White House Correspondants

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Back row: Seth, Madison, Front row: Alex, Zachary, Riley

November, 2009

Madison's Birthday

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Dang it, we're cute!

This Little Piggy....

Here We Come!

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Riley
Riley

Zachary

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Zachary
Alex

Alex

Ain't We Sweet?

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We turned one year old!

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Odds and Ends

2009-10-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

Lacey is so ticked off that I keep pointing the camera at her.

Yep, royally mad at mom. Hee hee!

Wuz up? Yello!

I said, "Wuz up? Yello!" Poor Alex, just woke up from a nap and is red eyed.

A little bit later Grampa has him cracking up!

Water Polo

2009-10-30T15:18:00.001-07:00

Lacey receiving her senior honors flower and pendant.

Lacey White, Nicole Green and Meg Carey's pendants. I made these over the course of two weeks time. I think they turned out rather well.

Megan Emery, Miles Gorman, Breann Kinsey's banners.

Jamie Edison and Allie McClain's banners.

Couldn't get the camera to snap the photo while they were all standing there posing for the picture. Here they're scattering just after the photo opportunity. Dang it.

A few more photos

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This is Nate, Lacey's boyfriend. He goes to South Salem High School. Rex holding Alex.

Sharon holding let's say Alex? Can't remember.

This is a cuter photo of Rex cuddling with Riley.

Zachary, up close, but not personal.

Pumpkins for the Grandkids

2009-10-30T15:05:00.000-07:00

Cutey pie Madison with an overbite (my fault, I think it's adorable when she sucks her thumb).

Our little fireball.

We had two volunteer pumpkins grow in our garden this year. Grampa took the two oldest grandkids out and picked them. Seth kept his pumpkin in his bedroom that night so that no one would take it.

Awesome Seth and his pumpkin.

Madison loves her little pumpkin.

Family Dinner

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Rex Jr. and Aleece.

Kari Berry and Scott.

Jessica holding Seth, Tom (hidden) holding Madison, Kari and Scott.

Brian

Brian and Seth at the kiddie table.

Our Triplets Are Adorable

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Mighty Zach, the tallest of the three boys, as of October 28. This is taken the next day. He's the middle baby.

Zachary freshly bathed. Oh so sweet!

This is Riley, the youngest and the smallest before his bath. Isn't he adorable?

Grampa loves his grandbabies. This is Riley getting a hug after his bathtime.

Alex looking just like his Daddy at this age. The boys are nine months and twenty days old. They are not yet crawling but can rock back and forth on hands and knees. They are sweet tempered.

Family Photos September & October 2009

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This is Tom Clark. He served a mission in Portland, Oregon.

They met at the Singles Ward.

Jessica works at a law firm which paid for all its employees and spouses/significant others to spend a weekend in San Francisco. She invited Tom and they enjoyed the Bay Area. He had a separate room, just in case you wondered.

Each day the company got together for a common meal. Here they are at a Chinese restaurant.

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They wrestled. She made him cry because she outweighs him by five pounds. But, in the end, they came together for a pose. Now that's brotherly and sisterly love!

So sweet!

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This is Alex talking to Mommy

Madison gives a kiss to Alex while Mommy looks on. Daddy and Zach are napping.

Is this typical, or what?

Mommy makes me smile!

At home in Daddy's chair.

2009-07-13T14:42:00.000-07:00

Gamma's 49th birthday (again!), serving up the cake and ice cream. This is why we all have such petite figures in our household!

It's pouring down rain, thunder and lightening! That's the second time it's rained in Salem on July 12th in over 100 years.

One of us is NOT photogentic today. Care to take a guess who?

I could take an armful and make a treat.

Like holding jello without the mold!

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Gramma doesn't have a whole lot of lap left so we have to squish in wherever we can! Aren't we adorable?

When Gramma laughs, it's like an E ride at Disneyland!

Oh, they're so precious. Look at those eyes! Those cheeks! Those pursed lips!

Yeah, and the babies are cute, too!

Gampa's squeezing us again, Gramma! Make him stop!

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Isn't this cute?

The hardest part of taking the picture was getting Grampa to hold still!

Uh, Grampa, I think you're dropping me!

A picture's worth a thousand words!

I love their reactions! So much personality in those little bodies!

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Different reactions to the fireworks: mesmerized, terrorized, traumatized, and bored.

Proud Mother and Father and their cubs.

Happy...

....Independence...

...Day!

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Madison did NOT like the noisy fireworks. She hid under her blanket each time a firework was lit.

Here she's burying her face into her daddy while Aunt Lacey looks on.

Grampa teaches Seth the ways of a pyromaniac. "Light the fire....stare at the fire in a dazed look," like his sister Tammy describes her brother.

Great Aunts Debra and Kathi, Great Uncle Sam with the Three Stooges, Curly, Larry, and Moe. 7.4.09

The triplets are a big hit wherever they go. This is the first time they got to be held by Debbie, Kathi, and Sam.

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Lacey and I would venture to guess this is Riley, her personal favorite

Lacey getting baby to smile

We all cringe whenever Rex holds the babies......don't you?

I see eyes of blue, roses, too....and I think to myself, "What a wonderful world!"

I love Gramma, she loves me, we love Grampa, yes-sirree! He loves us and so you see, we are a happy family!

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Handsome Rexer! 7.12.09

Jen Davis, our friend

Sister Merkely and Sisten Hinton

Jen Davis took our her endowments at the Portland Temple in June and she asked me to accompany her.

Portland Oregon Temple

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In between the first and second halves of the fashion show was an intermission. Here are the people mingling about. Here is Jessica's lingerie line. Beautiful!

This is a fellow student's senior collection.

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Another student's senior collection

Jessica sewed this little girl's dress

This was the opening number from a local dance troupe who had some interesting costumes in their dance routine.

Jessica and two of her fellow graduates

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Jessica getting her photo taken before the fashion show

Each senior who had items in the fashion show had their photos taken before the show began

Jessica in her bedroom before leaving for the fashion show

Lovely Jessica

Surrounded by all her favorite photos on the bedroom walls

May 29, 2009

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Riley was released from Doernbecker Children's Hospital yesterday morning after spending two nights there for pneumonia. All boys are back home again!

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Mule, make tracks! (Look at the load she carries!)
Riley-kins

Seth and Jessica

Madison

Lacey with her buddy Riley

Alex and Zach admitted to OHSU

2009-05-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

Zach-a-roni
Alex, The Great

What a snarl!

Help! Grampa's gonna drop me!

I'm the one who's exhausted and this guy gets to sleep?

Aleece and Rex Jr. took the babies in to have their colds checked last Thursday, and Alex was again transported by ambulance two blocks to the new emergency room at Salem Memorial Hospital. They determined he had pneumonia and he was transported up to OHSU in Portland. Rex Jr. went with him in the ambulance and stayed with him throughout his hospital stay. Aleece stayed with the other four children. Zach continued to decline at home and she took him up to OHSU to have him examined and he was admitted into another room. Both boys were released last evening and they came home for a barbecue at our house. They have bad coughs which will continue for a week or so but it is so good to have them back home again.

Statesman Journal Feature of Rex and the Triplets

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Mother's Day '09

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Ain't we sweet?

No one move...take the picture!

Darling Madison...or "Whirlwind", as Grampa calls her.

Three heads are better than one!

Alex...looks like his Daddy!

Mother's Day

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This is how Rex holds babies....without hands! And he falls asleep within minutes in this position (Rex, not the baby!)
Rex Jr. cooked up scalloped potatoes

Aleece's sixth Mother's Day

Lacey's new haircut

Seth and Auntie Jessica

I asked my children, in lieu of presents for Mother's Day, that they all come to church with me. They did! It was wonderful to all be together again.

Rex in the news

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We celebrated Rex's 52nd birthday by going out for pizza as a family. Here's Rex talking to the grandkids at the other end of the table. 4.24.09

Rex entering to find Taylor Lyman standing in for Brian. Taylor's been to many family birthday parties throughout the years. He and Scott are roommates and Brian and Tay are best friends.

Kelly's Home Center is having a business anniversary story written up in the Statesman Journal newspaper next week. Jeff Kelly told Rex they want to feature him in the article as their longest employed worker and thought it would be nice to include of photo of Rex with the triplets. So, we've been taking photos. Here's some of the samples of Rex with the grandkids:

After a long day of working in the yard, Rex holds the triplets. We always try to photograph them in birth order, so from left to right: Alex, Zach, and Riley.

