NICU Reunion

Last Sunday (10/26) our hospital's NICU had their annual reunion.  Last year, we were too little to go.  Not to mention there was the whole RSV threat.  But this year, I was really looking forward to seeing the doctors and nurses. 

Since it was close to Halloween, dressing up was optional.  We opted out.  I was afraid the triplets would be scared out of wearing the outfits for the "real deal".

"The Gang" was a bit too young to enjoy all the festivities: face painting, tatoos, great snacks, pumpkin painting, etc.  But they did get their pumpkins and Eli managed to even hold his for a full 5 seconds (long enough for a picture) before he chucked it across the room!  Shane and I are pretty sure we have a future MLB pitcher on our hands.  Just like Shane, when he was little, Eli throws EVERYTHING!

Even though our main nurse wasn't there (she recently had a baby and is still out on Maternity Leave), we did get to see a few of our other nurses and OF COURSE got to check in with Dr. Mangienello. 

And just for sentiments sake, here are a few pictures of Nurse Cathy with Ava on her discharge day:

I was a little surprised by the turnout.  The hospital splits up the reunion by age: 1-3 and then 4+.  There were about 10 "singletons" and their families there, about 5 sets of twins and 3 sets of triplets (including us).

The day I was checking out of Valley after my C-Section, another mom, pregnant with triplets, was "checking in" for a month of bedrest.  Her babies (also BBG) were born about 6 months after us.  Since then, Karina and I have gotten to know each other through our local triplet group.  It was nice knowing at least one other family at the reunion.

Next year, with two year-olds, the "party" will be much more interesting, I'm sure!

We get to wear them AGAIN?

Yesterday, friends of ours (Scott & Jen Elfant) had a birthday party for their 1 year-old daughter (Jordyn).

Wise as they are, they decided on a costume party!

The kids loved getting to put on their outfits again and I loved the fact that they were WORN again!  =)

Ava discovered a new love: CUPCAKES!  She swiped 2 of Caleb's when he wasn't looking.

Eventually, Caleb got so frustrated, he grabbed them up fast and in his haste, threw them to the ground.  Not one for waste, Eli was quick to snatch it up.

Apparently, we're not feeding Ava enough because she was sucking the cupcake off any and every wrapper she could find.

Cole also found a friend: Tom.  (Yes, that's a costume...he's "80's guy" complete with a mullet).  Tom brought some "adult beverages" and being as he doesn't have kids, he just put the cases down.  A few minutes later, we looked over and guess who was sitting cuddled up with the beer? 

Zoe and her buddy Karalyn (dressed as Sharpay) were the High School Musical team.

A great time was had by all.  I hope the Elfants keep up the tradition.  Maybe next year I'll even get dressed up!

Halloween with Five

Shane & I grew up with different Halloween traditions.  Shane's family didn't participate.  There was no trick or treating for the Higby kids.  Shane can't remember ever even asking to go.  I, however, a) loved the opportunity to get together with friends and b) HELLO...CANDY!

Even with the different backgrounds, we've agreed to let the kids go out for Halloween...for now.  As long as the focus is on the friends, fun and fructose (had to stick with the "f" pattern there, sorry), they are welcome to participate (with Mom picking out appropriate costumes).

This year, after I dropped Zoe & Ty off at school, I brought the triplets by Shane's work.  The last time they were there, they were still in their infant seats (MAYBE 6 months old).  The triplets were a HUGE HIT on Friday.

For the past few years, we've trick or treated here on our street with some neighbors.  We'd go out early (with the sun still out), then we'd have some pizza and the kids would finish up the neighborhood with Dad when he got home.  But this year, we mixed things up a little bit.

We headed down to a friend's house a few towns over.  Their "hood" has sidewalks (with a stroller...that's a MAJOR plus!)  The trips and I picked Zoe & Ty up from school and headed down to "Team Moorman's".

We suited up and headed out.  What a great time!

Shane met us there after work and we all had pizza.  (Does everyone have pizza on Halloween night?)

When we got home, I put Tigger, Piglet & Pooh to bed (they were BEAT!) and Shane brought Zoe & Ty around to a few of the neighbors.  Ty was in RARE FORM!  He was talking a mile a minute...and NON-STOP!  So funny.  We're used to Zoe being hyper from sugar.  It's rare to see Ty do ANYTHING fast.

I was pleasantly surprised at how easily Zoe & Ty went to bed.  Granted, it was past 9p by the time they were tucked in, but still...with all that sugar...it could have been a disaster.  I guess exhaustion wins out over sugar high.

It's not as easy as I thought

With Zoe & Ty, naptime wasn't completely "scheduled".  It just sort of happened.  And with Ty, it was a matter of necessity that he moved to one nap as soon as possible.  Cole, Eli & Ava...different story!  Trying to get three babies to agree when that one nap should  be is nothing short of a nightmare.  Cole's an early napper.  Ava's a late napper.  Eli...well...he's an ALL DAY napper.

Thirteen days ago, the triplets and I started our journey.  We decided it was time to move to one nap.  Aside from the fact that two naps really cramped my social life, it was pretty frustrating trying to get "baby-free" things done.  With two 1 1/2 hour naps, I really only got about 45 minutes to myself.  By the time I got the last baby to sleep...it was usually less than an hour before the first baby was waking up.  So I made an executive decision and made naptime 12n (that way I could still pick up Ty from school and get home before the babies fell asleep).

So far, our success rate is about 85%.

A few times, the gang's fallen asleep on the way home from the Y (around 10:30) and I would just wake them up when we got home...feed them...let them play...and then head back out to pick up Ty.  They do go back down...but later...like 1p.

Somedays, they fall asleep on the ride home from picking up Ty (around 11:45).  The problem with that is, transferring them from the van is not always successful. Usually, it's Eli that wakes up, and then he won't go back down AT ALL.

Then there's days like today: Cole decided he wanted to get up early this morning.  Early as in 4:45am.  That's not just early, it's INSANE!  So by snacktime (10am), he was falling asleep eating his goldfish.  I put him down for a nap at 10:30 and came downstairs to find Ava starting to dose off, too.  So I put her down and figured I should shoot for the trifecta and put Eli down, as well (usually, he sleeps no matter WHEN you put him down).  Sure enough...all three went down without a peep!  Now here we are at almost 1:30pm, and I'm starting to hear some stirring.

The problem with this early nap thing is two fold: 1) Bedtime can't come fast enough which means it'll be another early morning and we've got a horrible cycle started & 2) What am I going to do come Sunday when Daylight Savings kicks in?

Loving 1st Grade

I know when Zoe started school last month I was excited that her days would be FULL.  But there was another bonus that never even occurred to me.  Until yesterday.  Zoe's learning to read.  And she's looking for a captive audience to practice on!

Living Vicariously

So remember how Zoe got an American Girl Doll for her birthday?  Remember how the idea was that she'd play with it for hours by herself?  Well...we were 1/2 right!  She does play with Emily Christine...but not exactly by herself.  And to be honest, I think I like it!

"We" have done Emily's hair...

And had photoshoots...

"We" have even played tea party and read books!  Now if I could just get Zoe as excited about Emily as I am!

For Future Reference

Although they may LOOK alike...

...lightbulbs for recessed kitchen lighting and lightbulbs for outdoor flood lights are NOT interchangeable!

I think I may have just gone blind for a few minutes there! 

I've seen the light...
Come toward the light...

I'm so glad Shane comes home today.  I miss my live-in handyman!

Two, consecutive, week-long business trips have not been fun!