Feeling Better

Max's first Oreo
Emerson's first Oreo
Alex's first Oreo

Dinner at the dining room table like big boys.

Enjoying their polish sausage and pirogi in their new high chairs!
Max LOVED the sausage.
Emerson said "Mo...Mo"
Alex had seconds and thirds.

Max praying the Bills have a winning season!

Alex walking like a champ.
Emerson looks like he was holding on, but he was mid step.

We tried to get the kids to sit for a picture, but they all rebelled!

Bradley and Austin, too busy to look at the camera.

Feeling Better

The last week has been challenging. The boys all had a terrible cold. Max ended up with an ear infection and was absolutely miserable. My poor boys. They are starting to feel better but we are still having "snot" issues. Their noses are running like faucets. And now have the raspy cough. David spent most of the week entertaining a friend from out of the country so it was just me, Austin and three sickly babies. In between runs to their pediatricians office we managed to have some fun.

We spent the week trying new foods and practicing walking. Emerson is still overly cautious about walking. He will only take 5 or 6 steps before he bends down and crawls the rest of the way. Once he gets over the fear he will be fine. Alex on the other hand has absolutely no fear. In the last few days he has just begun running everywhere. He looses his balance when he stops to praise himself. He will stop mid step and say "YAY!!!!" ...and clap and clap. The only bad part about them walking is that we will be discharged from physical therapy. This is such a shame. We love our therapist. She's amazing. I don't think my boys would be age appropriate or even advanced for their age in certain aspects if it wasn't for Carol! I think we made a forever friend in her!

So, my boys also spent the week trying new foods. They seemed so interested in everything I would eat so I began giving it to them. This week they had their first Oreo cookies. This was an interesting experience. They where actually moaning as they ate them. Trust me, the mess was worth the look on their little faces when they got to the cream. They also had polish sausage and pirogi. They loved it so much, Emerson kept saying "Mo...Mo"...baby for more. I was worried he would have a stomach ache after all that sausage but nope, nothing happened. Their teeth are coming in like crazy. They all have between 8 and 10 teeth. It seems like yesterday when I had three toothless babies crawling around gumming everything. Now I have to watch them because they bite everything and everyone. In fact Max bit the dog this week. You should have seen the look on her face! She handled it well, yipped a little bit than laid back down! Poor Sidney!

This weekend was a little hard for me. I wasn't feeling the greatest. Of course I ended up with their cold and I can't take anything because of the pregnancy. Oh well, almost done. We are entering the 7th month...only 13 more weeks to go! The count down to baby boy#5 begins!

On Sunday we all went to my Dad's house for my nephews 6th birthday. It was allot of fun to see my Dad and the rest of my family. I just love to see my grandparents holding and loving their great grandchildren. Austin had a blast playing with Bradley. They are only 7 months apart so they get along well until someone does something or says something the other one doesn't like. But in general they have a lot of fun together. Boys will be boys!

So Sick!

Do Alex and Emerson look sick? They where to busy playing and laughing to worry about being sick!
Austin was too sick to get dressed, but not to sick to play the WII.
Now my poor Max is really the sick one, look at that nose! AWWW!

So Sick!

UGGGHHH! My kids all have a cold. What a pain. The infamous Kindergarten curse! The second a child enters Kindergarten, they automatically get a cold. Pretty much everyone I talked to is

having the same issues. Runny/stuffy noses, lethargic kids with head and body aches with mild fevers. Since this is pretty much identical to what happened to Austin last year when he entered school, I thought to myself,"what causes this?". Is it one kids inability to tolerate another kids
germs? Is it unwashed toys from the previous year? A rare form of Kindergarten bacteria? It's hard to say. Why does it always happen within the first couple of weeks of school? I wish I had the answers. I may not have them but it seems everyone and their brother does have the answers. When you say to someone, "My kids have a cold", their is always the witty comebacks, home remedies and common sense comments that will inevitably follow! I decide to write down some of these to see what you think.

Classic and some not so classic cold remedies!

Of course the most famous...Chicken soup remedy (which by the way I make every time just in case it really is a miracle cure!)

Give them a warm bath before bed...Don't I do this anyway?

Plug in the humidifier...I do if they are stuffy

Rub them down with Vapor Rub... Check!

Lots of fluids...check

Take them outside

Don't take them outside

Let them sleep with the window open

Close all windows

Hold them upside down in a steamy shower....HUH?

Stand in front of the open freezer...I thought this was for the croup?