Madison and Grampa 4.23.09

Alex, Zach, and Riley. Now Zach is the heavyweight! Just in case you read the boys' shirts which say, "Save A Tree" we take great pride in asking for paper at the grocery store, as we believe trees are a renewable resource and have, as a family, planted many hundreds of trees in our lifetime. These outfits were baby shower gifts from someone on the left side of right.

After dinner I took Rex to see "The Soloist" and I'm glad to report he stayed awake throughout the movie!

29th Anniversary, Easter and first time for the triplets to come to Gma & Gpa's house

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Grandpa Rex with The Three Musketeers
Ay, carrumba!

Ain't we sweet?

Lil' suckers!

29 years!

Seth playing the keyboard

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Making Resurrection Cookies for Easter

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Sealing the "tomb" with tape

Licking the bowl, the beater, and the scraper is the best part, Grandma!

Last year Seth and I made these cookies and this year Madison got to join us. I read the scriptures aloud to the children about certain events during the holy week: the scourging, (the children beat the pecans inside of a Ziploc bag with their wooden spoons), bringing new life to all mankind(adding the egg whites), the sadness and tears of the followers of Jesus as he hung upon the cross (tasting and then adding a pinch of salt), how the Roman soldiers gave Jesus vinegar to drink when he was thirsty upon the cross (tasting and adding the vinegar), the sweetness Jesus brings to our lives because of his sacrifice for our sins (adding sugar), though your sins be as red as scarlet they shall be pure white as the driven snow (the mixture whips into white stiff peaks, how Jesus gave up the ghost and Joseph of Arimithea begged Pilate for his body and wrapped it and put it into his own sepulchre (we put the cookies on a tray and then into the oven), then Joseph sealed the tomb with a large stone (we tape the stove shut), and then Mary came to the tomb after the Sabbath and found the stone rolled away and the tomb was empty (the cookies are hollow inside like little tombs), and we end it by talking about how Jesus's sacrifice made it possible for all mankind to rise from the grave and be resurrected like Jesus some day.

Happy Easter!

Pictures of the triplets

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Riley, Alex, and Zach with Grandpa Rex

In birth order: Alex, Zachary, Riley

Alex was released, back home.

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Rex Jr. picked up Alex from Legacy this afternoon and now all boys are back home! Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers and good wishes, for the gifts, the kindnesses, the meals, and helping out. Now the everyday work begins! Now that the boys are past their gestation dates, they can be held and cuddled, but are all still contagious with the RSV.....dang! I got to hold Alex yesterday for a few hours in the hospital. That was fun.

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Aleece holding Alex

All fancied up in his white clothing.

Rex, Rex Jr. holding Alex, and Jessica White

Tony, Janene, and Alex.

Rex and Sharon holding Alex.

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Great Grandmother Faye, Alex, and Great Grandfather Marshall Sobrio

Aleece, Alex, Rex Jr.

Four generations of Sobrio men, three generations of White men.

Ah, isn't Alex sweet?

Baby boy Alex. He's one pound heavier than either of his brothers. I bet he can hardly wait to get unhooked from those machines and go home.

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Getting Alex dressed in his whites for his blessing in the hospital.

Driving to Portland to give Alex his blessing.

Madison running in Jessica's high heels. Cute!

Dr. Bowen holding the boys.

Better photo of the family with The Bowens.

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Here are all the women relatives covered with face masks and whoops, there's Madison touching the baby without wearing one.

Dr. and Kay Bowen, Aleece's OB/GYN who delivered the triplets.

Four generations of Sobrios. Three generations of Whites. What is Brian doing? Where's his mask?

I have no idea if any of them are smiling. I think Seth is!

Rex gave beautiful blessings.

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Rex Jr. brings Riley into the living room where all the guests are waiting for the baby blessings.

Proud papa and boys.

Zach on the left, Riley on the right.

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Aleece holding Zachary.

I'm holding Riley, Janene is holding Zachary.

Riley has fallen asleep. Zachary is wide awake.

Two peas of a three-pea pod.

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Big sister, Madison.

Madison gives a hug to Grandma Sobrio.

Zachary is almost done getting dressed in white.

Aleece and Ariella putting on the finishing touches.

Ta dah! Great Grandmother Fay and Uncle Austin look on as Aleece holds Zachary.

Zachary's turn to get dressed

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Zachary sure has filled out a lot since birth. Here's he's getting ready to be dressed in his blessing outfit.

Extreme close-up of Riley in my arms. He's watching Zach get dressed.

Aunt Ariella helps Zach get on his blessing outfit.

Great Grandmother Faye Sobrio, matriarch of the Sobrio clan. Everyone had to don masks and gloves or use the anti-bacterial foam to be in the room with the babies.

Zach is giving a look as he gets dressed.

Big Weekend...Blessing Day 3.29.09

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Aleece is getting Riley dressed in his blessing outfit.

Putting on his vest..Riley's name is embroidered on his vest.

Almost finished. These are size 2XL and they're still too big!

Popeye Riley peeking at Gramma Sharon.

He's shuttering (my name for the noise he makes when Zachary is getting moved....it sounds like a semi truck letting air out of the brakes on the freeway not too far away). The boys will be seven weeks old just after midnight, but still not due for two more days.

Love of Family

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Mom and daughter

Two youngest

Family love, the ties that bind....and gag!

I really do look this blurry in real life!

Sharon and Rex....we started this clan! I have a mouth full of food. Surprised?

Immitating Jessica

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Scott is imitating the "uuuhhhh" noise that Jessica makes.

Rex Jr.'s version of Jessica's complaining.

The two eldest siblings.

I'm imitating her use of hand gestures whenever she opens her mouth.

Lacey has Jessica's snarl down pat.

Family Celebration at restaurant following graduation

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Lacey and Scott

Getting full

Sharing a laugh

Jessica and Brian

Brian immitating Jessica

More lobby and outside photos

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Another shot with parents

Jessica with one of her professors

Jessica and her brothers

Jessica with attitude...and her brothers

The five White children: Lacey, Rex Jr., Jessica, Scott, Brian

After the ceremony photos

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The proud parents with the graduate

Back in the auditorium, here's a shot of Rex Jr.

Some of the apparel design girls altered their gowns.....tacky!

Another apparel design graduate. There were nine graduates in that field.

In the lobby after the ceremony

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Rebecca and Jessica

Best friends

With fellow Apparel Design student

Blurry Jessica and Lacey

Jessica, our first college graduate!

Graduation Ceremony

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Rex fell asleep during the speeches (ceremony only lasted about 50 minutes!) I aimed the camera at him and he opened his eyes just a moment before the lens opened.

Student speaker. She was also an Apparel Design graduate.

Jessica entering....I couldn't focus in time!

Jessica entering her row

Reading her name.....Jessica DeAnn White!

Before the graduation begins

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This is the photo of Jessica displaying her senior collection which was shown during a slide show of all 61 graduates before the ceremony began.

The graduation stage

The opening screen displays the title of the event

Brian and Scott, Lacey and Rebecca

Another shot of everyone before the ceremony began

Jessica's Senior Collection 3.27.09

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L Lace teddy with vampire cape

Midnight blue satin gown and lace gown

Senior collection and portfolio, resume, business cards, power point presentation

Jessica and her senior collection at the open house prior to graduation ceremony.

Two Home....One to Go!

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Rex at work. He can actually use the Internet! 3.25.09

Madison and Gramma napping 3.25.09

Aleece is back home. Seth took this photo of his mommy. 3.25.09

Riley, covered from head to toe, sleeping in a 72 degree nursery back in his own crib.

Zach is toasty warm in his own crib back home 3.25.09

Zach and Riley were released from the hospital Tuesday evening. Aleece and Rex Jr. drove them home where Rex Jr. spent the night feeding them every two hours. Aleece went back up to Legacy Emmanuel to be with Alex and to check out of the Ronald McDonald House. She arrived home this evening shortly before Lacey and I drove Seth and Madison home. Alex was extubated Tuesday evening and put on the CPAP machine. It looks like he will be released Saturday.

The children were so excited to see Max, the dog, and to be home again. Aleece's family arrived sometime this evening. Her grandparents will arrive tomorrow, as well as her sister, Ashley. It will be good for Aleece to see her family again.

