Ringling Brothers Has Nothing on Us!

People always ask me how I do it. They think there is some big secret to raising triplets and a three year old. My usual response is, you could do it too if you had to. I mean, you really wouldn't have a choice. Yes, it's challenging. Yes, it's exhausting. Yes, it strains you to your limits at times. But, you would survive. And so will we. I've had the experience of raising one baby at a time. Unless you have multiples, there's really no way you could understand what it's like. And that's fine with most people! To me, even twins seem super easy now. When you add that 3rd baby in the mix, things get a little crazy. But, there's so much that's great about raising three babies and a three year old. It's amazing watching these little people learn and grow. So, since nobody has offered to switch places with me for a week or so, I decided to make a video that gives a small glimpse into our day. Of course it doesn't include everything (like the endless cleaning up of toys, washing bottles, laundry load after laundry load, mopping the floor after each meal, and so on) but it's a good look at what our life is like. So, here's to us :)

http://youtu.be/2tM78i2Qz5w   ( I couldn't get the video to upload on here, so just click on the link)

What happened to 1-7??

Eight months!!! Holy cow. When did that happen?? I honestly can't believe my little bambinos are eight whole months old. I don't know why, but for some reason eight months seems so much closer to a year than seven months did. These babies have now been outside of my belly for as long as they were inside of it. And that eight months went by much slower than this. Though my husband may not agree with that. Let's see, who to start with? Let's go with Marissa. If this girl isn't walking pretty shortly, I'll be surprised. She crawls, sits, stands, cruises, climbs and is starting to get brave and let go of the couch for a short period of time. She's fiesty and determined. She is becoming very particular about who she likes. Sometimes she won't let anybody but mommy feed her (which doesn't exactly please mommy!). She takes a while to warm up to people she doesn't know, but once she does she will act as silly as she can with them and laugh and squeal and climb up them. She just does it on her own time. She is the most like Marley of the three of them. She LOVES taking bubble baths and if she has room, she will lay down on her belly in the tub and splash away. She now weighs 16 pounds and has two bottom teeth. Next up is Makayla. She is my tiny, sweet little girl. She looks so little at times, but don't let her size fool you. She can also sit, crawl, stand and is starting to take steps while holding onto the couch. She is still the biggest toy thief of the group and her poor brother is usually the victim. She is also all about mom and takes a while to warm up to people she doesn't know. She weighs 15 pounds and also has two bottom teeth. Last, but not least, is Jack. In one word, Jack would best be described as happy. He smiles throughout most of the day and usually it just takes me looking at him for him to bust out in giggles. He is very cuddly and loves to just be held and snuggled with. He can also sit and crawl. He has started to become more interested in getting around though and his sisters seem to influence him to follow after them. He now weighs 19 1/2 pounds and is atleast two inches taller than the girls. They have all really started playing with each other and entertaining each other. Makayla and Jack probably laugh together the most. Marissa is too busy trying to do new things and explore. Makayla will put a toy behind her head and Jack will laugh so hard at her so she will keep doing it to make him laugh. It's funny to see the things they do that the others find funny. One guaranteed way to have them all laughing hysterically is to put hats on them. I'm not sure why, but they think seeing each other in a hat is the funniest thing. They laugh so hard that they fall over. It is really so cute to watch. So, that is what is going on with the babies as they start this next month of their lives. I'm just doing my best to keep them happy and healthy and out of too much trouble. So far, so good.

Love this

They'd love to go around in just a diaper all of the time

Jack being Jack

One of the best inventions ever for multiples

Bath time!

My girls

Going on our walk

You Are My Sunshine....

