Week 47

Emerson
Alex
Max walking to Austin

The new pool and swingset! Yet Austin has nothing to do?
Mom can we go outside??

Week 47

I know every mother thinks their children are the most amazing kids in the world. I mean there couldn't possibly be any children more wonderful than mine, right? The truth is I'm sure other kids are just as wonderful as mine but this is my blog and I choose to believe my children are the absolute most amazing little human beings on earth! I still look at my kids in such amazement. They have come so far in such a short amount of time. It's just so unbelievable sometimes, that a whole year has past since I was pregnant with them. Last year at this time we where still setting up the house(we moved at the end of June), we where frantically buying things for the babies and everyday just praying that they would stay in just a little while longer! I remember how HOT it was. Walking anywhere...even to the bathroom would cause my legs to swell so bad I wanted to cry. The pain in my mouth, from swollen gums kept me from sleeping and my only solice was the shower. I could let the cool water run over me and just cry and cry. I can still remember not being able to breathe well and thinking if they didn't come out soon my stomach would surely explode...I thought it impossible to stretch my belly even one more inch! Now 11 months later, I reflect with great joy on that time and so look forward to pregnancy #2 with baby #5 and all of the ups and downs it entails. The next 6 months will be tough but think about the last pregnancy and what we got from that. This one should be a piece of cake!

We had a great week. The boys went are spending lots of time outside enjoying the weather, when their wheren't torrential downpours! Max is walking, I mean running everywhere. He walks more than he crawls and is ALWAYS on the go now. The good news is he is sleeping more since he poops himself out running all over. In fact all three babies are finally sleeping through the night. Oh my goodness, it's wonderful 9 hours of solid sleep make all the difference for them and us! Emerson is doing so well. He is fluently walking all over the furniture and can definitely get where he needs to go! He is my music lover too. If he hears music he stops and dances, with rhythm! Definitely takes after the MAMA! He turns every toy into a musical instrument! I can't wait to get them drums. I think he'll love them! Alex is the blabber. He talks so well he can pretty much mimic all simple sounds and can get his point across with the words he knows. Austin is enjoying soccer and all his weekly activities that keep him occupied! Now that the pool is up and running he is sure to swimming up a storm most afternoons!

We had our second ultrasound and baby#5 is doing great. Growing just the way it should. We still don't know the sex of the baby . The next test we should be able to tell.

Update

UPDATE!!!!!
I just wanted everyone to know that Maxim is walking!!!! On Tuesday Max started to venture out on his own and was taking several steps between the couch and the Mama! Now, only two days later he is pretty much walking everywhere. He looks like a little drunken sailor, but he is walking. He's so proud of himself and gets so excited that he knocks himself over saying "yay"! I just wanted to share our joy with all of you! God help us now...they're really mobile!

Weeks 45 & 46

On Sunday, the boys played on the slip n slide!
Between the heat, pool and slip n slide the boys where exhausted!

Our living room is now the worlds biggest play pen
They loved to play on Austins old Jeep...as long as it was stationary!

Our Little Soccer Man
Alex looks like a little redneck!

Max cheering on his big brother
Emerson loves those beads...Hey, they're green!

