Yay! I found my camera!

I haven't seen my camera in about week and last I saw it, I took it off of Alli's floor. Anyway, yesterday, I got in the van and decided for some reason to check out Alli's ELMO backpack, and yep, there it was! And you know Jim couldn't hold back the, "I told you so....." Anyway, whatever...I knew it was around and I would find it sometime :)

Well, there wasn't much going on this weekend, but we did have a baby shower for my little sister, Ann. She is the one that is pregnant with twins, due in August. We almost had to ruin the surprise and tell her about it b/c she planned to go with some friends to the Cardinal game for a bachelorette party. I felt bad that she even wasted her time making a 'suck for a buck' lollipop bouquet for the bride-to-be. I don't think she knew until about an hour beforehand. Then her husband (Tim) showed up with her a little early and she surprised us when she walked in the door. So, here is her fake surprise picture. Actually, I think Tim looks like he is more surprised ;)
Everything went smoothly, great food, great family, and she got lots of great gifts! Now we can't wait for her babies to get here!

My sister and family came to town this weekend too. Here are 3 of their kids.

Angela, Amy (holding Cassie), and Courtney
I swore I was going to get a picture of me holding my babies on Saturday. I don't even know why its so important to me, but now I think I just keep thinking about it because I know that I don't have one and I keep meaning to get one (for myself, I know you guys can care less ;))

But, I did get one of me holding Jimmy :) I think I only held him once all day at the shower b/c everyone else helped me out--thank you! It was a nice break :)
Me & Jimmy, Kelly & Cassie

Alli looking cute at the shower...she only got to stay for a little bit b/c after a while, we realized it was NAP TIME for her.


Jim is going to Newport Beach this week for work. I'm a little nervous about having them all week without him. I have some help lined up though, so hopefully everything goes smoothly. Well, I'm sure it won't, but I can hope!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day from our family to yours! We missed you Jackie and family! Hope everyone had a good one. We went to Hardee's after church in the morning. There aren't many places we can take over the place with our big family and all of the kids. We just relaxed the rest of the day. I took a nap and then played mother, giving kids baths, feeding, changing, playing...the normal stuff! Once again, I still didn't get a picture of me and my babies....sometime I'm going to remember...they're only almost 6 mos old!

Updates

Cassie was the first to hit the 'rolling over' milestone. She rolled from tummy to back last Sunday (5/4). I was out of the room and Jim told me, so then I was all upset that I missed it. He said, "Turn her over, she'll probably do it again." So, I did and she did it two more times.

Jenna (our puking baby!) is now on Prevacid for her reflux and spitting up. Seems to be making a little bit of a difference, not sure if I could tell yet. Like we don't already have enough laundry to do, we have to change her clothes and ours so often b/c she is constantly puking up her bottles all over us!

They are really starting to love the cereal and vegetables. I'm going to try fruits this weekend, which I'm sure they'll like. Who doesn't like fruit???

Alli has been sick again, taking breathing treatments. She is so good about doing them though.

Alli dancing

Last weekend was very busy. We had tickets for the Cardinal/Cubs game on Friday, but no sitter. So my wonderful friends - Toni, Sheila, and Marissa volunteered so Jim and I could go out TOGETHER for once. Usually we have to separate so one of us can watch the kids. They tell me the babies were good and Allison had a lot of fun. Thanks guys!

Marissa with Jimmy & Jenna
Sheila and our puking girl
Toni and Cassie (sporting her comb over)

Saturday I took Allison and Jimmy to Vincent's 3rd birthday party out in Valmeyer, IL. That was fun! Allison got to play with all of Vincent's toys and he has A LOT :) That night we had some friends over for Tres de Mayo. We drank margaritas and ate some Mexican food and just hung out. I think there were about 15 of us there.

Sunday was my Aunt Joan and Uncle George's 50th Wedding Anniversary. My two other wonderful friends came over to babysit for us so we could go out. Thanks Cathy and Jess! The party was great. I felt weird out there doing the duck dance and drinking beer and then someone opens the door and it was daylight outside! I'm used to be really drunk doing that dance at night at a wedding reception :) Jim and I only have a little over 44 years until we can celebrate our 50th! Congratulations Aunt Joan and Uncle George! You guys looked so happy!!!

I guess I'm expected to update everyday...I'm really sorry to my blogger friends that I've disappointed ;) Why don't you just start your own blog? Oh, that's right, you did. Toni
has started her own blog everyone...check it out! It's very entertaining :)

This past Sunday, the babies were baptized. They did really good. Only Jenna cried and that was before they poured the water on her head. I guess when she started feeling the water on her head, she thought it was bathtime and she stopped. She loves her baths. They all looked so beautiful in their gowns. Jimmy wore the family gown. It was my sister Jane's and has been passed down for the past 45 years. It has been worn by about 30 different babies. Jenna and Cassie wore my identical twin nieces (Amy & Angela) gowns. They just turned 21. We chose different Godparents for each baby. After the ceremony, we had a party at our house with some good eats and drinks. Thanks everyone for being a part of their day and for all of the generous gifts. I swear I'll cash the checks soon ;)

Cassie

Jimmy

Jenna

Our newest family picture (with Deacon Joe)

Jenna with her Godparents (Aunt Jane & Uncle Billy)

Jimmy with his Godparents (Aunt Annie & Uncle Jason)

Cassie with her Godparents (Aunt Kelly & Uncle Brian)

All of us together....we took up a lot more space than the other two baptisms that day

It was a pretty exhausting day....Billy and Cassie were pooped!