Madison sings "Ring Around the Rosie"

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2009-03-23T20:37:00.000-07:00

Madison with doll which was given to her from Michelle Duchateau.

Grandpa Rex gives Seth a fishing pole. Here's he's showing Seth all the parts that came with the pole. Twenty minutes after this photo Madison had opened the entire package and "released" everything onto the bedroom floor.

Here's the moment he showed Seth the fishing pole. Seth thinks they're going fishin' this Thursday. $5.00 bucks says it doesn't happen for at least three months. The kids are blurry because they move constantly! It's hard to get a still photo of them!

Zachary in the PICU 3.20.09. All three boys will continue to carry the RSV for a couple of months, unfortunately. They will begin receiving monthly RSV vaccination shots soon.

Zachary sleeping peacefully...well, as peaceful as it gets in a hospital with machines beeping, nurses and staff members coming and going, talking loudly by the door, alarms going off, and grandma flashing pictures of your mug for the dang blog!

Good News! Babies Are Improving

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Zach and Alex in PICU, 3.20.09

Close up of Riley in PICU, Legacy Emmanuel 3.20.09

Okay, so Riley cries like me. What can I say?

Close up of swollen Alex. Doesn't he look like Rex Jr. and Madison?

Monday, March 23, 2009: We went to Portland yesterday to see Rex Jr. and Aleece, Seth and Madison at the Ronald McDonald House. Everyone was doing well. They took us up to see the babies (one block away) at Legacy Emmanuel Hospital. Riley and Zach are now in the pediatric unit sharing a room. Zach is unplugged from everything but his heart rate, temperature and breathing and oxygen saturation machines. He is greatly improved, the pneumonia is gone. The doctor came in during our visit and said how well both boys are doing. He asked all the same questions that everyone else asks (Was this all natural? Did you have in vitro fertilization? Are there multiples in the family?) I should start charging money to answer those three questions to start a college fund for the boys. It would add up quickly!

I was able to hold the boys, putting on the sterilization foam before and after touching each baby. I think I lathered up about twelve times while there. No wonder our hands are so dried and cracked. I've been lathering on lotion day and night just to try to keep up with it. It was so nice to be able to hold the babies again.

We went down the hall into the PICU department where Alex is alone in his room. He is still swollen from the IV which is in inserted in his head, poor thing. He is still intubated and hooked up to all sorts of monitors. He is improving though and they think he's just a few days behind Zachary in his progress. He looks like Rex Jr. and Madison beings his face is swollen and fuller looking. As of today, it looks like both Zach and Riley will be released on Tuesday from the hospital!!!!!!!!! Alex may be released as soon as Thursday!

Jessica graduates from The Art Institute of Portland this Friday, the 29th. She will receive her Bachelors of Fine Arts. We are excited to have a college graduate in the family!

On Sunday the triplets will be blessed. At this point we are hoping it will be in the Jan Ree Ward sacrament meeting, but the back up plan is to have them blessed at home, because of their fragile health. Aleece's parents, brother and sisters, Grandmother and Grandfather are coming in from Utah and Nevada on Wednesday for the event. We ordered the blessing outfits two months ago in size 2XS. When they first arrived we thought they were still huge on the babies but now we hope they will fit and not be too small. We had the babies names embroidered on the vest collars, just so they each get the right blessing outfit for their posterity and so that Rex Jr. will remember which baby he's holding (and so we can remember which baby we're holding and photographing later on, too!)

It is also Spring Break so Lacey is home from school. We delivered Seth to Jessica's apartment last night on our way home from the hospital. We all ate a very late dinner (10:00pm? I think). Madison threw up her dinner all over Lacey's bed in the middle of the night. She is lethargic and has little or no appetite and isn't getting into trouble.....not at all like the Madison we know and love. We're hoping she has just a 24-hour bug and is well tomorrow.

Jessica took Seth to school with her today where he modeled three sports items she designed and sewed for a class final. She said Seth did very well and she was pleased with his performance.

Aleece had her six weeks check-up which means the babies are six weeks old today! It is a busy and event filled week.

A few more photos to share from two weeks ago

2009-03-16T22:28:00.000-07:00

Okay, here's how I can tell them apart when they're together....Alex is on the left, he's the largest one. Alex is usually reddish in his complexion. He's easy to point out by size. Zach is in the middle and is yellowish in color. Notice the sunkeness under his eyes. Riley is the curious one, eyes open, hyper child. Usually his arms and legs are stiff and straight in their movements. Rexer says he's going to be a gymnast. Now separate these boys and mix them up and it's hard to tell them apart.

Zach is moving because of the red-eye light on my camera, warning him to flinch from the flash. Riley is taking it all in stride. Alex is sleeping on.......

Alex

Update on babies

2009-03-16T22:04:00.000-07:00

As of today, 3/16/09:
Alex received a blood transfusion this morning. Zach is progressing well since switching to other respiratory machine. Riley was transferred to Pediatric Unit but is developing a rattle sound in his chest and will most likely be transferred back with brother Alex. We're just waiting to see if little Riley catches RSV. So far, after three negative tests, he's either behind the other two in getting sick or really resisting the illness. Another baby is with Riley who has a bad cough but is not contagious beyond the three foot zone around him. Aleece and Rex are concerned about his nearness to Riley.
The doctors think that Zach and Alex will be well in about ten days.
Aleece & Rex have moved into the Ronald McDonald Housing for parents which runs $20 per night. They are hoping that the insurance picks up the tab, as money is tight for them. There they have laundry and kitchen facilities, along with a motel-type room with two double beds. Before they were allowed only one bed and only person allowed to sleep in it at a time, the other having to sleep in a recliner. Rex Jr. can sleep just about anywhere, but Aleece is not as lucky in her sleep patterns. Her meals are provided free, but Rex Jr. has to pay for his food. Rex Jr. is donating blood tomorrow morning to have on hand in case any of the boys need it.
Seth and Madison are doing well. I call up the their parents' cell phone a couple times each day so they can keep in touch with Mommy and Daddy. Seth is definitely missing them. Madison is easily entertained and easy to distract from any homesickness. They are lovely children with bright minds who love to learn. Aleece asked them draw some pictures to hang in the babies' hospital rooms. We are working on some things.
The photos below are from two weeks ago when the babies all came home within a few days of each other.
Thank you to all who have sent beautiful, inspiring emails as well as the offers of help and support. I really appreciate all of you!

Baby Pictures

2009-03-16T21:54:00.000-07:00

Aleece snapping homecoming photos

Lacey holding Riley

Aleece with Alex?

Zach's crib

Our precious triplet grandsons

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Riley

Peek-a-boo Zach

Zach being held by Gampa

Alex's crib on the left side and Riley's on the right side of the nursery.

Gampa with Zach

Bumpy Week.....all three boys back in hospital

2009-03-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

Zach

Close up of Zach.

On Wednesday, I went over to help Aleece with the babies so Rex Jr. could study. She was already exhausted from the triplet routine and I came over so she could go to bed for awhile. We were feeding the babies when Aleece commented that Zachary was lethargic and not drinking all his bottle and had a runny nose and congestion. We discussed whether or not she should take him to the doctor's office. She was frustrated because the pediatrician assigned to the babies in the NICU was only to see the babies for one follow-up visit. She had been trying to get Oregon Health Plan to assign a permanent pediatrician for quite awhile, only to be told that she had to wait until the babies were born first. There was a doctor assigned at last but she doesn't begin her practice until the end of March!

She called to find out who to take Zach to and was told that no other doctors had openings and to take him to the emergency room and it's been enough days and enough layered drama since then that I believe Aleece was told over the phone to remove Seth and Madison from the home beings they still were sick with the same bad virus that Rex Jr. picked up from the hospital which quickly spread to Aleece, Seth, and Madison while the babies were still in the NICU. The part that just fries Rex Sr. and me is that every doctor and nurse that treated those triplets knew they were sending them home with sick siblings and Aleece was still sick. In my day no baby was released from the hospital until everyone at home was healthy. Aleece said that the insurance wouldn't pay for the extra days in the hospital. Well, that was incredibly stupid because now they're paying triple for it. Read on and you'll see for yourself. She was told that it was imperative that we had to fight cross-contamination between the boys and to wash hands between touching or holding.

