Close up of Anthony
Close-up of Graham
Close up of Jack
Brotherly love
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Baptism outfits - close ups
Here is a close-up of the detail in the baptism outfits made by Helen Marie for the boys. Meredith's details matched except her cross was pink (obviously).
Close up of Anthony
Close-up of Graham
Close up of Jack
Brotherly love
Close up of Anthony
Close-up of Graham Close up of Jack
Brotherly love
Monday, June 27, 2011
5 months old!
Right now, I have 3 sleeping infants and a 3 year old who is having 'quiet time'. Unfortunately for me, I believe he has officially given up naps! :( Most days I can get him to sit quietly either in his crib or the playroom for a little over an hour so I can try to get some 'me' time at home. Right now the only other 'me' time I get is when I take the boys to the nursery at the YMCA and I go to the gym for an hour. With that being said, we try to go to the YMCA every day during the week!
I have come to realize that there are usually 2 general types of reactions I get when I venture out with all 4 kids by myself. 1) The public stare and slow walk in the opposite direction. You know, the person who accidentally made eye contact and then wants to pretend it didn't happen? The one who wants to stare but knows it isn't polite so they look every direction but yours. Or the one who is so freaked out by the sheer number of children that they go the opposite direction in a hasty, panicked retreat. 2) The "oh my goodness, you have your hands full" crowd. These people usually make some polite small talk and ask if there is anything they can do to help. Unfortunately, by the time they get the answers to the questions they want to ask and offer the help, we have reached the point where Chase opens the door and we are set. I do appreciate their offers however. In most cases, it is honestly just easier for me to keep my 'balanced movement' than to stop and explain how they can help me. Push a stroller, help Chase in the parking lot, carry an infant seat - you get the picture. While it isn't easy to go public with all 4, I have found that the more we do it, the more routine it becomes and honestly, it helps us all. The change in scenery is good for us all mentally and it kills a large portion of the day to try and get anywhere.
Chase has been home with me for about a month now and I have to say that it has gone better than expected. We have been spending lots of time inside because 1) it is just too hot outside when I finally get all 3 babies down for a nap 2) he is already bored playing ball with Mommy 3) it is quicker for me to attend to the babies when they fuss. With that being said, Chase and I have had some art projects we have made, read lots of books, play trains multiple times a day and watch various TV shows together that then become the basis for our 'exercise time'. Chase is doing push ups and yoga poses with me for muscular strength and then we run circles playing chase (the game, not the child) or dinosaur for our cardio. While it may not be traditional, it works for us and we both have fun laughing and being silly. He is going to Wee Camp through the YMCA this week for half a day. Today he had lots of 'missing mommy' time - aka he cried alot. The irony is that he admitted it to me, my mom and to Jason so at least he is consistent with his story! I am hoping that things get better tomorrow or this could make for a really long week!
The triplets are doing amazing. It is hard to believe that they are 5 months old today (look Jason, I got it right and didn't have to correct it). I say that because I have recently been thinking they are 6 months - wishful thinking, right!? Graham is VERY close to rolling over from his back to his belly and I think Jack will be next. For now, Anthony is just happy as he is. We had them baptized 2 weeks ago and they did amazing. I am working on some pictures and will try to post them when I get them finalized. They are eating 4 bottles a day and cereal at dinner. I would guess that each boy gets between 2-3 tablespoons of cereal. I have to say that I guess because I mix 1 big bowl and feed them assembly line style. I usually mix about 3 tablespoons per bowl and end up making 2-3 bowls per night depending on how hungry they are. They take their last bottle shortly after 8 PM and are asleep by 9 PM at the latest. They usually start to stir around 6 AM but pacifiers are replaced and they have been letting us sleep until almost 7:30 AM before they decide they are ready to eat.
Chase is an amazing big brother. He is so sweet and will talk to the boys, stroke their heads, even yell at them on occasion when they cry for no reason. It is really funny and he makes me laugh and them too on a regular basis. They are enamored with him and watch his every move. They are happiest when he and I are on the floor at their level so they can see what he is doing. It is funny to watch them try to imitate him - whether it be a noise/sound he makes to get them to laugh or moving a body part - the copying is already beginning. We are trying to explain to Chase that he has to be a good example to his brothers because they watch him all the time. It helps when they repeat an action he does and really makes his eyes get big with wonder when it happens.
