Another Back Update

I'm happy to report that the herniations aren't severe enough to require surgery or bed rest. I'm starting physical therapy to help the situation.

1 Year Appointment Update

Here are the weights and lengths from the appointment -

Little Man - 18 lbs 13 oz, 28 1/2" long
Squeaky - 20 lbs 1 oz, 28 5/8" long
Blondie - 15 lbs 13 oz, 27 1/4" long

The worst part of the appointment was the immunizations. There were 4 and 1 was really painful. They still have sore legs today.

1 Year Appointment

Tomorrow is the one year appointment. More immunizations. A time to check on growth. A time to check on this virus that has all of us, including the parents, in it's grip.

Another Virus?

It seems that another virus of some kind is working it's way through the kids. Per kid, it seems to be about 48 hours of fussiness. They're wanting to sleep a lot during that time and eat very little. Are all kids this sick? It seems like ours get any type of illness going around.

Confusion Again

What happened when they turned 1? It seems like the things that made them happy, helped them eat, etc. have suddenly changed again. We're working on getting the new solutions.

Another Great Video - Outside Looking In

Here it is.

This one shows what it's like when you go out with multiples. Some curiosity is normal, but some people just go too far. We've always felt the stares and heard the comments, but this is an interesting view just to see how people really act. And yes, we've heard comments like the ones in the video.

You Have To See This

Thanks Chelle for this great triplets video link.

One Year Ago

What a difference one year makes. Happy Birthday to you, Little Man, Squeaky and Blondie!

Preemies

At the last Mothers of Multiples meeting, I was given a copy of Preemie Magazine. If you have a preemie, had a preemie, or are expecting preemies, check it out. If you are the parent of a preemie, you can get a free one year subscription.

Photos Added

First Birthday Party

We had the birthday party on Saturday afternoon at church. Blondie didn't want much to do with the birthday cake, but Little Man, and especially Squeaky, enjoyed playing with theirs. Little Man had no interest in wearing a birthday hat, but the girls didn't seem to mind. It's so funny to see their different personalities. We've added some photos to look at.

Birthday Party

On Saturday, we had the one year birthday party for the kids. We'll try to have some photos posted soon.

Back Update

Well, it's official. An MRI shows that I have 2 herniated discs. No wonder I've been having back pain. I go to a specialist next week to see what can be done. I just pray this will respond well to treatment.

Here One Day, Gone The Next

Recently we were listening to a radio show about children. The host was talking about how the first three years of their lives seem to take forever to go by. Once they hit around three years of age, the time flies and suddenly they are eighteen and probably headed off to college. It made me start to think about something that will happen to us. All three were here one day and one day they'll all possibly be headed off to college. What a change that will be. Okay, now I'm sad.

New Seats

We've decided to go with car seats that will grow with the kids from now until they age out of them. They are foward-facing seats that convert to booster seats when needed. We hope they last for 7 years. Little Man and Squeaky will be ready to go into their new seats soon. Blondie still has to gain some more weight before she'll be ready.

If I Had A Dollar For Every Time ...

We took the kids to the doctor today and then shopping for the next size car seats they'll be going to after their first birthday. I don't know how many people stopped us and said "I bet your days are really busy". What are you supposed to say to that? Something like, " No, they tend to take care of themselves and I have it easy".

Photos Added

A Great Read

Thanks to the Curletto family for posting a link to this story on multiples. Do you have multiples? Expecting multiples? Do you want a true glimpse into the world of multiples? It's a must-read.

Back Problems

Having back problems is bad enough. Having them with triplets is horrible. There seems to few opportunities to take it easy and rest my back. I'm just thankful the father and friends have been here to help me out.

Getting Out

This past Saturday, the father and I were actually able to get out on a date. (Thanks P, A and H for watching the kids.) If my memory is correct, this is only the second time in almost one year that we've been able to get out to eat and go to a movie. It's easy for time to pass quickly. Before you know it, it's been months since you've had a break and you just don't realize how stressed you are from being with the kids all the time. It can't be healthy for us or them. It was nice to get away and remember that we're more than just a mother and father.

Wow!

You know, there are still days when I get up and still can't believe I have triplets.

