it's Fall Ya'll!

I love this colder weather. I love soups. I love football season. I love pumpkins and I LOVE pictures of these dang triPlets! We have been out and about and have taken tons of walks lately. I hope you are out in this beautiful and cool weather!

ET, one of our sweet baby feeders stopping by to feed on game day :)

the babes at Central Christian Church

We are all doing well. The babies will turn five months in a few weeks. Where does the time go? Becker made a trip to Cooks. He will have surgery for a hernia in November. I know he will do great, just dreading him being under. This is a very common procedure for premies. We will spend the night. Pray for a speedy recovery..and that his mom doesn't get all emotional!

Whit and I got away this past weekend. It was amazing. We went to the Dallas Cattle Barons. Amazing event. Was nice being on the other side of such a production! Darius Rucker played. He even sang some of his Hootie and the Blowfish hits. It was so fun being with my sweet husband, relaxing, shopping at northpark, enjoying some drinks, breakfast at Breadwinners and grabbing stuff at Whole Foods. Thanks Jill and Cam for taking us away.

We are getting ready for the holiday season and the RSV season..reminding everyone to wash their hands all day long! Hope everyone is gearing up for chili weather. I know we are.

a delicate balance

I've always been a worker. I've always had drive. I've always wanted to make my own money. I've always wanted children. This year I have been fortunate enough to do all of the above. It's been a delicate balance and not an easy one. The triplets turned four months last week and working three days a week has proven difficult. Now, I am a multi-tasker but I almost laugh out loud when people so, "oh you get to stay home on Mondays and Fridays....I bet you get so much done?!" or " when they take their BIG nap can you do this or email me with that?"

Life is a juggle. I know people do it all the time. They work, they raise their kids, they cook dinner, they clean the house, they have a social life.....
Currently, I am doing all of those things, but at some point I imagine there is a breaking point...a time in which a person says I can't do it all. I thought I was balancing it all and then I received an email from HR saying that I was short about 10 or so hours from being considered full time and that in order to receive benefits I would need to work 37.5 hours. I know this could be for my particular job and not others but I remember very clearly my last two positions having to work a min of 20 hours in order to receive benefits and insurance...so that's what I assumed was the norm. Not true...so this creates another stress. I see my work as my passion but at some point, as passionate as I am...I may have to re-consider my priorities. Sad. Sad, that is has to be that way. Sad that push does come to shove.

I consider myself good at what I do and have built relationships and growth. I'm not saying now and maybe not ever, but I am seriously thinking that at some point..growth of a different kind will be key to my family. Funny how kids change everything..especially ones you begged God for.
I'm not worried as I know he will provide. I know he gave us three as part of his bigger plan. I know I am one of his children and so is my family. Please keep us in your prayers as we consider a bigger picture.

This weekend we head to the pumpkin patch. Stay tuned for some beautiful pics of our precious miracles. I imagine a little Mexican food or breakfast at Homestead will also be a part of this wonderful weekend.
Hope you have a good one with your family and friends.

When no one is watching....

We went for a photo shoot for a local magazine and my nanny took this picture. I know how happy and blessed I am to have these three tiny miracles, but seeing the look on my face in this pic she snapped says it all. I think we get a true read on people when they think no one is watching....

When I put my jewelry on that morning I didn't think much about it...other than the fact that it seemed to match and look good. However, the cross around my neck speaks volumes. I would never have made it during our struggle without God and the power of prayer. Sounds so cliche' but when I couldn't speak, he gave me words and when I couldn't go out in public he stayed with me. He has continued to give me strength, love and a lot of support.

Everyday we feed at 8, 12,4,8 and 11. Everyday a group of ladies comes for the feeds, baths, trips out and about, as well as many other helpful pitch-ins. I have a calendar in our kitchen and there is someone signed up at almost every feed. I cannot tell you how overwhelming the thought of feeding three babies around the clock was for me before they came home from the NICU. I acted like I had it all together, but inside I was worried that(the person who always had it together)I would fail. These angels are coming long after everyone told me they would leave. They are helping when no one is watching. They show up at 11pm and make us laugh when we are exhausted. I am thankful.

