Cruise 2009

Sorry it took me so long to post about our vacation. We had such a WONDERFUL time! Sunday we headed out to San Diego and got on the ship. It was a little overcast but we were happy to have missed the huge storm that hit home that day!

Cute Brack in our room

Brack ready for the muster

Monday we were in Catalina Island. We got off the ship in the morning and spent most of the time walking around the island looking at things. It is a pretty cool place. While off the ship, we decided to do a little miniature golfing. It was a cool course that was kind of in a forest of trees. We had fun! Then around lunchtime we got back on the ship to eat and spent the afternoon sitting by the pool. We loved every ounce of sunshine we could get. It was so nice.
On our way to Catalina Island on the little boat

Catalina Island with our ship in the back

Brack while miniature golfing in the forest

Gotta kiss in Lover's Cove
Beautiful Lover's Cove

How we spent our afternoons, relaxing by the pool

Tuesday we were in Ensendada, Mexico. I have been there before and believe me there isn't much to see. We got off the ship in the morning and started walking around. It was a beautiful day but I was tired and my body was telling me so. The babies didn't like Mexico very much at all. So we walked around for a bit and about an hour later got back on the ship. I felt bad but I had to listen to my body and we figured we weren't missing too much. Luckily cruises aren't just about the stops so we were able to sit by the pool and relax again. Each night we had dinner, went to the shows, and stayed up late. We slept in everyday and took a daily nap. Seriously it was so relaxing!!!

Dress up night. Look at that belly!


Brack in Mexico

Me in Mexico

Nighttime on the ship

The last day was a day at sea. After breakfast, it was a little overcast but we headed up to the top deck and we were able to see hundreds of dolphins swimming right next to the ship. It was awesome! We watched them forever because they just kept coming. I guess the water is warmer next to the ship so they come and swim right alongside. It was great. After lunch the sun came out so again we spent the afternoon sitting in the sun watching some things on the pool deck. Then, it was nap time. I loved it. That night there was a funny hypnotist that we stayed up late to watch. It was hilarious.

Staying up late for the shows.

Thursday we got off the ship early, spent too many hours coming home and were exhausted when we got finally made it. It was about 10 hours from when we woke up to when we made it home and my poor body had had enough. My legs, ankles, and feet were so swollen from the traveling. Well all in all it was an AWESOME trip. We feel so lucky that we were able to go!!! We relaxed more than anything, forgot about life, slept, ate until we were about to burst then ate again, stayed up late, slept in and napped. It seriously was so amazing. It was just what we needed. I'm so glad that I got to go and spend so much time with Bracken. He really is my best friend and I don't know what I would do without him. Life is crazy now that we are back and we seem to always be busy so it was a priceless vacation!!

Genders.....

On Monday night, Bracken and I went to Fetal Fotos. I know we cheated. We decided to go for a couple of reasons, the main one being that this way Brack didn't have to try to get work off to come to an appt because that is seeming harder than it should be, and because we are impatient and were told we wouldn't be able to find out until the end of the month :) So we went and actually have a connection (thanks connection) to the owners so we got a friends and family discount. It was so fun to see the babies again. They are crazy busy in there!!!

And here are the results:

Baby A

Baby B

Baby C

WE ARE SO EXCITED!!! We really really wanted a mix so we were so happy to get one of each. Bracken of course is relieved to have a boy (as am I). Baby A, the boy, was very very open about his gender. Legs spread, showing it off. I told Brack that he was just making sure his dad knew he was there :) Baby C is by far the biggest mover and is busy kicking Baby A, her brother, in the head all the time! Seriously though, she is going to be a handful. Every ultrasound she refuses to hold still long enough for a heart rate. Stinker. Baby B, the other girl, is very shy. She likes to hide her face and turn away from the camera. She doesn't move as much but if brother kicks her in the head, she will push back! We loved seeing them in there. The girls doing the ultrasound really enjoyed it so it ended up going for awhile. It was fun for Bracken to see in person too! It feels so much more real now that we know what they are. We cannot wait! Now the trick is holding back on buying things ;)

I also went to the doctor today. My doctor is out of town so I was just seeing his nurse midwife. She was confused because they hadn't ordered me an ultrasound and she wasn't sure how she would be able to find 3 heartbeats and know which was who, etc. So I got a fast viability ultrasound. It was quick, no measurements or anything but the ultrasound tech was nice and took another look at the genders and we were right on. I don't know how they do a heartbeat either because both girls had the same rate so how would they know who's it was when they are so small and still kinda smooshed together? Any way, I never complain about seeing my babies :) They are all looking so good and I'm feeling great!!! I love the second trimester. I still have to remember to nap everyday, even if I think I'm Wonder Woman and don't need to, because otherwise I get horrible headaches and hurt from head to toe by the end of the day. Other than that, I'm doing good. I'm going to enjoy it for the next 4 weeks before some sort of bed rest hits.

