Triplets - 11 Months Old

The boys are ONLY one month away from turning ONE. I can't believe it!!!! I'm in complete denial. I finally got myself in gear to start planning their party and 1-year photo shoot.

 

They boys turned 11 months old a few days before Christmas. It was nearly impossible to get a decent group shot (there are a few extra outtakes at the end of the post).

 

 

The boys continue to grow and amaze us EVERYday. We have a pretty strict schedule that we all stick to, and it seems to be working well. I'll have to do another 'Day In Our Life' post once M goes  back to school. I continue to have someone over to help Monday-Thursday (and sometimes on the weekends) from like 3ish or 4ish until 7ish. It's helpful to have an extra set of hands during dinner and bath and bedtime routines for everyone.

 

Anyways, just a few updates since my last post wasn't too long ago.

 

Cooper

He is WALKING! Still needs to pull up on something to get to standing though.

He definitely signs "more" when he's eating.

His favorite food right now is Greek yogurt - says, "Mmmm" when eating it, and it's so adorable!

The birthmark on his foot is very light now - I think it will definitely be gone in a few months. (Uh oh!!!!)

No new teeth, so he's still got 8.

 

Tucker

Tucker is practicing balancing and standing on his own. He's not real interested in walking - although he loves holding on to Winky's back and following him around. lol.

He is closest to going from the floor to standing all on his own.

He will imitate some sounds we make - like a fake cough sound, and says "Dad-dee."

He is my best eater and so far eats whatever we give him.

Still no more teeth for him, so he's only got his two bottom middle ones.

 

Carter

Is very comfortable walking. He can go pretty far and is stepping over things and walking while holding on to things. He still has to have something to pull up on to stand up. Is not going from the floor to standing on his own yet.

He will also wave his arms/hands and kinda clap when you tell him, "Yayyyyyy!"

No new teeth, so he's still got 8.

Typically has rosy cheeks/chin from eczema.

His new thing is making a funny panting sound when he's happy or excited.

 

Cooper and Carter like to chew and eat almost everything.  For example, they can't really have books right now because they eat them.

 

They love getting into my cupboard in the kitchen and making a big mess. :) I love it because it keeps them busy.

 

They tried some Greek yogurt, and love it. They also had some ham and scalloped potatoes on Christmas that they really enjoyed. They all love broccoli, too. They are still on 4 bottles a day (and drink around 26 ounces a day).

 

It is still shocking to turn around and see C and C just standing in the middle of a room.

 

They will all bounce and dance to music and singing. They enjoy Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (the only show I really let them watch).

 

They also love Madison's computer.

 

They all love laughing when you tell them, "No."

 

When you open their bedroom door, they will immediately go to their crib and find their lovey. It's so cute - they love snuggling and chewing on their lovies.

 

We are switching them to their convertible car seats soon, too, and we have a new stroller for the three of them.

 

The are so funny now interacting with each other. Using each other to pull-up on, sharing taking toys from each other, making each other laugh and smile, hugging and snuggling occasionally - usually the snuggles only last for a second before someone gets mad. C and C also like to pull hair for some reason. 

 

I'm down to pumping just twice a day now, with plans to completely stop pumping over the next few weeks. It's exiting to think about getting rid of bottles (and my pump!!!!)...but overwhelming to think about how many gallons of milk we'll need eventually, too!

 

C and C's last appointment for their helmets is the day after their birthday - then they will be DONE! I still need to do a post on our helmet experience (one of these days). In a nutshell - glad we did it, and yes, I think it was worth it, but SO HAPPY to be almost done!!!!

 

Here are a few pictures of their first Christmas.

 

We made a few of these for family.

 

 

We visited Santa on the day before Christmas Eve. Cooper and Carter busted out in tears right after the picture. 

 

Christmas morning. 

 

I still can't believe they will be one in less than a month. I think the year has gone quick (Josh does not - lol - in some ways, I understand why he feels that way for sure - haha!). There are really no words to describe how happy I am to be their mother, and in their own ways they all make me laugh and smile (and cry sometimes) and fill my heart with love everyday. Although our family is complete. It's bittersweet for me knowing these are my last BABIES.

 

Here's a few outtakes fro their photo shoot. Haha.

 

 

 

 

We love those li'l troublemakers!!!!

Triplets - 8, 9, & 10 Months Old

3 months since my last post! That's terrible! I have SO many pictures and want to blog SO much...but anyways, here's what I have for now.

