Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Mixed Emotions

It is hard to believe that this part of our journey is soon coming to an end. The babies and I are going back to Austin in a few days. I am really going to miss my Aunt Jeanie, Uncle Rick, and my cousins Ashlyn and BrieAnne whom I have been living with for the past five months. They have been amazing to put up with me, my family, my parents, the babies, all our stuff, and all the people that have been coming over to help with the babies. I am sure things will be much quieter around here when we are gone! I will also miss all the wonderful people I have met and grown to love while I have been here and the other family members living nearby who have done so much to help me.

While I am sad to leave everyone here in Arizona, I am also excited to return to Austin. I have been gone for nearly five months and I am looking forward to seeing all our friends in Austin again. I am also looking forward to having my family back together in our own house. It was hard to be separated so much from my husband and older two kids these past months. I have so much empathy for people like my sister-in-law, Tobi, whose husband has been serving in Iraq for the past year and who won't be back until Christmastime.

The babies are doing great! I can't believe how much they have grown! Rustin and Kassidy are both over six pounds now and even Kaydence, who was the smallest at birth, is about 4 1/2 pounds. Each baby is really starting to show their personality. Kaydence is the little fiesty one---I think that she is going to be the "leader of the pack" someday. Ryder is a little thinker. He also makes the best faces of any of them. Kyndall is very sweet--she is going to be the little princess. Rustin and Kassidy are both really laid back and don't get easily flustered. Now that they are all older (four weeks yesterday!!) they are starting to act more like "real" babies. They sleep less than they used to and get a little fussy in the evening. They are all adorable (in my totally unbiased opinion) and I still look at them everyday and think what a miracle they are! I am so grateful for these beautiful little blessings!!

Here are some recent pictures.


A rare moment when all five babies are asleep at the same time!!

(Jeanie, Rachelle, Kassidy, Rustin, Kyndall, Ryder and Kaydence)

Three peas in a pod--Kyndall, Rustin and Kaydence.

A one-day supply of bottles.

The babies get ready for their first big outing together! (We went down the street to take some pictures at a friend's house.)

(Ryder, Rustin, Kaydence, Kassidy, Kyndall)


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31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those are some great pictures !! I can't imagine having to make up all those bottles of formula. It was hard enough doing it for twins.

You all look amazing. XXXXX

Anonymous said...

You have truly been blessed! Thanks for the update, babies are precious. Have a safe and uneventful trip! I know it will be an experience! A friend in Texas!

Cassaundra said...

WOW....I look forward to seeing ALL of you sometime soon. Blessings upon all of you as you travel Saturday, may you have a smooth, peaceful flight. What a treasure this journey has been for you! What an experience you have had the past 5 months! incredible!!! HUGS!

Mama B said...

Wow! They are absolutely adorable!!!

Anonymous said...

Great pictures!! That's a lot of bottles!! And the car seats??! Goodness....

I'm so happy you are all going home soon. Looking forward to future updates (provided you have the time and energy!!).

Again...congrats!! They're beautiful!!

Claremont First Ward said...

WOW! What incredible photos.....I found your story the day before you delivered, and I STILL can't believe you have 5 little babies...that you carried them as long as you did and that they are doing so incredilby well. Now I'm amazed that they all DO sleep at the same time every once in awhile. Must feel really great when it happens. I'll bet your ward family is dying to get you home and get their hands on your sweeties, not to meantion how absolutely wonderful it'll be to be home. What a selfless cousin you have to in allowing you all into her home for such an extended time. It sounds like you've been really blessed and it is beautiful to read how grateful you are. Wishing you a safe and easy trip home.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Those are great pictures - it's so nice to hear that you are heading home happy and healthy! I am due with our first baby any day now and the site of all those car seats and bottles is a wee bit overwhelming! However, knowing that you are managing with 5 gives me hope that I will be able to handle one! Thanks for the inspiration!

Julianne said...

Rachelle, you are amazing! Your posts are so fun. I'm sure there are times when it's overwhelming, but you sound so peaceful and excited all the time. :) I wish I was still in Austin. I'm glad it's not too far away. I'll be making a trip soon!

The Murray Crew said...

Wishing you safe travels. I'm sure it's a mixed bag of emotions. I remember leaving the hospital after living there over a month seemed bizarre. They are all miracles, including you, Rachelle! Keep up with those great feedings - it totally pays off!
The Murray Quad Crew
Jen, Brad, Isaac, Henry, Brooks, and Clark
www.murraycrew.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Loved your remarks as always and the pictures! You and your aunt look beautiful , the babies healthy and fabulous, the bottles, all those bottles.... truly that picture makes a statement on what your life is like now.

