Grandma Patty comes to town!

My mother-in-law Patty was kind enough to come visit and help with colin the past two days. What a help! I got to rest a bit knowing that Colin was in excellent, caring hands. Patty is an exquisite play partner! Her stamina for playing with her grandchildren amazes me. She plays with colin for hours on end without once checking her phone, e-mail or turning on the t.v. When she's with her grandchildren, it's truly all about them and it's inspiring to watch (because to be honest, I do sometimes send a text, check my computer or pop on Oprah in the background). 

Needless to say, colin had a blast with her and since grandma stayed overnight, Chris took me out for a steak dinner. And yes, I am a vegetarian, but these boys are sucking me dry! 

(no offense intended little ones. Keep taking what you need to grow big and strong!) 

Seriously, more and more lately, I've been craving high calorie, well balanced meals that sometimes include steak. What can I say? 

Gotta keep my boys happy in the womb so they stay there as long as possible!

First haircut complete!

Colin, your first haircut went... well, pretty good overall. Daddy and I took you to a children's salon where you can sit in a car, truck or train, and watch cartoons while getting your haircut. We excitedly asked if you wanted to sit in the train and you politely but firmly said, "No". 

"How about the race car?", we asked.

"No"

"The truck????" (now pleading)

 "No"

Then we pointed out how the train was a Thomas train and you like Thomas and you could watch Bob the builder on the t.v!

 "Won't that be fun?!"

"NO"

Oh boy, this wasn't going to be as easy as we hoped. You ended up sitting on Daddy's lap and although you weren't thrilled to have your haircut, you were a very brave boy!

and just look how great it turned out!

Why little c will be getting his first haircut tomorrow morning

Alright, I've been avoiding this for long enough. For some reason making that appointment to get his first haircut was a hard call to make. Maybe because it signifies that he really is growing up? But, alas, we are going tomorrow. 9:30 a.m. at Snippets

Toys, Chocolate Milk and Guacamole

I've said it before, but the bigger I seem to get, the less endurance I have, the less agile I am, the more my back and hips HURT. I'm willing to endure anything if it means carrying these boys as long as possible. But one of the hardest side effects to my body feeling like a balloon that's been blown up way too far,  is not being able to play with Colin the way we used to. It's simply harder to get on the floor and play, it's harder to lift him, and it's harder to go through the process of taking him out on special outings like exploring the children's museum or aquarium. I just don't have the energy or endurance. The other day I was thinking about how well c seems to be adapting to these changes in mommy. We cuddle in bed, read books, and he's getting to watch more cartoons than I ever allowed before.

Then this morning, we went to his speech therapy session. We were late. The session went great and colin just loved playing with his young, energetic speech therapist. When it was time to leave, he started to cry. But not just the, "I don't want to clean up the toys and leave" type of crying that you might expect from a toddler. Rather they were what seemed to be truly sad tears. In that moment, it hit me that he probably misses playing at home with mommy in that way, without understanding why mommy can't do all the things she used to. He senses the changes our family's going through even though he can't express it. Well, it goes without saying that I felt even more guilty about not being as dynamic a mommy for him, and for being late for his session where he gets to play with so many cool toys and with a woman who can move and play with so much energy. 

To top it off, later, after his nap, he noticed that our dog olive was drinking water out of a bowl that was actually his. This is not something that would usually bother him in the least. But today, his lip started to quiver, the same sad tears started rolling down his cheeks and he kept saying, "mine, mine". 

It's such a dagger to the heart to see your child feeling truly sad. 

I realized today that on his own level colin senses things are changing and sometimes it's okay and sometimes he feels sad about it. That's where the motherly guilt comes in because I wish I could just fix it.

So what did I do about it today? We spent the rest of the afternoon on a mommy/ colin date. I took him to target and we picked out a new toy and then on a whim went across the street to chipotle to have a late lunch. He loves chipotle's chips and guacamole and so we sat there, "talked" and really enjoyed ourselves. I didn't check my phone once, didn't send a text, just focused on my little man. Oh- and I introduced him to chocolate milk. I know buying your child new toys and giving them chocolate isn't always the best way to handle sad feelings or motherly guilt, but we sure had fun. :)

Tonight, as I settled into bed and thought about the day, the guilt set in again. I feel like already I'm trying to divide my time and energy between what the growing babies need (a mommy who's taking it very easy) and what colin needs (a mommy who can do fun things with him). I worry about how it will be when I get really, really big, or if I have to go on bed rest. And I worry about how colin will adjust when the babies arrive. I'm sure he'll express more tears of sadness that he himself doesn't quite understand. But I also realize that I can't prevent him from feeling sad all his life (although boy would I love to). I also can't prevent a life without change or surprises. Nor would I want to I guess, because although change is hard, wonderful growth can come of it. That's what I'm hoping will happen in the next couple months for our family.

