Let me tell you about our boys...

Brothers holding hands

Firstly let me say Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there.  So many of you have helped me since I first got pregnant whether it was through your advice or emotional support that I wanted to make sure you were acknowledged on this very special day.  There are too many of you to name but you know who you are.

I wanted to take some time to talk about my boys individually as they are growing their very own little personality very quickly...

Let's talk about my "oldest" first... Zachary:

Zachary is my serious little guy.  Getting a smile out of him is like winning the lottery, exciting and amazing.  He's got a beautiful smile and when he does, he does it almost slyly.  He loves to dance and loves to be walked around faced out.  When he's in a bad mood, all you have to do is get up, swing him around and walk around and his mood normally turns around.  He's been smiling more and more lately and that's wonderful to see.  He's also been my most particular eater and thankfully we've been able to figure out something that "somewhat" works for him.  He's still having a rough go of it at night and today was awful as far as eating was concerned (it was bad with all three today though).  We had been rocking him to sleep every night and I told Gab that I wanted to let him cry it out to see what would happen.  The doctor had said that he was old enough to cry for a while as long as he was ok so we decided to try.  The first night (Tuesday) he cried for about 20 minutes, slept for 15, woke up and cried for under 10 minutes and slept through the night.  The next night, he didn't cry at all and he hasn't given much of a fuss since.  The books say that to break a bad habit it can take up to 7 days but with him, it only took the one night!  I left the second time he woke up because I really wanted to go pick him up but when I got back Gabe said he didn't even cry the 10 minutes we were going to give him.  What's cute about Zachary is that when he cries (or even laughs) he sounds like a little cat.  We think it's cute but I was telling Gabe that I hope it's not a sign for what his voice might sound like!  I would really rather my son not sound like he's got someone holding on to his you know what when he talks.  His favorite playtime activity right now is holding on to rings on his mat and looking at himself in the mirror. I've also discovered this week that he likes the vibrating bouncy chair which is great because I can bounce him in there with my foot while I hold another crying baby if the need arises.  The only way I can get him to fall asleep when he's overtired and crying uncontrollably is pressing my cheek against his while rocking him in our new rocker recliner and shushing (that's a word right?) very loudly in his ears.  He has the most gorgeous dark grey eyes (I hope they stay that way!!) and I'm told he looks just like his daddy so he must be pretty gorgeous indeed!  I don't see the resemblance though...


Next is my "middle" child Samuel:

Samuel has normally been my happy go lucky easy going little guy but lately he's been teething so he's been pretty needy.  I think I actually felt a tooth this week!  His favorite position is standing (or sitting) on you facing you so he can study & touch your face.  He also likes when you hold him in your arms as long as he can see your face.  He's my most observant little guy.  He can stare at your face forever and if he can touch it, it's even better.  He's also the one who'll look at his brothers the most even when they refuse to look at him and he gives such a great big smile when they return his look.  He slobbers A LOT (due to his teething) and LOVES putting his hands in his mouth so when he's observing you and touching your face, your face often ends up full of slobber. He's our "talker" so when he's standing on our lap, he likes to give us a piece of his mind by series of grunts.  He's never been a fussy eater and he'll even help you out from time to time.  He gets pretty upset between the time you put on his bib and the time the bottle goes in his mouth because it's like he knows it's coming and just wants to eat NOW!  He'll get pretty angry.  His sounds are more like grunts, loud angry grunts or "gna" (like the last syllable in lasagna) sounds.  We can always tell who's crying even when we can't see them. He'll sometimes "laugh-cry" where he's crying and laughing at the same time and we sometimes can't figure out what his actual mood is.  The cry normally wins out at this point.  It's as if he's sad but he wants to laugh so badly anyway that he'll throw us a bone!  His favorite playtime activity is on his playmat just moving around and kicking his legs like he's trying to run a marathon and grabbing at whatever toy is hanging above and putting it in his mouth.  Favorite toy?  Anything he can put in/near his mouth...haha!  Lately it's been the ball with all the holes or even Papa's beard.  He loves looking at his hands (again, observing) and then quickly putting them in his mouth like they're the tastiest things he's ever seen.  He'll go to sleep pretty easily at night and for his morning nap but he HATES sleeping in his crib at any other time.  They still need about a two hour nap in the afternoon but Sam will yell and grunt and cry until I go get him.  There's no letting him cry it out because they actually wake each other up during nap times...

