Tired Babies, Tired Mommy

Juggling everything this past week has made us all tired. Waking up every 3-4 hrs to give Tylenol/Motrin has finally caught up to Mommy. It started w/ Ian but he has now been fever free for 24 hrs so hopefully we won't have to give him anything tonight. Gabi, on the other hand, seems to be either battling a little virus or teething, either of which are causing her discomfort & a low grade fever (99-100). Seems to be most prominent at night which leads me to believe virus BUT she won't keep her hands out of her mouth which makes me think that it is teething. What ever the reason, we have also been giving her Tylenol at night. So far, no fever for her today.

Then there is the Mama Drama stuff. I went yesterday for my wonderful boob smooshing appointment. Thankfully, it wasn't nearly as bad as I had remembered. I only looked down once & that was enough for me. Poor boobs. They have been through hell & back. The good news, there is nothing there. The "lump" is gone. Don't know that it was ever there. Seems that the ultrasound showed a group of ducts close together that may have been what the dr felt. Better safe than sorry.

I also had quite a bit of blood taken yesterday so by the time I put the kids down for their nap, I was exhausted. I tried to sleep to no avail. I've got to learn how to turn the ringer off of the phone. I did manage to get some decent sleep last night though. Yes, I had to wake up to give medicine but the 2nd half of the night was solid.

I hope tonight brings a solid night of sleep for us all. My poor babies are exhausted. Ian almost fell asleep eating lunch today & that has NEVER happened. Gabi almost fell asleep sitting in my lap about 15 minutes before lunch. That NEVER happens either! You can tell waking at night to keep the fever at bay has caught up w/ us all.


Mommy & Sofi cuddling.


Gabi all snuggled in to the toy box.


Sofi & Gabi sharing a sisterly moment, in the toy box.


Mommy & Gabi cuddling downstairs on the couch.



I also want to give Todd a big THANK YOU for cooking some great steaks last night! I needed it!

Daddy's TWO special days!

This year, Todd's birthday fell the day after Father's Day so he was in for some very special treats. I had been planning for his gift for at least a month. Of course, w/ triplets, you need about that long to get things accomplished, especially if it is going to be a surprise.

Last year's gift was really special, the 1st year he celebrated being a daddy. This year had to be equally special & it is my goal to be creative every Father's Day. So, I bought a stepping stone making kit at Michael's a few weekends back & realized I would need help getting this done so I asked my wonderful neighbor, Jane, to come over & help w/ kid control. Thursday was the big day. I mixed the cement, put it in the mold, came up w/ a cute saying for the stone & idea to use the kids' handprint to create a flower.

One by one, the kids were brought over to the wet stone. Gabi didn't do so well the 1st time around so I literally had to start all over. Then Sofi thought it would be cute to grab the cement so I let it be. Ian was last but did the best. Then it was time to decorate. Jane kept the kids busy while I finished up. After the kids went down for their nap, I took the stone next door for "hiding".

All in all, for our 1st ever craft project, it went smoothly.



Sunday morning, Todd woke up to 3 happy babies. We went to the playroom & gave Daddy his gifts. First, he got the stone. He loved it! He also let the kids explore the stone. It says, "DAD YOU ROCK". Hehe...get it. Rock = Stepping STONE




Then he got his sign for the garage.



Finally, he got his newest picture for his office. This is a tradition. He gets a small version & a big version. The small one goes to the office, the big one stays home & gets hung on the wall. He got the big picture for his birthday.


Todd is a wonderful daddy. He really enjoys being w/ the kids & has special things he does w/ each one. I think that on top of his favorites is when the the girls cuddle him at the same time. It is so sweet to see him w/ Sofi & Gabi sitting on his lap. He is beaming w/ pride! I love him very much!

He also had a birthday. I didn't get pictures but he got a big picture & a shirt from all of us. I wanted to make sure each day was celebrated seperately b/c if it were me, I would want that too, not just 1 big gift. For dinner, he got the pizza of his choice from his fave pizza joint, Tony's. We hung out on the couch together & watched some good tv, something we rarely have time to do. All in all, besides Ian's ear infection, I think Todd really enjoyed both of his days.

