THE DREAM

When you come across your basically abandoned blog...

Rewind to February 10, 2011...THE DREAM!  I woke up from a dream.  I knew I was pregnant but I distinctly remember my eyes flying open and reflecting on my dream.  It was an image of an ultrasound machine and there were three babies.  A wave of panic hit!  I immediately text my friend, Janelle, who also happens to be the nurse at my dr's office, and my dr (fyi, I worked for him in college)  I said "ok, I had a dream it's triplets."  They responded with, something along the lines of, "oh, wow!  That's crazy! You're fine.  We will see you at your appointment next week."

February 15, 2011...The following week.the day our lives changed forever!  Our ultrasound showed three babies. My doctor said "It's triplets!  Holy sh*%!  You called it. Your dream was correct." The day we realized everything would be different.

We couldn't have asked for my pregnancy to go any better.  We had a few growth issues but overall, it was pretty uneventful.  I laid around all summer.  I learned how to sleep sitting up.  I ate SO much protein.  I learned the true definition of "hot".  It was one of the hottest summers in Oklahoma history.  My body temperature was so hot!  I could put an ice pack on me to try to cool off and it would melt almost instantly.

Joey and I purchased 3 cribs.  Mom and I designed an adorable nursery.  We were showered with an amazing amount of love.

In the beginning, time went quickly.  Then, days and weeks became so long.  Towards the end, I wondered if I could make it.  We hoped and prayed that we would have 3 healthy babies.  A day shy of 35 weeks, we welcomed 3 babies into the world.  September 6, 2011 was the scariest day of my life.  I tried to stay calm.  I tried to remain positive.  My fears and HORMONES were crazy.  I remember seeing "the dream team" in the OR.  2 nurses per baby, respiratory therapists, my labor nurse, anesthesiologist, surgery tech, Dr. Jimerson, and Joey.  I was overwhelmed.  Delivery happened so quickly!  Baby A (Caroline) was born at 9:00.  Baby B (Sarah) was born at 9:01.  Baby C (Walker) was born at 9:01.  A few small health issues but we were in great shape.

A short stay in the NICU brought a whole new experience for our family.  The hardest thing was leaving them behind when I got discharged.  I knew they were in the right place but I also wanted them with me.  I can't explain the love and respect I developed for our nurses.  They loved on my babies when I couldn't be there.

3 weeks later, we were home.  I still get emotional thinking about it.  We had a church family and a work family that took great care of our tummies.  They made sure that there were meals so that I could focus on everything else.

I went back to teaching when the triplets were 9 weeks old and had been home from the NICU for 6 weeks.  To say that I was tired is an understatement.  I just had to keep going.

Life changed! We have tried to keep a sense of normalcy for our older two, Emily and Abigail.  That has been one of the hardest parts.  Having triplets changed EVERYTHING!  We've outgrown our small (1200 sq ft) 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom house.  I have a "wish list" of makeover items for me.  Can you believe that having triplets does a number on one's body?!  A trip to the grocery store can be daunting! Vacations are bucket list items.  Joey and I dream and set goals.  I am constantly reminded that I can't compare our lives to those around us.  It isn't healthy or helpful!  When it comes down to it, we may not be wealthy but we are rich.  We have family that loves and supports us.  Our relationships with friends has changed.  The calls to go to dinner or other gatherings dwindled.  The ability to just go, disappeared.  Don't misunderstand...we have some great friends!  We just have to relate differently.  Emily has found her dance studio.  This is her way to just be a kid and follow her passion!  Massay's and all of their teachers have just embraced the crazy of our family.  Abigail has been playing soccer and been surrounded by some of the sweetest girls.

Fast forward to today...go past the thousands of hours of sleep lost, go past the thousands of diapers, go past the 5 cans of formula a week, go past the homemade baby food, go past toddler beds, go past potty training and CHALLENGING 3s.  Many things and memories are sadly a blur.  We arrive to the first day of school for the triplets!  For some, it is a milestone.  For Joey and me, it is a sense of accomplishment!  WE MADE IT!  As a teacher, the first day of school has always been the next step, a new beginning, the next chapter.  Today, I have been overwhelmed with emotion.  Over the past few years, there were times that I felt like I was drowning.  Today, I breathe.  The challenges and struggles of being a parent of multiples don't go away but today, I breathe.  It is the start of a new chapter.  Our beautiful, healthy, kind, sassy, inquisitive babies are growing up.  So as many of you have heard me say, "I'm just living the dream" literally!