Weeks 45 & 46

Summer is a beautiful thing. The Stinner family has been out and about. We are trying to go out and do more activities with the boys. We pretty much take them everywhere we need to go. As you can tell from my last blog entry that I sometimes have less than 100% patients with peoples ignorance when it come to the triplets. Aside from the occasional upsetting comment our outings are fun and adventurous. The boys love to go shopping, stroll the parks and play with their toys in the yard. They are definitely enjoying going to the park every week and watching Austin play Soccer. What an adventure though to get 3 babies and all their stuff ready to go plus Austin and all his soccer gear and than try and gage when we'll be home so I know what exactly to prepare. Than pray that David gets out of work on time to meet me at home to help me get in the car with the 4 car seats and my pregnant expanding belly! Wheeeeew! That was exhausting to even think about.
We have purchased our pool and it will be installed soon. This should be fun. The boys LOVE the water. Austin swims like a fish and can't wait to spend his days lounging and working on his tan! The triplets love their baby pool and on any given day you can find three nakey babies in their little purple pool in the yard. We have bought them little floaties and can't wait to see their reaction when in the big pool. We where unable to put the pool where we had originally wanted so that was disappointing but as long as we have it...life is a dream. The boys went to the doctors for their checkup and all is well. They are all on the charts as far as height, weight and head circumference. The doctor seemed amazed at their progress. They are all completely age appropriate for 10 1/2 months and not 8 1/2 months like the should be. She was so thrilled that Max and Alex are taking steps and that Emerson is up and "cruising" along the furniture. We are so proud of our boys! Preemies! I think not!
The babies 1st birthday party preparations are underway! I have set the date, ordered the invitations, made the guest list, rented the bounce house, established the menu and purchased some decorations. I still have to order a cake and rent tables and chairs as well as a million other things. You wouldn't think this all would be so difficult, but in the middle of the rest of the ciaos that is our life some of these tasks are daunting. I am also looking for someone to do balloon animals and possibly face painting. My research is finding that most of the people that do that are CLOWNS! Ooooh scary! You all know about my unhealthy fear of clowns! NO CLOWNS! I know the babies won't remember all this but, we will and quiet frankly isn't the party always for the parents anyway!
Austin is doing so much better now that the summer is underway! He has a routine established and that seems to make it all better. He is spending a lot of time out of the house and is having one on one time with his Aunt and both grandparents. He also has a standing playdate with his buddy Zack and that is a great tool when he isn't quite being a good boy or when I need him to do something. Call it blackmail, I call it creative parenting! Since we have hired our Nanny I have been able to spend more time with Austin. This seems to help. God help us when the new baby comes! Imagine...4 jealous kids!
A little pregnancy update...All is well here. We are now into the second trimester and my waistband is quickly expanding. This makes some everyday tasks harder than I expected, but that's OK! David and I will go for an ultrasound on the 9th. I'm pretty positive they will not be able to tell us the sex of the baby. So for all of you who want to know....TOUGH! I was thinking we may keep it a secret until the baby is born! Won't that piss everyone one off! HAHA, you will have to wait and see!

I'M ANGRY!

I'M ANGRY

That's right! I'm angry again! My family and I had a great day. Austin had a play date with his buddy Zack and I got to visit with his mom and younger brother. Austin had his first soccer game, which went wonderfully and than we decided as a treat we would go to the carnival in Mang Park. Now, we had the normal stares and whispers, even a few stupid questions at the soccer field. Nothing out of the normal. But stupid us thought it would be a good idea to go to this carnival. So we stop home, get the boys jammies, sweatshirts and get Austin changed. We arrive at the park, change the boys diapers and put them in their pj's. Put them in the stroller and decide to feed them in their stroller before we go into the park. Now here is when the issues begin. A woman walks up, are those twins????? No, triplets! Sorry...stupid question! Another woman has to walk by, double back and than ask if their is really 3 of them! DUH!!!!!! Than this ASSHOLE walks by, stops, tells her entire family to stop and look and than says to her husband..."look honey, it could be worse"! What the heck!!!I immediately got angry I said, "that was the rudest thing anyone has ever said, how dare you"! Did you just say "it could be worse", and than point at MY CHILDREN! HOW DARE YOU! The woman made no response, no apology, just walked away like a coward! Her husband said "sometimes, people are rude". That's right sometime people are rude! I am so sick of it! I am sick of people looking at my children like freaks or more so like they are some sort of burden! I have never been so angry! Not only did she stop and stare but she ruined what was supposed to be a fun family night! When I came home I continued to stew about it. I thought, what kind of mother looks at children as a burden? I can't imagine. My children are my life. They are the reason I live and breathe. Not for one minute have I ever thought of them as a burden. I was so disgusted at the sheer thought of someone thinking of my children as a bad thing that I cried. I cried for my children, I cried at what they are going to have to endure. I cried for the day my children can understand what people say and understand the pointing and whispers. I'm disgusted, I'm revolted, I'M ANGRY!

