A little thing I like to call "Freedom"

Let me begin this post by describing a typical trip outside. It starts in the house right after lunch; pack the bag-making sure there are sippy cups, snack, diapers, wipes, kleenex, burp cloth, sunglasses, sunscreen, hats and a telephone...oops don't forget the camera. We then need to change all diapers and put on shoes-so that's 3 diapers and 6 shoes-and now don't take off your shoes!!! Oops run outside to put toys out in the middle of the lawn. We then in a slow turtle-like walk walk down the stairs and outside. Immediately they all go a different direction. Quickly gather them and take them to the toys while they kick and scream. Finally we are at the toys and playing. Now it is a matter of keeping them "close" to each other. You must calculate how fast you can run so you can determine how far you will let each one get remembering you only have 2 hands. After an hour of chasing, we head back into the house very similar to the way we came out!!! Ugh...anyone else tired? And this is suppose to be relaxing, obviously not for me!
So to make going ouside a lot more fun for EVERYONE we decide to make a playarea in the backyard. Our backyard is huge and our frontyard is VERY close to the road, so as far as the kids know-we have no frontyard (see how long I can fool them). So we picked out a spot a while back. Unfortunately, the task of building the playarea was put behind some other tasks that needed to get done. So it has been in the planning stages for a while.
My dreams came true yesterday. My dear hubby and father-in-law took the day to build my "freedom" in the backyard. It took cutting down a VERY rotten Crab Apple tree, pounding some posts into the ground, putting fencing along and a door for it to be complete. After a full days worth of work it was finished.

I don't think I can accurately describe what this means to me. I don't dread taking the kids outside. The experience is fun for ALL! I can leave them play and go do something else (obviously with keeping an eye on them). I know that they are safe. Toys don't need to be hauled twice just for an outing. I can sit and watch them play rather then chasing them. Like I say, it is my freedom!

I cannot thank Jeremy and Vernon enough for what they have done for me! They could have easily worked on something else, but they didn't...so THANK YOU!!! I LOVE IT!!!

Love, Jen

We love the water!

It is official...we love the water! We have gone swimming in very warm water to cold water and still love it. They have done a great job with getting use to the water and how to behave in the water. I have taken them swimming by myself on a few occassions, but it is really a two person operation. In a split second they can be under the water, so no sleeping on the job! Liz is definitely the one that likes it the most. She will put her face in the water on purpose and even throw herself under. Even on the colder days with colder water, we still swim for at least an hour, most of the time more. Here are some pictures from a recent day of swimming.
Love, Jen

We love our daddy!!!

Unless you have seen it, I cannot describe in words how these kids light up when they see their daddy when he gets home from work. They hear him the minute he walks in the door and rush to the gate to see him. The biggest smiles await him, most days. They absolutely love playing monster with him. They also love to try to steal his beer. He is a great cuddler too! They have the most excellent father ever!
Love, Jen

Love my baby!

Alex is quite the little lover. We have a baby that the kids take turns taking her for a ride in the stroller. Alex has become quite the "big brother" to her. He gives her hugs and holds her so carefully. If you ask him to go get the baby he will. Here he is lovin' his baby.
Love, Jen

Smiles all around!

When tantrums are not being thrown, we have some of the happiest kids. The love playing with the new treasures I have been bringing home from rummage sales. Alex likes the new firetruck that can hold some of their blocks. Liz loves the new books...hopefully they will not eat these. Zach stick with Henry the horse...giving him a big hug.
Love, Jen

Away with the trays!!!

We have decided to do away with the highchair trays and let the kids sit at the table with us...like big people. They took to it great. It feels great to have the whole family at the table for meals. It is making learning the fork a little more difficult as the table is higher then their trays were but they are still working on it. It also creates a challenge for us and how to place all the hot dishes. Another change but yet another step in growing up. The pictures are of their second meal at the table. They are enjoying breakfast.
Love, Jen

17 months old...Can you believe it?!?!?

Where has the time gone?!?!? Our three little miracles are 17 months old today. I have been thinking a lot about our journey...different things have randomly popped into my head...like the day I found the Triplet Connection Forum...the operating room and our reaction after we heard Alex cry...the first day I was by myself with them - all the doubts and worries...the two weeks I took off of work after the embryo transfer...the different milestones...and on and on! Some times it is like a film playing. It's hard to remember what life was like before the kids.
On Monday we tried out our new pool for the first time. The kids loved it. We were swimming for a little over an hour. The Lenzendorf pool opened at 1:30 on Tuesday and Grandma joined us for a swim. Auntie Jean and Alexis were to join us as well but showed up late. Even though the kids were napping Alexis got to enjoy the water with us adults. So today I was hoping to get the pool cleaned and filled back up but did not get to it as we spent the morning going to Costco with Auntie Jean. They enjoyed going but it tuckered them out especially since we missed our morning nap. The afternoon was pretty much normal. Below is a picture Jeremy took of me and the kids right before bedtime tonight.
Love, Jen
To Alexander, Elizabeth and Zachary - there will be a day that you will read this and I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you how lucky I am to be your mommy! I would not trade this for the world! The three of you simply amaze me! You have taught me so much! We love you more than words can describe!