Me and My Big Ideas

It was their first Christmas, and since I am somewhat shutter-happy on a normal day, you can imagine how many new pictures were taken this holiday. Picture after picture...fix Alex's hat, "click!", move Braden over a smidge, "click!", rearrange the backdrop after Cole pulls it down, "click!"...really only slight differences; hoping to get that perfect first Christmas card picture. It's one-in-a-million, of course, but I was determined. I took enough that if you had all of the actual prints, you could flip them through your hands and it would resemble a stop-animation mini-movie...It was a busy week of photo shoots!

The problem arose in getting all three kids happy, smiling, somewhat still, looking my way, not crying...oh, who am I kidding? Looking in my general direction and not making a face as if they were just pinched is all I really want! Smiles are a bonus! I guess my expectations have lowered a bit as they have gotten more expressive and mobile. See, I have been taking monthly pictures of them all together to see how they grow in the first year. Mostly, I try to pick a time when odds are in my favor. That is, just after napping - about an hour before lunch. Between "no longer sleepy" and "not quite hungry" is the window I am aiming for! It usually works quite well and the kids seemed to be warming up to my demanding picture taking adventures...I think Braden even mock-"model"-posed for one, and it makes me laugh every time I see it.


Goofy, hilarious Braden

Well, Christmas was coming! And that meant no lunch until these pictures were perfect! Ok, so maybe that's a little harsh for 7-month olds, but they had to learn that we had a deadline! Of course, I am kidding...I think the kids reached their breaking point after the third day of pictures and started protesting my "adventures". I decided to set up the living room for their Christmas picture -elaborate sets, tweak the lighting, get the Christmas strand lights just right under the tulle, crumple a little green and red tissue paper and dot accordingly....it looked homemade, but oh, well...good enough! I was in a hurry because my window was closing fast. So, we lost a few background embellishments - but the kids are the most important part...so they were ready!

Me and my Big Ideas...What was imagined in my head was not exactly what happened...but I was ok with this first "shoot" not producing a perfect picture...we had a few more weeks left until Christmas, so I didn't panic just yet. I pictured a white background, white tulle puffed around them like clouds...oh - and Grandma Ertel got them all these super-cute little Santa Hats that say "Lil Angel" (Alex) and "Tiny Elf" (Boys). SO cute...and I pictured them all on their tummies with the hats on and nothing else! Just a few bare bums peeking out from behind the tulle "clouds". Oh, it looked so cute and perfect in my head... If only! At the time, it didn't seem like any of the pictures I was taking were even close to the imagined scene.

I have to accept that I need help in some areas, and that is really hard for me to do...I usually try to do things alone because I am so gosh-darn stubborn! This is one of those times I really needed help, but never asked...I am such a dummy sometimes. Anyway, the scene is set....the kids are angelically happy, compliant with my de-diapering of them, placing them here and there, plunking the hats on their heads - they were so good - it was play time, right??

Cole is great with being on his tummy and lifting his chest and head off the ground...looking around like a little groundhog popping up from its hole. So, I set him up first...beautiful! Braden is next. He's good at it, but likes to roll over immediately whenever placed on his tummy. It's basically lay him down...roll. Lay him down...roll. You get the idea! But I was so ready for him! Ha! I placed a rolled up blanket beside him to prevent or just delay the inevitable. He's on his tummy...tries to roll...no good! I win! I felt a rush of accomplishment over this small miracle. Ok, boys are up, get Alex's diaper off and flip her over...Face plant. She has a hard time with bringing her head up, but she usually has a minute or two in her! Oh, come on Alex! Everything else is good to go! You're the last piece of the puzzle that is my sanity today! Nope. I actually think she felt this was just a silly waste of her time...the diva was not going to perform today. :( I kept trying to get her head up, making all sorts of silly noises I would never make in public...even those only had a temporary effect...not long enough to snap a picture. Meanwhile, the one or two pictures I could take, Braden had found a way to roll past the blanket and into his sister...my fleeting rush of accomplishment had turned to defeat oh so quickly. Alex was already having a hard time concentrating on battling gravity with her little head...now she had her brother steamrolling her! Poor thing!