Rex Jr. and I stayed with Seth, Madison, Alex and Riley. Rex arranged for Jana Kemball to take Seth and Maddy. Good woman! She was willing to bring sick children into her home overnight. I took care of the other two babies and spent the night because Rex Jr. couldn't miss the final day of classes before finals when all the pertinent information is given for the final exams.

Aleece left for the emergency room around 12:30pm that afternoon. She called several times to let us know the progress. Zach was tested for RSV (for those of you like me who have no idea what that is, it's a common cold or flu bug for us but a killer of preemies). The test came back positive. The doctor said that he has three strikes against him. 1. Preemie. 2. Low birth weight. 3. Getting sick so soon after birth.

Then things went slow/fast. The slow part was Salem Hospital. The fast part was how rapidly ill Zach became. The next scary part was that he began having apnea (breathing stopped). The apnea progressed to the point where an on-call NICU nurse came to the emergency room and sat beside Zach to stimulate him with each apnea spell. The spells occurred every thirty seconds to two minutes. Poor Aleece was watching her baby turn blue. Rex Jr. went to the hospital to administer to Zach and I called Rex Sr. to meet him over there after work. They were able to give the baby a priesthood blessing and we were assured that Zachary would get better. It was decided to transport Zachary to Legacy Emmanuel Hospital in Portland who was sending down an ambulance. That procedure took many, many hours. Aleece and Rex Jr. came home to pack and he drove her back to the hospital to go up with the ambulance which finally left the ER at around 3:00am Thursday. Rex Jr. came home before that and helped me with the 1:00am feeding and then he went to bed to catch some sleep before school. I got to bed about an hour later only to hear Riley cry around 4:45am wanting to eat. I don't know how these kids (Rex Jr. and Aleece) have been doing this. It's non-stop and a ton of work.

Aleece called during the feeding to give an update. Zachary had been intubated (breathing tube down his throat) and was medicated, had more IVs and hooked up to more machines than at birth, which was a lot. Remember I said that she was exhausted when I got there Wednesday morning. She didn't get any sleep all Wednesday evening and finally got some sleep Thursday evening.

In the meanwhile, she was concerned about Alex and Riley, wanting us to make sure they weren't showing any signs of RSV. It didn't take long for those signs to appear in Alex. She set up an appointment for those two in Salem at the Primary Health Care office at 3:00pm on Thursday. Rex Sr. came over around noonish and started helping me with disinfecting the house. He was vacuuming, spraying alcohol and wiping down things with Pine Sol.

I have a hard time being on time for anything. Complicate that with trying to get two preemies fed, changed, in car seats, a diaper bag packed (I forgot baby wipes but got just about everything else in the house packed) get myself changed, whilst the phone was ringing, doing laundry, and a WIC lady delivering supplies. Aleece said if we were more than ten minutes late they would turn us away. Talk about pressure! I was running about a half-hour late of the organized schedule I had planned to be there early, when an angel arrived in the form of Sanna Mitton. I am emotional in the first place. Now multiply that with such a life-and-death situation and I'm a puddle of tears. At first I told Sanna she wasn't needed, other than to call the Relief Society president to update her on Zach being in the hospital. But then I remembered I hadn't written a note to Rex Jr. to let him know when he returned from school (within the hour) that we were at the doctor's office. See, Rex and Aleece have a borrowed cell phone, which was with Aleece. Rex Sr. and I don't have a cell phone. So we were communicating the 80's way--land lines! A cell phone would have saved a lot of grief later on that day. So I asked Sanna to stay at the house to tell Rex Jr. where we were. A note would have worked, but I was running late. As it was we got to the office with two minutes to spare before being turned away. Let me add my frustration again at the awkward layout of Salem and how difficult it is to go from north to south in this town. I so love being in West Salem where you can get to the hospital in about six to eight minutes, as long as it's not during rush hour.

Back to the monologue: at the office visit, the doctor checked out both boys and heard that Alex sounded junky in his lungs. I told her Alex was lethargic in his eating but I found ways to keep him awake long enough to drink all of his bottle (changing the diaper mid way through the feeding and pulling the bottle in and out of his mouth so he starts sucking, talking to him, calling his name, moving gently so he doesn't throw up). She put a skinny, long cotton swab probe into each boys' sinus for the RSV test. Within a few minutes of the probe Riley (who I was holding) started turning blue around his mouth. She took him to the examination table and stimulated him but he remained blue. She called in a nurse with oxygen and was on the phone with the doctor up at Legacy who was treating Zachary who ordered him to be transported to the ER. The EMTs showed up quickly and worked on Riley, giving him oxygen a bit away from his little face because the pressure's too intense for an infant up close. They hauled him away and we followed afterwards.

I asked the nurse to please call Aleece and let her know what was happening. I found out later that she didn't get a hold of Aleece.

Rex Sr. and I took Alex over the two blocks to the ER. The receptionist left and then returned and with a reprimanding tone said, "He's all alone back there! Why is he alone?" I said I have one of his triplet brothers here with me, and his third brother is up at Legacy Emmanuel. She had a few teeth missing and had a vodka and cigarette voice. I could show her how to be a better receptionist if I had some time.

I went in with the boys while Rex arranged for parking. There's rarely parking available at the Salem ER. Another gripe. Sorry, but it's so frustrating. We've been there countless times through the years and it's the same story. You walk into that ER and you can smell the germs. Why aren't visitors required to wash their hands and wear masks? The room is filthy and people leave their trash everywhere. I'm becoming Michael Jackson! Yikes!

Okay, back to the story. The ER staff weighed Riley and put him in a heated bed and hooked him up to monitors and Dr. Hare was entertaining and delightful. One EMT explained how fierce RSV is on preemies. He said that an adults bronchial tubes are as big around as the circumference of your thumb, but a preemie's is as big around as the size of the point of a ball point pen. He said that the mucus amount is the same for both adult and baby and very difficult for a preemie to expel the mucus through such tiny tubes. Dr. Hare said that preemies prone to have apnea spells and that they can be alarming. To watch these two kids go through this with their triplets is something else. They are certainly all being tested and are getting experienced in Life 101.

Rex Jr. arrived at his home to find Jessica, who had replaced Sanna. Thanks, Sanna, for folding the clothes while you waited. It was so kind and thoughtful of you! He had picked up the older kids from the Kemballs and sent them with Jessica to our home where Lacey was home from school sick with the same bad virus. Lacey, bless her heart, took care of the munchkins. So our house was designated as the sick house.

Rex Jr. showed up at the hospital. I can't count how many nurses and staff members poked their heads in to say that they either had helped with Zach the night before or had heard there were preemies in the ER. Rex Sr. loves to boast about the boys and tell the stories. I, am not so generous. I was getting a little agitated about all those germs coming into the room. Believe me, everything that touched those boys was washed when we got home. And yes, we were sent home after only a few hours in the ER. Once the RSV tests came back negative and Riley's color returned and remained normal we were discharged.

We took the babies home and Rex Jr. stopped at the store on the way home. I decided to let Rex Jr. call and let Aleece know the good news, that the boys were RSV negative. She had been contacted by the doctor up at Emmanuel and told that Riley had stopped breathing and that was the last she had heard. So she was upset that no one had called her to update her. Another reason to get a cell phone.

So we got the babies settled down in their beds and Rex Sr. and Rex Jr. administered to Alex and Riley. We left Rex Jr. to tend to them so that we could go take care of sick Seth and Madison and Lacey at our house. They were in bed when we got home and we said goodnight to them and we went to bed. Rex Sr. didn't get much of a day off. He has worked some long hours these past few weeks, with a special sale, and helping out at both homes. We've been over to the kids' home practically every day this last week since all three boys arrived home. Rex Sr. is very upset that the hospital released the babies so soon.

Now for Friday's events: after getting a 3/4's night sleep I had energy and got the kids fed and dressed for the day. I called Aleece up in Portland and at first was going to offer to drive up and bring back some milk with the antibodies for the RSV for the other two babies but then decided to bring her down so she could be with her four other babies and lend her a car to take back with her.

