Merry Christmas!

Christmas Babies!
Madison, Hunter, and Molly

Today we have more to be grateful for then we have words to express. This year we were given the greatest gift ever, greater than we knew it could be, our 3 angels. It is a wonderful way for us to remember the true reason for the season. We are busy enjoying the season together as a family and with loved ones and hope you all are doing the same. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

More questions...

Ok, I have a few minutes so I'm going to answer a few more questions from people.

First, a question from Jaime:

Q: "Here's a question from a fellow triplet mama and if it's too personal, I completely understand but I'm wondering: Now that you've had triplets, would you consider having another baby down the road? I've had people say to me all the time about how I have an instant family and how I must be done but of course, that's not their decision. Just wondering if you've come across the same thing?"

A: I get asked this question every single time people find out I have triplets. If they don't ask the question then they at least make the comment that I can be done now because I have an instant family. I don't find this question too personal so I'll go ahead and answer it. Of course I would consider having another baby down the road. Would I consider having 3 again? I'm not too sure :) Right now we just feel blessed beyond words that we have these children at all. If we are blessed to have more then I would take it in a heart beat. No we won't be ready for quite some time, and yes our minds could change, but I am not shutting out the idea of having more kids simply because I had 3 at one time. Now, the thought of another pregnancy, in that aspect, I'm happy I got 3 with one pregnancy. I'm not ready for that again (hopefully next time I won't be carrying 3 so it won't be as bad).

Next is a question from Melissa, a.k.a. Mo or Moses:

Q: "Ya I have a question - can I have one of your babies? They are so stinking cute and you DO have three of them...and I only have one baby. So really not giving me one would actually be selfish. Think about it Ju."

A: Too bad you didn't call this past week Mo. I was having a sale at my house, buy 1 get 2 free! It was quite the deal :) Too bad you missed it. Some days though, hopefully this is like most moms and doesn't make me a bad mom, I would give you one of them. Choosing between the 3 screaming children would be hard though...ha ha. I do think they are stinking cute and I think everyone should want one but no they are mine. I'm sorry. Try again soon, the sale comes around every so often...

And finally the last one for tonight is a question from my sister-in-law Erica:

Q: "You're doing an amazing job at raising these 3 adorable babies- but, if you could have a whole 24 hours to yourself... what would you want to do? Lay on the beach? spend a day at the spa? (that's where I would be! At a spa ON the beach!) wanna join me?"

A: 24 hours to myself? I can't even hardly imagine that right now. One thing I have learned about being a mommy is that you are never really "off duty". You never really have a break, even when you leave the kids at home with someone else. You are still a phone call away about medicine, feeding, pooping, screaming, etc. You have a time limit and have to stick to it to be home in time. So this is a hard question. I think what I would do right now is sleep a lot. Sleep the deepest sleep I have had in months. No one fussing for a binkie, no one hungry, no one crying. I would sleep in. I would go to a spa or a beauty salon to let someone get me all done up, that is something that really hasn't happened since having the kids. I would enjoy some quiet time with only my thoughts, maybe read, shop, anything. But most importantly, I would get out of the house! A whole day to just myself...sounds beautiful. I know I would miss my babies and my husband but I can dream right....ahhhh.

Well that is it for now. I was going to upload a picture but my computer is freaking out. I really really need to get it fixed as soon as possible before something bad happens!

Triplet Q & A

Ok so I’m the world’s worst blogger! Sorry about that. I really do have a thousand pictures that I want to post but just haven’t gotten to it. So I promise to try to be better.

Now the my Christmas tree is up and most of my Christmas shopping is done, I can HOPEFULLY spend some time on my blog :)

So for now I thought I’d answer a few of the questions that people have asked. If you think of any, still send them my way :)

First off, 2 questions from Brooke :

Q: “How do you still see straight now that you have triplets??? That’s my first question. …Because I’m still working on seeing straight with three who AREN’T TRIPLETS.”

A: To be honest, I’m not sure I do. You’d have to ask Bracken and other members of my family. I struggle big time with remembering everything, especially things not to do with the babies. I used to be a very organized person and a lot of that has gone out the door. I basically am only able to do “baby stuff” and if you add anything else in there, I go cross eyed :)

Q: “How on earth would you ever go to the grocery store with THREE babies in carriers?

