Almost 9 months - what a difference a month makes!

Hi all,

Wow - it has been a busy month. Sorry I didn't write sooner, but time disappears! The children have grown a bunch. Daniel is 18 lbs 14 oz, Nathan is 19 lbs 9 1/2 oz, and Emily is 16 lbs 12 oz. They have gotten so big. Their lengths are now about 27 inches, so we have had to change the car seats this week. That is a huge transition. A big thanks to Lt Sims from the Alpharetta Fire Department for installing the seats on a 1 hour notice! Going from the snap and go (easy but heavy) to having to carry them to and from the car is a huge transition. I'm still working on the easiest way to do that, but the new car seats seem so comfy! It also means I have had to change strollers. I'm still working on the positioning for that as I don't want them to lean forward and hit their head on the seats in front - or more commonly pull the back of the seat in front to make a lovely teething toy. We are also working on ear infections. Through the last two months, I have had 40+ days of giving antibiotics: Nathan had, then Nathan and Daniel, then Nathan, now Daniel. Emily escaped them the first three checks, and I didn't have her checked this time.

We have had a lot of firsts this month, and I think it is going to make for a very busy August.

Daniel has started giving high fives - at least bringing his hand to you. It is very cute. He is still rolling all over the room and can pretty much get to most things. He still goes backwards but can get on all fours and rock first. He has gone forwards like a frog once or twice, but I'm not sure it was intentional.

Emily sat up on her own for the first time last week. She has only done it successfully once but has gotten close many times. She goes from her belly to a crawling position, then into a sitting position. Her leg still says close to her body so her balance is a little off, but it was very exciting to see. She also rocks in a crawling position and goes backwards well. She ended up in the kitchen the other day.

Nathan is officially going forwards. He gets an intense look in his eyes, puts his hands in front of him and then on his belly pulls his body forward (almost a military crawl). He may be like his Uncle Dean and go that route! He also might be entered in the Nathans hot dog eating contest. He tries to eat everything, from toys to his siblings, to us! Things get to his mouth in record time (or his mouth gets to things). He has earned the front seat of the stroller because there is nothing to chew on! I think he is getting a tooth, but I have thought that for a while.

They all like to babble and talk - and I hear lots of Dadadas and bababas and squeals. I think they are thinking about trying to stand. I see effort, but on things they can't get a good grip on. I think this is a busy month.

On that note, it is time to baby proof the house. I think we may have enough gates, but it is time to start protecting everything. I think we'll be gating them into rooms (living room, bedroom, and playroom) instead of using play pens.

Will's mom and Joel came to visit and had a great time with the children. I wish they could see their grandparents more often. They are so good with them. We tried going to swing on the swings at the park (too hot at 9 am) and took them out to dinner as a family. I was a little under the weather, but it was nice to be able to know things were covered while I slept! They did a great job!

Pictures - I am attaching one of each and also the first video of Nathan creeping. It was his first day - so he only went a few inches, but it was a very exciting day for us! At top is a picture of Joan reading to the children, then Emily, Daniel, and Nathan.

July 1st

It's been a while since I have written. Life is just busy with three children! We haven't done anything spectacular - no trips, no visitors. But we have had fun doing a lot of the same things - and some new ones.

The newest thing is that Emily is beginning to make "ya ya ya" sounds, especially when she wants to tell you something. It could be no more food or I don't want to sleep yet or even give me attention. It is soooo cute!

All three of them have a cold right now. Nathan has an ear infection, and I worry the others will get one, too. It is so hard to listen to them cough and sniffle, especially at night. It is so sad to listen to them trying to sleep but struggling with breathing. I hope they're better this week. Will's sister and family are coming in town, and we want the children to be healthy for them!

The children are growing, and we estimate the boys to be about 26 or 26 1/2 inches and Emily at 25. The boys are both 18 lbs. 2 oz, and Emily is 15 lbs. 10 oz. We are getting close to our next car seats. It's amazing. We bought our car seats and stroller for the next stage from a very nice triplet mom. We are just postponing using them, because the snap and go is soooo easy!

We went to a play group on Friday. It was wonderful. There were 4 parents of twins and us. That made 11 children between 6 months and a year. What a great experience for the children to learn from each other! I can't wait to go again! We also went to the North Fulton Mothers of Multiples picnic and met up with another family I go walking with.