Jason is busy at work but not so busy that he is having to work all night at home like he used to. It is a good thing because in all honesty, most nights he barely makes it in the door before dinner is ready and someone (dogs included) need some help from him. The evening hours are the craziest obviously, with dinner for Chase, Jason, myself, the dogs and the babies. The good news is that Chase is starting to eat more of what we do so depending on what I serve for dinner, we are down to 3 meals (again, dogs included because they have to fed in that time frame as well). He is enjoying the new challenges at work and is doing some 'day trips'. I think he knows that an overnight trip isn't an option unless my mom is here. Not because I can't handle it physically- although I would be exhausted - but he knows upon his return my mental state may be shredded and shattered. Most days once we feed the triplets in the morning, I don't sit down until after lunch. I try to use the calm of the morning to start laundry, wash bottles, make beds, play with Chase, iron, clean house and I have found that if I sit down, I am less likely to get those things done. Just knowing that he will be home for 1 feeding at night and to deal with either the triplets or Chase (usually Chase) makes it easier to get through the day.
We did go to my mom's neighborhood pool for several hours yesterday. We made the decision to go as soon as the pool opened so we got our choice of covered seating, some cooler temperatures and only 1 bottle for the boys. We all had a good time and it was nice to get outside and spend some time together. Jason sat and 'rested' for the first little bit while I took Chase down the water slide and then he took over slide duty with Chase and I sat with the babies. We agree that it will continue to get easier to do some of this stuff when the boys can sit up on their own because they just get too hot in the car seats and they don't like to lay flat. They tend to be nosy and want to see what is going on around them.
We are planning our first overnight trip for July 4th. Headed to Charlotte to visit with Jason's brother. Should be quite interesting. Even with some of the 'big items' being made available from their friends, we will still look like the Griswald's as we drive down I-40/I-85 for a simple 2 night outing. This could be the determining factor on how often we try to travel outside of our own home with the triplets. If you don't hear from me by the end of July, know that I didn't survive or that someone else didn't.
Also on the horizon is Chase's 3rd birthday (July 12th) I can't believe he will be 3. But then again, I also can't believe I have 4 kids either. As Jason said recently, he can't believe that we will celebrate our 4th anniversary (July 5th) and we have 4 kids! If you had asked me 4 years ago if this is where I thought I would be, I couldn't have even guessed but I love my life and most of the minutes in it! I will try to get some pictures up soon.
I have come to realize that there are usually 2 general types of reactions I get when I venture out with all 4 kids by myself. 1) The public stare and slow walk in the opposite direction. You know, the person who accidentally made eye contact and then wants to pretend it didn't happen? The one who wants to stare but knows it isn't polite so they look every direction but yours. Or the one who is so freaked out by the sheer number of children that they go the opposite direction in a hasty, panicked retreat. 2) The "oh my goodness, you have your hands full" crowd. These people usually make some polite small talk and ask if there is anything they can do to help. Unfortunately, by the time they get the answers to the questions they want to ask and offer the help, we have reached the point where Chase opens the door and we are set. I do appreciate their offers however. In most cases, it is honestly just easier for me to keep my 'balanced movement' than to stop and explain how they can help me. Push a stroller, help Chase in the parking lot, carry an infant seat - you get the picture. While it isn't easy to go public with all 4, I have found that the more we do it, the more routine it becomes and honestly, it helps us all. The change in scenery is good for us all mentally and it kills a large portion of the day to try and get anywhere.
Chase has been home with me for about a month now and I have to say that it has gone better than expected. We have been spending lots of time inside because 1) it is just too hot outside when I finally get all 3 babies down for a nap 2) he is already bored playing ball with Mommy 3) it is quicker for me to attend to the babies when they fuss. With that being said, Chase and I have had some art projects we have made, read lots of books, play trains multiple times a day and watch various TV shows together that then become the basis for our 'exercise time'. Chase is doing push ups and yoga poses with me for muscular strength and then we run circles playing chase (the game, not the child) or dinosaur for our cardio. While it may not be traditional, it works for us and we both have fun laughing and being silly. He is going to Wee Camp through the YMCA this week for half a day. Today he had lots of 'missing mommy' time - aka he cried alot. The irony is that he admitted it to me, my mom and to Jason so at least he is consistent with his story! I am hoping that things get better tomorrow or this could make for a really long week!
The triplets are doing amazing. It is hard to believe that they are 5 months old today (look Jason, I got it right and didn't have to correct it). I say that because I have recently been thinking they are 6 months - wishful thinking, right!? Graham is VERY close to rolling over from his back to his belly and I think Jack will be next. For now, Anthony is just happy as he is. We had them baptized 2 weeks ago and they did amazing. I am working on some pictures and will try to post them when I get them finalized. They are eating 4 bottles a day and cereal at dinner. I would guess that each boy gets between 2-3 tablespoons of cereal. I have to say that I guess because I mix 1 big bowl and feed them assembly line style. I usually mix about 3 tablespoons per bowl and end up making 2-3 bowls per night depending on how hungry they are. They take their last bottle shortly after 8 PM and are asleep by 9 PM at the latest. They usually start to stir around 6 AM but pacifiers are replaced and they have been letting us sleep until almost 7:30 AM before they decide they are ready to eat.
