Coffee time with daddy and harry

The Perfect Person

There are certain moments for a man and wife in life where the only other appropriate person that can be in the room is the wife's Mom. Renee' has been here for us and over last 24 hours through a number of potentially awkward and personal moments and I could not have asked for a more perfect person to have as my mother in law.

Amber and I are certainly not rested yet, but with Renee's help we've come out of the fog and we are able to thoroughly enjoy our beautiful baby boy.

Cib had a rough start to the night, but he settled in and has had two good 3.5 hour sleep sessions. We hate waking him up, but a boys got to eat! Mom is now on the milk train and she's handling the discomfort like a champ. Cib seems to b e enjoying this new phase and I'm sure his diaper is going to respond accordingly.

I'm silly

We are safe at home. Getting here was an adventure, but we are here
now and Cib seems content.

Cheeks!

My two favorites

A mother's love

Cib's first repot card

He gets an A! time to get ready to go home.

I don't believe in luck

It is time I emerge from my bubble world of drugs sleep depravity and bliss and give the mother's point of view. :) I of course write to you through tears of overwhelming joy. I am joyful because I am happy to admit I am not the luckiest girl in the world as I have said so often in these entries. I am blessed. This is all too wonderful to be luck. The Lord has been most gracious and blessed my socks off!
First, I will say labor, while hard, was not that bad. Drugs rock! Women every where listen up, "Get the drugs!" I dont think I could have imagined the joy I felt when I saw our miracle boy for the first time. Only one thought, He is Perfect! Cib is absolutely beautiful. He is an extremely peaceful boy. I have never known such an overwhelming love and joy in my life. WOW!
Austin has been a true rock star! My husband, who cant watch ER and swore he would be up near my head during delivery, was in the middle of the action and cheering me on! He hasnt swooned once. :) Not to mention he let me have two hours of sleep last night which were like heaven.
All of our family and friends who came from all over the great state of Texas to celebrate this amazing time - thank you!!!!! I had a surprise visitor pictured here who means the world to me. Thank you Tashi for always knowing me. I am SO glad you came! And all the comments here on the blog, I have cried and laughed as I have read them this evening. It is wonderful to share this all of you who have prayed for us, hoped with us and celebrated with us. Cib is finally here! After five years of thinking we would never have children - we now have a perfect one! See pictures below. I am totally guilty of not sleeping and just holding and staring at him. He and Austin are the true loves of my life. Praise the Lord for these last couple days, they are a treasure to me!

Cib gets ready for his first full day.

So this is what they mean...

It is the end of a long day...of the begining of a new long day. It
depends on how you read the clock.

Cib is next to me sleeping in his rolly basinette and we are in a long
quite hallway. Mom is in the room trying to get some well earned sleep.

Tomorrow just seems to get bigger as Cib has his first pediatrician
appointment and his little boy surgery. I can sleep when I'm dead
right?

So far this is a blast. I gave Cib his first bath today and that
was really special. Amber is teaching him how to eat and he is doing
great. He seems to be picking up pooping on his own. That is the only
annoying thing he has done so far and even that was kind of cute.

Visiting hours

We'd love visitors tomorrow, but we would ask that you call before
hand to make sure it isn't a a feeding time.

Sent from my iPhone

Cib's first view

No. You aren't dreaming. It is the cotton bowl.

Cib III

Moving on up

We have moved up to the seventh floor of the Johnson tower, room 705.
We may hold off until tomorrow for more visitors as amber is coming
off the epidural and in some pain.

Cib is already ready to eat and doing it well.

Sent from my iPhone

Cib is Here!

Clisby Austin Fatheree was born this morning, July 15th 2008, at 11:27 am. He weighs 8 lbs. and 13 oz. He is 21 1/4 inches long.

He is named after his Great Grandfather (and other great greats). You can call him Cib (pronounced Kib).

Mom and baby are doing well. We will post more room info later, but for now they are resting and getting to know one another. We will let you know a number to call when Cib is ready for visitors.

I'll post pictures soon.

Cib II

Cib

Holy smokes!

Sent from my iPhone

Still pushing! We can really see the head.

Sent from my iPhone

He is going to be a bald baby!

Sent from my iPhone

Pushing has started!

Sent from my iPhone

Waiting II

The doc just called and she is wrapping up some scheduled surgeries.
She should be here within thirty minutes.

Sent from my iPhone

Alert!

