Life Lately in Quarantine

This is what blogging looks like now. Baby on me, standing to keep moving so said baby will continue to snooze. Two more babies behind me in swings. Nap times are precious real estate of time and especially precious when both brothers are at Nana and Grampy's house! So I'm taking this second to blog....before feeding #800000000 begins. 

The darn Coronavirus has put a damper of everyone's spring but we are not complaining. We are healthy and together and we pray for those who are suffering. It makes for very long days and fast nights (ha!) and entertaining two toddlers and taking care of three infants is made even harder by not being able to go anywhere or have the help that we had planned on having due to this virus. Praying it ends soon! 

Since preschool is out for the boys, I've tried to come up with some activities to keep Henry learning but to be honest, there's just a lot of play and television happening right now, which I'm fine with. I also cracked up at this meme because with boys, it's 100% true! Wrestling all day long. I'm good with it until it's almost bed time and then I lose it. What is with boys?!?!

On the nice days, we've done our best to spend at least and hour or two outside. We even play in the rain. Whatever we can do to get some energy out! 

Easter was a beautiful day despite not being able to worship in our church with our congregation. We know that the whole body of Christ was celebrating that beautiful day in their homes with their families and we prayed to be connected to everyone in our praise and hearts. It will be such a sweet moment to be back together in our little church building and see our church family again. 

We dressed up the kids in their Easter outfits just to go have dinner at my mom and dads. They looked so adorable and I actually was able to get a decent one of all 5 kids! Even if the boys had to be bribed with cookies. 

Claire, Audrey and Kate

We've spent a lot of time just enjoying our moments together. Sure, 50% of this time is chaos and frustrating but the other 50% is really lovely! Ha! We miss our family and friends very much. For Henry and I (the extroverts of our family) this is very hard. I have to get out of the house at least once a day or I will go nuts. 

My buddy and I got out of the house to grab a milkshake the other day! It was his first from "Old McDonalds"! Lets just say he enjoyed it. 

(A, C and K- enjoying some time with daddy and I before bath)

 Audrey snuggling Kate in a milky dream.

Kate the great all smiley in the morning!

 Kate and Claire (who has the best faces)

A rare moment that they were all happy in their 4moms contraptions. We have one of every baby equipment out there. They liked these at first but now it seems they prefer the regular swing or lets be honest...someone's arms. Ha! 

Little Miss Audrey

Graham has found the dress up clothes. He decided to be Buzz this particular morning.

Daddy's girl (Claire)

Kate

Claire and Daddy

Claire, Kate and Audrey in their cute onesies from their cousin Finley! These girls have the cutest clothes, I get them dressed every day just so they can wear the outfits! Their closet is full of dresses, once the weather gets consistently warmer we will be breaking those out! 

Audrey, Kate and Claire

Best big brother

Hard to get this kid to smile. We spent FOUR hours at Lazy 5 Ranch one afternoon. That is a story for another day. Lets just say we won't be going back any time soon! 

I hope you are all holding up well and making the most of the time you have with your family. When this is over, I can't wait to give my family and friends the biggest smile and hugs! Praying you all stay safe and healthy! 

Life Lately- long overdue update!

I can't believe tomorrow is Thanksgiving! This year has flown by....and I'm sure it isn't going to slow down anytime soon! I've had lots of people asking about the blog- yes it still exists but it's owner is super tired and when I have a minute in the evening I fall asleep on the couch watching FRIENDS instead of blogging. Real life. I honestly feel like I have nothing really interesting to share, that's part of the reason I haven't blogged lately. I just have to remember it's a memory book for myself too so it's still important. 

These three have been keeping me plenty busy! Henry will be three in a month and Graham just turned 19 months. This age is so fun. 

This kid is such a charmer and schmoozer. He has the BEST grin and the minute he sees me get out my camera he hollers "Cheese"! He is a busy boy from the minute he wakes up to the minute he goes down to sleep. When I say busy, I mean into everything. Lots of mischief. He is also my sweetest snuggle buddy and gives the best hugs. He squeezes you like he means it. 

These two are starting to play along with each other much better. I think now that Graham actually understands a little bit more "how to play" and not just DESTROY everything, they are having more fun together. The wrestling that goes on ALL day long is hilarious to watch. 

Henry is so much fun right now. He definitely is starting to seem more like a little boy than a toddler now (except when throwing tantrums...heaven help us). He can hold great conversations and just says the funniest things. When he first tried on these striped pjs he said, "Mom! I look like a candy cane! Lick me". He continues to love school and is learning so much. Potty training is going to commence very soon, as is operation get rid of paci. Poor kid. He has so many changes going to be happening, I hope we don't screw him up too much! 

