To the Daddy of my FOUR children...

Dear Clif,
 Happy 3rd Father's Day to you, my love. I know that along with day comes many emotions... and I hope that it finds you in a better place than it did in 2010.
 Even though you haven't yet had the chance to father our children here on earth...
you are the best daddy EVER, in my eyes at least.
 Thank you for making the choice four years ago to become the Father of my children,
all four of them :)
 I know that tomorrow will be happy, and tomorrow will be sad... but I hope that you
are able to enjoy your day. A day celebrating being Daddy to our beautiful little angel, Lillian Joy...and our three precious pea's that still reside in my tummy!
 I love you with all of my heart... and wish you all the happiness in the world tomorrow,
and forever. Happy Father's Day, Babe! So glad that God chose you to be the one to make babies with me!!!

Love,
 Des

four years :)

God has been so incredibly good to us these last four years (not to mention the years before). He has made it possible to do many things over the course of our marriage, that would have never ever been possible without Him.

I can't believe the memories we have considering it's only been a "short" time that we have been together. We have the memory of our first rental, then moving into a one bedroom house that our church has while the closing on our house went through...moving into our new house, painting,remodeling, decorating. Memories of our Tennessee honeymoon, and then our first summer vacation as a married couple...to the beach. :) The first time that Clif ever saw the ocean. Buying our first car together, getting our first pet...

Oh! And saying goodbye to my childhood pet :(

Starting the journey of trying to conceive...and then, it actually happening!!! Watching my body change as I carried our first born baby girl. And then saying goodbye to her.

These last eighteen months have brought us much closer...we've clung to one another for strength that neither of us knew we even had. We've held each other together....while the world around us fell apart.

Who would have ever thought that we would have gone through so many things in such a short period of time? So many people would have took off running in opposite directions when problems arose... but we've struggled through it. And here we are! :)

*Almost* six years of being together, four years of being married...houses,cars, pets, vacations, fun, heartache...FOUR kids :)

Ah, the triplets. Who would have thought? We always joked that when we started having children, that we might end up with twins - because they run on both sides of our families. SURPRISE! Even though we had a little help from our friends Clomid, Ovidrel & Dr.S...we are going to have THREE babies at one time!!

Our life together has been so blessed...and we couldn't be happier for the things that God has blessed us with.
I am anxiously awaiting what God has in store for us in the years to come. No matter what He throws at us, I believe with all my heart, that Clif and I can make it through. It might be hard, we might not like it...or maybe we will...but we'll come out more in love than we are today.
Happy 4th Anniversary, My Love. You're my world, my everything...my best friend...and I love you with all of my heart. Thank for you the best four (plus some) years of my life. I wouldn't change anything...because we are who we are because of the things that we've been through.



belly shot comparison :)

the 23rd week

Yesterday marked twenty three weeks pregnant… and we couldn’t be happier (and excited)! Clif and I both feel SO blessed that we have made it this far with this pregnancy.




I think that the whole “three babies” is starting to set in more and more each and every day. Not that it hadn’t before… but it’s just becoming very…real. At least for me. I can’t believe that they are going to be here in just a few short weeks.



We are praying (and praying some more) that we are able to make it to August 3rd…which would be exactly 34 weeks. But I am realizing that it might be a long stretch. And then again…maybe not. I’ve seen a lot of women with triplets on tv, and they are going 33-36 weeks. Whew! I even met a lady a few months ago that delivered her triplets at 36 weeks, and they went home with her just four days after delivery! Amazing. Then I have come into contact with someone that had her triplets at 30 weeks. So it’s pretty much up to my body, and the three E’s.



I don’t have too many updates, as life has been pretty uneventful these days (thanking God for that)! Babies seem to be doing well, and from what they can tell everything looks a-ok with all three. Praise the Lord!



As of my last appointment, I am up to a thirty three pound weight gain. Which… as much as I’m NOT happy about all this weight gain (and the fear of it being difficult coming off), I know that it’s a good thing…for the babies at least!!



I’m still fairly mobile, but am becoming very tired. This week especially, it has been a CHORE to even get out of bed in the morning. I feel as if I’m back to my first trimester, wanting to sleep for twelve hours straight.



