Aunt Pookie

Today, Ellie got to have her first girl's day with her Aunt Pookie.  First, let me just say that my sister, Hannah, is amazing.  She has been over here helping with the babies from day one.  Even when they were in the NICU and she wasn't allowed in (only parents and grandparents and siblings could visit) she still came everyday and sat outside the NICU, hoping they would let her in to catch a glimpse of her niece and nephews.  

Hannah was only in 6th grade when I left for college, so before then, she was just an annoying little sister who tattled on me and got me in trouble.  And, to her, I am sure I was just mean and a pain in the ass.  But, after I left for school, graduated, and came back home, Hannah and I have grown much closer.  Dealing with our crazy family, we have bonded, and I not only consider her a wonderful sister, but also a best friend.  She graduated high school this year, and will be attending University of Houston in the fall, and wants to be a speech pathologist.  I am so proud of her, and the person she has become.   

Like I said, Hannah has always helped with the babies.  She makes time to come over and play with them, and they absolutely LOVE her! Now that the babies are older, they are all developing their own little personalities.  My mom, Hannah, and I have been saying that Ellie would already love a girl's day.  We joke that we could see her going to get her nails done, having lunch, and shopping with the girls, no problem.  

Today, Hannah came and picked Ellie up and took her to a drill team practice.  Last year, Hannah was president of her drill team, and this week the new girls started practice.  Hannah wanted to drop in on them and see her instructors and have lunch.  When the trio was about 7 months, I took them to one of Hannah's competitions, and Ellie LOVED watching the girls dance.  

Hannah said that Ellie had a blast.  She was telling all the girls "hi" and smiling and waving and LOVING all the attention.  I packed her a lunch, and she sat on Hannah's lap at the table and ate like a big girl.  Hannah said she was kicking her legs to the music and loved looking at herself in the big mirrors in the dance room.  She napped in the car on the way home and came home happy.  :-) 

The boys did OK without Ellie.  They played in the playroom really great with just the two of them, because, let's face it, even though she is the cutest thing in the world, Ellie is a bit of a bully.  Lunch was a breeze with just two to feed.  Honestly, I don't see what these twin moms have to complain about! Two kids? Piece of cake! :-) Kidding, kidding.... :-) 

I am so glad that Ellie got to enjoy a day out with her Aunt.  I am so blessed to have an amazing sister that loves her niece and nephews.  WE LOVE YOU AUNT POOKIE! 

Birthday Pictures

Our birthday party was amazing.  We had so many family and friends show up, our house was bursting at the seams.  The babies, wait, excuse me, the kiddos, had a blast! Now that they are one, I don't get to call them babies anymore. :-( 

Here are the pictures: 

Ellie and her boyfriend, Daniel.  Daniel also happens to be my sister's boyfriend, but don't tell Ellie.  She LOVES him! 

Jake with his new friend Grayson and his drum set.  

The Loot.  Did I mention these kids were spoiled? 

The absolutely adorable hats my mom made the kids for their birthday.  We couldn't get them to keep them on, but they are an awesome keepsake.  

Aunt Hannah helping Ellie unwrap her presents.  She would not let go of her My Little Pony.  

Dennis and Jake opening presents.  Dennis was as bad as the kids! He kept want to open everything right then and play with it! 

The food was awesome.  And the table turned out soooo cute! 

We had quite a few kiddos at the party.  There were my three, Sofi, Gabi, and Ian, another group of triplets, Patrick, and Grayson.  It was a full house! Here are a few of them playing in the playroom.  

Cullen loved playing with his presents, but wasn't too excited about opening them.  He wanted Mommy to do the work! 

All the next pictures are about the cake.  We LOVE cake! :-) 

The Ladybug Cupcake Cake. 

The Bumble Bee Cake

All in all, the party was a success.  It was so much fun, and I was so glad to see everyone that came.  Again, this just reinforced the fact that we are so truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.  That said, while this party was awesome, I am so glad birthdays only come once a year: I am exhausted! Happy Birthday to Cullen, Jake and Ellie! 

