Three Peas in a...CRIB!!!

"There are only two ways to live your life. 

One is as though NOTHING is a miracle. 

The other is as though EVERYTHING is a miracle!" 

- Albert Einstein

Welcome back friends, family, and fans! We're glad you were able to find us again. We love meeting here every week to chat with you all. It's kinda like a date! But instead, daddy isn't sitting on the front porch in a rocking chair polishing his shotgun waiting for boys to bring home the girls. We've heard that the girls don't get to date until they are 30...so they better enjoy their weekly visits now! Well, we've got lots to share, so lets get started! 

Oh, by the way...on Saturday we all moved to the same crib!!! 

Three peas in a..CRIB!!!

Jaxson Ray

Hey there, friends! It's great to see that you're back for more good times with us triplets. Speaking of good times, we're having some good times sharing the same crib. It has been way too long since we were all together for longer than just a few hours. Actually, it's been 6 weeks because that is how long ago we were together in mommy's tummy. I can't imagine what life would be if we were still in mommy's tummy. Can you imagine over 12 pounds of baby in mommy's tummy? Of course, she'd look absolutely beautiful! As for me, I take up 4 pounds 11 ounces of those 12 pounds. I have almost doubled in size! Yes, I am still "the tank". I may still be wearing preemie clothes, but they are pretty tight. I have snuck into a newborn sleeper a few times, but I usually get lost in all of the extra space. This past week I have not been as naughty as my sisters. I mean, come on, I'm the golden child! I tried to spend some time without oxygen, but missed those pokey little prongs in my nose. So I went back on for a few more days. But right now, I'm pokey prong free. I am trying to work hard on my breathing because I cannot let Ella beat me in the oxygen department. We all have chances to drink from a bottle every 3 hours during our assessment times. I have been drinking most of my bottles for the past few days. While drinking from a bottle I have to concentrate on breathing, keeping my oxygen levels up, drinking slowly, and not refluxing. It is a lot of work! Sometimes I can take half of my bottle and then need to take the easy way out by having it pushed through my feeding tube. The main thing is that I keep my oxygen level up and keep enjoying my liquid gold. If I do that, I'll still be in the running for the "preemie of the week".  Being stuck between my sisters in our crib isn't so bad, especially since mommy and daddy can spend time with all three of us at the same time. Triplet bonding time is the greatest! Life is good!!!

Charlie Dawn

Hi guys! I'm so glad that you were able to stop by and check up on everything. None of us thought that we'd have such a huge, supportive fan club! So yes, we are very truly humbled by your kindness! Well, if you didn't hear it from Jaxson, there's never a dull moment in the NICU. We are busy, busy preemies. I continue to be the tiny, feisty one weighing in at 3 pounds 9 ounces. I am still little, yes, but don't let that be mistaken for weakness, because that I am not! I have been growing at a slower rate, but any growth is great news. This next week is time for me to put on my big girl shoes and put on the ounces and join the 4 pound club. I have been the underdog from the very beginning, but the underdog always becomes a hero because of their drive, willpower, and strength. I decided that I'd surprise everyone this week and move out of my isolette. I worked on my body temp and breathing so I could join my brother and sister in the crib. It was such an awesome accomplishment for us all! We all have our own quirks and personalities, so it will be very cool seeing all of those come out while we're bonding together. I am working on getting rid of my oxygen support by trying to only use my nasal cannula when I am eating. So far, I've done well. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll get rid of the oxygen support altogether. I am trying to practice drinking from a bottle, too. I really like when mommy and daddy hold me while feeding me. I like it so much that I kinda forget to drink the bottle and just look around with wide eyes. I have been drinking a little bit from my bottle, but usually cannot finish the whole thing. I am just a little girl, you know. There are so many things to remember. Especially since I'm always in the running to beat Ella and Jaxson to be the "preemie of the week"! This next week will be another busy one. We are all getting stronger and working on so many things to make sure we are home with mommy and daddy soon. They said they are getting lonely! I bet the quiet house is driving them crazy, but that's okay, because for the next 18 years, it will ALWAYS be loud and crazy! The Hoheisel Family of 5 is very lucky to have each other, and of course, we are very blessed to have all of you in our lives. "Life is good!!!"

