Hello from California! I am on my first overnight business trip (5 nights) since Steven, Samuel and Amaya were born. Too long; do not like. But it’s for a commercial shoot and I need to be here so I put on my big girl pants and boarded the plane.

Fortunately, Jason is a super star daddy and had a wonderful weekend with the babies, helped by my mother and grandmother (who planned a trip to visit before my work was scheduled).  For my part, I’m trying to appreciate the weekend downtime that I never get at home.

It was a great week! Megan brought Steven, Samuel and Amaya for lunch on Thursday and it was nice enough to feed them outside and test out their new, cool shades. We also started construction on our basement. We’re finishing it, which includes adding a full bath and bedroom. So far, just the egress window is in. Construction should start in earnest this week. Fingers crossed that it’s an easy, fast project.

Steven, Amaya, Samuel visiting for lunch

(Don’t worry, Daddy! We were only in the sun for this photo with Mommy.)

Steven loves being on his belly. He still sleeps on his back in his crib but he loves cat naps on his belly!

Steven smiles!

Happy Sammy!

Sassy Amaya!

Amaya does not like being constrained. She likes freedom to move. The girl is a champion back scooter.

And she’s having a wonderful time this weekend with her daddy, nana and Savta.

Big news for the week, other than my continued absence, is that Steven gets his helmet tomorrow. Fingers crossed for a smooth, easy transition!

I had the luxury of being home with Steven, Samuel and Amaya for 8 1/2 of the last 10 days. It makes going back to work tomorrow very difficult, especially knowing that after this work week I go to LA for 5 days. Balance is a work in progress.

We’re starting to reach new milestones. Amaya is soooooooo close to rolling from back to belly. She can’t quite figure out how to get over her arm but she’s right there. And we’re starting to see some stranger danger! When I’m out alone with all 3 it can be troublesome but there’s also something amazing about witnessing a baby stop crying just because you picked him up. There was even one time that Steven was perfectly content until I walked into the room and then he cried until I held him. I hope I can always appreciate my babies needing me, even when it’s inconvenient. It’s just so special to be the one to make things all better.

I will admit that one of the best parts of having 3 babies is taking pictures of them together, especially now that they’re actually starting to notice each other. And being home afforded me tons of dress up and photo opportunities. (Though I’ll admit there are days when I get the kids dressed and leave Megan with a request for photos. Moms who work outside of the home need to delegate sometimes!)

This was formal wear in honor of Uncle Austin & Aunt Dena’s 3rd anniversary. The boys look like they’re going to the office and Amaya looks like she’s going out to have some FUN!

Steven, Amaya and Samuel.

Amaya trying on her FIRST PAIR OF SHOES! May there be many more to follow. 🙂

If you have the pleasure of waking up with the babies in the morning, this is an example of what greets you. Makes the early morning hours sooooooo worth it.

On Tuesday, Megan needed to run out to a dentist appointment so I came home from work and had the opportunity to witness a super secret triplet meeting formerly known as tummy time. In all seriousness, I cannot wait for the day I really do interrupt a super secret triplet meeting.

Initially, Steven really lagged behind Samuel and Amaya with tummy time. Now he’s totally holding his own which is a good reminder that I can’t compare milestones. Or, if I do compare, it shouldn’t be for anything more than mere observation. They’ll all get where they’re going in their own time.

Our first 4th of July!! I did not plan accordingly and get any sort of officially coordinating red, white and blue but I think this gets the job done. Happy babies celebrating America’s independence.

We had the very special treat of a visit from Aunt Ouize, Nancy and Abe for the 4th, all the way from DC! A perfect way to spend the day.

See all these babies being cared for? At one point, everyone was inside and I was out on the deck with my eyes closed. I think it’s the most relaxed I’ve been in months.

Amaya is developing a love of books early.

Grandma Sunshine with her kids and grandkids!!

The time at home gave me an opportunity to snap some photos of Megan with Steven, Samuel and Amaya.

Loooooooooove this one.

It seems Steven gets his share of sleeping on us!

New outfit for Amaya courtesy of cousin Charlie’s hand me downs! Thank you, Charlie!

Amaya is on the move! She has decided she does not like the confines of her boppy. She’s a girl on the move (possibly on the way to Albuquerque, her daddy says). We get her on the floor as often as possible but sometimes situations, like eating, dictate the boppy and she makes a break for it as soon as as she can.

This is much better.

And eeeeeeeven better!

It gets cold in the house sometimes, but we’re prepared!

Totally random but I want to mention that we’re still logging what Steven, Samuel and Amaya eat each day. We’ll probably keep it up until they’re all sleeping through the night. So far, only Amaya has earned that distinction. Thank you, Amaya!

And finally, Amaya making a break for it. Again.