I've been thinking about you and Jayson and your upcoming trip home all week. I thought you might be going home with mixed emotions and new understandings. Your sweet blog today confirmed my thoughts.

I marvel everyday at this journey that you and Jayson have undertaken and how it has all turned out so far. Thank you for including all us in this journey , it has been a miraculous experience for us too.

Fly safe with your precious cargo, I think your homecoming will be an exciting and extraordinary day.

Love Auntie V

Elizabeth said...

I look at those pictures and am totally amazed!!! What an incredible journey!!

The Dragonfly said...

You continue to amaze me with your energy, determination and lack of circles under your eyes! Seriously, you look amazing and those babies are just as cute as ever. We can't wait to hear about life with all 9 Wilkinsons together at last, for good! :)

Lyndsee Bates said...

You look so good! We are all exvited to have you home and get to see those babies! Have a SAFE trip home!
Lyndsee

Kelly said...

Wishing you and your little ones a safe and quick flight back home! May Heavenly Father continue to pour out his blessings upon your family. Looking forward to future posts. More prayers coming your way from Roy, UT

Christie said...

Bless your heart! These pics are fabulous...

Susie said...

I am a lurker, but I have to say that your story is absolutely incredible. You have such beautiful babies and a very beautiful family. God bless as you continue your journey with 7 kids.

Shane Meredith Mason and Kendall said...

hi..you dont know me , but I have been reading your blog...all the time:) I lOVE your babies, they are so dang cute. But I have to say, I dont know how you are doing the night time..even with help!I feel for ya there! Anyways ,we have a Kendall (that is how we spell it) and she is a PRINCESS, just like yours! I had to laugh when you wrote that! She was sooo sweet...till about 11 mo and now (17mo) wow! I dont know if its Princess or Sassy!!! But she is sooo fun. Anways, good luck, and keep blogging, its so fun to read!

Anonymous said...

You look to good for having 5 babies to take care of. I think I will not complain about my twins anymore. I laughed real good when I saw all five carseats. That is quite the sight!!

Christy and Dustin said...

Wow five babies! And they're ALL so beautiful! You are a woman to be praised.

Damselfly said...

Those are the sweetest pictures! My goodness, I have only one baby and can't imagine how you manage five! Many blessings....

Mauzy Fam said...

Rachelle - I had a chance to hear you talk in Sunday school in your Aunt's ward about a week ago. It was our first sunday there. What an amazing story! What beautiful babies! Good luck with the trip home, I hope it all goes well. What a wonderful homecoming I'm sure you'll have. You are truly an incredible woman to have that kind of strength and courage. Best wishes!

Unknown said...

I love looking at the pics of your little angels. Best of luck!

1+4+1 said...

Have a safe journey home. It will be great to be home for all of you!

Diane
1+4+1
Good Sam grad '96

The Nanny said...

what beautiful pictures! i can't wait to hear more :-)

Anonymous said...

hey rachelle you are one lucky girl i love babies and someday want some of my own well i wish i lived closer so that i could help you out sometime but i dont keep updating us with blogs and those adorable babys i dont know how you do it good luck an god bless you

Anonymous said...

i love your babys they are so cute and wow i dont know how you keep up with dipers and bottles and how you only got to take the babies one by one that would kill me i want them all at the same time i hope you had a great trip home you look amazing for just having 5 babys GOOD LUCK !!! 7 kids WOW!!!!

Michelle said...

I followed your link over from Juliannes blog. WOE girl you are impressive. Your babies look absolutly BEAUTIFUL!!

Debbie said...

Rachelle, I just found your website and thus your blog after reading the article in the church news!! It was so fun to see all of the media pictures and video. I hope that life is starting to get more routine for you and that the babies are all growing strong. They are so adorable...and all so different. (Much like Christina's twin and triplets!) We love you and wish you all the best. Keep posting!

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

You may or may not remember me but I am a friend of your parents from Hawaii. I just happened to see your article in the church news while visiting my sister. I saw the picture of you and thought, "hey, I know her...I taught her how to knit". Do you remember that? You were about 8 or
9. Anyway.... an amazing life for you now! If you are anything like you're mom you will be great with these 7 children. Congratulations!!

Anonymous said...

Welcome home. Please let me know if you need any help. We live close by near 183/Anderson Mill!

You all look wonderful.

Anonymous said...

simplemente increĆ­ble
Felicitaciones y muchas bendiciones