My very own Pilgrims

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I will be doing a much more thorough blog tomorrow with the rest of our Thanksgiving adventures, but tonight, I'm just too tired...big day, you know! So for now, I will just say that I am thankful for family, near and far! I am thankful for unexpected visitors to my Thanksgiving meal, and I am thankful for my sister for rescuing my bowl. :) I'll explain later...

Here are my Pilgrim Children enjoying their first Thanksgiving....8 months old! My goodness...Good thing Aunt Mary still teaches kindergarten and had the where-with-all to make pilgrim hats for her niece and nephews just like the ones her students made!

PILGRIM ETHAN

PILGRIM COLTON
(He threw up immediately after this photo, which is why he looks so unhappy..)

PILGRIM HUNTER

To Squishy, with Love...

Dear Colton,
I am writing you this letter on your 8 month birthday. It saddens me and delights me that you are growing up so fast....I've learned so much about you (and me) in 8 months. Though truth be told, I started knowing you long before I ever got to see your little face. "Baby A"- that was once your name. And even then, your personality was already starting to show. You had the best spot in my belly and always seemed to be sprawled out any time I got to see you on an ultrasound. But because of where you were, I couldn't feel you move nearly as much as the others. At first it worried me, but I think you knew that. Just when I'd start to get nervous that I hadn't felt you move in awhile, you would give a little kick or a push or do a little rolling over. I believe that was your way of telling me you were just fine. I knew then that your personality would be the strong, calm type...and you are. I could not wait to meet you. Your birthday was the best day of my life. I knew you would be born first and when they told me at 11:40 am, that you were here, my heart immediately filled with love for my "first born son and first born baby."

Colton, you are stronger than many grown-ups I know. Before you were born, they told us you had a cleft lip. They told us to prepare ourselves for how you would look. That was nonsense, Colton. You could've been born with 3 eyes, green hair and silly antennae on your head and you would have been the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen. We prepared for your cleft lip, NOT for us, but for you. I am 100% certain that you will never understand just how handsome you were before you had your lip surgery. I worry that someday you will look back at pictures of yourself and you will be upset or embarrassed. Thus, it is my mission in life and as your mom to make sure you never feel that way. You were perfect then, and you are perfect now. I know that you will grow up to be a confident, self-assured young man and you will be able to appreciate and love both of your smiles, just the way I do.

Watching you go through surgery was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I never doubted for a minute that you would be well cared for during your surgery. I doubted that I would be able to make you comfortable. You were so tiny, just 3 months old, and it broke my heart knowing that you were going to be in pain and not understand why. So all I could do was hold you and tell you how much I love you. You were just 3 months old and you were tougher than I. Colton, your new smile is absolutely indescribable. It genuinely melts my heart to see you smile (and you do it a lot!) Knowing that you have another surgery coming up in the next few months gives me the same anxieties all over again, but together, we will be just fine. I know that it will improve your life dramatically and that's really all that matters.

You are a leader Colton. Someone to look up to and learn from. I believe there is some truth to the things people say about birth order...you are the first born, the the oldest, the 'big brother .' You have shown your brother and sister the way several times even in 8 short months. You were the first to roll over and the first to sit up. I have my money on a guess that says you'll be the first to crawl and walk too...everything you do excites me. Every day you show me a new trick, a new favorite toy, a new sound, and every day is more exciting than the one before it...

There is a fierce intensity about you, Colton. No doubt you will someday become an engineer or something else quite brilliant. They way you play with the toys on your exersaucer or from your toy basket, you would think you were biologist studying the most miniscule life forms under a microscope. You study and you touch, you twist, you turn, you rotate, etc. You are a very independent baby and would be content to play by yourself for hours...watching you learn new things is one of the best parts of my job.

The other best part is ALL the other parts! You are an outstanding sleeper. The best of the three of you, by far. Every night I watch you fall asleep in the living room, and if I'm lucky, I get to be the one to bring you up to your crib. If I am, I lay you down on your back and you usually roll over and curl up on your side. I cover you with your blanket, kiss you on the cheek or forehead, whisper my good nights to you and then watch you drift away in the most peaceful sleep i've ever seen...In the morning, when I hear you start to talk, I find my way into your room, peek my head over your crib and just wait....wait to cash in on the biggest smile I've ever seen. Starting my day with you is what makes my life so wonderful. You are good for my heart.

