Adam

My Sweet Adam! He cracks me up. Adam tells it EXACTLY like it is! He is very much like John in so many ways. First of all, Adam is very stubborn! A few weeks ago they were eating breakfast at their picnic table in the living room. Adam didn't want to eat, not even one bite. John told him "Eat one bite and you can get up." Adam said "No. I don't want a bite, " and that was it. It was definitely a power struggle as Adam finally decided to take a bite 45 minutes later. There was plenty of staring between John and Adam....it was like watching an almost 3 year-old John in action!

Adam also is very verbal! He has a great vocabulary, memorizes books, and talks from the minute he gets up to the minute he falls asleep! We really work with the kids about using their words when they are mad instead of crying. So, frequently Adam's words consist of "Mom, I'm mad at you!" Careful about what you want kids to do, huh??

Adam is also very sweet and uses the word "Please" almost every time he asks for something. In fact, it is mostly, "Dad, I want to watch bowling, PLEASE..." Yes, he loves to watch bowling! He loves to watch any sport in fact. He is also very good a Wii bowling, and has bowled 140 by himself! Adam is VERY independent and doesn't really want a lot of help doing anything. Honestly, he has always been that way. I remember how difficult it was to spoon feed him as soon as he was barely able to do it himself. If he didn't want you to do it, he would just sit and cry and scream when you tried to feed him.

Aaron

This is the perfect picture of Aaron! It truly captures his fun and crazy personality! He is just so creative and witty..

The other night Aaron was on the potty when Avery came in the bathroom and needed to go too. After she was finished---and I didn't have a diaper handy-- I just snapped the top two buttons of Avery's night clothes and told her I would get a diaper when Aaron got finished. Aaron said, "Look, Mom..It's Super Avery!" And sure enough, her PJs looked like a cape! So, Avery stuck her arms out in front of her and started flying away!

Aaron is a very polite young man. He always uses his manners! There are times when I may say something like "Oh, no, Aaron..we don't need to do that now." He will smile, make a little giggle, and say, "Oh, Mom, I'm so sorry.. (laughing)." The other day I accidentally scratched him and when I apologized he said (giggling also), "Mom, it's ok." He also will give his brother and sister anything they want. If he has a toy and they want it, he will gladly turn it over. Likewise, if they have a toy he wants he will say, "Thank You, Adam. Thank You" and the other two know it's time to share.

Aaron gives the sweetest hugs and kisses, loves to hide under John's shirts (while they are still on John), eats like a horse, and at least once a day says "I'm so happy!" He will ask me, "Mom, are you so happy too?" Of course I am!! He is doing a great job brushing his teeth, potty training, and keeping us entertained!

New Weights

I never think about weighing the kids anymore. Just out of curiousity, I weighed them today.

Aaron: 31 lbs. 7 oz
Adam: 32 lbs. 4 oz.
Avery: 27 lbs. 8 oz.

She is so little compared to the boys!

Today I filled out their registration forms for preschool. Preschool....is it even possible?? It's a 3 yr-old school that is from 8:30-11:00 Mondays and Wednesdays. It won't start until September, but it seems so surreal filling out the forms! I've learned a great way to fill out forms for them too. I complete one set of forms with everything listed except the name and sex. I make 2 copies and then add their names and sex. Presto! Saves time over having to write everything 3 times!

Here are a couple of new pics of them playing outside in a tent and of them working in their "garden."

Adam and Aaron

According to Avery "Planting seeds and working the garden."

Avery, Adam, and Aaron

Boys will be boys

Ok...so how is it that even little boys are so proud of their poop?

Aaron has decided that he will only poop in the potty. (Yeah! One step closer to being potty trained!) The funny part of this, however, is what Aaron does while on the potty. First of all, he rolls his big eyes all around and wants to talk about random stuff. "UUMM....What color are your eyes?" Then he will name all kinds of things in the bathroom....then, he will poop.. and say "Wow! That's amazing!" or "Look, Mommy, it's big!!" One day he even had a big poop followed by a little one, to which he responded "Oh, it's the daddy and then the baby!" Are you kidding me?? I just about died laughing!! More proof that Aaron is the jokester...

