Thursday, August 27, 2009

Three Lil' One Year Olds

Well, it's official...my three little angels are one year olds!!! Yes, I am still trying to get used to this fact...my babies are growing up (tear...). But seriously, it is SO hard to believe that just a year ago, we were faced with the reality that our precious babies were suddenly born at only 27 weeks 6 days. It sometimes seems like a lifetime ago, but I can still remember plain as day the fear of the unknowing and also the guilt I felt at the fact that I was unable to carry these three innocent babies until my goal of 34 weeks. And then to deal with the emotional roller coaster of having them all in NICU for over 10 weeks. I remember the first time I really saw them all...each only weighing just over 2 lbs. each! Nothing can prepare you for seeing your babies so unbelievable tiny and fragile hooked up to so many wires and monitors and breathing tubes...it was surreal. At the time, it seems like you will be there forever but then, through God's grace, we finally got to bring home our amazing little miracles...it was one of the best days of our lives! And then for the next year, Harry, Madeline and Olivia have developed and grown into the most beautiful little children we could ever ask for. We have TRULY been blessed!!! Especially when we consider just how different things really could have been...

So I thought to really put into to perspective just how much these three have changed in a year's time, I would show you where they were a year ago...

Olivia


Madeline


Harry



And here they are today! Proof that miracles happen everyday:-D




On a lighter note, of course we celebrated Harry, Olivia and Madeline's big first birthday by hosting a party filled with family, friends and fun. It was such a wonderful day of celebration and Bryan and I were just so thankful and touched by everyone who showed up to help us celebrate a day that was so imprtant to us. Here are some pictures from the day:


Here's Olivia thoroughly enjoying her cupcake...she probably would have eaten the whole thing if I would have let her:-)



Here they all are with their cupcakes. The girls of course loved them...Harry on the other hand made a face like, "why would you give me something so disgusting?!?!" Harry does not care for sweet stuff, which begs the question of how can this kid belong to us???



Singing them happy birthday:-)



This is their buddy Garrett, the son of our very dear friends the Klines


Here is the whole fam...what a happy day!!!


Don't you just love the hats? They actually let us put them on them for a short period!


Mommy with her 'little man' Harry


Here are their fellow triplet buddies, the Corcorans. We had just helped celebrate their birthday 2 weeks earlier!


Friends hanging out...Tara is holding Olivia and Brooke is holding Tara's baby boy, Cole...such wonderful friends we are blessed with!!!




Our amazing picture-taking friend Amanda was also so gracious as to come and take pictures of the whole day...as soon as we get those pictures back from her I will be sure to post them. I know they will be amazing!!!

4 comments:

tmzetterberg@yahoo.com said...

Happy 1st Birthday, Oliva, Madeline and Harry! We're so glad you were born and pray for many many more!! Ash - I love the newborn pics. Our baby Claire was a premie too (not as early - but we did get a taste of the NICU) like you said miracles...everyday!

jz

The Sabelhaus Boys said...

Happy Birthday guys! We are so glad we were able to celebrate with you! We hope year #2 is even better!

Laura and Jeremy said...

Happy birthday lil Callahans! So sorry we missed the celebration. Great pics! I can't believe all three let you put those hats on them. They sure have come a long way! Congrats! Miss you!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Lil' Ones! What fun and what a blessing! Hope all is well!