Last weekend, Papa Gene came to visit!! It was his third visit to see his grandbabies and the best by far. His first visit, they were still in the nicu and we weren’t letting anyone hold them yet. His second visit was the weekend of Samuel’s emergency hernia surgery. But this time the visit was full of baby snuggles x 3.

Bath time was the best!

Amaya!

Steven

Samuel

Plus a random shot of Jason loving on Steven.

Gene got this photo of us during tummy time. Jason and I are cheering the babies on as they work that upper body strength and head control!

Soooooooo, Jason and I had Steven fitted for a helmet. You know, those helmets you sometimes see babies wear? He was our Baby A and he was down low, smushed against my pelvis with his brother and sister on top of him. We’re pretty sure he was born with his head misaligned (though I do wonder if his positioning in the nicu contributed to it because he could only see out if he looked in one specific direction). It’s purely cosmetic but we decided there’s no reason for him to have a lopsided head if there’s something we can do about it. Frankly, I’m not excited about the additional layer of attention/questions OR the maintenance OR the helmet itself but, as I understand it, the babies adapt really quickly so I’m going to get over it. I keep reminding myself that I’d have wanted my parents to do this for me and, if we don’t do it, there’s no going back later.

Here’s Steven looking like a little old lady out in the rain. Babushka! Those dots were sensors used to model his head for the helmet. We’ll have it in a week or two and he’ll wear it for 4- 6 months. Look at those cheeks!!

This weekend we had more visitors! Rachel, my oldest college friend (20 YEARS NOW) came to visit. It was so special to have her here. As a bonus (sprinkles on top), she did a baby photo shoot while she was here! The photos are AMAZING. I can’t wait to share them!

Sammy is really excited about the new photos, too!

After Rachel left today, Jason’s stepbrother, David, came by for the afternoon with his kids, Cecily and Sullivan. They’re in the area before heading up north. (Kit, also Jason’s stepbrother, was supposed to join us, as well, but he didn’t make it in from CA in time. 🙁 Next time!) It was a wonderful time with fantastic conversation and helpful baby wrangling! Plus, you’ve never met such smart, insightful, generous kids in your life.

And, finally, some photos of Steven, Amaya and Samuel from earlier in the week.

Steven, Samuel and Amaya are five months old! They’re incredible.

I shared this in my triplet group. Even though it feels very personal and this blog is semi-public, the blog is about our journey as a family and today is incredibly sentimental.

I’m going to cry just typing this. (I’ve been tearing up all morning thinking about it.) One year ago today was my IUI. I popped into the RE’s office, got it taken care of, and then headed straight to the airport for an 8 night business trip to Vegas and LA. After lots of disappointment and unexplained infertility, I honestly didn’t think there was a chance I’d get pregnant with our first try at stims + IUI and was shocked when my pregnancy test was positive two weeks later. Then double shocked at twins at our first ultrasound. And triple shocked at my trio a week and a half later! What an amazing journey. I feel so blessed to be mom to Steven, Amaya and Samuel.

Steven, Samuel and Amaya have the most caring, engaged, wonderful daddy. I’m so lucky we’re co-pilots on this journey. <3 Happy First Father’s Day, Jason!

Yesterday, we had our first play date. Parker’s mom, Meghan, brought him to visit! He’s a bit older than Steven, Samuel and Amaya but, soon, there will be no meaningful difference and they’ll actually be able to play together. So much fun! Plus it gave me a taste of what it’s like to have a sitter/crawler. Or three. (We’re not ready!!)

A few more photos from the week.

Samuel charming me during tummy time.

He found his hand and his shirt. Exciting stuff when you’re his age!

Steven hanging out in tummy time village.

He fell asleep during tummy time earlier in the week. I think he looks like such a big boy here!

And with daddy after bath time.

Amaya found her hands. Again, exciting stuff!

2 more highlights from the week.

1) After a canceled flight on Friday night my mom finally made it to Michigan today. Hooray! It had been almost 4 weeks which is the longest she’d gone since they were born. We had an adventure in Northville this afternoon when we went out for a late lunch/early dinner and ended up with 2 screaming babies. It could have been worse. There could have been three screaming babies! And now I know we can survive those situations.

2) Megan, Steven, Samuel and Amaya came to visit me at work for lunch on Thursday. We’re on our way to making this a weekly routine! After the babies ate, we took them up to my office. We were using the triple jogger, not the triple decker, and it’s so wide that we had to use the freight elevator to get upstairs. It was fun but enough of a hassle that we’ll probably stick to lunch in the park most weeks.

Oh! And I got my first nasty comment from a loser. At Babies R Us yesterday, a cashier asked me if it’s “as bad as it looks.” Mind you, I had quiet and/or sleeping babies at the time. I asked him, “what’s bad about it?” and he back pedaled to say that he meant to say “busy, not bad.” I heard that people make stupid comments but this was a first for me. Usually when I’m out people are counting babies or saying innocuous things like, “You’ve got your hands full.” Which I do. I’ll grow a thick skin about it but I hope people never say things like that once my kids can understand them. (And you’d think no one would do that but, sadly, I’ve heard too many stories about it happening.) Of course, Jason & I don’t need the validation of strangers to love and appreciate our amazing, wondrous family.

Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads in our lives especially Gene, Ron, David, and Todd. And my daddy who is in my heart every day but especially today. <3 <3 <3

This was Steven’s big week! His “snip, snip, look, look, tie, tie”. Like Samuel in April, Steven had his inguinal hernia fixed but he also had an umbilical hernia. Umbilical hernias are super common in preemies – Amaya has one, too. These aren’t usually fixed surgically but the surgeon needed to do a laparoscopic check of his right side so she fixed his umbilical hernia while she was in there. (For the record, until now I didn’t know that a second “a” is in the word laparoscopic.)

He was such a trooper! We had to be at the hospital at 6:45am and Steven was wide eyed and alert the entire morning. He fell asleep just as the resident came to take him to the OR. Perfect timing!

Checking in. Steven and Moo Cow are ready to go.

Almost time!

One last hug for mommy!

I was on my own because Jason had a stomach bug & couldn’t come into the hospital. 🙁 He drove to Ann Arbor and spent the entire surgery sitting in his car so that he’d be close if needed. Poor us. Fortunately, Mott has a great communication system set up which helped ease my nerves. They gave me a beeper that they used to communicate throughout the surgery. There’s also a website set up where Jason and I could submit Steven’s unique identifier and see an up-to-date status report on the surgery. Aaaaaand, there was an electronic board in the lobby with color coded status updates by case. Very well done, Mott!

After surgery, Steven had a bit more discomfort than Samuel. Steven couldn’t get the caudal block that Samuel had due to a dimple on his spine that could create some risks so he had to get narcotics. (The caudal block numbs him from the waist down.) As a result, he was more foggy than Samuel and, I believe, in a bit more pain. Fortunately, they gave him a bit more of the good stuff. You can see the difference.

Before:

After:

Sooooo much better! Once he was in recovery, it was only another 2 hrs before I was able to bring him home. In the meantime, Samuel and Amaya asked Megan to make sure their big brother knew he was missed at home.

And off we went – leaving Mott Land to return to the Land of Cheltenham. Seven and a half hours from the time we left my house until we were back home. Amazing!

Steven is doing great! I worked from home on Wednesday in case he needed me and he was just fine. It was Amaya who decided to catch the stomach virus and Samuel who decided not to eat. And so it goes…

Here are just a few more photos from the week.

Decked out in their Yankees gear. Sadly, it didn’t help the Yankees win but thanks for the thought, Jason!

Steven wants you to know that Samuel isn’t the only one with big eyes! 🙂

And Samuel being Samuel. (The kid is strong.)

Finally, happy SIXTH birthday to my wonderful, wonderful special big guy & nephew, Chase. I love him beyond belief and can’t believe he’s SIX. SIX! And happy literal birth day to Jack Charles, brand new son of Jason and Denise Winograd. June 8th – what a great day!

Hello!! Every week I wonder what could have possibly happened in the past week but, sure enough, stuff happens every week!

First, we got a new triple stroller! I’ll still use the Triple Decker with three in a row because it’s great indoors/in stores but it’s terrible on pavement so I added this BeBeLove Triple Jogger to our stroller assortment (4 and counting). It handles like a dream outside – for a triplet stroller, of course – and makes walks SO much easier. The biggest challenge right now is keeping the babies out of the sun. I’ll be thrilled when they’re finally able to wear sunscreen so I don’t have to worry so much.

In order – Steven, Amaya, Samuel.

Next up are outfits that Jason bought for the kids after a night of gambling at the MGM in Detroit. Super cute. Though I really need to get them some “I <3 NY” onesies, too.

Samuel was 1.5″ longer than Steven, and almost a pound and a half bigger, at their 4 mo appointment. The size difference is pretty obvious here. Steven’s small but mighty!

Outside on our deck today. It’s awesome to just sit outdoors with them! This picture would be extra cute if the boys were both still in their Detroit onesies but someone had to go and wet through his diaper. Pretty soon Steven’s going to make a name for himself. (In Nana’s words – Poopy McPisher.)

Grandma Sunshine is here with us for the weekend! She got some great photos with Steven, Samuel and Amaya! (Amaya kept trying to eat Grandma’s shirt.)

Yesterday I decide to experiment and see if the kids still looked like their respective sex if I dressed the boys in pink and Amaya in blue. Someone else will have to be the judge. I think they’re adorable any ol’ way.

I was holding both boys and they were doing something akin to noticing each other. Steven kept going for Samuel’s hand. Samuel was unsure about the whole thing.

A few cuuuuuuute pictures from playtime.

