Swing Time

Thanks to our kids' wonderful grandparents we were able to purchase this awesome swing set. It took an entire weekend of hard work on Daddy's side to put it together but it was all worth it when we saw the huge smile on Lucas' face and the laugh and giggles from the babies when they were swinging for the first time.

Here is the front view of the swing set. It has three swings, a tire swing, a rope ladder, a slide, a climbing wall (opposite side of ladder), a wheel and a telescope.

Tyler

Noah

Julie

Lucas

One year stats

About two weeks ago we finally took the triplets to their one year wellness check up. It seems to be that we are behind schedule on everything but I'm going to have to blame this on Daddy's new work schedule. I don't want to take the triplets and Lucas to the doctor's office all by myself so it has to be scheduled around Daddy's work and that is not an easy task at times.

Anyways, here are the stats as of January 18th, 2010:

Tyler: 22 lbs, 8 oz and 29 3/4 inches long

Julie: 20 lbs, 4 oz and 29 1/2 inches long

Noah: 21 lbs and 28 3/4 inches long

My, have they grown!

Some Firsts

So many new and exciting things have happened within the past couple of months with the kids that I don't even know if I'll be able to list them all in one post. All I can say is that they grow up way too fast!

Here's Lucas on his first set of skates. Daddy had bought those and they are quite neat since they grow with you (size adjustable) and they come with three settings - from completely locked rollers to rollerskating all the way.


This is a picture of the babies first Thanksgiving. We packed up the entire family and went to Granny's and had some very delicious dinner - adults and babies enjoyed it alike. All of the kids were so worn out from playing all day that they went out cold in the living room as you can see. Lucas always sleeps with his thumb in his mouth and a hand down his pants by the way.


Tyler, Julie and Noah's first birthday! I don't know why they look so silly in the first picture but this was one of the better ones showing their homemade birthday cakes. We also got them each a balloon but unfortunately you can only see the weight thing holding them down..oh well. This picture and their little celebration was actually two days after their actual birthday.


This picture was taken on their actual birthday. Lucas was definitely in the birthday spirit since he got to help them unwrap their presents. Unfortunately their birthday was just a big mess.

A few days prior to their birthday Daddy's best friend of many years passed away. Kevin fought brain cancer for most of his life and he ultimately lost his battle at the young age of 44. His funeral took place on the triplets first birthday. We went to the funeral in the morning while Granny watched all of the kids for us. It was a cold, rainy and very emotional day. When we got home, we celebrated Tyler, Julie and Noah's birthday but that didn't last too long either since we had to get ready for our first road trip to Houston.

I have no idea why I scheduled my appointment with the German Consulate for the day after their birthday but I did. So off we went on a 5 hour long road trip to Houston only to get my passport renewed. The trip went well and all children were very well behaved. Here's a picture of what it looks like to have three one year olds lined up in the backseat (Lucas is in the 3rd row by the way).

The triplets first birthday outside the hospital. They were born prior to Christmas in 2008 but unfortunately had to spend that Christmas in the NICU/SCN. This year we celebrated at our house and had Granny over for dinner. We actually unwrapped presents three times (once on Christmas eve, once on Christmas Day when Santa dropped some presents off and a third time when Oma, Opa and Onkel Pascal's package from Germany arrived). These pictures were taken one of those days.

And if you wonder, yes our house pretty much looks like a bomb exploded in it all the time. I can straighten up as much as I want to but they will pull the toys back out as soon as my back is turned.

Tyler, Noah and Lucas in their "moose" outfits that Granny gave them for their first birthday. Julie was wearing the same as well but she would not cooperate for the picture.

And here is Lucas on his first scooter he got for Christmas!

All three babies are now walking - Tyler and Julie while holding on to things and Noah without any assistance. And can I tell you that they get into everything?

And last but not least an update on their teeth - Tyler 7 (4 top, 3 bottom), Julie 4 (2 top, 2 bottom) and Noah 6 (4 top, 2 bottom).

I know I am forgetting things but I'll put them in posts to come.

Tyler

Last but not least! One year ago today our Baby A Tyler, who was and is the biggest triplet, finally came home. Our family was complete at last.

The reason he stayed in the NICU/SCN for that long was simple: he was too lazy to nipple and decided that he could get the same yummy food through his gavage. That's when mommy decided to have a serious discussion with him on New Year's Eve and told him that he'd better get his ducks in a row so he could come home. And five days later he finally graduated from the NICU/SCN. Happy Graduation Day big boy!

What a year this has been. I had no idea what to expect even though I had cared for Lucas but having a singleton was an easy job compared to caring for triplets.

The first three months were the hardest with having to feed them every 3 to 4 hours, change diapers, etc. and pump milk somewhere in between all that. Luckily I had my husband home for the first 10 weeks who would feed two babies while I pumped after feeding one. After he returned to work I gave up pumping completely.

I can't say it has been easy taking care of three infants and one toddler all by myself during the day but somehow I managed. I can't even begin to explain what a blessing they are and what a journey this has been and I know there will be many more ups and downs along the way but I can't wait to see what my four miracles have in store for us in the years to come.

Tyler - First Christmas 2008

Tyler - Days after his First Christmas at home 2009

Noah

One year ago today our little Baby C aka Noah graduated from the NICU/SCN after spending 14 days in the hospital.

It was a bitter sweet day for us since we were thrilled to bring Noah home but it was heartbreaking at the same time leaving our last baby boy Tyler behind not knowing when he would be coming home. I remember feeling like I had abandoned my baby even though I knew that he would be in very good hands and it was just a matter of time until he would say farewell to the SCN as well and go home to be with his brothers and sister.

Here is Noah on Christmas Day 2008.
Julie (left) and Noah (right), united again and ready for their first Pediatrician visit after their release from the hospital.

And here is Noah now; the picture was taken a couple of days ago.

Happy Graduation Day Noah!!

Look how far you have come!

Julie

One year ago today, our smallest triplet Julie aka Baby B graduated from the NICU/SCN and finally made her long awaited trip home with Mommy and Daddy. Although it was very exciting it was also a little scary since she weighed less than 5 pounds when we brought her home. But things went very smoothly and she was a very good sleeper from day one.

Here's a picture of Julie on Christmas Day 2008

Here's a picture of Julie taken just a few days after Christmas 2009.


What a difference one year makes!

Happy Graduation Day Baby Girl!

Happy 1st Birthday!!!!

It is hard to believe that Tyler, Julie and Noah are turning one today. Where has the time gone? It seems just like yesterday that I gave birth to the three of them, having to juggle three babies in the NICU, a toddler at home, recovery from the c-section, pumping and the list goes on and on.

And now? They are thriving one year olds who love to get into everything. I can't take my eye off of them for one minute without catching them doing something they are not supposed to and Lucas is not helping any. He's teaching them some bad habits already, sigh. It is definitely never boring at our house.

I know I have been terrible at updating the blog but I'll try to do better as long as my laptop will cooperate. After all, IT is the reason for many blog-less nights! I will definitely post some more with some recent pictures in the near future.

At the same time, I would like to wish all of my fellow BBC December 2008 baby friends, especially little Grayson, a very Happy 1st Birthday as well!!