Another Year

It's that time of year again. I'm not talking about the New Year (as in 2010) - I am completely caught up in THE new year (as in, the little boys will be 6 years old tomorrow!). There have been plenty of opportunities for reflection these past few weeks as this special day approaches. And I have been as weepy as always as I am reminded how miraculous their existence is and recall their fragile entry into this world. We've watched some videos of their babyhood, looked at photos, remembered.


I am so proud and humbly grateful for who they are becoming. Something that happened just this afternoon, simple and relatively insignificant to anyone else, brought tears to my eyes as we sat in a busy waiting room full of children with a broad range of disabilities, some very significant . A small act of grace by a 5 (almost 6 :) year old boy. Without prompting from a parent, without knowledge he was being watched - just sweet and genuine concern for the well being of another child, his lovely little heart in the right place.


And later over our evening meal, a discussion about a new child at school. A child who is having trouble adjusting and has been acting out, not too kindly, to those around. A telling of a talk with a teacher and a decision to show this child kindness in return, despite the mean spirited things being done, so this child might learn - by their example - to use words and be peaceful. (I might add here that I adore this lovely and gracious teacher who so clearly lives and shares the very best vision of Maria Montessori).


Small, simple daily tasks that are too difficult for a little boy with a broken arm (guess who) - being done for him by his brothers - every day - without being asked.


I could be here all night making this list but the point is this - I adore these amazing little boys. And I am thankful, so very thankful for the privilege of watching them grow into such wonderful human beings.


It's going to be a GREAT new year!

Feeding The Family: Fresh Taco Wraps

Fresh Taco Wraps

I wish I had a picture because in addition to being DELICIOUS! these were beautiful too. I love when that happens!

We are gradually adding more raw food to our daily diet. This is easy for snacks, and even lunches as we have often had "snack" lunch picnics this summer but main dishes are a little trickier. We made these for dinner tonight and it was a total success.

Hoping to post more often about our kitchen adventures...the punks think we need our own show. B even has a very fitting name for it..."The Crazy Kitchen". I'm certain this title will apply as I begin to pack lunches daily - the dudes start kindergarten in 4 days (sniff, sniff, boo hoo) Maybe we'll upload a few clips to the web, go viral and be infamous :)

Stay tuned....

Summer Break Chronicles

A series on life with 5 year old triplet boys for the next 70+ loooong days of summer break.....



In an effort to keep a bit of order around here and to promote the idea that we all work together for the good of the whole (family), the boys have summer chores. There are 9 different tasks that I made little laminated cards for, using clip art as well as words, and they each randomly choose 3 cards per week for their chores (in theory, to keep them from getting too bored with the same tasks). The novelty of it has them very excited and all the jobs are much loved (so far) - especially the "bathroom cleaner" since I made a special bucket complete with gloves for this job. Anyway, to the point of the story...this morning as C was helping me move laundry from the washer to the dryer, a quarter fell out onto the floor. I explained that a benefit of being the "laundry helper" is that when you find money in the laundry, it is yours to keep. This made him very happy! A little while later, as I was busy with chores of my own, C excitedly ran to get a piece of paper and told me that his quarter was a "special writing quarter". He proceeded to show me that pressing and dragging the side of the coin on the paper produced a gray line. I made the appropriate oohs and ahs about his "special quarter" when he let this slip - "it even works on walls". When I asked if he had tried it on the walls, he realized his slip of the tongue and timidly replied "by accident". When I asked him which walls he had "accidentally" discovered the magic of his quarter on he said he could not remember and quickly removed himself from the conversation. I have not yet discovered the scene of the crime...

Yea Spring

Happy Birthday Little Boys

H

B

B
C

Yummy

the best blueberry muffins

this is a recipe I found in a favorite magazine - we have made a few adjustments and it is now a family favorite...easy for little ones to help with and oh, so delicious!

You will need:

• 2 cups flour (we use whole wheat, increase to 2-1/2 cups if freshly milled)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt (we use sea salt)
• 4 large eggs
• 16 ounces sour cream
• 10 tablespoons (1-1/4 sticks) butter
• 2 cups light brown sugar (we use Sucanat)
• 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 2 cups of blueberries (if frozen, do not thaw)
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Line two 12-cup muffin tins with muffin cup liners (or two 24 cup mini muffin tins) - this recipe does not work if tins are unlined...too sticky. Combine flour, baking soda and salt and set aside.

