Going Out in Public

When you see this picture, you probably focus in on my 4 little cuties. I see Josh...and I smile to myself because I now remember that he's a good 15 minutes into a conversation with some strangers about our children and having triplets. For once...I let him handle all the nosy and annoying questions that I usually deal with. lol.

This took place about 9 months ago. We decided to be brave and venture out with all 4 of our kiddos to an indoor play area at South Park. I am pretty good at avoiding all eye-contact and giving short (but sweet) answers to stranger's questions/comments. Josh usually is, too - but at a place like this, if you get stuck by someone, it can be harder to get away. I was glad I got to chase the littles around.

Here we are all headed to the mall.

Now, I realize that triplets are a rare sight, and I know that comments and looks will happen. I do dress mine alike (and in public, it's actually easier to keep an eye on them this way) so that brings more attention. The majority of the time, I am okay with it, and try and answer most questions as gracefully as I can. However, many of the questions we get are often very personal and sometimes even hurtful. So, if I seem guarded or unfriendly in public, it's because I'm also just wanting to go about my business like everyone else, or I'm worried about what some stranger is going to say about my children or me.

LOVE Target carts for 3. C and C had their feet up for the end of the ride.


On the flip side, of course the majority of comments and questions are all very positive and sweet. So, I try and remember not to let a few bad apples ruin the whole bunch. However, if I had a dollar for every time I heard the phrase, "Wow. Your hands are full!" I'd be rich!!!

Easter 2016

Thought I'd throw in a semi-current post just for fun. Don't worry...I still have PLENTY of past events to post about. But, anyways, here's a recap of our wonderful Easter celebrations.

Thursday before Easter, Madison dyed eggs with Dad and the Great Grandparents. I wasn't brave enough to let the boys try this year...next year for sure, though.

Saturday we attended a super fun potluck and egg hunt with Josh's side of the family. The kids all had a blast!

Not sure where Madison was...(oops)...thanks for the picture, Tracy!

Off enjoying the hunt.

All the cousins had a blast!

Easter morning. Madison was thrilled the boys were eating at the table with her. They enjoyed some yummy pancakes from McDonald's.

Then, we let them enjoy their Easter baskets. Madison asked us point blank if the Easter Bunny was real , or if it was just Mom and Dad - I'm not good at lying, and so we told her the truth. We let her know she still act like he's real because of her brother's and other kids that still believe, since there is nothing wrong in believing. Now she loves saying to me, "Mom, I LOVE the stuff YOU...I mean, the Easter Bunny, got me in my Easter basket. This kid...

Later, Grandma Tracy and Grandma Bevy and Grandpa Louie stopped by to spoil the kids some more.

Then, after nap, we let them do a small egg hunt in our yard.

They LOVE the candy!

The spoiling didn't end on Sunday though. Monday, Grandpa Dave showed up with more Easter goodies for the kids. They each got some awesome clothes and more yummy treats. No pictures - I missed my opportunity with my Dad because the kids got too excited and bombarded him when they saw the baskets!

Wow...it feels good to get something documented that didn't happen 5 or 6 months ago. Haha.

Candy Cane Cookies 2015

Every year I make candy cane cookies around the holidays. It's become a special tradition to celebrate my Mom's life. I will always remember making these with her. And, we always talk about her while we make these.

Madison's job this year was to roll out the dough. Then, I twisted and shaped them, I can hardly imagine the day where she will be able to bake them all by herself - and will probably be bossing her brothers around in the kitchen.

It wasn't long before the boys wanted to see what she was up to. I love this picture so much...wish my Mom was around to be a part of it of course.

Yum!

 Good bye candy cane cookies - until December!

Foto Friday - My Madison

She's amazing. And funny. And smart. I love her spirit.

I love this li'l girl!

4 Kids?!

Okay. Time for a post that's a bit more than 'hey - we did this - it was fun - look at these pictures!' I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm all for those posts :), this just isn't one of them. I'm not really sure, where I'm going with this post...but I had these pictures that I wanted to use, and all I could think about when I looked at them was:

"I have 4 kids. How in the heck do I have 4 kids?!?!?"

To be honest, I don't think a day goes by without that thought crossing my mind at least once.

