Father's Day 2012

We celebrated Father’s Day weekend at Lone Star lake with my Dad, Denise, Jamie, Erin and Layla. While I have to say getting there was quite the challenge, once we were there, it was fun and we had a great time. I'll spare the details, but let's just say 2 trailor tires later we got there, with 3 potty training triplets. We were ready for some lake time! You can just see the misery getting there in Abigail's face here below.

Once we arrived we set up our "camp" we had a good time. It is so much fun taking the babies to new and different places, but it is NOT relaxing and a ton of work. We never know how they will eat or sleep, so it makes it a little more of a challenge. However, we can't just not go and do, so with a few extra drinks, Jack and I manage. Of course our family is awesome in helping too, the extra hands are for sure a plus!

This was the first time the babies had been the lake water. It was a little scary, because they love the water and have no fear. Abigail and I are ready for the boat ride...

I love this baby girl. She is so sweet and tender hearted, but can be so motherly to her brother and sister. He is a little scaredy cat too so it works out perfect for her to hang out with her Momma. 

Daddy with Jessy and Wyatt....Wyatt is not too sure about all of it.

Here is the "cheez" face Jessy loves to make!  

Aunt Taunty, Baby Layla and Abigail enjoying the boat ride!

We did tube as a family for the first time. Of course we went very slow, no one complained, they seem to like it a lot! I foresee many trips to the Lake House in our future and a ton of memories here with the kids. 

We had a great weekend! I am grateful for a wonderful Father who has taught me many things in my life, who has been my #1 fan through many years and more and who will always be there for me, no matter what! 

Sleepover with Layla Rose

I volunteered to watch my sweet niece Layla Rose one Friday night so Jamie and Erin could go out of town for the weekend. The babies LOVE Layla, and I figured...what's one more. She is a super happy, sweet and easy baby. We had a great time and the girls enjoyed sharing all their toys and babies with her. Here is a quick pic for breakfast. Wyatt is still fast asleep...imagine that!?!? 

Swim Lessons at Aunt Sassy’s

Jack and I have been talking about swim lessons for the summer, but really were not sure how we were going to do it with 3 babies and 1 mommy. I knew I might get 1 consistent volunteer, but what about baby #3.

My Aunt Sally (Aunt Sassy) has a family friend, Sue, who has been teaching swimming lessons for over 40 years, and she suggested I speak with here about the possibility of doing lessons. So, I contact Sue this spring and we scheduled lessons the week of Memorial Day. That meant also, we would spend the week at Aunt Sassy and Uncle Jimmy's house.

It was kinda like a stay-cation, and mixed up the days a little for us. The babies LOVED the new place and had a blast swimming, playing with their cousins, chasing the cat and trying to pet the dog. MOST of all they LOVED swim lessons.

Here is day #1 headed downstairs to the pool....CHEESE!!

Day #1 a success, only 3 more left....

One of the days we were there we went to the Ft. Worth Zoo with my cousin Darrah and her son, Knox. The Ft. Worth Zoo was awesome! The babies could see the animals and were really excited to watch them move and make noises. I was very impressed.

Another day we headed to Costco with Aunt Sassy and then had yummy yogurt at a fabulous place called Yogurt Land. The babies really enjoyed their cold dessert.

By Thursday, on Day 4 of swim lessons, the babies were very comfortable in the water. They could put their heads under and hold their breathe for a short amount of time and even could wiggle "swim" their way to the side. I personally learned a ton on training and working with them and know with consistent work this summer they will only improve.

I enjoyed spending time with my Aunt and Uncle in their beautiful home, seeing my cousins and cousinettes and making summer memories that will last forever!

Potty Training a TRIO

Well I have dreaded this day! Not because I didn’t think they were ready, but honestly because of the “inconvenience” it would be for me and our daily routine. I knew they would be potty-ing 24/7 for several days and who knew how long it would take for them to get the hang of it. I had been mentally pre-planning for quite some time. I  had a “head game plan” going on and played it over and over until I felt confident that it would work. And, let’s just be honest….that is what I do ALL the time with the trips. If we have event, or an outing, or something unusual that we haven’t done before, then I do that...crazy I know, but it helps me think of different scenarios and what we may encounter.

So the biggest encouragement was my triplet mom friend, Angela Tew. She has triplet boys who are about 7 months older than my babies. She is always a great resource and kind of like our "Fairy Godmother" of our Royse City Area Mothers of Multiples Group. I also used a resource from a friend I have been on a few outings with who has quads. Her blog, Cox Quads, was a big help in getting things organized.

We started off in the bathroom, a mistake, I'll explain later. Luckily I had our friend Ginger here all day to help me with the process. We gave them stickers for successful pee-pee'ing in the potty and went at least every 15 minutes. Here was the original set up.

 Well....this is what happened. We have gate that separates the living room and the entry way. Then entry way leads to the hall, and then to the bathroom....and of course all the rooms. Well, we we cross the gate I lose all control. They may, or may not go to the bathroom, instead will run and hide, grab things in the office...anything to "play," when they are supposed to be potty-ing. Well...after a HORRIBLE 1st day, I talked to Angela and she suggested to put the potties in the living room. I was not excited about it at all towards the beginning, but she insisted it would make my life easier and that they would not associate the living room with potty-ing. That was my biggest fear.... Well...she was right!  

After taking potties inside and outside...

Spending many hours outside naked, or inside barely clothed for that matter....

