Our pumpkins

Our house is a bit of a disaster this week, but our photo book is now completed!!
 

Click here to view this photo book larger

Turn your favorite photos into a photo book at Shutterfly.com.

Mommy and Me Monday

This past week I ran across an article  The Mom Stays in the Picture and it reminded me that I have become that mom, the one who purposely avoids the camera.  

I'm always feeling like I never really get ready these days.  

Sometimes a shower is a big deal and all that there is time for 

unless I want to lose 20 minutes (or more) of sleep.

I looked at some pics from last month and here I am...about the only ones I found.

This must have been one of the few "let's put some make up on" kind of day.

This was the same day the boys got their first haircut.  

Since we were already downtown with the big limo, we headed to Lala's Creamery for some ice cream. 

Well, the trio didn't actually have ice cream, they had whole milk yogurt and fruit instead.

I can't wait until all of us can enjoy it, so far they don't like the coldness.

Join in on the fun!

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

Hiiiii, Bye-Bye, Clap and Arms Up!

Yesterday we went to story time! Our 3rd time! Huge accomplishment.  Not too long ago I would have never thought this to be possible with the three.

Now that we are out and about a bit more, we often get asked how old they are.

I think this month, we have gotten...

Are they 6 months? 9 months?  Last week, someone asked if they were 4 months!!

We've gotten quite a few looks of confusion when people are surprised by my answer.

The trio is 16 months.  And no they are not walking yet.

During introductions at the library, I went back and forth a bit...

Do I say their actual age? their adjusted age?

I went with the actual age but it's still a struggle within me.  I'm surrounded by babies who are half their age and sometimes bigger than them.  Kiddos who are their age and are twice as big as them.  It's hard not to wonder what people think.  Strangers don't know our story or what they have been through.  It's natural to wonder.  I am sure if I had not walked this micro-preemie journey, I would do the same.

I don't mind sharing their history but one big disadvantage of being out with three is that there is no down time, no breathing time and little room for conversation with others.  They are left wondering.  Instead of allowing myself to worry about what others think, we'll focus on the positive...

We've had huge development and growth these past few weeks.

 I really do wish I could write down every little thing!

The kids are playing, I mean really playing with toys, with each other, it's wonderful.  

They are curious about everything around them.  They are figuring out how toys work and playing with them correctly.  They are taking in the world.  What I am enjoying the most is their level of understanding, language development is slowly picking up.

All three are waving at the right times, when we (or strangers) say hi and hello, and of course bye-bye.

Marcos is the most social while we are out.  I think he waves at everyone in sight.  Then Carlos does not let his brother show off, he often follows.  Sofie is her own person and glares at strangers with her serious look. If she really likes you and finds you good enough to smile at, then her smile is huge.
She may even say a quick "Hiiii"!  

They are all clapping when we say "clap", kissing mama (or doll) often when we say "kiss" and lifting their arms up when we say "arms up!".  This week my heart melted when Sofia kissed her brothers after I said "kiss your brother", then she proudly smiled and giggled.

Sofia is (as always) showing off her verbal skills these days.  She repeats many sounds.  I am not sure if I am making it up or my ears are playing tricks on me but I believe I have heard her attempt and say a few words such as "hi, bye, book, hat, cup, sleep, ball, up, peas, cake, duck, and car" in a very cute way.  Of course she often yells our "ELLA" for Bella.  The boys are repeating A LOT especially up, cup, ball, car and bye, and a lot more sounds that my brain can't remember at the moment.  Sofie pants has mastered pointing to her nose when asked and all three are working on touching their head when mama asks.  All of my singing is also paying off.  They are bouncing and dancing and recognizing songs.  They are starting to mimic some motions of Itsy Bitsy Spider and Open Shut Them and they all clap for me when the song is over as if asking for more.  

Every parent celebrates milestones.  We know we celebrated plenty with Isabella but with these three, all of this is big! Big can't even describe it.  It's a bit different this time around and times three.  Things are happening, they are slowly catching up and we are so thankful and blessed. 

The day they all raised their little hands up in the air, I almost shed some tears!

Now since we are talking about development and growth...I must share that we are quite proud that Isabella has found herself in the highest reading level of first grade.  I guess all those hours of reading for six years has really paid off!  She is enjoying the popular Junie B. Jones series and scoring 100% on math and spelling tests! She is also enjoying her siblings a lot more and celebrating their milestones with us.

