This weekend has turned out to be a fun filled zoo weekend. Saturday Frank was once again working on the basement so I had to keep the terrific trio out of the house so the didn't just stand at the top of the stairs all days yelling "Hi Daddy, Daddy working. Hi, Uncle Rich. Uncle Rich working. Bang Bang Daddy hammering. YOu get the idea. Sure it's cute and all but how are they supposed to get any work done.
We went to the mall (how shocking) because Ciaran and Colin needed hair cuts. Colin was starting to resemble and old woman who gets her hair done once a week so I knew it was time. What a pleasant experience. They totally loved it this time. Poor Cormac, he cried because he WANTED a hair cut but he doesn't get one! We pretended.
After naps, my mom and I took them the Turtle Back Zoo along with my nephew Michael. Michael slept thru the zoo and never knew he was there. My three walked most of the zoo and were such good little boys. They were running from animal to animal but not once did they not stop when I asked them to stop. They got in the stroller when needed. It's such a difference from even the beginning of the summer when letting them walk was not even an option. We rode the carosel (except Ciaran, he won't do it).
Today we wound up going to Space Farms. Not exactly what I expected. All the animals looked healthy and taken care of BUT the place was pretty stinky and didn't look well maintained. NOT TO MENTION when we arrived the Lions, Tigers and Leopards were all EATING! Mind you, they were eating dead animals, gnawing through bones and gross stuff. I was a little startled and kept the boys away so they wouldn't be traumatized for life! I thought they might warn you when feeding time is when you brought little kids with you. Guess not. It was cool though because they had lots of animals new to the boys. They got to feed baby deer. Pets some goats. And most importand run wild. This zoo was more like a park setting. All grass and big open fields. They took full advantage and romped around the whole place.
Colin got bit by a turkey (well pecked but he says he was "bit by the gobble gobble". I nearly wet my pants it was so funny. He totally did not expect it and the turkey pecked him through the fence. At first he didn't do anything. Just stood there in shock and then he started to cry. And what did Ciaran do?? He said "Mommy said, No touch fence!" He is quite the bugger. Colin stopped crying after about 5 seconds but is still talking about being bit by the gobble gobble!
In the afternoon we went to my mom's to play with the puppies. Here is a video my mom took last week of them with the puppies.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Feeling a little nostalgic!
I was looking through all my photos today on the computer and found the picture I used for the birth announcement. I CANNOT believe these are the same children. They are sooooo tiny. That is just your normal size bobby pillow. (all you moms will know exactly the size I mean.) This was taken on 5/7/07. It is the FIRST picture of the three of them together at home.
How stinkin' cute are they??? I just fall in love with them all over again when I see pics like these. But also am sad to see how quickly they grow up.
I also saw this pic and it cracked me up! Look how FAT they are. This was taken 8/7/07. They were only 4 months old. Even my skinny boy Ciaran is all chubbed up in this picture.
Ok, I know you are probably getting bored but I just love the pictures! Here is the first time I saw my BABIES right before they took them to the NICU. They were kind enough to let me see them all for a few seconds. Ciaran is closest to me, Colin is center and you can't see Cormac's face.
I could do this all day but I have stuff to do!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
HOw do make sure you are doing it right?
The boys are over two years old already. Before you know it they will be in preschool. How do I know I am spending enough time with them? Cuddling them? Playing with them? Just enjoying them?? Without life getting in the way???
I wonder about this all the time. I try and do so much with them every day. I am just hoping I dont look back and say "I should have done this or done that". "I shouldn't have wasted time worrying about little things when THEY are only little for such a short time.
The time will come when they won't want me to hug and kiss them (sniff sniff). They wont want to sit in the same chair as me. They won't want me to "mommy hold you". (which means they want me to pick them up). They will be big boys who will eventually do big boy things.
How do you know you are giving them enough quality time? I am fortunate and I stay at home with them. That said, do you start to take it for granted because you DO spend so much time with them? I certainly hope not. I try to remember every day to just live in the moment. Don't sweat the small stuff. But I still have to be an adult and do household things.