Any way, I know all my posts are about the babies. I do have a post about our vacation to put up so that will go up next when I upload my pictures. I just couldn't wait to tell people about the genders! WOO HOO!

BABIES!!!!

I had an appointment on Wednesday and everything is going great. I am about 14 weeks (slowest moving pregnancy ever it seems) and happy to say goodbye to the first trimester. I have started to get a little more energy but still get tired really easily. Growing 3 babies isn't easy work :)

Brack is getting very anxious to find out what we are having so we can start getting more things ready. He is making plans for the nursery but can't do a whole lot without knowing the sexes of the babies. So far work is keeping him very very busy (thank goodness) and he is still busy going to school a couple of nights a week. He is a very hard worker and I am lucky for that. He also has had to take on more duties around the house and I never ever hear him complain about it. I'm teaching him how to do the laundry (yes, he hasn't ever done it in the 4 years we have been married), he has taken to cleaning the kitchen a couple of times a week because I'm a freak about a clean kitchen, and he frequently is picking up after me. Oh the beauties of not being able to do anything from fatigue and sickness. He's also getting use to it for when I am on bed rest and when my life is full of just being a mom. He is such a good sport. He is getting excited for the babies and wishes he could come to more ultrasounds to see them. He loves the pictures and DVDs though.

I am getting more and more excited about the babies. To be honest, both of us are still going through the adjustment phase of finding out about the triplets. It is a lot to take in and our lives are changing dramatically. There are a lot of emotions to go through but we are excited. Each time I get an ultrasound I get so excited. I can't even find the words to explain how amazing it is to see all 3 babies inside of me. It seems so unreal. What a miracle it is to see. I still can't believe it sometimes that I have been blessed like this. Although it is going to be hard, it will be amazing to have these 3 babies. I just think that there must be a reason that these 3 have to come together and why they are supposed to come to our family. We won't be able to fully understand it until they are here. We have no doubt though that this is the Lord's plan for us and that we are blessed because of it.

This is at about 10.5 or 11 weeks. (I had more pictures but hated the most recent one so I'll post one from my trip when I get back.)

Like I said, I am starting to feel better and have more energy. My mom and sister have been helping me get a little organization done around the house. I feel like I need to organize what I have now because my life will be taken over by baby things. There is a lot of crap we have accumulated in the time we have been married that we just need to get rid of. Plus it helps with the anxiety I am having to actually accomplish something. I am getting bigger and bigger every week. I'm putting on weight like I am supposed to and trying to be as healthy as I can. I have been reading a lot of books on multiples and learning A LOT! I'm also trying to get in contact with a few moms of triplets and it has helped me to learn and feel better about things. Thanks ladies :) At my appointment Wednesday I was measuring about 18 weeks (although I think I look bigger than that). Oh well, I don't have anywhere for it to go but out. The pregnancy back pains and rib pains have started and too early if you ask me. I think it is because my belly came on so fast that my muscles haven't had time to fulloy stretch. Bracken has been great about a nhightly back rub and bought me a heating pad to use every night to relax me enough to sleep. All of the babies are measuring as big as they should, normal size for any baby for as far along as I am. Two of them are even measuring a week ahead which is great!! I will post a few pictures that I got of them Wednesday. They are looking like babies now and I love seeing them!

Side picture of Baby A

Baby B with arm up to it's head

Cute profile pic of Baby B

Baby C sprawled out horizontally across my belly

Tomorrow Bracken and I are going on a last minute vacation. We decided that with the change that we are going through we should get away with each other. It will be so nice. We are going on a 5 day cruise from San Diego, to Catalina Island, and Ensendada Mexico. I have been to these places but we got a killer deal and just need a get away. We cannot wait!!!

I'll post when we get back. Thanks for everyones nice thoughts and prayers, they are very much needed and appreciated.

Update coming soon.....Promise!

Ok...I know I need to update. I will try to later tonight. Also, belly pictures to come. I know you are all excited!!! :)

Triplets, heart attacks, anniversaries and birthdays....

BEWARE...THIS IS A VERY LONG POST! JUST SO YOU KNOW :)

WOW! Thanks for all of the kind words and congratulations. I know a lot of you want more information so that will come but first, an update on life.

