2 years ago...

As the evening closes in, the sun begins to fade and the trio is fast asleep, it is time to look back on the past two years and reflect on just what a journey it has been.  I can still remember the day so clearly in my mind.  As I lay awake that morning so uncomfortable and trying to listen to what the doctor was telling me, "just a few more weeks", he said. We so longed to give the trio the best chance we could by keeping them in for as long as possible. Well the trio thought otherwise! They were "READY" for their entrance! So at a mere 28 weeks and 2 days Ethan, Katelynn and Melissa entered the world ready for the fight of their lives on May 16th, 2011 at 10:35am (Ethan and Katelynn) and 10:36am (Melissa)! Two years ago today began our 100+ day NICU journey and the rest of our lives!

 Today they are happy, healthy, thriving 2 year old triplets!  We are so thankful for all the friends and family who played a role in getting us to this point today! We are grateful for the prayers and support on this ever changing journey! Here's a little bit about us from the last year:

Ethan Alexander-Baby A
10:35am

Ethan is a sensitive, loving boy whose smile can melt a room.  He loves to cuddle, play with phones and pop bubbles.  Ethan is our musical child.  He loves to beat on drums, plunk the keys of the piano and organ or sing along to his favorite songs. Ethan loves balloons and his dog Harley. Ethan loves mac and cheese, broccoli and chicken nuggets. His least favorite food is bananas!  This year Ethan suffered his first ear infections and also a respiratory infection that earned him his own albuterol inhaler.  He has otherwise been very healthy this year and remains strong!

Katelynn Rose-Baby B
10:35am

Katelynn is an energetic, go getter, who is a natural born leader.  She loves to read or sit with someone and listen to a story.  Katelynn is our most verbal child. She is able to say many words, phrases and even a few sentences. She is soaking up knowledge as often as she can and is beginning to name shapes and colors and rote count. Katelynn is the first one to begin the steps to potty training. We purchased a potty seat and will be introducing that this summer! She is showing signs of readiness.  Katelynn is our nurturing child. She loves to play with dolls and feed them, bathe them and dress them. She is very comforting to her sister and brother if they get hurt or sad. Katelynn has overcome many food aversions this year and is eating a very nice variety on most days.  She is taking Prevacid to help with reflux symptoms which has helped tremendously with her eating habits! She enjoys apples, mac and cheese, lasagna and pickles!

Melissa Marie-Baby C
10:36am

Melissa is our comedian.  She loves to get a laugh out of anyone or laugh at someone else doing silly things. She loves balls that she can throw or catch.  She loves to take a bath.  We have to be careful saying that word now in front of her because she takes off running to the tub when she hears the word! Melissa loves to tickle and be tickled. Melissa is our receptive child. She can point to many things you ask about in a book or anywhere you are! She is our blueberry lover and will request "blues" as often as you'll give them to her! She also enjoys banana, cheesecake and butter.  She's still trying to put on some weight! She is small but mighty! Melissa had two HUGE milestones this year (among the ones most other children reach). She has graduated from GI clinic as they thought she was sufficiently growing despite her small size. Face it, she didn't get big genes from this family! She also graduated from Pulmonary clinic today (5/16/13). Pulmonary clinic says 4 grams a day growth is a bit weak, but at least she's growing on her own growth grid and her lungs look and sound great! Her saturation was up to 100% today even while screaming! They say we should keep her albuterol inhaler and prednisone handy for one more winter, but they feel that the pediatrician can follow up with her and they don't feel they need to see her anymore! What a relief to not be driving in Seattle traffic frequently anymore!

Collectively the trio has learned so much in the past year.  Since their last birthday, they began crawling, walking, talking and eating solid foods.  They have moved from high chairs to booster seats and started using plates, forks and spoons! They are still working on using regular cups, but left bottles behind for straw sippy cups! Their cribs have been lowered to the lowest notch so hopefully they don't learn too quickly how to climb out!  Now that the trio is old enough to roll over on their own, they have been allowed a couple stuffed animals and a small blanket to start getting used to these items in their beds. The trio also graduated from infant car seats to rear facing convertible car seats.  Ethan will be the first to go forward facing as the girls are still a bit small to turn around! Everyone even got their first official haircut before their 2nd birthday!

The trio enjoys going out places and seeing the world.  They like to frequent the mall, the park, the store and any other place they can "go go". They are enjoying many of the classic characters right now such as Winnie the Pooh, Veggie Tales and most of all Elmo! Their birthday cake will feature Elmo!

As parents of this trio we have delighted in the everyday tasks of raising 3 very different, very amazing young children who teach us moment to moment the meaning of life, love and laughter. We are so proud of how far they have come and who they are becoming! What a blessing!

Stay tuned, the journey has only just begun!