Goodbye 2009

We are going to go out w/ a bang!

Ok, seriously. Not really. I'm a mother to 21-month-old triplets. My big bang consists of sleeping through the ringing in of 2010. Besides, it doesn't get much more eventful than having to raise triplets, especially as we approach their 2nd birthday.

W-H-A------T

Did I just write SECOND BIRTHDAY? Where did this year go? It just flew by. Seems just like yesterday we were taking an ambulance ride at 11pm w/ Ian while he was having his hour long seizure. Seems just like yesterday that we were celebrating their 1st birthday w/ 3 sick kids. Seems just like yesterday that we went to the playground for the first time.

I think you get my point. It went by, rather quickly at that. I've always been told that time flies when you have kids. I just didn't realize it was at the speed of light! Next time you tell a friend that time flies, be more specific. Please.

These were taken last January, right after the New Year.



And this is the kids today.




For the memory book. The 1st was taken last year when Mamama visited. The 2nd one is of this year (only a few days ago). Look at the difference!



Honestly, so much has happened & we've been through one of the toughest things parents could go through. It definitely put a damper on the year but it is time to leave it behind. 2009, I bid you a farewell. It isn't a fond one nor a hateful one, just goodbye. 2010, I welcome you with open arms & can't wait to see the kids thrive & grow every day as well as see how much stronger my relationship with Todd will become.

PEACE OUT!

Boxes are the best!

Screw all the new toys! Boxes are so much fun. They can be anything. At one point, Tio was flying a plane & then we decided to make it a car. The kids LOVED being in the box w/ him.




A special thanks to Diapers.com b/c they always send their stuff in big boxes!

We are still in recovery mode from Christmas. I got the tree down yesterday & am working on getting everything back to where it belongs. Our house is slowly returning back to normal. The closer we get, the better the kids are getting as well.

The day after Christmas was the worst. They were tired, overstimulated & just plain whiny. We had an official "lazy day". I didn't even bother getting out of my pj's. We all hung out on the couch together, trying to deal w/ the kids obnoxious whiny squeals. We were most definitely not in good form.

Sunday was a day of no visitors & trying to get back on schedule. Seemed to help the kids realize things were going to get back to what they were prior to Christmas except w/ a whole new collection of toys to play with.

Todd had to go back to work yesterday & we miss him. I think the kids got use to his cute way of going in their room every morning. I think the kids realize we are back on schedule. They are still whiny though & I am fairly certain it is the teething issue. Sofi has been drooling like a newborn baby. Her shirt is constantly wet & she has a bit of a moist nose (don't want to say it is runny b/c it isn't). She has been super fussy & emotional. I know her bottom 2 year molars are coming in & everyone is feeling her pain!

Otherwise, we are on the road to recovery. It is great to see family & friends but I am beginning to appreciate the quiet side of life as well.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all of you! I hope you enjoyed the day with family & friends, surrounded by love. We sure did!

This video is just a snippet of the excitement the kids exuded when they saw the presents under the tree. Todd & I are pretty sure that although they don't fully get Christmas, they definitely bought in to the excitement of having presents under the tree as well as opening them. This year was fantastic! I can't wait for them to really get it next year.



Needless to say, it has been busy around here for the past week, hence no posts. Between scarf orders, last minute Christmas present buying, & taking care of 3 kids plus a hubby...I haven't had time to do anything.

I promise I'll be back in full force this week. Back to cleaning up Christmas!

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

As many parents of toddlers know, the predicament is WHERE to put the tree. With 3, it is even more of a challenge b/c you can forget a superyard gate. They'll tear it down. Leaving it wide open is also not an option. 3 sets of little hands equals T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

At the same time, you want the tree to be around, so they can see & enjoy it. The solution, put it in the dining room which is virtually completely connected to the living room & only divided by a baby gate. We can all enjoy it all day/night long & don't have to worry about little hands pulling down all the ornaments.

Oh, & let's not even try to discuss whether the tree is real 'cuz it ain't. Sorry, real trees are super prickly & although the kids don't have free reign when it comes to being around the tree, we do let them touch & explore it every day & will be opening our presents around the tree on Christmas so it is a "tree-in-a-box" for us!