By the end of some days (not most days) I just am done for the day. Will I look back and think "I should have been more patient?" I don't know what to think.
But today (so far) we have laid in bed together in the morning while they drank their milk, we went to the park and played in the playground, we had lunch at Target(their idea, not mine) and now they are napping. All the while I am hugging and kissing them. So, maybe I am doing enough. I never want to have any regrets when it comes to my children. It's the one thing I have to do right....Their future depends on it.
Oh, by the way, we had a photoshoot done recently. I emailed it to a lot of people so if you saw these already I apologize but I was so excited about the results. Click here to view photos
If it asks for a password: parktots08
I wonder about this all the time. I try and do so much with them every day. I am just hoping I dont look back and say "I should have done this or done that". "I shouldn't have wasted time worrying about little things when THEY are only little for such a short time.
The time will come when they won't want me to hug and kiss them (sniff sniff). They wont want to sit in the same chair as me. They won't want me to "mommy hold you". (which means they want me to pick them up). They will be big boys who will eventually do big boy things.
How do you know you are giving them enough quality time? I am fortunate and I stay at home with them. That said, do you start to take it for granted because you DO spend so much time with them? I certainly hope not. I try to remember every day to just live in the moment. Don't sweat the small stuff. But I still have to be an adult and do household things.
By the end of some days (not most days) I just am done for the day. Will I look back and think "I should have been more patient?" I don't know what to think.
But today (so far) we have laid in bed together in the morning while they drank their milk, we went to the park and played in the playground, we had lunch at Target(their idea, not mine) and now they are napping. All the while I am hugging and kissing them. So, maybe I am doing enough. I never want to have any regrets when it comes to my children. It's the one thing I have to do right....Their future depends on it.
Oh, by the way, we had a photoshoot done recently. I emailed it to a lot of people so if you saw these already I apologize but I was so excited about the results. Click here to view photos
If it asks for a password: parktots08
Monday, August 18, 2008
Where do the days go?
I just realized I haven't posted anything is almost a week. We have been jam packed with activities lately. I am trying to get the most out of the last few weeks of summer. We have not been in the house AT ALL. We have either been at the beach or at the park or at a party. You name it and we have been doing it. I feel like we have turned a corner for activities. I have always taken them everywhere by myself except for places I think is unsafe for one adult and three babies. This used to include our front yard. BUT now that my boys have decided to act like big boys I am able to use the front yard and driveway. We can ride bikes and use sidewalk chalk. They "rake" the lawn for frank and have also dug a giant hole. BUT THEY ARE HAVING FUN!!!
Yesterday, we went to Turtle Back Zoo. We started on the train for the first time they were able to sit in their own seats and not on our laps. They LOVED IT. We went to the pony rides but only Cormac rode the pony. Strange because Ciaran is obsessed with horses but wouldn't go on. Colin wanted to go but he wanted me with him and I was not allowed. Next we headed to the new bird aviary. IT WAS AMAZING! Hundreds of birds (mostly parkeets) and it was all enclosed. You can buy feed sticks and the birds land on the sticks. Ciaran, Colin and Cormac thought it was a hoot! They were smiling from ear to ear and laughing like crazy. I took some pics and videos but am having problems uploading. (I finally got a new camera thanks to my mom. It's an awesome camera and she got it for nothing. We thought it was a scam but it turned out to be true. Wait til you see how nice the pictures came out)
Anyway, next we headed to the carosel. Ciaran wouldn't ride it so Frank stayed with him. I took Cormac and Colin and they just were so happy. At that point the boys were exhausted and we headed home.
Here is a little slideshow of the birds. You will see how much they loved it
Later we went to Verona Park and fed the ducks and played on the playground. By the time we finished they were asking to go to bed! ALl was quiet until 7:30am! Yeah for Mommy! Extra sleep.
