Our Road To Triplets (Part 2)

At this point Jamie, the nurse practitioner knew the predicament that we were in with the insurance and she felt sorry for us. She then informed me that their was a compassionate care drug donation program for the drug she wanted me to start taking. She told us that she was going to get us signed up for it. We then got three months of the drug for free so we decided at that point to try it for one month and if it did not work then we were going to take a break for awhile.
The drug was horrible as it made me feel weird. Jon had to give me shots (which he was used to from the MS meds) and I was a nervous wreck about the whole thing. At this same time we would see Jamie every day for ultra sounds so she could monitor how many eggs I was going to release. On D-day we went to the clinic and had Artificial Insemination done. Jamie showed us Jon's stuff under the microscope and it was really cool to see all the sperm swimming around. Jon then proceeded to walk down the hallway with his chest puffed out exclaiming that the world could only be so lucky. All of the nurses had a good chuckle over this one.
So after the procedure we once again started the waiting game. It was only two weeks but it felt like forever. This time I felt different but I was sure it was just the new medications that I had been taking. The Sunday before the Wed that marked the two week point I woke up around 5 am and I could not fall back to sleep. I quietly went into the bathroom grabbed one of my many pregnancy tests that I had stored away and headed down stairs. I took the test and then curled up on the couch to watch some TV while I waited for 10 minutes to look at the results. Then the moment came...I turned the test over and for the first time there were two lines. I was numb I just sat there for a long time staring at the stick trying to convince myself that there really were two lines and I was not just imagining it.
I waited for awhile and then I quietly went back upstairs with my test and crawled in bed. I was so nervous to even talk about the positive test that when I nudged Jon to tell him I said "what are you doing?" He said..."uh sleeping". We both have a good chuckle about this one. Anyway, then I told him "we should get up and go to church because I think we have a lot to be thankful for" he was confused until I handed him the stick. He flew out of bed and turned the light on and he verified that yes there were two lines on that stick!
We decided that we were not going to tell a single person about that test until I had a chance to call Jamie the next morning to verify what we found. It was hard not to tell my mom as she had been going down the infertility road with us. The next morning when I called Jamie all the air went out of my sails when she explained to me that it could be a false positive because of the meds that I had been taking. She then told me that I should wait and come in on Wed morning for a blood test at the office. It is fair to say that I think I took at least a dozen pregnancy tests between Monday and Wednesday morning and every single one of them was positive.
The big day came and I went in for my test. She told me she would call me at the office the minute the test results came back later that morning. I was such a nervous wreck...then the phone rang, it was Jamie and she said the tests were all right I was pregnant! She then proceeded to tell me that all my hormone levels looked normal so she was sure it was just one baby. I scheduled another appointment for Friday so I could go back in to make sure all the hormone levels were progressing. Fridays test came back and the numbers progressing the right way and Jamie said everything looked very normal. We then scheduled an appointment for two weeks later to have an ultra sound to make sure the baby looked normal and to see the heart beat. To be continued....

Our Road To Triplets (Part 1)

Since I have becoming more comfortable with this blog stuff I have decided to document our road to Triplets. Thanks to Lots of Scotts for the great idea!
I will never forget my 26th birthday on July 31, 2001, as that is the first time that Jon told me he wanted to start a family. I thought he was crazy as I was clearly not on that road yet. However, from that conversation I did start to think about having a family and what it would be like to be pregnant and a mother. I always knew I wanted kids but I had to really think about the changes they would bring to our life.
The next year I was feeling more ready and both Jon and I agreed that it was time to start a family. However, for us it was not that easy as I had to go off the medications that I was taking for my Multiple Sclerosis (another story for another day). The doctor gave me the all clear and I stopped the medication. Jon and I were disappointed when after the first three months of trying nothing was happening. However, we were busy moving into our house and focused on other things.
Another month went by and I went to see the OBGYN because still nothing was happening for us. She suggested that I start Taking Clomid at this time and warned me that it would increase my chances of having multiples. I remember this day clearly as it kind of spooked me a little and I remember Jon laughed about it. I also remember that the same day this appointment took place, I also had school that evening. After class a classmate and I were talking to our professor about something and the professor said to me something in regards to "Twins". I was so shocked that I asked him to repeat what he said and he repeated this "Like when you have your twins someday"! I was so stunned and I laughed and asked him what made him think that I would have "Twins". He just smiled at me and told me that he just had a feeling that I would be the mother of "Twins" someday. If this was not God foreshadowing my life for me I am not sure what is. Still Jon just laughed about the multiples thing when I told him this story about what my professor said.
We started the Clomid and weekly ultra sounds to monitor what was going on and nothing was happening. After 6 months of Clomid the Nurse Practitioner (Jamie) suggested we go on some stronger medication. However, at this same time the insurance company had dropped us for any further infertility treatments or medications. Since Jon was laid off and looking for work there was some big decisions to be made. To be continued...

