Babyies' Room, Belly Grows and Letter of Gratitude

Hey people, we are two days away from our last appointment with the specialist, but I figured I would give you a picture of Suzy's ever-growing belly (--it's like she's that girl in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory who eats the blueberry gum--minus the blueness). In case you need some scale, here's a picture of three pregos. Are you ready for this? The brunette is 2 weeks less pregnant than Suzy, and the blond is 2 weeks more pregnant than Suzy. Yea, amazing.

And, a bit concerning, these are the monsters that have found their way into the kids' bedroom. Ooo, scary.

Now, Suzy and I have our sights on the future--baby rooms, parenting books and hand-me-downs--a future that is rapidly making itself the present. Our sights are there, as they should be, as I am sure yours are too, but it was my good friend Andy Hieb a few weeks ago who indirectly reminded me to look at the life that is ours now, before this great juncture; and that reminder brought a huge smile to my face. Yes, before The Arrival, there is something I want to do, lest I should fail to find time or energy to do it afterwards: I want to thank you, all of you.

Suzy and I love each other ardently, and the shock of having triplets has matured into a joyous reception of miraculous luck (--though, I think we'll be using four different types of birth control ever after this), but whatever we are, and whatever is ours, we know we owe it in large part to you.

I will refrain from using your specific names and from recalling instances of our companionship (--I mean, one can't spend a whole day blogging), but will you do me a favor? Stop reading this, close your eyes, and imagine just one moment you shared with one or both of us--a moment that contains, somehow in our mutual memory, the entire meaning of our relationship, what it was and what it will be. But leave tomorrow to tomorrow. Recall your own picture here of you and one of us from the past--no babies, unless we were the babies--and insert it here...

Did you do it? Seriously, do it...

Now, you are beginning to understand why there is so much warrant to punctuate this juncture with our gratitude. (Did you think I would miss this moment?) Of course, we all have lots of life ahead of us--yes, I will be thanking many of you for help and friendship and love on behalf of all FIVE of us soon. But in this moment of reflection, propped up by so great a destiny as now beckons Suzy and me, I have become acutely grateful for the spirit of your generosity throughout both of our lives: I speak of your model--your own wonderful mode of appreciating friendship and family, as much as of any clear display or proof of concern for and joy in us. Know that it is your love, always lacking eyes for its own effect, that inspires us now to provide for our future family in such kind.

Whoa! does that make sense? It doesn't need to--we love you, and are grateful for everything you mean to us. That's all. That's everything.

Thank you.