The epidural is beeping! Get the nurse! Close call, pleanty of drugs
left.

Here comes Cib

We are about 45 minutes away from pushing. Ten cm! The doc is on her
way.

Sent from my iPhone

Eye of the storm

No big changes here. They have added potosine to move labor along, but
right now the room is silent except for heavy breathing and the echo
of Cib's heart. Soon it will be push time and noise and excitement
will erupt.

Sent from my iPhone

The room is dark

Amber is pretty peaceful when she can sleep. They just checked her out
and she is now five cm dialated and one hundred percent afaced.(sp?)

They have added an internal monitor so we will have better readings on
the contractions soon.

Sent from my iPhone

A little sleep

The epidural Is letting amber get a little sleep.

Sent from my iPhone

Drugs

The epidural is in.

Waiting...

Amber is holding off on the epidural for now and is trying to rock him
out.

Big splash

Amber's water broke at around eleven pm. She is four cm and ninety
percent. She really wants her epidural and has been a champ so far.

Mom T is on the way to lend a helping hand. We may be having breakfast
with Cib.

Off to the hospital

Wish us luck!

Made it.

Here is the funky statue out side L&D.

Baylor in the distance

Watch this spot

We are headed to Baylor Dallas Hospital tonight! Cib should be here sometime on
Tuesday . Stayed tuned to the blog for updates on labor progress and Cib's arrival.

Sent from my iPhone

Happy Anniversary!

From Daddy Austin:

Today we celebrate 6 years of a wonderful marriage! Today I gave Amber a gift I have been waiting to give her for a long time. This gift is a remembrance and a celebration of our three precious sons.

Sapphires for Clisby Austin
Rubies for Mark Loyd

Emeralds for David Edgar

We hope to meet Cib later today or at least by Tuesday. We appreciate and want to honor Mark and David's sacrifice for him with this new family heirloom.

No News is Good News?

Well I am afraid the age old saying that "No News is Good News" is crap in this situation. :) While the cervix treatment was successful, stilll no baby! I have now been in labor for one week. Oh the joy! Now my contractions are anywhere from 5 to 9 minutes apart, but getting stronger and longer which is a great sign. I am very glad no one told me that being in labor for days (much less over a week was a possibility) Well enough whining!

Monday night we will check into the hospital at 8 p.m. for more cervix ripening meds and Tuesday a.m. my water will be broken and pitocin administered if needed to help labor along. Only three days until we meet our beautiful boy! Sunday is mine and Austin's 6th wedding anniversary and my due date! So to my sweet husband I say thank you. For all the support, love, patience and joy a wife could want. I am truly the luckiest girl in the world.

Update on Cib's arrival date

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend! Ours was certainly entertaining! With two trips to labor and delivery this weekend, they have confirmed that I am labor! Unfortunately my labor is not progressing quickly enough to be admitted yet. So after three days of early labor, I am very ready to meet Cib! He is now at zero station (2 is time to push), 50% effaced, but only 1.5 dilated. Ugh...We are trying to remain patient and distracted. We will keep you all posted when labor progresses enough to be admitted to the hospital.

The Doctor has scheduled a cervix softener on July 9th in hopes to get things going. If this does not work, we have a scheduled induction on July 14th/15th.

Update: 39 Weeks

At my 39 week OB appt today we found out that I am 1.5 dilated with Cib at a -2 station and a very ripe cervix. Basically no change from last week, a little frustrating. Since there has been some concern about Cib's chubby status they will not let me go past my due date which is July 13th. Sooo...unless I do into labor before then, here is the plan! July 9th will be a Cervix Ripening treatment in hospital. Induction beginning on the evening of July 14th with the hopes of meeting Cib on July 15th! A little over a week to go! We are so excited to meet this boy!

Eternally Pregnant

Well, it's official. I am pretty convinced I am going to be eternally pregnant. My mom mentioned Christmas a few days ago and my first thought was, "I wonder if Cib will be here by then" :) These last two weeks have felt as long as my entire pregnancy in some ways. This is the hottest summer in Dallas on record since 1931. We have been at 99 or 100 everyday for almost two months now. I thought here 'up north' we would get a small break from the Houston like heat we have grown accustom to but you all know me, and I love the drama. :)
Today at almost 39 weeks, I am off to see the wizard! (aka Dr. Stevenson, OB extraordinaire) I had something delightful called a membrane sweeping a week ago which has given me irregular contractions for a week and is supposed to (we really hope) have helped me dilate, efface, etc. Today we will find out if we are any closer to meeting our little man and have a second membrane sweeping. The good news is he has slowed a whee bit in weight gain over the past two weeks. This means my risk of C-section and other unfortunate mommy damage goes down! Yea! But we are still looking at meeting a chubby cheeked beauty! More info after doc appt this a.m.

