Update #1

I have been a horrible blogger. I just feel like there isn't enough time in the day to get everything done and this has been put on the backburner for quite a while. But, I want to be able to look back on these posts someday and recall what life was like at this time, so I am going to get some updates written!! Because it's been quite a while since I have written, there have been a lot of things that have happened in our lives. One of the bigger events is that my mom completed her chemotherapy. Yay for that!!! She did really well with it though the last few treatments really made her sick. She was getting an extremely strong dose of it and it surely did a number on her, but she bounced back strong after each one and we are glad to have that part of it done. She is now in her 2nd week of radiation. She will do this for 6 weeks, 5 days a week. So far she is doing really well with it too. We just can't wait for all of this to be over. She also sold her house (which was 3 miles down the road from us) and moved about 20 minutes away so between that and Mike's new work schedule which doesn't get him home until about 10pm, we don't get to see her nearly as much lately. All of the kids miss her a lot and talk about going to Mimi's house every day. Another big event that happened was I finished school!! I am now certified to teach Kindergarten thru 6th grade. I am really excited about that though we are not exactly sure when I will start working. The cost of having three toddlers in daycare and Marley in aftercare would be pretty substantial. So, we will see what the best decision ends up being. As I said before, Mike got a promotion at work and now works in the Claims Department at Progressive. He is really enjoying it so far and he has a lot more room to move up now.
Now, the main reason most people read this....the update on the little ones. I will start with Miss Marley. Since my last post, my little girl has turned FIVE! And also started Kindergarten!! She turned 5 in August and started school 2 weeks later. August was a very big month for her. She is doing great at school and really enjoys going. So far she has perfect attendance. She really likes her teacher (as do I) and she is learning a lot of new things. Her writing is getting very good and she is starting to read words, do simple math problems and many other things. As always, she is a very behaved student and I think the world would end for her (at least for a day) if she ever had her name clip moved down on the Behavior Chart. She received her first report card a few weeks ago and had all E's for Excellent. She has made a lot of new friends and we've already attended several birthday parties. I signed up to be Homeroom Mom (call me crazy) and try to juggle that along with toting three two year olds around all day and sometimes I think I bit off more than I can chew, but it's worth it to me. Marley is still in gymnastics and is now up to 3 hours of practice a week. I really enjoy watching her, but lately it seems as if I have to drop her off and come back a lot more than I would like to. The babies haven't been taking naps very well since I had to adjust the time they lay down and they usually fall asleep in the car picking her up from school and I don't want to wake them up after 15 minutes so we usually drop her off and then come back after they wake up. It's also a long time to ask them to wait patiently with not much there for them to do. They have gotten to go out and play at her gymnastics place a few times so that is all they want to do when they are there and they aren't happy when they can't. Sometimes it seems like Marley has to grow up faster than other 5 year olds, but I guess that's just how it is when you have 3 siblings the same age. She just joined the Dodgeball Team at school and really likes it. She was the only girl in it under the age of 9, but girlfriend can hang with the boys all day. I've always said she is my Princess Tomboy. She will be out digging in the dirt and catching frogs in her skirt, nail polish and high heels. Maybe that's what having two older cousins will do :) She really wanted to join Daisy's this year but unfortunately we just weren't able to. It's a really big commitment and many of the events I couldn't have taken the babies to and that's not really an option for me. They usually go anywhere I go. Hopefully next year she can join that. She is surely a very busy girl but she makes us so proud. She is very committed to school and to gymnastics and succeeds in both of them. She is still the best big sister these babies could ever ask for. She is incredibly patient with them and the four of them have so much fun together. She took them in as her Show & Tell "objects" a few weeks ago and even her teacher has told me several times what a big heart Marley has and what a caring friend she is to the other students. There are some things in life that just can't be taught, they simply come from within, and it makes me happy to see how much she cares about her siblings and friends. I always say that God knew what he was doing when he gave us Marley first. She is a wonderful example to her three babies and they adore her so much.
I am going to post this update on our lives in general and Marley and then write an update on each of the babies over the next few days. So, if you want to know what is new in the world of Marissa, Jack & Makayla........stay tuned!