But it must be said. Colton, you can be a very messy little man! You drool, drool, drool! And we wipe, wipe, wipe that little chin constantly. When you eat solid food in your highchair, you do more "fingerpainting" with peas and sweet potatoes than you actually eat! After each spoonful of food, you like to put your whole hand in your mouth and eat the food off your fingers! Let's just say, it was no mistake that mommy and daddy put bath time right after solid food time!

There's so much I want to say to you, Colton, and not enough space in all the internet to say it...I am in awe of you, I am in love with you. You and I had a special bond from the very beginning. I am fiercely protective when it comes to you. There are so many things I want for you in this lifetime. But most importantly, I want you to wake up each new day with a new reason to smile. I am so proud you are my son. My perfect son. For such a little thing, you've taught us all such important lessons about love, acceptance and courage. I know that you will continue to enrich every person you meet. You amaze me, you impress me and most importantly, you love me back. You will always be my first born child and I will always cherish that for one minute of our lives, it was just you and me. My cup runneth over, my little squishy boy.

Love Always,

Mommy

To My Ethan Bear

Dear Ethan,

Today, my little man, you are 8 months old. "Time flies" is what they say. They are right. I often think about the moment you were born and I remember it like it was just yesterday. All those months I carried you, I tried to imagine what you would be like, who you would look like, and what would your personality be? You were an energetic one in my belly and towards the end of my pregnancy, just before you were born, you had wiggled your way right up into my rib cage. I was so afraid you were uncomfortable in there, but I was afraid to try and push you back down because I didn't want to squish you! I miss the days when I would just sit in my rocking chair, and watch and feel you move. Many times I would poke you gently and you would poke back. That's how I knew you and I were going to get along just fine. :) And finally, on that 23rd day of March, I got to meet you.

The way you screamed the moment you came into this big world, I would've have thought you'd be an unhappy little boy, but you have proved that wrong. You are sweet, you are funny, and often you are the peacekeeper of the group. You have a very gentle soul. I often thought your sister must've bullied her way into being born second even though you were Baby B and you should've been second. But now that I know you, I'm pretty sure you were already being a little gentleman and letting your little sister go first. I'm so proud of you. I know you will always look out for her.

You had me wrapped around your little finger from the time you weighed barely 4 pounds. You had my little button nose from the start, which I love. It's a strange feeling to see yourself in your children, and I am so proud you are mine. I always wondered what life would be like having a son, and it's so much better than I thought...you are rough and tough, and you are also sweet and cuddly.

You are so handsome, Ethan. Your eyelashes are just one of your many endearing traits. I just know that someday your girlfriends are going to be smitten with them the same way your mommy is! You have a perfect mix of faces...you have a stone-cold expression that you do just about any time I try to take your picture, but all I have to do is say "Peek-a-boo!" and you are grinning from ear to ear! And your sad face...well, it must be said, you win! You know just how to get what you want from your mommy. (Which is usually to be picked up and snuggled!) I don't know how you perfected it so well in your short life, but you did! It's hard to resist you when those lips turn down and your eyebrows get all wrinkly...I love all your faces.

There's a sweetness about you that is hard to resist. Early on, it was you who loved to be held and who loved to wrap your little arms around my neck. You can't even imagine how much you melt my heart when you hold on tight...Even when you are sick, you are still a little love. Which is what happened just recently. You poor little thing, you had an ear infection in both ears and nobody knew...that's how much you didn't complain. But for me, the good part of you being sick were all the late nights you and I got to spend together. As much I like my own sleep, I'd give it up in a heartbeat if it means I get to rock my youngest boy all by yourself and hold you until you fall asleep. Having time just for the two of us is hard to come by in the daylight hours, which is why I so love our late night "mommy and me dates". I cherish those times because I know that someday, you will be too big and strong to sit in my lap...

