Our new ride

When you have triplets you go big- big quantities of food & diapers, bouncy chairs and swings, big hours without sleep :), and of course big strollers. We have been going on walks almost daily and have found our other stroller a little cumbersome for trips around the neighborhood. It's great when you are driving somewhere, but to load 3 kids in 3 car seats just to take them out for a quick walk was a little much. Adding to that is the fact that the front wheel on the Triple Decker does not pivot, so you have to pick up the stroller each time you want to make a turn, which is a lot on our curvy bike paths around here!

My support mom in my triplet group owns the newer model Peg Perego triple stroller and brought it over for us to check out. I was sold! I found a great deal on a 2007 model online (it's like buying a car!) and our new ride arrived on Thursday. We already love it. This big time stroller even has a steering wheel to turn those front wheels. I don't think I'll ever get used to the length when pushing a triple stroller, but we think it's pretty much a necessity around here!

Well it hasn't been a fluke. The babies are now sleeping between 8-9 hours in a row. Last night they went from 7:30-4:30 and I got 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Life is good. I do have to warn anyone though that right before bedtime, usually anywhere between 5:30 and 7:30 it might not be a good time to visit or even walk by our house for that matter. We like to refer to this period as "fussy time" at our house. This is when nothing we can do will make the babies happy. I think this is how they get out their extra energy from the day. On the times we try and keep them from fussing they actually sleep worse at night, so we just bear through it. On Tuesday night, our friends Sarah and Ricky came by to watch JP and the babies for a couple hours so Joe and I could go to "Back to School" night for JP. Ricky had to leave a little early, so Sarah was on her own for about 20 minutes. When we came home during fussy time, she was holding 2 in her arms and trying to calm the 3rd. She's so easy going though and and when we walked in she said laughing "I tried!". She said she asked JP what we do when all the babies are crying at once. JP answered "Sometimes, you just have to let them cry." I couldn't have said it better myself buddy.

We have taken JP & the babies to Boulder the past 2 weekends. Last week we only stayed about 1.5 hours because the storm clouds came in, but we did manage to have a nice picnic lunch by Boulder Creek. Yesterday, we spent most of the afternoon there. We first stopped by the bike shop to pump up the front tire on our stroller. Then we headed to lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant- Juanitas. It was pretty comical. The restaurant is pretty small with an even smaller front entrance that turns and steps up as you go in. We unloaded the babies one by one and carried them in. Joe stayed out front, I carried them in and JP stayed at the table until we were all there. Quite a feeling of satisfaction, I must admit. It's all about timing when you eat out with 3 babies. We made sure their bellies were full and they hadn't been sleeping all that long already. We didn't hear a peep the whole time. We have walked uptown to Chipolte & Noodles on several occasions, but this was the 1st time we made it to a "real" order at the table with a waitress place!

After lunch we walked up to "The Hill" to get some new Buff gear for the boys. Joe went to CU, so we always have to make sure we're well stocked. We then met up with Carolyn, Paul & 5.5 month old cousin Willa who drove over from Longmont. We set up camp down by the creek, fed 3 babies and hung out for awhile. JP got soaking wet in the creek and walked back to the car without any pants on- it was Boulder- nobody even noticed. It was a great day.











































Heading out with the new stroller.

3 kids ready to roll! Caitlin:
























Madison:
























Ryan:















































What's better than a new stroller? Building a fort with the new boxes it came in!



















Restaurant dining- triplet style.





















Getting 3 bottles ready to dine alfresco



















Cousin Willa and the girls.

























A little bit of food coma going on here.



















Playing Superman with Paul.













Do we really have to go home now?

We officially have ourselves a Kindergartener!!

What a big week for us! JP is officially part of "the system" now- the public school system that is. It's a little scary for me to know that there's no turning back now! I feel like he's grown up so much even in the 1st week- Joe and I just keep saying what a big kid.

Most of you know that we live in a neighborhood that was formally the old Stapleton Airport. Our community is only 5.5 years old, but already has 2 grade schools and a charter school within it. At Joe's school alone, there are 5 kindergarten classes this year. That means over 125 kids were starting full day kindergarten on Monday (they don't offer 1/2 day at his school). It was crazy.