Happy School Year 2016-2017!!!

The babies are 6 months old?!

Well, it is almost impossible to believe but we have made it to the 6 month mark!  What a ride it has been so far!  I am embarrassed to look at this blog and see that I haven't done a better job.  However, I am hoping that those of you that read it will understand and forgive me.  Life is definitely different with our family of 7.  There is ALWAYS something going on!
The triplets are amazing!  We are so pleased with how healthy they have been.  Walker is the first with teeth.  He has two on the bottom and is working hard on his top ones.  He also LOVES his jumperoo!  Caroline is constantly smiling!  She is also our high maintenance girl!  She loves to talk to everyone and is sometimes pretty loud.  However, no one else can be loud or you will hear her cry.  We laugh and say that she will be our sensitive one.  Sarah is just as strong willed as she was before birth!  She is a determined little one.  She absolutely loves her big sisters and watches every move they make.  Sarah loves to watch them dance.  I don't have updated weights on them...they have their 6 month check on Friday so I will update after that.
Thankfully, God has blessed us with two amazing older girls.  Emily and Abigail have adjusted so well.  They love to see their little sisters and brother smile.  They love it even more when they are the ones making them smile.  Joey and I are trying so hard to keep their lives as normal as possible.  They make it to dance, cheerleading, school, mother's day out, and church on tme each week.  We are so thankful to have my mom around too.  I am thankful for the bond that my children will always have with their Nana. 
I won't lie...I am ready for these sweet babies to sleep through the night.  Getting up several times sure does make this mommy of 5 tired.  I know this will get better! :)
 So overall, the first 6 months have been successful.  We are progressing well.  As I have said before, our family has created a new normal for ourselves.  It is amazing to hear some of the questions we get asked...How are you doing this and working?  Are those really triplets?  You have 5 kids?  We are just doing it and thankful for all of the supportive people in our lives.  They make me smile at times when I didn't think it was possible. 
Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and I prmoise I will do better at updating!! :)
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34 weeks!!!

Well, we've made it another week!  34 weeks is awesome for triplets!   We are so thankful for every day that they stay with me and grow stronger!  Tests this week showed good activity, good blood flow, and good breathing motion. 

Best news...We will meet them TUESDAY!!!!!  Just a few days!!!!  We are so excited!!!!  We will be delivering in Norman.  We are ready to meet these amazing babies and start this next chapter in our lives.  Here we go from a family of 4 to a family of 7!!!  

This weekend will be a special one for us.  We are going to be having a lot of family time with Emily and Abigail.  Joey is getting to go to the OU game tomorrow with his brother-in-law, Troy.  The girls and I are going to be relaxing at Joey's sister's, Amy, house.  There will be lots of good snacking, watching the game on TV, and relaxing on the couch for Amy and me while the girls play. On Monday, we are going to take the girls for a special dinner, just the 4 of us. :) 

Please continue to pray for us.  We are praying for 3 very healthy babies that have to spend minimal time in the NICU, if any!  Pray for a speedy recovery for me.  A c-section is a whole new ball game for me.  Thank you for all of your support!  We truly appreciate it!  Our next blog will be after the babies have arrived!!!

33 weeks and still counting

Well, here we are!  33 weeks pregnant with triplets.  The reality of triplets is really starting to sink in.  Besides the constant movement inside me, the extremely huge belly gets in the way of EVERYTHING! :) A simple hug is no longer simple!