Chase is an amazing big brother. He is so sweet and will talk to the boys, stroke their heads, even yell at them on occasion when they cry for no reason. It is really funny and he makes me laugh and them too on a regular basis. They are enamored with him and watch his every move. They are happiest when he and I are on the floor at their level so they can see what he is doing. It is funny to watch them try to imitate him - whether it be a noise/sound he makes to get them to laugh or moving a body part - the copying is already beginning. We are trying to explain to Chase that he has to be a good example to his brothers because they watch him all the time. It helps when they repeat an action he does and really makes his eyes get big with wonder when it happens.
Jason is busy at work but not so busy that he is having to work all night at home like he used to. It is a good thing because in all honesty, most nights he barely makes it in the door before dinner is ready and someone (dogs included) need some help from him. The evening hours are the craziest obviously, with dinner for Chase, Jason, myself, the dogs and the babies. The good news is that Chase is starting to eat more of what we do so depending on what I serve for dinner, we are down to 3 meals (again, dogs included because they have to fed in that time frame as well). He is enjoying the new challenges at work and is doing some 'day trips'. I think he knows that an overnight trip isn't an option unless my mom is here. Not because I can't handle it physically- although I would be exhausted - but he knows upon his return my mental state may be shredded and shattered. Most days once we feed the triplets in the morning, I don't sit down until after lunch. I try to use the calm of the morning to start laundry, wash bottles, make beds, play with Chase, iron, clean house and I have found that if I sit down, I am less likely to get those things done. Just knowing that he will be home for 1 feeding at night and to deal with either the triplets or Chase (usually Chase) makes it easier to get through the day.
We did go to my mom's neighborhood pool for several hours yesterday. We made the decision to go as soon as the pool opened so we got our choice of covered seating, some cooler temperatures and only 1 bottle for the boys. We all had a good time and it was nice to get outside and spend some time together. Jason sat and 'rested' for the first little bit while I took Chase down the water slide and then he took over slide duty with Chase and I sat with the babies. We agree that it will continue to get easier to do some of this stuff when the boys can sit up on their own because they just get too hot in the car seats and they don't like to lay flat. They tend to be nosy and want to see what is going on around them.
We are planning our first overnight trip for July 4th. Headed to Charlotte to visit with Jason's brother. Should be quite interesting. Even with some of the 'big items' being made available from their friends, we will still look like the Griswald's as we drive down I-40/I-85 for a simple 2 night outing. This could be the determining factor on how often we try to travel outside of our own home with the triplets. If you don't hear from me by the end of July, know that I didn't survive or that someone else didn't.
Also on the horizon is Chase's 3rd birthday (July 12th) I can't believe he will be 3. But then again, I also can't believe I have 4 kids either. As Jason said recently, he can't believe that we will celebrate our 4th anniversary (July 5th) and we have 4 kids! If you had asked me 4 years ago if this is where I thought I would be, I couldn't have even guessed but I love my life and most of the minutes in it! I will try to get some pictures up soon.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
4 months and change
So it is hard to believe that the boys are 4 months now. Actually, 4 months and 11 days. I know the exact count because we took them to the doctor this morning for their check-ups and these are the stats ----
Jack: 14 lbs, 4 oz; 24 1/2 inches long
Graham: 13 lbs, 5 oz; 24 inches long
Anthony: 13 lbs, 13 oz; 23 1/2 inches long
At this same appointment, Chase was 13 lbs, 8 oz. I cannot believe that the boys, who were 4 weeks earlier and half his weight at birth have not only caught up to him, but surpassed him in some cases!
So what did the doctor have to say? Honestly, not very much because they are doing so well. I am a firm believer in doing what works for you so the boys have been spoon-eating cereal since they were 3 1/2 months old. What that means is that I started WAY early in the minds of most people who think you should start at 6 months. However, my boys have been sleeping for 9-10 hours at night since that time so you tell me....is it worth it? YES! The doctor is fine with it because they are eating from the spoon and obviously they have gained weight and look great! They have met all their 'benchmarks' in terms of development and he is very pleased with how things are going so far. They got shots - which did not make them happy followed with their morning bottle - which did make them happy and then proceeded to sleep for almost 3 hours (a record for them in the middle of the day!)
Chase has been home with me for a little over 2 weeks now and we are getting a rhythm. I will not say it is easy but I think we are getting a routine that is working for us. We go to the YMCA at least 4 days a week which is good for all of us but especially for Chase and I. He gets to play with friends and I get some time devoted just to me.