Yesterday, we went to Turtle Back Zoo. We started on the train for the first time they were able to sit in their own seats and not on our laps. They LOVED IT. We went to the pony rides but only Cormac rode the pony. Strange because Ciaran is obsessed with horses but wouldn't go on. Colin wanted to go but he wanted me with him and I was not allowed. Next we headed to the new bird aviary. IT WAS AMAZING! Hundreds of birds (mostly parkeets) and it was all enclosed. You can buy feed sticks and the birds land on the sticks. Ciaran, Colin and Cormac thought it was a hoot! They were smiling from ear to ear and laughing like crazy. I took some pics and videos but am having problems uploading. (I finally got a new camera thanks to my mom. It's an awesome camera and she got it for nothing. We thought it was a scam but it turned out to be true. Wait til you see how nice the pictures came out)
Anyway, next we headed to the carosel. Ciaran wouldn't ride it so Frank stayed with him. I took Cormac and Colin and they just were so happy. At that point the boys were exhausted and we headed home.
Here is a little slideshow of the birds. You will see how much they loved it
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Later we went to Verona Park and fed the ducks and played on the playground. By the time we finished they were asking to go to bed! ALl was quiet until 7:30am! Yeah for Mommy! Extra sleep.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
4 days, 17 women and 1 man!
Yep, that's how the trip to Memphis ended up. I couldn't of had a better time unless Frank had traveled with us. I arrived on Friday afternoon. At 5pm we went over to the Peabody Hotel to watch the Peabody Ducks. It was a long wait and really not that big of a deal but it was fun. They make a big production because the ducks climb out of the fountain in the lobby and walk into the elevator. They then ride the elevator to the roof where they live. It's called "Duckingham Palace".
By 7 we were on a riverboat cruise. There was food, music and dancing. Lots of alcohol. After the river boats we headed to Beale Street. Basically, a street filled with bars and restaurants that is blocked to traffic. YOu can come and go as you please along with your drinks. At some point we wound up in Coyote Ugly. At that point things get a little crazy and next thing we know it's Golden Girls Gone Wild. (all the aunts on the trip were being referred to as the Golden Girls.) They were up on the bar dancing. Totally hilarious. Not quite sure when we arrived back at the hotel but we were up bright and early.
We headed to Graceland on Saturday. We spent hours at Graceland. It was such a cool place. Not quite what you expect. You have to put it all in perspective. A mansion from the 70's is smaller than most new developments going up around us now. However, the grounds are huge. I can't remember how many acres but a lot. The pool was just a small kidney shaped pool. Smaller than most people's pools today. Tons of history and memories were made at this house. The pictures and memorabilia were amazing to see.
We also saw all of his cars. There were tons of them. Elvis also had two planes. One plane was bigger than the plane I flew to Memphis on. That is how you realize how much money he had at the time. No one has a plane like that.
We also visited the Civil Rights Museum. It was created on the property of the Laraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr was assinated. It was a pretty moving place to visit. Somehow my brain can't seem to comprehend how horribly a human being can treat another human being.
I was able to to visit Slave Haven Underground Railroad. Another place I didn't think I would ever see but am glad to have had the opportunity to visit.
We did so much in such a short amount of time. I can't possibly put in words all we did and all the fun. I was glad to get away but even happier to return back home to my lovely family.
Not seeing the boys for a few days was tough but I think we all needed it. When they saw me for the first time on Tuesday I couldn't have had a better welcome. Ciaran said "Mommy, you really here?" and just kept repeating it and rubbing my arms and legs like if he didn't touch me I might go away. Colin said "Mommy, you met Elvis?" And Cormac did his best Elvis impersonation and said "thank you, thank you very much".
I feel revitalized. I think every six months a Mom should get away for a day or two to rejuvinate herself. (AKA having cocktails and dinner with her girlfriends). I am lucky I still get out socially pretty often. But going away.....
Pictures to follow.
By 7 we were on a riverboat cruise. There was food, music and dancing. Lots of alcohol. After the river boats we headed to Beale Street. Basically, a street filled with bars and restaurants that is blocked to traffic. YOu can come and go as you please along with your drinks. At some point we wound up in Coyote Ugly. At that point things get a little crazy and next thing we know it's Golden Girls Gone Wild. (all the aunts on the trip were being referred to as the Golden Girls.) They were up on the bar dancing. Totally hilarious. Not quite sure when we arrived back at the hotel but we were up bright and early.