Well, I ended up giving in and letting them run the show - I put Alex into a chair between the two prone boys and snapped a few pics - this will have to do! I was bummed, but little did I know that the girl knows her stuff! Alex proved to me that her way was better and it's the picture we finally used in the end. I smell a design career for her! ;)


The winner!

After a few more days of shooting, different outfits and poses...I looked back at the beginning and ended up choosing one of their first pictures. It will always be a great memory for me; fun, challenging and completely endearing. I look back now and all I remember is the good stuff. I hope the rest of their childhood is the same!

So, they didn't turn out like I imagined, but I am so much happier with the end result...who knew?!

Thank God it's over!

Christmas, I mean! It has been hectic, but pretty productive this year, ironically. But, thank God it's over. Too much to do! I forced alot on myself this year...something about feeling productive and finishing something other than taking care of babies all day kept me motivated. I actually even baked a cookie or two! That didn't happen last year...and since the monkeys will be mobile next year, it most likely won't happen then either! On the subject, I was having this discussion with someone the other day about Christmas cookies...why do we make them? It's funny, because we all must like the ones we make...and then we trade them all away for someone else's favorites! We sometimes get a few new favorites in the swap, but if we like them that much, we may even add them to our own list for the following year! I say, give the good wishes, still make the cookies, and in the spirit of the holiday...keep them all to yourself! ;)

The kids were cute on Christmas Day; just learning how to rip paper, we had them unwrap a few gifts. Just like the dogs, at the moment they are more mesmerized with the paper than the present. Oh, well! That will change soon enough as they learn to collect and hoard toys. We headed to both in-laws for both days and snuck out before the chaos of the evening began! (We always have to be home every night for the scheduled solids/bath/bottle/bed routine by 6:30 no matter what day it is!) So, it made for a bummer of an evening (same old, same old) considering it was Christmas Eve and Christmas night! We keep telling ourselves that we just have to get through this first year and we will be able to reclaim our nights again. Here's to next Christmas!

New Year's was uneventful as well, but I have to give kudos here to Mike's parents, who have been exceptionally attuned to providing us with "normal moments" whenever they can. They always do little things for us here and there and provide us with creature comforts...like fresh baked cookies or other comfort foods - vitamins to keep us strong, stories to keep our life in perspective! Having them around is like getting a nice big hug right when we need it the most. So, they brought over an amazing prime rib dinner for all of us to share after the kids were down for the night...we had nice placemats, candlelight, great conversation and it made the holiday special...especially considering that we might have just shared a box of mac and cheese and called it an early night! ;) Thanks Mom and Dad Ertel...you guys are the best and an oasis in our desert right now.


Mom and Dad Ertel (Grandma and Papa)

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!

Alex the wiggler

It's about that time, folks. The time when the wiggles start. The time when you can't put one of the babies in their bouncy seat without strapping them in. Alex taught me this very important lesson in parenting and now I will share it with you!

Last week, I got the kids up around 7:30am and fed them all...usually the morning feeding is pretty low key. I put the boys in their boppys to look out the window and chat with each other, play with their rattles or hands...and Alex goes into what I call the "Frog and Monkey Chair"...basically her rainforest bouncy seat, where she can watch the animated frog and monkey (pretty creative name, huh?). She loves the chair and utters content little noises of amusement at the animals. Maybe she's telling them a story? Anyway, the kids usually fall asleep for a little snooze and I do some chores.

I was in the office, updating the page here, putting up pictures...and I hear Alex fussing a little. I mean, a little. I figured she was awake, so I put the finishing touches on the page and headed out to play with the princess.

Mind you, there was not one little peep coming from the other room until this moment...that is an important point!

