Saturday, January 30, 2010

Happy Birthday

What an incredible day! THIS was the best day... so far :)

A few weeks ago I mentioned to Samuel's nurse and the nurse manager that the big 1st birthday was just around the corner... and I was shocked by the response. Because Samuel was strong enough for fieldtrips, they threw out the idea of having the party in the hospital - WITH Samuel! All three babies together. I felt like I was floating.

When I realized Samuel wouldn't be home for his birthday, the idea of having a party without him weighed really heavy on my heart. Honestly, I wasn't quite sure how I would make it through that day... I hated that I wasn't over the moon about our babies first birthday. Then, this idea came. We immediately jumped at the idea and they booked the conference room down the hall from the PICU. Now I was over the moon about their party - they would get to be together! YEA!

Samuel, Olivia, and George have not been able to spend much time together. Due to infection/germ control (which we are extremely thankful for), Olivia and George are not allowed to visit Samuel. They have taken 3 pictures together... one before G and O left the hospital, one when we feared for S in July, and one for our Christmas picture. During each of these, interaction was minimal and the goal was in, take photo, out. This birthday was also a chance for them to catch a few minutes together!

The birthday party was incredible! With help from friends, we turned the conference room into a blue and pink fiesta! A few friends from Beaufort came (back to that infection/germ control), and we were shocked at how many of the docs, nurses, therapists, etc. were able to come. It was overwhelming to see how much people care for these babies... a parent couldn't ask for more. At one point during the party I realized I hadn't really looked anyone in the eye for a while... but I knew if I did, the waterworks would come and not stop. I also gave a very uncharacteristically short thank you speech... again, I knew if I spoke one more word, the joy and appreciation would have started bubbling out. I cry enough, I prefer not to do it in public if it can be avoided :) Plus, honestly, I knew that it I let that crack open, I wouldn't be able to stop. I'm not sure I've ever been so overwhelmed with thankfulness.

I still can't believe we have triplets... much less three 1-year olds :) The word "lucky" just doesn't seem to cut it!


Let the fun begin! And yes, you better believe I was determined those hats would be worn!

Dad and the birthday girl share some pre-cake sub sandwich... nice to see DB giving Olivia a chance and not eating the entire sub in one bite :)

I think George likes his birthday! That, or he's happy to see all of his hospital friends again :)

Welcome to my, I mean, our party!

Samuel makes his entrance!
This was a bit tricky, he wasn't having a great morning. Go figure, even though we planned a start time for the party, and even a time for cake, Samuel had his own timeline... the story of his life! I think he wanted to be sure everyone had time to arrive before the cake eating began. Samuel couldn't stay too long, but the time when all three babies were in the same room was incredible.

Cake!!!!!

George dug right in!

Samuel was way more interested in the people at the party :)

Olivia followed George's lead and made a mess!

Hey, I wasn't finished... where did my cake go? Oh well, I still have all of this frosting to play with!

Alright, I'll try some... yum!

What a cute mess!

Hi dad!

I just couldn't choose. Love these both... especially poor George, thank you for trying so hard to smile :)



Hi Samuel!
Mom almost didn't make it past this moment without tears... then we all got a good laugh as Olivia went for Samuel's trache :)

In line for seconds? Or, just scrape the icing off of dad and onto a plate. Ew!

Mom and her boys.

What? The party is over? No way! Come on favorite cousin...

We are NOT finished celebrating!

Then there's George, as usual you can tell when the party is over :) Thanks for the cuddle 'aunt' Brooke!

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