Lunch for the Troublets

Thought I'd document the boys' favorite lunch right now. This is from yesterday.

They share 2.5 PBJ sandwiches - crust and all. They also love baked sweet potato 'fries.'



They share about half of a can of pears (or peaches). They all love fruit!


Carter is crunching his apple slices - they all shared an apple. They love apple slices. I just recently started dipping them in PB for them, and they enjoy that, too.

Today, I also gave them a few yogurt-covered raisins. Cooper is very focused here.

Of course they had milk, too.

Overall, they are pretty good eaters. Although, at two, they are getting a little pickier. Other things I serve for lunch are mac-n-cheese, turkey dogs, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Sometimes they eat left overs. They also love peaches and grapes.

I'll have to document their breakfasts one of these days for fun, too! They are great eaters in the morning.

I learned so many things from the way we handled Madison and her meal time. She is now the pickiest eater ever and has a limited diet of foods she'll eat. These little guys get what is served. If they don't like it, they can wait until the next meal. That is the best thing I've ever done for their sake, and my sanity.

Foto Friday - Dinner Madness

Sadly - right before dinner still looks like this. That's Tucker and Cooper at the counter, and Carter on the table - this picture was snapped about 7 months ago.

Bath Time With The Triplets

For their whole life, I've bathed the boys separately...mostly because of safety and efficiency.

Last month I decided to try and bathe them all together. Josh was around and able to watch them with me.

They LOVED it. They were so cute together.

(Carter, Cooper, & Tucker)

And then, bath time was over. I held out my arms to try and pick one up and they all shook their heads, no, and tried to turn their back to me.

So then I had to dry, diaper, dress, and comb hair of three screaming toddlers and that sucked. I was exhausted. No pictures of that.

Back to single baths since then. Not sure when we'll try a group bath again...

Foto Friday - Flashback to Bottles

How I bottle-fed all three on my own. This was when they were 11 months old.

Tucker was always in the middle because he got distracted the most and would try and roll away the most. C and C typically gobbled their's down.

A Day In Our Life - May 2015

So, I attempted this post like last month (haha)...but am just getting to it now. This was on May 5, 2015. The boys are 15.5 months and Madison is 4.5 years old.

I haven't done a post like this in a while, and as usual, I took less pictures as the day went on...but you will get the idea.

Here we go!!!

6:45am I decided to shower today instead of sleep...lol.

7:05am I wake up Winky and we head upstairs. I let him out and feed him.

7:10am I wake up Madison and have her go potty and get dressed. She eats breakfast while I finish packing her lunch, unloading the dishwasher, and prepping for the boys' breakfast. I don't make anything for the boys, just get everything ready for when we return from dropping off Madison. The boys usually wake at some point and just play/talk while in their cribs.

7:45am  M and I go to the boys' room, and I change diapers and get them dressed. I finally shoo her off to brush her teeth as I finish, then we head to the van.

8am We're off to drop of Madison at school!

Sister is at school and we're headed home!

9:05am Done with breakfast! No time for pictures really because once we return home I immediately make breakfast for the hungry boys. They all shared 5 scrambled eggs with a li'l broccoli and cheese, and a packet of instant oatmeal, and some strawberries, and their milk.

And they topped all that off with some cheerios. I feed them these out in the living room while I clean up the kitchen area quick.

9:10am Time to PLAY!

10am After changing diapers, I lay them down for their morning nap. I quickly pick up all the toys. I head down to the office to work on some TNT stuff for a but, but return upstairs a little before 11am for my brunch (Frosted Flakes) and a li'l TV :-).

11:10am  I start prepping the boys' lunch. PBJ (2.5 sandwiches with no crusts on lightly toasted bread), sweet potatoes, gold fish, grapes, and milk).

11:20am I go in and open the boys' door and turn off their sound machine. They usually wake better on their own, and enjoy having some time to talk and play in their cribs. I have to wake them so they will nap in the afternoon. I return to the kitchen and prepare their lunch while they wake.

11:40 LUNCH! They love eating!

12:10pm They finish lunch and off to their 'baby jail' in the living room for some play time and TV while I clean up the kitchen. They actually play really well. This is the only time of day I really keep them confined in the baby jail. During this time, I also mop the kitchen, clean the upstairs bathroom and run the vacuum quick. I usually check FB and text and take a few minutes to myself while hiding in the kitchen.

12:40pm Change diapers and get ready for our walk.

1pm WALK! We walk to our post office and get the mail, and circle our neighborhood a few times.

We found a toad. Cooper loved pointing at it.

1:55pm We return home and have a snack (they share a banana) and some water while we play.

2:15pm I change diapers and it's time for nap. Sometimes they nap really well, sometimes, not so much. (I have now transitioned them to just one afternoon nap starting at 1pm). Today, they happened to finally finally fall asleep around 3pm. I pick up toys and watch some TV until they fall asleep. Then, I head down to the office to start some laundry and work in the office.

3:35pm My Dad picked up Madison from school, so they return home.

4:15pm The boys wake and are up and ready to play with Grandpa and sister until dinner time.

5pm Josh happened to be home (this is early for him) so he fires up the grill and makes some cheeseburgers. Josh's schedule varies everday, but we love when he is home at a decent time for a family dinner!

Dinner is served! The boys eat 2 cheeseburgers, carrots and cauliflower with cheese, and pears with some Greek yogurt with their milk.

6:15pm PLAY TIME!

7:15pm Boys are in their night time diapers and in their cribs waiting for their story. I read them a book, "How Does a Dinosaur Say Goodnight?." Then, they each get put into their sleep sacks and get a cuddle from Mom before it's lights out.

7:30pm My Dad heads home, and Madison has a snack and then helps me fold these towels, and is now chillin' with Dad watching some TV until bedtime.

8:30pm Madison is in bed, and Josh and I head downstairs to watch some TV and I probably ate some ice-cream.

10:30pm Bedtime for us!

So there it is...a day in our life. Exciting, right?!

Feeding The Troublets at 13 Months Old

For anyone wondering, here's what I feed the boys on a typical day. For what it's worth...I think I am being forced to become a decent cook in the kitchen because of all these children...

 

All three share what's in the pictures.

 

Breakfast:
Cheerios to hold them off while I finish preparing...

3 scrambled eggs with cheese and a tiny bit of baby spinach.

One packet of Instant Oatmeal

3-4 ounces of Whole milk each

 

 

 

Lunch:
2 turkey hot dogs (they ate all but probably 1/4 of one)

1 Mac-n-cheese

3 ounces of mashed sweet potato

1 apple cut in cubes (boiled with a bit of cinnamon, then cooled in fridge)

A few veggie melts (not pictured)
3-4 ounces of Whole milk each

 

Snack:

A handful each of those Bitty Bites
1 Apple Nutrigrain bar

1/2 a mashed avocado with a half of banana
Water

 

Dinner:

Ham and scalloped potato (2 plates)

Broccoli (2 helpings same as first picture, just forget to take picture before they ate their second helping)
Pears with vanilla Greek yogurt
3-4 ounces of Whole milk each

 

 

And they still drink 4 ounces of formula right before bed.

 

They also love black beans, grapes, grilled cheese sandwiches, PB&J sandwiches, spaghetti, chicken and beef quesadillas, chicken nuggets, peas, carrots, pizza, applesauce, peaches, muffins, crackers, puffs, pancakes...

 

 

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!!!!

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!