Three Times the Fun!

Last week we had awesome play date with three sets of triplets! My girls are 1.5 year olds, Tara has 2.5 year olds, and Meg has 3.5 year olds. Meg and Tara each have two { non-identical } boys and a girl!

Here are all the kiddos behaving so well eating lunch! I was so proud of my biggest girls!

Three Mommas and 11 kiddos (Meg's oldest was at camp for the day!)!

Even Emily had a good time watching all the kids run around and play! She loves getting snuggles from Meg!

Love play dates with all our multiple friends and their Momma's! I wish my house was bigger so I could host my own multiple's play group each month!

{ Randoms }

Because that's the day I'm having. 


Random.


It's Wednesday.


I was suppose to take my three biggest girlfriends to DC with my fellow awesome momma friend and her sweet boy, but the 100 degree weather and chance of bad storms had us rethinking our idea of pushing two double strollers with the estimated weight of at least 45 lbs each all around the sweltering crowded streets of our nations capital. Tomorrow sounds much better where the high will only be 90.


My lists are in full-force for preparing and planning for our vacation in 23 days. Not like anyone is counting until my toes are in the sand and I'm laid back relaxing on the beach running after 3 crazy toddlers going in every direction like a mad woman.


Speaking of the beach, I ordered a bathing suit, compliments of my lovely Momma, and when it came, well, I guess I thought my body was still what it was prior to having four kiddos in 13 months. It ain't what it used to be, ladies! So, I ordered one size up in the top, and have been waiting double the time it took for the first one to get here. That doesn't make sense to me.....half the bathing suit equals double the time to get here. It better come today or else...I'm sick of walking all the way out to the mailbox to be dissapointed each time!


The concrete step/stoop, whatever, on our front porch, has mad stains on it and it's driving me bonkers. I hate it. It looks terrible and I cannot have the front of my house, or any part of my house, not in order and looking it's best. I have googled what to do, and of course expected all the answers, because what doesn't google know...but I have yet to find something that works, other than possibly gettin' down on my hands and knees and scrubbing the hell out of it. That doesn't sound appealing in this summer heat.


We are on night 100 million of Emily still CIO in the early morning hours. She is getting better...I mean we have improved from 2 hours crying to less than 30 minutes, but still it breaks my heart every darn morning listening to her cry. I HATE IT! Let me say that again, I HATE IT! But she proves she can self-soothe, go without eating and go back to sleep on her own...so I know I am teaching her the proper skills. The one time I gave in and went in and held her for a little while, as soon as I put her down, she screamed and we started the process all over again. Again, I acted on my emotions and I made it harder for my child. Not good. Proves to me it's habit and she is learning! Momma is in charge little lady! It also helps when she wakes up in the morning with smiles on her face, cooing and acting like she has no memory of her early morning cries.


I was doing really well on making elaborate dinners every night, and preparing everything and just ya know, being a good wifey....yeah...last night we had hot dogs and beans. LOL, and the night before that, salads with shrimp on them. Easy peasy. 


"Our farm" as my hubby likes to call it or the big garden at my MIL's house is starting to produce in big numbers. So glad we all decided to collectively go in and do it! Squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, watermelon, peppers...I'm getting so much squash already and I don't know what to do with it all! (any good recipes ya'll have?) The other night we had a summer spaghetti and it was delicious! It consisted on zucchini, baby bella mushrooms, onion, diced tomatoes, sauteed in butter, little bit of salt and put over angel hair pasta with some romano cheese. Delicious!


Also, I know I have some wonderful bloggin' Mommas in New Orleans...my hubby wants a good, authentic recipe for jambalaya. I don't think I will be a big fan, but I'll do anything for my hubby....almost anything.


After months of begging my hubby to put our TV on the wall, he finally caved in and did it the other afternoon after yelling at the girls not to touch it, climb on the TV stand and push all the buttons a million and one times. I may have said, I told ya so, ten times or so. When Madelynn saw the TV up on the wall, on cue she said, "ohhhh, wow!" Love that girl.

Speaking of the girls, Claire bit the dust yesterday and bit through her whole bottom lip. Not fun. Blood everywhere and for a minute or tow I thought for sure she would have to get a stitch or two. Thank goodness she didn't and instead just looks like she had her lips done and used a little more lipstick then normal. This is also after she was bit twice by a bee on Thursday night. Poor girl, rough, rough week.

Emily's crib should be here any day and I am super excited she will finally be out of the pack-n-play! I have been so nervous because she rolls onto her stomach to sleep now, no matter how many times I put her back on her back, but even at almost 6 months old { AHH...6 MONTHS!?!? } it still freaks me out!

And speaking of Emily, she is now officially a PRO at eating her banana oatmeal each night. She eats probably about a cup (no joke!) with 3-4 ounces of formula in it. Little Miss Piggy!


Oh, and I got an awesome dresser { FOR FREE } for her room! Totally excited about that! It's pink with white polka dots! How cute! As soon as it arrives at our house, I will take a picture!


