Amigos Update

Hi all! Sorry it's been so long since my last post - I hope everyone is well! We are just truckin' along here, so I haven't had a lot that I thought would be interesting for you all to read, but the boys are definitely changing all the time. I thought I would go describe a day and let you all know what we do and how life goes for the boys.

The boys get out of bed at 9 am (I'll write more about the sleep situation later!). They are generally so happy when they wake up - it's my favorite part of the day. Here are pictures of each baby smiling:

Luke

Eli

Zachary

They eat and I wash and dress them each separately while the others are in their bouncy seats. I usually put on a Baby Einstein video while this is happening. I know, I know - I don't want them to become little couch potatoes but I don't think they're all that impressed with TV yet anyway. They just like the bright lights and music. After they've all been changed and are ready for the day, it's nap time. Nap time isn't really going so well yet. Sometimes one or more sleeps right after they eat, and sometimes one or more stays up for an hour or so then sleeps. We're trying to work on getting them to nap at the same time, because that would free up time for me to do stuff, like blog!

They eat again at 12 - we are on a every three hour feeding schedule. After this feeding time I usually try to read to them in their bouncy seats. We have two books we read most - "The First Read and Learn Bible" and "The First Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes". I'm starting to memorize the books so that I can make eye contact and try to hold each boys' attention. They seem to like it pretty well, actually. Then they usually play on their play mats for a while, and I try to give them some belly time. This is important for babies who don't sleep on their stomachs. It helps them to build their neck and upper body muscles so that one day they can crawl. They used to hate it, but it's not so bad any more. Today they were on their tummies for about 10 minutes, and Zach and Luke did really well lifting up on their arms and turning their heads around from side to side. Eli wasn't that into it today but he's pretty good too. Here's a pic of them on their mats, although this is an old picture. They're a lot bigger now and can only go one to each play mat (or else they kick each other too much!).

Zach, Eli and Luke

If they have a rough time sleeping, we put them in a swing or hold them one at a time. I try to spend equal time with each baby, and I think it usually evens out over the course of a day.

We also have been taking some excursions now that my Mom is here. We have gone to the mall twice. That's an experience! People just stop and ask questions and check the babies out continually. I really don't mind because I never am really that into shopping - I just want to get me and the boys out of the house every once in a while. I think we bring joy to people in different ways. Older people think it's such a blessing and a lot of people have never seen triplets before. For the young people, I think they're just happy it's not them, and maybe they don't think their life is so tough after all!! People are so nice though. We also take them on walks on the wash. The wash is a small ravine area that's designed to capture rain water when it rains so that the streets aren't flooded. We have paved sidewalks on either side of the wash and it's only a couple of blocks from our house. The boys don't like it all that much - they usually sleep - but again, it's good to get some fresh air once in a while.

They also like to play dress up in Mommy and Daddy's favorite sports gear. OK, they don't like that any more than they like anything else, but here are some cute pics!

Eli (doesn't love getting his pic taken), Luke (always alert) and Zach (never really seems to care!)

Zach, Eli and Luke (see above caption!)

John is home for the 6 pm feeding and he plays with the boys a lot after this. They love to talk to their Daddy - Zach babbles the most, then Luke and then Eli. They each have really distinct voices - it's so cute! Every third day I give them baths and they have come to really enjoy bath time; well, about as much as they like anything! They were really good last night, and when they're really good, it's such a fun time.

We feed them for bedtime and put them down to sleep at 9 pm. Since this blog has grown so long, I think I'll save the sleeping discussion for next time. Stay tuned!

Big events coming up are professional pictures Friday and Grandma Lee, Grampa Jay and Great Grandma Britt coming to visit on Sunday. Of course the Super Bowl on Sunday as well. FYI... they boys have put their odds on the Saints, and I think it's a pretty good bet! More to come soon, I promise!