Brother's just know

Before I get to the triplet's birthday party details I want to share something I thought was so sweet and so telling about the bond of siblings. Before the trip's birthday, I took Colin to Target and told him that he could pick out gifts for Finn, Carter and Everett. I thought it would take forever for a five year old to pick out gifts. I thought maybe it would be hard for him to focus on others and not get ideas for himself. I thought he'd need help and guidance to find appropriate gifts for each of them.

However, Colin knew exactly what he wanted for each brother and they weren't things I'd have necessarily chosen. He was adamant about a jack hammer for Carter. "Are you sure he wants one of these?"

 "Mom, he really wants one of these!"

He chose a Disney puzzle assortment for Finn. "Are you sure?" I'd asked. 

"Yup! I'm sure."

Finally, he picked out a pretend birthday cake for Everett. "I saw him playing with this toy at Edie's house and he really liked it."

His presents were the first ones that his brothers got to open as soon as they woke up on their birthday morning. They LOVED what he'd chosen for each of them and Colin stood there with his arms crossed, proud as could be.

The Trips Turn Two- Part Two! Party Time!

The trips turned two on March 29th which I wrote about here. We had a low key day because we planned to really celebrate on Saturday. 

Chris and I decorated the living room the night before. Colin and I went out and picked up a bunch of balloons for each of them and tied them on their chairs. We also picked up Winnie the Pooh decorations. Carter, Finn and Everett love the Winnie the Pooh movie- pretty much demand that it's turned on whenever we're in the car! But when I looked for Winnie the Pooh birthday decorations, I had no luck. Well, I did have some luck because low and behold, there were Winnie the Pooh baby shower decorations and we made it work! 

Everett made quite a birthday entrance Saturday morning by falling all the way down the stairs. It was 6:30 a.m. and it scared the crap out of us. It scared him too but surprisingly, he was unhurt. Kids are so resilient! The balloons waiting on his chair also helped dry the tears pretty quick.

Later that day, Aunt Katie arrived with even more balloons! 

Colin wanted to get the boys their own power tools (also kind of a gift to himself since he picked ones that coincidentally he also "needed"). He's no fool. Each of the boys now has their own tool box with a few power tools inside. Colin was SO excited for them to open his presents and the boys loved them. As a side note, I should have gifted myself some ear plugs for when they are all turned on at the same time :)

We got the boys a baby doll. I wasn't sure how they'd respond to it or if they'd be into pretend play with a baby but given that we're having a baby (in only about two months!), I thought having a pretend baby around might be a good idea. They've really surprised me by how interested they are in playing with the baby. Especially Finn. He was so cute on the day of the party. He kept carrying the baby around and even took him outside where he pushed him all over the yard, stopping to feed him a bottle every now and again. They'll be such good big brothers!

As a side note, I could write a whole blog post on how frustrating it is to shop for a boy baby or any pretend baby supplies. Every store I went into sold 99 percent girl dolls (it took me three stores to find a boy doll). I had the same experience years ago when shopping for a baby boy for Colin. I wanted a boy doll since we're having a baby boy. Also, almost all the accessories are pink. Nothing against pink but seriously does it ALL have to be pink?? It's all so catered to little girls. However, I think it's also important for boys to have opportunities to play house and care for a baby. Anyhoo....

Aunt Katie was generous enough to bring our favorite cupcakes (again!) from Chicago. YUMMMM!!! 

 Happy Birthday Carter!

Happy Birthday Everett!

 Happy Birthday Finn!

Happy Big Brother Day Colin!

It was such a special day! 

Not all of our family could be there as everyone lives out of town, but our parents, Chris's sister Katie and my brother Gavin were able to make the trip and it meant so much to us. We couldn't have made it through these first two years of raising triplets without their support, so celebrating with each of them only seemed fitting!

The Wonderland Express

Chicago!

Dear Finn,

This morning Aunt Madeline, cousin Macy, Colin, you and I went to see the wonderland express. You got to go because Everett got up wayyyy too early today and in turn got lots of pre-dawn one on one time with me, and Carter was still napping soundly when we left.

