A whole calendar month has gone by (plus 10 minutes as I write this!) since PB&J became Tobias, Eleanor and Callista.
You read that correctly. There was a transformation of sorts that day. Since they were born and officially named (their names were still up for debate until we heard we’d meet them in an hour or two), I’ve not once thought of them as PB&J, the nickname Rob came up with the day we learned we were expecting triplets.
People questioned through my pregnancy if their names would start with a P, a B and a J (which, interesting enough, I do call Eleanor – Baby A in utero – Peanut, and I call Tobias – Baby B in utero – Buddy; Callista just needs a that starts with J). Eleanor’s name was pretty much set from the start, so our answer all along was, “No,” but we did think the nickname would stick.
There’s still time, of course, for it to return. Especially when I am yelling at all three at once and trying to quickly spit out names.
I was a little sad when I realized the group name hadn’t crossed my mouth since their birth. Then I realized why I hadn’t used it.
PB&J was the name we used when referring to our trio as a group. Individually, they were Baby A, Baby B and Baby C. At the time, the idea of three people joining our family at once still seemed somewhat mythical. I could begin to wrap my brain around it if I separated each baby as A, B and C, but PB&J was the title to a hard-to-believe fairy tale.
Tobias, Eleanor and Callista are the names of dreams that came true one month ago.
Our trio are celebrating their one-month birthdays in big ways. We were given the all-clear yesterday by the neonatologist to let them try nursing once a day every day.
HUGE news.
I can’t remember if I’ve talked about it in any detail – probably not – but we have been limited on our contact with the babies for a while now. We were able to start Kangaroo Care with them at 4 days old. Either Rob or I held a baby, and all three were being held each day. It wasn’t long after that that their nurses conferred and suggested we pull back on the stimulation, starting a rotation in which only one baby was held each day. Too much stimulation at such a young gestational age was just too difficult on them, and all three showed a decrease in apnea episodes and bradycardia events once we began the rotation.
It was just a few days ago that we decided to start an every-other-day (rather than every-third-day) rotation.
Yesterday’s news tells us just how much they’ve grown in their first month and how strong they are. Not only did the doctor said they’d do just fine being held each day (he called them all feisty), but they’re showing enough maturity to begin nursing attempts.
Let’s remember that they’re still two months premature and that that doesn’t just mean they’re early. Babies cook for 40ish weeks because their bodies need that time to develop both physical traits and skills. Nursing requires a difficult ballet of sucking, swallowing and breathing.
Callista, in Ninja Baby (unlike PB&J, that nickname has stuck – she is marked) fashion, took the lead and tried first.
You guys. My 32 week, 1 day gestational-age baby nursed on and off for TWENTY MINUTES last night. She latched. She sucked. She didn’t quit breathing. She showed off and acted like a total rockstar. I had just pumped, and the session was nothing close to being able to even barely give her enough nutrition for a full feeding, BUT SHE DID IT.
Today, Tobias and Eleanor will join in the new daily routine, and all three babies will start nursing attempts daily.
Happy one-month birthday, babies. We couldn’t be more proud of you.
That is amazing news on the nursing front – way to go babies!
I just cried. I am SO happy for you. Merry Christmas to one of my favorite mothers.
yeah!!! oh what a milestone!!!! congrats, momma.
Oh my gosh! That’s great that Eleanor and Tobias are going to nurse too! And go Callista! Your babies, like you, are truly amazing.
amazing!!! happy 1 month T, E & C! 20minutes – i am so thrilled for you !!!
I have tears in my eyes, you make me so proud to call you a friend. I’m so happy that you are able to experience the joy of nursing. Give Callista a big high five from me, a fist pump and a pat on her back. You’re both rockstars.
Jenny,
(((HUGS)))
I am so happy for you! I know this is a huge deal and I know you must be elated. I am so happy for you and Rob and your little munchkins. So so wonderful
That is so so awesome. I got chills. Your little wee ones are total ROCKSTARS Jen!!
