7 Days and Counting

One week from tomorrow, I will be sitting here, fogetting that toys are taking over our house, ants are snacking on leftover pancake syrup on high chairs, and little boys are deciding what prized possesion of Mommy's they want to break next.



I know I will miss the boys, but what a beautiful way to celebrate 8 years with my wonderful husband who I love so very much! He loves adventure, so who knows what he will be doing, but I plan on spending my time doing absolutely nothing. I just pray that no one gets sick now, or for the duration of our trip. I plan on coming back a rested and rejuvenated Mommy.

But for now, here is the image I am saving as I try to keep my sanity for 7 MORE DAYS!!!!!

Meeting Addisen

This weekend, the boys got to meet their newest cousin, Addisen. She is so cute, and was so sweet to allow her cousins to poke and prod at her. Chase was very curious about her, especially her little feet. Parker was the only one to say her name--although he didn't perform for us in her presence. It really is cute how he says "A-E" for Addie. Logan wasn't quite sure who it was Mommy kept holding, and Reid loved getting to feed her and said the sweetest little prayer for Addisen when he went to bed. It was fun holding a little baby again--but I can safely say (to Jason's happiness) that I am glad that we are finished with that part of our lives. I guess that sleepless night faze is still too fresh in our minds.

Me and my newest little niece


Parker and Addisen


Reid helping to feed Addie


Playing with Uncle Jeremy


MeMaw and PawPaw with their grandkids




When we got home, I finally caught the end of the boys playing Ring Around the Rosy. I just wish I was faster at grabbing the camera. It was so cute how they would all grab each others' hands to begin. And don't you just love how Reid makes sure everyone falls down at the end? What a big brother!

I Did It! They Did It! And Something No Mother Should Live Without!

I can't believe it, but today for the first time, I went to Sam's Club without the choo-choo! Why would I be crazy enough to do such a thing? Well, I really did not know how I could pull the choo-choo and push a loaded cart without pulling my one shoulder that still works out of it's socket. Plus, I really didn't know how I was going to get all of our goodies into the suburban (I really don't have the knack for Jason's packing skills). So, I said a little prayer as I unloaded the choo-choo in the garage and left. It worked out so wonderfully! Chase and Logan sat in the seats of the cart, while Parker road inside of the cart. He is such a trooper, because by the time we were heading out, he kept saying brrr, because he was surrounded by all the frozen things. Reid was a super helper too, walking beside the cart like a big boy, and telling me every time I was about to potentially crash into someone or something. It's no easy feat pushing around three toddlers and bulk loads of food, diapers, and other necessities that we really didn't need. But now I'm geared up to try HEB by myself! It is so liberating!

Then, as I went to return the cart (which was right next to my passenger side--so I didn't leave the kids in the car for longer than 15 seconds), I came back to put the boys in their car seats and buckle them up. Normally, they stand in the aisle of the suburban, waiting for their turn to be buckled in. But today, all three little boys climbed into their car seats by themselves! While this may not seem like a big deal to normal mothers of singletons, it is a huge deal to moms of multiples. Each time they branch off to do something by themselves, it is one less thing that I have to do three times. It really made me think about how big my guys are getting, and then it made me sad because they are growing up too fast.

Now, I haven't really done a product endorsement before, but this one is just too good not to mention to anyone needing a life saving product--especially for moms/dads of multiples or many small children. I was reminded by the awesomeness of this product when I passed by it today at Sam's. It is the Electrolux Pronto 2-in-1 Vacuum. It has literally saved my life and the time it would take for me to clean up after a meal. I am normally a neat freak, and the problem with four little boys, three of whom are all in the same messy stage, is that meal times can become complete disaster areas. The boys love to feed themselves, which makes the table and surrounding area fit for something that could be marked off with yellow caution tape as a chemical/toxic spillage. The Electrolux cleans chairs, floors, even little boys (yes, I do suck up the crumbs off of their laps before letting them up) perfectly. It is cordless and works better than any Dirt Devil or like product that I have owned (and I have owned several including a Sears model that my husband just knew would be perfect because he loves Craftsman). So, if you want to keep from sweeping all the time, check it out.

