Silent No More!

Most people long for silence. They yearn for a little peace and quiet. A time to rejuvenate. Relax.

I remember the silence in our home was deafening. Yes....deafening. If you could imagine silence being so loud. That's how I felt days, weeks, months and even years in our home. After being married for 12 years and living in the house for 9 years, I thought I would hear the sweet pitter patter of little feet, loud wails, belly-laugh giggling....all those things that come with having children. Some days I could hear a pin drop. Anyone who truly knows me would know that I'm not a quiet person. I constantly thrive on chaos. Organized chaos. The louder, the better....sometimes.

Reflecting back on those days....I kind of chuckle. The only time I hear silence is after 8 pm. But it's a good silence. Not that I'm ready for it or even longing for it. It's a "I'm glad I have 3 babies that are sound asleep in our home" kind of silence. Knowing that they're here....with us....our children. Unbelievable. Undeserving. But oh so gracious. So thankful. So blessed.

I thought I would share a little video of our 3 bundles of joy expressing themselves to each other. Our home is Silent No More!!!

Pumpkin Patch!!!

Bronson and I took the babies to the pumpkin patch. What a great idea for kids (not to mention an awesome photo op!). Although the kiddos are only 9 1/2 months, I think they really enjoyed themselves. It was so neat watching them take in their surroundings. We don't get out much so this was a nice surprise for them.

Oh Mollie! When the camera is pointing her way, she lavishes in it! She LOVES the camera....and it doesn't matter whose camera it is. A couple next to us was taking their son's pictures. Well, good ole' Mollie turns their way and starts smiling, tilting her head and cooing. The woman did ask me if it was okay for her to take the trips' pictures. Of course! And it made Mollie feel special too.

Our little ham, Elise. Little Miss Goofy herself! She really enjoyed the patch. It's hard to catch her smile on camera though. She was laughing most of the time and had Bronson and I rolling as well! She would "pat" the pumpkins and then try to get Preston's and Mollie's pumpkin. And everything they did cracked her up. She's such a jolly baby!

And then there's Preston. He usually smiles a lot, but this time he was a little serious. We thought it could be that this was a very new experience for him. For the most part he seemed to enjoy himself. He liked eating the top of the pumpkins. At one moment, I caught him sucking the side of a huge pumpkin. I know any day now we'll see a tooth come up!

We had such a great time! I can't wait till next year when they are running around and checking out all the things to do. There were several activities there.....hayride, train ride, small petting zoo. Very family friendly (and animal friendly too). This is the same place that does the Christmas Trees so we'll be back in about two months!

Feeding Time at the Burchams

I thought I would let you in on a little video of the trips' feeding time (below). For the most part, they do very well. It's so cute to see how they each have their own "personality" and "reaction" to eating. Mollie usually "dances" after she gets a bite. But once she's done or really tired....that's it. No more. She will let you know in more ways than one that she's finished.

Elise is sometimes patient, but most of the time.....she's just really hungry. She's a great eater. She eats ANYTHING! But when I have to give Mollie and/or Preston a bite.....she'll either cry out or whine until it's her turn. You'll hear her in the video.

And Preston is a hit or miss kind of eater. Some days he'll do really well. And other days, well, let's just say he's a little distracted. Bronson and I will either have to hold his head up because his chin is touching his chest. Or we have to call his name several times because he's looking everywhere but at you. He'll also "clear" his throat several times. I think he thinks that's funny. Then other times.....he's great. He'll look right at you, take his bite and says "Mm-Mm". Sometimes I have to watch it with him. If I look at him a certain way.....he gets to giggling and all the food just spills out of his mouth.

It's quite entertaining. I do have a lot of fun with them. The key to not getting frustrated is not to have an agenda or a deadline to be somewhere. That's pretty much how I get through most of my days.

Rub A Dub-Dub, 3 Babies In A Tub!

The babies are now taking a bath together! They are sitting up well enough (and I feel much more comfortable) for them to all be in the tub together. I like this arrangement MUCH better than what we had been doing (one-at-a-time). Bathtime, like everything else, takes triple the time....especially when you're dealing with a water baby (or babies)! They do love their bath. And I can't wait until they get a little older.....that's when the fun begins!!! Now if we could just get them to wash their own hair!!!

Update on Elise

The cardiologist visit was a success. Well, a success in the sense that I was able to go by myself with all 3 babies, no fussing or crying at all!! When we arrived , it was time for their 11:00/11:30 feeding. So, I fed them in the waiting room. They did great and we were finished just as the doctor was calling Elise in.

The PDA is still there. It hasn't closed up all the way yet. The doctor said it wasn't a big concern. He would like to see her in 6 months for another follow up. At that time if it still hasn't closed, he may recommend a non-surgical procedure where a catheter is inserted up her leg to her heart to block the hole. I'm not clear if this would stay or if it would be temporary until the hole eventually closes.

Either way, he doesn't seem to be very concerned. So, that makes one happy momma! Thank you for all your prayers. We appreciate them!

Nine Months Old!!!

I can't believe it! Our babies are now 9 months old!! It just seems like yesterday when we were bringing them home from the hospital. They'll be 1 year old before we know it!!

A lot has been going on since my last post. First, I went back to work temporarily for my former employer (mainly to help out during their busiest time of year). I should be done within the next week. I'm very grateful for the opportunity, but realized my place is at home with the kiddos. Grandma, Gamma and Stacy (with her crew) have been helping out watching the kids while I'm out. Again, I'm very blessed to have such wonderful family and friends to depend on when I need them.

Well.....last week was the trips' 9 month well baby check up. Everything went great! And yes, I did go by myself. It was a little challenging, but I'm always up for a challenge. Here is the information I'm sure everyone is waiting on.....

Mollie: height 27 1/2" (52% for full-term babies); weight 20 lbs 4 oz. (85%)
Elise: height 28" (75%); weight 22 lbs 3 oz. (96%)
Preston: height 29" (80%); weight 21 lbs 5oz. (75%)

VERY BIG BABIES!!! We are extremely excited at how well they're doing. As for developmentally.....they're almost on target. All of them can sit up very well. Mollie just learned to crawl and pull up in the last few days. Preston does a military crawl (with his belly on the floor). And Elise....well, she knows if she whines enough, you'll move her where she wants to go. Bless her little heart! She's so big!

Two weeks ago, Elise said, "da-da". Bronson was one proud da-da! She loves saying it (mostly to him). Preston can almost say "ma-ma".....but he usually just says, "mmmmma". And recently, Mollie has been saying "ba-ba". They're constantly squealing at one another. It's fun (and interesting) to watch them interacting with each other. For the most part, they get along. I'm looking forward in seeing how their relationships will bloom.


This next month will be a busy one for us. We have a few birthdays to attend, the pumpkin patch outing, our church fall festival, reunion with the NICU, and possibly hosting a playgroup! I should be posting more updates in the near future as time allows.

Please be praying for Elise. She has her cardiologist appointment on Friday. A few months ago, the doctor said her hole was closing and it looked really good. This checkup is to make sure it continues to heal. Thank you!

Girls Just Want to Have Fun!

The babies are getting huge!! They are amazing Bronson and I day after day. I thought you might like to watch the girls' personality shine through on this video. This was taken earlier in July. Mollie was trying to crawl but didn't know how to get her belly off the ground. Elise is sitting up with the support of a boppy. Everytime when Mollie would move, Elise would laugh hysterically.

Of course now, Mollie is just about to start crawling. All the babies can sit up on their own without support. And although Preston isn't crawling yet, he can get around "creeping". He's pretty fast!

Hope you enjoy the video!