This weekend was a busy one. We ventured out to the BU game and the babies were perfect. We managed to keep them on their nap and feed schedule and they LOVED their moby wraps. Daddy was exhausted. The BU game, LaFiesta and then home for night time routine....with only one day off for me and the kiddos, its hard to cram it all in, in one day.

We have been getting out a bit more and have enjoyed the cool fronts that have come. We walk the babies each day at least once and sometimes a second time in the evening. I swear they are like dogs (sorry kids) in the fact that they thrive when taken outside. Cooper doesn't mind it either!

Work life is busy. Very hectic to juggle it all..but we are doing quite well.

Burnt Biscuits

This weekend was a good one. I wish I could say lots of rest like I used to report but Gianna had diff plans for us. We were all on a relatively great sleep schedule but missy decided that her allergies were getting the best of her...so when a paci would normally soothe her... the last three nights...she couldn't breathe once it was in her mouth. Then the other two started to stir...and scream at her to be quiet so they could sleep. SO, today we went to the doctor at lunch and he said...no infection just allergies. He said the usual and sent us on our way.

We also have started giving them their big naps in their cribs...they prefer their taco beds in the living room and they are not afraid to let you know- for about 3 hours. They take turns. I swear gg and becks agree to sleep for 15 if the other will scream as loud as possible, then they trade off for the entire 3 hours. Riggs on the other hand sleeps through all of it or patiently waits for 4pm while staring at his mobile. Then after the 4 o'clock feed we are usually back on schedule until late night when sister decides to take on the night alone and scream every 2 hours( like clock work). We should buy stock in saline.


While at the doc, we talked a bit about RSV season and did you guys know its about 1500 a shot and they need six a season?! WhAT? They say some insurance companies cover half, some all...so they will ask and we will see. They say some people just decide not to take their kids anywhere in public during that season in lieu of the shots. DID YALL know the season in Waco is OCT-MArch? What the heck? It would make sense for them to pay for it considering the hospital bill that would accrue if they actually do get it.

So our weekend consisted of on and off random naps, some cookie baking, lots of family(and some visits from Mindy, my besty who is home from England) some errand running on sunday while we had a sitter, some projects like painting the kids book spool we made, some golf, a little sun and an AHmazing walk with the kiddos in this incredibly cool weather. Because of the lack of sleep at night they welcomed the walk and loved being outside. We used their bob shades to pull down to block the wind and I think the fresh air did them good. Tonight Cooper our dog will get to go....yesterday he looked like we had left him at the pound when we left him behind.

I'm pretty private and have always had issues sharing private information so blogging has always felt a little weird, especially through the fertility cycles. But lately people have asked personal questions like if triplets have taken a toll on our marriage so when I received this email from my aunt today I couldn't help but to share with my readers.

You see, we tried to get pregnant for a long time so, while of course we are exhausted and almost to tears some days because of lack of sleep, we never forget the nights we didn't sleep and shed tears over not having a baby to hold. Our relationship was never rocky through that struggle. If anything, we felt we came up short for each other. Always longing to give the other what we desired. So now when Whit looks at me with tired eyes(even though it's his turn to soothe the screaming baby) we don't fight, we are selfless and think more about the other. When I am so tired I am teary, he rallies the troops and has several feeds organized- that I do not have to participate in...so I can catch a long stretch. In fact, our entire feed group of ladies does this for both of us...My next blog will be all about those ladies....stay tuned, those gals are dynamite.

For now, enjoy this burnt biscuits story below...I think we can all take something from the text.

When I was a kid, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for
dinner every now and then.  I remember  one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, very hard day at work.

 On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed!

 Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my
Mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that ugly  burned biscuit. He ate every bite of that thing... Never made a face  nor uttered a word about it!

 When I got up from the  table that evening, I remember
hearing my Mom apologize to my dad  for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said:  "Honey, I love burned biscuits every now and then."

 Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good  night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He  wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at  work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burned  biscuit never hurt anyone!"

 As I've grown older, I've  thought about that many times.

 Life is full of imperfect things and  imperfect people. I'm not the best at anything, and I forget  birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what I've  learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's  faults - and choosing to celebrate each other's differences - is one  of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and  lasting relationship.

