The Stone Triplets

Been a while since I've posted - and I honestly have no idea where the time has gone!
The kiddos have been growing like weeds and running in 3 different directions. They have also added a new skill to their list - that of CLIMBING - climbing on couches, climbing on boxes, climbing on dad, turning drawers over to climb on  those as well!  Not sure how effective it is for me to take a photo, THEN correct the situation, but sometimes, I just can't pass it up!
We have several different cameras floating around the house (that will be no surprise to friends who know me well). These are just a few pics off ONE camera we keep handy --- enjoy.



Yes, I know... Halloween is over and Thanksgiving is right around the corner, but I just HAD to post about our weekend!

This year, we had 2 princesses and a pirate. No real theme - just the costumes.  This year, NOBODY wanted anything on their heads! No crowns, no hats, no caps... so the costumes were as simple as possible!
On Friday, we enjoyed a Halloween party with some friends from KAPOM (Katy Area Parents of Multiples).  Here we met about six other moms who had twins. There were toddlers EVERYWHERE! Muppets, Dolls, even deviled eggs! The kids had a great time playing with the new toys and exploring a big back yard!  There was a small pool filled with water so the "older toddlers" could grab some little plastic floating pumpkins... my crew tried to jump in to get them! Thankfully Andrea was there as well, so we only had a few shoes take the plunge!
This is a group photo from the party. James was MUCH more interested in the toys that were on the floor... and getting hungry, too! He wasn't as interested in the photo as the girls, but I take what I can get :)
The ride home was quiet, and great naps were had in the afternoon!



On Saturday, we put on our costumes once again and headed to Andrea's house.  Her daughter, Sofia, was having a birthday party  complete with Halloween costumes and dancing in the garage. We decided to let the babies enjoy the party, but have them home before darkness and dinner.  Here is a video that was taken in Andrea's backyard - a place PERFECT for the babies to play... and a perfect sized dog who loved to be scratched!




Sunday was interesting.  I guess the crew decided they had enough of the costumes and partying! We had a laid-back morning and a great nap!  After a snack, we dressed them in costume for the final time. We took them in the backyard to play before we went around our neighborhood.  While playing, a princess took the pirate's favorite toy & the fussing started!  We got everyone settled in our Choo-choo wagon for trick or treating, and the fussing continued.  We saw Grams & Pops on the road and tried to pause for a quick pic or two.  Then headed to Maw-Maw & Paw-Paws for a quick visit, but the pirate continued to fuss!  We made ONE Halloween stop at Ashley's house, but it was a quick one - yes, you guessed it, my pirate was still unhappy!  I handed  him my cell phone and it seemed to pacify him for the ride home. Once back in the house, I changed the pirate into more comfortable clothing and found the reason for his discontent --- a pine cone leaf was wedged under the elastic in his diaper! No wonder he was fussy!!!  His mood IMMEDIATELY improved once the object was removed and he ended the night running, playing, and laughing with his sisters.






Someone asked how Dad and I dressed.  Simple answer. We went as parents of triplets preparing for the terrible two's !!!

My friends at school have been asking about the babies.  Hard to believe that we are 1 1/2 years old!
A typical conversation is as follows:
"So, Pam, how are the babies?"
"Healthy and happy!"
"Are they walking?"
"Running - and in 3 different directions!"
"Oh, gosh... I can't even imagine!"

I guess since my sweet hubby and I have never experienced any other way, our life with triplets feels pretty normal... and we can't imagine life without them!!!

Here's a peek at our bedtime tonight - 7:25 - time for PJ's, relaxation, and just a little milk before bed.
... and twirling... and giggles... and twirling... and giggles... and then there's James... my sweet boy!

We've made it... we hit 18 months without any major bumps in our road! Yes, there have been hard times, but watching them play today --- and reflecting on where we were last year at this time --- we all have reason to celebrate.
The babies enjoyed the day playing inside, taking a trip to the grocery store, and discovering the new pumpkins placed in their backyard. 

