2013: the year of 3's.... 2014: the year of WEDDING!!

2013 is the year of 3's......

I turned 30 on July 4th!!!

thank you Brundige Family for helping us celebrate Arkansas style.... what a fantastic time!

I will be giving birth to 3 babies....

.... and did I mention one of them is officially a boy?!?!?!  We are so excited!!!  Pete was beaming in the ultrasound room!  That was officially the Heartbeat of the last week!  The other two were being less than supportive of our gender-finding expedition so we will have to wait another couple weeks to know the official verdict.  Wonder if this is telling of life with these 3: never be able to have all 3 cooperating at one time?!?!  HA!

not the best pic of him- he was moving his head back and forth so quickly- as well as kicking his siblings repeatedly- ha... but had to share;)

2014 will be the year of....

a WEDDING!!!!!  My sister got engaged last week and we cannot be more thrilled- we already love you so much Uncle Adam ;).... you sure your ready for this family?!?!  Just kidding....

Congratulations Abby & Adam - what an exciting time for such an amazing couple!!!

Lil Miss already has her heels picked out for the big day ;)

Hiccup

Oh the world of potty training.... oh my oh my oh my.  So baby girl has shown readiness and to be completely honest- Mommy & Daddy were ready for ALL that business to go in the potty so last Saturday we began the '3-Day Lockdown' that would unfold a perfectly accident free 2-year-old....right?!  I guess I wasn't THAT naive about this whole thing, but lets just say we are on Day 7 and I was just scraping panties... oh yes- TMI you say?!  You just wait.... your day of potty training will come- and to those of you who have been there done that- I bow down to you!  This is a tough thing, but Harper is honestly doing better than I make it out to be... it's just a S...L...O...W process ;).

And I end with a picture of my favorites... these two just can't get enough of each other- this little girl loves her Daddy- these summer evenings this is about how I find them!  Just makes me so happy to see them together :)!

Feeling Movement and a Trip to Nana & Papa's

14 Weeks

We're so excited that we can check a couple more weeks off the prego calendar ;)!  I keep holding out that this nausea has GOT to leave me in peace soon.... right?!?!

Heartbeat

We got to see the little babies this week and they seems to be doing well!  They're getting bigger and really starting to move!  We didn't get pictures to take with us this time, but got to spend a couple minutes watching them wiggle all over- they're beginning to stretch out and I can see their fingers and toes;).... they better take advantage of the space as I'm sure it won't be long until they'll have to scrunch back up to share the space with their siblings;).  I am pretty sure I can feel one of the babies every night so I'm curious to talk with OB next visit to see which one it is!

Hiccup.... but really a Heartbeat

As I mentioned in my last post, Harper went up to spend some time with Nana, Papa, and her Aunts, and Uncle in Indy while I got a grip on the crazy pregnancy symptoms and got a plan together for the duration;).

So, this was a hiccup for Pete and I as we discovered the ODDNESS of a completely quiet, mess-free home, and having a conversation- like a full conversation of more than 2 sentences- CRAZY!!  We missed her so much!!!

We QUICKLY realized this was not much of a hiccup after seeing the videos and pictures of her enjoying her other family members in a way she hadn't been able to before.  I swear, hearing about her day sounded like she was at summer camp surrounded by people that loved her- she seemed to be in heaven.

Thank you Mom, Dad, Abby, Anna, Aaron, Adam, Gino, and all the others that helped keep our little angel happy these past couple weeks- Pete and I appreciate it so much!

12 Weeks!!!!!!!!!!

We've hit 12 Weeks and cannot be happier!!!  Getting the babies to this place is great, so the doctor tells us, as miscarriage rate drops significantly... thank goodness!!! 

Heartbeat

Pete and I are thrilled we have made it to this point, as those first 12 weeks so much can happen... getting to this point is a real blessing and we are thrilled, thanking God every step of the way for gifting us this amazing journey.  Pregnancy is an incredible blessing and I try every day to thank God for this gift and think of the amazing miracle carrying 3 babies is... I would be fooling you if I said this is an easy, uplifting journey as it certainly comes with its hiccups, but in the quiet moments Pete and I can't help but feel the unbelievable love we have for these 3 currently 3-inch little beings we're bringing into this world.  To you 3 bambinos... your Mommy and Daddy love you more than you know... please continue growing big and strong- we cannot wait to meet you... stay cooking!!!

Hiccup

Of course with every blessing we feel, there is a hiccup to swallow and goodNESS did we swallow a big one this week....