First day of Kindergarten

Her 5th birthday

Marley & her teacher

Kaden, Marley & Keanu

Following big sis into the gym

My gorgeous girl

Flash Back Friday

Jack about a year ago. Oh how I love this sweet boy :)

Eye Doctor Follow Up #1

It has been 4 weeks since Jack was prescribed his glasses and the doctor wanted to see him so she could determine if glasses were helping his right eye. The first few days of wearing glasses were a bit tough and we had some moments of seeing who had the most willpower. Luckily it was a battle with my sweet boy and not one of the stubborn little girls who seem to believe that "NEVER give up" is the best motto to go thru life with so I always won. After a few days he decided he really liked them and ran in the morning to find them and put them on and often cried at night when I wouldn't let him sleep in them. Marissa and Makayla also got over their want of them and it was smooth sailing. This past Tuesday was his scheduled follow up and I had a good friend watching the girls until my aunt could get here after work. Marley went to gymnastics camp this past week and was there until 4pm. I scheduled Jack's appointment at 2pm which should have given me plenty of time to make it back to pick her up on time. We arrived at the doctor's office at 1:50pm and checked in. Around 2:15 the receptionist called me over to tell me that Jack's appointment was July 2nd. She was correct in that his ORIGINAL appointment was this day, but his follow up was scheduled for August 6th. I told her I had the card they gave me confirming this in my car and she asked me if I could go get it. I went to get it and brought it in to her and she said she would be right back with me. Jack and I sat back down and by 2:35 nothing further had been communicated to us. I went up to the desk to ask her what was going on and she asked me if I had my insurance card. I told her my insurance was the same as it was 4 weeks ago when we were there but gave it to her anyway. She again told me to sit down and she would be right with me. At 2:50 nothing had happened so we went back up and she told me she was waiting on my insurance company to call her back to confirm coverage. By this point I was getting impatient and being we were just in the office a month ago I found this to be ridiculous. At 3:05 I went up to the desk and told her we were leaving as it was over an hour past his appointment time, I needed to be back in Riverview in less than an hour to pick up my daughter and asking a 2 year old to wait this long was ridiculous. The office manager came up and apologized profusely and begged us not to leave and promised we would be the next ones seen. Being that Jack really needed to be seen, I agreed to wait but stood right in front of the window so they could see me. A few minutes later one of the techs called us back. She asked a few questions and then told me I needed to go back up front and sit until the doctor was free. I told her my appointment was scheduled for almost an hour and a half ago and I needed to be leaving in the next 15 minutes. She also apologized as she was unaware how long we had been waiting and went to see if a doctor was available then. She came back in and said the doctor was in with a patient but she had my chart at the front and once the doctor was free we would be the next ones called back. We went back up front and I again stood directly in front of the window and after few minutes we were called back. The doctor came in and did some checks on his eye and determined that the glasses are not helping his condition. She wants to try the next prescription strength, which happens to be the strongest one, and see him again in 4 weeks. If this doesn't help, he will need surgery on that eye. I asked her quite a few questions about the surgery but I am trying not to stress too much about it until the time comes to decide if he will have it or not. Through all of the waiting and all of the checks she did on him, Jack was SO good. He never cried or whined or even really acted up. The only thing he wanted to do was lay on the ground but I think this had more to do with him missing his nap than anything else. When we checked out I asked them to verify the appointment I made for the girls the last time I was there. Well, surprise surprise,  that was not in the system either. And the appointment slot that had been assigned to them was filled. So, I scheduled Jack's follow up and the little girls' initial appointment on the same day at a different office. Hopefully that staff has it together! When we went to leave it was pouring rain. We were in South Tampa and the streets were flooding, cars were going the wrong way down one way roads and I could not see a thing. Of course Jack was asleep after 5 minutes of being in the car. We were also way past 4pm when Marley needed to be picked up but luckily my mom was able to get her. We made it home just in time for me to drop Jack off at home and head back out to school. I will update everyone again in 4 weeks after his next follow up and let you know if the stronger prescription helps or if my boy needs surgery on his eye.

Poor guy was exhausted after leaving

Loving his glasses

This is what was going on at home while Jack and I were at the doctor's office!!!

Who's Your Daddy?