We all have certain expectations of how our lives will turn out. Many of those things will change over time, and some are under our control and some are not. But, regardless, we have hopes and dreams and expectations and visions of our future.

Josh and I always knew we wanted children, and we thought 2 would be perfect. We knew they'd be a part of our life either biologically or through adoption or through any other means necessary.

In my twenties, I didn't know anything about fertility issues (learned about this heartache from many dear friends) or miscarriages (experienced one between Madison and the boys). I didn't even know what it meant to be a parent or how it'd feel to be a Mother.

Either way, we were naive and just planned on being a happy little family of 4.

And...instead we are happy not-so-little family of 6.

(Not the best, but the most recent, picture of the 6 of us.)

Life with 4 kids, three of which are the trio, can be certainly be hectic and stressful and li'l crazy sometimes. There are days where I count down the minutes to bed time. There are days I don't think I'll survive another minute. There are days when I feel like I'm failing them, and I question myself and the reason why we have 4 children.

I NEVER EVER thought I'd have 4 children. EVER.
(I also NEVER EVER thought I'd love a minivan - but that could be another post, too. lol.)

And yet - here they are. And, I can't imagine living one second without any of them.

They make me want to pull out my hair and run away sometimes. They confuse me and test my patience and limits almost daily.

But they have also filled my heart with more love than I can describe. Their smiles and laughter make any sadness that's invading my heart fade away immediately. They are my life and I'm SO SO SO thankful they are mine.

"I have 4 kids. How in the heck do I have 4 kids?!?!?"

M's Last Day of PreK and First Days of Kindergarten

Thought I'd post this on her first day of Kindergarten for fun.

Here she is on her last day of PreK. The boys and I were dropping her off.

Here she on her way to her Open House that was last night. She loves her TMNT backpack. We met her teacher and she was able to see her classroom and drop off her supplies.

And...she now has a LOCKER. I was doing so well...I wanted to cry when the teacher told me we should go try out her locker though. She's too little for a locker...right?!?!?!?

She was so excited she got mad when we had to leave!

This morning, we headed to her first official day of Kindergarten!

We almost forgot to snap a picture with her Scooby Doo lunch box.

I wasn't too emotional about sending her to Kindergarten in part because she attended full-day PreK at the same school...so I knew we were both somewhat comfortable with the building (lunch room, recess, gym, etc.) and staff. I think it also helps that is a smaller school and she knew several of her classmates from last year.

There was a brief meeting for the parents. It was fun hearing about all the things they will be learning this year. Madison is really anxious to learn to read, and I can't wait to watch her discover how the letters and sounds makes words. I know she will be thrilled as she learns to read! They will have homework a couple times a week, too.

I may or may not have shed a tiny tear when I read this poem her teacher included in our packet of information.

Overall though...while it's definitely heart-wrenching watching your babies grow into children...it's also such a fun adventure to watch them learn and develop their independence as an individual. I am so excited to hear all her stories about her school days. She's a talkative little girl...and I know she's going to have a lot of fun and learn SO much.

Today she attended school with half of her classmates. The other half attends tomorrow (so she has the day off), and then she will be back with her whole class Friday.

She told me today she had fun. That she didn't have enough time to eat her Goldfish crackers at lunch. That her favorite part of the day was recess.

My Dad also asked her if she needed help with something this afternoon. Her reponse, "I can do it myself. I'm a Kindergartner now!"

A few of my random thoughts to end this:
1) I'm still kind of in denial that someone won't be walking her to her room and picking her up and signing her in and out every day. The teachers are meeting the children at the door...but eventually as the year goes on, they will be allowed to walk to their room alone. ALONE.
2) She's in Kindergarten. KINDERGARTEN
3) Did I mention I have a Kindergartner (is that word) now???!!!???
4) Ok, seriously...isn't she too young for a locker?

Ummm...

They were a little too quiet one evening last week, and I looked and saw this.



Oh well. I got the after dinner mess cleared up, and I got them to all to bed on my own with no tears and very minimal stress. Wohoo!

Have a good week.

And if you're a Mom (or Dad) give yourself a break and stop and enjoy the chaos. I'm not very good at that...but am trying!

Firsts and Lasts

I'm in disbelief that my babies were born (almost) one year ago.