We headed to Graceland on Saturday. We spent hours at Graceland. It was such a cool place. Not quite what you expect. You have to put it all in perspective. A mansion from the 70's is smaller than most new developments going up around us now. However, the grounds are huge. I can't remember how many acres but a lot. The pool was just a small kidney shaped pool. Smaller than most people's pools today. Tons of history and memories were made at this house. The pictures and memorabilia were amazing to see.
We also saw all of his cars. There were tons of them. Elvis also had two planes. One plane was bigger than the plane I flew to Memphis on. That is how you realize how much money he had at the time. No one has a plane like that.
We also visited the Civil Rights Museum. It was created on the property of the Laraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr was assinated. It was a pretty moving place to visit. Somehow my brain can't seem to comprehend how horribly a human being can treat another human being.
I was able to to visit Slave Haven Underground Railroad. Another place I didn't think I would ever see but am glad to have had the opportunity to visit.
We did so much in such a short amount of time. I can't possibly put in words all we did and all the fun. I was glad to get away but even happier to return back home to my lovely family.
Not seeing the boys for a few days was tough but I think we all needed it. When they saw me for the first time on Tuesday I couldn't have had a better welcome. Ciaran said "Mommy, you really here?" and just kept repeating it and rubbing my arms and legs like if he didn't touch me I might go away. Colin said "Mommy, you met Elvis?" And Cormac did his best Elvis impersonation and said "thank you, thank you very much".
I feel revitalized. I think every six months a Mom should get away for a day or two to rejuvinate herself. (AKA having cocktails and dinner with her girlfriends). I am lucky I still get out socially pretty often. But going away.....
Pictures to follow.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Why didn't I shower and comb my hair???
I headed to Summit Speech School this morning with Cormac for our usual Wednesday group class. When we arrive they ask if it's ok if they film the class for a local network doing a special on the school. Of course, this morning I had not time so I didn't even take a shower and threw on jeans and a tshirt and pulled my hair back. I figure not so bad from far away for group shots..... I was asked to talk about Cormac. All by my lonesome on camera. Close up and all. YIKES!! I didn't even look in the mirror. I figure, what can be done at this point. I talked about Cormac and told a little of our story and me being me I started to cry at the end and had to wrap it up.
I wasn't crying because I was sad but crying because I can't believe how much our lives have changed since Cormac received his implants. I can't believe how lucky we are to live in this world where this amazing technology exists to allow my deaf son to hear and to speak. I just thank God everyday for this wonderful experience. Sure, if Cormac was born years ago and we didn't have a the option of an implant we would have adapted our lives to whatever needed to be done. Just like we adapted our lives to making sure Cormac gets the most benefit from his implants at all times.
Once it goes on air they will post it on their website and I can share the link (if I don't look too scary!)
On the way home I got pulled over by the police for talking on my cell phone with no hands free device. I ALWAYS use a hands free but it wasn't charged and I was just telling my mom we were on our way home. It was like 30 seconds. Darn cop caught me. I figure I will use my good looks and charm to not get a ticket. Then I finally looked in the mirror. HOLY CRAP! I am really kicking myself at this point for leaving the house with no shower! OK, Plan B. I pull out the triplet card. Yep, I proceed to tell him Cormac is a triplet and his brothers are home and I just was telling my mom I'd be home in a little while. I got a written warning. Not sure what it means but I don't pay anything. I guess it's just on record so if I get caught again I get a ticket.
Writing this blog I sometimes find it hard to balance writing about Cormac too much and never want to feel like I am not mentioning Ciaran and Colin also.
Ciaran is such a cuddle bug these days. HE is permanatly attached to me and my mom says if it was up to him he would crawl back inside me! He tests me daily and tests his limits daily. His little grin is what I call a shit eatin' grin and I look forward to it so much. I love the fact that when he really smiles his eyes shut and he can't control it. I love that he calls himself "ree ree".
