thanksgiving recap

Thanksgiving was so fun this year. We had Thanksgiving dinner at our house like normal. My parents and Greg's parents came along with my Sis and her husband and my Brother. It was nice everyone brought a few sides, so that way I only had to cook the turkey and a few sides. I had the babies side by side in the high chairs, it was so cute!!! They really haven't ever fed themselves before so I was a little nervous about letting them try it out in front of everyone. I ran cooked potato's through a baby food mill and let them have a small bowl and spoon and some taters. I knew they weren't going to use the spoons...but it was too cute watching them try. They all tipped the taters outta the bowls. They did so good feeding themselves. I couldn't believe it...even Ryan did a great job! They finally gave up and starting getting fussy, so Delaney grabbed a spoon and starting shoveling food into their mouths. It was such a good day. Everyone got along and it was just great.



BLACK FRIDAY....I love black Friday. I love getting up super early and shopping. My Dad and Sister Sarah came to watch the kiddos for a few hours. Greg and I left the house at 4:30. We went to Toys R Us, the line was soooo long. It moved pretty quick though. We got just about everything we wanted. People were different this year. Not as crazy. It was a bit odd, but wonderful. After that off to JC Penney's. I gotta tell you about the AWESOME deal I got. Yes I went shopping for me too. I got a nice wool dress coat and a leather jacket. When the cashier rang it up it came to $450.00. After the sales and my friends employee discount card (thanks so much LC!) it came to $70.00. Can you believe it?! I was so excited. After that we had breakfast with Pat and Shantel at Bob Evans. We had the worlds slowest waitress. Then off to Walmart, where I finally got my Black Christmas Tree!!! I have wanted one ever since I went to Kraynak's in PA. They had a big beautiful black Christmas tree that was decorated with silver and white. It was beautiful. Do you know how hard it is to find a black tree? I have looked forever. Well I got one and it was the last one in the store. Since it was the display model I got an extra 10% off. The only down fall.....it's only 4'. Oh well, It will look awesome in our dining room.


This morning I went to church, and when I got there I stood and stared at the bulletin board for about 5 minutes. On the board there is a picture of the babies. They were 2 days old in the pic. Underneath is a recent pic. I just stood there and everything seemed to hit me like a flood. All feelings and emotions from that time last year. Not even the Dr's thought they would have made it. I remember the first time I saw them in the NICU, I left thinking there is no way babies that small live. I remember touching their small hands and remembering how their entire hand was the size of my thumb nail. I remember living on total faith. Hopes and Prayers were my only inspiration. I honestly thought they weren't ever going to make it home. I remember my prayers every night begging God to please let my babies live. Please make them fighters, help them through this. I made so many promises during those 5 months, more than I can remember. Tears started to fill my eyes, so I went into the church and sat down. A few songs into the service we sang a song titled "I am Blessed" Boy did that song hit home. I realized that I AM Blessed. I sang that song so loud....sorry to anyone who could hear me. It was so hard for me not to burst out into tears. I know there are days where I complain at how hard it is, and how I don't know if I can take anymore. I know how there are days I forget how very blessed I am. But as God as my witness I wouldn't change it for a thing. God doesn't give just anyone triplets. God doesn't let everyone bring their babies home. I'm still not too sure why he picked us, but I can tell you Greg and I both are so much stronger now. Much stronger than we were a year ago. We witnessed a miracle, and so did our friends and family, who seen everything that happened in those months. The whole NICU experience has opened our eyes to so much more. We have done so much more for people than we ever have before. We have so many plans of how to help others who are in similar situations. You know that could have been the reason for all of it....I don't know. It just goes back to those 2 sayings that I live by everyday....

Everything happens for a reason.

and
What doesn't kill you will make you stronger.

I can't believe in 15 days the babies will be a year old. I can't believe how fast this year has went. It seems like just yesterday they were still in the NICU fighting for their lives. I thank God everyday for these little fighters. My babies are truly fighters, they are so strong, they have been though so much. I pray they will only get stronger. I pray they stay healthy. I pray that all 4 of my children will grow to do great things. I am so proud to be their Mom.

This is a picture of me holding Ava. She was a month old here.





My Sis held this 20 oz bottle up against Ryan for comparasion. Ryan was a month old here.




This tape measure is 12" long. When Ryan was born he was 11 3/4"

Dylan looks like he's praying.

thanks

With Thanksgiving a few days away, I though I should blog about things that I am "thankful" for.

So here goes....

I am Thankful for.....

