I don’t know how so much happens in the week of three 2 year olds. They are busy kids! This week was our first dentist appointment. Yikes!! There are a handful of things that intimidate me to do in 3’s and this was one of them. We survived, though! The dentist and hygienists were totally prepared for us. We were in a double room so we could just switch sides between kids and not have to wait for them to get everything set up again. Everyone was initially taken by all of the toys the had available to play with.

Steven was first. He cried, cried, cried. Poor Bobo. Fortunately it’s a quick process. As expected, the dentist told me that Steven’s mouth is severely crowded. One of his top teeth came in crooked and, just looking in his mouth, you can see that he doesn’t have as much room as Sammy and Amaya. The dentist said “very, very crowded” more than once and also said that it gets worse when adult teeth come in so we’re going to have to start saving for Steven’s orthodontics fund now!

Sammy was up next. He cried, cried, cried. Poor Sam Man. But, again, it was over quickly. Great report for Sammy! No major issues.

Finally it was Amaya’s turn and she was as cool as a cucumber. Not a single tear from Miss Amaya. Atta-girl! Amaya’s mouth looks good but she does have some enamel issues on her two front teeth. Apparently it’s a fairly common preemie issue tied to halting the development of enamel when they’re born. The dentist said it could impact her adult front teeth and 6 year molars but we don’t know for sure and I didn’t ask what “impact” really means. I’ll follow-up on that in 6 months when we go back.

Thanks to Megan for being an amazing set of extra hands, as always.

Now that the weather is nicer we’ve resumed sleepovers with Grandma Sunshine. It was Sammy’s turn this week and he had a great time!

I love this photo of Grandma Sunshine and her babies. We took this when Sammy was returned home safe & sound. Steven and, especially, Amaya were very excited to have their brother home.

Sometimes it seems like Steven, Sammy and Amaya can’t be bothered with each other and other times all they want to do is hug and kiss. I guess that’s what it means to grow up siblings. Amaya was particularly focused on Sammy this week after missing him while he was at Grandma Sunshine’s house.

This Steven/Amaya hug started when they both wanted to hug Sammy and he was all done. I suggested they hug each other instead. <3

A big ol’ pile-on!

Evening tv time is still our wind down hour. Megan leaves and Steven says, “TV on.” I could set my watch to it.

This was sweet. Amaya sat with her leg on Steven and he played with her toes while he watched tv.

Sunglasses! I decided to see if the infant sunglasses from the past two summers still fit. They do. Sort of. But Megan magicked 2 pair of regular toddler sunglasses out of her car and the kids love them. Their old ones, too, but especially these. We sat through a few meals made more manageable for the fact that the kids were in their shades.

(Megan photobomb!)

Our big adventure of the week was a visit from Nana and Papa!! They came to celebrate my pre-birthday weekend with me and arrived early Friday afternoon. We were fortunate to have a gorgeous weekend and spent a lot of time outside.

Neighborhood walk on Friday afternoon.

Bedtime stories with Nana.

On Saturday we all went to the Farm Center at Kensington Metro Park. Nana and I had been there with the kids once before in the fall. It’s a great space for kids and they are all much more familiar with the specific animals this spring. Steven is still intrepid and adventurous and walked right up to all of the animals.

In the afternoon, we spent time exploring our own backyard. We’ve spent most of the past 2 summers on our deck so the unfenced yard is still a new experience.

Apparently we all got the “blue shirt” memo.

Saturday night the grown-ups all went out to dinner to celebrate my birthday. I had a special moment with Amaya while I got ready. It was the first time she helped me get read to go out. The first time of many, many, many, I hope!

Sammy was sad to see Nana leave for dinner but Steffie held down the fort and got him back on track.

Desert at home after dinner! Such a great night!

This morning, Nana, Papa, SSA and I took advantage of the great weather and went to play at Maybury Park.

When we were walking along this path to the playground, Amaya got agitated and wanted me to pick her up. I asked her what was upsetting her, what was making her nervous and she said, “Nervous about trees.” In Jason’s words, the kids’ ability to talk is going to be handy. I was able to pick Amaya up, calm her down, and then get her comfortable with the big trees. We had a great time at the park!

Daddy is doing a fantastic job priming the kids for ball cards. They’re already obsessed.

And we rounded out our weekend with a Sunday afternoon walk. Sammy wanted to stay in with Jason so Nana, Papa and I took Steven and Amaya on a walk around the neighborhood.

We loved having you here, Nana & Papa!!

Just a few more highlights from earlier in the week.

Music class!

Sammy, before we asked him to smile.

Sammy, after we asked him to smile.

My children eating their food with no hands. I don’t know. They might be channeling Sally.

Steven and Amaya rubbing Sammy’s back.

The morning devastation to the playroom.

Steven, this week!

Steven is so imaginative these days. Here he was having his monkey play the piano. He reads books all the time and tells stories about the pictures. He says hi to everything. Trees, cars, animals, every character in his books. He turns his food into objects that he’s eating – boats, cows, cars, trucks. I love it.

Sammy, this week!

The kids were in bed when I got back from taking Nana and Papa to the airport. Amaya was crying so I went into the nursery and Sammy said, “Mommy got off the plane. Came home to Bubba.” Despite what Jason had told him he thought I was getting on the airplane. And then he thought I got off and came home to him. LOVE.

Smelling his feet.

Amaya, this week!

French braid!

Have a great week!