My babies are 2 weeks old!

or "34 weeks"

Oh my!

My "goal" was 34 weeks, but what a wonderful surprise

 to get to meet them earlier than expected.

How blessed we are that they are so healthy and learning what they need to come home with us! 

Over the past week they have lost alittle weight, but then gained it back plus more. Asher and Aspen are wearing big boy and girl clothes! No more just diapers. Cross our tiny boy wore his first outfit today! He just needs a bit more fat to help him maintain his body temp and will be catching up soon!

Last week Aspen and Asher's oxygen was removed, Cross did not require any since birth, no more IVs, they are now feeder-growers! They are tolerating their feeds and taking their vitamins:). 

The doctor ordered a brain sono just as a precaution, major problems are rare at 32 weeks, but I'm thankful for the extra Checking. Everything was normal. 

They are starting to learn how to eat orally, they are making great progress and eating more everytime we try. Aspen is food motivated! Most of the time she takes her whole feed in the bottle, if she keeps this up she will be coming home first!

They love to be held and we love to hold them... 

They make the sweetest noises like little baby dinosaurs. 

The last few days have been pretty exciting (for me). 

Saturday

We had a photographer from "The tiny footprints project" come take photos of them. It's a wonderful organization that provides this free service to NICU families. We will look back on these memories and smile. We are so blessed. There is currently only photography for the DFW area, so if you are a photographer please consider donating alittle of your time- what a beautiful service you'd be providing. 

Today 

I got to snuggle them all skin to skin -together- for the first time. Cross thought he was an only child and was enjoying his freedom... He was a worm and fussy, then he got some lunch in his tummy and settled down alittle. It was pretty magical.

 I still can't believe they are mine... 

Here are some pictures our nurse took while the photographer was there so I could have a few now, I'm so impatient! 

And some pictures from today... Our skin to skin time. 

Thanks to everyone for being apart of our journey. We have no clue how we got so lucky. 

This is what a MIRACLE looks like...

Aspen, Cross, Asher 

If you think my hands are full, you should see my heart. 

Soon enough they will be too big to hold together. 

God IS Good.

They're here!

It's been a week!
What a week it has been.

I certainly didn't expect to goto my (32 week) 

appointment and then be told we are delivering TODAY!

I was sad and glad. Sad that I couldn't not get them further, but GLAD they would be soon be out and in my arms safe... I was starting to have anxiety everyday that something was going to happen.

We made it.  

WAITING...

Scrubbing in

Here comes Daddy!

More waiting...

Here we go... Major panic behind the smile.

Everyone was excited!  

And... they're coming... 

Hard work having 3 babies. I need a nap.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today they are one week old and are doing SO well.   They will be in the NICU for at least 3-4 weeks, they are all "Feeders/Growers", off oxygen, IVs and only having feeding tubes. They start to bottle feed this week. Another answered prayer, they are moving right along for being born early.

We are so impressed and PROUD. 

 Asher born at 6:01 PM  3lbs. 10oz

Aspen born at 6:02 PM  3lbs. 14oz

Cross at 6:02 PM.  2lbs. 15oz

Thanks for being apart of our journey. 

God is SO good.

Holding them is surreal

We have been abundantly blessed.

What they don't know...

What they don't know...

I don't think you have to be an expectant parent of multiples, or currently raising multiples to imagine the strange questions, rude remarks (though not always on purpose), intrusive questions, and staring like we are an attraction.

The blessings out way all this no doubt, but it's still infuriating when I hear some of it...

 Particularly for me.

You're going to be so busy!

So? Are you not busy? Why is being busy a bad thing... I laid in bed for almost 9 months, bored out of my mind, for them... Keeping them safe-

 I need some excitement. Even some chaos. 

I'll take it- gladly especially if that means I get them. 

Instead maybe tell me how blessed I am. 

How are you going to afford it? 

Idk. 

True story: Somehow every time we've hit a bump we've been provided for.  Whether it was amazing blessings from family and friends (sometimes strangers-other moms of multiples, gave us free or heavily discounted items), or just praying for something to fall into place and make this easier- and it did. 

