Birthday Party

Wow! We had almost 60 people at our house yesterday! The weather was great, food was yummy and people were everywhere. The boys were a bit shy when the BBQ began, but after about an hour they warmed up and started hanging out with the guests.

The boys faces just lit up when they heard everyone singing Happy Birthday to them. Just huge eyes and big smiles when they realized it was for them. Priceless. They all blew out the candles and then cake and ice cream were served. They only opened a few presents last night and LOVED what they have gotten so far.

It was a late night though, Jeff and Renee stayed and hung out in the backyard with us and we had a chance to catch up. Before they left we spent about a half hour playing with the helium tank, blowing up more balloons for the kids and making the kids laugh with helium voices. I think ours ended up going to bed close to 11 last night. But even after they went to bed, Don and I just sat and talked about how great of a time WE had. Our only regret being we had only taken a bout a dozen pictures total. (So if you have some, email them to me please!)

Just about everyone we invited came and shared the evening with us. We had friends from Don's work, Don's high school, my family and blog friends, with a few friends I have known for many years. The day couldn't have gone better for us and the high of a good night with our friends is still lingering.

Thank you everyone that came and celebrated with us. Not only did the boys have a great time and get to see all the people who are a part of them, but Don and I really had a good time with so many friends and family there.

The Beast

Don and I are project people. Give us a project and we will tackle it and have it hung up to dry in no time. Well, at least pre-kids regarding the no time part. Now, projects take about 5 times longer and most times we don't even try to tackle anything because we get frustrated with the time restraints the kids put on us. But we still enjoy the project part. Kinda.

This past week (or two) we have been on a mission to finish a project. A project called Get Party Ready. It has included taking out grass on a third of our yard and installing a beast of a play ground. But only after we took down the play ground from the very generous people who gave it to us and managed to get it to our house. And then refinished the wood. With less than a week to go until party day.

Last night as we were struggling to put the big huge monkey bar across and bolt it in, Don was balancing on a ladder trying -with all his might- to get the two pieces of wood to line up so he could put a bolt through. Luke was so happy that we were almost done that he just kept yelling, "Thank you, Daddo! Thank you Momma!". Over and over again. So sweet, I know, but incredibly distracting when we are dealing with this beast of a structure.

We finally have it (mostly) done, but so much is still on the list of things to do. Put in the padding under the swings. Lay wood chips down. Mow the yard. Clean up the back yard. Fix up sand box area. And that is just the outside "projects".



But at least The Beast is up and soon to be functioning!

Happy Day!

Don stayed home today to celebrate the boys birthday. We took them over to my parents house and hung out there watching Reagan while my Mom went to a quilting class. Don and Vicky came to visit and Leigha happened to stop by right before my Mom came back. The timing worked out perfectly and we had the birthday cake right when my Mom got home. It was a total surprise that everyone (except my Dad who is out of town this week) was at the house at once and it couldn't have worked out better.

Aunt Leigha brought out the lit cake while I stood ready with the camera. Luke and Wyatt were watching her, but Jax was sleepy by then and kept his head down on the table the whole time we sang happy birthday. Luke loved blowing out the candles and asked to do more when he was done. We figured why not and did it again. Jax perked up for the second time and then they all asked for more. So for the third time in less than five minutes, Leigha lit the candles and brought out the cake. Finally, all three got into blowing out the candles.

The cake was a lemon cake with vanilla frosting that the boys had helped me decorate with sprinkles earlier. The entire cake was eaten. The boys had two or three pieces and even little Reagan had two pieces herself. Afterwards the boys opened presents from Grandma Vicky and Papa, loving to tear off the "Cars" wrapping paper.

After naps the boys got their presents from Don and I. Three guitars, a drum set and a couple wood block sets. No big surprise the drums seem to be the big hit. They are loud and I already have a little regret about them. I wonder how many more ways can we make our neighbors hate us.

The whole day was packed, and the boys were so exhausted by the time they went to bed. They do look older today with their big boy haircuts and little man personalities shining through.

Enjoy the slide show of their birthday...

Now it's time to see what the three's are going to bring.

Happy Birthday Boys!

I can't believe that it has been three years since you made your entrance to the world. What an impact you have made on those around you. It has been better than I ever could have believed possible. You are my three little amigos and I am so blessed to have your little hugs and kisses in my life.

PT MADNESS

The boys are having a bad potty training day. Although potty training seemed to be getting better, I have cleaned no less than 3 poops already this morning. The real topper to that was after I got Lucas all cleaned up in between the 8 interruptions from the other two trying to "help". I thought I was finished and then realized I couldn't figure out where the messy underwear was. Frantically I am searching for it thinking I know it was right here. I saw him slide them off here.

I asked the boys, "where is Luke's underwear?".
Jax told me "yucky underwear".
"Yes Jax, yucky underwear. Where are they?"
"Dirty. Washed."
oh crap
"Jax, show me where they are"

Jaxon lead me to the washing machine. In trying to help me, he threw in a loaded nasty pair of underwear in the already half full washing machine. Oh look, there is the missing bathing suit I couldn't find earlier and a few other clothing items. Under a real nasty pair of underwear. Fabulous.

Today I am certain my blood pressure has risen considerably and I have probably have had 10 hairs fall out and 20 more turn grey. My head was so full of stress I thought I was going to have an aneurysm. Even as I am writing this, Wyatt comes out of my bedroom walking with his legs spread out, he has peed. I tell him to go to the toilet and follow him to the bathroom. As I lift him up to the toilet, he says, "tank you, momma".