Keep them warm and dry ...I do that as a general rule

Feed a cold, starve a fever or is it starve a cold feed a fever

Take them to the Doctors right away

Let it run it's course

I'm sure some of these work and some don't. All I know is I practice common sense and within a few days my kids feel better. I know the Kindergarten cold is a right of passage and Austin will get over it quickly because he is resilient. The babies seem to be handling it so well. They are all playing and smiling, snotty noses and all.

Aside from the colds this week was spent sending Austin off on the school bus and keeping my new walkers from falling on their faces. Just a typical week in the Stinner household. What will next week bring? I'm sure some new and exciting adventure!

Just a little side note...My Aunt is finally home. I visited her on Sunday and she is looking so great. All in my family are going to keep a close eye on her the next few months to make sure she keeps on this path to recovery! Thanks for all the prayers!

They're Walking!

My Max, smiling as usual!
Emerson, making a call...OK, so he hasn't figured it out quite yet!
Alex, just being his cutie self!

Austin was a little camera shy this week! Must be a phase! I'll catch him next week!!!!!

They're Walking!

Well, I am officially exhausted. I have this huge pregnant belly, that seems to be growing everyday! I have three toddlers that all seem to want me at the same time. And a five year old who has the intelligence of a grown man and the mouth to match! But I wouldn't change a thing.

Some things are just worth going through for the end result. I watched my 5 year old go off to Kindergarten and I got this overwhelming sense of pride. But at the same time I was scared for him. Afraid he wouldn't be all he could be, afraid he wouldn't make friends and afraid he would hate it all. He didn't! All my fears where false. There was absolutely no reason for me to be afraid. He has lots of friends, he's listening and participating and he loves school. Who would have thought!

The boys are doing fantastic. In fact both Alex and Emerson have finally begun to walk. Alexander started taking steps on Sunday. He had taken 1 or 2 steps previously, but on Sunday he started cruising. He still prefers to crawl or to high kneel walk. But basically he walks when he really wants something. Than on Tuesday, Emerson just let go of his toy and started to walk. He looks at me with this devious look and than off he goes! Their therapist told me to entice them to walk more. So I tried semi-sweet chocolate chips. well they loved them and they both started walking where ever I wanted them to go, just to get the chocolate chip! They are so funny, before too long they will be running everywhere just like Max! Other than the walking the boys are having a blast interacting! They crack me up! They are loving playing with their toys together and playing on the couch! This seems to be their favorite new game! Life is good! Soon baby #5 will join in the festivities and life will be complete!

On Monday we took the boys to The Robert Warner Center at Children's Hospital to be evaluated. Because they where 8 weeks premature we have them evaluated to make sure they are developing normally. Well we are happy to report that they are more than "normal" they are all above average for their age. Now, technically they should be testing at a 11 month level since they are only supposed to be 11 months. But they are testing well above their actual age of 12 months. In most areas they are testing between 12-15 months. In some areas as high as 17 months! We are so happy. We really couldn't ask for more from our three little preemies.

I want to thank all of you who sent well wishes for my Aunt. I very happy to let everyone know that she is doing really well. She is finally out of the ICU and is recovering amazingly. She will hopefully be going home soon. Thanks everyone for the prayers and keep it up! It seems to be working!

A New Day, A New School

They played in that tent for over an hour!
They even chased the cat together.
Aunt Shelley, Carter and my boys!

Ready for his 1st day! What a big boy!
My boys, playing so nice!
Off to the bus stop!
Off he goes! No fear! He never looked back!
I took this picture of Alexander while waiting for the bus. He's such a photogenic kid!

A New Day, A New School

This week was an incredible one. The boys are growing so fast. They are starting to communicate with us more and more. They understand "NO" which is really working out great since my 5 year old doesn't seem to understand it! They now understand when you say "go get your "baba" or "pick up Elmo". They also get excited when I say, "want to watch Baby Einstein or Monsters Inc.". It's just so amazing. Everyday is a new experience and a new achievement.

My very good friend Shelley and her son Carter came to see us this week. It's always nice to see old friends. I miss Shelley so much. It's hard when your friends and family move way for jobs or life experience. It was nice to spend time with her. She knew every baby by name when I brought them down from their naps. I knew right than that maintaining this blog is essential for those people who can not be with us and watch our children grow. I know Shelley is a faithful reader and I thank her for loving us enough to want to be a part of our lives. Thanks "Sheliza"! The boys can't wait to play with Carter again...oh yeah and your short strings! Love You!

