The Becklets are here!

The Triplets arrived Sunday, March 9, 2008 at 31weeks and 3 days! I developed pre-eclampsia which was getting worse so the doctors decided it was better to deliver the babies. I only slept about 30 minutes on Saturday night because I was so excited and nervous that this was all finally going to happen. Even though I would have loved to keep them in me a little bit longer, I knew that I had done all that I could and my body was just ready for them to be delivered. I had tremendous trust in God and the doctors and all that we had done to prepare for a premature delivery. They started prepping me at 5AM and the next 3 hours flew by as we waited for our 8AM time slot in the OR. There were over 20 people in the OR ready for the triplets to be born. Each baby had their own team of nurses ready to take over once the doctor handed them over.

Daniel Kevin arrived first at 8:32AM. Dr. K. held him up so Kevin and I could see and we both broke down crying. He looked amazing and he was kicking and crying which was very encouraging. The first thing I noticed was the dark hair that he has! He is absolutely adorable! He weighed 4lb 9oz and was 17 3/4" long.

Kathryn Alyce arrived second at 8:33AM. She, too, was crying and looked beautiful! She weighed 3lb 10oz and was 16 1/2" long.

Anna Elaine arrived third at 8:34AM, kicking and screaming like her brother and sister and just as beautiful. Anna is our peanut, weighing in at 3lb and 15 3/4" long.

Kevin was really surprised when they brought Daniel and Kathryn over to him and put them in his arms. They are really tiny and holding them is a little intimidating! They are all doing amazingly well in the NICU. They have been breathing room air since they were born and are being fed through a feeding tube. The doctors anticipate that they will need to stay here for at least 3-4 weeks. In order to be able to go home, they need to maintain their weight and their body temperature and they have to be feeding through their mouth only. Kevin and I visit them daily (of course) and are learning to take their temperatures, change their diapers, etc. I have to admit, Kevin changed the first diaper today on Kathryn so I'm sure he will be holding that against me for awhile.

We had some kangaroo care time with them today where we held them skin to skin (on our chest) while they were fed through the feeding tube. This was so wonderful to experience - I had Daniel first and he actually turned his head to face me while I talked to him and was just staring up at me. Kevin had Kathryn and she just loved to lay on Daddy's chest and hear his heart beat. She was so content - it was adorable to see. I had Anna after Daniel's feeding and she is so precious because she is so tiny, but always seems to have her eyes open when either of us are holding her - she doesn't want to miss anything!

Thank you to everyone for all of the phone calls, emails, prayers, etc. We can't wait to see everyone soon!!

(Picture above is Anna, Kathryn, Daniel.)