 

 

I started their 8 month post...but by the next time I got around to trying to finish it, they were only a week away from 9 months...so...here we are with another double post.

8 Months - This was all I had.

 

Cooper - The last li'l guy to figure out how to go from his belly to sitting up! But, he can do it now! He army crawls with his belly on the floor and uses his arms and drags his legs. Can definitely go when he really wants to! He has 6 teeth (4 on top and 2 on the bottom).

 

Tucker - Can now go from his belly to sitting. He still doesn't like to hold his own bottle. He scoots and gets himself around and kind of looks like a frog rocking and popping his legs in and out. We call him, "Froggy." I think he will crawl next. Still no teeth!

 

Carter - He can now crawl...and crawl fast! He is pulling up and just starting to walk along things. He has 6 teeth (4 on top and 2 on the bottom). He is always on the go! He likes carrying toys in his mouth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, so now 9.5 Months

 

Cooper - He has finally figured out how to lift his belly and crawl! He was last to do so. He also pulled up (2nd to do that). Has a third tooth peeking through on the bottom - so that brings him to 7 teeth. He has stood and balanced on his own for a few seconds. He walks along the couch and coffee table. We have seen him clap a few times.

 

Tucker - He figured out how to crawl. He will also hold his own bottle now. He finally has his two bottom teeth breaking through! Yay for Tucker! He can pull up now - but it takes a lot of effort and he's still wobbly, but he can do it.

 

Carter - Has two more teeth peeking through on the bottom - brining him to 8 teeth total. He can stand for a few seconds on his own. He easily walks along the couch and coffee table.

 

***************************************************************

 

Ok, seriously...never finished that ^^^^^ post either. HAHA. That's two attempts where time got the best of me...so here we are at 10 months. I am DETERMINED to finish this post. At least I've kept up with pictures.

10 Months

^^whoops...never got around to anything else with this post for the past 2 weeks!!! Moral of this post. These kids keep me busy. During naps I'm either frantically cleaning, doing laundry, working in the office, or trying to find something to eat. Before bed I find it hard to tear myself away from watching TV with Josh, loungin' on the couch and eating broccoli and spinach ice-cream. Anyways...

 

 

And...now writing this at 9 days away from 11 months. Desperately trying to finish this post...probably with a bunch of grammatical errors, so sorry!

 

Cooper

Oh, our sweet, sweet, Cooper. He is cruising and has taken a few shaky steps here and there. He loves practicing to walk. He still has 7 teeth for now. He claps more often and/or signs more (when he wants to). He also dances and bounces up and down or swings his legs to music and singing and it's SO cute! He has the sweetest voice and is babbling more, but no real words or distinguishable sounds yet. He is very sweet and angelic...but he's also known to hold his bother's down and make them cry and steal toys (with a huge smile on this face.) He is most likely to sit and cuddle or watch TV with you.

 

Tucker

Oh, Tucker. He's the best at 'crawlin' and cryin'' towards me. The drama-king (still) that loves to be held. Yesterday he sat at my feet while I did some dishes and grabbed and hugged my legs (and fussed) until I was finished. Poor li'l guy. (I know I will miss this some day.) He can cruise along things, but prefers to crawl. He can walk with the walker if encouraged, but isn't a 'go-getter' yet about practicing walking. He still only has the 2 teeth on the bottom and one more barely starting to poke through. He still loves dancing, shaking his head no, clapping (signing 'more') and jabbers the most. We've heard him say, "mama" and "dada," but he doesn't do it regularly. He is quite possibly the squirmiest and most flexible baby ever and doesn't like diaper changes.

 

Carter

Our li'l go-getter! He is our mover and just this last month, his playful and silly personality is starting to show. He is ALWAYS moving. We think he can walk, but that her prefers to crawl because right now he knows that crawling is faster for him! He gives the biggest, cheesiest smile when you ask him to "say cheese!" He squints his eyes and sticks out his tongue to be silly (we think). He also just started to babble here and there. He loves playing in the curtains and being chased. ***update*** As of a couple days ago...Carter can walk!!! He's gone quite the distance a few times. Josh counted and he took 14 steps one time!!!

They all still drink 4 bottles (about 1/3 breastmilk (yes, I'm still pumping, but will be weaning soon) and the rest is formula), eat 3 meals, and take two naps. They are all in size 3 or 4 diapers, and are now officially in their 12 month clothes.