Colin continues to be a joker. He cracks himself up and others. He is kind. I noticed recently he started saying please and thank you without being reminded. Just yesterday Ciaran brought him his favorite red shovel and Colin said "thank you, Ree Ree". Just makes you smile. You can't look at Colin without smiling. He has perfected a high pitch squeal when someone takes his toys and we are working on stopping it before I can no longer hear. I love that he calls himself "Ollie" instead of Colin. I love that he enjoys every second of the day.
They are really talking at this point. I can have entire conversations with them. THey are starting to talk to each other instead of at each other. They say "sorry" or "thank you" or "no" and the most popular these days "MY TURN".
Raising triplets sure presents lots of challenges each day. You never know what to expect. Some days are harder than others but at the end of the day when my three little monkeys are in their cribs and says "night, night, Mommy. Love you" you tend to forget anything difficult and just remember the good fun.
I wasn't crying because I was sad but crying because I can't believe how much our lives have changed since Cormac received his implants. I can't believe how lucky we are to live in this world where this amazing technology exists to allow my deaf son to hear and to speak. I just thank God everyday for this wonderful experience. Sure, if Cormac was born years ago and we didn't have a the option of an implant we would have adapted our lives to whatever needed to be done. Just like we adapted our lives to making sure Cormac gets the most benefit from his implants at all times.
Once it goes on air they will post it on their website and I can share the link (if I don't look too scary!)
On the way home I got pulled over by the police for talking on my cell phone with no hands free device. I ALWAYS use a hands free but it wasn't charged and I was just telling my mom we were on our way home. It was like 30 seconds. Darn cop caught me. I figure I will use my good looks and charm to not get a ticket. Then I finally looked in the mirror. HOLY CRAP! I am really kicking myself at this point for leaving the house with no shower! OK, Plan B. I pull out the triplet card. Yep, I proceed to tell him Cormac is a triplet and his brothers are home and I just was telling my mom I'd be home in a little while. I got a written warning. Not sure what it means but I don't pay anything. I guess it's just on record so if I get caught again I get a ticket.
Writing this blog I sometimes find it hard to balance writing about Cormac too much and never want to feel like I am not mentioning Ciaran and Colin also.
Ciaran is such a cuddle bug these days. HE is permanatly attached to me and my mom says if it was up to him he would crawl back inside me! He tests me daily and tests his limits daily. His little grin is what I call a shit eatin' grin and I look forward to it so much. I love the fact that when he really smiles his eyes shut and he can't control it. I love that he calls himself "ree ree".
Colin continues to be a joker. He cracks himself up and others. He is kind. I noticed recently he started saying please and thank you without being reminded. Just yesterday Ciaran brought him his favorite red shovel and Colin said "thank you, Ree Ree". Just makes you smile. You can't look at Colin without smiling. He has perfected a high pitch squeal when someone takes his toys and we are working on stopping it before I can no longer hear. I love that he calls himself "Ollie" instead of Colin. I love that he enjoys every second of the day.
They are really talking at this point. I can have entire conversations with them. THey are starting to talk to each other instead of at each other. They say "sorry" or "thank you" or "no" and the most popular these days "MY TURN".
Raising triplets sure presents lots of challenges each day. You never know what to expect. Some days are harder than others but at the end of the day when my three little monkeys are in their cribs and says "night, night, Mommy. Love you" you tend to forget anything difficult and just remember the good fun.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Orange Octagon!
That's what Cormac said today while we were playing with his new peg board. He also said "Purple Triangle", "Blue Square" and "Red Circle". All of these were just spontaneous words he used while stacking the pegs. All of them were completely intelligible and could be understood by anyone. Not only was I amazed at how clearly he said them but I was also pretty astounded he knew all the shapes and colors. From across the room I said to him "Cormac, put the orange octagon in the red circle". You bet he did it!
Yesterday, Frank came home from work and the boys had already finished eating. He said "what did you have for dinner?" and Cormac said "Hot dogs, corn, and rice". It literally brought tears to Frank's eyes. He said it so perfect and he wasn't expecting him to answer the question so correctly!
