When the Fair Leaves Town

This week we have been able to hear the fair outside in our driveway, inside the house and even inside the kids room when we are doing the nighttime routine. I can smell it outside and driving by it- is complete chaos.

I remember when I was in junior high how I had to bargain with mema pat on how many days I could actually go and how a whole two weeks in October revolved around the fair. Later, it mattered who was playing and in the last five years, food was more of a draw than anything.

I think life is like the fair in so many ways. Seems really hectic for a few days and then you look around and the "fair" has left town. Right now I'm working really hard on my event and days seem 4 hours too short. I'm stressed and working against the clock- but the ferris wheel at home keeps turning. I'm so grateful. So full of joy that I have so much fruit in my life. We are at this pivotal period where we are snapping three little lives- lives I prayed for. Lives I begged for. Lives that I told God I would shape to live him if he would give them to me.

This past weekend was so good. We stayed home. It was planned and the plan was rich. We ate take out on Friday, got the air mattress out and watched shows. We had a full on thanksgiving meal on Saturday, cleaned out the garage, watched football, went on a picnic at the park(gg is walking everywhere now)and just enjoyed every second of every laugh.

I had just returned from a work trip and being with them and drinking those giggles was just what I needed. Sunday we went to church. Because our kids don't do daycare, I dread their cries when we drop them at Sunday school. But this Sunday was perfect. No one really fell apart. We attended a class on disciplining toddlers.

I think because I wanted them so badly, my disciplining department could use a little guidance. I'm weak. I want obedient kids and I want a happy healthy home- so this is so good for our souls. We learned, we talked, we got on the same page. I think we are stronger in just one Sunday. We're going back for more next week.

So as the carnies load their trucks and the weekend came to an end I was thankful this year. Thankful that I didn't eat one cold corny dog, thankful that while I could hear the fair and the roar of the crowds- that I took the year off.

Hope you ate something yummy this weekend. And if you went to the fair- you ate a caramel dipped apple for me ;)

Happy Monday!

Cold snap

I love when it's hot one day and 58 the next! I've always loved cold weather and the clothes that come with it. You know, when you get to layer shirts and jackets and pants and break out your uggs (and your feet aren't sweaty inside them).

I'm hoping for a snap this weekend. Maybe even some rain. My event is Thursday and after that is wrapped up, I will have a 10,000 pound elephant off my back. I cannot wait.

I want that, whew, it's over feel. I want victory over prematurity. I want more babies born on time because of the education and work that we are providing. I want to touch that one person that wants to make a difference too. I love this work. I love fundraising, I love saving babies.

I'm also missing a certain friend that lives across the pond A LOT this week. So, God, I know you hear our prayers big and small.... I have just a few requests... A cold snap, a visit over the holidays(or even Easter!) from my friend and a successful event.

Have a good night everyone!

3

The babies have decided they are big and morning naps are a thing of the past. So today, was the first day of the new schedule. It was a long day, but we are at the end of it- it's an accomplishment.

I think often about how with one they dictate the schedule and you roll with it- but with three, you watch, look, listen and basically majority rules. If two are tired- they go down and sorry luck for the odd man out. But the schedule is something we live by. It's not to be messed with. They expect it and thrive by it- it works.

They love being outside, so this allows for more time to play with chalk, the sandbox and more walks! The weather looks like it will be great this weekend so we are planing some outdoor time for sure!

I'm entering my super busy month for work. I'm filled with energy, a buzz of anxiety, a happy rush of success not yet grasped and of course fear of failure. This makes my heart tight and my fuse short. I do not like this so i try to focus on my life as a whole and not just the fuel behind the feeling. I thought tonight a lot about how different our lives could have ended up and how my anxiety could be of a different kind. Makes me want to live each day in the moment of now. Every cold snap, every wet day that I get to break out my rain boots and every extra hour they are awake and not in their cribs. Every night that I get to feel their soft breath against mine.

I'm already missing bottles, the way they played on their mat last winter, the way I decorated for Christmas during one nap time, the way the dream feed calmed me as much as them, the way their monitors would go off because of low battery or loose leads{it made me nuts but I liked how safe they made me feel}, the way for once, I felt whole, at such a time of emptiness, in holidays past. I miss every step.

It was a complete miracle that we had a baby and 3, that's just crazy.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Well God knew what he was doing when he gave me one girl in this triplet whirlwind. Yep, clothes are something I can't get enough of! I think my clothing allowance has officially become GG's- and I love it.

So when oh ollie and Matilda Jane said they wanted to do a clothing show- I was in!

