9.11.09: Three months old

Today the girls turned three months old.

Stella decided to share a present with me for her 3 month birthday...
First let me set the scene. Our changing table is pretty tall. About belly button height. It is this way because Brant and I are both moderately tall and bending over unnecessarily 20+ times a day is silly. Let me next discuss that our girls are extremely gassy - giving truckers a run for their money. Rumor has it this is likely related to being premature but I don't know, I just know that we seem to hear a lot of tooting. Next I should point out that the girls only poop a couple times a week and usually they have a hard time getting it out. So there I was trying to be a good mom and holding Stella's legs while she was trying to poop. Then all the sudden a bunch of gas came out with the poop a near explosion which ended with poop ON my face. Yes I'm serious, poop on my face. I was stuck between laughing, crying and feeling like I was going to vomit from the smell too close to my nose. So I should thank Stella for this present on her three month birthday. Wasn't it enough that I carried you in my belly for so long? Was this really necessary? and if it must happen, couldn't you at least have done it to dad?

9.10.09: More smiles

I was a little slow capturing the smiles of Daphne and Stella. All the girls started smiling within days of each other, but capturing these adorable grins took some time.

9.9.09: The worm

While straightening the room one day, I set Daphne in a boppy on her belly while Fiona and Stella were in bouncers. This was a safe place to put Daphne where she couldn't escape....or so I thought. I came out of the bathroom to see her partially out of the boppy. She had begun to army crawl over the edge. I was in shock so I watched her continue to push her way over the boppy and onto the playmat. She made it completely out of the boppy. I let her enjoy time on the playmat for a while after working so hard to get there. I couldn't just put her back into it. Lesson learned: attach GPS to children in case further acts of mobility occur in the near future.

9.6.09: Snuggling

We have been noticing this week that the girls seem to be 'snuggling' a bit more than is safe in their single crib. We decided it was time to purchase another crib. Daphne has also begun kicking the sides of the crib (as she is the tallest) and each girl has taken turns resting on the others. We actually went ahead and bought the additional two cribs we will need, but only set up one leaving Fiona and Stella sharing for now. I actually got a little emotional seeing Daphne in her own crib, the girls really are getting big - it is hard to believe is has only been 2+ months.




For our weekly adventure we all went to the Botanic Gardens - it is a wonderful garden just minutes from our home. We weren't able to explore all the gardens in one trip so we will surely return soon.

9.5.09: Playdate

Week one (as a stay at home parent) and I survived. Yes, there was one day where I called Brant to come home for a couple hours, but one out of five isn't so bad - especially for the first week. I am learning, the girls are learning, so we all need some time to adjust.

The girls also had their first play date - if you can call a play date laying/being held at another kids home. We went on our biggest road trip to date and travelled to Soren and Mona's home (~30 miles away). This play date (which didn't involve much playing but more baby holding) went pretty well. Brant and I were spoiled by stealing home cooked food from Mona's mom and everyone held babies while Brant and I ate a meal together - a novelty in our home. We also got lots of help from Joan and Doug while feeding the kids upon first arrival. Brant reassured me that this is what family does, but since mine is so small - I still felt guilty about inconveniencing everyone and bringing the whole family - we are a big bunch these days. We successfully made it home just in time for bed. Another adventure, this time proving that we can feed the girls outside of our house....small steps.

8.31.09: Stay at home mom

It's official, I am now a stay at home mom - at least for the time being. Today Brant started work at Caltech which meant the girls and I were together (alone) all day. Once I got over the shock of being seriously outnumbered - the day went pretty well. My goals for the day were to feed/change the girls and pump all on the schedule +/- an hour. I also attempted to eat a little something on the brief but existent coordinated naps. If I did nothing else in the day, I was still successful having only accomplished those goals. There is comfort in knowing that Brant is a ten minute walk away (yes he timed it - 10:08 to be exact) and that there is family nearby to help as needed (thanks in advance Joan!). I just learned that expecting to accomplish anything else during the day is a perk and not a realistic expectation. I now understand how being a stay at home parent really IS a full time job.

