Road Trip!

It's almost like home, but something's different...

Well, the Amigos went on their first road trip! John was on vacation last week, so we decided to "stop guessin' and start messin'" and get on the road. John and I have always liked road trips, but we've been nervous about taking the boys. There are so many reasons, but then we decided we could do it and we did! John's Grandma Britt lives in Tucson, and we haven't seen her for a few months. Also, he has a great friend Kevin who we haven't seen in a while either, so we called them up and they were all willing to have us invade for an afternoon.

We (mostly I, because I'm a nut) spent the day before making lists and determining the best way to pack everything so that it would be easy to get to everything we needed. Nine bottles, a gallon of purified water, a container of formula, 15 diapers, 3 extra outfits, 9 billion toys... you get the picture. So we started off right before the babies' first nap time, around 8:30. The trip down was great - they slept for part of the time, then I gave them bottles while the van was zipping down the road. Amazingly, that wasn't too bad! Eli is holding his bottle almost all on his own, so I wedged myself between the other two in the back - presto!

We got to Britt's place and spent about 2 hours there. The boys did great - at first! They played around, didn't throw up on anything, generally behaved themselves. But then they got tired, and they only nap at home in their cribs. We put them in their seats, but only Eli would sleep. So we took off, thinking they would sleep on the way to Kevin's. Not so much...

John, Britt, Zach, Eli and Luke in the lobby

When we got to Kevin's though, it was fine. The boys ate again, and played with Kevin and Sondra's three amazing kids. Some of Sondra's family was visiting too, and they just loved the boys as well. They boys did really great and we were able to have a super nice visit. We left at nap time again, thinking (again) that the boys would be soooo tired they'd probably sleep the 2-1/2 hours back to Phoenix. Again, not so much. They slept a little, then got cranky and really were not happy for about the last 1-1/2 hours. I sat back in the back with them and played, sang and read to them til I was almost hoarse, and we finally made it home.

Zach may very well have his first crush!

All in all, it was great! We had such a nice time visiting, and now we know that, although it wasn't "easy squeezy" (as I like to hope) we know we can do it now! And it only gets easier, right? (I can almost hear the people with 2 year-olds laughing out loud!) Here are some more pics from our first adventure...

The adults were eating lunch, and I glanced over to find this!

Zach, what's so interesting under there?

Eli can't decide which beautiful lady should get to hold him!

Luke was showing off his teeth!

Photo Shoot

We had a wonderful photo shoot with our friend Don and a professional photographer, Joanna Polling, this weekend. The boys were so good - over an hour of taking their photos and they were such troopers - I really can't even believe it! Anyway, there are a few pictures on her blog that I thought you all might like to check out. I'll probably post some on here once we get them, but I'm just so excited to share! Here is her website: http://www.joannapolling.com/blog/. They're under "Triplets". Enjoy!

Eight Months - Lots of Changes!

Zach, Luke and Eli - just playing around!

Well, now I know why I should blog more often... there's so much to tell you all about! First, let me start with what each of the boys have been up to lately (literally and figuratively).

Zach

Zachy is up to 21 lbs. 6.5 oz. now. I know it feels like he weighs that much every morning when I first pick him up, but I just can't believe he's more than tripled his weight! It really makes you think about how far they've come. Zach can sit up really well on his own now, and he's such a good eater that we've been able to reuse his bib a couple of times. This might not seem like a big deal, but when you go through 9 bibs a day, every little bit helps! He's totally sweet and always content, and he just loves to be around his brothers. He has two teeth and says dada (all day, every day!). I took him all by himself to Wal-Mart yesterday, and although we love the attention we get with all boys, it was fun to just walk around all by ourselves with no one stopping to chat. I hope that doesn't sound resentful - we really love talking to everyone when we go out. But it was nice for us to have some alone time!

Eli

Eli is now weighing in at 20 lbs. 12.5 oz. Some of this can be accounted for by his abundance of teeth! You can see plainly above his two little bottom ones, but what you can't see yet are the two coming in on top - not the middle teeth, but the ones to the outside of those. I can't wait to get a picture of the little vampire baby! He is still the wildest child that we have, but he is so sweet and smiley - usually. He sits up great on his own; he can even sit up from a reclining position. He's working on crawling, and he's getting close. He also can almost hold his own bottle - so cool! He needs a little help here and there, and sometimes he just doesn't feel like it, but it will be a great help when they can hold their own bottles! Eli and Luke had a tiny little cold last week, but they were great and really didn't need anything as far as medicine - just a little extra lovin'. Eli loooves to hug!