This is my niece Elizabeth holding Cassie. She loves to follow our blog and always makes the cutest comments. I love reading them. When her and all of her siblings came over to see the babies for the first time a few weeks ago, I didn't get her in any pictures, so I wanted to make sure I got one in this time. She is such a sweetie (most of the time! haha! just joking, Liz!)

Speaking of Liz, in a few weeks we will be participating in the MDA Stride and Ride in her honor. She was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy when she was about 7 mos old. She is doing great and has overcome so much. If you would like to donate to the MDA, just click here. All of the money raised stays in the St. Louis area.

We started carrots yesterday. Jenna and Jimmy loved them, Cassie not so much. I know, more feeding pictures....I bet you guys all think that all they do is eat...well, you are pretty right on. Eat, poop, and cry ;) And smile :) I would say sleep, but my kids don't nap very well (except Alli--she is awesome!). But, the trade off is that they are sleeping through the night the past few weeks. Very excited about that!

Jimmy - he really did like it...think I was taking too long to give him another bite

Cassie - I think this picture is hilarious

Jenna - loved it!

I thought I would include Jimmy's sexy legs...they looked so funny hanging out from the exersaucer..such a little chunk! You would never know these babies were preemies at one time!

Back to Work!

Well, I went back to work this past Monday (4/21). It was great! My wonderful work group decorated my cube with welcome back signs, balloons, streamers, etc. Then they took me out to lunch at Olive Garden. Then we had a 25th anniversary celebration for my old supervisor with cake and soda. So, it was a very easy day back and I got to catch up with a lot of friends that I haven't seen in 7 mos! And I had computer issues, so I couldn't work too hard. Not to mention, its almost being like a new employee, having to get all of my access back to the systems, networks, etc. I think working part-time is going to be a good balance for me. I think it is helping me appreciate and really WANT to hold and love on the babies when I get home. The time away gives me time to actually miss them. And when I get too stressed out at home, I know I get to go into work for a break :) Well, work is still work, but a break from the babies ;)

I'll be working Mon-Wed-Fri. Jim's mom is helping out on Mondays, my mom and aunt (or sister or sis-in-law or neices) on Wednesdays, and Jim is off on Friday, so he'll be on his own most of the day, but my mom said she can help for a few hrs. So, as long as this works out for the next 5 years until they go to school, we should be fine :) I'm so thankful for everyone helping out....we couldn't do it without you and I really wanted to keep my job (and my sanity!).

What else is going on??? Cardinal baseball! We haven't got to use or season tickets much this year (together anyway). I've only been to Opening Day and it was rained out, so that doesn't even count. Jim and I are going this Friday night though, so I'm excited about that. Ann offered to babysit for us. Saturday morning Jim and I are going to take the kids and do the March of Dimes March for Babies walk. March of Dimes does a lot of research for premature babies, so we feel like we need to give back a little since our triplets sailed through their NICU days because of some of this research. We are getting the babies baptized on Sunday and then having a reception at our house afterwards.

Alli had to go to the ER last Saturday. She ate some salad dressing with milk in it (cheese) and had a really severe reaction. Jim had to give her the Epi shot in her leg. Poor baby (and poor Jim--I would have been nervous!) That was the second time in 6 mos to the ER for her milk allergy. Mom and Dad need to be a little more careful on reading labels. Now we have to take her to see a specialist at Children's Hospital.

Oh, also, we have an appt for the triplets to get their heads looked at. Jenna and Jimmy's are really flat on one side. Cassie's looks okay, but we are getting her looked at also. They might all have to wear those helmets. Hopefully insurance covers it because its not really a positional problem, it stems from when they were in utero.

Here are a few pictures~

Jimmy eating in the Exersaucer--he really likes sitting in this. He hasn't been too high maintenance lately. I'm liking the happier Jimmy!!!
Jenna eating cereal (she is getting a little better at it)My big baby Alli in her old car seat - notice the messy house--yes, its always that way no matter how many times a day we straighten up
Jimmy trying to love Jenna and she just wants him to get off her!Alli picking 'flowers'---we don't even need a weed eater

Cassie liking her cereal too!

Feed Me!!

Well, we started cereal on Saturday. My little chunkers are about to get even chunkier:) They aren't really too good at it yet. For some reason, they all three think it is hilarious when the spoon touches their mouth/lips, so really most of the food comes back out. Jimmy is probably doing the best though (imagine that!!). Cassie is doing okay. Not sure Jenna is quite ready, but we try anyway.

