Harry, Hermione and Ron wish everyone a Happy Halloween!!

Steven, Sammy and Amaya’s mommy says she now knows why the universe gave her triplets. In all seriousness, I cannot love this more. .

And look how far we’ve come in a year!

On Friday I had a little fun, too, and wore my triplets shirt from Halloween when I was pregnant. I had a kick ball under my shirt and had a ton of fun playing pretend. It’s a lot easier than actually carrying three babies at once!

Today, we hosted 4 local triplet families for a Halloween party. So much fun!! We had 15 kids under 2 and one 3 year old older brother. I’m so grateful for my amazing triplet community who completely normalizes this wild ride.

Seating for 12!

Bethany was one of my due date buddies and we delivered within 2 weeks of each other. This was the first time we’ve been able to arrange schedules for our kids to meet! We’re definitely going to make more plans now, though.

Despite how it may look, it was all far less chaotic than I expected. Quieter, too. The kids all played really well together. By the end of the party Amaya was getting tired of sharing her toys with other kids but, really, all of the kids did so well!

I was lucky to have Anna on hand to help me which came in super handy during meal time. Tonight, in their cribs, Amaya and Sammy were saying, “Anna. Anna.”

The afternoon was quiet. Just time in the playroom and a late bedtime to accommodate Halloween and daylight savings adjustments. Amaya really liked the glasses and her scarf.

We brought the high chairs up to help with meal time and Amaya has been very interested in figuring out the buckles.

Backing it up a bit, earlier in the week Nana and Savta were still here. Monday was nice enough that the kids were able to go for another walk and stop for some photos in the cul de sac at the end of the road.

As always, we had a lot of fun at music class.

After music on Wednesday, Grandma Sunshine came by to see everyone and take Steven home for a Grandma – Steven sleepover.

Once again, Daddy’s Big Head was waiting while he arrived.

At home, there were extra snuggles for Sammy and Amaya.

On Thursday, Steven had playtime with Grandma and then a fun trip to Meijer to pick out some new toys.

Sammy and Amaya had an adventure of their own. Their early intervention teachers think they’re all ready to move from the baby room to the 2 year old room! I think they’ll actually “graduate” from early intervention after this fall session but we’re taking the opportunity to move up to the older class and this was the first week. Megan reports that the activities are much more age appropriate and the kids did great. There are lots of sensory activities which are perfect. Amaya, in particular, just jumped right in without missing a beat. Sammy is a bit more cautious in general so I’m not surprised he’s taking a bit more time to dive in.

This class is 90 minutes vs. the 60 minute baby class so there’s even time for a snack break.

I’ll be excited when SSA formally graduate the program but it sure is a nice resource in the meantime!

Starting Wednesday we pushed schedules back 30 minutes to help with the daylight savings time adjustment. That meant we had extra time with the kids before bed. The boys loved the chance to sit and share daddy’s dinner.

As always, there are bath shenanigans!

We created a space to display the kids’ art now that they’re doing more crafts. I’m excited about this! It was Megan’s idea and Jason bought and hung the magnet boards we’re using.

Steven this week!

He could spend hours and hours in the kitchen.

Sleeping Bobo.

Sammy this week!

I took this photo of Sammy sleeping and, shortly after, received the second photo via text from Jason. We think alike! 🙂

Amaya this week!

I’ll wrap up this week with Daddy and his boys. <3

This weekend, Nana and Savta are here visiting!

On Saturday morning, Amaya had a special trip to the grocery store with Nana.

While Amaya and Nana were shopping, Savta and I took the boys to get measured for new sneakers. They were such big kids in the shoe store!

We have very few warm days left in the season so we took advantage of yesterday’s weather to go for a walk. For the first time, everyone went out walked! With 3 adults we could play adult on toddler defense and be sure no one ran out into the street. I think Steven, Sammy and Amaya really liked the freedom.

A highlight was visiting the pumpkins on a neighbor’s porch. Steven was nearly apoplectic when he got to touch the pumpkins. He appreciates everything in his environment and is so, so curious.

What a difference from our walk last October with Savta and Nana!

Our big project for the weekend was assembling the kitchen that Nana and Papa bought for SSA as an early Hanukkah present.

With Savta’s help, my mom and I put it together in about 2 hours and it’s perfect. It’s wide enough for everyone to have space and has lots of beeping panels and burners. Hopefully they get years of use out of it.

