13 & 14

I know,I know, I have been a total slacker with blogging lately. I guess that's what happens when you have four very busy, always on the move kids. We are all doing great though and just trying to get thru this very hot summer. We were having a lot of fun going to Busch Gardens most weekend evenings, but the heat and rain have slowed that down. And our weekly beach outings have also been disrupted. So, I will give quick updates on everybody in case anybody is wondering what we are all up to these days. First off, I will start by saying I believe I am raising a bunch of monkeys. These kids climb like nobody's business. Any and every surface that is capable of being climbed, they will climb. My day consists of pulling babies off of the backs of couches, the tops of counters, toys they shouldn't be on and more. They know they aren't supposed to do it and will smile at me while shaking their heads "No" and still do it. If I am busy with a different baby, they will sneak a peek to see if I'm watching and if they think I'm not, they climb at lightning speed while giggling to see how far they can get before I notice. I think we need to call Super Nanny already. The leader of the pack (for now) is definitely Makayla. She is still the smallest of the group,around 18 pounds, but she is definitely in charge. She's still tough and determined and sweet and cuddly all rolled together. She is usually the first to do something and the other two quickly follow. She still sleeps the least of the three and is quick to let you know if she isn't happy about something. She was biting for a few weeks, but she seems to finally be understanding that's not allowed. Marissa has become the friendliest of the group. She is fine with other people holding her and will interact with them much quicker than Jack or Makayla will. Not that long ago, she was the most shy of the three, so it's been quite a turnaround. She is maybe a pound, if that, bigger than her sister. She is the squealer of the group and loves to hear her voice. Future singer in the making! She loves to play peekaboo with you and likes to grunt just to make you look at her. She is pretty easy going with her siblings and doesn't get too upset when they take her toys from her most of the time. Her and Makayla have a strong bond. They love to kiss each other and "speak" to each other. They will make sounds at each other and then start giggling together like they just told a funny joke. I just wish I knew what was being said! They don't like to see the other one sick or getting in trouble. They get very jealous of the other if they are being held and instantly need to be held too. Jack is emerging as quite a dancer. The boy does leg moves, arm moves, spins, booty drops, you name it. He will bring me the remote to the tv and start shaking his arms around and that is his way of telling me to put the music on the tv so he can dance. I am not sure where he has learned all of his moves, but he's definitely got it. I really don't think he would be as into the climbing if his sisters weren't showing him, but he is not getting left behind! He is still so silly and always happy. He is easily my best sleeper and still just a really easy, content little boy. He has become a very picky eater and rather make his sisters laugh by throwing his food on the floor or spitting it out of his mouth than actually eating it. He is a bit too thin for my liking so I hope he changes his ways soon. Together they are so much fun. They are always together, following each other from room to room and if they do happen to get separated they will yell to each other to make sure they are still nearby.They really understand a lot now and can follow simple commands like bringing you a diaper, shoes, clothes. They love to bring me their diaper and the box of wipes when they need to be changed. Hopefully this means they will be super easy to potty train! Nap time is a lot of fun to listen to, you hear lots of squealing and giggling for about 15 minutes, then all gets quiet. They keep each other entertained and love chasing each other around the house or colliding into each other on their ride on toys. Of course it is still a lot of work, but I enjoy (almost) every minute of it. And last but not least is my Marley. She is almost four!! Only a couple more weeks!! I cannot believe it. I cannot say enough what a wonderful big sister she is. She loves those babies with all of her heart and just asked me last night if her and "Baby Rissa" can share a room once the babies move into beds. She loves the fact that they are bigger now and get to do more than before. Just tonight, one of the little girls took her cup of water and when she saw it, she got the baby's cup and handed it to her and then took her cup of water back. My mom said how the majority of other kids would snatch it from their little sister and tell them it was theirs and I realized how right she is when she said what a good big sister they have. Sometimes all she wants to do is relax and watch tv and she's got three babies climbing all over her, yet she very rarely loses her patience with them. She is usually making them come in the playroom with her and they all (yes even Jack) love to play Barbies together. They are always watching their big sister practice her gymnastics and try to mimic her. I would say the feeling of love is definitely mutual. So, that is the Boucher Bunch over the last few months in a nutshell. Just staying busy and doing our thang and moving forward every day.