My appetite has slowed down a little… which is good. There for a while, I could eat a meal… and still be hungry. Which, can be pretty embarrassing. Ha! Oh well, after all… I AM eating for FOUR people.



Eli,Easton & Elliana are becoming more and more active by the day. I try not to be too paranoid about feeling them move – just because if I’m moving, they tend to be still. AND, I’m sure that the inside of my tummy is becoming a pretty cramped place these days. When we went to the doctor on the 11th, Miss V, the ultrasound tech said that the babies should be right at a pound. The way that I’m growing…and the way that I’m feeling them bounce around in there… I’m thinking that they have been growing this last week.



Speaking of active babies… these last few days, it’s like they have been sucking straight caffeine out of their placentas (which I know isn’t entirely true, because I MIGHT drink 3 ounces of caffeine a day. MAYBE). Last night during church, I thought that I was going to pee my pants. They all three were flopping around inside of me. It is an amazing feeling… but slightly uncomfortable (and unnerving) at the same time. This morning… they woke me up at 6:00am, and I didn’t think that I was going to be able to go BACK to sleep. It felt like my belly was going to sprout legs and walk off of the bed. It wasn’t the cute little pokes and prods that normally warm my heart, it was full body flopping action…that mixed with the heartburn that I seem to have 24/7 – I thought I might toss my cookies.



As I sit here an type Eli and Elliana are kicking around (I fear they may be enemies…ha!)… and Easton must be worn out from his last dance session, that ended about ten minutes ago.



Next Friday, the 27th will be my last day of work. And though I am VERY much looking forward to being able to rest… I’m a little uneasy about not working. Or earning a pay check. I’ve got about 6 weeks paid leave, and then we aren’t really sure what will happen. Which…is a little scary, but we know Who is in control.



There are a few things that I am looking forward to these next few days and weeks….




***Tomorrow morning at 10am, my best friend A, will be headed into the operating room to deliver her son, “Prince Charming”, via c-section. Please pray with us as this is taking place. Where a c-section tends to be a pretty routine surgery, A, her husband J, and their precious little one (baby #2) need our prayers. Please pray that God will guide the doctor’s hands, and that everything with the little guy will be a-ok.



***Saturday afternoon, my friend R, is having her baby shower at our church! I’m pretty excited about it. :) I love baby showers…and it’s a lot more enjoyable when you’re expecting yourself!! R is pregnant with two little baby girls, due to arrive sometime in July. Please pray for R as she carries these little girls for the remaining weeks, and that everything would go smoothly with their delivery. SO excited for our little ones to have so many friends their own age to play with as they grow up!!



***In just a few weeks, on June 4th is my baby shower…which I am SUPER excited about. Baby Shower’s for ONE baby is a blast, and I know that carrying three little bundles will make it all the more special. I have a wonderful church family that will be throwing the shower for me – and a slew of church members, friends, co workers and family members that were invited. Seriously…we sent out a few invitations shy of 120. Craziness.



Well…will update again soon! I’m sure you’ll be seeing my 23 week pictures out here soon! Thank you for your continued prayers for Clif, me and our three little E’s.



OH...PS, we received a letter in the mail from Aflac yesterday. Hopefully we will know something in two weeks :) Keep those prayers a coming!

thankful for 22 weeks...

Twenty two weeks today :) Again…so thankful that we have made it this far with our little Skittle’s. Can’t believe it!! Things are starting to REALLY sink in. I’m going to have THREE babies in just a few months. But even though I get nervous thinking about everything… I couldn’t possibly be more excited!!




Today we had our 22 week appointment with Dr G, but before that… an ultrasound! We lucked out – only because we have a stubborn son that didn’t want to roll on his back so that we could see the front of his heart. Sheesh…what am I in for?