After some Lucky Charms cereal (for good luck) and pictures, I walked with JP and some of the neighbors down to the school bus stop 2 blocks away. He was very excited, that is until the big yellow bus pulled up. Instant fear set in. The tears started and I practically was shoving my little boy onto the bus telling him I would meet him at school. Once at school, he hoped off the bus, very happy to see me, and we set out to find the Kindergarten door. I couldn't believe that nobody was there directing kids where to go- thank goodness I met Joe's bus. How it works at Bill Roberts Elementary is that all kids wait outside until the 1st bell rings. Then, the teachers come out and escort their class inside. With 125+ kids and parents waiting to go in and not really knowing how everything works, it was a little crazy to say the least. I went inside with him after his teacher Mrs. Canale came out and made sure he made it to a seat on the carpet. There were a few more tears as I was getting ready to leave but I told him it was OK to be scared and I knew he would have a lot of fun. I'm sure it was much harder on me than him!

I was looking at the clock all day and couldn't wait until 3:30. Then came my big kid hopping off the school bus waving goodbye to the driver. He was wearing his name tag, a "1st day of school" hat he made and a pinned-on note with his bus number- so cute! He was happy and excited and had a great day. He made some new friends, did some artwork, had music class (he told me his music teacher told his class they had better rhythm than the 3rd graders), had hot lunch in the cafeteria, had gym class. His teacher gave him a good helper sticker and a kiss (Hershey's) when he left for the day. His Dad says he wishes he could go to Bill Roberts school. If you're wondering how I was able to get him to tell me so much, its because we greeted him with a "Way to Go" balloon and chocolate cupcakes after school. You can get out a lot of info over a chocolate cupcake!

On Tuesday, JP was excited for school. At the bus stop, there was a little hesitancy to get on, but no tears. I met him at school one more time and made sure he knew where to walk to. I told him I wasn't supposed to go in the school with him when his teacher came out, but that's when the tears started. So, I took him inside to his classroom door and told him the teacher didn't want me to go inside- which actually is the truth. He gave me about 6 hugs and again I had to leave my little boy with tears. But sure enough, it was a happy kid who stepped off the bus that afternoon with lots of new stories. We also heard details about the call we received that morning from the school nurse. Joe and I laugh that we were probably her 1st call of the year! Evidently JP ran into a piece of playground equipment on recess and got a big goose egg on his forehead. She was just calling to let us know to expect it and that she was putting ice on it. I talked to JP on the phone and he seemed fine about the whole thing and wanted to stay at school. Sure enough, there was a big bump on his head, but by Wednesday morning it almost gone.

I think Wednesday was the hardest day for me, because I had to put JP on the bus and then wait all day to see how he did. At least in preschool I could control when he came and went. I couldn't be there to make sure he went in the right direction. Of course all went well and he told me he wasn't even scared. Of course, he also told me he went to the wrong door first, but I'm thinking he was just curious to see what was behind "door #2". Thursday and Friday went well also. I think he really likes all the changes in scenery during the day. He has seperate music, gym, and art teachers, eats lunch in a cafeteria and has a whole new set of playground equipment to play on. What a big kid!

We also had one more exciting thing happen this week. Last night, the babies went 8 hours between feedings! It may have been a fluke, but I know they can do it now- YEAH!!



















Hanging out with the trips before school.



















They love watching every move their big brother takes.

























All ready to go.

























I'm not so sure about this.

























Getting off the bus at school.

























After his 1st day.

























"Yeah- my brother likes school!" Caitlin says


Here's a video after a successful 1st week. Now I see why they put 2 boxes of bandaids on the school supply list. My son will use his fair share. Sorry I took this video sideways!

The "3" are Three Months Old

Wow- Three months already. It's so much fun to see the new changes that are occurring with the babies everyday. Things are always so busy around here it seems like I turn around and another week just went by. Joe and I are really trying to savor this time when they are so little because we know how quickly it goes (as we get ready to put our first "baby" on a school bus tomorrow).

