The Stone Triplets: 2009

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Merry Christmas!

Hard to believe as I sit and type tonight that we only have one more day in 2009! Where has the time gone? We were lucky to have spent our Christmas holidays surrounded by family and friends! Holiday meals were enjoyed by both sets of Godparents and their children. Trent and Emily discovered the joy of jumpies as they read Chicka-Chicka-Boom-Boom to the babies.

Then on Christmas Eve, we got the children ready to attend Christmas Eve service at the church. Funny how getting 3 children fed and dressed while James and I tried to do the same could be so tiring! After we were loaded into the mini-van, James and I laughed and thought we should get the rest of the night off!

We attended service with Grams, Pops, & Uncle Jon. We are finding that attending service is slightly more challenging now the babies are mobile --- they don't want to sit still for long!

After the beautiful service, we headed to the Stone house for dinner and gift exchange.

James and Pops were busy solving the problems of the world...

Morgan and Grams enjoyed "toying" around...

And Madison enjoyed riding Koda, our new present from Uncle Jon!

After a late night, we were on the way home with visions of... well... we were pretty tired, and I don't think sugar plums were dancing in our head!

Christmas morning --- time to see what Santa left under our tree! The three babies opened presents together as the Byrd family came over to watch.

Although they loved the toys, I think they were more fascinated with the sound of tearing paper & the shiny ribbons!

Next we went across the yard to my mother's house for gifts.

I think Christmas shopping next year may be easier. Boxes can be empty as long as they are covered in paper that crinkles when you tear it and tied with shiny ribbons :)

Exhausted babies were put down for a nap soon after our Christmas lunch was finished. Here are just a few of my personal favorites from the holidays...

Dad reading to the girls

James playing with his cousin, Tyler, and enjoying his new fish toy

Madison showing how the paper was much more fun than the gift inside

What an Amazing year! We have been blessed with so much this year - we're looking forward to 2010!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Baby Play Day!

The babies enjoyed another "play day" this weekend!

Friends Jack and Sydney came over for a little Christmas gift-exchange.

Here we see the babies after a day of playing --- looks like everyone enjoyed their day!

Here is the next shot in our progression. Notice Sydney (in the red, middle), Jack (far right), and Morgan haven't really changed positions! Madison, however, has managed to crawl over

her brother who has started a meltdown...

the meltdown continues as we see Madison's legs changing direction, fleeing the scene of crime...

And she is off too see if Sydney needs help opening any presents!

Hope you enjoy the season surrouned with family and friends --- just don't crawl over them on the way to check out the presents under the tree :)

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Gifts Under the Tree!

Last night I tried to wrap presents in "my favorite room" - surrounded by babies in jumpies (see earlier post)! I quickly found out that James wasn't fond of the paper - not sure if it was the sound, color, or the fact that he was tired. He soon ended up in my lap, and the wrapping experience was over! One present down, countless more to go! Morgan LOVED the empty cardboard wrapping tube - we would talk through it and she would just kick, jump, & giggle! Madison was amazed by the entire process --- paper, ribbons, tape --- she'll be in the very middle of it next year!
I also realized that the present I was wrapping wasn't nearly as exciting as the little ones watching the ordeal! Christmas definitely isn't about the presents UNDER the tree, but the people in life that surround the tree during this special time of year!
The "front row" gifts under the tree are actually boxes filled with bricks! We made a "wall" so the little ones couldn't destroy the other packages. We've only had a few ripped papers and crinkled bows, but the babies have enjoyed every minute.

Our tooth count for the week is 8! Madison has her 2 bottom teeth. Morgan decided she didn't want to be left out and showed us her two bottom teeth 2 weeks after big sister. James has pulled into the lead with 4... 2 bottom center and 2 "fang" teeth on the top. We are waiting for his top center teeth to pop out any day!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

We Give Thanks...

Thanksgiving--- one word that can stand for so many things! What do we give thanks for this year?
We thank the Lord for the miracles He provides --- obvious and subtle --- He is awesome.
We are thankful for 3 healthy, happy babies who bring joy into our lives every day. I like to go back and see our April posts of 3 fragile new lives --- proof that prayers, love, and rocking chairs work wonders.

We give thanks for family and friends who surround us, making life sweeter with every visit.
We are thankful for the men and women currently serving in our military, protecting our many freedoms 24 hours a day!

On a sillier note - we give thanks for disposable diapers, for plastic baby food containers, and mega-packs of batteries... for digital cameras that capture a million photos, just so we can get "the one" that we imagine... for DVR so we can have a never-ending supply of Barney, Dora, and Wonder Pets... for Brown Bears, Rainbow Fish, and a Very Hungry Caterpillar... for jumpies... for first teeth... and for belly laughs!

Don't forget to count your MANY blessings this holiday season!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Santa meets the Stones!

Well, the day we waited for finally arrived... SANTA came to the mall :) After making sure everyone was loaded-up on milk, the journey began.
No major meltdowns this visit, so we don't have to worry about a second trip! The line wasn't long, either!
Morgan just awoke from a nap when she met him... she was calm and managed a smile or two!
Madison was fascinated with his bling - jingle bells were everywhere!
James was tired, and really only wanted to discuss the "naughty list" that he has heard so much about!

Group photo was even more interesting. We soon realized that 3 squirmy babies could not stay on Santa's lap! We put James on the arm of Santa's chair, and Andrea hid behind the scenes, making sure he didn't fall. Madison was ready to get down and discover the glittering items around her. Morgan was enjoying being held! James discovered his Morgan's bow, plucked it off her head, and began chewing on it! We all laughed and KNEW this was a typical day with the group!