I get out into the living room, and the now happy, cooing princess is playing with her hands...on the floor! Wait? What?! "How did you get there?! Weren't you in the chair?" I actually asked her this out loud, expecting an answer. Smugly not saying a word, she decided to let me figure this mystery out on my own! It was a test, I know...and she was teaching me. I had to be more careful with my little ones. She had wiggled herself all the way out of the deep seat, under the toy bar and onto the floor, without a sound, and without getting hurt. Actually, I think the reason she started fussing was because she was bored on the floor! Her head was nicely cushioned by the blanket she previously had on top of her and she was comfy, but bored. It was quite a funny little predicament! I laughed when I realized that she was ok and just what had happened.

Wow. I just stood there for a second, looking at her...wondering how it all happened and the hilarity of the situation was broken by the weight of what could have happened. If she was higher and fell, if she got caught on the toy bar, if the blanket fell on top of her.... Yikes! It was a sobering moment...and one lesson I won't forget!

I picked her up and hugged her tight. I thanked her for the lesson, buckled her in, and kissed her forehead. I was lucky and she is one smart kid.

It's been a while!

Well, it's been a few months...It has been tough to get back! Mike has been home working most days on the computer, and since the loss of my lifeline (my borrowed laptop!), I have had many stories to tell that have just fizzled in my brain before making it to the big time. Now, I feel like I am starting over; trying to remember all the fun stuff!

The kids are "sleeping through the night" now...whatever that means! We still get up quite a few times during the night, but they are making it without a feeding for almost 12 hours! Although, now I think the kids have officially boycotted sleeping during the day. It's been a catnap here, a little snooze there...but, of course, never together at the same time! I sometimes feel as though I am playing "musical babies" all day long...Play gym, bouncy chair, swing, toy bar, on lap, floor, boppy, bumbo, in arms, story time, baby einstein, yikes! It's a constant cycle of rotation. It is enough work to nourish three babies with food all day, it's quite another job to nourish them developmentally and emotionally. (All that and make the dogs feel good, too? ;) ) It's definitely hard work! And it challenges me every day. But it's fun most of the time! That's what gets me through it.

The kids have grown so much! Just putting the new pictures up and seeing the old ones from the first few months, it's an incredible change....boy, what a little weight on your bones can do! Alex has sprouted rosy, pinchable cheeks and the boys have started to look different from each other, finally. They all have big, irresistable blue eyes and beautiful smiles. Their hair is growing in too! Both of the boys have a sort of dirty blonde color, Alex's is a little darker. They are all "talking", making "goo goo ga ga" sounds - it's terribly cute. No matter how tired you are, the chorus of gibberish can always make me smile. They are wiggly and kicking and reaching out for toys. The boys have rolled over front to back already and Alex is trying so hard to go back to front! I think she likes to try the harder stuff first!

Their weights are quite unbelievable, even for a full-term baby! We are always shocked to see how much they gain at each appointment. The boys are about 20 pounds and Alex is 15 1/2. They are officially 6 months old today - and weigh as much as most year-old babies do! They have impressed us and scared us with this weight gain - preemies shouldn't be this big yet! Full term babies shouldn't be this big yet! ;) They eat what they want and stop when they are done, and they don't look more than the usual "baby pudgy"...so we will take it - and I guess be proud of how far they have come! Who would have thought? We are exceptionally lucky and so blessed.

They are all very alert, smiling and laughing at our jokes, something we don't ever want to lose! They love attention (especially Alex) and start to get excited when they think you are going to pick them up and play with them (Individual time is a precious commodity around here!). Holding their heads up so well, they like to be toted around the house in someone's arms...and they love to be outside. This winter will be tough to have to keep them indoors - they love the trees and the warm breezes... They also love to lay on mommy and daddy's bed during the day! No matter how cranky they are, they seem to know it's a treat and it instantly calms them.
They have noticed each other and actually laugh when one sibling is placed in front of them...as if they are completely delighted to see their friend. Of course, this sets us to laughing, which gets them going even more...and pretty soon, we have an all-out giggle fest on our hands. I love my life!