8.30.09: Griffith Observatory

In keeping with the mentality to explore and enjoy LA while we are here, we decided that we are going to try to go on a mini-adventure each Sunday morning. Today we went to the Griffith Observatory. While leaving Pasadena we realized how intense the fires really were. Not only could we see and smell the smoke, but we could also see the orange glow of the fires on the mountains. We realized that going to an observatory while the smoke was so thick wasn't the smartest way to enjoy the view of LA, but we were determined to give it a try. In the picture behind Brant you can see the Hollywood sign but beyond that the view really was limited. We were outside for about five minutes because we didn't want the girls gettting too much smoke and the heat was really overwhelming. So all in all, we packed up the girls, drove 20 minutes, unpacked the girls, walked around the observatory for five minutes and then did the previous items in reverse. I'm not sure it was the most efficient trip, but we did it - we got out with the girls and saw LA and this continues to be our goal.

8.29.09: Ikea

Today we went on a big adventure to Ikea in Burbank. It is actually a great place to go with kids for many reasons.

1. The food is super cheap, Brant and I were able to eat a hearty breakfast for $10.
2. The path around the store is wide enough to navigate our twin stroller
3. There are tons of other kids there (which leads to number four)
4. Any noise made by our kids was muffled by the older kids screaming.

We were able to pick up our organizational and lighting needs and return home with no major issues. This 'getting out' thing is going pretty well (we just carefully time it around feedings/pumpings).

I should also mention that the kids are on a great schedule. We still feed them every four hours, but as of now they go to bed after the 8 feeding and stay in bed until about 6:30 each morning. Of course we wake them up to feed twice, but besides that they sleep - which means we sleep and I have learned that sleep = Happy Parents. No real daytime schedule yet, but if they sleep at night - then we are thrilled.

8.25.09: Zippers

Today was a big day for me personally. I finally decided to try on my old pants....and they sort of fit. Up until now I have been wearing my maternity pants. As we now live in a two story place I found myself using the belly panel as a pocket/bag to carry things in while going up the stairs. This is when I knew my days of maternity pants were coming to an end. Already I have misjudged the time it takes to go to the restroom as I have been spoiled by elastic for so long....zippers just slow me down and buttons - don't get me started on the unnecessary time those take. So now I am officially wearing normal pants. Of course I am not going to say they look cute on or are even an appropriate size for me, but if I can zip them, I will wear them. After gaining nearly ninety pounds I am thankful just to be wearing pants at all. In the meantime if you are walking down the street and see someone whose clothes are too small, just think to yourself that maybe they too just had kids and are celebrating the good old days a little early. I know I am.

8.23.09: Smiles

Breaking News: The girls have begun to smile. So far Fiona is the strongest and most frequent smiler (and the only one we have caught on film) but more to come on this front. We are SO excited for this development, it makes the screaming so much more tolerable :)

8.22.09: Alone

Well the day finally came, our help is all gone and not just for a couple days (as we have handled before) but for over a month. Until now, we have been spoiled by an onslaught of family and friends helping us to get settled in with the girls and even our new home. Of course we realize that everyone has a life beyond us and we must learn to live as a new nuclear family (triplets and all). We decided that we couldn't live in a box with the girls, we must get out and enjoy our new surroundings - newborns and all. So today we went out to dinner. We got some burritos (ahh loving the food in southern CA) and the girls were wonderful. The stroller makes walking around our new area so easy....we rarely have to drive (a welcome treat after Brant's commute in Chicago).

8.21.09: Stroller

After serious pressure from everyone (including both grandmas) we finally decided it was time to get a stroller. Kelly and I escaped to Babies r us - her least favorite store ever! - and bought a twin stroller. The triplet strollers won't even fit into our car as they are too long and the three-wide strollers won't fit through doors. Our strategy was to get a twin stroller and then carry another child via wrap or bjorn. After successfully purchasing the stroller, Kelly, Rob and the whole family went out for a walk. Things were going so well, we even stopped and had dinner - AT A RESTAURANT. Of course we sat outside where we could easily escape if needed but we didn't have to. After dinner we went to see Brant's new building/office and then headed home. I am definitely getting more comfortable in our surroundings and loving the area we now live. I am learning to deal with the attention we get when going out with the girls and loving that people seem overall supportive and excited to see triplets. Of course if they were our neighbors (during feeding time) they might be a little less excited to see us :)

8.19.09: Baggo

So if living in Wrigleyville for three years taught us one thing, it was the importance of Cub fans playing Baggo (the beanbag toss game). My sister and Rob got us our very own Baggo set a couple years ago and finally in this visit we got to play the game with them. There is a park about one block away so we all grabbed either a kid, the game or the cameras/water and walked over to the park. Bonnie, Kelly and I wore the kids in our wraps and enjoyed the extra challenge of playing the game WITH a kid attached. It was a blast and nice to know that we could get out of the house with the girls via walking - of course we need three adults, but that is a separate issue. The park was wonderful, the temperature was warm and I think everyone really enjoyed the fresh air after days of travelling and packing/unpacking. The girls sure do love those wraps, they fall asleep almost instantly every time. I am going to be very sad when they finally outgrow them - although my back may give out first - who knows.

