Walkin' and Shoppin'

Well, we finally have a walker in the house. Cory is trying to walk all over the place and he is so proud of himself! And Kelen is standing, so I expect him to try some steps in the next few weeks. I don't have any good video of it yet, but I will get some soon. Speaking of video though, here are a couple of good ones. I bought this shopping cart walker last week and it has been a huge hit with Kelen and Ella! They fight over it and have so much fun pushing it around. It is so cute! Kelen gets soooo upset when it hits something or runs into the wall and he screams until I turn it around so he can push it more. He is my drama king! Enjoy!

Brrrr.....

7-8 inches of snow and 15 degrees. Jim and Fran, wouldn't you rather be here than sunny California? The sun is shining here too!

New toys

The triplets got a couple of new toys last week. They always love something new. They usually all huddle up around it and then fight over it. I bought them a dinosaur that they can put balls into different holes and it makes sounds. I also finally found a tunnel to replace the box that had gotten pretty beat up. We also took the kids out for their first ride outside in the choo choo wagon. It was in the 60s! They loved it! Ella and Kelen were squealing. It should be alot of fun this summer.

Checking out the dino.

Daddy trying to go through the tunnel.

He made it!

The maiden voyage.

Pig snoots

The kiddos are such little imitators now! They try to do whatever Mommy and Daddy are doing. Pig snoots are the fav right now, but it is hard to catch them in action. Everyone stops and stares whenever I get the camera out.

Kelen's attempt at a pig snoot!
I see you with the camera mom.

Welcome home

One year ago today, the triplets came home from the NICU. They were 3 months and 1 day old. I still can't believe they have been home for a year! My how time flies when you are busy.


Tonight Kevin and I were laughing about the moment we brought them in the house. We brought them all inside in their carseats and sat them in the dining room (they were asleep of course). We were so excited to finally have them home with us. Then we just looked at each other and one of us said "Well, what do we do now?" We didn't really know what to expect.

For the next several months, I felt like a zombie. I can't even remember that much about that time. I think we were so sleep deprived, that it was all kind of a blur. Now that I look back I wonder how we did it. But we survived, and now the triplets are so much fun. They are growing so fast and learning so many new things. They will be in kindergarten before we know it.

We took them in for their 15 month checkup today and the doctor thinks they are doing awesome! They are growing well and developing on tract for their prematurity. She didn't have any concerns about them. But she did tell us to start weaning to sippy cups. I have been working on this for quite a while, but I guess I really need to get serious about it. Believe me, I am so tired of washing bottles, switching to sippies would be a huge thing! Anyway, here are the stats on the triplets:

• Kelen: 19 lbs 9 oz, 28.5 in
• Ella: 18 lbs, 27.8 in
• Cory: 19 lbs 15 oz, 29.5 in

Emma Irene Rowland

August 30, 1914 - January 2, 2009

1992?

My grandmother passed away a few days ago at 94. She had a stroke the day before Thanksgiving and never really recovered. I am comforted by the fact that she is no longer in any pain. I am however very sad that she never got to meet the triplets. I sent her many pictures to keep her updated.

I think everyone would say that she lived a very full life and I hope she felt that too. I sat down and tried to count all of her grandchildren and was surprised at how big our family had gotten.(I'm not even sure I got everyone!)

• Children: 4
• Grandchildren: 11
• Great-grandchildren: 22
• Great-great-grandchildren: 11

Grandma and me at Easter 1982?

I have so many memories of her over the years. I spent many summer days with her. I would pack my little suitcase and spend the night with her often (she only live about 2 miles from our house). I remember that she loved to make root beer floats for me and also popcorn and french fries. I will share these memories with my children someday. I love you Grandma.

She looked great at our wedding in 2005. 93rd Birthday Party (She turned the candles around to say 39!)

2008 has been quite a year...

This day last year was my original due date before we knew I was pregnant with triplets. My how things can change in a year. By my due date the kids were already almost 3 months old. Now a year later they are close to 15 months and it is so hard to believe. They really do grow up too fast. It is a good thing I am taking alot of pictures and videos, because I am already forgetting little things they used to do that really made me laugh.

We were really busy this Christmas. We drove to KC the weekend before Christmas and visited Kevin's parents for a few days. The kids did really well again with the travel and new environment. Kevin and I got to go out to dinner with a bunch of his college friends while the grandparents babysat. Then we all came back to our house for Christmas. The triplets didn't seem to care much about opening presents, but I am sure they will next year. Kevin's dad got alot of great photos though. Happy New Year from the McDonalds!

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2007

Look how tiny we were.

Testing out the new choo choo wagon.

Daddy and his boys.

Ella monster after naptime.

Cory up to something. Opening presents.
I love Christmas!!!
Am I sweet or what?

Looks like a little angel.

Time to play!