Monday, December 22, 2008

Christmas Countdown!
















Last Wednesday John and I celebrated our 14th anniversary! Thursday night we went to dinner and spent the night at the Gaylord Texan Hotel. That place is massive!! It was completely decorated for Christmas---I loved it!

Friday we finally got our Christmas shopping done for the kids. Although I know they will love the new toys, and ripping the paper, they still don't understand what Christmas is really about. Nevertheless, John and I are excited about setting out their new toys Christmas morning! We got them several things including an Elmo Live, fold-out couch, bean bag, and shopping cart. They have been given so many gifts by friends already---we are continually overwhelmed by everyone's generosity!

Things have been busy at home. The kids are really changing so much and are adjusting to their independence, mobility, and siblings. OK, it's just a nice way of saying..They are in to EVERYTHING!

We have nicknamed Aaron "Grabby-Grabberton." He has to touch, grab, and pull everything that is close to him. Aaron likes to snuggle, won't get out of bed without his blanket, and loves to dance. He does some kind of crazy head-bob that just kills us! Aaron loves food and will make an "MMMM" sound when he really likes what he is eating. (Just like Mom). He also says "Touchdown" and raises his arms. Well, it sounds like he says "Touchdown" anyway! Here he is loving on Taylor (TT) and pulling Avery's hair.













Avery has started "running" and does so most of the time on her tippy-toes. It looks so cute! She has dubbed herself "Queen of the Slide" and will push her brothers from behind so they will hurry up down the slide and get out of her way. She is definitely a girlie-girl and will bat her eyelashes at you if you tell her she looks pretty. She is a Daddy's girl--100%! Heaven forbid she get hurt with Dad in the room. The pain is SO much worse! Here is Avery laying on a bear and sitting in my lap. (Not such a good pic of me, though!)














Adam is really fascinated by numbers. The other night I heard something on the monitor. When I became alert enough to recognize what I was hearing, Adam was "counting" in his bed. He says words with the same intonation as "One, Two, Three" and then he claps!! He is the official counter when anyone gets on the slide. Also, Adam loves to dance. He does a move that resembles a good old-fashioned Hoe Down! I couldn't get the video to upload here, so follow this link to YouTube. (That is Dad making a noise in the background!)

Monday, December 8, 2008

Picture with Santa!

Here is the picture of the kids with Santa that was taken last Saturday on the Square downtown. It's a decent picture considering that: (1) Avery had just thrown a huge fit because I wouldn't let her go up and down the stairs anymore; (2) We were being herded through like cattle; and (3) There are 3 of them! How often do you think I can really get them to all look at a camera and smile??! Ha!

Adam--Avery--Aaron






















Just for fun, here is last year's picture with Santa. Aaron--Avery--Adam


The Sanity Returns!!

It felt SO good to let it all out in Friday night's post! I have gotten several cute emails from people that said they laughed out loud while reading it! Good---that's what I had to do too!

The rest of the weekend was very good. My friend, Christal, and I took the kids to Fort Worth Saturday to the mall. They all rode the Merry-Go-Round and had a great time! We just shopped a little and came home for our Christmas on the Square. The kids had their picture made with Santa here, but I don't have a copy of it yet.

Last night dinner was so amazing! I put place mats down on the table and the kids actually ate off a plate and attempted to use their sporks (spoon/fork)! It was the very first time that not one single cup, spork, or plate was dropped on the floor or overturned! I was so proud of them!!

Taylor and I took the kids to see some very special Christmas lights last night. It is really cool---you tune your radio in to a random station (that is posted in front of the house), and the Christmas lights dance to the music you are hearing over your car stereo. The kids loved it! After each song Avery would clap and Aaron would sign "More." Adam was so enthralled that he never moved a muscle!

The Steelers played the Cowboys yesterday (And won!!) Here are some random pics of the kids in their jerseys.


























































Did I tell you that I accidentally gave Aaron a mullet last Tuesday? I always cut John's hair, so I figured I could cut the boys' hair too. Taylor was holding Aaron when I made two sweeping cuts that were WAY too short! I cut a little more trying to fix it, but Yikes! It was bad! I called my hairdresser in a panic, and she was able to fix Aaron's hair. (And cut Avery's and Adam's too). It was so bad!! Lesson learned...... Here are pics of poor Aaron! The funny part is that when I stared saying "Oops..I've messed it up," Aaron started saying "Uh-oh! Uh-oh!"









Friday, December 5, 2008

I'm not Going to Lie--Sometimes it is CHAOS at our House!

Warning---Long Post! Catharsis ahead....