This last year has been a roller coaster of events and emotions for my family and me. Thankfully, the highs have been higher and more plentiful than the lows. (Although, there are lows, don't get me wrong. We'll save those for another post someday.)

Everyone keeps asking me how the last year has went. And yes, much of it was simple survival, especially in the beginning. As a family with triplets, we will always navigate life a little different than most, and many may not fully understand everything our family goes through on a daily basis, but I love my family with all that I am, and when I think of our future together, I get all warm and happy inside in anticipation of what's to come for us all.

However, I finally put my finger on exactly why, deep inside my heart, I am also feeling so much sadness as I think about my babies' first year of life.

It's simple really.

*Their firsts are my lasts.*

Tucker just started really walking/wobbling around this week. As I watch him with his arms in the air like Frankenstein for balance, and a huge smile on his face, I realize he is my last baby that I will excitedly encourage as he takes tentative steps towards me. As I watch my sweet Cooper clap and bring his tiny hands together with a huge smile on his angelic face, I realize he is my last baby I'll cheer on and act like mountains just moved because he learned to clap. And, as I wait in anticipation for Carter to say, "Mama," I realize once he says it - that'll be it. He'll be my last baby to learn to call my name for the first time.

Our family is complete. Our hearts are FULL, our house is FULL, and our bank account is EMPTY. lol. We are so incredibly grateful for all our children, however, we have decided our family is complete. I will not have another newborn to rock to sleep. I will not anxiously await for another baby to get their first tooth, and then scramble for my camera to get a picture of their tiny tooth poking through. I will not fake sneeze for 10 minutes straight in attempt to get my baby to show off their toothy smile for their one year photos. No more. I've done those things for the last time in my life.

And, honestly, I know it's okay. I accept that. I am so dang happy to be their Mother. I know how fortunate I am to have all these firsts with all four of our beautiful children.  (I still think about my miscarriage here and there. I know that's part of my history as a Mother, too, and I won't ever forget that dark chapter in my life.) I'm just a li'l sad as I realize I will not be pregnant again. The anticipation of growing my family and welcoming a new baby to the world is indescribable and beautiful, and while I'm grateful to have that experience. I'm also learning to accept that that chapter of my life is now complete.

I write this post on the eve of my babies' first birthday. Tomorrow (and Sunday) we celebrate my boys turning one. My last big one-year birthday party I'll plan and drive Josh crazy about - I think Josh is glad about that anyways. Haha.

Happy (1 day early) Birthday to
Cooper, Tucker, and Carter.

 

Their first picture ever.



Josh Was Right

I'll admit it. I'll also say that I hate when that happens. :-)

So, I couldn't decide if I should order birth announcements for the boys or not. Partly because of the cost of how many I thought I needed (75ish), partly because of the time it'd take to create and address them all, and partly because of FB - everyone has seen pictures. Oh, and partly because they suffer from 2nd, 3rd, 4th child syndrome where I just don't care as much about some things as I did with the first born. (Hey, it's the truth!!!)

So, I finally decided I needed to order some. I chose a budget, and decided to order as many as I could get within that budget. That way I'd save some money, and I'd also still have something some day if they asked - which I doubt they will. But, anyways. I felt bad having one on file for M, and nothing for them! So, I created some on Shutterfly and ordered them a few weeks ago.

Josh told me that was a silly idea. That I'd get them ordered, then not have a enough for everyone I'd like to send them to. That they'd sit on my table while I tried to create a master list. That I wouldn't know who to choose and where to cut it off. I told him that no, I'd be fine. I had a plan. Everything would be ok.

Well...he was right. :-(

They arrived a few weeks ago. Here they sit. I'm making myself address them today.

Ughhh....I feel really badly that I don't have enough to send to everyone that I'd like to. But...I don't want the ones I have to just sit on my table.

So, if you get one in the mail. Either don't tell anyone, or you better frame it and keep it FOREVER. Seriously. Ok. I'm kidding. (Sort of.)

Foto Friday - Me

Sometimes they all just want (to be near) Mama.
(I was pumping with the two on the couch, and when I was done, I held Carter for a while.)

:) Exhausting...but worth every second. I love these boys.