Melt together butter and brown sugar in saucepan over medium heat (about 3 minutes). Let cool about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Beat eggs with sour cream then add brown sugar/butter mixture and beat until combined.

Stir in oats.

Fold in flour mixture and then berries.

Sprinkle a pinch of sugar onto the top of each muffin.

Bake for 25 - 28 minutes (15-20 for mini-muffins) or until edges are medium brown and tops are firm. Cool for 5 minutes and remove from pan.

ENJOY!

Family Photo

Random Summer Photos

Summer Break

I am intentionally disconnecting for the summer. Planning to spend my time enjoying these little boys who are growing up at warp speed. Not sure how I will use the blog but it will definitely not be a top priority for a few months. Here's a picture from our recent (amazing) vacation to the Florida Keys. Have a great summer!

Ordinary Miracle

I am so moved by this song right now. Opening my heart to the ordinary miracles everyday. We are so very blessed...

B, C, H - Red Top Mountain 4/24/08 - 4 years old

*Studio C Photography

And Now, The Moment You've All Been Waiting For...

Okay, I am unable to follow through with a time commitment of any kind. Now that we have established this, be prepared to wait an extra few days whenever I say a post is coming soon :)

The last week (month actually) of our crazy life has been...well, crazy. The boys have started going to school 3 mornings a week and you'd think an additional morning without kiddos would lead to greater productivity for me. This has not proven to be so. I am perpetually trying to catch up on all things neglected (everything organizational), stay on top of all things necessary for daily survival (you know, like feeding this brood and making sure they have clean underwear), and I have been attempting to carve out some me time for my own physical and mental well being (I have actually managed to get to the gym more times this month than I have in the last year). Throw in our usual geriatric dog care, sick kids every other minute, traveling Daddy, dentist appointments, doctor appointments, veterinary appointments, travel plans, garden planning (because it is almost Spring and I am anxious to get outside in the dirt - we have a delusional plan for growing much of our food this year) and this is the tip of our iceberg. Of course, I cannot imagine anything else so I want to clarify that this is not really complaining so much as assessing the chaos and pondering how to manage our (okay, my) time more efficiently.

Cs eczema (which I have not yet written about in detail but has been an ongoing struggle for him) is getting bad again. Unfortunately, his face has it the worst this time and has become a source of embarrassment and shame for him. 4 years old is not a time when being different is okay and he has said a few things that lead me to believe he may be getting left out of playground games at school. His own brothers have told him that he cannot play with them because they do not want to catch his "itchies" ( a conversation I overheard a couple of weeks ago that broke my heart). I've spoken with H and B both about Cs eczema, explaining that it is not contagious but is something that C has to live with just as H has asthma. We've talked about how he (C) must feel when his brothers and/or friends are unkind to him, when he is being left out and we have talked about how they (as brothers) need to always stick together, to take care of one another. How much of this they take to heart I do not know. I knew this day would come when one of our boys would be faced with a hurt that we could not protect him from. I did not expect it so soon and my heart is in no way prepared for the pain of watching it happen. Not sure where I am going with this - I am still coming to terms with it and looking for a way to address it sensitively with C.

H has had a weird stomach virus that had him puking for half a day (and he is usually at least a 24 hour puker) and then just lethargic and not eating - but no longer throwing up. He has not had a legitimate meal in 5 days and he is not a picky eater. I finally took him in this morning and the pediatrician said she's seeing a lot of this right now. She checked him out and feels he is probably just nauseated still - poor kid. We're hoping his appetite will return soon. He has already been surpassed in height and weight by his brothers...he needs all the nutrients his little body can get. And I need him to go back to school. Though in all honesty, it's been kind of neat to spend a little time alone with him as he convalesces.

B is full of imagination - telling stories and creating pretend scenarios for his brothers all day long. Well, most of the day - the rest of the time he is firing off questions at me about every possible thing imaginable. This child makes my brain hurt! I am thrilled at his inquisitive nature - it is much like my own. But his need to understand everything in the universe coupled with his inability to look it up and find answers for himself are wearing me down. "I don't know" is not an acceptable answer either. We must look for the answer - at the library or on the Internet (which, by the way is so crazy that my 4 year old knows that this is a way we can use computers - I don't think I knew which end was up at 4 years old) and then discuss it - ad nauseum - for days on end. I've never been interrogated, but I am beginning to see how it might make a person crack up after long enough.