We reached a point of success, and while we still have accidents from time to time, these smart babies picked it up quickly and are doing great. Potties are in the living room, a perfect distance away for an "emergency," and I am pleased with the success they are having.

Now, don't think it's all that and smooth sailing....
From time to time, we have to read...some things take awhile....

We carry a potty with us at all times and make sure to go before we get out of the car for an outing. It is MUCH easier to go on a traveling potty than it is to stop at a gas station and unload all three, or take them to a bathroom in a restaurant. This is especially important if I am out with them alone. They are still wearing diapers at nap time and bed time, and not sure exactly when and how we will transition there, but I am not ready yet because we still have crib tents on the baby beds to keep them in. I do know that for my kids, wearing pull-ups were confusing to them, they weren't sure if it was a diaper or panties. I opted to not use a pull-up while potty training. Of course I had more mess to clean, but I think overall it helped them "get it."

 

Good times, and just one more milestone in this thing called parenthood! Thanks to all those people in our life who have provided such great support and advice!

Day at the Zoo

We had a great time today going to the Zoo with Mimi. We have been trying to go for so long, but I honestly was worried about the amount of walking for my grandmother, but also the Texas HeAt!!!!

Needless to say we had a blast and the day was perfect. I am totally blessed that I have been able to share these moments with my Grandmother. I feel even more blessed that my babies are able to experience memories with their Great Grandmother. It is truly a miracle that it all happened this way.

The triplets and I have been to the Zoo several times with our multiple momma friends, but we had never ridden the Monorail around the African Safari at the Dallas Zoo. This was the time, and it was awesome! You could really see animals you would NOT be able to see if you were not up above. The babies loved riding the "train" and of course spotting as many animals as they could find.

I wasn't able to take to many pictures, but here area  few.
Abigail LOVED the penguins....

And of course ALL of them LOVE elephants!

Waiting to ride the Monorail... 

 It was a great day, a true memory, and a blessing all the way around.

Mother Daughter Trip

Mom and I decided back in April to take a weekend trip, just the 2 of us....somewhere....

Our final decision was Fredericksburg, and what a great choice. Not only is the drive a perfect distance, but the scenery and the town were so amazing.

 

We left Thursday after I dropped the triplets off at Mother's Day Out, and headed south on 35. I was so excited to make a stop at my roomie, KD sister and maid of honor Bethany's house. I got to see her precious baby girl, Ana Beth and handsome Hayden. It was such a treat to see each other in person and to play with Hayden and hold Anna. We decided to get some dinner, and I was SO glad that my friend and former boss Lil and her husband were able to meet us for Mexican food. It was a blessing of a visit and so fun to catch up with these special people in my life.

 

We got back on the road and enjoyed the beautiful sunset as we arrived into Fredericksburg. We checked into our hotel Thursday evening and headed for some dinner.

Thursday morning we were up and to a wonderful massage and facial downtown. The relaxation was exquisite and the momma and daughter time priceless. We weren't really sure our plan was after that, but because there was no plan, we had a blast! We decided to grab lunch at a local German restaurant on Main Street. We had fabulous food and experienced great German beer. We ended up spending the day up and down Main Street, in and out of shops, restaurants and stores. We decided to try a different German appetizer and beer at each spot. It was awesome! I would say my favorite for sure was the "Scotch Egg" at the Fredericksburg Brewing Company. It was super tasty!

 

After shopping, several beverages and a lot of fun, we headed back to the hotel for a swim. Later we got ready and headed out for dinner at Crossroad Salon & Steakhouse, as if we hadn't had enough food already on Friday, we had to end with a gourmet dinner. Here we are before our meal.





We woke up Saturday ready to hit the wineries all off of 290. We decided to go 3 different wineries.

We started at the beautiful Becker Vineyards & Lavender Farm...

Then off to Grape Creek Winery...

And then the final the last winery was, Torre di Pietra Vineyards & Winery.

All different, all beautiful and all tasty wine!

 

Saturday evening we headed to the famous Alamo Springs Cafe, where their hamburger was voted #3 in "D Magazine." Let me tell you, it was AWESOME! Just take a look....my mouth is watering just thinking about it!

We even marked our presence!

We wrapped up the evening watching the bats fly out of the Bat Cave at the "Old Tunnel." We weren't able to see too well, however we did learn a lot about the history and culture of the area and how the mammals are preserved there.

We left Sunday morning after breakfast annd packing. The trip was so relaxing, perfect with no "schedule," and a great to share mother and daughter memories. Now that I am a mother I realize the importance of these special times, and can't wait to one day share memories as my girls grow into young women. Mother and Daughter, there's no greater bond.

Mother's Day

This Mother’s Day was low key, relaxing and a blessing to spend time with my little family. I am so grateful to be a Mom and even more to my triple blessings!

We celebrated the day together with Church, and nap and then lunch. We had a yummy lunch at Snuffer’s and sat on the patio to enjoy the afternoon. Since Jack took me to Snuffer’s after almost every doctor’s appointment when I was pregnant, I thought it was only right that we go there for lunch. After all, the burgers and cheese fries brought them into this world healthy! J

I have learned so much over the past year and half about being a Mother. I think the thing that sticks out the most is the amount of love one person can have for 3 people. I truly, honestly would never had the chance to experience the deep love if it weren't for these three. I have gained an entirely new perspective of patience, laughter, alone time, sleep, patience and more patience. God truly does give us what we know we can handle, and for that I am grateful.