And, good news...their reflux seems to be under control - either the medicine is working very well, or they may be starting to grow out of it. Whatever the reason, we love it! Happy babies = Happy Mommy and Daddy! No more colic, no more reflux...yahoo! Now, we are on to teething.... ;) It seems that Cole is starting to cut his first tooth already! Though, they are all showing signs...drooling, chewing on their hands, cranky at night...it's coming for all three! Just knowing that it's a normal phase helps me to put it all into perspective..so I am hoping things won't be as unbearable as the reflux saga.

I'll post a few stories here and there (I have so many!), so as to not have one big update...so keep tuning in! Thanks again for all the support...it is still so overwhelming to feel so loved in so many ways.

Imagine this scenario...

Relaxing in the house, spending time with the kids. A baby...(say, Alex) is in the bouncy chair in front of me, dozing off with her paci...looking quite comfortable. Another baby...(maybe Cole) is in my arms, being fed and feeling positively gorged, I'm thinking. And yet another baby...across the room in his swing (Oh, I don't know...how about Braden), looking happily up at the mobile, smiling even. All is good, all is calm, all is in control...

Then all of a sudden, one harmless occurance, like a blanket falling off of a lap onto the floor, causes an explosive chain reaction that is all too common in this house lately!

Swing causes blanket to fall off Braden's lap...binkie pops out of mouth...scream erupts instantaneously...which causes drowsy Alex to wake with a start, eyes wide open, hands out, paci falls out, cries erupt...and then Cole, happily trying to burp, starts to fidget unhappily and ultimately erupts into a HUGE burp that produces large quantity of spit-up that promptly goes down the arm of my hoodie. Erupting seems almost a fad these days!

*big sigh*...this is my life right now. ;) How quickly things change!

I was realizing last night that on an average day, these poor kids aren't getting a square deal! They have to live their life in "thirds of attention"...1/3 of mommy's attention all the time or all of mommy's attention 1/3 of the time. It's not always the same, I do try to rotate the lion's share of attention...sometimes I have more patience and they all get more learning stimulation than they can handle from me the whole day - other times they get a good chance to practice their self-soothing skills in a bouncy seat! I keep telling myself that it will make them stronger and more patient individuals...there's no chance we will have any spoiled kids around here...no time for that!

I have been entirely a non-blogger lately because we're still coping with the reflux and some sleeping issues with the kids. Even so, there are some moments we get that make it all worthwhile...like the smiles! They are all starting to smile and it takes my breath away. Just like in the womb, Cole is still the front runner; doing most things first. He's our indicator...once he does something, it's usually only a day or two before his siblings follow. It's quite interesting! He may be the first, but not always the most consistent.

Alex is actually the best at holding her head up high...and I think she is the most curious of her surroundings. And she is so interested in her brothers...Oh, but she is a little princess! She HAS to be sitting upright, or she lets out a scream.....yikes. The neighbors even hear it!
Braden has a 10 am smile fest, all on his own, looking up at the ceiling and thinking about something funny! He seems to like ceilings. Huh. Forget the toys! He loves tummy time (He's awesome at it!) and almost wants to crawl right over the boppy. The other day, when put on his tummy, he actually rolled right over onto his back!

And Cole has been so close to giggling. It's all quite hilarious, I can't help giggling myself while watching the new laughter. He is the most content of the three right now; he usually just wants to sit in your lap, giggling and cooing. It's so nice to finally see what a happy baby looks like!
As far as sleeping through the night goes...they are finally starting to show some signs that they may be ready! Mike has the 10pm feeding and we let them go to wake up on their own for the 2am feeding. Lately, they have been consistently going until 5 or 6am before screaming for breakfast! Although, I have to admit, they are swing addicts. They nap and sleep in their swings for now (beacause of the reflux) - so the true measure of sleeping through the night will only come after they stop getting automatically rocked to sleep every time they wake through the night. I'm really not looking forward to weaning them off of these wonderful inventions. Either way, we are definitely on the road (even if it isn't paved and it's quite long) to a little more freedom...and it feels good!

