Fun Multiples Pictures

When any of them are playing together, I can't resist taking pictures! Here's some of our favorite ones in the past couple days!

They do fit! Brooklyn was taking a bath and I was holding Brennan who was just itching to get in the tub, so...we did it! They were so cute!

Brennan just chillin!

Brooklyn wasn't too keen on Brennan invading her space! Would you expect anything else?!

Warning - the next picture is soooo cool! A friend Kelly sent this to us after using it with her triplets. I couldn't even imagine a triple bouncer, but it is amazing! Hailey helped me put it together tonight and was such a great helper!

I'm a little obsessed - I think this is the neatest thing ever and it's homemade out of PVC pipe! Even equipped with a toy bar! How ingenious?! We just need to get some more of the hanging toys!

This will make it so easy to feed, play, keep an eye on all of them! A huge thank you to Kelly!!

Faith like a Child

Precious, Hailey is absolutely precious! Saturday after going to Kids N Stuff (hands on play museum) and before getting ready for the Hot Air Jubilee, she was playing with some Mylar balloons. One had princesses on it, the other an American flag. All of a sudden, she said "Mommy, I think Katelyn and Uncle Joe want these." So, we wrote out a note (she dictated and I wrote) and attached it to the balloons.We headed outside to send them up to Heaven and picked just the right spot so they wouldn't get caught in the tree again - the first time was pretty traumatizing! We waved goodbye, told the wind to take them right to Katelyn and Uncle Joe and watched the balloons fly away. She was so excited, only joy on her face that she was sending presents to her sister and uncle. I was fighting tears of sadness and beaming at how incredible my little girl was.

I took pictures and after the balloons were out of sight, we sat on the porch to look at them. As we were going through them, Hailey said "I've got a good idea! (she is full of "good ideas" :) ) You can get a new camera and we can send this one to Heaven!" When I asked why, she said so Katelyn and Uncle Joe could see us now and then Uncle Joe can take pictures and send it back to us!" How cool would that be?! If only it were that simple, we talked about them being able to watch over us in their breaks of playing and dancing with God. She thought that would be pretty cool! She's our little rock star already!

Probably a half hour later, she came back up to me and said "So first it was Papa Art's turn to die, then Katelyn's then it was just Uncle Joe's turn. When it's my turn to go to Heaven will you send me a butterfly balloon?" I just smiled and said "Of course! And when it's my turn will you send a smiley face balloon?" Precious - if only we had faith like a child. Jesus says all you need to do is believe. Death is so hard to understand, especially a baby's death, but the big picture is so simple. Jesus has prepared a room for each of us, when it's our turn we will be lovin Heaven too! Hailey is a perfect example of this remarkable faith. Thank you God for little reminders in the eyes of a precious child.

Lovin the outside!

So tonight Hailey was at Vacation Bible School, Nich was out counseling, and it was BEAUTIFUL outside! I took the babies outside for some fresh air and got some adorable pictures! I just love these kids!

9 months old and a new toy!

Wow, well back in the bloggin world. I haven't blogged in quite a while because I haven't known what to say. My brother was killed in Afghanistan 3 weeks ago now, June 16. I felt like I should blog about it, but honestly I'm not ready. Here's a link to a newspaper article and his funeral. I am so proud of him! So until I am (or maybe I never will blog about it), here's an update on the kiddos. This all came at such a busy time in our lives. Nich and I kinda celebrated our 5 year anniversary, Hailey turned 4 and the babies turned 9 months old all in the few days we were preparing the visitation and funeral. Not quite the atmosphere to blog about celebrations. So without further adieu, pictures and videos of the family!

I just love Brooklyn's face! :)

They've always been neck in neck with weights, a matter of 1/2 ounces different.

Brennan Nicholas - just about 13 lbs (birth weight 1lb 4 oz)

He is so full of joy! Brennan has a smile that lights up his whole face and the room! Now he has a laugh and giggle on top of his big grin! It's so easy to get him to smile too, talking to him, letting him bounce on your lap, kisses - you name it, he smiles! Brennan's biggest struggle right now is focusing his eyes, which we're working on through stimulation and praise. He will go back to Beaumont for a follow up soon, but until then, we're just keeping an eye on him. (wink, wink! - I know...a dork!) Brennan is such an easy going baby, he was the first to sleep all the way through the night! When the others are stressing us out, Brennan's our go to man!