Shopping For Multiples

When you're shopping for multiples, it's important to get the best deal you can because you're buying for 2, 3 or more. It doesn't matter what you're shopping for - clothes, diapers, toys or anything else. We take advantage of the children clothing sales we know about. We've also been blessed with family and friends that have given us clothing, toys and more. (Thank you!!!) We were reading the Curletto family blog and they mentioned getting an MP3 player for their toddlers from this website. Do you know of other places online that have great deals in items for children?

This Must Be A Game

Last night, the girls were as wild and unruly as they could be and Little Man was the best kid in the world. They must be playing some sort of "I won't eat tonight if you won't eat tomorrow night" game with us.

Why Won't You Eat???

Little Man has decided that he just doesn't care for solid foods anymore. We have no idea why. He was fine until he caught a cold last week. He's over that now, but he still just doesn't care for solids. He fusses when when try to feed him. It's very confusing and frustrating. Any ideas from the parents out there?

Late Spring/Early Summer Colds

Those nasty colds have returned. It's no fun when all 3 are sick.

How Exciting

Last night at dinner, I was holding Squeaky. She looked at the father, waved her hand and said "Hey, Dada". It's the first time any of them have said that together. All 3 say "Mama", Dada" and "Hey", but that's the first time they've put the two together. And without any prompting or coaching from us. We were so excited.

InfantSEE

We took the kids today for their first eye exam. Did you know kids under 1 year of age can get a free eye exam through the InfantSEE program? We learned about this through the Mothers of Multiples group.

We sat and held the kids while the doctor looked at the exterior and interior of their eyes. Nothing too elaborate. No reading eye charts or anything like that.

Toy Selection

Before we put the kids in their highchairs each morning, we let them select a toy from a small box we keep on the bar in the kitchen. They get to choose from different rattles and noisemakers. They play with the toys while drinking from their bottles.

It's fun to watch them select something. Little Man and Blondie are usually quick to decide, but Squeaky likes to take her time and makes a careful selection. It really doesn't matter what they select though. As they sit eating, they pass the toys to each other. They rarely end up with the toy they started with.

Morning Talk Show

Who needs to watch morning television or listen to a morning radio show when you have triplets? Each morning, about 15 minutes before we get them out of bed for breakfast, they start "talking" to each other. It's the funniest thing to listen to them chatter and sing away. Sometimes we try to peek in the door and see them, but they usually catch us and stop. It's safest to listen to them on the monitor.

Why, Oh Why?

Putting the kids to sleep has suddenly become a battle. No one wants to go to sleep like they used to. We've stuck with the same routine. They either want to play in the crib or cry because we've put them in there to sleep. This isn't fun. As you know, when one starts crying at bedtime, eventually all 3 will cry and it's even harder to get them to sleep.

Photos Added

Could It Be Over?

Everyone had a good night and morning. Maybe this virus is behind us.

What A Long Weekend (And It Isn't Over Yet)

Just a quick post while we have a minute. Thursday night, Little Man was attacked with a stomach virus. It didn't hit Squeaky and Blondie until Sunday morning. It's been an extended weekend of trying to keep food down. Not a lot of fun for anyone. At this point, Little Man seems to be better, but Squeaky and Blondie are still having a rough time.

An important life lesson we've learned this weekend - If your baby has a meal that includes sweet potatoes, avoid beige carpet when they aren't feeling well.

"When Animals Attack"

Have you ever seen one of those shows on television? You know the ones that shows clips of people sitting with their animal. The animal is so cute and friendly. Suddenly it turns on them and starts attacking? That's the way it was last night for the father. It hasn't happened in a while, but he was the victim of an attack last night. I was at the YMCA. Everything was fine until he started feeding them. Near the end, Squeaky started crying, which caused Blondie to cry and then Little Man. Before long, all 3 were screaming at the top of their lungs. It's not a nice situation. We hope it doesn't happen again any time soon.

First Sign

Squeaky is definitely using the sign for eat when she is hungry at mealtimes. Yeah!!!

Lonely Little Man

Saturday night, Blondie, Squeaky and I went to a Mother's Day dinner at church. The father and Little Man were left at home. It was during that time that we realized how close the kids already are.

