Slices of the pie

Six months seems like a long time. Six months is one month shy of my entire pregnancy. Six months has been a blur. The babies were six months Sunday.

We have learned so much. We have learned to be parents, how to work together, how to be selfish at times and when to be selfless. I have learned a new sense of calm from a new friend. I have learned that I really can do it all. I can work, raise babies, cook and keep a house. It may not be what everyone expected but the whole pie is still on the table. The pieces are just cut a little differently.

Christmas is around the corner. Last year I made food gifts for family. This year I'm considering lands end monogramed bags to keep it simple. I wish we drew names. We have everything we need... Except for some formula and diapers!

I plan on keeping the holidays very simple. Less running here and there and more home hot chocolate and fires. More writing letters and less talking on the phone. My Christmas cards aren't even ordered... And I'm really not worried.

I hope everyone is happy and facing the holidays with joy in their step. In sure your also juggling the slices of the pie....












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Last year was a turning point in my life. I had become depressed. Rarely going anywhere but to work and home. I quit cooking dinner and resided to my bed most nights. Our house was empty. It was sad. I thought whit would give up on me. I thought he might give up on us. He never acted like it one time. I just felt as if he should. I was so dark. I had pushed my friends away. I pushed my family away. We had maxed out our checking accounts and our savings accounts. We had maxed out our emotional accounts. No baby.

We borrowed more money and decided to roll the dice once more. We had a new doctor and a new plan. Because I couldn't bare to be around family we made plans for thanksgiving. We spent it with friends. This used to be my favorite holiday but I couldn't bare it at this stage in our lives. We felt like failures and we couldn't feel negative in the final days of a cycle. We could test on day 10. The day after thanksgiving was day 8.

We tested that morning. Whit drove to target and we both sat in a dark bathroom and shook with fear. One line came quick. The second one... Well it wasn't there. I almost melted on the floor.. Until whit said. There it is. There's a SECOND line. I jumped, cried and couldn't breathe. It was a miracle. God answered our prayers.


The next seven months were a blur. The best time of my life. So, yesterday was a year after finding out we were going to be parents. After I rocked baby Riggs to sleep, then geeg and then baby b, I thought.. Yep this is all that I thought it would be. The very very best.



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Feelin' Lucky

Look at this little girl! I feel so incredibly lucky to be her mom.



Next week marks one year from the date I found out I was pregnant. Such a happy time. Reminds me of how thankful we are.


It was a great day. We did baths this morning, cinnamon rolls, farmers market, pilgrim and Indian pics and BU tailgate.











It was a great day!!! Tomorrow stew, cornbread and the park! Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!!!


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Shine your light....

 

Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted

Send me a sign, a hint, a whisper
Throw me a line 'cause I am listening
Come break the quiet, breathe Your awakening
Bring me to light 'cause I am fainting

Surround me with a rush of angels wings

Shine Your light so I can see You
Pull me up, I need to be near You
Hold me, I need to feel love
Can You overcome this heart? Let's overcome

You sent a sign, a hint, a whisper
Human divine, heaven is listening
Death laid love quiet in the night stirring
All around a rush of angels

Shine Your light so I can see You
Pull me up, I need to be near You
Hold me, I need to feel love
Can You overcome this heart? Let's overcome

Oh, the wonder of the greatest love has come

Shine Your light so all can see it
Lifted up 'cause the whole world needs it
Love has come what joy to hear it
He has overcome, He has overcome

These David Crowder lyrics have been playing over and over in my head since Sunday. Sunday a friend of mine lost her husband. We weren't close friends. But close enough to love one another. (Close enough to feel a great amount of pain for her.) We worked together for about 3 years, got engaged while working together, shared wedding plans and shared each others joys of being in love. I met her huband then and got to know them as a couple. They loved deep. They loved without hesitation, without boundaries, unconditional. They loved their friends and family the same way. Even though She was younger than me, I learned in those few years that she was a true example of a Christian. I was proud to have met them.  A month ago she brought us dinner after we brought the trips home. She brought a meal but she also brought a loaf of bread, milk, diapers and wipes. All the things we were going through like water. I was in a hurry that day. I briefly listened to her re-cap what had been going on in their lives. And now, I am sad I didn't listen closer. We had no idea that would be the last conversation that we spoke about her family in that mind set. Now, lives are forever changed. I have no words.  She never spoke one ill word about him, never questioned their love. Just really great people. Such examples.