Daddy, we love you!

Ear Infection

Sorry, I haven't blogged b/c Ian spiked a fever last night, 103.4, & we were up worrying & giving him the Tylenol/Motrin regiment. I promise to get a BIG update tomorrow. Just didn't want you all thinking we dropped off the face of the planet. Tonight should be smoother since we just got the antibiotics in the poor guy. Honestly, if it weren't for the fever, I would have never known. Ian was acting totally normal. As a matter of fact, we broke the fever last night in less than an hour. It went back to 98.7. The fever stayed away all day until naptime. He woke up w/ 102.2. Still acted normal though. He's a tough SOB. Thank God it wasn't anything the girls could get. Sick babies SUCK.

I also want to tell my wonderful hubby, the best father in the world...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Another Successful Playdate!

I know it seems weird that playdates are such a big thing but they really are for me. Susan & her trio came over this past Wednesday. This time I was on my own territory so I wasn't quite as nervous. All I had to do was make sure the gate was up in the living room & that there were plenty of toys (eh hem...got that covered) & we were set. Ok, I even put shorts on the girls. I didn't want them thinking I was an unfit momma (kidding). I mean, I do have some kind of reputation to uphold.

Susan's (I'm really a bad person b/c I can't remember her name to save my life) mom also came along w/ her & the kids. She is the sweetest lady. Gabi took to her & insisted on sitting in her lap a good portion of the visit. Sofi had a favorite too. Susan. She wouldn't leave her alone or get out of her lap. When it was time for them to leave, Sofi cried. I'm not talking a little cry. She was super sad to see her go. She stood at teh gate for a good 5 minutes after they walked out the door & cried. I haven't seen her act that way towards anyone!

I had a little follower too. Ava crawled everywhere I went. She wanted to hang out w/ me. It was cute. We even talked about leaving Ava w/ me & sending Sofi home w/ them. I think the kids got along beautifully. In 2 wks, it will be our turn to go back over there. I *think* Susan's place is a bit more toddler proofed (wink, wink).

The boys were typical. Very content doing what they were doing. Andrew was fascinated w/ this Winnie the Pooh toy we have. Susan couldn't believe how long he sat up.

I have to say, the stimulation for all the babies was good. I'm glad to give them the opportunity to play w/ others. They tend to be rougher w/ one another & I'm always concerned that they will be rough w/ others but they do pretty well.

Here is a picture of sweet Ava chasing me <3!


Sofi sitting in Susan's lap.

My feeble attempt at getting the 6 kids in 1 picture.


Besides playdates, we have been busy getting things ready for our 2nd Father's Day. Can't say anything b/c Daddy reads this.

Mama Drama

Yep, that is right. I've got some drama to deal with. Ok, I shouldn't say it is really drama but it is all about me. Ah, these wonderful kids really did a number on me physically. Let's start from the beginning.

Some of you know I have been battling recurring mastitis. Something I don't really like to talk about b/c I get the whole, "Why don't you quit?" line from people. The truth of the matter is Ian isn't ready to wean & sometimes as a parent, you do what you have to do to provide. Sure, he is almost 15 mths old BUT he is also the babe that is most susceptible to getting sick & it affecting him greatly so w/ that said, we are still truckin'. He only nurses twice a day, which is fine by me. I love the cuddle time. Don't worry, the girls get PLENTY of mommy time throughout the day.

Back to the topic. Sorry about that. Recurring mastitis. I think that my 1st bout from back in Feb was not treated correctly. Nothing against Dr. A's nurse but from everything I have gathered, treatment should be 10-14 days & I only got 7 days worth so of course the mastitis came back again in March. Same course of treatment. Then again in April, May & now June. Hmft. What gives? I decided it was time for a 2nd opinion.