It was a comedy of errors on my part. We had bought new car seats for Seth and Madison and I had to figure out how to adjust them to their sizes and install them properly in the car. Let me just say that I did quite well until the third time trying to thread the seat belt through the narrow opening in the back of Madison's car seat. I cut both hands in the process. It took much longer than I wanted it to and at one point I said aloud, "Some man invented this contraption! A woman would never make this so complicated! Why isn't there a seat belt extension already installed in those seats so that you just click your seat belt with the male end and then the other end of the extension to the female side? That would be too easy!!!!!!!! At least they make it easier these days to adjust the straps. Back when my kids were little it was one long strap that went over the shoulders down through the crotch, back behind the chair and you had to be a rocket scientist to get it in the right order and the correct slots.

After about an hour and a half of getting the car seats set up, getting the DVD player hooked up and the DVD cleaned so it didn't skip all the way to Portland and back so the kids could watch a movie, we were ready to go. I made them a lunch (way to break in the car seats, Sharon!) and off we went.

We found the hospital, found Aleece and I got to go see Zach for a few minutes. I am attaching his photo. He is swollen with fluids from the IVs. He looks fat and pudgy. Aleece said that when they rotate him his eye touching closest to the bed will be swollen with fluid and it's rather frightening. He did look at me and respond to my touch. He's so adorable. I just cry to think that he's going through so much.

I sat with the children in the play room while Aleece gathered up her belongings. That was an experience. A grandmother started telling me about her granddaughter, six months of age, who was in the room next to Zach, who has undergone many surgeries so far and was in a drug induced coma. A Hispanic gang of children (five) were not being supervised well by their sleeping father. They ganged up against my grand kids a couple of times and I intervened. I never liked playgrounds for that very reason with my own children. The father woke up and chewed out his children a few times and then they started getting along better.

We drove back to Rex Jr. and Aleece's home and I called Lacey to come pick me up. That meant I had to MOVE the CAR SEATS from the van to the Alero. In the meantime Seth found a garter snake in the garage while I was cleaning out the van. I hate snakes but it was a dead looking skinny thing. Well, it turned out to be an alive skinny thing. Chills are going up my spine just writing this! Aleece came and saved the day. She killed it and moved it to the burn pile.

Aleece took out the straps in Seth's chair which he didn't need and adjusted Madison's chair. I installed window shades, and moved the DVD player to the Alero. That took another 30 minutes or more to get it all shifted over. We went home. I gave everyone juice and my energy ran out shortly after that. Rex Sr. called to ask what to get at the store and he arrived home about 90 minutes later. I told him he was on duty and I was off. I went to bed.

At 8:30pm Aleece called from home saying the ambulance was there to transport Alex to the ER. She had been pumping her milk in the nursery when Alex turned blue. She yelled at Rex Jr. to come. He ran back and revived Alex. He had several episodes of apnea and was showing signs of RSV. She wanted me to meet her at the hospital. Then she said to wait and she'd call me once she got there. Rex Jr. went in the ambulance and she was bringing Riley in the van.

I decided to go ahead and go down. I got the kids in bed and asked Rex to come with me. I called Aleece again and she hadn't left yet. I told her we were headed down to the ER.

We arrived but waited for over an hour. There was a different receptionist on duty who said she'd let them know we were there.

Before we we admitted back to see the babies, we sat in the ER room next to another Hispanic family with out of control children. More of them came out of the bathroom and when I realized we had taken their seats we moved to another spot. That's when we sat next to a girl from West Salem High School who knows Lacey. After not being called back I went up to the desk and the receptionist asked when the mother was going to arrive. She showed me the phone and I called Aleece at home and she was still there. She had been on the phone with Rex Jr., her parents, her brother and had the baby in the car ready to go but couldn't get off the phone. She arrived about fifteen minutes later and we went on back with her. The receptionist said we could go in with her. I looked at her like there's no way you were going to stop me if it wasn't alright.

I told Rex Jr. we had been waiting for an hour and he said, "Really? I didn't know you were here." Grrrh. Dang receptionist!

Alex was under the warming lights, stripped down to his diaper and hooked up to heart and respiratory monitors. Riley was in his car seat covered with a blanket and we kept checking on him. The kids were starving. They asked for a boxed lunch. I didn't know you could do that in the ER. Sure enough, they were brought food to eat! Rex Jr. had made Aleece a beautiful spaghetti dinner with all the trimmings while Aleece was tending to the babies at home before all this started, so their dinner was left at home while they came to the hospital.

To see an infant stop breathing repeatedly is heart wrenching. To watch it go on and on is humbling. Someone had to be vigilant. There's no alarm on the respiratory machine that Alex was hooked up to so we had to watch his chest rise and fall. When it stopped, someone had to tickle his side or rub his chest and at times pick up a limb, call his name. The intesity of his episodes grew.

Aleece fed Alex and he drank down some caffeine to stimulate him enough to stay awake and remember to breathe. It didn't seem to make any difference. The EMTs were coming down from Legacy to take Alex up to be with Zach.

Aleece started to feed Riley when he started turning blue. Here's the incredible thing. He only did it once. It was enough to get the doctors' attention and another ambulance sent down for him (only one can ride in there with all the equipment that goes with it). Rex Sr. and Aleece both agree and I've seen it with mine own eyes several times now, these boys are connected and support and encourage one another. If you pick up one boy the other one grunts as though he's being lifted up. They communicate and listen to one another breathe. Aleece said that Riley did what he had to do to be with his brothers. This way they're all in the same hospital now.

Rex Jr. rode in the ambulance with Alex. Aleece followed Riley's ambulance in the van. Alex had the same team of EMTs that transported Zach two days before. Rex Jr. arrived back home at 5:00am this morning. He has finals next week so we're going to let him study and be alone for that. We will keep the oldest two over here and Aleece is staying and rooming in up at Emmanuel. There is a room that holds ten adults where she sleeps and the hospital provides her with food.

I called Aleece a bit ago and here's the latest:

Zach was extubated (tube taken out) and put on a CPAP machine last night. He didn't do well with it. His chest sinks down too low so they have taken him off the CPAP and intubated him again. They think he's getting pnemonia.

Alex is doing well. He's intubated. Riley is doing great. Riley and Alex are in a room separate from Zach.

Aleece stayed up until 6:00am. She's pumping now and then is going down for a nap. When she awakens she is going to set up a website where anyone interested can check on the boy's conditions with a password. I'll let you know when she gives me the information for the website.

In the meantime, thanks for reading all the way through this. Sorry it is so long, but there was a lot to relay.

Velada (sorry if I spelled it wrong!) put the boys' names on the prayer roll in the temple (thanks bunches for that!) We appreciate any prayers on their behalf.

Sharon

Alex comes home 3.7.09

2009-03-10T17:18:00.000-07:00

Riley's on top, Alex is in the middle, and Zach has his eyes open. These hats were made by Laura Pew, who served in Ecuador when I was on my mission. She made them each three sets of hats, the largest were made in the U of O colors because she knows we Whites are big Duck fans! I took Riley and Zach out of their cribs and put them in with Alex. Aleece questioned if I remembered which one was which, but it was fun to pretend I wasn't sure. The sad part is that I can't tell just yet when the boys are separated, who is who.

Here's Rex, Lacey, and me in the nursery on Sunday night (March 8th) helping with the eight o'clock feeding. I have Zach, Lacey has Riley (she favors Riley) and Rex has Alex. Riley's crib is showing.

Rex Jr. and oops, I can't remember which one he's holding!

This is Alex. Every time I push the shutter on my camera, a red light shines first, and the boys do not like the red light. Their eyes will be open, then I push the shutter, they shut their eyes faster than anything. Dang! They've got beautiful big eyes (from the Sobrio side). We Whites (from the Shirley side) have those deep set eyes that no one can tell who we're looking at from across the room.

Seth's holding someone. I don't know who it is now. I waited too long and can't remember. I can say with confidence that it's either Alex, Zach, or Riley!

Aleece asked me the other day if I download the pictures and label them right away so I can remember who's who, and I assured her yes. Well, I do remember, for about twelve hours and then it just fades away........

Riley Comes Home 3.4.09

2009-03-04T23:52:00.000-08:00

Madison, Seth, and friend Trevor playing in their bedroom.

Rose Thurber holding Riley on his first day at home.

Close-up photo of Zach in his crib.
Zach

Close up of Riley on his first day home.

Mighty Zach First to Come Home 3.3.09

2009-03-04T09:12:00.000-08:00

Riley and Zach taken Feb. 21st
Alex is up in corner over my shoulder as I look on at Zach and Riley. Don't ask me which is which at this point....can't tell. Can you?
Zachary Ryan White taken March 3rd
Zach is just a little bump in a sea of Grandma's crib decorations!