I had a random request from a blog follower that wanted me to post a picture of the kids crying. Now before you express complete disdain, the reasoning was "Your kids always look so happy, do they ever cry?"

If you know me at all, you know that I am an eternal optimist. I will find the silver lining in the darkest of dark clouds. If all is falling apart around me, the kids are crying, I'm exhausted, I won't post about that. No one wants to hear a sob story....so I just post the good things about our days. Besides, we have so much to be thankful for, and even when days are challenging..it could always be worse!

Having said all of that, I must confess, this evening was CHAOS!! Where do I even begin.....

After I dropped John off this morning at the airport (He is going with some friends to Iowa on a hunting trip. They have BIG white-tailed deer.), I spent the entire day Christmas shopping. It was so great! On the way home John called in somewhat of a panic. He had left his Iowa hunting license and deer tags here! Oh no!! So, I got home, loaded up the kids, and said "Bye" to Taylor for the weekend. We ran to Granbury to the UPS store to overnight John's license. I picked up Taco Bell for the babies for dinner since they LOVE Mexican food. By the time we got home, all three kids where whining and signing "Bite." I quickly unloaded all three and got them to their booster seats at the table. I tore up the burritos, got their water, and split a banana into three for them. Meanwhile, I also sat at the table and tried to grab a bite myself. Things seemed to be going smoothly when Aaron decided to bang his water cup on the table. Adam thinks this is a great idea and proceeds to do the same thing. Avery is saying "No, No" and shaking her head at them. So, I take the boys' water cups away. Adam starts dropping his food on the floor, Aaron follows suit, and Avery begins smacking the table with her water cup. I took Avery's cup away and picked up food from the floor. And so this continues until dinner is over.

After dinner the boys were crying and wanting to be held. Taylor said they didn't nap well this afternoon. I sat on the floor with them for about 20 minutes and got them calmed down. They definitely needed baths, so I started that task. I bathed Avery first. It went without a hitch. I bathed Adam next. When I came back into the living room, Aaron had the remote and was changing the channels. Avery had somehow climbed up on the dining room table and was playing in the food I hadn't yet cleaned. I got her down, took the remote from Aaron, and then took Aaron to the bathroom to take a bath. Upon entering the bathroom, he immediately tore off toilet paper and ate it. Then he peed on the floor as soon as I took off his diaper. When Aaron and I came back into the room, Adam was trying to turn the TV off, and Avery was pouring milk from her cup into the back of the dumptruck. GREAT!

I quickly announced "Bedtime" just so I could get them in one place! All three took off for the bedroom. I put them in their beds and handed them their sippy cups. I let them drink milk while I read two bedtime stories. I never let them drink milk in their beds, but I had to keep them contained!! I was outnumbered and losing the battle!! I took their cups away, kissed them goodnight, and turned off the light. AAAHHHH....after 20 minutes the talking stopped in their room and they were all asleep!

Now the work begins...I cleaned the table, booster seats, floor--picked up 3 towels, 3 wash rags, 3 dirty diapers, and 3 sets of dirty clothes---refilled 3 milk cups---picked up toys in the living room---refilled the diapers--put up clothes....

To answer your question reader--yes, the babies cry. Yes, sometimes they are difficult. Yes, we are exhausted most nights. Yes, it is hard having triplets. But---we would not have it any other way! These are the three most good-natured kids I have ever seen, and John and I are the luckiest parents in the world!

Here are some snapshots I took at the park yesterday:




Saturday, November 29, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

We went to my sister's in Mansfield for Thanksgiving Day, and then John's mom came down this weekend to celebrate Thanksgiving. We had lots of fun!

The kids really enjoyed the food. Aaron especially loved the dressing. He would sign "More" before he was even finished with a bite, and then he would say "Mmm!" while he was eating. It was very funny! Adam really liked the sweet potatoes and they all loved pumkin pie with whipped cream! (Avery in a box..the boys with Papaw...Surprise Adam!...Aaron being silly)





























I put up the Christmas tree and decorations today too. The kids seemed very fascinated, and kept pointing at the lights. We listened to Christmas music too while we rode around this afternoon. This Christmas will be so fun! (Our mantle with 9 stockings! All five of us, the animals, and Taylor)







Sunday, November 23, 2008

Pics from Pittsburgh and sick babies

Pittsburgh was amazing! For those of you who don't know, John is a huge Steelers fan, and has been since he was a little boy. (His whole family was so Cowboy's crazy that he decided to cheer for the one team that the Cowboy's really hated....and in the '70s, that was the Steelers!) I have definitely developed a love for the Steelers over the years as well. I really like the fan following and the high standards of the team owners and coaches. Anyway....two years ago John and I decided to go to a home Steeler's game. It was an amazing experience! The fans are so great, and absolutely Steeler crazy. Pittsburgh was beautiful too...nothing like I had imagined. The hills, rivers, huge trees, great food, and history were really cool. From that first trip we decided we would go to at least one home game each year.