Weekend Pics

What a fun weekend we had enjoying our family and friends! The weather, while still hot, actually gave us a break from the horrible 105 degree temps we had been having. We even had a breeze yesterday afternoon and Saturday morning! So, we went outside to enjoy playing without having a heat stroke. The boys had a blast! They love being outdoors!

Playing in the sandbox






Chase following his older brother up the slide (and giving me a heart attack).





The boys and Reid's best friend, Emily at Fireworks on the Brazos


Reid shaking his booty to the oldies band while blowing bubbles for his brothers


Waiting for the fireworks (still happy at this point)


As the evening wore on, the boys got tired of staying at our spot. We tried choo-chooing around for awhile, but by 9:30, we had all had enough, and Jason had decided that waiting for the fireworks were not worth another 30 minutes of misery. So, we headed back to the car and were able to get there just in time to see the fireworks minus hearing the live music that accompanied them. The boys liked them, for about 5 minutes, and then thought that the birds flying above us out of the trees were much more exciting. Luckily only Jason received the remnants from the birds--right on his shorts. :)






Reid could hardly contain himself. This is how he looked the entire fireworks show!


A final picture of the boys' new place to eat their snack. Usually all 4 will stuff themselves into that spot, giggling and having all kinds of fun!

No More Shots!!!

The boys had their 18 month check-up this morning, and boy did we have fun! Once we were called back to the room, it was as if Chase instantly recalled where we were and he froze (it obviously hadn't been long enough since the pneumonia/shot visit). He literally screamed down the hallway and into the exam room. Logan followed with his usual curious expression. You could almost read his mind like he was a little intellectual person saying "I wonder what adventure and discoveries I could make if I continued down this hallway." And then there is Parker, our little socialite. Anywhere he goes he is sure to see to it that he is noticed. He comes barreling down the hall, with big brother in tow, waving to every person he passes and giving out a friendly "Hi, Hi, Hi". God bless this poor child. He is destined to become a politician. He even high-fived the nurse after she gave him his shots.

Despite Chase's screaming, and Logan's horrible quivering lip due to the fright inflicted by his brother's screaming, the boys had a great check-up. They all passed the autism test (meaning they aren't showing signs of autism) and all are growing and right on target with their development. Our pedi was a little concerned with Logan not being as verbal as the other two, but said that she wouldn't proceed with speech testing until he was 2, and only if his speech hadn't picked up. She did say that his delayed speech seems to fit right with his personality of being more passive and laid back. Jason is still chuckling after her misunderstanding of one of his words. When she asked what words he does say, I said that he says "buck" really well all of the time. She said "book" and I said "No, buck". "Book?" again she says, to which I replied "No, buck, like the many deer heads that will one day line my living room much to my chagrin thanks to all of these boys." Her expression was priceless!

Now for the updates:

Logan: Weight- 24 lb. 10 oz. (30-50%) up from 23lb. 6 oz. at 15 months
Length- 31.75 in. (30-50%) up from 30.5 in. at 15 months

Parker: Weight- 22 lb. 8 oz. (10%) up from 20 lb. 11 oz. at 15 months
Length- 31.5 in. (25%) up from 30.5 in. at 15 months

Chase: Weight- 22 lb. 14 oz. (10-20%) up from 21 lb. 2 oz. at 15 months
Length- 31.75 in. (30-50%) up from 30.75 at 15 months

And our last bit of fabulous news today was NO MORE SHOTS except for the flu shot until the boys are 4!!!! Of course, Reid was sitting there scared since he is four. I had to remind him that he already had his four year old shots, and Dr. Kemper reassured him that he won't have any more shots until he is 11, since he is old enough for the flu mist. Then I got to calm him down in the car because he was worried that he would get a shot in his nose. At least I won't have to worry about him ever getting a nose ring!