I haven't posted since before Christmas because life has been INSANE! The holidays were absolutely wonderful, full of family and food. My brother Billy and his family came into town so all 5 kids on my side of the family were around so we spent A LOT of time at my parents. My poor mom had a house full all the time and was so good at taking care of us and feeding all of us. It is so fun to all be together!! We were very spoiled and blessed this Christmas and couldn't thank our families enough. Bracken got a new touch screen phone which is now his pride and joy. I was spoiled with a new digital camera. It is perfect to fit in my purse and is so nice! My parents gave each family a wonderful gift. They gave us 72 hour pick up and go kits. They are awesome. They are in these nice backpacks and they started filling it with a few different things. It was something they knew that none of us would spend the money on it or had the money to spend on it. Any way, the holidays were wonderful. I am adding some pictures but I only got one picture of Brack and me together and most of the pictures I took are on my mom and dad's fancy camera :)

Harley ready for Christmas. This lasted about 10 seconds because she was so happy to wear it :)

Me and my niece Kenslee!

Brack and our nephew Cade

Our nephews McCoy and Cade. Born the same day but look oh so different! Love them both!

Niece Emma and McCoy

Tired Pete!

Brack with our nephew Pete, he's such a wiggle worm!

Em and Brack

Nephew Brody, look at those curls!


In January I had my birthday. It was a wonderful 24th birthday. The girls in my ward were great and we went to dinner the week before. I always have such a good time with them. They are the best! On my birthday is when I found out I was pregnant! FINALLY! We were so excited. I actually tested early and totally surprised Bracken and our families. I surprised Brack by buying a shirt and writing baby on it and pointing to my belly. When he walked in from work he came up to give me a kiss and looked down at my shirt. He followed the arrow with his finger and freaked out! My family knew we had been trying for awhile so they were so excited. We went over that night to have pizza and cake with them and we took all the pepperoni off of one pizza and rearranged it to read "BABY". Luckily they were smart and caught on right away! Bracken's family had no clue that we were trying so it was great! We told them we were coming up for cake for my birthday. We got a cake and instead of "Happy Birthday" we wrote "Happy Baby!" When we placed it in front of his parents, his mom just read it and then sat there. All of a sudden when it set in she started screaming! It was great! We loved it. They couldn't believe it. They had no clue how long we had been trying and were anxiously waiting for us to finally be pregnant. This will be the first grandchildren on their side! It made for a very wonderful birthday, the best present I could have gotten!!






I guess the next on the list is an absolutely horrible thing that happened 2 1/2 weeks ago. At about 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday February 9th I got a phone call from my sister. My mom had a heart attack and was being rushed to the hospital. In my delirious state I was in complete shock. I couldn't believe what she was saying. What? When? How? I didn't get much information because she had to call my other siblings. After the ambulance left with my mom, my sister called back and told me a little more. For over a week mom had told me that she felt like she was getting the flu. She was tired and felt nauseous a lot. Well Monday after work she started vomiting and had a little chest pain but thought it was heartburn so she went to bed early. I guess in the night she got up a few times and continued vomiting. At about midnight she got up and threw up and was overcome with a horrible pain that went from her chest, down her arms, to her back. She said it was a crushing feeling, like an elephant was stepping on her chest. It was so bad she didn't think she could get off the bathroom floor. Finally she did and went and woke up my dad. (A little bit to know about my mom is that she is a very healthy woman. She has regular 6 month checkups, exercises 3-4 times a week, and diets regularly, with no high cholesterol or anything. The bad thing is heart problems run rapid in her family.) She was rushed to the hospital, had emergent surgery because she had the main artery to her heart 100% clogged. That night we were given the worse possible prognosis and news. We cried, prayed, prayed, and prayed. It was a long night. She was then sent to the ICU and was there for 4 days. In those 4 days she had a total turn around and the doctor then said with medication they expect almost a full recovery. I know for a fact this was because of the many people who prayed for her and the for the wonderful power of priesthood blessings. She was given 2 in the first 24 hours that I know made a huge difference. I can't explain the emotions and feelings that were felt by our family during that time. It is not something I EVER want to go through again. My mom is my rock. She is my shelter and my best friend. I truly do not know what I would do without her. While she is sick in bed at the hospital she still called me like 10 times during my first doctors appt. to see how things were going. She was so worried about me in a time that she didn't need to be. She has a long road of recovery ahead of her but she is home and is getting stronger everyday! I cannot thank the Lord enough for her and for all that she is to me. If you have met her you know she is an amazing woman and is so strong! We are blessed to have her as our mother! We pray that she gets stronger and better everyday!