Just in case I haven't said it enough, I've got one awesome three year old. I think she keeps me sane sometimes. When I first found out I was pregnant, we were in a dilemma deciding what to do about childcare for Marley & the new "baby." Well, when we found out there were three, we knew I wouldn't be working for awhile. Then we were in a dilemma deciding whether to keep sending Marley to daycare or not. The thing is- she LOVES school. She loves her friends, her teachers, the art projects, playing outside, singing, learning, everything. She looks forward to going to school. And she has learned so much. Things a three year old outside of daycare wouldn't know. Not saying they won't learn it, but it's amazing how much these small brains can soak in. I mean, the girl has "circle time" with her stuffed animals on the weekends. This past weekend, she introduced the babies to "circle time." It wasn't long before all three were being sent to the office though. Apparently the girls wouldn't sit still and Jack was biting everything in sight so that warranted a trip to the office. One day they'll get it. So, it was either send her to daycare where she loves to be or have her sit home, inside all day everyday, watching mom feed, change, entertain three babies and get no outside time and not much one on one time. The choice was pretty clear. We would keep sending her. There are some days I envy moms who just have one baby because then we could still do really fun things with Marley. A trip to the Zoo or Busch Gardens becomes a lot more difficult when you add three babies into the mix. My friends who have a child around Marley's age and one baby are always saying how they go places and things they are doing, and there are times I get a little jealous or down about it, but I know in a few years we are going to be having a blast with our four kids. The thing is, with three babies by yourself, a trip to the grocery store or even my favorite store, Target, isn't really doable. So, back to where I was originally going with this. Marley has been home sick the past two days. And I love it. Of course I don't love that she's sick, but I love that she's home with us. When I tell people she goes to daycare during the day they often say atleast that makes it easier on me. Not really. I prefer having her home. She makes me laugh, but even better, she makes the babies laugh. When I'm feeding Jack and the girls are having a meltdown because I'm not by them, she runs to them and gets their toys and makes them laugh. If one falls down she quickly rubs their head or back and says, "It's okay honey." (Don't ask me where she got that from, neither one of us say honey.) If one is crying it's, "Please don't cry sissy. It's okay." She is really so good with them. People always ask me how she does with three siblings. I honestly think she does better with them than I've ever seen any kid do with just one sibling. Maybe it's because there's not one baby constantly taking my time up for her to be jealous of. Maybe it's because if she wants someone to play with, there's always someone there. But, if she doesn't want to play, the babies still have each other so it's not a big deal. Whatever it is, it's working. The thing is- Marley doesn't know that this isn't normal. She doesn't realize that most parents come home with one baby brother or sister. One of my good friends had a baby yesterday and I was showing Marley the pictures today and she said, "There's her brother. Where's the other two?" So, in her mind, this is normal. She loves the babies with all of her heart and I am so proud of her for that (and a million other things that I won't bore you all with.)

Sweet big sis

Tucking her sisters in for the night

Sister love

She really loves her brother

Such lucky babies

Little sisters are supposed to pester you from time to time

Marley reading to the babies

Marley & Makayla having fun

A Rough Start!

2012 has not been easy so far. The babies have been so sick. They've had awful stomach bugs that have totally disrupted our daily routine, to say the least. In one day I changed atleast 9 outfits and 5 bedsheets. Yes, that was in ONE day. And this has been going on for a week now. Tonight they finally have their appetites back and that makes me so happy! One sick baby is tough, three is enough to make you go a little insane at times. My mom was also sick with this stomach bug so she wasn't even able to come help out. It's never a good sign when you walk in to get a baby out of bed from naptime and the room reeks of baby poop. And it's especially not good when after you remove one smelly baby from the room and you go back in to get the next baby and the room still reeks. Poor Marissa went so bad one day it went up her entire back, over her shoulders and down her belly. How the heck do you pick that up?? One good thing that came out of this, they all now bathe together in the big tub. And love it!!! They cry when I take them out. So now, when the evenings start to drag on a little too long, to the bath we will go! One of my resolutions was to get the babies (and me!) out of the house atleast once a week. If I think about it too much, it gets overwhelming, and we just don't go. Just to get the babies in and out of the car is a chore. The girls go in the way back of the van and to get them in, it's easiest to just lift them up thru the backdoor. Jack & Marley go in the middle row. But, to get the little girls out of the back, I have to take Jack out, remove his base, move that seat out of the way, then crawl in to get each girl. The type of carseat I have is already heavy, add on top of that a 15 lb baby and by time they are snapped in their strollers, I'm wishing someone could push me! Oh, did I mention that the kids and their limo stroller don't fit in the van at the same time? That means someone else has to bring that to wherever we are going. I told you it was work. But, we are going to start getting out. 7 months of home confinement (after 8 months of it during pregnancy) is enough. So, any of you other moms of multiples who are ready for the Boucher Three to crash your playdates, just let me know! Or of course, moms of singles too, I just don't want to scare anyone away too quickly. The next thing that has gotten pretty rough is the babies attachment to me. I've been thru this with Marley and I really didn't think the babies would be so bad about it since they've seen a lot more people in their short lives. Boy, was I wrong! I leave and they cry until I come back. And I don't just mean whimper. I mean red-faced, high-pitched, kicking and screaming fit until either I get back or they fall asleep. Times three. So, who wants to babysit??  All I can figure is that they are always with me. Even if someone else is here, I am too. At night if they wake up, it's usually me they see. In the morning, when they wake up, it's me. So, I guess they want me all of the time. Jack does the best but after 10 minutes of his sisters screaming, I guess he figures there's something to scream about and he joins in too. I know,I know, in time it'll pass. What's three more years of home confinement right? Marley is still doing fantastic. Her and I got to spend some quality time together last night which was great. I love that girl. She's as fun as they come. So, here's to hoping 2012 starts getting a little less smelly and a lot more fun.

