As the Bottle Turns

So we've been home for two weeks now and it has gone quickly.  From our moms helping out to the routine that makes time fly, we don't know where the days have gone.  

The kids are doing well.  They are growing, partly due to the juiced-up recipe of formula we're mixing (it has about 25% more calories than breast milk).  Max is over 10lbs, Olivia must be sniffing 7lbs and August is close to 8.  

Mom and dad are doing well, too, and the extra hands have helped. When Grandma Kuhlenbeck and Norris are here, either of us are able to rest, or in my case, go to work.  Night feedings with three adults is a luxury that we won't soon forget.  

Once the grandmas left, we found out how daunting a baby's schedule is times three.  We are undoubtedly fortunate to be on a roughly 4-hour schedule and God bless those who wake up every hour or two with newborns to feed or change.  

The 4-hour schedule, if everything works out, gives us a little down time to do the things we need to make the day work: wash and fill bottles, launder the baby stuff, feed ourselves, and any chores or errands that are left.  Saturday morning, we gave the trio baths and from the 8am feeding plus the baths, 12pm feeding and miscellaneous tasks, we found ourselves immersed in baby until 1pm when we broke for lunch.  

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Kelly and I shared some great times this weekend with the kids - our first Hawkeye game together and our first walk outside. 

The kids didn't know it, but they were being quietly indoctrinated into Hawkeye fandom.  We'll see if it lasts, but Max did look like he enjoyed his #1 Iowa jersey.  

Past Hawk players who wore the #1 jersey?  Tim Dodge (db/wr), Kyle Schlicher (k), Daniel Murray (k) and...that's all I got.  And you're welcome for the cocktail trivia.  I think Kelly would be fine with both boys being kickers if they ever play football!   

Today Team Norris took the triplet stroller on its inaugural journey.  We didn't have any champagne to crack against it, so we took a picture.  

The temperature was a balmy 54 deg, the sun was shining and our kids had on two layers, beany hats and three blankets.  The stroller was great, rolling both on and off road with ease.  At times, rolling on lawns was smoother than the broken sidewalks in our neighborhood.  

How many people stopped us on the walk to check out the kids?  Three.  Actually, only one person we didn't know.  They just came to a complete stop in the middle of the road, a woman got out of the car and was absolutely giddy at the sight of three babies in a stroller.  A quick peak and she hopped back in the car. 

Quick stats from two weeks at home: 

Daily diapers: ~30; two weeks: 420

Daily formula consumption: ~80 oz; two weeks: 8.75 gal

Daily bottles: 18; two weeks: 252

August also goes in for hernia surgery this coming Wednesday.  We're coming home on Thanksgiving day, so keep him in your prayers for a smooth procedure and recovery.  

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  Let's go around the table and say what we're thankful for...Kelly and I are thankful for our three babies, our wonderful family and friends and all the blessings God has bestowed on us. 

Now, it's your turn!