Babysitting the Triplets

H and I celebrated 15 years together this weekend. We left the kids at home with my dad and stepmom for the weekend and headed off to a very exotic location: Birmingham, Alabama. We had a relaxing weekend shopping, dining out, sleeping in and seeing a few friends. As with most trips, one of our highlights was coming home. While it is rejuvenating to go away, it is always wonderful to be reunited again as a family.
Grandpa and NanaLin brought balls and a bat and neat baby strollers that the babes love. Grandpa also put the gate up on our play yard; it is now complete. We felt very good leaving our precious ones in their care. Dad said they never missed us. I think the weekend went well for everyone.

My dad and Linda took the photos that are interspersed throughout this post.
The remainder of this post is one my dad wrote about their time with the children:


BABYSITTING THE TRIPLETS NanaLin and Grandpa just returned to KY from one of the BEST weekends we have ever had……we were asked and gladly accepted the joy of babysitting Lucia, Elliott and Mazie for three days and two nights. These kids are the BEST [yes, we ARE prejudiced] in every way…….we were given very detailed instructions about how to care, feed and sleep the triplets……..we used those instructions ‘for reference’ only…….as experienced parents and green grandparents, we do what we can to make sure the triplets are safe, clean [that is biggest challenge],read to, played with, fed and rested…..it is amazing how easy these three kids make our assignments….


On the ‘clean’ aspect, we were told they may not be that ‘regular’……..well, we’re here to tell you, they are ‘regular’ kids…….now, dirt…that’s a different subject….they all eat dirt, chew on rocks and sticks and chew on just about anything they have their hands….like large chalk for their playground chalk boards….just read that eating dirt is their way of getting more iron to their system…….so relax, Mommies and Grandparents.. They enjoy their walks to feed the horses and chickens and see the goats and sheep….of course, all three of the dogs go with us to protect LEM…….the dogs also enjoy taking dips in all the ponds we encounter on the hour-long walk in the forest of beautiful pine trees. The only problem with their 11 am walk is they tend to fall asleep which causes them delay in going down for their 1:30 nap ….but every day they did take their naps and slept well through the night. Like clockwork …as in 6:30am, they would wake, talk until 7:00am and then were ready to get out of their cribs to face the day….always with a smile and calm demeanor … they all went directly to the front window and would look across the pond at Papa Glenn’s John Deere “truackt’..LEM love that tractor!!



They love their blocks, books and toys……..they are very predictable on which they play with and in which order they play with them….. generally, they share very well…..however, Elliott can tend to be the ‘boy’ and take things away from his sisters……he better learn quickly about ‘paybacks’ or his sisters will pay him back one day….. sweet Lucia always shares with the other two and goes out of her way to do so….. Mazie takes everything in and can speak very well about what is going on…. At snack time on Sunday, NanaLin gave each a sugar cookie in the kitchen……Elliott proceeded to stick the whole cookie in his mouth and tried to take his sisters’ cookies….you can bet he got some feedback from GrandPa on that little move…… I failed to mention…….we don’t see many sunrises anymore….so the triplets have helped us out there..:)



We had such a great time with the Triplets…..we will do it anytime….after suitable ‘recovery’ periods… so we hope the Mommies will ask us to take care of LEM again……….SOON!!!!!!!!

Snow: Southern Style

This morning it snowed for about an hour--very exciting for our little town in the deep south. When we first noticed the snow falling, we quickly put hats and coats and shoes on the babes so they could go out and see the snow. Of course, our version of "quickly" takes a good fifteen minutes, and by that time the snow had stopped for a while.


Later in the morning when it started snowing again we wisked them out sans appropriate clothing so we wouldn't miss it this time. They did get to see their official first snowfall, but I don't think they noticed. I think they mostly just wanted to know why I was jumping up and down yelling "It's snowing" over and over.
While we didn't have any accumulation, it was wonderful to sit and drink coffee while the snow fell outside. We know one day we will build snowmen and make snow angels with the three; we just may have to travel seven hours to do it.

Lu's First Haircut

Today Lucia's Nana took her to the local Kutz and Kurlz get her first haircut. Lucia has always had the most hair and lately it has been a bit unruley. So, Nana took her to see Miss Jan for a little shape-up.

Here is a before photo:
Here she is ready to go and waiting patiently for her Nana to come pick her up:
Here are some after photos.
H walked across the street from her office to check on Lu and take a few photos. She and Nana said that Lucia did great, only whimpering once or twice.

Lucia, we think you look beautiful.

Beads & Moon Pies

Yesterday we attended our town's second Mardi Gras parade. Last year's Mardi Gras parade was the babies very first outing. I must say, this year was much more fun. Instead of being held or sitting in a triple stroller, this year they spent a little time in our trusted wagon and then hopped up (with a little help) onto the bed of their Papa's truck.
I noticed that the three don't ever smile at parades. They don't act afraid or bored. They watch everything attentively, but, they don't ever smile or laugh. Perhaps they are overwhelmed with all the sights and sounds.
The beads and moon pies, as they are with everyone, I think, were the biggest hits for our children. I don't think they could have put on enought beads, and, if we'd let them, I think they'd have eaten their weight in moon pies.









Here is H going through the loot we brought home. Our friends, the J boys, hooked us up with some terrific prizes like swords, footballs, tambourines, frisbies, masks, and fire department beads. We brought home more stuff than you could shake a stick at.


Here is Lu with her favorite find of the day: a giant toothbrush.
Maybe the giant toothbrushes will help eliminate the stains brought on by our giant cigars.

We hope your Mardi Gras is especially fat and festive.

Some times when it's too quiet...

...that means the three are into something they shouldn't be. Other times it means precious Lu has climbed up into the rocker with her blanket and is quietly singing to herself the way her Mama Bee taught her to. Such a sweet thing to find.

New Weights

As you can tell from Maze's saggy britches, she did not gain much weight this past month. The babes were weighed yesterday for their Synagis shots. Each month it gets rougher and rougher to give the shots. The babes are getting more and more upset. Luckily for them (and our nurse) they only have two more shots after this month.
Elizabeth Lu 21# 13 oz
a gain of 7 oz

Elliott K 24# 10 oz
a gain of one pound

Mazie Bell 18# 10 oz
a gain of 8 ounces

Visitors

Dad and Linda, aka Grandpa and NanaLin, came for a visit this week. We didn't take a lot of pictures, but had a great time taking lots of walks and eating good food. Linda made the world's best carrot cake. I think I ate half of it.

It was fun this trip because the babies are talking more. They each said "Pa" and "Nana." Mazie especially enjoyed calling their names. Whenever one of them would leave the room she would ask "Pa? Pa?" or "Nana? Nana?" It was very sweet.

We had a wonderful visit and look forward to the next time they are with us.
The picture above is of Pa and Lucia finishing up the east side of our play yard.

A Night Apart

Another first in our household--we split the babies up for a night. H and I decided to get away for a night Valentine's weekend. Elliott went to Karen and Kevin's to stay. The girls went to Nana and Papa's.
Everybody did well. The girls had a great time, almost as much fun as Nana and Papa. H's mom said they asked for Bubby a few times, but were very content.
According to Karen and Kevin, Elliott never missed any of us. He played all day and even got to go to McDonald's for the first time. He brought home Ronald on a bicycle as a souvenir.
H and I enjoyed our day tooling around. We saw the new house of some friends, went out to eat, saw a movie. Then, like the crazies we are, decided to come home and spend the night in our own bed instead of traveling further to the beach. Man, we are getting old.

H and I were glad when our family was back together. But, it is nice knowing that this is a good option for us in the future. Thank you to all who helped.