I didn't go with John last year. When we were making arrangements, I wasn't sure I was ready to leave the babies yet. But, he went with some friends and they had a great time. Well, this year there was no way he was going without me!!

It was cold this year, and snowed much of the first half of the game. The snow really started to come down right before the game started, and the fans went nuts! It was SO funny! Everyone we've met there is extremely friendly. Two of our friends from Granbury went with us this year. Here are some pics before the game. (That is downtown Pittsburgh behind us.) The pic of the back of John with Jason has history. In 1997, John, Jason, and I drove to Tennessee to see the Steeler's play the Titans. I have a great pic of the back of John and Jason with two different jerseys on. I had to have that same type of pic again! (I took a bunch of other pictures, but I used some disposable cameras we needed to use up. I haven't gotten them developed yet!)


















While we were gone, all three babies got SICK! Aaron's ear drum ruptured, and all three were miserable. When we got home Monday, Avery was running 103.8 fever. Yikes! Taylor and I took all three to the dr first thing Tuesday morning. Sure enough, three ear infections. Adam's ear drum also ruptured during the week. That stuff that oozes out of the ear is icky! Last week was pretty rough. I had to work alot, and Taylor was home with three sick kids. Not the most fun week ever!

I am happy to report, however, that Friday morning the kids woke up in great moods! I got to stay home with them all weekend, and we had so much fun! We would go to the store, Sonic, ride around, play chase...and Dad and I took them to the park yesterday. Avery and Aaron love the slides--Adam, not so much. He preferred to swing with Dad. It's nice to have our kids back! (I hate it when they are sick!)

Here are some pics Taylor took of them in their Steeler's jerseys while we were at the game on Sunday. We turned them into black/white pictures..Too cool! (Adam is looking right at the camera, and Aaron is cutting his eyes.)





Tuesday, November 11, 2008

World Traveling Babies!

First of all, John and I are going to Pittsburgh this weekend for a home Steeler's game! We are so excited!!

Now that the kids are bigger, it is much easier to travel with them. Last Wednesday Taylor and I took the kids to my Aunt and Uncle's house in Frisco for an overnight visit. We had a great time! We got to play with the neighbor kids, eat a picnic lunch, and go to one of my favorite Chinese restaraunts. The best part of our trip was seeing my nephew Tyler. He is 20 and a student at Austin College. Here are pics of him with the kids. Adam is in the green shirt.


























Then, last weekend John and I took the kids to Midland for the weekend. We went for a friend's baby shower. The kids had a big time! Our friends have a 3 year-old daughter, and she had more fun playing with the babies! Here is a picture of Avery with her. Since we came home on Sunday the babies had to be in their Steeler's jerseys. Here is a pic of all three holding hands!






























Last night our neighbor's daughter (who is 4) brought over a Minnie Mouse outfit for Avery to have. She looks so cute in it...however, you could tell that she wasn't so sure about it all. She just had this puzzled look on her face as she walked around. (I also included a picture of our neighbor's daughter in her pink Minnie outifit.) As soon as I took the dress off of Avery, she started pushing her dumptruck around! That's my girl! Also, here is a video Taylor took last night. John and I were getting the kids to sort shapes. You will love their excitement! (That is Aaron doing the yelling!)




















Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Our 1st Christmas Present Arrived!

My mom is notorious for EARLY Christmas shopping. She likes to have all of her shopping done by the middle of November. Well, her Christmas present to the babies arrived today! (They won't know the difference anyway!) She got them the coolest Little Tikes picnic table, and they absolutely love it!


It's ironic sometimes how things work. Mealtime in high chairs has become somewhat of a battle. After voraciously eating for about 5-7 minutes, they are tired of being in their high chairs. They have been throwing food on the floor, banging their trays, and swiping their hands back and forth quickly so the food flies off the tray. When one starts it, the other two are certain to follow suit! Last night I was feeding them when John came in from work. All three kids were banging their hands loudly and dropping food on the floor. I turned to look at him, and he immediately started laughing. "Mom, it looks like you are losing the battle." Yes, I was!! Anyway, I tell you this to say that they sat at their new table for snack and dinner and actually ate!!! Taylor and I had to tell them a couple of times to sit down and finish eating, but it was SO much better than the fights we've been having!