Harper truly is the light of Pete and I's world.  We would give anything for that little girl and just flat out love her to pieces.  Well, this pregnancy is allowing me to really never get a step ahead... who would have thought;)??  I kept looking at the little 2-year-old ball of energy next to me while I would be lying on the couch in a moment of misery, knowing that she just needed more than I can give her right now.... so of course I called Super Nana ;) for advice and a little help...

On Friday, we made the bittersweet decision to let Ms. Harper take her FIRST summer trip to see Nana, Papa, and her Aunts.  Yep.... I bawled for most of that day, but after seeing the numerous videos of her face in pure happiness I know we made the best decision.  Thank you to my AMAZING parents and siblings for not even thinking twice about spending a week or two with a little rugrat.... it means more than you know!  I will spend this time getting caught up on all triplet pregnancy is and cannot tell you what a good feeling it is to know she is in amazing hands!

Speaking of the lil rugrat, here are a couple updated pictures of her in all her glory;)

As always... thank you to ALL of you for your kindness, support, prayers, words of encouragement, and simply bringing so much happy into our lives!!  We LOVE you all!!

Oh ya... and did I mention we can check the first trimester off the books- whooooohoooo!!!  I know feeling better is just around the corner- right!?!? ;)

Our Family is Growing.....

As always.... I have been a little slacking with this blog.  I apologize to family waiting on pictures of our little Arkansas life, but I have been living in a hole for the past couple months, but now- I have a story to share;)

Life with Ms. Harper has been so wonderful and fun but Pete and I have prayed that we would be able to give her a sibling to run around with.... I mean the dog is great and everything, but lets face it: the child needs human interaction 24-7!  Having children isn't the easiest thing for our little family, but we have always been confident that God would know the right time and place for a Lee expansion.  Well, A YEAR later, 20+ pregnancy tests, much prayer and a little science, we saw that surreal double line on the pee stick... oh yes- I shrieked for Pete- could it be?!?!

Well, a week later we nervously walked into the doctor's office just hoping we would hear one heartbeat.... and this is what we saw:

The tech said "Wow!"  We of course said, "Is everything ok?"  Pete asked, "Is there more than 1?"  She did not say a word but held up 3 fingers.... oh my WORD we were speechless.  Within a couple minutes she confirmed there were 3 fraternal babies with heartbeats at 6 weeks.  Pete and I just kept saying to each other,

"We're having triplets!!"

So, multiples is a slightly tricky situation... and for that reason I have resided in my little hole in Arkansas for the past couple months trying to work through all that is happening!!  We are officially 11 weeks and saw the babies again today.  They look to be doing well and have heartbeats in the 170s...

A fun 3D/4D shot of Baby C ;)

Now I will officially be back blogging as much as I can to keep you all posted on the lil squirts.  In keeping with the theme of this blog, here goes our first heartbeat and hiccup of this new journey!

Heartbeat

Literally seeing that flicker of your baby's heartbeat is an amazing moment.  Times that by 3 and I was tearfully in shock.  A new element of this whole process is somehow trying to talk to a 2-year-old about why you can't jump on Mommy, why Mommy is constantly eating, and why Mommy is AGAIN lying down.  We talk to Harper about there being babies in Mommy's tummy, but it wasn't until last night that she came to my bedside to say goodnight and after she gave me a kiss and a hug she bent down and kissed and hug my belly.... holy moly talk about a tearful Momma.... that little girl knows how to melt her Mother's hormonal heart in an instant.  

Hiccup

Who would have thought you grow like crazy and feel triple the yuckiness with a triplet pregnancy- ha!!!  I am adapting and am so grateful for Pete and I's immediate family, the few friends that knew about this to help with Ms. Harper, and my AMAZING husband for dealing with my hormonal attitude these past couple months.... you all have been a blessing from God and we don't know where we would be without you.  

We look forward to sharing this journey with you!  Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers- we appreciate and love you all so much!

So Much Fun.... Photo Dump Style;)

This time of year is always a blur.... in an utterly fantastic way, but I feel I'm playing catch up now with the bloggin ;).... goodness I have I been saying that often?!  Guess that's life with a 2-year old;)!

So, we felt so blessed and special that my sister decided to spend her last collegiate Spring Break in Bentonville, AR!!!  We LOVED having she and Adam here- showed them the heart of Bentonville, yummy coffee, and some good shopping;).... there may or may not have been one EXTREMELY large porcelain pig purchased- ha!

Harper LOVED her artistic aunt..... glued to her hip for sure;)

"Adam, where are you?" oh yes- the phrase of the week!  Baby girl loved her Adam time as well!

Abby's take on what 2-year-old style should be: a sweater from when I was a toddler, pj pants, neon socks, finished off with sparkly shoes- loved it!

Temporarily it seemed Harper had 2 Daddies at the museum;)- ha!  She had those boys right where she wanted them!

