Busy, Busy 2

Emerson

Maxim

Alex

Austin and Zack (his BFF). He asked me to post this pic!

My baby sister getting her diploma(trust me, it's her!)

My baby, eating his hand and watching Aunt Ella graduate!

Busy, Busy 2

The week started out crazy with the trips to the doctors and ER and the rest of the week was pretty much the same. I have been trying to get the kids acclimated to spending as much time outside as possible. So every chance we get we are in the yard or going for walks. As anyone with multiples can tell you their children are usually pretty isolated. It's a difficult task to watch several children, all he same age going in all different directions. Not to mention having a 6 year old who doesn't always listen and an infant who is needy on a whole different level. For most of the winter we where inside for fear of flu or sickness that would leave the whole family debilitated and now it's such a huge task to get 5 children ready to go anywhere that we tend to stick to our home and the surrounding areas. When we go outside our normal realm the kids tend to act out and then we get the stupid comments like "oh, you've got your hands full" and the "better you an me's ". All though I have seen people with just 1 child who is acting like a crazy kid and I would never think to say anything, people always feel the need to make comments to me. Don't people think..maybe they should just let me be when I'm trying to control the kids rather than getting involved with stupid comments.

So anyway, the weekend approached and the weather turned cold as it often does in the Buffalo springtime. We still dressed the kids as warm as we could and sent them in the yard. Surprisingly enough the weather doesn't seem to bother them. I did a lot of gardening and the boys did their best to help. As I was planting the annual flowers they were digging them back up and handing them to me. They looked so proud that I couldn't possibly be angry. Than as I filled another planter with dirt, they would dig it back up. At one point all three little boys where covered with dirt and so was Austin. I guess it was my own fault for buying them gardening equipment. We had been looking for to Saturday for several months. We where invited to the NICU Reunion at Sisters Hospital. The NICU is someplace that is very important to my husband and I. All four of our little boys spent time there and they all did such a wonderful job. The nurses and the doctors became a part of our family. I personally couldn't wait. When the time came I dressed the kids in special matching outfits(so I could tell my children from the others) and we headed out as a large family of seven to Sisters Hospital. When we arrived it seemed like such organized ciaos. Their wee families as far as the eyes could see, kids everywhere and a juggler of sorts in the corner entertaining the masses. I scanned the area hoping to see our favorite nurses but saw no one. Emerson was already starting to fuss since he refused to take a nap. Within 5 minutes my boys where off and running. I went to get snacks to entertain them (again scanning the room). They ate, Austin complained, Emerson cried, Alex colored and Max observed. Griffin just hung out in the stroller the whole time. I was disappointed, we only saw 2 nurses the whole time we where there. None of the doctors where their and we pretty much wasted our day. Maybe next years reunion will be better.

Sunday was a beautiful day. My sister Gabrielle graduated from Niagara university. Actually she graduated in December(a semester early) but the ceremony was Sunday at UB. I brought Griffin as to not torture David by leaving all 5 kids and quite frankly he is the lesser of 5 evils. He seemed to enjoy having my mother, sister and Aunt all to himself that was until he was awoken by our hoots and hollers as my baby sister crossed the stage. Shortly there after we left. I went home and gathered the family for the party. We among the first to arrive and believe me that is quite a feat for us. The boys where irritable but in their defence we where outside, there where a ton of people they didn't know and it was freezing. After visiting for several hours I was more than happy to take my tired, filthy brood home. They seemed the happiest when finally getting into their cozy car seats and watching their movie. After that crazy day I was happy when all kids where home bathed, jammied and in bed by 8:30. Only 30 minutes off from our schedule. Not bad for this cranky mother of 5! I'm happy this week is over. I hope the weather gets better so we can start another crazy week off better. No Dr's appointments, no trips to the ER!

Medical Intervention!

My beautiful boy!

Max's boo boo!

Medical Intervention!

I took Griffin to the Doctor for his 4 month check up. He is an amazing little man. Trying to sit up and rolling over. He is in the 75th percentile for height and weight! 15.35lbs and 23 3/4 inches long! He's a moose. A happy, smiley, talkative, mostly sleeping through the night moose! The only downside is he will need minor surgery soon for an undecended testicle. AWWW, my poor baby. I'm sure he'll be fine. Unfortunately I have to post pone some summer plans until I know when his surgery will be but I'm sure all involved will understand.

