Re-defined by triplets

There are a few words in our vocabulary that have new definitions since having triplets...

Quickly

Before kids this had one meaning (and when I run an errand by myself I remember what quick really is!). Then I had 1 child, and I had to re-adjust my expectations. And with each additional child "quick" changed just a little. Now with triplets, I am pretty sure my "quick" would be most peoples "slow." We can't be out the door much faster than 20-30 minutes due to fastening 3 infant car seats, multiple trips to carry them out, and inevitably finding something is missing or forgotten, and don't forget the other 3 kids that still have their own definitions of "quick". And so it goes with any simple task: playing, eating, moving from one room to another. Consequently, I am grateful others "expectations" of me have also been redefined!

Fatigue

I have never understood how people could function on little to no sleep. And now I have realized something important... you don't. We often are just going through motions, we just keep moving, and somehow the hours turn to days, and the days to weeks, and you find yourself wondering if you are going to remember much. We remember the important things, like feeding the kids (mostly because they remind us), but the dog has learned she has to remind us if we forget her food. We have been known to do things such as forgetting to rinse out conditioner from our hair, forgetting kids homework or piano, or forget to assign someone to teach the lesson on Sunday (normally a weekly habit). There are so many other examples... but of course I am too tired to have much of a memory right now.

Repetition

We all know how repetitious having a baby can be: you read the same books, sing the same songs, do the same activities every day. Well now I do those same things... but 3 times as much. I sing patty-cake 3 times, because each boy should get the chance to do the actions and giggle right? And we say the same nursery rhymes with tickles for each boy as well. Luckily we read the book once, they just have to squish together. But changing diapers, preparing bottles, doing bath time, lotioning the screaming child, and other such daily tasks are also now done 3x over. Luckily each boy responds with his individual personality, so while I am doing the same superman trick, they are each giving unique reactions. And we all know that we would do just about anything to be rewarded with that baby smile... even if we do it 9 times in a row, because then we might get 3 big smiles.

Service

I have never felt so humbled by the service people continually provide to us. It comes in unexpected text messages, phone calls, meals, diaper deliveries, help with getting kids to dance/school/etc., watching boys while I run errands, and the list goes on. I accepted months ago that I will never be able to write enough Thank You cards, but it is still difficult to accept that I won't be able to "pay back" these acts any time soon. We have a new understanding and appreciation for those who serve because they are good people doing good things for no good reason other than kindness. These are the people that make my days doable... because they are just generous people.

There are so many other words... but for now these are the ones that define my days.

Some pictures to share...

Bubble Time

Waiting for their turn in the bath

Ella showing the boys how to not roll out of tummy time immediately, but enjoy it...

 Ella propping up Creighton so I can try to get a picture of them all on their tummy's

 And the roll... Creighton & Paxton have it down!

Changes in the Hair

It started with a conversation one morning...

Me: "Why don't you wear your hair down any more?"
Thea: "Because it bothers me when it is down!"
Me: "You know you could try cutting it and maybe it wouldn't bother you so much. Or we can just keep putting it up."
Thea: "But if I cut it I can't do a princess twist!"
Me: "You don't have to cut it that short. You can cut it to your shoulders and I will still be able to do pretty much anything."
Thea: "Can we go today after school?"

Well, we didn't go that day, but at the first opportunity to escape the house without the triplets we hit the hair salon and Thea cut off 8 inches. It's adorable and so her! And now the stringy ends are gone, because it has been 4 years since she would let me really cut it (thank you Rapunzel)! Very cute Thea... and the highlight for her was all the attention she got when people first see it, she loved surprising people!

Growing One Snow Storm at a Time

Before January even officially began we had days of snow! And the girls got to experience sledding for the first time. It was a hit! Although Ella spent her time eating snow rather then hiking up snowy hills.

 The boys turned 5 months 

Dad's version of "reading" to the boys and entertaining them. Good thing we have moms & dads, they get exposed to so much more! 

When he is home Mark dresses the boys after their bath's, but one night when I was doing bath's alone I came into the room to find Thea dressing the boys!  I was so impressed with her initiative and helpfulness! I had to snap a picture to remember this moment in life that reminded me how quickly time is passing and how much growing up is occurring in our home each day.

 Then we got an even bigger snow storm! Over the course of 36 hours we accumulated 24 inches at our house (and the kids still had school this day! Thank goodness for neighbors who were willing to drive them). It was the type of storm that only comes every few years.

The girls enjoyed every inch! And the boys and I hung out inside... although I did take Weston outside for a picture, but he was not so sure about the snowflakes on his face.

Weston's First Bites

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqn7cU9Bwc4

Weston took his first bites in stride, and with each bite got a little more interested. He plays with his tongue a lot, but by the end he was cooing and talking and would get excited when the spoon came around to him again. (and yes, that is Paxton still crying about his bite in the background... see Paxton's post for more). With time Weston will figure out how to not thrust the food out and I see him as loving eating more each time.

Weston continues to be the quiet, but when he decides to talk or make noise it is the sweetest little, quiet sound. Mostly he loves to gurgle. And whenever I cuddle him he falls immediately to sleep. He continues to be the biggest of the boys and is currently the fastest eater & eating the most consistently. But he refuses to life his head up during tummy time like his brothers, and he is the only one who isn't rolling over, however, he rolls on his side and grabs toys and is making his own sweet strides.

Creighton's Loves Food

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVZW6JlUBOo

Creighton's first taste of food was met with the same enthusiasm and joy that Creighton shows us every day. He was excited and couldn't get another bite fast enough. He was talking, laughing, and enjoying every little bit of this new eating adventure. He was also very messy, but with a smile and laugh like he has the mess just seems to be part of the joy. (and yes, in the background of the video you can hear Paxton still complaining about his bite of food... see his first bite post for more).

Creighton still loves his pacifier, but he is falling in love with his blanket! He will always fall asleep with handfuls of blanket in each fist, and sometimes in his mouth if he loses his pacifier. When he wakes he is always perfectly content to sit in his crib if he can find a fistful of blanket.

And, like his brothers, he often falls asleep in random places... here he is on my lap while I worked in the computer. 

Paxton's First Bites & More

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewgj29KvLC0

So the boys had their first feeding. And Paxton started crying as soon as he felt the cereal in his mouth. So we filmed his second bite: and it wasn't any better. After each bite he took about 10 minutes to stop crying. I suppose we will give him a little while longer before we try to make him eat again, poor guy. Who knew cereal could be so traumatic!

Below is his first bite:

So while he may not like the texture or taste of cereal he is my first baby to like his thumb. He is often found sucking his thumb to calm himself, after he wakes up, or while trying to go to sleep. He will not spit out a pacifier in favor of his thumb. Oh dear. So many new things for this mom.

YouTube Hit...

I have a friend I have met in my triplet mom group who has made the most hilarious video! Be sure to check it out! She and her husband made it originally as a gift for family for Christmas, but it is getting national attention because of the humor!

Don't miss it: I'm a Daddy & I Know It!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8xcBmj1sn8