Green!

We've been trying to teach the boys to respond to the question "how old are you?" for their upcoming birthday. We ask the question, then hold up two fingers and say "2"! And then we ask the boys the question and let them answer. Here's how it went:
Us: Winston, how old are you going to be on Saturday?
Win: Green!

It still cracks me up. In other funny expressions, Charlie has come up with a few of his own. Instead of saying "no", he says (every time) "no not". And "more" is "more again". "Yes" is "okay", but only after he suckers you into saying what he wants:
Charlie: (Jumbled toddler words) Gabby big doodah more again (more jumbled toddler words)
Me trying to interpret back to him: You want to watch Yo Gabba Gabba on the big doodah (our big tv)?
Charlie: Okay!

Wesley's favorite expression right now is "MINE!", while pointing at himself. I won't elaborate on how I feel about this...

In other news, one of our amazing neighbors dropped by yesterday with balloons and cookies for the boys' upcoming birthday. These balloons kept them occupied all day!
You will notice that there were 4 balloons: Win claimed the yellow and purple stars, Wes had the cars, and Charlie had the white star

Wesley and Charlie

Winston and Wesley

Charlie (doing his best interpretation of a male model)

Then Win stole Charlie's balloon and ran into the living room

Then Wes joined him and they tried to hide behind the sofa cushions

Wesley

Splish splash

Grammy, Poppy and I brought the boys to the (toddler) pool today for the first time. The boys LOVED it. They sat on the side kicking, splashed water around and later played with the day care kids who were there as well. We're going to have to do this more often. But we absolutely needed one adult per child because they still like to take off in different directions at the blink of an eye. After the pool, we all went out for pizza. And now the boys are napping - they must be exhausted from their full morning!
(I forgot my camera, so these are all from my phone.)
Poppy, Win, Wes, Charlie and Grammy

They started by sitting at the edge of the pool, and before no time, they were walking around splashing each other...

..and splashing themselves!

All done!

I can't believe it, but the steps are all done (with the exception of the iron railings). The demolition took a few hours, and the steps and walkway were built in a day and half. And that included hand placing and shaping the stones, removing our frail rhododendron, and frequent waves to the triplets in the window.
Wesley, Charlie and Winston loved the trucks!

All done! I think we'll keep the caution tape up just for fun...


Now all we need is a railing so we can actually use the steps.

Demolition Day

When we moved into our home a year ago, the steps and walkway appeared to be in fine condition due to their fresh coat of paint. But the harsh winter chipped off the paint and revealed the truth: cracked cement, loose bricks, etc. The previous owners had painted everything to hide the flaws! The conditions became dangerous, so this week, we are undergoing a complete rebuild of our steps and walkway.
Before

The steps to the sidewalk. You can see the chipped paint, as well as a nice chunk of step missing from the top (and nicely placed on the sidewalk in the left corner).

Demolition

Oh fun! Termite damage! There is supposed to be a wood board under the door's threshold. But thanks to termites, it has practically disintegrated. Tomorrow, the carpenter will determine the extend of the damage, replace the wood and spray for termites.

An early birthday gift

We gave the boys a swingset as an early birthday gift. And we gave ourselves a fenced in yard to help contain them! After about 2 months of rain (and being stuck inside), both were finally installed. So we spent the morning playing outside - in the unseasonable 60 degrees weather in July!
The slide is so fast, you have to hold onto the boys so they don't fly off. But that didn't stop them!

Wes, Win and Charlie making do with the "big kid"swings and trapeze. We have 3 toddler swings that we'll install later today.

Wes loved climbing the rockwall, while Win enjoyed the swings.

Charlie "flying" on the swing.

Wes making dirt piles on the fence. (This is one of my favorite photos of Wesley ever!)

Win and his dirt piles.

All of the boys playing with the dirt and fence.

After about an hour of the swingset, they moved onto to climbing on the stonewall and throwing the rocks from behind the compost bin.

Seven down...

Last night was our seventh wedding anniversary. So, being the wild and crazy party-animals that we are we got take out after we put the boys down and then looked at our wedding albums. But, I don't think either Ginger or I would have had it any other way.

We have developed some special traditions for our anniversary celebrations. Every year since our wedding, we have gone back to the baker who made our wedding cake and had him redo the cake in a smaller version (key lime and raspberry - yummy!). We also started setting aside special bottles of wine to have with our 6th - 10th anniveraries, and we opened up bottle number two last night. All in all, a great meal and a lot of great memories.

BUT...

The main event was all Ginger! After seven years and triplets, she got back into her wedding dress and zipped it up! If anyone was still looking for evidence that she is superwoman, here it is. Nice job, Babydoll. And you still look great in it (even after a long day with your gang).