What milestones are your celebrating this week?  

Picture time!

First haircuts

Here we go...it's haircut time! 

September 8, 2012

Before picture~Marcos

After picture

It's Carlos's turn!

After picture

Daddy did a great job!

These pictures really show just how different these identical boys are!

Flashback Friday~Grey's spoiler

I haven't had a flashback in awhile. We've actually been quite busy trying to get out before RSV season is in full swing. But unfortunately those moments creep up when you don't expect it. Last night the trio went to bed at seven, Isabella was asleep by nine. And I oddly remembered it was the premiere of Grey's Anatomy.  First I'm completely shocked and excited to 1) remember TV exists and 2) to have the freedom to watch a TV show on its premiere night.  For a mom of four, this is huge! With lots of guilt, I turned on the TV when the show was halfway over (good thing for that DVR).  I watched the show without folding laundry or getting up.  I was actually quite disappointed in the episode and I've been a fan for years.  But towards the end, the uncontrollable tears began.   When  McSteamy was pulled off life support, the screen kept showing that monitor, the same monitor that took over my world for 102 days. So there came the flashbacks, of those three tiny babies, often getting extubated and then re-intubated.  The times I made myself watch the tube come in and out, knowing that was the only thing that kept them alive.  When you are going through this, there is no time to process.  So now, scenes from what used to be a favorite show, kind of make me sick to my stomach.  Knowing that I've actually have been in a similar hospital setting sometimes blows my mind especially now since I am feeling more and more a sense of normalcy...as normal as life can be raising a 6 year old and micro-preemie triplets.

Just Playing

We really love how the kids are playing with each other more and more.

Last Saturday they had some playtime before bath...or was this before dinner?

Such boys...playing with cars.

Of course, they always want the same toy.

Marcos watching Carlos play.

Vrrroooommm!

 

Marcos gets Lightning McQueen back.

Moving on to something else.

Carlitos is doing a lot of pulling up and standing.  Thankfully we are past the stage of getting stuck and not knowing how to get down. That was fun at 2am!

When one is at the window...the other two follow...

Whenever the three hang out wearing just their diapers.  I notice a lot of their scars.  You can see their scar from the PDA surgery on the left side on their backs. I think its huge! Maybe it's just the preemie mom in me.  Just recently I came across  this quote: 

"Never be ashamed of the scars that life has left you.  A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed, you endured the pain and God has healed you."

So true and so glad they will not remember.

Not sure if you can tell but the boys got their very first haircut last weekend.  And they look so handsome! Lots of pictures were taken but I'm having a hard time choosing my favorite ones. 

Carlitos is sick, on and off fever.  Sad face.  Please say a little prayer that it passes quickly and the bug doesn't get the rest of them. Is that even possible?

And...big sister's birthday is tomorrow!!! Can't believe she is turning 6!!!

Let's eat!

I sometimes feel like the triplets live in their table.  They are getting the hang of table foods and their menu today included ricotta pancakes, blueberries, yogurt, aidell's chicken hot dogs, peas, bananas, pasta wheels, carrots, watermelon and lots and lots of cherrios and puffs. We are still dealing with some texture issues but overall they have made a lot of progress.

 Less baby food (purees), more food, more mess!!!

Marcos after dinner making his new funny face!

Marcos loves food!  I think he will try anything and is quite fast at feeding himself when he is hungry.

And now pictures of Carlitos...notice the clip, he won't keep his bib on!!  

Carlos is still working on his pincer grasp, but it does not slow him down.  The advantage...he lets mama feed him more than the other two.

 Sofia was already in the tub. So far she has been the pickiest with foods, textures and new tastes.  

Maybe a little bit of big sis in her.  She likes to be in control and is very observant as to what goes in her mouth.  They all eat very differently which is fun to watch.
Most of the time its fun feeding three and a lot easier than feeding Isabella at this age and even now!

The trio is also eating:

ground turkey and beef, some chicken, carrots, peas, corn, beans, tofu, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, edemame, egg yolk, toast, 

pears, peaches, grapes, cherries, 

mum mums, crackers

Suggestions on what else to try?