Recent QOTDs

(Quote of the Day, that is)

All of the bigs are at their grandparents in Mississippi this week. Yesterday, their aunts took them to the water park, the twins first time to go, and Jamie's third just this summer! As per their report, a good time was had by all. Apparently though, Hunter had a run-in with another kiddo that resulted in his getting a goose egg on his forehead.

Hunter: I didn't like it one bit.
Mommy: What, the water park?
H: NO! Getting a Boo Boo!!

We packed church clothes for them with the understanding that they would be going today. This morning we talked to them and Hunter said they weren't going to church, then Hannah insisted they were.

Mommy to Hannah: But Hunter said you are not going to church.
Hannah: Well, I'll just have to talk to Hunter about that. (I can just picture her little hand-on-her-hip pose)

Recently we were watching A Wrinkle in Time, a not-real-great movie version of a favorite children's book. It's very science fiction-y and I spent a lot of the time trying to explain that they were travelling to make-believe planets, etc.
Hunter: That can't really happen, can it, Mommy?
Hannah (puts her hand to her mouth, leans across to him, and says conspiratorally): You never know what is in your future.

This is a really old one, but I have to record it, because we still refer to it often. This was a day when I was still in the hospital and DiDi was picking the twins up from school every day. They had a lot of coversations about what they might do or be when they grow up. Their was some reference to Hannah having a job/career.
Hannah: Well, I'm not going to live my life with just a husband and a weinee dog!

Golly, them kiddos just crack me up!!

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho

Yes, the interview clothes are because I am ready to (that'saLieIhaveto) go back to work. I had a good interview yesterday, for the position I am most interested in (so far), 2 more scheduled for Friday, and a 4th that is supposedly going to call me when somebody gets back because somebody had a baby (?? I think the director's wife??). I'm pretty sure I've got the one from yesterday wrapped up; I'm going Monday to shadow the therapist and see what their clinic is like, and they have to confirm my salary request to the boss's boss, or some such, but otherwise, I think it's in the bag.

Sooooo, Scott's last day of work is Friday (after being very patient, they are finally kicking him out) and he will be a SAHD (Stay at Home Dad) again. Looks like next week we will both be home, but hopefully I'll be starting the week after that, otherwise, we'll be eating rice :o He was pretty darn good at it with the twins, but there's a third baby in the mix this time, lol, not to mention the 3 other kids being on summer vacation!!! He's lucky because they are in a good place right now and are pretty easy all day long. Now, if I can just make him remember all the housework that goes along with being the parent at home all day. (Can you believe that one day last week he grabbed a pile of too-big diapers that were under the bed because he "forgot" where we keep the ones we use?? Yeah, it's really hard, they are ON THE CHANGING TABLE. Hmmph)

I want a new drug...

...One that won't make me fat


is that how the song goes? No? Hmmm


I just spent half an hour trying on everything in my closet that is "interview" worthy. Can't exactly where the fat scrubs, that are stained from working with kids in dirty homes for the past 5 years, to job interviews. Now I'm no fashionista, but I like to have cute things, or at least comfortable things that look halfway decent that I like. But I can't wear jeans or denim capris either. So that leaves the one or two pair of khakis left over from my hospital days (when my director didn't allow us to wear scrubs). Needless to say, I've HAD TRIPLETS since then.

Now, remember all those posts about not gaining much weight with my prenancy and then losing it fast after they were born? That didn't last. I pretty much have been eating my way back to sanity every day. Babies screaming unconsolably? Eat a cake. Stressed over lack of job and lack of funds? Eat all of last night's leftovers. Bored to tears? Eat a box of cereal. You get the idea. So I'm right back where I started, only now I'm stretched out and lumpier bumpier than previously.

According to Dr. Oz (I really don't watch much Oprah, but it was on one day when nothing else was) that is because food is my drug of choice. I wish exercise could be. I wish instead that when I was stressed I wanted to run up and down the stairs ten times. Or do that Yoga dvd I bought (though I could hardly get into a zen state with the three screaming mimi's in the room).

Anyway, I found 2 pair of fugly pants that I can get into with one of those chest to knees girdles left over from my wedding, and 1 dress that makes me look like...well...a cow in a dress. Goody.

Dare I hope???

How does the expression go...it only takes so many days to make something a habit? I'm drawing a complete blank. Anyway....


6 nights - that's how many they have slept from 11ish to 6 or 7 in the morning!!! Sweet Hallelujah! I feel like a different person now that I can get 6-8 straight hours of sleep again. I am rested. I am productive. I have energy again.


For the record, Molly is still determined to be our holdout. Most of those nights she has either ended up with a bottle (once, she took 2 oz and went back to sleep) or in bed with me (I have a certain pillow that I make a little "nest" for her and she curls up to me and goes right back to sleep) but we can work with that.


