I (can) do it!

I realize it has been a long time since I've posted a blog update but it has been transition city over here. Since my last post in August, the triplets started going to school with their big brother (which was exhausting for about a week and then they never looked back!), we started potty training, and last week Alexander turned 4. Nate settled into a relatively new job and I left the Chamber to work with my mom in October.

Life is never boring here and I wouldn't have it any other way. All of the boys are talking more and more, learning new words, and asking a lot of questions. It can get overwhelming but I think Nate and I balance their needs with ours pretty well. We joined the Y and start exercising regularly, which has provided some stress relief. The boys are taking swim lessons and absolutely LOVE it but it is surprising how 30 minutes of swimming wears them out.



Potty training is probably more of a commitment from Nate and I than it is for the boys. When you have 4 little ones racing around, it is hard to interrupt them on a timely basis to take them to the potty. Winston is very interested in potty training and is very close to wearing undies all day long. Benjamin is interested but still resists. Theodore could care less. This is one example of how different they are. Winston is very controlling, independent, and marches to his own drum. It is painful to watch how independent and obsessive he is sometimes when he gets so frustrated and won't let us help. Benjamin is very sweet, sensitive, and jovial. He can be stubborn but when given time to think about it, he lets you help him. He has great vocabulary and is the clearest speaker. Theodore is laid back, quiet, and care-free.There are pros and cons to all of these characteristics- the challenge is bringing out the best in them and taming the worst. 

Alexander is my little helper, often times encouraging and even disciplining his brothers. He sometimes is in his own world but I know he picks up on things when he doesn't seem to be listening because he asks me questions about it later. He had an amazing birthday with a visit from Spider-man and lots of great friends (I noticed him going to play with certain kids that he had yet to play with, which was really cool to watch). When I asked him what his favorite part of the day was he said, "birthday cake!" His grandma was in charge of the cake, as usual, and she didn't let him down. It was delicious.

On a typical night, the boys will bust through the doors of our house, looking for their favorite toys and a pre-dinner snack. After dinner, we play and eventually someone leads the evening ritual of putting on their superhero costume. Just like all of the superheroes we read about in books, they all have their own super powers and weaknesses. We love them all the same.

this is what happens when you put the almost 4-yr old in charge of the coal