apple picking

The trio loved apple picking last year in Charlottesville, so I thought that I would venture out alone with them... (well, it was with the westlake PTA, so I guess I can't say that I was totally alone....) and head on a field trip to an apple orchard out in Amhurst, OH. They had lots and lots of pumpkins, a hay maze (yes, that was fun with my big belly... trying to figure out how to get out of there!) and the main attraction - a wagon ride out to pick our own apples! We had a blast!

no greater treasure than a friend

Probably THE best thing about being back in Cleveland is that we get to spend time with our family and friends. Finally, the "names" and "faces" are matching up.... and the trio are recognizing and remembering all of our loved ones. Above is a picture we took this past Friday with our friends- Adam & Isabella Higgins.

camera phone

Finally got around to downloading the pictures off of my new palm pre cell phone. Pretty good quality for a cell phone!

Trio running around the water sprayers at Crocker Park. Mary and Toe were in their diapers... and timid Gabby finally de-clothed to enjoy some of the water fun! (early Aug 2009)


Moes - our favorite place to eat! I couldn't get over how each of them enjoyed eating out of their "own" baskets... of course cheezy queso made it all taste so much better! (Aug 2009)

Mommy's dinner out with the trio... (i.e. Lou was supposed to go out for a dinner meeting and Mommy didn't want to cook!) We went and had a cheeseburger and hot dog at 5 Seasons... The trio were FANTASTIC! They waited patiently for their food, shared it between the three of them, sat in their chairs on the deck while they ate, and had a great time! (Aug 2009)

Never wanting to be apart, the trio crammed themselves into this truck at a nearby park in North Olmstead. (Sept. 2009)

safety night

Costco had safety night last week in their parking lot. We saw a fire engine, EMS, and even a helicopter! (I think they call them a "medi-copter.") The trio loved it... and were a little intimidated by it when it landed - right in front of our eyes... and then took off again immediately. (I think they had rec'd a rescue call...)

baby G

At our ob appt on Mon, 9/21, we were able to hear baby "g's" (short for garcia) heartbeat and see her on the screen. She weighs approx 1lb7oz at 24wks..

3-d pic... which triplet do you think she resembles?

Here it looks like she is blowing bubbles... but the tech said that it is just part of the umbilical cord...

overheard

I am constantly reminded how blessed I am to have these children... and am LOVING the conversations that I now get to overhear....

Gabby - "I'm calling Daddy" (as she picks up the pocket calculator that I bought el-cheapo at Target) when we are in the car enroute on an errand....
"Mom, turn that thing down" (referring to the sing along dvd that MUST be played every time we get into the car"
Mommy - "I can't turn it down" (i.e. I am driving)
Gabby - yelling loudly into calculator "daddy you work?"
Gabby- "daddy doggie pooping" (as we drive by a man who is walking his dog"
Gabby - "I can't hear, turn that thing down"
Mommy - "Gab, I can't turn it down"
Gabby - turning to Mary & Mateo (who are engaged in the dvd) - "yell hi to daddy!"
Mary - "hi daddy"
Mateo - "hi daddy"

If only Lou had supersonic hearing.

priceless

$300 for 3, 16" schwinn bikes
$100 for assembly & accessories
$50 on helmets
...fact that trio aren't even able to get themselves onto the bikes - let alone ride them.... PRICELESS

uncle mike & aunt lissy's wedding

Uncle Mike Garcia (i.e. Daddy's brother) married Aunt Lissy on Sat., Aug. 29th.... what a beautiful day!!! (pictures courtesy of Michelle from St. Louis)

labor day fun

WE had a great day celebrating Labor Day at Uncle Brett's.... he has a fantastic park within walking distance and we took advantage of some gooooood food and wonderful weather!

YIKES! flash forward 13years and this will be what you see driving home from St. Ignatius...

TEETER....

TOTTER.....

go, Gabby, Go!

Father & Son... (son isn't so sure about this "wheel" ride)

Robertson's with Mateo... (of course, there is a laptop within reach)

Keberdle's enjoying a bit to eat... (Rob is in-need of another beer!)

The girls loving their cousin "sashleigh"

Aunt "hilry" & Pa

purse - the hot ticket item

A girl can't have too many purses... you know! (And check out that 1980's headband!)

silly sisters

I assure you that no child was harmed during the filming of the following video:




The girls took it upon themselves to go up to the landing and play... (much to my horror) and once I saw that they were singing "are you sleeping?" (hint: "sargintina" from the french version...) I just couldn't help let them continue so that I could get the shot...

the farmer in the dell

The trio have a music dvd (life saver in the car) that plays fun, silly children's songs. The ever famous "farmer in the dell" is among the favorites. Tonight, during our car ride to the grocery store, I hear them all sing along... especially to the "key" words - "dog takes the CAT", "cat takes the RAT"... and when we get to the "rat takes the cheese..." instead of belting out the word "CHEESE" Mateo says... I like cheese... yummmmmmmm

Cracked me up.... instead of a cookie monster we have a cheese monster!

evolution of the night-time routine

Ahhh...those were the days when you could give a night-time bottle, turn on some "white noise" (i.e. those sound machines that remind infants of the womb) and with a light kiss goodnight, the babies were placed in their crib.

But then they grow up... and they want warm sippy cups of milk- and cheese... and the sound machine is replaced by a humidifier.... but Mommy can still get away with prayers and reading 1 book while she, alone, rocks in the rocking chair... and that same simple kiss turns into a "kiss & hug"...

And then they grow up some more... and call all the shots.

Now it is running around screaming (or jumping on beds/cribs) while Mommy gets everyone dressed in jammies... toothbrushes thrown down throats at some point... 2 girls, crammed onto Mommy's lap (add a growing belly to this scenario) for prayers and 2 stories (one for each of them) ... They, themselves, need to race to climb into their own cribs... allowing time for the boy to have his prayer and story (the same story now, for 3 weeks... thank you "cars").... then he needs to tease each girl by pretending to climb into their cribs... so that they scream, of course... only for Mommy to chase said boy into this crib... lights out.... but not really since we need to have the "big" light on, outside in the hall.... and then begins the rubbing of the back, the high-five, the rubbing of the belly- another high-five.... holding of the hand for at least 30sec... blankets put on several times... finding the paci's... and then holding the hand again... FOR EACH OF THEM. Oops... we forgot the "kiss & hug" - so it starts all over again... And yes, they do take notice and protest should you not give each their due.

It looks like Mommy is going to have to take-charge of this night time routine. Sigh.

where are you daddy?

Is it me or do only "mommies" hear the high pitched child cries in the middle of the night? I mean, is daddy that over worked and so tired to the point that he really does not hear all that is going on???? 1:30am, 2:30am, 6am.... for days and days in a row.... Or, is the sound reserved for only Mommies who seem to be on the same pitch level as dogs?

Whichever the case... extra precautions will be taken tonight to secure blankets to the crib mattresses.... Mommy (and baby G) need some sleep!