Our Lovies

These are Chloe, Jocelyn, Farrah and Silvie's new dollys. We call them "lovies" at our house. I found them while checking out another blog. Check out the website at BabybeBlesseddolls.com. There is a link under places I love to visit. Tina who owns and operates the company is so talented, as you an see! Each little "lovie" has one of the girls names and Corinthians 13:13 sewn on her bodice. So very precious!

Cutie Patooties

Just some cute new photos of the little beauties! Silvie, Farrah and Jocelyn getting ready for the sun. Chloe practicing her "senior picture pose" and Jocelyn going for a goal!

Good Times with Auntie Jenn

Auntie Jennifer is here for a visit from Chile! We had fun playing outside, blowing bubbles and catching up. Aunt Suzie and Uncle Tom came too! Uncle Tom and Chloe had fun reading stories.Auntie Jenn and Suzie kept busy making friends with the triplets. They loved the bubbles so that helped break the ice a bit. We met up with Auntie Molly and Chloe's BFF Olivia at where else...Carlos Kelly's. Mmmm chili con queso. Olivia did not want to let her BFF down, so they got to stay up late and hang out with the big girls. Uncle Tom gave Chloe and Olivia mini swords and the waitress even brought out a few more. Yes, they were jousting in Carlos. The patrons seated around us were very amused. No really, they were. Uncle Tom tried to get Chloe to eat a cherry...nope. We are looking forward to Saturday. Auntie Molly's birthday! Matt and I are headed for a night out with Molly, Clint, Jenn and Brad to celebrate. So great to see Jenn and her family! We look forward to Saturday!

thank you

Hope everyone had a fun and safe 4th of July! I have been taking it a bit easy the last few days. Threw my back out of whack, ouch! I have been to the chiropractor everyday this week. I forgot how horrible it is to have back pain. I was lifting two kiddos and pop out it went. Thank goodness for MOMS! My Momma and Matt's Momma both took a day off work to help me with the girls. Not sure what I would have done without them. Thanks again Mom Pammy and Mom Val! Matt was home yesterday taking on Daddy duty. I relaxed flat on my back which is the only tolerable position! Feeling a lot better today. Going back to the chiropractor this afternoon.

Tonight my friend Jennifer is coming to visit and meet the girls. She is coming with Auntie Molly. We are so excited to see her! It has been too long!

Little Sparkles

Independence Day. July 4th, 2008

We began the day in Coralville, at the Coralville Parade. WOW there were a lot of people there! It took us a bit longer to arrive due to traffic, construction and road barricades (right Matty?) But we made it! We met Olivia, Laila, Uncle Clint and Auntie Molly for the festivities. We had a front row seat thanks to Grandma White Hair and Annie! Chloe and Olivia caught enough candy to open a candy shop. Or at least keep the dental industry going. Laila, Jocelyn, Farrah and Silvie loved the parade! The triplets even had their first tootsie rolls and lollipops. (I'm betting they were not the last.) After the parade we ventured home for a nap...well...it took a while but all four beauties and daddy caught a few zzzz's. Just in time to pack up and go to Grandma Pammy's and Papa Steve's for another parade! YEA! They were just as happy, and they knew what to expect! They waved at every entry and ate some tootsie rolls and lollipops! They even wanted to go out and collect them! Chloe did a fantastic job catching the candy. She even passed some out to two different older couples sitting near us. So sweet of her! She always makes sure to share. That's our Chloe. We had dinner at Grammy's and it was time to get on the road. Bedtime. Chloe is eagerly awaiting the fireworks...I am excited to hear how they are!

We hope your holiday was as memorable as ours was.

We belong in the Zoo

Today we decided spur of the moment to take a trip to the zoo. Niabi Zoo in Illinois. This was Jocelyn, Farrah and Silvie's very first trip to a zoo! Chloe has been to four different zoos. Making today her fifth one! All four girls loved it! Chloe's favorite animal was the sheep and the big goats in the petting zoo. She loved feeding them and even gave them hugs! The triplets loved the giraffes. They could have sat and watched them all day. There were four. Three smaller ones and a bigger one. Just like the girls. Daddy liked the wolves best...Chloe did not agree. She thought they were a bit scary. Farrah also loved watched the monkeys. Silvie loved the goats and Koi fish. Jocelyn liked the big cats, lions and tigers and leopards oh my. Mommy's favorite was the porcupine. She was dancing a jig for us. We were able to get a good picture of her too. We all oved the big snapping turtle. He came right up to say hello.

