Monday, June 8, 2015

ONE and some updates...

OK, seriously... somehow I blinked and my little 33 week pre-mature babies are ONE!  What?!  How is that even possible?!  I mean, I'm still not over the fact that I'm a Mom!  ME!  An actual mother.  Of TWO beautiful little boys.  After ALL that... years of infertility, months of doctor's appointments, infertility oral meds, injections, tears (oh the tears I've shed), IVF after IVF, a difficult pregnancy, an incredibly scary delivery, perhaps an even scarier recovery... And here I am.  A mother.  And I've been one now for 368 days.  It will never, ever get old.

I was beyond excited to celebrate our little boys' first birthday this past weekend.  I had been planning their Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood themed party for months.  Mostly because I've been so excited to finally have the chance to plan a first birthday party for my child(ren).  But also because when the boys were born, it was tough to really celebrate.  A NICU stay doesn't really shout 'come visit us!'.  And then there's also the fact that I was nearly 34 weeks pregnant for their party (I have been worried for this entire pregnancy that I wouldn't make it beyond 33 weeks again).  I had everything planned, outlined and labeled just in case I wouldn't have been able to make it to my boys' party myself.  Thank the Lord that was not the case.  I cleared 33 weeks last Monday and I couldn't be more grateful.  So on Sunday, I joyfully took it all in.  And seeing the pure excitement in my boys' eyes is something I'll never, ever forget.  What an amazing day!
 

In other news - life is crazy.  I still struggle day in and day out with being a full-time working mom.  Nothing about it is easy, that's for sure.  I often wonder if it's ever something that I'll be able to really embrace.  The constant worry about not being with my kids enough vs. not being present enough at my job during the working day... the struggle is real, my friends. 
 
We have, however, been blessed with a nanny who is just truly one of the lights of my life right now.  She is amazing not just for my boys, but for me, too!  The boys adore her and it honestly feels like she has already become a part of our family in such a short period of time.  The boys are also going to be starting daycare two days a week mid-June.  While I'm absolutely nervous about this new stage in their little lives, I also know deep down, that this is absolutely the best and right thing for them.  I'm excited for the boys to have more social interaction with other children and I'm eager to see how much they will grow from this new environment. 

Finley will be here soon!  Just over a month!  And while I'm beyond excited to meet my sweet daughter, I'm also a little worried for the boys.  Not necessarily in terms of how they'll react to the baby, but more so how they'll be when I'm in the hospital for a few days.  I just want everything to remain as consistent and as normal for them as possible.  From my past history, all I know is complication upon complication during recovery, so I'm worried about that, too.

Other than that, I'm just plugging away over here.  I'm beyond ready to embrace what will hopefully be another four months off from work.  I'm ready to spend what will feel like more quality time with my three (!!!!) children.  I'm ready to meet Finley.  And I'm ready (I think!) for the challenge of becoming a Mom to three under 13.5 months (AHHH!)! 

27 comments:

Caroline @ In Due Time said...

Love Love Love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love it all - Love that baby #3 is on the way and you will be a family of FIVE soon! So awesome. Her nursery is perfect and so glad you have such a wonderful nanny! xoxo

Annie said...

Those cake pictures are amazing. SO so cute. Best wishes for smooth sailing into Finley's arrival. Love her nursery (so impressed at all you have done with two 12 month olds!).

Amie said...

Happy 1 year to Austin and Camden!!! It looks like they had a great birthday party!! You are one busy momma that's for sure but it sure is amazing that you are about to have three children after waiting so long. I LOVE her nursery!! I want a gray room so badly and I love that you added the pink but it's not overdone :)

Aramis said...

Those pics...this is how I, too, would like to eat cake. With my face in it whilst hugging it. Happy birthday babies, and good luck mama with the next adventure to come! You'll rock it as always!

Marianne said...

So glad all is going well :) xxx

JoJo said...

Glad to see an update. You look stunning! U will have your baby girl soon and your three kiddos will have an amazing strong working mother.

Suzanne said...