The girls have been biting each other so hard they draw blood most times. I'm serious. It's that bad. Biting on fingers, backs, shoulders, arms, stomachs...you name it, they are biting each other there. Madelynn just got bit this morning by Natalee on her belly button and it bled. No fun!


This little girl is spending more time in time out than any other place these days due to the information above. But she is so darn cute....it's so hard to discipline when I just want to eat her up!

We finally got our photos taken for our pool passes. It's kinda funny because each of the members can bring up to 6 guests..that means my family alone can bring an extra 36 people. And speaking of the pictures...my family looks like, well, I can't even comment on what we each look like. But what I will say, is that I will be keeping these photos forever to use as blackmail when my teenage daughters don't want to behave! Ha! Miss Madelynn's photo however, was wonderful. She is a doll.

And last....don't forget if you want to guest post for me while we are at the beach...I would greatly appreciate it!

Guest Posts?

Just wondering if anyone would like to do any guests posts for me while we are at the beach in August?

You can do it on anything you would like...parenting, traveling, cooking...the possibilities are endless! :)

Just email me and let me know what you would want to do and have it to me by August 5th! 

Thanks so much!

Prayers!

I was just informed that my dear friend gave birth to her triplet girls last week at barely over 24 weeks. We normally talk each week, but I didn't think much of it when I didn't hear from her until she called tonight. I knew in her voice immediately something was wrong. She told me her girls were delivered via c-section after three long days of being in the hospital and doctors trying to stop her delivery. Finally, the doctors did all they could and her girls were born weighing 1lb 7oz and the other two girls at 2lbs.

The girls are doing well and stable at this time. Please join me in keeping these precious angels in your thoughts and prayers. 

Unfortunately, I know all too well what she is going through at this time and all the prayers sent her way are surely appreciated. The sadness, the fear, the anxiety. My heart aches for her. I know what her heart is feeling right now. I wouldn't wish those feelings on anyone.

Thank goodness she is in a wonderful hospital with wonderful doctors and nurses to watch over and protect her girls and be there to support her. (the same hospital all my girls were born at) 

I am reminded of this poem that I saw awhile ago and posted it...

When Mommy Couldn't Hold You

By Sarah Kamienski

"Pregnant? Us? Oh, this will be great!,"

I remember thinking that day.

Not having a clue what lay in store,

Or really knowing the way.

After days and weeks and months of growing,

You made Mommy's tummy quite large.

For each moment that you were safely inside me,

I felt that I was in charge.

Then all of the sudden - I couldn't believe it!

Mommy felt so unprepared.

When the doctor said, "This is it! Here we go!"

Mommy was so very scared.

You were not "due" for weeks to come,

I thought I had so much more time

To prepare myself, my heart, my life,

But my plans flipped on a dime.

Then all of the sudden and without much warning,

It was all taken out of my hands.

When out of my tummy you came so fast,

And then Mommy's real fear began.

Although my tummy seemed quite large for me,

You, my dear, were not.

Off to the NICU, alone, you were sent.

My heart, it leapt, felt caught.

A whole new world we entered then,

Not knowing quite what to do.

Not able to hold you, at first, even touch you

And yet, oh, how my love grew!

After just one moment of breathing you in,

My heart was forever changed.

For you had captured me with your precious spirit;

A stake in my soul, you had claimed.

I watched and I cried as they wrapped you in blankets,

Swaddling you with oh so much care.

I raised my empty hands up to Heaven,

Admitting I was so very scared.

I longed to hold you. I longed to protect you.

I longed to make it ok.

Yet, it became clear that I was no longer "in charge,"

And that all I could do was pray.

I offered my milk, I offered my presence.

I learned how to touch you just so.

That you would feel safe, cared for, and loved,

Through the glass you would know.

Then, as clearly as day, I opened my eyes

And saw for the very first time-

It wasn't the incubator that held you at all.

It was God. His hands, you were fine.

You see, dear child, I never had control,

As much as I would've liked to think.

For this was His plan, I see now so clearly.

In letting go, I found the link.

The comfort in moments of fear for tomorrow;

the solace for unending tears.

The truth that when Mommy couldn't hold you,

Dear child, He was so very near.

His angels around you, above and below,

They guarded you morning and night.

Singing sweet songs and calming your fears;

Never letting you out of their sight.

You see, my sweet angel, I have learned at long last

That there is no guarantee.

All we have is this moment to love one another,

To rest, to cherish, to be.

So, as you grow up and the memories fade

Of your days spent in the NICU,

May you always remember the closeness you felt

To the One who protected and held you.

I know you'll be scared again someday.

But whenever you feel some alarm,

Remember the truth that when Mommy can't hold you,

God holds you safe in His arms.

This poem was dedicated to Ansley, Noah and Jack; born at 28 weeks 5 days on April 22, 2008.

Em's First Oatmeal!