And although I can't lift colin up, swoop him around, crawl on the floor and play for long periods, or explore the children's museum for hours, I can still love him with all my might. I can still kiss him, hug him, wipe his tears and treat him to chips, guacamole and chocolate milk at Chipotle. That has to be worth something. 

An ultrasound and a walk down memory lane

Today I headed over to the hospital for yet another ultrasound followed by a check in with my doctor. I love the opportunity to see my boys on the big screen, however, these ultrasounds can often take a long time (our longest was almost 3 hours!). I'm learning that getting the right pictures of triplets can often be tricky, especially if they move a lot, as mine seem to. Or at least they move a lot during ultrasound time!

So.... 6 weeks ago, the ultrasound took 3 hours because the boys were moving and squirming and the technician couldn't get all the necessary pictures of the heart. So we were told to come back again in two weeks. We did.... had another long ultrasound..... and still they couldn't seem to get the right pictures. So yesterday, the doctor sent me over to get a more specialized ultrasound by a pediatric cardiologist. This made me slightly nervous. We have no history of pediatric heart disease in our family, but of course, you never know. Anyway, the boys hearts look fantastic, completely normal!

What was cracking me up during the whole process though was how the Doctor couldn't keep track of who was who. She'd scan one and then move to the next but constantly second guess herself. "Wait, is this baby A or baby B? Did I already scan this baby? Oh shoot, I can't keep track". She'd even start talking to them, "Please be still, just for a minute...oh shoot.... he moved!" My boys...... already so cooperative :)

The other thing that cracked me up/ freaked me out is that as I'd be watching one baby get scanned on the screen, I'd suddenly see a foot out of nowhere come into the picture and kick the baby. I wanted to say, "Hey! Be nice to your brother!" It's like they're already rough housing in utero! I know that they're just trying to find space but still, funny to imagine brothers already pushing and shoving each other before they're even born. Boys!

This specialized ultrasound was done at Prentice, the women's hospital which is part of Northwestern. It was the first time I'd been back there since Colin was born. Walking in, I passed the area where the new moms wait with their ity bity babies while the dads go get the car and pull around. They all look so tired, excited, cautious and a little scared. Just how I remember feeling. I also passed the area where the dads valet their car and scurry in with their wives in labor. It took me back to that cold, dark, late night arrival for us. The night that we got to finally meet Colin. I could feel myself getting emotional just seeing these sights and remembering our own journey. I think giving birth is the most magical experience and I'm so blessed to be able to have it. Yes it hurts, yes it's hard but it's also so amazing. I can't wait to experience the birthing process with these boys too.

Labor starting with Colin

 His arrival!

Heading home :)

Triplet and Quad strollers, oh my!

Today was a great day. Chris, Colin and I spent the afternoon driving out to the Chicago suburbs to visit two triplet families who offered to sell a triplet stroller frame, and a valco stroller. Let me tell you, buying used stuff from other families is definitely the way to go if you're expecting multiples! I think the stroller frame will be great for bringing the babies home from the hospital and taking them to doctor appointment etc. The Valco I got because, for those of you unfamiliar with this sweet ride, it can accommodate 4 kids but yet it's not too bulky. It's basically a very sturdy double stroller with an extra seat attached to the front and yet another "jump seat" hanging off the back. I laugh every time I picture walking down the street, and pushing a stroller with four boys hanging all over it.

Testing out these strollers at the families homes today, and then watching Chris load them into the car as ours, was surreal. This is really happening!

After our purchases, we were feeling so excited that we decided to go out to dinner, the three of us, to celebrate. Even though Colin is too young to understand what's happening, it still feels like it's the three of us, together, preparing for the babies. We're such a great team, the three of us. As excited as I am for the babies to arrive, I'm enjoying soaking up as much quality time, just the three of us, before they arrive.

As a side note to Colin: You just get cuter and cuter. Your Dad and I can't put into words what a joy and a privilege it is to be your parents. We talk about about it all the time. Never forget that.

Colin- 22 months old last Tuesday

Me- 23 weeks today!

Feeling....

babies kicking!