A Year Ago Today

A year ago: 

- I had been on bed rest for 17 weeks

- I hadn't shaved my legs in over 2 weeks

- I had been in the hospital for four days

- I was crying because I was missing my puppies while I was in the hospital

- I was annoyed because I had read all the trashy magazines for the week 

- I would still get uncomfortable being examined by the doctor

- I had extra money. :-)

Then, at 8:05 PM and 8:06 PM, my life changed completely.  

Now, 

- I would LOVE to stay in bed for 17 hours, let alone weeks

- I still haven't shaved my legs in two weeks. :-) 

- Going to the hospital is a vacation

- I barely remember to feed my puppy, let alone shed tears over her. (Sorry Mags!) 

- I don't waste money on magazines when I don't have time to read them

- I have no more modesty.  Examine, poke, and prode away! Put that stuff on YouTube! 

- Extra money? What? Isn't that an urban myth?

All jokes aside, a year ago today my life changed.  And now, one year later, I cannot imagine my life any other way.  Cullen, Jake, and Ellie are my world.  I love them more than I can express.  I never, EVER thought I would be one of those moms who get teary-eyed thinking about how fast their babies have grown, but tonight, I feel the exact same way.  It seems like yesterday we were at the hospital, scared out of our minds and having no idea what to do with three kids.  Now, a year later, Dennis and I still have no clue what we are doing.  But, we are loving every minute of it! 

Tomorrow is their first birthday party- pictures to follow! 

Happy Birthday to Cullen, Jake and Elliott! Mommy loves you so much! 

100th Birthday Celebration

My Great-Grandmother, Nawnaw, turned 100 this past weekend.  That's right, she is 100 years old.  It is amazing.  Nawnaw took care of me when I was little, and I have the best memories of things that we used to do together.  She is an incredible person, and I have always felt blessed to have her in my life.  My babies are even more blessed to have a great-great grandmother in their lives.  How many people can say that? 

My Nawnaw with Cullen.  She was so excited to hold them. 

Ellie was listening to everything that Nawnaw said.  They both matched in their pink outfits! 

Jake is always the happiest kid, no matter the circumstances.  He can make anyone smile with his puffy checks and big-boy smile! 

Dennis and me with Nawnaw. 

I LOVE this picture of Dennis and Cullen.  They aren't smiling because both were exhausted by this point, but they have the exact same look on their faces.  Cullen is Dennis' mini-me, and in this picture, it shows.  

Nawnaw telling Hannah a story.  We were both lucky to have a great-grandmother in our lives that was so amazing. 

Jake was THRILLED to have my grandparent's dog, Branson, actually play with him.  Jake loves our dog, Maggie, but she wants nothing to do with him.  So, when he got to play with Branson, he was the happiest boy in the world. 

This is my grandmother, Mimi, which makes her Ellie's great-grandmother.  Mimi and Ellie already have a bond.  Ellie has always gravitated toward Mimi.  She loves her, and whenever Mimi is over, Ellie always goes to her.  

At the party, we had five generations all in one room: My great-grandmother, my grandmother, my mother, me, and then the trio.  It is something truly amazing, and it is something that most people never get to experience.  It is a day that I will never forget.  

Swim Time

Last weekend we took the babies to the pool in my Mimi and Pawpaw's neighborhood.  This is the 2nd time the babies had gone swimming.  The first time, Jake threw a FIT! He absolutely hated it, and he clung to me the entire time.  This time he did much better, and even kept his hat on! Cullen and Ellie loved it.  Of course, Ellie hammed it up and tried to almost throw herself out of her float.  The girl has no fear.  Cullen was trying to pick up babes.  LOL, look at his face.  He was so mad we were making him stop his floating and take a picture.  

After the pool: 

Before we went swimming and it got too hot, we let the babies swing at the playground.  It was so much fun!  I am so glad we get to be normal and do normal things.  To all you triplet Moms out there, you have to try and be normal.  You have to try and get out, go to restaurants, go to stores..everything.  The worst thing that can happen is that you go home.  Since we have started doing more, the babies seem to be happier and Dennis and I are regaining our sanity. 

Cullen and Ellie enjoying the swings. 

Jake with his Daddy. 

Mimi and Pawpaw watching Ellie and Cullen swing.