Wednesday, July 10, 2013

23 months!

We're so close to two and I can't believe how the time has flown by.  Every monthaversary I set out to get a nice group picture and for the past few months I end up saying the same thing.  Trying to get a picture with all three and all three of them looking is getting more and more difficult.  They used to just sit where we put them - and it was hard to get them to look and smile, but now as soon as they know you want them to all sit together, they purposely won't.  It's like herding cats or bagging cats.  Ok I'll have to explain that one and please don't call PETA on me, but when I was younger and living with my parents we could have as many as 10-12 cats.  I'm sure my dad started it, but on occasion he would grab a paper grocery bag and put one of the cats in it and then we'd see how many of the cats we could get in the bag.  Ok, I know how this sounds, but we weren't hurting any of them and there were never more than two cats in the bag because by the time you got the second one in, the first one was getting back out or the bag would rip.  So, basically, believe me when I say that it's pretty darn tough to get them to all for a decent picture.

July 4th was earlier in the week.  We enjoyed a picnic in the backyard with Tony's side of the family.  It was fine, but the party basically broke up because our one nephews had yet another bout of constipation.  They seem to be always leaving early because of the same problem (insert eye roll here).  We decided that we'd take the kids down to see the fireworks - looking back, we didn't go last year because it was past their bedtime.  It was past their bedtime this time too, but we got them all bathed and dressed and then loaded them up in the stroller and walked to the elementary school down the road.  It's a pretty good spot to see the fireworks. We arrived just before it was getting dark and within about 10 minutes the sky was lit up nice and bright!  Olivia and Tony did really well with the noise and seemed to like the lights although Olivia kept getting distracted by airplanes going by - which is something they all seem to do every time we're outside.  I swear that they think it's their job to let the entire neighborhood know that there's an airplane going by.
Here's a few pictures of them watching the fireworks.
I know it looks like she's covering her ears, but it'll make more sense if you watch the video...
Little Tony loving the lights!

Amelia watching the dark sky.  I love her hair... such pretty curls!  



We also had a little pool time this weekend.  We have the same purple elephant pool and we've coupled that with the kangaroo climber which makes a water slide!  It's pretty cool, but I've noticed that their attention spans seem shorter as they continuously get in and out of the pool, but it probably just seems that way because last year they couldn't get in and out on their own so they really had no choice but to continue
playing while they were in there.  Here's a few pictures of our recent pool party!


















If it's not obvious, I took a ton of pictures of them - trying to get them all together which didn't really happen, but I there were so many cute ones I had to include alot!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

I want that COW!!!

Since the arrival of our trio and thanks to the tv show about extreme couponing, I've started to coupon - more than I did in the past.  I've sought out companies that we use and contact them for coupons.  My favorite, by far is Turkey Hill.  Turkey Hill is a dairy out in Lancaster, PA and they sell ice cream and other bottled drinks like iced tea.  I can contact them every 90 days and request more coupons and they send a bunch.  On occasion, combined with the right sale, I get ice cream for .88 cents or iced tea for free!  I love it!

One evening, I was searching around their website and found a contest that is titled "Cow Birthday Visit".  Turkey Hill has these giant two ton, 13 foot cows that they take to promotional events and such and apparently to a few birthday parties every year.  Naturally, I entered the contest.  Then entered it again.  Then I called and left a crazy person message on someone in marketing's voicemail and followed up again with an email.  Yes, I'm officially insane because I want that cow!  I've told several people about this to the point of people asking me if I've heard anything.  I was originally planning a certain theme for the birthday party, but now I'm totally obsessed with having this cow come to the party.  I can see it now... a whole barnyard theme, possibly a petting zoo (OMG, can you even imagine!) It would be SO MUCH FUN! 
It's getting pretty close to the point of where they would need to let me know sooner than later and I'm getty pretty anxious about it.  I'll likely plan to call again tomorrow and see what they say.  Their website says that they would let you know at least one month in advance and one month before their birthday would be this upcoming weekend.  So I'm starting to let the disappointment sink in slowly.  I want this so much!  You have no idea!
My obsession with the idea of this initially started because my MIL made a comment to Tony about not having a 'big' birthday party this year.  So obviously, she thought that too many people came last year according to her.  Last year's guest list included his parents, his brothers and their families (minus the one that lives in KC I'll ), my parents, my sisters and their families, my aunt and uncle that live about an hour away, my cousin and her family, Tony's two aunt's and uncle's, Melanie and her family plus Tony's friend/old co-worker and her family plus a few others that I'm likely forgetting.  So in total about 30 adults and about 8 kids.  It may see like alot, and I know my MIL would have been happier if my family hadn't attended, the guest list mainly contained family...so I'm not sure who I'd cut out to make it a smaller party.  Ok I know exactly who I wouldn't invite, but that wouldn't be very nice of me!  What I don't understand is why she feels the right to dictate what size party we should have.  My thought process is this:  I have three kids - each with the same birthday.  Not everyone can say that and I feel it's a pretty darn fantastic thing that we've made it this far (without killing each other, or one of them, or anyone else!).  So it's as much their celebration as it is for me/us.   So again, my initial plan was to have Turkey Hill bring their cow and I'd invite the whole town!  I'll show her small party!  The worst part right now is that she'll likely end up getting her way because it doesn't appear that I'll get my wish.  Oh well, there's always their third birthday to look forward to.

