Monday, May 25, 2009

Happy Memorial Day




These are our first outside pictures, first time on the grass. The boys really do smile. It's just a near impossibility to get all three to smile and look at the camera. Julia has no problem finding the camera, waving at it, smiling for it. She's our ham. No question about that. (She would like you to notice how she sits up.)
We had a very exciting weekend in this house. It was like an episode of Extreme Playroom Makeover Dr. Seuss Edition. And it's all thanks to my friend Christy. I will post pictures of it very soon. She came all the way from Mass.-- leaving her family and friends over a long weekend -- and spent her time with us nearly killing herself sewing and glue gunning and the results are beyond wonderful. We absolutely LOVE it and LOVE her for doing that for us. I tried to help but when you can't sew and the project calls for that skill, it turns out you're useless. I did iron the fabric as needed. It had been many years since we'd spent any time together, so the nicest part was catching up with her. I can't thank her enough and I can't wait to post the pictures. It's just so cute.
Hoping everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

bigger and bigger and bigger


Braddock














Julia












Griffin













We had our nine-month shot and examine yesterday and would you believe that my littlest baby (2 lbs 4 oz) is now 19 lbs 3 oz? I certainly don't believe it. It just doesn't seem possible. But it's true: Griffin was the biggest of the three. He looked proud all day! Braddock isn't much smaller at 19 lbs. Julia is the petite lady at 16 lbs 8 oz. All three are healthy and happy and doing great.



We've been busy, busy, busy. Headed out of New Jersey for the first time and went to visit Uncle Brian, Aunt Colleen and Sean and Sammy and many members of their extended family who've been so good to us. It was a big day for them, definitely the most news faces they've seen in one day since being in the NICU. And they did great. Sometimes they get a little stranger anxiety and cry when there are new people around. That seems to be getting better. They are starting to enjoy their food more. I need to do a better job of varying what I'm making for them. I tend to find a favorite (often sweet potatoes) and make that over and over again. Griffin isn't as interested in the food as Braddock and Julia but he'll get there. The doctor did mention they should be eating more so we're going to work on that. They all gnawed on a frozen mini bagel yesterday for teething. It was funny to watch them try to get it in their little mouths. The boys top gums are swollen and looking ready for more teeth. Julia's aren't yet.

Julia is just about to crawl. She's pretty mobile even without mastering that skill. She sees something and rolls and rolls until she gets to it, grabs it and rolls back to where she was. It is hysterical to watch. Braddock rolls back to front, not all the time but when he feels like it, and Griffin is just about there. He rolls front to back with ease and is so pleased when he does it. Julia wants to get out there and get moving -- I think I heard her say, "Let's get this party started" -- and the boys are happy to lay there and wait for the world to come to them. Watching the differences between them explains a lot about the differences between men and women. Maybe I can write a "baby boys are from mars, baby girls are from venus" type of book! I'll put that on my to-do in my free time list.

On a sad note, our beloved Finn was surrendered back to the shelter where we adopted him from nearly three years ago on Sunday. (here come the waterworks) It was incredibly difficult for both Bill and me. Finn was our first baby, we loved him with all our hearts, and this house just isn't the same without him. The poor guy had had a rough year and he was nipping (kind of air biting) at people. It happened at least nine times and we made at least nine excuses but after talking with a trainer, there wasn't any real choice for us. She said we were an accident waiting to happen and although he didn't want to hurt anybody, he was telling us he was not happy with the new family dynamics. I don't blame him. It's loud and chaotic here and wholly different from the peaceful days we used to spend together before I was pregnant. The good news is he never hurt anyone, so he will be able to get a new home. We're hoping it is on a farm or a huge yard.... As sad as we are, we know it was the right thing. It was right for Finn, too, because he deserves more attention and more exercise and some peace and quiet. But, oh my God do we miss him. I can't write any more about it because it's still to raw for me.

I guess that's all from here. We're watching spring turn into summer, wondering how it's possible that it could be summer. I guess it's nearly time to start planning a birthday party for three. I think three months should give us enough time to get all the details ironed out.


