Off to work!

Last Thursday was take your child to work day and Chris's company really makes it fun for the kids (and parents)! Colin was SO excited about going to work with Daddy. And I couldn't stand the cuteness watching the two of them head off to catch the train for work.

Wow, check out Carter's face! Somebody's mad they couldn't go too.

 Maybe next year Carter!

 Colin wore a button down shirt, "Just like Daddy", carried his computer, "Just like Daddy" and wore a backpack "Just like Daddy". Colin is still talking about how they rode the train, then took an elevator "up up UP!!" to a floor so high that you could see lots of "buildings, cars and a lake".

Colin had so much fun that he didn't want to leave when it was time for me to pick him up. He held onto Chris and cried begging to stay longer. Apparently Daddy's work is way more exciting than my Mommy work at home.....

I mean really, what could be more exciting than watching me make sandwiches and change diapers all day??

I love that Chris's company supports this day and encourages parents to bring their children. It truly made Colin's week and I also won't soon forget watching the two of them walk off to catch the train together.

Presents, seen and unseen

Here are the last of the birthday pictures!

As promised, Colin fulfilled his brotherly duties and helped the babies tear through presents at lightning speed. We keep having to remind him... slow down.... say "thank you"..... even for clothes :)  

Yup, wearin' my Oprah jacket. 

One of our favorite gifts came from Chris's brother Joe and wife Daniela. Notre Dame hats for all the boys! You should have seen the smile on my husbands face (Chris went there, two of his siblings went there and his Father is a professor there). Seeing those hats on them for some reason made me suddenly picture future fall days, tailgating Notre Dame football games with our boys. How fun!

They gotta grow into them just a bit... but by the time we're ready to brave a tailgate with our little men, they'll be ready!

When looked through these pictures I also thought about all the unseen presents these boys have received from so many people, so many of YOU. You know who you are. You prayed with me, sent monthly diapers from the moment we announced, "triplets!", helped care for me when I was huge and bedridden, visited me in the hospital, prayed for my babies when I went into early labor, held them when they arrived, gave meal gift cards for us to use during long days in the nicu, jumped in to change a diaper without missing a beat, brought us a meal, threw me a baby shower long distance, gave Colin extra love and attention, sent us more prayers, met me for wine whenever, wherever, and basically showed up, just when we needed you most. YOU, are each role models for what it means to do for others and I've learned from each one of you. We are better for your example in our lives.

In the past I've always preferred to be on the helping side of things, rather than receiving. Accepting help was a hard thing at first because I felt bad that people were going out of their way, taking time away from their own busy lives, to help us. But I've learned that letting others help you is also an important part of the human experience. Hopefully, it makes us better at helping others.

Today, Colin and I made and delivered a chicken casserole to a women who'd recently had baby from our church. It was such a blessing to be able to do that for someone else because I know now, on a deeper level, what it feels like to be on the receiving end of gestures like that. To have your load lightened... even just a little bit... when it feels heavy. This past year, we were able to feel what it's like to be truly lifted up by people, surrounded by encouragement and love, when we really needed it. 

Our boys felt it too and are better for it. 

Thank you.

Happy Birthday

to you and you and you.

Carter, Finley and Everett with their, "We just woke up and you hurriedly dressed us alike, combed our hair and then paraded us into a room of balloons and cameras. What on earth is going on here today?" looks.

Well, let me tell you, once they finagled the balloons down to their level, they seemed to wake up.

We ordered cupcakes again and sang "Happy Big Brother Day" to Colin and then "Happy Birthday" to the babies. Admittedly I may be a bit over worried about how Colin feels being the big brother to three..... I'm certain that he would have been fine had we only sung to the babies but seriously, this kid should get some recognition for what an incredible big brother he is. It's not always easy but he rolls with the punches and rises to the occasion over and over. In preparation for the babies birthday we also talked a lot about this milestone for him. The day he became a big brother. He was thrilled that his "big brother" duties at the party would include helping to blow out candles and open presents, because the babies are too little for that. I was also so touched that people included little gifts for him too. Let's just say he made out pretty well on his brothers birthday :-)

Cousin Macy. All girl but can hang with my boys no problem! Also, this girl has killer dance moves. Gets them from her aunt, I'm convinced. 