I'm assuming that not wanting to be in their high chairs is a phase. Now that they are fully mobile, they certainly don't want to be still. Am I right? Anyone with advice, please feel free to let me know! This is definitely one of those times when having triplets is harder than having one. Adam may be eating nicely, but when Aaron starts banging on his tray, Adam thinks it's a grand idea! Oh the fun!!






















Avery has turned into a monkey! She is climbing on everything. That child has amazing balance! I can't believe where she can get, and that she doesn't fall more!

















Friday, October 31, 2008

Babies in Dad's Cowboy Hat






I love these pictures! Aaron is in the brown PJs.






Thursday, October 30, 2008

15-month Checkups and Adam Video

Things went VERY well at the doctor yesterday! I took the babies by myself because Taylor had the stomach bug, and John had a meeting with his boss. I said lots of prayers for strength at the beginning of the day, and thanks to answered prayers, things went very smoothly!

Aaron: 21 lbs. 1 oz--30 1/4 in
Adam: 21 lbs. 4 oz--30 1/2 in
Avery: 20 lbs.--29 1/2 in

They each gained about a pound since the last checkup. No worries, as they are still on the same curve of the growth chart.

Developmentally, Dr. Watts said they looked like "normal 15-month old kids!" We've never heard that during a check up before! Yeah! She said she was very pleased with:
1. How well they have progressed developmentally;
2. The wide variety of foods they eat (anything from avocados, black beans, sweet potatoes to fruits and fish sticks!);

3. How well we are doing with their schedules;

4. The overall disposition of the babies. (Not one cry during the physical exam!)

They each needed two vaccines as well as the flu shot. In total, it was four shots each...yuck! I know you are probably wondering how that all worked...here's the scene...

Two babies are in the double stroller...I hold one baby down on the table... the nurse administers the shots... I scoop up the baby and comfort... after the crying stops (just a minute or so) a different nurse comes in and takes that baby to find stickers... I pick up the next kid and the cycle starts again!

By the time we got home, the kids were miserable. Their little legs hurt from shots, and they were so tired from having a minimal afternoon nap. This morning they were still sore and just laid on pillows for the first hour of the day. They snuggled their blankets, drank milk, and watched "Blues Clues." It was very unusual. I'm happy to report, however, that after getting up and moving around, they are all doing just fine!


Here are pics of them this morning. Aaron was hugging his sister.
















Adam is our sweet, quiet child. Adam is the kid who plays with the toys the correct way, will sit and "read" books out loud, and gives the sweetest little kisses. Right now his favorite thing is changing the "radio" stations on one of their play toys. The toy has radio buttons on it, and he will pick a song, listen for a few seconds, and then turn it to another song. Meanwhile, he is dancing or rocking back/forth on his bottom. He is also quite adept at doing motions for "Itsy Bitsy Spider." Here's what I got on video. It's not quite the whole song, but you know kids don't perform on cue! (Sorry you have to hear my singing!!)
Whenever the boys "Bonk" their heads, it means they want to sing a song or hear music. Notice how Adam just zones out at the end....Wheel Of Fortune was on, and Adam has the patented "Power Stare" at the TV!!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Avery's Injury and More Pictures

The kids will go for their 15-month checkup tomorrow, so I will post their updated weights and sizes after our visit.

Last Wednesday morning Avery was crying and really favoring her right leg. You have to know that Avery has a very high pain tolerance, and rarely cries when she is hurt or gets shots. She would stand on her left leg and then put her right foot on top of her left. When she would try to walk, she would just sit down and crawl. Avery crying and crawling...NOT normal! So, I took her to the pediatrician to get it checked. Our dr didn't see anything, but Avery was still showing the same symptoms, so we were sent to Cook Children's Hospital in Ft Worth for x-rays!

After registration, Avery had her series of x-rays. When I took her off of the x-ray table and sat her on the floor, she immediately stood up and started walking around! What?? I picked her up, got her dressed, and put her shoes on her feet. She didn't want to sit in the stroller, so she PUSHED her stroller from the lobby all the way to the parking garage!! (Which is probably a good 200 yards or more!)

While we were waiting for the results, we went to the mall and Avery rode the Merry Go Round. Is it any surprise that the x-rays were negative and that Avery is fine??? I'm guessing she needed a Mom and Avery day out!

Here are some cute pics of her taken recently. She is quite the poser...






















We took the babies to the Lord's Acre Celebration on Saturday. Here are some cute pictures of them! Adam is in the blue and green striped shirt. Those two pictures of him in Dad's cap are my new favorite pictures!!