Christmas is going to be magical this year. Both boys were so excited to put up the tree and love driving around the neighborhood once it's dark and looking at lights. Graham literally screeches in delight at each house that has lights or blow up characters. 

We turned our dining room into a playroom because it just made sense to have a space for them to play on the first floor where I can keep an eye on them. Plus I would have them nearby when I'm downstairs with the girls. The house is a work in progress. Since we took it off the market and decided to stay for another year and half we've been organizing, decluttering and just trying to make this house work for a family of seven. Obviously, it's possible and a lot of people squeeze far more family members into smaller houses. We are thankful for what we have. I just want to make the space more efficient and work for us, not against us. I'll take some pictures when we are done with all the spaces. 

   

 

                             

    

Triplet update!

Can you believe that belly? Bottom pic is from tonight- 26 weeks on the dot. It's funny how much smaller it looks when it's all covered up. To think I still have 6-8 weeks left (hopefully!) amazes me. I asked the doctor how much bigger I'm going to get and he just laughed. 

The girls are growing just beautifully. Today we were able to see them in 4D ultrasound. I had both my mom and mother in law with me today. They were both in awe. These sweet girls are already so loved! 

At 26 weeks they are growing so well and right on track. I think they look a lot like Henry. They are definitely identical though. It was like looking at the same baby three times! Ha!

Here are their stats at 26 weeks (and names)!

Baby A- Audrey Kay 1 lb. 12 ozs

Baby B- Kate Louise 1 lb. 13 ozs

Baby C- Claire Elisabeth 2 lbs. 1 oz

Claire is definitely our chunky monkey...but so far she's been sharing food and the good stuff pretty equally with her sisters. 

We had a Facebook Live shower thrown by my sweet sister and sister in law. It was so nice to be able to share in the joy of the girls impending arrival with sweet family and friends that do not live nearby. We are so blessed by the support and love we've received from everyone. God has blessed us with an awesome village! You guys can not understand how excited I am to dress little girls. The bows, the dresses.... it all excites me to no end! 

So now we patiently wait and hope these girls continue to cook and grow. I won't lie and say it's easy. Pregnancy in general is tough on a person's body but three at once is proving to be more challenging. I'm experiencing lots of hip and pelvic pain and walking quickly anywhere is getting tough. I'm often out of breath or feel Braxton hicks contractions coming on when I over do it. But I'm willing to tough it out and do my best to keep these babies inside til at least week 32! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for this year and always. I feel even more compelled this year to slow down and savor the holiday season and be intentional about what we spend our time doing. Each day truly is a gift! 

Life with baby and a toddler = a beautiful mess

I have been meaning to type this post for a long time. Let's be honest. My free time is only from 12-3 (and even then there are some interruptions, i.e feeding the baby, etc.) and during those hours I try to accomplish something. Sometimes it's to clean the kitchen counters, mop a floor or heavens...take a nap! I have been meaning to blog a REAL life post about life with a toddler and baby and today I'm taking a little time to do it. Baby is playing on the floor next to me as I type. 

I knew it would be a challenge to parent a toddler and a new baby but until you're in the throes of it, you have no idea how HARD it is. They both need you (usually at the same time, ha) and you have some kind of constant guilt of choosing one over the other in those moments. Toddler throws the 3rd tantrum and it's only 9 am. Ugh. Blow out diapers, food on my floor, toys/burp clothes/things ALL OVER MY HOUSE. Taking any trip requires a ton of thought and preparation. Will I need to get them in and out of the car more than once to accomplish what I want on this outing? If so...forget about it. Staying home in pjs it is. We all survive and the day moves on. There's no manual or one size fits all explanation or advice that helps make this stage easier and I think once I come to grips with that it will get better. 

There are lovely things about this time too. Promise. Seeing Henry ask for "Gah" (Graham) in the mornings and when he wakes from nap is heart melting. Watching Graham begin to smile and follow Henry's every move with his eyes is fun as well. Experiencing all those sweet baby moments so quickly again is especially wonderful. I also love the toddler stage and the independence it starts to bring. Henry entertains himself for longer periods of time and I love seeing his imagination start to blossom. Seeing Henry meet family and loved ones and make those connections causes my heart swell too. Such a charmer he is. 

So while I may be covered in drool, not dressed, dishes from all day in the sink, footprints on my floor and more...I will still say I'm so immensely thankful for these two little blessings of mine. God gave them to me and I'm so very grateful. Even the hard days are wonderful because I can call them my children. My life might be a beautiful mess right now but there is no place I'd rather be. So any new mama reading this...take heart. It will get easier and harder and easier again! Ha! Enjoy each stage because it's all over to soon. Babies don't keep.