Random Thoughts

Now that I'm not as sleep-deprived I have more time for thinking random things...

I miss working. Not enough to want to leave my boys, that's for sure. I did enjoy what I was doing though (writing radio ad copy) and I loved the people I was working with. I miss the companionship that came with that, which leads me to my next thought....

I miss my friends! There are some people I haven't seen since about a month before the boys were born - 5 months! Others came by to see me shortly after the boys arrived home and that's been it. I don't know if people are scared to come over or just forget, but people are invited to visit! I miss adult conversations. Baby talk just isn't cutting it :)

I cannot wait for spring! I'm already going nuts being trapped inside because of RSV season, which is probably why I'm so starved for friendship and adult conversation. As difficult as it may be to load up three babies and take them out, I fully intend to do that as soon as the dr. gives the all clear this spring.

I'm thankful for the abundance of books available to new parents. Nick and I made a serious blunder in letting the boys stay up too late at night - we thought it would help them sleep better. WRONG! Thankfully, books like “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child” exist and in a matter of 5 days the boys are back on track and not nearly as cranky.

I've started working out again, thanks to a Christmas gift from Nick's parents. I received Yourself Fitness which runs on our PlayStation 2. It's like a personal trainer in my own living room and boy does she kick my butt! After only 6 workouts I feel so much better about myself and am looking forward to shedding the rest of this pregnancy weight :) Thankfully I can still workout even if the boys aren't napping - they seem to enjoy watching Mommy bounce around the living room like an idiot!

I learned today, thanks to a chart on babycenter.com, that Chase is above average. According to the chart, only a small percentage of children will roll over at 3 months of age and my Chase did just that! It's nice to know that my boys are doing well developmentally according to their actual age and not their adjusted gestational age (something most preemies go by).

I am blessed beyond belief with an amazing husband. I've heard stories from other moms about what a struggle it is just to get their husband to change a diaper, let alone get up for a middle of the night feeding.... My problem? I can't get Nick to sleep in once in a while! He's been on vacation for the last 10 days and he refuses to let me do the 7:30am feeding on my own so that he can sleep in. Instead he insists that I sleep in (multiple times I might add) because my job is harder than his. What a guy!

Alright, that's enough thinking for tonight!

Chase, Jackson and Tyler (front)

 

Jackson, Tyler and Chase taking a nap together

 

Well, they were supposed to be napping anyway...

 

Jackson, Tyler and Chase with all their friends.

4 Months Already

Today Jackson, Tyler and Chase are 4 months old. A whole third of a year has passed already - how did that happen?!

Nick and I find everything the boys do absolutely fascinating. Chase is still the only one rolling over and he's only done it twice so far. Jackson has been teasing us for well over a week now. I really hope one of the boys rolls over by next Tuesday (before Nick goes back to work) so that Nick can witness it!

They're all getting into grabbing at things and a couple of times we've noticed them trying to put those things in their mouths - I wish they'd do that with their pacifiers! Anyway, toys are finally fascinating to them which is fun for us. We'll be buying an exersaucer for them to use soon!

Our first Christmas as a family was a nice one. It was odd and sad at the same time to not get to go home and see family, but we enjoyed our little family all the same :) We opened gifts in the morning and then the boys conked out right after!

They have a 4 month appointment next Friday, the 4th so I'll do an update then. I know they're growing fast though, as they're now completely into the 3-6 month size range and size 1 diapers are getting a little small. I weighed them about a week ago here at home and they were coming in at the following: Jackson 13 pounds 4 oz, Tyler 12 pounds, Chase 13 pounds. Looking at pictures of them, you would think Jackson weighed a lot more than Chase!

Chase and Jackson

 

Jackson and Tyler

  

 

Jackson, Tyler and Chase

 

Jackson, Tyler and Chase on Christmas morning

 

 

Jackson, Tyler and Chase's 4 month picture

Christmas Letter and Picture

Hello Friends & Family,                                                               

Welcome to our Family Christmas Letter, Volume Three. In the next few paragraphs we’ll take you on the enchanting journey that was 2007. We hope you enjoy it!

