That's my Daughter

When you give birth to premature babies, you don't always get to hold them right away. This was what happened in our case. After each baby was pulled out they were swept away to their respective incubators to get assessed and hooked up to oxygen. One of the last organs to complete development are the lungs. The yogi in me is fascinated by this because in yogic traditions your breath or pranyama literally means life. For this reason, I wasn't able to hold any of my babies right after their birth.
The next day, I got to hold Sofie first. There is nothing in this world that compares to carrying a person inside of you and then holding them in your arms to meet them for the first time. It is heaven.
One of our nurses told us that the strongest premature babies are African females, second to them are Caucasian females. The weakest premature babies are Caucasian males; which speaks volumes and doesn't need any further deliberation. My sister was born at 28 weeks gestation in 1984, without all of the technology that is in NICU's today. She is one of the most interesting, intuitive and bright people I know. She was an English and Political Science major, she also has her law degree. She is an old soul, wise beyond her years (even as a child). You would never know she was born weighing 2 lbs. 9 oz. fighting for her life. I knew that our Sofie was going to make it through with flying colors, just like Auntie M.
After about 24 hours, the doctors realized that she didn't really need to be on oxygen at all; she had her pranayama all figured out. She was breathing a smooth, calm breath on her own, all 2 lbs. 13 oz. of her. She opened her eyes and was looking around after a few days. The first time I tried breast feeding her, she latched on immediately and started sucking (back off lactation specialists, this is how we roll!). Her alarm next to her bed that tracked her vitals hardly ever sounded.
It seemed that this little bug had been prepared for this whole "life" thing.
Her features remind us so much of her dad. Her porcelain skin, sky blue eyes and curly blonde hair are nothing like mine. Her little body, is a fireplug - all mommy. 

Sofie at 8 months old

Pun-kin at 14 months

 Sofie is funny, sweet and I sense that she is already set out to please (also like her dad). I hope to rub at least some of that out of her though! She blows kisses, says 'hi' and loves to have all 4 of her blankets about her in her crib. She tosses herself onto anything that looks comfy and burrows right in. She bounces sometimes just when she is standing around, yells out of no where and knows where her head, nose and tummy are all located. She was the first to crawl and walk. She does pull ups on the side of the playpen and motor boats around on her bike ringing her bike bell. She is stubborn, very stubborn. Which I can appreciate. I  love that she has this quality. It's given me many amazing experiences, accomplishments, insight, knowledge and a husband to boot!
I love my boys, don't get me wrong, but there is just something about this girl that I can't get enough of. Her personality is one that draws people to her (yes even as a 1 year old). I hope she chooses me to be one of her best friends, because it would be an honor.

