nothin's gonna hold me down

We are truly blessed! Below are what the trips look like when they are SICK! Still, all smiles with runny noses, bad coughs, and painful ears. The doctor says that this cold can stick around for up to 3 weeks!!! So we still have another week+ to go (sigh)!

(Remind me of this when I am complaining at 2:30am when they wake up because they are sick!)

UPDATE:
Mateo has 5 teeth and is crawling around. He will eat anything...(and we mean anything!)

UPDATE: Gabby has 2 teeth, is pulling up and "furniture" walking, can blow kisses, and make a "pop" noise with her lips/mouth

UPDATE: Mary still loves her pacifier.... has 2 teeth, is also pulling up. And is fearless. She is a good eater as well. She is the only one of the three that really knows how to throw a good, all blow-out temper tantrum.

the Robertson's visit

As we mentioned in the previous post, the Robertson's visited us for Thanksgiving. Aunt Cas and cousins Kelsey, Ash, and Belle stayed a few nights for some fun with the trips!

We got to shop, take some long walks (we were blessed with some nice weather) and play!!!

(again, I really needed to take some more pictures!! I hope Cas got some good ones!)

(left to right) belle, mary, mateo, and cas

(clockwise) belle, mary, mateo, cas and gabby (front and center)

The Robertsons gave the triplets an early birthday present - the laugh & learn kitchen...

they LOVE it!!!

Thank you Aunt Cas, Uncle Ed, and cousins!!!!!

the babies first thanksgiving

We hope everyone had a blessed and wonderful thanksgiving!!!

Ours was a special treat~ Aunt Cas, and cousins Kelsey, Ashleigh, and Belle joined us from Cleveland as we headed over to Uncle Jeremy & Aunt Michele's house for a full course Turkey dinner. It was such a beautiful day (in the 70's) that we took a walk down to the creek in their back yard and swung on the swing on their front porch. (I really wish I would have taken more pictures!!!!!)

Babies first thanksgiving dinner consisting of: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce - YUMMY IN THE TUMMY (mary, mateo, gabby)

Uncle Jeremy with the triplets

The trips "destroying" the Schwartz house...(and looking for Totts and Abby, the cats!)

a year ago.... happy thanksgiving!

I love to look back and see how much things have changed!

Last Thanksiving, my parents, Brett and Cas came down to visit with the hope and excitement of meeting the trio. To everyone's surprise (and good fortune)... I was able to keep the babies inside, "cooking" longer...and was able to enjoy a nice, family filled Thanksgiving dinner!

I guess I was my own TURKEY! (see below!) And yes, I spared you the picture with my actual big belly showing. (I don't think we need to see that again!)

ps.... the poor trio are sick with runny noses. How miserable :(

fall (and tom turkey)

It was an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day here in Charlottesville. The leaves on the trees have turned every shade of orange, yellow, and red! I couldn't resist taking the babies pictures with the leaves and fall colors....and more importantly, mr. tom turkey. (You will see the stuffed turkey poking his head in the corners of the pictures!)

tennis anyone?

I am really (and I mean really) missing tennis. I was able to play almost weekly in FL and miss the exercise, the fresh air, and mostly the "smack" that was shared amongst the ladies that I played with!

So I think it is only natural to begin tennis lessons with the trips. The sooner they learn, the sooner I can get out there and play!

back to front: mateo, gabby, mary

Each trip took a turn grabbing and holding the racket. Mateo showed the most skill...grabbing it with a lefties' 2-handed back-hand.

black bean quiz

Multiple choice:
The hardest black bean mess to clean up is:
A) off of Mary's face (and body and hair)
B) off of Mary's high chair table-top
C) off of Mary's dupa, the next day when her diaper is changed



it really wasn't that bad!!!

weapon of choice

I must be running out of things to talk about - or show you....since I am resorting to this!!

These are the edge pieces (strips) to the foam play mats that we have set-up in the basement. For some reason, they ALL love to rip them off of the main pieces (the edges fit together like a puzzle with the main pieces.)

Doesn't he appear to have an evil look about him? I wonder which sister he is thinking of battling with this time?

ode to 11mo

the time is nearing
when we turn one
11 months will be most fun

we've turned a corner
in our age
we're no more babies...
let's set the stage

of when we make that exciting turn
to one year olds
with much to learn

so let us enjoy
this last month of our year
laughing, playing...
and lots of cheer! ("ta da!")


the 11monther's are on the go. they wouldn't stop or even slow.
the picture we took. is the best we can do. hopefully we'll have more. to share with you!

mateo...the "butting" boy

The various personalities of Mateo...


the "studious" one...

he just "cracks" himself up - get it? butt crack? laughing? (alright.. I need some new material)

the "cage"

I know that there is something inherently wrong with caging up the trip's.... and I feel bad for them, I really do. They want freedom to roam. They want the opportunity to grab the tv remove, the dvd remote, the cable remote. (one for each!) They want to explore their surroundings and pull every huggies wipe, out of the box. They want to bang the silver door handles on the coffee table and eat the cardboard container that used to hold a light bulb. They need to crawl into the dining room and eat any scraps off the floor that I just haven't been able to swipe up yet. They crave it!

but (and it is a small but)

mommy needs peace of mind....and if their safety is based upon the fact that for 1/2hr they be caged up and can watch some baby einstein.... and get too close for comfort...than so be it!

(see... I reason with myself and say "they could look and have looked more angry")

we have some chunkers!

I took the babies into the doctor's office today for special shots - they help fight an infection called RSV. (It is a montly shot...so I am not looking forward to this winter season! Mateo received the shot last year and it was so nice and easy going to Augustine Oaks - our ped's office in FL. We rec'vd the royal treatment there and I wish I could relocate them to C'ville!)

Didn't mean to get off the track...they weighed the babies at today's appt...see below! (And I guess I shouldn't be surprised, now that they eat regular human food - eggplant, avacado's, cheese, tofu, crackers, applesauce, etc (okay, so throw some pudding in there, too!) PLUS take in 26oz of milk each day, and other jars of baby food!)


Mary Misty weighs 20lbs, 7oz

Gabrielle (still nick-named "itty bitty") weighs 17lbs

Mateo "I will eat anything" weighs 21 lbs, 10oz!

The babies go CRAZY when Lou gets to come home from work early and spend time with them. They literally are all smiles when he walks in the room!