On Tuesday Austin started Kindergarten. I was literally freaking out in the morning. I don't know why.I had terrible anxiety. I didn't want him to go. All of sudden I realized my first baby was on his way to becoming independent. I think for a fleeting moment, I just wanted him to be that sweet little baby again. He was so excited when he woke up. He got dressed right away and ran down stairs. He barely ate breakfast and waited impatiently for the school bus which was 25 minutes late. He was so excited to get on the bus that he just screamed "bye" and ran on the bus. I panicked a bit as I saw the bus drive off. The little monster that gave me such trouble this summer was off starting this new adventure without me ...and I was actually going to miss him...and I did. I couldn't wait for him to come home. When he did he was so excited. He jumped off the bus and ran to me. He was spewing out all these details to his day, I could barely understand him. After a quick snack he said... "When can I go back, Mommy?". That's it I guess! My baby is growing up! We also had some scary times this week.

My Aunt Terri, who most of you know is more like my sister than my Aunt fell ill. We rushed her to the hospital on Saturday where they admitted her to the ICU in critical condition. We where unsure of what the outcome would be because she was very, very sick. However, on Tuesday, Terri opened her eyes and began to talk. We are hoping for the best and appreciate all of you that have called with well wishes and concerns. Continue to pray for her quick recovery and for
her son Thomas.

A New Year

I couldn't resist!
Alex LOVES the bath!
Max taking a stroll!

Baby Boy#5
Definitely a BOY!!!

A New Year

I bet you thought that was it! No more blog. The boys turned 1 and now I would let down all our loyal fans by being done. Well, you where wrong. I still plan on updating the blog as often as I can. It will of course slow down when baby boy#5 shows up. But, until then, I will blog away!

This week was fairly uneventful. The boys enjoyed all their new toys. They are so cute now, they play with each other so sweetly. They actually had a rousing game of peek-a-boo the other day. I could hear Emerson and Alex screaming and laughing. They would chase each other around the couches, than peak out from behind them and scream and laugh. Max is too interested in running around with his little broom or playing in his tent to be bothered with the other two. But sometimes he'll join them. They all love to stand on the couch and look out the window. I think they like it when people stop and stare. They bang on the windows and scream "HIYA" at the top of their lungs.

On Friday we took Austin to meet his Kindergarten teacher and see his new class room. He was so excited to see who would be in his class. His best buddy Zack will be there along with 1 or 2 others from his pre-school. We are hoping that him and Zack don't cause too much of a disturbance. We think they will be fine just like in preschool. Austin also went to the School Bus Depot on Saturday to get lessons on what to do and not to do on the bus. From what I hear this was very informative for him. I am a little nervous about him going on the bus. But, I'm sure he'll be fine. He will be the last one on and the first one off. So he is on a total of 10 minutes total. I complain allot about Austin and this terrible 5 year old phase he is going through but I will miss him so much when he is gone every day. It's allot to get used to. Only 1 more week until school!!!

1 Year Later....Happy 1st Birthday Baby Boys!

August 17th 2008 Happy 1st Birthday Stinner Triplets!
Now this will really get attention!

Alex loved his breakfast!...mmmmm cake!
Mommy gave us breakfast birthday cake!
Max ate it all up!
The Nemo cake and the boys individual cakes, YUM!

Emerson had a blast with his cake !
Yum! I can't stress enough, how they LOVED their cakes!

Alex pounded his cake and screamed YAY!
Austin wanted to share Alex's cake...no way big bro!
Poor Max looked as if he would fall asleep!

The Nemo bounce house was tooo much fun! Austin, Titi, Tio and James enjoying the bounce house.Aunt Debbie and my Mom bouncing, they're CRAZY!Not as CRAZY as OPA!!!!!! He caught Air!
Emerson and Grandma...there where cheese doodles involved! Scoob, Grandma and Maxim
The boys opening their loot!

1 Year Later....Happy 1st Birthday Baby Boys!

Can you believe it's been a whole year? 1 year ago right this minute I was laying in my hospital room recovery from a c-section that removed three small baby boys from my womb! They where 8 weeks premature and so not ready to come into this world yet, but they did. Now, 1 year to the day later I sit here typing away on this computer and I can't help but think back on what an amazing year we all have had. 2007 started what I can only describe as a whirlwind of ciaos, pain, disappointment, fear and finally the most overwhelming sense of wholeness i have ever felt. It started with the death of my Grandmother, I was devastated, the passing of my Uncle and a close family friend followed. Than in August when I started having labor pains at 31 weeks I thought "this is it, I'm going to loose my babies too"! But I didn't! With a lot of love and an enormous amount of faith, our babies survived! They have become the most amazing little people I have ever known. They are walking and talking and growing every day. I look at them now in complete AWWW. Are these the little floppy things I brought home from the hospital? Not anymore. They are such a huge blessing to both of us, it is so hard to put into words. Austin has grown into such a great big brother. He plays with the boys and teaches them everything he shouldn't, but I suppose that's his job. I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for all of us!