We went to National night out tonight in our town. Their was a petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses and slides. They had this HUGE bouncy fire truck slide. I asked how old they had to be and the man said if they can climb the ladder they can go on. I sent Cormac in first not knowing if he would understand what he was supposed to do. I told him climb up the ladder. He went right up the ladder, no problems. Got to the top and this slide was SO BIG. It was an 18 foot slide!. We could watch him thru a window in the bounce house. I said "Go, Cormac". He let go and FLEW down the slide it the biggest smile on his face. Colin and Ciaran ran up the ladder as well. They were both a little more cautious on the way down and knew to hold their feet to slow them down. They also had gigantic smiles on their faces but Cormac's was priceless. I don't think he thought he would go so fast but he loved it.
Here's what the firetruck slide looked like.
We used our "super cool" wagon for the event. Here's Frank pulling it
All along for a fun ride
Checking out the baby chicks and bunnies
Frank trying to make sure they didn't kill the bunny!
Cormac on the pony ride
Colin on the pony ride
All three looking up at a fireman who was up on the ladder of his truck
Tonight when we got ready for bed I put them all in their cribs. Cormac was crying which is not like him. I started to take his implants off and he freaked out. I realized thru the crying he was saying "ears on, ears on". He didn't want me to take his implants off. This, of course, made me cry. He doesn't quite understand yet why he can't hear at night. THis is also the first time he has ever gotten upset at night time. It breaks my heart to see him so upset over not being able to hear. I can't really do anything for him. I'm helpless and it sucks to be perfectly honest. I left one of his implants on and he was satisfied. I will sneak in later and remove it from his crib if I can. I can hear it beeping as I type this but it's not bothering anyone so what's the big deal.
Rarely, do things about Cormac's deafness get to me but I have to say this one really did for some reason. In time, I know he will understand more and I can explain it to him but I think for a while it will be tough. I am really not looking forward to the day he starts to ask some hard questions. I am hoping by that time we have instilled enough self confidence in him he doesn't care he has implants and hears differently than others.
Yesterday, Frank came home from work and the boys had already finished eating. He said "what did you have for dinner?" and Cormac said "Hot dogs, corn, and rice". It literally brought tears to Frank's eyes. He said it so perfect and he wasn't expecting him to answer the question so correctly!
We went to National night out tonight in our town. Their was a petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses and slides. They had this HUGE bouncy fire truck slide. I asked how old they had to be and the man said if they can climb the ladder they can go on. I sent Cormac in first not knowing if he would understand what he was supposed to do. I told him climb up the ladder. He went right up the ladder, no problems. Got to the top and this slide was SO BIG. It was an 18 foot slide!. We could watch him thru a window in the bounce house. I said "Go, Cormac". He let go and FLEW down the slide it the biggest smile on his face. Colin and Ciaran ran up the ladder as well. They were both a little more cautious on the way down and knew to hold their feet to slow them down. They also had gigantic smiles on their faces but Cormac's was priceless. I don't think he thought he would go so fast but he loved it.
Here's what the firetruck slide looked like.
We used our "super cool" wagon for the event. Here's Frank pulling it
All along for a fun ride
Checking out the baby chicks and bunnies
Frank trying to make sure they didn't kill the bunny!
Cormac on the pony ride
Colin on the pony ride
All three looking up at a fireman who was up on the ladder of his truck
Tonight when we got ready for bed I put them all in their cribs. Cormac was crying which is not like him. I started to take his implants off and he freaked out. I realized thru the crying he was saying "ears on, ears on". He didn't want me to take his implants off. This, of course, made me cry. He doesn't quite understand yet why he can't hear at night. THis is also the first time he has ever gotten upset at night time. It breaks my heart to see him so upset over not being able to hear. I can't really do anything for him. I'm helpless and it sucks to be perfectly honest. I left one of his implants on and he was satisfied. I will sneak in later and remove it from his crib if I can. I can hear it beeping as I type this but it's not bothering anyone so what's the big deal.
