The night before

I'm a wreck. Yep, nervous and anxious. I've only had two surgeries in my life; one trying to have a baby and one having three babies. Hand surgery was not on my to do list.

Tomorrow morning I will be wheeled back and hopefully out with new, working hands. A lot of words have been thrown at me this week and tonight my head is swimming. Vascular, nerve damage, hands elevated, no driving, no texting?!, no eating, no brushing your own teeth? What In the world?

To say that I'm in a full state of panic is an understatement. Im thinking of all that needs to be done for the kids, work, etc. etc........

But right now I am going to stop. I'm going to focus on the good here. Yep, the silver lining.

My event is going great. My chairs and past chair are working overtime. Our sweet Alissa has literally pledged her life to us for the next few weeks, she has prepared everything!!!, my march of dimes team has all pitched in, my hubby is taking over the breakfast routine, my sweet family is all helping in shifts, my moms of multiples are all praying, my sweet friends are all preparing meals, my neighbors are bringing over paper goods and daily devotionals- how much better could this get? God is present. He is here. He has put his hand on my shoulders and I know that this too shall pass.

I hope everyone has a great week and takes a moment to just be thankful. I spent my lunch at home today in the front yard on a blanket with Riggs, Becker and Gianna. A break from my normal meeting packed lunch. It was breezy and nice. Do it one day this week. It's unexpected bliss.

Our house smells like breakfast

Whit and I have never been breakfast people. We rarely eat anything before nine and we rarely eat breakfast together like you see on tv. You know the milk and juice on the counter while everyone leisurely eats their cereal and toast? That's not us.

But like I have often said- this whole mom and dad world often changes the rules mid-stream. We are making this story up as we go. Lately our house has smelled like breakfast. Riggs demands sweet things like pastries, sweet cereals, oatmeal, pancakes, apple cinnamon waffles etc. GG doesn't care just as long as she gets a lot and Becker, he is go with the flow and loVEs fruit. So breakfast is officially a thing at our house.

Last week we took the babies to Chuy's, like we do once a week. We've always gone with the plan of the more we take them out to eat the more they will know how to behave in restaurants. Sometimes it's a breeze and sometimes it's a struggle. Each time we learn more about where we can go and what to bring to make the experience better. Most of the time one baby is a shining star and the other two take turns acting out :) So, back to last week. We took them to Chuy's and literally the wheels fell off the bus. Everyone was crying, standing up, throwing their food and acting totally crazy. People were giving me dirty looks and our waiter was taking his complete time because I think he was new and our table was like the waiter curse of kids and food everywhere. By the time our food came I was the most hated person in the restaurant. My face was hot, my patience tested and I was completely overwhelmed. Whit was at work so my two friends helped me gather them up, we paid quickly and left without eating. Not fun.

I jokingly told them they were on restaurant probation. We spent the weekend at home cheering on the Bears and cooking out. I've often said that time flies and I wish it would slow and while I believe that- I'm also loving the stages we are moving from and to. They have been talking a lot more and saying words and expressions that make us laugh. Becker purposely drops things so he can say uh-oh! Riggs has started making kiss lips and GG, she raises her eyebrows, like I do when she is doing something questionable. What?! How do they learn so quickly?

Now for the hand surgery. It's happening next Wednesday. Both of my hands will be out of commission. The pain is great and the fact that they are getting worse makes this the perfect time. Your prayers and thoughts are appreciated.

We were given a Fall shopping spree by a generous friend, so we are set. I don't think people realize the power of their gifts and friendships. We value the visits, the help with putting on pajamas and the warm clothes given to us. Our house is in transition. Warmer clothes, chocolate chip pumpkin bread, fires, holidays- we're ready. Feels like just a few months ago they were all bundled up and in their strollers. I still feel like a first time mom, making it up as I go- but you can bet- it officially smells like breakfast in our house.


I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Where have all the bottles gone?

Wait. A. Minute.

I just realized tonight that there isn't a bottle in site. None in the fridge, none in the playroom, none in the baby's storage cabinets- none in my baby's mouths. When did this happen?

I'm usually not caught up with when baby's "normally" walk, talk or do other developmental milestones because mine are preemies. I usually think it's neat though to watch mine with kiddos born close to their due date. I like to see how close they are and what is next.

What I didn't see coming was the loss of the bottle all together. They weren't really all that interested in their sippy cups- then all of a sudden bottles are out and we've had to order jumbo cups to keep up with the demand of water.

Is that it? Babies gone toddlers have taken over? I'm not ready and I'm not going willingly. Just sayin.

Good rainy Saturday bad everyday hands

This morning we headed to breakfast then the farmers market. It was wet, rainy and very humid. Made me wish the fall was coming quicker! We headed to homestead heritage for breakfast and a visit with Mindy and her family who are in for a visit from England. Food was great. The babies were a little difficult- some days are easier. I think there were so many new faces that it was just a lot to take in on a Saturday morning.

On a sour note, I need hand surgery. This means three incisions on each hand with a full recovery time of 6 weeks. What? Not excited. I need it badly or I would put it off. The weight of all three babies did damage to nerves on both sides of my body creating damage in my hands and wrists. This makes it painful to sleep on either side, my stomach and just in general. So, now I just need to get up the nerve to schedule it. Prayers needed.

On a fun note, Riggs has decided to be our 1st walker. He looks like Frankenstein with his arms out or above his head! He is taking about 8 in a row now. GG is standing and walking from chair to toy bucket so it won't be long. Becker is standing and scooting his feet so he will be taking steps before long too.