So now...the Birthday Details! WOW! That's all I can say. We had the most incredible time at the boys birthday party. We had almost 80 people attend throughout the day. All our family and friends came. What a blast. We went with Finding Nemo as a theme! But of course...would you expect anything else? I collected decorations for a month and made sure I rented a "Nemo" bounce house and found the PERFECT person to do the cake! We also had three individual cakes made for them to eat themselves and what an amazing sight to watch these three amazing little boys tearing at these cakes, they loved it! Side note...Thank you so much Jenn S. for making the most incredible cake. The detail was unbelievable. It has been a little chilly at night so the pool wasn't as warm as we had hoped. But people where in there swimming away. We had a craft table where the kids made sun hats and decorated foam fish. I cooked for 2 days straight and made waaaay too much food, but it was worth it. Our sons had such a great time. They went from person to person. Every time I looked they where with someone else and had some sort of food product in their mouth. They never made a peep. They where so tired by the end of the night though. I was so pleased with the outcome of the party and I want to thank all of you that where here and thank you all for the wonderful presents. We'll just say there will be little need for me to go out and buy winter clothes for the boys and they absolutely loved the toys!

This last year was the best of my life. I realized allot about myself. I know I made mistakes, all mothers do. But the good mothers are the ones that take those mistakes and learn from them. I will never be mother of the year, and I'm OK with that. I don't need the recognition of others I just need my kids. I know that whatever mistakes I make with the 4...almost 5 of them, that I did my best. I taught them well, I loved them so much and I protected them the best I could. Happy Birthday Babies!!!!

Just so everyone knows, baby #5 is...you guessed it, another boy! We couldn't be happier. I thought my life was perfect before, but now I know it is truly complete. 5 Stinner Boys, what a troop we'll be. Now the adventure truly begins....TO BE CONTINUED!

Week 51

Austin at the Falls
What a sight...I mean the Falls!

Alex wants a drink too!
Fishies!
My Boys!

Week 51 -----UPDATED 8/20/08

This weeks blog will be short. I hope to update it slightly after each of our "family outings" or "daytrips" that we are taking this week. Today we went to the Niagara Aquarium. Not a huge deal, in fact it was rather sparse. There seemed to be nothing of interest for the kids except for the seals and the "Nemo" fish or Clown Fish. The boys where completely impressed by the clown fish and looked almost in shock that they where right in front of them. Emerson loved them! Than we went down to the Falls to walk around and have some lunch! BIG MISTAKE!!!! Never take your children to Niagara Falls with 10,000 tourists with cameras, all trying to take pictures of your children. I almost had to slap someone. I had to tell several people NOT to take pictures of my children. At one point I felt completely overwhelmed by the crowd and asked David to get the boys out of there ASAP! Well, we finally got out of there after several stupid comments and one of the best comments we have ever heard...one man drove past us and yelled, "you must be the luckiest man in the world!". I would just like to say to that person, "Thank You!". More to come as the week progresses and our adventures continue! We will post all the pictures by the end of the week!

OK, So Niagara Falls and The Aquarium where quite interesting! The following day we ventured out to the Erie County Fair. Wow, that was an event in itself. We started out early in the hopes that we could avoid the crowd. Well, that didn't necessarily work. The craziness started the second we got out of the van and continued on through out our 5 hour visit to the Fair. From the moment we stood in line we where the target of our classic statement..."oh look, triplets", lots of "Oh my G%D!", "Better you than me" and my absolute favorite(Grrrrr)"you have your hands full!". This was just a few. Pretty much every person we passed made a comment. I again had to request that people don't take pictures. Oh well, what can I do. Anyway, the boys loved parts and hated others. They loved the babies area. There was a make shift playpen with toys, and the boys got to get out of their wagon and stretch their legs. They also seemed to like the animals, until people began to crowd them and they got nervous. It started to rain shortly before we left and that was a major drama. But it eventually passed, we fed the babies and where on our way. Next year should be better with the boys being almost 2 and Austin will be able to help more. Maybe, if we can keep the Paparazzi at bay!