ER Visit #.... I've lost track!

We had a rough start to our week...

Monday the triplets and I went into the doctor for sore throats and a cough (I also had a double ear ache). We were tested and turns out Zachary and I were the only one's that had Strep Throat. So we got our antibiotics and went home. About 10pm that night Rex and I heard coughing and wheezing coming from the triplets room. I ran up stairs and flung the door open to find Zachary gasping for air. His face was white and all around his mouth was blue. He was definitely panicking, because he couldn't breath. I yelled for Rex as I ran with Zach down the stairs and into the family room. Rex held him close and talked softly too him, rubbing his back and coaching him to take deep breaths while I stumbled through putting together the nebulizer.

I was so shaken up... I started crying and told Rex how scared I was to see Zach like that again. I flashed back to the night that Zach was admitted to the hospital for RSV when he was just 4.5 pounds and still gestationally 4 weeks premature... that night I thought I was going to loose my baby. It is a very hard memory for us as parents.

The Albuterol in the nebulizer helped open up his lungs a bit... so he was a little calmer, but he was still wheezing and he had this awful Barking cough. We felt it necessary to take him to the hospital... but before doing so Rex gave him a Priesthood blessing.

Seth came with Zach and I to the hospital, so he could sit next to Zach in the back of the Navigator where I wouldn't have been able to reach him with out pulling the car over. (There is nothing more helpless than not being able to reach your child when they REALLY need you.) Seth was a huge help! He tried to get Zach to not think about crying. He tried to make him smile, and distract him from the pain caused by his coughing fits.

When we got to the ER, they took us back immediately. With Zach's history of being a preemie, getting both RSV and Pneumonia as a preemie, and having diagnosed asthma, they weren't going to make us wait for a room. Not long after we got in the room, the doctor was walking by and heard Zach cough.... he said there is no way it is just Strep. He thinks Zach was being affected by two sicknesses: Strep Throat and Croup. He told the nurse to start him immediately on a stronger inhaled drug through the nebulizer. It did help, but not enough. So the doctor ordered steroids which would help his upper-airway to open up. He said the barking cough is from swelling being near his vocal cords.

We were there for only 2 hours when I paged the nurse into the room, It was obvious Zach was feeling better... He was playing and laughing and bouncing off the walls. He wanted to go for a walk, and go to bathroom, and then talked up a storm with the paramedics in the hall. She agreed that the doctor would want to see his progress... and we were headed home with in 30 minutes. Steroids are known to make kids hyper, so we had a fun time of getting him to lay down once we got home. When he finally did pass out we noticed that his coughing fits got worse... When I picked him up and held him upright against my chest while he slept and the coughing stopped. Every time I started to fall asleep (I would slouch a little) and Zach would start coughing again. So Seth put on one movie after another and we stayed up watching movies until about 4:30am when I finally laid Zach down to go to the bathroom (since I am pregnant that is a constant battle. lol) But this time he didn't start coughing when laying down, so I let him stay there and I just laid down at his feet (basically curled up on two couch cushions), Sent Seth to bed, and slept for about an hour, until Zach woke up mad cause he had pee'd his pants (and my couch). lol But the coughing was not like a bark anymore, and EVERYTHING has been much better since then. Rex took the morning shift which started at about 7am and Seth and I got to sleep in until noon. :)

Zach is doing really well today and we anticipate it will only get better. My double inner ear infection is almost gone along with the Strep (thanks to the meds). we have been on Antibiotics for over 48 hours and since no one else has shown symptoms we are no longer contagious and completely in the clear. Yippee!

This experience helped me remember how fragile life can be. This is the second time that I have feared losing my Zachary. I feel really close to him and I would just die if anything ever took away ANY of my kids. We know Heavenly Father was watching over Zach, and we feel so blessed.

Seth and Madison

I was going through my journal and wanted to share a little something I wrote about our two oldest children.

"We have 2 children, Seth Autzen White (4) and Madison Abigail White (2), and we are expecting a new delievery from the stork! TRIPLETS!!!