Sweetness aside, Ethan Bear, you are a crack-up! One of my favorite times of the day is first thing in the morning when I hear you start to wake up. I race in to be the first one to see you because you do this incredibly funny thing we call the "penguin waddle" when you know someone is at your crib to take you out! (I like to think it's something special you do only for me, but I know it's not really!) Your whole body wiggles from side to side like a penguin, and I can't help but laugh. I can't wait to pick you up and snuggle you for the first time each day! You are a wonderful way to start my day.

You absolutely love faces and you study them with a fierce intensity. I can always see the wheels turning in your head as you try and figure out if you can make the same faces that are being made at you. You love, love, love to stick your tongue out! Furthermore, if you can blow raspberries, you will! You make me laugh and smile so much more than you know. And you, my friend, are a smoocher! You are the only one of the three of you who gives kisses! But your kisses are much funnier than most...You are what I like to call an open mouth kisser! As soon as I pucker up, you lean in, mouth wide open and plant one on your mommy! Slobber and all, I love your kisses the most...

The future is wide open for you Ethan. You are only 8 months old and already so smart. You made my life complete. You made my heart complete. Nothing you will ever do could change that. I am in awe of you every day that I've watched you grow from a tiny, fragile preemie to my biggest, toughest boy. There are days I watch you play and giggle and study things and I think to myself I didn't deserve a son as perfect as you...I will spend my life hoping I do not disappoint you. You deserve the best this life has to offer. So just know this Ethan, though I will probably never have the right words to tell you how much you were wanted, know that every time I look at you, I think to myself, "I made you, and you are my mine to love for a lifetime."

I love you Ethan Bear. Forever and longer.

Love, Mommy

**Come back tomorrow for my letter to Colton....

For My Sweet Little Girl....

Dear Hunter,

Happy 8 month birthday... I should've known you'd be who you are...I should've known when I was 16 weeks pregnant and you were doing acrobats in my belly. All...day...long. I should've known when I was 20 weeks pregnant and you surprised me ( and surprised EVERYONE) by telling me you were a girl all along! I should've known when you somehow got yourself born second, even though you were Baby C all along and should've been born third! (Knowing you now, I'm pretty sure you probably kicked your little leg at those doctors that day as your way of saying, "Pick me next! Pick me!") And I should've known the moment you were born and the doctors showed you to me. Your big, soulful eyes were already wide open and taking in the world around you.

I should've known you'd be who you've turned out to be, Miss Hunter Olivia. :) You are me-only smaller. Before you were even born, before you were ever even created, your dad used to say to me, "My God, we're all in trouble if we ever have a daughter." What he meant was, "My God, if we have a daughter who is as feisty as her mommy, who has a temper like her mommy, who is as spunky as her mommy, and who can pout like her mommy, then HE's in trouble..." Well, Miss Hunter, you are all of that. And more. And your dad couldn't be happier. And of course, neither can your mommy.

You are my tiny princess. My tiny princess with the big toothless grin, miniature nose, blueberry eyes and beautiful ears. You have the energy of a bumblebee, the ferocity of a pit bull, and the loyalty of a puppy. You are tiny, but you are mighty. Your giggle is contagious, your smile is heartwarming. Everything about you is unique.

We spent a lot of time together today, you and me. You sat with me in your nursery while I sorted your old and new clothes. Though I was really not paying you close attention, each time my head turned your way, you would start chuckling uncontrollably, causing me to lose focus as I engaged us both in a game of "peek-a-boo", something I am realizing is absolutely hysterical when you are 8 months old..I love that you laugh as much as you do. I love that you laugh at your dad when he tickles you, I love that you laugh at your brothers, your aunts, your grammas and grampas, I love that you laugh when Piper brushes past you when you're riding in your wagon and I love that you laugh at me. And I mean REALLY laugh. Whether I'm popping up from behind the couch, or singing "My Milkshake Brings all the Boys to the Yard," or simply peeking at you when I open and close, open and close, open and close the refrigerator door...you are so easily amused and so good natured. Your personality is much bigger than you are!

