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!!!