Once again…Eli was stretched out across the bottom of my belly, laying on HIS belly. Stubborn kid. After a LOT of convincing (and several kicks to my bladder and other parts) Miss V FINALLY got him to roll enough to get the shots that she needed. Praise the Lord! She said that as far as she can tell, everything looks great with all three babies. We were able to see each of them, and their little hearts pumping away. I love ultrasounds… they never cease to amaze me. Oh, did I mention that Easton has wedged himself up under my ribs, with his head towards the middle of my belly? And Elliana is standing with her head under my ribs on the other side. It was actually pretty funny watching them today. I have been telling Clif that Elliana and Easton play together – but I don’t think that he believed me. However, today, he witnessed it for himself. It was so cool watching them poke at each other – even from their separate sacks!! And little Miss Elliana was kicking her brother, Eli, in the head the whole time. Too funny. They are definitely getting big and running out of room… because they are right on top of one another. I love it.



As far as the actual ultrasound goes…everything went well. V says that all the babies look great (from what she can tell), Eli’s heart looks normal, and fluid levels are right on track! We are SO very thankful for such a great report.



After the ultrasound we waited for B to come and take my vitals :) She finally called me to check my weight and my blood pressure. Blood pressure was great… once again, I think it’s much better after my mind is put at ease… knowing that my babies are a-ok. Weight…was good for the babies, but not so good for Mommy’s self-esteem. I gained SEVEN pounds in two weeks. The thing is… I haven’t really been eating “bad”. I just eat often. Like…yesterday, I had a chicken salad for lunch (followed by some peanut m&m’s…but still!). I really try to watch my sodium, and I’ve been drinking a TON of water. So I don’t feel too bad about it. Dr G didn’t have anything “negative” to say about it…however when he pulled up my chart he was like, “hmmm…up a little this week, huh?” Well Doc, I’m carrying THREE babies in there. And to be completely honest… they stay pretty hungry. It’s pretty sad, and slightly embarrassing when you finish a normal sized meal that should fill the average person (and is generally more than I would eat when I’m not pregnant…) and you are STILL hungry. This happens more than just occasionally. Oh, and I drink a lot of milk :)



The book that I read a while back said that I should gain 35 pounds by 25 weeks. Or something like that. So if that’s the case… I’m right on track. I just want to do what’s best for optimal birth weight. Which the doctor in this book swears by carbs carbs carbs (the good kind). So we will see. V said that the babies should be right at a pound now.



The visit with Dr G went just as good. I am measuring at 33 ½ - almost 34 weeks, and still no swelling! :) He told me today…”well, you’re measuring more like an 8 ½ month pregnant lady!” Too funny. He is THRILLED with how well that I’m getting along. He keeps asking if I am miserable, if I’m having contractions, or if I am having severe back pain. No, no…and I have backpain sometimes… but nothing that me & a Tylenol can’t handle.



Dr G says if I continue to do as well as I am now, that I may be able to make it past 34 weeks. He also confirmed that we will be having an ultrasound every appointment from here on out to check fluids & heart beats. YAY! I was very excited. So far, everything looks great… but he will be keeping an eye on everything. He says that if for some reasons complication occur, that there is a shot that he can begin giving me to help develop the babies lungs. He also said that the NICU at the hospital where I plan to deliver is just as good as any in the country. They are completely up to date with all the new technology. Which, I’ve heard all that from other people… but hearing it from my own doctor made me feel really good.



We also learned (because my lovely husband HAD to ask) that there will be anywhere from 25-30 people in the operating room with me when I deliver. Isn’t that just fun to think about. When he started naming off all the doctors and nurses that each of us would need, I was amazed. I knew it was going to be a lot, but geez!!



So we go back in two weeks for an ultrasound, my glucose test (mmmm glucola) and an office visit with Dr M, because Dr G is on vacation. This will be on the 26th, and the next day will be my last day as a working woman for a while.



Whew. Thanks so much for all the prayer and support! We really appreciate it.



Also…please be praying for our friends daughter, M. She was taken to the hospital yesterday for breathing issues – and since then they have been told that she has pneumonia in both lungs. She is a little over one year old.



Thanks!

21 weeks...at almost 22 :)

20 weeks bump & baby shots :)

Here are a few ultrasound pictures to share with you all :) Also, my 20 week belly shot... taken with the "caution bump" sign that I have been searching for! Thanks to Sarah for finding it for me :) Enjoy...

