Doctors weren’t sure this day would come for all three of you.
Faith proved otherwise.
Your lives have changed me forever. Your journey has inspired and given my life reason for existence- the validation we all search for on this earth. You have all three filled such a void I had in my life.
Your stories are book worthy. Not just any book but a New York Times best seller. It would be found in several sections of a book store : Self Help, Faith, Medical Science, History, but my favorite, the section of HEROS!
Our nation is built by heros that we learn about as kids but I’m not sure of a better story or lesson than yours. To those who love you it is the most beautiful story.
Yours’ is a story of resilience, miracles, strength, and determination while all odds were stacked against you. The story started the moment we met with our fertility doctor and decided which route we would take. There were so many things to worry about with multiple embryos and we were warned we couldn’t get pregnant with more than three or else we would need to reduce. From that moment, we prayed for no more than three babies. Yes, modern medicine played a role in your story but God’s role had a much bigger presence.
I must admit my ignorance to see the risk, struggles, and odds that you would each would face.
There is something about facing death that will change your life, rock your core, and put all things in life in order of importance. I am so grateful that I lived through the pregnancy and birth to be your mom. Like I said before, God had a much bigger presence. To think of how confident I was that you would not be born at 25 weeks and that I would just sit in the hospital for at least another 5-9 weeks. Boy, was I cocky. There was a reason you were born that Thursday and had you been born “term” for triplets, maybe it wouldn’t have changed our lives the way it has. God had a plan and still does. Before I was wheeled into the operating room, your Daddy and I prayed, nothing else mattered because God gave us such peace about the situation. In my soul I knew you would be okay and I still know that in the end everything will be okay.
Little did we realize the fight ahead of each of you. It is something you can’t prepare for. The average mom and dad would never dream of such small babies, tubes, needles, equipment, tests, procedures, surgeries, etc. Good thing we are no average mom and dad and you no average babies. If there were a reason God made me with such a big mouth, hard head, type A personality it was for you, my loves. I’ve gone round and round with many nurses, doctors, hospital administrators, you name I’ve been in front of them to get the absolute best care you each deserve. And while my best colors may not have shown at all times, it got the job done for sure. Speaking of personality, I’ve learned to let go of planning because in the end, it will change, change, change. But one thing that will never change about me is my attitude towards the care you each receive and my commitment to each of you.
There have been so many days and night sitting by your bedsides starring into the incubator not able to touch you. I’ve never felt more helpless in my life. Leaving that hospital after I was discharged was one of the most difficult days of my life. I was leaving my babies behind. It was so unnatural- so wrong. Day after day it never got easier. It only was harder. I would cry on the way home and your daddy would tell me it was ok and that you really were not suppose to be born yet so I wouldn’t see you anyway, but it never helped. Everyday leaving you was such a dark time. Luckily for us Madilynn was able to be held after a couple of weeks and we stripped down half naked in front of God and everyone to hold you on our bare chest. I will never forget holding you. You moved on my chest just as you moved in my tummy. You were each so delicate and we were so scared at first but with everything else, you were so patient as we learned how to hold you but one thing you never had to be patient about is for us to learn how to love you. That was always there from the moment we found out we were pregnant. We have made friends along the way, some that we are now so close to they might as well be family. With that we’ve also lost some- more so family than anything and while it is tragic it is for a reason and necessary. With each grueling day that passed we learned to celebrate and be thankful for the miracles and people we were given in our lives and learn to accept those that were not meant to be.
Miracles and God given people; we have a list that if not for each, we would not be here celebrating your first year. For starters we must thank my team: Fertility- Dr. Griffith, OBGYN- Dr. Adam, labor and delivery nurses, Pulmonolgist, Cardiologist, Anesthesiologist the 15 or so nurses in the delivery operating room, as well as the 5 doctors in the operating room. Your team: our primary nurse Jessica for always giving 110% to you Brody. Our neonatologist, primary nurses, CEO of Women’s hospital, Pediatric Surgeon, Ophthalmologist, Urologist, Cardiologist, Neurologist, Genetics, Dermatologist, Orthopedic, TMC Orthotics, Gracie's Orthosis, ECI team, and our wonderful Pediatrician. They have each made it easier for you to succeed.