I plan on going to the visitation and the funeral. I plan on taking her food. I sincerely cannot get her out of my head. The ocean of sadness just keeps washing over me because I know she hasn't stopped crying since Sunday afternoon. She is strong and I know will go on....I just can't make sense of such a horrific tragedy. I keep putting myself in her shoes. It's completely unimaginable. Completely.  I am thankful that she has a beautiful family and a strong friend support system to carry her and her little girl.

Please pray for her. Please pray that she will laugh again and that he can give her a sign that he made it. Pray that her heart is full of happiness and love during the holidays knowing that he is with God and that her little girl has such a wonderful mother. Please pray that God shines his light into them and makes them whole again.

Psalm 31:9 - Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.

The March of Dimes

I didn't know much about the March of Dimes until July. We were asked to be the ambassador family for their event. I read tons of articles and learned that my kids benefited greatly from the work of the March of Dimes. Gianna received a drug in the NICU that they made possible. They are also providing funds for more research on NEC. NEC plagued all three of our babies. For three solid weeks each baby took at turn at it. It was terrifying. There was one day that we thought Becker's bowel would perforate and we would be care flighted to Cooks. I think I cried for a solid 40 hours. I literally layed myself over his isolate. I couldn't get close enough to my baby. Then Gianna-same thing. But because of the March of Dimes, there is more research, more drugs and MORE education on the challenges preemie babies face. We are grateful to the March of Dimes and Donna and Darrell Wheeler for the miracles they made in our triplets lives.

Tonight their event was held at the Rosevelt. It was a really nice event with wonderful supporters. We were able to tell our story, but more importantly, we were able to thank the March of Dimes and the Wheelers for their direct hand in our miracles. Without them, I feel certain our outcome and our stay in the NICU would have been much different. As we stood on the stage tonight telling our story, I looked out at the large crowd and saw hundreds of familiar faces. Faces that I see everyday in business, faces that knew our struggle, faces that I had cried to, faces that had no idea what we had been through. I had this brief realization that some of those people that I had worked along side only see the "work" me or the "work" Whit, and not the raw "babyless" or the parents of the "really sick" triplets. I stood there happy to share because we had this beautiful outcome. I had this wave of "what if" what if our outcome had not been good. What if I didn't have one of those sweet babies? What if there was no Riggs, Becker of Gianna? What if we had not had the opportunity to build such a beautiful relationship with the NICU? The Wheelers? The Risters?

Thankful. Seems like such a small word. We could not feel it anymore than we do.

I don't know if I am feeling especially fuzzy since I am a new mom this season or if the season has new meaning for me because we waited so long and He answered our prayers. I am so thankful to have this husband that loves me to my core. He loves me when I am negative. He calls me out when I need it. He loves those babies...and he always knew we would have them. I cannot wait for this season. I cannot wait to show these three everything that sparkles inside and out.

Have a nice weekend everyone. Go check out this beautiful song.

http://youtu.be/Sqy1a_Gz0zQ

Long day

Whew. The time change is not my friend. The babies now want to eat at 7am and not 8. I am slowly stretching them but golly... This is rough!

It was a rainy afternoon so our walk was a no go and this made the late afternoon a real doozy. I have learned not to make any plans that involve a timeline ;) we were supposed to go next door for a bday dinner at 7 and the babies decided to scream their brains out from 5-7 and then totally crash. So, I sent whit without me.

Whit works so much and now with the time change it feels even later, and darker! I do welcome the winter months, just harder with littles!!