Funny how such a simple task required 5 adults - one "assigned" to each baby, one to watch the strollers & purses, and one to take photos!

We only hope our entire holiday season will be as sweet as this one --- filled with smiles, giggles, and the gift of 3 healthy, happy children!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

My Favorite Room

My favorite room in the house? Not the living room with the comfy couch... not the kitchen with dinner being made... not the bathroom with a hot, relaxing shower... My favorite room in our house is simply about 3' by 5'... and it is actually a small hallway. It is the only place in our home where the 3 babies can use their jumpies and still see each other. They do a great job of entertaining each other - squeals & laughter can both be heard throughout the house! It is our nightly ritual before the last bottle of the evening - it is where we can be found working on a baby books, drinking a last cup of decaf, or reading Brown Bear for the millionth time. No matter the size of any room in any home, I believe this small space will ALWAYS be my favorite place! Here is just a small sampling of the jumps and squeals that entertain us on a nightly basis!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Let the TEETHING Begin!!!

No way... I couldn't believe it! Not teeth --- not yet! On the very day that the 3 amigos celebrated their 7-month birthday, we felt Madison's very first tooth. Lower, center-right. Amazing thing - she never let us know it was going to happen! Sure, she was chewing on everything in sight and drooling more than ever, but never really complained!
James, on the other hand, has been complaining for weeks (it seems). 4 days after sister showed her teeth, he showed us his first tooth - bottom center-left.
Morgan is taking her own sweet time, but her temper is starting to flare. Our sweet, mild-mannered youngest now gets angry at anything that she can't chew on! We have a feeling that her teeth will make an appearance any day - or so it seems by her disposition.
We are taking advantage of the amazing weather outside as much as possible! The outside photo is a typical afternoon for us... right before lunch and our nap. Getting dark? We head inside with our exersaucers, ready to catch an episode of The WIGGLES (on the TV in the back). Nights are getting easier - our last bottle is about 8:00, which means (on a good night) the last baby is in bed by 9:00... leaving mom & dad some time to clean and get ready for the next day. James and Morgan are our early risers, usually up between 6:30 and 7:15. I wish we could sit down and strike a deal with them all - somehow convince them to sleep on occasion, but no such luck!
The triplets were pleased to have visitors this weekend! Marinelle and Jeanene came for a visit & a few hugs and giggles. We look forward to seeing them again, as well as the rest of the crew!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

7 Months Old!

People always told me to enjoy the babies while I could... they would grow up fast. I never believed them UNTIL I saw them change overnight! We felt Madison's tooth yesterday - first one in the group to start, so we're gearing up for the teething phase! Hard to believe these are the same babies that spent the first few weeks of their lives in the NICU!

We took them to our pediatrician yesterday, November 6th, which was their 7-month b-day. Our original visit was only to receive the 2nd part of our flu shot. The nurse asked if we wanted weights, and I thought I might as well. Good thing we had 3 adults in the office! In the course of only a few minutes, they managed to turn the little room into a zoo! Morgan quietly watched, hands folded across her chest. Madison grabbed as much paper from the examining table as she could and tried to hold every inch. James wanted in on the fun and was mad when Madison took his fair share. After watching James and Madison scoot around the table, trying to eat the paper, arguing with each other, & pulling the cords away from the wall, reality set in.
I turned to mom and asked, "It's not going to get any easier, is it?"

"No, honey, just different."
We finally had to laugh, watching the little ones, & realizing that we had neither been weighed NOR received our shots at that point and we were already exhausted!

Most current weights:
Morgan - 15 lbs, 3 oz.

Madison - 17 lbs, 9 oz.

James - 17 lbs, 15 oz.

Growing like weeds... what a hoot!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Jump, Jump, Jump!

When we got the news that we were expecting triplets, WAVES of emotions washed over us! We were excited and scared to death, we experienced panic and joy... there aren't enough words to describe it! Once we settled in with the idea and began preparing for the new arrivals, the fun began. One of the very first dreams I ever had (and believe me, I had many) was one that left me smiling when I awoke. I had a dream that we had 3 "jumpers" hanging from the door sills with 3 giggling babies bouncing, smiling, laughing, & squealing at the dog. I knew that morning that Jumpsters would definitely be on the baby registry! With the help of generous friends, we did receive 3 jumpsters, and they have been BY FAR my favorite toys! They keep the kiddos happy, busy, and really wear them out! After a long weekend, we followed the usual night routine --- dinner, short nap, playtime, then jumpsters to drain the extra energy from the little bodies before the 8:00 last-bottle-of-the-night. When they were all playing, I grabbed a cup of decaf and sat to enjoy the show. Even Shelby decided she wanted to get into the action, & was quickly greeted with happy squeals. We all laughed and wore ourselves out... & a long night's sleep was enjoyed by ALL :)

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Halloween - Goldilocks & the 3 Bears

How do you put the triplets and family dog in the same Halloween photo? Goldilocks and the 3 Bears!!! We knew the chances of us taking the kiddos to a pumpkin patch AND having everyone be in a good mood was very slim, so we brought the patch to our back yard!

The kiddos really didn't seem to mind the bear hats, so we were in luck! Shelby would pose for a few pictures, and then become distracted by a squirrel, bird, or other backyard creatures! I think Shelby did enjoy the photo shoot - I can almost see her smiling in the pumpkins! As the picture time was winding down, we were visited by the Stone Grandparents (Pops & Grams) as well as cousin Zac Ridner! What a special treat! We were lucky that our little ones stayed happy enough for a few family photos for about 10 minutes before things changed. Madison remained excited to have visitors, James grew tired of the ordeal and wanted to rest inside, and Morgan fell fast asleep on Grams' lap!

The Stone Triplets