When the father was trying to feed Little Man, he refused to eat and kept looking at his sisters' high chairs. He knew they weren't there and that things were different. It was only after the father took him to an exersaucer that he would eat. It must have been the change in scenery because he wasn't expecting his sisters to be there beside him eating in the exersaucer. When the girls and I came back home, he was so excited. You could really tell they are a close trio.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

When Mommy's Your Name
by Jacey Reynolds

The telephone's ringing, the TV is blaring.
Sister is crying' cause Brother's not sharing.
There's a spill on the carpet that no one will claim.
There's no time for sitting when Mommy's your name.

The laundry is folded but not put away.
The dishes you just washed are from yesterday.
Without any warning your relatives came.
There's no getting caught up when Mommy's your name.

You drive to the market, you drive to the school
You drive to the cleaners, you drive the carpool
You drive yourself crazy, it's really a shame.
There's no time for resting when Mommy's your name.

To your bedroom you sneak to find peace for a minute,
but your minute is over before you begin it.
Your little one finds you and thinks it's a game.
There's no time for hiding when Mommy's your name.

At night as you kneel to thank heaven above you,
An angel creeps in and says, "Mommy, I love you."
You may not know glory or fortune or fame,
but what does it matter when Mommy's your name?

Hidden Camera?

When we pull out the camera or video camera, it always attracts the attention of the kids and they stop doing what we're trying to capture. We try to be sneaky with the cameras, but they always seem to catch us. We need to work on some type of hidden camera. Maybe hide it in the middle of stuffed animals or something like that. Any ideas?

More Teeth

Little Man and Squeaky are adding more teeth on the top. Blondie is finally starting to get some teeth on top.

Photos Added

We've added a few photos. We're not taking fewer, we're just being more selective about the ones we add.

Two Sets Of Triplets?

A New Jersey woman has delivered her second of triplets. I feel overwhelmed just typing that.

Mothers of Multiples - What Are You Worth?

According to this news story, a fulltime stay-at-home mother would earn $134,121 a year if paid for all her work. Here's an interesting fact from the story - "Employed mothers reported spending on average 44 hours a week at their outside job and 49.8 hours at their home job, while the stay-at-home mother worked 91.6 hours a week, it showed." So what are mothers of multiples worth? Two, three, four or more times that because of all the kids at the same age? I certainly think so. Want to calculate your worth? Go here.

"You're An Inspiration To Us"

We hear that, in various forms, from different people. The comment is always tied to us being parents of triplets. Most recently the comment came from a couple that had a baby in NICU the same time we were there. We ran into them at a store and they told us that when things got bad with their baby, they thought of us and realized it could be worse. In fact, threee times as bad. I'm sure there's a compliment in that statement. Seriously, we're glad we can be an inspiration for people. We must be able to fulfill the responsibilities or God wouldn't have given us three at one time.

Just A Thought

All baby clothes should have only velcro. No buttons, snaps or zippers. I think trying to get snaps to match correctly the first time on a full length outfit has to be some type of intelligence test.

I Just...

I don't know why people like to do this. It's usually the parents that have one kid. They like to say something like "I just spent so many dollars on my kid for braces, camp, school, etc." You get the idea. After they finish that sentence, they usually say something like "Oh my. Wait until your kids get that age. You'll have to spend three times that amount." Thank you very much. I learned quickly how expensive it is with triplets. And just for your information, I've probably spent more money on diapers than you can even imagine.

Sesame Street

We remember watching Sesame Street when we were kids. We turned it on this past Saturday just to see what it's like now because we know we'll be watching it with the kids in a few years. It seems to have changed a little from what we remember. That's why we were happy to find this link to some classic postings on the internet. Have fun watching them and don't forget to share them with your kids.

Bouncing In Exersaucers

The kids sure do love jumping and bouncing in the exersaucers. It almost seems like they enjoy that more than the Johnny-Jumpups. I can't help but think of Whack-A-Mole every time I see them jumping up and down in the exersaucers. Of course, we don't whack them on the head when they jump up though.

Another Sick Sunday

It's a week after Easter and 3 out of the 5 of us are still sick. Squeaky and Blondie are still the worst with runny noses. I can't seem to stop coughing. It's sad because we want to go to church. No matter what the illness is, it still seems us to take 2 weeks to get rid of it.

