The sad, triple stroller

So today I had an interesting experience. We have decided that we do in fact require a 3-kid stroller for going to the park etc...and so I've been starting to look around hoping to find one that will work. Of course the logical place to start looking is ebay...and after that there's Craigslist. Trust me...a good used triple stroller is not easy to find.

This morning though - I thought I had struck gold when a fairly decent one came up on CL...even better that it was within driving distance...Spanaway, WA - just S of Tacoma. Called the lady who informed me she had had triplets 3 years ago and didn't need the stroller anymore so she was trying to get rid of it.

As I get into Spanaway...I finally find this place - in a neighborhood that I wouldn't want to be in after dark...if you know what I mean...all sorts of "interesting" people hanging out - and of course you can imagine me pulling up in my dress shirt and pants - Mr Yuppie guy in a Volvo - not exactly fitting into my surroundings. But hey - I drove an hour to get here...no stopping me now.

Two guys meet me in front of the house...and I'm feeling a little out of my league - especially since I'm not packing heat - they both belong on Harley's with Ape Bars and I'm sure they were. I'm starting to get a little worried about the wad of cash in my pocket but soon the gate swings open and there we are...a very used and dilapidated triple stroller along with aforementioned "mother".

Now the scene is a little humorous, but it all stops there. No question I'm in the middle of a classic drug-house with people who have some serious alcohol/drug problems. Turns out the lady did in fact have triplets - identical girls and a fraternal boy. She says she lasted 2 years. What I mean by that is that she informed me that after 2 years she couldn't cope anymore and gave them up for adoption. I'm starting to feel sick to my stomach. Time to hit the road and I did.

But it got me thinking. First of all about those three little kids who didn't have a stable home. And where are they now. Precious little 3 year olds - the same age as Mark. Then about this whole triplet thing. Like - are we crazy? Is this really going to slowly kill us? I know that having multiples like we have is a life-changing event, and it takes a toll on many aspects of peoples lives. Hard on careers. Hard on marriages. Hard on finances. You name it, it probably will get tested. But seriously...some people don't survive. That lady didn't. Sobering.

Anyway, I love my little boys. And I was glad to come home and hold each of the 4. Glad to have a wife that I know loves them as much as I do. Glad to have a good home and a stocked fridge. Thankful for my parents who gave me all of that and more. And especially glad that I grew up in a faith that taught me right from wrong. That some things we should live without. Especially things that are addictive, destructive and filthy.

Dinner Out!

This last weekend we had the courage (or insanity) to venture out...and actually enjoyed a fun lunch out in North Bend, WA with the "boyz".




And today off to Costco for passport photos for the little dudes! Need to get them legal to travel...



...unintended consequence of having 2 carseats in your Costco cart...less room to fill it up! Nice!

The Charmer

As you can see, Bensen has learned how to charm the ladies...

3 Months! (We've survived!)

So...the triplets are 3 months old now...to celebrate they all came to Sunday meeting this morning!



And yes, its been an interesting 3 months! No question we've had the best time ever - these little guys charm you like you've never imagined. And looking back...I'm just wondering if I'll ever remember much of it. Probably not.

A few observations....in no particular order...

-most of the time only 2 out of 3 will be crying
-the squeaky wheel gets the grease (er...bottle)
-sleeping only 2 hrs at a time is actually ok...for a while
-my wife is unspeakably amazing
-just cause you started out the smallest doesn't mean you have to stay that way
-big brothers rock
-feed, burp, change...feed, burp, change...etc...
-filling up 15 bottles at a time is cool
-there is something beautiful about having 3 sets of eyes track you
-sometimes they'll cry just to get held


Other random pics from the last week or so...

The local crime crew...

Mr. Policemen...

In the getaway car...

Tummy time for Chase...

The important part of the newspaper...

Grampa's motorhome is uber cool...

A New Bike + A Gourmet Dinner!

How much better can it get than this? Grandma M treated Marky to a brand-new Spiderman bike...and he loves it! Gotta get some pics of him riding it...


And since we don't get out much...we were treated to a spectacular gourmet meal from Ron and Brenda! We had to eat in the back yard since I've torn apart the side deck - but what a treat! Thanks!