One of the best parts, they are finally on a consistent daily schedule as a result. Previously, whatever time they woke up in the morning dictated our schedule for the day. I.e., if they were up at 4, they ate at 8, 12, 4, 7-8, 10-11, then bed and up between 2 and 4. The next day, they may get up at 6 and eat at 10, 2, 6, 9, 12, 3, etc. It was everchanging. Now, they are consistently up between 7 and 7:30, eat then, and again at 11, 3, 6:30/7, 10ish (don't ask me WHY they have to eat more frequently in the evenings, they are just so fussy and act like they are starving). I feel like we could actually, dare I say it, Make. Plans., because I can actually guesstimate their feeding times.


We are also one week into summer vacation. I have to say that, surprising myself, I love it! I wish I could stay home the whole summer with the babies and the twins (and Jamie when she gets home!). There are challenges and we will make some changes, but overall I think it's going great. I mainly want to get a good schedule with mandatory chores, reading time, etc as well as try to do some craft projects. The main challenge is game time - we rented Lego Indiana Jones and that is, big surprise!, all Hunter wants to do, so I have to limit it. Not only that, but he doesn't really want to give anyone else a chance to play, so he gets a little ornery when it is Hannah or my turn.

And if you give a kid a camera, they will take pictures of the things most important to them ;)

I'm LMBO because I did not notice this pose when I was taking pictures of the babies, but isn't this hilarious!!

And I know you can't resist this sweet face, our Peanut, Em:

Finally, for good measure, Miss Molly Mae:

Haven't gotten a picture of her smiling yet, but I will ;)

Has it been a month???

I don't guess that really surprises me. The part about them being another month older - yes; the part about me not blogging for a month - no. It is a trial, let me tell you. I rarely get anything done during the day, and if I do, it sure isn't hanging out on the computer. It's more like take a shower, wash clothes, wash and make bottles, cook dinner. When dad gets home, he takes over so that I can take care of the needs of the other kids or do some of those things listed above that I didn't do during the day.

The evenings are a nightmare.

They are just not happy from about 4 pm until they go to bed for the night, which usually isn't until 11 or 12. Generally, dad handles it while I go to bed around 9 or so because I'm going to be back up with them anywhere from 2 to 4 am. The problem is that once they start stirring, it wakes me up and I can't go back to sleep until they are fed and settled back to sleep. All of their grunting, fussing, coughing, etc, plus my knowing I'll have to get right back up just keeps me awake, often for 2 or 3 hours straight. This wouldn't be so bad if there was a chance of me napping the next day, but that just doesn't happen anymore as they don't all sleep for long periods of time during the day.

There have been quite a few nights where they've made it to 5 or so before they wake. The last week or so, I have put Molly in bed with me (always the first to wake, then get everybody else started) for a snuggle and she goes back to sleep for a couple of hours. This has gotten us through until 5 many nights, and sometimes even 6. Last night, they were down by 10ish, and slept until 6 am!! Woo Hoo! Dad and I both got a nice, long night's sleep. What are the chances that this is the new norm? My guess - slim to none.

As for everyone else:

Hunter got a cast

and then got it offin the space of just 2 weeks. The break is somewhere near the growth plates, so the orthopedist wants to follow him for a year or so.

Hannah lost her two front teeth, also in the space of just 2 weeks.

She's just so darn cute with that smile!

School is out which makes the twins 1st graders, and Jamie...a high school student! :o That doesn't seem possible. I remember what was important and what we were up to in 9th grade and I just don't even want to think about it. YIKES!! She's already gone on the first leg of her summer travels, having left the day after school was out.

The babies at 3 months:

They all smile and coo, though Cooper is most proficient at both. If you "ooo" and "ah" at him he will do it right back to you. The girls are just more occasional and inconsistent. Molly smiles quite a bit, but it is much harder to get one out of Em.

Their weights are Cooper at 11.2 lbs (NOT 11 lbs 2 oz, but 11.2 on our home scale; we had dad hold the babies, then weigh without them and subtract the difference, LOL), Molly at 10.6 lbs and Em at 8.2 lbs. Em is still our peanut!! The gap between the bigger two and our little peanut is growing. But, she doubled her birth weight, so no worries.

They all have rolled over from their belly to their back if put on a little incline, lol, since they are often on the couch. From their side, I've seen them each try to go to their belly, and they will all go to their back.

I've started watching them for torticollis; they just too often seem to keep their head turned to one direction, but then I'll notice that the next time they are turned the other way, so maybe they just don't like to look straight ahead.

Ok, that's enough "therapy" stuff :)

They did start tracking shortly after the 2 month mark. You can really tell they are watching your face and if you walk by, they'll follow you over a small arc. They even watch TV! Of course, it's just light, color and movement, but it's funny to see.

Well, 2 hours after starting this update, I'm going to close. I will try to keep updating periodically, as much to look back on as for all of you (both of you??) out there interested :)

We are 2 months old

That is not possible. I almost refuse to believe it, as if I've miscounted or something. March, April, May...yeah, I guess that would be 2 months.

