Guess who learned how to smile???

This is the sight you might see at any given moment during the day at our house. Bella's in the middle, hands raised as if to say, "Here I am!" You might notice the matching outfits...that lasted for about one more hour after this photo was snapped before Bella had a blowout and they no longer matched. When we're short-handed, the babies will lay intheir boppies and we'll prop bottles and they'll all eat together! These girls will never be alone in life, that's for sure.

Eden is grinning back! She's a fiery little gal, full of energy and spirit! She might become the "ring leader" of the three.

Hannah is all smiles for this photo. She is the "grunter" of the group and is the gentle soul. I think if she could, she would constantly wrap her arms around her sissies and hold them near.

Bella didn't want to smile for this photo shoot, but we'll catch her on film soon. She is the calm spirit of the three--the best sleeper also.

Lovin' these little girlies!

We're so excited to begin to have some positive feedback for all our hard work! Hooray...they're finally smiling back!

Thought of the Day

OK, people. For some reason many of you continue to tell me that I'm so amazing for doing what I do. Here's the deal...yes, I planned a final pregnancy, and yes, that was a HUGE leap of faith that I would be able to endure it, and yes, adding a 5th child to our family would be a big job, but adding triplets wasn't really what I had planned! So here I am now...and I have 7! But it's not like I planned to have 3 babies at once! So while it might be amazing that what I'm doing is humanly possible, I have no doubt that if any of my dear friends were to find themselves in my shoes you would do the exact same thing...your very best to meet all the needs of your family. So maybe it's amazing that we are having this experience, and I am honored that you all believe so deeply in me, and I have to admit that getting through that pregnancy took immense drive, commitment, and determination, and it was so much more challenging that I could even have imagined. But I could never do this without the support and love of my friends and family and all of you who have given us baby clothes and gear, diapers, meals, and your time. Somehow we are getting through this, and while our challenge is unique in its own way, everyone has challenges that require strength, determination, and the willingness to bend and grow. I am overwhelmed at how much faith the Lord has in us, sending us these beautiful girls. But I'm certain that He's got grand things in store for all of us, and we are ALL amazing!

Thought of the Day

I'm so tired...again.

New measurements

New measurements:

We took the girls in Monday for their RSV shots and got their weights again. They are just growing like crazy now!

Hannah: 9 lbs. 10 oz.

Bella: 9 lbs.

Eden 7 lbs. 15 oz.

Look at my little girlies grow!

We took this photo during the photo shoto. Dave's sisters Sarah and Rachel meade their headbands and flower clips. See Sally's clippies on the link side bar if you think they're cute!

The Fam in December

Ben was Rudolph at his preschool Christmas Program. Love those cheeks!


Ben and Tyson hugging a Christmas Doll (?) at Wheeler Farm. They are best buddy brothers!


Haylee performing with her dance group singing "Where are You Christmas?" She's a babe, but this lighting doesn't really do her justice!


There they are...the cutie pies! Their little outfits say "Honey Bunny" on them and they have bunnies on their little tootsies! Dressing little girls is so much fun! (Thanks Uncle Brent and Aunt Drena for these precious outfits.)

Cuddly sissies!

This is the day of the awesome photo shoot. Every once in a while I get to be in a photo with one of the babies so that someday I'll have proof that I was actually here.

I know that this blog has become a tribute to the triplets as of late, but I wanted to take a minute to spotlight my other children who are still such a huge part of my life (even though I hardly ever see them anymore since we got a Wii on Christmas Day)! Haylee has become my right arm, so handy with diapering, bottle feeding, bathing, and dressing the babies. Tanner and Tyson are terrific as well. Sometimes we have to scold them for holding babies too long and not doing their homework! And Ben, well, he's just precious. He's turning 5 this Friday...where has the time gone?

