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?

Bringing in July with a Bang

I am once again behind, so let's bring you up to speed...
Liz had swim classes the last 4 weeks. After a rough start to them, things improved and she really enjoyed them as well as learned a little something. While Jean and I took the girls swimming grandma watched the boys. I have a little bit of an attachment issue going on with the boys, so most mornings were a little rough leaving. Grandma got these pictures one morning.
In this picture Alex is crying over the gate for me...please take note of Roxy...grandma said she was howling with Alex...

Zach is wondering what the big deal is...at least in this picture.

My cousin, Hollie became a homeowner recently. So my Aunt Deb and Uncle Jim came down from Minocqua to help her move into her new place. We got the chance to dog sit for them while they were gone. His name is Waldo and he is a bassett hound. He has quite the personality! Here are some pictures from his stay with us. I think he may miss his parents...what do you think?

Zach and Lexi felt it was necessary to cover Waldo with the dolls burp rags.

Alex thought Wally was very dirty so he "washed" him...with a ribbon/bow off one of the stuff animals...

and he washed and washed.

I think Waldo is ready to go home.
When children cannot play with their toys nicely or follow rules or disrespect their toys...toys should be taken away. What toy am I talking about? How about the playhouse! Yup that is right. We moved it away from furniture so they would stop climbing on the roof, but that was not good enough for our sweet little Liz...oh no...with her long legs and determination she continued to climb on it. After some discussions we decided to take it down. It will change things up a bit plus with it being summer we are outside a lot, so it is not getting much positive attention. As I made dinner Jeremy took it apart...and even better had the kids help him take out the piece...lol! I quickly grabbed the camera and took some shots of them helping.

With removing the playhouse I was able to re-arrange the toys. And wouldn't you know it...old toys became like new. I was able to put the kitchen and table & chairs next to one another. It did not take the four of them too long to dig the new setup. Dinner anyone???

I have been told that my house does not "look" like triplets live here...even though I beg to differ, I like the compliment. To prove that my house DOES look like three children do reside here I took this picture. After putting the kids to bed...this is what the living room looked like...and this was them in this area for a short time! These kids can tear up a room in no time!

Happy 4th to everyone. This year we decided to go see the Campbellsport (a small town north of West Bend) parade as we were very disappointed with West Bend's parade last year. We borrowed a wagon from Jean and finally got one for ourselves off of Craigslist and headed out. The kids enjoyed the parade even after it started to rain. Unfortunately the rain picked up a little too much so we were unable to finish watching the parade. It is definitely the parade to watch! The kids were not the greatest volunteers for taking pictures, so here is the best of what I took.
Zach being too quiet...we expected to find the worst, but walked in to him getting comfy to read...to sweet!

Lucky also likes the placement of the table...it's the kids naptime...that is the only way he get away with this...lol. Jeremy spent his birthday in York, PA for work. It was only a day trip so we did get spend time with him after dinner. After giving him his presents, he handed out some things he picked up while in PA....big kid underwear. Again getting tem to cooperate for a group photo is becomign more and more difficult. Here they are sport their new undies...they are very proud!
This last picture was taken this morning as the kids play with their playdoh. Zach thought it would be fun to rub his head in the playdoh across the table. His color is green. LOL!

A wonderful weekend

Last weekend we had a wonderful weekend. Saturday was a busy day. It started with a visit from one of my good friends, Heather and her two kids, Hunter and Jacy. Heather and I were roommates in college. Even though we don't live close to one another, it is like picking up where we left off when we do see each other. Unfortunately it has been WAY too long since our last visit. The kids got to play together in the playyard while Heather and I got to catch up. We then had lunch together. While I put lunch together Hunter introduced the kids to Star Wars. Zach also decided that Heather's bag needed sunscreen, so after that mess was cleaned up we were able to eat. With it being naptime after lunch we said our good byes. Heather, thank you for coming to visit as well as the yummy cookies and all those clothes. Here are a couple pictures I got after lunch.
Here is Jacy enjoying a cookie...not sure if it the first one that she ended up losing to Roxy or the second one...
Liz enjoying her cookie as well as acting goofy...

Here are the boys enjoying their cookies. Zach also lost his first cookie to Roxy too. Roxy had a great lunch...lol!

Saturday night we attended our first party involving Jeremy's new employer. Thanks to grandma and grandpa we had NO curfew...woo hoo! We had a great time! Although Sunday morning was a little rough, it was well worth it! We have not had curfewless night since last October.

Sunday we had another party to attend. This one was for my cousin, Jamie. She is getting deployed in August and this was the last time she'd be home before deployment. So we went to help send her off. The kids had a great time esp running back and forth between garages. We were all exhausted by bedtime Sunday night.

One last thing...it is a funny...so I was showering yesterday and the kids run around while I do so. Normally they are in the bathroom with me, but not yesterday. Zach and Alex were watching out the window, Lexi was in and out of the bathroom and Liz was trying to brush her teeth. Zach came in and out real quick but I did not think anything of it. After getting out and drying off I went to check on everyone. I couldn't find Zach....hmmmm. I did finally find him under the table (the place he normally goes if he is being naughty or has something he shouldn't). He says 'mommy lotion, lotion mommy see'...he had put 'lotion' on his cheeks and all over his hands. The 'lotion' he used....neosporin! The tube was a mess as was he. LOL! Never dull, never!

Love, Jen

A Need to be Naked

We have been enjoying the warm & sunny weather here. We have spent time in the pool every day last week. Kids are constantly asking to 'go swimmin'. Early last week Alex spent two days enjoying the pool from the outside. The first day this happened after we got everyone undressed and dried off Alex decided to jump into the pool...naked. That started a chain reaction...soon all four kids were back in the pool all naked. So they have offically gone skinny dipping...lol!

Prior to hopping into the pool I had the kids playing in the playyard. This was the first time they got to play in the new sandbox with the sand in it! Lexi started to get undressed...which again started a chain reaction. I guess playing in the sand in diapers only is better. Alex did not join in with the others.

Last week I was also able to find a larger pool on Craigslist. Now I will be able to teach the boys what Liz has learn in swim class as well as have more room for everyone. We hope to have it up and running soon!

Love, Jen

Da Boys

One afternoon last week Jeremy got home in time to join us for a swim. By the time he got home Liz and I were already out and dried off. This gave the 'da boys' the pool. They had a great time!
Enjoy, Jen
Here Alex is just hanging out catching some rays...
Zach trying to balance on the edge...

Watch out daddy...

and under he goes...

nope, no enjoyment in that at all...are the three of them cute or what?!?! I am so lucky!

Zach splashing daddy...

daddy's revenge...a bear hug!

Alex, they are coming to get you!

What better thing to do then hitch a ride.

Uh oh, they are coming to get Liz!

You go girl!

Since the boys have a post so should our little girl. I received another bow the other day and put it in her hair to get some pictures to send to the triplet mommy that made it. In a span of about 5 minutes Liz brought out all her personalities.
Enjoy, Jen
Here she is her sweet, cute as a button, innocent pose...
and her she is doing her I am a goofy ball...tee hee hee...

and finally shoing of the devilish side...and yes she does have one.The goofiness does not stop with her. Here I caught her playing dress up...

just a giggling away. She is too cute for her own good.