Wednesday was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and birds where singing. I decided that the boys needed fresh air and I needed to do some yard work. I set up the boys fence, brought out some toys and started to trim the bushes out front. I figured since Austin was due home at anytime I would work out front. Before long Max was getting fussy. He really doesn't like to be confined for very long. I decided I would put the kids back in the house one by one and clean up later. First Max since he was fussy, than Emerson, Alex third and Griffin last. The older boys are pretty easy to just open the door and set them in. The house is baby proofed so they really have no where to go. I didn't want to leave anyone alone so I would just put them through the front door than go get the next one. I put Max and Emerson in and went to grab Alex when I hear SCREAMING! It was Maxim. My heart sank as I ran into the house with Alex. Max was holding his hand and their was blood dripping down. A mothers worst nightmare. I grabbed Max and a towel that was conveniently on the floor. I wrapped his hand, placed him on the floor and went to get Griffin. When I got everyone safe in the house I looked at Max's hand I realized he had got his finger slammed in the large oak door leading to our foyer. Emerson loves to close everyone in the hallway and he must have shut it as Max was pulling himself up. Oh well, what could I do. After I cleaned Max up I realized this would be the first trip to ER for one of my boys. I had to take him because he was favoring his middle finger as if it where broken. I called David, who immediately came home. I rushed Max to the hospital fearing the worst. They ushered us in quickly and into X-ray. Within 1 hour we where told Max did not break any bones! He just bruised it very badly! Thank God! I was so worried and the fear of having his hand in a cast and trying to prevent everyone form yanking on it was freaking me out. Anyway, he is doing well. The finger is still swollen but is healing. I hope he doesn't loose his nail, that would just be gross!

Busy, Busy

Awww, my babies.

Alex and Griffin hanging out.

Happy Alex

My sweetie Emerson.

Alex and Griffin strollin!

My handsome boy, Austin!

Griffin's first food, he hated it!

Maxim growing up so fast!

Busy, Busy

Did you ever feel like there aren't enough hours in the day? Lately that's what I feel like. I had one of those weeks that was so busy. Even when I was sleeping, I was dreaming of all the things I needed to get done. The week started out calm enough. A trip to the vet for the cat(just her normal yearly physical), shopping and some time outside with my boys. We had some underground electrical work completed for the pool and their was a huge trench in the yard. So I went out and filled most of it in while the boys ran and played. I than started to work on pulling the weeds out of my soon-to-be garden. Not fun! I picked up all the plants I ordered from Austins school and we have begun work on clearing our veggie garden. We don't have the plants in the ground yet but plan to do so in the next few weeks. I volunteered to work the plant sale at Austins school as well, that was fun. I was only there a few hours but it felt allot longer. I'm glad I limit my volunteering. Just the smell of cafeteria food makes my stomach turn! School is behind me and for that I am grateful.

Friday I went to Austin's school again this time for a Mother's Day Tea celebration. It was lovely. Austin gave me a "makeover", he brushed my hair, applied makeup and painted my nails. This was encouragement from his teacher to be attentive to moms on their special day. He was not thrilled about it but he obliged. He gave me a beautiful planter he painted his self complete with a pink impatient. He also drew a lovely picture of me(it was cute, had big blue eyes with long crazy eyelashes and no hair on the head) it looked just like me!On Saturday we where supposed to go to Fantasy Island with the kids. However the weather took a strange turn and we decided to skip it. It was a good thing we did because the wind would have made t impossible. In the afternoon, we headed to a birthday party for our friends son. Within 10 minutes both Max and Emerson made it clear they wanted no part of the bounce house scene. David took them out for a walk while I stayed with the other 3. Austin loves to bounce and was gone every time I turned around. Running like a mad man! I had Griffin in the Baby Bjorn(front pouch)he loved to people watch. He seemed almost unfazed about the ciaos around him. Alex just loved the baby bouncing section and the miniature golf course. They had all been there not too long before since Austins Birthday was there in February. After the party we joined David and the boys in the van where they'd been sitting for a little while watching a movie. Thank God we installed that DVD system! Best thing we ever did. I was glad to get home and bathe the boys. I needed down time.