Gabi was so happy to actually be able to touch the tree & ornaments!


All 3 around the tree!


Sofi getting a closer look.


Gabi checking out her own ornament from last year.


Daddy & the kids <3.

We made it 20 months...my goal!

I've been meaning to write about this. Somehow I forgot. How forgetting is possible, don't ask me. Something to do w/ raising triplets that are ALMOST TWO YEARS OLD. Ok, so let me get over that little shocker.

Ian finally weaned. Yeah, I'm one of those weird moms that went way, way past a year w/ breastfeeding but honestly, I don't feel the need to explain why. I had my reasons & am glad I stuck to my guns. He did it on his own terms. That is the way I wanted it to happen & sure, part of me was hoping it would be sooner than later but even then, the end was bittersweet.

I had seen it coming. He had chosen the slow road to weaning. Slowly but surely, until he wasn't interested anymore. He wanted to play w/ his sisters. He didn't want to sit still even though when I told him it was "booby time", he hustled on over, ready to latch on. The girls even helped by bring the 2 pillows to me when I said that. It was truly a family affair.

It is a little sad when I think about not ever nursing again. I know that is why I was ok w/ going for so long as well as knowing the benefits of the breast milk. My kids needed every advantage I could give them being that they were born at a disadvantage (being preemies).

It was a good run. I still haven't dried up completely & luckily I never felt engorged. I attribute that to Ian's slow process of weaning over 3-4 months. I will forever treasure every nursing session, every painful bout of mastitis & cracked nipples that I had to endure b/c I know I did what was best for my kids. It was THE BATTLE I chose to fight.

To all those mothers out there struggling, if I can do it...you can too!

Our Current Schedule

I haven't written our schedule in quite some time. It has been set like this since they were about 14 months old when we dropped their morning nap. I'm good w/ it. They are good w/ it.

6:25 ~ I wake up & shower, get coffee.
7:00 ~ Out of the cribs. Sometimes they are awake, sometimes they are asleep but either way, I wake them up. It works for us. For the next hour, we play upstairs in the playroom.
8:00 ~ Breakfast
8:30 ~ Storytime/books/coloring, depending on the day & the mess they make from breakfast.
9:00 ~ Quiet time in the cribs. This allows me to clean the floors, have a cup of coffee & prepare for the rest of the day.
9:30 ~ Play downstairs.
10:00 ~ Snacks & then play afterwards, still downstairs.
11:00 ~ On nice days we go outside in the backyard & then for a walk in the wagon.
12:00 ~ Lunch
12:30 ~ Naptime
2-3 ~ Wake up & back downstairs to play.
4:00 ~ Dinner & yes, it is early but w/ 3 kids, it is easier to feed them as Daddy is driving home. It also gives Todd time to play w/ the kids & have quality time w/ them. He does flashcards w/ them while they are at the table.
5:00 ~ On nice days, we take a family walk. The rest of the days, we play downstairs.
6:15 ~ Go upstairs, put jammies on & hang out in the playroom.
6:30 ~ Milk & video, normally a Baby Einstein.
7:00 ~ Bedtime, whew!

This means that Todd & I have adult time afterward & that is when we eat, talk, hang out, sew, or what ever else we need to do. This seems to be a very good schedule for us & I hope the kids continue to nap in the afternoon for a long time to come!

Sofi & Ian were cuddling w/ Checkers. We have 2 cats & she is definitely very tolerant of the kids.


While they were cuddling w/ Checkers, Gabi was having fun w/ Daddy watching something on the computer & giggling away!

Becoming Bilingual

I don't know how much I have gone in to my bilingual background but I am, Spanish & English. Now, our intention has always been to raise the kids bilingually BUT if you know anything about it, when everyone around you speaks only English it makes it difficult to speak Spanish. To myself? Nah. To the kids? Probably should do a better job. Eh, & this is where I falter.