 

The love table foods and feeding themselves. Some things they like to eat are broccoli, shredded cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, sweet potatoes, nutri-grain bars, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, cheerios, and chicken nuggets. They also like water from their straw cups.

At 9 months Cooper and Carter were 21 lbs. and 28 inches, and Tucker was one pound less, and one inch taller!

They ALL (including Madison) got Hand Foot Mouth Disease right before Thanksgiving. FUN! NOT!

 

They love Winky. He's going to be in trouble when they figure out how to climb up furniture!

We also had our first road trip and night in a hotel last month.

 

The boys had their own room and we were next door...gotta love video monitors!

They are starting to really play and interact with each other and us, and we LOVE it. Tehe past few months have been a relly fun time with them. They like to be chased, and when they get into my curtains they all laugh because they know they aren't supposed to!

They cry when you take something from them. Cooper is really pathetic and hangs his head when he's really sad. It looks even worse because of his helmet. Tucker screeches and cries if he's not happy. Carter also yells and kicks his feet when he's mad. It's so cute right now to see their little emotions.

 

We have another measurement and check-in appointment next week for Carter and Cooper's helmets. They are doing really well, and I feel like we'll be done with them this month or next for sure!

 

Troublemakers. We've started calling them the Troub-lets!

 

 

Cuties!

 

First time in a shopping cart (at Costco).

 

 AND...I'm sure I'm forgetting some things...but I MUST get this posted tonight.

A Day In Our Life

Sooooo......I finally decided I wanted to document another day in our life before M started preschool.

I started out really good with snapping pictures...but it fizzled out as the day progressed...kinda like I do, too. Haha. I think I stopped getting pics at around 3:30pm. Oh well. I'll try to do better next time!

 

Anyways, for everyone who says, "I don't know how you do it!?!" This is how!

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Madison is 4 years old, and the boys are 7 months old.

2:30am - I wake to some fussing on the monitor. It's Cooper (which is out of the ordinary) so I rock him for a few minutes, and put him back in his crib asleep.

5am - It's Cooper again waking me up! I let him fuss for a couple minutes, and he falls back asleep. Yay!

5:20am - I get up and grab my bottles and pump. (I usually pump anytime between 5am and 6:30am for 30-40 minutes.)

6am - I'm finished pumping and storing my milk in the fridge. Next I go and wash my face, put in contacts (I only shower every other day), fold some laundry, and then do some work in the office. I head upstairs around 7am since I know the boys will be awake soon. I check FB and send some texts.

7:15am - Tucker and Cooper wake up. I change their diapers and get them dressed. They play on the floor a bit.

 

7:30 - I unload the dishwasher, and start warming their bottles, and feed Winky.

7:35am - I hear Carter talking/babbling, so I get him up and he gets a new diaper and gets dressed.

7:40am - I feed the babies their bottles, and eat my oatmeal while sitting next to them.

8am - Madison wakes up. I help her get dressed and do her hair.

8:10am - Babies are done, so they play while I do some cleaning/picking up around the house, and M watches some TV.

 

8:20am - I go and play with babies.

8:35am - Madison eats breakfast, and I feed the babies some oatmeal mixed with applesauce.

 

Angry babies waiting for their oatmeal.

 

8:50am - I clean up after breakfast, vacuum while M entertains the babies, and clean some more of the kitchen.

9:10am - Move the babies back to the floor to play.

9:25am - Change the babies' diapers, zip 'em up in their sleep sacks, sound machine goes on, and I lay the babies down for naps in their room.

9:35am - Babies are fussing a bit, so I watch/listen to them on the monitor while Madison watches a show for a bit, and I snuggle with her on the couch

9:50am - Babies are asleep. M and I move down to the office so I can work for a bit. She keeps herself busy by coloring, stamping stuff, cutting paper, playing, and asking me a million questions.

11am - We head upstairs for a quick lunch before the babies wake.

11:20am - Babies wake, so I change their diapers and feed them their bottles.

Noon - I pump while the babies play and watch The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. M does a great job of entertaining them on and off, too. While pumping I entertain myself on my phone by checking FB, texting a friend, and singing random songs for the babies.

12:35pm - I finish pumping, clean up, and start preparing the babies some lunch.

12:40pm - I feed the babies some sweet potato and of course M wants a snack. Once everyone's done eating, it's time to clean up, and head back to the living room to play.

1:20pm - Time to change diapers and get them back in their sleep sacks for naps!