The day goes a little like this (normally):
7 AM - Wake triplets to feed
I wash bottles, start laundry, get my breakfast
8:30 AM - Chase starts to stir and gets breakfast, triplets start to go down for nap
Hopefully Chase and I get some play time either inside or out (if it isn't too hot already)
9:30 AM - Triplets start to wake up
11 AM - Triplets bottle, Chase snack
Head to YMCA and hopefully triplets fall asleep there
~1 PM - Chase and I eat lunch
2 PM - Chase goes for rest time (we can't call it a nap or he pitches a fit!)
3 PM - Triplets afternoon bottle
4 PM - Chase up from rest time (if he falls asleep which is 50/50 these days) and snack
5 PM - Hopefully triplets start to nap so I can start dinner for those of us with teeth
6:30 PM - Triplets cereal
7 PM - Chase and I clean up for night
8 PM (ish) Triplets last bottle
9 PM - all kids in bed sleeping
When I am not feeding a child (or multiple children) is when I try to get household stuff done but that is easier said than done these days. Lots of days, I am folding laundry on the floor while kids of all ages are playing with me and around me. Of course, there are days when we run errands or have other stuff planned so we sub the YMCA with the errands and then try to go to the YMCA in the afternoon. Chase will have 4 weeks of 1/2 day camp this summer starting in a few weeks so that will be good for him - and me!
All in all we are surviving, at least I like to think so. I will try to write more if I get some time but now I have laundry waiting to be folded while Chase naps and the triplet are semi-patiently waiting for their next feeding.
Jack: 14 lbs, 4 oz; 24 1/2 inches long
Graham: 13 lbs, 5 oz; 24 inches long
Anthony: 13 lbs, 13 oz; 23 1/2 inches long
At this same appointment, Chase was 13 lbs, 8 oz. I cannot believe that the boys, who were 4 weeks earlier and half his weight at birth have not only caught up to him, but surpassed him in some cases!
So what did the doctor have to say? Honestly, not very much because they are doing so well. I am a firm believer in doing what works for you so the boys have been spoon-eating cereal since they were 3 1/2 months old. What that means is that I started WAY early in the minds of most people who think you should start at 6 months. However, my boys have been sleeping for 9-10 hours at night since that time so you tell me....is it worth it? YES! The doctor is fine with it because they are eating from the spoon and obviously they have gained weight and look great! They have met all their 'benchmarks' in terms of development and he is very pleased with how things are going so far. They got shots - which did not make them happy followed with their morning bottle - which did make them happy and then proceeded to sleep for almost 3 hours (a record for them in the middle of the day!)
Chase has been home with me for a little over 2 weeks now and we are getting a rhythm. I will not say it is easy but I think we are getting a routine that is working for us. We go to the YMCA at least 4 days a week which is good for all of us but especially for Chase and I. He gets to play with friends and I get some time devoted just to me.
The day goes a little like this (normally):
7 AM - Wake triplets to feed
I wash bottles, start laundry, get my breakfast
8:30 AM - Chase starts to stir and gets breakfast, triplets start to go down for nap
Hopefully Chase and I get some play time either inside or out (if it isn't too hot already)
9:30 AM - Triplets start to wake up
11 AM - Triplets bottle, Chase snack
Head to YMCA and hopefully triplets fall asleep there
~1 PM - Chase and I eat lunch
2 PM - Chase goes for rest time (we can't call it a nap or he pitches a fit!)
3 PM - Triplets afternoon bottle
4 PM - Chase up from rest time (if he falls asleep which is 50/50 these days) and snack
5 PM - Hopefully triplets start to nap so I can start dinner for those of us with teeth
6:30 PM - Triplets cereal
7 PM - Chase and I clean up for night
8 PM (ish) Triplets last bottle
9 PM - all kids in bed sleeping
When I am not feeding a child (or multiple children) is when I try to get household stuff done but that is easier said than done these days. Lots of days, I am folding laundry on the floor while kids of all ages are playing with me and around me. Of course, there are days when we run errands or have other stuff planned so we sub the YMCA with the errands and then try to go to the YMCA in the afternoon. Chase will have 4 weeks of 1/2 day camp this summer starting in a few weeks so that will be good for him - and me!
All in all we are surviving, at least I like to think so. I will try to write more if I get some time but now I have laundry waiting to be folded while Chase naps and the triplet are semi-patiently waiting for their next feeding.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
General Update and some new pics
I just wanted to give a general update and post some pictures showing what we've been up to lately.
All the boys:
The boys are all doing great. The triplets are sleeping better and better each day, which is great. Their latest pattern, at least at night, has been that they feed (bottle) at 7 pm, play for a little bit and they typically fall asleep between 9:00 and 9:30. We wake them up to take their last bottle at 11 pm. They all typically go right back to sleep...of course it helps that we swaddle them at this point. We get them in the crib by 11:30 and then we get to head to bed. They don't feed again until 7 am. Usually one (or sometimes two of them) will stir a little around 6 am, but we can get up, throw the pacifier back in, and they'll go right back to sleep and stay down until around 7:00 when it's time to feed. This pattern has been going on for a few weeks and getting more and more consistent, which is great. Consistency allows us to plan...plus you sleep much better when you're pretty certain that they won't stir all night. Good sleep is the key to surviving this stage!!
