The last day of being EIGHT

We spent the evening swimming with friends who are also multiples!
One of our triplets woke up this morning and said, "I had almost forgotten this is the last day of being eight." Of course I know their birthday is tomorrow, but hearing those words from her sweet little mouth made me so sad. Of course I am happy they are being blessed with another birthday. We have all come so far! But I also find that as happy as it is to see them grow and change, it's also hard. It's hard to see them have their last bottle, their last night in a crib, their last time with training wheels, and their last time with all baby teeth. Our sweet ones are growing up. We love who they have become.

A is all boy and just the other night, his true love for reading was ignited. He stayed up 2 hours past bedtime to finish reading a book. I was thrilled to see him love to read like that! He is an avid golfer and a good friend. He swims well and is a great big brother to four sisters. There is nothing more tender than to see him guiding his youngest sister or helping her swim. Our boy loves to learn and is especially proficient in Math. He loves the outdoors and has a mind that is so inquisitive. Sometimes he fires off questions faster than you can answer them, but he always retains whatever you tell him. He killed his first deer at Christmas with his uncles and could hardly wait to come home and tell us all about it! He loves riding his bike throughout the neighborhood and playing basketball or football at home with his Daddy. The 2 pound 5 ounce baby boy who struggled to learn to breathe on his own is a bright big boy now. Despite 7 weeks in the NICU and 3 blood transfusions, he is full of vigor and life! He is a delight!

Our D had to be resuscitated at birth. She had quit breathing. By the end of her first 24 hours, that 3 pound 2 ounce bundle of joy had removed her CPAP and decided to breathe on her own. She was the first of the three to learn to suck, swallow, breathe on her own ( a big deal for preemies born at 30 weeks). However, whenever it was time for her to go home, she would have a bradycardia or forget to breathe, forcing her to start the 8-day countdown all over again. Babies had to be free of all of those things for 8 days in order to go home from the hospital. We believe our D couldn't bear to leave brother A in the hospital, as she stayed with him for 5 of the 7 weeks and was really ready to go home at about 2 weeks old. She has always been our quiet caregiver. D loves school and excels in her classes. Unfortunately, she rushes through her work just like I used to do! Despite her quiet nature, she loves drama and makes everyone laugh with her different personas (like grandmother like mother like daughter). She writes well and enjoys riding horses. She is frugal with her money but generous to those in need. Our D has a big heart.


Our CP, or Tiny, is the baby of the bunch. While she is child number 3 of 5, she still loves to be held and hugged and cherished like the baby. Her eyes still have that sparkle she's had since birth. She may be Tiny, but she is strong! She came out of the womb with her little arm raised and she is still a mighty little thing. CP has a wonderful motherly instinct and is so helpful and sweet to her little sisters. She loves school and has the most beautiful handwriting. Her teacher says she couldn't run the classroom without our CP's help. A natural swimmer, Tiny is enjoying her time on the swim team. She was the first to leave the hospital because she wanted to be with her Mama and Daddy. We are thankful!!! CP, you can always come home to us!


I tucked in our triplet treasures and will share parts of their NINTH birthday tomorrow!