So far it’s a huge hit! They’re all using the kitchen a bit differently, at least to start. Steven is interested in exploring the kitchen itself – the drawers and cabinets, the oven and stove top. He was first to discover how to use the burners and just seems to like the overall structure. Amaya works on projects. She sat for at least 1/2 an hour working on some important project with a bunch of cups and fake chips. Her concentration was intense. Sammy has been focused on a handful of individual pieces and activities. For example, he loves pretending to cut the food. He’s also started cooking at the stove.

We had coloring time with Savta.

Cuddles with Nana.

On Sunday afternoon we went to Maybury State Park which is about a mile and a half from my house. It was beautiful. The kids were able to run around and play. There’s also a playground with slides and climbing equipment. Both Steven and Amaya wanted to climb with the big kids. And, yes, if you’re paying attention that is the exact same shirt I was wearing the day before. Hello weekend!

Sammy and Fafaf

Steven

At bedtime, we had lots of fun reading books. These kids looooooove books. Steven could read for the longest stretch of time and Sammy loves to say, “Read. Read.”

Here are some other adventures from the rest of the week!

Reading time with Daddy.

Playtime with mommy while I was getting ready for work on Thursday.

Photo shoot on our new stools! Thanks to fellow triplet mom, Nicole, for this idea! We’ll get the hang of it!

Our little stinkers are getting better and better at taking off their clothes. After one nap, this is how Megan found the kids.

Steven with no pants.

Sammy with his plumber’s crack.

And Miss Amaya working it in the reverse direction.

Here’s Megan playing with the kids after breakfast, before they had time to totally wreck the house.

This week we had a ton of fun with Robin & Fern at our weekly EI appointment.

Last week we saw Amaya helping Sammy down the slide. This week it’s the reverse. Amaya and Steven, fierce competitors, both want their turn. Somehow Sammy almost always stays out of the fray.

At music this week the kids discovered this big camper. How awesome is that!?!? I actually looked for it online and it hasn’t been available for sale for a loooooong time. Good think for music class!

Amaya spent a good portion of the class on the instructor’s lap.

Sammy’s bells

Steven and his hula hoops

Amaya and her friend

This week was nice enough to get some time outside. We’re making the most of it!

Here’s Steven this week!

Brothers!

Steven hugging Sammy 🙂

Sammy, this week!

Amaya, this week!

Amaya has a strong, strong will. Twice this week she decided that Sammy’s shirt should be worn as pants. Sometimes it’s easier to just go with the flow. So here is Amaya hobbling around in her shirt-pants. Twice.

(I couldn’t name this blog entry and nana asked me what it was about. I said, “my babies. triplets. three of them.”)

Last year, Columbus Day weekend was the start of my one on one trips to NY with the kids and, once again, Amaya and I were off to NY together!

I was able to sneak into the nursery on Friday morning at 5:30am and wake Amaya without waking the boys. During her diaper change she kept saying, “Bubba. Bobo.” They’re definitely at an age where they’re aware of each other. It’s adorable.

And off we went!

Amaya did great. She convinced me to buy her a little stuffed tiger for the flight and reminded me to give her Benadryl so she wouldn’t puke everywhere. Some elements of the travel are more difficult (no one sleeps on the airplane) but most of it is much easier than it used to be. Amaya held my hand while we walked through the x-ray at security. We sat on the floor together and ate breakfast. Just the fact that she walks means that she can get out of her car seat in the airport. Plus, for me, the first trip traveling with one after a trip with three always feels relatively easy.

Feeding her tiger.

Two colleagues were on this same flight for business so they helped me get the car seat on the airplane which was great. The biggest challenge was trying to prevent Amaya from kicking the seat in front of her. She thought it was hysterical. I spent most of the flight doing anything I could to distract her. She also had some issues on the descent and cried for the last 20 minutes of the flight but we made it! Early, even!

Meanwhile, back in the Land of Cheltenham, Steven and Sammy (here, Sammy and Steven) might have been missing their sister (Sis Sis, as Sammy says), but they were going to soon find that they had a big treat waiting for them – Grandpa Homey and Grandma Betsy!

Amaya got right into the swing of things at Nana’s house. We’ve been watching videos of Chase and Charlie every day so she was very comfortable with them. Lots and lots of hugs and kisses for everyone!

Back in the Land of Cheltenham, perhaps in honor of their traveling sister, Steven and Sammy (here, Sammy and Steven) ate the PAPAYA that Amaya picked out last weekend. I hear it was a hit!

Then it was time for a walk with Megan and Grandma Betsy.