Of course, now that we've got them in a good pattern, we're getting more brave (and selfish I guess) and we're trying to move the 11 pm feeding up (earlier) so that we can start going to bed before midnight. We'll see how that works over the next few weeks.
Aside from that...
The boys have started eating cereal (with formula instead of water mixed in)...they really love it and have figured it out quickly.
All together with Chase and Captain as the audience:
Anthony:
Graham:
Jack:
They're finally big enough to fit in the bumbo chairs comfortably. They can't sit there long, but they do enjoy it. Here's Graham:
And now story time with Tigger:
On May 7th, some friends had a Kentucky Derby party. It was very kid friendly and a lot of fun for all. After hotdogs and burgers for dinner, they had a stick-horse race for the kids. Actually, multiple races because of the different age groups...there were a LOT of kids there. First up was the under 4 group of about 8 kids. Chase was ready with his horsey.
On your mark...
Get set...Go!!
After getting a slow start out of the gate, Animal Kingdom, made a hard charge on the back straight-away and then took the inside track around the final curve to take the victory. As a 12-1 horse, he paid out good money for the win!
After the stick-horse race, they had two live ponies for the kids. Chase loved the pony ride!
The people who brought the ponies also brought a box full of little chicks, which of course were a huge hit as well. Chase loved holding them and petting them.
The triplets are beginning to really enjoy Mickey Mouse.
Of course, Chase is ready to stand in as a substitute if one of the triplets is getting a diaper change.
The triplets are still sharing a crib (laying cross-ways) for now. However, Chase is also willing to share his crib with his little brothers (Graham here) whenever they need a quick nap.
That's all for now. The boys go in for the 4 month appointment on June 8th (albeit a couple weeks after the turn 4 months old) so we'll see much weight they've gained. Best guess is that they're around 12 or 13 pounds, but we'll know for sure in a couple of weeks.
Until then...
All the boys:
The boys are all doing great. The triplets are sleeping better and better each day, which is great. Their latest pattern, at least at night, has been that they feed (bottle) at 7 pm, play for a little bit and they typically fall asleep between 9:00 and 9:30. We wake them up to take their last bottle at 11 pm. They all typically go right back to sleep...of course it helps that we swaddle them at this point. We get them in the crib by 11:30 and then we get to head to bed. They don't feed again until 7 am. Usually one (or sometimes two of them) will stir a little around 6 am, but we can get up, throw the pacifier back in, and they'll go right back to sleep and stay down until around 7:00 when it's time to feed. This pattern has been going on for a few weeks and getting more and more consistent, which is great. Consistency allows us to plan...plus you sleep much better when you're pretty certain that they won't stir all night. Good sleep is the key to surviving this stage!!
Of course, now that we've got them in a good pattern, we're getting more brave (and selfish I guess) and we're trying to move the 11 pm feeding up (earlier) so that we can start going to bed before midnight. We'll see how that works over the next few weeks.
Aside from that...
The boys have started eating cereal (with formula instead of water mixed in)...they really love it and have figured it out quickly.
All together with Chase and Captain as the audience:
Anthony:
Graham:
Jack:
They're finally big enough to fit in the bumbo chairs comfortably. They can't sit there long, but they do enjoy it. Here's Graham:
And now story time with Tigger:
On May 7th, some friends had a Kentucky Derby party. It was very kid friendly and a lot of fun for all. After hotdogs and burgers for dinner, they had a stick-horse race for the kids. Actually, multiple races because of the different age groups...there were a LOT of kids there. First up was the under 4 group of about 8 kids. Chase was ready with his horsey.
On your mark...
Get set...Go!!
After getting a slow start out of the gate, Animal Kingdom, made a hard charge on the back straight-away and then took the inside track around the final curve to take the victory. As a 12-1 horse, he paid out good money for the win!
After the stick-horse race, they had two live ponies for the kids. Chase loved the pony ride!
The people who brought the ponies also brought a box full of little chicks, which of course were a huge hit as well. Chase loved holding them and petting them.
The triplets are beginning to really enjoy Mickey Mouse.
Of course, Chase is ready to stand in as a substitute if one of the triplets is getting a diaper change.
The triplets are still sharing a crib (laying cross-ways) for now. However, Chase is also willing to share his crib with his little brothers (Graham here) whenever they need a quick nap.
That's all for now. The boys go in for the 4 month appointment on June 8th (albeit a couple weeks after the turn 4 months old) so we'll see much weight they've gained. Best guess is that they're around 12 or 13 pounds, but we'll know for sure in a couple of weeks.
Until then...