Chloe and Daddy were able to go on a train ride around the entire zoo. They could see all of the animals from the train! Chloe really liked the tunnel. She said it was dark and pretty in there.

It was a warm day, but there were lots of smiles and fun! We are even more excited to go to Chicago this fall!

Happy Birthday Grandma Valerie!

Happy Birthday to YOU

Happy Birthday to YOU

Happy Birthday Dear GRANDMA

Happy Birthday to YOU.

We love YOU!

Tub Trolls & Hitchhikers

Who's who? Can you tell?

Tub trolls are pictured above. As you can see this began in our home when Chloe was little. The triplets love to be trolls! Chloe loves to help me do their hair. The stroller photos above are Chloe and Silvie. Same stroller. Chloe loved sitting in it when she was about the age the triplets are. Silvie has been handed down the love for it. She sits in it all of the time. Cute aren't they?

Growing likes Weeds

The girls had their 15 month baby well check yesterday. They are doing fantastic! All three on the growth charts, finally. The stats are: Jocelyn 20 lbs. 30.91 in. (she regains her, I'm the biggest, status) Farrah 18 lbs. 6 oz. 29.9 in. (still the peanut) and Silvie 19 lbs. 5 oz. 30.9 in. (still right in the middle). We also weighed Chloe for good measure, she is just under 32 lbs. 39.5 in. Everyone is growing yea! Remember when they were so tiny? Hard to believe it, so I included some photos of just 15 short months ago.

Sunny Side Up

High 80's. Sunshine. Not a cloud in the sky. The first time in the pool. Burr... The water was a bit chilly. However, the girls loved it! They would have stayed in, well, forever if we would have stayed in too. Matt was in and then back out almost instantly. So "manly" of him. What's a little cold water? Sorry Stink. I on the other hand didn't really mind the cold water so much. It was more the bugs biting me over and over. After Friday night (beverages around the fire) I had little, if any not bitten skin left so sitting in the water didn't last as long as it could have. Back to the beauties...Jocelyn went in first...head first. She is the dare devil. No fear! She jumped right in! Farrah and Silvie stood by the side a little longer and then were placed into the pool. They loved splashing and of course drinking the water. Umm, Yuck! Chloe loved her new hot pink goggles. Although she still would not get her face anywhere close to the water. It was worth a try I guess. She looks very fashionable in them even if she will not put her face in the water. That's my girl...High Maintenance". We had to drag Chloe out after about an hour. Her fingers and lips were blue (from the water being cold) and her fingers and toes looked like raisins. Maybe we will let the water warm in the sun a few more days and try it all again!

Must be Monday

It must be Monday...as they say,not a thing seems to be going my way. Everyone woke on the "cranky-side" of the bed this morning. I even videotaped Chloe to show her how ridiculous she looked when she threw herself on the floor screaming after not getting her way. I did this after time-outs, counting, charts with stickers, bribery, crying myself...you know all the usual tricks when she is engaging in one of her "temper tantrums". Unfortunately to me, these "tantrums" occur EVERY time she is told NO. I know, I know she is four. I remind myself why I do not keep alcohol in the house! Because I make be into my second bottle (of wine not beer) before lunchtime. The babies have just been put down for their afternoon nap about 2 hours early...this because they rallied together and decided not to take the morning one. They decided to chat and jump up and down in their cribs. (Which sounds more like a cage full of crazed monkeys rather than my 3 toddlers.) They are so loud, you might even think they were going to bounce right out. Things for this afternoon may not be looking much brighter, as they are rallying again as I type. Becoming louder and louder.
Maybe we will go for a stroller walk this afternoon...to the liquor store...

