TERRIFIC TWO'S!

I am still in shock that my "babies" are 2. We celebrated their second birthdays in Mickey Mouse clubhouse style this past weekend with just family. I just wasn't up for a big party with friends and more kids so we kept it small, which was a good call because the party was on a Friday night and it was all I could do to get dinner ready on time.

They used the characters on the cakes to scoop up the icing (and some cake) on Nama's famous cakes

The boys have clearly entered the "terrible two's" but I am trying to be optimistic and calling it the "terrific two's." Other words to describe them at this stage are tough, tempermental, time-consuming, and toilet-interested. They sit on the potty and cheer after sitting there for a couple of minutes, even if they have not succesfully gone potty. They watch their brother get praise for going potty on his own and know it signifies "big boy" status so I think they will be receptive to potty training (WHICH STARTS SOON!!)

At 2 years old, here are their physical and personality stats:

Sweet and sensitive Benjamin weighed in at 35.5 lbs, 36.75", which we thought was huge until we looked at Alexander's 2 yr stats and he was at 37.5 lbs. However, we do give credit for Benji starting off at a disadvantage being born almost 5 weeks early at 4.5 lbs. Little peanut we called him; not anymore!
Benjamin has the best vocabulary right now, is interested in the piano and music the most, and is proud to be mommy's helper. He brings plates and cups to the sink, helps to unload the dishwasher, gets his own flatware from the drawer, and LOVES throwing trash including diapers in the trash. Love it!

Theodore weighed in at 31.5lbs and 36" and is so cute and quirky, he is guaranteed to make you smile. He is the clinger of the group, meaning sometimes we run away from him because if he attaches to you he won't let go and you are stuck holding him! But he is getting better now. His favorite game right now is "hide! momma hide!" He wants to hide under blankets with me and loves it. His smile is infectious and he is the most like his daddy.

Now to Winston. Controlling, silly, clever little Winston. He weighed in at 32 lbs, 35.5" and is the most difficult guy to deal with. He can also be the most passionate and loving. I am convinced that Winston will be successful in life because of his persistence and drive but whoever deals with him needs to understand him to get through to him. I think he knows how to behave but he also knows how to work the deal. My dad calls him the "Senator."

They are all talking like crazy. Even Alexander comes up with stuff that cracks us up. Every day is a new phrase or word. Alexander is picking up on the boys' new found language skills and gets a little annoyed because sometimes they say real words but they don't make sense. He corrects them and sometimes even tells them to pipe down because when they are all chirping at the same time, it gets a little loud. Poor guy.

This stage with ALL FOUR BOYS is all about testing limits and trying to assert independence at every step. They are all very different but at the same time, they all thrive on routine and rules. That suits us fine. The triplets begin going to the Children's Center of Knoxville (CCK) the week after Labor Day so that will be a huge transition but we are very much looking forward to them joining their brother at "school" and exploring new things outside of the house. Stay tuned for potty training!!

Beach Bums

We went to the beach a couple of weeks ago and it has taken me about this long to recharge and recover. It was a blur and when we first returned I felt a little cheated that I didn't get the "vacation" that I needed and had imagined in my mind. I don't know what I had expected but vacationing with 4 boys under 4 plus their cousins was exhausting and at times more chaotic than life at home. Keeping up with sunglasses, hats, suits, sunscreen, pool toys, etc., was non-stop. And taking them out of their routine took a toll on them by the end of the week.

BUT over the past couple of weeks I have been able to reflect on the fun moments we did in fact have with the boys and our extended family. The precious time spent hanging out with family in a gorgeous beach house with amazing weather, food, and new experiences was incredible. Looking at the pictures reminds me of the beach and the slivers of bliss we experienced when everyone was content. It was a whirlwind but it will only get better (I keep telling myself...) and someday I am going to miss that whirlwind.

We didn't take too many pictures but we did get professional family photos I will post later. On the beach or by the pool we were literally in life-saving mode to make sure no one drowned or got hurt. I think everyone got saved at least once. The boys didn't play in the sand as much as I expected (I had visions of them building sand castles hours on end...ha!) but they were in awe of the tide, liked finding shells and putting the living creatures back into the water (crabs, starfish, etc.) And they LOVED jumping into the pool and making a big splash.

Here are a few of the pictures we did manage to take...

