weekend...

Well we ventured to the beach on Saturday. Half way there we were in stopped traffic because of a wreck ahead of us so it took twice as long to get there. When we did finally arrive with babies, chairs, cooler,bag, etc. it was so windy that we couldn't get the blanket down, sand was flying in their faces, and it was so hot we felt like we were baking. In the 20 minutes we were there, Brody managed to get two huge handfuls of sand in his mouth and Gracie got one plus sand in her mouth. The only one that liked the water was Brody. We decided on the long trip back that we would wait 5 years before we try the trip again.
Today we got our new fridge delivered. It was a replacement since our old one was still under warranty... score! They delivery company managed the dent it on the front and we just noticed they messed our wall up too. Nice! We also went on a Walmart trip and with coupons I saved over $68! The babies did so well during the 3 hour ordeal. Ricky cleaned out the garage, I loaded the car with items I'm donating tomorrow to a local shelter, we made dinner, and just put the babies to sleep. The babies played in their playroom. They just love all their toys!
Speaking of toys, I'm totally dreading all the toys they will get for their birthday. I'm going to look into setting up a college fund/ savings/ CD/ IRA- not sure what the best type of account will be- for each of the babies. I have to think Dave Ramsey for these ideas.
I think that is all the has been going on here. Still in the middle of the kids' bathroom redo and office (million papers to file) redo. It's not fun until you've got a hundred project going, right?
Happy Memorial Day! Tomorrow is my Dad's birthday. He would have been 53. Still so young and he died way too soon. Wish he were here to meet the babies.

Krista

amazing quote

This is my wish for you. Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, hugs when spirits sag, sunsets to warm your heart, friendships to brighten your being, beauty for your eyes to see, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, patience to accept the truth, courage to know yourself, love to complete your life.
Anonymous

Just beautiful and as a MOM, what I want for my kids

another first...

Gracie is a ROCK STAR! We had a great appointment today for her cranial helmet. Her very first scan they did so they could make her helmet she was at a 15.7, 3 weeks ago she was at an 11, and today she is at 7- over 50% in a matter of weeks! The Orthopedist is impressed to say the least. It was announced to the staff as we were making our next appointment :) I'm so excited for her!

Madi now goes into the sit position by herself. Still not sleeping which I'm on the verge of becoming crazy.

Brody is getting his first tooth in!

Growing, growing, growing!!!

Krista

birthday party

Please save the date for July 2, 2011 from 10am-Noon for the Triplet's birthday party.

The company is still printing their invitations but as soon as I get them I will mail them out.

This has been a slow week as far as appointments go. Gracie will have her appointment for her cranial checkup on Friday. The appointments may be slow but it couldn't be more opposite at home. It is getting to be so hard to keep up with them. I'm so excited that Madi is developing and accomplishing all her milestones but my goodness it is exhausting to keep up with her! She will not nap now which is a terrible thing. Last night we couldn't even get her to go to sleep in her crib or our bed until 11 pm! This is just crazy because she had already been up all day!!
Gracie is now putting her knees underneath her while on her tummy and pushing up. This is such a huge accomplishment for her especially since she has trouble with her knee. She talks more and more everyday and we are so thrilled to hear her voice.
Brody oh Brody. He is doing good but he is so laid back and won't really cooperate with exercising still. It gets so frustrating sometimes because I know how badly he needs to do it but he whines the entire time. He is still teaching me one of life's greatest lessons.... Patience. I have come along way though.
I know every month I sound like a broken record but honestly where did this month go? This time next week we will have 3 amazing 11 month old babies. Time goes in a blink of an eye. I started reading our blog from the beginning last night and am so thankful. Reading that I relived all the desperation we had, all the pleading we did but most importantly, all the fighting our babies have done to get to where they are today and to give Ricky and I the greatest gifts in this world, to be their Mom and Dad.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day. We have big plans this weekend and I hope to post some pictures of all our fun!!

Krista

another accomplishment!

Sunday Madilynn Faith went from tummy to sit position for the first time by herself. She also continues to pull up on furniture and crawls everywhere!
The three swam in their little pool for a while. Afterwards, they fell asleep in their outdoor swings. The life!  After dinner we took them for a ride in their choo choo - pictures to follow soon!

sleep.... it is a beautiful thing

That is what we've done this weekend. Every single time the babies have slept, so have I. I'm exhausted and not sure why but sleep is a wonderful thing.
We've got a very busy next couple of weeks. Gracie has a follow up swallow function Monday and her appointment for her helmet follow up on Friday. Next Tuesday Brody will have his much anticipated Neurology appointment and that Friday Gracie will be put under for testing. Ricky and I will both be at TCH with her that day. We are very nervous about it since this is the first time since being in the NICU she will be under anesthesia.
I guess that will wrap up May. Another month gone in a blink of an eye. WOW!
In great news, Gracie is prop sitting now!!! Go Gracie GO!! She also is starting to pick up things and put in her mouth like crackers and teething toys. This is such a big step for her.
Brody is prop sitting too but he cries the entire time- because he flat out does not want to. The great news is he can do it!
Madi is everywhere these days! Ricky lowered her crib since she wants to stand in it all the time now. She is pulling up on the furniture and crawling around everywhere. She still isn't a pro at crawling but she sure can army crawl fast.
I've started trying to give the babies bread type food to get them ready for birthday cake!!
We ordered their birthday invitations so I hope to get them this week and send them out. I think everyone will really love them.... at least Ricky and I do :)

I'll post news as it happens!