Tonight I sat on the couch, mere inches from you, playing in your exersaucer, while your brothers both slept soundly. I could barely eat my Lucky Charms, what with you belly laughing hysterically as I attempted to take spoonful after spoonful. I don't really know what was so funny, and I'm pretty sure I never will. But that's okay. You bring purpose to my life, little girl. I wanted you for so long, and you are better than I could've imagined. The fact that you and I have such a connection and you don't even know how to talk yet, gives me great hope for our future. I sometimes wonder what funny things you will do when you get bigger, what funny things you'll say...I even wonder how you'll wear your hair. (I picture you with a cute little pixie bob, with one barrette sweeping your bangs to the side.) I imagine the outfits you'll pick out for yourself and oh, I can't wait until your kindergarten teacher meets you!

But then again, I can wait. I don't want you to grow up too fast. I love that you are still my baby girl. I love that you have a temper and that you screeeeaaamm when you want attention. I love rolling around on the floor with you to see how hard we can make eachother laugh. And even though you pull my hair, grab my nose and try to scratch my eyes out when we play, I love you to pieces.

Once you finally fell asleep, curled up on your side, I watched you sleeping peacefully. I wonder what you dream about as I watch your eyelids flutter. As I carried you upstairs to your crib, your head nestled snugly in my neck, I thought to myself, you may be a triplet, but Hunter Olivia, YOU are one of a kind. As I placed you gently in your crib, I whispered the same words I whisper every night...."Night, night, baby girl. Mommy loves you."

Love, Mommy

(Stay tuned tomorrow and the next day for my letters to my boys...)

She thinks I'm lovely :)

Ok, so today my friend Nicole, whose blog I refer to (and copy) a lot, gave me an award which was previously given to her! It's the 'Lovely Blog Award.' You are supposed to reciprocate and give this same award to new blogs which you've discovered and that YOU think are lovely! So here is my Lovely 12 List...( I tried to get to 15, but I'm so tiiiiiirrrreeedd...)

1. The Little Things

(by my friend Nicole, all about life, parenting, big kids and little kids!)

2. Keeping up with the Pearsons

(by my friend Anabelle and her adventures with her 18 month old and her husband)

3. The Great Umbrella Heist

(all about life with identical triplet girls)

4. The Larkin Family Blog

(another blog about life with triplet girls and new little boy!)

5. Multiple Baby Pileup

(about surving triplet girls and their angel brother Jack)

6. Thoughts of an Average Joe

(cleverly and humorously written by my uncle, all about life in New England)

7. The Lezonlings

(much like my family...triplets: 2 boys and a girl!)

8. Triplets Plus One = 4 times the fun!

(About life with triplets and one more!...They're in kindergarten now, which makes it fun to read! That, and the mom's humor is a lot like mine!)

9. The Halcomb Hellions

(triplets...2 boys and a girl..and mom is an awesome photographer!)

10. The Melker Triplets and More

(you guessed it...triplets! 2 girls and a boy!)

11. The Meanest Mom

(A mother writes about trying to coexist with her daughter, twins sons, and infant son)

12. The McNulty Quads

(as if triplets weren't hard enough!)

We love to read!

So interestingly, one thing we all love are books! I am a firm believer you can never own enough children's books. So I thought I'd see what i could find that had to do with triplets. Though all of these are not exactly related to triplets, they all have to do with '3' of something! Interestingly, as a kindergarten teacher, I already have all of these EXCEPT for the Pea Pod Babies, Triplet Tales and Angus and the Triplets! (I didn't know I'd be having triplets all my earlier years of teaching)...perhaps that will be our Christmas pursuit! Already, the babies love to look at books. (Particularly small, board books because inevitably "looking" at books turns to "chewing on" books. :) Anyhoo, if you have children, 3 of them to be specific, maybe YOU'D like to take a look at some of these!

You're all My Favorites

By Sam McBratney

Angus and the Triplets

By Leea Rhotos

Triplet Tales

By Hazel Cushion

The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark

By Ken Geist

The Three Little Pigs

By Patricia Seibert

The Three Bears

By Rob Hefferan

Pea Pod Babies

By Karen Baicker & Sam Williams

The Three Little Kittens

By Paul Galdone

ABC

By Dr. Seuss

Working with Babies!

Working with babies...kinda sounds like I work in the NICU or something, but nope! On this particular day, I was actually working, WITH babies! I am proud to work at Cottonwood Elementary! I have worked here for 8 years and I love it! At what other work environment would you be allowed to bring babies to a meeting? And this time, they weren't just mine! (ok, I brought 3 of them, but Jen brought little Andy bringing our total to 4 babies and lots of women! I thought these pictures were too funny not to share! I'm lucky to work with this group of people!