I have to say Veroniuq is WONDERFUL. Today, Nathan spit up on her when she was feeding him. When she went to change his clothes, he had a poopy diaper and looked sick. So she went to take his temperature and he peed on her - twice. Her response to him once he was dressed, "I'll still hold you, Nathan." It was really sweet. She really cares about the children.

I am posting a few pictures - but more because they make me smile, not because they are photo album worthy. Emily really enjoyed her prunes. This was one of Daniel's first times standing without me after I put him there (middle of June), and Nathan learning he loves to be tickled. I am also including a picture of all three of them, though they roll over so fast that it is hard to get them in the same picture now!

Swimming,Play Dates and Fun!

It has been an exciting couple of weeks since I last wrote. Our children are growing up so quickly. Emily sat up for a good 4 minutes. They can all roll both ways. It is amazing to hear them talk to each other and laugh with each other. Daniel likes adult approval, Nathan likes peer approval, and Emily often does her own thing. She is most talkative on the changing table and lately at nap time. Daniel screams with happiness (or not happiness) and loves to hear himself make noises. Nathan will stare at a sibling and wait for them to look and burst into laughter. Daniel scoots backwards often. Nathan has gone an inch or two forward, but not quite in the conventional crawling position yet. They LOVE the jumpy that Alicia lent us and look forward to the Martin's jumpy as well. They also love their exersaucers and jumparoo.

Last week we took them to the doctor for the last shot until they turn one. Daniel passed his brother again in weight and was 17 pounds 2 oz. Nathan was 17 pounds 1/2 oz, and Emily was 14 lbs 12 oz. The doctor was very pleased with their progress. We are getting closer to changing the car seats.

My parents were here to celebrate my birthday and stayed a week. They were a huge help when Will was out of town for work. We had a lot of fun with them, shopping, playing, etc. I think we wore them out. We also had play dates with the Martins, the Boyds, and dinner with the Kassingers. We also walked with our new friends - parents of twins who live really close to us. We had met them in the park and now try to walk in the park every other week. We had a barbecue at the pool, and the children were held by all of our wonderful neighbors. Joan and Joel are here helping right now, as our au pair is off in Florida on vacation. I'm so glad they were here for the first pool day, and I am definitely using both of their services. Thanks so much!!! It is a lucky time when we get to see both sets of grandparents in one month!

Today, we took them to the pool for the very first time! Thanks, Rachel and Joan for all of your help. It was fun. We used the first of our 3 rafts - as you see in the pictures. This was a huge first for us. The boys loved the water, and I think Emily will like it more next time. I don't think she was a huge fan of the cold water - though she loved the kiddie pool when we had our neighborhood barbecue at the pool. Maybe the water was warmer.

That's it for now. I'll write more later. I hope you like the pictures/videos. The pictures feature in order, two of Emily, two of Nathan, and two of Daniel.

Photographer

Yesterday was my birthday, and my parents are in town visiting. They are also being a tremendous help since Will is out of town for work. He gets back Friday, and we are so excited!

I have attached a few of the pictures from the photographer. They weren't the best - I still can't get all of them smiling at the same time - but the boys gave a great smile during the individual pictures. This was really work to go to a photographer. Luckily, I have six months to forget the work and forever to enjoy the pictures.

Although they have noticed and talked to each other before, it is incredible now. They get hysterical. Nathan can laugh for a good 15 minutes! Their laughs are infectious!!! We have videos we have taken of their laughter.

They have also started to talk more. Daniel and Nathan talked to themselves in their cribs for 1/2 hour this morning and Emily was talking to herself this afternoon during the beginning of nap time. I do wonder what they are really saying. They usually giggle while talking.

That is all for now - I'll write more when Will gets back in town!

We're Wireless

Hi all,

We had our six month doctor appointments today. How does time go so fast? I can't believe they are six months old already! The doctor was pleased with their growth! Daniel has caught back up with Nathan in weight. Daniel is 15 lbs 12 oz and Nathan is 15 lbs 14 oz. Emily is also growing and increasing her percentile on the weight chart at 13 lbs 14 oz. Daniel is the longest at 25 1/2 inches, Nathan is an inch behind, and Emily is close at 24 1/4 inches. They are all on the percentile chart for their actual age. Yea! And what do I mean when I say, "We're Wireless!" No more monitors!!! I am going to call and have them picked up! Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are starting to feed them orange fruits and veggies. We can also mix different cereals (rice/oat, etc) with fruit and feed them with a spoon. They already get rice cereal in every bottle. If you come over, we hope you either wear an orange shirt or like the color orange!!! We started yesterday and the boys LOVED their food. Emily was already experimenting with the foods and she loves sweet potatoes and carrots, but not squash.