I have some seriously outgoing kids. Well, three of them are. They love talking to people and they especially love hugging people. Nobody is safe from them. They hug the pizza man, UPS man, every person they pass at the Y, the neighbors and pretty much anyone they see and have freedom to get to. Some people seem thrown off by having 6 arms wrapped around their bodies at once and others love it. The young pizza guy with tattoos all over his body seemed a little unsure what to do but the neighbor who they stand calling for at the front door is a self-proclaimed hugger too so he gets it. They also like to sit by people and talk to them or even ask for help with things. When we go play at the mall and they have to take their shoes off, they find the closest person to help them when it's time to put them back on. And the funny thing is that they don't even need help putting their shoes on. They just want to talk to someone. Marley was never outgoing. She still isn't. She is very much a mama's girl and has just recently started coming out of her shell somewhat. But she would never just go hug the cashier checking us out at Publix. But you better believe that the triplets will. We used to say that we wish Marley was a little more outgoing. Now I say I wish the babies were a little less! They have no prejudice on who they socialize with. Young, old, black, white, tall, short. It doesn't matter to them. Now recently Jack has taken it a little too far I think. He has started calling every man we see "Dad." And then they all laugh about it so I know he is doing it to be funny. When we were at the eye doctor the other day every man that sat near us he greeted with a "Dada?" and when the man got called back for his turn Jack would say, "Bye daddy" and wave and smile real big at him. Um, it was just a tad bit embarrassing! But what else can you do in that situation except smile and sometimes mutter, "That's not your dad." Hey, it kept him entertained! It is surprising to me they are so friendly with people simply because I was a very shy kid and Marley was/is too. I never had to worry about Marley taking something from someone she didn't know but I think these three would be lined up waiting their turn. We will see if eventually they stop hugging everyone or telling them as much as they can in a few minutes time and maybe realize that a little wave or smile is enough, but for now the pizza man, UPS man and everyone else who looks their way (which is everyone we pass most of the time) will have to deal with the hug fest that ensues when they encounter the Boucher Triplets.

The crazy little people of our house





 

Liebster Award!

                             This little blog was nominated for a Liebster Award!

Thank you to Spring (my dear friend who is also a mommy of triplets) over at 30 Fingers, 30 Toes


For those of you who have never heard of the Liebster Award, it’s a fun way for small bloggers to give recognition to other small bloggers (with 200 followers or less) for the contributions they make to the blogosphere.



Here are the rules: 

- Thank the Liebster Blog presenter who nominated you and link back to their blog.

- Post 11 facts about yourself, answering the 11 questions you were asked and create 11 questions  for your nominees.

- Nominate 11 blogs who you feel deserve to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been chosen.

- Display the Liebster Award logo.

- No tag backs meaning you can’t just re nominate the person who nominated you.

 

The questions I was asked to answer are as follows:

 

1. What was your reaction when you found out you were expecting multiples? Very surprised!! And in disbelief I had three in there!! And worried how our 2 year old daughter would react.

 

2. What was your spouse's reaction? He was shocked too. He asked the ER Doctor, "You are SURE you saw three heartbeats? Three??"

 

3. How did you tell your family/friends? Most of them we called as quick as we could.

 

4. What is your favorite activity to do at home with the kids? Before their bedtime we all snuggle and watch Bubble Guppies together. They are all very sweet to each other during this time and it's quite peaceful.

 

5. Where is your favorite place to go as a family? Busch Gardens. Or the beach.

 

6. What is your easy, go to meal for the kids? Dinosaur chicken, fruit & tater tots

 

7. What do you do for yourself for fun?  Not much these days :/  Read?

 

8. What is your dream family vacation? Disney Cruise!

 

9. DIY or store bought?  Usually store bought though I prefer DIY, I usually don't have the time or skill to pull much off.

 

10. Are you a routine/schedule follower or fly by the seat of your pants type? I follow a schedule with the triplets but for myself I am very much a fly by the seat of your pants type.

 

11. Where is one place you would NEVER take your multiples? I am trying to think of somewhere I wouldn't even try? At this age, a high-end, sophisticated restaurant. More so because I know most people are there to enjoy the environment and each other and even on their best behavior, they aren't near ready for that :)

 

 

 

Eye Doctor Visit!

Jack had his visit with the eye doctor on Tuesday. I was really curious the ways they would test a two year old's vision. Marley went along as usual for moral support and I am sure Jack was really glad to have atleast one of his sisters with him. When they first called us back, they had him follow a light with his eyes, just like the checks at his well visits. About 10 feet away, they had the usual letter chart but since he is so young they had a really neat alternative. There was a large cabinet with several different shelves. It was fairly dark and each individual shelf would light up with a different animal on it and his eyes would automatically look at the shelf where the light and fun sounds were coming from. They would cover each of his eyes one at a time and watch how his eyes focused. After this they dilated his eyes and told us to go back in the waiting room and they would come get us in 20 minutes. Well, 20 minutes turned into an hour! Luckily Jack and Marley were both really good and patient. When they called us back the nurse said one of his eyes wasn't dilated enough so they had to put more drops in and make us wait even longer. When the doctor came in she did similar tests to the earlier ones and also put on her super magnifying glasses to check the insides of his eyes. Jack was very good thru all of this and only got upset with the eye drops going in his eyes. They said one drop was extremely cold and the other stung, so I don't blame him for crying! As soon as he could sit up he calmed right down. The doctor said that his right eye is not being used effectively. When she covered his left eye, he would panic a little and try to move his entire head so his left eye could look at the objects. She said his brain has become so used to not using his right eye, that he does not know how to use it when his left eye is covered. His right eye also turns in a little when he looks at objects and he has a hard time focusing it. The good news is that his inner eye is fine and there is no permanent damage done, it just needs some strengthening which will happen once he learns to use it. Our first attempt to get him to use his right eye will be with the use of glasses. At first I admit I was disappointed when the doctor told us this. Going in to any doctor appointment, your first hope is that they will say there is nothing wrong, everything is perfect and go back home. So when we did not get that news, it was a bit hard. Then I thought of the fact that I had three premature babies who could have had SO many other major issues and how many other parents wish their biggest worry was their child needing glasses and I realized I was being silly. I did ask the doctor what would happen if he won't wear the glasses because Jack does not really like things on his head or face and he also happens to have two sisters the same age who may enjoy pulling his glasses off of his face! She said he really needs to wear them because glasses usually work great for this type of issue and if he won't wear them then the next option would be surgery. Obviously I do not want him to have to get surgery so please pray that he will keep these things on!