Our Happy Chaos

And sometimes it actually is peaceful. Just not for long.

A, B + C, almost 9 lbs now



Anton

Bensen

Chase

Summer Fun (finally)...

Well, here in the Pacific NW it seems like we might have a bit of summer after all. Yeehaa!

Reading Time!


3 Little Bumps...


Hugs


Swimming down at the lake!

Brotherly Love

Settling in...

Well, this week has been a week of adjusting to having all 4 boys at home. We've had some fun, laughs, and of course sleepless nights! One of the highlights was finally introducing our boys to another set of triplets that we've been in contact with who are about 3 months older than our guys. What a blast!

Double-Triplet Trouble

Our guests behaved much better than the Miles'!

No, we don't sit still...(AJ, Chase, Bensen)

Chase Watching the Action

Bensen is Fast Asleep

This is how you feed 3 at a time! (Chase)

Brothers... (Bensen and Anton)

Together at last...

I am happy to say that Bensen came home today! We are together at last...

Mt Rainier

From the house, we have a great view of Mt. Rainier, and on evenings like tonight it is spectacular. I couldn't help but snap a picture. Anyone up for a climb?


FYI

How tall is Mount Rainier?
The official measurement is 14,410 ft. above sea level.

How many people climb the mountain each year?
In 2009, 10,616 people attempted to climb Mount Rainier; 6,438 of them actually reached the summit.

State of the union...

Well, as you can imagine...its been a little hectic around here...and I haven't had the chance to do much more than post a few pics here and there. But this morning Sherri had to go see her doctor for a post op checkup and so I've been abandoned here with one three year old and a couple of little dudes that are pretending to sleep. I say pretending because its amazing how much noise they make even when they are sleeping...grunts, groans etc...it makes you wonder if they ever really do sleep. But hey, in spite of the fact that there are clothes to wash, a kitchen to clean, many many bottles to fill- here I am.

We are still without Bensen so in military terms we do not have the mission accomplished yet (no man left behind). I do think the secret op to rescue him will come fairly soon...and we are ready. AJ and Chase's beds were filled by a set of twins...when I met their parents I couldn't help but mutter under my breath...Whimps! Like seriously...only two? C'mon...it takes more than that to impress me. In our house the parents prefer to be completely outnumbered.

Most people are wondering what its like to have multiples in the house...and although I know its perfectly understandable to expect us to break down and freak out- don't get your hopes up. These little guys are perfectly normal. They cry when they're awake. They spit up after every feeding. We change their clothes many times a day. We feed them every 3 hrs. And change diapers at least twice as often as that. Do the math. Right now thats 16 bottles a day, 30ish diapers a day and my guess is at least 8 clothing changes a day. And we only have 2 at home. Oh yeah..then there's the 3 yr old. Oops- forgot about him.

The truth is, we are really enjoying having the little dudes. When you've gone through periods of time when there were real questions about your ability to even have kids...you don't take them for granted. Yes, they'll be a lot of work. Yes, I am sure my hair will turn grey and fall out. We won't have a social life for a while. And our holidays will consist of trips to McDonald's.

But this is it. This is what we wanted.

AJ Rocks our world!

OK, the news is out! I now have two little dudes sleeping head to head upstairs! After 48 days in the hospital, little Anton decided it was time to come join the fraternity here at home!
So we showed up today ready to take him home!

...but had a little fun putting all 3 together...

The lucky two that got to go home today...

This is one of our many, many special Nurses at the ISCU/NICU! Seriously, we could not have survived without these special people.

And the one we had to leave behind...poor Bensen. It just kills us to leave him now.

Other happenings this week...
My Mom and Dad and two of my nephews came to inspect the new arrivals...

...so I put them all to work! Ha. Thats the rule!!

Welcome Aboard Chase!

So, today little Chase came home!


Getting ready to leave Swedish Hospital

Ok, I know...there should be two more!

Our Very Special Nurse even came to say Good-Bye!

...what is taking sooo long...???

We're going to have to get REALLY good at this...

All tucked in at home!

And Mark insisted on sleeping right next to Chase on the floor! (Just in case he vanished, I guess!)



So thats finally the first one home - its been a pretty amazing 5 weeks. And we expect Anton and Bensen home later in the week. Can't wait!