Week 45

Alex is posing for the camera
Austin is bored

Emerson is sooooooo excited!
Max playing ball

Week 45

This week has been great! No problems of any kind. Max is still trying to walk. He takes a few steps than gets nervous and plops down. The physical therapist said he will no longer need physical therapy soon since he is above average and not testing as a preemie at all. Her only concern was his speech since he seems to be the quiet one. This is just that he is not as verbal as Alex who has been "talking" since he was three months old or Emerson who is the babble king! He was however the first to laugh out loud and the first to shake his head "no". But within a couple of her hours saying he is a little delayed in speech, my angel baby decided to break his silence. He started "dadadadadadada" and "ut oh" and "bababababa". That will show her! Say my baby is delayed in speech...he'll show you! He just choose to not say anything! Emerson is super baby. He was stationary for so long that now I can't get him to sit still. He's mobile from the time he wakes up until he goes to bed. He is standing up on everything and is starting to walk from one side of the furniture to the other. I think I almost liked it better when he couldn't crawl! I could always count on him to be where I left him if I had to leave the room. Now I have to watch him every second. Alex is growing and talking up a storm. Everyday he says more and more words. He now sings at the top of his lungs. He makes me laugh so hard. He will stand at the couch and sing "oh baby, oh baby" over and over again! When David comes home he sings the "dada" song. He dances while he sings, shaking his little bottom all around. What an amazing little guy! Austin had a rough behavioral week. We had some listening issues ,problems with following directions and behaving in general but we are hoping after a long talk and some much needed restrictions we will have a better week to come. We are getting him enrolled in some vacation bible school sessions and possibly soccer, if he gets used to his glasses quickly! I know it's the age and just plain boredom since he is out of school so we are not being to harsh on him. We have finally finished his swing set and are hoping to get the new pool installed within the next week, this should help.

I am feeling ,much better. I am now officially out of my first trimester and the morning sickness has subsided, somewhat. I am still throwing up several times a week but at least its not every ten minutes! I do wish I would get a burst of energy. I am so tired all the time. So I have now heard every stupid comment in the world. Since most people know I am pregnant again, I get so may discouraging comments. I thought it was bad when I was pregnant with the triplets. But now it seems all I hear is..."how awful", "poor you", "I would kill myself", "just shoot me if that happens". I swear if I don't punch someone it will be amazing. I am not a violent person by nature, but these people are getting on my last nerve. So this is what I have to say to those who think this baby is a bad thing...I always wanted to be a mom. I knew if God blessed me with the ability to have children that I would be the best mom I could possibly be. I felt so blessed when Austin came into my life. He was so amazing and perfect. I felt if he was the only one that my life would be complete. When I found out I was pregnant with the boys I was so thrilled, scared but thrilled. I heard the most horrible things from people. But I let their comments slide and concentrated on keeping the babies and myself healthy. When they where born it was the best and scariest moment of my life. But everyone turned out to be happy and healthy. Now I let most comments about the triplets slide. I mean come on people it's only the uninformed and frankly the unintelligent people that make the stupid comments I've heard. When it comes to baby number five...we are thrilled. Thrilled that we have 4 beautiful, happy, healthy children. Thrilled that we have another one on the way and thrilled that God blessed us with the ability and the means to take care of ALL of our children. So to all that think my children are some sort of circus freaks because they are multiples or think differently about Austin because he is adopted or that think baby#5 is a mistake. I say...well...I am a christian woman and will not say what I really want to but I do say, keep your comments to yourself. Didn't your mother teach you, if you have nothing nice to say than say nothing at all!

Father's Day Week 44

Happy Father's Day David!

Max, loves the water table
...they all did
Emerson and Alex just wanted a cool drink

Austin walking the graduation walk!
I just loved this pic of Max!