Now...to the part most of you have been waiting for. The babies! Yes it is true, we are having TRIPLETS!!! Kinda crazy huh? Think of what we were going through when we found out! We found out on February 11th when I was about 7 1/2 weeks along at my first doctor's appointment and ultrasound. It was SHOCKING! I'm pretty sure Brack stopped breathing for awhile. After telling us, the cute girl doing the ultrasound said, "Ok, you both need to breathe. It is too quiet in here." We were in complete shock. I was more worried about Bracken though. Once we were able to zoom in on each baby and see their little heartbeats flutter Bracken and I got very happy. It was such an amazing thing. Also, they are fraternal, no identicals in there. My doctor said this is safer because that way they all have their own sack and can grow better that way. Luckily, I was already going to a high risk doctor. I have a connective tissue disease that makes me "high risk" (along with a sister that has horrible pregnancies) so I was already set up to see a specialist. And I might add, I think he is the best!!! He has brought my sister her 3 babies safely and I trust him completely! He was actually very positive when we saw him. He said, "This is going to be hard. You are going to have premature babies, they are going to be in the NICU, and you are going to be stressed. Be ready for that. But...we will get the babies here safely and healthy." My due date is in September but my doctor said we will be happy to make it anywhere from 28-30 weeks which puts us in the middle to end of July.

I wish I could express all of the emotions and thoughts that have gone through our heads. It has been a big adjustment and I'm not sure it has totally set in yet. I am going to be relying on this blog a lot to talk about my feelings and emotions through this process. I know it will be a very special and hard process that I will want to document. We have a lot ahead of us. I will eventually be put on bed rest and may have hospital stays. I know that my size is going to be an issue, 5' tall gives me little to no room to hold 3 babies. Lets just say, I know I'm going to be HUGE! It is going to be quite the journey. I know that it we won't know until they come how hard it is going to be but I have helped raise a few of my nieces and nephews and I have a realistic view of taking care of children, so I do know it will be hard and that we will need help. Heck, I can't hold 3 babies at once :) We are trying to start figuring things out now. I am wanting to get a lot done before the bed rest hits. I am only 10 weeks now but time will go by fast. I could be put on bed rest as early as 20 weeks so I have a lot to do before then! My house needs to be prepared :) Any way, I hope that answered some of your questions. Like I said, I'll post more about it and probably be posting a lot. We feel very blessed that we have been entrusted with 3 special babies. I know that the Lord is watching over us and that this is His plan for us. I know that I could not do this without Bracken. He is such an amazing man, a hard worker, and he absolutely loves children! I cannot wait for him to be a dad!

Thank you again for all of your well wishes! We are super excited. I have stopped working now because I spend the day being an incubator for 3 babies instead. It's kind of kicking my butt...I'm very tired. I also can't wait to be through the first trimester, only 2 more weeks :)

Here's a cute picture of Harley in the snow. I'm really ready for this to be gone!

INTRODUCING....

BABY A


BABY B

BABY C

Christmas Time...l love EVERYTHING about it :)

I know it has been awhile....so I finally decided that I will come up with something to post about. (This is for you Whitney.)

Well not a whole lot is going on in our lives. Bracken is FINALLY done with this semester of school and I am so glad that it is over. He worked so hard and I am very proud of him. I am so glad to have 3 weeks to actually see him!! It will be a nice break but school starts back on January 5th :(

I have been busy getting Christmas ready. I love the holidays! I have my house decorated, our Christmas lights up, and a few presents under the tree. I have been helping my mom wrap presents too. She is so busy I am willing to help out, plus I like wrapping gifts :) I am almost done Christmas shopping and should finish up this week. I love shopping for others and have a hard time staying within the "budget" because I could always find more to give people. I'm getting really excited to have lots of family time, especially with the neices and nephews!





I have been trying to keep us in the "spirit of the season" with fun Christmas activites. At home Christmas music is always playing, the tree lights are all all day long, and the gift wrapping continues. Last weekend we headed with our good friends, Nikki and Hal to the Festival of Trees. I have gone there every year since I was young. The trees are always beautiful and the fact that all the money goes to Primay Children's makes it even better. They have yummy food, music, and lots to look at. It is the perfect way to start off December and the season. Here is a picture of us with "Santa" :)



This weekend we are going to see the lights at Thanksgiving Point and going to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. It will be a Christmas filled weekend :) Hopefully that will give me more to post about.

Next week my brother Billy, his wife Jacee and their 2 cute kids are going to be here next week! I can't wait. They will be here for 3 whole weeks. I cannot wait to meet their newest addition Cade! I'm going to eat my neice Kenslee alive when I see her though.

Like I said...I love Christmas time. I hope everyone is loving it as much as I am!