A big step towards coming home!

Yesterday was a great day for the triplets! All 3 babies got their IV's taken out, so the only fluids they are now getting is the breast milk I have been able to pump for them. This is a huge step as it means they are 1 step closer to coming home!!! All 3 are also having calories added into the milk to make sure they are able to start gaining some weight. Mason and Dylan are getting 24 calories per feeding, Madelynn is getting 22 calories per feeding. Each baby is fed on a 3 hour shift, and we are able to take them out of their little isolettes during their feeding times. It works out perfectly that no matter what time we arrive at the hospital to visit, it is usually someones turn to come out so we can start snuggling them right away.
Mason should be able to start being weened off his isolette in the next 3-4 days and start moving to a bassinet, which is another huge step to coming home. He just has to prove he can hold his body temperature steady and not need to be kept warm by the heat of the isolette. Also, with their IV's being out, we are now able to give them actual baths in a tub, so I got to help give Dylan a bath yesterday. It definitely wasn't as easy as I thought it would be, but he did pretty good for the most part and only fussed a little.
Many of you have been wondering when the babies can come home, and honestly it is a day to day thing. The babies just need to show they are able to hold their body temperature, have 24 hours of feedings by either breast or bottle without any issues and pass their car seat test (this is when they have to be able to sit in their car seat for over an hour without forgetting to breathe or having any other issues). Mason and Dylan will for sure be the first to come home, with Madelynn having to spend an extra week or 2 to catch up to her brothers, but the nurses don't think she will have any problems. She is proving to show us how strong she really is and each day she does better and better.
Thank you again to everyone for all the rides, meals, and well wishes!
Love,
Shawn, Beth, Mason, Dylan and Madelynn

Mason

Dylan

Madelynn