This week was filled with both fun and sadness. On Tuesday, we found out that a very good friend had passed away unexpectedly. Terry Edgar was 81 when she passed away, but so much younger in spirit. Joe grew up with his family spending holidays and vacations with the Edgars. Because her youngest son and his family live in Denver, we usually always tried to get together when either set of parents came for a visit from Massachusetts. I had only known Terry for about 8 years myself, but consider myself lucky to have called her a friend. She phoned me several times while I was on bed rest just to check in and tell me she just knew everything was going to turn out fine with the babies. Joe and Terry shared the same birthday- Feb. 20th, and every year Terry would call to wish him a Happy Birthday on their day. Joe and I both will miss her very much. Please say a prayer for their family as they go through this difficult time.

JP had a fun on his week off from school. His old babysitter Nonnie had him come over on Tuesday and Thursday to play with his friend Ally. On Thursday night, we went to a class lemonade at his school and were able to see his new classroom and meet his teacher. My girlfriends Stephanie, Tara and their mom Cheryl came over to watch the triplets so we could go to the event. These guys are such pros that they told us to take our time, so we told JP he could pick a restaurant to eat at after- he picked Red Robin of course. On Saturday, Ally's family took Joe swimming and out to eat and finally today we went to a party with friends that all have a common bond- Linda (Nonnie). It's like a small family reunion when we all get together and we always are amazed on how big the kids have gotten. Linda has been a babysitter for over 20 years and it is such a tribute to her that everyone has remained so close.

Here's some pictures from the week:


















Madison (top) and Caitlin (bottom)



















This one would have been better if Maddi didn't spit up right before I took it!



















Daddy and his girls.



















Ryan and Maddi

























Madison

























Who's funnier than Mommy?

Goodbye Preschool, Kindergarten here I come!

Yesterday was JP's last day at Primrose Preschool. He graduated in May, but continued on 3 days a week for "Summer Camp". It was a little sad for his Dad and I knowing that this was our last trip to the little school. We took the triplets and both walked to pick him up. I'm sure in a few years his memories will start fading away of everything he did, but I know he will remember it as a happy place where he had fun and hopefully it has started a long love of learning.

This little school is only about 4 blocks from our house and we loved being able to walk or ride his bike there. In the past 2 years, we have watched him grow as he took his first school bus rides and field trips, he learned what "listening ears" are and that he should use them, he learned themes such a caring and cooperation, making friends and playing silly games on recess such as Superheros and Ice Cream Truck, he now knows more Spanish than I do, he loves music and making rhythms, he loves art projects, especially making patterns and he can now sound out words and attempt to "spell" them.

On Tuesday, my friends Merrillyn and Ellen came over for a few hours to watch the triplets so JP and I could have a "date" (thanks guys!). On our date we went to Walmart to buy his school supplies for Kindergarten and we went out to lunch. The amount of school supplies was a big shock for me. It had everything on it from 10 glue sticks, 32 sharpened pencils, 2 packs of each: markers, colored pencils, dry erase markers, crayons, and even pipe cleaners and beads just to name a few. $65 dollars later (that did include a $10 backpack), and we are set. His first day is August 18th.

Other than that things are going well, busy as always. Joe has started travelling once a week for work again and I am able to hold down the fort just fine. A little less sleep when he's gone, but I have help from neighbors and Anne, so it is very doable. Joe has been working on his MBA at DU for the past couple of years also (one class at a time), so we are gearing up for his latest final which means lots of study time on his part. The good news is that when its over, we usually get him to ourselves for about a week or so between classes. We are hoping to make it up to the mountains for a weekend here soon. That should be interesting with now 6 of us!!



















Maddi getting ready to go pick up her brother.



















Primrose School.

























Joe showing the helper chart.



















Playing with some toys one last time.
















































Teachers Miss Virginia and Miss Corrine

























Getting ready for the ride home.

























Who wants to go to Primrose next?



















Today was the last day of t-ball. Here JP is giving his dad five after reaching home plate

























Receiving his medal for a good 1st season.

Happy Baby

Not much new here. Everyone is doing well- healthy and happy. Here are some pictures from the week:

























Hey who put this cow on my head? JP of course!
It's from a song by the Laurie Berkner Band "Ryan's got a cow on his head..."

























Anne with some cuties



















The Balluff girls visit the kids.

























Anne & Maddi

























Where are we going Mom? To the sand park with big bro Joe

























I think I'll sleep this one out.

























I find this trip a little boring- why can't I play in the sand?



















10 little piggies

























JP having fun