Love this so much. You give me so much hope. You always have. :) I'm sending you so many good thoughts and love as the birth of Finley approaches. I'm just so darn excited for you!!! xoxo

Amanda said...

Love!!! I can't believe you're 34 weeks! So, so crazy! I'm so excited for Finley to arrive! Her room is BEAUTIFUL! Yay for lots and lots of quality time and snuggles with all THREE of your babies!

Also, I need you to remember where you got those adorable hats and bow ties for their birthday photos! I'm going to need a set of those in about nine months.

Risa said...

Love the update! I'm so glad everything is going well for you because I remember what a tough recovery you had. Happy birthday to those beautiful babies!

Nikki Miller said...

LOVE the update!
Praying for you and your SWEET family.
You are an amazing Momma and those are THREE very lucky kiddos.
Enjoy your last weeks of pregnancy, can't wait to hear about the birth story. Praying for a easy delivery and gentle recovery.

Amy said...

I am just so beyond happy to see this post and can't believe what a year brings! Your boys are toooooo cute! Audrey, despite the craziness of being a working mum you are doing what looks like an incredible
job!! Big love to you all

the blogivers said...

So good to see an update from you!! I really cannot believe how different life is for you since I met you in the airport nearly 2 years ago... it really just blows my mind!

Brooke said...

So excited to see the update. You are superwoman!

Sally said...

Love this update!! It is just amazing how your family has changed in the last couple of years! The boys are too cute.....cannot believe they are one. What fun when Finley arrives soon :)) Thinking of you as you reach your final days & weeks til her arrival!! xoxo

Ashley said...

Love this update!! How is your pregnancy this round? No signs of pre-eclampsia this time? Can't believe she will be here soo soon! Manthe first year has gone by soo quickly, I'm still getting over Noah being 16 months this month!

Ashley Sanderson said...

What a wonderful post! If I didn't know, there's no way I'd say those boys were pre-mature. Those chunky thighs are to DIE for!!! So excited for you and can't wait to see pictures of sweet Finley!

Ashley
The Mrs. & Co.

shay said...

So happy to hear from you! I never have time for blogs anymore, so sad... but i've been keeping up with you on instagram and fb. The boys are just absolutely darling! And you look amazing! can't wait to see pics of your little girl!

Amber said...

I think the boys liked their cakes! Lol. Isn't it absolutely crazy how that 1st birthday sneaks up on us? And now Miss Finley is about to meet the world as well! I'm so happy you've gotten your happy ending and dream of becoming a momma.

A Few Good Eggs said...

Happy, happy birthday to your adorable boys and congratulations on having 33 weeks come and go. What a blessing! So fun to see the birthday party photos - it looks like quite the celebration!

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy for you and your family, AND I love your updates. Your little guys are absolutely precious, and I can't wait to read your birth story for your new addition to the family. Such exciting times for your family. Congrats!!
Susan

Mrs. Lost said...

Your life is about to go from crazy to super crazy but I know you will love every minute of it! Prayers for a great delivery and swift recovery. You are a great mommy!

Jessah @ Dreaming of Dimples said...

Oh my goodness! I love Finley's nursery. Can't believe the boys are already ONE either. I remember your pregnancy announcement like it was yesterday. I go back to work tomorrow and have anxiety about it. I think I'm going to struggle just like you with being away from my boy. Are you doing a nanny and daycare? Is your nanny a live-in? Where did you find her? Sorry for so many questions

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your blog. I am a current patient at CCRM and we are praying for our little miracle. I was having one of those down days and googled "CCRM blog" and there was your journey to encourage me. It's tough to put yourself out there, but know that it is uplifting me and other women on a similar journey. Thank you again!

JOY said...

Hi! I stumbled across your blog while reading another - excited to see your updates!

http://scrambledeggsinfertility.blogspot.com

Meredith said...

Where did you get the red Austin & Camden letters/name that you had displayed at their birthday party?

I love them!

Anonymous said...

Just found your blog. Have gone through the same since 2011. Just did our 10th transfer. Pregnancy test next week. Thanks for giving others hope.

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