I've attached some pictures of my Mother's Day banner that Gram, Poppy and the kids made me. According to Gram the kids got together as asked her to plant the flowers and herbs for me and make the banner. They actually held the marker and wrote on it. Granny was here on Mother's Day, too, so the kids got to be with all the women that love them most. And there was lobster and filet mignon -- a fete for queens -- and we had a lovely weekend.


and I almost forgot... I went to my first triplet mothers meeting last night. There's a small group of women in the area with triplets and one with quads!! They were all so impressive and helpful. I learned a lot and had a great time. I asked the mother of quads if she thinks triplet mothers have it easy the way triplet moms think twins are easy. She said no because we almost have what she has. I think she's incredible. All the women there were incredible and I hope I raise my kids as well as they have. From some of the stories, I'm terrified to do it, but I forage ahead wishing to make them proud. And, yes, today I'm forcing the nap issue in their beds, lights out, sound machine on, crying doesn't stop me. I'm the boss of them!!! (I can still hear them strongly suggesting to me how it's done) Thanks, ladies. I'll see you at the picnic.

Happy almost Memorial Day!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Mother's Day

I'm sitting here trying to decide what I should say about Mother's Day. I can't put into words what it means to me to be the Mother to Julia, Braddock and Griffin. They are a gift I'm unable to grasp what I did so right to deserve. Every day I wake up I'm eager to do it all over again, delighted at the sight of their faces, and a tiny bit heartbroken they're growing so fast. Motherhood has taught me more in nine months than I have learned my entire life to this point. I am stronger and more capable than I ever imagined and not at all ashamed to say that. I am a Mother and I couldn't possibly have understood what that really meant or how much it would mean to me until I became one. To all Mothers, I tip my hat to you. To my own Mom, thank you for helping me to be a better Mother every day. To my children, it is the thrill of my life to spend my days watching you explore this great big world. Mommy loves you more than there are words to describe it.

Happy Mother's Day

Monday, May 4, 2009

EVEN MORE BIG NEWS





We are the teething capital of New Jersey right now! Braddock has his first tooth! Griffin has his second tooth today. It's a drool fest everywhere I look, but otherwise everybody is fine. There is some pain for them but nobody's making too much of a fuss. I've given them Motrin when they are really fussy but we've not needed it often. In fact, Braddock and Griffin are laughing up a storm. I'm not sure what's so funny but they are just tickled about something.




Braddock also had another appointment with the orthopedic doctor for his feet, and everything still looks perfect. He actually has sneakers on right now instead of the shoes with the bar. He's not rolling too much -- who would with a bar connecting their feet -- so the doctor said we should get him a pair of sneakers to wear when he plays on his tummy to encourage the movement. He seems to really like them.




They are all such happy little babies and getting cuter every day. My posts are admittedly short and a little lame lately, and I apologize for it. As we have come out of RSV/flu season unscathed, we're getting out more which makes the days go even quicker so I feel a little short on time.


I did a trial run to the grocery store. A friend told me about a triplet mom she saw in the store pushing the stroller and pulling the cart so I wanted to try it. I was offered help from Gram and Grandpa but I insisted I needed to do it myself. It went fine. Really it was pretty easy. The only fly in the ointment was the scene we caused with every aisle we perused. I keep forgetting that people don't see the likes of us every day. I'm as polite as I can be but at some point, I had cut off the questions to keep moving forward. Julia liked the outing the most. She's practically running for Congress the way she's engaging everyone she sees. She was sitting in the front of the stroller bus so it made it easier for her to see what was happening. Braddock and Griffin took the time in the store to nap. I'm no longer wondering what it would be like if I had to run an errand. As I was in the parking lot loading up the car -- I mean the minivan. It's just still a little nauseating to say it -- a woman stopped me to say tell me that she really wanted to offer me help every time she saw us but she felt I was doing so well handling the situation I really didn't need it. I'll take that compliment. Mission accomplished. Now that that's out of the way, the possibilities are endless.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

BIG NEWS



We've had another big day....Griffin has a tooth! It was painful for him but he took it like a champ and joined the tooth club. By tomorrow or the next day, he'll join the teeth club. I can already see it almost popping out. (This picture is of him on my birthday. I don't want anyone thinking that he had a birthday and I forgot to mention it)

Off to sleep for us but I had to post the news before shutting down for the night.