Brothers tummy time!

And the best part of the week! Megan came down to Detroit so I could feed the babies for their 11:15 bottles! I’ve been dreaming about this since I was pregnant and we’re finally making it happen. Megan is a rock star. She parked in my work parking garage and then showed up in Campus Martius park pushing Steven and Amaya in the double stroller and wearing Samuel. Our goal is to try to do this once/week.

We have a big week this week. Steven’s hernia surgery is on Tuesday. If all goes well it will be outpatient. As I tell him, just a little snip, snip, look, look, tie, tie. Can’t wait until this is behind us!

So many adventures lately! But first — I’ve written about all of the family members who’ve come to visit for long weekends (weeks) but we are also now at the point where we’re having day visitors come by to see Steven, Samuel and Amaya. (Many of whom have gotten their tDap booster just so they can come by! Thank you!!)

On Friday, Aunt Annette came to visit. She’s met the babies before but hasn’t seen them since they were too small to hold. We rectified that!

On Sunday, my colleague Ginny came over. She fed 2 babies and got some good play time in with all three. These fun onesies on Samuel, Steven and Amaya were gifts from Ginny.

And today, the Lee family, Mike, Kerith and Annabel, came by for a Memorial Day BBQ!

We’ve had lots of adventures over the past week. Steven is finally mastering tummy time! In fact, he was the best at it this weekend! (He’s also a CHAMPION eater. Kid had 31.1oz today when he was recently averaging just 21oz/day.)

Amaya prefers her playmat to the boppy. Here she’s making her escape.

And Samuel is Samuel is Samuel. 🙂

At the mall on Memorial Day. I really have no idea what was going on in this boy’s head.

Bath time on Saturday. This kid is such a character. His first thought was, “No photos while I’m naked!” but then he couldn’t resist mugging for the camera.

Saturday was play time followed by park time. I just ordered a side by side triple jogging stroller which should make walks in the park much easier.

On Sunday afternoon, Jason went on his first solo trip with a baby. Amaya got to go to Home Depot with Daddy and the boys came with me to Carter’s. Daddy won out. Steven decided to poop EVERYWHERE in the store. His clothing, his leg, the car seat. It was not nice. At least now I know what to do when a baby poops everywhere. Here’s Jason getting ready to head out with Amaya.

For Memorial Day, Amaya wore one of big cousin Charlie’s old dresses and boys decided to see how they feel about shorts and t-shirts. A first! Verdict – they’re big fans. To get out of the house but stay out of the heat, I took the babies to the mall this afternoon after the Lees left. I was on my own so I had the triple decker stroller and it was a SPECTACLE. People were literally walking along side me to ask about the babies. Everyone was polite but it got old pretty quickly. Next time I’ll wear headphones.

But the BIGGEST news is that we can finally bottle prop. FREEEEEDOOOOOM! We can feed three babies at once. Even if two need attention, the third can just get down to business. (And it’s Amaya who gets down to business. She loves the bottle propping. And so do I!) It’s amazing.

We had a wonderful long holiday weekend. It will be difficult to go back to work tomorrow after all this fun!

Steven, Samuel and Amaya are four months old!

Is it nuts that I’m already getting weepy thinking about the days back when they were little? (Yes. It is. I know it. But I can’t help myself.)

These awesome onesies are courtesy of a fellow triplet mom. (Thank you, Bethany!) You’ll notice that, in the first photo, we’re a big confused about the Rock, Paper, Scissors order. We got it right eventually but not until after I took this perfect photo.

Amaya’s got hold of her brothers. <3

These are outfits that Jason bought for the kids. The overalls are still a bit big but I’d planned these for their four month photos and, gosh darn it, I was using them! Samuel lost his neck which cracks me up b/c he’s so much bigger than Steven.

Steven

Samuel. His faces!

Brothers!

Amaya

I was cuddling with Steven and Amaya after their baths. Jason told me this bean bag chair is incredible and he’s right.

And here Jason is cuddling with Samuel and holding court with Samuel and Amaya.

I went to Motor City Comic Con! By myself! For HOURS! It was so much fun and the babies got their first autographs.

Jason Momoa (Stargate Atlantis)

Nicholas Brendan (Buffy) You’ll see that he reminds the kids not to run with scissors – or they could lose an eye. Hahahaha. Also, he spelled Samuel wrong but got scissors right (which was a team effort). Plus, he’s an identical twin so we had a long and bizarre conversation about how my children were conceived. Overall, an A+ meet up, conception conversation notwithstanding.

Oh, and hey! That’s me with Karl Urban.

On Saturday afternoon we took our first trip to the mall. Here’s a proud nana.

Megan and my mom took the babies to see me at work on the 19th! Their first visit. I was so happy I could barely contain myself!

And here are some smiley babies. Three of Steven and one of Samuel making a signature face.

Happy four months, babies! I love you!