Sunday was Mother's Day. David made reservations for a buffet but at the last moment we decided not to go because the kids where fussy and 6 kids(mine +my brother)along with us and my mom would just be overwhelming and enjoyable. So I decided to make a surf and turf feast for me and my mom at our house. The food turned out great. Everyone enjoyed the extra thick steaks on the grill, crab legs, shrimp cocktails, crab cakes, stuffed mushrooms, tons of appetizers and a super sonic antipasto. I didn't eat much for fear of screwing up my diet(down almost 10 lbs in less than a month!). I'm sure Mother's Day will be more enjoyable for me when my boys are older and can take care of themselves. But until than it's just another work day for this Mommy! I do want to say Happy Mother's Day to all those Mother's and Mother type people.

Fear

Austin, nice new glasses...so grown up

Who us?

Happy

Fear

First of all I would like to say that my children had a wonderful week. Aside from a small cold everyone is doing fine. Griffin is a little chatterbox. He is cooing up a storm. He is trying desperately to sit up and rolled over for the first time over the weekend. We borrowed a crib from our niece Renee(Thanks) and he is transitioning nicely. I almost think he likes being in a big boy bed. Austin is doing phenomenal. I had a meeting with his teacher this week and she told me his vocabulary is through the roof and he is a wonderful reader. She said he definitely has an active imagination and has really come out of his shell. (I was unaware he had a shell since he is the most outgoing kid I've ever met.) The triplets where a little fussy this week. It's hard to have a Spring cold. I took Max to the doctors thinking he may have an ear infection but he was clear. I think they may have seasonal allergies like me. They have been enjoying the outside. We took several walks in the new stroller this week and even went to the park behind Austin's school. They loved running in the open areas and Emerson cracked me up with his fascination with the slides. Alex is Superman. He is talking so much. We actually have conversations now. His vocabulary is going to be like Austins. He is way advanced in the speaking areas, God help me. The other two say what they need to get by. I think Alex and Austin do all the talking for them. What a joy my boys are!

Now for one of my motherly rants. I have heard some disturbing statements lately. Not necessarily about my children but about life in general. One thing that disturbs me most is the FEAR I hear in peoples voices and see in their faces. I hear about religious propaganda that claims the worlds recent events are a foretelling of the end of the world. Wow, even if the end of the world was coming shouldn't us Christians be the ones that are fearing the least. Our souls are saved, we know where we're going, so why fear? That's how I feel. I have no irrational fears about events happening or outbreaks. Another disturbing issue is the Swine Flu epidemic or pandemic now. It is a flu, people! The only difference between this flu and the others we all seemed to get this winter are that they haven't come up with a vaccination to prevent it. However it is completely curable. Unless your a newborn, 90 or immuno-suppressed you will be fine. Stop freaking out and wearing masks in public...they do nothing! Wash your hands and steer clear of people who look and sound sick. Antibiotics are treating and curing it. I too am watching the news and hear all the rumors and inaccurate information that's put out to scare people into buying products they don't need. As a mother I always have an over abundance of food in my home. But would I stock pile? No. I have what I have and refuse to waste what I won't use. It's always a good idea to have some emergency essentials but why go overboard? I look at my kids and I have everyday fears. Fears they will get hurt if they fall, fears they will get sick, fears they will not feel loved enough or fears I will somehow out live them. These are normal parental fears. I will not stay in my house for fear of flu. I will not sand bag my house for fear of flood, I will not stockpile food for fear of famine. Instead, I will live my life with love in my heart and not fear in my soul! I know where I'm going so I don't fear!

Only in Buffalo!

Emerson in his house!

Alex sliding!

Griffin, ready for a Safari! OK, maybe just a walk!

Maxim is a big boy on his swing! (Always posing)
Austin is cleaning his clubhouse, getting ready for Summer!

Only in Buffalo!

I love the city I live in. Where else can you ski one day than swim in the pool the next? This week it was 40, 60 and YES 80 DEGREES! It rained, it pored and almost felt like it would snow at one point, only to wake up and want to turn on the Air Conditioner! Only in Buffalo!