Rollin' and Tumblin'

Little Man is getting more mobile, but he moves by rolling. When you put him on the floor, he rolls around and keeps looking at us to see if we're watching. Last night, he wouldn't be still in his crib at bedtime. He wanted to keep rolling around. He especially seemed to enjoy rolling on his belly and looking up at us. He keeps moving like a barrel rolling down a hill.

I Wish I Had The Camera Ready

For the past few mornings the kids have been reaching to each other from their highchairs during feeding times. They'll hold hands for a few seconds. It's the sweetest thing. I wish I could get a photo of it happening.

New Teeth For Little Man

Little Man's top front teeth are breaking through the gum.

Slowly Turning The Corner

Are we beginning to see the end of the colds? Little Man is starting to get better, but Squeaky and Blondie are still congested. It's really bad for Blondie because she likes to keep her pacifier in while she's sleeping and that's hard to do with a congested nose. We keep making trips into the room at night to replace her pacifier when she loses it. That's a lot of fun (yeah, right) when she has thrown it out of the crib and we have to scramble in the dark to find it on the floor. Last night we were wondering if someone made glow-in-the-dark pacifiers and if that would make it easier to find them. We don't know about finding them, but they are available. Is there anything that isn't made for kids?

Thanks A Bunch, Easter Bunny

Instead of the usual basket of chocolates, the Easter Bunny decided to bring a basket of sickness. When it started, we thought it was just Little Man exhibiting some teething symptoms (grumpy, runny nose), but instead it was a cold that has begun its march through our family.

Happy Easter!!!

It's a few days early, but here are a couple of photos. Happy Easter!!!

Should I Be Mad Or Feel Sorry for Them?

Here's a story of a couple in Missouri that said they were expecting sextuplets. The community overflowed with support for them. It was just a hoax though to get the free things.

Teamwork

From reading any of our posts, you know how much work it is with multiples. I can only imagine how much harder it would be for one person to handle. That's why I'm glad the father and I make such a good team. When one of us is tired, the other seems to have lots of energy. When one of us has had all they can stand for the day, it seems like the other has lots of patience. We couldn't make it without each other.

We Have A Celebrity Look-A-Like

Get Ready Bunnies, Easter Is Coming

Here's an Easter photo sample. We took some photos outside when it was warm. We'll post more closer to Easter.

Photos Added

What Happened, Mr. Sandman?

For the past couple of nights, sleeping has not been what it used to be. Starting about 30 minutes after we put the kids down, and lasting for about 4 hours, either Blondie or Little Man wake up about every 30 minutes and start to cry. We usually go to them and replace a lost pacifier and this solves the problem, but why has it started? Possible teething pain? Changes in sleepwear due to warmer weather? We don't know why, but it would be nice if it would stop.

For Parents of Multiples

This quote was in an email from my "Mothers of Multiples" group a few months ago. Surely all parents of multiples can relate to it.

"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much. " - Mother Teresa

"Ma Ma"

Blondie has added "ma ma" to the sounds she's making. So far, she's the most vocal of all three. Maybe that's because she's the smallest and she's trying to make her voice heard.

Squeaky's Doing It Now

This morning, as if turning on a light switch, Squeaky has started using "ah" sounds and words just like Little Man and Blondie.

Father Friday - I'm Addicted

This week, we were given a container of Gerber Fruit Puffs for the kids. We're not sure if they like them or not. Sometimes they'll eat a few and sometimes they won't. I tried one after we opened the container, and let me tell you, I'm addicted to them. These are the strawberry-apple flavor and they remind me of Boo Berry cereal. I could eat them with milk for breakfast. The mother keeps telling me I need to stop eating them so the kids will have some. Don't tell her, I'm eating some while typing this.

Blah, Blah, Blah

That's one of the new sounds coming from Little Man and Blondie. They have started using "ah" sounds and words - blah, lah, dah. Squeaky makes plenty of sounds too, but not those yet.

9 Month Doctor Visit

Yesterday we went to the 9 month check-up. The doctor was pleased with the way the babies were growing. It was time for more immunizations and no one enjoyed those.

New Weights -
Little Man - 17 lbs 3 oz
Squeaky - 17 lbs 15 oz
Blondie - 14 lbs 11 oz

Cavities?!?!