I went to my GP this time. I also went in armed w/ information as to why *I* thought I was getting it over & over again. She is a smart lady, I tell ya. She beat me to every single thing I was going to point out. I'm going to get bloodwork next week on Wed to check for anemia which I think I still have left over from the pregnancy. She also believes that there is a primary infection, likely MSRA, that is causing the mastitis to return over & over again since it is the resistant strain that I keep getting. We are treating that now w/ 3 wks of ointment in my nose. EWE.

While I was there, she went ahead & did a breast exam. Here comes the drama. Ok, not really but yeah. She found a lump. Yep. A lump. Not too worried though. I have had a cyst removed in the past, about 7 years ago so this isn't unfamiliar territory. I go next week for a mammogram. Yay for boobs getting squooshed (um, ok, not really yay). I also get an ultrasound on the left breast. Loads of fun, eh?

Laying down on the table reminded me about my ab muscles. See, I am pretty sure they separated w/ the pregnancy & so I asked her to check. Yep. Sure do have some separation right down the middle. I have to say, it has gotten better but you can definitely tell. Well, as she was pushing down on my abs, she asked if a certain area hurt. Um, no. She looked at me & said I had a hernia. HA! You have got to be friggin' kidding me?!? Jesus! Anything else?

So that's my story & I'm stickin' to it. Wish it weren't so but it is. I'm not stressing about it. What will be, will be.

Better than baby snuggles...baby KISSES!

Ok, that pisses me off. This thing is suppose to auto save, right? Wrong. I just lost my really long post! Grrrrr...let's try this again, shall we?

Now, I have to say as much as I like the snuggles, the kisses are by far the best part of being a mommy, especially when I get them for no reason. It is so easy to forgive or forget something they have just done as soon as they plant that slobbery kiss on my face.

Each has their distinct style. Ian is true to his sweet personality. He closes his eyes & leans in oh so gently. His lips stay fairly closed & he does it just right. The expression on his face, priceless.

Sofi on the other hand, is the exact opposite. She goes in for the kill! Her mouth is wide open w/ a mouth full of slobber. She isn't gentle what so ever. They are still wonderful & well worth wiping off the slobber w/ the back of my hand.

Then there is Gabi. Not sure if she just isn't all in to it yet or what but her kisses are hard to come by. I'm actually hoping that she continues playing hard to get for many years to come!

Besides kissing, we have been doing quite a bit of reading. We LOVE to read. They are really getting to a point of enjoying themselves, even taking the books & reading by themselves. It is great! After ever meal, I give them books. Gabi is by far the one most interested in reading. She has a story for every page, even pointing things out & often reading to Ian. It really is the cutest thing ever!

Sofi is a solo reader & she quite fickle when it comes to her books. She is a speed demon & once finished, tosses the book to the floor as if it has nothing left to offer. If for some reason there isn't another book directly in front of her, she steals them from Ian.

Baby snuggles are the best!

What can I say? That has got to be one of the best parts of being a mommy. I love when my kids need to just chill out w/ me. It is normally right after they wake up from their nap. Yep, the only nap of the day. *sigh* Although I can't complain b/c they sleep for 2 hours. I can get a lot done in 2 hours.

Back to the cuddles. Love it! They are at the perfect size where they fit right in the crook of my arm & in my lap. Of the 3, I have to say that Sofi takes 1st place when it comes to cuddling. Not b/c of HOW but b/c of HOW MUCH she likes to cuddle. It really doesn't matter w/ who either. She will get her paci, blanket, & then come sit in your lap. She will crawl on the couch & snuggle right in to the crook of your arm.

Gabi is in close 2nd now days. She has been really in to snuggling. It is so sweet. She will just lay right on you & let you rub her back. She LOVES that. I LOVE that hence the reason for this post, LOL.

Ian snuggles when he is nursing. He loves his bedtime nursing session & is just the sweetest boy. He will also snuggle me right after he wakes up in the afternoon. Sometimes I think he will fall right back asleep but he just lays there w/ a little smile on his face like there is no other place in the world to be.

The only thing that bothers me, they cuddle when it is just us & I can't get pictures :( . That sucks. I'm going to work on that. Until then, the following pics will have to do! They are all from the couch, our favorite place to play now days.