Landon James - 18 lbs (birth weight 1lb 7 oz)

Our precious big man! He has the biggest heart and the biggest temper. He is thriving at home! He is so active! Smiling, talking, moving all his limbs - he's come so far and we're so thankful! When he's mad, he starts thrashing and is so strong it's hard to hold, but then he calms down and looks at you with those beautiful brown eyes, you just melt. We started deep massaging him at 9am and before his 9pm dinner and it has made a world of difference in his activity level and his mood. He was doing well with his bottle, but lately has slacked off. I think he's focusing on his head control and moving and not so interested in his bottle. So we're putting just about all of his feed in his Gtube bag. He's such a patient, easy going baby!


Brookyln Danielle - just about 13 lbs (birth weight 1 lb 3.5 oz)

Where do I start with this little one!?! She is our hilarious diva! Brooklyn is so full of life, it's never a dull moment with her! She's really high maintenance, but so worth it. Brooklyn has been the first to really roll over, first to spit (hence the picture above!), first to scoot, she so curious and always looking around. Brooklyn is a lot like Hailey, very social and would rather explore than cuddle. She gives us a flirty cute smile and makes us laugh!

This toy was made for Brennan! He's a bouncing machine and he just took off!

Landon is doing so well! Here he is in the jumper for the first time. Yep he bounced a couple times! :)

And Brooklyn fell asleep!

Each baby is so different! They have distinct personalities, cries, smiles, temperments - all unique, but similar traits. We are sooooo thankful for how far these little miracles have come! At first it was miracles fighting for their lives, now they're breaking the 23 weeker development box! God is good!

Day with Landon & Ambitious Walk!

Unforunately a week late, but so worth the pictures!! Last night I had a couple minutes to myself, all the kiddos asleep and Nich at work and what did I do? I actually thought...wash bottles or blog....wash bottles or blog....and I washed bottles! Man oh man! I should've blogged...much more fun, but the dirty bottles from the day were pretty much overflowing in the sink! So here's a week long drafted post, finally getting published!

Last (last) Sunday Nich took Hailey to church, Brennan and Brooklyn were napping and Landon and I shared our lunch on the porch! I absolutely LOVE having one on one time with each one! Look at my stud! :)

He was just eating up the fresh air and sounds!

Landon & Mommy!

The set up! Gotta love timed pictures!

Once Nich & Hailey got home, we ventured out for a family walk! Wow, we had no idea what we were in for, but the day was beautiful and we wanted to take advantage of it! We visited Hailey's friend about a mile away, but then had to come home! Ended up being 3 mile walk up and down a huge hill. We traded off who pushed the stroller and pulled Hailey. Everyone loved it! We were wiped out when we got home, but loved the fresh air and exercise!

Splish Splash Brennan's taking a bath

Thank you all for your encouraging comments. You all mean so much to us! Now for a little change of pace...

A post to come of my day with Landon and our walk, but take a look at Brennan enjoying his bath! His nickname is Dance Dance Revolution! :) We were cracking up at him!

Parents of...

This is a really hard post to write, but an article and conversation today sparked it and I've really wanted to share for awhile. This is NOT at all to make anyone feel bad, but just get our feelings out there and share with and learn from others that have gone through this. Since last June we were parents of quadruplets. Since late September (27th to be exact) we are now parents of triplets. I don't want to speak much more for Nich, but it's been really tough when people see the babies and say "Ooo you had triplets?!" Sometimes we say yes, sometimes we say no. We've really struggled with what to say. It's so hard to say we have triplets. I still don't think I've said it out loud. We want to remember Katelyn and we did/do have quadruplets, but a lot of times we just don't want to explain it to strangers. No matter what we answer, it always leaves a pit in my stomach. I miss Katelyn so much! I miss learning about her, watching her develop, seeing her and Brooklyn interact. When we left the NICU, we started a life as parents of triplets. For the rest of our lives, apart from all of you who remember her, the three will be seen as triplets. I think we'll just smile and say yes, remembering Katelyn in our own hearts.

We've already went through sets of 4, sets of 2 girl things, bought a triple stroller and are learning to carry on with our three precious babies. I think of Katelyn every single day and can't help but notice sets of 3 or sets of 4, yearning to have a set of 4. Hailey talks about her and can't wait to meet her and Macie (one of our friends whose baby died too) when we get to heaven. I feel horrible that Hailey didn't get to meet Katelyn. All she has is pictures. All we have is pictures and memories. I am so thankful that she was the active one while I was pregnant and I cherish those memories! Your prayers and encouragement have met so much to us and really been healing in our grieving process, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Some days are easier than others, some days are a battle to fight back the tears, but God we know you're in control. We have met amazing people, been placed in situations and learning things we never would have experienced otherwise. We are thankful for those teeny tiny footprints she left and will continue to remember what this experience has taught us.

I know this post is not like our last few, but sometimes I've just gotta get it out. This blog can be so therapeutic sometimes! If any of you moms of multiple loss have any words of wisdom, feel free to share!