The boys wrapped up their day playing with their kinetic sand. I think we’re going to have hours and hours of fun with this stuff!

We also took advantage of the nice weather and went for a walk.

This morning, Amaya was excited to wear bracelets that had been Charlie’s. She looooooves her bracelets. More than breakfast, even!

More bracelets!

Mommy and Amaya. <3

Exactly one year ago today, Amaya and I were on the way to NY for our first girls weekend.

And with my best big guy, Chase.

Back in the Land of Cheltenham, the boys had fun times of their own! It was the fire station open house and Steven and Sammy got to check out the fire truck!! So, so cute.

It’s cool here, but we all also got outside.

After nap, we packed up and headed to Long Beach for their fall festival.

So lucky that Uncle Dave and Chase were able to meet us. We saw farm animals, pumpkins and wandered around for about an hour.

Amaya even pet a bearded dragon lizard. She loved it!! No fear at all. Even when it was crawling on her, she was totally captivated.

And that was our day!! A great family day in NY.

Back in the Land of Cheltenham, Jason was also having a great family day, first at home with Grandpa Homey and Grandma Betsy and then out with his dad to watch the Sparty game.

Saturday it was Lions for the boys. Sunday was the Giants. And I am about to be 3-2 in my first ever fantasy football league!

By 10am, we packed up, said our goodbyes, and made the trip back to MI.

I told some friends that traveling with kids is like childbirth. Once it’s over you forget the pain which is the only reason you do it again. 🙂 It’s doable, it’s just hard. Today’s flight was during nap time and I was hopeful that Amaya would nap but it’s seeming, more and more, that my kids are no longer going to sleep on airplanes. She did great, though, all things considered. My little frequent flier.

And, next thing we knew, we were back home and Amaya was feeding papaya to her daddy. I couldn’t have asked for more from our girls’ weekend. I love my Amaya. The best part of coming home, of course, was seeing all my boys!

Earlier in the week, the kids went to their early intervention class. The theme this week as “sensory” so there was a lot around to feel and touch.

Back at home, we got silly with our wacky headband!

Bobo and Megan had snuggles.

And we had coloring time.

Wednesday was music, where everyone is getting braver and venturing out on their own more and more.

This is the EXTREME roller coaster. What a trip! We’ll have to look into it for next summer.

Music class was so much fun that the kids napped HARD. What Amaya didn’t realize, though, was that she was about to have even more fun with a sleepover at Grandma Sunshine’s house! Like last time we did a grandma sleepover, she slept for about an hour at home before making the trip with Grandma.

Just as with Sammy, her Daddy’s Big Head was there waiting for her.

I always find myself eager to get home during one of the kids’ sleepovers because it’s so special to have time with just 2 of the kids. Three is the best, but two is some rest. Hahaha. It’s true, though!

This week, we tried out our new kinetic sand! I think it’s going to be a great activity during the long Michigan winter. Both boys liked it, but Sammy is a little more hesitant to touch the sand and prefers to use the tools.

Amaya settled in easily at Grandma Sunshine’s house and slept well.

Everyone had a relaxing morning, too!

The morning adventure for Amaya was a trip to Potter Park Zoo! There were lots of animals out and she had a blast.

The boys missed their sister but found ways to entertain themselves until she returned.

Next thing they knew, their sister was home safe and sound and happy after a great time with her grandmother.

We’re still taking advantage of every nice day and spending as much time outside as possible. It’s my long, sad countdown to winter. Fortunately, the kids don’t know what’s coming. They’re just having fun outside.

I think she’s ready for the runway.

Finally for the week, here’s a fun PJ photo shoot. We love our PJ’s and we love our cow Moo.

Have a great week!

When Nana came to visit last week, she brought videos for me to keep on my phone so the kids can always see Nana & Papa, even when FaceTime isn’t available. We got bonus Chase and Charlie videos, too. Particularly Sammy. He wants to watch the videos all the time. Every time he sees my phone he says, “Chase. Chase.” It’s really cute.

Here we are watching the videos after work on Friday.

Steven, Sammy and Amaya were particularly cute this week in their Elmo shirts. We were lucky enough to have three hand-me-down shirts from Chase, all in a 2T. We aren’t watching TV yet, but Sammy still knows who Elmo is. Elmo is everywhere!! Though, to be fair, he has a random monster on his shirt today and he looked at it and said, “Elmo.”

Apparently Amaya likes her Elmo shirt more than her pants! Seriously, though, I need these kids to KEEP THEIR CLOTHING ON IN THEIR CRIBS. First come the pants. Then comes the diaper. You know what comes next and this mom isn’t having that.