Yesterday we noticed dark spots on the back of Squeaky and Blondie's lower teeth. Our first thought was "Oh no! They have cavities!" We tried to figure out what we had done wrong. We started brushing their gums and teeth at 6 months. We didn't let them go to sleep with a bottle. Any fruit juices were watered down before they received it. We had been following all the rules that we knew. How had this happened?

We called the pediatrician's office and they recommended a pediatric dentist. We called and made an appointment for today. Our fears were put to rest when the dentist looked at their teeth and told us the spots were from all the iron in the formula. Whew! What a relief. Then we started wondering why someone hadn't mentioned this to us before. It would have been nice to know that the iron-rich formula could have been the problem instead of jumping to the conclusion that they had cavities.

Boot Camp - One Week

Things seem to be going well with the all-at-one-time feedings. We have to sit with them and help them keep the nipples in their mouths. They like to pull them out and wave them around like lassos. The real trick is getting solids in all three of them at the same time. We need a long-handled, three headed spoon.

Photos Added

Developmentally Speaking

There's lots of information available about kids and what they should be doing at a certain age (sitting up, crawling, etc). When it comes to babies that are born early, can you really use those charts? If babies are born early at 34 1/2 weeks, like ours, how can you measure what they should be doing? Do you say they are 9 months old, but only 8 months old developmentally? Once they are born, do you start the developmental counter or do you factor in the prematurity of the child?

Boot Camp - Day 2

Things are going great. They are really taking to eating at the same time. We usually finish feeding all three in about one hour instead of taking almost 2 hours with the staggered times we were using.

Boot Camp For Everyone

We're all in training starting today. We've been feeding the kids at staggered times (about 40 minutes apart) just to make it easier for one person to feed them. That kind of worked, but it sure caused havoc with the nap times. One wanted to sleep and two didn't or two wanted to sleep and one didn't. It was very stressful. This morning, everyone was up and in their high chairs at the same time to start simultaneous feedings. We just moved from one kid to the next, spooning in food. When they finished with the solids, we gave them their Podee bottles and helped them keep the nipples in their mouths while they drank. It went okay this morning. They all finished at about the same time and were napping at the same time. Keep reading. We'll keep you updated.

More Teeth

Squeaky's top front teeth are starting to break through the gum. Way to go, Squeaky!

Candle Heads

We're just amazed at the amount of earwax that makes its way from the inner ear to the outer ear on our kids. You clean their ears and the next day, there's more wax in there. It's amazing. The father has started calling them "Candle Heads".

Making Headway

We're down to only two that have the sniffles.

Is Anything More Precious Than...

a sleeping baby (x3)? (Sorry, no photo. We can't seem to get all 3 to nap at the same time yet.)

Last Man Standing

Everybody is sick now, except for the father. That's good because we need him to keep going while the rest of us recover from a bad cold.

Spray 'n Wash, You're My Best Friend

When you have a baby, or in our case three, you always have items with spit-up on them. We were given some Spray 'n Wash at a baby shower and told to use it to help clean things we wash. Let me tell you, we've gone through a lot of it and it seems to get out all the baby-related stains we've encountered. If only they sold it in a larger bottle...

Little Man and Sitting

Little Man seems to have mastered his sitting skills. He only has the occasional fall over. Now if only he could learn to get into the sitting position on his own.

Snotty Squeaky

Early Sunday morning, we woke to the sound of coughing and raspy breathing on the baby monitor. We went to investigate and found that Squeaky had a cold. Other than some saline nasal spray, a vaporizer and some Pediacare, there was nothing we could do for her in the middle of the night. It sure breaks your heart to be in bed, listening to that sound and knowing there isn't anything you can do to immediately make her feel better.

Getting Ready Early

We've found that one of the things that helps us the most throughout the day is getting ready early for any activities. Whether it's bottles for the next day, setting out the carseats for a trip, prepacking the diaper bag ... anything we can do in advance sure makes the day go smoother.

Photos Added

The Party Isn't For Us

This has happened to us because of the triplets. It isn't intentional, but there doesn't seem to be anything we can do about it. We've been at social gatherings for other people, but all the attention is focused on the triplets. We usually feel really bad about it. We're not sure what to do about it except deciding to not go to those gatherings. Then you feel like you've done a bad thing to the person that the gathering is for. There has to be a solution. Any ideas?