It is so hard to be torn between being so irritated and frustrated and then being reminded how little they are two seconds later. I need lots of patience today. Especially since I just heard the toilet flushing for the 4th time in a row now.

Summer days

That is a picture of the boys opening their package from UPS. It was from Aunt Leigha and TJ and the boys were totally happy playing with the styrofoam peanuts in the box. I had to tell them that the box inside contained cookies in order to get them to stop making it "snow" in the kitchen.

The weather has been past 100 degrees here for the past two days. The boys have been stuck in the house since there is a heat warning during the day and this is on top of being stuck at the house all last week because of potty training. We are all getting a bit snippy from the cabin fever going on here.

Don's parents came into town and stopped by today when the boys got up from their nap. It only took the boys a few minutes to start jumping all over their Grandma and Papa like it has only been an hour -not a year and a half- since they have seen them last. We picked up a pizza and headed out to a nearby park with some water fun. The wind was crazy, blowing our plates around and making us hold the pizza boxes down, but we had a good time. Finally we were out of the house! Vicky and the boys played around the edges of the water area since none of the boys wanted to brave it and run full in, but they still were squealing and giggling when they got close to the water.

Back at the house all three boys tried their best to take their Papa down. I swear if the boys weren't so cute it would be frightening to see them attack a grown man. It was an experience for Don to watch, since usually he is the one being attacked, but this time he just got to laugh at it like I do to him. Seriously though, they can take down Don (or his father) in about 1 minute flat. We will have to work something out so they don't try it when the knowledge of that will over turn our power positions here.

The boys are talking like crazy. Jaxon says the cutest things. I know I have written in the past about issues with them in the car. They act badly, I scold them, they laugh, I scold more, etc. Well, apparently I tell them, "it is not funny" more than I realize. Jaxon tells his brothers, "NOT fun-ny BOYS!". He is aware their birthday is getting closer and calls it "Happy Day!". He is a master burper and loves the reaction those burps get.

Lucas says, "I WANT that" and calls his dad, "Don" all the time. I had to hear the phrase, "I want more, Don" about 20 times today. He is also big on the "I need" phrase too. This kid knows exactly what he wants and before I forget, I have to document something. After they eat, I have them bring their plates up to the counter or sink. 90% of the time, Lucas will carry his plate in his mouth. Hands free. And try to stand on matchbox cars so he can use them as a "skateboard".

Wyatt is still quite the cuddler. His favorite phrase is "more". More cuddles, more milk, more apples. Anything, he just wants more. He is the slowest eater I have ever met (slower than GB even!) and it is not unusual to see his still chewing on something cleared from the table a good 20 minutes ago. He is easier going, but very territorial about his toys. But, he has respect for the timer and when there is a toy dispute he cries, "timer!" for the timer to be set so they can take turns.

I know there are so many more things I keep putting off about writing, thinking later I will remember, but now is the time and not much is popping up. Hopefully there will be a paper and pen handy so next things can at least be jotted down the old fashioned way until I get back to the blog.

PT Week 1 round up

Look at those dirty legs!

Things have gotten better. There is less laundry being done and less stress all around. accidents are still happening, but fewer and further between. Luke is thrilled about making "big poop" in the potty and can keep the same pair of underwear on all day! Wyatt is almost there, and Jaxon maybe a little further behind still.

We finally got the boys out of the house today. First thing this morning we went to Einstein Bagels and picked up breakfast to take to my Mom and Dad's. They watched the boys while Don and I went to disassemble a huge wooden play set being given to us by our family friends, Steve and Cynthia. This was a huge project, lots of bolts to be taken out and heavy lifting. My arms are so tired from using the ratchet, but it will be so exciting to have done and show to the boys! Now we just have to get it from their house to ours, weather proof it (it is about 7 years old) and reassemble it. Luckily we have family coming into town, so maybe we can get some extra muscle to help us out.

After the boys woke from their naps, we took the boys on their first underwear-wearing trip to Home Depot! I am extremely pleased that no one peed, not even in the car. That is a huge concern of mine since it is already hitting 100 degrees here and that stench would just be awful in a hot car! But the boys made it, and Don and I feel like maybe we can actually do this after all. Yay for Mickey Mouse underwear!

Random things

The boys have been talking up a storm lately. It is part awesome (to hear what they think) and part head spinning (now we get sassed).

Last night Don was telling the boys to go downstairs.

Lucas told him (in a whiny voice) "I dun' wanna go do-wnstaws wight now"

Jaxon responded with a "no, no thank you!"


Tonight we could tell Lucas had to poop. After sitting on the toilet with a magna doodle for almost 20 minutes and nothing happening, he said he wanted to get down. Not even five minutes later Don walked into the kitchen just as Luke was getting up from the potty chair in there. Luke looked at the potty and told Don "look-it Daddy! Look what I did! Big poop! I did a big poop!" So all the celebrating and such went on, candy was given out and we told the other two what Luke had accomplished. Jaxon told Luke, "Wow! Good job lu-key". Once they saw the candy, they both ran to earn their own.