Disposable Diapers, I can't believe we had even considered cloth diapers. What were we thinking?

Cameras, what a perfect way to remember all the special times in life, like snotty noses, exploding diapers, and the days when you could eat anything and not gain a pound.

Air Fresheners, to clear the air of all the poopy diapers, and the icky stink of infancy.

Barney, that horrible purple annoying God send of a dinosaur, if even for 20 mins of peace and quiet.

Yoga Pants, for helping me not feel like crap everyday since I have still to loose the baby weight =(.....Thank you for always fitting!

Make up, Oh I am SO thankful for this. What else could help hide the huge bags under my eyes and help hide the sleep deprived haggard look.

Dollar Stores, I don't think I could have made it through the last few months without the dollar store D batteries!

Newspapers, The perfect gift for cranky babies.

Hair Dye, without it I would know what my natural hair color is....it's gotta be gray by now.

Crock pots, Thank goodness for crock pots....how cool it is to throw in food in the morning and by afternoon have a yummy meal....love it!

Bouncers, ExerSaucers and jump ups....I'm Thankful I have a place to throw these kids for 5 minutes while I jump in the shower, and try to get the spit up outta my hair.

Nerve Pills, I'm thankful that they can make your day not as stressful! They have also kept me from killing my husband! hehe!

Dance class, for getting me outta the house for 45 mins twice a week!

DVD players, for playing the same Sleeping Beauty movie over and over and over, but keeping Delaney in one place for an hour.

Wine...What a God send, helping mommy's get a good night sleep! (I'm not an alcoholic, so don't leave any anonymous comments!)

And some days I am Thankful for house work...I can't believe I'm saying this. Sometimes the 5 mins it takes to throw some clothes in the washer or dryer, is just what it takes to clear your head and start over.

And finally I am Thankful for Baby Tylenol and Oragel.....Lord knows we couldn't live without this!

a great day

Hallelujah!!! Praise God!!! I never thought this day would come. Today they all woke up at the same time and they were all hungry so it was either hold your own bottle or wait to eat. Ryan just can't do it yet, but he sure tried!

Ryan, Dylan & Ava

Here's my trouble maker Dylan. He refuses to sleep, so we have to put him the swing and wait. Normally he will just give up. This particular day was a bit different. He kept sitting forward. I walked in a few mins later and this is what I saw....too funny!

Here is Ry Ry. He is so handsome! He has the biggest smiles! This is about as close as the boys have been since they were in the womb.

Here is Miss Ava. Her eyes are turning green. Take a look at that hair...I love it!

Delaney had a Fall Family night at her school Tuesday night. The kids had a small concert for the parents. My lil girl is such a ham!

A story in pictures...

Wow S-N-O-W!!! I LOVE SNOW!

Yum I LOVE snow!

Cold hands and brain freeze...I HATE SNOW!

Look! Do you see it? The boys have been wearing this sleeper for about a month now, and not until this morning did I realize it. Kinda funny huh?

babies and bubbles

OK I did it. I swore I would never do it, but I did. I'm sorry babies, but your big sissy begged me to do it...and since she has the biggest brown irresistible eyes, I did. Someday you will all laugh at this.....hopefully.

Dylan, Ava & Ryan

This is the only picture we got because the babies really can't sit up and they were sliding through the rings, poor Ry was scared to death...just look at his eyes! And yes Dylan found his man parts that day =( Since that he hasn't stopped grabbing them.

weekend recap

OK so here are tons of pics for you to check out. I know I haven't put too many pics on lately, so this should make up for that! Enjoy!

Here is Dylan in what we call his "sexy pose". If you look on his stomach right above his belly button you can see his scar from his surgery. That is where his bag was attached.

Here he is crawling.

Here's some sweet pictures of Ava.



My lil Clown!

Here is Ryan

He has the most beautiful blue eyes.

...and Miss Delaney.

Dylan standing.

3 Baby Train.

This is what happens when you leave the room for 1 minute!

This is Delaney's life size ballerina doll. I found her missing an arm today. Here's how the conversation with Delaney went...

Me: Delaney what happened to your dolls arm?

Delaney: What doll? (knowing darn well what doll it was)

Me: Your ballerina

(Delaney enters the room, with this all knowing look, takes a long blink with her eyes)

Delaney: It broke.

Me: (laughing) What do you mean it broke.

Delaney: Well SHE broke her arm....Sometimes kids get hurt and brake their arms, you know.