Last Tuesday David and I feeling adventurous, took the kids to Chuck E Cheese for the first time. It was early so we thought it wouldn't be crowded and we could keep a close eye on the boys. In the beginning, life was good. The crowd was small and we drew minimal attention with our approaching brood. We where alone so Austin played quietly with his brothers in the toddler area. They went up and down the slide and played with the baby video games and electronic rides. The whole time Griffin slept in his car seat. It seemed instantaneous that when we sat to eat our pizza, the flood gates opened. People where everywhere. Austin had gone to play some video games so I decided to take Max and go find him, leaving David with Alex, Emerson and sleeping Griffin. I located Austin quickly and used the rest of the tokens we had. When we tried to redeem the tickets it seemed that every employee disappeared. God forbid you leave Chuck E Cheese without your penny candy and cheap plastic snakes you spend $50 for! As we waited I could see David's face dropping. He had Emerson, Alex and Griffin and they where all screaming. The whole time Max was trying to escape my grasp. Meanwhile, I had several people come up to me and ask me the standard questions..."Are they triplets?", "Are they identical?", "Are they all yours?", "You had another one?", "Are they all boys?", "How do you do it?"....etc... The whole time I'm just wanting to grab the kids and bolt! As we where getting the kids coats on David ran to the rest room and I was there with 5 screaming kids (at this point, Austin was wailing because I wouldn't allow him to eat his cotton candy in the middle of 4 little boys throwing a temper tantrum!)We finally left after the longest 2 hours of our life. The moral of my story...2 adults 5 small kids and Chuck E Cheese, a recipe for disaster!

Starting Thursday the weather was beautiful here. Everyday was spent outside. We started putting the kids toys back out. Washing all the large plastic items was a chore but well worth it. When we reassembled the house and mini slide the babies where thrilled. They are completely different than last year. They actually listen which is wonderful. I can say "put down the rock" or "go get your bike" and they actually do it. If you say "do you want to swing?" they say, yes! They run like crazy but are contained. I can't wait until we get the recycled tires at the base of the large swing set since they are slowly gravitating towards the larger slide and swings! Hopefully as soon as the weather stabilizes we can get it installed. Austin is enjoying the weather. I think he will be ready to get his training wheels off his bike soon. He is showing signs of stabilizing himself better. Griffin is Mr. Easy! He is happy to hang out in the shade in his stroller. He watches his brothers play and he is starting to play with his little toys so at one point I had 5 boys intensely playing.

Our strollers have arrived! This is a blessing beyond belief. I love these strollers. First of all, all 4 little boys are contained. They can have a snack or drink, lay back and relax or listen to Mp3's. That's right, they have built in speakers. We just hook up our Zoons(Mp3 players) and they instantly have piped in music. Not only that, but they are so easy to push and we are much less conspicuous! Most people don't even think we are together! We have walked and walked. The kids where leery at first but quickly have learned to love their lush new rides! I can't wait for the first fair or event! Let Summer begin! We're ready!

On a personal note I would like to say Happy Birthday to my husband. He is an amazing husband and father, everything one should be. Loving, caring, never judgemental, never critical! We had a wonderful evening out just him, I and Griffin. Thank you for all you do for us, we love you!

Spring Break

Austin

Emerson

Alexander

Maxim

Griffin

Spring Break

This week Austin was on Spring break. This means it was a week of playing catch up. Dr.'s appointments where made, errands where completed and closets where cleaned. Austin started out the week with an appointment to get his glasses fixed. I'm not exactly sure what he does to them but it is a constant battle to keep his glasses fitting properly and scratch free. I decided while we where doing "eye care" day that I would pick Austin up a couple of extra pairs of glasses just in case he ever really broke them. Since the pair he has are special pediatric glasses that where outrageously expensive we took his prescription to a national chain and got him two new pairs for a very low price. He was so excited to pick them out himself. He got a pair of blue rimless and a cool Nickelodeon pair that are silver and orange. He tells me in the store that he will be the talk of Kindergarten now. "They are the coolest glasses ever, Mom!", "I can't wait to show my friends that I can wear different glasses with different clothes.". He's so fashion forward my son. I can't believe he was so excited, but he was!

David took off on Friday to give us a long weekend. The weather was beautiful so we decided to go to the Zoo and make a day of it. We walked around for a while when we noticed the triplets where actually starting to recognize that there where animals in the cages and enclosures. Alex growled at every animal he saw. They would all point and we could see their eyes light up when they recognised the animal. It was great. I can't wait until they really understand what's going on. After a while they got fussy so we stopped for lunch. I'm not sure if it's the wagon or us but it seemed people where walking by starring and pointing just like they would to the animals. Well, it was colder than we thought. We lasted about 2 hours before needing to leave. Griffin slept in his stroller all bundled up pretty much through the whole thing. On the way out the gate Emerson fell asleep. Poor baby, missed his nap!