We are truly blessed!  When we started this venture, 33 weeks seemed like a lifetime away and that we would never reach that mark.  So, to see the calendar marked 33 weeks is amazing.  This  past week has been a little crazy.  I had an NST on Monday morning.  We didn't like the results, so Dr. Jimerson sent me to NRH to have another test done.  He wasn't happy with that one, so I was back in his office Tuesday afternoon.  Those results were pleasing so I got to wait until yesterday.  Joey and I went to our appointment at OU yesterday morning.  It was really good news.  Walker, or "Tank", like Dr. Williams called him weighs about 5 lbs.  Caroline weighs 3 lbs 15 oz.  Sarah weighs 3 lbs 9 oz.  They are doing great and get to stay for at least another week. YAY!  It has been comical because we keep thinking that we are going to deliver right after one  of these appointments, so my bag is packed and in the car everyday! :)

So, like I said "33 weeks and still counting" is truly our motto right now. Joey is being so encouraging.  I must say that I am to the "I'm ready" phase.  I am constantly reminded that with each day they are with me, they are better off and getting stronger.  I need prayers in that area. I won't lie...there have been days that I am discouraged and feel like delivery needs to happen ASAP.  But then I am reminded of how awesome it is to still be pregnant with 3 babies that are thriving!  We are truly blessed.  Please continue your thoughts and prayer, as we venture into the next week.

32 weeks

We've made it to 32 weeks!!!  This is the typical length of a triplet pregnancy.  So, we are feeling very successful!  I had an appointment at OU today.  They just did a doppler study on all of them.  This checks the blood flow through the umbilical cord.  Baby B (Sarah) that they are concerned about is still showing elevated levels.  However, it hasn't increased by that much since last week.  This means that I didn't have to go back into the hospital or have to deliver.

I have a visit with Dr. Jimerson on Monday and then another ultrasound to check for growth and weight gain next Thursday (the 25th).  More decisions will be made at that point.

Summer break is over.  I have to report for professional development tomorrow.  However, that is my only day.  I will be officially off until November.  That feels very weird!  To make tomorrow even better, I get to see an amazing friend of mine!  My dear friend, Haley from Maine is going to be in Norman!  She is passing through on business.  Even though it is only for one day, it makes it a wonderful day!  We have known each other since preschool and we can always pick right back up.

Thank you to everyone for ALL of your thoughts and prayers.  We are so thankful!

31 weeks

Well, I am doing this weekly update from OU Women's Center. I went to see Dr. Jimerson yesterday for my 3 weeks ultrasound and weekly visit. Baby B showed limited growth from our last ultrasound. Dr. Jimerson called Dr. Williams to discuss concerns. Before Joey and I knew it, we were told we needed to come to OU for observation.

So, here I am. They did another ultrasound when we got here. Baby B is much smaller than Baby A and Walker! Walker is 4 lbs 1 oz. Baby A is 3 lbs 4 oz. Baby B is 2 lbs 10 oz. Which means she has only gained a few ounces in 3 weeks. Because they are pretty sure that the girls are identical, they said it is likely that they are having twin transfusion where A is stealing from B. We did see breathing activity on all 3 of them last night. So, Dr. Williams gave me a series of steroid injections. These help to mature their lungs faster. This is a good sign!

Here is the plan as of right now...they are still running some tests and may let me go home Thursday. I will be on modified activity. I will have to come up twice next week for more monitoring at Dr. Williams' office. We will then do another growth ultrasound on the 22nd. If she has not grown the way we want, we will likely deliver. If she has, he said we will wait another week.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers! It is hard to be up at OU when my family is in Norman. I miss my sweet girls and Joey. We will definitely keep you posted!

30 weeks

We have made it to 30 weeks!  It is going well, except the fact that this is the HOTTEST summer in Oklahoma history.  It has definitely limited my activity level.  I don't even want to go outside!  I have had some awesome visits from friends.  That helps to pass the time.  The nursery is DONE!  Thank you, Mom!  It looks amazing and am so thankful for all of her hard work. 

I went to see Dr. Jimerson yesterday.  He said I was measuring like I was passed 40 weeks.  I believe it because I am not the most comfortable preggo right now. LOL!!  We are still planning on going for a few more weeks.  Dr. Jimerson said we will know more after my ultrasound on Monday.  I am anxious to see how much they have grown! We have also almost made it to another milestone.  I said in the beginning that I refused to have Abigail share her birthday with the triplets.  Tomorrow is her birthday and no signs of labor!! :)

School starts in a few weeks!  Because I have been banned from trips to the mall, grocery store, etc., Joey is getting to take Emily back to school shopping.  She is really excited about some quality time with Daddy, especially when there is shopping involved.  Joey said "Thank goodness Aunt Amy is coming!"

Another update with new ultrasound pictures to come on Monday!