On a group note, the boys started soccer last week. This is the funniest thing I have ever witnessed. Really. 15 four year olds "practicing" (code word for free for all) is comic relief for me as I am on the sidelines watching some poor innocent soul's (their very patient coach) attempt at "herding cats" (this is how Kelly refers to efforts at any organized drill with preschoolers). As twisted as it is, I revel in seeing other adults experience a slice of my daily life while I relax and do absolutely nothing to even hint at helping manage the chaos. If only I had a cold beer in my hand it would be perfect. Since their soccer league is through the church, I am thinking that beer at 4 year old soccer practice/games may be frowned upon. Too bad.

And this will have to do for an update as I can hear the little hooligans getting a little too crazy in the next room. I will try (and we have already established this means nothing) to post some pictures, at the very least, before the end of the week. I have several good ones on the camera that I will happily download if I can ever again find the cable to connect it to the computer...

Happy Valentine's Day

I just found these... they are the first Valentine's cards we received as parents (2004)

(kindly made for us by the nurses at Northside Hospital)

Monday Memory

As we prepare for this year's March for Babies (formerly WalkAmerica), I've been recalling the early weeks of our boys' lives. Much like their birthday, this time leading up to the walk and the realization of the incredible gift we have been given causes me reflect on where we've been, what we've been through to get where we are today. In an effort to document some of these thoughts and memories, post more regularly, and to share the commitment we have made by choosing to support the March of Dimes by walking each year, I am going to start having "Monday Memory". While looking at some pictures from our NICU days this morning, I was overwhelmed by the raw emotion I still experience when I see their tiny little bodies, covered with tubes for nourishing, medicating, breathing, in plastic boxes (isolettes). I took a lot of close ups then so it is hard to tell how small and fragile they really were. There are a few [pictures] though with my or Kelly's hand, a regular sized (small) Ty Beanie Baby or some other normal sized thing in the picture as well and the perspective from those is shocking - and I was there - but it still is incredible for me to see. I think because I am so far removed from it now that is is kind of surreal to look at these crazy, healthy, wild, smart and unique 4 year old boys and know that they are lucky, blessed, to be alive at all.

C, our smallest and least stable baby (his NICU experience was filled with peaks and valleys, a roller coaster of good and bad days without any indication how things would ultimately turn for him) is the most amazing, determined, silly, sweet and stubborn little boy I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I have never articulated this to anyone, but there was a day that I went to see him - the morning after we'd received a midnight call telling us he was being moved back to Intensive Care from a less critical nursery - when I looked at my tiny baby and my heart was gripped with fear, pain and completely breaking because for the first time in the 4 weeks since the boys had been born, I did not know if we would bring them all home. It was the first (and only, I think) time I broke down - I mean really lost it - in the NICU. This was compounded by the fact that the nurse caring for him that day was the only one (out of many to whom I owe so much for their exceptional care of our boys) who I had previously felt was inattentive, distracted, patronizing (to Kelly and I) and - I realize this is harsh, but it was how I felt at the time - incompetent. Here was this baby of mine, desperately wanted and loved, whose life was literally hanging in the balance. There was not one thing I could do to protect him, to fix him, to save him. It was my worst day. I'd like to say that I felt comforted by the love and support of our families, by the prayers from all over the world for our boys, but at that moment, I had never felt so alone and unsure of what to do. There was nothing I could do. So that is what I did. Nothing. Nothing but sit and wait, next to the baby I could no longer hold because he was again full of tubes, and pray and hope and plead and beg for mercy and wait some more. If you've been to our blog before, you know that he [C] did come home with us and is our craziest punk of the bunch. There are lots of pictures of him as he is today (cute, huh?). Here are a few from his first days. We've come a long way Baby...