Update: Baby Cib 36 Weeks

Well we have now made it to our second graduation of this pregnancy. Today we graduated from the high risk OB! Cib is our miracle baby! The doctor today told us that he was monitoring Cib so closing because remaining triplets tend to lag in size and development. Well not this miracle boy! He is currently weighing in at 7 pounds 3 ounces with four weeks left till his expected arrival date! As the doctor said, "A true chunk." We can not be more thrilled or blessed by this report of good health. He is already quite the over achiever. This picture is of his precious little face and shoulders only.

Regular OB says we will be lucky to make it 2 more weeks! Baby Cib has 'dropped' as I suspected with my frequent potty visits. Along with other symptoms she gave me the 'when to call' check list and told me to go get a pedicure cause this boy was eager to meet us!

I believe in my heart, now looking back, that Cib's brothers set an excellent example of love for him. They gave their lives so that his would be most full. Thank you to my two brave boys. There isnt a day that goes by that I dont think of you. I know now in my heart that your purpose was to help get Cib here.

John 15:13
"Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his brother"

Thank Goodness Someone is as anal as me!

Well some of you have asked for some close up shots of the stuff in Cib's room. I appreciate this because I am totally this anal too! :) Here ya go!

Update on Baby Cib at 33 weeks

Just got back from the High Risk OB for our 8 month check up. Another A+ appointment for our boy! He is still weighing in about two weeks ahead of schedule at 5 pounds 2 ounces. Lungs, Heart, Kidneys, etc look great! We go back in three weeks as we close in on Cib's birthday.

I also wanted to address a question about the nursery pics. The screen door you see on his nursery is to keep our kitty babies out of the nursery and adds a cool beachy feel to his little beach house while allowing us to keep his actual door open and we can still see in.

Momma to be at 8 months

Austin and I just returned from a most needed 'baby moon' trip! We ventured to the happening town of Mineola, TX and stayed at the Fall Farms Inn. It was a great trip! We watched TV, read and laid out in the sunshine. Austin cooked me a wonderful meal of Japanese Sea bass. Delicious! Here I am counting the days until we get to meet our precious one from the porch of our East Texas Vacation Get Away!

A Mother's Work

Drum Roll Please....At almost 32 weeks I have finally (well minus a few details) finished the nursery! With MUCH help from my mother who helped paint some of the things on the walls and my dad who built the book shelves you see and my sweet husband who helped paint, install lighting, put stuff together, etc. I wanted to paint every thing on his walls myself so this took me a while. I feel like a mom more and more each day. It brought me great joy putting together a little home for our sweet boy, Cib. Welcome to Cib's Beach House!

And thank you to each person who gave us something to help make Cib's nursery extra special!

Blessings from the Fast Lane

WOW! I have had my first 'OH SH*T!' moment. I am having a baby in 74 days or LESS! All that is still to be done! Finishing the nursery, having the car seat installed, oh and I have an event for 700 plus people I am managing on May 8th! I have got to be an adrenaline junkie!
How could years of waiting have dissolved into just 74 more days until I meet God's little miracle and blessing for Austin and I?! We are on the edge of our biggest prayer and dream coming true! How does one proceed in life when one's biggest desire has been filled? WOW! WOW! WOW! We can NOT wait!
Last Thursday, April 24th we saw our High Risk OB for Cib's 29 week check up. Another A+ visit! The doctor says he is still a 'big boy' measuring in at the 78% percentile and weighing almost 4 pounds. This is great news as remaining triplets often struggle in size and internal development. Cib is truly our miracle baby!
The only down side to his stout figure is that it increases my chance for early inducement due to size and/or increased for C section. Either way we are excited to meet this little boy!

7 months-Mommy BFF's

One giant blessing for me has been sharing the pregnancy experience with my sister/best friend Natasha. This picture was taken of us with me at 27 weeks and her at 33 weeks. Our sweet babies will be just 6 weeks a part. It's been an amazing road to walk together.