Can you find the four babies?

Colton is helping Aunt Mary

Kristine, Jen & Andy, Apryl

L to R: Mary & Colton, Jen & Hunter, Renee...see how well those babies are paying attention?

This is Colton snuggling up to the Boss Lady, Ms. Bryson! He was in no hurry to leave her arms!

GOOOoooooooooo.....

COTTONWOOD!

**If you were wondering where Ethan went, he was being baby-hogged by his "Aunt Patti with an i" in the front office! :)

Empty Cribs, Ethan's Ears and "Snocks"

Ahh, what a mish mash of a posting this will be!

First, let's talk about the Snocks. That was not a typo. I meant it. Frankly, this has nothing to do with anything really, but it was too cute not to address. Snocks is a word that I think my mom made up. It is a combination of the words "SNEAKERS" and "SOCKS." I'm not kidding, these are my new favorite things. I'm glad winter is coming because I am pretty sure I'll find a way to have the babies wear them every day from now until the snow we won't get melts. :) They were given to me by one of my sorority sisters, Sarah (Wheeler) Glenn a while back and I just pulled them out a couple days ago! I LOVE THEM! How cute are these feet? Thank you Sarah!

And now let's talk about the empty cribs. Last night was a big, BIG, BIG first for me...I was over at my mom's house and it got late. We'd fed, bathed and bottle fed the babies. While we continued to stay and do kindergarten projects with my sister, we put the babies down in their 3 Gramma cribs. Well, at 9:00pm, it just seemed silly (to everyone else) for me to wake the babies, pack them into car seats, load them into the car, unload them into my house, and try to get them back to sleep, particularly when they haven't been feeling great and my mom would've been at my house at 6:45 am the next day to pick them up anyway. So I got bullied (lovingly bullied) into leaving them at Gramma's to sleep in the capable hands of Gramma and Auntie Val. Now, understand that I was not worried about the babies at all. I was worried about me. So, home I went. Alone. And yes, I cried on the way home. But, I'll say this, as much as I missed those 3 little monkeys, the peaceful night's sleep was quite nice!

No babies in my cribs :(

So just when I'm thinking everything is great, I'm refreshed, I'm at work, my mom calls and thinks maybe since Ethan is not getting better and seems to be coughing even more, that I should try to get him in to the pediatrician. Great! No problem, they got me in at 11:45 today! I ended up bringing Hunter and Ethan since they both had the most residual "cold" symptoms. As it turns out, Hunter is fine! Definitely getting over a cold, but no biggie. Ethan on the other hand, Poor Ethan who hasn't slept all night in at least a week, apparently has a double ear infection. Awesome. I am super mom for sure now. I swear to you, that little boy never pulled at or tugged or even scratched at his ears....how was I to know?? These are my first children and our first colds! So anyway, here's to hoping that my little man feels better soon!

Do you see it? Here's my right ear infection...

And here's my left ear infection...

And here's me. Glad I'm finally gonna get some medicine so I can sleep again. :)

Future Lawyers of America...THEN and NOW

THEN....1 month old and tiny, tiny, tiny. This was the first time they visited my dad's law firm and meet all the people in the office! I cannot believe how little they are! My gosh, where does the time go?? If these look familiar, it's because they were in an earlier blog!

AND THIS IS NOW....practically 8 months old!) Chunky, chunky and kinda chunky :) This is their second visit to the law firm! This visit was much more entertaining because the babies are so lively now! This time, they could actually sit ON the table and grab everything in sight. I've learned that my children love candles. (See all the pretty candles on the table?)

L to R: Kari and Colton, Auntie Valerie, Auntie Kim and Ethan, Mom and Hunter, Dad

Auntie Val , Auntie Kim and Colton

Auntie Kim and Ethan (who is struggling to stay awake...)

As you can plainly see. :)

Kari got to feed Colton the first time and this time! He was quite the flirt and she was awesome at using his special bottle!

I kid you not, the minute the Fed Ex guy came by to say hi, Hunter immediately struck her "flirtatious" pose! Man, she starts young!

