Oh, so many wonderful changes occurred in the past two months.
This morning, Monique, Maarten and Marek zoomed all over the kitchen and family room. They loved picking up their sippy cups and getting a move on it. I am now seeing my life changing before my eyes. I'm thrilled that they all can walk; yet, now I'm awaiting many hugs after they bump into something in their way. Have you seen kids zoom and slip on a board book? Well, if not, stop on over to our home.
We, the little loves, are in the habit of unloading all the books on the shelf and letting them lay all over the floor like puzzle pieces; next, we take a step or two and our legs jump out from under us. We also have found enjoyment in climbing anything, especially chairs. We've managed to climb and stand on the chair if Mama or Dada aren't looking; Mark's had to create a rope system to keep the chairs secured around the round kitchen table and still provide lots of freedom to roam on the hardwood floor. This keeps us pretty busy. We've enjoyed our new-to-us Little Tykes workshop and kitchen from the Lamberts; we think we're helping Mama cook and make household repairs. Of course, we're really only scattering lots of items throughout the house so that our puppy, Joy, can think we're playing all the time with her. Some of our wonderful foods and plastic screws end up in Joy's backyard. We'll get them back, we think, eventually. We love to climb the stairs and now, Maarten, wants to only walk up the stairs. I bet we'll all be climbing on two feet soon.Our family continues to keep a pretty tight schedule, well - with that said - before DST (Daylight Savings Time) changed. Here's a glimpse into our morning. We would awaken abruptly at 7 a.m. and head down to the fireplace in the family room for hugs and warm milk. We'll change diapers and get kiddos a warm breakfast of 7 Grain, French toast, pancakes and fresh fruit- bananas "nanas" and strawberries. They love to eat their breakfast. Monique sees the maple syrup bottle and just about jumps out of her high chair. We all eat and we're working on everyone feeding themselves. Imagine that! Kids are all holding their own spoons and forks. Monique loves to eat from her plate; Maarten and Marek prefer to use it as a Frisbee. We're still working on this one. Each meal is a new opportunity. Once it isn't used properly, it's an UH-OH, so sad. We're all glad that they're picking up everything and giving eating time a whirl. As the Mama, I'm busier trying to help them keep food on their forks or spoons and, of course, the clean up while they are playing in the other room that is gated off while this occurs is a hoot. I needed Mark to buy a better mop; whew.
I'm grateful to be a mom! I know that it's a lot of work; the love and fun exuding from them makes it so worthwhile. I'm getting more rest - like now- while they're all napping for two hours. I have even had a chance to take an oil painting class in Arvada - Painting like and Impressionist - with Chuck Ceraso (www.chuckceraso.com). He's had a big impact on me. I've been painting the subject of light: the that is cast upon fruit for seven weeks; now, I'm on a journey to paint the light that is cast on flowers. Thankfully, my experience on bed rest in 2007 encouraged me to watercolor flowers and I cherished those moments. Now, armed with new ways of seeing colors and understanding light; my process will be much richer and more enjoyable. Ahh, to be able to paint while the kiddos nap. I'm a lucky mama!
The kiddos are still taking two naps a day; the second one is usually around 3 or 3:30; it only lasts an hour. Yet, it helps me make a meal or think of the upcoming meal for us all. Mark returns home from work and helps make our time with Marek, Maarten and Monique that much richer. We often will take the kiddos out in the awesome Choo-Choo wagon that we found from a friend in our STORM (Super Twins of the Rocky Mountains) support group. Our blessings go out to all of our friends in the STORM group; we couldn't be thriving without them and our Boulder Twins group. It's these connections that help me and Mark stay sane. We often wonder if other families are experiencing these challenges. In addition to the local groups, I'm a part of a triplets born around the same time as us through the Yahoo website support group. Here is where I get a daily dose of the common struggles that exist for families. We all sort out the challenges and help each other with suggestions or just plain, oh, I feel the same way about a situation- for example, what to do with sippy cups of milk flying through the kitchen. If you are having multiples or have them, please do find support groups. I couldn't do it without my friends and on-line friends.
Last weekend, our family enjoyed Jack and Addie around the park and in our home on Friday after school. After dinner, Mark and I zoomed off to pamper ourselves. On Saturday night we went for some Lindy Hop swing dancing in Boulder and adventured in the foothills for the weekend. Our amazing friend and nanny, Heidi, cared for the trio. Thank you again, Heidi, for making this special weekend a reality; we weren't sure it would even take place with the kids on the tail end of fighting a cough and runny nose. Winter seems to bring in some nasty germs; yet, we know that they help the little loves build their immune systems.
We're so grateful to have such a full and fun life! Pop over and see us if you're in the area or shoot us an email!
Love to hear some news from you.
Cheers,
The Van Alstynes
Click on the photo below for a little slice of our now! :)
