Lots, actually…

Work

I’ve been working smarter at work, putting my energy into automation to help things run as efficiently as as possible so staff can make way for new work and new skills.

Kids

The kids are doing great. Potty training is in full swing, with all three in underwear throughout the day (except naps if they take them). They are getting the hang of it, which is all we can ask for. With three it is very difficult to work with one at a time. They feed off of one another. We decided we would deal with the accidents and not look back since the weather is nice. Needless to say they are getting a nice tan ☀️.

Michaela

Michaela is (not surprising), the star ⭐️ of the potty training show, and the closest to being ready. She was the first born, first to come home from the NICU and pretty much the first to do everything else. She’s been staying dry all day since last Sunday. Both grandmas have showered all of the kids with cute underwear, and that’s motivated them. Other than that she babbles about everything she sees and we nod and egg her on. It backfires if she’s had an early nap because she is up most of the night talking in her daytime voice! 😂

Emma

Emma is getting the hang of potty training, but still hasn’t quite figured out that feeling and where to do things when she feels that feeling. For example, earlier this week one morning she was standing right next to mommy and had an accident on the (hardwood) floor. She laughed right after that and said “Hehe, that’s funny”. She will not say that the next time she’s on her hands and knees cleaning it up! 😏

Emma can be quite demanding. She likes things done for her and has no problem directing others to do it. I’m insisting that she do it herself, and while she may try and act helpless, she ultimately does it. The other day she asked for chocolate milk. She said, “Daddy, get it. It’s in the fridge over there”, and turned back around. I told her to get up and get it herself. She then did so and sat back down and said, “Daddy, blanket”. She will not start drinking her chocolate milk until there is a blanket covering her feet and she’s comfortable. I tell her to put the milk down and fix her blanket herself 😂

Christopher

This handsome fellow had a scare in recent weeks that landed him in the emergency room. He was running around with a plastic light saber that he had chewed the top cap off of. He ran into something and it lacerated the back of his throat near his tonsils. It was a bloody mess, but it didn’t require the doctor to close the wounds and it healed quickly on its own. The bill for that ambulance ride to the ER $2150 and some change. Our share thanks to great insurance – $0. ER copay $50 – par for the course. Times like this are what make me thankful for my state career and it’s wonderful benefits!

Christopher is behind in most areas compared to his siblings, but catches up quickly once he figures it out. He was the last born, got most of his teeth last, was the last to figure out how to ride the bike with training wheels (no slowing him down now), and is finally talking with confidence (still not as articulate as the girls, but boys are like that!). He’s a shy boy, just like they said on his first pediatric development checkup report. And he’s definitely attached to his mother – he needs to know where she is at all times! He’s catching on quickly with potty 🚽 training.

Also, it appears that he is favoring his left for things like throwing and kicking. That’s how I am. Everything else is righty, just like me. I throw and kick with my left hand but do everything else with my right. He loves all things Cars (Disney) and is obsessed with Lightning McQueen. Those are his favorite clothes to wear!

The Book 📖I decided to wrap up the book (Triple Blessing) and shop it with a few publishers for consideration. The first publisher got back to me within days that they are interested in publishing my book after reading the manuscript. The second publisher is currently reviewing the manuscript and I’m sure they will be interested as well. The book outlines all that it took to bring these kids into the world over the course of our 7.5 year journey – it was a grind for sure. It is certainly an interesting read. I’m sorry it took 3.5 years to complete – I got a little busy 🙊Stay tuned for updates on the book!

M.

The kiddos cleaned house this Spring…in terms of Easter candy, not spring cleaning!

They have mastered egg collecting and candy opening…and fortunately teeth brushing.

Other than that fun stuff, they’ve just been adding to their word arsenal and battling allergies. The cold and then warm, back and forth weather caused a bloom explosion of sorts, and they’ve had a rough time with it. But new milestones bloom as well – they have learned how to blow their noses!

They are 3 and a half now. Getting closer to being potty trained, but not quite “ready”. They have their moments when they just like being babies. Now that they can talk now, though, we push back a lot on their attempts to get us to do stuff for them. My canned response is, “You do it. You can do it!”.

Granted, we live in a much different era than when I grew up. I grew up in the 80s and 90s. I was raised to be independent early on, and encouraged to be. I had to figure things out on my own, and screw up trying. In the 80s and 90s, playing outside by yourself was encouraged, although it came with certain restrictions (be back inside before the street lights come on). I was allowed to explore. When they get older, that seems like a daunting leap of faith in today’s society. I imagine it will be hard on us both to let them be kids and not intervene as they figure things out, but it is a part of the process. They will want to be busy, so that’s good.

Several family members just recently became parents or are about to become parents. That causes me to reflect on our own journey, and what an incredible journey it has been.

I had good parents growing up. They were firm, but fair, and that’s how I am as both a parent and a manager/leader. I don’t want to look back and regret anything, so I’m as involved as I can be when I’m home. Everything we do has revolved around them, as it should be. It’s been fun watching them grow up – we haven’t missed a memory thanks to technology.

Our greatest creations have brightened so many lives, and they are just getting started.

Age 3 has been a real roller coaster. The kids have been all over the map. Ages 4 and 5 may hold more of the same “excitement” 😂. Should be a fun spring and busy summer! And in October they will be 4! 😮

I always chuckle when people at work wish me a relaxing evening at home after I get off. Relaxing? Bahahahaha!!!Finding my second wind is essential for when I get home! Haha 😂

Cheers,

M 🍍