The kids are really getting quite big - Alex is probably almost 12 pounds by now...and the boys - yikes! I can only imagine. If I had to guess, I'd say around 15 pounds. They are packing on the pounds and we are loving every minute of it!

So, I walk out into the garage the other day and what do I see? My wonderful husband, consoling Cole. How, you ask? By sitting him on the quad and revving the engine, of course! Boys will be boys, I guess. Talking to him about how he will be taking him for rides soon...like, within the month...right! What a little kid! He can't wait. Cole was quite enthralled with the sound and seemed excited for his first "daddy and me" quad ride; the quality guy time - I wonder if they sell a newborn size riding helmet to match dad's? Probably not. ;)

Note: I wrote this blog before he actually DID it - Mike was telling the truth about going within the week! On Monday, he packed Cole into the front carrier, hopped on the quad, and took him for a tour of the yard - it was actually kind of cute! I'm sitting in the recliner, feeding Braden, and Mike and Cole zoom by the window...His eyes were as wide as dinner plates. He loved it! And Cole did, too. ;) Of course, I snapped a picture of the bonding time! Cole loves being outside, so the quad ride sent him over the edge of happiness.


The boys and their toy


Some numbers in an average day at the Ertel Zoo!

nails clipped...(normally weekly)...104 (fingers and toes of three kids, 8 paws of dog)
oz of formula mixed and used in one day...84
diapers changed, accidents included...around 25
outfits thrown in the wash....usually around 3-4 for Braden, 2-3 for Alex...and Cole has been in the same outfit for 4 days! Just kidding - but he rarely needs a change - I have to remember to do it every so often because I'm always changing somebody!
burp cloths used...9
bottles washed...19
batteries used...about 8 Ds, 4Cs and 8 AAs per week...I know that will increase as they get older!
pictures taken since their birth...1051...and counting!

Also, because we are so bored around here, we're planning the Christening and preparing for a garage sale in between feedings. ;) It's been crazy lately and the reason why I haven't gotten anything done...thank you notes...returned emails...laundry... blogs...new pics...not a thing! Good preparation for toddlerhood, I say...get used to it, Mom!

Until next time - The kids all say 'hi' and will soon be attempting to go out for more adventures now that they are getting a little older; hopefully we will start to see more of you all!

Mike likes the attention

I know that you guys must be getting sick of the "attention we get" blogs...I promise this will be the last one for a while...it's just that it's really one of the most interesting ways having triplets has affected our lives so far. It's something I never saw coming, especially in this intensity!

I never would have thought it, but I think Mike likes the attention! As most of my past blog posts have professed, sometimes quite obviously, I pretty much dislike any of the spotlight we are in when walking around with these guys any more. I know it's not exactly a humble analogy, but I think this is what it must be like to be a celebrity! Definitely not to the same degree, but I am sure Lindsay Lohan must feel like she wants to go to the store sometimes and just be "Lindsay". We can't go anywhere anymore without a ton of conversations with people, the whispering, the pointing! Having triplets, out of necessity, you try to become a model of efficiency and have to view errands anywhere as an experience, not just an errand, or you will go crazy! I think that's why it bothers me so much! You get used to doing everything as fast as possible and when you are forced to slow down, my first reaction is irritation at my schedule slipping away. ;)

So, if you haven't read the past posts, you now know that it disconcerts me quite a bit (that is, most of the time - but not always! If we are not in a hurry or if the kids are not in a hurry...aka hungry...I enjoy the stories we hear!). I usually avoid eye contact as much as possible and walk briskly as if I am eternally late for an appointment. That stops most people from initiating a conversation...but not all! I sometimes get chased through the store, people yelling from behind... "Stop! Wait!"