Oh Ollie is so unique, so affordable and so quirky fun that I want to pinch myself! They have cute stuff for boys that isn't cheesy and I have to have her whole line!!! Turkeys, monograms, trucks with Christmas trees- all with you pick the fabric options- NEED I SAY MORE?! The fabrics are quality and wash well too!

Matilda Jane is funky, sassy and has GIGI's wild heart written all over it. The outfits coordinate and are easy to mix and match. Each release draws me further and further in.

You can message me for more details! I can't wait to roll out the pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, hot flavored coffee and spicy fall dip!

Online shopping is available!!!!

Nothing fun before 6 am

I've decided that in the last year we have had a lot of mornings that began before 6am. Specifically lots of out of town doctors appointments, two surgeries and now tubes for GG. The hustle and bustle the night before is a job in itself. Then, you rush out of the house the next morning and you're home before the day actually begins.

I know she needs these tubes, but surgery is hard on a momma. You would think I'd be a pro by now. I don't think you can ever be a professional at someone taking your baby from your arms to a cold operating room.

So lift up our sweet girl tomorrow. Prayers for an easy and quick surgery and pray for a tear free morning... Ok at least for her mom.

Heart in my teeth

When the babies lived in the NICU I remember feeling so dark. I remember the day they told me, "Riggs may have NEC". I remember the afternoon I was home baking a delicious batch of double fudge brownies for my nurses, only to arrive, hot plate of gooey brownies in hand, to a white-as-a-sheet husband and team full of doctors and nurses working on my Becker. I also remember the cell phone ringing at 2am and the heart in my teeth, gut wrenching stomach pain I had when they said, "it's Gianna, she is very sick". I had been at the hospital with them just hours before each of these occurrences. How could they be this sick, this fast? Lighting struck without the thunder in the NICU.

Waco is small and when someone else has triplets, someone calls you and tells you, like you share a common thread ;) I guess we do, seeing that ivf is pretty common and triplets don't really run in families very often. About three months ago someone called me and told me of a mutual acquaintance that was having triplet boys. I smiled and was quickly reminded of the sleep training method we did when the babies came home. I thought about how for some reason whit thought that because the babies were in their tacos in the living room- that they must want to listen to CMT all night. I slept maybe two hours a night during that time. I was overjoyed for this family but also skipped a breath when I thought of their un-avoidable NICU stay.

When they were born I think she was about 25 weeks. We received the news that all was well and that no one was on a vent!!! God was watching over them and giving them strength and all seemed to be as good as can be expected for preemies of that gestation. Then in what felt like a matter of days two of these precious babies went to be with the Lord.

What?! This is not it. This is not the end of their story! This cannot be. Yea, full panic. I'm sick. I'm saddened and all I want to do is call them and scream into the phone how completely sorry I am. How life isn't fair and how I know they have three of everything waiting for them at home. How I can see their nursery and how if anyone touches those two cribs, someone will get hurt. I want to Facebook them and tell them to keep fighting. But do they really want to hear from triplet mom who has three healthy babies at home? No. So I just prayed. I prayed for understanding and hope.

And once again, there I sat, with my heart in my teeth wanting so badly to reach out to them and pray to God to give them more signs like that beautiful rainbow they saw, to show them He is rocking their babies. Life is hard and this whole baby business is the hardest. I seriously have no words. When your pregnant with three- or any number for that matter, that's how many are supposed to come home.

God lift them up.

We took gg to the ear nose and throat doc last week. Turns out our sweet, shy, book type isn't that at all- she has so much fluid behind her ears she needs tubes- she can't hear! So once again we will head into an operating room. I don't think I will ever sleep again. She was put on antibiotics and in three days she is loud, dancing and acting like someone else's girl.

Kids. Yep, my heart might stay in my mouth. Forever.

Shine

Today is day 9 of post surgery. I have the use of my hands, just not the strength. It's frustrating because I want to feed/bathe/unbuckle the babies-just can't with ease yet.

This weekend we are treating Gianna to a triplet-free weekend. Alissa and I have taken her for a girls weekend while Whit gets extra love from the boys. He misses her and I miss those boys but I have to admit- one baby allows you to see things more closely.

We took her out to dinner and we sat on the patio. Normally I follow a strict nap routine and I let all of that go. It's nice to just be carefree and let her be who she is and not shape her by the temperament of the three as a whole.

She listened, danced to the music, ate till her heart was content and went to bed almost two hours behind "schedule". She even squeezed in a cake ball.

To watch her shine as a little girl and see her as a single baby and not as the "triplets" is so beautiful and new to me. To see her eyes dance and hear her speak when normally she is reserved and in the boys' shadows- is shiny and special.