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep....

So now that we are in big beds, Daddy taught them how to kneel and pray to God. It is the sweetest site EVER! They really get into praying to God before going to bed.

Here is the prayer we always say before bed:

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the lord my soul to keep, the Angels watch me through the night until I wake to morning Light. Amen.

Also, for Christmas we received a daily devotional prayer book for children and we say a prayer from that each night as well. After we say all of our prayers then we name everyone we want to pray for and it is so fun to hear who they say every night.

We always end our prayers with "Yeah God"

Sextuplets!?!

Okay so not really but it is two sets of triplet dolls. Each of the girls got a set of triplet baby dolls for Christmas from our friend J . They were both so excited about these dolls. Each set includes two girls and a boy. I explained to E that the dolls were triplets just like A , K , and herself are. I am not sure she quite got it but she named her babies, Joey, Sarah, and Shayla!




It is really cute to watch both of the girls be little mommy's. They rock, burp, change the diaper, and push these babies around the house. They love them. Now I just need to find a baby doll triplet stroller to fit all of these babies. A has not yet named her babies but I am sure they will be wonderful names.


These dolls have had to go everywhere with us. Here is a picture that shows how the girls lined up their babies right by their little table before dinner the other night! It is just to darn cute!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from A and E!

Ksays Happy New Year too but he would not wear the hat!
Here is a bunch of us at midnight having a great time!

This one is for my mom!

Happy New Year to all!

Race Cars

K is our child that really gets into things. I think his first obsession was the Wiggles. He was so hooked on the Wiggles that we could not even say the word in front of him or he would cry to watch it.

His next "joy"was Elmo. All three really liked Elmo so we watched Elmo's world around here for awhile.

Next we moved into the Little People Videos. These were my

personal favorite as they were easy to listen to and just so sweet. K loved these videos.

More recently he has been hooked on Mickey "House" so for Christmas he received a bunch of Mickey Mouse stuff. They all still like the Mickey Mouse stuff and we have been watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse a ton.

K new joy is Race Cars. Grandma E bought him a shake n go race track for Christmas and we have changed the batteries out on that thing at least 4 times since Monday. He LOVES it. So when the family was here for Christmas, K watched his cousin E's Cars movie one night. Ever since he has been asking to watch Race Cars about 100 times a day.

So low and behold, since we have not opened gifts with my family yet, Grandma M went out and bought the Cars movie for K so now he can watch Race Cars. The only problem with this is that the girls do not have any interest in it. Thank God for two TVs as they get to watch TV before they go to bed every night.

Here is a picture of K with his cousin E in their "Cars" outfits.

St. Anthony Part II

So my mom has been here all morning helping me with the kids and also helping to get some stuff cleaned up around here. She was doing my laundry for me bless her heart, and she went to put sheets away where they belong and what do you think she found.....the gifts I was looking for last night. Now I swear I looked in those drawers at least three times for these gifts. Oh well at least they are found and now I can stop looking. That St. Anthony is darn good!

St. Anthony

So I have been missing my wedding ring since Labor Day. I took it off when Jon and I went camping so I would not lose it camping and we knew it came home with us but we could not find it anywhere. We had a delivery guy in our house that same week we got home so we thought that maybe he had taken it but we would never accuse anyone with out being sure.

