The trips turn two!!!

We've just come off of a whirlwind weekend celebrating the triplets birthday (which is Colin's big brother day) and Easter. I've been so exhausted today recovering from it all, which is why I haven't had a chance to upload any photos!

The triplets officially turned two years old on Friday. Friday morning I took a few pictures of them to commemorate the day, and the rest of the day we just spent time with them doing the things they love. The weather was beautiful and sunny (just like the day they were born) and so we played outside, went on a walk and took them to the playground.

Chris and I found ourselves feeling so sentimental remembering the day they were born, the weeks leading up to their birth and the gratitude we felt on their birth day that they'd arrived safely and were healthy. We felt so blessed not only that they held on until 34 weeks, but that their birth was such a beautiful experience and that I was able to have a natural delivery. 

Still, they were so tiny and fragile and seeing them hooked up to machines and monitors made it easy to worry about their future development.

How far they've come! Today they are active little guys who never seem to slow down! They are talking more and more everyday. Some of their favorite words to yell are, "Mommy!!!!!" (over and over) or "NO, MINE!" when a brother tries to grab a toy. They are loving, feisty, curious and hilarious. They are each so different in look and personality and yet they have an undeniable deep connection to each other. 

Finley, you are so sweet, observant, sensitive and talkative. The words you say out of the blue crack us up daily. Last night you called for me from your crib and I said, "I'll be there in a minute." To which you said, "Alright Mommy!" I didn't know you knew the word, "Alright". You are such a caring boy. If you see that someone is sad, you really notice and try and help by bringing a pacifier or luvie to them. You love to cuddle and I love to cuddle with you! I could snuggle on the couch with you all day Finn! You look exactly like my baby pictures. 

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Carter, you are an animal lover and love to sit with me at the window and watch the birds and squirrels eat from our feeder. You love to chase Olive and pet her. You are so funny and love making us laugh. You don't back down from a fight. If someone tries to take your toy, watch out! You like to sleep right next me whenever you get the chance (I love that too). You and Colin have a very special bond and you guys are thick as thieves lately, always together playing, chatting, laughing and causing trouble! 

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Everett, your hugs are to die for. You give them so freely and without warning. You wrap your arms around whoever you're hugging and squeeze so tight. You're never in a rush to let go. And your laugh..... It's outrageous and contagious! You are a brilliant combination of being easy going and yet super determined. If you want something (or don't want to do something) there's no convincing you otherwise. You'll eat whatever I cook up! Most people say that you look like your Pop-Pop or your big brother Colin.

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And just by the way Colin, you are an AMAZING big brother and we couldn't be prouder of you! It's hard to believe that the triplets are the age you were when you became their big brother. 

Ready to add 10 more little toes to this picture. :-)

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***** On Saturday we had a lovely birthday party with our families who made the day so special. I'll post pictures from the party tomorrow :-) 

The Mom Stays In the Picture...at the Pumpkin Patch

This afternoon we took the boys to Cranes in Fennville, MI. It was our first time and we really enjoyed ourselves!

Here comes the tractor to pick us up for a hayride!

Ready...

1, 2, 3 nobody look at the camera! 

Actually this picture made me laugh because I can imagine just what each one of them was thinking. Everett is already planning what kind of shenanigans he can get into along this ride (turns out he finds many ways). Finn, is taking it all in and maybe remembering a book about tractors that we've read together. He is a thinker! Colin is SO excited! Carter is skeptical but finds Colin's enthusiasm intriguing.  

Family pic! Once again, on the count of three..... nobody look at the camera!

Go time!

Colin said, "This is SO amazing!" 

Carter, on the other hand, doesn't look convinced yet.

We rode through the apple orchards and then through the woods. The trees were absolutely beautiful and reminded me why I love fall in Michigan.

Next up, the cow train. Also really fun... and really bumpy. Colin loved it though!

 After riding the rides, we went across the street to pick our pumpkins. As it turns out, the wheelbarrow they give you for collecting pumpkins is also a perfect toddler-mobile. 

On the hunt!