Hunter and Grampa

Auntie Val and Colton

Give Peas a Chance....

Is that a peace sign he's making??

Mother of the Year Monday...Stockings, Stickers and Scissors

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....at Urgent Care. Okay, not quite. But it COULD'VE! So for this Mother of the Year Monday, I'd like to talk about my daughter, Hunter and her idiot mother. No, we haven't started decorating for Christmas just yet, but we DID get stockings for everyone.

So in my OCDness, I really wanted our stockings to have names, but am not willing to fork over the money I don't have to pay for the pretty Pottery Barn Ones...So instead I got in touch with my inner Martha Stewart and created my own tags to hang from each stocking.

Here are the tools I used for this project, which I left out, on the table, right beside Hunter in her high chair...

1. Stickers

2. Wood chips

3. Scissors

Did you pay particular attention to item #3? CUZ I OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T!!! Brian and I were just cooking away in the kitchen when I heard some crumpling noises by Hunter...I look over at her and see that she has reached over to the table, grabbed on to Brian's stocking and pulled it into her lap. What I didn't see was that the scissors, that were on top of his stocking were also now in her little hands! Uh Oh!! So what did I do?? If you said, "take the scissors out of her hands" you are absolutely wrong! I grabbed the camera first, took a picture and THEN took the scissors out of her hands! Here are some photos of the evidence....

"Hunter Olivia? Are you playing with scissors??"

"Not me, mommy! See? There's nothing in my hands!"

(Look closely, under her left chicken wing, YES there is...)

Oh boy...what next?

The Battle at Boogie Hill

There is a serious matter at hand in our house. We are at war. The war against the boogies, the coughs, the sneezes, and the runny noses...

These are my wounded soldiers...
Corporal Hunter

Corporal Ethan

Corporal Colton

Sargeant Brian

And these are their weapons...

(These are MY weapons...I am the leader of this battle...I cannot succumb to it...I better drink wine. )

My little soldiers fought long and hard today, but they are losing this battle. Thus, they are resting now....my 3 little soldiers....

I mean my 4 little soldiers...

(it's like playing Where's Waldo. Can you find the 4 sick people amongst the living room clutter?)
For now, they will sleep soundly in my hospital...

Hunter attempted to crawl to boogie freedom....

But it was no use. The floor won. The Tylenol kicked in. Here she shall remain. At least until it's time to eat.

Stay away people....stay far, far away. We are a contaminated group...hopefully not for long!

And that, my friends marks the HALFWAY point in my 30 posts in 30 days!

Date Night!

I know, I know, those of you who are watching my clock for me, it's late. I see that. But I went on a date tonight! That's right, a date! Just like the millions of times before I had triplets! Gramma and my Auntie Diane watched the babies, (all of which have varying degrees of colds, coughs, sniffles, etc.) Hmm...perhaps I should have saved that little tidbit for the next "Mother Of the Year Monday" post..."mom leaves sick triplets to go on date with husband"....awesome...



Anyway, I knew they were in good hands and frankly, the times when Brian and I can go out and do absolutely anything alone are few and far between these days. So we appreciated the night out! We went to the mall and saw the movie, Couples' Retreat which I realize probably came out last year, but by the time we get to actually go see movies anymore, it's like WAY after the release date and usually found on our "ON DEMAND" channel or more likely from Blockbuster. But I don't care! I still got to have my bag of buttered popcorn (I resisted the sour patch kids), and my giant Coke, so life was good.

Got to spend 2 hours with my husband, got to do some minor people watching at the mall, and we learned a new word from our friend Vince Vaughn, which I'm certain Brian is already trying to weave into his everyday vocabulary in as many places as he possibly can. The word is "ASSTASTIC". Like fantastic, but no fan. Just ass. Asstastic. As fun to spell as it is to say. Go ahead, I challenge you to use it too!

So anyhoo, sorry this post was not very exciting and frankly not very relevant to the babies, but hey, I'm on Day 14, and I was running out of time before the clock strikes midnight and I've blown my National Blog Posting Month Challenge! So if you haven't seen the movie, it's entertaining for sure. No chance it'll win any awards anywhere, but still fun to watch! So anyway, I'm old now. It's 11:00 pm, and way past my bedtime! See you tomorrow!