Here are the pics from our lunchtime cupcakes.  Trying to avoid a major sugar rush, everyone was given only 1/2 of a cupcake after their lunch.



Morgan wasn't sure what to do at first. She looked at it, poked at the crumbs, studied James and Madison.  Once we handed her a fork - her FAVORITE new item -  it was all over... she ate the first few bites with her fork (we think to avoid the mess), then quickly finished the rest with her hands.



James eagerly at the CAKE part of dessert but was hesitant to eat the icing. We're not quite sure why - maybe it was a texture thing. Maybe it was due to the fact that our son likes a VERY limited number of foods.  BUT... Once he discovered the icing, it was gone in two very big bites! Madison loved her cupcake! Unafraid of a mess of any kind, she grabbed it in one hand and started eating!  The only thing she found almost as interesting was the camera. The girls have discovered the view finder on the back - they enjoy helping mommy take photos!



No great news today --- just that we're surviving the newest teeth!

It is 2:44 in the afternoon, and the babes should be asleep for at least another hour.  This means I have time to clear some items off our digital camera! Here are just a few of the latest shots --- no wonderful words of wisdom -- just adorable babies (but then, again, I am a little biased :)

Madison showing off her fancy new Dora sunglasses - she and Morgan LOVE them!

James' latest sport - finding the toy basket, sitting in it, THEN throwing out the toys. What an adorable smile!!!

Morgan finds a quiet place to sit and read :)

Our 3 musicians!

The best family photo we could get at swim lessons.

Cold beverages for the trip home.

Tyler and Kelsey were united in marriage last Saturday -- what a beautiful bride and groom!!! Our babies were the flower girls and ring bearer! We survived being away from our baby-proofed home, away from our schedules, and away from our regular routines... barely!

Although the children were absolutely precious, they were carried down the aisle... Madison with her swollen lip (casualty of a fall in a parking lot), Morgan with her black eye (reminder that you shouldn't run down the hall, trip, and fall eye-first into the window sill), and James (boo-boo-free!).  James lasted about 1 minute into the ceremony, and the girls lasted until the wedding vows.  I'm just really glad we had some quick feet to get the babies out before they caused too much noise - thanks to milk and Cheerios!!!
We haven't received photos from the wedding photographer yet. Although I am usually a shutter-bug, my hands were busy keeping up with the kiddos! Here are just a few shots of our little ones! I'll post more when the better photos arrive :)

After the ceremony, Morgan enjoyed animal crackers with Maw-Maw! (thanks for the beautiful sashes, Sandy!! They were PERFECT!)

Madison enjoyed playing Peek-A-Boo with her dress... VERY typical! (refer to 6-month photos!)

James enjoyed a few bottles of COLD apple juice - since he and Dad had to make a quick exit, he spent much of his time playing in the heat --- see his red cheeks? :)

Morgan enjoys pancakes on Sunday morning--- and shows us her black eye !!

Madison perfects her forward roll (under CLOSE supervision of Maw-maw)

James' new toy - he discovered that a strainer CAN roll... and make noise.