Rarely, do things about Cormac's deafness get to me but I have to say this one really did for some reason. In time, I know he will understand more and I can explain it to him but I think for a while it will be tough. I am really not looking forward to the day he starts to ask some hard questions. I am hoping by that time we have instilled enough self confidence in him he doesn't care he has implants and hears differently than others.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Lookout, Graceland!
A while back Maggie mentioned she was going to Graceland for a long weekend. I didn't think much of it just knew she would be in her glory since she is obsessed with Elvis. As the weeks passed more and more people decided to go on the trip. At last count it was 18 people. Basically, Maggie and her sisters, and all the female cousins with a few friends mixed in. As of Friday I was the only one not going in the entire family. NOT ANY MORE! Thanks to Maggie's generosity I am now leaving on Friday morning and won't be back until Monday night. I am excited to get away but feel guilty for getting away all at the same time.
Frank will be flying solo with the boys for four days. He can more than handle it but I still feel bad leaving him. I probably shouldn't but I can't help it.
If I had to pick a vacation would it be Memphis??? Most likely no but I think who you are with is what makes a trip. All the ladies going on this trip are about one thing: Fun (well I probably could have inserted "beer" into that sentence)
I am sure I will miss the boys terribly but I am sure I will have a blast and be happy to come home to my lil' munchkins.
Speaking of the lil' ones, I hosted a Picture Party on Friday at Verona Park. It was so much fun and I am counting the minutes until I can see the pictures. Check back because I should have them by the end of the week. If you ever want to do this I highly recommend calling Jody. SHe was so awesome with all of the kids. We wound up with about 15 moms and kids for the shots.
Since I "hosted" we went before anyone else got to the park. SHe took tons of pics of me and the boys, then just them together and then individually. I know taking a picture of all three at once is nearly impossible but think ONE had to turn our decent. I guess we will see soon.
We headed down to the beach for the rest of the weekend. I love going there but it sure tires me out! I (or we) don't get as much sleep as we do at home. Two days of waking early takes it's tole.
Props to Maggie because she put my three and Corinne to bed while Juanita went out for the night. They were all asleep by 8:30. Pretty impressive.
Friday, August 1, 2008
How To Talk to a Triplet Mom
I saw this posted on someone else's blog and copied it. It's worth sharing and totally true! I could probably add a few more but I will leave it as is:
How To Talk To A Triplet Mom
Before talking to a triplet mom there are a few things you should know.
1. You must know how to count. Please, please look carefully and count from 1 to 3. If you only see 2 babies then the mom has twins not triplets. If you count all the way up to 3 these are called triplets. Not twins. Three babies is not twins! Some of you are laughing but I can't tell you how often we correct this mistake and by grown people - not kids.
2. Inform the triplet mom that she has the most beautiful triplets you have ever seen. This will get you in her good graces :) Don't begin with "are those real live triplets?" Of course they are, what else would they be? Dead - now that would be a weird thing to push in a stroller.
3. Before asking the sexes look at the babies closely. Are they wearing blue or pink? All the same thing? Sometimes girls wear blue but boys never wear pink so look closely before declaring what they are. It's okay to ask - it's weirder when you tell me what they are because usually you'll be wrong.
4. Ask knowledgable questions. We like that. I haven't met a mom yet who doesn't like to talk about her kids and her pregnancy. Ask things like "how many weeks were you when you had them?" Congratulate those of us who have gone full term (36 weeks with triplets), sympathize with those of us who did not. Please, please, please don't ask if they are natural or if we took some kind of fertility drug. It's invasive and annoying. Does it even matter how a baby is conceived? Original questions are better! "What are their names?" is a decent choice. Compliment name choice even if you hate it - unless, of course, you are trying to end the conversation right then.
5. DO NOT say that the mom has her hands full. She does. She knows this and she's heard it about a thousand times. It's not original.
6. If there are other kids please acknowledge them. Sometimes triplet is all we have but other times we have older or younger kids and they are as much a part of our family as the triplets so please don't leave them out.