Luke

Luke is now 18 lbs. 6 oz. He's still smaller than the other boys, but still by about the same margin, so he's growing great! He can say dada and (drum roll please...) mama!! He said it on Saturday, June 26 and I was soo proud! I love to hear him say it, even if it is just a random syllable to him. He sits up great on his own and still has only the two teeth. The coolest thing about him, and I've noticed this for a while, is he gets so happy when anyone else is happy. For example, Eli will love to be tickled, but when you move on to someone else, he gets quiet. Luke just giggles and laughs when anyone is having fun, and I think that says a lot about him. He's such a little sweetie. Also, his head shape is improving dramatically. The last time we went to the doctor he was at 9 mm out of symmetry (started at 19 mm) and 5 mm is considered normal. If you really start to look around, you realize not too many people have "normal" shaped heads! Anyway, he doesn't have another appointment for 2 more weeks, and I'm hoping the helmet will come off soon after that. He's so good with it - it really has been no trouble at all, except you can't kiss his little head as much as you (or I) might like.

Well, this blog has grown to novel-length (as usual) so I'll sign off more and try to write again soon. I'll leave off with an action shot of boys playing with their "piano" - a super cool toy that makes lots of different musical sounds. What fun stuff they have to play with!

Our First Volunteer Event!

Amigos representin' Penn State - Future Linebackers!

The boys have had their first volunteering experience! I'm so excited! I really hope they grow up wanting to help people and to be civic-minded in general. (I know - I have too much time on my hands if I'm thinking of these things when they're only 7 months old!) BUT we had a golden opportunity. Our church, Christ's Church of the Valley, is partnering with a bunch of local churches and businesses on a food drive to try and collect 5 million pounds of food for the hungry in Phoenix.

OK, this is too funny! I was letting Eli sit on my lap while I blogged, and he starts hitting buttons on the keyboard. I think (as I have before) "No big deal, I'll just erase whatever he types then go on." Well, the first thing he accomplishes is posting the blog! Luckily I was able to pull it down right away, because there were no pictures yet, and I know we all want pictures. So the next thing he does is paste the whole text of the little paper I typed up to give to people about the food drive! Don't ask he how his chubby fingers miraculously made these things happen. He should be sleeping now anyway!

So, back to our volunteering... We went door-to-door in the neighborhood with a little paper describing what we're doing, etc. Believe me when I tell you, people are more receptive to you knocking at their door when you have three adorable munchkins with you! So even though they didn't do the pitch, they definitely closed the deal! We have our first donation already. We're going to go out again today and tomorrow to finish up the neighborhood, and take whatever we collect to church this weekend. I'll let you know how it turns out! Also, if you live in the area and want to participate, let me know - I can either come pick up or you can stop by and see me and the boys - I know, everyone really wants to see the boys! :)

Other than that, we've been up to some super secret stuff for Father's Day, which I won't post now in case any "inquiring minds" are reading the blog. Also we started going to the infant reading program at the library. It's so much fun! Luckily my neighbors come along to help, because it's very interactive. I think the kids will really love it when they get a little older. For now, it's something fun to do to get out of the house AND stay cool at the same time.

Here are some new pictures - enjoy!

Zach straight chillin'

Luke lookin' cute

Eli is seriously playing!

Eli, Zach and Luke taking a break from bouncing

on the trampoline

So Many New Things!

Eli, Zach and Luke - one by one they ended up in Mommy's bed!

Hi everyone! This has been a great time in the lives of the Amigos, and we've been so busy enjoying it, I haven't blogged in a while! We have had some very exciting things happening lately, such as:

Zach got his first tooth - Eli has two, and Luke is still toothless. All of the boys have been a little fussy lately, and I really think it's the teeth. Poor little dudes! I wouldn't want to go through that again.

Zach rolling around in the grass

Eli can sit up on his own - I waited for this one because I didn't want to give him credit until he could really do it, but he's a pretty balanced little guy. He has these chubby legs that give him more support! Luke and Zach are still working on it, but they all love to be sitting up - this often leads to strange contortions of my body, trying to keep them all upright at the same time. I count it as working out, what the heck?

