ABOUT US

Our story begins on August 16, 2008.  I met this dashing soldier named Thomas at a mutual friend's wedding.  We began to talk on the phone and by December 2008, I knew he was the man I wanted to marry.

Thomas was stationed in Italy at the time so visiting him was a bit of a challenge.  I got my passport, booked a flight, and in February 2009 I flew out to Italy to visit him for a week.  It was one of the best weeks of my life and it continued to get better.  On February 16, 2009 Thomas proposed, in beautiful Italy, and wedding plans began.

We had originally set a wedding date for that December, but the Army had other plans.  We learned that he would be deploying to Afghanistan in December, so we moved up our wedding date 5 months.

And on July 10, 2009 we were married.

Five short months after we wed, my husband went off to war.  It was a long year, constantly worrying about his safety.  Communication was spotty, at best, sometimes going 2 or more weeks without hearing from him.

But it made us stronger.

Once he returned from deployment, we took advantage of being stationed in Italy and traveled a lot.  Rome, Venice, Monte Carlo, the south of France... we took some amazing trips.

On vacation to Rome, Thomas' favorite trip we took.

Taking a gondola tour of Venice, my favorite city in the world.

We knew early on that we wanted to start a family sooner rather than later.  Months of negative pregnancy tests went by so we saw a doctor.  Found a few issues and, to make a long story short, had a few fertility things done and soon after, learned we were expecting.  It was a rough pregnancy due to hyperemesis gravidarum. 

On May 29, 2012 we welcomed our first son Declan Thomas into the world.  He was a healthy, full-term 8 pound baby.

A mere 5 months later we got the surprise of our lives.  We were expecting again.  And this time with TWINS!  This pregnancy was even rougher.  I suffered again from hyperemesis gravidarum and also polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid... the doctor said I had enough to support quadruplets).  I was on bed rest quite a bit.  We learned that Baby B (who would given the name Lucas because it means "bringer of light") had many complications.  We were told that he wouldn't make it through the pregnancy.  I was often strongly advised by doctors to abort the pregnancy because my life was at risk.  I chose to give both boys every chance at life.

29 weeks into my pregnancy, at a routine OB appointment, I went into pre-term labor.  I was given medications to try and stop labor, but it didn't stop.  After receiving two doses of steroid shots to improve the boys' lungs, they were delivered via emergency c-section.  You can read more about their birth stories and hospital stay on the other tabs on this blog.

Miller James, born April 22, 2013, weighing 3 lbs 6 oz

Lucas Rolland, born April 22, 2013, weighing 2 lbs 8 oz

Lucas lived a short 76 days.  Each day with him was a precious gift, one that I was told I would never get.  He amazed everyone by making it through the pregnancy and through 2 serious surgeries.

Now we are adjusting to our new normal.  One that includes embracing life with  2 children under the age of 2, while grieving the loss of our 3rd child.