Who have thunk that the littlest guy would be able to come home first? Zachary has proven time and again that he's a champion through and through.

Babysitting

2009-02-25T20:23:00.000-08:00

I just got back from the hospital where I got to hold Alex, change his diaper, hold him some more and then I got to change Riley, feed him a bottle which he gulped down while he looked at me and peered about trying to figure out what was happening to the screaming newborn across the hall. He is so cute! I tried to burp him but he fell asleep. I was there about two and a half hours. So fun! The boys have all passed up their birth weights now and are doing very well. They're healthy and adorable and have quite a bit of hair for White babies. I was able to choose three pairs of booties from a bag that had been donated by various women. Mom had crocheted 50 pairs of booties in 2005 which I took down to the birthing center. I tried to find some that she had made but couldn't find any that were exactly as I had remembered them. Women from Craft Warehouse classes have donated quilts for the babies in the NICU, as well as hats and pajamas. It is very inspiring to see each baby with their own quilt by their isolete. I know a lot of love and many hours went into each item. I hope to be able to return the favors someday.

Valentine's Day, 2009

2009-02-14T17:25:00.000-08:00

February 14th Update:

Aleece will start blogging as soon as she gets a chance, but in the meantime, I have her permission to keep you updated on this blog.
Hats are off the boys and we are able to get a good look up close of each baby now. Riley doesn't need the lights anymore, as his billiruben is under control.
Aleece's staples were removed from her incision and she's doing fine. She's been officially discharged, however, she is boarding at the hospital as long as the boys are there to bond with them, holding them as often as possible, pumping breast milk, changing diapers and being Super Mom! All three boys are doing well on the breastmilk. None are able to suck at this time so they are being fed by a tube.
Alex was under the lights on Friday. Rex Jr. was able to "kangaroo' (skin to skin) but this kangaroo was covered with red curly hair! No matter, all three boys are on the hairy side, too! They all have that fine peach fuzz over their backs and limbs.
Alex kicked out his IV and the nurses decided to leave it out unless needed. Riley actually rolled over somehow and when he sleeps on his side he lifts one leg up trying to rest it on top of something else, just like his daddy does. He actually moved about his "condo" until he was up on the plexiglass, cutting off his airway, setting off alarms and nurses came running to rescue him. They took a photo first as proof of the roving child.
The condos are the covered type of ICU bed which is enclosed and has holes for reaching in to touch the babies. The nurses say this is a a good sign.
Their baby blessings are scheduled for the last Sunday in March in the Jan Ree Ward, which is fast Sunday before General Conference. We invite all to attend at 11:00am.
We are now saying that all three are identical so that none of the boys feel left out or singled out. There's been some controversy as to which two are identical now, some say Alex and Riley, not Alex and Zachary, but the only way to tell is with an expensive DNA test which Rex Jr. and Aleece cannot possibly afford. In the womb, two were in the same sac but during the C-section, it was hard to tell who came out of the sac. So, please spread the word that from now on all three will be considered identical. We can tell differences in the boys, such as, Zachary is the teeniest and has a very serious look on his face. Riley is redder and stiffer in his legs and arms and loves to kick. Alex is the largest and has more baby fat on him at this point. But to tell the truth, I have to look at the blankets in their beds, the bed position in the room and try to remember who was holding whom in each picture to differentiate. It is a fun challenge.
Enjoy the latest photos!
Sharon

Tuesday, Feb. 10th Update

2009-02-10T19:09:00.001-08:00

Today was a tough day for Grandma, but here are some of the high- and low-lights of the day:

1. Grandma finally got Madison to sleep at 12:45 am this morning.
2. We went to the kid's house to feed the dog and let him out around noon.
3. Madison wouldn't go down for a nap after several attempts.
4. Madison got into the 72-hour emergency kit while Grandma was sweeping the floor and got out the toothpaste and then squirted it into the dog's food bowl while the dog was eating.
5. The dog bit Madison's wrist causing two deep puncture wounds.
6. Grandma kicked the dog out of the house (physically). Don't nobody mess with my kids or grandkids.
7. Grandma cried just as hard as Madison while trying to clean her wounds which not unusual during emotional situations, but is usually calm and serene during emergencies. Grandma felt very out of control today (due to sleep deprevation and frustration with the non-sleeping "terrible two-year old" whom she otherwise adores!)
8. Madison fell asleep on Grandma's shoulder while talking on the phone with mommy and daddy.
9. Aleece called to say that Alex is struggling today. He needed level five oxygen.
10. Riley quit breathing twice while Aleece was holding him, setting off alarms. The nurse simply rubbed him on the back which reminded him to breathe, and all was back to normal.
11. Mighty Zach was the trooper today and is on room air while the other two are on different levels of oxygen (two and three) this afternoon but were all on room air earlier in the day. The nurses say that although the boys have done remarkable well, that being on oxygen is typical for premies as the lungs are the last things to develop. Remember that these little guys arrived 17 days before their scheduled C-section arrival, which is 45 days early for a singleton birth. So, it's comforting to know that they are still doing well with normal glitches.
12. Aleece is doing really well with the breast pump and the milk will be fed to the babies in a few days when they can start the sucking reflex.

Visitors may see the babies but have to have Rex Jr. or Aleece accompany them to the NICU and only four people are allowed at a time with the babies. No children under twelve are allowed except for siblings and everyone has to wash up before seeing the babies. Please no visitors with cold, flu, or other infectious symptoms.

Family time at the hospital

2009-02-10T19:01:00.000-08:00

Seth and Madison meet the triplets

2009-02-10T18:54:00.000-08:00

Seth and Madison got to see the boys on Monday afternoon. Here's some photos of their trip to the hospital.

The Arrival of the Triplets

2009-02-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

Alex, the larger twin and eldest of the three

Post Partum tender moment
Riley

Zachary, the tiny twin

Aleece having contractions

We proudly announce the arrival of Alex, Zachary, and Riley White, born February 9, 2009, at 12:45, 12:46, and 12:48am. They weighed 4.8 lb., 3.11 lb., and 3.13 lb. All are healthy, pink, and breathing on their own. They were scheduled for delivery on March 3rd, but decided to come a little early. Aleece had eight contractions around 8:00pm on Sunday evening and called the hospital, and was told to come immediately. They monitored the contractions and the heart rates and were about to send her home when the nurse decided to have the on-duty doctor come check her. He did and it was decided that there was going to be a C-section right away. Dr. Bowen arrived and things were put into motion for the triplet's arrivals.

We came and picked up Seth and Madison from the hospital and took them home, got them to bed, (makes it sound easy, but, believe me, Madison is hard to get to sleep) and had just gone to bed ourselves when Rex Jr. called summoning us to the hospital. Lacey wanted to go, too, but I was firm that Seth and Madison needed sleep so she stayed in bed and we went to the birthing center.

We got to see Aleece and Rex again and Rex and Rex Jr. and Dr. Bowen gave Aleece a priesthood blessing before they wheeled her to the delivery room. We waited out in the lobby with a grandfather who was hooked on a Sci Fi channel movie about super flesh eating locust swarms invading cities and Rex struck up a conversation with him. I read magazines, cleaned up the pop containers, the garbage people had left and rearranged the chairs in the lobby. Hey, some people have talents in organizational skills. I just happen to be one of them! At 12:49 I said to Rex, "I bet they've been born. It's been about the right amount of time for the epidural and the C-section." No sooner did I say it but they played "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" over the PA system three times in a row! I jumped up and did a hooray! The nurse came out a few minutes later to tell us the triplets had arrived.

We had to wait for about an hour for Aleece to recover before we could go back to see her. She was a bit nauseous, but otherwise fine. She and Rex Jr. were holding hands and Rexy had tears in his eyes. It was so sweet to observe them in such a private moment. If I see a man cry, I cry, so I got out the tissues.

We waited with Aleece as she started to get movement back into one foot and then the other. Finally she was able to go see the babies in the NICU. Rex Jr. showed us the photos he had taken of the boys in there.

