Santa brought me some great presents this year! MINI Santas

Learning to take pictures of two babies and get the ideal pictures is interesting! I tried and tried and tried to get the best Christmas pics I could...these are my favorites!



Two Dunks in a Tub

 

Drunk Santas




This one is just soo sweet!

 


Its amazing what a person can do with a cotton ball and icing...haha

I can honestly say that this was the best Christmas of my life. My world is now complete and my heart feels full. Thank you to all of our friends and family for loving us so much!

 

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM-Our girl was a STAR!

Zoe was chosen to be a speaker in the Christmas Program at school! This is a huge honor for a second grader! We are so proud of how great she is doing this year with us. The picture doesnt show it but she was beaming about her 2 minutes of fame!

H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N

The first halloween was so hard for me to pick out costumes! They were still super small so I needed a newborn costume. These stinkers have always been a little "opinionated" so these costumes were PERFECT!!

Reese in his true form..

Ricky telling mommy whos the boss!

Ready to go get some CANDY!!

They are just so darn cute!

Drinking the milk of a virgin... haha. Devils dont drink formula so I thought i would make it interesting. :-)

Yes, Cam is holding his light saber that way. Ugghhh, boys

Last journal entry!

Ricky: 2.9 lbs
Reese: 2.11 lbs <-----BIRTH WEIGHT!!!! :-)

  Today was FABULOUS!! I got to the NICU around noon today and your nurse was Dawn. I was able to hold Reese for almost 2 hours, then Ricky for 2 hours! First time Ricky was being good enough for me to hold that long! I left around 6:30 to go get daddy.

8pm- Daddy held Ricky and Mommy had Reese. Daddy held Ricky for 2 hours and I had Reese for 2! The nurses are only supposed to give an hour each time so we really lucked out!

I was given a present full of snacks and a really nice card from another NICU mom. Its so hard for all of us there. I guess thats what brings us together.

I love you Ricky and Reese!

Always and Forever-
Mommy

A couple days of weights and finally an entry!

7/10/10  Ricky and Reese 2.9 lbs
7/11/10  Ricky: 2.9 lbs 15 1/4" long
              Reese: 2.10 lbs 15 3/4" long
7/12/10  Ricky and Reese 2.9 lbs


7/13/10 Ricky and Reese 2.9 lbs

Eventful day today! Talked to the Dr and we have a couple updates:

1. Ricky's brain bleed is the same as it was last week (good news)
2. Reese has a small PDA. It is so small that nothing needs to be done.
3. Reese's brain bleed got better!
4. Ricky has reflux so he is now being fed over an our and a half to make it easier on his belly
5. We got Robbie back today

I got to go this AM and hold Reese before leaving to take Cam to the movies.

8pm- Mommy and Daddy both came! Daddy held Reese while I held Ricky. :-) You are both starting to smile. Daddy claims you look like him but we know better!

Always and Forever-

Mommy

Another journal entry

Ricky and Reese: 2.9 lbs

  Had a doctors appointment today so I came to see you before and after. Both times you were both passed out so I left you alone. ;-(

  Tonight daddy and I came at 8pm as always. In the middle of both of your beds was a 10lb monster sized baby! I normally wouldn't have a problem with that but you both cannot have loud noises or bright lights. This baby cries so darn loud, not to mention the loud parents. So... our hands on time with you was cut short. Not happy about that! I plan on talking to the Dr tomorrow to get him moved. You were both so upset by the noise. Poor pumpkins.

I will see you both in the morning!

I love you,

Mommy

Journal Entry #5

Ricky and Reese: 2.9 lbs

  Today you get your central lines out! Daddy delivered the milk this morning and the Dr said you are both doing wonderful! I am home with Cameron today so I can't see you until 8pm. I miss you both so much it physically hurts me. I am so in love...as if you couldn't already tell. See you tonight my angels.

Later:

  You are both doing great! Nurse tonight only gave us an hour (grrr) but it was the best hour of my day. You were both so comfy laying on us, it killed me to leave. I think about you both every minute of every day. I can't wait to have you home with me. It is so hard to come home every night with no babies. I know it will come soon...

I love you!

Mommy

Journal Entry #4

Ricky: 2.8 lbs
Reese: 2.8 lbs

  Woke up at 2am to pump and had the worst headache!!! A hangover from one beer! HAHA

  Went to see you at noon and got some hands on time! After I left I got a call from the woman helping me make special covers for your NICU beds...they are READY!! They ended up being a perfect fit and you two are the coolest babies in the unit!

  Daddy and I came back at 8pm (like every night) to hold you. We only get to once a day. This time I held Ricky and daddy held Reese. They gave us 2 whole hours!!! They even let me hold Reese for 30 minutes after Ricky. Mommy walked out a very happy woman!

