First Family Vacation - PART 2

The babies crashed hard the night we arrived in Phoenix at Grandma Roxie's and Grandpa Bob's. They stayed on their CST schedule, so they were going to bed at 5:30 pm and waking up at 5:30 am. That would have been fine had Keith and I stuck to our time zone too, but we went to bed several hours later than usual each night and then had to wake up with the babies at 5:30 am. Ouch!

The next morning after their first nap we found that Hayden had taken her shirt off during her nap for the first time. I hear that once undressing starts with toddlers, it doesn't stop for a while.
The weather was 30 degrees warmer than in Denver so I had to pack a different season of clothes for the two legs of the trip. We took the babies swimming with Grandma Roxie and GP's help and the babies loved it! Keith and GP attempted to give the girls their first "Chicken Fight."
Grandma Roxie had to hold on tight to Payson. He's just so active and squirmy!
Payson gave Grandpa Bob's headphones a try. Anything electronic, and usually off-limits, brings a smile to the babies' faces if they manage to get their hands on it.
The babies were obsessed with the little fountain. After Hayden and Payson climbed in wearing their clothes, I let them swim for a few minutes in their diapers. After that it was nearly impossible to let them outside because all they wanted to do was climb in the fountain! I don't blame them, though, as it was the perfect way to cool off in the 106-degree weather!
The babies give lots of leg hugs throughout the day, both voluntarily and when asked. It's so sweet. Hayden will hug one leg and then hug your other leg immediately afterwards.
It was too hot for the park, so we ventured to the mall instead. The babies loved watching the carousel and their Grammy decided to treat them all to their first carousel ride. The entertaining part for me was watching Grammy, GP, and Keith walk around and around in a small circle as they supervised the babies on their ride.
Grammy, Aunt Joi, and Grandma Roxie with the babies.

GP, Grandpa Bob and Payson chillin' outside.
Payson and Madison used every bit of his self-control (and lots of direction from me) to stay out of the forbidden fountain.
On our last night, Grandpa Bob and Grandma Roxie were so kind to offer to keep tabs on our sleeping babies so we could enjoy a dinner out at the fabulous Royal Palms Resort where Aunt Joi works. We appreciate the babysitting and great food from Aunt Joi!
Thanks to my friend Uma, we had a single and double stroller for the trip rather than taking any of our monster triplet strollers. Keith had three huge carseats to carry, so I had to be creative to find a way to push both strollers - Payson rode in the single stroller facing backwards so I could hold the handles of both strollers at once to maneuver around the airport. I got a lot of looks, but that is common with the triplet stroller anyway so it didn't bother me.

On our way out of Phoenix, Keith dropped me and the babies off at the terminal so he could return the rental car. I thought it would be best to go through security and wait for him at the gate rather than waiting before security and risk running late. But, of course that means going through security alone with the babies, diaper bag, backpack, purse and baggies of liquids. Oh, I wish I had a picture of the silly scene! I thought the security guards could help herd the babies so I could get them all through the security machine, but they aren't allowed to help. I had to let the babies out of the stroller and walk by themselves. At first, they were looking all around while the guard tried to guide them to go in front of me, but that didn't work. So I went first and the babies followed like little ducklings, bumping into one another and going in different directions until they finally followed in a single file line through the security machine. It was so cute!

After the babies were finally all settled back into the strollers, we made a quick stop to pick up breakfast and set up camp at this perfect little table. Next came a little play time on the airport chairs and a trip to the family restroom for diaper changes. Keith arrived at the gate just in time to help get the family on board. I don't give myself pats on the back very often, but I must say that I was very proud of myself for getting us all through security and getting the babies fed, entertained, and changed at the airport all by myself!

The trip was a lot of hard work but it was a lot of fun too! Thanks Grandpa Bob and Grandpa Roxie for a great time and thanks Grammy and GP for all of your help!

First Family Vacation - PART 1

Keith and I decided it was time to put our parenting skills and patience to the test and take the babies on their first flight, all three of them and just two of us. I used to pack for trips way in advance. When I was little I would start packing for camp 2-3 weeks early. However, with three toddlers, it was just easier for me to pack the day before, plus they use and wear many of the items until the last day, or hour, anyway so it made more sense. Though, don't be mistaken, our trip took a lot of advance planning.

