Easy peazy TriPlets.

This isn't a brag. This isn't an all the time kinda feeling. Maybe it's just a today feeling. But today {and dare I say it} and most of this month- this whole triplet thing has been easy. Wait, is there thunder? Will a wind swirl me around and bonk me on the head for saying that? 

I think it's mostly their age. I can communicate with them. They can tell me what they want. They know my faces and they know what makes me happy. I love these kids- every inch of them. But sometimes I'm not sure that I was great from about 12-18 months. I think having triplets or multiples for that matter is hard work- but so different from having babies in diff stages at diff times. The guilt we have for not being able to give each child what they need- when they need it, is super hard. The schedule we live and die by- others cannot understand.

Lately I've been able to juggle work, meet deadlines and goals and still do some really fun stuff with these three. I've made more play dates and birthday parties and I've been able to do it without that insane look on my face like I just stepped out of a bounce house. I'm tired at the end of the day but not that ridiculous tired where I wonder if I will ever survive. Sure, there are still those days that things aren't easy but these terrible two's ain't so bad friends. Ha maybe I'm just getting used to the insanity and I don't know the difference{please don't tell me if that's it, please}.

Financially three is hard. Providing seasonal clothes and having fun takes money. With three, growing fast and furious- the expense seems like a lot. But lately we've been making more intentional plans about their futures and ways to save for them. 

Then there's the baggage part where in the last year I've made some of the best personal decisions I've ever made. My kids know me more because of these decisions. I'm more available and present and for that- I'm proud. To have your whole life consumed by work and then be able to be with them and still work is like night and day. Even though its been a year- I'm still feeling the release of so many feelings and a happiness that is still settling in on me. 

I don't think I realized the weight of my decisions. Feels good to sort of sit back and say, "Ok, I've got this." Today, is one of those days. 

Happy weekend friends.

Two years of being home

I can't believe it. I can't believe how one moment you think you might lose these precious lives and the next they are two and fighting over toys and fighting over your attention and fighting for their space at the table- literally. I really do remember it like it was yesterday. I remember the percentage I was given that we would actually take all three home. I remember the look on everyone's face as I was wheeled back. I remember the whispers on the day they were discharged and we were sent home to make the transition with gg and then one week later with the boys.

I remember the fear in my heart. I remember the way I wanted to bathe them all and dress them and display them for all to see. Ha. I remember wanting everyone to come over and at the same time- everyone to get out so we could do this. I remember being terrified to be in the house alone with them. Scared to be in the house alone with your own kids?? Yes. When they were in my belly- they were safe. I was in control. When I gave birth to them- that safety was gone. I wasn't in control and there was no changing that. 

So in true shepherd triplet fashion- we celebrated big. We celebrated two years of all being under the same roof. We celebrated every needle, every tube, every victory and every healthcare professional that made our story, a success. We loved on everyone who contributed to our ending at the NICU. It was bliss. Even when I hugged them and told them how grateful I was- they still had no idea how grateful I really was. They have no idea how many times I've asked myself, "What if that statistic rang true?" What if NEC got one of my babies? What if they hadn't caught it so early? What if surfactant wasn't around? What if??? 

So when we said our goodbyes, my heart was out of my chest. It took all I had not to stop in that parking lot and get on my knees in tears. I'm beyond words grateful for these three and the two years I've been given. Beyond. Grateful.

I needed them. God gave them to me. 

:: Sponsor Spotlight ::

Well, since the day I brought these babies home, I had to have all things printed with their little sweet names. What is it about seeing your kids' names in print that makes you flip? First birthday invitations, enclosure cards, thank you notes, Christmas cards- I have loved Alissa Neely over at oh ollie and her amazing line of paper works! Oh Ollie has a fresh look that makes me oh so happy. She will work with you to create a picture perfect piece that you will LOVE! Here are just a few of her current designs--use these for your next party or have her design a customized invitation just for you! Go check her out here!

Clockwise starting with top left :: Wedding invitation :: Wedding invitation :: 'We've Moved' Announcement :: Baby Shower invitation

First birthday Invitation (( Colors can be changed for boy ))

Sip and See Invitation

Birth Announcement 

www.ohollie.com

Sweet Land of Liberty II

As Promised here our our final fourth pictures. It was just last weekend but it seems like months ago already....Summer is flying by..I want to savor these pictures....

This truly is what it's all about. Celebrating those fighting for our freedom. Celebrating red white and blue. We had a family/neighborhood breakfast at our house and I am hoping this will be a new tradition for us! So fun to have so many people in our house- all at different stages of life. I loved it. Having triplets and pulling off breakfast on a holiday morning proved to be easier than I thought. I think it's safe to say----this is getting easier you guys. 

This week Whit and I celebrated 9 years of marriage. It was a good night of celebrating the journey we have made. Looking forward to many more years of celebrating the everyday. 

Yesterday marked two years since gg came home from the NICU..all five pounds of her. 

My next post will be our celebration we held in the NICU yesterday, celebrating those who made it possible. Hope everyone is enjoying some sun this weekend. 

Sweet Land of Liberty part I

Whit was off for four straight days. I think I forgot what it was like to be co-parents. I definitely forgot what it was like to have him there for every meal, bath, ah - ha moment when some babble was said and for every single bed time routine. It was good. I cooked, I cleaned, yep, I was  super mom for sure. 

My dad introduced them to "cannies"

Lots of change has been presenting itself to us and sometimes I think I get confused with what I want and the will of God. I don't know who's voices I'm hearing! Communication is a constant work in progress in our house, in any house I think. I think the day to day gets the very best of us and the communication at the end of the day takes a back seat. I remember this movie and in it, this family did a thing at dinner time called high/low. They told each other their high moment of the day and their low moment of that day. This is so good. Keeps communication flowing and focuses on highlights and stuff that makes us sad/worried/confused. I am implementing this into our night time routine(whatever time that occurs). 

Randomly I have run into a few people who have made mention of this blog. Because I can see my stats I know how many views, where they are coming from and am flattered by the activity I see from all over. I hope this is a place for answers on triplets(multiples), working moms and dads and overall a place of "man, we all struggle." Little successes are fun to look back on when I read past posts. I print them/bind them from year to year and one day my littles will enjoy this journal of their lives. My only regret: I wish I would have been detailed on their lives in the NiCU. I was cautious, rarely posted and gave little detail. I was fearful that the statistic of less than 30% chance of taking all three home would ring true in our lives. I hope you will share this blog with others and tell friends about posts that have helped you , made you laugh or that will answer a question they may have. 

As I reflect back on this weekend- it was perfect in every way. I'm sad to see it go but oh so thankful  to have this important job with march of dimes of saving babies. Babies just like mine that deserve to spend Fourth of July with their moms and dads. I'm also thankful to have received a restful weekend with no work calls, no interruptions, no nagging to do list and no one wanting my time- except for my family and friends. 

Ill post fourth pics soon! Still catching up!

Have a good week everyone.