High Maintenance Mommy

Can those two words be used in the same sentence? High maintenance and Mommy? Can you be a "high maintenance mommy"?
Matt and I have been together EIGHT years to the day yesterday. Well actually yesterday and Monday. It's a two day anniversary (ask Matt). He refers to it as "the day the magic happened". Smart Ass. We were talking on Monday about each other, us, us as individuals, us as parents, you get the picture, and how much we have changed in the past eight years. It seems to have gone by so quickly, yet we aren't sure where the days have gone. I remember the days when we slept until noon (together). I actually showered (before it was time to go to bed again). I used to put make-up on and make an attempt at a hair style, although even then it was usually a ponytail or a clip. Now I have the "mommy do" which I am unable to pull up into a ponytail. So it just looks like crap. It's not often that I am sporting make-up...takes too much time, plus then I have to wash my face again, another time waster. I loved lotion and perfume and having my nails done. Going to the salon. I shaved my legs everyday! Yes every single day! I used to get dressed into actual clothing, not something with an elastic waistband. I loved feeling pretty and made an attempt at it everyday. I am really not lazy. My priorities just changed I guess. I hope that my husband still thinks I am pretty. Not beautiful. Of course I am beautiful! I carried our four precious children inside my body (three of them at the same time) and that alone makes me beautiful no matter what I look like on the outside. I mean pretty, attractive, you know, fine, hot, sexy, whatever the word of the day is. He says he does, I say it's because he has to, he says he doesn't have to. (I beg to differ.) Anyway, I think as women, we think that the make-up and the hair and the clothing are for everyone else. I am starting to feel like maybe they are more for us then we let ourselves think they are. Because I do remembering feeling better about myself, feeling more comfortable in my skin, when I looked better on the outside. I was more outgoing, more fun, more comfortable. I feel like I am missing a part of me these days. Like maybe Matt and I need to take a little time for each other for ourselves. I love our children more than anything. But we have neglected to take time for ourselves since becoming parents. Which is okay until now. We are good parents, we love our children and they come first, always. But the secret to a happy family begins with a healthy happy marriage. I read that somewhere, or maybe it just sounds good. I don't know. But I do know I miss my husband. I truly feel that as a mother I am a better version of the old Kimberly. I am kind and caring, gentle and firm. Understanding. Nurturing. I am a better listener. I go without, so that my kids have (wow sounded like my mom there, she always made sure we had what we needed and wanted before she bought anything for herself). But I do miss certain things about the old Kimberly. I need to spend time with my man (as a woman not as mommy) put on make-up, style my hair...ya know, all the stuff I used to do when Matt referred to me as "high maintenance". I am going to start today by shaving my hairy ass legs and waxing my eyebrows...

Escape from reality...

An escape from reality. No matter what is going on in the world/community, my beauties can always make me smile. With all of the stress and the worry and the uncertainty of the last several days Saturday evening snacks brought a fun "break" and some smiles and laughter.

Here's look at the triplets first encounter with the world's favorite sandwich cookie...O-R-E-O. As you can see, they loved them. Three little cookie monsters. The one of Chloe is the new "trick" if you will that she picked up from her Daddy. My pet peeve. I'll let it slide, since it made me smile.

Sandbagged

Water...Water...Water...Swelling Rivers, overflowing into the streets, into the homes, into the parks, into the businesses..Destruction...Unbelievable Devastation...My eyes fill with tears every time I look at a newscast or a picture. I choke on the words. I wish I could do something to help.