Our first stop was Denver (yes, we flew to TWO destinations!) to visit Keith's paternal grandparents, Granny and Papa. At first it looked like we were going to have to take three Pack 'n Plays along with our luggage and three huge car seats but Granny and Papa came to the rescue. They were able to get together several vintage high chairs and portable cribs for the babies. While I can say that these baby items have come a long way over the last half-century, they worked just great, and the babies were well-rested and well-fed with no problems. Thanks Granny and Papa!

Hayden's first flight! (Madison went to Boston with me last year so she's a pro.) Despite the many obstacles parents have to leap through to fly (luggage restrictions, no pre-boarding, only one lap baby on each row, etc.) the flight went relatively well. I'll spare you the details of our five flights (two layovers with no plane change), but I will say that flying with two toddlers as lap babies is not the way to go. Two of the flights had open seats so we were able to bring on all three car seats which worked much better for us and was the only way the babies would nap - and be still! No more napping in our laps - that stage is way gone.

Payson's first flight! We attempted to keep babies entertained with snacks, new toys, snacks and more snacks.

Madison catching up on lost sleep during baggage claim.

Hayden watched her Grammy water the flowers and picked up the new skill immediately. A girl with a green thumb?

Eating birthday cake. We didn't get to celebrate my birthday (or Mother's Day for that matter) a few weeks ago because we were all so sick from those dang chickens from the petting zoo. Check out the vintage metal high chair on the left and the "Baby Butler", circa 1950's, in the middle with Payson. It was Keith's dad's high chair when he was a baby and we now have pictures with all three Melker's eating in it

Payson climb out of the Baby Butler all too easily so Keith rigged up a restraint for him - using his own belt!

The first morning we woke up to the sound of a party in the babies room. What was so much fun? Well, Payson was in Madison's crib! Keith thinks he climbed in at the beginning of the night and they slept in the same crib, but I think he joined her in the morning. We'll never know!

Have you ever seen 4 sets of triplets in one [Play] Place? Well, while in Denver we had the great opportunity to meet up with three other triplet families that I know through an online high-order multiples group. We decided that McDonald's would be a good meeting point but it was the first time for any of us to take our babies there, so we all had to force ourselves to put all of the germs out of our minds. The babies had a blast playing and eating while we socialized and chased run-away toddlers during conversation.

Four triplet mommas - Suzi, Julie, Julie and me. We all have triplets between the ages of 16-20 months old.

Hayden playing hard in the McDonald's Play Place.

Keith and Madison chillin'. Madison loves her Snack Trap so much that she keeps her fist in it the whole time and barely even takes a bite of snack. Don't you dare try to take it away from her though until she's ready - that sweet face is replaced with a very mad one in less than a second.

Madison, Payson and Hayden with their beloved Grammy, GP, Granny and Papa. It was beautiful in Denver so we spent a lot of time playing outside.

Keith with the babies at the airport ready for our second leg of the trip - off to Phoenix we go!

Once in the car in Phoenix it was over an hour past the babies' bedtime so they crashed hard in the car.





Thanks Granny and Papa for hosting ALL of us and for all of the baby gear! We miss you already.

Our Little Mud Pies

Keith was removing the mulch from under some trees and asked if I wanted to let the babies play in the mud. After a few seconds of hesitation I undressed the babies and sent them over to Daddy. They weren't quite sure what to think of it but they sure looked stinkin' cute! Afterwards they rinsed off in a nearby puddle followed by a full rinse in the master bath and then a body wash in the shower.

Madison covered in mud.

Payson coming to give me a hug!

Hayden gave herself an awesome goatee.

This is my newest favorite photo. I just wish Hayden was in it too.

I think I caved and let them do it because it only took me a second to remember how much I love the photos of me and my brother playing in the mud when I was just a little older than the babies are now.

Here I am at the end of my mudfest. How could I resist letting the tradition carry on?