So potty training is getting better. I have let go of the reins and only ask the boys if they need to go potty once in a while. I make them go before we put on the big boy underwear and before we eat lunch and dinner. Otherwise they are on their own and it is much less stressful for me. Jaxon puts his underwear in the washer himself when he wets them, which is a nice gesture, I think. The wetting is happening fewer and farther between. Luke wore only two pairs of underwear today, one in the am, and one after naps, only wetting them about 10 minutes before nap/bedtime so I guess he is just sleepy and losing his edge. Wyatt went through three and Jax went through three or four. That is lots of underwear total, but individually they are doing pretty well.

Today we are one week down from their birthday. I can not believe that in only a week, my little babies will already be three! And how is it possible they are only three? Haven't I been home every day with them for going on ten years now? How does that happen?

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Help!

Good:
I got out of the house for the first time in days.

Gross:
My dog was licking the inside of a potty chair.

Thankful:
That the bowl was empty!

Potty training is still happening. There are improvements, very small improvements. Not sure if we are making any headway in the way of actually training them to use the potty when they need to, or if we are just sending them to the potty so often that they don't have anything left to pee in their underwear.

It was tiring the first day and it is getting older each day that passes. Jax makes a pout/half crying face when I tell him it is time to sit on the potty and I just don't know how to fix it. They really aren't phased by wet underwear yet either (unless it is a huge pee) but Wyatt is seriously motivated by M&M's for going on his own.

With three full days down, I am not backing off. We will see this through and stick to it. I really have nothing positive to say about this, so any help or hints to make potty training even a tiny bit easier are welcome.

Mother's Day

We started potty training yesterday. I hate telling that to the world. Now I feel like we have to follow through on this and there is no turning back. Yesterday went better than today, until about 6 this evening. Then it was like the light went on in their little heads.

Wyatt's bladder seems to be the size of a grape. That kid has to pee all the time. His first day in underwear he just walked funny. I think it was the actual sensation of being able to feel something other than a thick diaper between him and the world. He is on the potty at least once a half hour, and still has accidents. But tonight at bed time when everyone was tucked in, he said "potty, potty!" and ran with Don to the bathroom. Apparently he actually had to go, since he had more than a half second drip come out. It is not for lack of trying and he is such a good sport about it all.

Lucas seems to be able to do this for the most part. Or at least he did yesterday. He told us a couple times yesterday he had to go, but today, not so much. Tonight after baths he was very cuddly on my lap, not wanting to let go of me and I took that as an opportunity to have a talk to him about who wears big boy/girl underwear. Since we spent the past week with all my family, we went into detail about who in the family wears them and where they go potty.

Jaxon is about 50% there. He is definitely my kid. Hates to be pressured about what needs to be done and really is not enjoying the constant interruptions to go potty. He is another half second pee-er, so I have to tell him "one more time" four times in a row to be sure he gets it all out at one sitting. Occasionally we give them a "potty yummy" (pieces of a fruit roll up) and he proudly announces "potty train". He really is doing well, but I will have to figure out a way for him to not get so annoyed with all the time it takes.

This is the first thing where I actually feel it is much harder doing something with all three than it would be with a singleton. To keep an eye on three boys, looking for signs they have to go, or being able to track all three down to make sure they go. Or thinking about who has drank what or to check how much they actually peed when they (who?) went. Not to mention when we tell everyone to go, it is a ten minute ordeal, easily. First to get them to come over, help them take off their underwear and make sure they keep the pee in the potty. It is hard, really hard.

But it is Mother's Day. Since we are in the midst of training (and not leaving the house), my Mom and Dad surprised us with a trip to our house this morning. Not minding at all that I couldn't make the trip over there on my day to recognize her. She is the best and I really couldn't be more thankful for all she does for me and my family. Over the past couple years we have become much closer and even though we have our moments, it is nice knowing that we can get through it and will be here for each other tomorrow. She loves me -faults and all.

As for my Mother's Day, we spent it here at the house. Going through lots of underwear and emptying out lots of little toilets. As I mentioned, it was a hard day. But the kids were good (for the most part), my husband was super, and the house was a happy house. I have been through too many sad Mother's Days (before we conceived) to not realize that even today -in its most unglamorous form of motherhood- I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love being the Mom to these three little guys!

We're Baaack!

Here are a few of the 600 plus (!) pictures I am unloading into my computer right now.

Zoo and beach time!

Yesterday we spent the morning at the Sand Diego zoo. The first thing we did was walk over the the court where both the elephant and giraffe exhibit were. Between dodging the buses and trying to get our monstrosity of a stroller through all the people on the little side walks, we decided we would make more progress taking the double decker buses around the grounds.
On the way to the bus station area, the boys got to see their first peacock up close. Once we were sitting on the top level of the bus, the boys split up between Don and I for the duration of the ride. Lucas was totally into the whole experience, even yelling "go go GO!" to the driver when she had to stop for pedestrians. Wyatt was getting tired and just settled into cuddling in my arms while Jax hung out with Don getting to see all the animals as we rode past.
After the tour, it was obvious that the boys were tired so we ate a quick lunch and headed back to our "California house" for nap time. After naps were over, we met Nana, Pops, Michael, Matthew and Cathryn at Sea World. This was our third trip there and we still found new stuff to see and do. First we fed fish to the seals then went to the fresh fish aquarium. We were trying to make our way to the Wild Arctic, but got detoured to the Sting Ray petting area before we found our way to the Arctic. When that was done, Don and Michael went for a quick ride on the Journey to Atlantis.

The weather has been pretty over cast the whole time we have been out here. The boys have been mostly in short sleeves with a sweatshirt or long sleeves the whole time. Today we woke up with nothing on our agenda and the weather was fore casted to and be warmer and clearer than it has been the whole time we have been here. Sounded like a perfect day for the beach!