Our view from the house - great access to the beach and pool, convenient yet terrifying with all the little ones!

our beautiful beach house - Nate and I slept at the very top with all the boys, who were our 6am alarms every day :)

A moment out of the sun, Oliver and Alexander were feeding some fish they had collected

The trips taking a snack break (from L to R: Winston, Benjamin and Theodore)

Benjamin with his "girls" (great grandma and his new cousin Beatrice)

The boys playing pool (Papi, Beau, Alexander, and Russell)

The tightest cousins ever

Winston not having a fit

Sweet Theodore

Benjamin's scrunchy face

Uncle Russell teaching Winston how to skateboard



I can't wait until our next crazy family vacation :)

 

The Great Outdoors

 Nate and I have had a blast hanging out with the boys lately. We have been spending a lot of time outside at baseball games, going to parks, eating out, and as of this Memorial Day weekend, swimming. Except for the swimming part (which I will explain later), outdoor activities have been really fun and sometimes even a break for mommy and daddy. We went to the water fountains at World's Fair Park and they LOVED the fountains, even though the water was pretty cold. All 4 of the boys walked up to the fountains together, realized they were the only boys there with t-shirts on, and then one by one tore them off. Then you could see their minds working as they each calculated the risks and rewards of splashing around in the fountains and then all proceeded to enjoy the water in their own way. Alexander was a wild man, Benjamin was cautious, Winston just immersed himself and Theodore preferred to be held.

This past weekend we went to the zoo and the boys got a kick out of the chimps. We were brave and entered the zoo with no stroller which forced the boys to hike the zoo on their own and forced us to herd them like little ducklings from exhibit to exhibit. I must say Alexander is extremely patient to wait on his brothers who dawdle and stray, and he even helps guide them by taking their hand and walking them to the next destination. Most of the time they take his hand happily and go along with him. It would be totally understandable for a 3-yr old to get anxious and impatient but not him. I think he seems to understand that we are doing our best to get where he wants/needs to go. He even lets Winston wear his Spider-Man suit!

Winston

Baseball season is over now but for a while there we had 2 games a week, which seemed like kind of a lot. They were short games and the trips chowed down on snacks the whole time so it was a good experience overall. Alexander was about 25% into the game so I'm not sure whether we will play again until he asks to play.

Now to the swimming. Don't get me wrong, it is fun. But it is extremely stressful and you can't play zone defense in that game. It is best to be man-to-man and you can't take your eyes off of them for a second. They all love the pool which we are happy about. But it is definitely going to take a few summers before we feel like we can kick back and watch them frolic from the sidelines. For now, it is stressful fun and we may just need to get some good life preservers and give ourselves a break.

Summertime with a 3 year old and three 21 month olds means later bedtimes and lots of sunscreen and bug spray. We are tired but it is a happy tired for Nate and I. The boys are all blossoming and happy so we couldn't ask for more.

Spring Flings

Just about the time we thought winter would never end, spring finally arrived and we got reacquainted real fast with the great outdoors. The boys LOVE playing outside and the new feeling of freedom it gives them.

In the past month, Alexander started playing Wee Ball, Nate had a birthday, and the trips are babbling up a storm. Their single, biggest frustration these days is probably their inability to tell us exactly what they want. They grunt, whine, and point to communicate with us which means we usually have to play a game of charades to figure it out. They understand everything we say but can't put enough words together yet to boss us around. Can't wait for that day. :)

Daddy's 35th birthday - Alexander blew out the candles :)

Alexander has been so helpful with his little brothers. He mimics me when I tickle or play with them, and also when I reprimand or correct them. I have also caught him cracking up at them too. The other day he was in the back of the car with Winston and they were going back and forth talking to each other - Alexander was asking Winston questions and Winston was replying with baby talk, which just cracked Alexander up.

Alexander was proud of his Easter cut-out cookies

Benjamin is so sensitive and sweet, but also very stubborn and sometimes a bully. If he doesn't get his way about something, he will stay upset for a long time and will not let you forget he is not happy with you. Benjamin is addicted to the remote control and my phone. Maybe he can teach me all the functions on my iPhone someday. His full belly laughs are amazing and when he has a good day, he is the most pleasant little, butterball (weighing in at 33 lbs!!).

