*****SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION*****

I am working on updating the blog...design, colors, layout, gadgets and more. Please bear with me as I do this. Check often to see the updates! Thanks, Jen :)

Friday, July 24, 2009

This ain't our 1st county fair...

...really it isn't...it's our 2nd! This year was so much better than last year. Last year we went on Saturday...one of the busiest days. The kids did not get out of the strollers often. This year we had the wagons and we went on opening night, which is cheaper and less crowded. The weather was not the best but we figure we would try it since we would not be able to go any other day. The rain had let up by the time we left and we were hoping for it to stay away so we could see the fireworks. We also had Grandma join us as Grandpa was playing horseshoes.
The first stop was the tractors...so many colors and sizes.
On our way to the first animal barn we met this young lady and her 2 sheep. She was nice to stop and let the kids pet them.
In the first barn were the chickens, bunnies and ducks...here the kids are checking out the chicken with daddy...
and the duckies too.
We checked out the geese that were outside too...
Alex was trying to talk duck/goose...not sure if they understood him.
After visiting the sheep and pigs it was off to the goats and potbelly pigs. There was a mommy goat with twin babies less than a month old. Here the kids are checking out a potty belly ig...we will see if they follow in their Auntie Jackie's footsteps and ask to get one.
Checking out the goats...we then toured the horse barn as well as the cow barns.
After that we stopped for some supper...they ate great. They got their first chocolate milks...they LOVED them! After our meal we headed toward the pet zoo and pony rides. Here the kids are waiting for daddy to get a beer. It was starting to get chilly as niht set in and the rain started up again.
We decided to let them try the pony rides. After all three agreed...we paid our money and went in...unfortunately Alex changed his mind after meeting his pony...maybe next year...
Grandma helped Liz ride her friendly pony...
as I helped Zach.
Then it was off to feed the hungry goats, sheep and llamas in the petting zoo.


After that we checked out the camels as the rain picked up. We decided to walk the kids thru the carnival part. Unfortunately we started to melt as it was past bedtime and it was raining harder. Figuring the fireworks would not go off, we headed for the truck. We did find out the fireworks did go off about 15 minutes after we left...there is always next year! I think we may have a new tradition for our family...going opening night. We had a blast!
Love, Jen

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Party, party

Today we headed toward Green Bay. Normally the 3rd weekend in July is an annual camping trip with friends. For the last couple years it as not happened as families started arriving. This year the couple that usually does the organizing of it had a party at their house. We were not sure how the day would go with the kids' nap or how long we'd be able to stay. Luckily on the way there the boys slept for about an hour but Liz only got 15 minutes. After arriving and eating some lunch it was off to playing. This was the first time that our friends got to meet our kids as well as us meeting their kids. It was a lot of fun to watch them all interact. A lot of them are very close in age. It was great to see our friends too...it has been some time...in fact some we have not seen seen the November 2006 when I was pregnant. The kids did great and we actually stayed until 7. The kids got tired but would sit for a bit and then go back to playing. The way home was quiet for a little bit but not the whole ride. We did have some melting once we got closer to home and as we got our jammies on, but they did settled down and fell asleep like normal. Here are some pictures from the fun day...
Love, Jen
Alex and Owen taking a ride in the gator...
Liz trying out Noah's Big Wheel...
and Alex too...
Alex ready to attac with a blow-up sword...
The boys playing at the sand table...
Liz checking out the slide from the inside...
Alex taking a leaning break on the blow-up chair...
Daddy being a kid himself...Liz get a sword!
Zach taking Liz and Robbie and Hayden Just for a ride...look where you are going! This was actually pretty cute as Zach would steer and Liz would press the pedal.
I think the boys really, really like the gator! It was the first thing they went to when we arrived and the last thing they played with before leaving!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Big Beds & Potty Training

We have switched the kids to big beds! I finally remembered to get pictures on here to show you them. We already had twin bedding for the boys so the search for Liz's began. I found a great Tinkerbell comforter. She LOVES it! Here are the new beds...
Liz posing so sweet...
and the goofy pose!
Zach showing off the boys beds...
The other thing we started again was potty training. The last go around lasted a week or so and lost steam. After watching something on the Dr. Phil regarding potty training I decided to give it a try. Here they are in the morning...ready for training.
and here is what it looks like potty training four 2 year olds. Liz does have big girl undies on under those pants.
Liz had a great first day...no accidents. Zach is trying but it is hit or miss. Alex is not interested. It is an exhausting task to say the least and I am fine with doing one at a time and definitely when they are ready. I am so happy to be changing less diapers...there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Love, Jen

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

New Pool

The little pool we had last summer has become a little small for us, so I started looking for a different, bigger one for us. Since I plan on teaching the boys what Liz learns in swim class I need to have a little more depth to the water. Thanks to Craigslist (love that site) I was able to find a bigger pool very reasonably priced. It took us a little bit to get it up and running but we did AND we got a nice warm day to try it. It is a little nerve wrecking to have al four kids in a bigger pool but it is managable. Here are the pictures from the afternoon swim.
Love, Jen
The chaos to prep for swimming...
Could not get them to look at me cuz of the darn airplane flying by...
I think they approve of the new swimming area...