The blushing bride


Us and our boys


The anniversary take-out table


Flowers and cake

Answered Prayers

We haven't mentioned Winston's and Wesley's kidney issues on the blog for a number of reasons. And we hesitated to mention this good news, but decided it was best to rejoice in the answered prayers.

A little background...when I was pregnant (and getting ultrasounds at least every other week), we discovered that Wes had a "full" kidney. Because kidney issues are often common in siblings, all of the boys received kidney ultrasounds when they were about 6 weeks old. Charlie was cleared of issues, but Win and Wes were scheduled for a more invasion procedure, a VCUG (when they were about 6-9 months old). This involved a catheter, contrast dye, xrays, and very unhappy babies. This test revealed that both Win and Wes had Vesicoureteral Reflux. We were told that they would probably outgrow this by the time they go to school, and if they didn't, they would need surgery. They were both placed on daily amoxicillin, for the past year, to prevent urinary tract infections and kidney damage.

So last Friday, Grammy and I brought the boys back to Children's Hospital for their yearly kidney review (this time and ultrasound and RNC for each). We just received the call from the urologist that they are BOTH CLEAR OF ANY KIDNEY REFLUX!! They have been healed! God is so good. We threw out the amoxicillin and are rejoicing. It is truly a miracle and answer to prayers that they were completely healed (especially since they had grade 2-3 on a scale of 1-5). Thanks be to God.

I brought Win and Wesley into the RNC test individually, and they both did great. The doctors were amazed at how they reacted to the test identically to each other. And said both did a phenomenal job getting through the test. As a prize, they each got a pair of sunglasses (which they didn't take off). The doctor even made sure to send home a pair for Charlie too!

The only time Wesley removed his was to watch the TV (doodah) behind me.

As a treat, Grammy & I brought them out for ice cream at JP Licks. They each got their own kiddie sized soft-serve vanilla ice cream - for lunch!
Winston

Wesley

Life under the Big Top

The crib tents are up! Tonight is the first night under the big top, so we'll see how it goes. But we're not off to the best start. Upon entering his tent, Winston started screaming that we unzip it. He did eventually fall asleep, thankfully.

But we couldn't help to feel sad that they couldn't do all the things that they loved: tossing toys/books/blankets back and forth to each other, throwing their stuffed rabbits and teddy bears to us and having us throw them back, being able to hold hands (Win & Wes because they could reach), and closing the door (Win). I have to keep reminding myself that these tents will keep them safe and we're not ready for a constant Monkey Party (toddler beds).
Charlie, Wesley and Win

Charlie (trying to figure out how to unzip the tent) and Wesley (settled into the side)

Wesley (checking out the back) and Winston (not happy)

The Cove

We just returned from a quick trip to the Cove (Maine). What was supposed to be a 4 day summer excursion with the boys turned out to be a day and a half (plus 7 hours of driving) in the rain. The boys did great in the car - we planned the trip around their nap, but they only slept for 45 mins each way. The rain really limited our trip, and I won't get into the absolute frustrations of being stuck inside a new space (to the boys). But it was hysterical that when we put them down for the first night, they were so excited to be in pack 'n plays right next to each other, that they jumped around and laughed and played for at least a half hour. We dubbed this playtime "The Monkey Party".

But the boys did get to meet their cousin (well, 2nd cousin once removed) Caroline. This is the longest they have ever sat for a photo. The trick? Snacks.

Win, Wes, and Charlie waving hi to Caroline, as she rests her chin on his shoulder

Win, Caroline, Wesley and Charlie

Winston sharing his snack with Caroline


And we took the boys out to dinner to Shaw's Fish and Lobster Wharf, where they enjoyed an entire meal of french fries. And Wesley discovered a new love for tartar sauce.
Wesley the Lobster

Winston the Lobster

Charlie the Lobster (doing his best Evita "Don't cry for me Argentina" impression)

The best part about our 3 and half hour drive home in the rain was arriving home to Grammy and Poppy, waiting to help take care of the boys! We got to enjoy a family Father's Day dinner together. Happy Father's Day!

Another crib fall!

I woke up this morning to a very loud thud. Winston escaped from his crib! He and Wes have been taunting us by balancing on their stomachs on the crib railing. And head first over the railing Win went! I had placed pillows by each of their beds - just in case. But he missed the pillow and the rug, and hit the hardwood floor. Thankfully, he settled down and wasn't hurt.

So I have urgently been researching crib tents. I found a website that offered a triplet discount where you buy 2 and get the 3rd free. I tried 3 times to order these online and got an error each time. Then I called and they told me that I had to order online. Well, then. After many calls to other stores in the area, no one carries crib tents in the store - just online! So after more searches, I found the best price at Walmart, and ordered them. Hopefully the boys will all stay in their cribs until they arrive!