Ella Grace

Hello everyone! You know how we've been saying there are a lot of ups and downs in the NICU? Well, there were definitely more downs than ups for me this past week. Mommy has never had so many worry lines and daddy has never had so many gray hairs in his beard before this week. Last week, the doctor said that I might be heading home before the weekend. I guess I got too excited and forget to do some of the important things I've learned. Slowly throughout the week my tummy filled up with air. No one is really sure why it happened, but it sure made for a bumpy week. Since my tummy was full of air, it also put pressure on my lungs, so I had to go back on my oxygen. Then I had to quit eating for 4 days! That was probably the worst thing about the week. After working so hard to get up to my maximum feedings, I had to quit cold turkey. I was a wee bit crabby for a few days...to say the least. I also had to get an IV for antibiotics and a blood transfusion. Lots of pokes, prods, and pricks happened in a short amount of time for this 42 day old preemie. After everything that happened, I had to leave my big brother in a crib by himself and go back into an isolette. I think that was harder for Jaxson than it was for me. And poor Charlie just had to watch it all from her isolette. Then, out of the blue, my tummy deflated! I slowly, but surely, got back into my routine of eating, sleeping, pooping, and of course, looking beautiful. Today, I am back off my oxygen, back into a crib with my brother and sister, back at full feedings, and back in the race to be the "preemie of the week" weighing in at 4 pounds 8 ounces. One thing that this past week helped remind me, my parents, my nurses, and my doctors is that we cannot forget that the life of a preemie is one heck of a ride with twists, turns, and triumphs. No one can really understand how difficult life is for the family of a preemie (or 3 preemies), but I know that our family has certainly joined the preemie club together...as a strong, loving family! "All for one and one for all!" Life is good!!!

"Tough times never last, but tough people do!"

Welcome back, friends! With things changing daily, we're back to share the newest accomplishments, speed bumps, and hurdles from "the spa". We hit the 5-week mark and are all stronger than ever! 

Three peas in a pod

Pounds

Hello everyone! Jaxson here, and it's great to chat with you again. We're another week older and another week stronger. So I've been waiting all week to tell you that although the grass outside isn't growing and it's turning brown, we're doing the exact opposite...except, I guess we're not turning colors! That's probably a good thing. Since being born 36 days ago, we've all put on at least 1 pound. By we, I mean us triplets...and daddy. Yes we're all growing. We are now at a combined weight of 10 pounds 14 ounces. Can you imagine if we were still in mommy's tummy?!? I am guessing daddy would be doing a lot more than just painting her toenails. I am holding strong as "the tank" of the group. I am weighing in at 3 pounds 15 ounces!! Ella is trying to catch up, but she's not quite there yet. She's weighing in next at 3 pounds 10 ounces. Finally, Charlie is still the littlest pea in the pod. She tops the scale at 3 pounds 5 ounces. We all continue to grow, so much that it's getting tough for mommy and daddy to "kangaroo" us. It's kinda sad! Don't get me wrong, we need to grow, but "kangaroo time" was so relaxing, comfy, and the best medicine. I guess it's time to grow even more so we can go home and cuddle with mommy and daddy whenever we want! The race is on to see which trip will be making the trip to our house first. Game on, girls!! Well, time to relax in the hottub for bath time. Thanks again for stopping by. I'll chat with you again next week. I love you all!! 

Bottles

Jeez, that boy is long winded! I thought it would never be my turn to chat. It's me, Charlie!! Do you remember me? I'm the one with beautiful eyes and a cute little nose. Now do you remember? Good! Well, it's great to have everyone back to visit. This week, it is my job to share about our input. Being a baby is tough work, you know? I mean, we are sleeping so soundly and then they wake us up to change us, clean us, poke us, and listen to us. It is a lot of work! When they are done with all the assessing, they usually hook us up to our tubes that feed us our "white gold". But now, something has changed in our routine. We still sleep, get cleaned, get changed, get poked, and get listened to. But now we don't get hooked up to the tube that feeds us. Not all the time, anyways. We are now able to drink from a bottle...EVERY feeding! That means that whenever we want, we can drink from a bottle, like "other babies" do. Can you sense my excitement?!? Did you know that it's a lot of work to suck, breathe, swallow, digest, and look cute? Well, it is! We are able to drink from a bottle every assessment, but sometimes we are just too tired to do all of that work. Instead, the nurses let us take the easy way out and hook the milk up to our tube. But when we take the easy way out, we don't get fed by mommy and daddy. They usually feed us, rock us, and cuddle us a few times a day. We are starting to like drinking from a bottle more and more. Hopefully next time we chat we will be eating more and more from the bottle and less from the tubes. Like Jaxson said, it's "tubby time". Time to get all beautiful again! Thanks for checking in with us. We will chat again soon. Love you guys!!