I took him today to go get fitted for his glasses and he did look pretty dang cute with them on!! I let him pick which ones he liked and he seemed to be okay with them on, for a few minutes atleast. I have read that once children realize how much the glasses help that they will be putting them on first thing in the morning but it often takes a while for them to realize it and get used to them. He goes back in 4 weeks for a recheck so he better get used to them fast! I was not able to order his glasses today as I received the worst customer service EVER at my beloved Target. I have never left that store so annoyed! There were two ladies working there and when we got there they were each helping someone else. I found the kids glasses and one of the ladies said she would be with us once she was free. Two people came in after us and were seen before us. By this point, Jack and Marley were getting bored and I was getting frustrated so I asked her when we would be seen. (The other lady still had her original customer.) She said she would help us next. Well, two MORE people came in and she helped them instead! I walked over to her and told her since we were obviously being ignored that we would just leave and I expected her to realize how rude she was being and apologize and help us. Instead she simply said, "Have a nice day" and looked away. I could not believe it! If she did not feel comfortable- or just did not want- to help a young child, she should have just said so originally or told me the other lady would be helping us. I will definitely will not be going back to Target for glasses or any eye care! When we left there I drove by the eye doctor Mike and I use to see their selection but because it's a holiday weekend they were closed. I will go on Monday to hopefully get my boy his glasses! So, that is how Jack's eye doctor appointment went and once he gets his glasses I will be sure to update on how that is going.
On a sidenote- they are all doing GREAT in their new beds!! So proud of them.

He really liked seeing himself with glasses on!

Jack & Marley waiting at the eye doctor

Big Weekend!

We had a lot of excitement around here this weekend. The most exciting would be that my nephews turned 9!! I really cannot believe that those sweet little boys are already so grown up. It makes me a bit sad actually. I remember the night of their birth like it was yesterday and also remember us always saying that, "Twins are tough but atleast you have two hands and often two people. What do people with more than two do?" Little did we know! I have- and will- always hold a very special place in my heart for those boys. My brother and I are neighbors so I have literally watched them grow up and we all love that we can look out the front window and spy on them. My brother is such a good dad to them and it's obvious just how much they love him. Happy Birthday to Meatball & Kadencakes :)

On Saturday Marley also had a gymnastics meet. She did so good in all of her events, especially vault. She had a near perfect score and the man behind us said, "Wow, she's not messing around!" Lol! She was so excited to get another trophy. Her coaches have been telling me she needs to move up to the next level, but the practice increases to an hour and a half two days a week and that is a long time for the babies to wait in a small waiting area for her. She is definitely ready though so hopefully I can figure it out soon.

And the last big thing that happened this weekend is the triplet's moved to BEDS! They have been climbing out of their cribs for quite some time now and I kept putting it off because I really dreaded when they would have free access to everything. Well, two weeks ago my cousin called me to see if we wanted a twin sized trundle bed and of course we did! It happens to be the same line of beds that Marley has which I thought was pretty neat. We planned on converting one crib to a twin size bed and using the trundle. We didn't realize until today that the cribs actually only convert to toddler bed then full size so Jack is sleeping on the toddler bed until we can buy a twin frame. Nap time today was spent with them playing and having a good time not sleeping. However tonight they all went straight to sleep and actually stayed in the same spots they originally laid down in. I couldn't believe it!! So proud of my little munchkins. So, here's to hoping that tonight wasn't just first night's luck and they continue this! :)

Jack Jack sleeping away in his bed

Happy 9th Birthday Keanu & Kaden!

Mike & Marley at her meet

Love these 3 faces!

Precious little Kaden

Brothers :)

As little babies <3

Kaden & Keanu at 8 months

Best friends

Keanu playing ball

Makayla (bottom) & Marissa in their new bed