It Works For Us

I've been lurking on several mom blogs and picking up ideas about everything from homemaking to blogging and more. I've noticed that several have sections about things that work for them. Some are even themed (crafts, homeschooling, recipes, organizing). Over the last 4 years, we've figured out a few shortcuts and little things that seem to make life run more smoothly at our house. So, I think I'm going to post a few every now and then and tag the posts as "it works for us". Every family is unique so these are in no way intended to be one size fits all advice or claims to genius or anything like that. Just things that work at our crazy house with three 4 year olds, two dogs, three cats, a mom and a dad and a sister who may never move out (a whole other topic to be sorted out another day). Here it goes-the very first It Works For Us...

Our boys attend a Montessori preschool and we have been embracing much of the Montessori philosophy for early childhood at home as well. Recently this has carried over into independent food (snack) choices. The boys are becoming increasingly independent as they master new skills everyday. They are able to dress themselves and usually are given the freedom to choose what they wear (weather appropriate, of course). This results in some ensembles that would rival any worst dressed list winner - but they are happy and warm so who am I to judge? They have designated shelves in our home for their books, puzzles, games and art supplies so they may access any of them at any time. They get their own cups and water (from the refrigerator dispenser). And now, they choose what to have for snack and when. Much of our survival as a triplet family has hinged on efficiency. It is really the only way I've stayed (barely) sane. So this new freedom has been a difficult adjustment for Mommy who is used to running things on a tight schedule. But it has been really neat to watch how proud they are when we create an environment that allows them to do for themselves. So here is what we've done - and it is working out fantastically:

I cleaned out the pantry (agh) and left one low shelf to be designated for the boys. I bought a 100 pack of snack bags (smaller, sealable baggies) and filled them with appropriately portioned healthy snacks (Spelt pretzels, trail mix, raisins, craisins) as well as some pre-packaged cereal bars and fruit leathers and stocked the shelf. I also filled some up with carrot sticks and celery and placed them on the bottom shelf of the fridge. I use little plastic storage containers without lids to keep them separated and semi-organized. When someone says they are hungry (which is all day long around here), I say okay, you may choose a snack and they are so grateful (still, and we have been doing this over a month now) and excited to be able to do for themselves. They get their own, take it to their seat at the table, eat, clean up and go back to whatever they were doing before snack. No whining about when is it going to be time for snack, no work for me and no argument about what they're having because they picked it. And, they feel important, confident and proud because they did something on their own. It's a win-win and it works for us!

A Few More Fun Photos

We had an amazing weekend! Daddy was home with us and we spent much needed quality family time together. The photos are blurry - I've been playing with my camera settings and can't figure out what I've done just yet. They're still cute (I think). The boys visited the famous Fox Theater for the first time to see Go Diego Go Live and it was fantastic. Then some outside fun chasing squirrels at Piedmont Park and dinner with live music where 4 year old dancing skills were on display. Enjoy...

 

 

 

 

Family Fun

Oops!

Playing Go Fish this afternoon, B was one card away from winning. He asked H if he had an 8 to which H responded Go Fish. B took a card from the deck, glanced at it briefly and exhaled loudly before saying "it's a 7, ah crap!". Clear as day. No mistaking it for another word. I do recognize that my response was not appropriate but I could not stop laughing. Of course, he joined in the laughter. I attempted, while wiping away tears and trying (unsuccessfully) to regain my composure, to let him know that crap is not a nice word and I did not want to hear him say that anymore. B's response: "Why do you say it then?".

Oops!

