in the floor. It was no where near as nice as other places we have stayed.

Friday morning we just stayed around the house. After lunch we took the girls out onto the beach while Allen was napping. I went back in to pump just as Allen was waking up. After I pumped I went out onto the beach with him. It was amazing swimming with him in the ocean he got so excited over every single wave. We finished up and I showered to go out and buy food for dinner.

Saturday morning was another show morning. Me and Jerimiah took care of the girls while everyone else was napping or on the beach. Natalie came up at 1 so me and Jerimiah could grab lunch out together and do a boat tour. Unfortunately the normal 15 minute drive took over an hour so we only had time to grab a very quick lunch and get back to get everyone for dinner. We got back and everyone all got ready to go as we were informed that the girls shouldn't go because they were over stimulated. So we stayed home and packed and cleaned up.

Sunday we got up early and finished packing and cleaning. The ride home was long and exhausting. It took 4 hours to drive the normal 2. We got home and it took hours to get everything into the house and days to get it all unpacked.

Monday morning we just hung around the house and unpacked. Natalie was still feeling tired and sick. The girls were super cranky as they tried to adjust back to having less people to hold them and care for them.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Week 10: Momcation

Tuesday Natalie had to go into the church office, but she first helped us to get all packed up for the girl's 2 month check up. We switched out to the double stroller and it was so much easier right now to get out and about with! The girls are growing like weeds! Sophia is 11 pounds and 7 ounces and 22.25 inches, Meredith is 10 pounds and 8.5 ounces and 21.75 inches, and my tiny Penelope is 9 pounds and 15 ounces and 21.75 inches. The doctor said all of the murmurs were inaudible today, but that doesn't mean completely gone. Meredith has a slight flat spot on the right side of her head because that's the only size she likes to turn to. We have to actively try and reposition and increase her tummy time and it should clear up on its on. They all got shots today and we filled out paperwork for synagis the rsv vaccine. They also need to stay on Enfacare formula until at least January, which is stupid expensive. :( Penny and Sophia both the up every bottle after shots and none of the girls were in a very good mood at all.

Wednesday I spent catching up laundry and packing for my beach trip on Friday. It was a pretty good day. I had so much to do to prepare for my weekend away I couldn't make it out to MOPS. It was pouring rain all day long. We had breakfast for dinner.

Thursday Natalie went back to the church office to work and Sue came over to help out. Great grandma came to visit as well! All the babies were still so fussy. I did start taking pictures of my triplets matching clothes to post online to sell. When Natalie got home her and Sue gave the girls baths so I could spend quality time with Allen. It was so great for both of us and I had him squealing very loudly. Then Allen wanted to hold "his baby"and would not give Sophia back at all. He snaked my hand if u tried to even touch her! I was up until midnight finishing everything up for my trip.

Friday 5 am came way too early. I got up and showered then piled me and my stuff in the truck to ride with my hubby. I pumped in the truck on the ride to his work. I hung out with all the ladies in the shop while waiting. I even got to see my buddy Waldo! Amanda got there about 9am to get me. We went back to get place so she could finish packing we finally got on the road 10:30/11ish. It was nice fyi share the ride and have adult conversation on the ride, even though it seemed like forever. We got down there between 3 and 4 once we stopped at the store. We spent hours, like many many hours talking! Between the 7of is we had 32 kids! We ended up walking down to Taco Boy for dinner. It was delicious. I tried guacamole for the first time ever and completely loved it! I walked back to pump and just passed out afterwards. Everyone else was just getting in as I got back up for my 2am pump. It was so nice to just get up and pump and not have to worry about bottles and formula. I could also sleep deeply and not lay there just waiting for screaming crying babies. I slept better than I have since before my pregnancy.