Oh my I was trying so hard not to laugh. I meant where is her arm. I thought it was funny though, what happened to her arm...it broke. I guess I need to ask more questions.

This is looking at all the leaves that need to be raked up in our backyard. Do you see the snow falling? I guess we better get crackin'. Anyone wanna babysit? Or rake?

Here are the Turkey Magnets that Delaney and I made. We took them to the nursing home Saturday. They let Delaney pass them out to about 30 people. She was so cute! She shook their hands, and told each person Happy Thanksgivin'. When we got back in the van, Delaney asked me what are we gonna make them for Christmas. I said maybe ornaments, she thinks we should take cookies. What a sweetheart.

We made 160 of these darn turkeys!

grandpa

Herschel W. Maust Sr

September 8, 1917 - November 14, 2007

To my Grandpa,

I can't believe that is has been a year since you've been gone. I have missed you so much. I miss our talks and late night milkshakes. I wish you could have been here through this last year. So much has happened, and so much has changed. I hope that I have made you proud. I still remember those last talks we had about life and family. Grandpa I have tried. I promise that I will never give up on that.

Sarah and Shuan got married and graduated from college. They both have good jobs and I think you would be extremely proud of them.

Mom and Dad really miss taking care of you. They have such a void in their hearts.

Andy has been working full time at the same place and he really seems to like it. He misses you so much. He took it really hard and he still is.

Greg misses you too. He thought of you as his Grandpa. He was just talking the other day about the elections, and wish he could have heard your thoughts on the candidates-even we all already know how that would have went.

Delaney still says an extra special prayer for you every night. Every time she sees skittles she remembers that you never ate the pack she brought to you when you were in the Hospital. She really loved you, and I know how happy you were when she would come in the room. I still find it funny when any of us would talk to you we would have talk loud and kind of slow for you hear, but when Delaney would rattle off something I couldn't even understand, you caught it. I don't know if you were just paying more attention or you just didn't care what we said. =)

Grandpa I miss you so much. I have had a really hard year. I have needed your words more than ever. I wish you could have been there when the babies were born. I wish that you could have been here to see how far they've come. You would have truly witnessed a miracle. I still remember exactly what you said when I told you there was 3. I miss picking you up and taking you for a small fry and a milkshake. I just want you to know that I think of you everyday. I miss you everyday. I know that you are in such a better place, where the cancer can't bother you anymore. I can't wait til the day I get to see you again. Until then keep sending the blimp my way, so I know that your watching us. Thank you for all your wisdom. Thank you for all the days you would let me run away to your house. Thank you for every time you would stick up for me. Thank you for everything you ever did for me. The day you left I lost my Grandpa and a really good friend. I can't wait to see you again, until then give Grandma a kiss for me.

I love you and miss you.

Shelly

what?!

SO I swore today would be better than yesterday....so far not so much. While calling my employer to go back to work, to help pay for all these medical bills,I found out that I was "terminated" from my employer. Because of Maternity leave. I can't go into too many details, but isn't that a crock of Sh*it!!!! I can't believe it. I have spent the better half of a decade there and for what? Like I said before, I can't go into too many details but to that certain someone.....you know who you are. It's called Karma.

shelly and the terrible horrible no good very bad day

When I got up this morning at 4:30 am, I was determined to make this a "good" day. Lately there hasn't been to many of them. I guess I'm really missing my Grandpa. Friday it will be a year since he passed. Man I'm really taking it hard-and have been for the last few weeks. Really I can't believe it's been a year already. I miss him more and more each day. I miss his words of wisdom and comfort. I seem to need him more now than I ever did before. Someday. I really wish he could have seen the babies. I know how his face lit up when he saw little ones. I wish I could tell him that I named one of the boys after him. When I was pregnant, I wanted the namesake to be a surprise to him, and he passed before I had the opportunity to tell him. It's crazy that Ryan actually looked like my Grandpa when he was in the NICU. They all looked like lil old men, but he really looked like him. The other 2 look nothing like that either. Ryan also has some of the same mannerisms. Like the way he chews, and what he does with his hands. My Gpa did the same things. I guess we picked the right baby to name after him.