We have been taking them out more now. We went to Target, the Forum, and to watch a tennis match this week. We also had a play date with Tara, Marc, and their two children. It was great to see them, as they haven't seen the children since they were in the hospital. It's hard to commute from Athens with children.

You'll see a few pictures at the top of this posting. Veroniuq and I worked hard to get smiles, but we could only get two at a time. They were a little tired from shopping, but with more practice, I am sure Emily will be ready for her own credit card in no time! For some reason, the pictures turned sideways when uploaded. I am unsure how to fix that, but I think you can enlarge them.

People often ask if we can tell their personalities already. The answer is yes! We see differences all the time! Their strengths are different, their personalities are different, and they all do different things first. I feel like we are getting firsts all the time. This morning, I watched Nathan roll all over the crib - good thing he is on his own. The problem was, he couldn't get to the corner he wanted, but it was really neat to watch him try. Maybe next time it won't be 4 in the morning. Daniel woke up at 3, rolled over and cooed until I came in. He gave me a huge grin, then fell back to sleep when I rolled him back over. Emily - she is like me - she loooovvvveeesss her sleep! I am jealous that she actually gets all of her sleep in!!!

Next week, Will is going to Chicago. My parents will be in town helping with the children. I think it will only get more and more fun for visitors as the children now like to do things! I'm amazed by them every day!

We can leave the house!!!

Now that we are out of the house - we have lots more energy and have made lots of friends! Last week, we went to the outlet mall and had a great time going in and out of stores.

We also have been slowly getting out visiting friends. Our first play date was with our friends, Clay and Kim and their twin boys Alex and Owen! We had a great time at their house and the children even napped! Yesterday, we went shopping and had lunch with the Mary and her triplets. All six children were remarkably well behaved. Both of these trips have given me the confidence that we can do it again and again! I forgot to take pictures of our first playdate together, but I'm sure there will be many more!

At home, we have lots more energy and like to play in our exersaucer and jumpy seats. The boys can sit on their own for a little bit longer. All of them like to stand. Emily did a move that looked like a frog on Saturday (she put her knees in front of her and lurched forward). It was great! They all roll over often from their backs to tummies and from their tummies to sides. They also love playing in their ball pit (as you can see from the picture). I feel like there are new firsts every day - it makes us smile!!!!

When we came home from the outlet mall, our children did not want to nap. This is so unusual, we laughed and had to film it. Enjoy!!!!

Post-Florida

We had a great time seeing our family in Florida. Unfortunately, we forgot we had the camera for most of the trip. Please forgive us - we have so few pictures. Hopefully Will's family took a few more and can send them to us!!!

We went to Will's family first. Veroniuq and I spent the day with Jen and Isy - enjoying lunch, while Joan and Gail helped take care of the children. They had a really cool swing the children loved! The rehearsal dinner and wedding were absolutely wonderful. Jen looked stunning, and we can see great happiness in their newly blended family. We look forward to spending more time with them next visit!

We went to my parents on Sunday evening. We went to the nursing home and saw Grandma each day. She loved spending time with them. It was very touching. We also invited a few our parent's neighbors over to visit with the children. The babies loved being held by so many gentle loving hands!

The trip felt very short - but the drive was long. It took about 12 hours each way, including stopping for diaper changes and feedings. The children did as well as could be expected, but it was exhausting for all of us.

During the trip, Emily moved into her own crib. She has stayed that way. She would sleep until 10 if we let her. She is such a great sleeper. The boys are still in the same crib and seem to draw strength from each other. They'll move to their own cribs sometime soon.

We are loving watching them grow and change every day. They love to talk and reach for things. They are ready to crawl, except their feet and knees forget to stay on the ground. The boys can stay in a seated position for about 25-30 seconds, and Emily is just a little bit less. She is faster at moving if you brace her feet. She likes to push against you. Daniel loves his jumpy seat and will move his feet all around to make himself move.

Emily tried her first sweet potatoes (Nathan had a little taste, too) after we got back. You can see a picture of her. We'll start feeding them more baby food at 6 months (May 7th), but we are encouraging Emily to eat by offering her veggies she should love.
The video is just a small grouping of pictures.

That's all for now. Have a lovely day! Push play to see a slide show of all pictures.