Spring? Not Quite Yet

Hello all. Once again, it has been too long since we updated this blog. The kids are all doing so well. All three are up walking around. Bailey was the last to get there but she is toddling all over the place with the rest of the crew! Since it was nice this last weekend, we were able to get out of the house. We went to Jump N Play on Saturday and turned the triplets loose on the inflatables. Anniston & Collin enjoyed the under 3 area. Bailey wasn't so impressed. They all enjoyed going down the big slides with mom or dad though. On Friday, we went shopping at Target. Mom & twin sister did some shopping while dad and the kids did laps around the store in the choo-choo wagon. The kids really enjoyed seeing new sights! We did try to get out and take some walks around Danville, but there was still too much snow on some of the sidewalks.
Anniston has been able to identify herself and her siblings in pictures on several occasions. She has also been able to identify a ball and a monkey. All three of them are jabbering a lot. We are working on words with them--I think they understand us, but just can't spit out the right sounds just yet.
We're enjoying the temporary heat wave and are looking forward to spring! We feel very blessed.

JKABC

Our 1st birthday!!!

It's hard to believe, but our little ones are a year old today. The time has been flying by. The triplets official birthday party won't be until next weekend, but we will celebrate with them today anyway. They all have their one year checkup on Monday to analyze how they are doing.

As far as new developments, Collin is now walking. He is pretty shaky but he can string several steps together and get where he wants to go. Give him a week or so and I'm sure he will be picking up speed. Little Bailey is standing independently and has even been seen taking a step here or there. She will join the other two soon.

Mom and dad enjoyed their first evening and overnight without the triplets. It was strange with no gates and doors left open. We didn't know how to act since we could leave things on the floor without fearing one of them would shred them and/or stick it in their mouth. We didn't have the monitors on or have to worry about getting up early this morning. It was good to get some extra rest and relaxation. Thanks Tim & Kathy!

Thanks for checking up on us.

JKABC

First Christmas

Hello all! It has been a few weeks. The little ones and their parents all enjoyed the triplet's first Christmas. Kristy loaded some new pictures on the site last night, so be sure to check them out. The kids got lots of great presents. We got the kiddos a choo-choo wagon (see the picture with the multicolored wagon). They seem to love it. Collin enjoys going down a step in the wagon. He thinks it is hilarious. Bailey prefers a smooth ride. We were able to ride around the house and even get outside the day after Christmas for a ride through the neighborhood. The kids got lots of toys from their grandma/grandpa and their aunts/uncles. Thanks to all for the cool new toys. Aunt Sharon was able to help us paint our play room and get it ready for new toys.

Other than a runny nose or two, the kids have been pretty healthy this winter season. Praise the Lord! Life is so much easier when they aren't all sick. It's hard to believe, but they are almost 1 year old. Time has been flying by!

Anniston is walking around everywhere. She is a climber. We can't keep her off of the hearth (where she can access the Christmas tree, ottoman, etc). Collin is starting to take some steps on his own. He also does really well with the walk-behind toy. He can turn it anywhere he wants to go. Bailey can stand on her own and has been seen taking a step here or there, but she will do things in her own time (like normal for her). Anniston will give you "five" if you ask and hold your hand up. She will also sometimes clap her hands if you ask her to. Bailey is the best sound maker. She clearly can say mama or dada (and almost any other combination of consonants with the letter a). Collin and Anniston are talking too. We've found that Collin likes to get loud before bedtime--lots of loud incoherent sounds. Anniston prefers the word baba. They are all so different and sweet. It is neat to see three completely different kids interacting with each other. They often times think one (or both) of the others are hilarious. It is fun to hear them laugh!

Thanks for checking on us! We are staying really busy. We hope you all had a merry Christmas and that you have a happy new year!

JKABC

WALKING!!!!!!!

Well, it is bittersweet but our little Anniston is walking. She has been building up for the past week or so and now she gets to the edge of things and just keeps walking. I almost cried when I saw her this evening and couldn't wait to tell Daddy when he got home from work. I guess we weren't too shocked because Anniston is just our crazy, energetic, spunky girl. She has been doing one thing and then on to the next. She has been an amazing child to watch. To think she was a preemie, who would have thought?

