....Minivan....check....

Big accomplishment this weekend! We got a new minivan---2007 Kia Sedona. We love it!!!! One more thing checked off the list. Off to the Cardinal game....last home game! Let's hope we can bring them a little luck!

20 weeks and no more work (for a few months!)

Hi everybody! Today was my last day of work--I'm so excited to relax for a bit. I work with such great friends. They planned a surprise lunch/baby shower for me this past Tuesday. Well, I actually planned it, but thought it was a Sept. birthday lunch, so I really was surprised when I walked in! I got lots of nice things for the babies and a free lunch :) Then today, everyone brought in food, so we were able to snack all day. Of course, I couldn't slack too much since my manager gave me a audit to work on---thanks Scott! Sounds crazy, but I'm sure I'll miss it a little bit....or at least the people.

I had an appt with Dr. Moore last week and she said everything looked perfect so far. Then the next day I went in for an ultrasound and she said I won't need surgery (cerclage), just as she thought. When she came in, she also told me I was made to carry triplets. That really does make me feel good that she is so positive all of the time. And makes me feel like maybe I really was 'chosen'. Jim kind of makes fun of me because its sounds like I'm bragging or something :)I'm not posting ultrasound pics because they aren't that great from her office. She gave us 3, but I have no idea which one is which or if they are even of different babies. We have an appt next week at the perinatal center, so I will post those pictures...they are always better.

So, I'm 20 weeks and getting huge. Every time I wear something, I usually decide by the end of the day that it no longer fits and have to put it away for our next pregnancy (maybe;) Starting to get a little tired again, so I haven't been doing much around the house. Jim is awesome! He is getting so much done--he painted Alli's new room, now we have to get new carpet and decorate. He started to paint our bathroom last night. Kitchen is still not done, but I'm giving him a break on that one :) I can't complain because of all of the other stuff he has been doing. We have been searching for a new minivan. I think maybe we might get one this weekend. Also this weekend we are going to a MOMMES resell it sale to see if there is anything to get that we need. I also want to meet some of the people in the group, since I've only met a few. I may attend one of their dinners next week. So much on my list of things to do, but I know I have to take it easy. I started to feel the babies move a few weeks ago, but Jim was just able to start feeling them a few days ago. He loves it! Alli always wants to come over and feel too, but I don't think she has been able to yet. So she just still gives them kisses.

Enough rambling...I'll post a few pics of what we have been doing the past few weeks.

Labor Day weekend, we went to my brother Brian's house for his annual party. Jim had fun swimming! Just thought this picture was funny!

A group of us hanging out at the bar (dreaming of margaritas!)

The next weekend, we went to a comedy club for our friend Becky's 30th birthday. Comedians were dirty, dirty, dirty, but hilarious. Happy 30th Becky!

Dawn, Me, Toni, Sheila, Becky

Me, Jim, Don(back), Sheila, Becky, Dustin, Dawn

Jim and I comparing bellies

That same weekend, we continued on to Nashville to see my nieces big show. We had to make a pit stop to see our friends Donna & Corey and their two girls. Her baby was about 7-8 weeks old at the time of our visit. It was good to see them--it had been over a year.

Donna, Taylor, and Me

Emma & Allison reading their books. They played great together!

They also played dress upWe spent the night at Jackie's apt and then Alli played at the park with Billy and Uncle Bill

Now comes the real reason for our trip. Amy, Angela, and Courtney auditioned for a spot to sing at the Bluebird Cafe way back in early February and they were chosen to sing on Sept 9th. A lot of country stars got their start here. It was also Courtney's 17th Birthday! Happy Birthday, Court!

They did awesome (like always!). The trio is called Pearl Heart and they are going to be big some day! You should all check them out at http://www.pearlheartfan.com/ and if you have a myspace, you can befriend them there.

Pearl Heart in concert at The Bluebird Cafe

From left, Amy (20), Courtney(17), Angela(20)

Sisters - Jackie (mother of Pearl Heart) and Jane
Pearl Heart with their biggest fans!

From left: Amy, Angela, Courtney, Bill, Jackie, Me, Ken, Ann, Jane, Mom

18 Weeks

Gosh, its already been a month! Sorry that we have not updated in so long. It's always on my 'to-do' list, but for some reason, by the time I get other things done and Allison in bed, I just feel like catching up on my TV shows. I get really far behind and things start falling off my DVR since I watch so much Sesame Street everyday, day and night and don't get to watch the shows I tape. Okay, after re-reading that, it sounds like I have a TV addiction and I don't do anything else---I really do :) I promise I will try to do better---I have a lot of people nagging me ;)

Here are the lovely pictures of my belly. These are from last night, so close enough to 18 weeks. I'd say I'm getting a little pudgy ;) I think I've gained about 17lbs so far. I feel good though!

So, we went for an ultrasound last Thursday (17 weeks). Everything looked good with the babies with estimated weights for Baby A (6 oz), Baby B (7oz) and Baby C (8oz). The weights are just estimates, but she did say that Baby C does look a little chunkier than other 2. Heartbeats were good too - 143 bpm, 147 bpm, and 133 bpm, respectively. September 20 is still my last day of work....after last week, it can't come too soon. Only 12 more days!! Yippee! It will be a much needed break, although, I'm sure I'll still be busy preparing for the new babies, giving Alli tons of attention, then taking care of the new babies (and Alli). I'll be ready to go back to work part-time hopefully about April.