We headed to lunch at newks after a long, really good nap. Whit headed to pick up our new furniture. I vleaned out the baby food drawer- its over. Typical Saturday- lots of cleaning, organizing and eating ;)

Happy weekend all.

Adios Amigos

Day 1
It's weird how being irresponsible feels so freeing when you're responsible for so much. Today we flew to cabo. Our usual vacation group all together again. We took a year off last year because we had just brought the babies home. I feel like my lungs are full of a much needed breath. Here, you don't connect much. Not to the Internet, not to texting, not to making phone calls. It's costs so much- that you kind of just- disconnect.

I love how no one needs me. I love how I'm my own schedule. I love how mornings don't revolve around a routine- but in the same breath I miss each one of those things just as bad as i enjoy the freedom. How can you leave things you need a break from and miss them all in the same day?

There are a lot of kids here. Oddly enough, all the same age as the triplets. This makes me miss them. Like a mom who is breastfeeding who hears a baby cry- I long for their tight holds and their new found freedoms. Riggs has been taking one or two steps but a call today announced five whole steps in one go. :( I've watched these couples love on their only children in awe of the freedoms of taking one baby on vacation. I even watched as a nanny came along with a young couple and their one baby. I'm excited about our plan in the coming months to take one baby at a time to Dallas/Austin for an overnight and some one on one time. No schedule?!

Lots of rain here- first time they have had this much since 2001. This is definitely God telling me to relax.

Day 2

The rain is gone and the sun is out. I received the best massage I've ever had. I actually fell asleep. No lists, no nagging things in my mind that I need to accomplish, no one expecting something of me. Just me and the ocean banging loudly wherever I am. Dinner out tonight at sunset di Mona Lisa- beautiful sunset. Makes me appreciate the beach and it's rare beauty. Had a few of those fruity drinks by the pool. Weird, but I was reminded of the last time we were in cabo. I had just had a failed cycle and was angry. I was still hopeful of the next cycle but remember not really wanting to drink, thinking that would effect the next cycle. Ha.

Day 3
Went on a yacht today. Perfection. This is how the other half live? Miss my babies a whole lot today. I miss putting them down. Reminds me of how hard the work week is with them in one place and me in another. I want more time with them. I want to watch Riggs take five steps in a row. I want to do it all. Work and be a good momma.
Amy ordered a vodka filled watermelon. Ha, are we 19? It was fun. Tasted terrible but so fun. After we got back to our villa I went upstairs. I was sunburned and needed a shower. When I got out guess what was on? DIRTY dancing! My favorite. I enjoyed two hours alone lying in bed listening to the ocean and dozing off to dd. the best. We had BBQ delivered to our room and whit cooked it all on the grill. Perfect night.

Day 4
I woke up thinking tomorrow I will be on my way home. How can I miss home in just 4 days? How can three littles rock my world so much ;)
We went zip lining and it was awful! It was like a 14 mile crazy hike with desert like temps and insane conditions. Amy and I couldn't believe it was only $98. Now we know why. They told us to be sure and tell our friends!! Hahahahahha .
The rest of the day we hung out by the pool. The boys were playing golf so we ordered food, drinks and dessert by the pool. Dinner at an American owned Italian eatery. Incredible.

Day 5
Home. One mission and the only thing on my to do list. We waited in customs for 2 hours. Torture. At one point I wasn't sure we would see the babies before bed. Whew. We made it. Riggs learned to kiss, Becker was talking up a storm and gg, she now raises her eyebrows. What?. These kids are perfect. As great as Capella is and as wonderful as the clarity vacation brings is-these three are a life long vacay that I will never be able to describe. Miss Alissa cared for them while we were away. We had some breaks scheduled with another sitter for her but for the most part she played mom and dad for 4 nights. #sheisaweaome.

Glad to be back to my little routine, my long lists of to do's, my big bed and my sweet 3.

One pot momma

Sometimes dinner is just another thing on the list of things to do. When the kids first came home I was exhausted but because they slept, there was time to whip up dinner.

Lately when I get home-I make their dinner, then it's a whirlwind-then we we either get take out or I make something we don't really care about and it's just nourishment. So today when I came home and had 15 minutes before nap time was over- I made a one pot meal.

I had forgotten how easy these were and how I can make these in the morning before work. Not your typical crock pot meal- no, something someone says,"what? This took 15 minutes to prepare!" So here goes, I am a one pot momma. A busy momma that works full time and then some and raises triplets.... And I'm making one pot meals you would love!! I plan on making one (or three) ha a week. I'll share the successes with you!

Tonight's was yummy!

I sliced one white onion thin and placed it in a 9x13 baking dish. I then peeled and sliced(thick) two large potatoes and placed them on top of the onions. Then I placed a third of a bag of spinach on top of the potatoes. Then small, boneless pork chops on top of that. I made a simple sauce out of two cups of chicken broth, a cup of Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of milk, a tablespoon of garlic salt and a dash of pepper. I poured this over the dish and covered with foil. I baked at 350 for about an hour and twenty minutes covered with foil.

It was perfect!!! You can make with chicken breasts too!

Move

I'm moving my office. Feels good to have my own fresh start. It's been a process but after Wednesday I should be wrapping it up and have everything into place :)

Yesterday we took the babies to ninfas where they ate a ton of Mexican food- yep, their my kids. Becker ate an entire cheese enchilada after he ate his own food and Riggs, he ate an entire serving of refried beans. GG, well, she ate everything from a pb&j to bites of avocado.

Then we went to spice, roots and lanes. They loved all of the stops. Becker helped mommy pick out some fall hunters.

Hope everyone is as excited about fall as we are!