Despite my lack of effort, Gabi has picked up on quite a bit of Spanish. Must be from my parents cus they do the Spanish speaking around these here parts. She can actually count better in Spanish than in English. Check out the video!



Another big thing. Ok, I have to tell you the story. Todd got home this afternoon & I needed to get some stuff from Hancock Fabric. Actually all I needed was some compressed gas & that was my excuse to go to Hancock Fabric (shhh, don't tell). Needless to say, I didn't walk out of there w/ just the compressed gas, I walked out w/ $30 of material. OOPS. Oh & did I mention it was bath night & already past 6pm when I left Hancock's? Um, yeah. Baths start at 6pm but I figured, "What the hell. What is 7 days w/o a bath?"

So, I'm kidding about the 7 days. Not so much about not bathing though. What is another day so long as it doesn't turn in to 7 days? Seriously. I never get out & was enjoying it.

I walk in, wash up & then walk upstairs...to see the kids in THEIR PJS WITH WET HAIR?!?!? Yeah, wet hair means only 1 thing. Bath. HUH? WHAT? MY HUSBAND? GET THE F OUT!

He did it all by himself. I'm so friggin' proud! I've never bathed them alone. YAY! What a wonderful surprise! I <3 my hubby!

So that's the story. He did it all by himself. What a good Daddy!

How to stay warm on a cold winter day!

Ok, so I'm not quite recovered from all the crap that has gone this week but I am determined to have a smile on my face today, no matter what is thrown at me by my beautiful kids. I do love them. I just don't love their lack of napping.

I think part of the issue is that the weather here is crappy. It rained for 4 days straight leaving our backyard a mud pit. Then the sun finally comes out but it is really cold outside. So, we have been stuck inside. Bored. I've tried all kinds of things to help us get through this.

A big hit this week has been the Sterilite containers. I put a bunch of comfy blankets in there, then the kids climb in. I give them a book & their computer. It keeps them entertained for a while. They especially like to sit in them & watch a show.





If you have any ideas for inside activities that aren't messy b/c I can't bathe them alone, I'm open to hear!

Naps...oh, naps!

Come out, come out where ever you are! We would like you to return b/c Mommy is going insane.

Yes. That's all folks. Maybe when I am in a better mood & have a more positive disposition regarding my children, will I post pics.

It'll happen tomorrow.

Sticker Fun

For the past 5 days, we have received some form of precipitation & thus outside activities are off limits. Needless to say, this isn't a good thing for Mommy. The kids are antsy & need new stimuli. Can we have Christmas early & get some new toys please? Ok, kidding. We will wait until Christmas.

Until then, I had to get creative. My neighbor brought some craft stuff over (yeah, stuff I actually didn't have) so we experimented w/ stamps, stickers & dicuts. The stamps, not so much. I was at least smart enough to not put the pad of ink in front of them. I stamped the ink & then gave it to them to decorate the paper. Yeah, didn't work exactly well.

So, we moved on to stickers. OH.BOY. Did we love stickers!




I even joined in on the "sticker-on-the-nose" fun!


Here is our beautiful creation. We made it for Daddy. I've got to tell you mommies that have more than 1, butcher paper across the whole table is KEY!

Family Pics

I've been busy...really, really busy. I think my sewing machine is asking to go on vacation. So, I don't have time to write. Sorry, not much going on w/ the whiny kids anyway. I think we are officially hitting that "independent" phase. Yeah, fun.

Anyway, to the pictures. Gotta tell you that when I got the disk full of pics (over 200), I was extremely disappointed. The whole session didn't go very well. Not so much b/c of the kids but more b/c the photographer didn't really know what to do w/ 3 19-month-olds. These were some of the edited shots.

Ian in all his sweetness w/ that famous smile of his!




Sofi in all her sweetness (ha. if you only knew.) Oh & the 1st 2 pics were from the regular set. The 2nd 2 are edited.





My Gabi girl & all her happiness & joy!





Some random shots of the kids that I love. These are the "real" kids' personalities shining through.




I'll post some of the family pics tomorrow as well as a couple of nice ones of Todd & I. I'm going to bed.