I have been so bummed out about this as I knew Jon took a lot of time picking out my diamond and it meant a lot to me. So for Christmas when Jon asked me what I would like I told him a new diamond. So he went out and picked out a new diamond for me and it is beautiful but for some reason when I opened it up I just did not feel right about it.

When I was laying in the hospital with a lot of time to think I remember I prayed really hard to St. Anthony to find me ring. I just felt like it was such a waste to get a new one even if it was covered by the insurance. When I got home I did not think much more about it and I was trying to fall in love with my new diamond ring. Until last night....

I was cleaning out the closet looking for something else that I have misplaced when all of a sudden I looked down and in between my shoe rack and another bin lay my watch and my wedding ring. I think I stopped breathing.... I got up and brought the ring downstairs and dangled it in front of Jon's face. He could not believe it. We both thought that ring was long gone. So Jon is going to take the new diamond back to the store. We are sure this diamond will make someone else happy some day but for me I am just so grateful I found my wedding ring again! St. Anthony works Miracles, now if I could just find that gift!

Transition # 1 Complete

So I have been telling people that we have three big transitions to do with the kids after the 1st of the year. The big switch from cribs to bed, potty training, and as we tried earlier getting rid of binkers.

Since I am not able to lift the kids for a period of time due to the surgery, yesterday, we made the decision to transfer them to toddler beds. I just held my breath as I was not sure and a little uneasy about how it would all work out. I have heard horror stories from lots of multiple moms about this transition.

However, I am happy to report (knock on wood) that we have been through one nap period and the through the night with no problems. They are very proud of their big beds. They have all taken turns sneaking upstairs in the past day to lay on their new beds. It felt great to take their cribs down and pack them up. Although, I have to say that it was bittersweet as my babies are not really my babies anymore as they are getting to be my big kids.

In fact, the other day I called one of them baby and my nephew who is 6 informed me "they are not babies anymore Aunt Nicole". I told him that they are my babies! So as much as I want to hold on to time and take in everything I can, they will always keep growing and changing. They will continue to amaze us everyday and for that we are so grateful.

So one transition down and two to go. Hopefully the next two will go as easy as this one has gone. Sweet dreams!

MOST WONDERFUL TIME....

We had so much fun yesterday! From the minute we woke up it was a blast. The kids were really excited about what Santa brought and then the whole family moved into the living room to open up other gifts. I kept reminding them that it was so nice that Baby Jesus shared his birthday with us and they all agreed.

Here is a picture of all of us before we sang Happy Birthday to baby Jesus! Big thanks for Grandma E for making the cake! As you can see K was ready to eat...

So I am struggling a bit with this laying around and recovering thing....

I am the type of person that is always going 500 MPH at everything. This has been challenging for me to be in the hospital and now at home with a million things going on and having to have everyone else take care of it for me. When I think about what happened with being sick, it truly was perfect timing. I mean we were getting ready to leave town for the holidays and so I could have gotten sick on the road. I had just finished my Master's the week before so it could have interfered with getting that complete so as I said, it was perfect timing. God has a way to make things work out and I have to say that his timing on this one was perfect. The more I think about it I come to the conclusion that this is a sign to me that I need to SLOW DOWN! So for now I am going to take it easy and be the QUEEN around here so I can get some rest and I can come back with a vengeance when the time it right.

Guess What I Got For Christmas.....

An Appendicitis!

I was feeling a little funky all last week so I decided I better go to the doctor on Thursday and at that point everything looked normal but he wanted me to come back for a CT Scan on Friday morning. I was not thrilled about the idea as we were trying to get ready to leave town that day and I was supposed to be at work. However, he convinced me to come back so I did. Good thing as my appendix was twice going on three times the size it was supposed to be. They wanted me to get in an ambulance and go straight to the hospital but I told them I would drive myself as I wanted to go get my mom so she could come with me.