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Supper at Grandma & Grandpa's

Yesterday afternoon Jeremy headed out of town to go hang out with some friends. A little adult time. So I flew solo for the night but we were invited over to my parent's for supper. So after nap we headed over to play before eating. Grandma loves rummages as much as I do, so there are plenty of toys to play with. Here are some pictures from our night.
Love, Jen
Grandpa teaching the kids more useful information...
Grace wondering when she will get some attention...waiting patiently...
Kids helping grandpa...
Alex pulling the go kart out of the grass...
Zach giving Liz a ride...
Liz looking great on the scooter...just needs to look up...
Alex leaning in for the turn...
Zach not watching where he is drive...
Helping grandma get the mail...
Goofing around before supper...

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Carwash

I worked today so that left daddy in charge. I cannot tell you how much fun it is to come home and look at what pictures were taken or hear the stories of the morning. The kids just love their time with daddy. Not to mention a break from mommy and a break for mommy. :) So this morning when the kids headed outside they had some toys that were wet from the rain. Good time to teach them about cleaning them, right?!?! The following pictures are of the three of them giving their car a wipe down. Too cute!
Love, Jen


Sometimes...

Sometimes people should think before they speak. We have heard many comments while we are out, some nice and some not so nice. So instead of getting totally upset about the comment made, I am using it as a way to educate. Here is where I get on my soapbox. I will first admit that had I not become a MOM (mother of multiples) I may have been guilty of some of the following things as well.
I realize that having triplets is a very unique thing and we have never taken it for granted, in fact I would do it again. But I don't think something unique gives people the right to be rude. For example, no one would ask someone that had a singleton how they conceived the baby. Yet it seems to be okay for people to ask MOM about how they conceived. Now this question sometimes goes far beyond this, which thankfully we have not experienced.
The other statement that singletons get as well but a very different tone is used. It is the famous question of are you having more kids. For singletons it is asked excitedly like when are you having more, for MOMs it is asked more like a statement like you are not having anymore, are you?
There are many things said that we as MOMs can take the wrong way or have heard it a gazillion times and may just be fed up with it. For those comments it is easier to understand that people just don't know enough about multiples and us MOMs should take it with a gain of salt.
What I cannot stand is the rude comments. The guy that stood next to us at the 4th of July parade started out by staring and then proceeded to ask us if they were all ours, to which we replied yes (politely)...then he said twins...no, triplets (still being polite even though he is clearly an idiot)...to which he replies "you poor people". I think what bothers me most (and many other MOMs) is that comments are normally made to us when we have our children with us. Our kiddos may still be a little too young to understand but one day they will. Some MOMs have some great comebacks (some short and sweet, others are not so nice), but we are aware that our children are there and try to act appropriately for the situation. Quite honestly I was caught off guard with the comment and could only comeback with, not poor at all. Poor??? Far from it...we may not be rich financially but we are very rich with the children we have. We get three times the hugs, kisses, smiles, milestone achievements, etc, etc. Yes we also get three times the diapers, three times the tantrums, three times the talking back, etc., but that does not make us regret or love our children any less.
I still believe that not every person can be or are meant to be a parent of multiples. I also believe that what you go through in life makes you the person you are today. As most of you know I have no trouble discussing what we went thru, but this does not mean I should have to discuss it with the lady at the deli counter or the teen cashier at Walmart. I can let a lot of comments roll esp if made just to me. So as I step down from my soapbox, I ask these two things of all my readers...if you know a MOM or see one...instead of asking personal questions....tell her how lucky she is...or tell her how beautiful her kids are. Just think really...think of how you'd feel if someone said it to you...how would you feel. And PLEASE watch what you say in front of the kids...they have ears and feelings. For Alex, Liz and Zach...when you are old enough to be reading this...please know we have loved you since the moment we found out we were having all of you and nothing anyone can say will change that!
I step down now...thanks for reading this.
Here is a rare picture of me and the kids...right before bedtime and after a long day...
This post was in no way to offend anyone, just personal feelings for something I went thru. I also want to point out that I have no problem talking to people about the kids (names, age, etc)...a lot of people stare for a while and may finally ask us about them. Who isn't proud of their kids, right?