Cribs

Being the 3rd child is tough. I am the last one to speak and last one to share my story, but in the NICU I'm the first one to get the attention of my nurses, mommy, and daddy. I guess it could be worse, huh? Like Charlie and Jaxson said, it's been another busy week of new ups and downs. Our roller coaster is never a dull ride. The twists and turns are thrilling, but also terrifying. Speaking of thrilling, something pretty amazing happened this week. Jaxson and I got to wear our first article of clothing!! Our preemie clothes are so dang tiny, but so dang cute. But clothes aren't really the most thrilling part of the story. With clothes on, that means that we are able to maintain our body temp pretty successfully. Which doesn't sound too exciting, but the next part of the story is...! Jaxson and I are sharing a crib!!! A real, "normal baby" crib! We both were doing so well with our temperatures and layers of clothes, we were able to move from the isolette to an open crib. Charlie is still in her own isolette, which isn't the worst thing, really. It is noisy out here in the open crib, so Charlie's isolette keeps it a little less noisy for her. I do miss that part, especially with Jaxson moving and making noises in my ear all the time. How can a girl get her beauty rest?!? We do miss having Charlie with us, though. Since we're in the crib fully clothed, she can't join us. Hopefully soon enough, though. It's hard to be triplets without the third, little peanut. The funny thing about being in clothes and a crib, daddy has to relearn how change diapers. With us being known for "squirting", you have to be very careful...as one as our nurses discovered the hard way! Jaxson is always showing off his talents! Well, like the other peas in my pod said, it's time for a bath. You know, I'm not too big of a fan of this, but we'll see how it goes. Thanks again for dropping by to check on us. We think of you all often! Love and miss you!

Jaxson and Ella in their now home.

I Hope You're Not Color Blind...

Jaxson: Hello, everyone!! Welcome back! We're still broadcasting live from "the NICU spa".

Charlie: We're glad you stopped by today because we have a lot to tell you! Many changes this past week...good changes, that is.

Ella: Can you believe that we are 4 weeks old?!? Just 4 weeks ago, at 9:28, 9:29, and 9:30 AM we entered the world. Yes, we were a bit early, but we just couldn't wait to meet everyone supporting us.

Jaxson: This past week, all of our "O's" have changed. By "O's" I mean oxygen support. I am sitting at 1 liter of flow. I am on the highest "O's"of the group. Yes, I know I'm the strong, handsome boy, but I enjoy being pampered a little too much. Dr. Panda said that I will go down on flow and I will like it! Yes sir!

Charlie: I am the smallest, but don't count me out of the running for super triplet of the week. I am down to 0.5 liters of flow. Going from CPAP to cannula, cannula to CPAP, and now off of CPAP to only 0.5 liters of flow...I'm kinda a big deal!

Ella: Now that you've heard the other two, I guess it's my turn. I don't mean to brag or anything, but I'm off ALL "O's"!!! Yes, that's right, mommy and daddy can see my beautiful face, with only my food tube in my nose. #1 Trip right here!!

Jaxson: You know Ella, talking all big and stuff. Well speaking of big, I am still the biggest! I now weigh 3 pounds 11 ounces. That's a gain of almost a pound in 4 weeks! Guess what, my face is even looking a bit chubby!! Who would have thought that was a good thing in the NICU!?!?

Charlie: I am growing, too! I weigh 2 pounds 12 ounces. We are all getting extra calories in our milk to help give us a boost. Since we're not out bathing in the sun, we also get vitamin D. Mommy and daddy should probably get the vitamin D, too. Especially since daddy starts school next week and has spent zero time in the sun this summer. I guess when you have triplets in the spa, parents don't get much time to catch rays...or sleep!

Ella: Now everyone turn around and don't look at the scale while I weigh myself. No peeking! Well, I am still the middle child for weight. 

Jaxson: Come on, Ella! You've gotta tell us!

Charlie: Yeah, I did it. Or are you a chicken? Chicken!! Chicken!!!