The Rainbow Connection

Bo, Tate and Sofie - those are my precious little peas. They turned 15 months old yesterday. Life with three 15 month old kiddos is exactly what you would expect it to be. We have a lot of laughs, cries, bumped heads and new sounds (words in their world). We are starting to copy-cat, push each other over and try things just to see the reaction. I've come to realize that this particular phase is one to be cherished and held onto as long as possible, because my babies are (insert flowing tears) not really babies anymore.
When I was pregnant, I never wanted to read any books or blogs on pregnancy because I didn't feel it was relevant to being pregnant with a litter. Trying to wrap my head around a triplet pregnancy was intense and when turning to books or the Internet I found that most information just freaked me out (do a Google image search of "triplet belly" or "post triplet belly" and you'll catch my drift).  I decided early on that I would follow my heart to get all of us through this life.
I was scared. Scared that they would be okay, scared that I would be okay, scared that I would never look the same, scared that I would lose myself, scared that we would be able to afford this new life, scared that we could raise a child (let alone three at the same time)...the fears were tremendous.
So, what did I do to overcome all of this fear? I followed my heart. I woke up every day and ran with my dog, worked, did yoga, went grocery shopping, cleaned the house, did the laundry, cooked dinner...I couldn't just sit waiting for an unknown amount of time. We had numerous doctors appointments and everything was moving along without a hitch. They could be born at 24 weeks or 37 weeks; I could either sit inside worrying and wondering or I could take care of myself, stay happy, comfortable and sane for as long as I could.
I had an amazing pregnancy. I loved taking them out with me each morning and practicing with them on my mat in the afternoon. The last couple of weeks were uncomfortable as they are for everyone; I was still strong and I wasn't scared anymore.
After they were born, Bo, Tate and Sofie spent 4 weeks in the NICU. They had a few early hiccups that most premature babies have. After about two weeks, they were on the fast track out of there. They needed to weigh 4 lbs to come home. At 36 weeks gestation, exactly 4 weeks from their birthday they came home. And then, of course, I was scared again. Many of the same fears came up along with a plethora of new ones.There is so much pressure on new moms to do everything right and follow all of the guidelines. Between breastfeeding and they kind of bottles to use; to pacifiers and taking monthly pictures documenting every step of the way (which I did maybe 4 times). Then there are the outfits, Lord help me. I kept picturing our kids to be the ones looking disheveled, boogers and all in Walmart clothes.
With all of these new set of fears, I decided to follow my heart. I woke up fed the kids, ran with my dog, fed the kids, pumped, did laundry, fed the kids, pumped, fed the kids, pumped, fed the kids, pumped, did yoga, fed the kids...they were eating 8 times a day and I was pumping rather then breast feeding them. I started doing baby exercises with each of them, timed them everyday on their tummy time  (we started with 5 minutes and worked our way up). My mom bought all of their clothes and toys (and they weren't from Walmart).
Once the peas were about 3 months old, the toy envy ensued. Then I was worried that they wouldn't be getting enough stimulation. How could we possibly work with three babies enough on gross motor and fine motor skills? What about cognitive development, problem solving, the list goes on. I kept trying to think back to an early childhood education class that I had; with no luck. And again, I followed my heart.  We went for walks, read to them as long as everyone was calm and sat outside on a sheet in the sun. We used what we had and did what we could.
My point to all of this is I wasn't hemming and hawing over the little things that are easy to get caught up in when you're new at something. I don't like not being sure of myself and so I simply wasn't. I made decisions and stuck with them. I stopped giving them breast milk when they were two months old. Surprisingly, everyone is alive and thriving. The most amazing thing about children is that they don't need all of the 'things' you think they need. Walmart clothes are okay, especially when they get spit up on everyday. Reading the same books over and over is okay too, because they're learning to recognize and recall words that are repeated to them. Formula isn't going to give your baby a bad immune system and feeding him or her from a bottle still gives you an incredible bond.
My mom said something to me the other day that resonated with me...don't forget all that you had already done for them when you were carrying them. I thought back to that point in their life and in mine. They're needs were the same then as they are now food, warmth, shelter and love. However now, we need a little dance party, bike riding and chaos each day too.
I found this excerpt when looking up motherhood quotes and although this book is probably a great read; I will likely never read it...

“The Only Thing That Really Matters:
There are millions of books, magazines and web sites that cover every facet of parenting out there. They can make you feel pressured to be the perfect mom and raise the perfect child. You should celebrate and enjoy your baby’s milestones. But remember, how early they roll over, stand, walk, talk or potty train doesn’t matter at all in the grand scheme of things. I have found that in the end there is only one thing that really matters. You can give your child every comfort and luxury in the world, but all they really want is you. Mommy and me classes, baby sign language and the latest and greatest toys are not really what it’s about. You don’t have to give your child any of these things to be a good mom. All you have to do is be there. And that, my friends, is the Mommyhood. (As I see it anyway).”  [excerpted from Secrets of The Mommyhood: Everything I wish someone had told me about pregnancy, childbirth and having a baby. Alexander, Heather]

First Attempt

I've been told, mostly by my mother, that I should start a blog. Personally, I don't read blogs. Then again, I keep myself entertained in numerous other ways. I'm a daughter, sister, aunt, dog owner, gainfully employed, raw-vegan, marathon, yogini wife AND (dadadaDA) mother of one year old triplets. That last title usually is the one that receives gasps, chuckles, comments and the main reason my mom thought I should start doing this.
Some of my favorite comments:

Spectator: They're all YOURS?
Sara (to myself): No words...or a plethora of them...

Spectator: You're so small, how did they fit?
Sara (to myself): Well, they weren't born weighing 20-30 pounds. They were much smaller a year ago...

Spectator: You have your hands full.
Sara (to myself): No, sh*t!?

Spectator: Three boys?
Sara (to myself): Did you dress your son in a pink hoodie with flowered Mary-Janes when he was a little tike?

Spectator: How do you do it?
Sara (out loud): I just do it.