Seth Autzen

Seth is such a great kid! We love his witty personality. He was due to be born on his daddy's birthday Jan 18th but decided to be 6 days late and came into the world on Jan 24th 2004. He was born at the Salem Hospital. Seth has such a strong spirit, and a strong testimony of the church. He loves family prayer and scripture study. He does really well to sit through an entire chapter. Right now we are in 1st Nephi. He would tell you that his favorite story about Nephi is the one where Nephi builds a boat and his brothers laugh and mock him like in the primary song. He always reminds us how Laman and Lemuel were such bad brothers. He says that he would have helped Nephi if he were his brother. Seth is also very bright. He is already starting to read, numbers and letters are no problem for him and he has a steal trap for a brain. He has the entire story "Polar Express" trained to memory, just from having it told to him 3 nights in a row! We were shocked!!! Besides his talents he is a wonderful example to his little sister and soon to be 3 little brothers. He’s a blessing in our lives.

Madison Abigail

Madison is such a little sweetie! "Truly a girly, girl"... with a little bit of don't mess with me~! She can definitely handle her own. She was born on November 10th 2006 in Richfield, Utah. I had a Midwife with Maddie, and delivered her all natural in the Sevier County Hospital. Madison was the sweetest little baby! By 3 months she was sleeping all through the night. I would have to wake her up for feedings because I thought I would burst if I didn’t. She smiled the first day she was born, and has melted her way into the hearts of every one who has ever met her since that day. She went through a fierce 6 months of terrible two’s, but she seems to be over it now (keeping my fingers crossed). Madison is our little thumb sucker… can’t get her to stop for anything. She is turning 2 on Monday, and had her birthday party this last week with all her little nursery friends from church. She loves to eat! And her favorite movies are the Baby Einstein series ~ The monkey and turtle are her favorites. She has her own room for now, but will soon be moving in with Seth to make room for the new babies. She has such a sweet and kind disposition. Every time she is offered anything she speaks up for Seth (making sure he doesn’t miss out on anything) she says, “Brother too?” She loves her brother so much. I think she will be a very good big sister to the triplets.

Family Photo Shoot by Angela Cole Photography

Isn't Angi such a fabulous photographer?

She did these for us.

Love you Angi. I miss running together. :(

Here they are in reverse birth order,

left to right, from Riley to Seth.

The boys have grown so much and we are having so much fun watching them learn and experience life as the three pack they are.

Alex is still very lazy and will put up with endless abuse from Riley. Riley loves to bite. Still working on that. Zachary is always into something.

Having triplets takes baby proofing a home to a whole new level. I have locks on the stove and fridge, and don't forget the toilets. All the cupboards have locks too, except for the pots and pans, and the large plastic bowls. These cupboards are theirs to enjoy. As long as I mop the floors daily with our Shark Steam Mop I feel comfortable with them playing on the floor with the pans and bowls I will cook with later.

Riley

(Look Ma, I'm walking!)

Zachary

(Eeewww, what is this all this poky green stuff?)

Alex

(um, I'm good, I think I will just sit right here and suck on these two fingers)

Madison, Rex, Zachary, Seth and Riley

Alex

Zachary

Riley

Big sister helping out...

Madison Abigail

Seth Autzen

Aleece and Rex

The Triplets Turned One!

30 Little Toes at 3 weeks old

30 Little Toes at 1 year old

Alex Zach and Riley

Alex Jesse

Zachary Ryan

Riley Cade

Alex, Zachary and Riley

My favorite because they were all laughing.

Now for a blast from the not so distant past....

Something I don't think many people knew about was that

Rex said he wasn't going to shave until the boys were all home and healthy.

After all the RSV, and hernia surgeries this is a picture of Rex holding all three boys.

He has a hair cutting cape already on, ready to get a hair cut and a shave.

Finally they are home!

April 3rd 2009

Alex, Zachary and Riley

Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Rex with their grandkids.

Seth was 5 and Madison was 2

The triplets were 2 months and 3 days old.

This was the picture that the Statesman Journal showed

of proud Grandpa Rex, holding the triplets.

We were the Bee keeper and her Bees for Halloween last year

Grandma Sharon (Bee) and Aleece (Bee Keeper),

Madison (Bee Fairy), Seth (Bumble Bee Transformer)

The triplets were my Little Honey Bees.

Rex was at the Duck Game with Grandpa.

Riley, Zachary (back) and Alex (front)

Seth, Aleece and Madison

Aleece was in charge of Young Women in Excellence Night for our old ward.

She dressed up for the first time since her wedding.

It was a night for the girls to remember all

the things they had worked so hard on in

their personal progress throughout the year.