"Are they natural? Did you do anything special?"

First of all, if that's all you have to say don't say anything. If that's your first thought and question I suspect you aren't genuine. 

Where's my congratulations and celebration, is that all you're thinking about? 

Do I walk around asking you how you got pregnant? About your sex life? 

Or Your medical history?

Here's your answer once and for all to know- the good ol' fashion way.

 YES IM A FREAK OF NATURE. 

Even if I DID use some sort of IVF, IUI, Injections...

Why does that matter- does it make them less important? Babies are babies... Miracles, no matter how they arrive.

(&do you know how expensive that all is?) God bless those who DO have to go that route.

Are you going to breastfeed all three? 

Really? I'm rolling my eyes right now.  

I'll do what I am able to do and what is best for them (and ME). You can't anticipate the future, what you're able to produce- I'm smart enough to hope for the best, but not set up unrealistic expectations for myself. 

It shouldn't matter to anyone else. 

Respect. 

But, Yes I did for a brief period. 

Are you going to have them "naturally"?

Again, none of your business. 

Is there a natural way to bring your child/children in to world? 

(Almost as bad as asking "are they natural"... Nope they are fake, what?!!)

You can plan all you want, and I hope it goes according to that "plan" but this might be your first taste of- having a child means you can't "plan" for things to go your way. 

Learn to adapt. And respect.

{these two questions can be innocent- but ask yourself why do you care?} judgement?  

This one doesn't bother me too much, It just really confuses me... 

"Are you going to have more/you are done right?"

I have NO idea. Did you {would you} start planning your next child while still pregnant (with 3) or a month post p. My guess is no.

Can I survive these first? I need to make sure I can keep them alive and healthy for at least a year before I consider more!

{ I think that's pretty responsible of me! }

To be continued...

The comments-

From a man, "my mom would have killed herself". (Well good thing you weren't/aren't a triplet).

"You're never going to leave the house again." Maybe not, but that means I don't have to see you for more unnecessary comments! 

"My friend has twins"

Great. Congratulations? 

{what do I say next}

"Are these you're first"

{innocent question}

My first thoughts, "this is about to become uncomfortable... They have no idea..." 

"Your so small, where are you hiding them" 

My hips can assure you they are all there, and the scale doesn't lie, but God bless you! I think I love you.

{32 weeks! Thurston Triplets!}

All of these annoying comments and questions bring one thing to mind immediately. What they don't know is I've had to say goodbye to 3 children that should be here. 

No amount of Chaos, stress, stupid questioning etc, can compare to the stress, chaos and emotions I've already dealt with. 

I want to scream, "if you only knew!"

But,  I'll take it all if that means I get them. 

{I have a feeling I'm going to be editing this in the future as the craziness continues.}

*Leave your favorites in the comments! I bet there are some good ones out there!

Triplet Nursery

My super awesome handy man husband transformed our nursery.

(With my design guidance of course)

First we sheet rocked, sanded and textured the walls.
Then put in the new flooring, and The accent wall. 

{befores}

I've taken up the motto {awhile ago} less is more. 

{unless your talking about diapers and wipes, and in that case more is more!}

{afters}

When you have a very small space every.inch.counts.!

So I've shown ways we've tired to maximize space. First major hurdle is we don't have a "real" closet, but eventually the rod will go all the across versus the small sections, and the dresser will move to another wall. The dresser is stock up with tons of sleepers/onesies/swaddles -matching sets of 3-

I've been really impressed with how we've made it work. 

Next storage- Under cribs- AKA Diaper/wipe stock pile storage

We've managed to fit over 1000 diapers, and 10 boxes of wipes. {and still going}.

A peak of our wipe pile and just a few diapers.

The compact book shelves are ideal, small, functional and handmade (aka cheap!) 

And I have a hanging organizer behind the door with my random small stuff.

Snuzas, batteries, samples, etc. 

next project-{door to be painted}

-target-

SHOUT OUT TO

4moms who sent us 2 more mamaRoos! 