A: That one is actually easy, I won’t! Seriously right now I can’t. With sick season, RSV, swine flu, etc., we do not take the babies out in public at all. It’s just too risky and our Dr. said NO WAY! I’m not sure I will ever be going on a full grocery shopping trip with the trio. I usually go when my mom watches the kids or Brack does. When they get bigger and sick season is over, I am planning on going out and about (of course with someone with me at first) and will take a stroller and not do a full shopping trip. I’ll let you know if I ever do attempt a grocery shopping trip but for now, NO WAY I could do that.

Next is a question from Michelle:

Q: “How do you do it emotionally? Babies are amazing, but tough work. I only have one and I swear I have a break down a couple times a week if not more!!”

A: I will attempt to answer this but you may want to double check my answers with my husband, mom, and sisters. It really can be an emotional roller coaster. Especially in the beginning. I remember the first time I was home alone and all 3 were crying at once. Holy cow. I actually didn’t cry, I held it together, until Brack walked through the door. Then I handed the babies off and bawled. I am not going to lie, I am on anxiety medication. I have been for years because if things aren’t perfect I tend to freak out. With 3 babies, even just 1, things aren’t perfect so meds it is :) That is probably what helps me. Luckily I have not had too many break downs but I am on the verge of them quite often. Crying babies can push you that is for sure. Brack and my mom are really good at letting me get out of the house when I need to. That is a HUGE help. To leave by myself. It makes me feel “normal” again. That helps me be able to face the emotional ups and downs easier too.

Ok, that is all for now. I will answer more later. Like I said, if you have questions feel free to ask. My goal is to get better at this blogging thing because there is so much I don’t want to miss. Cross your fingers that I pull through. I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season, we sure are!

Triplet Questions??

I am currently working on an October update so I can finally catch up a little on blogging. There is SO much I want to blog about. That means I need to get caught up so I can do so. Any way, while I was writing a post I thought to myself that there may be a lot friends or family out there that have questions about caring for triplets, day to day life with triplet babies, etc. So if you have a question, and I feel like it is an appropriate question to ask (you never know what people might ask) I would be happy to answer them. Before I was pregnant with triplets I knew NOTHING about carrying them or caring for them after they were born. I couldn't have done it without advice and help from other triplet moms, a lot of which I found on their blogs. So leave a comment and ask a question. I will try to answer a few questions a week, so feel free to keep them coming. Hope this is fun :)

September Adventures and Pictures

September was a crazy month. We enjoyed getting to know each baby more and more and watch them change and grow. Here is a little bit of what we learned and did during that month.
Molly LOVES making faces. Here are just a few she learned that month:

Sisters spent time getting to know each other better:
Molly and Madison (L to R)

Hunter had some Daddy time:

We spent time in our swings (still do everyday):
Madison

And tried out our play mats:

Hunter (sorry bud that its pink)

Maddie

Did some tummy time:

Hunter…this little boy LOVES his tummy!

Moll-Doll

Miss Maddie…this is how most of her tummy time is spent, sleeping.

Spent some time just the 3 of us:

Madison, Hunter, and Molly (L to R)

Molly, Hunter, and Maddie (L to R)

Maddie, Hunter, Molly (L to R)
Spent some time all crying together…anyone want to babysit :)

We also celebrated our 2 month birthday (September 28th), our due date (September 27th), went to a Labor Day outing (our first time out of the house) at my parent’s house, had our 2 month appt with the doctor and we are all still healthy as can be and growing great! Other than that we have been eating lots, growing lots, learning to sleep better, and LOVING cuddling ANYTIME anyone will hold us.
We are SO lucky to be parents to these sweet babies. I am definitely one happy Mama!

Maddie, Hunter, and Molly

More updates to come. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

ARGH!

I'm so bothered right now. I have been trying this whole week to get a post up and NOTHING is working. I have tried to use Windows Live Writer and it is awesome but won't publish my post. So I came back to Blogger and it won't upload any of my pictures. So lame. Hopefully I'll get it to work this weekend. Everyone have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We're Alive!