Little monkeys doing what they do best!

Jack isn't gonna be left behind

Sweet little Makayla

Playing at Busch Gardens

Walking at the beach

Marissa on the 4th of July

Sister love

Marissa & Makayla

Marley and Kaden having fun

Jack

Marley petting Alten

One last picture of the little climbers

A Year in Pictures

I have been trying to upload a video I made of the babies' first year with no luck. I think I have finally figured it out. It's fairly long so I don't really expect many people to watch the entire thing, though I know some family members may. It's more for us to look back on as the years fly pass by. So, here's a year in pictures. (And thank you to my fellow Jennifer Boucher for suggesting this website. With a name like that, you're obviously a genius and my new go-to girl when I have questions ;))

And What A Day It Was!!!

I love first birthdays. Just love them. And I really, really, really love first birthday parties. Especially when the party is for three wonderful one year olds. Who happen to be mine. I started planning for their party when they were around 8 months old. Hours spent searching the internet for ideas, browsing thru catalogs, verifying dates to ensure our out of town family and friends could be there. And I have to say, I did a darn good job! My one year olds had a fabulous time. My three year old had a fabulous time. And all of the kids that came did too. And I would venture so far as to say the adults did as well. I mean, wouldn't you say this clown guy looks like he is having fun?

                                                Or how about this guy and his little princess?

And I'd definitely say that this is one cool Nana.

We had face painting.

We had balloon making. And not just your standard little balloon animals. This guy was good. Maybe too good.

 

It was really such a fun day. And of course it went by way too fast. So many of our family and friends came out to join us. We received so much wonderful stuff for our babies. I am continuously humbled by the love so many people have shown these babies. I often wish there was more I could do than just say "Thank you." Because that doesn't seem like enough. When these babies are older, I can send them over to mop some floors and cut some lawns. They will be pretty busy because we have a lot of IOU's at this point. Back to the party....let's talk cake. Or better yet, I will let the pictures do the talking.

I'd say those babies really enjoyed their cakes. Makayla was a little scared of all of the people around her so she was more worried about that than eating her cake. But Marissa and Jack dug in. We had lots of other yummy desserts too. And a whole lot of food. And just a really great time. Thank you all for being a part of this special day. And to those of you who had to miss it, we missed you. We wish you could have been there for this celebration. But things happen. And we, of all people, get that. This first year has flown by. My little babies are growing up. The one thing people say over and over again, and probably will my entire life, is, "How do you do it?" Well, all I can say is you just keep moving forward. Some days over this past year were so difficult and some days were easy. Thinking back to those 'round the clock feedings every 3 hours where by the time I finished with baby #3 I only had about half an hour 'til baby #1 needed to be fed again, I wonder myself. But one thing I do know, we are so fortunate. The fact that we have four healthy kids is enough for me. Sometimes, when I am so over tired or just want five minutes to myself, I think about that. About how much harder a lot of other people in this world have it. It makes me realize that being woken up two or three times a night by a little girl who just wants her mommy to hold her really isn't that bad. Actually, it's great. And this day, it was the best day yet. A celebration of our babies. A celebration of our family and friends. A celebration of the best big sister these babies could ever ask for. And, a celebration for us. Because we did it. We survived year one of having triplets and their big sis. So again, thank you all for your prayers, your thoughts, your well wishes, your gifts, your time, your concern and everything else you have all given us. We have a lot of good people in our lives....

(All photos were taken by the amazing photographer Tammie Bishop. She did such a wonderful job of capturing this special day in our lives and we thank you for that.)

Happy Birthday Times THREE!!!