Anyway, to make a long story short this has been brewing for awhile and I really haven’t felt that great but I have been so busy with school, work, and kids that I just ignored it. So as much as it stinks that I have to deal with this over the holidays I am grateful that it happened when it did and it was not more serious that it could have been if I had waited any longer.

The good news is that instead of us going to see the family the family has now come to us. I feel fine, a little sore and I am sad that I can’t pick up my kids for awhile but very grateful that everything has worked out fine.

God bless and Merry Christmas!

A Joyus Season!

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday with family and friends. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from this season!

I love this picture of the kids laughing!

Sickness...

We have had a week full of sickness around here. It is nothing to serious just bad colds and ear infections but it does make life around this house a little more crazy. I took A to the doctor tonight and she was also put on the same antibiotic that the other two were put on on Monday so hopefully we will all be feeling great by the weekend and for the Christmas Holiday.
A has a big fear of the doctor because the last time she went she had her flu shot. So all day today whenever I would mention the doctor A would say "I happy now mommy, I happy" Poor thing was scared to death to go to the doctor so she thought that if she acted "happy" she would not have to go. It was really sweet watching her try to be happy when really she felt horrible. She is now in bed sleeping full of meds so hopefully she will sleep all night.

Master of Project Management!

Okay so I might not be a Master of Project Management but I do have a Master’s in Project Management. I finished my final presentation to the board at school this evening at approximately 7 PM. Once it was complete I was numb! I just sat there and did not feel anything. This is something that has been on my mind for a long time and like my mother-in-law stated to me today in an email, another chapter in my life has been completed.
I have to say that I am very proud of myself and this accomplishment. I am not the “school” type so I am thrilled that I have obtained a Master’s Degree. I also feel like this sets a great example to my kids for their future educations. Also, I am the first person in my family to obtain a degree like this. To me that is very exciting.
So tonight I went out with my classmates for a very large mug of beer and it was great to celebrate with the people who have been in the drenches with me.
Graduation is in January and I look forward to the day that I get “hooded”!

Sweet Boy

K is a very sensitive and sweet little boy. Lately, we have been taking the kids out for a drive at night so we can see all of the houses with lights. The other night we were out driving around and every time Jon would drive by a house with lots of lights K would say "Thank you Daddy" or "Good Job, Daddy". It was pretty cute.

K loves to hold his sisters hands and he also loves to give hugs. He is not a snuggler like the girls unless he is tired. He is starting to demand more attention from mommy often grabbing my hands and walking me somewhere with him. He is a keeper! :O)

In Trouble Already!!!

This afternoon the girls got up early from their nap. I should say E got up early from her nap and proceeded to yell A's name at the top of her lungs until A woke up too! Anyway, they were helping me with the laundry so I would have them match the socks and then put the folded clothes in to the basket. This was actually more work for me but they thought they were such big girls helping me out.

To get to the point of my story I held up the Yellow pair of footed PJ's and asked who's they were. E immediately screamed "MINE" (Her favorite color is yellow so naturally anything yellow is hers). A said "NO MINE" and they proceed to shout at each other for at least a minute. I had a vision into the future about them fighting over clothes, boys, shoes, etc.. YIKES!

The Tale of Three Elves

When the babies were 6 months old, our friend Sue gave us a picture/story book about the babies. It includes both of our cats T & D and the babies. There are pictures of our house, the kids, and the cats.

It is really cute and the kids just love to look at it and exclaim
"look mommy its our house" of "look mommy Ella is sad" as there is a picture of Ella crying in the book.

I thought I would share the story with all of you!

The Tale of Three Elves By Sue H

Twas the night before Christmas, when quiet as a mouse, Three elves were all busy, cleaning the house. The dusting was done by the girls with great care....While K was vacuuming up all the cat hair.

The parents were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sleep filled nights danced in their heads.

With K in his toque and each girl with a cap, they danced in the kitchen to a lyrical rap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, They sprang to their dance to see what was the matter. Away to the window they flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the luster of mid-day to the objects below, When what to the wondering eyes should appear, But T and D , dressed up like Reindeer!

