Happy 1st Birthday G.R.A.C.E.!

WOW! Really....WOW! I am still pinching myself that I have not 1, not 3, but 5, 1yr olds!!!! The biggest shocker is that I'm still alive and smiling as I reminisce over the last year. Please bear with me.

I woke up around 5ish this morning cause one of the girls was fussing a little. I went into their room and turned on the sound machine and went back to bed. Looking at the clock, I thought to myself that Gabby's bag of waters had broke a year ago at that time. That started a roller coaster of emotions the whole day!

At 7am, I greeted the boys first by slowly opening their door to see their smiling faces and excited screams (favorite part of day is getting them up in am/naps). I sang "Happy Birthday" to them and they just laughed cause they thought I was being silly. Then I went up to the girls room and was greeted with an odor I'm sooooooo familiar with....poop! I started singing to them and they were all giggling, except Addy (the poopy one) who was crying cause she was mad and wanted to be changed and fed.

If you had told me a year ago, that this is what it would be like today, I would have had less fear and anxiety, knowing that we had ALL survived and still have smiles on our faces! I could not have asked for a better outcome as far as health for the babies and their big sister. And if I had to do it all over again (relocating to AZ for 3 mos), I would, even though that was THEE most difficult physical and mental time of my life. The physicians, nurses, nurses' aides, ultrasound techs, and other staff made the time go by fast and for the most part, enjoyable. I do miss my weekly Dunkin Donuts that Dr. Elliott brought me in the hospital and other food brought by the nurses and Dr. Mourad's wife.

Of course, it literally took a village to help us get through this year! And we are so grateful for everyone  who have helped and continue to help us! The kids have a lot of "adopted" aunts, grandmas, and grandpas and you will always be a part of our extended family!  I must apologize that the first 3-5 months was just survival mode and frankly a blur, so I don't remember everyone that helped during that time but we appreciate so much your willingness to serve our family!

As of today, all five babies can take steps/walk. Emmy and Addy decided that they would take a few steps on their birthday so that they aren't lagging behind their sister and brothers, Gabby, Riley, and Cooper, who are walking 5-7 steps.

I was calculating a few stats for the past year and here is what I came up with:
We changed over 10,500 diapers.
GRACE consumed over 600 cans of formula (45,000 oz).
We hand washed over 10,500 bottles.
Two parents and a toddler still sane and smiling.....PRICELESS!

Happy birthday Gabrielle, Riley, Addison, Cooper, and Emerson! You definitely make this world a better place to live in! We love you soooo much! You are such a blessing to our family and everyone you touch. - Daddy, Mommy, and Gianna

p.s. Pictures to follow after birthday celebrations :)