The most amazing thing is everyone around you is in awe at how well you’ve all progressed. It is a true confirmation of how amazing each of you are and that you have a certain gift and purpose in this life. Never is there a doubt our God is real. Never is their doubt in Faith, Hope and the power of LOVE.
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| 1 pound 12 ounces 13 inches long |
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| 16 pounds 8 ounces 26 inches long |
You have amazed me so much your first year. You were born last but insist on being first at everything. You gave me so much validation when there was little for me. Holding you for the first time was so meaningful to me. With all the scary days and nights in the hospital, it was such a calm to visit your bedside and hold you and talk to you. The moment I was finally able to bring you home was one of the greatest days of my life. I was finally able to have you. I couldn't put you down, everywhere I went so did you. You slept on my chest and every sound you made I jumped up. You prepared me for being a mother and I am so thankful for all your forgiveness and patience as I learned to be a mom.
Your name is very special because you are named after my daddy. Not only do you have his name, Lynn in yours, your middle name is also after him. His faith changed mine and your daddy's lives forever. You have been named for years and it couldn't be more fitting. You remind me so much of him with your certain smirks and hard work. You will always have an angel watching over you and I promise you this: he would have been the best Papa in the world to you, Gracie, and Brody.
It has been such a joy to watch you progress. From taking your first bottle in the NICU to your first two teeth- at the same time! To crawling and pulling up on things, and our favorite DA DA and MOMMA! I've been by your side cheering you on and you must always know, I am your biggest cheerleader, your biggest fan and I will cheer you on for the rest of my life.
You are such a blessing, a miracle to me. I wanted you my entire life and God blessed me with you, Gracie, and Brody. As you grow, I will always remind you of God's grace and love. It is because of God you are here today. Being born at 25 weeks, weighing 1 pound 12 ounces, Science was the odds but God never was. You are a success story and I am so lucky.
You are blessed with a wonderful daddy. His faith never grew weary during my pregnancy, your hospital stay, never. I've never seen so much joy in his eyes as when he is with you and your brother and sister. You have so many people that love you so much and have loved you from the moment you were born. You are one lucky little girl but honestly, we are all the lucky ones.
As you go into your second year of life, I know you will continue to meet the milestones, defy the odds, and amaze all of us.
I love you so much! Happy birthday baby girl!!
Mommy
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| 1 pound 10 ounces 12 1/4 inches long |
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| 15 pounds 1 ounce 25.5 inches long |
Gracie,
My goodness Gracie, you are pure proof miracles still do happen.
Your story would sound like some horror story turned fairy tale in a make believe world but it is not and it is my favorite to tell.
Your story would sound like some horror story turned fairy tale in a make believe world but it is not and it is my favorite to tell.
From the moment we found out we were pregnant we were so excited. The next week the doctor said congratulations, your having twins! But your daddy told that doctor there were three babies in there. The doctor told daddy he was sure there were only two. The next week mommy went to the doctor and guess what? There was you, we were having triplets!!! From that moment our lives would change forever. Your little sack was very small and they were not sure you would make it but the weeks went on and your heart beat was strong. At 19 weeks I went to the doctor excited to find out what we would be having. That visit was the most devastating day of my life. Your daddy and I were told you wouldn't make it. Test, test, and more test later, the odds were so high against you. From that day forward I was so heartbroken, sad, devastated. Each week I went to the doctor, they did an ultrasound and I would hold my breath until they told me that your heart was still beating. Things changed when I was 24 weeks pregnant. I went into my appointment, the doctor started the ultrasound, I was holding my breath when she started saying hmmmm and pressing a lot of buttons, I quickly yelled out, "IS THERE A HEART BEAT?" She quickly answered yes and told me the best news to that point. She said that you had been pushed over and you had more room in your sack and even fluid in there. And then she said the best thing, she said we had a chance of you surviving!!! She said your were a girl and right away you were named. We knew your name would be either Gracie if you were a girl or Greyson if you were a boy because we knew your life was God's grace. Your middle name would either be mine or your daddy's and since you were a girl, you got mine.
Your entrance into this world was scary and critical but you were born alive and so feisty and full of life. The moment I saw you, I was overwhelmed because I saw a miracle for the first time in my life. Instantly you were a sensitive girl. You overcame so much your first months of life but nothing you couldn't handle. After all, you had been fighting from the moment you were created.