Jenna showing off her beautiful smile

Jimmy--very serious about his food ;)

Cassie wondering where her yummy bottle is!

They also got to meet a lot of there cousins (11 of them!!) for the first time this past week. I know they were so excited--or at least I was :)

Nana had all of her babies together for the first time (Cody, Alli, Cassie, Makenzie, Jenna, Nick, & Jimmy)

Alli has had so much fun with all of the big kids coming to play with her (I think she is getting a little tired of babies all the time)
Playing tea party with Henry and Marissa (and Jeremy & Billy jumped in for the pic)
Jacob and Cassie
Lexi, Kelly, & Cassie

Local Celebrities :)

The North County Journal came and did a story on us a few weeks ago.

http://northcountyjournal.stltoday.com/articles/2008/04/09/news/sj2tn20080408-0409flo-triplets0.ii1.txt

If you click on the photo gallery at the top right, there are a few more pictures. Oh, and if anyone has a copy that they don't want, we would love it if you saved it for us. Thanks!

Chrissy

FREEDOM !!!!!

We had our 4 mos appt. yesterday and we got the okay from the doctor to take the babies out in public and have them around more people. Kids included. Yay!!!! Of course, I've been waiting so long, and now I haven't even taken them out yet :) Probably church on Sunday will be our first big trip. We can't wait to see everyone and start living a little more normal. Jimmy weighed 14lbs 3oz, Cassie weighed 11lbs 10z, and Jenna weighed 10lbs 110z. I'm guessing she was less than Cassie this time because of the surgery and not being able to eat as much. They had to get 5 shots each yesterday! Ouch! They were not very happy last night.

I always put pictures of Jimmy crying and always say how high maintenance he is, so I thought I would redeem his reputation :) Sorry the video is sideways.

Busy, busy, busy!

Jenna has been having breathing issues for the past few weeks. She seemed like she was gasping for air and making weird noises(stridor-high-pitched noises made b/c the upper airway is blocked). At first we noticed it when she was eating, but then we would hear it when she was just laying there. Jim, being the good dad that he is, took her to the pediatricitian, he sent us to the ENT Dr. the next day (Thurs) and they scheduled surgery for today. We took her in at 6am, she was taken into surgery at 7:30am and back in recovery by 8:30am. She had a bronchoscopy, laryngoscopy, and aryepiglottoplasty. You can google if you want to really know everything that went on. But, basically, they just put her under general anesthecia (that is the part that made me so nervous), and went down her throat and snipped some of the extra soft tissue that was obstructing her airways and causing her to not breathe as well as she should. Fairly common procedure.

Jenna before her procedure in her tiny hospital gown
Anyway, she is doing great! I stayed with her most of the day at the hospital while Jim went home to take care of the other kids. Thanks Mom and Lynn for watching them all day yesterday and today! Jim went back up to the hospital to stay over night. She had to be kept for observation, mainly because she was a preemie. It was so relaxing there today---Jenna slept most of the time and I just sat there, watching her, watching tv, playing on the computer. Like a mini-vacation ;) My friend Carrie says I must use the term vacation very loosely if I consider the hospital a vacation! haha! It did bring back memories how I sat there for 5 1/2 weeks just staring at those walls in my room. Ick! Of course, it was all worth it though! Thanks everyone for thoughts and prayers!

Jenna after her surgery, content with milk running out of her mouth :)

We were pretty busy this weekend. Saturday, we celebrated Jim's 33rd birthday. A group of us went to Kobe Steakhouse for dinner, then out for a few drinks. Ann babysat, then Jim's mom and sister came over and spent the night. That was nice because they let us sleep all night and took care of the babies for us :) Sunday, I ran some errands and we hung out with Jim's family, made dinner. Monday was Jim's actual birthday and the unofficial holiday in St. Louis - Cardinals Opening Day! Me, Jim, Jane, Ken and 6 of their kids, Jason, Kristen, Ann, Tim, Liz & kids all hung out downtown for the Cardinal festivities, then made our way to the stadium for the game. We were having so much fun until all of the rain came and they called the game. But, I did get Pujols for the homerun game and made myself $9 with his homerun---I am arsesome(Ken!) Yeah! Too bad we didn't get 5 innings in because they rescheduled the game for tonight and Jim and I couldn't go and had to give our tickets away. And we lost :(

Chrissy & Jim (Opening Day)
Jason & Kristen
Ann, Kristen, & Me
Ken---is that really diet coke in that bottle? Arsesome!
Katie and baby Cory's 1st Opening Day and 1st Cardinal game
Jackie, Jenny, Janie, Katie & Cory, and Kelly
Birthday Boy! 33 Years Old!
Happy Birthday to my nephew Jeremy 4/1, Devan 3/30, and Jim 3/31

We are going to the dr. on Thursday for their 4 mos checkup. I think they said no RSV shot for April (most likely), so hopefully that means we can bring the babies out for everyone to meet. Next up...I need to plan their Baptism.

I will post pictures tomorrow, so check back :)
Chrissy