Impressed by a company that has such a love for their fans and supportive of multiple families.

We can't wait to have our babies enjoying them in a month!

We are 31 weeks today!
We are so excited to be meeting them at some point in the next month.
We can not believe we've made it this far, we are thankful for my health and theirs.
GOD IS GOOD.

SHOWER!

We were lucky enough be given two beautiful showers by amazing friends and family who love us and the babies SO much. We constantly feel supported and encouraged by those around us and that is the BEST gift.


My first Shower was given at 25 weeks and I was feeling pretty good, measuring in at around 32(ish) weeks... Most recently at 29 weeks I attended my 2nd! Boy, does 4 weeks make a difference when your carrying triplets! We played a game at the first shower where they measured "my circumference"... we repeated this game recently I've grown 3-4 inches around! I'm feeling it, but I am too blessed to be stressed.

These days I'm measuring around 38(ish) weeks!We are doing great, healthy and if we continue this trend we hope to make it 4-6 more weeks!

We want the healthiest premies we can manage so the longer we keep cooking the less time they will be on feed tubes, in isolation, hooked up to monitors etc.

DRINK OFF! Apple Juice out of Bottle, Jordan was a CHAMP.

I was really worried I would be on bed rest, hospital or at home by this time, but I am amazed by the TAC how secure it's made me feel. It's a God send, and without I know we would not be here!

We have an article coming out in Shattered Magazine this summer-

Please stay tuned I can't wait to share it with all of you. It's all about our journey over the past year.

We are of course overwhelmed by the amount of gifts and support!

Thanks a million we can never tell you enough.

A Triple Blessing

It's time we announce the great gift we've been given, the beauty that came from such a dark time, another miracle set of triplets. The first time was shock, the second time... 

We knew there was a Divine plan. 

Boy, Boy, Girl. 

Yes, Just like Jax, Stella and Beck. 

Their due date is one year to the date after we lost Jax, Stella and Beck.

May 2nd, 2015 (Birthday)

May 2nd, 2016 (40 week due date)

No we didn't plan this, he did.

No we didn't expect this, he already knew.

Yes we were shocked. 

We were scared. Still are.

But we know the anxieties are only taken away by one person and he has created a plan so much better than we could have even imagine. 

We miss Jax, Stella and Beck.

We ache with every thought, "they should be here". Always our first, always the first grandchildren for my parents, always the first granddaughter for Jordan's. There should be 3 more children running around. But how can something so miraculous happen, and you not believe they had something to do with this. They are not gone- they are very much alive. 

We believe God has the perfect plan to fill your broken heart with 

just the right amount of healing. 

We don't understand his plan, but are so grateful for his unlimited blessings. 

"Rainbow Babies" is the understanding that the beauty of a rainbow does not negate the ravages of the storm. When a rainbow appears, it doesn't mean the storm never happened or that the family is not still dealing with its aftermath. What it means is that something beautiful and full of light has appeared in the midst of the darkness and clouds. Storm clouds may still hover but the rainbow provides a counterbalance of color, energy and hope."  

A triple Rainbow.

They were not a storm or "a loss", it was their absence that put a dark cloud over our lives. The constant ache of a hole that will never close. 

Jax, Stella and Beck will remain in our family forever. They will be recognized, and treated as if they are here with us, just gone from sight. We will always expect nothing less for their lives. They have been an incredible blessing and continue to teach us and bless us.
 I'll never be able to hold Jax, Stella and Beck again, but I know they are in the safest arms. On earth I will be able to hold three more little loves for as long as I am given with them. 

Most days it doesn't seem real, to good to be true,

 but we hold to faith they WILL be joining us in March!

We are so appreciative of your thoughts, prayers, positivity and support over the past year.

The love and blessings we've received are truly priceless. 

Over the weekend we were showered in love by our church. 

They have become family and a KEY piece to our healing.

It was even more beautiful that we included Jax, Stella and Beck.

We hope that you will pray with us over the next few months that they stay safely inside, continue to grow and thrive and that I have a smooth c-section with a quick recovery.