Gotta stop crying and get back to today. Loaded all the kids in the van, dropped Delaney off at preschool. Came home and heard nothing but crying for the next few hours. Nonstop! Went to make dinner in the crock pot, and I didn't have enough sour cream left. The recipe that I had needed sour cream. Since the kids were cranky I loaded them back up about 1/2 hr early to pick up Delaney. We went to 3 drive in gas stations to find sour cream, no luck. The girls working thought I was nuts, I explained I had triplets and didn't want to unload them all just to get sour cream. Not to mention I wore sweat pants and a sweat shirt, my hair was in a bun/ponytail kinda thing, no make up and the biggest bags you have ever seen under anyones eyes. Pick up Delaney. Stop at the gas station by my house (which is very small) ran in and got it. Yes I was so nervous leaving them in the car, but in my defense I was about 10' from them the entire time, and I could see each of them, because I pulled straight in front of the door and the doors were locked! I got it Yay! Get home kids still cry feed them, get all but Dylan down. Put dinner in the crock. Get Delaney lunch. Try to get Dylan to stop crying. No Luck! He cried ALL day. Went to eat dinner....I never plugged the crock pot in! Made it on top the stove, burnt it. Oh well I went though hell to make this dinner, everyone is gonna eat it! Delaney barely ate it because of the Mushroom soup. Which is ironic considering she went to play with the neighbor girl and ate dinner with them. Would you like to know what they had???
You guessed it Cream of Mushroom soup, and she ate a whole bowl.

Not kidding you all the kids cried all day. I'm starting to wonder if maybe their having a reaction to the Synagis injections. I was told by numerous people that there are hardly ever side effects. So I wonder if that's really whats bothering them. Today I could have just ripped my hair out. As soon as Greg got home (with a convenient sudden headache) the kids were his! I was off duty (after dinner) So Delaney and I finished making the 150 turkeys for the nursing home and the NICU. All I gotta do is the finishing touches tomorrow and whaa-la their done! Oh no I just remembered I haven't planted my bulbs for spring....Aaarrgh! Anyone know how long I got...or is it too late? I gotta run, get in the shower and in bed before someone wakes up!

Oh before I forget....Congrats to Gabby on the birth of her new nephew Derrick. Born this evening! And I guess to Hannah too, for having him! Lilly is going to be such a good big sister!

Oh Nikki, congrats on Baby #2. Don't buy anything, I think I got ya covered!

Boy I sure hope there's nothing in the water....I think I would jump off a cliff!

shots

Well all the kids woke up this morning with yucky snotty noses! ICK! It figures because today is the day for the first Synagis shots. As many of you know they came out last week to give the shots, and there was a big mix up with the Insurance Company etc, etc. Well after that, and with nothing being settled we opted not to have them last week. Then rescheduled for today, after we worked out the bugs. After all that mess I was afraid that they wouldn't give them the shots with snotty noses. I was wrong, thank goodness. The mean old nurse came and gave them the shots. She'll be back in 25 to 30 days for the next.



Let me take a minute to vent about this nurse. Last week she said she would be at the house at 1pm. Well the babies are normally taking their afternoon nap at that time. I kept them up because I figured they could sleep after the shots, rather than wake them in the middle of their nap. Well at 2:20 she finally showed up, and with the mess of the Insurance company we sent her away. But before she left she made some pretty rude comments. Ava was crawling over to me while I was on the phone with the Ins. comp. well she was so tired she fell asleep. After I hung the phone up and went to pick Ava up she had the nerve to ask me, if I just let the kids sleep where ever they run out of steam? Yeah I sure do. Come on really, if she wasn't an hour and twenty mins late, she would have been in her bed sleeping. Then when I told her that we would wait to figure out the prices and coverage on the shot she tried to make me feel guilty by saying "I'm sure you already have a lot of guilt, how would you feel if they would get RSV and you could have prevented it, you would even feel worse. Plus the hospital bill will be more than the shots would be" OK lady the difference is that the hospital bill would be picked up no problem, but these shots that you just told me would run over 6 grand per baby, and no one knows how it's being covered. I just can't walk into something like that without more information. Come to find out I will have to pay 20% of the contracted price. The Ins Comp can't tell us what that price is until they have a claim.....argh! It's so frustrating. So please wish us luck! We still don't really know the official price yet. From what the nurse "THINKS" it will be around $350.00 per baby per shot, and each will have to have 5 shots! I don't know where this is gonna come from right now, but I have faith that God will help us find a way. There is a program the nurse told us about so we are gonna try it out. (***finger's crossed***) So back to the nurse today when she came out she went to wash her hands. I directed her to the bathroom, instead she goes into the kitchen after I just stood outside the bathroom door and opened it for her. Ok I guess I can let that slide but then right before she gave the shots, her beeper started buzzing. She stops asks to use the phone, ok no big deal. She makes a call I leave my living room to give her some privacy. Come back in, she gets ready to give the shot and the beeper goes off again. So again she picks up our house phone and calls someone else. This time she starts walking around my house looking in Delaney's room, the Babies room, then reading our dry erase calendar on the fridge. That is just plain rude. Btw, she was talking to a buddy of hers the 2nd time, asking about the meeting and what to expect. Couldn't that have waited? Real professional. Meanwhile I have 3 naked babies rolling and crawling waiting for the liquid gold.