Ella: Fine! I am weighing in at 3 pounds 4 ounces! There, are you happy?

Jaxson: Yes!

Charlie: Yes! Sibling pressure works every time.

Ella: Ugh! You guys make everything sound like a good idea.

Jaxson: Along with our "sun" (vitamin D) and "french fries" (calories), we are all at full feeds. That means that we are getting the maximum amount of milk that babies our size receive. Oh yeah, and I get a full bottle! - fed to me! - by mouth! - from mommy and daddy! - once a day!!! Let me tell you, drinking from a real bottle is a lot of work...but totally worth it!

Charlie: No bottle for me yet, but I'm getting "sun" and "french fries" daily. I am cueing like crazy, but still need to concentrate on getting stronger before a bottle. Dang, huh? But at least I get to lay back and get a full tummy without even lifting my pretty little finger.

Ella: I am also getting a bottle fed to me once a day. Mommy and daddy are able to feed me if I am cueing and acting like I am awake enough to drink a whole bottle. It was very scary the first time because usually they just give us a pacifier to trick us, but I, once again, was a rockstar! I've been called that a lot.

Jaxson: Like we said, it's been a pretty great week with lots of changes and milestones.

Charlie: I have been looking a little pale these days. Of course, I don't get to lay out in the sun...and my parents are "Casper the Friendly Ghost" white, but that still wasn't the reason I was pale. So I was lucky enough to get a blood transfusion to help boost my body. I don't even think it was a whole ounce, but the blood they gave me has started to do its job. I am getting a little more pink, breathing better, and am more alert. My brother and sister called me an attention hog and a vampire, but hey, a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!!

Ella: Charlie always gets more attention! Always hogging the nurses! Always stealing the visitors!

Jaxson: Yeah, she does! With all of those smiles she gives the nurses and the pretend being sick...

Charlie: No I don't! Jaxson, you're the one who is always trying to steal my thunder before it's your turn to be played with! And Ella, you're just jealous because I have a prettier smile!

Ella: Take it back!!!

Jaxson: Ugh!!! Sisters for sale!! Or better yet, sisters for giveaway!

Charlie: Don't act so tough, Jaxson. You're the one that wouldn't let go of my hand when we were in the same isolette together. Oh yeah, we forgot to tell you one of the most exciting things that happened last week...

Ella: Dr. Panda and the nurses let us play together!! After 24 days, we finally were able to be together again. It was so awesome, so comfy, so quiet, and so beautiful! We missed each other...even if we pretended not to.

Jaxson: It was a great moment for all of us...especially mommy and daddy! Tears and smiles filled the room. Oh yeah, and camera flashes!

Charlie: Oooooooooh! I am getting goosebumps just thinking about how great it was! It was perfect!! Expect when one of us would move, we all would move. Just like when we were in mommy's tummy.

Ella: It was what we all were patiently (maybe not so patiently) waiting for. If we all are doing well, we are able to co-bed once a day. That's our favorite part of the day.

Jaxson: With lots of changes each day, we keep moving in the right direction. It's hard to believe that we're only 34 week babies based on gestational age and are doing so well. We sometimes act like we're 16 years old already by giving mommy and daddy gray hairs and worry lines.

Charlie: The prayers, thoughts, kind words, and visits have been powerful! So powerful that we cannot thank you enough for the healing medicine of love you've given. We are still on our crazy roller coaster of ups and downs and twists and turns, but with your help, we're getting stronger each day.

Ella: "Life ain't always beautiful, but it's a beautiful ride!"...especially if you're riding shotgun with amazing family and friends! We are truly blessed! We cannot wait to meet everyone that we haven't met yet. Lots of growing to do, but each day we become stronger!

Jaxson: It was great talking to you all! It is time again for my bottle. Man, who would have thought drinking less than a ounce would be so exhausting! Have a great week!

Charlie: Yeah, I better go, too. It's time for me to curl up on my tummy and catch some beauty sleep...not that I need it! Thanks for stopping in! Take care and be safe!

Ella: We are so glad that we're able to visit with everyone, and that you're still coming back to hear our story! Loving family, great friends, and growing babies -- blessed in an understatement! We love everyone so much! Talk to you all later! BYE-BYE!!

