Vaccinating...

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate, that is the question.
I'm not really a big supporter of not vaccinating,
BUT I'm extremely bothered by how many vaccines are given at one time.

Now, let me tell you, I was blind going in to this kid thing.
Especially being overwhelmed w/ triplets.
So when the docs told me they needed their vaccines, I blindly decided to go along w/ what they were suggesting.
Not that there is anything wrong w/ that but I wish I had gone in to it a bit more informed.
That is the honest truth.

Now, I didn't do any research.
I followed my mommy gut.
Again, this is a truth.

After Ian got so sick & lost almost all his skills, we (Todd & I) couldn't imagine giving him a shlew of vaccines.
We decided the little tike needed a break.
And from that point, it was only 1 combo shot or 2 single vaccine shots.
The trio was 10 months old at this point.
Before Ian's illness, we vaccinated on schedule.

It wasn't just for Ian either.
We chose to do the same w/ the girls.
The result?
Much less fussy babies after shots.

Their bodies didn't overreact to all the stuff.
No fevers, no fussing, good sleep, etc.
The other choice we made was to not give the kids the MMR until they were 3.
Even then, I have to admit, I had cold feet going in.
Todd really was the one to take the stand & say that they needed it since we were going out so much more.
Inside, I knew he was right so I grinned & bared it as the kids got their MMR.

I will say this much,
they got the MMR & only 1 more shot.
We are "behind" b/c of the spread out schedule.
And, I don't go between visits.
Can you imagine taking them in for just shots every other month?

Not I.
No way, no how.
ICK...sicky germs!

So, that is how we came about to be on an "alternative" vaccine schedule.
Oh, for the record, we believe in vaccines.
We understand they do more good than harm.
It is our duty to protect our children.
But that isn't to say we don't understand the other side.
This is what is best for OUR family.

In case you want to read up on the alternative vaccine schedule, here ya go...

Dr. Sears is well known for his position on the alternative vaccine schedule.
We didn't follow his recommended schedule.
We went with what we decided at the moment based on local viral threats (chicken pox outbreak, etc).
We always discussed this w/ our pedi.
She always had info for us & we really appreciated that.

Dr. Sears Alternative Vaccine Schedule

At the end of the day, it is a personal choice.
You have to do what is best for YOUR FAMILY.
Don't let anyone sway you either way.
Follow your gut feeling.

Birthday Pics

Daddy had a wonderful birthday!
Mommy & the kids gave Daddy the best cookies in the world.
They come from this little place called The Cookie Jar.


And, yep.
One of the kids wrote Daddy's name.
That would be Gabi.
He loved the cookies.

But even more than the cookies,
he loved his snuggle/nap time w/ Ian.
It must be a boy thang.


Ok, the honest truth is that naptime has been shortened.
(post for another day)
Ian wouldn't wake up.
I tried everything.
I even carried him down the stairs.
And the boy was STILL fast asleep.
So I took him to hang out w/ Pops.
Todd smiled for the next hour, none stop.

Then it was dinner time & open card time.


The kids picked the Toy Story card out.
It is the musical kind.
So it played, "You got a friend in me".
I'm not sure who was more excited about the card.
Todd or the kids.

Then it was time for Steak Night.
The kids went to bed.
Well, they went to their room.
(Again, another post for another day.)
The adults had steaks & adult beverages.

Overall, a very successful b-day.
We love you Daddy!!!

Happy Father's Day & Happy Birthday Daddy!

We had a 1-2 combo this week!
Sunday was Father's Day.
Today is my beloved's birthday.


It all started w/ breakfast in bed.
I made sausage gravy w/ biscuits,
scrambled eggs, & sausage on the side.


To boot, a brand new Starbuck's coffe mug
cuz those are the bomb diggity,
filled w/ a cafe mocha, no fat, no whip.
That's how we roll in this here house!

He even shared his specialness w/ the kids.
They ate breakfast w/ Daddy,
in the bedroom and on the bed.



Ian just cracks me up.
That boy, I'm tellin' ya.
He has stolen my heart.

But if that isn't cute enough,
check out the major cuddles Sofi gave her Daddy.


There is something very sweet about this photo.


And I wish I could say I got one of Gabi
snuggling w/ Daddy but every time I got the camera,
she magically disappeared!

But that wasn't isn't for Daddy.
He got to take a nice, long, relaxing morning nap.
Momma made him a tie.
AND, he got a rockin' dinner.

Stuffed spinach mozzarella chicken w/ lemon roasted asparagus.



We have some special activities to do today.
Can't write about them yet cuz Daddy is reading this at lunch.

We love you very much!

Social life...WHAT?!?

It's slowly happening.
You know, the think that you never thought you'd get back.
Yeah, the one where you actually leave the kids at home.
Even leave the hubs at home.

GIRL TIME.
That's what I'm talkin' bout!
Nothing better than some vino & your BFF
to make the whole world right.

And just to think,
my other BFF will be down in a matter of 2 weeks.
Then life will be perfect.

Until then...


I can't believe how much Bailey has grown up!
She is absolutely gorgeous.


Her momma ain't that shabby either!
Love me some Stacey!


Yeah, we've always been this silly.
It feels good to actually get part of "my"life back.
And I don't feel guilty.

