6.23.10: Who needs three arms?

(stella peaking through the tunnel)

Today we went to the children's museum (trying to avoid the heat but still getting out of the house). It is really a great place for us as the girls can run freely and I can (almost) keep an eye on everyone. I usually try to meet my friend and her twins there. Somehow it feels more manageable knowing that someone else will be there just 'in case' you need another set of hands. Of course, the major challenge with meeting people from the multiples group is that every has multiples, meaning the kid:adult ratio is always off. Regardless, somehow 5:2 seems better than 3:1, especially if someone needs to be changed or falls a little too hard. As I was packing up to go, she took the below photo. The hardest part about the adventure is always loading and unloading the kids from the stroller which is outside a set of doors. Needless to say, I have learned to pick up/carry/put down everyone at the same time. This is my technique, it isn't pretty but it works. Who needs three arms, right?


(left to right: daphne, fiona, stella)

6.22.10: Ouch (times fifteen)

Today we had our 12 month appointment. Everyone is growing appropriately having almost all quadrupled in size since birth. Can you imagine growing four times your size in just one year? Just thinking about that is exhausting, let alone learning to eat, walk, talk, communicate, etc. As anticipated there were many vaccinations, 15 total. It made for a very tough day, but at least we are done for a while. Our next doctor appointment won't be for another six months. Our primary goals for the next six months are: eliminate bottles and binkies, start eating with utensils, and continued improvement walking and talking. I'm sure there are more, but those are enough for me for a while. Here is how the ladies stack up to other 12 month old babies (full term).

Fiona:
18lbs, 14oz (birth weight 4lbs, 13oz)
29" tall (birth length 18.75")
(weight 14%, length 45%)

Daphne:
20lbs, 7oz (birth weight 4lbs, 14oz)
30" tall (birth length 18")
(weight 40%, length 75%)

Stella:
18lbs, 11oz (birth weight 4lbs 9oz)
29" tall (birth length 17.25")
(weight 13%, length 45%)

I thought I would capture what a happens to our living room during a typical day. We put everything away each night in order to start the day fresh. This picture was taken ONE hour after the girls started playing. I have no idea how they get into everything in such a short time. I guess I will call them very efficient.

6.20.10: Daddy day

left to right: Brant/Stella, Fiona, Daphne

To celebrate Brant's second father's day (but first father's day with the girls at home), we went to the zoo. I forgot the sunscreen so we had impromptu shade via receiving blankets. We didn't stay too long, but learned that we will be returning in the near future. The zoo isn't as wonderful as some others we have been to, but it is a new place that we can adventure and meet some exciting animals. I think the girls are really going to enjoy the zoo when they are a little older. In the meantime, surely they will enjoy all of the crazy people.

6.19.10: Finger painting

While Brant was out for a coffee run, the girls created some father's day cards. Amazingly, the girls didn't get the paint all over themselves, just on their hands. Oddly enough, only the green paint stained Fiona's hands so I think Brant caught on to our secret project.


fiona painting in green


stella painting in purple


daphne painting in orange

We have been trying to go swimming at least once each weekend. We really want to take advantage of our pool and get the girls to enjoy swimming. Since Grandy was here, she was able to capture some pictures of the girls in action. Daphne and Stella were happy to be in the pool, but Fiona was a little less than excited. We take the girls into the pool one at a time and will probably do so until they are super comfortable in the floaters.


fiona just barely tolerating the turtle floater.


daphne so brave, she didn't even wimper the whole time (and I did, that water is COLD!)


stella was happiest when the floater was moving in the pool.

6.17.10: Bilingual?

(stella standing, daphne eating leaves, and fiona considering an attack on the stroller)

This picture is a great example of a typical trip to the park....playing defense. Who is most at risk? In this case, I had to jump in and prevent Daphne from eating the leaves - a favorite activity of hers. Notice the amazing new blanket that Keren and Nicole MADE for the girls birthday. I love how big it is and it rolls up in a very inventive way. Surely they will take orders, if you're interested.

Recently everyone has begun putting toys 'in' the toy box. The preference is still to take items 'out' but at least we understand 'in'. I am dreaming of a day where the girls put their own toys away into the toy box. Perhaps a far fetched dream, but a dream nonetheless. Fiona and Stella have learned to clap - primarily for themselves when doing something adorable (Daphne does it all day long).

While Brant was away, I noticed Daphne starting saying ABA all the time. The girls chatter throughout the day, on our walks and in bed when they are supposed to be napping. Most of the time you can't understand what they are saying. Well upon reading Keren's blog, I learned that Aba is Hebrew for daddy. Because of this, I have now declared my children (self taught) bilingual children. Yes, I am one of THOSE parents - reading into each mumble as much as possible.

6.14.10: Grandma swap

While Brant was in Holland there was a grandma swap occurring in Pasadena. Thankfully, the grandmas took turns covering the time he was away giving me some extra hands, which was wonderful. Oddly enough, their tickets overlapped so well that I was able to drop off Bonnie and pick up my mom all with only one trip around the airport WITH the girls. It couldn't have worked out better. I would also like to note that we were able to fit the girls, two adults, a large suitcase, and the double stroller all in our little Civic (no minivan in our future!).

6.12.10: Birthday party

(left to right: fiona, daphne, stella)

Today was the girls' first birthday party. It was wonderful. We had new friends, old friends and family all here to celebrate this big milestone for our girls. Brant was departing for Holland in the afternoon, so we had the party early and were able squeeze everything into the morning. Besides the party food, we also made the girls some carrot cupcakes. Fiona and Stella were pretty into their cupcakes, but Daphne got a little overwhelmed by the whole situation.