Madison had her first photo shoot for her 3rd Birthday

First bath with all the Kids Together

December 2009

(check out the look Alex is giving)

Big Boys 8 months old

November 2009

Thanks Giving Vacation 2009

(At Great Grandma and Grandpa Sobrio's home, in Reno)

When Aleece was a baby, she played in this crib too.

November 2009

Madison's 3rd Birthday photo shoot turned into a sibling photo op.

Christmas Morning 2009

A Very Blessed Christmas

We had a very excited and fun filled year.

So glad to be able to share it with you all.

Love, The White's

The night the Triplets were born!

Wow! So a lot of time has passed since I first started creating this blog post, and it is far from done, but that could take forever. At this holiday season and Thanksgiving just around the corner it seems appropriate to share the things that we are grateful for.
There are so many to consider, and so many persons to thank that I dare not try to name you all! However, there are a few people that should definitely receive an honorable mention. All the staff down at Salem Hospital for their service to our family. Their kindness and friendship was so wonderful for me as I struggled to know how to take care of every one's needs. They made sure I took care of me. They helped our babies come home to us.
I want to thank all those people in our ward and family who helped us through some very difficult trials. With bed rest, and school mid-terms and finals, LSAT exams, and work, two young children longing for something fun to do, the anticipation of the financial burden, and the hope that the journey we were about the embark on would be the best it could be. The Relief Society sisters were (and so totally, still are) the BEST! You all have helped in your own ways. Rex and I have learned a lot about service, and it will take our entire life time to pay it forward.
We have truly been blessed to have had all of your support! Thank you!
Thank you Helen, for offering your home to Rex and me as a place to raise our family for a time. Your generosity has been unmatched in the eyes of all those who know our story. We can't imagine how we could have done any of these things with out the benefits of living in your beautiful home. We think every one should know...
Helen asked us to stay in her house here in Salem so that she wouldn't have to hire some one to rent it out and in hopes that she could help us out while Rex has been in school.
Her gift has been the gift that has just kept on giving. Every trial we have encountered we have turned to each other and said, "Wow, imagine if Helen hadn't offered us her house." Life could have been so very much more difficult!
We are eternally grateful to Helen for all her kindness, and are sad to part ways when we move on to law school this summer. We don't know where the road will take us, but we think he will attend U of O's law program if BYU doesn't work out. Which would put us moving at least an hour away from Salem. We are not sure what Helen will do after we leave, but we wish her the best and she will always be in our prayers. We love and appreciate you Helen.
The other thing that rings so true in our lives is Family! I am so thankful for Family! All types... parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, our children, ward family, and our Heavenly Father and elder brother Jesus Christ. If there is one thing all these people have done for us, at one time or another, it is heartfelt service. We love you all, and thank you for your selflessness.
Happy Thanksgiving!

So I know you have all been waiting for the pictures of the babies during their first weeks of life. This is all I have complied. Be prepared to see some yucky stretchmarks, and brand new pictures of the boys right after birth. You've been warned. lol

Sunday February 8th late at night.
We hurried to the hospital because my contractions wouldn't stop.
(Read previous blog entry about their birth story for entire story.)

Just looking at this makes me feel it all over again!
My stomach will never go back to normal. Ouchy.

You know, I was trying to lift my head up... so I could see over my belly.
Wasn't going to happen! =)

Mt. Vesuvius!

Rex Sr.
Sharon came too, she took this picture and many others while we were in this room.
Lacey was home watching Seth and Madison. (thanks pooh bear)

Rex Sr and Rex Jr watching me fight through a contraction, I think.

Yep, this was a bad one.


Rex comforting me between contractions.

I was worried... constantly listening to every word the nurses and doctors were saying even out in the hall way. In this picture I was watching the monitor.

Dr. Bowen
He delivered Seth 5 years ago. We would have had him deliver Madison too, but we moved out of state before she was born. He delivered the triplets in the operating room.
They were his first triplets delivery. Awesome job Dr. Bowen!

They told Rex and I that we would not be able to see the babies if something went wrong during their deliveries. One of the nurses said, "Just listen for them to cry... if they cry then I can bring them around the curtain for you to see, before we take them away to be examined." I think Rex and I both were praying so hard, just to hear those three, good- loud cries.


