The Triple(t) Threat: marriage

Michelle and I don't get sick of each other very often. In Seattle we worked at the same therapy clinic, and for a long time even shared an L-shape desk. (which meant bumping into each other all the time!) People said, "I don't know how you guys can work together like that and be together all the time." But honestly, that's the way we like it. We just really like hanging out with each other. We traveled around the world together for two months and I don't think we got sick of each other once. Sure, we got frustrated or sick of traveling a couple times, but I don't remember ever feeling like I needed space or a break from Michelle.

Our trip around the world was probably good preparation for raising triplets. It involved not only a lot of intense time together, but together time with added stressors like a lack of sleep, lots of planning, navigating foreign languages, etc. Sounds pretty similar to our life now doesn't it?! Sleep deprivation, activities driven by a schedule, & dealing with people (i.e. babies) who don't understand us & who we don't always understand!

This Thanksgiving we have a whole lot to be thankful for! Last year on Thanksgiving we did the embryo transfer for our first round of IVF. We celebrated with a nice Mexican dinner and were feeling very hopeful and positive. That first cycle obviously didn't work, but the second one sure did! We have so much to be thankful for this year, starting, of course with our three little munchkins. We've been seeing picures today of babies who are celebrating their one year birthday today and have a hard time believing our wee little ones will be that big this time next year. (On the plus side though, they will be sleeping more by then!!)

I'm incredibly grateful for my amazingly strong an beautiful wife and the wonderful, loving relationship we have created. If anything can test a relationship it is constant sleep deprivation and three crying babies, but I am happy to report that we are weathering this storm well. Now that's not to say that it is easy or that we don't each get beaten down at various times. But we are such a good team that if one of us needs to have a mini breakdown, the other person somehow finds the inner reserves to be the strong one in that moment. (even though we might also be on the verge of losing it!) Through all the feeding, pumping, changing, soothing routines of the day Michelle still does the little things to let me know she loves me.

We are also thankful for our "village." We honestly can't imagine doing this without all the family (and friend) support we have had over these first couple of months. Having the extra sets of hands to hold and soothe or change babies has, I'm quite certain, preserved our sanity more than once. Not to mention all the "non-baby" support like making meals, doing laundry, and cleaning that they have all done. Our little trio won't remember these days, but we certainly will and we will be forever grateful for your time and energy. We are also thankful for the support of our friends and family near and far who have chipped in with giftcards, treats, and meals to help us make it through these sleep deprived days and nights. Michelle and I are continually amazed by the generosity of this community here in State College and so appreciate all the "baby stuff" that people have given or loaned us to help us care for these babies. And we promise continued appreciation all year long for al the local (and non-local!) folks that we hope will continue to come hold babies or bring meals over the coming months!!

I'm thankful that I have a job that I love and that both my boss and the families I work with are so understanding and flexible. I love the work that I do, working with families to help their children learn to move and play, and I enjoy celebrating new milestone with them. I'm so grateful to all the families of preemies who have been great resources for us to draw on as we prepared to welcome our little trio into the world, knowing that a NICU stay was almost guaranteed. And I feel lucky to still be in touch with so many families I've worked with over the years, not to mention the amazing people I have worked with over the years. I feel confident speaking for Michelle, that she is also grateful for the people in her PhD program, both fellow students turned friends and professors, for being so supportive and flexible this semester as she tries to juggle raising three babies with schoolwork.

I could go on and on, but I'll spare you and move on to what you've all been waiting for...the adorable Thanksgiving photos! =) The group shots have the kiddos modeling their matching turkey onesies made by Auntie Jess.