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mother's Day - Fantasy versus Reality
When I was growing up, I had images of mothers all around the world sitting around on Mother's Day doing absolutely nothing...and I mean, nothing. As I got a little older, I realized that maybe they still did some things, but it wasn't much. Now that I am a mom myself, especially with an active 3 year old and triplet 3 month olds, I realize just how far off base I was. That was strictly a fantasy and not at all like the reality.
While Mother's Day took on a new meaning for me 2 years ago (my first one after having Chase), I was still able to have some me time. Chase has been old enough the last couple of years that Jason was able to 'handle him' on his own so I could have some child-free mommy time. This year however was a totally different story! While Jason fed the triplets their 7:00 AM feeding so I could sleep in just a little that is where my day of relaxation ended. I was greeted by fussy babies who finally gave way to sleeping babies and I thought I would have some time here. Instead, enter the almost 3 year old who woke up not feeling well. Claimed his head hurt - no fever though. Jason was off getting my tires rotated and balanced and the oil changed in my car (yet something else that is NOT possible with infant triplets - so thank you babe). Instead of some quiet PJ time with Chase and some Mickey Mouse cartoons, I got sick Chase - and I mean literally sick, as in all over my chair sick. Cue my cleaning skills to try and salvage the chair and the morning. Luckily for me, the babies slept through it all - even the high-pitched wails of a scared to death Chase! From there I did get some snuggle time on the couch with Chase while we watched Toy Story (for the umpteen thousandth time!) Jason arrived home in time to feed the triplets their next meal. From there we proceeded to do laundry (with some extra thrown in from our 'illness' adventure), make lunch, clean house --- you get the picture right? Basically, it became just like every other day.
The irony is that I wouldn't have traded it for anything. It is doing those everyday things with them and for them that reminds me just how lucky I am. Now don't get me wrong, there are moments where I want to run screaming for the hills but there are also moments when all I want to do is freeze time and keep them like this forever. Take the moment last night as I am in the glider trying to calm Graham enough to get him to fall asleep. In one of those "I think I am going to cry this is too sweet" moments, Chase walks up to us and says, "Mommy, I am just going to be gentle with him" and proceeds to stroke the top of his head ever so lightly and then bends in for a kiss. Literally made me tear up. I am not wishing away any of those precious moments with wanting them to get bigger and older. Honestly, I didn't do that with Chase either but I am enjoying watching them grow and change - all of them.
As much as my fantasy of Mother's Day is completely different from my reality - I can honestly say in this instance, reality is so much better!
While Mother's Day took on a new meaning for me 2 years ago (my first one after having Chase), I was still able to have some me time. Chase has been old enough the last couple of years that Jason was able to 'handle him' on his own so I could have some child-free mommy time. This year however was a totally different story! While Jason fed the triplets their 7:00 AM feeding so I could sleep in just a little that is where my day of relaxation ended. I was greeted by fussy babies who finally gave way to sleeping babies and I thought I would have some time here. Instead, enter the almost 3 year old who woke up not feeling well. Claimed his head hurt - no fever though. Jason was off getting my tires rotated and balanced and the oil changed in my car (yet something else that is NOT possible with infant triplets - so thank you babe). Instead of some quiet PJ time with Chase and some Mickey Mouse cartoons, I got sick Chase - and I mean literally sick, as in all over my chair sick. Cue my cleaning skills to try and salvage the chair and the morning. Luckily for me, the babies slept through it all - even the high-pitched wails of a scared to death Chase! From there I did get some snuggle time on the couch with Chase while we watched Toy Story (for the umpteen thousandth time!) Jason arrived home in time to feed the triplets their next meal. From there we proceeded to do laundry (with some extra thrown in from our 'illness' adventure), make lunch, clean house --- you get the picture right? Basically, it became just like every other day.
The irony is that I wouldn't have traded it for anything. It is doing those everyday things with them and for them that reminds me just how lucky I am. Now don't get me wrong, there are moments where I want to run screaming for the hills but there are also moments when all I want to do is freeze time and keep them like this forever. Take the moment last night as I am in the glider trying to calm Graham enough to get him to fall asleep. In one of those "I think I am going to cry this is too sweet" moments, Chase walks up to us and says, "Mommy, I am just going to be gentle with him" and proceeds to stroke the top of his head ever so lightly and then bends in for a kiss. Literally made me tear up. I am not wishing away any of those precious moments with wanting them to get bigger and older. Honestly, I didn't do that with Chase either but I am enjoying watching them grow and change - all of them.
As much as my fantasy of Mother's Day is completely different from my reality - I can honestly say in this instance, reality is so much better!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
What are we doing now?