First we took a walk up the bay to the playground area. We were the only ones there the entire time so the boys got to run and play on the slides, swings and any thing else they wanted to play on. After an hour of non stop playing, we decided to walk back to the house -but walk on the beach instead of the side walk.

Since we were in the bay and not ocean side there are no waves to be careful of. The boys were able to wade in as far as their knees or so and have no fear of a wave knocking them over. There pants were off and their shirts were drenched. Once we made it back to the house, we gave them a quick bath before lunch. When lunch was over, we took Nana to the bay with us and stayed out for another hour while they played more in the water. Lucas was getting sleepy and Jax was getting cold. Wyatt loved it and had no intention of ever coming in, but we told him after nap time we could come back. One more bath and nap time it was.

After naps we put the boys in their swimsuits for the first time(!) and took them back to the beach. We spent a good two hours out there, digging up sand and finding huge rocks to throw in the water. Wyatt was not shy about getting his body in the water, but Jax would cry when he would fall in -but after the third or fourth time he didn't seem to mind any more. Lucas preferred to stay up closer to the shore, little wagon behind him carrying a big rock he had found. Eventually all three seemed like they were getting chilly and it was getting closer to dinner time, so we walked back the the house.

Nana had picked up the cousins so we got to have one last big dinner. Don cooked some chicken on the grill while all the kids played outside. Lucas really has gotten to be a bossy little man, so he was loving trying to ell his big cousins what to do. Wyatt was running around being a little imp and Jaxon had cuddled up to Cathryn on the couch.

I have really noticed a difference in our boys in the past few days. They really love their big cousins and I am just amazed at how much having the bigger kids dote on them has made a difference in their little personalities. Wyatt's vocabulary has gotten much better. He is conversing with us a bit more versus just yelling when he wants or needs something. He is making more jokes and acting a bit more silly. I can tell he is going to be the kind of guy who is always up for a good time and loves to make people laugh. He loves to play chase or anything else where teasing takes place.

Jaxon has always been a beautiful spirit, but he has taken it to a new level. Full of lots of kisses for everyone, I can't believe how many pictures I have of this guy with a full on sparkling smile while he is cuddling with Pops, Leigha, or Cathryn. He knows what he wants, but he is so good about letting someone else have their way instead and waiting for his turn to be later.

Lucas is still cool dude Luke. He has taken to wearing a shark tooth necklace we got him from Sea World. He loved hanging out with his big cousins, asking for them when ever they weren't around. He loved to tease them, and once while we were eating dinner he barely burped and laughed so hard he wasn't breathing. When we would drive to and from any places on the trip, he would always question if we were going on a "big bye-bye", "home-Belle" (our house to our dog, Belle), or "California house".

It is amazing to see the kids out of their element and see them shine.

Elmo, beaches and naps, oh my!

This past Christmas season the boys freaked out when they saw an 8 foot tall walking Frosty. They were shaking in fear -hiding behind us- while screaming loud enough to hear us from California. So we were unsure how breakfast with the characters would go. No one screamed or "freaked out", but at first they were surprisingly happy watching their friends Elmo and Zoe from a distance.

Luckily the breakfast wasn't very full -no more than 15 families were there- so the boys had many chances to warm up to the characters. First we stood in line and waited to get a picture taken with Elmo. Don and I walked over, gave Elmo five and a hug, but the boys weren't buying it. Luke looked curious and quickly reached his hand out to touch Elmo, but one touch of the red fur was enough for him and he took a few steps back.

Back over at our table, we ate more breakfast while watching Zoe, Bert, Cookie Monster and Count come out. The characters mingled with the kids and we saw Bert go to a few different tables feeding some babies a spoonful of oatmeal here and there. The Count came to our table and pointed to one, two and three boys while his helper counted them out loud. Next thing we knew Bert came to our table and grabbed a spoon. Being a good sport, Don obligingly opened his mouth as Bert fed him a spoon of oatmeal while the kids just watched in amazement.

After that the boys warmed up quite a bit. They decided it was time to get out of their seats and into the action! Jax was over the shyness and giving Zoe and the other characters hugs. I wish I had taken a picture of the look on his face after he hugged Elmo. I could totally tell it was the moment of all moments for him.

We got a couple more pictures of the boys taken with Count, Cookie and Bert and finished our breakfast. They did a couple dances and a parade around the buffet and it was over. Only about 5 minutes before we left I finally had the idea to get out our video camera, but really didn't catch much on it.



Later in the day after the boys woke up from their naps we took a walk out to the beach. Cathryn and Mike took a couple of bikes that are here at the cottage to use, and TJ decided he was up for the stroll as well. The weather here is pretty chilly so the boys had on their jeans and sweatshirts. Wyatt and Lucas screamed and cried when we got to the sandy area of the beach. They were not crazy about the texture difference, but Jaxon took right to it. He didn't complain when Don took off his sandals and just ran to catch up with TJ.

Eventually we got down to the firmer sand by the waters edge and the boys got a bit more interested in the bikes that the kids rode out in. TJ helped Lucas sit on the smaller one and Don put Wyatt in front of him on the larger bike and rode up and down the beach side. After they took turns- after turns- after turns- with Don and TJ, Wyatt and Luke finally didn't mind the sand texture so much and started enjoying walking on the sand.