Monday, February 9th 2009
Alex Jesse White 4 # 8 oz ~ 17.25 inches long
Born at 12:46 am

Zachary Ryan White 3# 11oz ~ 16 inches long
Also born at 12:46 am

Riley Cade White 3# 13 oz ~16.5 inches long
Born at 12:48 am
Riley was up in my ribs and breach, so it took longer for them to get him out.

Rex took this picture of me right as we heard the first cry...
Rex and I cried tears of joy as we heard each on of the boys take their first breaths and cry out "I made it!"
All I could think was 'good their lungs are working well enough to cry.'
What a blessing to get to see each of them right after they were born. I was so worried that something would be seriously wrong and I wouldn't get to see them until later.

Mommy in the recovery room.
C-Section surgery is a breeze but the recovery from that
moment forward was a beast!

Mommy being taken to the NICU to meet our babies

Baby "B"~Mommy meeting Zach for the first time and holding his tiny hand.

Mommy and Daddy counting Zach's fingers and toes.

Baby "C"~Mommy meeting Riley, he was so long and skinny like Zach

Mommy and Daddy holding Riley's hands


Baby "A"~Mommy met Alex last. His ribs didn't show as much and he was visibly bigger than Zach and Riley.

The boys had to be on C-PAP for 4-5 days.
After that they could breath on their own. (with some lingering apnea issues)

Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Rex in the waiting room.

"The hospital played twinkle twinkle little star over the intercom
3 times when the boys were born." (Sharon)

Grandma and Grandpa meeting the babies for the first time (This is Alex)

Rex finally getting some sleep... still wearing his church clothes.
I took my own picture... I wanted to always remember how happy I was-
by looking back at this picture. lol
I had no idea at the time how beat-up I looked. (yikes)

Seth and Madison came to the hospital the next morning to see mom, dad and the babies. Madison reading daddy's card to mommy.

Madison always has a thumb in her mouth. Daddy looks tired.

The proud big brother, about to meet his little brothers.

Need I explain this look?

Seth and Madison's first time meeting their new brothers.

Be prepared, more belly pictures! Ahhhh!


12 Hours after the babies were born.

Looks like there could still be another one in there doc!


Nope, just a bunch of Fluff!

Battle wounds (all the places they had to stick me with needles)... I bruise easily I guess.

Mommy, so tired. 12 hours after the C-Section.

Still having fun...

My milk came in fast and I started pumping 16 ounces every 3 hours. At my largest supply point I remember pumping 24 ounces when I was 1 hour late for a pumping.
Can you say, "Holstein" Milk Supply!
I would later switch to breast feeding the triplets until they were 5 months old.



Riley waving hello at 4 days old. :)

Daddy doing "Kangaroo Care" with Alex

Daddy doing "Kangaroo Care" with Riley
Mommy doing "Kangaroo Care" with Zachary


Alex had his Breathing tubes removed one day before Zach and Riley. He was always ahead of the game. All three boys had them off by 5 days old.
Alex taken it easy... reminds me so much of his daddy.
Daddy sleeps like this 90 percent of the time.


Zachary just had his tubes removed... still had the shell over his nose.


Riley...
This was the best time ever for mommy and daddy, when all three boys no longer needed the breathing assistance. They all looked like babies again.

The Triplets First Video.



Pre-Surgery Video

Our original predictions on the boys and their personalities:

Alex: Competitive, Athletic... a fighter.
Zachary: Methodical, thinking things through, figuring things out. (Scrunched forehead)
Riley: Class Clown, Gymnast (tried to scoot out of the incubator at 5 days old), happy-go-lucky.

So far we are right on with Riley. Zach is more physical than we expected, and likes to go for it. Alex has proven to be a lover! Just like daddy, "It's all good!" Taken in easy.

This will be fun to re-evaluate in a few more years.

Thanks so much every one for watching the blog so eagerly awaiting an update! I know I was way behind on this, but it has seriously taken me 9 months of all my little "free times" to compile this. I'm not sure it is ready to be released to the public, because it has none of the pictures from when the boys were at Legacy Emanual Hospital for RSV, or when they were at OHSU Doernbecher's Children's Hospital for a cold, and then again for Zach and Riley for Hernia Surgery, or pictures of all of Seth and Madison's adventures with the Ronald McDonald House, and all the fun things they have for kids at the hospitals, but this is the best I could do for now.

So much of our lives left to be documented... but I plan to make this blog like a journal, again. A record~ of our family events, trials, and testimonies. Stay tuned...

LOVE The White's