Turkey Hill Giant Cows Schedule of Appearances

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Oh well...the bad/sad news

An update on a few things - mostly not so good things, unfortunately.  I'll start off with the fact that Tony did not get that job.  I was really hoping that he would.  He's told me recently that he misses leaving the house on a regular basis.  Don't get me wrong, he's still doing a great job staying home with the kids, but I wanted something else for him to look forward to.  I'll admit that I probably wanted it more than him.  Oh well!

A while back I wrote about my sister in law expecting her second baby - and about the comment that was made about 'dodging a bullet' regarding the loss of one a twin (one she didn't even know she had.  Well, the sad news is that shortly after, she lost the other one.

I'll continue with the not so good news... I posted a while back about tense relations with my other SIL and how I wasn't invited to her baby shower.  I'll update to say that relations aren't any better.  We can be cordial at family functions, but neither of us will go out of our way to be friends.  I guess I just feel like she's a big faker and the person she portrays herself to be online - like on facebook - is not who she really is.  Whatever. 

Update on my diet/weight loss journey - I had a really good two weeks where I actually lost about 7lbs!  This past week, I had some set backs and added back 1-2lbs, but hopefully I can get back on track soon!

I haven't been taking many pictures lately.  I've been working later hours at work so I don't have much time with them during the week.  I do have some pictures from last weekend that was taken by my aunt at my cousin's daughter's high school graduation party. 


Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Fingers crossed

Tony had a job interview this past Monday for a part time position with the town.  It's not that much money, but I think he'll enjoy getting out on a somewhat regular basis.  I know he misses leaving the house...
So hopefully it's meant to be.  Que sera sera!

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Hugs & Kisses

The video and title speaks for itself... and yes I'm kicking my feet and squealing with delight at what I was witnessing.  I'm really glad Melanie got this captured on her phone.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

22 months +2 days

There are times when I simply look at my babies and realize they aren't babies anymore.  I'm really not sure how I should refer to them - my kids, my toddlers...the triplets?  It doesn't feel like it's been almost 2 years since they arrived, but here we are!  I'll attempt an update on each one now that we've hit the 22 (plus 2 day mark).

Amelia - Amelia is the smallest of the trio.  She's my little string bean and I call her 'bean' all the time.  She weighs about 22-23 lbs and is the shortest, but not by alot.  Her hair is getting longer, it's a pretty light brown color that is straight on the top and sides, but has a bit of wave/curl in the back.  It's only when it's wet that you can see how long it actually is.  She has brown eyes and about 14 teeth.  She currently wears 18 month clothes, but at times can still fit into some 12 month things.  Amelia likes to run around and play with everything.  She's definitely attached to a few things including a stuffed panda bear during the day and her 'blanket bear' at night.  She still sucks her thumb at night and sometimes during the day to soothe herself.  We're trying to break her from it, but it doesn't seem like it's going to be an easy feat.  She doesn't like to be told no - especially about sucking her thumb.  She'll throw down her bear and throw herself down and start to cry.  She's usually a pretty happy smiley kid, but has her moments where she cannot be calmed down.  She's a pretty good eater - her favorite things are pasta - noodles (or as she says noonyels), toast, eggs and cheese.  Other than her milk and water, she enjoys tomato juice.  Amelia tends to be a caring baby and has been seen patting the back of her brother when he coughs or hurt himself, but she creates her share of problems as well.  She still  bites her brother and sister when she doesn't get her way and has started pinching too.  Her favorite TV show is the Mickey Mouse Club on Disney Jr. and she likes dancing to the  theme song.  Her speech has really taken off over the past few months and she's been seen having conversations in the bathtub looking at her own reflection.  It's so cute to watch!  She knows most of her body parts, but tends to get her eyes and ears mixed up.  She knows alot of animals and the sounds they make.  Sometimes I swear she's turning into a cat because it seems like she's always meowing!  She likes bath time, but doesn't always like the rinsing part - with the water splashing over her face.  Everyone that sees her or sees a picture of her says she looks just like me - so obviously she's beautiful. :)