Avery has turned so much into a little girl. She looks like a little girl, walks like a little girl, plays like a little girl....she is definitely not a baby anymore! She will put all of their little dinosaurs in her stroller and take them for a walk around the house. Then one day she pulled the dinosaurs out individually and sat each on the table. She would name the dinosaurs (T-rex, t-tops, brachiosaurus, or just dinosaur) and line them up. She then got a little toy knife, picked them up one by one, and began the doctor examination. "Say AAHHH," as she would stick the knife in their mouths. She pretended to listen to each heart and check each set of ears. It was so funny and cute!

A couple of nights ago Adam was trying to get Aaron to talk to him while they were laying in bed. We were sitting in the living room and could hear him yelling, "Aaron! Aaron!" Finally, he started yelling "Mom! Mom!" So I went in there..."What's wrong Adam?" To which he replied "Is Aaron sleeping? He won't talk to me?" I told him that Aaron was trying to go to sleep and to leave him alone. He said "But I want to talk to him." About 10 minutes later we heard a ruckus again in their room. Taylor went in this time to check it out. When she walked in the room Adam was still trying to get Aaron to talk. When TT walked in, Aaron said "It's night-night time, Adam! No more talking and stay in your bed." Ha!! Taylor said the next morning when they woke up, (I usually leave for work before they are awake) Adam had crawled in bed with Aaron and was talking to him!

Adam in his Ranger's Shirts

Aaron in his Ranger's shirt

Our Sweet Boys! Aaron and Adam..

Avery and her new bathing suit (Thanks Aunt Joni!)

Dresses, Frog Jumps, and Mommy to Time-Out

Easter Weekend was great fun! The kids really got into hunting Easter Eggs! We weren't sure how they would react---one thing I've learned about kids is that you can't predict them. They really enjoyed hunting eggs in the backyard, but the real excitement began when our neighbor's daughter and friend covered our front yard with eggs. The kids were in heaven! It was too cute!

Avery has decided that she IS a girl and that she must wear dresses. Not only dresses, but apparently ONLY two of her favorites. I tried to get her to put on other dresses that I bought for her, but she just cried and cried. So, I took her to her closet and asked her what she wanted to wear. No surprise that it was the same dress she had worn two days prior. Toddlers...

While walking through the aisles at Wal-Mart, Avery discovered a Barbie Doll. I asked her if she liked it, to which she replied, "Mommy, I want to hold." So, I let her hold it. OK...I figured....John and I would have to get her a Barbie Doll for Easter. Now, what you may not know is that I despise Barbie Dolls. I never liked them as a kid...I never played with them...nor did I play with them at friends' houses. I think they are stupid. But like a good mom should, I put aside my personal feelings toward Barbie and we got her one anyway. As of last night, she hadn't touched it. Ha!

One day recently Aaron just started hopping around like a frog! And he's good at it! John and I had no idea where he had gotten this from, so we asked Taylor. She didn't know either. I'm thinking it was from Barney or Sesame Street----regardless, he looks so dang cute doing it! I wouldn't realize that he is very coordinated in doing his frog moves, except for the fact that Adam tries, but not with the same final result.

Aaron has become a sports nut. He loves anything that has to do with bowling, golf, tennis, basketball, soccer, football...the list goes on and on. We got him a soccer goal and ball for Easter. Again...this killed us. We are football people and I don't know the first thing about soccer! But, he loves it! He will kick the ball into the net and yell "Gold!!" (Instead of "Goal!") Also, when we are out in the car, he searches for basketball goals and yells "Basketball!" every time he sees one. I didn't realize there were so many people with basketball goals outside of their houses.