How fast a year goes by....

Today we celebrated the triplet's first birthday with our family and a few friends. (Their b-day is March 29th but for a variety of reasons their "official" party was postponed until today). I'll be posting pictures from the party over the next few days and then we are DONE with birthdays in our house for almost a year! As I've said before, all my guys- Colin, Chris and the Triplets all have March birthdays. It's been fun but I can't lie, I'm kind of excited to have a break from planning, organizing and executing birthdays.

So at Colin's first birthday I made a slideshow of pictures from his first year and we showed it at his party. For the trips b-day, I felt I should do the same. And I really wanted to... it's just that I didn't get a chance to even start it until Tuesday night. But, somehow it got done and I thought I'd share it here, too.

Thanks for being a part of this journey over the past year!

(I just want to add that Amy Sayre, an amazingly talented chicago photographer, shot some of the pictures in this slideshow. I especially treasure the ones she captured of our newborns just after we brought them home from the nicu. Check her work out here!)

"One more and you could have a basketball team!"

Oh if I had a dime for every time I've heard that one....

Can you guess the feet?

But today, while we were at the shoe store, it sort of felt like I was corralling my own little basketball team, trying to get them to focus on shoes!

My mom (who is feeling much better since this post), Amelie, Colin and I took the babies to get their first pair of shoes! We ended up getting them at Piggy Toes because I read that they were old school, measure their feet and recommend shoes. For their first pair, I really wanted a good, solid pair of shoes that I knew would fit their feet well.... maybe last the summer?? Dare I hope?

The nice man at the store (Michael for any of our city friends) took such good care of us! He immediately honed in on one sneaker that would be a good fit for what we were looking for.... and came in three different colors.

Colin also picked these out for himself, all by himself.

He used to be into the color blue, but apparently red is the new favorite for summer.

Once the shoes were on the trips feet, we lined them up, snapped some pictures and alternated between screeching, "Ahhhh, how cute!" and boo hooing, "Can you believe they're such big boys now?!"

nope

nope

Close enough! 

Grow and learn... grow and learn...

Last week, one of our boys clearly let us know, in the best way he knew how, that we needed to make some changes. Chris and I stayed up until the wee hours that night talking through how we can be better, do better, organize our busy lives better, for our kids. There's no manual per se, for this parenting thing.... and definitely not this triplets plus one thing. We're just doing the best we can.

The good news is that Chris and I have been able to tweak our schedules, shift priorities, and re-organize things to hopefully meet the need that has presented itself. We are trying to provide more predictability, more one on one "special time" with the kids and family time, amongst other tweaks.

Although we've dabbled in doing family activities with all the boys outside the home, this past weekend we really went for it!

The third baby is on my back :-)

We got up bright and early with the boys and went to our favorite breakfast spot. It'd been ages since we'd been there and until last week, we'd never really considered taking all the boys. You know what? It was wonderful. They loved it. Colin got strawberry pancakes, Chris and I chugged coffee and the babies flirted with everyone in sight.

Colin, Carter (behind the plant) and Chris

We cruised around the zoo in our sweet ride, which was also a fantastic time. 

There were many, "We'll remember this" moments. Like when one of the chimpanzees walked across his space and came right up to the glass where my boys were hanging out, like he was curious about them. A triplet, chimp stare down ensued. 

Of course we couldn't get the camera going fast enough, but here are some taken just after the close encounter. Still pretty cool:

We picnicked just outside the zoo. As I sat feeding the babies on a blanket while watching Colin and Chris play, the city skyline surrounding us all, I thought to myself, this is the life.

And, this beats hanging out in the basement.

Everett, our resident walker

We played for hours at the Purple Monkey Playroom, even pushing the babies nap later... living on the edge!

They were obsessed with pushing each other around in this cart. Couldn't get enough!