Short story long, I now know that Mike is the polar opposite of me when it comes to this subject...We were driving home from a doctor appointment last Monday and I asked if we could stop at Target for one quick thing...so quick, it would only take me 5 minutes, door to door! I expected him to say, "ok - but hurry!" The kids were crying and that meant endless loops around the parking lot, hitting every bump you could find in effort to coax them down to a dull roar. Instead, to my surprise, I heard a cheerful..."We'll come in with you!" Wait a minute...What?? Is he crazy? All the work of getting them out and into the stroller, all the while they are all screaming...in what could only be disagreement with daddy's plan of action...for a 5 minute item...and he wants to go in??! Yikes.

And then it hit me smack in the face...he actually likes the commotion we cause! He must! I'm putting this together because this would not be the first time he would go out of his way to bring the kids into public. He gets this grin on his face and proudly rolls them into the store, head held up high, actually seeking out eye contact with complete strangers!...and, true to form, before we even hit the front door...."wow! Triplets?" *sigh*....I hope he's enjoying this!

Although, I'm not sure if it's the kids or the stroller he most enjoys showing off. I swear he gets that Tim Taylor Tool Time guy "laugh"...you know which one I mean? The one that denotes a guy showing off his manly equipment to another guy...a primitive communication that only guys understand...and only something like a triple stroller can bring out in them.

Oh well...I guess if he enjoys it - he can have all the glory! I'll go hide in the shoe department. I'll look at this as an opportunity to socialize the kids...as well as the husband. ;)


He's enjoying this! Look at the proud papa...

Weight Update!

Remember that statistic about the average newborn doubling their weight in the first 4 months? Yikes! We really are in trouble...

The kids were weighed almost a week ago...Alex really filled out! She's now up to 9 lbs! And the boys were roughly weighed at around 12 lbs. Holy Cow! That's triple in under 3 months. ;) Alex definitely looks different already, gaining most of it in the last 2 weeks.
They are all really growing at an amazing rate...who would of thought we would ever be here, talking about all of them around 10 lbs...when we were so happy to see 4 lbs right before they were born...it really is amazing how fast they are growing. Life is good!

The stroller seems to be causing the most attention when we go out...if only we could have that convienience without throwing up the "freak show over here!" flag every time we go out! It's fun to watch all the reactions and start to notice a pattern in people. I've noticed that the women almost always notice the kids and talk about them...whether it's to us or about us...and the guys...you guessed it! They always notice the stroller and want to talk about that! It's too funny how every couple falls into this stereotype.

Genuine surprise usually lets all sorts of things come out of peoples' mouths before they realize they are asking all sorts of silly and invasive questions...things like "Did you have them all at once?" Ummm...I don't even know how to answer that one! Or the famous..."did you use fertility drugs?"...Ahhh...I'm not sure it's anyone's business! But the surprise of seeing these guys makes people act a little weird and little rude sometimes. We usually tell people that we are hurrying so we can finish before they are hungry again...but most people don't hear that...they just keep us there, asking questions. Sometimes I wish we were invisible!

We took Braden for a walk in a carrier backpack the other day to the Lancaster 4th of July fair...The other two stayed with Grandma because they were sleeping..Braden wasn't (surprise, surprise!) so he got to go for a walk with us. It was really weird to just have "1 baby attention"! The people that noticed him and stopped to say something to us were the genuine baby lovers...it was nice for a change!

And I heard my favorite response to seeing the triplets from a stranger the other day...A woman walked by us with her early teen son and glanced at the triplets...never stopping...and said "WOW! Triplets..."...she looked at her son and said..."I can't IMAGINE three of you." Too funny. That one made me genuinely laugh out loud.