Birth Day

4 years and one week ago, after 31 weeks of pregnancy that included just over 9 weeks as a hospital inpatient (spanning Thanksgiving, Christmas and the move into a new home), H, B and C were ready to make their way into this world. Despite the odds against it (based on my medical history and the various complications I'd experienced during pregnancy), the boys and I had made it well beyond the expectations of my physicians and H had had enough. He was the lowest of the babies, his brothers stacked (literally) on top of him. For only the second time during my hospitalization, Kelly had insisted on spending the night there with me. I insisted he go home, it was a weeknight and he would have to get up incredibly early to get to work the next day. We (he) had just moved to our new house and there were boxes to go through, things to put away. The "guest bed" in my room was terribly uncomfortable and I thought it made no sense to stay over for no good reason. He stood his ground and stayed. Little did I know...just after 2 AM my water would break. I said Kelly's name - one time - and he jumped straight up awake (and those who know him recognize the oddity of this). He found my nurse and things began to move quickly after that. At 4:31, 4:32, and 4:33 in the morning H, B and C were delivered respectively. H and B made their presence known right away - I was surprised at thankful the urgency of their little tiny cries. C was quieter (a frightening "sound" for a new mother) and all were whisked away immediately to be assessed by their own medical teams. Kelly was able to walk over to see them, to ask questions, to observe. I was still on the OR table unable to see anything going on with my precious little boys. I tried hard to listen and figure out what was going on. I was prepared for this. I'd spent several years working in and around NICUs, I understood what was happening and why. But I was not a part of it in any way. Long before my post operative procedures were completed, the boys had been moved to the NICU. Once certain I was okay, Kelly followed the boys. He reported back to me later that morning about their status. Weighing in at 3# 13 ounces and 17.5 inches long, H was our "big boy", B was not far behind at 3# 11 ounces and 16.75 inches. C, whose intrauterine growth had been restricted through the last 2 weeks of ultrasounds was 2# 15 ounces and 16.75 inches. All had been intubated initially but H and B had quickly progressed to a nasal cannula. C was still intubated. Initial tests showed no signs of cardiac abnormality or brain bleeds (whew). I was abe to visit with them for the first time that night. The helpless feeling of being wheelchair bound while looking at your prematurely born babies through the Plexiglas of an isolette will forever be branded on my heart. I have acutely vivid memories of certain things/events over the next 6 weeks of their hospitalization. Much of it is a blur though. The long, and I mean loooong walk to and between the NICU and nurseries (C remained in NICU while H and B were moved to a less critical nursery on the opposite end of the 3rd floor), stopping every few steps to catch my breath two days after my C-section because I could not wait for someone to arrive with a wheelchair my need to be with my babies was so so great, the thrill of C finally moving into the same nursery (though not yet in an open bed) as his brothers, the terror at receiving a midnight call from his doctors to let us know he was going back to Intensive Care and would likely need a blood transfusion during the night, the cautiously optimistic hope that his move back with his brothers would be tolerated, the heart of gratitude and relief when he (C) finally moved out of his isolette and into an open bed with his brothers after 4 weeks of separation and a roller coaster of medical backslides, nursing my sweet babies, pumping around the clock with the hope that they would receive only my breast milk during this very critical time, the joy and sadness of bringing home two babies (H and B) while leaving one behind, the overwhelming peace at bringing C home and having our whole family together for the very first time. It was so long ago and yet I still experience the full range of emotion as if it has just happened. Particularly when I am looking into the faces of little boys - not babies anymore. This is a bit of a rambly post - I know, they all are really :) Trying to get a handle on what I am feeling now as the mother of 4 year old boys. We are all growing up and there is a strange sensation of time standing still and moving at warp speed simultaneously. So I will consider it a little longer and try to be more cohesive in the next post...check back soon for more Mama Drama

Year End Review (aka The Christmas Letter)

First let me say that I struggle with the cheese factor in most Christmas letters. While I appreciate (and truly enjoy) getting the news of the year from the friends and family we do not see often enough or who live far away, I am always a little embarrassed (in my own attempts at writing "the letter") at the "look at me, my kids, my spouse - we're so great!" factor. So please forgive me if the following is either too boring (in an attempt at modesty) or too wildly boastful (as I do think my husband, kids and life are pretty great)...have I mentioned that I really do not like doing these letters? Here is my attempt at a look back over 2007 -

2007 began with a birthday celebration. H, B and C turned three in early January and we marveled at the seemingly warp speed of their growth and development. The boys are doing incredibly well and have become increasingly independent and unique. They are distinctly different despite sharing a birthday and we continue to watch in awe as they forge ahead each in their own way. They began attending a Montessori pre-school this year and have developed a whole new range of interests. Some shared achievements include swimming (they learned how last year and have been little fish ever since), riding bikes (see X games explanation below), basketball (Santa brought a new, taller goal and jerseys!), golf (all three have just mastered hitting over the creek at our home course and are very proud of this), all X games sports (we may have been premature in allowing the viewing of these extreme sports as C now regularly attempts to re-create what he has seen), football (genetically predisposed to this), baseball (played at Parks and Rec last spring) and soccer (will play this spring), books (we are regulars at our local library) and music (they are each very specific about what they like but group favorites are Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Bob Marley and The Ramones).