 And that's my prayer for you  today... That you will learn
to take the good, the bad, and the ugly  parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the  end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship  where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker!

 We could  extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base  of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!

 "Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own."  So, please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burned one will do just  fine.

 

can't they just stay babies

Well I hate to start bragging and then the bottom fall out but here goes.....the triplets have been sleeping from about midnight until 7:45am for a week now. I still cannot believe it. I know this will all change once we start teething, but it sure is nice to get a full nights sleep several nights in a row. We are fortunate to have people round the clock feeding and helping us with the babies and some have even spent the night so we can get a 5 hour stretch when we were doing the 3 hour feeds....but there is nothing like getting a 7 hour stretch and not having to impose on anyone to get it!!!

Im looking forward to the weekend as Whit will be off two days in a row. WHAT?! That never happens.....He has been working until 8 a lot and our schedule is hard. I don't know what I would do without Alissa and my family and friends. We have lots of plans. Some with the babies like going to a friends for a BBQ pool party and some without like a day with some girlfriends. While I welcome the breaks with friends, I am always VERY ready to hold them in my arms when I get home.

Time really does fly. I was talking to my friend Julia and looking at some pics of her twins. Made me sad. Seems like yesterday we were on that fertility train cheering each other on...and now we are in the throws of motherhood. Her babies are a few weeks ahead of mine..but when I see them in toys that are steps ahead of ours I keep thinking..no, no, not yet...no johnny jump up, no excersaucer.

Our construction is completed and now I can't imagine the house without all of the changes. Triplets and the old layout would never have worked! We are looking forward to cooler weather and the Fall. I'm looking forward to the holidays with the babies. Is there ever enough time? I wish I could freeze frame time for sure....no one make a move!

For now, life is perfect. Better than I ever imagined it to be.

No water and triplets

I have to laugh to keep from crying. A pipe burst under our house and we have no water! This would normally be okay with just us..but we have babies...three babies!!!!! This makes life very difficult while working, managing the day to days and having to go next door to my aunts for showering!

As far as our schedule...its perfect for the most part. We run a tight ship. I think you have to with mulitples or you are in for real trouble. They eat at 8,11, 2 and 5(start getting ready 30 mins early) with playtime for 20 minutes after each feed. After the 11pm feed they go down and do not wake until around 4. Sometimes as late as 6. Sometimes I think we are teetering on being able to skip that feed and feed at the 7:30. Ha, but just when I think that, Becker proves me wrong and decides he would like to eat at 4, exactly at 4, not 4:15. Whit and I both do the night feeds and most of the time my aunt walks over to help. I just text her and if she's up...she helps..this is huge since it cuts the time by 15 minutes and allows us to grab that last hour of shut eye before getting ready for work.

I work on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. I love this schedule. I think in order for me to be a happy/healthy mom, I need to have my work identity. I love what I do and while its nice to be home with them for four days, the three I go to work are welcomed by the time Tuesday rolls around.

Alissa is our nanny. We absolutely love her. We could have never asked for a better fit. She moved in last week and we are thrilled beyond words to have her. She has a quirky sense of humor that I love and loves my family...which is huge.

I'm not sure if all mothers still have to pinch themselves, but I certainly do. I can't believe we went from this....

 to this.......

 to this......

to these three precious angels.

God is good.

I have THREE babies!!!!

I know this should have hit me months ago, but this morning I realized all over again that we did it! We asked him for babies and he GAVE US THREE! I am blessed beyond words and feel like I could scream on my porch that he does answer prayers and those three sweet babies are living proof. We have been asked to be the ambassadors of the March of Dimes event in November- what an honor.

Look at this proud daddy :)

he looks like a green bean doesn't he?!

one of our precious nicu nurses. These girls made the bad days good and the good days better. Some of them friends before and some new...but each friendship has proven to be genuine and dear.

now here is an amazing man that truely is in his chosen profession...he is a miracle worker..we love dr. wheeler....

cry baby becker is not happy...this was his first week home and he was not happy about his reunion

sneak peek at their photo shoot......charla holmes spent an entire afternoon with our babes..she is AHmazing. Check her out...www.holmesphotographicart.com

More updates to come you guys....glad to be back at work and into a routine....