August 28

August 28.

The triplets' due date.  Not sure I'll ever forget that date.  I think most preemie mamas can relate.

In a perfect world, that's when (or around this date) they should have been born.  But instead, they arrived 3 1/2 months early.  In my eyes, they are finally and officially two years old! They've come so far!  

They are walking, running, talking, eating, growing and keeping this mama extremely busy.

Happy Homecoming day Marcos, Sofia, (August 23, 2011) and Carlos (August 27, 2011)!! But most importantly...

Happy Due Date birthday!!!!

I often wonder if these dates will always be a part of me, I'm sure others do too.
 You look at my kiddos, and unless you know what we have been through, you would never know.  They are thriving and look perfectly healthy and normal (for lack of a better word).  And then, I come across articles like this ONE and I'm reminded that they truly are miracles and our lives could have been completely different.  So I'll say it again...

Happy Homecoming days!! Happy Due Date Birthday!!

One day you will understand why these dates are so important to us!

Picture Time...

Marcos

Sofia

The trio...Carlitos in the middle.

Sofia, always so serious, just like Isabella at this age.  She really is having fun! 

Brothers!! Sitting is a challenge for these two, they prefer standing and climbing on chairs. 

We celebrated with some frozen yogurt yesterday after picking up Big Sis from school, 2nd grade! Can't hardly believe it...and so happy the school routine has quickly fallen into place!

The trio is napping, and I'm enjoying the silence, plus trying to make dinner, fold laundry and working on invites for  Isabella's birthday party that is quickly approaching.

Hope to post again soon!

Happy Homecoming Carlitos!

Carlos,

You were free to come home to our family on August 27, 2011! What a happy day that was! 

Our Party of Six was finally together...outside of a hospital.

I think I will always have some guilt for not visiting you in the ICN for 3 entire days!! 

You see, Marcos and Sofia were free a few days before you....I had every intention of going back, but you brother and sister had other plans.

Please know I called the hospital A LOT! All your nurses can tell you I called at least once every shift.  

We were so lucky and blessed to have some very good nurses that loved and cared for you.  

Nurse Jackie, Nurse Isabel, Nurse Maritess, 

Nurse Janelle, Nurse Monica and Nurse Cynthia are just a few!

I was assured so many times that you were getting lots and lots of cuddles.  We all couldn't wait to see you, hold you, smell you, kiss you and finally take you home.  There was no way you were staying behind.  Your last 2 weeks you showed so much strength and determination.  You were my sickest little one but you fought hard! You surprised us all, coming home with no oxygen, and diaphragm paralysis?? what is that?!? Yay!! Happy times!  

Here we are a year later...First you learned to roll over then sit alone, then you learned how to move around on your bottom....then came the scooting around and crawling on one knee, and now you are full blown crawling! You are pulling up and standing and learning how to not get stuck standing up.  

You are waving and clapping and this past Saturday you were so excited for you snack that you said "Ka ke" (cracker).  Your official first word besides mamamama! 

You smile at everyone and are becoming quite the flirt.  You are so social and love to play with Marcos and Sofia and of course Isabella.  You seek their attention many times and you love to play with them, especially in the mornings when you all wake up.  I love hearing you laugh.  

You are also very good at playing on your own and you are currently my most independent little one. You are also quite sensitive when little sissy Sofie takes toys away. 

Oh that cry, when you cry, you cry LOUDLY.  

You are starting to take toys away from your siblings and we like it when you put up a good fight. 

You are a risk taker and your physical therapist thinks I'm in for trouble when you start walking and I just can't wait to see you take your first steps....

ummm, well maybe I can wait just a little bit! 

We love you!

Happy Late Homecoming Day!!

A little late, only because teething x 3 is no fun at all!

Homecoming Anniversary

Marcos and Sofia...

Your homecoming anniversary is here.  

You have been home one year today (August 23, 2012).

That was one happy and emotional day. 

I remember thinking Marcos and Sofia are free!

Marcos, weighing a little over 5 pounds, while tiny but mighty Sofia had not even reached the big 5.  I'll never forget your discharge day.  It somehow took a long time to get out of the hospital.  Maybe I was procrastinating, only because your big brother, Carlos, could not join us yet. 

That first evening was chaotic.  

Your big sister had Back to School night and not long after unloading the van and getting you out of the car seats, Daddy had to go to her school.  

I attempted to feed you both at the same time.  

A few loud screams, nursing, pumping, and bottle feeding, it's now a big blur.  

Marcos, you are mama's boy and love to be cuddled and tickled.  Most of the time you are mellow unless you are lacking sleep. Here is our picture on your discharge day.  I love how you love food.  You are so willing to try everything mama gives you.  Today you ate puree peaches and cherries, buttery toast and Cheerios for breakfast. Today you took your first bite out of a peach, and LOVED it.  You kind of scream at me when I don't feed you fast enough.  You are so tolerant and let big sis cuddle you and squeeze your cheeks.  

Sofia, you were feisty from day one.  We are so thankful for all your strength.  We all know you are in charge.  I love how you always sit back and observe.  You take the world in.  You have come so far, and as your pediatrician said this week..."You have exceeded everyone's expectations."

It's Back to School Night again.

 This year mommy went, while daddy did the night routine.

We feel so blessed to have been chosen to be your mom and dad.  It hasn't been easy, its been quite the journey (and still is) but we are so happy God allowed us to bring you home. 

Your first few weeks of life were hard. I'll never be able to explain why.  

We no longer question your premature birth but know you truly are one of God's little miracles.

Happy Homecoming Day!

 Carlitos's Homecoming Day is coming soon along with the first adjusted birthday!!