The Third Year!

Three years ago on May 31, 2012, I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of my four babies. All at one time. The husband and I were going from just the two of us to a family of six—and it all happened within two minutes. Trystan Lee, Kailey Lee and Harrison Lee were all born at 12:55pm and Logan Lee arrived at 12:56pm. The week prior had been one of the hardest in my life. My health was beginning to decline and my body was starting to shut down on me. Making it through each day, even though I simply lay in a hospital bed, was becoming increasingly difficult. I could tell there had been a shift in my body's ability to keep up with four growing babies and I secretly began to worry that I would not survive the pregnancy. At that point, my only concern was to get any farther I could for the sake of my babies and the rest was in God's hands. I was more than willing to give up my own life so that my sweet, innocent babies could survive.

God had grand plans for us.

I vaguely remember seeing my little boy's face before me while I lay on the operating table, slipping into shock and a fog coming over my brain. The babies were quickly whisked away to the NICU and I began what was going to be a very long road to recovery. (One that's still in progress...)

The quads, meanwhile, began the very first day of their lives. Ranging in tiny weights from 2lbs 6oz to 3lbs 6oz, they began fighting for their own lives in clear incubators in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit. Though they were small, they were all mighty in spirit. They eventually learned to breathe on their own and their heart beats began to stabilize.

We nearly lost Harrison when he was 10 days old—he became so sick so quickly that even the doctors weren't sure. If I linger on the memories of that day too long, tears will start gushing out of my eyes. I am not only grateful for God's blessing of four babies, but also for His miraculous healing of my son. That little boy can just look at me the right way and I start getting all misty eyed! He will always have that effect on me because of what I experienced with him. And he still holds on to my finger sometimes the same way he did in the NICU that day, despite being dosed with morphine and partially paralyzed...

It's been a crazy ride these past three years. And without recounting what would inevitably be a novel-length series of adventures, experiences and moments, the bottom line is this—those four babies have grown into the most amazing kids I've ever laid eyes on. They are each one smart, beautiful, handsome, kind, loving, sincere and adorable in their very own way. I am so grateful God saw fit to bless my husband and I with four babies, even all at once! He made sure to give us the grace, mercy and love we needed to accommodate our instant family in the blink of an eye.

I can only wait in eager anticipation at the years that lie before us as we watch these little kids grow and flourish. They have enriched our lives and the lives of those around us more than I could ever imagine.

Happy Birthday to my beautiful quad squad!!!!