Lastly is my "youngest" son Jacob:

He's our little guy, weighing in, at almost 6 months of age, at a whomping 11lbs 11oz.  He's about 2lbs less than Samuel, our biggest at the moment and has been about 2lbs less for about 4 months now.  I still call him my little monkey as he's as funny as a little monkey.  He makes the cutest little faces all the time.  He's just goofy!  He'll smile even if you're not talking to him, he thinks pretty much anything is funny.  I'd say he's our most emotional little man because when he's hungry, HE'S HUNGRY... like FEED ME NOW hungry.  The moment his bib is on, we have like 2.1 seconds to put the bottle in his mouth before all hell breaks loose.  He also doesn't like his feet being against anything because he'll push until he's literally pushing himself almost off the couch!  When he laughs he sometimes sounds like he's coughing so we're never quite sure if he's laughing or coughing... He loves to fall asleep on the bottle and we've had to wake him up many times with a cold wet facecloth so that he'll finish his bottle.  I don't like putting him to bed asleep because when I do, he wakes up scared because he's waking up in a different place than the one he fell asleep in.  Imagine falling asleep surrounded by the people you love after drinking a nice warm milk and waking up alone in the dark... pretty scary for a baby!  Speaking of sleeping... I've never met a child so confused about how he likes to sleep!  One night he'll want to be put to sleep on his tummy, the next night he'll scream bloody murder if I do the same.  He sometimes wants to sleep on his side, but we need to rub his back or tap him on the bottom before he settles.  Sometimes he'll roll himself on his back and be super satisfied and other times he'll wake up on his back and it's like we laid him down on a bed of nails.  When other people go put him to bed and they ask me what position to put him in, I always pick one at random or just say "sure" to their suggestion because we never know what he'll like.  Mostly he likes his tummy or side, particularly for his naps and he'll normally end up on his back during his night sleep and sleep fine.  He loves TV.  We'll put him down on his playmat and if I happen to have a show on (normally it's just music), we'll find him all twisted up just so he can see the TV.   His new move is putting his arms out as if he needs to balance himself when he's standing on our lap.  He also loves putting his fingers in his mouth (or his brothers' fingers sometimes if they're close enough).  He's our best tummy time guy, probably because he's been sleeping on his stomach since a very early age so he was also the first one to turn from tummy to back.

What they have in common...

We were going to visit Mamie, hence the onesies

 They don't particularly love the car rides, Sam's the best at them.  Jacob and Zachary do pretty good until there's a red light, then they're not fans.  Jacob is getting better at them as I've been taking them to the chiropractor and he seemed to think that Jacob's pelvic bone was a little off.  They love going for walks or our shopping, as long as we're moving, they're satisfied.  They seem to be pretty ok being held by strangers (or newcomers in their lives).  Samuel is pretty scared of my step-father but that'll get better.  I've started reading to them after their nighttime bottle and they seem to enjoy that.  They all love their play mats and will play on them for about an hour straight in the morning after their bottle while I clean up a bit around the house and get them ready for the day.  They love their morning ritual with me.  I take one at a time and wash their faces, talk to them, dress them for the day and do a few morning exercises.  That may be my favorite time of the day, I get to spend about 10 minutes with them alone while the other two continue playing and aren't asking for my attention.  The rest of the day (after their nap) is pretty hectic. They are very particular about the warmth of their bottle... they will NOT drink their bottle if it's not heated to what they're used to.  I'm sure there are many other things they all love to do but I wanted to focus on them individually this week so I'll leave it at that.

We're contemplating going to my cousin's wedding on the weekend in Campbelton which is about a four drive... We were going for sure up until about a couple of days ago when the boys starting being more cranky and needy than usual.  I also started thinking about all the logistics with feeding and napping and play time and the long hours of driving (they've never gone longer than 20 minutes of a car ride).  They eat every four hours so the drive alone would be difficult to time the feedings.  Doing any type of routine change can screw up a baby for a while and I've got three to think about... We're finally starting to have some kind of routine and messing with that and trying to get them to sleep in pack and plays (parks), which they've never slept in before, would be interesting to say the least.  I know some of you are thinking: "Go, you can't let them stop you from living your life" but when you have three babies that you're still working on creating a normal routine, they ARE my life.  I really want all my family to meet them (as 90% of my family lives there) and I really want to see everyone but I don't want to have a week from hell getting them back to routine when we come home... I really don't know, we're still thinking about it.  I'm normally the girl who'll say, "F it, let's do it and we'll deal with it later" but I've changed a bit since I now have to think about three babies.  If we had just one baby, we'd go for sure.  I don't mean to say that messing up one baby's routine is easy but it'd be easier than three...

We've also decided to actively try to give Roxy away... this breaks my heart because she's been my baby girl for 5 years.  The house is getting smaller and smaller and she's in the way and just not getting the love and attention she deserves and craves.  It's getting sadder and sadder... Sure, I take her for walks but even on walks, I'm constantly concentrating on her when I should be focusing on the babies.  Also, one hour of attention when the other hours in the day, she's constantly being told to go lay down... it's just not enough and it's just sad.  Maybe one day when the boys are older we'll consider getting another dog but right now, it's just not working.  Of course, if no one good comes along to offer to love her and take care of her (to my standards), we'll keep her.  There's no way I'm letting her go to some stranger off the street with no credentials!!

