HAPPENINGS IN THE NICU

Hi all, the following was supplied by Nicklaus' dad Steve. Nicklaus apparently whispered these words to Steve last Friday night, so I thought they might be worthy of posting for everyone to read (I think Steve had a little too much juice of the grape to drink). Bernd

Today the NICU was extremely loud. All of my buddies around me had visitors. There must have been at least 10 people (including my mommy and daddy) walking around....that's not including all of the doctors and nurses. There is a baby that sleeps next to us, named Carlos, who is not doing so well. I said "Hi" to him the other day, but he just nodded back to me (whisper...I don't think that he can talk yet). He was a twin and is much much smaller than his brother. At 3:55 AM, when all of the nurses were on their breaks, my two sisters, myself, and 3 other babies(Carlos, Jennifer and Emma ) all met in the middle of the NICU. We discussed our futures in life. I told them how I want to be a baseball player for either the Angels or the Padres. Grace said that she wanted to be a politician and Madeline said that she wanted to be a medical doctor someday. Carlos didn't say much, but I know that he wants to be a fireman someday and Jennifer said that she wants to be a teacher. Emma ended the conversation by saying that she doesn't know what she wants to do in life, but as we all know, she has many years to figure it out. We all laughed, talked and played for about 20 minutes. The first nurseback into the NICU was Sam. We all scattered as fast as we could back to our cribs. I've never crawled so fast in my life. Madeline accidently...or at least I hope that it was accidental....stepped on my blanket as I was moving towards the crib. I fell on my side....gave her a dirty look....and then maintained my focus on the crib. I crawled back into the crib, gave her a pinch, and said, "That wasn't nice!". She just closed her eyes and continued to smile. There wasn't a sound that could be heard when we all climbed back into our cribs......Grace was exhausted though, as I could hear her breathing hard from her sprint back to the crib. I had a huge smile on my face as I fell to sleep that night. I got to thinking how fortunate we all are, as we have our whole lives ahead of us. It's wonderful to dream. Life is great! Nicklaus

THINGS ARE LOOKING GOOD

Grace, July 23, 2008
Madeline, July 23, 2008
Nicklaus, July 23, 2008

Hello Friends and Family. It seems like ages ago when I was writing my daily e-mails from my hospital room. If the babies were still in my tummy they would be 36 weeks today, actually in the NICU they still count them as 36-weekers. Steve and I were there today and the kids are doing so wonderful. Of course the big question is, when are they coming home? Well here is the answer I give. There are a few requirements, 1. They need to be breathing room air without any assistance. (they all do) 2. They need to hold their own body temperature. (they all do) 3. They need to use a bottle for feeding and gain weight. (well, we are all trying to do this one) All three are attempting a bottle at least once a day. Both of the girls are trying once a shift. It is hard to explain via e-mail but the babies were not old enough to learn the suckle part of their growing experience. Last week we really worked of using a pacifier to help them learn the sucking action of eating. With most babies this would come naturally and easy but with preemies this is a hard task. The babies will take a few sucks and then need to pause and take deep breathes. It is very different from just giving a bottle. Grace is doing well, when she wants too, Madeline is a little kick back with it and Nicklaus loves the bottle but his stomach cannot handle it. All of our kids are known as the throw-up kids but they are loved just the same. Besides being known for that, everyone (including other parents and grandparents) think our children are just beautiful. We agree completely. Lastly, Steve and I gave the kids their first real baths this weekend. They all seemed to love it! I loved the way they smelled, like a clean baby good enough to eat. (just kidding)Thank you for all the continued prayers. We hope the babies will be home with us soon (maybe two weeks) and then the craziness will begin. Gods Blessing to everyone! Christy and Steve

WE ARE THREE WEEKS OLD!!!!

Wow, I can't believe that it's been three weeks since we made our appearance in the world. We've had our ups and downs, mostly ups during that time, and as mom is finding out we can be quite a handful. Here you can see all three of us together in mom's arms. Madeline is on the left as you look at the photo, Gracie is in the middle and I (Nicklaus) am on the right. As you can see, I am the only one paying attention to what is going on. My sisters spend way too much time sleeping. I want to see what is going on in the NICU, and can't wait to get out of this place to see what else there is to see. I have been having a little problem keeping all my food down, but it's not me, I'm sure it is the yucky formula diet. Bring me some hamburgers and fries please!! My sister Madeline continues to be calm, cool and collected. She is the biggest, already over four pounds, but that's because she doesn't move around like me and Gracie. Gracie has recently decided to play catch-up, and she is eating more and gaining weight the fastest. All three of us are taking some food via a bottle, but that is sooooo much work and very tiring. Getting food via the feeding tube which has been inserted into our noses and goes all the way into our tummies is much easier. I keep hearing the nurses, mom and dad, as well as grandma and grandpa telling us that we need to work harder at suckling and getting more of our food from the bottle, but I really don't see the advantage. I do try to fake them out and act like I am going to suckle, but just play with the little nipple instead. Guess one of these days they will figure me out. Our mom comes every day and stays for 6-7 hours, spending most of the time cleaning our diapers. Dad also comes to see us after work, but he doesn't change diapers. Guess that will "change" in time, get it "change". Well, you are probably wondering when we will be coming home to our house in Fullerton. My best guess is that we will be here for another 2 or 3 weeks. We have to be able to take all our food from a bottle, be able to maintain our temperature (whatever that means), and some other stuff I really don't understand. I am actually looking forward to seeing my home, as I love to look around and take in all the sights and am sure that there will be lots of new things to see in our home. Everyone has a different opinion on who will get home first. Some people say Madeline because she has been the biggest ever since birth. My mom thinks it will be Gracie, as she is making rapid progress in the catch up game. I think it will be me. I just need to get over my tummy problems. Well that's it for me. Writing this has been as tiring as suckling, and phew I am soooo tired. Good night from all of us. Nicklaus.