It was very apparent that we need a new transportation solution for the boys if they're going to miss their nap. After much research David and I took the kids and went to Babies R' Us to try out double strollers. We figured with 4 little ones, 2 double strollers would work better than the triplet stroller (they no longer fit in because their legs are too long) and the single stroller. The wagon is great but to go on a long day trip, they need something they can rest in. I had a few in mind to look at with great ratings and reviews but when we put the kids in them we realized they where hard to turn. As we where leaving we spotted a double jogging stroller. We thought these where only reserved for stay at home moms who exercise for fun. However when we put two kids in and ran around the store we realized it was just what we where looking for. Of course they had none in stock but we successfully found them online and ordered them promptly. We can't wait until they arrive!

We spent the rest of the weekend outdoors. We played in the front yard and back. Played on the kids bikes and picked flowers. They even are showing interest in the swing set and slide. It's almost time to put all the toys back outside. We happened upon a beautiful public park in Eggertsville that reminded us we have to order the recycled tire material for the bottom of the swing set. Emerson ran up and down the huge play set and slid down the slide. They all loved the baby swings and Austin was swinging higher than he ever has before. Of course, Griffin slept. We stopped at Anderson's and had dinner (a car picnic, we like to call it). I put the DVD on in the car and they all get their dinner in their car seats. It's almost like a drive-in.

We also had David's family, Stephan and Hilda from Cambridge, Ontario come to visit. It was lovely to see them. They came once before and just loved our kids. Now when they are in town they come to see us. The boys adored them. They kept going up to Stephan to be held. And Hilda, being a great-grandmother herself, got on the floor and played. What a lovely couple they are. I know David would have loved to spend hours with Stephan updating the family tree but sadly they had to leave. Family is such a blessing, sometime!

Easter Bliss

US!

David and his Boys!

5 Easter Miracles!!!

The Easter Bunny left us LOOT!

Griffin and his Easter Dinosaur!

Tres' Babies! Easter 2009

Maxim

Emerson

Alexander

Easter Bliss

Easter is not at all as it began. In the beginning(I always wanted to say that), it was the day Jesus rose from the dead after being crucified three days prior. I'm not sure how a large rabbit bearing baskets of candy and toys came to be, but hey...who am I to question tradition? The kids woke up at 7:15am . Since they went to bed at 8pm Saturday night, I'm not complaining! They came down stairs and immediately started spotting brightly colored eggs filled with candy. They all started gathering the eggs and putting them in a basket. I'm not sure how they figured out that if you throw the eggs on the floor they break open, but someone did. Than 4 happy little guys started throwing eggs and feasting on M&M's and jelly beans. Anyone who knows me, knows that I allow my children very little candy. Needless to say this is my exception to the rule. Within a half an hour there where chocolate covered kids as far as the eye could see. And since we had colored eggs for the first time the night before, there where blue, green and orange fingers covered in chocolate as well.

Austin couldn't wait for candy.
Coloring Eggs

Even Griffin got in on the action!

As always I had dinner at my house. A feast of Ham, potatoes, green bean casserole, lamb, antipasto, blessed loaves of bread and of course the butter lamb. Austin did the honors of sacrificing said lamb by biting and eating lamby's head off. Gruesome but tradition. My Aunt and Mother brought the kids bags and baskets of candy and toys, continuing the sugar rush!

Griffin was amazing even though he has a little cold. Sleeping pretty much the whole day. He woke up only for a few moments here and there to have a bottle. When my mother gave him a small blue stuffed dog, he instantly hugged it tightly and went back to sleep. The triplets where burning off an intense sugar high running from room to room with chocolate faces and little toys that light up and walk. The smiles where from ears to ears and I very rarely heard a distressed cry or had to break up a fight. Austin was completely happy to play with his "Xtreme parachute man" throwing it from the top of the stairs down several hundred times and screaming "Too the extreme" over and over again! I did have to stand watch at the kitchen table for a while since all the Easter baskets where being stored. Mr. Austin had way too much! It was actually a very relaxed holiday for once. There was no problems just family coming in and out loving up my boys and eating a good meal. We had several family members stop by that had dinner elsewhere just to hang out. It was nice.

