Baby Hope for the Weary

I know what it feels like to struggle with infertility...I have had the sleepless nights and the monthly BAWL SESSIONS when I would realize that I wasn't pregnant, yet again. It is heart breaking...it is one of the worst feelings of intense pain that you could ever imagine. You never think that you will have problems getting pregnant...

Three ladies, three very different OBGYN medical backgrounds, and 8 babies---all within 2 years of each other:

Me (with the quads)
My sister-in-law, Ashley (with baby Carter)
My cousin Jackson and his wife, Jill (with triplets: Gabe, Isabella, and Jack -- BORN EARLY THIS MORNING! Feel free to leave them some love!)

I will not go into each particular scenario (out of respect/privacy for blabbing such personal information of others), but we have each struggled with infertility...we have been there, ladies! You all know my story and can find it on my blog---and you can check out Jill and her story by visiting her blog HERE. I write this to give you hope and trust in God and His plan for your life, wherever He may lead you, whatever the outcome.

Today we are rejoicing with Jackson and Jill as they welcomed their three precious babies into the world- with NO complications whatsoever! Praise God!

Anyone who has known me for any period of time have probably heard me talk about my many "cousins" from Georgia---ad nauseum!(I group all of you cousins together btw, you know who you are!) I LOVE them SO much! We do not get the chance of getting together very often anymore and we miss them dearly.
This was the last time we saw Jackson and Jill- December of 2007 (the quads were 4 months old) My brother and new father, Collin, Jackson, Jill, and myself

And here is a beautiful pregnancy pic of Jill that my extremely talented photographer and "Georgia cousin", Candice took. Her work is amazing...and it definitely helps when you have gorgeous subjects like JILL!


With Carter's birth on Sunday and the triplets birth this morning, the miracle of life, following infertility, has been on my heart in a major way. God is SO gracious. And I just want all of you who are struggling with infertility to know that I am praying a very special prayer for each and every one of you today.

Hugs and positive thoughts!!!
Suz

Mr. Carter...you have stolen my heart!

Welcome to the world, baby Carter!

Sean Carter H.
March 29, 2009 @ 3:16pm
7 lb 7 oz.
19.5" long

Cutest little pregnant gal in labor that I've ever seen! (My big brother Collin, and his wife Ashley)


waiting...waiting...


He's HERE! Proud Granna pointing to Carter's footprints


I'm an AUNT for the first time!!! SO excited!

We couldn't take any pics of Carter while he was in the nursery yesterday...but we were able to snap some great pics this afternoon!

Although we knew the quads were not allowed in the room to see Carter, they waited patiently outside for moral support. They are SO excited to have a new cousin! (Can't you tell? LOL)


Sweet Mama Ashley with baby Carter---we have prayed for you for SOOOOO long, lil buddy!






Granna, Carter, Collin


Proud grandparents!

AUNT SUZ and her NEPHEW!!! (so proud)


Uncle Joe (I love it!)...Look at that hair on Carter---SO CUTE!





Say it with me, Joe: 1, 2, 3---"BABY FEVER?!!!".............

(yes...but not a chance!)

After lovin' on sweet C-man, we took the big kids out to eat again...they behave remarkably well in public (well, for now at least!) Granna and Ethan


Papa and Drew


Poor Col...after one night, he already looks SO tired! LOL. "Unca-Cah" as Sav likes to call him


Carter, you are just the most precious thing ever! Auntie Suz is going to spoil the MESS out of you! Just you wait, lil buddy! Andrew, Ethan, Benjamin and Savannah are SOOOO excited about running around and getting into trouble with you! (just as we did with OUR cousins) Collin and Ashley, you are going to be amazing parents...we are beyond thrilled for you and your new blessing from God.

(And congrats to my cousin, Jason and his wife- Julie..they found out they are expecting a baby girl for Sav to play with today!!! woo hoo! Love you guys!)

Our First NICU Reunion!

Today we attended our first NICU reunion at Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, TX (We missed last year's reunion to attend a retirement celebration for my Aunt Judy). It was very cool. I must say...as we pulled up to the hospital, my mind was flooded with thoughts of my babies, fighting to grow and develop in the NICU...{tear}. It is just amazing how far they have come and how many people have been a part of their lives! God's blessings never cease to amaze me.

Savannah, Drew, Ethan, and Ben--making their grand entrance. (Thanks for the pics, Dad!)



Nurse Ashlie...I just love her to bits. This woman was a life-saver for us while the kids were in the NICU. She has such a compassionate heart and loves my kids like they were her own. She helped us feel comfortable and pretty much taught us how to care for our preemie babies. We LOVE her SOOOOO much and she will remain a friend for life!


NICU staff lovin' on the keeeedz




Tiff and her main man, Ben. Tiffany LOVES Benny and I remember how she would call him her "cry baby Ben"--yep, she pretty much had his personality nailed within one day of working with him!



Bop Drew on the head with a big balloon and he thinks its hilarious...go figure





Joe and Ethan





Granna and Savannah



A cute pic of Drew while eating out for lunch...this 'lil dude can put away some FOOD!


Good times! And a HUGE THANKS to all of the Harris hospital staff who have been a part of our lives in one way or another. We appreciate you more than you could ever know!

Weekend BBQ

We had a great time this weekend and took the kids to their first BBQ at a friend's house! Here are some pics!

Like father, like son...love this pic of Joe and Ben. As soon as we arrived, Ben was all over the place, checking everything out.



Drew- again, VERY timid and anxious to be in any new place...its like a complete 180 from when he is running around laughing and smiling at our house all day long...but he quickly warms up and is ready to go.



Here Ethan is asking me one of his BILLION questions a day...the face cracks me up!



Momma and Daddy takin' turns...eating, feeding, watching, entertaining




Savannah found a doll lying around...of course



And this was too cute! Sweet Kylie was sharing her sidewalk chalk with Savannah--it was adorable watching the Little Miss hang out with other girlfriends!



and the ride home....ahhh....this is what I saw when we pulled into our garage.














Their carseats are still facing backward, so I just reached around with my camera and snapped the pics! (Not the best quality...but we sure did have some SOUND asleep little rugrats!)

Fun times! Thanks, everyone for helping us keep an eye on the quads! We had so much fun!!!

Weekend Pics and Brand New Kicks!

Thank you Grandpa and Grandma Steece! We finally bought the quads their first tennis shoes with your Finish Line gift card from their birthday! (I know...its been a WHILE, but they haven't really needed shoes until now) How cute are they?!? I just love little kids/baby shoes (Well, any shoe for that matter)!



Little Drew trying on his kicks for the first time



Just wanna squeeze 'em...so cute...couldn't stop giggling! (Joe and I have the same New Balance shoes- minus the velcro of course! LOL) My BIG boys!



Savannah---going on 18 yrs here...and this cell phone was the fight of the weekend! It is SO difficult bringing only ONE toy home for the rest to share! Mama should have known better...(so Granna and Papa went out and bought 3 more just to diffuse the mayhem!)



Sweet pic of Savannah and her Papa



Goofy Ben...love this face!



Me and Sav as she grabs for the camera---she thinks it is SO neat to see herself on the digital camera screen, so we were playing around...THANK GOODNESS FOR DIGITAL CAMERAS! Love 'em!



Savannah is also fascinated with zippers---Granna's outfit kept her occupied for a while!



Sweet little Ethan---dreaming of running around outside after days and days of freezing, cold rain and nasty weather.


Benny holding on to Mommy's legs as she tried to walk...I couldn't stop laughing!


LOVE this kid's smile...LOVE IT. Sweet Drew.