WE DID IT!!!! We took the babies to the lake house in Crockett to help James' folks celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary!  We couldn't think of a better reason to leave town and "relax". I use the word "relax" very lightly... nothing relaxing about taking your baby away from home for their first overnight trip --- ANY mother can relate to that :)  We just had to use our van as well as the Stone's to pack everything - we should have rented a U-Haul!  Our items included: 3 pack-n-plays with sheets and mattresses 3 booster seats 3 bathing suits, cover-ups, and 9 swim diapers 7 night diapers (we brought an extra "just in case") about 40 day diapers + carton of wipes sound machine and monitors for the night 6 life jackets for little ones (we wanted to see which typed worked best) little bitty water shoes food, toys, and the items needed for a normal day I thought the best idea would be to do the majority of our driving during the babies' nap time.  After making it half-way to the lake, we realized that I forgot to notify the babies - they had a 30-minute nap in mind.  Our day naps were very short, but they all slept like LOGS at night! Grams and Pops had a great time with the babies as well, although they didn't have a chance to relax much during the weekend.  They helped prepare meals (for kids and adults) as well as help with clean-up.  Pops also managed to have something with wheels handy for little James.  The kiddos enjoyed swimming in the lake, waving at the boats, going on a trip to the Wal-Mart in Crockett, and their very first boat ride.  Poor James and Morgan both had new molars come through which made the trip a little more difficult for them, but all in all, our first outing was a HUGE success!!!  I told Grams after our first successful night that I was the one that had the hardest time adjusting,.. the babies did just fine :)  Good to know that they will all be ready for a trip to a wedding in September!!!! Here are a few highlights as well as video clips from our trip: Madison proudly wearing her new floating suit and matching hat. James and dad after a swim. Morgan and her boat shoes. She actually brought them to me to wear... she loves them :) Grams, the music teacher, has the kiddos playing already! How talented they are !!!! Pops finds wheels!!! Dinner Time Grams took a video of our very first boat ride.  Good thing she did, because the babies probably won't remember a thing!  Morgan and James passed out in the beginning of the ride, and Madison joined them after driving the boat with Dad. Tired babies on the ride home :) Mom and dad were tired, too, but very happy that the weekend was a success!!!!

As the temperatures continue to be scorching, we have found other ways to occupy our summer time! The babies are making the switch from 2 naps a day to just one nap a day. (many moms think it is CRAZY to encourage this, but the babies sleep better at night now :)
SO - during the day, we make sure to take the babies OUT somewhere - sometimes it's the YMCA to play in the pool. Other times we may visit a shopping mall and invade the play area. This trip happens to be our trip to Wal-Mart.


I jokingly tell my friends that we found the babies on the clearance aisle :)










Morgan found a cool pair of shades to protect her eyes.









Madison was unimpressed with the selection in the store.




And James was busy picking out colors for his new room. We haven't had the heart to tell him that he will be sharing his current room with his sisters for quite a while.



While shopping we bought the kiddos some shoes. Since I am the WORST about wearing shoes, I never have really pushed it with the babies... that is until we realized our 3 darlings will need to wear them in a September wedding! On this shopping trip, we bought everyone sandals (James is proudly wearing his in the photo) and have "shoe time" every day.

Our latest tooth count is 31. We should've bought stock in Orajel....

Now that all 3 kiddos are walking, and usually in different directions, I really felt the need to have someone else take their photos --- see the little ones through someone else's eyes.
SO... we packed the van on a rainy Thursday morning and headed off for photos! Once we arrived, we had 3 kiddos and 8 adults in our party. We also had every intention of getting a family photo as well as some grandparent photos taken, but it just didn't work out for us today.

James, our little man who isn't fond of loud noises or lots of commotion, showed us that he really wasn't in the mood --- even bribing him with Goldfish and milk just wouldn't do the trick. We did manage to dry the tears when we offered him a bar stool. He was very content to sit on the floor and spin the top of the stool. He was also when we brought out the fire truck so he could roll it back and forth.
Meanwhile, Morgan was wanting to be held by anyone with open arms. Someone usually had to pick her up, place her in front of the camera, then run away quick enough for the photo to be taken.
Madison, on the other hand, was quite the ham! She loved playing on the fire truck, loved climbing down the stairs, was enchanted with stuffed animals given to her... probably the easiest of the 3 to manage!!! While she was waiting on her brother and sister, she occupied herself by trying to use the computer mouse as a cell phone.
Words can't really explain the day --- all 3 babies headed in 3 different directions with 3 very different goals in mind. I really have no idea how, but the photographer did manage to capture our wild ones on film. Now that they are taking an afternoon nap and I'm allowed to sit and relax, I can honestly smile and shake my head a little. Some day I'll miss this...