Over the weekend I gave Emily banana oatmeal cereal for the first time and she did awesome! She has had it each day now, in the evening and is LOVING it! I swear, she is such a great eater and so much better than the triplets were at the same age!

And then I decided to take a little video of her eating too...and then when I uploaded it, it deleted itself!! Err!

More Spaghetti, Please?

By the look of these photos, it's no secret that my girls are in love with spaghetti these days. Two nights after these photos were taken, Claire had three huge bowls for dinner! 

Needless to say, they only get spaghetti on bath nights!

Natalee looks like she had a bad spray tan...but she was so happy!

I am so glad they are getting better and better each day with using spoons and forks and bowls. Such big girls! 

Popsicle Love!

My girls LOVE popsicles and they are getting so good at eating them all by themselves! Such big girls!

Claire especially just eats them right up!

Happy 4th of July!

We had a very low-key 4th of July! We cooked some great food and just hung out as a family indoors since the temps here with in the 100's with about 100% humidity. No thank you.

The girls all looked super cute though!

Hope everyone had a safe and fun holiday celebrating our great nation's birthday!

Twinsie Trouble

"The twinsies" are two peas in a pod. They do everything together, side by side. Rarely do I eve need to yell at one without yelling at the other. They are too funny and getting too smart for their own good! I swear they are going to be trouble!!!!

They have really been testing their luck at things. They are so brave and so curios! We have had to rearrange the furniture so they don't climb it just to pull things down off the half wall shelf where all the good stuff is. They have repeatedly done this to get things they aren't supposed to have, so finally I had enough and moved around the furniture. Soon enough they will be tall enough to reach on their own, but not quite yet.

I peeked in on them from the kitchen and found this...

Their problem solving skills are maxed out for their age, I'm sure. Or maybe it's because there are more than one of them, and multiple brains working together to figure out things. I swear, what ever it is, they are figuring things out and how to get what they want so easily and quickly. Not to mention, they are so strong and love to climb.

I then started pointing my finger and saying "no, no, no" and so Claire started saying and doing the same thing. Too smart, these kids.

"It was all Madelynn's fault, Mommy!!!!"

"See, I am a princess!"

And today, I caught them both standing on the yellow chairs throwing every toy and bins around and hitting Natalee on the head with them. Needless to say, the yellow chairs are in the basement in "time out" for an undisclosed time.

Thank you Lord for the wonderful personalities that you have given my children. I love love love each of them and they continue to make me laugh more and more! Amen!

Trip to PA: Saturday and Sunday!

Here's the PA trip from 2011...I had just found out I was pregnant the night before we left. Tucker was so small and the girls weren't even sitting up by themselves!

Saturday morning we had wonderful bacon and eggs for breakfast and lots of beautiful fresh fruit! It was lovely! Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Russ are the best hosts!

As soon as breakfast was over, we headed right outside to the pool and sand!

*Nat is in the blue and yellow bathing suit, Madelynn in the orangey one and Claire in the dark blue.*

I absolutely think there is nothing best than a beautiful porch on a house! I love sitting on this porch!

Aunt Bonnie feeding the little birdies grapes for snack! These girls LOVE grapes!

After lunch and a nap, we all headed over to a local dairy farm that is a big attraction. Tim and I went there last year without the girls (see post above).

Tim saw a thunderbird and had to have his photo taken with it! There were so many old cars there. Tim has a 1983 thunderbird that was his grandfathers.

I got the girls strawberry ice cream and peach ice cream, thinking they would love it, but boy was I wrong. They each maybe took about 5 bites and that was that. Even Claire, who is my sweets lover, didn't want anything to do with it. 

My sweetest little one!

The next day, Claire was showing off how smart she was knowing where the water was coming from! If only she was a little taller we would have had a big problem on or hands!

Natalee and Daddy practicing driving...

Madelynn loved exploring the yard with Uncle Russ!

Playing in the old truck!

And then sadly it was already time to leave. Tim and I both could stay there forever, but that just isn't an option at this time because I MUST stay close to my family and Tim's mom. I will never leave without them, so unless I win the lottery and build a huge ranch in Wyoming with houses for everyone, we will stay close together here in MD. Family is just way too important to me and I would never chose to have my family far away from the ones we love. 

Within minutes of heading out, the girls were sound asleep!

And people ask me all the time, what is traveling like with four kids....well we bring a trailer full of stuff!  Haha! You do what you got to do! When you need 4 pack-n-plays, 3 travel high chairs, a bouncy seat, swing, toys, gates, food, clothes....ect, ect, ect....it gets to be a lot! Thank goodness I am very organized! So, the next time you complain about packing for one or two kiddos...think of me! :)

We have already reserved our UHAUL trailer for our big beach vacation in a few weeks! An 8-10 hour drive! My lists are already forming.....who says traveling with kids is TOO much?! I don't think so!

It's worth every single moment. For all those moments make up memories to last a lifetime!