Adam is quite the opinionated little character. I don't have the slightest idea where he gets it from! (Me----definitely me!) He will argue about anything. He and I got into a heated discussion over the difference between a T-Rex and a Velociraptor about 2 weeks ago. He had a little velociraptor that he was playing with. When I asked him what it was he told me a t-rex. Being the teacher that I am, I pointed out that the dinosaur's front two legs were too long to be a t-rex. He argued, "No Mom. Not a raptor, a t-rex." To which I replied, "No, it is a velociraptor." And so it goes. Finally, I dropped it and changed the subject. Later that same day John asked Adam what the dinosaur was. He told John "It's a velociraptor." Adam will argue with me if I say the sky is blue. John says that I'm getting exactly what I deserve because I'm always so willing to disagree with whatever John says. HHmmm.....

Adam also likes to TRY to put me in time out if I don't do exactly what he wants. "Mommy, you took Adam's plate. I put in dishwasher, not you. Mommy to time-out." Sure, son...whatever you say! I would LOVE to go to timeout! If I sit for one minute per year of my age, that means that I get to sit for 39 minutes without doing anything! I'm in!!!

Life is so amazing right now and words cannot begin to express what a fun and exciting time this is in our lives. The kids are so fun, so silly, and so sweet. I could cry out of gratitude every day! Sometimes, the sweetest part of the day is bedtime. We tuck the kids in bed, give kisses, and say our "Goodnights." Adam, in his sweet little Adam voice will say, "I love you, Mommy." And my heart melts. Thank God I get to know what being a mommy feels like.

Aaron checking out his loot....

Adam and his egg-dyed shirt!

Avery getting her hair curled for the day!

I know....it's been too long!

There are so many days that the kids do something hilarious, and I think "I've got to write this down." And then....well....life happens and now it's been over a month since I posted again.

We are now in the complete throws of potty training. Thanks to TT's knowledge of potty training, however, it has been a rather easy process. We tried potty training with Pull-Ups on, but the kids weren't getting the hang of it, so we moved to underwear/panties. It's been very good ever since! TT would set a timer for every 15-20 minutes during the day and they would all go when they heard the timer go off. We've been trying to wean them off the timer and just have them pay attention to their body clues. Well, Aaron's got it down. He can tell you when he needs to pee-pee or poop. He is the leader and when he needs to go, everyone needs to go. Avery and Adam also pee-pee in the potty, but aren't as sure about the poop aspect. In fact, on a few days Adam has asked me to put a diaper back on him, and then he would go! It is quite a sight to see the three of them on their frog potties all at once! Ha!


Adam is now speaking in sentences---and he just has SO much to say! That kid talks from the moment he gets up to the moment he is asleep. Last week I told him "No" to a question he asked. He responded by saying "No, Mommy. (Wagging his finger at me.) Mommy no tell Adman no! Mommy to time out!" Do you think he's heard that before?? Two nights this week Adam read to Avery, Aaron, and I before bedtime. He has several books memorized and he can recite most of the words, and according to the page. His best "reading" is The Very Hungry Caterpillar. He will even name that huge list of foods the caterpillar ate before getting "a stomach ache." It amazes me!


Aaron has the most amazing memory! When TT or I play the Memory matching game with them individually (we usually use about 12 cards), Aaron dominates. He can remember where things are and can easily find matches. Aaron likes to count, name things, and is still an amazing helper. We all think he is so dang funny! He makes faces, cuts his eyes, laughs at his own farting...typical boy behavior! Aaron is also very determined. One day he shot a nerf basketball at the goal hanging on the door until he made it several times. He will also bowl for 30 straight minutes. He will set up pins and bowl...set up pins and bowl....over and over. Sometimes he and Adam will take turns setting up pins and bowling. Aaron doesn't leave his bed without his infamous monkey!