Winston still prevails at the gross motor skills, walking up and down the stairs holding the rail and dancing up a storm when music comes on. He is a total bookworm, sometimes carrying a book around with him all day. He's probably the most adventurous of the three, evidenced by pure pleasure when we were in a car wash the other day and the other 2 trips were very nervous about it and on the edge of tears.

Theodore is a ham and a big tease. He is also the biggest whiner when he wants to be held or one of his brothers bumps him, for example. He is the fine motor skill guy, so loves flicking on and off the light switches and can do it easily. He is also the guy that first climbed out of the crib and almost gave me a stroke when he hid and fell asleep under his brother's crib. This activity has calmed down by the way. We let them climb in and out during play time but we are adamant that when it's sleep time, there is no climbing out and they have pretty much adhered to that rule. Thank goodness, I was worried it was too early for toddler beds.

I think the triplets are going through a growth spurt because they are eating everything in sight. Even after a full meal they go to the pantry for snacks. Just a preview of their adolescent years I'm sure, so I will reserve my complaints until we have to take out a second mortgage to feed them. They are getting so independent and their latest demand is to sit at the kitchen bar and snack while I cook or clean up in the kitchen. Here is a video of them doing just that. They feel like such big boys, which they are!

Somehow everyone was satisfied with their spot on momma and everyone was happy!

We now have 4 under 4!

Last month Alexander turned 3 so we can no longer say we have "3 under 3." And I am OK with that! He had a fun Buzz Lightyear birthday party with lots of friends, cake, and candy (by way of a Buzz pinata). 



Cousin Oliver got to join Alexander's class celebration -A was so excited!!

Buzz Lightyear home-made chocolate cake, made by Grandma of course

I am embarassed to admit that although the party was super fun, it was way too chaotic for me to keep track of gifts given to Alexander. At one point I walked into the room and he was tearing into gift bags. Whoops. So, for that I apologize publicly to anyone reading this who gave Alexander a gift and didn't receive a "thank you" from us!! If it makes you feel any better, he fully enjoys all of his toys and clothes so I can honestly say whatever you got him, he loved it. :) And to those of you who followed my advice and didn't bring a gift, thanks for that too. Our house is wall-to-wall toys and one less new toy is one less toy we have to pick up every night.

Alexander has thankfully left the terrible 2's and I have yet to see the psychotic 3's that some people have worried me about. He is calmer, more helpful with the trips, and for the most part, knows when we mean business. It is more of a struggle to get him to eat dinner these days but man does he love his snacks (raisins, gold fish, yogurt, gummies, pretzels, etc.) The triplets are up and down with their appetite: some days they can sure put away the groceries and I have visions of one of us getting a 2nd job when they enter their teen years and are eating their weight in food; other days they are less interested.

One of the small joys of having triplets is that commonplace things that might be a struggle with one child are really exciting for the triplets. One such example is tooth brushing. They love doing it and get excited when we break them out at bedtime. I don't know if they think they are big boys or if it's because they each have their own personal toothbrush, but they love it.

The triplets are talking (more like babbling) up a storm. They all love books but Winston is clearly the book worm. He will carry around a book, not necessarily the same one, all day long. Winston is very conscientious about the order and place of things. He will bring shoes to their owner and insist on us putting them on, he will help me bring cups downstairs when it's time for breakfast, close doors when they are cracked, etc. He is an anal mini-me and I love it!

Theodore is playful and gives million $ smiles, but is mischevious too. He is the climber who has taught everyone else to move stools and chairs around to turn the light switches on and off, on and off, on and off...

Benjamin is very sweet and loving, he is a like a big teddy bear. He also is the bully that just walks up to someone and takes their toy away. Then he has a fit when the toy he has stolen has to be returned. They are all starting to play the games we play with Alexander, like playing chase and throwing balls. They are expert stair climbers and understand most of what we say. I can't wait until they can have conversations with all of us. Or maybe I can... :)

They all just had their 18 month well-visits at the doctor and all are doing great. Theo and Winston are 29 lbs and Benjamin is a whopping 32 lbs (+95th percentile!). They are all between 30-31.5", with Theodore being the tallest. Speaking of check-ups, Alexander's 3yr appointment was great as well- size wise, he was 41lbs, 41".

If you want to see the trips in action, here is a video of them in action.