A Day In My Life

I decided (a couple weeks ago) to document a random Monday of my life. I did this at least once while M was younger, but haven't done it in a while. Obviously a lot has changed in my lately, so I figured...why not give it a go again?!

Monday, March 3

2:40am - 3:30am
The boys wake for their bottles. I change them and feed them (4 oz. of formula), and get them back to sleep. Usually one or two wake up and I'll try and feed them first before waking and feeding the third.


3:30am - 4am
I go and pump, then go back to bed.


7am - 7:45am
 At some point, after 6am two wake up, I bring them to bed with me. Sleep is crucial and worth it to me to let them co-sleep so I can get a few more minutes of sleep time. The boys (and I) sleep longer than usual, which leads to a frenzied 40 minutes of changing diapers, feeding them, and also getting M ready for school. Luckily, the boys go back to sleep after their 7am feeding pretty easily.

7:45am
M is off to school (either Josh or my Dad take her). I go and wash my face and put in my contacts and get dressed. ( I only shower every other day or so now that the boys are here!)

8am
I do dishes and minor kitchen clean up.


8:30am - 9am
I pump....with Cooper since he was fussing. (They are getting too big now for me to hold them on my lap like this!)


9am - 9:30am
I put Cooper in the boppy to sleep on the couch while I move as fast as possible to take out trash, clean up recyclables, empty dishwasher, sweep, pick up. If I don't clean, I'd work on TNT office stuff.

9:30am
Breakfast for me!


10am - 11:15am
Usually one baby wakes around 9:30/10am, Cooper is still awake, so I change him and feed him, the other two wake while I'm doing this, so then I feed them, and let them have wake/play time.


11:15am - 11:30am
Clean (or work on TNT stuff if needed)

11:30 - noon
RELAX (or work on TNT stuff). Today I opened the new Ergo baby carrier that arrived, and opened toys from the boys from our friends (The Schaefers). I think I pumped sometime here, too.


Noon - 1pm
M comes home from school (my Dad brings her home), and we eat lunch. Today I also have time to visit with Josh and Dad for a bit. Josh goes back to work.

1pm - 2pm
Change and feed the boys and then play time. My Dad is still here to help! Yay!


2:15pm
Dad leaves. I get boys and M down for naps. I pump. I try and eat a snack and maybe rest myself.

2:50pm
Tucker is done napping - I end up holding him and continue to try to get him back to sleep.

3:30pm
M didn't fall asleep, after an hour, I give in and let her out of her room.

3:45pm - 5pm
Wake the other boys, change diapers, feed them, and lay them back down for sleep after a bit of wake/play/have tummy time.


After M saw me take the picture above, she wanted to take a picture of Carter and me. She did a pretty good job!


5pm-5:30pm
I pump.

5:30pm - 7pm
I make dinner, we eat dinner, I clean up after dinner, and try and spend some time with M and Josh.

7pm
Carter wakes first. So I change diapers, and get them all fed.

7:30pm - 8pm
I give M her bath and get her jammies on while Josh entertains the boys.

8pm
(Attempt to) put babies to bed.

8:30pm
Put M to bed

9 - 10pm
Entertain/hold babies during their 'witching hour.' Josh and I watch some TV together. I pumped, too.


10pm
Finally, my day is almost over. I get bottles ready, change babies, and feed babies for their final feeding of the day.

10:45pm
Bed for the boys and me.

Whew. I'm tired just from typing this!!! lol. Shortly after this post, we started scheduling help from 6pm-9pm about 4 or 5 days a week. This is the busiest time for our family with dinner, feeding babies, pumping, M's bedtime/bath, and the boys' 'witching hour.' Help during this time is much appreciated! M only gets a bath when we have help over. And, the boys get baths about once a week for now (usually on Saturday). I have been having help over Saturday mornings while Josh works at the accounting office. 

We do like to keep Sundays all to ourselves for just our family time.

I know in the near future my needs for help watching the babies will also change as I will need to do more office work for TNT...but who knows how the boys' schedule and napping will change, too. For now, I just try and go with the flow.

I'm SO SO thankful for family and friends who have been helping.

We wouldn't be making it without them!

I hope to record random days of our life here and there again. I know it will be fun to look back on. I already read some of my days with M when she was a baby, and loved the memories!