Sorry for the lack of blogging. If you can imagine life has been busy. I promise an update is coming and coming soon. I have just been enjoying my time with my babies and when I have down time I usually don't feel like waiting for pictures to upload...sorry. The babies have changed so much and I missed blogging about a lot, so I may just have to start from now on and see if I ever have time to catch up later. Ok I'll get my butt in gear and post soon! But for now, yes we are all still here and are all alive :)

Triplet Photo Shoot!

Maddie, Hunter, Molly

On Friday my awesome cousin, Haylee, came and did a photo shoot of the triplets. To say it was a LONG day doesn't even describe it. Thank you to both my sisters, Nat and Kris, and my mom for all of your help. The babies' Mommy was tired by the end of the day and couldn't have done it without you guys. A HUGE THANK YOU TO HAYLEE!!! You are an amazing photographer!! Thank you for being so patient. Just the few pictures I have seen have made it all so worth it to me. She truly captured the babies just how I want to remember them at this age. So precious! So if you are looking for a good photographer I would HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend Haylee Bean Photography. Check out her website to see a few more pictures until I get the disk :) www.hayleebeanphotography.squarespace.com

1 Month Old!

Yesterday the triplets turned 1 month! I cannot believe they have already been with us for that long. Although it seems time has gone by fast, I also feel like these babies have been a part of our family forever. They have now been home with us for almost 2 weeks and we are starting to get use to how things are going. We are getting on a schedule and continue to learn more and more about each baby. One thing we know for sure is that we are unbelievably and completely IN LOVE!!! Here are a few things we have been up to lately:

Hunter is our laid back little guy. Most of the time he is just chilling. He does have the habit of crying out in his sleep and by the time we get to him he's done and fast asleep. He is growing like crazy and has become quite solid for a little guy. We have been to the pediatrician two times since we have been home. We went the day after bringing them home (for weight check and meet the doctor) and again a week later. As of Thursday this week he weighs 5 lbs. 2 oz.!!! Good job buddy! He gained 11 oz. in a week. The doctor was pleased and Mommy and Daddy are so proud of him. He eats like crazy and is such a good boy for us.

Hunter had his first bath the night before he left the NICU. He did great! He was relaxed enough to even poop ;)

Day he came home.

His favorite place to sleep is in the pink bouncer....poor kid. We have now got him use to the blue one so he doesn't hate us later.

And lots of snuggling, even with sister Molly.

Madison has a lot of personality. She always lets us know when she wants/needs something. She is usually the first one ready to eat at feeding time. She has the most kissable cheeks in the world, you can't resist them! She also has been growing great. As of Thursday she weighed 4 lbs. 8.5 oz.! Again, the dr. was pleased. We call her our "drama queen" but we are loving her drama.

The day Madison came home.



Maddie's first bath at home. She did great!

We have learned that Maddie has quite the scream! So we have a lot of this going on from her...

Snuggling time - Molly, Hunter, and Maddie

Molly is our Peanut. She is our small, fiesty, fireball. (Just like she was while inside me.) She may be small but she is probably the strongest, toughest, and most determined of the 3. She has the hiccups almost 1000 times a day and I'm pretty sure she dislikes them as much as I do. She doesn't cry or scream much, just fusses around and then lets out a little cry and back to fussing. She also has been known to pull a few near all nighters. She may be tiny but she is a great eater, eating just as much as her sister most of the time and sometimes as much as her brother. She too gained great and has finally made it over 4 lbs., now weighing 4 lbs. 3 oz. Good job little girl!

Molly "Peanut" on the day she came home.

Molly's first bath at home. This is a classic Molly face. She makes lots of different faces that keep us laughing.

Sweet face.

Snuggling - Molly, Hunter, and Maddie



Below are pictures on their 1 month birthday...Happy 1 Month Babies!! WE LOVE YOU!