Todd & I knew it would be hard going in to this.
And I knew I would be stuck at home for at least
the first 2 years, so to be able to get out,
it feels good.

Course, there was an extra year of waiting,
but it was well worth it.
I wouldn't trade the time I have at home w/ our
beautiful babies for anything in the world.

Once they go to school,
there ain't no turnin' back.
And we don't get another opportunity.
This is it.

So, if you are reading this & you have younger triplets,
enjoy them & hug on them every.single.moment. you can muster.

Too Damn Hot

It really is.
Way.too.hot.
Even in the morning.
We are talking about 80+ degrees at 6:30am.

Doesn't leave much time to go out & play
before we hit the century mark.

So what do we do to fill up the day?

We play w/ dry erase markers,
as evidenced by all the marks.

We also play w/ play dough.
I know some parents out there are wincing.
But we got it down pat.

We have rules & if they can't follow the rules,
they can't have the good stuff.
Cuz, you know it's like a drug around here.
Once they get it, they must have it.

Our rules?
Stay at the table.

That's the only one.
If they get up from the table,
their dough disappears magically.

They know not to push us.
Oh, & the other thing we have going for us.
NO CARPET.
None.
Zero.
Like not even a throw rug.

When you have triplets,
no carpets make life easier.
Especially in the earlier days,
when they were spitting up constantly.
Gotta thank the hubs for this one.

We don't do it every day.
If we did, it wouldn't be as much fun.
And I don't care if they mix the colors.
Kids will be kids.
Who am I to argue about colors?
We have bigger battles to win, haha!

Mötley Crüe Concert

Mommy & Daddy enjoy getting out.
It really doesn't happen often enough.
But we are getting better,
trying to have a date night at least once a month.

It hasn't been an easy road.
Ask any parents of multiples.
They will tell you the same thing.

I think it becomes an even bigger problem
the more multiples you have at a time.
Speaking from experience,
triplets throws a kink in to the romantic side of a marriage.

But now that the kids are older,
they actually "get" when we say we are going out on a date.
Not only that, but lets face the truth,
they are easier to put to bed now.
They are more self sufficient.

In essence, they are easier to care for.
So I don't stress leaving them w/ the GPs.
Cuz you know I stress.
Can't help it.

But not so much anymore.
I have worked really hard to "let go".

This is the thing...

These are my only children.
I will only get them home w/ me now.
Once they go to school,
I don't get that chance again.

I am going to revel in every moment I have,
no matter how stressful it is.

That's really what I'm talking about.
And Todd seems to have my back on this.
He understands.
I couldn't ask for a more understanding hubs!

Now, back to the show.
Mötley Crüe is our fave band, together.
We danced to Without You for our 1st dance at the wedding.
Yep, we are cheese like that.

Going out to a Mötley Crüe concert meant we had to have the digs.
I purchased 2 shirts for Todd & I to wear.
His, the 1st Mötley Crüe album, Too Fast for Love.
There wasn't much in the way for me to choose from.
And I had to sex it up a bit so I cut out the neck & made it a scoop neck.
LOVE the shirt now.


Yeah, I'm hot for my man!


This was at the venue, outside.
I'm a Nikki fan although I think I am a bigger Tommy fan.
This bus was awesome.
It also hit Tommy's bus on the way to our city.
Crazy!


We are official SIN Crüe-heads.
Love it!

Who's toes?!?

Although I'm not particularly fond of
my son's toes being painted,
this was too cute!

Sofi managed to finagle the top of the paint
and proceeded to paint Ian's toes just like theirs.

He's never asked before
so I can only imagine they are mimicking what
I do with the girls.

They were so intent on getting it right!



Thank God this was the kids paint.
The kind that washes easily.
And not off the toes.
Because the bottom half,
the part with all the paint...

it is MIA.

Can't wait to find it.
Happy.happy.joy.joy.

The Great Oil Spill of 2011

In our home.
With our kids.
Loads & loads of oil.

2 kinds.

Our big bottle of extra virgin olive oil.
The BIG ASS ONE.
A 2 liter bottle to be exact.


A second bottle of canola oil.
A BIG ASS ONE.
48 oz if you really want to know.


All mixed together.
All on the floor.
All over Ian.



How does this happen, you ask?
I snuck away,
in to the laundry room,
to talk on the phone.

I was gone all of 60 seconds.
That's it.
Seriously.

And Ian is the one that unscrewed the tops.
Ay yay yay!
And I couldn't get angry.

No way.
BUT, I didn't laugh out loud.
I kept it all in.

I love our kids.

Sweet Cuddles

There is nothing better
than having dinner in Daddy's lap.



Don't you think?

This is what we call "sick privileges".
Yes, sick.
Again.

But that is the way the cookie crumbs.
Everyone got our 1st summer cold.
We all suffered.
Them b/c they couldn't sleep well.
Daddy & I b/c we could sleep well
since they weren't sleeping well.

And, to boot, rashes accompanied
the virus we caught.
Ian & Gabi had a raised rash
pretty much throughout their body.

Oddly enough, it was confined to the
legs/arms, torso & a bit on their face.
Their little bums got away scott free!

And Sofi ended up with her 1st cold sore.
Poor kids...

Just to think, it will get worse
when they attend school.

God help us.