Human again

Ahhh...to be human again. Just in time Dave's dad came to work the nightshift and for the first time since probably last summer I slept for 8 complete hours without awakening once! I don't think I'm completely caught up yet, but human again for certain. It did get worse before it got better, though, and I definitely reached the "zombie-stage." When the babies started crying for their 5 a.m. feeding the morning after I wrote my last post, I couldn't even awake to get them even though Hannah was lying on the couch right next to me. Fortunately Dave's stomach flu had turned the corner in the night and he felt up to feeding them. Somehow it all works out, right? I so appreciate everyone's supportive feedback. You are all keeping me afloat! And I accept all the offers for help--I'm just not really that organized to set it all up. If you want to help, just call me and sometimes the best thing is to come over and tend the babies so I can either sleep, go workout, or go run errands! I have a huge list of errands that is piling up because taking care of these adorable little babies is so time-consuming. I just get so tired, but I know that one day they will sleep through the night and I will emerge from this fog! In the meantime I am grateful to have friends who are so encouraging. I know it's rough all over and while you all may not have my EXACT struggles, I know you have experienced my emotions. I am grateful for all of you, my beautiful sisters!
By the way, the babies had their 2 month checkup and they are GROWING!
Hannah Jane: 9 lbs. 2 oz., 21 inches
Bella Grace: 8 lbs. 10 oz., 20 1/2 inches
Eden Hope: 7 lbs. 7 oz., 19 1/2 inches
Hooray!

I hit the wall tonight

THE WALL...
Okay, I think my usual tone in my blog is on the cheerful or at least thankful side of things because I only post when I've had enough rest and am in a good enough mood to write. But tonight I hit the wall. Dave has had the stomach flu all day today :( and I've been flying solo. While the kids are a significant help, they're not quite the same as a parent or an adult. They still need reminders of what needs to be done, and they get tired of their duty quickly. Haylee helps a ton, but there are THREE babies who have decided recently to be fussy from about 7 p.m. on into the night until about 1 a.m. Last night I got about 6 hours of broken sleep and I will just say that by 10 p.m. tonight I was about to start throwing things. How on Earth I made it through I do not know. By the grace of God, literally. What was He thinking? I know people say that He'll never give us more than we can handle, but really...is he serious? I love all the kids tremendously, but I think they should have brought a nanny with them. I need some help! Because Dave is sick I didn't feel like I could ask anyone to come help for fear of spreading germs. People keep advising me to hire a night nurse and a full-time nanny. Yes, with our extra $50-75 thousand a year that we have floating around. Forgive me for sounding a little cynical, but once we figure in the expense of diapers, a new car (which hasn't appeared yet), formula, RSV shots, and other stuff, there isn't a whole lot left over for a nanny or night-nurse. I hate feeling so negative, but when I'm this exhausted it just comes flowing out.

Strange and interesting feedback

I began this post while I was still pregnant and never published it, but thought it would make for interesting reading even though I've already delivered.

My favorite questions/comments during this pregnancy:


1. "Were you on fertility?" (You know, when you already have four children, you kind of think that if the next one doesn't come, we have enough.)

2. "You look like you should be on your way to labor and delivery right now!" (This one started at 25 weeks along).

3. "When you get a few months down the road after they are born, you'll probably wish you could put them back in." (Huh? This person has OBVIOUSLY never been pregnant with triplets before)

4. "You are all belly." (This one isn't really offensive, I just get it a lot! And yes, I am.)

5. "Do multiples run in your family?" (They do now! by the way, my great-grandmother had a set of fraternal twins but that's it.)

6. "You've got some nerve walking around so pregnant, making us all nervous!" (This was by a 70-something woman who was with our group when we visited D.C. in July.)

7. by the Ultrasound Techs: "You are the one who makes us all nervous, because you are living proof that triplets really DO happen naturally sometimes!" (Glad I could help.)

8. "Holy cow! Triplets...that's soooooo cool!" (I agree!)

9. "Mom, can we have another sister to go with us?" (this by 6 year old twins)

10. "If I were you, I would jump off of a cliff or something." (good thing you're not me, that would be painful.)

More from the photo shoot

We had so much fun taking these pictures...these cute babies made us giggle. When I put those daisies on their heads we cracked up so much! I'm so grateful they cooperated so we could get this cute photo. I'll treasure it forever!


This is little Princess Eden. Hannah fell asleep quickly but Eden and Bella took a while to fall asleep. Once they did Heidi started snapping photos quickly!


Beautiful Princess Bella (who wouldn't sleep). I'm thinking I should've made sure there was a flower or bow on this cute bald head!


Princess Hannah slept like an angel and Heidi was able to get multiple photos of her in the buff. She has the most hair so she can get away without a bow on. She is so dainty that you can tell she's female without any bows, can't you?!

I couldn't resist! With them arriving so close to Christmas we had to do one of them in stockings! They are definately this year's Christmas gift to our family.