Black and White and Loved All Over

This is an interesting twin story from the Daily Mail.

Birthday Planning

This weekend we realized the triplets are almost 8 months old. Is it too early to start planning the one year party? Probably not with the limited amount of time each day we can spend on planning it.

Father Friday - Interesting Packaging

The triplets received this gift for Christmas. We haven't opened it yet because they aren't walking. I was looking at it recently and started laughing at the packaging of the toy. I can't look at it now without laughing. If it was me, I think I would have made the box a little larger so it wouldn't look like one dog was sniffing the other one's tail.

Finally - Baby Dedication Photos

We're finally getting around to posting the official Baby Dedication photos. Try to ignore those copyright symbols in the photos.

Quads Laughing

A must see!

I Don't Know How You Do It

We hear that, in some form, from people all the time. From the outside, things must look better than they do on the inside. We always feel like it's a struggle to get everything completed each day. Feeding the kids, washing clothes and dishes, keeping the house in some order, taking care of ourselves, running errands...the list goes on and on. Somehow we manage. It's a mystery to us. And we must make it look easy. Trust us, it's an illusion.

One Week Without Posts

I just realized it's been one week since my last post. Sorry about that. I guess this was just a week without much to write about.

Sitting

Everyone is starting to sit more than usual. All 3 sit really well with some assistance. Little Man is almost to the point where he can sit by himself. This weekend, he was sitting by himself, leaned over to pick up a toy and then returned to a sitting position. Of course, we're always beside him just in case he loses his balance.

Photos Added

New Weights

As of yesterday afternoon, Little Man has taken the lead in weights again.

Little Man - 16 lbs 4 oz
Squeaky - 16 lbs 2oz
Blondie - 13 lbs 8 oz

What Will The Weights Be?

We go to the doctor today for another RSV injection. They'll be checking everyone's weights. I can't wait to see how much they've gained.

Father Friday - You Do What???

Breastfeeding kids is great, but I think this lady has carried it too far.

Why I Still Breastfeed My Eight Year Old Girl

I sent this story to daddytypes. A reader there sent in a link to a Little Britain clip about "extended breastfeeding". Maybe it's more common than I'm aware.

The Many Faces of Squeaky

Squeaky is a clown. She puts on the biggest show. She loves to change expressions, stick out her tongue, laugh and "talk". These photos were made in consecutive order. Squeaky is on the right. Watch her do her thing.

Germs and Multiples

Germs and multiples aren't a good combination. When one gets sick, the others probably will too. With triplets, you're looking at about 2 weeks of illness by the time it spreads and everyone is on the mend. We usually try to avoid situations where we know they can catch something.

This past Sunday, we rushed to get to church only to find out that someone in the nursery was sick. Squeaky had just recovered from a cold. We decided it wasn't worth it to leave them in the nursery and run the risk of somebody getting sick. Why do people bring out their kids when it's possible for them to spread an illness? I guess if you only have one child, it isn't a big deal if they get sick. They get better and things are back to normal. That isn't the case with us. Like the Energizer bunny, that illness just comes going and going until everyone is sick. That's why we try to be extra careful with illness.

A Small Victory

We consider this a small victory for us. We were able to clean the house Saturday. At all times - one person watched the kids and the other cleaned. Are things getting easier for us, are the kids getting easier to entertain or were we just lucky?

Pink Eye

This week, we had the first illness that we definitely didn't want spreading. Squeaky had pink eye. We discovered it at the first of the week and we took her to the doctor immediately. Today is the last dose of the eye drops and we are happy to say that no one else has shown any signs of catching the illness.

I Miss...

We compiled a small list of things we miss since the triplets were born. It's not what you think. Read on. Others that have kids can probably add to the list.

• I miss sleeping later in the morning, but I enjoy the early feeding and watching the sun rise while holding a baby.
• I miss having time to play my guitar, but I enjoy singing songs to the kids.
• I miss quiet evenings, but I enjoy the sounds of laughter when we're playing with the kids.
• I miss taking a nap on the couch, but I enjoy watching the kids sleep.
• I miss the free time, but I enjoy having three babies to love.
• I miss having time to clean the house, but I love filling my time with things I do as a parent.

Any others you can think of?