We all played run from the waves as the water receded and came up again. Jaxon got a bit distracted by a kite surfer and almost got caught by a bit of water, but ran just in time. When he would run from the water, he would have a scared look on his face for a second and then would break out in a huge smile for the rest of the run. Luke was a bit more cautious about it all, preferring to play with Cathryn digging in the sand. Wyatt liked to wait until the last second to run from the water with loud little giggles like he was taunting the waves. One time he turned too fast and fell down right as the water came up. I pulled his little body up, but his jeans and cuff to his sweatshirt still got wet.

We are having such a fun time, much more enjoyable for Don and I since the boys are napping again. The nights are late and the mornings very early, but I am thankful we still have a few nights left here.

Vacation Time!

After the five hour drive out here, we stopped and stayed at the same hotel my parents and the kids were already at. We were hoping to get there before it was too late,since we hadn't seen Michael, Matthew and Cathryn in about 6 months. Luckily, it was only about 9pm, they all were still awake. It took the boys all of 2 minutes to feel completely comfortable and start hanging all over their older cousins.

This morning after we checked out, all 12 of us (Leigha and TJ, too) headed out to Costco to buy food for our rental house. Even though this was just a trip to Costco, it was so much fun to have all of us together. It definitely complicated matters, trying to figure out where every one went and see who had what food, but it was fun nonetheless.

Once our trip to Costco was complete, it was finally time to head out to the rental house. This place is great! Cozy, but enough room for everyone to have their own space. We quickly unpacked, ate lunch, and made our short drive up the road to Sea World!

It was about one o'clock by then and the boys were tired. Little Wyatt passed out on Nana's shoulder literally as we were walking into the park. He was soon passed over to Pops and slept through the dolphin show and half of the Shamu show, too. He woke up just as his brothers had their first taste of cotton candy. Luke was a bit wary of the cotton candy at first, but he watched Mike and Matthew eat it, then he saw Jax take a huge bite, and eventually decided to try it, too.

After the Shamu show we walked to the Shark tank, Penguin Encounter and then the Pet show. The pet show was fantastic, but Jax was less than thrilled about getting splashed with a bit of water. By then it was past 5 and all three boys were long over due for their naps. No nap was in sight though, because at 6, was time to "Dine with Shamu".

The boys were amazed sitting so close to the whales. The trainers had the whales do a few tricks while we sat patio side to a huge back tank. When they were not performing tricks, the whales would just swim by, occasionally popping their heads above water to keep us on our toes. The boys loved the whole experience. The food was good (it doesn't get any better than mac and cheese for those kids!) and they loved seeing and hearing the whales so close up.

I would live today over a hundred times. To have so many people in my family together -in the same places, for so much of the day- has just been wonderful. It is so seamless, the way everyone is getting along and just filling their place in the family. The boys being able to hang out with their cousins, as well as see my sister and dad for so much in one day is such a new experience for them, and they really soaked it up. There has been lots of laughter from all the kids. It has also been super nice for Don and I. I am embarrassed to admit how much we are enjoying the 7 extra sets of hands helping us with the boys.

I wish I could load the pictures we took today. Starting with first of the day when we asked a perfect stranger in the hotel parking lot to take one of the 12 of us. Pictures of Wyatt asleep on Pops shoulder, Michael, Matthew and Cathryn together, Nana sharing her blue slurpee with the four younger kids, or Shamu with a diver on his nose jumping into the air. And ending with the one of the three boys watching Shamu swim next to them only two feet away.

Tomorrow we are back to Sea World for breakfast with Elmo and the rest of the Sesame Street gang. Day two of vacation, here we come!

Adios!

I will be off line for a week or so, see you when I get back!

The fog is lifting...

This week I have headed out to two different appointments. This meant that my mom stayed with the boys (and Reagan) at my house while I was out and about for what totalled 4 hours between the two days. I am absolutely amazed at the difference I feel just for having that bit of time off from "Mom duty". I know I get a break when they nap or are in bed, but to have time off from the regular stuff was just very liberating. Isn't that sad?

I have used that bit of time (while I was driving) to reflect on what my life is right now. Everything has gone so fast and the days are flying by. I haven't had time to process what is going on. I just do it. The same thing every day and keep my mind on cruise control (aka survival mode). One day it is xxx and the next it is xx and add a little of xx to it. I feel so detached, some nights waiting until the kids go to bed so I feel like I can breathe for five minutes with out being interrupted. I have noticed my patience is worn thin and I am not being the Mom I want to be. My head is so full of whining, screaming and fighting, I don't have the energy to be the wife I want to be. I keep thinking I can right the wrongs later.

So as of today, later is now. Now is the time to be the wife and Mom I want to be. I want to be the person who I always thought I was, but started drifting from when life got so hectic. I want to start having real conversations about life in general, not just what is for dinner. I want to contribute more to people around me, family and friends. So I will. Starting today, I will. My house may not be as clean as yesterday, but my heart will be lighter.

Go to sleep BOYS!

Toddler bed transition is still a work in progress. Much better than it was and I absolutely love when the boys come to my bed in the morning. They all love the phrase "good morning!" and say it in the morning or when they wake up from their naps.

Playing in their room when the lights are out has almost stopped. They have even gone straight to sleep a few times the past few days, so I am hoping the novelty of freedom has worn off. I do really miss cuddling the boys in my arms before they go to sleep though. They are so low to the ground it is hard just to kiss their cheeks, let alone cuddle them. I will have to figure something out, because I am just not ready to let that cuddle time go.