Well, even with Chase in daycare full-time, it is still nearly impossible to find the time to update the blog on a regular basis. On those rare, and I mean rare, occasions when all 3 boys nap at the same time, that is when I need to clean house, wash bottles, do laundry - actually, try to finish laundry since that is literally a daily task for me! I have managed to get some really cute group shots lately since we had Easter which put us all in our 'finest' My grandparents came up at my request and spent the week before and a few days after Easter with us. That meant that we had lots of quality family time - dying Easter eggs with the cousins, play time at Matt and Jennifer's house, playtime at our house, Easter brunch with the E-bunny, golf (yes, Jason and I played golf with Matt and Jennifer on Easter Sunday compliments of all the grand and great-grandparents watching the kiddos!) The warmer weather has meant more time outside and more freedom for me to get around town. That also means that the boys have new wardrobes - yes, we have upgraded to 0-3 month clothing! I have a little bit longer before I think they will then upgrade to 3-6 month clothing for the summer months.
Enjoy just a few of the shots. I have put the rest on snapfish for everyone to enjoy with captions.
Enjoy just a few of the shots. I have put the rest on snapfish for everyone to enjoy with captions.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Finally a post from Dad...it's been a while.
Well, for a couple of reasons, I haven't been great about keeping up with the blog.
First, there doesn't seem to be a lot of time to keep up with it the these days. We're on go non-stop around here, so any quiet moments that lend themselves to writing an entry (there aren't many) are met quickly with sleep. Second, there is only so much to give updates on. Obviously everything is going really well. The boys are eating, sleeping (some), pooping, peeing and crying. It's a lot like Groundhog Day...every day seems pretty much the same. Except for weekends I guess, since I'm around all day.
The good news is it does feel like we're moving into a new phase with the boys. They are sleeping a little better at night. Leslie is still living with us (which has been great), so she and Melissa feed them around midnight. Usually they can get the boys swaddled and down to sleep by 12:30 am or so. Early on, they would start to stir for the 4 am feeding by 3:30 or so. I'd get up and put pacifiers back in for a bit and finally we'd succumb and feed them around 4:00 . These days, they start stirring around 5:00 or so, and if we're lucky, we can hold them off until close to 6 am. That's been great, because it's almost a "full" night of sleep for me. I usually go to bed around 10:30 or so...asleep by 11:00 and get up around 5:30 or 6:00 with a few "ups and downs" to the nursery. Not too bad. Melissa on the other hand still doesn't ever get a full night's sleep. Sometimes, if the boys are doing well, she goes to bed around 10:00 and sleeps until the midnight feeding. Leslie stays up in case one of the boys fusses any during that time. After the early morning feeding (say around 6 am), Melissa usually goes back to bed for a little bit, but how long she sleeps will vary depending on the boys. If they can sleep until 7:30 or so, then Leslie is back up and can help console them. Overall though, we're making it through the nights and getting a lot more sleep than we did during the first six weeks.
The days can also be challenges, but Melissa and her Mom are making those work for the most part. Obviously during the week, they are on their own while I'm at work. We have highly encouraged Leslie to continue her social life which is full of cards, tennis and visiting with lots of friends, which leaves Melissa the bulk of the responsibility for the boys. For now, Chase is still in daycare full-time, although we're pulling him out at the end of April. He does great and loves it there, but financially, it's just too hard to justify. We're going to be signing him up for some summer camp stuff (June-August) and then he's going to do part time pre-school at the YMCA starting in September. These days, Melissa takes the triplets to the YMCA with her for an occasional workout. They are now old enough to stay in the nursery at the YMCA for up to an hour. So that's enough for Melissa to get some time on the treadmill or something. Other than the gym, Melissa tries to get the boys out of the house at least once a day for something. Whether it's a trip to the mall (maybe not even to buy anything), a Target trip, a lunch date with her Mom, or a trip down to her school (she's made it down there a few times to visit with co-workers), any chance to get out of the house helps her sanity a great deal.
Aside from the "same old, same old", we've had our share of visitors over the last month or so.
Missy & Jill Rolewicz visited the last weekend in February. The next weekend, my step-sister Lindsey came up from Texas to help out and visit. Then Popi came into town the following weekend, and Nana the next weekend. After a weekend off, Nana came back into town last weekend and then Brian and Nora, some family friends of Melissa's from Savannah, came to visit this past weekend. Needless to say, all of these guests have been great. Not only for visiting, but also for helping out around here. Whether it's helping with the triplets, or taking Chase outside to play, every little bit helps a ton!
Here are some random pictures and videos that "paint the picture" of our activities the last month or so.
Chase has continued to hone his baseball skills. He's very good at both hitting and pitching (at least for a 2 1/2 year old). Here are some youtube clips of him showing off his lefty swing (yes, he appears to be a lefty).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw5cyFHsNgI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjQ_1akXDAQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PKKXfmYYIA
Chase has also been working on his golf game too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn4jmoaYKM0
Chase loves having Shadow around...she's more mobile and fun to play with than his two dogs. Plus, she gives good kisses!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpIEk53P6J4
Oh, and Chase also enjoys throwing pine cones over the fence...he's seen Daddy do it, so he took it on himself to go to the far corner of the backyard and help out a little!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL4EEv5aWZU
A quick glimpse of the triplets playing quietly...it's a rarity!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TXp_ys2xa8
Chase has been doing P90X...check out those abs!