I finally rolled out of bed for the day after 10am. It felt great. I already feel so much better. I couldn't ride a bike so the girls bright me back a chicken biscuit from Black Magic Cafe. It was so amazing. We hung out and napped some more. We then hit the Japanese crepe truck on our way to the nail salon. I had one with strawberries, whipped cream, chocolate, and a cherry. We got done and had Starbucks before heading back for Cards Against Humanity. It was my first time playing, but I had a blast! Then we headed to Rita's for dinner. After dinner we hit the bars and clubs right there on the island. Can't talk about all that went on, but I had a blast. I danced until my breasts started hurting from stimulation and my hips couldn't take anymore (2am!) Everyone else rolled in about 3:30ish.

Sunday 2 moms had to leave and I was up to talk and say good bye to them. Then I went back to bed for a while. We went to Rita's again for lunch and I had a "Southbound" burger that was amazing. I hit the little island shops for little trinkets for Allen and Issy. I got Issy a new rash guard and Allen a snow globe with turtles in it. For dinner we went out to Fleet Landing in Charleston. It was amazing. We had lump crab brushetta and I had a fried shrimp plate that was to die for. We got back and I packed up as much as I could since we had to leave by 9:30am. 

Monday morning came too quickly and it was a mad panic rush to get out the door in time. We did manage to make it out and ran by the Sweetwater Cafe for breakfast on our way out. It was so good. I had a heavy biscuit and hash browns with an iced vanilla coffee. The ride home took FOREVER. We stopped to drop Shannon off and I saw her cute babies. She gave me some coconut oil with Digize to try on Penny's colic. She also gave me a diffuser and some oil samples to see if it would help. I made it back to the hubby's work about 4pm. We left about 5pm and grabbed food from KFC on the way home. We got home and Allen and Issy made me cards saying they missed me and the loved me. It was so sweet. My favorite parts of the trip was all the amazing food and conversation we had. Penny and Jerimiah both started showing signs of the plague making its way through Jerimiah's work. Poor Penny ran a fever and had tummy issues adult both ends all night. :(

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Week 9 Updates

Tuesday I took Issy in for his 11 year old check up and vaccinations. It is hard to believe he is 11 already! After that I dropped him off at school and went home to work on stuff for my upcoming yard sale. We are almost completely out of 0-3 month and stuff is piling up fast! October 18th my mom said she could come back and help us do a yard sale to get rid of some of the pile up.

Wednesday we hung out around the house. My mother in law Sue cam over to help again while Natalie was at work. My father in law came over and wanted to take the kiddos swimming, so they did that while me and Natalie took the girls outside for a while. They did really good and were super cute until a million bugs kept landing on them. It was so nice outside and I enjoyed that 45 minutes until they got too upset to stay out. Natalie is moving out on November the 15th. She has stayed long past when she intended too and feels it is time for her to move on. With her moving out I am reducing pumping. The girls got their first bottle with formula tonight, to make the transition slowly.

Thursday Natalie was off of work and we worked to get everything done in time for her trip to SC. Grandma Natalie came over to visit the babies again. We gave them a bath, since that is what she said she wanted to see. After bath time I had to shower to head off to a doctor's appointment. I am struggling with post partum depression and other female issues that I was seen at my OBGYN for. They put me on Zoloft and referred me to physical therapy. I am hoping it helps.

Friday Natalie worked again, her last day at CFA for a few weeks. Sue came over and we took the kids in town to CFA. Allen was eating and playing with his food when I noticed cottage cheese on his tongue. I immediately knew it was thrush. I took him to urgent care while Sue took the girls to Lowes to run an errand. I of course knew exactly what it was, but disagreed with the treatment they gave. Unfortunately I cannot do anything about it until I can take him to his pediatrician (Monday!!!) I did try and start the treatment though. Natalie fixed us a lasagna for when she was gone. Issy went to my dad's house for the weekend since the next few weeks are going to be crazy busy. When my dad came to get Issy he brought Allen a monster digger truck like Jaxson's, since Allen loved it so much. He was the happiest bit in the world.

