Busy Christmas Weekend

 

The first weekend in December was a very busy one for us. First off Saturday morning we headed to our annual Tri State Multiples Santa lunch. 

Getting ready to go

Our big family! We got to Santa again and once again to my surprise Lila jumped right onto his lap while Carter and Madelyn wouldn’t go near him right away.

But it didn’t take too long for everyone to warm up.

After we left the lunch we were starting our trek to Jackson for the Annual Whetsel family and friends Christmas party at the skating rink.

We made a stop at Toys R Us on the way there to use a gift card they each received for their birthdays.  This was the first time ever they would go into a toy store and pick out something they wanted.  They were so excited to pick something out and mom and dad was having a blast watching them. Madelyn knew exactly what she wanted she had been talking about a Fur Pupppy for weeks.  Lila had picked up Dora ponies but when she seen the Pink Fur Puppy she had to have it along with the puppy’s mommy.  How can you tell a child the puppy has to leave its mommy…she we caved! Carter decided on an Army plane for kids 5+.  I wondered to myself what he would do with it and tried and tried to encourage him to look around something different and he did although he had to have that plane. He actually still loves it.

Saturday night we visited with Courtney, Sage, Sabella and Saylor.  Saylor was born just 4 days after Molly.  The kids loved Saylor and each had to have their chance to hold her.

Sage and Sabella holding Molly

Lila, Madelyn and Carter holding Saylor and Carter sang twinkle twinkle little star to hear…so sweet!

On Sunday, we had so much fun at the Rink party.  Lila and Carter tried skating for a little while but Madelyn wasn’t too thrilled about trying it.

Once again, Lila surprised me by being the only one to jump on Roller Roo’s lap!

Having so much fun

What a fun filled weekend!

3 year checkup

 

Lila, Carter and Madelyn had their 3 year checkup.  So hard to believe they are already 3 and growing like weeds!

Lila 30lbs 3oz 39 in

Carter 35lbs 3oz 39 1/4 in

Madelyn 24lbs 6oz 37 in (she finally made the 1% for her weight)

Thanksgiving, Trains and Santa

 

We had a great Thanksgiving. After battling the stomach bug for a week and half we were finally well enough to enjoy a little turkey.  I am so thankful this was the first stomach bug that we have had in 3 years and Madelyn and Molly seemed to escape it. Even mommy and daddy got it!  I don’t care to do that again anytime soon. 

Happy Thanksgiving from The Hopperton’s

I am just loving all of these beautiful smiles

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we went to see the Trains at the Cincinnati Museum.  The kids loved it!  They just couldn’t get their little faces close enough.

The kids are so excited for Christmas this year.  Lila and Carter are unsure what they want and say something different everyday but Madelyn has been pretty consistent that she wants a Fur Puppy!

Meeting Santa for the first time this year and they were so excited..a big change from last year. Santa got a big hug from everyone and even a little surprise from Molly (poop).

And yes I bought the $18 picture…but I couldn’t help it…its such a great picture!

After we put up the Christmas tree the kids thought that the lights were candles I guess because they started singing Happy Birthday. I told them we are celebrating Jesus’ birthday. They got so excited and started shouting Happy Birthday Jesus and now randomly when they walk over to the tree they will say Happy Birthday Jesus!  Gotta love that!  They also were big helpers and helped me put ornaments on the tree.  Our tree may not be too pretty this year but its decorated with a lot of love.

While I was getting out our Christmas stuff I came across this…

This was the tree that I put up next to Madelyn’s crib when she was in the NICU. As soon as I looked at it all the memories came flooding back.  I was filled with so much emotion remembering exactly how I felt during that time.  Its amazing that just the very sight or scent of something can bring you right back to that very day.  We thought for sure she wouldn’t be home for Christmas but on Dec 22nd we brought our 1lb 10 oz (weighing then 3lbs 8oz) miracle home just in time for Christmas after 42 days in the NICU! 

2 months old

 

I can’t believe how fast our little Molly is growing.  I have to say it is crazy how quickly a full term baby grows. Every ounce was huge for a preemie and now with Molly we talk about pounds. In fact we don’t even focus on weight which is a totally new concept for me. 

At Molly’s 2 month check up she was:

9lbs 14 oz (up 3 1/2 lbs from birth) 26%

22 inches long 34%

Head Circumference 15.35 inches 53%

Of course I couldn’t help myself I had to have a 2 month photo session…

Posing for camera

Sweet sleeping beauty

First smiles have to be the sweetest site.  Melts my heart when she looks at me and gives me the biggest grin you have ever seen.  Then gets so excited and starts moving her legs and arms all around. 

Okay mom enough!

Molly is holding her head up, looking around and following sounds.  She is also making some sounds of her own now and is cooing, oooohhhing and awwwwing! 

Some pretty proud sisters and brother.  They adore her!

Happy 3rd Birthday Lila, Carter & Madelyn

 

I just can’t believe these cuties are already 3. What happened to our tiny little babies?  You would never know now that these wild toddlers were ever 2lbs 15 oz, 3lbs 10oz and 1lb 10 oz.  It seems like just yesterday we were bringing them home one by one from the hospital. After that the time just started flying!  I still remember the feeling of worrying myself sick over whether being 9 weeks early would effect their development.  We are so very blessed that they are happy, healthy and thriving three year olds!

Over the past 3 years they have taught us patience, determination, how to live every moment to its fullest, to love unconditionally, and most importantly to trust God. They have shown us that even in the scariest moments of our lives God is right there with us all the time answering our prayers.

We decided to have our friend birthday party at Totter Otterville this year on Saturday November 10th. We just love it there so it was the perfect place to celebrate our 3rd birthday with friends!

We got our very own puppet show!

And our own train ride

Time for pizza

Four little brothers and sisters came to the party all born within 4 days of each other

Koree and Nicholas 9/21

Molly 9/17 and Saylor 9/21

Time for cupcakes

We sang happy birthday to each one individually and they blew out candles.

Time for presents

Carter was just fine with the first present he opened, Lila was just busy making sure that her presents were safe and Madelyn was ready for another gift..even her cards were gifts.

Thank you to: Owen, Kaydee, Nicholas, Koree, Avery, Colby, Zach, Isabella, Landen, Sage, Sabella, Saylor, Autumn, Toby, Carter, Nolan and Austin for coming and celebrating our birthday!

We had our family birthday party on Sunday

What a great birthday weekend we had.  Unfortunately, the week preceding our party we were struck with the stomach bug. What a great way to start the 3’s!!