Friday 27 June 2014

Ball pits, trees and buggys

Somewhere, back in the mists of time, Matt and I used to have holidays that we returned from refreshed. This was before children! 

We are just back from 4 days in Sherwood Forest, Centreparcs and we are both knackered! Here at home we have a safe, fenced in home and a gated garden. We can let the kids run about and occasionally relax. When we go elsewhere they are free to do whatever they like - I read a book recently that described two year olds as being at a stage of 'maximum movement and minimum sense' this is very familiar. 


We did have a lovely time mind you - just not a restful one! It was lovely to spend time with Grandma Cunnington and her friend Frankie. The kids are smitten with both. 

Tuesday we went on a mini steam train. The response from the kids was mixed. Beth was quietly impressed, Charlie shouted (arms outstretched Titanic like) 'I did it! train!', and Lex had a complete spasm and could only be calmed by basically licking his mother. 

Afterwards, however we found a great play area and all 3 loved that! 

Wednesday we met Rupert Bear and went swimming. The pool was fantastic with a toddler pool and a larger pool. All 3 loved this but again Charlie threw himself into it - literally! 

Thursday we went to a toddler dance class. We thought it'd go well but it didn't really. They love music but it was more talking than music so they were more interested in going wherever we didn't want them to go. 

We did visit a good ball pit a couple of times (all outdoor toddler parks didn't seem to have gates!) which the kids loved although Charlie did manage to get past our door guard (Frankie) and run around a restaurant - apparently he scavved a chip off someone but did say 'thank you.'

Beth walked MILES. Grandma bought her a toy buggy and so everywhere we went she insisted on pushing her 'baby' doll in it. She would not be carried. 

Lex made sure he greeted everyone 'helloooo' was his frequent refrain. All 3 discovered a love for cake which I'm sure will last them a life time. 


We met lots of animals - rabbits, geese, ducks, squirrels and other birdies. Beth can now say 'squirrel' which is super cute. 

All in all we did lots and had great weather and company but are utterly shattered! That seems to be what holidays mean nowadays. Another upside though is that no- one went to hospital so yay! 

Friday 20 June 2014

Hospitals, trains and patios



You may remember, if you are a long time reader of this blog, that we were advised that having triplets was a roller coaster. This week is, a little more that the usual week, been proving the point.


Over the weekend all the kids got snotty and we thought it might be hay fever. Luckily it was 'just' a virus but by 2am Sunday night we were off to A&E with both Charlie (wheezing) and Beth (panting). They both thought it was the most exciting thing ever. Beth was quickly released but Charlie was admitted - again! 


Cue lack of sleep for all of us. Charlie was basically fine and spent his time bouncing (literally) off the sides of the cot. Meanwhile the other two were home with Daddy and Granny. I had to work on the Tuesday because I couldn't afford to use annual leave. By Tuesday night we were both basically crawling but Game of Thrones got us through.

I have also been turned down for MA funding and a job in the last week so....boo!

Anyway this week we have also been watching football, which Lex claims to love, and mummy loves because she can sort the garden out. We received some free Brio trains and track which went down super well.  We've been playing loads in the garden (we removed a shed and discovered a patio) and also have played hats. There has been fun. 

We took the kids to the hospital for their 2 year check. All 3 have had their tests now. Lex's was reported in the last post (did well, voting UKIP). Beth did really well and Charlie did a lot more things than we thought he could! Thursday we saw a consultant at Jessops (where they were born) - she was happy with their progress, impressed that Beth pick pocketed her bleeper without her noticing, and they have all been discharged. So hurrah! 



Oh and Beth is becoming Jamiroquai.



Friday 6 June 2014

Ready, Steady....

It took 3 days to get them to stay in the same place

It's been rather a while. Turns out having toddler triplets keeps you quite busy and, when you are not busy, tired! Probably best I just catch you up on where the small people are now rather than try to remember what had happened since March.



Charlie


Charlie or, as Beth calls him, Char Char is often found standing to the side of the sofa and shouting 'ready, steady, GO!' before running across the room. This doesn't take long (it's a very small room) so he's quickly back in place again.  Every now and then he deviates into 'Ready, steady, DADDY!' Not sure why but it's cute. 

Since March he has very much improved in staying upright and, as of today, is the first of the three to create their own 3 word sentence 'I sit down.'

He is still such a happy boy and has decided cuddles are, after all, pretty worthwhile so he comes and nuzzles you until you comply. 

He loves dancing, spinning and cuddles from Beth. His favourite (and only) joke is '3, 2, 1...trumpies!' which is our word for farts. He is obviously destined to be a comedian or a dancer...





Lex


Lex is the king of smiles and bulldozers. He has the most beautiful smile which he uses to good effect. He also has no idea that other people feel pain so he regularly just kinda runs through you, which is not so high on the fun scale! 

When the kids were born we agreed to be part of some research where they gave the kids iodine. It's supposed to help them with being so premature. Anyway now they are two the researchers are doing hour long tests with each kid. We've only done Lex so far. 

He is apparently very good verbally (he said 'bye! See you soon!' to the nurse and she was super impressed) and excellent numerically - both boys can count to ten forwards and backwards. 

The nurse did lots of tests with him - building towers and such. One test she got out a brown skinned doll and a spoon and said 'feed the baby?' Lex said 'Dirty!' in a matter of fact way but fed the baby. I said 'Oh my we didn't teach him that!' The nurse laughed. Presumably our teaching him muddy hands are dirty backfired there! Or he's going to vote UKIP. 

Lex is still keen on spoons but it's waned a little. These days I think he's most keen on playing with Beth, unfortunately this is at nap time where they practise screaming (yay!) and take each other toys to post down the back of the cot. It's lovely to see them bond but it would be nice if they slept. 



Beth


Beth is usually found playing with baby, her doll. She feeds her, changes her nappy, puts her to bed, checks she is ok 'you ok?' and throws her across the room. 

She is 70% less slappy than she was but occasionally gets a good one in when you aren't expecting it. She is an intriguing mix of lovely (kissing her brothers, kissing my poorly hand better) and tantrumy. 

Her vocab is scary. She knows many many words. A few weeks ago we were looking at a picture of a duck and I said 'what noise does a duck make?' 'splash splash.' She replies. Fair enough. 

She does loves animals...


Despite rarely eating a full meal that isn't breakfast she has discovered a taste for chocolate. I am asked quite a few times a day either 'choc choc?' or 'shoes?' She loves playing outside. 


One of the loveliest things is coming home from work because, as you get out of the car, all 3 climb on the sofa and grin and wave. I challenge anyone not to get an emotional lift from that greeting. 

So far the toddler years are exhausting and also very funny, I laugh often. I am also covered in many small bruises (thanks lex!). I am firmly of the belief that they are the most beautiful,clever, gorgeous creatures I ever had the good fortune to meet. Even at 3am! Honest.