On our way and THRILLED to be going anywhere!

I think Colin and Macy enjoyed the train for the most part, but Colin was pretty disappointed that you couldn't actually touch or play with or ride the train. 'Just looking' is no fun when you're two years old!

But you, sweet Finn. You LOVED it! You were, as we so often say about you, filled with joy.

You were just content as can be facing out in the moby wrap, excitedly moving your arms and legs as the trains passed by.

When we stopped to eat lunch, you were trying to make eye contact with anyone and everyone around you, then you'd smile and laugh and work your magic. Such the charmer you are!

The crew, lunching. As I took this picture Colin was saying, "Mommy, no cheese. Me eating!"

"Excuse me, do I have anything on my face?"

Finn, you seemed just SO thrilled to be out of the house and experiencing a different environment with so many new sounds, faces, colors and experiences!

Sometimes, like today as I watched you so enjoy yourself, I feel guilty/ sad that we don't can't leave the house more. It's logistically impossible for me to take all four of you anywhere by myself. Even with help, it can be a real challenge. We do the best we can. If I had octopus arms, it'd be easier.

Someday it will get easier and we'll all explore the world together.

But I loved seeing you enjoy your little outing so much.

You are so fun to be around. 

More blessings....

Carter and Finn both had a cardiology check- up this morning.

In case you are new to this blog, here's a re-cap of why we were even at a cardiology appointment this morning. A few days after Finn was born, the doctor heard a concerning murmur and after a few tests we found out that he had many holes in his heart (VSD's). One hole was particularly concerning due to the size. As scary as the description of his heart condition sounded to Chris and I, we tried to trust what the doctors were saying which was that this could be very treatable. They said he may need surgery one day, but even then, the surgery is considered minor. Still, try telling any mom and dad that heart surgery on their precious baby is "minor". We were scared. (I also mention it in this post. )

Because Finn was found to have this issue, Carter and Everett were promptly given the same tests. Everett was fine but Carter had a very small VSD. So, Carter has also come along to the cardiology appointments to get checked too.

This morning, on our way to the appointment, I was nervous. We hadn't been in for a check in several months. Oh how badly I just wanted to hear that my boys hearts were healthy.

The boys on the other hand, were totally chill and seemed thrilled to be out and about! They were all smiles, even while having their blood pressure taken.

First, they both got an EKG which involves sticking tiny leads all over their chest and upper thigh, that wires attach to. Carter went first because I was pretty sure he'd just roll with the punches and be cool with it. Finn watched intently.

Carter did great! Although he did try and eat the wires.

My sweet Finn wants to be cooperative, he just wears his heart on his sleeve big time. If he's happy, you know it and it's so infectious. If he's scared or unhappy about something you also know it and it can be hard for him to recover if he's made to do something he's unsure about. But he totally rose to the occasion today. I held him for the EKG and then the Echo cardiogram. The Echo took 20 minutes and he was expected to stay as still as possible. He did it!! As long as I was holding him he was fine.

Look, Finn already knows how to work an Echo machine! So smart, this boy....

Then we waited for the doctor to review everything and come in to talk with us. I held my breath.

She came in, listened to their hearts and announced, "They're good." Not only did she not hear the murmurs anymore, but each of the boy's hearts showed no sign of any VSD's. None.

"Sometimes the holes just close up on their own. Even the larger one that Finn had. It seems to have closed up."


When do we have to come back for another check?

Never.

My boys hearts are both fine and mine, is overflowing with gratitude and relief.

Monday 4 p.m.

Colin: "Hey Everett, do you want me to read you a story?"

Everett: "Ohhhh that sounds nice".

Colin: "This book is one of my favs. 

It's called, "Fine Homebuilding."

Finn: "Can I join?"

Carter: "Me too!"

And that's how, at 4 p.m. on a Monday, my future handymen gathered to share a story about hammers and nails and drills, oh my!

The end

p.s.- can you tell I'm sleep deprived??