Theodore in jammies

Benjamin and Winston in their jammies
 

See ya January

Winston in the hospital :(

So the boys decided to kick off the new year with RSV and then pink eye! Winston had so much trouble breathing we had to go to the ER and then ended up staying over night. Although it was exhausting to sleep in a twin bed with a 16 month old, I also realize how lucky we are to not have anyone chronically ill requiring us to be at the hospital on a long-term basis. The people at East TN Children's Hospital are wonderful but a hospital visit is never fun.

Meanwhile, we have had an ice storm and what felt like a blizzard in these parts. Of course in East Tennessee fashion, it was sunny and warm 24 hours later. Alexander got to play outside in the snow with daddy, and the boys loved watching from inside.

The babies are doing well. Winston still walks around like he owns the place. Theodore is either hanging on me or off doing something on his own. Benjamin has been very happy and content. All are understanding so much and starting to say words (in addition to momma & dada, banana, apple, "i want that!", and more) and animal sounds. They definitely have a love/hate relationship with each other. They know each other so well, it is so interesting to watch how they know and respond to each other.

Alexander finally has his colors down. I think his favorite is green. He has gotten so self-sufficient about a lot of things too- he goes to the bathroom when he needs to, helps feed the babies/fetch their cups when they drop, and go get a snack when he's hungry (this is not always a good thing...) He is excited about his birthday party in February: Buzz Lightyear!

A couple of highlights in early 2013:

• We finally decided to introduce teeth-brushing to the babies. They actually freaking love it and we have to tear the brushes away from them. Don't worry - their teeth weren't totally neglected until now. But we just did the ole swipe with the wet washcloth until now.

• All of a sudden I feel like I am living in a nudist camp. Alexander insists on sleeping in the nude and the babies feel the most comfortable in their birthday suit. I don't know how long this will last but I'm sure right around the time I start to get used to it, it will no longer be appropriate.

• Alexander has discovered donuts and he likey. I wish Krispy Kreme could secretly mix in a serving of veggies so I could feel better about it. But they are just so dang good.

A sigh of relief

When I look back over the past year, I breathe a sigh of relief that we made it. For me, 2012 was a constant test of adaptability. Whether it be physical, mental, financial, or professional, we found ourselves having to adapt to change on a weekly basis. Most significantly, our family of six adapted to a new home and being on our own, and from having 3 infants and a toddler to 3 toddlers and a little boy. We have settled in quite nicely with each other and our current daily routine.

I expect 2013 to be more about endurance and making time for each other, whether it's a much-needed family vacation or date night for Nate and I. The boys' routine will probably continue for the most part throughout the rest of this year. My goal for the triplets is to be done with diapers by 2014!! I hope Alexander will begin to see his brothers more as playmates and less as little babies that he has to tolerate. I see that happening more and more now that all 3 triplets are walking well, but I think when they start talking Alexander will find them more interactive.

Towards the end of 2012, Nate and I found a few quick getaways gave us some space to reconnect after a year of all of our energy being directed towards the kids. We realize that we need to make more time on a frequent basis to communicate and share ideas. That will be a challenge with our busy schedules but fortunately the kids are getting easier to handle (not lighter but more independent and able to follow directions) so childcare will hopefully be less of a problem towards the end of 2013.

One of the greatest things I learned in 2012 is to keep things in perspective. Even with all of the sweat, tears, and blood we had to overcome last year, we still have a pretty amazing life. We are fortunate to be able to more than provide for our family. We are fortunate our boys are all healthy and happy. And we are fortunate we are surrounded by family and friends that love us.

Whenever I am out and other mothers are shocked by how much energy I have to care for 4 boys under 3, I tell them "You do what you gotta do" and smile. It's true, you do what you gotta do. But the truth is I am the luckiest woman in the world. And I am grateful I get to wear that crown for another year.


The triplets all watch intently as Alexander dives into the air. Later, Winston tries to copy his big brother, unsuccessfully. Fortunately, no trips were made to the hospital on this day. :)



Christmas time at Grandma's house (L to R: Benjamin, Theodore, Alexander, Winston and my mom)

Aunt Becca was kind enough to make a video of the boys during her wonderful, long visit in December. Thank you auntie! http://youtu.be/c70YEP3QLbw