It was a special day. In truth I spent much of this weekend writing a paper for my Neuroscience class. Blah! But come 2 p.m. on Sunday, nothing could stop me from our family trip to the pumpkin patch. There is nothing better than having fun with your children and seeing their faces light up during these adventures. Colin was remembering last year when we did something similar outside Chicago, so for him it's becoming a tradition. For the triplets, this was all new for them as their little brains don't remember our wild adventure last year :) Watching them run around the pumpkin patch pointing to pumpkins and calling them "apples!" (their new favorite snack!) was so fun.

And here's a self taken pic of me in the pumpkin patch:

Did you read this mom's story? 

The Mom Stays in the Picture by Allison Tate.

I did and I nodded in full agreement. I saw a lot of myself in her, as apparently so many other mom's did too! I've always been more comfortable behind the camera and since starting this blog I've realized that I mostly take pictures of my children and husband without me in the frame. I'm vowing to get in the picture more even if I'm not as thin as I once was and most days feel anything but camera ready. I want my boys to see me in this blog too. 

The everyday me.

Their mama.

18 months old today!

We still constantly refer to them as "the babies". As in, "The babies are napping... It's time for the babies to eat... Grab clothes for the babies... What are the babies into?.... Can you take a baby or two with you to the store?".... and on and on.

But I look at the above picture and must acknowledge.... our babies are not really babies anymore. They're little boys.

And these little boys are quite the movers and shakers lately. They know what they want to do, communicate it to us and go for it no matter what. Even if that idea is, "Let's climb on top of ____ and get into ____". Fill in the blanks with whatever.

As they grow, their unique personalities blossom even more. They are each so different and so wonderful in their own right.



Group pictures didn't go as well. Finn is already done!



My big time 3 1/2 year old!



A big leap that I've noticed lately is that Colin and his brothers are starting to be able to play with each other. Sure Colin's ideas are much more advanced, but he seems to have figured out how to include them (when he wants to). I can almost envision the day when perhaps I can cook dinner while they're all nicely playing together.

Case in point:

The choice was to either figure out a way to share the car or take turns. I gotta give it to them, they sure figured out a way to share!

Another thing I'm starting to notice is that wrestling is already common occurrence in our home. What is it with boys that makes them tackle each other out of nowhere??

Love these boys!!!

First day of preschool!!

I want to share the end of the story first.... That Colin's first day of preschool was a huge success! After class, he ran into my arms wearing a huge smile and declaring, "Preschool is fun!"

I didn't tear up when we dropped him off that morning but I did in that moment because I knew my child had loved his first day of school. He was beaming. What more could I hope for?

Now let me rewind.

He was VERY nervous about going to school, separating from me, etc etc. Each night leading up to the first day, we read a social story I made him about school and what to expect. One page reads,

"When mommy says goodbye, Colin might cry or he might not. He knows however he feels is okay."

Each time we'd read that part, he'd say, "Oh no mommy, Colin WILL cry."

On the eve of school he was adamant:

"Okay, fine. I'll go to school but I WON'T play and I WON'T learn any letters!!"

We told him he didn't have to.

The morning of school, we woke up to find Colin in our bed (not an unusual occurrence). I sleepily but excitedly whispered to him, "Today is preschool day!"

"Ohhhhhh.......noooooooooooooooooo........." was his reply.

Before we left the house I said,  "Let's take a picture of you on your way to school!" Maybe he thought I'd said, "Let's take a picture of you on the way to jail...." 

Unhappy boy! :(

Yay! We have a smile!

Back to sad/ worried in the school parking lot....

When we said "goodbye" he cried hard. The teacher had to gently hold him back from running after us. Thankfully, we were confident that he was in great hands. His teacher is a pro and I could hear her lovingly supporting him with her words and arms. I'm so grateful that his teacher is so wonderful. She made all the difference and is the reason Colin ended up having such a positive experience.

After I'd picked him up and we were walking to the car, I noticed he had a little skip in his step. He seemed happy, probably a little relieved, and proud of himself.

And we found out, he even played :-)

Dancing in the rain

Thursday, 10:30 a.m.

It was pouring rain and they were stir crazy, so we went out onto the front porch to watch the rain.

It was really quite beautiful.