Molly, Hunter, and Madison

Molly

Hunter

Madison

Molly, Hunter, and Madison



It isn't easy to get pictures of 3 rolly polly babies but they are still cute. I'm starting to get use to life with the babies all here and I love being a Mom. Bracken goes back to work on Monday and I'm nervous. I will miss him like crazy and hope I don't lose my mind without him here. We have had A LOT of help from fiends and family already and cannot thank them enough. Needless to say, we are so very blessed! I'm going to get back to snuggling but I'll continue taking pictures and loving these 3 babies!

3 nights down...

and all I can say is WOW! We are so in LOVE with these 3 babies, enjoying getting to know each of them, giving LOTS of kisses, doing more feeding and changing diapers than we ever imagined, and getting very LITTLE sleep. Welcome to parenthood of 3 new little ones I guess. I haven't been good at taking pictures since they have been home (my hands have been full) but I will be better this weekend and post soon. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. We really appreciate it!

Guess who is coming home....

OUR 3 MIRACLES!!! They are coming home tomorrow (Tuesday August 18th). We are so excited!! Updates to come.

2 Weeks Old!

Our first family photo. It was a shock when the nurse offered to help us take a picture of the 5 of us...August 6, 2009


Yesterday the babies turned 2 weeks old! I can't believe how fast the past two weeks have gone by, well except the hospital stay which seemed to last forever. Sometimes I still just can't believe that my babies are actually here already! There was so much anticipation for them to come and they are actually here.

Pictures of Hunter:

Mommy feeding Hunter his first bottle

Daddy feeding his baby boy

Sweet boy

It is so hard to get a picture of him with his eyes open, he doesn't like the camera.

Another try to get his eyes open.


An update on the babies. After birth they all dropped weight which is normal. As of today all 3 are at or pass birth weight. Hunter is 3 lbs. 11 oz., Maddie is 3 lbs. 8 oz., and Molly is 3 lbs. 2 oz. They have been growing great, gaining daily so that is good. They are all still on room air and have been since birth. I cannot believe how strong they are! About a week ago they decided to have Hunter try taking a bottle. The first time he took it from me he took his full feeding amount! He is such a trooper. The next day they decided to try Madison on a bottle too. She was a champ and took the whole thing also. For the next few days they tried one bottle each 12 hour shift and both took them. They were holding back on giving Molly one because she is just so small. Of course when they tried it with her she took the whole thing. She LOVES to eat! Now they are all having at least 4 bottles a day out of their 8 feedings. Molly is a stinker and wakes up way before her feeding and screams. She doesn't like to wait her turn. She is now taking as much as her brother at each feeding because she just chugs it all down. We are so proud of them and how well they are doing. We were initially told that they wouldn't try a bottle until the babies were 34 weeks because that is usually when they can figure out how to suck, swallow, and breathe. They still aren't even 34 weeks and started bottles at 32.5. They are awesome!

Pictures of Maddie:

Maddie's first bottle

She has her eyes open the most so we have lots of poses from her.

Funny face but pretty girl
Her favorite sleeping position

It is so fun to go and see them everyday and see how much they have changed. Their looks change all the time and we still do not know who they look like. Hopefully as they start putting on some fat we will be able to tell better. They all definitely look different from each other though and I love that! They also are having more awake time which makes it very enjoyable to see them. It seems like as soon as me or Brack pick them up they want to wake up and look at us. They try so hard to see us and stay awake through the hold feeding. I love it because they will be dead asleep but as soon as I talk or pick them up they want to see their Mommy. It's the best feeling in the world!


Pictures of Molly:

Daddy's first time feeding Molly

Just snuggling

Our sweet little one

Our first picture with our eyes open, so pretty!


Other than that not a whole lot is new. They are still in the isolettes but they are starting to slowly decrease the temperature in there to teach them to hold their own body temperature. They usually don't move them out of isolettes until they are around 4 lbs. to be sure they can hold their own body temperature. So we'll see how things go. There are still days that things are not perfect but we feel so blessed with how they are doing. I know we can attribute that to a lot of peoples prayers and couldn't be more grateful for those. Thank you to all of our family and friends for thinking of us and praying for us. We are loving being parents and having our time with our babies. We couldn't be happier!

(P.S. you can find the birth story below...it is very very long. Sorry about that.)