Our 1st Trip to Mamaw and Papaw's House

My parents live about 30 miles south of Tulsa. While we've wanted to take the kids to their house for some time, I just couldn't imagine the long road trip and all of the stuff we would have to take! Well, we figured it was definitely time to do it, so we went last weekend!

Let me paint the picture. I started packing and organizing on Tuesday night! So I wouldn't forget anything, I made a detailed list of everything we would need to take. Taylor was off until Wednesday afternoon, so when she got home we first packed the kids clothes. The weather was supposed to be cool at Mom's house, so we had to make sure and pack clothes for warm and cool weather. John worked Thursday morning, but as soon as he got home, he started loading up the Suburban.

-3 Pack 'n Plays

-3 Booster seats

-Suitcases for the kids, John, me, and Taylor

-2 security gates (Just in case we needed to block the kids off from things at Mom's house)

-Small cooler with 3 milk cups, 3 juice cups, and snacks

-Pillows for John, me, and Taylor

-Laundry basket with toys, diapers, wipes, rubber bibs, baby monitor, and their sound machine. (We use it for naps and to help put the kids to sleep. It plays music or makes sounds--like rain. The best $15 we ever spent!)

-Camera and camcorder

-2 strollers

-A bag of shoes for the kids (3 pairs of tennis shoes, 3 pairs of boots, 3 pairs of sandals)

-Medicines, bath supplies, toothbrush

John is a MASTER at packing! The Suburban holds ALL of the above items, as well as 3 toddlers and 3 adults comfortably! It was amazing!

The road trip went very well. Our kids don't sleep much in the car, so they each only slept about 45 minutes in a 5 1/2 hour trip. They were completely fine on the way up but pretty restless on the way home.

We had so much fun! The kids rode the riding lawn mower with Papaw, played with Sadie the dog, played on the wooden rocking horse Papaw made for them, and loved all the goodies Mamaw cooked! My sister was there with her 2 sons, and my brother was also there! (I only get to see him about 2 times a year). It was a great trip and I have TONS of pictures. Here are a few of them!

Adam's Mean Face

Taylor taught Adam how to make a mean face. Isn't it hilarious??!!! He will do it and then smile really big!! For those of us who watched "Diff'rent Strokes", it's the "What 'cha talking about, Willis?" face!

Here is also a video of all of them making a mean face. Aaron doesn't make one...I don't think he has it in him!

I never knew we could laugh this hard!

I know that all of you with kids understand how cute this age is, but John and I had no idea! Every day the kids absolutely crack us up! They are so funny, and words can't describe how cool it is to see them interacting with each other.





They love to play together, as well as by themselves. They will chase each other around the couch, push each other down the slide, "cook" in their little kitchen, play blocks, and sit together to watch TV. After playing together for a while, they will just gravitate to different parts of the living room to play alone. If you are on the floor with them, they will play with you for a short while before going off to play with each other. It cycles like this all day long. They will occasionally watch TV too. Here are pictures of them sitting on the couch watching Sesame Street and laying on the floor this morning for their first ever "Movie Adventure" with Taylor. (They watched most of "The Little Mermaid.")







Last weekend was the PRCA Rodeo here. We took the kids for a little while Thursday night. Adam loved watching the dog herd the sheef for muttin' bustin'-- Aaron liked the music--Avery LOVED the horses. She would watch them so intently. Guess what we will be buying her at some point?

18 Month Check Up

We took the kids to the doctor yesterday for their 18-Month Check up. (Their original appt scheduled in January got changed due to icy weather.)

What a great visit! First of all, no shots this visit. Yeah! Here are their updated stats...

Aaron:
Height: 32 1/4 inches
Weight: 24.5 lbs

Adam:
Height: 32 1/4 inches
Weight: 24.11

Avery:
Height: 31 1/2 inches
Weight: 23.3 lbs

In the past 4 months, each kid has gained 3 pounds and has grown 2 inches! But, the exciting part is that they are all now in the 50th percentile on the growth chart!! YEAH!!!

I know this may not seem significant, but for so long the babies weren't even ON the growth chart! I heard over and over again that preemies usually catch up with their peers by the time they are 2, but it was so amazing to actually see it on that growth chart! Developmentally they are also on target.

Thank you again for all of your continued prayers. We are so thankful for the ways God has blessed us with our family!

Here is a great video of me getting Aaron's belly!

What's new in Tripletville.....

Hi! While I certainly am enjoying teaching, it is hard to find time to update the blog! I feel like I have lots to say!