Bath time

Ringing in the New Year

Watchin' fireworks

All smiles, all the time

Makayla learning about nature

Marissa seeing what's out there

Triplets at 7 months

2011....A Year for the Record Books!!!

As 2011 comes to a close, I figured I would write a little about this amazing year. It was full of ups and downs, super scary times and super wonderful times, but all in all it's times that I will never, ever forget. The beginning of the year was scary, with our concerns over Makayla. The doctors were so pessimistic about her chances and made it seem like she had almost no chance of surviving. I remember talking to this little girl every day, willing her to fight for herself, and I know so many people prayed for us- and for her specifically- and it worked! In March, I had my 30th birthday, which was spent in bed and throwing up most of the day, but I really didn't care. There will be plenty more birthdays to celebrate. In May, Mike celebrated his birthday, which happened to fall on Mother's Day, and it was our last outing at a restaurant for awhile! And of course, on the 16th, my beautiful triplets were born. I think about May 15th & 16th all of the time. Usually daily. I replay the night before and morning of the babies' birth over and over. It still seems unreal at times. In some ways it seems like yesterday and in other ways it seems ages ago. In August my little Marley turned three. It's such a fun age. Don't get me wrong, you always think your babies/kids are fun, but age three is the best yet. She says such funny things and we just don't know where she gets it from. She is the most amazing big sister. She loves her babies and helps us out so much. She helps me bathe them, feed them, even change poopy diapers. And it's all because she wants to, not because I ask her to. She is still a wild child though and a complete daredevil. My brother, who has twin boys, always says they were never as wild as her. She's just fearless. Please don't let the triplets follow in her footsteps! October was a really rough month, with the loss of Mike's brother Tim. We think about him every day, as we always will. November and December went by really quickly. Marley and the babies had a great Thanksgiving & Christmas. Watching the babies learn and develop has been amazing. In just 7 short months, my babies have really grown up. They are well ahead of what the doctors expect them to be and other than the girls' being a bit small, you would never know they were preemies. I am very excited for 2012 as they celebrate more "firsts," but 2011 will always be one for the record books.

Marissa 7 months ago...

and now

Jack 7 months ago...

and now

Makayla 7 months ago...

and now

Christmas hats!

Marley a year ago

and now

It's been a wonderful year. Thank you to all who have helped us , prayed for us, visited us, sent us stuff, or anything else I'm leaving off. We have wonderful friends and family that we will always be grateful to. Sometimes I don't know if we would have made it without you all!

Santa Claus came to town!