Father's Day Week 44

Summer is here. It has been a HOT month. I am newly pregnant, sick as a dog and have no energy! I do not like the heat! 90+ degrees is just stupid! I can't do anything but lay on the couch in the air conditioning! What an awful feeling.

The boys are crazy! We have been outside a lot, they love their swings, wagon, water table a little baby pool. They are not real sure of the grass though. Max navigates it like it's little knives stabbing his knees. Poor baby, he'll get used to it I guess. Emerson is loving the water and being outside. He will splash in that little pool for an hour and I never laughed so hard as I did when we set up the water table. All three babies splashing and laughing, Austin trying to play along, but he's so big! Alexander is loving the outdoors, he loves to be pushed in the wagon and just to sit in the yard and look at everything. They have developed the most amazing way of interacting with each other now that they are all mobile. It's amazing to see them play and switch toys, they goo and ga at each other and Alex likes to hole his brothers hands. AWWWW, too cute!

Austin has graduated from pre-school, he is officially on to Kindergarten. He will have his screening in early July to determine placement. His new school is a great one. It has advanced classes for the kids that need it, and with Austin being who he is, I'm sure, down the road this will help him. He is getting his glasses tomorrow and I am hoping this will really help him out in all areas he is lacking, like reading. He can read to a point but with his eyes, his writing isn't what it should be. I'm sure it will all work itself out soon.

Fathers Day was great. We had a small BBQ in the yard for David and his father. It was German-fest 08. We had German and Hungarian sausage, German potato salad, cucumber salad and all kinds of fruits and desserts. It was a wonderful day! Happy Fathers Day ALL!

Weeks 41-43

After Graduating, Austin plans to become a model!
Max, swinging and smiling

The new swingset, minus the slide that isn't up yet
Alex and Emerson loving their wagon!

Weeks 41-43



Like usual our life is crazy. It's a plethora of kids, appointments, crying fits, temper tantrums, baby fights, biting, teething, dirty diapers and 5 year old attitude. All in a days work, right? Well I had resounded that this would be my life for the next 18 years! Craziness and ciaos is what I thrive on. All 4 of these boys would give me a run for my money and I would be fine, after all this is what I do! Nothing could stop me or slow me down, after all I am ..."The Triplet Mom". Or at least that's what I thought. A couple of weeks ago(Memorial Day) was mine and Davids 8 year wedding anniversary! To all you nay Sayer's who said it wouldn't last, HA! We where just to spend a quiet weekend at home with our kids or at least the triplets since Austin was at my moms for the weekend. When we decided to put up the new swing set and invite family over for a BBQ and an impromptu birthday party for my 14 year old God Son Thomas. I had been feeling tired and run down but had assumed like most days it was due to taking care of the kids and lack of sleep. When I went up stairs to take a shower, I became dizzy and nauseated. Than all of a sudden it hit me like a ton of bricks, "no, it can't be!". I went to the linen closet where I found a left over pregnancy test. I quickly went into the bathroom and followed the directions. It said, wait 5 minutes for results. Much to my surprise within 30 seconds a "plus" sign appeared! "No, way. How old is this test?" I went downstairs and handed David the test. I said "Happy Anniversary, we're Pregnant, AGAIN!"...maybe! Go get more tests, the one that says "pregnant" or "Not Pregnant". After 15 minutes or so David returned from the pharmacy. I followed the directions and than....BAM! PREGNANT! SO there you go folks. We are now expecting baby#5. I am in complete and utter shock. I mean, come on! We adopt, get one child! Fertility drugs, 3 children! And one time, I was apparently to tired to remember (sorry for being graphic) and "TADA" Baby #5. I have gone to my first OB appointment and all looks great. I am 10 weeks pregnant and am do January 15th. David and I went for our first ultrasound went great, ONLY 1 BABY! WHOO HOO! And it's heartbeat is strong. No abnormalities, everything looks great. I on the other hand am dizzy, nauseated and have absolutely no energy. This will probably be the hardest 8 months of my life, but I welcome the challenge. I wasn't really looking to get pregnant this early, but I am a fir, believer in God will only give me what I can handle.