Matt and I joined in the sandbagging/wall building in Hills and in Iowa City the last few days. (Wow...If I did that everyday, thank God I don't have to, I would be in fabulous shape). My parents, and my brother and his wife and daughter live in Hills which is about 7 miles south of Iowa City. Hills is the town I grew up in. Even though I don't live there, I guess it will always be close to my heart. When I arrived in town about noon, on Friday I was amazed at the river. The Hills Access, just outside of town, is underwater, which I knew, but it is so much different to see it. I remember the flooding in 1993, It was the summer before my senior year of high school. I remember it was bad, but I do not remember it being this bad! I am sick to think that my families homes are in danger. The home my Daddy built with his own hands. The home I grew up in. The home my parents love living in. In the town that my family has lived since I was five years old. My mom spent the day pack up photos and and things that are not "replaceable". My dad keeps saying it is going to be okay. The sandbags are going to hold the water out. I pray that we did it all for not. We sandbagged all day and well into the evening. They called the day when severe weather moved in again. Things started back up this morning (Friday). They are saying there will be water in the town. They predict water in the basements, so many already have that and they are saying the crest is not even expected until Tuesday. Depends on so many what-ifs...Time will tell.
Matt's sister is in Cedar Rapids. She and her daughter had to leave their home yesterday. The water is about a block from their home. She is up the hill from it. We pray it stays a block away. She works downtown, so if you have seen the news, it's under water right now. Matt's parents are dry. Well their home is dry, not the corn/bean fields.
As I sit here and write I try to put it all together. I cannot. I do not understand. I cannot imagine what it is like to see your home underwater. To see you belongings washed away. I cannot even begin to comprehend how you pick up the pieces and start again. I know that the people in our communities will do it. We will band strong. We will pull together. We will rebuild better, bigger and stronger than before. But I am scared right now. I am. Just scared. Unsure. Helpless. I think we all are. I will place my trust in my Faith...that is all I can do for now. May God keep us safe. Protect us.

Just for Fun

As a mother of multiples, I am getting used to, well, for a lack of more creative wording: "Stupid Questions" and "Unbelievable Comments". So Just for fun I have started compiling of list of some of our personal favorites. The ones we hold dear and cherish close to our hearts... Right... Please feel free to add any you can think of (in the comments of this post). I will add them to the list. I am going to frame it and give a copy to the girls when they are older. I know they will grow to appreciate it!

Looks like someone is ready for a nap...
Are they all the same age?
Are they all twins?
Are they all yours?
Were they born at the same time?
Boy you must have your hands full. My response, Yes but my heart is full too!
Glad it's you and not me. my response, Me too.
I'd kill myself.
I thought twins were bad. My response, Do your twins know you feel that way about them?
You must be busy.
Did you "do" fertility?
Did you have "help"?
Were you sad when you found out there were three?
What did you do when they told you?
Did you know there were three in there?
Are you done?
Are you going to try again for a boy?
Two girls and a boy? (When they are ALL dressed EXACTLY THE SAME AND IN ALL PINK!!)
How do you tell them apart?
You almost have an entire team.
Do you have a lot of help?
Did you plan to have three at a time?
Looks like you need a new hobby. (my personal favorite, yes an older man really said this to me)
You're a brave woman. My response, nope, just practiced and tired of being at home!
Can I smell them? I just love the smell of babies?
I feel sorry for you. My response...why, because I didn't get a shower today?
Another one of my favs...when my best friend, who was 9 months prego at the time, was pushing the triple decker full of my kids, Olivia and Chloe tagging behind. Boy, she just some crazy looks!
You are blessed. My response...yes, I am, 4 times. Thank you for seeing that!
They are beautiful. My response...yes, they are, thank you for saying so.

I know there are more that I am forgetting! Please help me out! I will add them!

Slumber Party

Chloe and her BFF Olivia are having a slumber party tonight. That is right. There are 5 little girls at our house tonight! Just missing Laila! Next time sweetie! They ran around acting like crazed animals. Ate their favorite dinner... mac-n-cheese. Played with Belle Cinderella...a lot. Feed her apples and carrots and cheetos? Olivia even tried some of her food...sorry Molly and Clinton...They took a "swim" (hence the swimsuits) in the tub. They wanted bubbles in and the jets on, so there were lots and lots of bubbles! Did I mention there were lots of bubbles? After that we made "indoor s'mores" they were yummy. I think the girls could have cared less about the graham crackers and marshmallows. They just wanted the chocolate bars! It's after 10:00 p.m. and they are still awake. Oh well, that is what slumber parties are all about, right?
They ended the night with a flick. Barbie Mariposa. It is one about a Barbie, a mystical butterfly fairy named yep, Mariposa and her cohorts who save the day from the evil skeezites and a bad fairy trying to take over the land. It is actually a very cute movie! Matt even liked it! For all you Daddies out there interested in getting caught up on your Barbie adventures.
As you can tell from the photos they had an evening filled with fun!
They're finally asleep after 11:00 p.m. staying up later then Matty, and also myself. I fell asleep in bed with them. Oops. Of course had to get in the blogging "after midnight"(thanks Clapton). Goodnight.