The babies are ONE!! I cannot believe it has been an entire year since these babies made their big debut into this world. I think back to the day of their birth often and feel so fortunate everything turned out as well as it did. Though I often reminisce about it, I don't think I would go back to that day! I have some pretty amazing babies if I say so myself. I mean, Jack was 5 1/2 pounds at birth! That's huge for a triplet. And they got to come home very quickly (in terms of triplet births) and I know we are very, very fortunate for that. They are very smart babies. I think we all know those genes came from mom ;)  Both girls were walking at 10 months, Jack is starting himself. They can show you certain body parts, hold their finger up to show you they are "1", know what it means when I say it's nap time and go to their room, try to put their own shoes on, climb like nobody's business, and well, the list could go on and on. And that's all with being 6 weeks early. I am so happy that I have such healthy babies and I can't wait to see what this year of life brings us. Their one year stats have both the girls around 17 pounds and between 28 and 29 inches and Jack is right over 20 pounds and 31 inches long. He's a tall boy! We had their 1st birthday party this past weekend and I will write a post on that once I get the pictures from it to include. All in all, it has been a wonderful first year. I love those babies and their big sister so much and couldn't ask for much more!

Happy Birthday Marissa, Makayla & Jack!!!

The Countdown is On!

We've got us some busy babies! They are 11 months old now. And what fun they are. The little world that multiples coexist in is truly amazing to watch. They are always near each other and interact so much all day long. They often have what I call "secret meetings" where they huddle up under behind the curtains or near the front door (anywhere as long as they are out of my sight) and I think they are plotting something. They are often giggling and squealing and as soon as I check on them and they see me, they separate and act like they weren't doing anything. Pretty suspicious to me!! The girls are walking, Jack is starting to stand solo for brief periods of time, they say a few words each, they are just amazing. Makayla can climb like nobody's business and is constantly being told to sit down or get off of something. She may be petite but nothing slows that girl down. She is fiesty and determined but she is also such a snuggler and would be happy if her grandma just held her all day long. The minute Grandma walks into the house, Makayla goes over to her and snuggles in her lap. She knows who to suck up to! Jack is still as goofy as ever. He keeps everyone in the house laughing. He is loud and rough and happy all of the time. He has started getting in a little trouble for being too rough with his sisters. He's got a good 4-5 pounds on them so when he pounces on them, they aren't always happy. He still has no teeth and his hair has finally started to come in. He can entertain himself for hours with anything you hand him and he's as lovable as they come. Marissa has become my mini-Marley. She reminds me so much of Marley as this age. She is a mama's girl and quite timid around new people. She does not like people she doesn't know getting too close to her or rushing her to be comfortable with them. Once she knows you though, she's a silly, fun girl. She's also a climber but not quite as daring (or relentless!) as her sister about it. Both girls have started becoming jealous when they see their sister being held. They will be perfectly fine playing with a toy and if I hold their sister, they rush over to be held too. I seriously need an extra pair of arms at this point! I have been so busy planning their 1st birthday party and am starting to get really excited about it. I think it should be a fun day for everyone, including (or maybe especially) their big sis. Speaking of, she is doing wonderful. She is truly the best big sister ever. She loves her babies so much and is so caring and loving with them. She really amazes me. She doesn't like when their bedtime comes along because she wants to them to stay up and play with her. She loves getting to go in their room in the morning to tell them "Good Morning" and give them all hugs and kisses. She loves being goofy to make them all laugh and they all adore her. Anytime we go somewhere, she asks if the babies can come too and gets sad if I tell her no. I've had to take the babies to the doctor a couple times lately and she always goes with us because she doesn't want them to be scared. Now that's a darn good big sister if you ask me!! So, everything here is going good. Just watching everyone grow and learn. It's pretty darn awesome around here most of the time.

Jack clowning around as usual

Enjoying some pool time together

My beautiful girl



Makayla doin her thang!

Marley & her friend Breana at their 1st gymnastics meet

Marissa waving hi

Makayla having fun

Big sissy hugs

Looks pretty comfy to me!

Sweet girls

Strike a pose

Jack

Marley at the Dr's office with one of the babies