Barkin Ball plans are under way. I'm excited about the menu, the decor plans and most of all the money it will bring into FFR. All of the volunteers and all of the supporters really make it happen. I feel good to be a part of such a worthy cause. Thousands of animals are alive today because of all the work and effort that we put into the Ball.

We have finalized our thanksgiving plans! We are walking the trips in the five k turkey trot in Austin! Then we will head back to Waco for lunch with the fam. I'm excited to get in a chunk of exercise before we eat all of that turkey!

We have no plans this weekend but I do plan on seeing the new twilight movie.... Guilty pleasure.

I forgot to post this last week from our visit to the nicu!


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Headed home

We are headed home from cooks children's in ft worth. So glad to be on the road with a relieved heart, a pleased husband and a sleeping, comfortable, baby. He did so well and had no complications. The wait was an hour and a half, felt like 10!!!



Karen and mema came up and sat with us until he got his room and his first bottle. He was super cute. We held him most of the day and night until bed time. This is unusual since we rarely have one on one time. He was precious. He soaked up every minute of the extra attention. We couldn't get enough of him.


Feels weird with a single baby... Feels like we are missing something, wait!, we are!, the twins! ;) glad to get these three back together! Aunt Kim an angel and Alissa took care of them. I'm sure they also loves the extra tlc.



So glad we went to cooks. The surgeon in Waco didn't mention a camera or checking the other side. Our cooks doc said Becker had a 50% chance of having one on his other side too- sure enough there it was! So instead of having to do this again, he repaired both. Whew.

With every hurdle I am met with bittersweet happiness. Happy we made it, sad that each memory is flying by!!! Never grow up, just like Taylor swift says.

God has been so good to us. I'm thankful everyday that he chose us. He gave us the amazing and rare job of raising triplets. Wow, do we feel lucky and blessed.

All three babies have their bear gear on... Ready to cheer on the bears! Sic em'! We plan to coom steaks and open a nice bottle of wine! Maybe even a fire in The chim.


Have a nice Saturday everyone.


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Just checking

Just added and making sure it works before I write a post :)


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When I

When I was in the 8th grade I started wanting less family time and more time with my friends. I often planned my week around who was spending the night(I rarely spent the night away). I lived with Mema Pat, who most of you know is cool and always made sure the fridge was stocked. She carted me from cheerleading events, friends houses, baseball games, birthdays etc. She was the very, very best.

I was thinking about how busy we are these days and was trying to remember a time when I/We wasn't busy. When my calendar was open or when we didn't have an obligation. I remembered that when I was a kid I was always running to the next event or commitment. I also remember saying when I get big, when I can drive, when I get my own house......When I have my own children....

Here I am. All grown up. I'm thankful for all the when I's. I am thankful for Mema Pat and all that carting around. I am thankful for that full fridge at Mema Pats house. My friends and I ate almost all night. Ha, candy, macaroni, cokes, you name it. All my bad eating habits began there. Her home was full of love and while I wanted more time with my friends, I also did not want to leave the comfort of her house.

I hope these triplets grow into their own. I hope they say plenty of "When I's..." I also hope I don't blink and all the when I's are a reality. I want to relish in this moment. The moment of them being babies. The moments of me carrying them. The moments of me and Whit holding their bottles. This is easy. Them growing up is the hard part.

Our miracle story was in the Waco Today this month. It was a beautiful testament to Dr. Wheeler, his staff and the Hillcrest NICU. He should have been on the cover. He deserved every inch of print. He saved all three of our babies. Love that man. We are the focus family for the March of Dimes benefit. We are looking forward to seeing the beautiful video Holmes Photographic has put together!

Tomorrow we head to Cooks. Becker is having a hernia repair surgery. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel and as he makes his recovery. Tonight when I put him in bed he seemed too small to have any kind of surgery....soon he will be saying "When I.."

Have a good weekend everyone...oh and sic em'