Bon Voyage to Sleeping Through the Night - The Baby Party

Then off to Houston for a Nautical Themed Baby Party. We danced and ate amazing food, it was awesome. I was a real rock star, staying up until 1 a.m.! So many H-town peeps we love so much were there to help us celebrate and say bon voyage to sleeping through the night.

Austin and I feel so blessed to have each of you in our lives. We can't wait for Cib to meet everyone! Thank you all so much for loving and supporting us.

Showered with Love

The last two weekends Austin, Cib and I have been absolutely showered with love! First our Dallas friends threw us an absolutely gorgeous brunch to celebrate baby Cib. The food was amazing and the friends very sweet. My sister and mother in law both flew in for the day to be a part of it. It was all perfect!

My sweet Son, 6 months 1 week

Yesterday, for me, was one of those 'life moments'. We had our monthly high risk OB appt, where we get to see Cib in high def. Suddenly, on the screen was this precious little face. He was yawning! (as you can see in the pictures) He has Austin's cheeks and toes and my chin. I began to cry. I said through my tears, "He looks real!" Well that is silly, of course he is real. But he looks like a baby. A beautiful baby. Maybe the most cute face I have ever seen in my life. The Lord did this. Knitted together this little person for His glory and to bless me. I am overwhelmed by His graciousness. I woke last night at 2 a.m. and just sat there crying out of sheer joy. That was my son's face! He is beautiful, just beautiful!

Cib is in the 75% percentile for his age group and weighs in at 2.25 pounds! The doctor said this is a BIG boy. On his current track he will be around the 10 pound mark on my due date. Another A+ visit! Praise the Lord for this gift. Worth every year of hoping and wishing and praying for this boy.

6 months!

Happy Easter

It's been a while since I have made an entry, so I thought I would update everyone. We are rounding the bend on the home stretch and very excited to meet our precious boy! He is moving and shaking on a very regular basis these days. Austin (aka Daddy) put the crib and changing table together this past week. Now every time we pass it we say, "That's where Cib sleeps!" It's fun getting ready, if it is possible to be ready. I am nesting up a storm. Organizing things to death, my poor husband is trying to help. I hope you all have an amazing Easter and celebration of our savior's Resurrection!

Cib at 5 months and 1 week

Getting the All Clear

Today we got wonderful news. Baby Cib got the all clear from the High Risk OB! His heart, brain and anatomy all look great. The doctor explained that remaining babies from a triplet pregnancy tend to struggle in size and development. He said if he did not know my history and based on Cib's growth he would think he had been a healthy singleton baby from the start. After our all clear, well actually Dr Magee said, "You get an A+!", he said welcome to the other side of pregnancy. He acknowledged the weight you carry around as an IVF patient, the holding your breath even after the doctors all say you are ok, etc. He said we looked happy and it had finally sunk in, We are having a baby. A healthy baby. Welcome to the other side, the peaceful side, the beautiful side of pregnancy.
As of now, Cib weighs one whole pound and continues to meausre a full two weeks ahead of my due date. Both GREAT signs! Dr. Magee will continue to monitor us just as a precaution but feels confident we are all going to be just fine.

I love you baby Cib. I can't wait to meet you!

5 months, 1 week and Counting!

A daddy's view on things

From Austin:
Last night was a great moment for me as a Dad. I felt my little baby Cib kick! I can't wait to meet the little guy. For now though we'll have to just have story time every night. I am somewhat jealous that Amber gets to feel him moving around all day, but as I told her, having to get up 3 times a night to pee because he's sitting on her bladder makes me less jealous.
From Amber:
I was shocked that Cib was willing to perform on command. I said, he is kicking! Austin said let me feel. He leaned down to talk to Cib with his hand on my stomach. Austin said "I love you Cib! Daddy loves you!" And Cib kicked! Austin's eyes immediately lit up. "Was that it!" He said...that was it. This is all too amazing to be real.

Everybody was Kung Foo Fighting

Well I think we may have a soccer player on our hands! I felt that sweet boy kick for the first time on Sunday, Feb. 17th! So FUN! We are getting so excited to meet him! We had our 5 month doc appt this morning with the regular OB. Heartbeat is strong and all is well! Our final heart/brain check with the high risk OB is next Thursday. I feel so blessed every day and thank the Lord for each day I have with Cib! Thank you all for your continued prayers and support!

4 months and Counting!