I thought they'd stay on the front porch.

hahaha.

Carter just HAD to get out there and play in the rain. There was really no stopping him.

At first Colin yelled, "Carter, WHAT are you doing?! Come back!"

But then decided it looked like fun.

Slowly, one by one, the others joined him.

They splashed and played and basically got soaking wet.

Still in their p.j's

When they came inside, they were cold, wet and filthy. 

And smiling.

Guess who???

Only one more day till Chris comes home!! :)

Olive's day at the Amusement Park

Our last day with the cousin's, we decided to take the kids to Dutch Village. In a nutshell it's a small theme park for kids. They have a merry-go-round, a petting zoo, a swing ride, a large wooden shoe for kids to climb in and slide down, people dancing in clogs, all the while highlighting the Dutch heritage that Holland has.

Chris couldn't go because he had to work so it was my brother in law, sister in law, their two boys and my four. However we drove separately (can't all take one car when there are six kids in car seats!).

Getting out of the house was the same old mad rush of getting all four dressed and into their car seats and going through the mental list: "Did I remember diapers? Do I have the stroller? Do I have their hats, sunscreen, drinks, a snack in case they get cranky, my coffee so I don't get cranky?," and on and on. I was in the car ready to back out three times before putting the car in park again and running in for something forgotten.

But then we were off and I must say I was feeling pretty good about myself. We were out of the house, everyone was happy, we left with a good amount of time before the trips would need their nap, I was pretty sure I'd remembered everything...... I gave myself a mental pat on the back and re-affirmed to myself, "See you CAN do this."

We pull into the entrance to the park, I roll down my window and smile at the lady, dressed in her Netherlands attire. When I talk to her, no one in the car is screaming in the background and this also feels like a win. The day is going great.

Me: "Hi! I need one adult ticket and one child ticket. The other three are under two."

Lady dressed in Netherlands attire: "Okay, wonderful. That will be ____ dollars."

Then Lady adds: "Oh and she's so cute. She can go too, just be sure she stays on a leash"

WHAT THE??? What is she talking about.....

OH MY GOD!!!!

There on the passenger seat sits Olive, our dog, plain as day. Only I hadn't noticed her until this very moment. She must have snuck into the car while I was running in and out of the house loading kids.

AND I NEVER EVEN NOTICED HER.

Now what do I do? She wasn't wearing a collar. I didn't have her leash in the car. There was no time to go home, no where close to buy a collar and leash. I was racking my brain..... and mentally taking back that pat on the back. Who takes their kids to a theme park and doesn't even realize that their dog is riding next to them the whole way?! But going home wasn't an option. Just like on this day, I'm determined that once we've made the huge effort to get out of the house, we are not returning without doing something! Today was no different. I wasn't about to make the drive home just because Olive was with us. Although given the heat index, leaving her in the car, even with the windows cracked wasn't a safe option.

Then I opened the trunk and found our solution.

These leashes that I'd bought for the triplets following a scary moment at the zoo earlier in the summer. I've always thought that those kid leashes were pretty ridiculous. That is until one day at the zoo when the trips wanted to get out of their choo choo wagon to peer into an aquarium full of fish and in the process of helping them do that, they took off running on opposite directions.

Ten minutes after that scary incident, I found myself in the zoo gift shop purchasing three leashes.

They work, FYI.

The trips love them,

But people stare,

And judge.

However, these leashes saved the day yesterday! I put the monkey backpack/ leash on Olive. It fit almost perfectly, and off we all went.

Olive also spent time in the stroller.

At one point, both Carter and Olive were on leashes meant for kids.... !!!

THE LOOKS I GOT! Wow.

I held my head high.

The kids and even us adults had SUCH a great time and that's all that mattered!

We left hot, tired, a bit cranky but with great memories and lots of reasons to look back and remember this trip to Dutch Village.

My sister-in-law, who has a great ability to see the best in any situation, suggested that I write a children's book entitled, "Olive's Day at the Amusement Park".

We had a good laugh.

The boys and I entering the park. Couldn't manage without our Valco and Ergo carrier!! 

I thought this was hilarious and just calling out to us for a picture.