It was after 2:30 am when we got to go see the babies. First we saw Alex. He was so tiny, yet he's the largest of the three. His little fingers are skinny. He's very handsome and tall. Seventeen inches! He sucks his chest in and out with each rapid breath. His head is held in place with straps and he has a tube in his hand and a heart monitor on his chest. He was in a darker area of the room and it was a bit hard to see him in detail. Then we saw Riley next who whimpers with each breath. So adorable! So tiny! Such a little miracle. There's something very special about Riley. Maybe it's his name. But he lays with his arms and legs straight out like a fighter. Then we saw Zachary, the tiniest one. So still, a bit on the pale side. He looks very serious and studious and his hands and feet are curled up close.

We went back and forth from baby to baby. We were told to just place our hands gentle on them but to not move because it's uncomfortable for the babies to be touched. I couldn't help but touch gently and hold as still as possible. Such little miracles. That's when I cried. That's when I felt Mom's arm go around my waist. Always so close...the veil is so thin.

We came home around 4:00 am, woke up Lacey and told her about the babies and showed her the digital photos then went to bed and woke up with Jessica call at 6:30 am. Went back to sleep until 7:30 am when Seth came in to tell me he'd wet the bed. Got him in the tub and laid out his clothes and went downstairs to the computer to send out the email announcements.

So happy! So thankful for these beautiful blessings from heaven.

Shower Photos

2009-02-02T23:12:00.001-08:00

Aleece opening the first gift, Jessica is recording the gifts.

Baby Shower Photos

2009-02-02T09:55:00.000-08:00

Lynn Jarvis, Reva Johnson, Samantha Jobes, Lacey White, Kathleen Hoth, Janet Jobes

Deborah Bradley, Rhonda Miller, Rhoda Morrison

Connie Snyder, Sherene Taylor, Janet Crow, Kathi Robbins, Myrna Curzon

Aleece is scheduled for the C-section on March 3rd, 2009, if she makes it that long!

The ladies were very generous!

Kay Bowen generously offered her home for Aleece's baby shower on January 31, 2009. We had a great time getting together as family and friends. The women were very generous in their gift-giving. Aleece had a great time. I enjoyed seeing my family and friends. I didn't get around to chatting with everyone, there was so much happening. We played a game I made up called "Famous Three's" in which Myrna Curzon came in first place and won a container of odds and ends items for Valentine's Day and kitchen and bath supplies and Rhoda Morrison came in last and received the chocolate candy bar.

Here's some photos of the shower.

2008-12-29T19:31:00.000-08:00

2008-12-28T09:02:00.001-08:00

Christmas Day 2008

2008-12-27T00:51:00.000-08:00

2008-12-26T15:52:00.000-08:00

2008-12-26T15:48:00.000-08:00

White Elephant....Shirley Family Style!

2008-12-26T15:44:00.000-08:00

2008-12-26T15:42:00.000-08:00

Family Christmas Party at the Leon's

2008-12-26T15:38:00.001-08:00

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

2008-12-26T15:33:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2008

2008-12-26T15:29:00.000-08:00

2008-11-07T09:59:00.000-08:00

Birthday Photos

2008-11-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

Birthday Party Photos

2008-11-07T09:48:00.001-08:00

November 6th - A busy day!

2008-11-07T09:15:00.000-08:00

What a day! Today was the second ultrasound appointment for Aleece, but this one was conducted by the multiple birth specialist doctor, Dr. Watson. It was a three hour appointment. He discovered that two of the boys are identical twins (Baby A and Baby C, which is the baby on top and on the right side of the uterus). The doctor's not sure about Baby B being identical or not and said that in most cases with triplets, there were probably four babies and one was absorbed by the body.

All three boys are bigger than usual and Aleece's uterus is in great shape (in thickness) and so she is one of the rare healthy women who have everything going for them, healthwise, the doctor said. We were all relieved to hear that. They took profile pictures with the ultrasound and also reaffirmed that all three are males. Rex Jr. will scan and email me the photos for the blog.

Aleece is off of bed rest for now and can continue her lifestyle with some strict alterations: no lifting of any kind and when she feels tired or lightheaded or has a contraction she is to lie down immediately.

Rex and I worked like slaves getting the house and yard ready for Madison's birthday party yesterday. Rex cleaned up the side of the garage where a lot of weeds and debris had collected and he mowed part of the back lawn, picked the tomatoes, apples and green chilies. He threw the rotten apples into the compost pile and picked up the walnuts. He helped with the recycling, the laundry and helped clean up Madison and with lunch.

I vacuumed, did laundry, folded clothes, did the dishes, scrubbed a toilet and sink, matched socks, put away all the items on the dining room table, rearranged the table and chairs and put on a tablecloth and centerpiece. I made several trips to the basement putting away more toys I found under furniture. Seth and Madison were big helpers. We barely got the kids down to a nap when the first birthday guests arrived.

We woke up the children and started playing a game dropping walnuts into a quart jar. Lacey arrived while the kids were in bed and she cleaned the windows. She helped police the children.

Rex and Aleece arrived right before the next set of birthday guests arrived. Rex and I were exhausted, but somehow we pulled it off in time.

The children played Duck, Duck, Goose, which they didn't quite get the hang of how to play. Seth ran throughout the house when it was his turn. He's such a fast runner no one can catch him! Then they played Ring Around the Rosie and sang "Hinges" and then we sang "Happy Birthday to You!" and served cake and ice cream. Next came unwrapping the presents. When all the guests had left and we cleaned up the living room, we sat down at the dining room table to hear about the doctor's visit and viewed the ultrasound pictures. We were so delighted to hear that all is well with the babies so far and that Aleece is at the top of the scale as far as ideal situations for triplets.

I was happy to hear I got a day off so that I could rest and then get some things done around my house. I spent most of Monday, Tuesday, Tuesday evening, Wednesday and all of Thursday over at their home cleaning, organizing, and taking care of the two Munchkins. I am not used to standing for long periods of time so my bones ache.

Day Six Since Discovering Triplets

2008-11-05T20:26:00.000-08:00

I will take a photo of Aleece and post it tomorrow so you can see how much her belly has grown in six days. It's incredible. Now she looks like she's nearly nine months along when she's only 20 weeks pregnant. Dr. Bowen said she needs to get to 28 weeks and then the babies have a fighting chance at survival.

She has had three contractions so far. The doctor said if she has contractions eight to nine minutes apart to get in to his office immediately. In addition, he told her if she comes in to see him 20 times a week it's okay with him, because of the high risk involved in this pregnancy, which was reassuring to her. She is to rest this week and then goes on official bed rest next week. She will spend at least the last month of the pregnancy in the hospital hooked up to a catheter and what not because she will not be able to move about. She has been doing a little organizing, but doing it while seated, mostly. She is taking this like a trooper. For such an active person to suddenly come to a halt is a difficult adjustment, so Rex Jr. and I remind her when we catch her stretching, bending more than we think she should.

Aleece has a list of things she would like done to the house during her confinement which includes moving Madison in with Seth and turning Maddy's former room into the nursery, moving the wood pile out of the garage, daily upkeep on the walnuts, repairing a chunk of ceiling in the bedroom, yard and other projects. I need help! We need to get a group together to tackle the outside list and then we need some strong muscles for moving the furniture around. Some of the items include obtaining bunk beds for Seth and Madison, organizing the basement to get it ready to receive a desk, and storage items. Aleece is showing me where things go (kitchen, laundry, etc.) which helps me get the interior organized.

Aleece expressed a desire to take up drawing and sketching again (charcoals) during her confinement, so if anyone has a drawing pad or charcoals they'd like to donate, that would be great. Debbie had a great idea that Aleece uses some of this time for catching up on Seth's and Madison's baby books.

They have chosen the boys' names: Alex Jesse White, Zachary Ryan White, and Riley Cade White. Zachary was going to be Zachary Jerry, but after they slept on it they changed it to Zachary Ryan.

Tomorrow is Madison's birthday party with her nursery mates. "Poppa" and I will be there helping with that.