  On a side note: Your brother Cameron is sacrificing so much of his mommy for you both. I know he will be a great BIG BROTHER!!

I LOVE YOU!!

Always and Forever-

  Mommy









 

Journal Entry #3

Ricky: 2.8 lbs
Reese: 2.8 lbs

   Busy busy day! We visited you 3 times today! Our night visit was great! I held Reese while Daddy held Ricky for a whole hour!!! It is so hard to describe to other parents that get to hold their babies as much as they want how special every minute I hold either of you is.
   Reese got moved to preemie diapers which take up half of his body because he goes potty so much. My boy is getting a reputation!
   Ricky is as rotten as ever! You don't want to be bothered by anyone! Very stubborn even at this age. Reminds me of someone...

Always and Forever-
   Mommy

10 days old!!!!

P.S. 3 nurses told me to have a beer!!! Said I worry too much (who me?) and that it would help milk production.  Should be interesting!

Journal entry #2

 Ricky: 2.7 lbs
 Reese: 2.7 lbs

  Mommy was here on time with your milk delivery! It's 8am and we need to wait 30 minutes for feeding time. You are both on feeding tubes and eat every 3 hours. Right now you eat 7ml per meal.

  I just took a peek and you are both wearing knit hats that are adorable. You are on tummy time and I think you may be in heaven! I think these visits are keeping me going. XOXO

  We had nurse Barbara.

Always and Forever-

Mommy

  This is my 3rd visit today. I held Ricky while daddy held Reese. We were both in heaven!

  Today I got a call from the doctor telling me you both have a level III brain bleed. Normally that would be bad but...they can't tell in your actions. Typically they would see apnea or seizures within the first week but you boys are strong! I love you so much and will be here in the morning! ;-)

Nurse Starla

Always and Forever-

 Mommy

First time holding my babies!

July 4th, 2010. Mommy and Daddy walked in expecting to massage the most beautiful heads I have ever seen when Nurse Starla asked if I wanted to hold them for the first time. I was on cloud 9. That had to be one of the most amazing days of my life.

Mommy and Ricky

Mommy and Reese

My NICU journal: First Entry

 When the triplets were born I was told by a nurse to journal while waiting at their bedside. I didn't start it until they were a week old and stopped when I was able to do more with them! Who wants to write in a silly old journal when you can have a baby in your arms? I am backdating all of these to the entry dates. :-) These are speaking to the boys...


  Today has been the hardest day so far. Since I was released from the hospital on Thursday, I have been visiting both of you 2 or 3 times a day. Daddy wanted a turn this morning so I didn't get my visit. I miss you so very much. Luckily I get to see you every night at 8pm. NICU is closed from 6:30-8pm daily. I wait every night for those doors to open.

  We are only allowed to have "hands on" contact every 6 hours. I come at 8pm so I can massage those precious little heads and if I am lucky, they let me change your diaper. :-)

  A nurse suggested I leave a journal at your bedside to write in daily- so here I am!

  Today you are both one week old. I am so in love with both of you, it surprises me. I never thought I could love another like I love Cameron...and you both stole another piece of my heart.

  I will write again tonight.

                                                                                                   Love Always-
                                                                                                       Mommy


Later that night:

  Ricky 2.6 lbs
  Reese 2.6 lbs

  What an amazing night!! Nurse Starla let mommy hold you both for the first time! They call it a kangaroo hold- it was wonderful! You were both so peaceful.

  Upon arriving, Starla was working with Ricky so I was able to help. I held you for 20 minutes. Once we moved to Reese we discovered poop all over! Way to go pumpkin! :-) Mommy changed it and actually loved every minute of it!

  I will be here first thing in the morning to bring milk. I love you both so much! Kisses and hugs! ;-)


                                                                                                                Always and Forever,
                                                                                                                             Mommy

Robbie became an angel

June 16th I had a scheduled apointment with my regular OB/GYN. The day before was my birthday and we spent the day swimming and enjoying virgin margaritas. I had not felt Robbie kick but kept it to myself because the thought of my baby girl passing away on my birthday was just too much to handle. When we went in the Dr looked for her on the portable machine and couldn't find anything. He moved us into another room with a better machine and several minutes later he informed us that her heart had stopped. I can't describe that feeling. I failed to protect her and provide for her. How could I have let my child die?

She made it to 25 weeks which was 11 days before the boys came into the world. There is never a day that I don't thank God for letting me having her. I didn't know that kind of love was possible in that short of a time.

June 10th- Bad turn

Through research I knew that Robbie Nicole was ok as long as her condition did not "reverse". I went to the specialist today and that was the news. I knew it was only a matter of time. If I was just a little further along...