Between the bevy of toys, jelly beans, chocolate and desserts of cupcakes and cheesecake the kids where coming off a their sugar high fast and hard. Within 20 minutes the triplets where bathed and in their beds. The baby was still swinging in his swing and Austin was helping me fold the laundry while watching a movie. I sat and looked around. Just 6 short years ago are house was silent. A holiday consisted of dinner at family or friends and than home to watch television or read a book. Now we have 5 amazing sons. Our house is LOUD, our children are crazy men and our life is exhausting. However, in thinking back to our laid back life before children I am so thankful to be blessed with 5 wild little men that make our life complete. Happy Easter Everyone!

Happy Birthday to me!

Griffin

Emerson

MaxAlex

Grandma Linda & Griffin

Ausin, Aunt Kelly, Uncle Mike and Alex

Happy Birthday to me!

This week I celebrated my 36th birthday. It was the best birthday I've ever had. To me, birthdays are not about gifts or grand gestures but more about family. I love that it's one day all about me and my family. David worked so I spent the day relaxing with the boys. Later in the evening David and I went to dinner while my mother and two of her friends watched all 5 kids. We where only gone for a couple of hours but believe me it felt like a lifetime. I've realized I really have zero interest in going out. When I'm gone, I miss the boys and think of all the things I could be doing at home. That's terrible I know but since Griffin was born I just don't want to leave him. Maybe that's it. As of the 5th Griffin is 3 months old. The time flew by. He is laughing and smiling and holding his head up like a big boy. He even started to reach out for things lately. He smacks the toys on his chair and talks to the Elmo balloon over his head. Maybe I'm just afraid I'll miss something. I have every second of the triplets 1st year burned into my memory, I think I want that with Griffin too. Austin is no different. I can remember every second of his first year with us. For some reason it's only in the evening I get like that. It could be also that the kids are in such a structured routine at night that if it gets varied the slightest bit I know the night will not be good. Maybe I'm just too uptight. Maybe I just over think EVERYTHING! Awwww motherhood.

We had lots of visitors this week Grandma Linda, Michael and Kelly came by this week with dinner and a cookie cake. This is always fun. I miss seeing them every Thursday for dinner. Now that the baby is getting bigger and the boys are a little easier to go out with I think we may start going there once a month and them here once a month. Like I said my mom was here on Friday for my birthday and she called in reinforcements. Her girlfriends Andrea and Lynn came to help. I think they where a little overwhelmed. When I walked in after being gone less than two hours, they all looked a little dazed and confused. The kids where fine but I could tell they knew the woman where inexperienced in taking care of 5 little ones at once and the children took complete advantage of them. By the way those ladies had a combined 9 children. HAHAHA! On Saturday my birthday continued with a visit from my best friend Shelley, her son Carter and her boyfriend Rob. I don't get to see Shelley much since she lives in Virginia Beach. I miss her so much when she's gone. It was wonderful to see Carter, who has grown into such a fine young man and it was a pleasure to meet Rob for the first time. I can see how happy he makes my friend and that makes me happy. I than went out to lunch and shopping with my girlfriend Lisa. It's so nice to have some girlie time. So often I get lost in a house of boys. Every mom needs a little alone time. For me I need it during the day!

Sunday was a beautiful day. It was almost 60 degrees so we headed out. We took the boys shopping at Bj's (this seems to be our regular Sunday outing). They enjoyed being high up in the carts and sight seeing. As long as I bring food, life is good. Griffin is content to hang out in his car seat and very rarely makes a peep. Austin runs around the store asking for everything he sees. It went off without a hitch and aside from the usual gasps of air and whispers "triplets" along with the "oh you've got your hands full" or "God Bless you", we heard no negative comments. When we got home the kids played happily in the driveway until David put the perishables away. With that we got our whole gang saddled up and went for a long walk. David pulled the wagon with the triplets. Austin walked and I pushed Griffin in the stroller. As people drive by I can see the reactions to my large family on their faces. I told David, "I think we may cause an accident someday". He said "At least it will happen after we've already walked by". That's true...no one will be able to prove it! Que the circus music again...IT'S SPRING!!!!!