Tony - Little Tony is in the middle - he was born in the middle and currently in the middle for weight and height.  He's a little bit taller than Amelia and a little bit shorter than Olivia.  He weighs about 26 lbs, has thick dark straight brown hair and brown eyes.  He's in need of a hair cut soon - he's already had three in the past, but his hair just seems to grow really fast!  He's really good for hair cuts and hopefully the girls will behave as well as he does.  Tony also loves to run around and he moves fast, but on occasion, he tends to run with his head forward and his arms behind him, so he has his fair share of falls and head bumps and bruises.  He currently has a small bump on the right side of his forehead, a healing  brush burn on his right forearm (that seems to be taking forever to heal up) and a bunch of scrapes on his left knee.  Tony is also usually a happy little guy - always has a smile for a stranger and gives great high fives.  He can be a little flirt with the ladies too.  He doesn't really have a favorite toy, but he really likes to make Olivia chase him around with whatever toy he just stole from her.  I never thought that he'd want to sit down and read a book like his sisters, but he does.  He can be a very lovey baby and has been seen hugging his sisters - sometimes a little too tightly - and the same thing for the cat and dog.  He seems to really like trucks and airplanes and can hear them and see them from pretty far away.  He's always yelling out "airplane" or "truck".  He, like Amelia knows most of his body parts - but also gets his eyes and ears mixed up and knows a bunch of animal noises.  Tony is also a good eater - most of the time.  He can get a little naughty at dinner time where he likes to throw his food across the room when he doesn't like the menu or when he's done.  His favorites include meatballs (from Cafe Napoli), hot dogs and most fruits.  He's not a big fan of vegetables in general, but he'll help down a can of V8 with his sisters.  Tony also likes the Mickey Mouse Club show and Jake and the Never land pirates and dances around during any of the songs.  He can pick out Mickey Mouse anywhere and gets all excited - when he says it, it sounds like Ma Ma.  The way I know the difference is how he says it, if he sounds all excited - he's usually saying Mickey Mouse and not referring to me.  Oh well!  I tend to call him 'tone tone' and have noticed that his sisters will call him that too.  Little man also has his moments where he gets really whiney for no apparent reason - who knows - maybe he's getting another tooth.  He's got about 12 - and it looks like his four canines will be the next to appear.  All around, he's a great little guy and gives great hugs and kisses.




Olivia - Olivia is my big girl.  She's the tallest of the bunch and weighs almost 31 lbs.  She's got blonde hair that is very similar to Amelia's where it's just curly in the back - but her curls tend to be a bit tighter -like spirals.  It's really pretty.  Her eyes are sort of hazel/brown.  Miss Liv, as she is called, often seems the most mature of the three, but then sometimes seems the least.  She really seems to pay attention to what the others are doing and will often step into help or bring them something - like if Amelia is upset, she'll bring her her Panda bear.  She also at times seems the most helpful.  If you ask her to do something, she will (most of the time).  Other times, she seems to be the most childish by always wanting what the others have and just pushing her way through to get it.  She can be a bully, but she's a sweetie at heart.  Olivia doesn't really have a favorite toy during the day, but she loves reading books and has been seen 'reading' a book to her brother and sister.  At night time though she needs her blanket bear (like Amelia) to soothe herself to sleep.  She usually likes a longer than normal hug and rocking session more than everyone else.  Olivia seems to be my most daring baby.  She is the first one to figure out her way out of her crib and jump from one to the other.  The other day, she crawled out and onto the the top of the dresser where the changing pad is.  She stood and looked out the window at the men who were there to put siding on the house!  Neither Tony nor I was in the room!  She has also started sleeping in the same crib as her sister.  Olivia also seems to love the water - she loves filling up a cup during  bath time and just dumping the whole thing on her head.  She'll be ready for showers soon! Olivia is our best eater.  She pretty much will eat anything or at least try whatever she's offered.  She typically is the only one that finishes her milk consistently.  It's no wonder she's the biggest.  Olivia seems to like the same TV shows as her brother and sister and is a little more reserved with her dancing.  She's overall alot more wary of strangers and takes a few minutes to warm up to new people, but once she flashes them her killer smile complete with dimples, all is well.




I know I may be forgetting some things, but hopefully I've captured what each of my babies are able to do and what they're like!

Dualing lawn mowers!