The babies...

I am home from Oklahom and have experienced the entire gamete of emotions over the past few weeks. Elation at the birth of the triplets, fear for Brady's health, relief as he started to get better, hope as I watched his baptism in the NICU, deep sorrow as his life ended, resolve as I tried to remain strong for my sister and brother-in-law, and uncertainty as I realized that we must move forward with each day without him. He was such a strong little boy and I know that he touched so many lives in his short 13 days with us. His twin brother Drew and his sister Jordan are doing great and are blessed to have their brother watching over them from heaven.

I was sure to take a few pictures before I left them on Friday. It is hard to believe that the next time I see them they will be out of the hospital and that Baby Girl will be here to meet them!!

Drew all snuggled up and looking cute!

Jordan with her eyes wide and impossible not to love!!

Updates from Oklahoma

The trip continues here in Oklahoma with ever-changing details regarding Brady. We were very hopeful yesterday as his urine output levels were increasing each time. However, through the night and this morning they have decreased and were at zero this morning. They have another check at noon, so we will see what comes of it. We are still holding faith that God wants Brady to grow and be here with us, but we are ready to accept his will no matter what it may be.

I have put a few fun pictures up from the visit. Eli keeps us all smiling, which is very much needed at times. Thank you for your continued prayers for Brady, Drew, Jordan, and the rest of the family.

Papa and Eli enjoy a late night ice cream cone!

Playing in the sunshine with Eli

Mom was kind enough to take my 28 week belly shots. I was conveniently wearing the same outfit as in the last belly pictures you saw ;) Baby Girl keeps growing and continues to be very active. Cathy has gotten to feel her kick, but she has been stubborn each time Mom and Dad try and feel her!

Brady

I am in Oklahoma now to support my sister and brother-in-law during this difficult time. It seems that they may have to make a very difficult decision very soon. Brady's kidneys still are not working and he is in very critical condition. I direct you to their blog for more details and pictures. They could most certainly use your continued thoughts and prayers.

http://www.babyhomepages.net/andycathy_meyer/

I met all three babies today, and let me tell you, they are each so special! It was wonderful to touch them and tell them in person how much Uncle Andy and I love them. Thank you all for your support and love. Below are pictures of Drew and Jordan. I will share some of Brady soon.

Meeting baby Drew.

Meeting baby Jordan.

Baby update

I ask that you remember Brady in your prayers. His kidneys are not functioning as they should and the next 12 hours are critical in his little life. Please pray for God's grace to reach Cathy and Andy and His healing to come to Brady.

I will put pictures of the precious precious babies here. Oh, I already love them so much.

Brady.....the little fighter!!

Drew under the bilirubin lights.

Jordan found her finger!

The triplets have arrived!!

Blessings to God!! Cathy had the triplets today at 30 weeks and all are doing well thus far. I haven't seen pictures yet, but I just know they must be cuties! I am over the moon at being an Aunt again. It really is one of life's greatest pleasures!

Drew Gregory 2 lb 5 oz

Brady Thomas 1 lb 11 oz

Jordan Elizabeth 2 lb 14 oz

Continued prayers are asked for the babies health as they work to maintain life outside the womb 10 weeks earlier than they are inteded. They are very very tiny, but with God's grace we know they can grow to be big and strong! Also, prayers for little Eli as he adjusts to being the big brother to 3 babies at the same time!

Cathy and Eli compare bellies a week or so before delivery!! I think Cathy won =)

For the love of a cat and an unborn baby...

Andy and I had quite a to-do-list to make it through before his deployment and we fell short in several areas, but the most important one revolved around our beloved kitty that we call Vegas. Santa-Cat was supposed to bring her a self-cleaning litter box on Christmas morning, but that didn't happen. So, we switched gears and said we would get it done by the end of February when Andy left. Well, that didn't happen either. So, yesterday I found myself at Pet Smart browsing the shelves for the desperately needed 'self-cleaning cat litter box' for the smiling (and begging for a belly-rub) member of our family that you see here.

The search ended with a purchase, but we may have to put ourselves on a savings plan to support this new luxury! I nearly fell over when I saw the price tag of $200!! Now, I know that it is important for our unborn baby that I do not come into contact with used kitty litter (for risk of toxoplasmosis, which can cause birth defects), but $200!! Are you kidding me? The cartidges that need replaced monthly cost $15 themselves, so the claim on the box about saving money on litter is not true! We will merely be redistributing our funds to self-cleaning cartidges....

I compared toilet bowl prices to Vegas' new "throne", and she should use hers with caution because hers is more than twice as much as a brand new toilet bowl from Lowe's (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=83185-77335-146WHT&lpage=none) Geez, the things we do for our pets.

The instructions claim that cats may take 7-10 days to adjust and I should keep her old litter box nearby, but she will use this new investment from the start if I have anything to do with it. I mean, why would she choose the old $10 litter box when she can do her business in the NEW $200 model?!?! The new model even keeps a count of her uses so that I can monitor her health......haha, like I have ever concerned myself with how many times Vegas uses her litter box! However, next time we go to the vet I will probably offer the daily numbers just because I can!

I present to you, the cadillac of all litter boxes....

24 weeks

We have made it to 24 weeks - the stage the medical community calls "viability". Essentially, they feel that little ones have a shot at making it outside the womb from this point forward. Ahhh, it feels nice to be here! I am finally feeling calm about this entire "we are having a baby" scenario and I do not have to convince myself that I am preggers anymore. Baby Girl keeps me well aware of her existence by her acrobatics in my belly! And, as you can tell from the pictures taken just a little bit ago, I have a visual reminder every time I look down!
We began our Bradley classes last week and will get a few more in before Andy leaves and then pick back up with the instructor after his return. We will be on the fast track of learning at that point (because we will be 3 or 4 weeks from delivery), but we at least have the materials so we can learn now on our own during the break from classes. We both believe in the methods taught with this philosophy and are confident that we can have a natural birth for our little girl. The entire idea is based on preparing your body prior to the birth and having a supportive and knowledgeable "coach" alongside the mother. (hence the name 'Husband Coached Childbirth' by Dr. Bradley). We will see what the actual day brings, but we want to be as prepared as possible so that we can keep Baby Girl safe from any drug exposure. We hope y'all have a great week! I will be in Myrtle Beach for 4 days at a work conference and Andy will continue the 'working too hard at the office/bury himself in school work/mix some flying in as well' scenario that he has been living the last few weeks. At times, I feel as if he is deployed already because of the lack of time we get to spend together. However, this too shall pass, right?!