All before lunch...

The last week has been very challenging with the boys - more screaming, hitting, throwing, less sleeping, laughing, eating. I blame the rain. And the fact that we are a month away from 2. They are toddlers. This morning will give you a good taste for the typical:

Goal: Leave the house by 8:15 to get to the gym. At 8:15, Charlie announced he pooped. So upstairs we went to change his diaper. I gave him a pair of socks to hold onto and brought down socks for W&W. Win then hit Wes, so back upstairs for a timeout. Downstairs to put socks on Charlie. But Charlie hid his socks. Put another pair on Wes. Timeout over. Upstairs to get Win, back down to put his socks on. Win finds Charlie's socks. Shoes on all. Jackets on. Walking out the door at 9. Win won't walk down the stairs. Get everyone in the car. Wes climbs into the front seat and pretends to drive. Finally, everyone in. Get to the gym, unbuckle everyone. Get Win and Charlie out and they are both holding my left hand while I try to grab Wes. C&W decide to hug and kiss while Wes climbs into the front seat. Can't open the front door because I already locked it, coax him to come out the open back door. Close door while holding onto all the boys. Wes gets his finger caught in the door!! Crying. Hugging and kissing. All better. Into the gym we go: 9:20. Halfway through my workout, I notice my pants are covered with toddler cream cheese hand prints. And to top it off, the only downpour we had this morning occurred while I walking them back out to the car. Of course.

Whew.

A star is born

Apparently Charlie's new crib tricks have inspired his loving and creative Tante Lala (Rob's sister Lori) to imagine him as the new star of Fox's show Prison Break.

Nice job Lala. Very funny, but not very believable. Charlie has way more tattoos that your original subject...

A crib jumper!

Charlie escaped from his crib today. He has been throwing his leg up over the side for a few weeks, taunting us. But during a timeout (in his crib) this evening, he was so upset that he jumped right over the side. We heard a thump and Rob went running in, only to find Charlie walking across the floor saying "All done!" Thankfully, this all happened when Win and Wes were not in the room (imagine the ideas they would get!) and we were actively listening for him due to his short timeout. God is good!

And I'm confident that I was more traumatized by this than Charlie was. Cribs are their (and our) safe haven. When you have three toddlers, all in the same room, containment is key. I often hear of triplet parents who have to put mesh crib tents over the crib, in order to keep the kids in cribs longer. Three toddlers, in one room, in toddler beds? Not an option. Imagine the all night parties they would hold!

And here we are, in a new stage yet again.

Maine!

Summer is officially here - we went to Maine! My parents (Grammy & Poppy) offered to watch the boys for the weekend so that Rob and I could go to Maine by ourselves. We decided to do all the things that we could never do with the boys. After a nice long walk with the dog, we drove into Damariscotta, ate at our favorite fish tacos at Paco's Tacos, and wandered in and out of art galleries and shops. After a 3 set bocce battle back at the house, we had cocktails with my cousins Kiki and Matt, Aunt Lois, Kiki's husband Josh and their daughter Caroline. Caroline is 8(ish) months old and just as sweet and adorable as can be. It was such a great weekend, though we really missed the boys!

We arrived at my parents' house Sunday, only to find the boys having a great time. They barely noticed we were gone. We went running down the driveway with open arms. The boys waved hi, then sat back on the steps to drink their juice.

I actually remembered to bring the camera, only to discover that the battery was dead. So here is a description of the photos you would have seen: purple lupin in full bloom, the beautiful Caroline, our champagne and lobster dinner, my victory lap after bocce, and our family cookout on Sunday.

Thank you, Grammy & Poppy, for such a special weekend!

Uncle Raymond

We had a great visit from Uncle Raymond last week! The boys loved their time with "Uncle". We enjoyed our time by going to the park, the local indoor playspace (due to lots of rain), dinner with our friend Carl, a date night for Rob and me, and of course, a visit to The Bakery.

During our time in Brookline, Uncle Raymond developed a deep and lasting friendship with the owners/bakers of New Paris Bakery. (If you live in MA, you will need to get their mini eclairs - they are out of this world!) They correspond and pray for each other, so it is always a treat to go back and visit Jimmy & Roula when Uncle Raymond visits. While we were there, the boys got their first official sugar high: 2 cookies and 1 mini eclair - EACH! I've learned to not question Roula's generosity - the boys loved it. It was also their first time the boys have been able to wander in a store - no strollers or wagons! And they did great (mostly because they always had a yummy treat in their hands).

I can't remember what the boys needed to see out the window, but it was necessary that they all stand on Uncle to see it!

(L-R: Uncle Raymond, Win, Wes, and Charlie)