Blessed

Today I had a lazy afternoon. I decided to finally watch the documentary "Little Man." A friend of mine mentioned what a heartbreaking story it was about a preemie. I started watching it and I was overcome with emotion. It is hard to believe that was my life almost 4 years ago. We didn't have to deal with half of what this family did, but I still remember the day in July when I became a member of "The Club." funny it is an unspoken club, one that many don't know anything about until they enter it. I was soon thrust into this NICU twilight zone. Nothing was familiar. The language, the beeps, the lighting, and the people were all so foreign to me. I remember before I even got to see my babies the doctors giving us "The Talk." It was full of percentages of survival, of all the health problems they would face, hurdles they would have to overcome. I was scared to death. I was afraid to see them. In my mind I could not even imagine what a 30 week old baby would look like. I was worried I was not strong enough to handle this challenge. I was mad and upset and then I saw them and I was in love.
To me they were tiny and beautiful. Probably only beautiful in a mother's eye. I know to some they were frightening to see and heartbreaking. They would never say it, but you know and understand. We found out fast we didn't have time to be scared or frightened - we were plunged into this situation and had to be strong for them.
We spent seven weeks learning the ins and outs of the NICU. We learned what the beeps were for, the numbers, the acronyms, that nurses are your life line and sanity. You learn you can sleep just about anywhere and you learn STRENGTH.
We will forever be a part of "The Club." we look forward to our NICU reunion every year to see our amazing doctors, nurses, and to see all the other NICU graduates. I can not wait for Caden and Emmeline to be a little older and we can explain to them all the hurdles they crossed when they were born.
Today I remember how incredibly blessed I am to have 3 amazing babies. While the journey to have them home with me is not the one I would have chosen, I realize God must have known that I was strong enough to handle it.

Cake Walk

Tonight Caden and Emmeline "helped" decorate their cakes for the preschool cake walk. This was a bad idea on my part. I really wanted them to be part of it, but man it would have been so much neater and cleaner if I did them after they went to bed. The cakes turned out pretty cute considering all the struggles I went through with my strong willed child. Letting things go is certainly something I am having to continue to work. So the cakes aren't exactly how I would have done them, but they had fun.

Worth every penny

Today I decided that our bounce house was the best investment ever! After dealing with having the kids stuck inside for two days we broke out the bounce house. The kids LOVE rainy days when we bring the bounce house inside. Today was Jackson's first time venturing in the bounce house. He had a blast with his brother and sister and mom managed to get a few more chapters in on my book.

Comfort Food

This week I have been craving comfort food. Our poor menu board is filled with pot pie, stew, Irish Sundaes, and Mac n cheese. All turned out great except the pot pie. I am determined to perfect this recipe if it kills me. Looks like I am going back to the drawing board and the Internet to figure what the secret is to cooking the bottom pie crust.

Birthday Boards

Today I had some much needed craft time. I was in cricut and modpodge heaven. My amazing friend Tiffani organized craft day. And she was not kidding when she said it was craft day. We started at 11 and I made it home at 9 with two birthday boards. The birthday boards came out darling and I can not wait for someone in our house to have a birthday. Looks like I have to wait until July. So glad Tiffani found the super cute idea on Pinterest. Now it is time to start planning our next project.

Lazy Saturday Morning

Lazy Saturday mornings are the best. And it was even better that it was raining outside and we had no place to go. Emmeline helped make our Saturday morning pancakes. She opted for just plain pancakes instead of one of my crazy versions like banana chocolate chip- yum.

After breakfast the hubby and I even got to sit down and read while the kids played. Love when I can get a few pages in before the fighting and arguing starts. The hubby and I have been racing to finish Hunger Games so we can go see the movie. It's official we have been sucked in. Can not wait for date night so we can go see the movie.

I think I am in love...

Wanted to post an update about the new vaccum. While I am sure I could vaccum the house faster, I love that while I was at work she left her docking station and vaccumed the house. The day before we were rushing to get to preschool and just like scheduled she came out and vaccumed under the table. What a brillant idea. Kind of feel like The Jetsons and I have my own Rosie robot. What great invention will they think of next?

Sunshine and Swings

Today I am so thankful for the sunshine. After a week of rain and more on the way, it was nice to enjoy the day outside. The kids had so much fun running and chasing one another. Caden mastered climbing up the ladder to the tall slide all by himself. He was so proud of himself. Emmeline was a daredevil on the swings and had a great time pushing Jackson. I loved sitting in the sunshine reading my book and listening to my three kids laughing and playing in the background. I can not wait for more spring and summer days like today.

Roomba

After sweeping under my dining room table at least 10 times a day, I decided that a mother must have invented the Roomba. After just a few hints, my husband surprised me today with my new best friend. Yes, I know it was an invention I once scoffed and mocked, but that was before I had 2 toddlers, a baby, and dog. Now I think it is pure genius. While I realize he is probably making up for the fact that football season just ended and  spring workouts, films, and meetings have begun - I can not wait to see my new best friend circle underneath our dining room table.

Fashion Wars

Today my daughter sported plaid capri pants, striped purple dress which she wore backwards, and knee-high white socks. I finally drew the line when she wanted to wear her jelly sandals in the rain. Emmeline's response, "But Mom, I just need to wear sparkles."
I am not sure if I am more saddened by how quickly I have become Mom or by how I am sure this is just beginning of the fashion wars.

Leprechaun Lemonade

Tonight we celebrated St. Patty's day at my Grandma's. We all enjoyed her famous corn beef and cabbage. Even the Little Man got to enjoy corn beef for the first time. We skipped the Guinness, but the kids enjoyed making leprechaun lemonade. The kids wrapped up the fun evening with a green bubble bath. We are all partied out and off to bed. We have a busy day tomorrow- church and then celebrating Auntie's birthday. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Just What The Doctor Ordered

After the LONGEST week of work, I ended the week with dinner with my old high school besties. It had been way too long since we did this. We enjoyed a delicious dinner and drinks in Davis at Village Pizza. The girls crack me up. I think I burned a thousand calories from all the laughing. It was so much fun reminiscing. We realized that we have known each other for over 20 years. How can that be? It really seems like just yesterday we were in science class together.
After noticing I missed a text from home, I was nervous to see how Daddy managed bedtime alone.  The house looks like the kids were winning, but in the end Daddy managed to score a victory. I am happy to report that all 3 kids are sound asleep in THEIR own beds.

Dare I say it...

I am almost afraid to type  it - for the first time ever ALL 3 kids slept through the night! Of course it was on a night when I was up late grading papers. While I would love Jackson to sleep through the night, I am going to miss my Late Night with Jimmy and the  what I think is the 10th hour of the Today show  with Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee. Yes, I did spell their names right and yes, I know I have a problem. I LOVE the Today Show.  I am sure my husband is dying right now when he finds out I watch the Today Show at 2 AM. But most of all I am going to miss my special Jackson and Mommy snuggle time.

Finally something crossed off my To Do list

After a long day at work I finally finished little man's thank you notes.  It is hard to believe that just last week he turned one. My goal this weekend is to get all of his birthday photos uploaded and a post written. Right now I am off to go grade writing and plan for West Ed.

And the journey begins...

Well I am jumping on the bandwagon of blogging. I am super excited to be able to document all the chaos that takes place daily in my life.  I only wish I would have started blogging sooner to document the twins when they were born and now Jackson. Now with twins who are  three and a half and  a one year old let the journey begin!