Oh, the changes...

They say toddlers don't do well with transition. But let's be honest. *I* don't do well with transition. We've had to live by routine and structure (let's call it "triplet survival"). So when they change (yay milestones!), it takes me awhile to figure out how to parent this new stage.

Yesterday (the 19th), the boys peed on the potty for the first time. It happened a bit suddenly (I was trying to hold off until they were 12 to deal with potty training triplets). I was baking them cookies. (It was the first time we made cookies together. They helped stir and most of all, they licked the bowl clean.) So I was baking cookies and my dear friend Ellie dropped by for a few seconds. In that time, the boys ran into the living room and stripped naked. So I figured I'd ask if they wanted to sit on the potty (figuring they'd say no). But they wanted to. And on the first try, Win and Wes peed!!! Charlie had some success today too.

So it's official. We're starting potty training whether I like it or not. We went to Target to buy some big boy underwear. We've had a few accidents, but I'm so proud of the boys for trying. Well, they know if they sit on the potty they get to play the games on my iPhone and get some M&Ms.

But here's the challenge of having 3. They don't want to use baby potties - they all want to sit on the real potty! But we only have 2 bathrooms, one on the first floor, one on the second. And there's only one of me. So at the very least, I have two on the potty and I'm running up and down the stairs. But tonight, as I was trying to cook dinner and stay on top of the potty training, the boys climbed up a tall bookcase and found the one forbidden box (non-washable markers and glitter glue) and proceeded to draw all over the couch and desk. Non-washable markers and glitter glue. And in this time, the chicken burned and my bag of peas exploded all over the floor. It was that kind of day. I should seriously submit the photo to this site.

Another big change is that nap time is dwindling. They are down to an hour an half nap, but it's a fight to get them to sleep. It is a constant battle of the monkey party. We need to take the toddler beds (cribs in their toddler bed formation) out of the room and put real beds in their rooms. I'm really tired of fighting the monkey party, so in the near future, we'll probably forego naps and just put them to bed at 6:30pm.

Oh, the changes!

July 4th at home

We arrived home in time to watch the town's July 4th parade. But it was really loud. There were a lot of fire trucks (which they mention every time we pass the small park from where we watched the parade). But they loved it!


The fam



Wes found a tree to climb

July 4th in Ohio!

My grandma holds a family reunion at her house on the lake every July 4th. We haven't been able to travel for it for awhile, but this year we were so excited to be able to introduce the boys to my dad's childhood home and many family members.

During the 14 hour trip out, Charlie and Win decided to pass the time by drawing all over their arms.

We stayed in a great suite (so we had floorspace for their 3 pack n' plays). You know you're on vacation when you get to eat yogurt in Mommy & Daddy's room while watching doodah (tv)

The boys first boat ride
Winston at the wheel

Wes

But really cousin Shelby and Uncle Mark drove

Feeding the ducks

Uncle Mark and Poppy carved wooden boats for the boys to pull behind the boat. Amazing!

Poppy gave the boys a special vacation treat - orange soda (I mean, "pop" since we were in Ohio). Here's Win's orange pop mustache and big grin.

Charlie fell in the lake chasing the football he threw in

Friday night, Grandma held a Hawaiian Luau themed dinner. The boys dresses appropriately...

The boys loved the 4th of July boat parade!

You know it's time to get rid of the cribs when...

...they start doing acrobatics. These photos are dark because I tried to sneak taking them with my phone while the boys sang songs. I couldn't get Charlie in the shot, but they were all doing the same thing. First, they all held onto the side railing and walking their legs up the wall (well over their heads). Then, they straddled their feet on either side of the railing, standing straight up. Win mixed it up a little by pulling his crib closer to Wes' and balancing across them on his belly.





And this was all during our "quiet" bedtime routine...