Skinny Scarf Give Away

Check it out on my other blog. It's a pretty skinny scarf!

SIGnature Creations Blog

Spanks Julz!

Fall Fun

The leaves are finally falling off the trees in our part of the world & wow! What fun it is! Brings me back to being a little kid. Never thought jumping in to a pile of leaves would be so fun. The kids got a kick out of putting on the "winter" gear & heading outside. Now, if you know anything about our winters, you know there isn't much of one so don't laugh too hard that we consider winter gear to be a fleece pullover, a hat & mits. Not even a winter coat, haha!



Miss Jane raked the leaves & let the kids run through them over & over. Then it was time to roll around in the leaves. We had leaves EVERYWHERE! Then we played Peek-a-Boo in the leaves. It was a fantabulous time!





Oh, & somehow we lost the soothie in the backyard. I'm sure it is in the pile of leaves. Not gonna search for it now. What a wonderful morning!

Napping...grrrrrrrrrr...

Yeah, so not sure what the deal is but the kids didn't nap on Friday (the day after a loaded day w/ family & friends) & then 2 of them (Gabi & Ian) didn't nap today. It wouldn't be an issue if they would just hang out & play but, NOOOOOO. They have to be w/ Mommy. Mommy had a lot to do today. Too much to do today. So, needless to say, not much got done.

But as it were, Gabi accepted Daddy as a substitute, only until Mommy got in her line of sight & then it was a no go.


Ok, that's a lie. Lots got done but it was accompanied by crying & Daddy coming to the rescue. It was a join effort. Thank God. Now, if I only knew the reason for the short naps. I know Ian woke up b/c of Gabi today. Most likely all 3 woke up b/c of Sofi on Friday. I think Sofi is getting a 2 year molar (yes, that would be 4 months early but she started w/ her 1 year molars at 10 months so I wouldn't be surprised).

Another suggestion is a growth spurt. I would believe that but they aren't eating any more than before. Hmmm...I'm stumped but either way, will love my babies & cherish this time. No matter how difficult.

Happy Turkey Day!

I hope everyone stuffed their bellies w/ good food today. If you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, then I hope you had a wonderful day all the same. The reason I say that is since I am from a different country, my family had NO IDEA what Thanksgiving was until they moved here. We have never really celebrated it. We did family stuff but never turkey & stuffing & all the fixins.

This was our 1st REAL Thanksgiving w/ the kids. Yeah, they were around last year & 8 months old but they didn't really sit at the table w/ us or eat w/ us. They just got a taste of turkey & then off to bed.

So, this year we had the shirts made, had family & friends visit throughout the day AND...

Drum roll please...

We went to Grandma & Papap's for dinner! Yeah. You read right. We left the house. Not only did we leave the house BUT we ate dinner. As a family. Somewhere besides our house. Yes, we did.

Gotta admit, I was a bit stressed about the whole thing. Ok, overwhelmed. Yes. Me. Edgy is a nice adjective rather than the other one I was thinking about & since this is a Thanksgiving blog, I will refrain from using profanity.

Now comes the sappy part. Yep, me...being sappy. I want to thank my inlaws for giving us a wonderful opportunity to have a delicious meal (none of which I had to cook) & being able to sit down as a "family". I want to thank God for my 3 beautiful, well behaved children (they were angels today, ok...minus Ian's 30 minute temper tantrum this morning). I am most thankful for my husband, Todd. He is the man of my dreams. My parents, Ian & Jessie, Jeff, & Julie for being part of our lives. I wake up every morning a very happy woman.

Now for some pics!

Hey Dad, I want what you're drinking (uh, no).


Sofi & Papap!


Turkey, turkey, turkey!


Turkey w/ some milk to wash it down.


Playing in a toy. Ok, reading in a toy! Doesn't get better than that when your at Grandma's house!


From our family to yours, thank you for your unconditional support whether it has been through following this blog, saying a prayer in our darkest of moments, leaving a comment or even purchasing something from my growing little business. You are all in our thoughts daily. Thank you!