Asleep Under the Wheels

Nothing better than a brisk walk with three sleeping beauties ;)

Oh, and one more picture from this weekend. Some of my best helpers and friends from our church that come over once a week to help us with the babies in the evenings. They were here on Friday night to help us and always feed us too! We are so appreciative of their help and generosity.

New Stroller

I know, we have spent a small fortune on strollers. But, I felt like I needed to purchase yet another one last week. The triple side-by-side. At least I am getting all these used! This is actually a really nice stroller for walks and outdoor places--like the zoo, it is just too wide for most doorways (that is why I need all the other ones). I love the way this one rides and it is so easy to push. We have had it less than a week and we have been out for a walk five of the six days, including today when it hit 63 degrees!

Bottles

Bottles. These have been such a pain from the start. Today, when I was making them, Madeleine suggested I take a picture of them. So, I did. Not that I think I will forget making them everyday, but mostly so the girls can someday see the process I took to feed them. I feel like I am doing some sort of science experiement (well, not anymore, I could make these in my sleep). It used to take me about 30 mintues to make them (as long as everything was washed and ready to go) plus probably 10 more minutes to clean up. Now, I think I could do them in about 20 mintues plus clean up. The hardest part about making bottles is the fact that it has to be done everyday and I don't have enough bottles to be able to run them through the dishwasher. I need to hand wash them so I can use them the next day. (John sometimes will wash them at night when I hint to him ;) Also, I can't make up a bunch of days in advance for the same reason, and also, the chemistry of mixing breastmilk and formula (only good for 24-48 hours). I used to label them all, but now I do the same thing each day so I could pick up any bottle in my refridge and know the day and time it was mixed just by where it is positioned. So, each night I wash twelve bottles, and each morning I mix up twelve bottles. And, it is always a relief to know the bottles are done. Only to start over again the next day.

I usually make them in the morning, so I sometimes have about a day and a half of bottles on my top shelf.

When John washes them, he lines up all the same pieces in rows--it is really cute. I just put them anywhere.

It's Almost Time

I have been buying some baby foods here and there to "stock up" for the days when the girls begin eating real food. My plan is to buy some and make some. I made some of Jack's baby food, but sometimes the jars are so convenient! And, depending on the fruit/vegetable, it is so much easier to buy vs. cook, puree and then push through a sieve. Today, I had to make a trip to Babies R Us, and, like I have been doing for a while, I checked out the baby food isle. The Gerber Organic stage I and II were on sale, so I dug out my coupons and picked up 20 of the 2-packs. I was feeling pretty good on the way home considering I had used $7 in coupons AND they were on sale. I felt I loaded up with a 'stash' of food. Then, I realized that I will have to feed three babies. Doing the math...one jar per baby per meal times three meals...nine jars of baby food a day...63 jars a week...humm, I guess I only bought about 4 days of food! Tonight, I also made some spinach for the girls. Spinach is so easy to make. I bought a pound of organic spinach on sale last weekend and boiled it for 5 mintues and then pureed it. I hope the girls like spinach as much as Jack does!

Yum!

PS--It looks the same going in as it does coming out- hehe!

The big day? Madeleine is on vacation the last week in March. So, since I will be solo that week (should be interesting), I am thinking about starting when she gets back--fun stuff! Plus, that gives me a few weeks to make more food.

Warmer Weather...Finally

We have been enjoying the warmer weather these last few days. Jack has been loving to play outside, especially riding is tricycle. It is funny, last summer he had a hard time pedaling and steering at the same time, but yesterday when he got on it for the first time since last fall, he rode it like he has been riding everyday for the last three months! I am not sure how he knew how to do this, maybe it is from the Fisher Price Smart Cycle that he got for his birthday, but he was like an old pro. In fact, he seems a little big for the trike (and I think he was a little small last summer--what a difference a year makes!). Today we went for a walk. I got out our stroller and put the two little girls on one side and Anna on the other. The two girls were a little squished, I think! They quickly fell asleep and we enjoyed the quiet walk. Jack rode is tricycle and we brought Carter along, of course.

I think Kate was asleep before we even left our driveway. Elizabeth screamed until we started moving.

Big boy Jack. We need to get his bike out for him to ride.

Kate before the walk

Early Intervention

The girls were evaluated on Tuesday by early intervention because they were preemies. They all passed with no noticed delays using their corrected ages. To qualify for services, they would need to see a deficit of at least 30% in any one area. They were seen by a speech therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist and developmental therapist. The therapists suggested we have them evaluated again this summer. But, what great news!

Today, they wore jeans for the first time

Looking at their big brother

I love Anna's smile in this picture

A Glimpse

Just a glimpse of the girls' six month pictures taken today. I only had time to snap a few of the process. More to come later...