You have been through so much. Much more than your brother and sister and more than adults will go through in a life time but the thing that is so amazing about you is that you have never lost your smile. When you go through painful procedures, you will cry but quickly smile. And that smile. Your smile is sunshine. The brightest light bulb there is. God gave you that smile for a reason and anyone who meets you, be it a stranger, friend, or family always comments on that smile of yours. Please promise me you will never lose that smile.
Your such a tender spirit but tough as nails. Your voice isn't loud like the other two but you make it a point to be heard. You don't love to exercise but you have come such a long way. And that cute pink helmet of yours. Girl friend you can pull that off when no one else can. Pink is your favorite color and it fits your personality to a T.
You melt your daddy's heart. You've got him wrapped around your pinkie finger. If you are doing exercises and see your daddy walk in, you start crying and throwing a big fit so he will make it stop and pick you up. You are one smart little cookie. It is like your such an old soul, like you have been here for years. When you look into our eyes, your stare at our soul. It makes me want to be a better person because I know you see all the good things about me and all my faults but you still love me so much. I’m am so thankful you are mine.
As you go into your second year of life, I am aware that you will have to work twice as hard to meet the milestones set but if anyone can it is you. You are amazing and a real life miracle.
Happy Birthday baby girl. I love you so much!
Mommy
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| 1 pound 14 ounces 13.5 inches long |
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| 17 pounds 8 ounces 28 inches long |
Brody,
Little boy, oh little boy. You have kept mommy on her toes from day one. After you were delivered, the doctor informed us you had been tearing your little "home" up while in my tummy. That was a sign of things to come. You were the first born and the only one that cried. When you cried you shocked the team of doctors and nurses in the operating room but you were music to mine and daddy's ears. I knew you would be okay because of that cry.
Your first 5.5 months were spent in the NICU. 4.5 of those were spent on the vent. You had PDA surgery, ROP surgery, gut surgery to remove blockage, your appendix, and to be circumcised, then you had a surgery to reconnect your intestine. There were many days we were not sure if you were going home or if we would be able to have you. Something happened your first week of life that will stay with me for the rest of my life. You were not doing very well and they had to put in double chest tubes. The doctor called my hospital room for us to come be with you because you were on full life support. The doctor informed us that if you needed anymore support, they would not be able to give it to you because you were maxed out, and you wouldn't make it. I have never in my life pleaded with God so hard. I was screaming for God not to take you from us. We were so scared but God spared your life. It was another miracle God had given us.
You taught and are teaching me one of life's most important traits: patience. Brody, slow and steady wins your race. Every single day in that NICU I waited at your bedside. I waited to touch you and to hold you. Finally the day came and I didn’t have to wait anymore, you came home. You completed our family- there was no more absence in our home.
You are so laid back. Sometimes a little too laid back. You will let your sisters do pretty much anything to you, and while you don’t like it, all you do is cry. You are incredibly long and super skinny. Your blond hair is thick and long and you look like a natural surfer. I love how you pat mine and your daddy’s back when we hold you. It’s like you are telling us good job. The person who really deserves that pat on the back is you little boy. I’ve told you from day one and I still stand behind this 100%, I will spend the rest of my life making this up to you, I promise. I love you sweet boy and I’m so excited you are mine! Happy birthday baby boy!
Mommy
I update this blog often to record your development, our life, dreams, and love but one thing I can’t express enough is the wonderful father you each have been blessed with, and the husband I am lucky to have. He is so in love with each of you. I have never seen him so happy. He is such a hard worker, extremely loyal, and devoted to each of us and our family. After we were married, we walked out of the church to God Blessed the Broken Road, and He sure has from the moment we met each other to current. Ricky, thank you for being an amazing, loving, faithful, God fearing father and husband. I am so lucky you are mine and our children are blessed that you are their daddy. You gave me a safeguard, my wall crumbled at times during this journey and you were there for me to lean on. You stayed so strong and had such faith. Our children are beautiful, amazing, happy, loving, everything that is perfect and we are so lucky. I’m so excited about our family and our future. I love you to the moon and back!
Brody, Gracie, and Madi, here is to another year of great achievements, much love, happiness, and perfect health, and to another BL3SSED year!
You are each a piece of my heart growing, developing, and becoming your own persons, out side of my body.
I love you to the moon and back and around each star in the sky!
Love,
Mommy