Here is a cute video of the girls eating their first birthday 'cake' and pretty much their first treat/baked good. Note: it is about five minutes long, but will make you feel like you were there.

6.11.10: ONE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLS!!!

Today was a day your daddy and I were looking forward to for years. We love you all so very much. Each day we awake exhilarated to watch you learn and grow. We were blessed with a wonderful year and look forward to a gazillion more.

- love maaaaaa and dadadadadad


(left to right: fiona, daphne, stella)


fiona at 7:35am (exactly one year old - adjusted to PST)


daphne at 7:36am (exactly one year old - adjusted to PST)


stella at 7:39am (exactly one year old - adjusted to PST)


Can you believe one year ago, all of these kids were in my belly? (Thankfully they were quite a bit smaller back then)

We did it. The girls are one. I can't believe it. The year went by so quickly. We really tried to enjoy each and every milestone. We are so fortunate that the girls have been healthy and thriving. We do our best to take nothing for granted and make the most of each day.

While being sure to sing Happy Birthday as much as humanly possible in one day (instead of the normal wake up/going to bed songs) we had to save some of our celebration for the party tomorrow. We went to the botanic gardens with Nana and squeezed in a family photo while there. We were able to skype with many family members who shared in our celebration from afar. Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes.


(left to right: stella, fiona, daphne)

Girls, you are so well loved, always remember that.

6.10.10: Crawlers no more

It is official now, everyone is walking. Daphne finally decided to walk and started by taking nine steps at one time. She still prefers to crawl most of the day, but occasionally shows us her new skill. I give her two weeks to build up her confidence and start walking a majority of the time like her sisters. Do you think she had a goal of walking before her first birthday? Meanwhile Stella and Fiona will no longer tolerate crawling. They even bend down, pick up toys, and turn (without falling over) then continue on their journey across the living room.


Stella (in the background are Nana and Fiona)

Since Nana was here, we adventured to the children's museum. The girls had a great time tackling the stairs, slide and everything else cushy. They definitely kept us busy making a point to all go in different directions. Thankfully, they can't escape the room on their own :)

6.5.10: How did you do that?

So I can't possibly give the situation justice, but I will try. It is 5pm on a Friday. I am worn down and the girls start getting a bit fussy (typical for this time of day) which means it is time to go for a walk. Now, I am only one person so I must load the girls into the stroller separately. We have a 'staging area' near an ottoman where the girls wait patiently (usually) when they know it is time to go somewhere. Fiona and Stella were waiting, while Daphne was wondering the room apparently not quite ready to get into the stroller. I loaded up Fiona and then Stella - no issues...until, I heard Daphne clapping. While I do love this clapping and find it absolutely endearing, it often means she is proud of herself for doing something. What could she be excited about? Ok, I should probably look and cheer her on. Scan of the floor, nothing....still clapping. Where is she? Then I saw it. Daphne had climbed onto the couch! I was in total shock, how on earth did my 28" daughter climb onto the couch? Honestly, I still don't know for sure after investigating the scene. But wow, she was very proud of herself, while I was in total disbelief. I am still puzzled but know it must have involved a couple of toys near an ottoman near the couch. I know it didn't involve stepping on her sisters because they were strapped in...hmm the mystery continues.

Today, the girls were eating avocados. A treat less frequent than most. I decided to give them larger chunks today. We need to work on taking bites of food and the fruit was pretty ripe. All is fine while eating (Brant might say otherwise as there was a whole lot of green tint on everybody at the end of the meal). We bring them upstairs to get ready for bed, then there it is. A mysterious greenish brownish mound near Stella's diaper. Oh dear, did she blowout a diaper (rare in our home)? We both prepare ourselves for a hefty mess (and it wasn't supposed to be bath night). Upon removal of the onesie we realize that it is a huge amount of avocado! Somehow, Stella got several pieces of avocado into the back of her shirt, how, I have no idea.

These children are amazing.

6.4.10: Triple triplets

We went to a playdate today organized by the mother of multiples group. As expected, there were several sets of twins but unexpectedly there were THREE sets of triplets including us. I think there are only four sets in the whole several hundred member group. We were the youngest, then 1.5 and 2.5. It was a great (albeit intense) experience to see what life will be like in the near future. I must say though, it was absolutely wonderful to be around other people who understand the challenge of having more babies than you have arms. No way to take pictures though, I was chasing after kids the whole time.

6.1.10: Shade

(back to front: fiona, stella, daphne)
note: the sunglasses are purely for the picture as they are seen as something else to chew on and not wear

During a recent trip to babiesrus I discovered some independent sunshades that attach to any stroller. They really mean ANY stroller - even our beast of a triplet stroller. No longer do the girls and I battle over sunhats. Previously these hats would last ten minutes, tops. Often getting tossed onto the ground as I was crossing the street leaving me to chase a hat, push a stroller and dodge traffic all at the same time. Okay, so it wasn't THAT exciting, but often the hats did find their way to the street where I typically ran over them with the stroller and then promptly picked them up, shook them off and pretended the whole thing never happened. After several judging passerbys (thinking, why isn't that baby wearing a sunhat?) the girls and I had an agreement. I wouldn't force them to the wear the hat as long as they kept it in their laps - keeping those judging us silent. Regardless, these issues are gone thanks to these new sunshades. Phew! One battle down, a gazillion more to go.