How long I have had Emma: 7 years

How long Abby has been scared to death of her: 7 years..... UNTIL NOW!!!!

They were big time buddies.... Emma may be vacationing with Abby in the near future- hehe!

Abby & Adam 

Truly we couldn't thank you enough for picking US to spend your Spring Break with; we haven't laughed that hard, or had more fun with you guys in a looooooong time!  

We love you both so much :)!

The "Pre Easter Hunt" ;).... us Mamas have to make sure our girls are good and ready for the hunt of the eggs- haha!  We had so much fun and they LOVED it- and not braggin' or anything- they were actually pretty good- that was until they discovered the flowers in the yard- ha!

Play date with new friends!

"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10" 

Ya...... we're getting there;)

Cupcake Tea Party

The girls set this all up themselves. As they were eating Jessica and I couldn't help but listen to their conversation over "tea and cupcakes"- ha!

Easter Egg Hunt at Daddy's work

I enjoyed the sweet Daddy & Daughter time.... so cute they are together!

Mommy is taking a shower and I see an open lap top on the desk ripe for hackin'..... all I need is a stool (from the other side of the HOUSE) and I will promptly get up into the spinney chair and take a look at my best buddy, Emma's blog....

Unbelievable.... still don't know how she did it ;)

Friday Night on The Bentonville Square.... nothing like a warm evening, corn dogs and funnel cakes, and time with good friends.... up until the meltdown when Harper was not allowed to immerse herself in the fountain.... but that's neither here nor there- it was a good evening ;).

The following are pictures from Harper's 2nd Birthday Party... thank you to all of you who came to celebrate with are bouncy, crazy, and loving birthday girl!

Thank you, Mara for the BEAUTIFUL CAKE!!!  Harper loved her Bubble Guppies yumminess!! 

Thank you, Nana for the power wheels.... Harper is just like Papa cruisin' in her 'Stang!

The solo pic I got of the birthday girl.... she was busy!

Birthday Buddies at no other place than Chick Fil A!  Love these 2 April 8 babies;)!

The second round of O'Connell's came to celebrate Spring Break '13 with the Lees!!!!  It was SO great to see them and celebrate with the OTHER birthday boy- Happy Birthday, Aaron!!!!

Coloring time with Nana!

Just a little make up time ;).  Oh yes, there WERE adults present while this loveliness was going on, but we just couldn't help but giggle at how Harper applied her mascara to her left eye and oh yes- her nostril.... oh baby girl you give us some great laughs;).

How else would we celebrate a few days together as a family.... 4 dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts... ooooooooh yaaaaaa!

Story time with Papa!

April has been a fun month so far.  We appreciate all the guests we've had and wonderful friends to help us celebrate the birthdays!

Last Month in a Nutshell :)

Another month has passed us by!  Can't believe it's almost April and our baby girl is almost 2!!  

So in honor of the BIG 2 I thought it necessary for some "big girl stuff" to happen in the form of a triple threat:

Move Harper to big girl room in big girl bed: check!

Break-up the love Harper has for her nummies (aka: pacifier): check!

Pottytrain Baby Girl: Harper gave that one the big no thanks with a huge helping of accidents and tears

It has been a fun few weeks as Harper gets used to the dynamic duo of change around here and we are sllloooowwwwllllyy learning our way about the potty.  Her babies and dolls are taking turns on the potty, so folks- we have progress ;)!

Her first night in her new bed- oh yes.... I had a significant lump in my throat seeing her grown up self!

Happy Birthday, Ryann!!  She had fun celebrating her "big sister's" 4th Birthday!

Showing Mommy how the slide is done.... "1-2-3 Go Mommy!"

Picnic Time!!!  

Man we are going to love when the warm weather is here to stay- c'mon Spring!

Open Gym at a gymnastic place nearby..... best playdate yet!  

Thank Heavens for new carpet!  Harper was just as pumped as Mommy to run around on its cushy, clean goodness!

 During the carpet process Harper and I were limited to play in the garage and kitchen since it was of course 20 degrees outside.  Cannot BELIEVE she slept in a CHAIR while our home was full of carpet laying noise and strangers- ha!

Of course there was also a couple fun trips home to visit family and friends ;)!

A big squeeze for Grandma in Cambridge City!

Auntie Anna has a way with this child.... ;)

And this, folks, is the face we saw the last 30 minutes of our 9 hour drive home- someone was ready to get OUT OF THE CAR....ha!

Got to love, Emma Time!  These girls just play their hearts out when they're together- best buddies!

Happy Spring Everyone... hoping my next post will show us in all our outside glory- we're excited!