First Annual Triplet Awards

Today's blog is dedicated to the "uniqueness" that each baby represents...Since I just watched the CMA's not too long ago, I thought I would honor each of the babies with their own awards! Hope you enjoy them! And the award for most loveable triplets goes to....

Throughout my pregnancy, I relied heavily on those around me for support and encouragement. One friend in particular, who I am very sad to say has moved to Iowa, had her own way of offering encouragement. One by one, she started sending me poems that she had written for me, for the babies, for strength, etc. I had always planned to put them in my babies' baby books, but today, I brushed past one that I keep on the refrigerator and it fell to the ground....it was as if it were saying to me, "PUT ME ON THE BLOG..." So I went back through my emails and found as many as I could to share with you all. So Jen Corbelli, I thank you for these. For taking the time, for caring enough, and for being such a good friend. I miss you.

(This one was written during the many weeks we were supposed to be deciding whether we would keep all three babies or reduce our pregnancy to twins....)

WITHIN

Within you find strength, courage and hope,

Overwhelming emotions you have learned to cope.

Within there is questions, fear and doubt,

Only more worries you could live without.

Within you see hope and light,

only to turn the corner with no end in sight.

Within there is love no question of strength,

it is timeless and has no length.

Within are questions and so many turns,

the heart tugs and struggles with which way to turn.

Within is an answer to be proven true,

the answer of love will prevail and come through.

Within there are tests of which you will cross,

no matter the decision it will be of no loss.

Within you is clarity and yet some fear,

hold true your deepest love which always runs clear.

Within you is peace, and what way you should go,

know that hope shall follow where ever you may go.

Love you~

Jen

UNTITLED

Safely sleep the Bunches Three,

Not quite ready for the world to see.

Eating, growing, and eating some more.

Three little ones we all adore.

A, B and C for now we will be,

For our new names we will have to wait and see!

Blessings shower us from above,

Mom & Dad's love fill our hearts with love.

Mom's heartbeat, a lullaby for three,

Our cozy little home to be rocked to sleep.

Working real hard on getting strong,

All the prayers help us along.

Couldn't ask for a better Mom-to-be,

To take care of and love the Bunches Three!

~Jen Corbelli

10-1-08

(This one was written when I passed the first trimester and we "graduated" from Dr. Gelety's office)

Graduation

Pomp and circumstance,

In 19 years we'll have our chance.

A graduation of greater means,

Has Mom and Dad's love busting at the seems,

12 weeks we've flown with flying colors,

Our degrees are like no others.

No books, tests, or proving skill,

Just growing daily with all our will.

Millimeter, centimeter, and now by inch,

This getting bigger thing is such a cinch!

A, B, C on their graduation,

we wish you a triumphant

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

(This one followed the exciting news that we were having 3 boys!)

Oh Boy!

Three boys did you say? Did I hear that just right?
Were all their willy’s in plain sight?
Who would have thought all boys of three,
Of course it was only mom who knew indeed!
Bouncing baby boys in triplets they come,
Oh boy, can you imagine the fun?!
Three bitty boys are on their way,
Right now just swimming all day.
Boys and toys the perfect pair,
Big wheels and trucks they all will share.
One doctor, one lawyer, one hunter for dad,
No matter what they choose both parents will be glad.
Three boys will be showing up soon,
Mom & Dad are decorating their room.
Plaids, stripes and names on the wall.
No longer A, B, and C you will have to call.
Colton, Ethan Hunter too,
The world can’t wait to welcome you!

(And....of course, not too long after, we learned that in fact, there was a GIRL in the bunch!)

Hold up wait a minute,
Put a little princess in it!
You boys aren’t the only ones in town,
I’m the new girl who wears the crown.
You fellas better make some way,
For when I debut I’ll steal the day!
Ok so maybe you’re important too,
But I’ll make dad melt like goo.
No doubt I will be just like mom,
Sweet, innocent and quite the bomb!
So I waited to make it known,
My parents minds I must have blown!
Don’t you worry or you fret,
This princess you will never forget!

Thank you so much for the poems and the memories, Jen! You are too good to me... :)