Henry, 8 months

Sitting up. He is wearing a sleeper passed down to him from his cousin Xander. I have pictures of him sitting in it too and plan to scrapbook page of the boys in it.

Brothers...hopefully they will be bff's.

Mommy enjoying some special quiet time with Henry...a rarity.

Daddy with his "boys." He's a pretty proud papa!!

At 8 months, Henry:

*Shakes his head side-to-side (like a quick no) in excitement. It happens during play or before night-nights. Anytime he is happy.

*Is wearing 6-9 month clothes and size 4 diapers (which was the size Evelyn wore last and didn't get in to until approximately 18-24 months).

*Has blue eyes, which I've been told are shaped like mine. He has dark hair which is short except for these long pieces which fluff out over his ears. Very adorable and endearing.

*Has pudgy hands-love them!

*Still loves to talk and growl. I think I might nickname him Pooh Bear. He still is very easy-going. Really good at chillaxing!

*Can sit for a few minutes without assistance. He rolls adeptly and quickly.

*Loves bananas. As soon as I start to peel one his hands shake in excitement. Yesterday he was making "mmmm" noises, like I would make for a really good cup of coffee or chocolate.

*Enjoys mum-mums which are these rice wafers that melt in their mouths but they can hold and enjoy.

*Has tried the following new foods this month: peaches (sour-yuck!), squash (delicious), banana pieces (double delicious), teething biscuits (slippery but yummy), and prunes (yum!).

*Has been sleeping in his crib most of the night except when he is congested. Probably would make it all night if we weren't worried his fussing would wake up Grant and Ella.

*Finally got his first tooth...bottom right on March 6th. Only symptom is congestion.

*Is an easy smiler, hard to get to laugh. Shawn was able to elicit giggles by kissing Henry's cheek/neck a]while tickling him with his whiskers.

*Loves music.

*Hates being tossed in the air or even shot into the air quickly. Gets quite the terrified look on his face.

*Has begun tipping over the play mat. This will be going into storage shortly, along with the bouncers which are not used very often. I'm kind of sad to see it go...as it is another reminder that my babies are getting big. Only 4 more months and they will no longer be infants;o(

Once again...

So this guy (the big one, not the little one) has decided that major gallbladder surgery and the following complication that only 4% of our population suffer should once again be facing serious health problems. This time it involves the 2nd most important organ in the body...the heart (your nervous system ie. brain and spinal cord is #1). Shawn has been having chest pain for over 2 months (which he was ignoring...as Evie would say he was being "naughty") which has spread to his jaw and left arm. After trips to Now Care and the ER plus an EKG, stress test and an ECHO we are still left wondering what is going on. So far all results are negative including his blood work. Next they are doing a CT angiogram to check if he has coronary artery disease (a blockage) which would require a stint or a congenital abnormality of the arteries which would require MAJOR open heart surgery. Obviously I am in favor of the first possibility. There is also a chance of it being option #3...mysterious illness causing major problems! None of these are ideal situations. I am a total believer that "God works for the GOOD of those who love him." In the end this is all for Shawn's and mine and the families good but right now all I see is the possibility that Shawn may be staring down a HUGE surgery that will be life threatening. Please pray for answers and God's will in this. Pray for Shawn, for good outcomes. Pray also for our peace during this possibly tumultuous time. Thanks!!

Update: Shawn's CT was NORMAL!!! Very thankful for that. The cardiologist believes that Shawn is suffering from coronary artery spasm. This is a unconfirmed diagnosis as complete diagnosis is only confirmed after an invasive procedure, which he didn't recommend. He has put Shawn on a slow releasing nitrate, which so far has helped with the chest pain. However, as a side effect Shawn has developed a headache. This should diminish/go away the longer is on the medication. Please pray that this happens, the sooner the better. Thanks!!

More pictures

Per several requests (and my own desire to show off my gorgeous, adorable children.):

New pictures

We had 6 month pictures taken in February, including some family ones. They turned out absolutely adorable. Here is a favorite of ours:

A few of my favorite things, 2011

Here is what I am using and loving right now:

My nook. I scoffed when this and the kindle first were introduced. I thought "ugh, I never want that!" But in reality it save SO much space, not only in the house but on the go. It is a lot lighter and easier to carry then some books. I can switch books if I get bored with one. It has a built in dictionary. I don't have to go to the store to get a new book, they download to it in seconds. I encourage you to get one, you'll love it.

My kids. Right now my life revolves around their every need. I love mothering. Chiropractic is what I do, mothering is what I am. I delight in them and they bring me great joy and fun!


Coffee plus Cappuccino mix. Current favorites are double mocha, white chocolate and caramel, and french vanilla (with french vanilla coffee). I can't wait for that first cup. I allow myself two a day and adore just sitting with the cup in my hands, smelling the deliciousness. A real luxury is a enjoying a cup (using my favorite mug from Mt. Rushmore-it's the perfect size) while enjoying my Creating Keepsakes magazine.

Rubber gloves. This seems odd but you can't imagine how many dishes I do...maybe you can. These have become a life line in the fight against dry and cracking hands. My only complaint is that they are a boring yellow. I wish I had some that were a pretty purple (my favorite color) or some fancy/pretty design. Really, that's all I'm asking for!