Cough Cough

Coughing, sneezing, sore throats, nebulizers. Too many Doctor appointments and after hours phone calls to the Doctor. The boys "cake" transitioning to big boys beds was a bust. Sick kids who are able to get out of their own beds equals kids who love to climb into their parents bed. Then drive the parents crazy by moving, talking, poking, -or a new one added to the list last night- biting them.

The boys go to bed between 8 and 9 pm. They are fine for a while, but about 10ish, they start coming out and it is rotating kids out until as late as 1:30am. It does not help that they are sick and we think their room is too hot, so we are waking them while giving them medicine or trying to keep the room cooler by opening the doors. They have been waking earlier and earlier every day. Today was about 7ish. Which is not bad, I know. But this Momma is not a morning Momma, although it is nice waking up with the little people in bed with me.

So sick sick sick is all I have worth updating about. Not very exciting or pleasant, but it is life at our house this past week.

Vacation is only 9 days away. Whoo hoo!

Bit of Don

Don is such a cool Dad. He lets the kids do things that I think is taboo. Like move their outside chairs into the house and play with crayons. Unsupervised. In the living room. And doesn't mind if one of them "tags" another one's back with fore mentioned crayons.

He loves to have little parades around our living area like he is Peter Piper of the house. All four of them will have their own instruments (drum, recorder, harmonicas, etc) and just follow each other around until one of them has had enough and just starts cheering to signal the song is over.

His energy is endless and his sense of humor is perfect for dealing with the day to day antics these boys have. Walking through the living room with children attacking his legs -no problem. Dealing with a two year old picking up your shirt and trying to give you raspberries -no problem. Having the past four nights of sleep disturbed by Wyatt crawling in to our bed at 3 am only to touch, pull and kick all over Don's body -no problem! Then he is off to work and ready to do it all again the next day.



Don works outside 5 days a week. Even when the weather is over 100 degrees for 3 months in a row during summer time, he is outside. Wearing long sleeved button up shirts, khaki pants, steel toed boots and his straw hat, he is outside at least 6 hours a day in those temperatures. To help him stay hydrated, he brings to work a 2 gallon cooler of water and a few Gatorade's each day. This adds up, so we try to find Gatorade on sale. For a penny pinching man like Don, we don't pay a whole dollar for a 32 oz of Gatorade when it is usually on sale, we wait until it is really on sale once or twice a year and stock up when it is only 50 cents or so. This is most of the Gatorade Don bought last week when Smith's was running their deal.


I couldn't possibly imagine a better Dad for the boys. He is so hands on with them all the time. Don encourages them to climb at the play ground and helps them climb up to the kitchen counter to "help" him make brownies.



He is a super husband, taking on so much around the house. He helps with the laundry and dishes and rarely gives me a hard time (anymore) when I find something to add on the "Honey-do" list. He is handy on the cars and around the house, I can't think of any time we had to hire out for something other than concrete work.

I guess to sum it all up, My Husband ROCKS. I love you, Don!

Big Boy Beds day 2

This is CAKE. I was all stressed, hearing about how the kids will abandon naps for weeks when we switch beds. Besides having a few visitors in our bed last night (at least they came in quietly, lol) they slept well all the way until 8 this morning. At 8ish, I went in and greeted them thinking maybe if I go in before they want to come out, they will stay in their beds until we come to get them. Seems to be working so far.

Today at nap time Jaxon was having a hoot kicking the closet doors from his bed, so he ended up in the crib in the guest room. Obviously, he was ticked, but I think having him and Wyatt getting a feel for the consequence of not following the "rules" have helped and hopefully will keep them in their new beds for good.

Jaxon is not feeling so great today though. A bit of coughing, ear tugging and a bit of a fever early in the day. Don bought some ear drops after we were wondering if he had water in his ears from the swim lessons. Hopefully with a bit of Motrin and ear drops he will feel better and be able to enjoy the weekend ahead.


On unrelated news....
I got my camera back today! Fed Ex dropped it off this morning and I am thrilled to have it home again. It is obviously in working order and can't wait to play with it more this weekend.

Big Boy Beds Night One

After staying up very late (9:30 instead of the usual 8pm) because of a late dinner followed by attaching furniture straps to their armoire, the boys laid down in their big boy beds for the night. I really think Wyatt and Jaxon don't like it. Wyatt has always slept in a corner of his crib, even with one or both legs bent up the wall of the crib. Jaxon is just uncomfortable. I think they both are freaked out by it being so unconfined. Lucas on the other hand is a little pro. He lays right down in bed and has his blanket and thumb and is good to go, but he has always been an easy sleeper.

But tonight the boys were so tired, they just fell straight to sleep after about 5-10 minutes of playing around. No jumping or hide and go seek. After an hour of quiet, Don went to check on them. He came back talking about how weird it was to see them in open beds and that they are growing up so fast. Too fast. I think so, too.

Big Boy Beds

2:06 pm
Holy Cow! I just walked out of the boys room (an hour later than usual) from putting them down for nap.

What is the big deal you ask? The big deal is that they are in their new toddler beds! No cribs or crib tents and I think the boys are more nervous than I am! Jaxon is crying half because he is over tired and half because he is scared of all the freedom. Lucas is calm as can be, singing his ABC's. And Wyatt is quiet, but I think he will follow whatever everybody else thinks on it.