Saturday my friends Christy and Sabrina came over to see the girls and help out. We had a great time talking and catching up. I was able to get a shower and a nap! I also got all caught up on laundry folding! We took lots of pictures and ate some amazing lasagna! I was so sad to see them leave, especially because it's going to be so long until they are able to come back.

Sunday we just couldn't get the girls calm with to make it out to our church. It was so so so crazy. We just hung out at the house A's tried to get things done. Issy came home late so we didn't make it out to the church picnic either.

Monday Natalie let me go back to sleep after my 6am pump until time for Allen's appointment to check his thrush. I took Allen to the pediatrician who said the thrush was improving. I took Allen with me to return some things to Target. I had to take size 1 diapers back since we are moving into size 2. We had fun and Allen loved the popcorn. The only thing he asked for was strawberries so I couldn't deny him those! Allen napped on the way gone and went right back to sleep once we got there. We spent the rest day just getting stuff done and hanging out.

Week 8

Tuesday was a slow day during the day. Natalie worked and Sue was here helping me. Grandma came by to see the babies. Not sure how I would still be pumping without all this help. Allen acted off all day, then after he refused dinner we took his temperature and it was 102.5 degrees! He also pulled air at his ears so I was pretty sure it was an ear infection.

Wednesday morning I got up super early to have Allen at urgent care by 8am. The doctor said his throat was a little red and his ear with the tube was definitely infected. He didn't look in the ear without the tube because he said it was sure to be worse and Allen was fighting it. Allen asked for cow cow, so I got him his favorite hash rounds. I only got 1 order and he had them gone before we could get halfway home. He wanted more and I felt so so so bad. Sue watched when so that me and Natalie could take the girls and go to MOPS. It was nice to get out, but a little stressful. I was worried about Allen and the girls were fussy in the bright lights and with the loudness. It did feel so good to do something normal though. 

Thursday Natalie worked and thankfully Sue was here to help again. It was mostly a try and do little tasks for the 5 minutes no one is screaming kind of day. Poor Natalie is the only one who can sooth Penny, by singing. Her poor throat had to be killing her the next day!

Friday we stayed home for the day to try and prep the house for Issy's party and company coming into town. It was a lot of work to get ready. We had to clean soooooo much. Natalie and I both worked so hard to prepare. Natalie put my casserole (for the party) together and prepped the kitchen. I also had to run and get Issy his allergy shots. I was so excited to see my mom and finally let her meet her granddaughters! She got here close to 11pm, but that didn't deter us from catching up! I was so happy to get to spend time with my Autumn! I cannot believe that I was her age and holding her when she was as small as my girls are.

Saturday morning we were on the grind. We got this house in to shape much quicker than I expected. Issy's "brunch" party was a success. We managed to get everything ready and have a great time with very little stress. Allen was sad Issy wasn't playing with him much and he pushed Issy, but Issy was ok afterwards. The girls did pretty well with everyone here. Natalie was able to nap while we took Issy and Allen out for Issy's present form us: a trip to Frankie's Fun Park in Raleigh. The fun park was a little stressful, mainly because we haven't been sleeping well and were hot and tired and Allen was tired and a little cranky. He loved the go carts with Mommy though! Issy loved everything, especially laser tag where he had the top score. Issy even faced his fear by going up the "sky climb" giant climbing contraption! autumn faced her fear and got back into a go cart too!

Sunday we all slept in, well as much as babies and pumping let us. My mom made me go shower before she left and she did all my dishes. I didn't want her to go. The weekend went by far too quickly. After all the excitement and holding all weekend none of the girls wanted to sleep.