*Jenny. LOL 😉
OMG! That is such AWESOME news! This makes my heart so happy! I can’t believe it has been a month. So much has changed. I am so incredibly happy for you and R.
<3 Happy 1 month birthday sweet babes!
They are amazing! What a wonderful Christmas gift!
Hooray! So proud of the babies, and you and Rob!
Thanks for letting us share in your story.
Merry Christmas!
That is such amazing news!! Happy one month babies!!!!
That is amazing! And an extra “way to go!” for Callista (and for you, mama).
My heart just grew. Your writing takes me back to a much scarier time, a time when I was unsure of my son’s long-term prognosis, a time when small victories were so celebrated. I am so glad your trio is thriving!! God bless you and those sweet babies and that awesome husband of yours. Reading your posts not only evoke tears, but huge, radiant permagrin smiles tht last for at least an hour. Nurse babies, nurse!!
This is full of fantastic news!!!!! Yay for growing babies and yay for nursing Callista!!! I am so happy!!!!!
Dude. YOU ARE NURSING THREE BABIES.
Holy rockstar, Batman.
Wow, what great news! Happy nursing!
yay!!! I remember loving this time, even though we were in the NICU and not in my ideal home setting
Congrats! And happy 1 month birthday!!!
awww i am so excited for them and for you!!!! now i must go and grab some kleenex because hearing about callista has me bawling.. sooo happy for you!
damn you have awesome babies! congrats mama! and happy birthday ETC!!
You are awesome.
Happy holidays to you and your family!
Aww!!! That’s wonderful news! Happy 1 month birthday to ET&C! I’m so proud of you AND your ROCKSTAR babies!
Wishing you all the most merry Christmas ever.
They are absolutely amazing! As are you Mom.
Woohoo!! Go Ninja Baby and you too Jenny! Happy 1 month ETC!
I am so incredibly happy for you! Go babies!
I am just so happy for you. I cried through this post. Happy 1 month birthday to ALL of you.
And a VERY Merry Christmas too.
Oh my gosh, I am so proud of you and your three wee ones. NURSING three babies??? That is amazing. Wow, I can’t even wrap my brain around it. But you’re giving them such an amazing gift. Good for you
Such awesomeness!!! Yay babies!!!
Great news! Congratulations and happy 1 month birthday, babies!
Maybe you could call Callista “Jelly bean”?
I have read your blog for a long time and this is the first time I wanted to cry, Happy 1 month and yay for nursing babies.
What great news! My youngest was born at 37 weeks (4 lbs 7 oz) and couldn’t figure out the eat and breathe at the same time. That’s such a huge step. And doesn’t it feel so fulfilling to finally nurse your baby? There’s no other feeling like it. Just wait until they’re full of fat rolls and it will be because of you. Go babies!
I’m so pleased for all five of you – and how exciting that they are so precocious
Oh – how about Junebug?
Oh congratulations! This is such great news. Isn’t it just the most amazing thing? So wonderful. I’m so happy for you.
How exciting!!!
I’m crying for you right now! Congrats! I hope that Toby and Eleanor follow in their Ninja sisters footsteps!!!
Still praying hard for all 5 of you!
Way to go, babies! Happy 1 month birthday!
That is fantastic! Happy 1 month to all of you
I know you don’t know me from Adam, but like so many people, I’ve been following your story (seems stalkery when I say it like that!). I’m so touched by your little rock star babies! I love reading about their progress. You’re all in our thoughts and prayers!
Woot woot! Awesome job mama! You are giving them the best stuff on earth. Congratulations and keep up the amazing work. A very merry Xmas to you and your family!
That is SO exciting!
amazing, amazing, amazing! it brings tears to my eyes! i’m so happy for your family!
Congratulations! That is HUGE news! Wow!
Rockstar baby doesn’t surprise me as she comes from her rockstar Mama. Keep up the awesome job, Jenny!! Wishing you and your crew a very Merry Christmas!
Best Christmas present ever! More time with ETC and they can nurse! You rule and so do your babes!
Awesome news. You sound like you’re on cloud nine!