Alright... I've blabbed enough... here are the weekly pics:

I LOVE LIFE!!! Even when Daddy puts me on the floor while he gets the milk ready. 

Matante Mel came to hang out and show off Zach's rocking t-shirt given to him
by his godparents Marie-Christine & Serge

Photobombed by my own son...

Hanging out in the sun at Mamie's and Pappy's... we need some protection! 

That's how we tan right Mommy?

Mamie loving on her boys

Not too sure about this....

First shorts of the nice weather

Hanging out with my bro in the new chair

Nom Nom Nom... love this toy!!

Hummm... I wonder if he'll give me his toy....

Mommy!!! He wants my toy!!!!

Sure... I won't sleep in my crib but the floor seems to be a perfect place to nap! 

Zachary in his new favorite place to be

So cute right?

Cousin Tanya came to visit!

So did her main squeeze Marc.  Maybe they're practising for the future?!?  My aunt sure hopes so!! haha... 

Cousin Dan also came to meet them for the first time, he's a natural! 

Thanks for the visit guys!!!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!  See, we got your flowers!!

Triplet footsies

All in their bumbos!! 

Such a difference from 6 months ago...  I'm so happy to have joined this wonderful world of motherhood!! 

Had a nice visit from Josée and her girls Zoey & Peyton!  xox

You'd think I would have learned... Jacob need to be tied up in there!!  1 month old vs 6 months... quite the difference huh?

In honor of Mother's Day...

Progress with Zachary!!!

Let me start by saying that I hope I didn't offend anyone in last week's post when I mentioned that even though we were offered loads of help, not much came of it.   I want to re-state the fact that I am not resentful of this as I realize we all have lives to live and sometimes what we think in our heads that we will be able to do, in reality, is just not possible.  I also want to say that we've received sooooooo much help in other ways.  People have been so generous since we've shared the news that we were going to be going from a family of two to a family of five.  We've had people cook for us, we've had people organize a semi clothes, toy, baby items drive for us, we've had people we don't even know drop off baby items to various family members and friends, and we've had the BEST emotional support from our friends and family.  Not to mention the unbelievable amounts of diapers and free formula samples we've been given.  So many diapers that I've given my leftovers to pregnant friends of mine.  We've had people GIVE us a dishwasher and build a cabinet to fit it in because our kitchen is out-dated and didn't have space for it... We've had so many generous gift cards and monetary gifts. And my showers... wow... were we ever spoiled rotten!! I'm still getting bags of clothes from friends as the boys are growing out of the first bags of clothes.  A friend of mine even showed up today with a bag full of clothes.  My guest room is overflowing still with things I've been given that I need to organize!  I NEVER want to sound ungrateful and if you've ever had a "well she's just an ungrateful little biatch" thought please remove said thought from your head as I've never been more appreciative and aware of people's generosity in my life!  Rant over...

We may have solved Zachary's problem!!!!  Thanks to my sister who, having experienced the same type of issue with my niece as a baby, told us to change the nipple and use a faster flow.  Now Zachary had been using the same nipple since he started bottle feeding at the end of his NICU stay and we had tried to change him to various different types of nipples since and we were never successful.  When my sister suggested we try a super fast flowing nipple, I thought that I would try him with a Tommee Tippee (same as his brothers) but a 6 month plus fast flow.  I was very skeptical of this as we had tried the Tommee Tippee nipples in the past and he wanted nothing to do with it.  I, by chance, had bought a pack of the faster flowing nipples a while back so I decided to try it out thinking that it was a waste of time...  Low and behold, Zachary took right to it and finished his bottle without crying AND without needing me to walk him around or bounce him on the exercise ball or whatever.  He stayed right there on his pillow and aside from a little confusion at first, had a really good feed!  I was soooooo happy... I thought for sure it was just a fluke but what do you know, he has been doing it since!  Here's my theory:  I think Zachary developed a gag reflex and his previous nipple being longer, he'd gag and that created a sort of aversion to drinking.  Gabe says that it may have just been a coincidence and that whatever had been bothering him just stopped bothering him but I'm inclined to think it was the changes to the nipple and flow.  He's been spitting up a little bit more than usual but that was to be expected with a higher flow.  What use to take him 30-45 mins now takes him less than 20 minutes!!!  Can you say relieved?!?!!  I was/am quite happy and I'm hoping that this weekend was not just a dream!