Back to the beginning of the week… My mom was still here with SSA until Tuesday morning.

Monday morning, I was home with everyone because I had a 3:30pm flight to Vegas for an overnight business trip. That meant I was able to attend the EI session for Steven and Amaya. The teachers this fall are so, so good. They’re smart and knowledgeable about what they’re doing and laser focused on each kid.

Sammy’s sensory eval was completed and he would technically qualify for OT (occupational therapy) but you need to be in the special ed program for that and he will not qualify for special ed (which is a good thing in it’s own right). That means that he’ll still have just monthly sessions with his teacher but Amaya’s teacher is also going to bring activities to our house that will be good for Sammy. Just simple things like toys that vibrate.

Steven’s teacher worked with him on some balance and core exercises and, interestingly, Amaya’s teacher noticed that she forgets to swallow when she’s concentrating on a task. I’d never think to notice that! It’s totally normal, but we can touch her jaw as a reminder if we do see it at home.

One bonus of EI time is that the kids get bubbles in the house!

By the time the kids were up from naps I was already on my way to Vegas but I was treated to photos of kids happy with their peas. It’s always a good idea to start with the veggies. If the noodles or potatoes come first, it will be aaaaaaaall noodles and potatoes. Especially for Bobo.

In the morning, Nana was sure to take some first-of-the-day good morning photos for me, first in their cribs and then at breakfast. That’s what I like to wake up to, if it can’t be with Steven, Sammy and Amaya in person. <3

We had pumpkins last weekend and Tuesday was the EI “school” trip to an apple orchard. Summer is over! It was so much fun for the kids, especially Steven who loves the animals. Sammy and Amaya prefer them from a distance. And everyone knows the goat says, “Maaaaaa.” That’s a fairly new one.

Donuts!!

Mmmmmm.

I love this little series of photos. At the end of nap time on Tuesday, only Steven was awake. He got a little one on one Megan time while Amaya and Sammy got a few more minutes of sleep. Sleeping kids are the best. I just love the sprawl.

Here’s one more random cute photo of Sammy’s sleeping sprawl.

Wednesday was another big day. We had morning play time where you can see that Amaya and Steven were playing very nicely with their mega blocks.

Everyone was ready for Stephanie to arrive so they could all go to music class.

More fun at music this week!

Wednesday afternoon, midway through naps, Sammy headed off with Grandma Sunshine for an overnight adventure. When he arrived, Big Head Daddy was there waiting to welcome him.

While Sammy was off having fun, Amaya and Steven had some fun of their own. Amaya took off her shirt and (mostly) put it back on – inside out and backwards – but back on!

Steven started his winter prep.

On Thursday morning they had cuddles and playtime.

Sammy was lucky to have lots of toys to play with and then a trip to the Lansing local Potter Park zoo! Such a fun adventure with Grandma Sunshine!

Then, before we knew it, Sammy was home. “Bubba home,” he said.

There was more than enough time for playtime outside. We’re taking advantage of it while we can.

Big kids

Next thing we knew, it was Friday! Weekend!! How do we celebrate?!? With socks on our ears! The perfect place for socks, of course.

We had a very lazy weekend at home. Our big adventure was brunch out on Sunday. Amaya went to the grocery store with Daddy and was excited to finally see a real PAPAYA! It came home with us.

We had some coloring time.

Rides on Fudgie the Whale!

Playtime with Daddy.

And story time with Daddy!

I didn’t get the blog out yesterday because I was at an emergency vet appointment with Sally. She’s okay, but my best big girl needed her momma last night.

As a result, there are bonus Monday photos! Sammy and Amaya’s teachers came for EI today and, in the afternoon, it was beautiful out so we made the most of the nice weather.

When I come home from work, Sammy greets me at the gate and immediately says, “Shoes! Shoes!” All he wants are my shoes. Or boots. Today it was “Boots!” I’m a sucker and I always give in so off came the boots I was wearing and out came my snow boots.

Steven got the first shot at the snow boots.

Sammy wanted his turn, too.

We have a fairly regular bedtime routine. We go upstairs around 6:30pm for quiet playtime. We play and read books for about half an hour and, shortly after 7pm, we brush teeth. By 7:15pm, it’s time for cribs. Here was a bit of story time tonight!

Before I wrap up, I’ll share some photos from last week, matched up with Chase when he first wore the shirts. We’re so lucky to have all of these great hand me downs from our big cousins!