Never Ever Turn Your Back on Them

These are the words that I told Jason tonight and will tell anyone who dares to take on the task of watching the boys alone...especially the trips.

Parker, who has always been our adventurous child, today decided to challenge himself by pulling the rocking horse in the playroom over to the kids activity table (the chairs to which are in a closet because of previous acts by the aforementioned) and then decided it would be fun to stand on the horse and climb onto the table. I figured out he was there as I spotted the lights going off and on in the room out of the corner of my eye. And I was watching him, although I had turned for a split second to grab myself a bowl of cereal.

As if one adventurous one wasn't enough, Parker has now found that he, as the leader, can convince the others that it is fun to test the fate of man. While I was making a nutritious dinner of hot dogs, bananas, carrots, and curly fries (I was exhausted after a day at the Children's Museum, so forgive me for the finger food meal), Jason turned his back on the boys for again a split second, only to find Parker and Logan standing on the dinner table, with Chase close behind climbing up the chair.

You would think that we would have learned our lesson, but we are parents, so we have to learn it three times before understanding. After Parker and Chase had taken their baths (we do them in rounds, two at a time), Jason for some reason decided it was okay to let them out of their bedroom. Moments later they came running back into their room, Chase carrying the lampshade from the living room and Parker holding the lamp itself. I was really wanting a new lamp there anyway.

So, to all those future babysitters, heed our warning. (Especially you Granmommy and Opa as you dare to take on the task for 5 days while Jason and I relax on our anniversary getaway in a few weeks...REST NOW!)

No More Sickies, 18 Months, and a Happy Late Father's Day

Well, we survived pneumonia and thankfully did not have any more vomiting episodes after that first night. Logan did continue that night, though, so he got to go back to the pedi for a shot. My poor little guys have been through so much and unfortunately they get to go back next week for their 18 month check-up and more shots. I don't know if we will be able to get Chase back in there. He screamed from the moment I took him past the waiting room until we made it to the car. That boy has one tight grip. I literally had to peel him off of me in order to check his weight.

I cannot believe that the boys are 18 months old now. There is something about the 18 month mark. I remember that seemed like a huge turning point for Reid, and it has been the same with the trips. It's like all of the sudden they are big boys. They are conversing so much better with me, and with each other at times, although they still are resorting to biting, hitting and screaming when they want what someone else has. Poor Reid has even begun to become a target. Chase bit him on the back the other day, since evidently Reid wasn't going down the inside slide in a timely manner. At least Chase (and Parker for that matter) understand the meaning behind discipline and don't seem to like it. Logan on the other hand looks at me and laughs, no matter how many times he is corrected. It completely blows my mind on what to do with him.

Jason had a great Father's Day. I am so glad that he is my husband! He is such a wonderful father. I don't know of another man who loves his little boys more. I am so blessed that he is with me on this crazy journey that we have taken. For Father's Day, I took an idea from the Triplet Connection, and expanded on it to make it more fitting for Jason. I took individual pictures, (there was no way I was going to try for a group shot, since getting them to stay still, smile, etc for the individuals was trying enough) cut them out with my craft scissors, and framed them with a poem about wearing Daddy's shoes. It really turned out cute, and Jason absolutely loved it! In the pictures, each boy wore a different pair of Jason's shoes. I tried to make a little scene to go along with the shoes and Jason's hobbies.

Reid wore Jason's hunting boots. (And that's Reid's toy gun)


Logan wore Jason's church shoes.


Parker wore Jason's work boots.


And Chase wore his tennis shoes, because I was afraid for him to wear his cleats. :)


It really was a nice weekend (after a hard sick filled week and a half) celebrating all Fathers--together with my Dad, brother-in-law, and Jason, and in spirit with Jason's Dad and the newest member of the Daddyhood--Jason's brother Jeremy, whose little girl was born exactly 18 months after the trio. (How cool is it that the trips birthday is 12/18 and their little cousin Addie's birthday is 6/18!)