We also enjoyed a visit from Brant's cousins (Soren and Mona), their kids (Devin and Ian), and Aunt Joan. They live in the LA area so it was wonderful to get together with them so early after our arrival to this new city. LA already seems more like home since we have relatives nearby.

8.17.09: The big move

Today was a big day for us in Chicago. We got word last night that the boys made it safely to Pasadena and now we (Bonnie, Kelly and I) were up for a huge adventure taking two-month old triplets onto an airplane from Chicago to LA. The morning started off very early with Bonnie, Kelly, Evan and I scrambling to get everything ready for the girls and our imminent departure. Not only did we need to pack up our camping space and equipment and clear out the apartment but we also had the girls and all their necessities to cram into luggage (perhaps pre-packing a bit more might have been a good idea). Evan had stayed the weekend to help us with the girls and ended up taking on a majority of the housework that we didn't finish before we needed to leave for our flight. Of course the weather was rainy with lightening and thunder nonstop....isn't it August in Chicago? After loading up one car with the girls and some luggage Evan and I departed for the airport while Kelly and Bonnie took a cab with the remainder of the luggage.

Upon my arrival at the airport, Kelly and Bonnie had luggage carts, a clear idea of how to check in and had already befriended the agent supervising the 45+ minute check in line. Once the agent saw the girls she immediately asked us if we like to check in 'promptly' - of course we said yes and we were whisked to the front of the line where she recruited a separate agent just for us. Normally I would refuse such special treatment, but if you saw us - you'd know we needed it. In addition to the three girls in their car seats we had 6 checked bags and probably 5 carry on bags - we were a mess, an organized mess, but a mess. Security wasn't a big deal, I think the agent thought each of us had one baby as he didn't seem to understand the triplet thing, but I wasn't about to correct him. O'hare has a family screening line so we took over that for a good 15 minutes while everything was inspected, breast pump, breast milk, formula and all - it was an experience....but we passed.

Now off to the gate, which of course seemed to be as far away as possible, even through the colored tunnel for those who are familiar with O'hare. Upon arriving at the gate, we see a sign for Baltimore - our gate had been changed during the time it took us to walk from security. I nearly fainted with exhaustion upon realizing that we needed to go all the way to the other side of the terminal. Thankfully (I think) our flight was delayed so at least we had time.

Upon arriving at our new gate (and checking every single monitor on the way) we took over a corner of the waiting area. This is where IT happened.....my first public pumping. I had to do it - I can only go so long. Thankfully I have a 'hooter hider' that my sister made so it was pretty discrete - I think. Besides if anyone looked over they were enamored with the girls and obviously not bothering to figure out what I was doing.

After several delays, our flight was finally boarding. I just assumed that since we were travelling with infants we would get to board near the start but turns out United doesn't do family boarding - so we waited until the very end to get on the plane. It was hilarious with all three of us carrying on a baby (minus the car seat since the plane was at capacity). Each person we walked by had fear in their eyes, avoided eye contact, or just gave a look of wow hoping that we didn't sit near them. Once we reached the back of the plane, we found our seats and tried to make nice - this was a strength of Kelly and Bonnie and less so me as I was still fearing the take off and landing.

The flight went REALLY well - no major meltdowns and very little crying. In fact one fellow passenger said the man snoring in front of her was noisier than the girls - so I took that as a compliment. I was even able to pump on the airplane something I would rather not do again.

Upon arrival in LAX we were greeted by Brant and headed to our new home. The movers were just finishing up and everything (and everyone) had made it safely. We all had a very successful day. The girls were wonderful (as good as one can ask for) on their first plane ride...all my anxiety for nothing - I was SO lucky and obviously couldn't have done it without my travel buddies.

My sister wrote up a great slideshow of our adventure while she was visiting. Slideshow link to see all the pictures