Pouncing about so lively and quick, We thought in a moment they all would be sick.

More rapid than eagles they finally came, When A called them, loudly, by name.

"T , D , get in this house now, before mom wakes up and has a cow.

To the top of the porch to the top of the wall, Get into this house and don't you dare fall!"

Then in a twinkling they heard on the roof, the two big cats that were part of this spoof. As K and A and E turned around, Down the chimney came T with a leap and a bound.

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot, and D came next, bringing ashes and soot.

A bundle of toys T had put in a sack, and said "give me a treat or you won't get these back!"

His eyes-how they twinkled! His whiskers so merry, but he really wasn't kidding so those elves did not tarry.

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow and his whiskers were covered with white from the snow.

The tip of Jon's shoe he held tight in his teeth, The laces encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed like a bowl full if jelly.

He was chubby and plump and all full of himself, when he looked right at the 3rd and smallest Elf...A wink of his eye and twist of his head, Soon E was crying with fright and with dread!

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, which is napping and sleeping the poor little jerk. And curling up along side of his toes, was D all sleepy with a very cold nose.

So K the brave, gave a loud whistle, and the cats flew down the hall like a rocket, or missile. And being good elves, they hid out of sight, saying "Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

Funny Comments...

We have had a lot of funny comments lately from the kids so I decided that it was time to share some of them:

1. E told Jon tonight after he picked the kids up from Grandma's; "Daddy, I wanna get in my car so I can go to town and get some cash" Jon and I both find this funny because we live in the city and we never talk about going to "town"

2. When I got home from work tonight here is what E told me "Mommy, Meme (A) has hard poopies"

3. First I would like to say that my mom's name is Mary so the kids have a Grandma Mary. We have been talking a lot about Baby Jesus and who his mommy and daddy are and all about the three wise men and the angel. Anyway, the other day I asked A who Baby Jesus mommy was and is a loud voice she exclaimed: "Gamma"! I guess when I think about it I can see how it could be confusing but non the less I had a good chuckle about this one.

4. The other day Jon was going to run some errands and I suggested that he take one of the kids with him for some one on one time. So he picked K to go. The girls were not happy with this so they were throwing a fit about that fact that they did not get to go. K then started a little dance and was singing "Kgo with daddy, meme and e stay home"!

Little Ladies

These little girls are already turning into Little Ladies. They love to pretend they are like mommy! They like to carry purses and babies. They love to talk on the pretend cell phone having an adult conversation about who knows what. It is especially cute when they hold the phone between there ear and their shoulder with no hands. They love to rock the baby and the other day E said "shh mommy my baby is sleeping"

It is amazing to me how fast these little girls are growing up. It is so sweet to watch them interact. The other day I was in the kitchen and I heard E ask A "MeMe are you pooping?" to which A replied "no E just wet"! They are also fascinated with looking at each others poopies now too. So when it is time to change someone the other will come running saying I wanna see Meme's (E's) big poopie. I think we are close to potty training.

I am jealous of the relationship they get to have as sisters. They are so lucky to have each other and I am so lucky to have them as daughters. (Just to be fair I am very lucky to have my little boy too!)

Funny Story...

So the kids went over to Sue's house the other night as I had a dentist appointment and Jon was out of town. Sue is the mother to one of my very good friends. Sue is really the "baby whisperer" and has helped us out ever since we brought these munchkins home. Sue is incredible with kids and has taught me a lot about how to be a good mother.
Sue was having the kids help her unwrap Hersey Kisses for some Christmas Cookies. K kept repeating that he was "helping Sue make cookies" over and over. Sue walked into the next room to put some lights on her tree and she said all of a sudden it got very quiet in the kitchen. When she walked back into the kitchen K had chocolate all over his face and E was chewing something as well as they had been eating the Hershey Kisses. Sue asked in a stern voice..."who is eating Sue's candy"? K sheepishly raised his hand and then broke out in tears immediately. E quickly took the kiss she was eating and threw it in the bowl with all the other kisses like she was not doing anything!