The boys are doing so amazingly. They are growing so fast. All their teeth seem to come in all at once, now we have these beautiful babies who smile with all these teeth in their mouth. Max is taking more and more steps everyday. It's so odd to see this little teeny guy trying so hard to walk. Alex is all over the place. He will no longer lay down. He is walking fluidly along the furniture, he has yet to take steps but any day now! Emerson finally started crawling! He just got up on his knees and took off, now he is pulling up on everything and it's just a matter of time before he too is walking! Austin is out of school. He will be starting school in the fall and frankly I can't wait until he is occupied for 7 hours a day. He is at that age where he just wants every second of my attention. We are fighting like crazy because of it. He just doesn't want to spend "alone time" or "play time" of any sort. Now that the Nanny has started I have been taking him out once or twice a week and that seems to help but is only a temporary fix. I am hoping to find some programs for him this summer but he is getting glasses and it will take some time for him to get used to them before school. He has terrible eyesight in one eye from astigmatism and because of this we had to keep him from sports and other activities until he was old enough for glasses. This has been terrible because he wants to play so bad. But, I was so afraid he would get hurt, I waited. Now, he will be getting glasses this week so let the good times roll. We are also installing a pool sometime this month so hopefully he will be occupied for the rest of the summer.

Again, I have been having a terrible time with this blogspot. I seem to get errors a lot and am unable to download the blog or pictures so please be patient while
I figure this out.

Weeks 39 & 40

Austin and his best buddy Zack at school!
Alex smiling so big!

Emerson, soooooo serious!
Max playing with his signature tongue sticking out!

Our Beautiful Graduate!

Weeks 39 & 40

We have been extremely busy the last couple of weeks. The boys seem to be running me ragged. We where having some problems with my computer as well so posting this blog became increasingly difficult. So I apologise for the wait. It seems I completely filled one of the two of my hard drives that I have in my computer. It could possibly be the 10,000 pictures I have taken of my four sons in the last year. What's a mother to do. I love taking pictures, all though I have slowed down in the last couple of weeks while fixing this hard drive situation.

Well, we've hired a Nanny. She is wonderful. She came very highly recommended by several people. She has a ton of experience and the boys seem to love her. We are starting out with her here 10 hours a week. It's a nice break for me to go shopping, spend time with Austin and pretty much just do those few things around the house I have been unable to do.

Austin is Graduating from Pre-School soon and I am beginning to panic. He will be home ALL SUMMER LONG. I'm sure it will be fine since the swing set is now up! The slide is yet to be installed (we need to dig holes and pore concrete), it will be soon and we are waiting for our landscaper to come a level the ground and order the recycled tires we are going to use. This hasn't deterred Austin from playing on the swings, climbing the rock wall and making himself at home in the clubhouse. All in all this summer should be interesting. Lots of fun times and surprises to come.

We are preparing for the boys first birthday. That's right...1 year in just about two months. I am trying to get everything ordered and invitations printed up in plenty of time for people who plan every minute of their summer. Quite frankly it will take me the next two months to plan it because I have little or no time to sit down and do it!

On a personal note I would like to say Congratulations to my sister Adrianne. She graduated from College this past week with her BSN. She is an RN, well waiting to pass her licencing but an RN none the less. She also got a full time job as an RN working at ECMC! I am so proud of her! Congrats AD!

Week 38

Austin and his class showing the Moms some love
A Mothers day discussion!