BACK TOGETHER AGAIN

Today is July 15. We are 15 days old, and after two weeks of being separated due to being housed in individual isolets, we are finally back together again, all three sleeping in one crib. Grandma Sharon took this picture shortly after we were all fed, had our diapers changed, and as you can see, were all awake. Miss Madeline is on the left, Miss Grace in the middle cuddling up to her sister, and Master Nicklaus is on the right, preferring to not get involved in the "cuddling stuff". Madeline had her second feeding attempt from a little bottle today, and was pretty successful at downing about 15 milliliters, not a lot, but it is a start. Near the beginning of her bottle feeding effort she tried so hard to suckle and make her mom happy, that she forgot to breathe, setting off her respitory alarm, scaring her mom a bit, and reminding everyone how fragile we all are. Gracie continues to make progress, and although she is still the smallest, she is rapidly catching up, both in weight and alertness. Nicklaus continues to be the "spit-up" champ. Not exactly something to be proud of, but he figures that he needs to outdo his sisters in something, however, both Madeline and Grace keep trying to match Nicklaus' efforts. Fortunately all three of us are keeping sufficient formula down, and we have all gained weight and are now over our birth weights. If we could talk, we would all thank you for your prayers.
Since talking is still a while off, you will just have to believe that we thank you from the bottom of our hearts, we could not have done it without your prayers and God's loving spirit. Madeline, Grace and Nicklaus.

PROUD GRANDPARENTS

Today is July 13. The triplets are almost two weeks old and making good progress. They are all on room air, getting nourishment through feeding tubes inserted into their stomachs via the nose, and are getting to be on regular feeding and sleeping schedules. Little Gracie is finally without those troublesome I-V needles, and that has made her a happy baby. Nicklaus is still having some "spit-up" issues, but even that is getting better each day. He is the only one of the three not back up to their birth weight. Madeline continues to be the most "laid back". Gracie is the

feistiest, and Nicklaus seems to be the most alert, trying so hard to focus on things to be seen in the NICU. We got word today that all three might graduate to the the next room of the NICU, which is where the babies go before getting to come home. A very good sign that the medical staff feels the babies are making good progress medically. As you can see in the photos in this update, both the Dierking and the Kammer grandparents love to go to the NICU to hold the precious little additions to the families. The bottom photo shows Sharon and I, while the top photo shows Loren and Margot (Steve's parents). each GP proudly holding one of the precious three. Until next time, God Bless you all, and please keep Christy, Steve, Madeline, Grace and Nicklaus in your daily prayers. Bernd

EVERY DAY IS A NEW EXPERIENCE

Hi all. Today is July 9. A little more than one week since the babies birth, and what a week it has been. As we drive to the hospital each day there is a certain amount of wondering going on in our minds. Are the babies doing better than the previous day? Will something have happened to them healthwise? Or??? Christy's attitude is very positive, feeling that if she didn't hear anything from the NICU nurses or doctors, her babies must be doing well, and so far that has been the case. The babies have been making progress each day, to a point where yesterday they were all off their I-V's, and taking food through a little feeding tube inserted into their stomachs via the mouth. Nicklaus and Gracie suckle on their pacifiers while getting the liquid formula, so they are learning that when they suckle on a nipple they will get food in return. So far Maddie has been the lazy one. She has figured out that she food will come even if she doesn't suckle, so she doesn't, but then Maddie has been the laid back one all through the pregnancy. Gracie made the greatest improvement yesterday which made all of us (mom and dad and Sharon and I) very happy. She was taking food like a hungry trooper, and best of all there was no spit up afterward. Both Maddie and Nick have a little spit up going on after feeding. I am attaching Christy's e-mail note from yesterday for those of you who don't get her e-mail. Will try to get some new pictures tomorrow and post them up tomorrow night. Sharon and I have a doctor appointment this afternoon and may not get in to see the babies - I know I will be suffering from baby withdrawel. Til then, God Bless and please keep the prayers coming. BErnd