First, I want to thank everyone who has kept John's dad in their prayers. He had a triple bypass last Monday, and is doing great! We were really afraid that we had lost him two weeks ago when his heart stopped beating. But, he is tough and overcame that episode and got well enough to have surgery. Thank God!


Things have been SO fun around here! The kids turned 19-months old today! Can you believe it??? Just look back at the older posts to see how much they have really grown. It's amazing to me!


Aaron:




Aaron is trying to say any and EVERYTHING. Daily he is adding something new. On his own, he can say: banana, yellow, hi, bye, momma, dadda, hot, bite, uh-oh, no-no, blue...and much more. With prodding he can say: circle, red, star... Aaron is a total ham. He loves to laugh! Aaron finds great joy in hijacking the remotes. If you are in the kitchen cooking, with your eye not on him, you can hear him start laughing. Sure enough, he has the remote and is running across the living room! He wants you to chase him, he loves to eat, and if he is about to get into trouble he will look at you with the sweetest face ever and say "Hi" in a precious voice! Aaron loves to cuddle, dance, and will gladly greet everyone with a "Hi" at WalMart. I love Aaron's sweet nature and his naughty side!


Adam:




Adam has turned so silly! He will shake his head around, eyes half-closed, and say "Woo..woo..woo." He looks just like Stevie Wonder! When laughing he will throw his arms up, squat down, put his hands on his knees, and throw back his head and laugh! It absolutely kills us! He too is talking more and more each day. He can say: hot, momma, dadda, bye, hi, yellow, bite. He is trying to say "Cletus." Adam loves Cletus and kisses him every day. Adam is the "Thinker." He studies everything, intently sits for extended periods of time reading books, and gasps for air every time he seems something new or cool. He sneaks up behind you and tries to scare you, runs with those arms SWINGING, and likes to build with Clipo blocks. Adam is such a sweet boy, will sit in your lap, but prefers not to cuddle. He carries around a Steelers Terrible Towel, which makes Dad so happy. I love Adam's determination, pensive nature, and sweet, sweet kisses!


Avery:



Avery is fiercely independent, yet very loving. She does not like to see her brothers hurt, and will go to them in an attempt to comfort. One night Adam hit his chin and was crying while sitting in my lap. I tried and tried to get him to stop, but he was really upset. Avery was sitting with Taylor at the time. She crawled out of Taylor's lap and walked over to Adam kissing him repeatedly until he stopped crying and started laughing! Avery frequently tells on her brothers by saying "No!No!" when they are into something they shouldn't be. Avery is a Daddy's girl completely! She has a smile that lights the room, and a deep laugh (like Kathleen Turner or Demi Moore) and the most beautiful eyes. Avery isn't much for words....she likes to point and let her brothers do the talking for her! I love Avery's personality, precious hands, and fearless nature!


Every night when we put the kids to bed we say our prayers together. As soon as the babies are in their crib, they will fold their little hands and slightly bow their heads. (OK, not every night do they do it! Sometimes they do it at nap time!) It is the sweetest thing ever and almost makes me cry every night!


Words cannot express the million ways we daily feel blessed. What an amazing adventure we are on....and what amazing kids!!

Family Pictures!

Us with Taylor

Adam

Aaron

We got these taken last weekend at Portrait Innovations in Ft Worth. I'm so proud of them!

Cute Pics

Things are going well here! I've really enjoyed my first full week back at school. I've learned one thing for sure--having children made me so much more patient! It's been great to see all of my school friends again, and I love being back in the classroom!

John and I have been struggling with our allergies, and like clockwork, so have the kids. It hasn't really hit Aaron and Avery, but Adam got a double ear infection. Taylor had to take them to the doctor because I couldn't leave work at that time. It was so hard on me, and I felt so guilty!! Taylor is so amazing with the kids and with helping us. I'm so glad we found her!

John's dad is in the hospital in Abilene and not doing well. Please keep him and John's family in your prayers.

The kids have been so fun and their little personalities are getting BIG! They have definitely started throwing fits!

Avery is a Diva--in her own mind. She gets furious if her brothers take anything away from her, get in her personal space, or if you make her do something she does NOT want to do! (Like coming in from playing outside.)

Aaron is really exploring language and is trying new words every day. He says "Mamamma" for banana. He can say touchdown, blue, yellow, and so many other things! Not clearly, of course, but you know that is what he is saying.

When Adam walks fast he gets that right arm swinging like crazy! It is so funny! He must sleep with two blankets and his Steeler's Terrible Towel. Don't force him to eat or drink anything. And he hates to lay down to get his diaper changed!