7. Please don't ask if we've seen a certain TV show about multiples. Usually we have but unless it's our TV show it doesn't really apply much to our lives.
8. The only time it's acceptable to tell the triplet mom that you know another set of twins/triplets is if they are closely related to you or are your very close friends. I love to hear from grandparents of triplets - partly because it's cute and partly because I know my parents brag about my girls and I hate the thought of another triplet mom being rude to them! Same goes for my best friends - they know a lot of what goes on in my life - they're here all the time and again I hate the thought of someone being rude to them. But if it's a friend of a friend then it just seems like random talk and you have no idea what else to say.
9. As we are all naturally curious about how multiples interact it's perfectly acceptable to ask personality questions for each baby, how they interact with each other, if they notice each other, how they are doing things differently and/or at a different rate. These are intelligible questions and not too personal. Asking who is oldest is fine.
10. Finally watch the mom for clues as to how much of a conversation she wants to have. Your questions may be new to you but they are not to her and sometimes we are in a hurry. We're not trying to be rude but grocery runs can somteims get very long because of all the stops! So, please be polite to us. And, remember that we are human not freak side shows so we have our good days and bad days and sometimes we want to talk about our kids and sometimes we don't.
How To Talk To A Triplet Mom
Before talking to a triplet mom there are a few things you should know.
1. You must know how to count. Please, please look carefully and count from 1 to 3. If you only see 2 babies then the mom has twins not triplets. If you count all the way up to 3 these are called triplets. Not twins. Three babies is not twins! Some of you are laughing but I can't tell you how often we correct this mistake and by grown people - not kids.
2. Inform the triplet mom that she has the most beautiful triplets you have ever seen. This will get you in her good graces :) Don't begin with "are those real live triplets?" Of course they are, what else would they be? Dead - now that would be a weird thing to push in a stroller.
3. Before asking the sexes look at the babies closely. Are they wearing blue or pink? All the same thing? Sometimes girls wear blue but boys never wear pink so look closely before declaring what they are. It's okay to ask - it's weirder when you tell me what they are because usually you'll be wrong.
4. Ask knowledgable questions. We like that. I haven't met a mom yet who doesn't like to talk about her kids and her pregnancy. Ask things like "how many weeks were you when you had them?" Congratulate those of us who have gone full term (36 weeks with triplets), sympathize with those of us who did not. Please, please, please don't ask if they are natural or if we took some kind of fertility drug. It's invasive and annoying. Does it even matter how a baby is conceived? Original questions are better! "What are their names?" is a decent choice. Compliment name choice even if you hate it - unless, of course, you are trying to end the conversation right then.
5. DO NOT say that the mom has her hands full. She does. She knows this and she's heard it about a thousand times. It's not original.
6. If there are other kids please acknowledge them. Sometimes triplet is all we have but other times we have older or younger kids and they are as much a part of our family as the triplets so please don't leave them out.
7. Please don't ask if we've seen a certain TV show about multiples. Usually we have but unless it's our TV show it doesn't really apply much to our lives.
8. The only time it's acceptable to tell the triplet mom that you know another set of twins/triplets is if they are closely related to you or are your very close friends. I love to hear from grandparents of triplets - partly because it's cute and partly because I know my parents brag about my girls and I hate the thought of another triplet mom being rude to them! Same goes for my best friends - they know a lot of what goes on in my life - they're here all the time and again I hate the thought of someone being rude to them. But if it's a friend of a friend then it just seems like random talk and you have no idea what else to say.
9. As we are all naturally curious about how multiples interact it's perfectly acceptable to ask personality questions for each baby, how they interact with each other, if they notice each other, how they are doing things differently and/or at a different rate. These are intelligible questions and not too personal. Asking who is oldest is fine.
10. Finally watch the mom for clues as to how much of a conversation she wants to have. Your questions may be new to you but they are not to her and sometimes we are in a hurry. We're not trying to be rude but grocery runs can somteims get very long because of all the stops! So, please be polite to us. And, remember that we are human not freak side shows so we have our good days and bad days and sometimes we want to talk about our kids and sometimes we don't.
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