1:30pm - They are all fussing in their room. M and I step outside for 5 minutes to pick her raspberries, and when we return the babies are sleeping! Yay! We play with her puzzles for about 25 minutes. Then, it's back downstairs to try and get one or more work items completed in the office (and to waste time checking FB). I also finish folding the laundry.

**I should note that it's extremely rare that all three nap so well for BOTH naps. I usually get at least an hour each time for both naps from all 3. If one wakes early (almost always Tucker), I get him out and have to entertain him for a bit.

3:10pm - We head back upstairs. I get out the bottles to warm and preparing for the boys to wake. M gets to pick a show to watch on her Kindle.

 

3:15pm - I hear Tucker let out a wail. I run and grab him and set him up with M.

 

3:25pm - C and C start fussing. So they are out next.

 

3:30pm - Babies get new diapers, and drink their bottles.

 

Annoyed that I'm taking their pictures instead of feeding them. Poor starving babies!

4pm - Grandma Tracy arrives! :-) I remove their helmets so I can clean them. Tracy plays with the babies and talks to M, while I clean the helmets, load the dishwasher and do some more household tidying up.

4:30pm - A family friend, Maureen, arrives. Maureen and Tracy are watching the babies for a bit while M and I go out to dinner together. We all visit for a while and play with the babies and M.

5pm - I put the helmets back on C and C. Madison and I leave. I am excited for some 1-on-1 time with my baby girl. On the way home we call Josh.

6:20pm - We arrive home. Tracy tells me that one of the babies cat-napped for a bit. Maureen leaves.

6:30pm - I grab Tucker and put him in the baby carrier in hopes he'll cat nap. I feed Winky. I fold some more laundry, then get Madison's pajamas out. Tracy and I entertain the babies and visit. The babies go in their exersaucers for a bit at some point. 

 

7:25pm - I have Madison get her pajamas on and get ready for bed. I also get out her clothes for school tomorrow. I lay them out in her closet so I just have one less thing to think about the next day. (I don't always do this...but did tonight since tomorrow is her first day!)

7:30pm - I start the bedtime routine. I move all the boppy pillows in their room. (I still feed them on the futon bed.) Then, I change their diapers, zip them up in their sleep sacks, and prepare their bottles (8 oz.). I feed the babies in their room in the dark. The sound machine is on. Tracy spends some time with M and reads her some book in her room.

 

Formula at night. Love the Baby Breeza!

7:50pm - Babies finish their bottles. I give them hugs and kisses and lay them in their cribs. Tracy heads out, and I spend a few minutes snuggling Madison before closing her door.

 

8pm -  I head to the kitchen to finish loading the dishwasher and tidying the kitchen and living room. I pack Madison's lunch for tomorrow.

 

8:30pm - I finally sit down. I find something to watch on TV. I start pumping for the final time for the day. I surf FB and IG on my phone, I text Josh a couple times. I check the monitors on and off (yes, I still have a video monitor in M's room, too.)

 

10:30pm-ish - I put my pumping supplies in the dishwasher and start it, let Winky out, and GO TO BED.

 

A few things to note:

-Josh was gone this week, otherwise, he's obviously around to help in the evenings.

-Baths for the boys happen only a couple times a week. I always bathe them on the same day, one at a time in a row...takes me about 20 minutes total.

-If I have to run errands or schedule appointments, I'll do it from 9:30am-11:30am, or 1pm until 3pm during their napping times.

-During their naps I usually try and be productive...either down in the office or working on things around the house. Occasionally I just relax...but not often unfortunately. Just too much to do!

 

So...that's it. A day in our life.

Also...check my beautiful kiddos that were a part of this product review at SAHMreviews.com!

 

Triplets - 6 and 7 Months Old

Ah. My first missed monthly post. When I finally got around to documenting their 6 month of life...it was already a week and a half away from 7 months. So, I told myself I'd have to get their 7 month post done ON TIME. Whoops again. I'm only two weeks late...*sigh*

 

(One of my favorite pictures of the boys.)

 

We have been BUSY BUSY BUSY at the Smyser house these last couple months of summer.

 

So much is going on with the boys...so prepare for a looooooong post...with lotsa typos because it's 11:30pm, and I'm tired...but I'm also determined to get this done.

 

Happy 6 Months BOYS!

 

At their 6 month appointment (on August 1), here were their stats:

Cooper and Carter were both 18 lbs. 10oz. and about 26 inches, and Tucker was one pound less, and one inch longer than his brothers. Carter and Cooper are heavier and stockier, and Tucker is leaner - totally different body types.