Chillin' with Olive

Overwhelmed.

I'm sitting in the middle of my living room which is just off the kitchen and everywhere I look it's a mess. There's a complete disaster of piles as far as the eye can see.

Lately I've had the decluttering bug BIG TIME. I feel so driven to get majorly organized and give away any belongings that we're not using on a regular basis so that we can chill in a clean, organized, 'ready for triplets' house.

The only problem is that my body isn't cooperating.

I'm almost 23 weeks and overall things are going great. Each of the boys are growing fantastic and are even above average in size which is amazing (I knew my cravings for copious amounts of mac and cheese would pay off!). Also, I'm not showing any signs of preterm labor (knock on wood) another great blessing.

However, my body is really starting to feel the weight of this pregnancy. An ultrasound two days ago revealed that Baby A is actually laying horizontal across the lowest part of my abdomen and as the day goes on he seems to nestle in lower and lower. And then the other brothers pile on top (at least that's how it feels!).

By mid day, I can almost hear my body screaming for me to just sit down, relax and shred my "to do" list. But my mind SO BADLY wants this house ready for the babies NOW that it's hard to stop tackling my list. It's not even like I'm doing that much, but just being on my feet for too long lately causes tremendous discomfort.

Our home, which we've been remodeling ourselves for two and half years, is almost done. We're truly SO CLOSE to the finish line which is very exciting. But there are a few semi-major projects that need finishing. AND I JUST WANT THEM DONE! NOW! And yes, I realize how impatient that sounds!

Today, during my weekly mom's bible study, the other women asked what they could pray for me about. I said the consistent prayer that I have about the health of my babies, that they grow and thrive and stay put for as many weeks as possible. My hope is to carry them 35 weeks. However, today I also asked that they specifically pray that my body can endure.

Well, I've been thinking about this all day and I realize that what I really should have asked for in prayer, is not only that my body can go the distance, but that I can accept the need to slow down, have the courage to ask for help, and faith that this home will be ready to welcome our boys."

I love when my husband offers to help by rubbing my back, or my feet, but it's hard to ask for help with things that I normally could to for myself quickly and efficiently, such as organizing the kitchen, carrying boxes to the garage, moving things to storage, and running errands". This recent challenge is revealing just how hard it is for me to slow down and ask for help. But I'm going to try to do so and have faith that it will all get done. Somehow. Someway.

A few more....

The obligatory picture by the Christmas tree.... not so crazy about this one, but it is what it is.

These bassinettes came recommended by a friend of mine who has multiples. They also fold up so you can use them wherever. I'm hoping they turn out to be just SO fantastic that they cause the boys to sleep through the night as quickly as possible :)

The joy of Christmas

Christmas Day

On Christmas day we made the drive from South Bend, IN up to Grand Blanc, MI to spend time with my side of the family. Since I'd found the battery charger for my camera, I was able to capture some pics.

I love the feel of my parents home around Christmas (actually I ALWAYS love the feel of home but it seems especially welcoming and cozy this time of year). The stockings were hung, filled and just waiting for the little ones to storm them. I was so touched when I saw three wee little stockings hanging, obviously for each of the triplets. Each stocking had a single newborn pacifier in it.

My handsome husband sitting by the fire.

Yay! Just what every toddler needs! A real toolbox to keep all his tools in! Given by Pop-Pop who's looking on in the background.

Colin and his drill (one of many he got this Christmas). If you need any construction done, you know who to call.

Future contractor (and/or hoarder of tools)

Fist bumping with cousin Macy. Macy will have 4 boy cousins all around her same age! This girl is going to be one tough cookie.

Here are a few things I'll remember most about this Christmas:

Colin "getting it" about how to open gifts. He tore into that first gift like it was his 100th Christmas and he knew the drill.

Colin singing his heart out to Silent Night at church. He doesn't know ANY of the words, but he sang as if he did.

This was the Christmas of construction tools for Colin- and he couldn't be happier about it.

Colin's joy.

Gratitude for the gifts addressed, "To: The triplets" or as my brother kyle says, "To: The trips". My sister in law Madeline even made a schedule book for the babies so that we can keep track of who does what when. It was so incredibly thoughtful because I know it took such time to create. Also, one thing less on my To Do list before the babies come. Yes!

Overall just feeling such contentment and gratitude. I have a wonderful husband, a beautiful son, and 3 more sons on the way. And we have such wonderful, supportive families that make us feel like just maybe we can actually do this.