park bench

I made my first "alone" attempt at taking the trio to a "somewhat" larger scale park today.. (Larger scale = 4 different play structures with 3 different sets of swings).... with the insane thought that they would 1. all go off and play on THE SAME structure, and 2. I would enjoy the view from the park bench.

What was I thinking???

Actually, though... at one point, when I was standing back from the play structure (I will settle for not being able to sit as long as I am not pushing some little hiney up the rock wall or up the ladder) it occurred to me how much they have grown up since last year when we visited the same park. (And by that I mean with both Grammy & Pa along helping keep an eye...) They are now able to pretty much climb up themselves (much to my horror), and pick which slide they want to go down (of course Mateo still likes to come down face first), and not need Mommy to be their shadow.

Perhaps the view from the park bench isn't too far out into the future... but maybe they'll take pity on me and at least ask to be pushed in the swing.... I mean they shouldn't have to do everything by themselves....right?

kiddie park with the keb's

Check out last year's trip to kiddie park.... my have they grown!

trip to the zoo

The zoo was a hit!!! (but you'd think that they would have been worn out enough to take a nap afterward... no such luck!)

daddy's precious babies

ignore the "move in" mess.... Lou, remember when they would all fit in your arms? (click here)

i love you, cookie

Please tell me that there isn't anything wrong with my son LOVING a cookie.... It just shows that he has a gentle spirit and appreciation for the good things in life - like chocolate... If only all of us could just admit to the world that we would kiss our favorite cookie too....

...drumroll please.....

I was surprised that the doctor did a 4-d for us... (above) and below is a profile shot of baby G.

baby brother or baby sister?

I am going to make the announcement VERY SOON.... just need some extra time to upload the sonogram pictures.... are you on the edge of your seat???

the chase

I was caught off guard when I went to find the trio after our wake-up routine and found them all standing on the bed in the spare bedroom that overlooks the backyard. Upon further investigation, I found that they were intrigued by the groundhog (or was it a gopher? A large furry animal gobbling down any nut/thing he could see in sight...) eating whatever it was he was eating... they were TOTALLY entertained. And while Mommy was grabbing the camera, things became more interesting when the bunny hopped into the picture. I was able to snag a pic of the bunny (below) but just as I was getting ready to snap the shot of the furry one, he decided he'd had enough of the bunny and began the chase...

new passion

The triplets new passion is coloring... lately it is all that they want to do. We are working on using more than just one color per picture... and how coloring in 10sec flat isn't the goal.... the next poll will be how many coloring books we can go through in one seating... (just kidding)

all aboard the choo-choo train

Inquiring minds want to know... WHERE do they come up with this stuff? I couldn't believe it when I noticed what they were doing in the play room... and yes, they attempted to move the train forward... piece by piece.

my cousin my friend

We've been seeing quite a bit more of our Cousin's - Thomas and Joe-Joe Keberdle. It is awesome to see them interact together... talking, playing... fighting... doesn't matter what they are doing or saying....they are really starting to love to be with one another. The trio ask to see their cousin's all the time... and Mateo has really taken to Thomas... I think he needed the extra testosterone...

name that tune

The trio are quite the singers... and Mommy needs to be a bit more cognizant of what she is listening to in the car... and allowing the little ears to hear. A few of our favorites are:
"Toe's song" - a hip hop song called "let it rock"
"Bucket song" - a country song called "suds in the bucket"
"Babies song" - a favorite of mine, Kenny Roger's "the gambler" - which I sung all the time when they were little.. and ask Uncle Brett... both Gabby (and Toe) know the words to this by heart!
"Baseball song" - another all time favorite - J. Fogerty's "Centerfield..." in which Gabby and Mateo love to sing every other word- "coach", "play", "today", "be", "centerfield"

We've kept it clean by taping a kiddie song below...

follow the leader

It is amazing to see how creative the trio are becoming with their playtime.

internal struggle

As many of you mothers know... as children get older there is a constant internal struggle as to whether you discipline or laugh at their actions...and this is becoming more and more apparent to me as the weeks go by. I have these three precious children that at any minute can disguise the devil horns on their head with a simple smile, giggle, or as Mateo has craftily learned.. with the word "pweeze." I am worried that they have already figured out my weakness..... just a little "charm" can go a long way.

And how do you reprimand them when they are supposed to be sleeping (like right now as I type this) but instead, are singing together... Alleluia or ring around the rosey, or twinkle twinkle? They don't know the harm in not taking the nap... (i.e. the hour after dinner when everyone is crabby, whiney, and irritable) so I find it a struggle as to what to do... do I turn on the mean mommy and discipline, or do I let it ride and enjoy the off key seranade? Do I yell "stop" when they rough-house too hard with each other or take pleasure in that they actually like to be with one another? At 2.5yo, what really is acceptable and what isn't?

Every day is met with a new challenge as they figure out new things to touch, break, and investigate... all well within the age appropriate learning process... and my only hope of coming through this with minimal battle scars is to rely upon my fellow mothers' advice and lots (and lots) of patience!
Did I mention lots of patience????