Sure, there were some mishaps in our weekend adventures- Finn split his lip and then Everett split his lip (both of which had never happened until last weekend and then happened within an hour of each other). I forgot the milk sippy cups at home when we went to the zoo (I feel like I always do this!) and Colin's pancakes, carefully placed in a to go carrier after breakfast, flipped onto the floor- momentarily devastating to a 3 year old.

But we got through it all. We improvised. We were together as a family, making memories and giving our kids what they really want from us, quality time.

Saws, hammers and drills, oh my!

Colin: "Mommy, I want you to read me books tonight."

Me: "No problem."

Sometimes Chris takes Colin to bed, sometimes I do. Tonight, he wanted me and I was happy to oblige

He climbs into bed and I lift a pile of books that happens to be lying on the floor, onto the bed.

Me: "What should we start with?"

Colin: "The working book."

Me: "Okay, great!" I pull out this book, about trucks in a construction site, assuming this is the one he means. Side note: this is a GREAT book. If you have a pre-school age little guy (or girl!) who is interested in trucks, you won't be disappointed!

Colin: "No, silly mommy. THIS book."

And he grabs this off Chris's nightstand:

The front of the magazine advertises gripping articles such as  "Choosing the best backerboard for tile work" and "Who makes the best circular saw?"

-Deep breath-

I can read this book. I'm cool like that. I know my saws and what nots...

okay really I was doubting myself and expecting Colin to re-consider having asked me to read to him. I almost expected him to say, "Never mind mommy. Go get Daddy!"

But the thing I've learned about being a parent is that whenever you feel out of your comfort zone, your child will show you how to be. 

And he did. He guided me through and before I knew it I was reading 'Fine Homebuilding' like I'd been doing it my whole life (well, sort of...not really). But he seemed satisfied.

Motherhood pushes my comfort zone. In big ways and little ways... every. single. day.

Luckily, I have my kids to guide me.

Family Fun Day and Celebrating the Trips Birthday, Part 1

We deemed last Saturday, 'Family Fun Day' because quite frankly we all needed a fun day! Chris had been out of town and it was a rough week without him home. We all missed him, especially Colin.

The truth is that often on the weekends, Chris and I both have lists in our heads of things we want to get done- clean up the house, catch up on laundry, hit up a yoga class, repair something in the house, grocery shop etc etc. However, this saturday we made a decision to prioritize each other over anything else, all day. The house stayed messy, the laundry remained piled high and the new door Chris has been working hard on had to wait another day before receiving it's final coat of paint. 

First thing in the morning, Chris and Colin hit up home depot (possibly their favorite place on earth) for a workshop and easter egg hunt. I can't imagine anything more fun for the two of them, than a hunt inside the walls of home depot. God to they love that place.

Then we all went to Purple Monkey Playroom, our favorite local play area. The best part was that it was a beautiful, warm day outside, so hardly anyone was there! We practically had the place to ourselves. While we also love going to the parks, especially on a warm spring day, it's just not realistic for us. It's much more of a positive experience to go somewhere baby proofed, where we can let the boys free to do their thing, knowing that they are safe (I mean, we do watch them! We are not just kickin' back with lattes while they play, but it's safer than at the park). Thanks Purple Monkey! We also had a picnic there which felt special.

Starting to explore... Everett, Carter, Colin and Finn

Carter loved the slide!

Later on, after naps, we finally gave the boys cupcakes and sang "Happy Birthday." Our official family party is going to be April 21st but we wanted to do something before then. And Family Fun Day + cupcakes turned out to be the perfect thing. 

Here are some pictures:

"What are we doing? Where is our food? Why are we all wearing the same shirts?"

Thank God Colin was willing to test the cupcakes, prior to giving any to his brothers.

Singing "Happy Birthday". I especially love the look on Everett's face in this picture.

"Hmmm... what is this interesting, colorful thing on my plate?"

"Ohhh, it tastes good guys! Much better than peas."

 "How am I supposed to eat this?"

"Never mind, I figured it out!"

One of the perks of being a triplet... extra cupcake!