I gave an update just yesterday for them, so nothing much else to say. I wanted to come up with some poignant words, but mostly I'm just glad that I haven't been puked on today.

Here they are on their 2 month birthday.

Left to Right: Cooper, Emily, Molly

This week

It's been a while since I've blogged, mostly because it has been a ridiculously busy week. We literally had an appointment every day this week (until Jamie's hair appt changed at the last minute, leaving Friday appt-free, though still busy).

First, an update on Hunter: They do believe that his arm is broken, but while the ER doc thought it was the humerus, or upper arm bone, the orthopedist said it seems to be acting more like his radius, a lower arm bone. At this point, he is still in a half-cast splint only. He goes back next week for more Xrays and possible casting. He really doesn't even complain of pain since the first day or so and he runs around like there's nothing wrong. Though, amazingly, he is utterly helpless when it comes to washing his hands, brushing his teeth, etc - go figure.

ETA: one of those appts was his haircut, so he looks much better than this rag-a-muffin kid now.

Hannah: Nothing special going on with her this week, just being her usual beautiful, sweet self. Recently though, we had her ARD for the next year of Speech Therapy. She has reached all of her goals! These are goals that have been in place for the past 2 calendar years. She will continue to get speech, but with new goals. The most obvious change that we notice on a daily basis are the "S"es. She makes such a great effort with them. We have to try not to laugh because she pauses at every S- or Sh- to really concentrate on the sound. We're so proud!

Jamie: Since I finally got to scrapbook a page or two over the past few weeks, I'll just post this one that sums up Jamie of late. It says: When she wants something, she calls me "Mommy". Yep, that pretty much sums it up!

Einstein played soccer, on hot concrete, for a full hour, BAREFOOT, yesterday and is sporting some serious blisters this morning. Sheesh. I'm not taking anyone else to the doctor, so she better hope it heals on its own!

Oh, the babies! It has been a trial of late. When I was reading message boards with other parents of HOM (higher order multiples) to learn what to expect, we became pretty scared about what a nightmare newborn triplets was going to be. But, then, it WASN'T. For weeks it was pretty darn easy, which I mistakenly said out loud on several occasions. They slept and ate and what it was time to eat, they ATE. Everything is supposed to even out when they hit their due date. In our case, everything went to heck on that date instead. All of a sudden, they don't eat well, are gassy, have reflux, etc.

And the spit up. Um, I've been instrumental in the daily care of 2 children (Jen and Dev), then raised 3 of my own babies. I've seen A LOT of spit up. I've cleaned up my share of child vomit as well. But I have NEVER seen actual PROJECTILE vomit until this week. No kidding, Cooper spewed 6 feet across the room the other night. PawPaw had the misfortune of being the one holding him when he did it. Since then, it's been anyone's guess who would be the one to do it at each feeding. A successful feeding is one where everyone keeps down all that they consume, even if it is only 2-3 ozs. (down from the 4-6 ozs. they were previously taking). And I can't go to bed without a spare set of PJs handy because I get it almost every night.

We see the pediatrician on Monday. I really hope we can convince her that we need reflux meds.

The other major issue continues to be Molly. She's just a miserable baby and I feel so sorry for her. The "rash" gets better and worse on a seemingly random cycle. We were going to try a new formula this week, only the one the pedi recommended is not available in stores (it has to be specially ordered) and is RIDICULOUSLY expensive. I'm talking $80 for roughly 3 days worth. Yeah. So far insurance does not cover it, and WIC was closed for half the week so we're still waiting to check that route. Molly goes to the pediatric dermatologist next week to see what they can do. We've got to get this thing figured out.

As for myself, I desperately wish I had not had that gallbladder surgery. I was doing just fine with the gallbladder I had; removing it has started a whole new slew of problems that are making life difficult. I continue to have unbearable pain. It is really strange because it is my SKIN that hurts, right over the surgical area on my belly. I can not tolerate my shirt touching my skin. I still have to take pain meds to sleep at night but I can't take them during the day (duh, they make me sleep!). I am so swollen that I'm back to wearing PJ pants and maternity pants because my pants are too tight over the incisions and sore spots. The surgeon has pretty much released me because there is nothing he can do at this point. If it does not improve soon, I will have to see a pain management specialist.

Around here we have something called the Quote of the Day. It started because mostly Hannah, but Hunter as well, just say the funniest darn things. I really wish I'd written them all down over the past few months, but I'm going to try to start now. So here is one from the other day.

Hannah got this "grow a pet" puppy that she put in water for a few days until it grew to roughly 5" or so. At that point we took it out of the water so she could play with it. Well, it shrunk back down and was all funky and distorted looking.

Hannah: "It shrunk, Daddy, and it looks dirty"

Daddy: "And it's all wrinkly, too"

Hannah: "Yeah, just like MawMaw and PawPaw"