Krista

Karma

I love how you get back 10 fold what you give to others- good or bad.

KP

Florida....

In desperate need of a beach vacation.

KP

I Won't Let Go {Rascal Flatts}

It's like a storm
That cuts a path
It breaks your will
It feels like that
You think you're lost
But you're not lost on your own,
You're not alone

I will stand by you,
I will help you through
When you've done all you can do
and you can't cope
I will dry your eyes,
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
and I won't let go

It hurts my heart to see you cry
I know it's dark this part of life
Oh it finds us all and we're to small
to stop the rain
Oh but when it rains

 will stand by you, 

I will help you through

When you've done all you can do

and you can't cope 

I will dry your eyes,

I will fight your fight

I will hold you tight

and I won't let fall

Don't be afraid to fall

I'm right here to catch you

I won't let you down

It won't get you down

You're gonna make it

I know you can make it

Cause I will stand by you,

I will help you through 

When you've done all you can do

and you can't cope

I will dry your eyes,

I will fight your fight 

I will hold you tight

and I won't let go

Oh I'm gonna hold you

and I won't let go

Won't let you go

No I won't

The best song in the world from me to my babies. WOW!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af8mB9ABuJA

Brody 10.5 months

Madi 10.5 months... see her teeth :)

Gracie Ann 10.5 months

Coming soon....

Keep an eye out in the next couple of weeks....

Krista

And just like that a playroom was made....

Ok so it is no secret that our little house is tiny. We love it but it is small. Well, it didn't use to be but now it is :) Anyway, I originally had an office in a bedroom but soon moved it into the formal dinning room because I just knew one day it would be a baby room. Anyway, It was just perfect since our house is an open floor plan, I could still be involved in everything but do my thing too. Well, the kids toys aka mini Toys R Us/ Babies R Us have taken over the entire living space. All of a sudden it hit me yesterday... Create a playroom! Of course Ricky was at work (that's when I can start these projects, get way far into them so he can't come home and stop them, and then when he does get home, make him help). Off I go moving furniture across the house, etc, etc. I didn't realize what a big job this was going to be. I saved the best for Ricky to do... disassemble a huge desk that we are going to put in the garage sale this morning. By the way, we are having a garage sale this morning. I've been up since 1:45 and it's now 4:18 :) Back to the task at hand, the final outcome of the playroom is going to be great! I'm so excited to have a place that is totally baby proof for them to do whatever their little hearts desire.
Prayers for me. Since Madi is crawling around now, oh my goodness at the stuff she does! And she didn't just learn to crawl she also had to learn how to pull up on things in the same day. I'm for sure not even close for her to start cruising or walking. I have no idea what I'm going to do when they are all 3 crawling and walking so prayers in advance and thank you :)
In other news, the babies are 1 day shy of 10.5 months. I'm so blessed. God has really changed our lives this past year in all the greatest ways. I really hope and pray that our family and friends have seen His miracles through all the things the babies have gone through and in that, made a relationship with God a priority. I see the miracles everyday and am overwhelmed with His grace, mercy, and love. To have all 3 doing so well, it is every bit of proof He is real and isn't that what Faith is?
Please continue to have us in your prayers and praise to Him for these precious lives.

Love,

Krista

today at 10:45 am ........

 Madilynn Faith Patton crawled for the first time!!!

I had a really good day yesterday. Saturday night while laying in bed I had this great idea... how awesome would it be to wake up Sunday morning with everyone I love so much laying next to me. I went to get each baby and put them in our bed. Ricky and I didn't sleep that great with all the tossing and turning and babies wanting to get right up beside us but when I woke up Sunday morning (at 6:30) I couldn't be more happy. It was the picture I had in my head for so many years and I loved it! When I got out of the shower I had a card waiting for me on my pillow from the babies and Ricky.  It was really sweet.
Ricky made me french toast for breakfast using blueberry bread. Oh my gosh it was so good!! So good in fact he made it for me for dinner ;) We ran a couple of errands, Target, Home Goods, Walmart, etc. and headed home. By then we were exhausted and so were the babies.
Anyway, I just wanted to share my amazing day with the people close to my heart. I hope you all had a wonderful day.
By the way, we went to the park to see if it would be a fit for the babies' first birthday and it will be amazing! It has a huge covered area and tons of playground equipment. Ricky and I getting so excited for their big day!! Hope to see everyone there. Invitations will be out soon!

Krista

Happy Mother's Day!

"Only people who have trouble making babies actually plan for them"   My Sister's Keeper


I've wanted these babies for as long as I can remember and there is no better title or name than Mom.

Thank you to Meme and Aunt Cathy for my Mother's Day cards.