 

 

 

 

A couple out takes

 

 

They have definitely gained weight since then. Here's their 7 month pictures. I'm going to have to stop using my cell and get back to using our good camera. They move SO much and so many of the pictures are blurry.

 

HAPPY 7 MONTHS Smyser Trio! 

 

They are still squeezing into size 2 diapers, but should probably be in 3s. They wear 4s overnight!

 

They are still in 6 month clothing, but I've washed all their 9 month clothing, and am waiting on a few more items in the mail from Carter's (love their Labor Day sale). We'll switch to 9 month any day now...once I accept the fact that they are ready...

So...as of today 7 months (and two weeks)

COOPER

2 bottom teeth and 3 top teeth coming in

He easily rolls both ways, and is starting to get up on all fours and scoot

He can sit unassisted

He is most entranced with Madison

He is a bit quieter and tends to be more content than his brothers. He loves sharing his smiles with you. He's the first to show being a bit overwhelmed with unfamiliar with new people.

He loves watching the TV the most

He is working on holding his bottle - does ok eating purees, usually the first to get disinterested in eating though.

 

 

 

 

TUCKER

No teeth - but lots of chewing on his fingers

Finally started rolling more from his back to belly, manages to wiggle and roll around everywhere

He is the most sensitive for the three...a drama king for sure. Tends to cry the easiest and the most.

Definitely most attached to me. :) He's my "Mama's Boy!"

He can sit unassisted, but is the wiggliest of the three, still

He LOVES loves LOVES laughing

He is the most interested in eating purees and opens his mouth the biggest for his bites.

 

 

 

CARTER

2 bottom teeth, and 2 top teeth just starting to come down

Rolls to his belly immediately, loves army crawling and rolling to get where he wants to go - we have a feeling he will continue to be the first to do everything.

In fact - just TONIGHT he went from his belly to sitting unassisted ALL BY HIMSELF!

He is the sturdiest sitting unassisted

He sticks out his tongue when he's happy or concentrating

He's most attached to Josh

He can hold his bottle!

 

 

At around 6 months we started solids/purees.

Their first food was avocado! They all like it. Sweet potatoes were next, followed by green beans. I also stated breaking up those little puffs for them to try. They also get some baby oatmeal mixed with applesauce, and have tried banana. I am going to try carrots next. I also got some of those Baby Mum-Mum things to try this week. We shall see if they are ready for those or not. I have not done a lot with letting them try feeding themselves, yet. But, hope to do more of that now. I am also going to

get some sippy cups (the weighted straw ones) for them to start practicing with sometime.

 

 

I am still pumping so they receive about 2/3 breastmilk and 1/3 formula. I only pump 3 times a day now...I was thinking of quitting soon...but now that we are headed into winter and cold season. So...for now, my short term goal is 9 months, and my ultimate long-term goal is still 1 year.

 

They are on a pretty good schedule right now with 2 naps (and a cat nap in the evening). They sleep from about 8pm until 7am. I have a 'day in our life' post coming soon!!!

 

The helmets are going just fine! I'll have to do a longer post on their helmets one of these days. We'll get updated measurements next Thursday at their appointment. For now, they've had them for 6 weeks. No issues. They sleep and play just fine. And, we can see improvements already!

 

Random things about the boys:

They've been out to a restaurant twice now!

They go grocery shopping with us usually weekly.

They respond to their names, and the word, "bottle."

I'm starting to sign the words, "eat," "milk" and "all done."

They all love chewing on their lovies, blankies, and fingers, and anything else they can get a hold of.

They tolerate their baths, and seem to be okay with them. I still bathe them one at a time.

They all love watching The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, especially the "Hot Dog Song" at the end.

They love 'jumping' and bouncing. 

We need to get their 'baby jail' set up soon...I'm dreading it for some reason. We have the baby gates purchased.

Watching them interact is amazing - a special part of being a triplet.

They happily play independently now - LOVE this!

 

FAMILY PHOTO - The Smyser6

 

Oh, and do you know what's wrong with this picture???

Yep...when I started their group shots, I took like 20 pictures before I realized what was wrong. Doh!!!

 

Again - THANKS SO MUCH to all our family and friends who help us out all the time. It takes a village - and we are so thankful for the 'village' that loves us and our children.

 

Seven...almost eight months, and I seriously can't belive it. Our life is indescribable in so many ways...exhausting and exhilarating, challenging but rewarding, and filled with more love and laughter than we could have ever imagined.