-Our Little Man, Eli Zane (and all his manliness) - weighing in at 13 ounces-

--Eli's profile--

-Our Little man, Easton Lane (and all his manliness) - weighing in at 12 ounces -

--Easton's profile--

~Our Little Lady, Elliana Rayne - weighing in at 12 ounces~

~*~Elliana's profile~*~

*Mommy, Eli,Easton & Elliana - 20 weeks*

*Mommy and her three E's*

Elliana?

Eli Zane Smith


Easton Lane Smith

Elliana Rayne Smith



God has answered my {our} prayers.



Yes...babies in general (well, actually A baby) was our prayer. And we got our prayers answered times three. BUT there is something about that little girl. No, not a replacement of Lilly... but because of Lilly, little girls will always hold a special place in my heart. My girls. Oh my gosh... my girls. :) I am mommy to two beautiful baby girls... not to mention two precious little BOYS! Ah! We are SOOOO very blessed... I can't even begin to tell you!!



Yesterday's ultrasound went WONDERFULLY. :) First of all...fluids are PERFECT, which of course has been my main concern since day 1. Babies are very active and very healthy, as far as we can tell. Everyone's heart's,kidney's,stomachs,brains...ect ect look good...and they are measuring right on track! Eli was being a little bit of a stubborn brat... laying on his tummy and refusing to move (until we left the office, of course!!)... so we couldn't get all of the pictures of the heart that we needed. :) Which means that I get to see my Little Love's in two weeks!! How exciting! We were able to SEE his heart, the four chambers AND hear his heart beat (which all looked and sounded normal)... but apparently they have to have a front view too.



It's weird having Eli down so LOW in my tummy...almost like he is head banging on my pelvis! V said that it's completely normal with triplets though - because they run out of room to move!! Which...thinking about it, makes sense. :)



At my last appointment I was told that Baby A & C were boys... and this appointment I was told that Baby C is actually Baby B, and that Baby C is the one that was Baby No Name all along (now isn't that confusing!!).



SO... Baby A (Eli) showed his stuff to us first thing yesterday morning. In fact, it's the first thing that he showed us!! Apparently he is rather proud, and might even be braggin to his brother a little. :) Easton wasn't much more modest that Eli...flaunting his stuff for Miss V. I really felt all along that I was having two boys and a girl, but everyone kept telling me that we are having three boys. I mean, even up to the day... people were telling me it was cute how I thought there was a girl in there, but they were sure that there were three boys. Geez people, never go against a mother's gut feeling!!! As soon as V put the wand on Baby C (Elliana), we knew. There was no denying the butt in our face sporting three lines :) All I could do was laugh (and cry) and tell Clif, "I TOLD you it was a GIRL!" Needless to say, we were both VERY happy and poor Clif was a little shocked, I think.



However... he is happy that our little Elliana is going to have two protective brothers to watch out for her. Clif says that she will never get a date with Eli & Easton near by.



My blood pressure was better than it's been...well, since I've been pregnant. Well... not really better than it's been since I've been pregnant, but better than it has at any other doctor's appointment that I've had thus far. I think it's because it wasn't the first thing that we did! We went with V for our ultrasound (which, I've very impressed... she said it would take at least an hour & a half... it took right at an hour!), and after that was finished we waited like 15 minutes and Miss B came to weigh me (let's add four more pounds to total 26 pounds so far!) and take my blood pressure. I was all smiles (of course, and very relieved because I had just seen my babies in action). I was talking to B as she took my blood pressure, and when I asked how it was.... 130/80. Which is still higher than usual (at home & work anyway)... but everyone was VERY excited about it. Dr G told me that my new blood pressure medicine was to get an "quick scan" every appointment from here on out. I think that he was half kidding at first, but later told me that he would like (if possible) to get me scheduled for a quick ultrasound at every appointment to check heart rates and fluids. Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE my doctor?



Dr G started measuring for the first time yesterday. :) I was 20w1d, measuring in at 33 weeks. HA! He says that is right on track for triplets. Woo hoo. They were very impressed with my blood pressure, my size, weight gain...and how well I am getting around in general.