Avery is a mess! That child can be SO sweet and SO naughty! Avery is very headstrong and I'm certain she does things just to frustrate us. She is all about the playing. She wants to run when you try to give her medicine, hide in the closet when it's time to potty, kick her feet when you try to dress her---and she is laughing the whole time! Reminds me of John--just can't be serious! She is very much a girl---as can be seen when she puts on her play high heels, sunglasses, and grabs her purse. Avery absolutely loves "The Polar Express!" She always pretends that she has lost her ticket, or she wants me to punch it for her. She also loves Nickelodeon's Fresh Beat Band! She will sing and dance to the music. It's so cute! I'm convinced Avery will be left handed. She eats left handed, colors left handed, and even plays her guitar left handed. She will strum that guitar and sing "Twinkle, Twinkle." She can also sing the ABCs, Rock-a-Bye Baby...and much more!


They are very busy and some days are insane. Not bad...just non-stop. We are all completely exhausted by the time they go to bed each night. And I mean COMPLETELY exhausted! But, of course, it is all worth it!


Here are some recent pics.

Going to the Rodeo: Adam, Avery, and Aaron

Avery in her heels, glasses, and purse!

Valentine's Pics with Puppies. Aaron, Avery, Adam

Standing with their snowmen! Aaron, Adam, Avery



Ready to play in the snow!

Cracking us up!

Adam, Avery, and Aaron in their Camo!

Aaron

Adam

They look so identical in this picture!

Aaron and Adam

The kids are so dang funny!

Last week we were putting them to bed. Here was the conversation between Taylor and Avery:

TT: I love you.

Avery: I LOVE you

TT: I love you more

Avery: I lOVE YOU!

TT: I love you most!

Avery: Merry Christmas!!

I thought John, TT, and I were going to fall over from laughing so hard! Avery couldn't think of anything that was bigger!

Adam has officially reached the "No!" stage. And I mean, NO, about everything! He is very stubborn about what he wants to do, and always has been. Even when he was too small to feed himself well, he would get mad if you tried to feed him. Sometimes he would just sit in his high chair and cry out of frustration. It was so funny the other night when John and I were talking about what to do. John said, "Jill, he's alot like me. What would you to do control my behavior?" Are you kidding me? I've been married to John for 15 years and he still won't mind me! Ha!!

Aaron has been so helpful lately! He can (unfortunately) unlock and open the front door for me when I need to take out diry diapers. When I get home from work I always go change clothes first. (Trying to help avoid passing along 5th grade germs.) Aaron says "Let me get the door, Mommy," and he opens our bedroom door for me. He is great at helping up clean up at night too!

The kids are really doing well. They are just changing so quickly...it's starting to freak me out a little. Sometimes I put on a TV show or movie just so they will sit still in my lap. They are climbing all over things at the park, playing for up to an hour with each other only (and ignoring us!), helping put up the dishes out of the dishwasher, working on potty training, saying their "ABCs" and all counting to 20. They love books! Their current favorites are "Brown Bear, Brown Bear," it's cousin "Polar Bear, Polar Bear," "The Very Quiet Cricket," and "How do Dinosaurs say Goodnight?" Of course they say all the words with me! They will even sit and "read" Polar Bear, Polar Bear to each other. (It's a board book).

My favorite recent quotes:

Aaron: "Mommy, you are so silly!"

Avery: "Shoo-wee! Avery poopy stinky!"

Adam: "Mommy, no!" --while pointing his finger at me...just like I do him!

Me: Aaron, did you know your name is Aaron Edward?

Aaron: No, mommy.

Me: Yes it is! You are Aaron Edward.

---Now to understand this story you have to know that the kids love Thomas the Train. One of the train's name is Edward. Others are James, Gordon, Percy...---

Aaron: Aaron Edward

Me: That's right son! What do you think Mommy's middle name is?

Aaron: Mommy Gordon!

And he has stuck to that ever since....

They dance and sing to Fresh Beat Band, still love country music videos, and will watch "The Chipmunk Movie" as many times as you will play it.

We are so lucky, and so blessed. On Feb. 6th it will be 3 years ago that we learned we were having triplets! God is Amazing!