He's pretty proud of himself for all the hard work!
Chase also likes playing with his brothers. Here, he's showing Graham how to play with one of his toys.
First, there doesn't seem to be a lot of time to keep up with it the these days. We're on go non-stop around here, so any quiet moments that lend themselves to writing an entry (there aren't many) are met quickly with sleep. Second, there is only so much to give updates on. Obviously everything is going really well. The boys are eating, sleeping (some), pooping, peeing and crying. It's a lot like Groundhog Day...every day seems pretty much the same. Except for weekends I guess, since I'm around all day.
The good news is it does feel like we're moving into a new phase with the boys. They are sleeping a little better at night. Leslie is still living with us (which has been great), so she and Melissa feed them around midnight. Usually they can get the boys swaddled and down to sleep by 12:30 am or so. Early on, they would start to stir for the 4 am feeding by 3:30 or so. I'd get up and put pacifiers back in for a bit and finally we'd succumb and feed them around 4:00 . These days, they start stirring around 5:00 or so, and if we're lucky, we can hold them off until close to 6 am. That's been great, because it's almost a "full" night of sleep for me. I usually go to bed around 10:30 or so...asleep by 11:00 and get up around 5:30 or 6:00 with a few "ups and downs" to the nursery. Not too bad. Melissa on the other hand still doesn't ever get a full night's sleep. Sometimes, if the boys are doing well, she goes to bed around 10:00 and sleeps until the midnight feeding. Leslie stays up in case one of the boys fusses any during that time. After the early morning feeding (say around 6 am), Melissa usually goes back to bed for a little bit, but how long she sleeps will vary depending on the boys. If they can sleep until 7:30 or so, then Leslie is back up and can help console them. Overall though, we're making it through the nights and getting a lot more sleep than we did during the first six weeks.
The days can also be challenges, but Melissa and her Mom are making those work for the most part. Obviously during the week, they are on their own while I'm at work. We have highly encouraged Leslie to continue her social life which is full of cards, tennis and visiting with lots of friends, which leaves Melissa the bulk of the responsibility for the boys. For now, Chase is still in daycare full-time, although we're pulling him out at the end of April. He does great and loves it there, but financially, it's just too hard to justify. We're going to be signing him up for some summer camp stuff (June-August) and then he's going to do part time pre-school at the YMCA starting in September. These days, Melissa takes the triplets to the YMCA with her for an occasional workout. They are now old enough to stay in the nursery at the YMCA for up to an hour. So that's enough for Melissa to get some time on the treadmill or something. Other than the gym, Melissa tries to get the boys out of the house at least once a day for something. Whether it's a trip to the mall (maybe not even to buy anything), a Target trip, a lunch date with her Mom, or a trip down to her school (she's made it down there a few times to visit with co-workers), any chance to get out of the house helps her sanity a great deal.
Aside from the "same old, same old", we've had our share of visitors over the last month or so.
Missy & Jill Rolewicz visited the last weekend in February. The next weekend, my step-sister Lindsey came up from Texas to help out and visit. Then Popi came into town the following weekend, and Nana the next weekend. After a weekend off, Nana came back into town last weekend and then Brian and Nora, some family friends of Melissa's from Savannah, came to visit this past weekend. Needless to say, all of these guests have been great. Not only for visiting, but also for helping out around here. Whether it's helping with the triplets, or taking Chase outside to play, every little bit helps a ton!
Here are some random pictures and videos that "paint the picture" of our activities the last month or so.
Chase has continued to hone his baseball skills. He's very good at both hitting and pitching (at least for a 2 1/2 year old). Here are some youtube clips of him showing off his lefty swing (yes, he appears to be a lefty).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw5cyFHsNgI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjQ_1akXDAQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PKKXfmYYIA
Chase has also been working on his golf game too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn4jmoaYKM0
Chase loves having Shadow around...she's more mobile and fun to play with than his two dogs. Plus, she gives good kisses!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpIEk53P6J4
Oh, and Chase also enjoys throwing pine cones over the fence...he's seen Daddy do it, so he took it on himself to go to the far corner of the backyard and help out a little!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL4EEv5aWZU
A quick glimpse of the triplets playing quietly...it's a rarity!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TXp_ys2xa8
Chase has been doing P90X...check out those abs!
He's pretty proud of himself for all the hard work!
Chase also likes playing with his brothers. Here, he's showing Graham how to play with one of his toys.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)