Hi everybody. This day (July 8) marks one week of our babies lives. So many things have happened in this last week. I will start with me. For some reason I have actually had a great recovery. I had the babies on Tuesday night and on Wednesday morning I was ready to take the IV out and have a shower. That is exactly what I did. Then it was off to the NICU to see my babies. I was wheeled down there but when I got there I walked around to look at all of the babies. Everyone could not believe that I had had major surgery just 14 hours before. I was not trying to be a hero I just felt great. I think my adrenaline was going crazy. As for my beautiful babies, they are beautiful. All three have had ups and downs. If there is one thing we have learned this week it is that everyday is a different day. Today, however, was the best day yet. When I walked in to the NICU I was told that both Nicklaus and Madeline were off their IV Nicklaus actually had his first bath and put a little onsie on. Steve fed Madeline for the first time, and all was good with the world. I am sure you are all waiting to hear about my little Gracie. She had a great day today! Gracie actually has been getting feedings just like her siblings. She is just a little farther behind. Today she hit her IV out (I told you all she was very strong willed) and they decided to keep it out. What that means is we are going to pray that her feedings get to be more and more and she will not need the IV Like I said everyday is a different day in the NICU, and we carefully approach each one. Thank you all for your constant prayers and support. Steve and I feel so loved with every e-mail and phone call. We are blessed one million times over. Christy

HAPPY JULY 4TH TO ALL

Hi all, here are the latest pictures of the three little Dierking angels, taken July4 day three of their lives. Grace (Gracie) Sharon Dierking

Madeline (Maddie) Margot Dierking
Madeline and Mom
Nicklaus Kammer Dierking (and Dad)

As you can see mom and dad are very proud of the additions to their family. I have attached a note from Christy which gives a good update on all that is happening.

Happy 4th of July everybody. Please take some time to thank the Lord for the freedom we have in our country, for the soldiers that fight for our freedom and for the amazing beauty we have been given in our country.

In other news, my babies are three days old. Everyone is doing well. Madeline, who came into the world first, is on room air and gets regular feedings. Nicklaus is also breathing , and is getting a tan under the lights because of some jaundice. He is a spitting image of his father. My little Gracie, she is struggling just a tad. Gracie is using extra help to breathe but is continuing to fight. I told all of you she is a fighter and the nurses agree. At one point she slapped the respitory therapists hand as he worked on her. (you go girl) Gracie is also going to need a "pick line" because they are running out of room to do an I.V. Please pray for her strength and that she is protected from infection.

I have plans to go home tomorrow (Saturday) and start getting back into some kind of home routine. To be honest I need some prayer myself. The emotional side is getting to me a little bit. I ask that you pray that I get my trust back. I have always trusted God that He would protect my children, in my womb and outside. My Mom reminded me today that she had to leave Brian ( my brother) at the hospital and she prayed to the Lord to take Brian and protect him. I have given my children to God and I need to prove to Him that I trust him. Thank you everyone for your continued prayers. I know that the success we have had so far is because we have all banded together and prayed.

The Lord is good! "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul" Psalm 143:8 Christy

IT WAS A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Hi all, just a couple of words and some pictures. Christy gave birth to her three little angels yesterday (July 1) evening at around 6:45PM. The procedure was pretty amazing and without any glitches as far as we know. Madeline came out first, she weighed 3 lbs 8 ounces and was 16 1/2 inches long. Gracie came out second. She made her appearance butt first, weighed 3 pounds 2 ounces and is 15 1/2 inches long. Nicklaus was last. He didn't want to come out. I think he liked the penthouse he had been living in for the past 32 weeks. He weighed 3 pounds 6 ounces and was 17 inches long. All three had great color and great voices, came out singing although not exactly opera. Well, rather than take up more space and time I am just going to attach a couple of photos for you. Am not sure who they are of, so rather than make a mistake, I will just leave them nameless. Those of you on the prayer chain please keep the prayers coming, escpially for the babies as they are in the ICU, and even though they have many dedicated nurses there to make sure they stay healthy and grow, they also need God's helping hand to get them through this phase of their new lives. Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Bernie

JULY 1, A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION?

Hi all, just a quick note from Christy. Sharon and I will be going out the door to the hospital as soon as I log off. Here is the note - please continue your prayers for Christy, Steve and the babies.

Hello Everyone. This is short and sweet, today is my babies birthday.
We are scheduled for a c-section at about 4:00pm. Please do not
call, I did not get much sleep last night and I would like to rest a little
today. I would love for everyone to pray pray pray! (as if I need to
ask for this) We are very excited and will send out another e-mail
possibly tonight or tomorrow. Gods blessings, Christy

More as soon as I can get back to a computer.

Bernd