22 weeks- Pic

22 weeks...

May 4th. The day my heart broke.

May 4th started out like any other sonogram day. I was sooo excited to see my babies and this time I was taking Tiana for the first time. My biggest worry was that somehow my baby girl would grow a "tail". During the scan the nurse got really quiet as they typically do when something just isn't right. I asked her over and over if something was wrong. I got the standard "the Dr will talk to you as soon as I am done" answer but her eyes were telling me the story. The Dr explained that my only daughter was dying. They gave her just two short weeks to live. I just couldn't believe it. This was my baby girl. My daughter. She was diagnosed with absent end diastolic velocity. Not getting enough blood to her heard from her cord. Not only was my daughter going to die but she would die inside of her own mother. My body was failing my child. As we walked out of the office I let out a scream and fell to my knees. I couldn't believe that I was given such a rare gift to only have it taken away. I begged and pleaded with God to let me keep her. I made deals and promises. I would have done anything asked of me to just keep her alive. It was out of my hands.

I decided the next morning that we needed to get baptized. I had never been Baptized and I needed to feel the safety of His arms around me during this journey. CBC held an emergency baptism just for me on May 6th. A large group of my closest friends showed up to Pray for my baby girl. I was humbled by how many people were already in love with her. She changed so many lives in her 25 weeks of life. Every life has a purpose.

The BEST baby shower EVER!!! May 2nd, 2010

Being the paranoid person I am, I talked Tiana into throwing me a baby shower REALLY early in the pregnancy. I was terrified of bed rest early in the pregnancy and wanted to make sure everything was perfect and ready when the babies arrived. It was a Sunday and we had it at Hidden Lake Apts clubroom. I had the most AMAZING hosts! Tiana, Leslie, Bethann, April and Lisa pulled out all of the stops for me. I am so blessed to have such beautiful friends!
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Leslie is sooo creative!

We are very blessed!

Our family....before :-)

April came up with this! They were a HIT!!

ITS A GIRL!! Im finally getting a GIRL!! ( Great pics of the boys too)

April 19th Baby A decided to show HER girlie parts! I was literally floating on air when I found out I was going to have a daughter. :-)

Shes so beautiful

The boys put on a show too.... Baby B was living up to his reputation... the WOMB BULLY!!!

The infamous laughing picture of Baby B..he kicked his sister and then smiled!

Baby C Profile

Baby B

BABY LELAND IS HERE!!!

April 14th, 2010 I was pacing the floor to go see my new nephew!! He was so cute and little and I was in love! Erica was in a little pain and Leland went potty so Aunt Margie and Uncle Pat had to remember how to change a diaper. ON A NEWBORN!! It took us FOREVER but we got it done. What an amazing day!

2 BOYS and the other is a mystery!

On April 5th we found out that 2 of the 3 were BOYS!! We knew they would be identical and #3 was hiding the goods! Great appointment! We noticed that Baby B was a little stinker...even that early on!

The MYSTERY Baby A

Identical Boy B

Identical Boy C

And then there were THREE!!

We found out at the hospital after an emergency visit that we were having twins. This appointment on March 17th was my first appointment at 12 weeks. Dr. Murdock said she was sad that she didn't get to give me the exciting news about the twins. She soon found an even bigger surprise! She was looking around and had a scared and confused look on her face. I started to get really scared and she said she needed to call someone else in for a second opinion. All of the sudden another Dr walks in and I hear them counting together. 1,2,3...1,2,3.....1,2,3. Yep, its 3. At this point the panic set in....

...

This is the first sono of the 3 amigos!

Let the games begin...

March 9th- My Head Hurts... what head??!!?? ITS TWINS!!

I took myself to the hospital because I was in severe pain. I thought my head was literally going to explode. Pat met me there and we waited FOREVER!! I finally got called in there and told Pat to stay in the waiting room while they did the exam. They decided to do a sonogram (my first) just to make sure things looked ok. It all happened so fast it did not occur to me to call Pat in there. All of the sudden the showed me the screen. I just looked at her and said "I knew it". I had been having these crazy dreams about twins all week. We called Patrick in there and when we showed him the screen he just kept saying "no way" "no way" with a huge smile on his face. My headache didn't seem to matter after that.....

Facebook Posting.... 7 weeks pregnant

"7 weeks and showing. Either i'm not 7 weeks, this isnt one baby or im having a 15lb'er"

I love this post so much. I remember the comments in response told me that the second pregnancy I would show more quickly and I just kept thinking "this is really soon and im really big"...

15 weeks Preggo!!

Feelin' large! I had no idea how big large could get! :-)