We Turned Two!!

Can you Believe it?!

Where do I even begin?  The last two years have been the proverbial roller coaster.  Our family, both biological and choice, have stood by us and endured just as much as we have - you watched Adam and I celebrate Madison's life and say good bye.  You were cautiously optimistic as we announced we were carrying triplets and despite your own questions, you supported us.  You held your breath as the girls (well Cecilia really) decided they were ready to enter the world a whopping 3.5 months early.  And you prayed while Cecilia, Isabelle and Zoe all fought for life.  Thank you.

July 1, 2014 - One Year of Age
Zoe Elizabeth, Isabelle Grace, Cecilia Hope

We are blessed to have three amazing two year olds (corrected only to 20.5 months).  The girls have overcome more obstacles than most grey haireds face in an entire lifetime.  They were fighting to survive before they entered this world.  And I can say without any hesitation, it has all been completely worth it.  

All the sleepless nights, agonizing terror and heartache, moments where we didn't know if we would find our own breath as they struggled for theirs ... 

July 1, 2015 - Two Years of Age
Zoe Elizabeth, Isabelle Grace, Cecilia Hope

Cecilia Hope

She LOVES to play!

Fast forward and the girls are quite simply, for lack of a better word, amazing.  Cecilia has overcome the most by far, but you would never know it.  She's the happiest little person.  Constantly with a smile, babbling away and showering you with love and hope and belief.  There is no reason why Cecilia defied medical science or why she fought so hard to prove everyone wrong - but she did - over and over and over again.  She is my hero.  

What?  Who me?
Isabelle Grace

Isabelle is still my favorite monster.  She has the absolute best personality and will crack you up with her faces.  She's also too smart for her own good and has discovered she can open doors and escape if she wants.  We've recently started timeouts and she will go, head down, and stand in corner waiting for you to tell her she's been a good girl again.  Once that happens, she will run to you and give you the biggest hug she's capable of - enough to absolutely melt your heart.

Such a character!!
Zoe Elizabeth

And then there's Zoe - trust me, Zoe will not let anyone forget her.  She's a true character.  Hugs and kisses, climbing and playing, feeding you hamburgers with grape jelly - she's definitely her own person.  The most amazing thing is to see her want to help Cecilia walk and keep up with her and Isabelle.  Zoe will come over and take Cecilia's other hand and attempt to help her walk, though we have to remind Zoe often that we need to go a tad bit slower.

We go next week for the girls' two year check ups with Dr. Haigh and at that point I will post their updated stats but for now they are doing amazing.  Cecilia is starting to wear 12 month clothing and pajamas, which she loves, while Zoe and Isabelle are comfortable fitting into 18 month items.  I think it is safe to say we got a lot of wear out of our early infant clothing!!  

The girls also completed their Bailey's Developmental Screenings and did a fabulous job.  Zoe and Isabelle rocked the gross motor items while Cecilia was testing at almost 39 months for some of the cognitive portions.  We still need to work on vocalizing (animal sounds for example) but the girls are doing so much better than anyone outside of our family believed possible.  

Unfortunately not everything is perfect.  Cecilia will undergo surgery later this month with the fabulous Dr. Ishitani.  In late spring Cecilia decided she was sick of her G-Tube and pulled it out, unbeknownst to me until it was too late to put it back in (you really only have a 10-15 minute window to reinsert a pulled tube).  After discussion with doctors (some of whom believed we were unrealistically optimistic), it was agreed Cecilia could attempt life without her G-tube.  

Once again, Cecilia is proving people wrong and has gained over 700 grams in less than two months since the tube was removed.  At her last weight check Cecilia topped the scales at 17 pounds!!  This is a new record for her - fingers crossed she continues to gain and next week I can tell you she's up even further!!

Unfortunately, however, Cecilia's in the small percentage of patients who G-tube site closes and then ruptures/reopens.  Currently Cecilia's tract is open and as a result she will require surgery.  Dr. Istitani will detach Cecilia's stomach from her abdomen wall, attempt to beautify one of her scars, and surgically close the tract.  Cecilia will be required to be inpatient, as we all know Cecilia does things on her own timetable and in her own way.  

Zoe also is being considered for surgery on her eyes.  We will have an examination with Dr. Brodsky in Rochester to evaluate Zoe for surgery to help strengthen her eyes and confirm her retinas are still looking fabulous.  More than likely, they will also bring in a pediatric glaucoma specialist as well to ensure Zoe's two types of glaucoma are behaving themselves.  

We have such brave amazing girls - Adam and I are incredibly blessed.  We will celebrate the girls at their first party on July 11!  Watch for pictures to come!

We love you!

Adam, Daneille

Madison, Cecilia, Isabelle

Zoe & GUS