H, our first born (he shares this fact proudly with anyone who might ask about birth order) is eager to please. He is generally happy, silly and kind. He is a great help to Mommy and Daddy and his brothers as well. He's quick to lend a hand, give a hug and has a smile and a laugh that are contagious. He loves school. Gravitating towards numbers lessons, he has surprised us with his ability to figure things out in mathematical way. He is always counting, adding or subtracting and can often be heard whispering numbers to himself as he drifts off to sleep at night. It's too soon to tell for sure, but we're hopeful that his math mind will get him into school on scholarship and lessen the financial shock of putting three children through college...a mother can hope :) H also had his first legitimate injury requiring emergency attention. He proudly sported 4 staples in his head at the end of the summer. The only disadvantage (in his world) was that he was unable to swim for 10 days.

B is our cautious observer. Thoughtful and wise beyond his age, he has opinions and ideas that are both exciting and scary (for me anyway). I am frequently caught so off guard by his keen perception of things that I am speechless (literally) and wonder how on earth I will be able to keep up with his intellect and wit as he matures. Inquisitive and full of joy, he has discovered a true passion for books. He has a list of things he wants to find out about at every library visit and has quickly discovered that anything he desires to know is available in a book somewhere. Recently, his quest for understanding has led to numerous books about volcanoes, bugs, tigers and snowboarding. A natural athlete, B is the fastest runner of the group and will challenge anyone he meets to a foot race. He also really likes girls (I guess he did not get the cooties memo that most boys his age are aware of). A serious flirt, he talks about the girls he's going to marry (there are several - yikes!) often.

C...if you have ever read this blog before, you know that C is a bit of a risk taker. Okay, actually he is all out crazy (in a good way). He's had an eventful year with no less than a zillion injuries (only one requiring a trip to the ER). Somehow this does not deter him. He continues to move forward at warp speed and if he thinks some feat of insanity can be accomplished, he is the first to try it out. Fearless and free spirited, he keeps us all on the edge of our seats. Silliness and laughter are his constant companions. And the boy can really dance! If there is even a hint of music to be heard, his body cannot be still. A serious eater, we are continually amazed at the amount of food this (our smallest baby at birth) child can put away in one sitting. Anyone own a grocery store, a farm? Want to "feed the children"? I already fear the grocery bill when he is a teenager.

Speaking of food and farms, we had the privilege of being part of a CSA again this year. Weekly visits to Cane Creek Farm were full of adventure as the boys enjoyed exploring every nook and cranny. This has been a real blessing to buy our food locally. It is an opportunity for the boys to understand where our food is coming from, that our health, our environment and our local community all benefit from our choices and to support local agriculture. Weekly trips to the farm, summer at the pool, two trips the beach, a visit to Grandma Rose's "farm" in NC and a visit to see cousins in Arkansas along with several visitors (cousins and friends) have filled our year up with memories.

Kelly has begun a new position, with a new company (he actually began his career there over 10 years ago). A long year of work related stress culminated in a brief hospitalization that caused us both to take inventory of what really matters. While contemplating and praying about how to make lifestyle changes for his health and overall well being, this new opportunity was presented (unsolicited) that seems to be exactly what he needed to begin making change. Of course, the transition into something new is not without it's own challenges and stressors. We remain hopeful that this door was opened at just the right time because it is where he is meant to be now. Since this is a "brag" letter, I should mention that Kelly and his good friend Mike Nance won the member-guest golf tournament at Barnsley Gardens in June. It was a great weekend of fun and celebration and a welcome few days of rest for me too!

And for the grand finale, I've enjoyed this year of growth and challenge as the mother of three little boys. We are immensely blessed to be here and very much look forward to another year of adventure and joy. Check back for updates as the year progresses...I am trying to be more frequent with the posts - we'll see how it goes. I am actually pretty amazed that this is getting posted before mid-year! Hope this finds you all well. Wishing you a prosperous and very happy new year....

Peace.

Christmas

The letter is coming soon - I hope! Until then, here are some pictures from the Moore Family Christmas (12/23), Christmas Eve at GrandDad and Grandma's, and Christmas Day at home. Hope it works....