Monday Natalie and I started our day on less than 3 hours broken up of sleep. She had to get up and go to work, leaving by 5am!!! I was here until 7ish with all the kids, but I managed to get Issy up and ready and out the door on time all by myself! I got Allen all settled while I pumped. The girls just had to wait, if the woke up.We had a very upsetting day for our family. The details are kind of private and not really my story to tell. I can say this situation affected us and cost my husband 2 days of work. We can't even afford for him to take off 1 day, much less 2!!! I did go into town to try and find out what I needed to do to get the special accounts set up for the girls. Our bank doesn't offer them and neither does the local Bank of America. It looks like Wells Fargo is the only one who can open it (we need a blocked trust/Coogan account for the girl's acting work.)


Week 5 After Triplets

Tuesday was a rough rough day. Natalie had a meeting at the church and I did my first stretch of being alone with all the kids. Allen refused to nap and the girls took turns crying. I didn't get to eat or rest at all during the day. I had to take Issy to meet his teachers. I liked all of them and he got the ones he wanted. The staff at the school ooooo'd and aaaaaah'd over the pictures of the girls! Sophia finally lost her umbilical cord, and I mean really lost. Hopefully Allen didn't find it and do anything disgusting with it. Tuesday night was killer. The girls all cried most of the night.

Wednesday we were all super exhausted. It was a struggle to make it through the day. Wednesday night was a lot better.

Thursday was a pretty long day trying to come up with child care at the last minute for my older boys and prepare to take the girls to Wilmington for a TV appearance. The person I had lined up for weeks just decided she was not going to keep them because she didn't agree with our decision to allow them on TV. MJ laughed out loud in her sleep. We gave all the girls their first full baths. The girls all cried a lot overnight again.

Friday morning I was up at 5 to pump (as usual) and then had Miss Sophia who was not in a good mood. I rocked her until everyone else got up. I caught Penelope giving me the biggest grin on camera. MOPS friend Joyce kept the older boys until Jerimiah got off work so that Natalie and I could still make our TV appearance. It was a super long day. We went to Port City Java and grabbed milky way coffees. We got on set and had missed the meal, but they made us very very tasty turkey and cheese sandwiches. They were running really late so we had to wait forever. By the time they called for us Penelope was the only one fed and changed so I took her over to the set. It was 2 hours of waiting around (split up between filming for 10 minutes.) 2 hours of boring waiting for the coolest 10 minutes of action. I met sooooo many people but the set manager was named Shaun and every time I had to walk somewhere with the baby he would talk into his microphone "baby moving", "baby on stairs", "baby in van", "baby on set, quiet on the set" type things. Penny pee'd all over her "costume" so the decided to wait until the last minute to put her in another set. I also met one of my favorite actors John Noble. I laid Penny down and she started fussing so John Noble picked her up and rocked her. His wife's name is Penny and he kept calling her his little Penny. He bent down and kissed her on the forehead (totally just because-not on film!) I also met one of the writers/producers that is one of my favorites, Albert Kim. The set was a beautiful old house backed up to one of the inlets. Penelope did so good. She was quiet and peaceful (which is not like her at all) even when she had hiccups. She did so good that she was the only baby they needed at all. It was 9:30 when we finished filming and about 10:30 by the time I finished pumping and got all the girls paperwork done. It was 1 AM when we finally got home. I did all the driving so Natalie could sleep for work the next morning.

Saturday was also a busy day for the Harrell crew. First off we were running late for everything and our house and ourselves were a disaster. Morgan came by and did another round of amazing photographs. She made a bunk bed from wood and twine. It was so beautiful. She also got some really good shots of the boys and girls together. After Morgan left the Wilson Times came out to get our picture and story in relation to MOPS and the support and ministry they have provided for us. I enjoyed talking to Janet so much!

Sunday morning we got up and got ready for my husband's family's church's annual homecoming. I was not sure on taking them, but they did pretty good. Of course I could not catch much of what was going on our said because I was so tired and trying to focus on the baby. I had Sophia, Jerimiah had Penelope, and Natalie had Meredith.

Monday Natalie had to work and my mother in law Sue came over to help again. I was able to here a small nap and get out to the grocery store, so it was a pretty productive day. We also had to prepare for going back to Wilmington for more filming.