My smart phone. Really this is a love/hate relationship. Honestly, my phone is crap...but it allows me to check my email, use Facebook, besides text and stay in touch. We will be switching providers because our current one was bought out, therefore I will be getting a new phone. This was supposed to occur in late January, then late February and now they are telling us March or April. Ugh!!!!!! I am looking forward to the Blackberry that I will receive, it can't come soon enough.

Triplet Connection forum. Let's be honest most (or none) of you understand the complexity of having triplets. The joys as well as the frustrations. I have found this forum to be a lifesavor and use it or check it often. It's nice to talk to other mothers in the same boat.

Smartypig. What is that?? It's an online savings account Shawn and I started a few months ago. The best part...there is an undisclosed amount of money in it!!!!!!!!!! That's right, people, we are saving!! Me the big spender!!!! This is probably the thing I am most proud about right now. Besides saving to have a contingency fund, we are also working to save for our first house. Someday....

Emealz. Another handy, dandy website which allows me to cook nutritious meals for my family without having to figure out recipes etc for my family. We've been doing it for several months and I bet Shawn loves it too. My very un-creative mind can only think of about a handful of recipes to make including: eggs, spaghetti, meatloaf, pancakes and that's about it. Imagine having those every week over and over. Thank you, Emealz, you're a life savor!

5 Love Languages

There is a book by Mr. Chapman which talks about the languages of love, which are ways in which others show us love. Each of us has a different love language, one of the following: acts of service, words of affirmation, physical touch, quality time and gifts. Which one is yours??? According to the author, your love language can be identified by age 3. Evie's is quality time. She frequently asks you to "play in my woom" and wants to be read to. Just a short time ago she asked if she could work on her puzzle while I worked (aka blogged). She loves to go on walks with you and just be with you in general. She wants to sit on my "wap" everyday.

This information really struck me today. How can I show Evie each and everyday that I love her? And did she feel my love yesterday?? What quality time have we shared??

Here are some new photos of Evie:

Reading Cinderella. Apparently there is a part out her not wearing her socks and getting in trouble. Funny, I never heard that version!

Being read to by Great-Uncle Craig

Evie tells me all the time she is "tired" which is Evie speak for I want a snack in my room while I look at my books. This is because even though she no longer takes official naps I do like her to rest (so I can have quiet for me and for the babies afternoon naps.) She is still in her pajamas because she's had a cold. This day she actually fell asleep, hand in snack trap. CUTE!

Ella, 7 months

Her favorite toy, the black and white piece is great for chewing.

This is how she sits in the bouncer. It's the best position for crazy bouncing!

Look at those gorgeous eyelashes!! So jealous!! She has the bluest eyes. At this point she may be the only one to get my blue eyes.

Ella is such a character. She is our little kangaroo. She loves to jump and jump. Mostly she likes to lay in her bouncer and get that thing bouncing so hard that her head lifts off the back and sometimes the back leaves the floor. She loves it!!!!! She could spend hours in there. Over a month ago we stopped bouncing her and Henry to sleep at night because we didn't want them to become dependent on it. Now, however, she can still bounce herself to sleep...and does. There will be times where she will wake up a little and get herself bouncing for even a few seconds back to sleep. If you try to stop her from bouncing she will not only use her legs for bouncing but will arch up to use her whole body. It's crazy!!! Not only does she bounce during play and night but now she is interrupting bottles with her bouncing. Her motto is, "Let's get moving, people!!!" I told Shawn that we ought to watch out that she doesn't some how get her legs around the boys, she's got such strong legs she's bound to squeeze the life out of them.

Ella loves to eat but is SO messy. Food all over her face and hands. There is a special trick to it as well, you have to get the spoon back and behind her tongue. She loves all of her food. Never turns it down. Never turns away. I think she would just eat and eat. Eventually though she makes little effort to swallow and the food runs out of her mouth. She has no favorite food. On Thursday she finally cut her first tooth. I think that there has been some drool but nothing horribly noticeable, thus the use of the word "think." She didn't sleep as well as normal. Nothing horrible, she awoke once ate 70ml of her bottle and went back to sleep. When I tried to put her in her crib she wouldn't sleep so she spent the night in her bouncer. I slept on the couch and she didn't wake again til we awoke her for the next bottle. I can live with that.

Ella has come full circle. In the first few months she was the BIG smiler. No matter what you did you were rewarded with a huge smile. Then she stopped smiling as much and as easily. She instead wore a steady frown, even in sleep. Now she is once again our biggest and easiest smiler. Nothing in particular causes these gigantic grins. She also gets to laughing the easiest. Click your tongue or even hint that you are going to tickle and she starts giggling. LOVE it!!! Ella is more of a yeller then a talker. Not mad yelling just she likes to be loud. Lately she's also developed a love of making noises like tongue clicking or blowing bubbles.

She's about to blow bubbles.

I feel bad for Ella in that she typical never has a first, first. However, this weekend she has a first before the boys: first to visit the ER. Poor thing, not the first you especially want. All of the kids have been battling colds, except Ella developed croup with hers. Not the worst symptom or problem you could have but it sure sounds awful and can lead to difficulty breathing because of the swelling of your voice box. We were in IA and she started developing stridor. We were heading home early because of a winter storm, so once home I took her straight to the ER. It was a short visit, they got us in and out, for once. She didn't look like a little girl who was ill. HUGE smiles, lots of jumping and excitement, to the point that both the doctor and nurse wanted to know if she's "always this happy?" They administered some steroids to reduce the swelling and by 10 or 11pm she was sounding so much better.

This is what croup looks like. She's so sick looking!!!