So here's their updated weights.

Dylan 13 lbs 13 oz

Ryan 11 lbs 12 oz

Ava 11 lbs 9 oz

So what has our kids all have 2 bottom teeth now. I gotta tell ya. Dylan gets on all fours to crawl, his hands are always turned inward and he's constantly showing off his bottom 2 teeth....He looks like a bulldog! It's so funny! I will have to get a pic of it tomorrow and post it for everyone to see.

rainbow babies visit

Praise GOD, we just got back from Rainbow Babies Hospital in Cleveland. We took Ryan to see another Neurosurgeon. He thinks we should just watch him for now, repeat a CT Scan in about 3 or 4 months, and maybe an MRI too. He said he does have Mild Hydrochephaly (water in the brain). Also he needs to start getting therapy too, so he won't get any further behind. So say some prayers, knock on wood and cross your fingers that he will be OK. I'm really worried about him having to have a shunt placed in his brain. I swear we will see 10 Dr 's before I let anyone operate on my lil mans brain! I just want what is best for him, and what will help him the rest of his life. I just don't want to rush to surgery for a quick fix, and then him have problems later in life. So like I said before keep him in your prayers! Thanks, Love Ya'll!

oh delaney

While Delaney and I was at Target the other day we strolled through the dollar section (Delaney's Favorite part) First she decided to get a pair of Lighting McQueen socks, then she saw it....A Princess Ariel dry erase board...with a MARKER!!! For the past 10 months markers have been banned from the Hill House due to Delaney's doodling abilities. She took yellow highlighter to the walls in the living room and dining room. So I made her help me scrub the walls and throw her markers away. Anyway she had to have this board. I thought just maybe she has outgrown the urge to draw on walls, and against my better judgement I bought her the board......

She has been an angel with it. No marks on the walls, no marks on her, and best of all she can write. I knew she could write somethings, but she can write my name, Greg's name, and her full name and a few other small words. I don't even have to tell her how to spell it, she remembers. Maybe all 4 yr olds can do this? I don't know she's my 1st. SO I guess I gotta brag. Since she turned 4 in July she has been so awesome. She has always liked to learn and try new things, but since starting school she is even more excited to do these things.


She has also started drawing more and more. Since she has this dry erase board she draws and writes non stop. She drew this cute picture of a person with ear muffs on. This is also the 1st time she drew hands and fingers, she really went into detail with this particular drawing. She showed me and I told her how impressed I was with her picture. She went to show Greg, I heard her explaining the details in the picture.....Greg was only half listening (because we all know how Delaney can talk your ear off) He just kept smiling and nodding. He told her he loved the pic and loved the earrings......."Daddy those are not earrings those are earmuffs, and it's not a girl it's a boy. See he has a bipper" Greg was still smiling and nodding. I heard this from the other room and went to check the pic. Sure enough his anatomy is correct. She gave him a penis or bipper as Delaney calls it. I was shocked. I told her that boys have to keep them hid, they have to stay in their pants etc. Then she took her black marker and colored the man some pants. I can't believe she drew it. I guess from her having 2 little brother in the house has taught her the difference between boys and girls. I am always careful about changing the boys near Delaney. If she's around I cover it, I guess she pays more attention than I did.

After the whole bipper thing you should have seen Greg's face. He could not believe his little Delaney drew that. I had to take a picture of it. Here he is in all his glory.

pics

Here are some newer pics. Enjoy!

nov 4th

Nov 4th, the big day. I don't know why but ever since I woke up this morning I have had this sick feeling in my gut. I know our world is in for a big change. It's like the first step into the beginning of the end. I still have doubts about both candidates. Obama has big hopes, with no experience. McCain is old and his running mate Ms Palin is a freakin idiot. So who??? I just want this to be over. I think we all know who is going to win. I just hope that whoever gets it can actually do some good instead of making things worse. I just pray that us as Americans make the right choice. I will leave you with this.

PS- GO VOTE!!!



Pray for Our Leaders


I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 KJV