Eli being just too cute

And last but not least, Luke says "Da da", or some other variant. I'm not sure that he means daddy by it, but we're giving him credit because he says it really clearly, over and over again, and especially around John. Of course, he loves this (John, I mean). I am secretly drilling them for an hour a day on saying ma ma, but it hasn't worked yet. Just kidding! I only say it to them a couple (hundred) times a day.

Luke motors around in his exersaucer

Other fun things going on in our lives have been some great friends from PA came to visit, and the boys went swimming and on the trampoline for the first time. Both were really well-received by the boys. I wasn't sure how they'd like the pool, but they all seemed to really love it. I'm looking for baby floaties, but so far haven't found anything I think is right for them. We don't take them in the pool much though - I would always want to have at least 3 adults. We'll get some friends to come over and help!

Luke

Eli

Zach

P.S. - It usually takes me about 3 days by the time I can get the blog written, pictures inserted and published. That was true this time also, and in the meantime, Luke has popped a tooth out and Zach is saying "Da da"! I have faith in Eli that he'll do the right thing and not speak until he can say Mama!

Triple the boys, triple the fun!

Sometimes I feel like I run a day care! I mean seriously, when does a person get to feed 3 little adorable munchkins twice a day? It's starting to get really cute! All three of the guys eat well, but they are different.

Eli is a GREAT eater! He almost doesn't even get anything on his bib, he's so attentive and just really into eating! This is his "open up" pose:

Zach is pretty good, but he gets distracted and looks around if his bite doesn't come quick enough. He's also started to imitate faces. This is one his Daddy taught him:

Luke is also pretty good, but he likes to stick his hands in his mouth before he swallows, and that can lead to a mess!

A couple of things I learned for if you ever have to feed 3 6-month olds at the same time:

1. Have everything (I mean, everything!) prepared before you even start

2. Be intentional about dressing - don't expect to come out of the experience clean

3. Keep babies optimal distance apart - the boys like nothing better than to take a bite, stick a hand in the mouth, then direct aforementioned bite into a brothers hair

4. Try to have fun - they're so adorable, and they will never be here again!

5. Don't do it the way we started - see picture below. This was a killer on my back!

After I wrote this blog, it was time to eat again. I can now say that the boys are no longer vegetarians! They had their first meat-like substance today, called beef and beef gravy. John and I always taste new things before we give them to the boys, so we know what they'll be experiencing. Man, all I can say is be glad you have teeth and don't have to eat baby beef and gravy!

6 Months!

The boys are 6 months (and one week) already! I can't believe how fast it has gone, even though some of the time seemed to inch by. These first 6 months with the boys has been amazing and awe-inspiring. I have learned so much about babies and life through them - I just had no idea it would be this cool!



We went for the 6 month appointment last Wednesday. Here are the vital stats on the boys:

Luke
Height: 27-1/2" (82%)
Weight: 16 lb. 3 oz. (23%)


Eli
Height: 29" (98%)
Weight: 18 lb. 13 oz. (71%)


Zach
Height: 29-1/2" (99%)
Weight: 19 lb. 3 oz. (71%)


All boys are good and healthy! No big deals even to talk to the doctor about this time. One thing that is coming up soon is that Luke is going to get a DOC band. He has torticollis, which is a tightened neck muscle, from birth. Because we didn't know about this, he always turned his head to the same side, and his head has gotten out of round. He'll wear a fiberglass helmet that's specifically made for his head and it will help to reshape the head. He'll probably be in it for about 3 months. The torticollis is resolved pretty much by stretches we do with him every day. Now we just have to get the ol' noggin' back into shape!


We also took the boys to church on Saturday and left them at the nursery for the first time! John was a little nervous but our church has a great area for babies with lots of toys and safety precautions. They did just fine, although as we're walking up, about 5 feet outside the door, I heard little Zach! That boy hasn't lost any of his volume! They said he had just started, and he didn't seem too upset.


Mother's Day was excellent! John is always extremely thoughtful and this was no exception. He just took care of everything for the day, made me brunch and dinner, let me get my nails done - even bought me a tree! I have loved the smell of Sweet Acacia ever since we moved here, so he got us one to plant and watch it grow with the boys. I'll post a picture when we get it planted. I hope all of the mothers had a great day!


One of the best things John did was to take some pictures of me with the boys. He got me a frame, so I hope to take a new picture every year for the frame. Here's one of my favorites.



Me with Zach, Eli and Luke