The kiddos are all doing great. They are feeling well. They had some congestion for a few weeks and are much better now. They play a lot together. I will be sitting in the living room and I will hear giggles and thumps all through the hallway. It is too sweet. They love playing together. They also have their time to themselves. Collin is just content to play by himself if the other two aren't in the room but if they are then he thinks that is great too. Bailey has to have her time to herself. She sometimes likes it when she can just play with something and not have it taken away. Anniston is a mommy's girl and loves to tug on my pant legs. Sometimes she is okay if I am just in the same room and their are some times when she will venture out with one or both of the others and play without me being there.

We have been enjoying the Christmas season. I love decorating and shopping (last year I had to shop on-line). The babies have enjoyed the Christmas tree and the merry-go-round their Great Grandma Thompson gave them. They have also enjoyed a stuffed snowman I have at the fireplace. They love to chew on it and have managed to bite off one of the buttons. Imagine that. We can't wait to see them opening up their presents on Christmas. We have decided they will like the boxes and paper much better this year, however, I think once the present is opened they will enjoy what is inside. They love their toys.

We hope you all are having a wonderful Christmas season. Thanks for all of your continued prayers and encouragement over the past several months.



JKABC

Ear Tubes, Check

Well all of the babies now have had their ear tube surgery.  I took Collin to get his surgery yesterday.  He also had his ear tags (excess skin) taken off and his tougue clipped because he was tougue-tied (ouch!).  I am amazed at how well he has done since the surgery.  You would never believe he just had surgery.  Yesterday, after we were finished at the hospital, we went to Grandma & Grandpa Bum's house where Aunt Tracy brought the two girls to hang out with everyone.  She watched the girls for me yesterday while I was with Collin.  Thanks so much Tracy.  Your the best! Anyway, Collin was sitting with Grandpa and was just smiling and playing and he then was jumping in the jumperoo just having a great time.  There has been no indication that any of it, even the tougue clipping, has been bothering him at all.  How resilient are kids!  They are amazing. 

We have been trying to enjoy the fall season.  I love it because it is when families gather the most.  I love Halloween and Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It is the best time of the year.  However, it has been so cold lately that we have been unable to take the kiddos out.  We have taken them other places to stroll around inside.  The babies are enjoying playing together.  They are so fun to watch.  One will crack up at the other one because of something silly they are doing.  It is too cute.  

We are having so much fun with them. We thank all of you for keeping up with our blog even when we don't update as often and placing so much of an interest in our kids.  

Thanks

JKABC

Full Mobility!

Hello all. It's hard to believe that it is the middle of October. The big news is that all three of the triplets are crawling and pulling up on things. Bailey was the last to start crawling, but she has been able to roll around to about anywhere for some time now. Anniston managed to climb our staircase all the way to the top (with dad making sure she didn't fall backwards). She continued to explore the stairs from time to time so we had to install the gate. The other kids really haven't had a chance to attempt the climb. The girls got their ear tubes inserted last Friday. They seem to be doing well. Collin is scheduled to get tubes at the end of this month. The kids are eating a lot more solid food. They don't seem to be gaining much weight, but that is probably because they are expending so much more energy crawling around. They're getting taller and, compared to several months ago, their faces look so much thinner. It is fun to see the kids exploring their environment! Praise God for our little ones.

Jason

Another Anniston Tooth

Greetings! Not too much news to report. As you can deduct from the title, Anniston has another tooth. She now has three of her front teeth (both of the lowers and one upper). Collin and Bailey both have their bottom front teeth in.
We just recently moved Collin's crib into the "extra" bedroom. He always wants to get up an hour or so earlier than the girls. Anniston continues to explore the house. She is pulling up on the couch and chairs (and anything else she can get her hands on). Collin and Bailey are working on the crawling, but still aren't there yet.
We recently met a great family that lives in our new neighborhood. Their daughters, Elizabeth and Victoria (twin sisters) have been helping to take care of the babies on a few evenings a week. It has been and is a big help to Kristy and I.
We visited Kristy's twin sister and family this last weekend. We enjoyed visiting a few orchards and got some good pictures of the kids amongst the pumpkins. Thanks for putting up with us!We're staying extremely busy these days. We really appreciate the help we have been receiving.

JKABC