Like every great Nike commercial always told me to do to; I wake up every day and do what I have to do to be the best that I can at all of those titles that I eloquently listed above for you. I will say, that along with all of this feedback that we get when we leave the house, traipsing around with three babies bring the very best of people. I have received more smiles, blessings, hugs and encouragement from total strangers than I ever thought I would. This helps, it truly does. Deep in my gut, I know that the world has my back in this particular endeavor and that everyone wants me to succeed. I gain strength and comfort in this and don't think I could get by without it.

Backing up a bit to my laundry list of labels, this is who I am.

My family and I live in Texas (myself via Illinois and Colorado and my husband via North Dakota and Colorado). I find myself a bit out of place but I'm learning to love the humid, hot flat lands and realize that my fresh mountain air my not be as close to my grasp as I would like. I have always carved my own path and followed my heart...apparently when you're married with children there are other things you have to consider when you choose where you live. A job is one of those things. We moved to Texas for my husband's job. Our kid's were born here and are officially "Texans" (insert cringe). Regardless if I like the landscape or weather, this is where we live and I'm coming to terms with it.

I work remotely for an event company; the same company that I interned with after college. The best part about my job is that I don't have to go anywhere for it. My desk is in my bedroom, 'nuff said for now.

I am a physical being. I love moving. I have been known to swim, bike, run, hike, ski, snow shoe, practice yoga, lift weights, etc. for hours on end. Being physically active makes me feel alive, makes me feel better (about everything) and simply makes me happy. When I was pregnant I did yoga and ran or swam pretty much every day...I had an amazing pregnancy and delivered my babies at 32 weeks (average for triplet pregnancies). That's all I'll say on that topic for now...I have a triplet baby jogger that I run with and my kids love it.
I've done 10 IRONMAN triathlons and over 20 marathons along with numerous shorter distances events. I've hung up my swim cap and cycling shoes and just run at the moment. This is a big part of who I am and I'll speak to it quite a bit.

The title of this blog relates to the yogini in me. I am a certified yoga instructor and have been practicing on and off since high school. Although I was raised Catholic, yoga is my spiritual practice as an adult. I'm still working out a way to instill this same spirituality into my children...I want them to believe in any higher power, to believe in themselves, to treat others with equality, love and respect. I want them to take time to reflect; whether that means going to church or rolling out a mat in the backyard. My husband would roll is eyes if he read this...he's a straight shooter...The title of this blog "Living the Lotus Life" comes from the lotus flower, which in Asian cultures is a symbol of divine beauty. It's unfolding petals are symbolic to expansion of the soul. This particular flower roots itself in the muck at the bottom of ponds and it's flower sits at the top of the water. Even if our roots sit in mud, we can still blossom out and give our beauty to the world. That is what I believe in.

Through yoga and running I've become somewhat of a health nut. I had an eating disorder growing up and have become much more conscious of what I put into my body. I'll spare you of my eating habits through the years...except for this one. I've recently adapted a raw food lifestyle and I've never felt better in my life. A raw foods diet is made up of fresh, whole, unrefined, living, plant-based foods - fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds, which are consumed in their natural state, without cooking or steaming. I eat as much as I want, whenever I want until I'm completely satisfied. Although it is hard for many people to wrap their head around, I've never been one to waver in something that I believe in. For more info check out www.rawfullyorganic.com.

Family, is above and beyond, the most important thing in my life. My mom and my sister are my best friends; my dad and brother are the two greatest men any girl could grow up with. I'm fortunate enough to have a sister-in-law and brother-in-law who are right in line next to my originals. I have three nephews who are my loves just as much as my own children. All of my extended family live in my hometown, minutes away from each other. While my heart aches to be close to them; so we spend hours (upon hours, upon hours) on FaceTime every day. My husband is the best combination of my dad and my brother (in a non-creepy way). He brings balance to my up and down life. I couldn't imagine doing what I'm doing without him. He is an amazing dad and is the only man I know that can wipe a butt clean faster than any mom around.

Finally, I'm a dog owner. I saved talking about Blue until last because he always gets the short end of the stick lately. He is a 6 year old white husky with piercing blue eyes. He's better looking than most humans...I love my dog. I got him after I broke up with a boyfriend, he was my rebound guy. He's filled every void in my life. We've driven across the country (a few times), run and skied hundreds of miles, been through heartache, marriage and children together. I've grown up with him and he is going to live forever; or else...

So, that's the start. Maybe this will be interesting to more people than just my mom. Regardless, I will write about people, passions, places and primarily, motherhood.