For those of you who can't read ultrasounds :0) Baby A is face down in the first one--nice spine shot! The second picture is of a leg, and the third, the baby finally turned around to look at us.

Next is Baby B-obviously not like his/her mother, who loves the camera. We always have a hard time getting pictures of this one. The first one is the baby's face and then you can see both legs together. The second picture is just an arm. Baby C - first pic is baby looking at us, second pic is a head profile, and third pic is the back of head showing us the ears.

I apologize for the crappy scan job---this was my first time and I need some more practice! Jim is going to try to fix it for me.

Other stuff going on....

Jim started painting the kitchen this weekend and cut the grass, put some mulch down. Things are starting to come together (a little). We have been collecting lots of hand me downs and the garage is getting so full! Not sure how we are all going to fit in this house!

Jim's parents (Lynn & Jim) celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary on 8/5/07. The whole family went out to dinner in Springfield. It was a lot of fun. Happy Anniversary!

Cody, Kelly, Kenzie, Jim, and Alli
We had two showers in August....Gina was surprised and Katie was too, although I don't have any pics from Katie's to post. Here is Gina looking pretty surprised! Gina is due 10/14 and Katie is due 10/8. Can't wait for the new additions to our family to arrive.

Jim went to Michigan for a wedding and to visit his buddy Guido. Alli and I didn't have too much fun when he was gone...we really missed him!

Alli practiced being a big sister with her baby doll. She was being so cute!

She even took baby for a ride on the Elmo car!

One more milestone...she learned how to use a bar of soap on her own. We can't get her out of the bathtub now. At least she is clean, right??

Week 14

Wow is time flying! It's hard to believe that we are more than a third of the way through the pregnancy. I really have to get my butt in gear! There is still so much to do before the trips arrive!

We haven't put a picture of Chrissy's belly up in awhile so we thought it was time. She really doesn't like that part too much so I'm afraid the picture isn't going to tell the story very well. She is starting to show now though.


Today we had another ultrasound. Thank the good Lord, all of the babies are healthy and growing. They each weighed about 1/4 0f a pound! We got lots of new pictures of each of them. The amazing part is that they are starting to actually look like little babies now! It's so awesome. Here are some of the pics:


Here's baby A. The top picture is of the baby looking right at the "camera". The next one is the head, body, and arm. Is it sucking it's thumb?! The bottom one is of the babies legs. So cute!




















Next is baby B. The picture layout here is the same. The first picture is his/her face. The second is the body and head. In the last one, you can see a little arm in the top of the sack. Another very cute child I must say!




















Last but not least, we have baby C. This is obviously going to be the king (or queen) of the group. Notice how scrunched up the first two babies look. They are squeezed together, it's hard to see their limbs (except for glimpses), and we never did get a full view of them. Now look at this one! The first picture is the face but look at the second picture. Look how stretched out this little one is! It's like it has it's own little condo! Tons of room, kicking and moving everywhere. I love it! The third picture is a close up of it's little leg and foot.















These new ultrasounds have us even more excited than we already were about the arrival of our triplets. Allison is even starting to get more enthusiastic. Here is a picture of her reading to her new brothers/sisters. She really likes to show them the pictures too :)

When she's done with story time, she gives them all kisses and tell's them "bye bye".

She's going to be an awesome big sister!

First Trimester Completed (and other updates)

Sorry we haven't got around to updating the blog lately. I keep saying I'm going to do it almost every night and then I start doing something else.

We did see Dr. Moore again about two weeks ago. We went through the whole 1st visit prenatal stuff (blood tests, etc). She even threw in an ultrasound for us, but she forgot to give us the pictures , otherwise I would post. The 3 babies looked healthy and she said so far everything is looking good. I'll probably still stop working around 9/20/07 and she said the average for triplets is 32 weeks, so that would be 12/12/07. But, since I'm so healthy (pat myself on the back for that), I can possibly make it to Christmas or longer! So, I'm out of the first trimester now--maybe I'll get some energy back. We'll see...it might be different with 3 babies. No more progesterone supplements---I always had trouble getting that pill down! Oh, and I'm getting really big all of a sudden too-I need to get some new pics up. So, on that front, just keep praying for us that we have 3 healthy babies and they keep growing good!

Oh, and one more thing relating to the new babies...

Our friends Dave and Sheila had their yearly bbq last weekend and all of our friends brought us a package of diapers. It was such a fun surprise. We really do have a great group of friends that we hang out with. They are all so sweet and thoughtful. So, now we have a good start on our diaper collection--we ended up with 14 packages.

Thanks to all of you!!!

So.... we've been keeping busy. Two weeks ago, we took a trip up to Lake Michigan with Jane/Ken and their 3 youngest girls to visit some friends (Liz and Dan). We pretty much just hung out on the beach everyday and then grilled or ate pizza at night. Very relaxing and it was beautiful. We've never been up there and would love to go back. Seemed almost like the ocean, but a lot closer!

Allison and her cousin Jackie playing in the sand

Family photo at Weko Beach

Alli eating her popsicle and getting it all over daddy (and herself)

Playing in the sand some more with Jackie and JennyWho would have thought? Chrissy's daughter eating Bread Co???

Now, for some various pictures and none of them are really in order.

Alli playing with bubbles

This is Father's Day 2007

July 4th Fireworks at White Birch Park--Poor Allison didn't like them so much. She cried the whole time with her arm over her eyes and then she fell asleep at the very end

She may look like her daddy, but she loves summer just as much as her mommy!

Okay, I'm done for the night.....