We also decided that it was time to make the switch to powder.  I wasn't sure if Zachary would handle the formula switch on top of his other changes but all three didn't bat an eye at the switch!  Last time we tried to switch about two months ago was a disaster!  Having about a month's worth of powder formula in our cupboard, I thought it was time.  This is going to make my life quite a bit easier as I'm also going to get this Formula Pro mixer which is like a Keurig for formula.  It'll perfectly mix my water and powder and heat it up in less than a minute!!!  I know some of you may think... what's the big deal?  Is she THAT lazy that she can't mix powder with water on heat it up on her own??  When you have three babies screeching that they're hungry, trust me, you'd want this amazingness of a product too!!  No need of making sure you have the right amount of water and fomula, making sure that it's all mixed right with no clumps and then waiting another 5 minutes for the water to boil and then another 3 minutes for the formula to heat up... this is going to be a Godsend!  Check it out:

We've had difficulties getting it but some angels (once again) have come to our rescue and it'll be in my possession within the next two weeks!!!  I'm so excited for this!!  Man the things that excite me as a mother are quite different than what use to excite me pre-motherhood!! Haha...

The boys are developing so well!  We had out physio and occupational therapy appointment this week and they're right where they should be!  The boys are all different in their development but what Zachary can't do, Jacob or Samuel can and vice versa.  The girls were quite impressed with them!  They are where three month old babies should be which is what's expected as that's their corrected age and they're not expected to start catching up to their "real" age yet.  The high-risk neonatologist was also quite impressed with them and said he didn't even want to see them until the fall because he was so happy with where they're at!
My boys are thriving!  Zachary and Samuel both turned from tummy to back this week, something Jacob's been doing for weeks! Zachary only did it once and Sam twice but it's a sign of things to come.  They're all really good at going from back to side so they'll be going from back to belly soon and then WATCH OUT!!  We'll have to put our baby jail up soon!!  My brother in law gave us one of those blue mats we used to have in gym class and we put that down so they have more room to play.  We've started trying various other play things like exercausers and Jolly Jumpers, both of which the boys aren't too sure about...

I was trying to get them to look at each other.... FAIL

 It's crazy how quickly things are changing now and how every week they are learning something different.  Samuel seems to be the fastest developer of the boys but the physio lady told me that his brothers are just developing different skills that he hasn't developed yet.  We bought a new toy and Samuel LOVES it!  He's been loving his hands lately and anything he has in them will automatically go to his mouth...

He's also getting closer and closer to holding his own bottle!

My mother in law said that when they were feeding him on Saturday night, she put the bottle right beside him while she burped Jacob and he brought it back to his face and started drinking again!  We didn't really believe it until he did the same with me today!  It doesn't last very long but he's getting there!!

It was my sister's birthday this week so we made sent her a picture:

It says "Happy Birthday Auntie" for those of you who can't read French

It was also my parents' 20th wedding anniversary and it was my step-dad's 70th birthday a little while ago so we decided to go out to celebrate all those occasions on Saturday night while my amazing in-laws babysat the boys.  We went to the Casino Buffet and we had lots of laughs...  We don't often get to go out kid less as a family and spending time with them was refreshing.  Of course, we were home at around 8:30 (we partied HARD!!! lol) as we still had to get up at 6:30 this morning!

We were able to go out for a few walks this week with the weather getting nicer.  I met up with my friend Julie and her newly born twins (SO CUTE!), it was really nice to see her.  She's the one whose belly Jacob was standing on in one of my previous blogs.  Her twins are amazing and she's doing really good too in case you were curious :).  We had visits from my friend Josée and her mom and look who came for a visit this morning:

The Hawking/Stafford family! Could their little guy BE any cuter??  Alicia is expecting her twin girls at the end of the summer so between her and Josée (who is also expecting a girl), they'll have the boys all set up!! Unless any of them prefer the other sex of course!

All in all, we had a really good week with the boys.  They amaze me every day and every time I see their faces my heart swells and I can't believe they're all mine...  I didn't know it was possible to love this much... but I do guys... I really do...

Other pics of the week:

So I know they say that kids shouldn't watch TV until they're at least 2 but c'mon.... how cute is this??

Jacob fell asleep after "watching" for 5 minutes...

As he was watching, he was also sucking his hand as you can see in the previous pictures and he ended up giving himself a hickey...lol

Showing off the cute little shoes made by Auntie Erin xox

Jacob had to put his doctor shirt on to go see the doctor of course!! 

I took this picture to send to Josée and her mother after they had been here for about 40 minutes and not a smile from Zachary... the boys were not their best self when they came to visit so I had to send her a pic to ensure they knew that they weren't always cranky!! haha...

If Jacob could fit his whole hand in his mouth, I'm sure he would!! 

From left to right : Zachary, Samuel and Jacob in their little summer outfits

Watching Ellen after coming home from a nice long walk

Zachary's resting face looks sooooo cranky!!  He's so handsome... 

Samuel and his tongue being so close to being out... haha

Jacob and one of his multiple funny faces

As always my friends...