Mother's Day/Week 38

It's been an eventful week. Mother's Day wasn't exactly what I had hoped for but in the end turned out to be a nice day. We had breakfast, took a nap than got ready and went to Dinner at Samuel's with the kids and my in-laws. The babies where wonderful. They all where awake for the most part. They sampled different foods and drank water from real glasses. They took turns sitting in the high chair and being held. They seemed happy to be out and socializing. The good thing about going out on a holiday is that most people where involved in their own families and not concerned about my kids. We did get a few nice comments though. All in all it turned out to be a good experience. While sitting at dinner, Max began to gag on a cracker so I reached my finger into his mouth and much to my surprise felt a tooth! I got the cracker out(he's fine)and felt again. Happy Mother's Day, our first tooth! I was so excited, I almost wanted to give him some meat and watch him chew! OK, ok I know, he's not ready for meat. But it was very exciting. Than this rush of fear came over me "Oh crap, now what! Let the biting begin!". By the next morning I reached in to feel he tooth again and OH MY, there's another one! Two teeth in two days! Man this kid just won't take the time to grow up slowly! He's trying to reach all his milestones at once! He's definitely David's baby...ADVANCED at Everything! He is starting to dance when he hears music...this is so funny to watch. He shakes his butt back and forth with the biggest smile. He's always looking behind him to see if your watching!

Emerson is rolling all over the place. He's not really crawling, just rolling where he needs to go. This is fine wit me since he is containable. He is really starting to play now. He will roll over to the larger toys that make noise and music and play away. He loves music. He sings which cracks me up! Whenever he hears music he starts this almost humming, maybe even a little moaning. I think in his head, he's verbalizing but it doesn't come out of his mouth yet. He loves American Idol and sings along with the contestants competing. Too Funny! He's turning into such a beautiful child too! He has the biggest greenish brown eyes with long eye lashes an definitely looks like the Gerber Baby!

Alexander is cruising right along. He mostly crawls backwards but can get where he wants. he is still so verbal and everyday there are new words. Not to be outdone by anyone, his first tooth(a top, front one) popped through on Wednesday. He has been so fussy and just wants mama all the time. He is really loving the outdoors. We have been going out almost everyday and he loves his little tykes slide. He goes down backwards and laughs. He's such a social baby. Whenever we are out he is the one making cutie eyes at all the girls. Man I am in for a rude awakening when they're teenagers. God help me!

Austin and I had a great day last Friday. It was Mother's Day at school. He made me a beautiful card and a plant. We had tea and an ice cream sundae. the class sang wonderfully and I was so proud, even though my son is obviously the class clown! I took lots of pictures. They grow up so fast. Austin was just a baby toddling around and now he's such a big kid. Building Lego contraptions and articulating like a grown up. Where did the time go.

So, I am starting to make plans for the 1st Birthday Extravaganza. WOW! it's going to turn into something close to a wedding! These preparations are endless. I know it will be worth it. They won't remember, but I will! I aways go overboard but tough! It's been an amazing year and it's almost time to CELEBRATE!

Mother's Day

The loves of my life!

Well, it's Mother's Day! It has me reflecting on what it means to be a "mother". This is the best and worst job I've ever had. I get to watch my children grow and thrive. I get to see all their firsts! But I get to see and feel their pain and watch from the sidelines as mistakes are made and consequences are given. I love my children I would never go back to the days when they where not here. People many times say how they would love to go back and relive their youth! Not me, my youth was not one worth reliving. Don't get me wrong there where good times, but there where bad times. If my youth wasn't what it was, I wouldn't be the woman and the mother I am today. Strong woman sometimes intimidate those around them. This isn't necessarily intentional. I know the fact that I am strong as a mother and a woman intimidates a lot of people. I just feel strongly and passionately when it comes to life, love, motherhood and most everything else in my life. My children especially. They are the reason I was put on this earth. I will feel all the love, excitement, pain and sorrow that they feel. I found this short poem that seems to some up how I feel for those Moms out there...



A Strong Woman



A Strong woman is one who feels deeply

and loves fiercely.

Her tears flow just as abundantly as her laughter.

A strong woman is both soft and powerful.

She is both practical and spiritual.

A strong woman in her essence is a gift to the world!

----Unknown----



To all the strong woman who show what it takes to be one, I say...

Happy Mother's Day!



Later in the week, I will post this weeks regular blog. I just wanted to tell all the Mother's out there how amazing they are! Happy Mother's Day and God Bless!

Week 37

This is just a taste of the pictures taken.

I don't want to give away too many yet because of Mothers Day!