In January of 2007, Helen and I visited the magical world created by the great Walt Disney. It was my first visit to Disney World and I learned 2 valuable lessons from my visit. First, it’s totally normal as a first time visitor to have sticker shock about the cost of everything, whether it is a banana or a park pass. Second, it really is another world. I felt like I had left America and was hoping I didn’t need a passport to get back to Kansas.

Easter of 2007 we embarked on a road trip to Oklahoma. The highlight of the trip was our visit to the Cowboy Museum (Giddy Up) and the Totem Pole Park (probably won’t be going back to that attraction anytime soon).

In July, we bought our first home. It’s a delightful 3 bedroom ranch with a cute garage door. Being a homeowner is a lot of hard work. I no longer have a number to call in case we have problems. Now I must rely on my handyman skills which can be a little frightening to say the least. Although I must tell you that I have successfully installed a few curtains since moving in. 

Well before all my readers begin to wonder if I will ever mention the most exciting part of our past year please put your wondering's to rest, as I will now fill you in on the most exciting moment of 2007. It began on a cool spring day as Helen and I sat in a waiting room getting ready for our first chance to see our little one. Little did we know our lives were about to change forever. As we began the ultrasound the first words out of the technician’s mouth were “Oh My You’ve Got Two…” then before finishing her sentence she started another one “No Wait There Are Three”. Well 5 months later I finally believed the technician as Jackson, Tyler, and Chase became part of our family.

On August 27^th at 6:11, 6:12, & 6:13 a.m. our 3 precious boys were born! Each spent a little time in the intensive care unit but within a few weeks all 5 of us arrived home to begin a very wild ride! In the nearly 4 months since their arrival our lives have been turned upside down. I’ve estimated in the past 4 months that we have changed nearly 2,400 diapers and washed almost as many bottles. Today the boys are doing great!! They are growing, smiling, and eating a lot. They are a blast to be around and we both feel so lucky to have them with us.

As always no Christmas letter is complete without a top 10 list. This year’s top 10 list is the top ten most random things we did this year. In no particular order:

1.    Attended the KC Royals Opening Day

2.    Experienced a B52 Fly Over

3.    Played Mini-Golf on one of the hardest courses in America

4.    Provided a home for Marbles (a stray cat)

5.    Visited the Precious Moments Center in Carthage, Missouri

6.    Held a Baby Alligator then enjoyed some yummy Gator Jerky

7.    Rejoiced in the Return of Vanilla Coke (see Christmas Letter #2)

8.    Enjoyed a Tulsa Drillers Baseball Game with 200 other people (stadium capacity was 10,000)

9.    Hugged the World’s Tallest Oil Driller (He’s over 75 feet tall)

10.  Took an Air Boat ride through the Everglades

I hope this letter finds you well. We miss you all and hope you have a great Christmas and a fantastic 2008.

Merry Christmas from our family!

We Have a Roller!

I just wanted throw a quick update up here! Things are going well for our family. Jackson, Tyler & Chase are all growing like crazy! Earlier this week we moved them off their 3 hour schedule & now have them on a 4 hour schedule. The transition went seamlessly so the boys were definitely ready to go longer between their feedings. We still get up once a night with them, but they are starting to last a bit longer before waking up to eat.

I now make formula by the pitcher. Crazy, isn't it?  I mix up a 2 qt pitcher of formula and it doesn't even last us a full day. It is absolutely insane how much we go through!

We did hit a developmental milestone this week! On Tuesday the 11th Chase rolled over for the first (and so far only) time! He rolled front to back and did it so quickly that I didn't have time to grab the camera. Jackson & Tyler are both very close to rolling over too... I've video taped an awful lot of rocking back and forth. Below is a picture of Chase teasing Daddy into thinking he was about to witness this amazing feat Chase has accomplished... and then, just so the other two don't feel jealous, is a picture of Jackson & Tyler from earlier today.

In 4 or 5 days I'll be posting our Christmas letter & Christmas card picture!

That's all for now!