The babies are now the perfect age for their picnic table so we brought it down from the attic and they ate dinner outside. They had a great time and we look forward to more family picnics outside this summer!

Does anything look funny about this picture?

How 'bout now? Payson tucked a cracker in his hair and several minutes went by before I spotted it.

For those of you that are following Momma Bird (a Morning Dove) that laid eggs in our planter on our back patio, her eggs have hatched! The first egg hatched on April 27th and the bird was so tiny! Then just a week later I got a picture of both of the baby birds and couldn't believe how much they had grown in just 7 days! No wonder why Momma Bird looks like she's about to fall out of the planter when she's sitting on top of them. They are taking up all of the space!

My friend, Elana, and her adorable twins, Sopie and Lily, visited us while in town, and all of the babies had a great time playing together. Sophie and Lily were all smiles and never made one one fuss the entire time they were here. I have to think that they are perfect angels all the time... but then again, as a mother of multiples, I know better! (Though I have a difficult time imagining them giving their mommy a hard time.)

Swine Flu?

Not exactly. Although we did not have the Swine Flu, we did get miserably ill with a bacterial infection that you get from chickens. 99.9999999% of our lives we have no contact with chickens but apparently, after our recent visit with petting zoo animals, we left with more than just memories. Hayden was sick first, then Payson and then me. Madison had mild symptoms and Keith, once again, didn't get sick. We had fevers, chills, muscle aches, headaches and abdominal cramping like you have never felt before. After 10 days of misery we finally got a diagnosis and antibiotics to speed up the recovery but it was a little too late. Still, we are glad to rid our systems of any remaining nasty bacteria floating around our bodies. Poor little babies. Poor me.

The babies, or toddlers really, are in such a sweet stage. Not only are they giving each other kisses, both voluntarily and on-demand, but they very clearly know each other's names. When we ask Madison to point to Payson, for example, she does. They can all do it and it is adorable. They are also playing together, sharing and giving toys to each other when asked... and doing so without protest. Very sweet.

Payson got a Hot Wheel for Easter and it quickly became apparent that one small toy car was not going to be enough to please him and his toy-stealing sisters. So I bought them a 10-pack of cars and they have been a big hit. Payson is most happy when holding a Hot Wheel in one hand and a small stuffed ball (either football, baseball or basketball) in the other. His word of the week has been "basketball" which he says constantly, though second, of course, to "Daddy."

Speaking of "Daddy," I hear his name way more than my own - which is totally fine. I have recently joined a group stroller work-out class and while jogging around the mall the other day, Hayden was singing "Daaaaa-dee....Daaaaa-dee" over and over. She sings his name often and it is so cute. Payon says "Da-da!" loudly and emphatically over and over while Madison squeals "Da-da" in a high tone. During the day around the house, every time the door creaks or the phone rings the babies start saying his name and looking around for him. They all adore their daddy so much.

The babies were recently re-evaluated by Early Childhood Intervention, which assists children with delays, and we were thrilled that we didn't qualify for their services once again. But we do participate in their "Follow-Along" program where we fill out questionnaires about the babies' development every few months so they can track their progress and make sure they don't fall behind. One question asked, "Can your child put a Cheerio in a clear plastic bottle?" For both the girls, the answer was "no" simply because they kept eating the Cheerio! (Payson could do it because it's part of his grouping/sorting obsession which trumps the desire to eat a Cheerio.) So it dawned on me one day after the babies didn't eat their green beans for lunch to let them try to drop a green bean in a bottle. Sure enough, the girls did it right away with no hesitation and Madison continued to play with the bottle and green beans for a good half hour. Now there's cheap entertainment!

Recently we took the babies swimming at an indoor pool. I was concerned that they wouldn't like the water but they loved it! We look forward to taking them swimming lots this summer at our neighborhood pool although we aren't sure quite yet just how we are going to handle three toddlers at the pool with just two adults.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"Better you than me!"

What does this mean ? Does this mean that she wouldn't want triplets (and in essence dissing me for having to deal with triplets) or that she wouldn't be able to handle triplets (and in essence complimenting me that I can)? I never know how to respond. What do you think?