Week 37

This week was great. My boys are all happy and healthy. No major problems or dramas, just what every Mom loves. Just a week of happy babies.

David had a business trip so it was just me and the boys. The kids all went to get their picture taken on Saturday and that wasn't the ordeal I thought it would be. They where all so happy to be out of the house. Although we did have some tears and anxiety when the strange photographer woman was trying to position them. They are so used to me taking pictures that they did surprisingly well. I did a NEMO theme since they all love the movie so much. I brought their own Nemo stuffed animals and that's how we positioned them. It worked out really well for them to have something familiar in a setting that was very foreign to them. The pictures turned out great and I bought the CD so I can make as many as I want. This works out perfectly just in time for mothers day.

Maxim went and got his first pair of walking shoes while at the mall. He slept during the whole thing The shoes are so cute. All brown soft leather with little feet on the bottom. I only bought them for him since the other two babies aren't yet showing signs of walking. Alexander is crawling all over and trying desperately to get to the toys that Max is standing at. Max is pulling himself up and walking very fluently from one piece of furniture to another. I give him less than a month before he walks. Emerson is getting around great now. He is crawling enough to grab toys he wants and to occasionally grab a brother who is not paying attention to him. They are all doing so amazingly well! I have had lots of people ask me if they are delayed because of prematurity and guess what...they aren't not at all. Emerson and Alex are completely age appropriate with their milestones and Max is advanced for 8 months. It's a beautiful thing how God works! We have been blessed and we know that. We couldn't ask for more!

Everyday Austin is getting closer and closer to Kindergarten. We got his report card from Pre-K and he is doing well all the way around. Aside from some behavioral things like his listening skills(which all 5 year old have issues with)there are no concerns and he is good to go! He went for his school physical on Monday and passed with flying colors. He has some issues with his one eye, which he has had since birth but he sees a specialist in July and will probably get glasses or need minor surgery. That should resolve most of his issues. He got 3 shots and handled them like a trooper, not even a flinch. He said "wasn't I brave Mommy?". He sure was. I was very proud. Although it is time for him to go to big boy school all day I can't help but reflect on what an incredible child he is. He was the sweetest baby and has turned into such an amazing young boy. I know he will do well in school but I just wish he could of stayed my sweet little baby for a while longer. I miss that. It's his time to be a little more independent and I will just have to deal with my little boy growing up.

Week 36

We're starting a new sport...BABY WRESTLING!
Max playing with his toys, he's so proud!

Emerson giving "tickles" to Max
Brothers!

Emerson, flying through the air
Max is telling Mommy a story

Alex up to no good!
Austin and Sidney

Week 36

Emerson is what I like to refer to as "the strong silent type" However, on Friday my baby broke his silence. As many of you know none of my kids take a pacifier. None of them have a specific toy they carry around. They don't suck their thumbs or have a "blankie". They seem to be content to just BE. They are happy babies, playing with their toys and beginning to interact with one another. At least that's what I thought. About a month ago or more now, I let the boys watch Disney movies. We tried Cars, nope...didn't like it. Toy Story, not their cup of tea. The little Mermaid, too girly. Finally, Finding Nemo! Success! Emerson in particularly LOVED Nemo. He pretty much insists on watching it two to three times a day. I know, you are all scratching your heads trying to figure out how an 8 month old can insist on watching a movie. Well, my normally angelic child who doesn't complain or make much fuss over anything will scream and cry, throw toys and "nnnnnnnnnnnn" me until I turn it on. I've decided he probably likes the animation more than the message of Nemo. That's what I'm hoping since like most all of Disney movies, the mother dies in the first 2 minutes of the movie! Depressing! The colors are amazing and the movement they have created through their animation is remarkable. So assuming Emerson is liking it for those reasons I give in and let him watch...It's become a security blanket for him. When ever we go to someones house, I bring Nemo and it seems to calm him instantly. So it was no surprise to me when my little boy so lovingly looked at me, and instead of MAMA or DADA, out of his mouth comes....."BRUCE"! If you all remember Bruce is the shark that tries to eat Nemo's Dad! Thanks Nemo for keeping my child occupied and for stealing my thunder! I wonder will Emerson's second word be "Dory"? Only time will tell!