Christmas morning. There's nothing like it. I remember when I was younger, my brother and I would wake up SO early and anxiously wait 'til a decent hour to wake my parents up to open presents. I remember him making me watch The Jetsons cartoon, which I was never a big fan of, and then we would attempt to cook our parents some breakfast. My mom was always very easy to wake up, my dad was another story. But we were relentless and he would get up so we could start. Now, I understand why he didn't want to roll out of bed quite as eagerly as we thought he should. Being a parent is tiring, add on top of that the fact he worked in one week what most people work in two, and I would want to stay in bed just a little while longer too! Every year, Christmas morning is the one day we can count on for Marley to sleep in. Even her 1st Christmas, which she was only 4 months old for, Mike & I waited anxiously for her to get up, debating if we should wake her up or not. But, you know what they say about waking up sleeping babies. I'm sure this will soon change. This year, the triplets made sure we were up bright and early as always, so we took care of feeding and changing them, before we woke Marley up. When we told her Santa had come, she came running out of her room and ran to the living room. "My Dora Kitchen!!" was the first thing she yelled and she immediately went over to it and started (pretend) cooking. She was also very excited about her new Princess Bike from Grandma Boucher and her basketball hoop from Santa. We then put all of her presents in a pile on the couch and she dug in. She showed such excitement with each present and the babies all watched her in awe. They would quickly round up any wrapping paper that got away from her and try a taste, but much to their dismay, we hurried and took it away from them. The babies also got to open some presents and they really seemed to enjoy ripping paper off of things. They got quite a few toys that make lots of noise (just what we need, more noise in this house) and of course those were their favorites. We had celebrated Christmas with my family the night before, as we do every year, and we all received great gifts from everyone. The babies did really good staying up late, but by about 8:30, they let us know it was time to get home. Life works around these babies at the moment. Makayla decided to wake up around 11pm and hang out with me until close to 1am, I guess she thought she'd get a glimpse of Santa. It also took awhile to convince Marley that Santa would only come after she went to sleep, and she finally fell asleep around midnight. Mike's family were also all beyond generous in sending everyone gifts and I would have to say that we have some spoiled, yet very loved, kids! I usually tell people that if they want to buy for our kids, to just buy one gift for Marley and then one gift the babies can share. They each don't need their own toys. But nobody listens and then I feel bad that so much is spent on my kids. However, I also know, that the friends and family who do this, do it because they WANT to, not because they feel obligated, so I need to just relax and be thankful- which I always am. I often sit and look at all of my kids in amazement. I really never thought I'd use the phrases, "my four kids" or "family of six" but again, I'm not the one in charge. For some reason, the babies had their schedules all messed up yesterday, maybe they could sense the excitement, so the entire day consisted of atleast two kids being up at once, and I think Mike was starting to regret taking some time off of work this week. While I was bathing Jack, the little girls were giving him a hard time, I even heard him say, "I'm going to work this week! This is too much!" But, of course, he didn't really mean it and he wouldn't trade a second of this either. The hardest part of the holidays is of course, missing our loved ones. I wish so badly my dad could be here and see all of his grandchildren and just watch the joy in Marley and the twins' faces when they get excited over something. He could watch the triplets grow up and Jack would be his little buddy, beside Keanu and Kaden. I often wonder if Marley wouldn't be so shy of men if she had her Grandpa here because he would show her such love and often wonder what nickname she would have given him that goes with Mimi. I think, whether it's the first or the fiftieth holiday season, that it's never any easier. It makes me sad to know that now my husband and his family have to go thru each season, thinking of Timmy, and wishing he was here too. But, I also know that they wouldn't want us to spend these joyous occasions sad, and celebrating is what they would be doing if they were here, so we need to remember that and honor that. Christmas is such a fun day and I cannot wait to see how much fun it is in the years to come!

The kids' stockings

Christmas morning

Present time!

Marissa and Jack digging in

Marissa found a bunch! And notice little Makayla peeking over

Makayla says, This is fun mom!

Marley & her Princess bike

I think Mike & I have as much fun with this as she does

Time to get my running shoes on

During one of my sonograms with the triplets, we got a shot of their three heads together. I said back then that they were plotting something. I now know what it was. Who can get to the Christmas tree fastest? Or maybe, who can get to big sister's room fastest? Or quite possibly, who can distract mom long enough for the others to get in the playroom and get toys that aren't theirs? My babies are mobile and chasing them down is an all day thing. At first, I could lay on the floor and block them in with my body. But, I am now just seen as a challenge or maybe even as a speedbump, and they just see who can get over me the fastest. They have exploring to do! So, needless to say, Santa will definitely be bringing a pen this year. Today my babies turn 7 months old. It's hard to believe. They are so much fun now and it's exciting to see who will do what each day. Both girls are crawling and Marissa is pulling up on things. Jack can inch around on his tummy and get up on all fours and rock and hop, but he usually just ends up rocking himself to sleep. He would be happy if I just let him jump in his bouncer all day. When he gets tired, he just closes his eyes and goes to sleep. That boy can sleep anywhere. They are doing wonderful with their schedule and bedtime has gotten so much smoother. They are all eating two meals a day and so far they like everything! No picky eaters here :)  Atleast, not yet. Yesterday I changed ten #2 diapers so I guess their digestive systems are working just fine with all the new foods! Anyone who thinks 2 or 3 bad diapers in a day is a lot, just come my way. You will go home feeling lucky! We went and got Christmas pictures last weekend and they actually went pretty good. I was just hoping for one good family picture. It was hard, because the room we were in was so hot and all of the kids were dressed up. Plus, they only had one photographer who was attempting to get everyone's attention and then put the camera to her eye and take the shot. But, we did get a few and everyone cooperated pretty nicely. Marley had her school Christmas play and it was just the most adorable thing. Watching her do things like that make me so proud of her. She got up there and sang and danced and was just the cutest little Rudolph ever. I took the babies to watch her and she was telling everyone those were her sisters and brother. She is such a great big sister. We also got to take her to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas this week and she had a great time. She is really at such a fun age and I wish we were able to do more with her, but before we know it, all 4 kids will be out having fun together. I love watching the babies discover and figure out new things and can't wait to see what they will learn during this month of their lives.

Marissa & Makayla...looking more alike all the time

My happy babies

Marley & Noah headed to see Mickey!

Jack

Marley's school Christmas program

My beautiful girl

Double trouble

Marissa thinking she's funny. Time to move the mattress down already!

Jack jumped himself to sleep