Potty Humor

Hello everyone! Glad to see that you've come back to visit! It has been a very busy week here at the spa. Our ups and downs continue as we grow stronger each day. Mommy and daddy were watching a TV show about the world's most amazing rollar coasters and said, "They obviously haven't had 3 babies in the NICU!" The rollar coaster that we're on is one amazing, frightening, thrilling, and beautiful ride...and we wouldn't change it for the world! "Please keep your hands, feet, and other objects in the cart while the ride is in motion. And ENJOY THE RIDE!"

Jaxson Ray

Guess what?!? We are already 22 days old! Not only are we getting stronger, but we're also putting on the ounces, too. I am still the biggest weighing in at 3 pounds 5 ounces. Mommy and daddy get to see my handsome, dark eyes more often. I mean, who wouldn't wake up when people are staring at me like I'm an exotic animal in a zoo, wiping my cute little tush with ice cold wipes, or shoving a thermometer in my armpit...and only my armpit if I'm lucky! But don't worry, after all of the poking, prodding, and pinching, they fill my tummy with liquid gold. And I do have a secret weapon. *DISCLAIMER: If anyone is squeamish, skip down to Charlie's wise words...or maybe just to the end of the post!* I've got some trivia for you all. Do you know what you get when you lift a baby boy's legs up and press on his tummy? You've got it!! A poo shooter!! Also, do you know what you get when your daddy has a weak stomach? Uh huh!! Lots of gagging from daddy and lots of laughs from mommy! There is never a dull moment with the Hoheisel Triplets and new parents! *Now how many of you still read it because you wanted to be a rebel?? That's what I thought!! Hey, it's not just me, Ella does it, too!

Cheeseball!

Just relaxing in the hottub!

Another Vikings fan!

Charlie Dawn

Can you believe that we're 3 weeks old already? It has been a very eventful week for me. I am now off of my CPAP and now just on a nasal cannula like my brother and sister. It feels great to get that off of my face! Now mommy and daddy can see more of my pretty, little face. I am still the smallest Hoheisel weighing in at 2 pounds 10 ounces. For me being small, Dr. Pramod said I was growing too quickly. First they want me to grow and then I have to slow down -- are boys always this confusing? But I guess he was right. If you input, you've gotta output. However, I'm inputting more than I'm outputting...if you catch my drift. But I am getting pretty good at outputting, especially when daddy is holding me! I like to hear mommy giggle. She's got such a great smile and laugh, and she has been smiling and laughing a lot more lately...at daddy! Mommy and daddy often said they chose my name right away because they knew they were going to have to yell it a lot. They were right! I am considered the naughty one because I am always causing gray hairs. Lots of ups and downs with me, but that's how I fight for attention. I mean, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! Right?!?

Pretty, Pretty Princess

Yes, we're Olympics fans! GO USA!!

Look, my preemie hat is too small. That's a good problem!

Ella Grace

Hey there! It has been a pretty great week for me. I often hear people say I'm a rockstar. I guess if they mean beautiful, tiny, sweet, and amazing, I must be a rockstar! They call me a rockstar because I have been doing so well. I am weighing in at 2 pounds 14 ounces. Right in the middle, but working my way up ounce by ounce. This breathing thing isn't so hard. I am breathing the same amount of oxygen as all of you, but I just need a little pressure pushed into my nose. Hopefully they lower the flow so I can work harder on my own. Within the next week or 2, maybe I'll be free of the nose cannula. Then mommy and daddy will be able to see my beautiful face more clearly.  Mommy said that I have not been emitting the fragrance of a lady...(once again, another bodily fluid reference). Everyone asks when we get to go home, but we still don't know. We have so many things that we need to work on before that time comes. We want to be home, but want to be strong enough to be home. So we'll wait...but hopefully not too long.

I found my thumb!

Tubby time is NOT fun!

You better be giving me some liquid gold after that tubby torture!

Well, once again, we thank you from the bottom of our tiny, little hearts! The love and kindness of family and friends encourage us to grow stronger each day. You are our medicine! We know this is not easy for mommy and daddy. We see their sadness when they have to leave us in the spa each night, but we also get to see their beaming smiles and tears of joy each time we reach another milestone. The extended stay with our great nurses and doctors is worth seeing those beautiful smiles. We are also lucky enough to see the smiles of our grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. Those are the faces that make us smile because we see mommy and daddy smile knowing we are loved! 

Just know, we love you all, too!! So long, friends!