I hope all the MOMs out there have a wonderful day with your babies :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Krista

we need to get a life....

Seriously, we do. Our "date night" was dinner at 6:15 and to the kiddos by 7:45. We were going to see a movie but it had already started. We didn't know what to do so we did what was natural, go hang out with our babies. Jennifer said next time we better find something else to do since we only left them with her for 2 hours. So it's true, we really do need to get a life :)

Krista

weight updates

What a quiet week this has turned out to be. I love weeks like this.

The Nutritionist came out yesterday. Current weights are: Brody 16 pounds 13 ounces, Gracie 13 pounds 8 ounces, and Madi 15 pounds 5 ounces.
Brody gained a pound but stayed the same with length. This is great news!!
Gracie only gained 4 ounces which is not good and her length did not change either.
Madi gained a pound and and inch in one month!!

Gracie is a lot more active these days moving both legs!! which is huge so we are thinking since she is so much more active her weight is reflecting that.
Of course Madi has always been the eater and although to me she looks like she has thinned out, she is still growing right on track.

We are not where we should be but starting as small as they did, we are doing great!!!

Being real...

Since I started this blog I've been upfront, honest, real, raw, true... the list goes on. I've done this because I wanted to document every battle and journey that we as a family have gone through and since my kids entrance into this world doesn't fit baby books, this was the solution.
I know that I have a lot of family and friends that read this and several of those friends are new moms too so I'm about to rip the band aide off and share a very private subject that only 1 person knows about (before now) so if nothing else it may help my friends out there.... so here goes.....
I've been suffering with Postpartum Depression mixed with a traumatic year. I am currently on medication that has been changed and increased one time and I am now seeing a psychiatrist once a week. Anyone who really knows me knows my view on medication be it aspirin or a pain killer. I didn't even take my pain meds after my c section so this was a huge step for me.
So what happened, what caused me to go to the doctor, questions, questions....
When I  had the kids I was not focused on anything but them. I didn't have time to get myself together because every second counted in that NICU. For months every single second, minute, hour, day was the kids. What were their blood pressure rates, saturation rates, surgeries, etc. Naturally as a mother they come before everything. During all of this I was on the rollercoaster with all the ups and downs. Madi came home and it was such an amazing feeling having my baby home. She was with me every second. I was so excited but the problem was Gracie and Brody were still in the hospital. It was so hard.  I felt so bad having to switch days with Ricky. Gracie finally came home and Brody was the lone ranger in the hospital. Life with the girls was great but it was so busy with all the specialist and Brody was all alone Ricky and I switching off days. When Brody came home it was the happiest day of my life. I finally had all three of my babies. I had waited 5.5 months for that day but I brought a baby home I didn't know and who didn't know me. If you remember, we couldn't hold or touch Brody for the first 3 months of his life, I held him one time and couldn't hold him for another 5 weeks or something crazy. With 3 babies home, Ricky's crazy working hours, and me doing it all by myself I was so stressed out. I finally went to the doctor told him what all was going on, I had triplets, yada, yada... he said I was crazy... just kidding but he couldn't figure out how I did it by myself. He said I had PPD and anxiety so he prescribed medication and told me to see a psychiatrist, that I really needed to talk to someone about the past year. Guess what I did... after a million and one questions about is he sure this isn't addictive, how long will I need to take this, etc. I agreed to take the medication but I never went to the psychiatrist after all, what time do I have? Seriously, I don't have time to shower most days so I really didn't have time to go sit on a couch and tell someone my problems. Well I didn't like the first medication so I went back and was put on a new one but that made me stay up plus I felt like I was having more emotional issues so I went back and he increased the dose which is still very low. He again told me how important it was to see the psychiatrist. I finally called and made the appointment and went in. I really like the lady and it seems to be a very positive thing. For once I'm able to breathe and let go of all those fears that we lived through. We really have been through so much and I honestly don't know how Ricky copes with it all without becoming a basket case.
I've learned so much this past year but the most important thing I've learned recently is I have to take care of myself.... Mind, Body, Spirit.
Brody is my little sweet heart and I've learned so much about him and he knows who his momma is for sure as does Gracie and Madi.
I'm not worried about taking this medication everyday because Ricky knows my fear about medication and I trust 100% that he would never let me become my biggest fear. I do trust the doctor but I trust Ricky with my life so this helps me be able to accept treatment.
So there it is. You see my wound but I'm healing and life is wonderful, my babies are beautiful, my husband is my love, and my family and friends are the best cupcakes in the world!  (We are dieting and can't have any yummy cupcakes ;) )

Krista

FYI: This was very hard for me to share... I'm hitting publish.....now

what's happening? Not much....

 WHOO HOO!!! Ricky and I have a sitter and are going to dinner and a movie Friday night! I'm so excited!! We've not done anything since before the babies were born because I was on bed rest so it will be nice to get out. 

The Nutritionist is coming out tomorrow for the babies' monthly checkup. I'm anxious to see where Brody is and the progress I hope we've made this past month. 

Have a great week!!

Krista 

Osama Bin Laden has been killed! 
Bring our troops home!