He asked me the dreaded question though... "when do you plan to stop working". Well doc... whenever you tell me to. He told me that he wants me to quit in four weeks. AH! Twenty four weeks and on bed rest. Fun stuff. :) Though - in the end, it's all going to be SO worth it. Paid time off will run out 6 1/2 weeks after I go out on leave, and then FMLA will be used up in 11. After that, I can apply for leave of absence which I think I can drag out for 40 days. *sigh* So after all is said and done... I might have to re apply for my job...if it's still there for the taking. But I'm trying to stay positive and not think about those things too much!


So it is looking like that the last full week of May (hopefully that Friday) will be my last day of work for a while. :( But ya know what - whatever is safe for my babies! I know that the Lord is going to provide what we need. Not WANT, but need. :) We will be okay!

A little information on the personal side (maybe TMI?)... I think that I have decided to go on birth control after the babies are born. I haven't decided 100%... but I think it's probably going to be for the best. I talked to my nurse, J, yesterday and she said that there is ONE type of birth control that I can take that is safe during breast feeding. :) I don't remember what it's called but it starts with an "M" (I think). More than likely, I won't have a cycle while breastfeeding anyway... but just in case. And though it doesn't happen TOO often, there is a possibility that I could ovulate before I actually have a period. SCARY! :) Clif is scared that we will have three four months olds and then find out we are pregnant with two more, naturally! haha. And too... with the PCOS that I have, I think that being on something will help me take weight off - because tho induced by medicine, my body will be doing what it needs to do. Once I stop breast feeding, all I have to do is call my doctor - and they will call in regular pills. Which, I have heard there are a few out there that actually HELP with the symptoms of PCOS. :) BUT...we will see. I know that God will not give us more children than we can handle! AND if He wants me to be pregnant with twins after the triplets are born... then birth control isn't going to stop Him!

More updates later. :) Off to an evening of resting at home alone, on the couch...with movies! :) Headed to my bestest friends baby shower tomorrow...can't wait! Oh...AND I am finally going to register (at Target) tomorrow! SO exciting!

OH...one last thing I forgot to mention :) My cervix? CLAMPED SHUT! Which, this never was an issue in my past pregnancy...in fact, it didn't want to budge. BUT it's nice to know that with the weight of three little babies in there...it still is closed tight!

:)

Just wanted to say that everything went well today - but I am exhausted!! :) I will definitely write a detailed update tomorrow evening. Check us out of facebook for updates & pictures!!!

half full :)

Eighteen weeks pregnant with my three little Skittle's.

Baby A = Eli Zane

Baby B = To be determined *hopefully* on April 28th. Hopefully "V" can work her magic and make stubborn baby show his/her stuff!!!

Baby C = Easton Lane

At eighteen weeks... for the most part, I feel great. Or as great as you can feel when you are eighteen *almost* nineteen weeks pregnant with triplets. :) My only complaints are that my back is starting to hurt, my ankles are *slightly* swollen from time to time, and I get tired very very easily.

Movement is hit or miss. They (especially Eli) tend to react to food more than anything! Just like a *little* man. Dr g said that it may take me longer to feel strong movements due to Easton & Baby B's placentas being anterior. So where they aren't STRONG movements... I do feel them swimming in there. Mostly when I'm still. Hopefully in a few more weeks they will be big enough for me to feel on a regular basis.

Blood pressure has been really good. Last week it was extremely low - and I was actually concerned about it being TOO low. We're talking 110s/60s...which is weird for me. This week it has been back up 120s/80s...which has always been normal for me. It's weird - when I am active, it tends to be lower. I guess it makes sense.

Weight gain :) Touchy subject. lol...no, actually I have gotten past really caring. As long as the babies and me are healthy, that's all I care about. As of this past Wednesday, my weight gain is up to 20 pounds. Dr G told me in the beginning that I should gain 45 pounds. I have been reading a book written by a doctor that specializes in multiple pregnancies and she says (I think) between 60-75 pounds, even if you were overweight before becoming pregnant.

Speaking of weight - I told Clif that he may not ever want to see me without clothes on, but that I am going to be super skinny after these babies are born. I weighed 129 or less when we first got together. :) And that's what I'm pushing for after Eli, Easton, and B get here.

Well...it's Sunday morning and I am off to church. :) We have a missionary/Evangelist speaking this morning, and then out to eat. Clif is working :( So he will not be joining us. Hope everyone has a great Sunday!