Maxim is such an amazing little guy. He started pulling himself up on all the furniture a couple of weeks ago. Now he proficiently pulls himself to the "stand" position on all his large toys and plays. Just like a real kid. This it self would be an amazing task. But, yesterday (Monday) Maxim Charles...my sick baby...or at least he was my sick baby...took two STEPS! He had pulled himself up on his Fisher Price Kitchen looked at me, let go and then...two big boy steps. He than fell flat on his face. I was in shock! I didn't know if I should clap, cry or pick him up. I of course picked him up since he was crying. I than clapped because I was so proud than I cried! Oh my goodness. He is only 8 1/2 months old and technically should be 6 1/2 months old. He shouldn't be walking yet. What am I going to do? Now all my kids are mobile since Alex is now finally crawling forward and crawling up on pillows and toys so it's a matter of time before he pulls himself up on the furniture. Emerson finally is starting to crawl. Hey better late than never. And Austin is a wild child. This summer should be amazing. Austin will be home with us all summer, Max and Alex should be walking and Emerson will be a crazy crawler. All I can say is Pray for Us! We're in for a CRAZY SUMMER!

On Sunday it was Davids birthday. We actually left the house! I had my mother and sister babysit all 4 boys. We had a lovely time going to dinner, coffee and shopping. When we came home all 4 boys where fed and ready for bed. It was nice. It was very relaxing, almost too relaxing! All I wanted to do was sleep. My mother and sister sprouted some new grey hairs but they did a great job. Thanks guys!

Week 35

Max discovers the Coffee Table!
YES, he did it all by himself!

Max....Happy Baby
Daddy & Emerson...waving
Alex, up to no good as usual!

Week 35
8 Months and Counting!

This week has been extremely HOT! We got up to around 85 degrees. Which for our area is common since we no longer have Spring and go right from Winter to Summer. The boys seem to enjoy all the traveling that we can now do. They are loving our long walks and trips to the stores but the heat gets to them fast. Max instantly got a heat rash when the temperature spiked and all the babies where red and flushed. We are spending a lot more time outside and we are getting more visitors. This mommy is also making more time for her self and is trying to venture out with friends every so often. I kept myself pretty cloistered this winter to take care of the boys and to bond. So now...I'm breaking free! I noticed they have problems with strangers. This can be a good thing but can also be bad since i would like to start leaving them bit by bit with sitters in order to spend more time with David. We'll see, it's like a test for my little angels.

Max and Alex have started crawling so we've begun baby proofing and putting up gates. It's pretty much like an obstacle course here. Hop over a crawling baby, trip over an Elmo toy, stub your toe on a walker and try to walk over a gate without falling down the stairs....wheeeee! Emerson is not crawling yet but is flipping himself over and spending time on his belly. It's so hard for him because of the acid reflux. We're hoping he grows out of it soon so he can join his brothers in exploring the house. We had to lower Max's crib finally since he has begun to pull himself up. I walked in his room the other morning to a standing Max, reaching over the side..."hiya mmmmm(mom)". He was so proud of himself. Than all of a sudden...flop! On his way down, he caught his chin on the bar and cried. My poor baby, but now is the time where bumps and bruises come into play. They are growing so fast! Before we know it they'll be walking and than I'll want a new baby!....Just kidding...I could almost here all of you gasp!

Austin has 2 months left of school. Than one loooooong summer and kindergarten. He is playing outside a lot more which tires him out quickly. Thank God! This kid is an unbelievable ball of energy. Everyday he is getting smarter and more rebellious. I know this is just him testing us because he is used to being the center of attention. He is really helping out with his brothers now. He likes that they can react to him. They laugh and coo at him, he's just so funny to them. When he's home he sometimes keeps an eye on them so I can make lunch or do the laundry. He really is a great big bro!