Cars

This past weekend we were invited to a picnic by some good friends of ours. They had plenty of toys for the kids to play with, but best of all, they had cars.

Big Kids at the Big Table

We've graduated from high chairs to booster seats. That's right, the triplets are now sitting at the table with the help of some booster seats. After a lot of research, we decided on the Prince Lionheart Boosterpod. After installation and our first use, I have to say I'm really impressed with them. Installation was easy. They have a soft seat that is still hard enough that it should be pretty easy to clean. We didn't have a really messy meal, so I can't speak from experience yet, but the appearance suggests that we should just be able to wipe it off with a damp cloth. We shall see.

Oh, and the kids seem to like them, too!

In The Beginning: Part Three

It's been a while since I've done one of these. If you missed the first two, I'm just looking back at how things went through Gretchen's Pregnancy with the kids and what life was like for us when the triplets first arrived. You can see Part 1 by clicking here, and part 2 by clicking here.

Looking back on part two, I realized that I forgot some details. J was born first, weighing in at 3lbs. 2oz. and 15 inches long. E was second, weighing 3lbs. 15oz. and measuring 16 and 3/4inches long. K was last, weighing 2lbs. 14oz. and measuring 15 and 3/4 inches long.

The first few days (months) were (still are) a blur. I remember sleeping for a few hours on a chair/bed/torture device thingie that was in Gretch's room the first night. The second night I opted to go home and sleep in my own bed, with Gretchen's permission, of course. We had many visitors in the first few days. My family, Gretchen's family, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Great Aunts and Uncles, friends. Lots of visitors.

Gretch was in the hospital for a few days. A lot of firsts were experienced in those few days. Gretch and I both got to hold J for the first time since she didn't need any help breathing. We also got to see J eat for the first time and hear her burp (loud for such a little thing).

After Gretch was released from the hospital we went back and forth from our house to the hospital almost daily, sometimes two or three times a day. Luckily we live close to the hospital. Unfortunately, there was a major construction project going on to widen the main road between our house and the hospital. Some days it took forever to get there and back. But it was all worth it.

We also experienced a lot of firsts during that month in the Special Care Nursery. I got to change a diaper for the first time ever - that was E, and she decided to initiate me by pooping in the middle of the diaper change! We finally got to hold E and K, and feed them, and change them, too. Little milestones that seemed to mean so much at that point. Every little thing they did was a major accomplishment. And each day I felt more and more confident that Gretch and I would be able to care for these three beautiful children we were given.

Our Trip To The Zoo

Looking back, last week was really busy, lots of fun, and a bit exhausting. Tuesday we went to visit Gretchen's Cousins, Wednesday Grandma and Aunt Katie came to visit us, Thursday our friend Erica brought her two kids over for a pool party, and Friday we met up with Grandpa and Uncle George for a trip to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. We decided to get to the zoo early and try to beat the heat. We got there shortly after the gates opened, and headed straight for Monkey Island. The kids seemed interested, but the monkeys weren't very active, so we moved on to the Giraffes.

All three kids were quite interested in the giraffes, and it appeared that the little giraffe was interested in us as well.

The little one was also interested in food.

After the giraffes, we went in to see the Butterflies. One bright blue butterfly apparently did not like getting it's picture taken, and was fluttering by me at regular intervals. I was only successful in getting one picture of it, but it was very, very blurry. But, I did capture a few others.

After we were done chasing butterflies around, we came back out and found that Slider (The Cleveland Indian's Mascot) had brought his kids to the zoo and was feeding the giraffes. So, we got more pictures of giraffes.

It was quite hot out that day, and this little deer found some shade.

K decided that it was time to rest, and found a spot on the fence.

E thought resting was a good idea.

The bear was sniffing out something good. I told J the bear wanted to have her for lunch, she just waved at him.

The polar bear had just taken a swim before we got there, and was scratching his back on the wall.

K really liked the bear.

J was fading fast.

E was done with the zoo.

Really done.

A little bribery goes a long way. Unfortunately, the Icee didn't go far enough. E was still done with the zoo. I think it was just too hot for her.

Hopefully we'll return to the zoo again later, maybe when the weather gets just a bit cooler.

Visiting Family

Last week we had the opportunity to visit with some of Gretchen's cousins (and E's Godmother). The kids were pretty shy at first, especially E who folded herself in half at the table so that no one could see her. After dinner, though, the kids warmed up when the bubbles and sidewalk chalk were brought out. The bubbles were an especially big hit.

Once the kids got bored with the bubbles and chalk, we moved to the back yard to let the kids run around a bit. They really liked playing with the balls, and E showed off her kicking skills - she's going to be a soccer star!! (Sorry, I didn't get a good picture of her kicking the ball)

E really enjoyed petting Molly, who was also very excited to see the kids. She had to be held down so that she wouldn't tackle the kids!! Of course there was no malicious intent, but she might have loved the kids to death if she was let free!