Before I close I have to relate the funny joke Madison played on me Monday. We discovered Madison was too quite in the house and we started looking for her. I found her behind the desk in Seth's bedroom where she had knocked the container of paper clips on the floor. Aleece told Seth and Madison to help me pick them up and he kept shoving a pink rubbery fake spider in my eyeball every time I bent over. After the third jabbing I said, "Oh no, I can't see to pick up the paper clips because there's a monster spider attacking me." The jabbing stopped at some point after that and I was trying hard to see the carpet whilst peering around two bobbing and weaving grandchildren. During the struggle of bending, I went down onto my knees and tried to clean up the mess while avoiding head butts with the kids when suddenly I felt Madison shoving her hand down my shirt and into my bra. I'll excuse myself by saying that at this point in my life I've been touched there an awful lot, apparently, because I didn't pay it anymore attention than that and I left a while later to go pick up Lacey from school. I stopped for a taco and as gravity and shirts and eating seem to collide in my world of food consumption, taco bits fell down my shirt into my bra. I reached in a lo, and behold, pulled out the pink rubbery spider. That thing is three to four inches in diameter! I chuckled that Madison had pulled a fast one over me and that I was so distracted by the paper clips and the bobbing heads that I didn't realize I had become a host for an alien creature!

I showed her the pink spider the next day and said, "Guess where I found this?" She shoved her hand into my bra again and giggled. What can I say?

Halloween Surprise: Triplets!

2008-11-02T07:50:00.000-08:00

I invited myself to the Aleece's ultrasound on Halloween day. Lacey and I drove over to Salem Clinic and moved the car once while waiting for Rex & Aleece to arrive. They came in a borrowed car so I didn't notice them until they started piling out of the car. I brought crayons, coloring books and story books to entertain the children once we were finished with the ultrasound, as Aleece had seven tests in all to complete. I left the items in the car and then Madison and I held hands going into the clinic.

Once seated I saw there were no toys in the waiting room and so Madison sat quietly on my lap, Lacey had Seth and they were looking through a magazine. Another family with a little girl was seated across from us and Madison said hi to her and they smiled at each other. It wasn't more than a five minutes when Aleece was called back. I figured we had at least a twenty minute wait so I took Madison with me out to the car to get the books and crayons. We were just shutting the car door when I heard Rex yell, "Mom!" I said to Madison, "Let's run, okay?" We took off as fast as I can run, which is not fast, and the crayons spilled out of my arms to the ground. I picked them up as fast as I could and off we went again.

We got up to Rex and he had on his actor's face. But I wasn't quite thinking that he knew anything for sure yet. We got into the waiting room and we scooped up Lacey and Seth and went into the ultrasound room where the tech had wand in hand and Aleece's belly was greased in all its glory.

The tech immediately starts showing me a baby on the screen and said, "I found this baby first and then I saw something behind it so I moved the wand over to this side just to make sure, because sometimes it appears to be two when it's really just one, but when I angled it from this side, lo and behold, here was another one. So there's two babies. But then as I was moving the wand down at the bottom of the uterus I saw this one here. So there's three babies." They were lodged in there like the recycle sign. One across the top and the other two down on either side.

I laughed and said, "I knew it!" She was too big and hard for there to be just two in there.

Aleece said laughingly, "I've already cried!"

Rex said, "And there's three sacks, so they're not maternal." Then he asked the technician to check the sexes. He moved the wand to the first baby which he referred to as Baby A. There was a very noticeable tallywacker between two strong straight legs. The tech said, "This one is pretty straightforward." Then he moved the wand to Baby B. "This one I'm pretty sure...yep, this one is male, also." Then he said, "I'm not so sure on Baby C. I'll try another angle" When suddenly there was yet another flag pole raised in salute. We all said together, "Wow!"

I said, "I'm not babysitting!" I could envision three little Rex Jr.'s running like madmen throughout the house, wreaking destruction in their wake. Oh, wow.

I thought of three blessings, three car seats, three cribs, three babies trying to nurse, three boys to get ready for school, three baptisms, three sports fees makes a family rate, three missions, three college funds, three weddings, etc. I laughed. I cried with joy.

I thought of Mom's dream right after Lacey was born where she saw Rex Sr. holding twin boys like sacks of potatoes under each arm. I prayed all three make it.

Rex Jr. had a good spin on the dream. He thought perhaps one boy was hanging from Grandpa's neck. It was a big elephant in the room.

Aleece was rescheduled for next week so that the technician could spend sufficient time in order to examine each baby, one hour per boy.

We drove to Kelly's to tell Rex Sr. He was with an elderly couple up at the counter and was bragging about his grandkids and the possibility of twins. Rex Jr. tried to tell him about the triplets but he kept talking to the customers. He tried again. Finally, Rex got in the words, "Triplets. Boys. Three of them" Rexer said, "No way! You're kidding. No way! Really? You're kidding. No way!"

We took the kids to lunch at McDonalds and Aleece had already called her folks on the drive to Kelly's, so Rex Jr. called Jessica and Scotty. Dang, I really miss not having a cell phone. I wanted to call Grandma DeAnn and my sisters.

Madison climbed up into the jungle gym in McDonalds where a bully girl started hitting her in the face. She was screaming but the girl hit her several times. I was yelling at the girl and then the families in the playroom. No one seemed to be responding so Lacey climbed up in the apparatus to rescue Madison. The girl scratched her face in several places.

Lacey was served coffee instead of the hot chocolate she had ordered and had me taste it because something was wrong with it. So now I know what mocha tastes like. Yuck! Chocolate is supreme.

We came home and I called Grandma DeAnn, Jeff's cell phone, Sam, Debbie, Aunt Jeana, Helen Proctor, Laura Pew, Michelle Duchateau, Kay Bowen, Ellen Dillender, Janet Jobes, and Patty Shomaker.

The kids went to their ward's Trunk Or Treat party and spread the word there and then came to our ward's Harvest Festival and spread the work here.

We are all so happy.

Aleece and I had a talk about Mom's dream. We both started crying. I said, "So, what if the dream comes true and one of the boys doesn't make it?" She said, "Then I'll get to raise him in the resurrection." I said, "That's right. So it's a win-win situation. You'll get two now and one later. But, in the meantime, let's not focus another ounce of energy on that thought. You need all your energy and good thoughts to keep all three babies healthy and inside as long as possible."

Rex Jr. banned her from picking up Madison anymore while she's standing up. I feel sorry for Seth and Madison. Rex and Aleece have vowed to spend some one-on-one with each of them so they don't get left behind in all the hustle and bustle of the triplets. We all have to step up and help out to ensure that each child gets the help, love, and nurture they need.

We have our work cut out for us.

I watched Rex Jr.'s face go from ecstatic to serious and grave as the reality sunk in deeper and deeper in a matter of hours. He was seeing his responsibility to provide increase and the pressure to do well at school and on the LSAT to get good standing and scholarships at the law school. I'm so very proud of him. I know he'll succeed and follow his Patriarchal Blessing which told him to get a good education to provide for his family so his wife wouldn't have to work outside of the home.

I watched Aleece's belly grow in two days. Now that she knows there are three babies it's as though she's released them somehow and is not holding them in as tight. She looks tired already but we will do all in our power to help her get through this. I'm sure she is worried, too, about finances. I told her and Rex, "One day at a time. One day at a time."

I am the luckiest Grandma in the world!

2008-09-16T11:38:00.000-07:00

2008-09-10T12:41:00.000-07:00

Family Portraits

2008-09-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

White House Updates

2008-09-06T08:43:00.000-07:00

Rex Jr., Aleece, Seth & Madison: All's well. Baby number three is due March 31st, 2009!!!! Aleece is already showing and is a wonderful mother. Rex Jr. is between semesters at the University of Oregon. He and Rex share season tickets for the football season. He will graduate next spring.

Seth is four years old and has memorized his lines for the upcoming Primary Sacrament Meeting presentation and can say them flawlessly. He can read many words, write his name and has both his dad's and grandpa's gift of memory.

Madison turns two years old in November and is a bruiser! She is a whirlwind wherever she goes and loves everyone she sees. She lights up the room whenever she enters, usually in a dead run. She's got the bumps and bruises as proof! She's got a great appetite, too. We are so grateful that they're both healthy.

Jessica: Lives in Tualatin, going strong at The Art Institute of Portland. She's up to her eyes in sewing projects for school. You should see the lingerie she's designed for her senior project---beautiful!

Brian: Saw "The Phantom of the Opera" with Toni for her birthday last week. He's still searching for a new job since The Conditorei decided to black list him. Those snotty waitresses ganged up against him.

Scott: Working at The Conditorei as a chef, going to Chemeketa Community College.

Lacey: Just started her junior year at West Salem High School. She's on the water polo team, in the symphony and advanced orchestra. Went to EFY in Nauvoo, Illinois and got to do baptisms in the temple.