I stayed in for about 10 minutes, rubbing backs and then after repeating the "rules" of the big boys beds, gave them a kiss and walked out. Jaxon started crying again, but it has only been 2 minutes and he is laughing already. I heard a "boom boom" (probably the closet door) and then someone quietly requested "mowe".


2:22
As I am writing this, I heard some noises (aside from the usual giggling) and went to investigate. Jaxon and Wyatt were standing at the top of Jaxon's bed. Even though Luke's bed is in between them.

In the days of before I had children, thinking I knew how I would maturely and patiently handle any situation under the sun, I would patiently go in and lay the children back in bed. Over and over again with out getting upset or irritated. This is what I thought I would do before I had triplets. Or even before I had Wyatt.

Wyatt is quite the instigator. If they are doing something they shouldn't be doing and I warn them, Wyatt laughs (not AT me) but to Jaxon or Lucas -while I am still talking to them about it. If we are in the car and Jaxon is yelling super loud, I will turn around and tell Jax he needs to quiet down. Even though I am not even talking to Wyatt, Wyatt will chuckle.

So when I walked in there and put them back in their beds, I did it with the warning of "if I have to come back in here...". Luckily, no chuckles from either one. I am sure naps are done with for a while, but (Sorry Cathy!) I have no intention of letting the boys be done with them. They absolutely still need their nap, even if it is a half hour less than it used to be. We still have a solid 2 hour nap daily, sometimes 3 hours.


2:45
They are still laughing and having a good time, and it has been 40 minutes. I hear what sounds like jumping, so I need to go in and investigate.

I just quietly walked in to see them both sitting up in their beds. Not a big deal and at least they were in their own beds! They both silently scootched down to a laying down and covered their bodies. Luke seems to be sleeping.

3:00
Don is home and asking how it is going and I am hearing major boom sounds coming from within. My patience is getting thin, but luckily Don is home to help me decide what needs to be done.

3:19
After walking in to their room and seeing Wyatt and Jaxon playing hide and seek behind the closet door, I quickly and quietly moved Wyatt into the guest room. I didn't yell or pop his toosh. Kept it all business like and he is not happy -screaming like a very angry banshee. Never heard this kind of anger out of him. How dare I move him out of the party room with all the freedom! Now I hear him saying "boogie?" hoping I will come in there and wipe his face.

Not very surprisingly, I have not heard a peep out of Jaxon.

Hopefully bed time will be easier tonight.

Swim Lessons

Today we are going to the boys second swim lesson. They are only twice a week for two weeks, but it is a nice start before we go to California next month. On Monday they pretty much acted as we expected them too. Lucas held on for dear life, Jax was slashing Nana and Wyatt just chattered his little teeth while holding on to Don. At the end of the half hour, thankfully Lucas was much more comfortable in the water, especially loving to throw a toy duck and then kick to it while I held his hips and chest up. The boys all did great and seemed to be enjoying themselves.

After class we were loading everyone up in the car and talking to the boys about their lesson. As we drove out of the parking lot we asked the boys "did you guys have fun?"

Wyatt and Jaxon repeated us and said "fuuun". Lucas said "no".

Thinking we misunderstood him, we asked again and got the same answer. Ah, I guess we will see how it goes today. Maybe it will be more "fun" for Luke.

County Fair, Take 3

It is that time of year again. Clark County Fair. So far it is the only tradition we have, so to keep with it, we headed out Friday morning. With no dvd player in the car this time, the boys were a bit loud and out of control at times, but we all got there in one piece.




It was full of it's usual fun for the kids, lots of animals to see, lots of food to eat and better than the tattoos the first year and straw hats the second year, we came home with some bigger and better cowboy hats.

We rented a wagon for two, ate real fair food, and saw trained monkeys. The fair also had a kids area where little stations were set up for the kids to enjoy. Riding bikes, drawing, building blocks were all fun, but the real fun was the wind chime display where the boys could play and be as loud as they wanted to be.



About 3:30 we called it a day and started heading home. The boys were exhausted and we have been paying the price all weekend for going even a little off schedule, but it is worth it. We had another great year at the fair with many more memories made.

Cam-eerrrr-ah

I called Canon today to find out what the estimate of the camera damages will be. The lovely lady on the other end told me they haven't yet opened it, but have a flat rate of $180(!) to fix the camera, no matter what the problem is. This $180 also includes a 6 month warranty and they are charging an extra $15 to send it back. Or they will send it back without fixing it for free. Go figure.

After I got upset that no one had told me about the flat rate fixing fee (why was I waiting for an estimate?) and the sneakiness of making me spend money to send it there insured and packaging it up ($30!) when I didn't need to send it to get an estimate, I nicely let her off the phone and called Don. Then I figured out that they make you mail in the camera before you get the estimate otherwise they know smart consumers would've brought their camera to a camera shop here in town where they would only pay for what was wrong, not a "flat fee" fixing rate. In addition to $45 in combined shipping charges.

I am upset that they were being tricky. I feel that if I request my camera back, it will somehow end up more damaged more than what it was when I sent it out. (Can you tell I don't send my food back in a restaurant either?) So in order to get my camera back, we need to cough up almost $200, or forfeit the $30 that we already spent.

They may as well just emailed me this, I'd feel the same way...

Out of the Closet

My camera is now in the hands of a (hopefully) capable Canon tech. We sent it UPS out to their center in Irvine. Nervously I wait for the news letting us decide if we are going to deem it worth fixing or just cry because I will have a crap camera on our vacation come May.

