The Twin (Triplet) Factor

A lot of people warned us, but we didn't believe them. Going out with our twins is a phenomenon that absolutely brings out the best and worst in complete strangers

Whenever we go anywhere with either the twins or the twins and Erin we hear either "Are they twins?" "Are they triplets?" Sure, they are triplets - one just has had a significant growth spurt. Our friend who has the same situation with a son 14 months older than his twins told us to just start answering yes, it makes getting out of the store much easier.

Some other classic lines that we hear over and over and over?

"You must have your hands full"
Us- Yes we do, and our hearts too.

"Better you than me"
Okay, this one I don't say but I think it "Damn straight if that's your attitude"

"Double Trouble- huh?"
Us - No, double the blessing

"Are they identical? How do you tell them apart"
Us - No and by their different color eyes and hair, and their very different facial features.

"Three girls? When are you going to try for a boy?"
Us - Are you offering to carry another child for us? Since I've spent the past 4+ years trying to get pregnant and being pregnant we're ready for a break.

"Are they natural?"
Us - No, they are clones.

We've been to many restaurants with all three kids. We know exactly which ones can accommodate the car seats and us in a booth and Erin in a high chair or booster. The vast majority of the time, we enjoy it. But sometimes we feel like the circus sideshow. Yes, we have three small children and yes the babies are twins - now go back and eat your own dinner!

We've also struggled with the dressing alike mind-set. We're surrounded by many twin parents and have seen everything - kids dressed identically, kids dressed nothing alike, kids in coordinating outfits. We've chosen to go the nothing alike route with the exception of holidays. For Santa Pics, Easter and the like we fall into to the typical goofy twin parents and dress them alike. For Easter this year, Erin even has a coordinating dress. We'll post pictures assuming we can get any before changes of clothes become necessary.

So what's the point of this post? Be kind to the parents of multiples. And on behalf of my girlfriend who has a large family and gets very similar comments - be kind to them too. Remember - we have our hands full!

Multi-Purpose Post

We had Sarah's first PT appt with the private provider. She agreed with the assessment that this is likely due to the RSV and the force at which it hit Sarah. She's encouraged that Sarah will be able to catch up fairly quickly.

Sloane and Sarah appear to have swapped personalities in some type of Freaky Friday routine - Sarah has suddenly become wary of strangers and a bit shy and Sloane talks to every passerby, sings from her stroller and just absolutely cracks herself up.

Poor Erin hasn't inherited her parents immunity to Strep. Not quite 2 years old and has her first case. We wouldn't have known as she hasn't been complaining if not for the weird rash and puffy eyes (think a right hook by M. Ali). She's off sleeping on the couch while Mom takes a conference call and posts this.

4 Years officially married yesterday for Matt and I. Last night I asked him if he would have ever pictured where we would be now. Our tiny little house is now twice the size. Three kids in two years and a bumpy road to build our family. Neither of us could ever have pictured it but we wouldn't change a minute of it. (Well maybe a few minutes during the whole construction project. But that's a whole 'nother post).

Now for some interaction! Blogging isn't a new phenomen - I've been following many blogs for the past several years. Julie at www.alittlepregnant.com always had a humorous outlook on the very painful subject of infertility. When her son Charlie was born premature, I held their family in my thoughts and prayers and I still faithfully read their blog. Here be Hippogrifs, So Close, Uncommon Misconception, Dooce and Finslippy - all make my work day just a tad easier and it feels like I've come to know them even if they don't know me. What blogs are like that for you? What makes a good blog? This blog was started with the intent of keeping friends and family updated but who knows, maybe it will grow into more. Send me some links, I'll check them out and if I ever get around to updating links I'll add them here.

and just a few recent pics

More gratuitous pics

Sarah's Eval

First, I know - I haven't put the pics up, but I will - hopefully tonight or this weekend. Some great shots of what happens when kids don't nap. And in case you are wondering, it's the twins who have given up napping - not the toddler.

We met with EI about Sarah and they advised us that she is right where she should be, if not a bit ahead in most areas. The common consensus seems to be that the wicked case of RSV that landed her in the hospital put her behind in her gross motor skill development. She'll be receiving PT at least once a week through EI and we'll be taking her to a private PT as well. She'll be evaluated again in 6 months. Please keep good thoughts going as we go through the process of PT and various doctors visits.

More later!

Random

First, a few book recommendations. For adults - Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. For the younger set- Time for Bed by Mem Fox. I'm currently reading Eat, Pray, Love and it's the first book in a long time that I've made sure that I make time to read at least once a day.

We're happy to report that they've broken ground next door for the new foundation - we miss our neighbors and if all goes according to schedule we hope they'll be moving back in early summer.

Gratuitious Kid Updates (pics will be added tonight!):

Erin has mastered a few new tricks over the past few weeks. Some have made us proud, like helping her sisters get their pacifiers and learning to get her own spoon, fork and cup. Others make us wonder when she's going to officially be smarter than we are. She has learned to both buckle and unbuckle the plastic straps to the high chairs, bouncy seats and car seats. Matt and I are now on a search to find out how to keep her in her car seat once she learns to press the lock release. From the other Moms out there - any ideas? Knock on wood, she seems content to practice this new craft only in the house, not while we're driving.

Sarah has taken up Sloane's favorite past time of shaking her head back and forth repeatedly. Having already run Sloane to the doctor for this, we know this is normal and she's just doing it because it's fun to see Mom, Dad and her sisters fly back and forth in pretty colors. She has also decided that our bed is so much more comfortable than her crib. Who needs a crib when you can sleep in the comfort of a queen size bed? You can see why I'm trying to convince Matt we need to upgrade to a King size!

Sloane has decided that playing on her back is sooo 2006. Now that she can flip onto her stomach she does it with great gusto and all the time. The only problem? She forgets how to flip back and gets frustrated. And anyone who has spent anytime with Sloane knows that she is very good at communicating her wants and needs. Therefore we spend a fair amount of time flipping her back over onto her back. We walk away and she promptly flips back on to her stomach. Rinse, lather, repeat.