I have been using the camera Don found on his route and while not they aren't clear and pretty pictures, it is at least able to document the going ons around here.



Another one of Don's "treasures" from work, a new play house! A customer knows about the boys and had thought they might enjoy a little house to play in. And of course they do. Except when Jaxon took a tumble after not being able to hold on to the roof that he had just climbed on. Yup. I can only hope he learned from that experience. Or not....

Yesterday, the boys and I were tinkering around upstairs. They were running around -loudly- but content. I was brushing my teeth, getting dressed and putting on my make up, coming out to check on them every now and then. Once I walked out of my bedroom door, looked to the side and saw this.



Before I about peed in my pants, I saw the wonderful scrapbook opportunity and quietly grabbed the camera. Quietly because I didn't want to startle him and also because truthfully, I wanted that picture. After I was spotted, he flashed me a huge proud of himself grin.




Once his brothers saw that this was fun stuff and Jax was being encouraged to do it, it was time for monkey do. Of course (once I got my pictures) I made it clear to the boys that we do not climb in the house any more. And in a desperate attempt to get them to forget the closet, I invited them to jump on Mommy's bed while I finished getting ready.

Something old, Something new

Spring has hit and we have been outside a lot. Saturday morning we had an impromptu garage sale with a friend Michele. They have a huge driveway and live in a great area for a garage sale so we kind of invited ourselves to join in the fun. Don headed over at the crack of dawn and I brought the boys once they woke up.

Lots of playing, laughing and over $400 later, it was time to bring to kids home and put them down for a nap. Don and I took our newly earned money and had a night out on the town. After googling for patio dining in Las Vegas we came up with a few and finally decided on Maggianos. HOLY cow this place is awesome! Definitely our new favorite place. Patio dining is really dining outside of the Fashion Show mall, overlooking the strip (sirens and motorcycles included) but it was nice and the noise helped keep it real. :) The food was delicious and the prices were really reasonable.

Home Depot was having a paint sale this weekend so we used more of the garage sale money towards primer, paint and glaze. I need to get on the quilts and figure out what exactly is the look I am going for.

Yesterday after the boys woke up from their naps we started taking apart the cribs to move them into the guest room during the painting. Before we accomplished too much, we remembered to take a before picture. The boys loved helping Don reassemble the cribs in the guest room and we are pleased that it has been a very easy transition for them. But after being up until almost midnight last night, I will be thankful when the painting is done!

Recovered and Rambling

The meanest headache I have ever had hit me on the head last night with a big stick. For the first time ever, light and noise were my enemy. After dinner Don took care of the kids while I took a long, hot, dark bath and shower followed by laying down in my dark room, listening to the kids screaming downstairs. Luke was freaking out because we have given them the rights to wander upstairs and he was not ready for those earned rights to be taken away.

So after three little bodies joined me in bed, Don laid down with us and we were trying to keep the kids quiet and still (!). So we all began singing songs. Twinkle Twinkle, the ABC's and Moon moon moon. It is so odd how before we had kids, the only time I EVER heard Don sing was when he belted out "Amarillo by Morning" at a karaoke night while we were camping in Ventura. Now he is all for hanging out with the family and singing nursery rhymes. How cool is that?

I finally got up and helped Don put the boys to bed and crawled back into bed. My head was still hurting this am before Don left for work, but I fell back asleep and thankfully woke up head ache free. I am so thankful that headaches don't regularly plague me. And I feel for those people who they generally do.

Jax has somehow figured out my name is Laura. I don't respond to it at all when I hear the words come out his mouth. Don't get me wrong, it is the cutest way I have ever heard my name said -the way it just rolls off his tongue- but he has been calling Don by his first name for over 5 months now, and the cuteness has worn off in Don's opinion. At least 10 times a day we correct him when he says "Thanks Don!"

Luke has begun to use our phrases when he talks, and I love hearing him say things. After Reagan stopped crying the other day, he patted her back and asked if she was "all better". When we ask him the where abouts of a certain toy, he will say it is "white dare" or "over dare!" We have begun using the timer to take turns. The same timer that I use to time dinner cooking. The last three nights when the timer goes off, Luke asks "Wy-wy's turn now?" -even though there is no toy in question. He sings all the time. If there is no song in his head, he makes one up. "Yell-ow car, yell-ow car" was sang for at least 7 minutes the other day on the way to Costco. When his brothers tried to join in, they were told "No, U-key do!" Eventually he let them join in with him, but he is such a little man and he really keeps his eyes open about what is going on around him.

Wyatt has been a bit defiant. Not in an obvious way, but in an ignoring us "he can't hear us" way. Somewhere along the way he has stopped bringing his plate up to the sink after eating every meal and continuously brings his sand ridden Caterpillar trucks into the house even though he has been told dozens of times (in the past hour) that they are outside toys. He has a great game face, but he can only hold it so long before he starts laughing.

Aunt Leigha came by the other day before she got her nails done. The boys ran around, calling her name - trying to show her the sand box and toys they were playing with. Jax, Wyatt and Lucas loved making funny faces at her and would scream and laugh when she returned the faces to them. After hanging out with them in the cubby where Jax and Wyatt would try to make her laugh by jumping up and hitting their head on the ceiling, we called it a day and she helped me put the boys down for their nap.

So even though I have felt like nothing much has been going on, in retrospect there hasn't been many dull moments. Maybe I should force myself to blog more often :)