Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Starting a New Chapter

The triplets started kindergarten yesterday.

We walked Zach, Charlie and Cooper to the media center, where, after quick kisses and hugs, they were whisked away to their first day of big kid school.

I watched the boys bounce away.  I picked up Michael and squeezed him tight, as if hugging him would somehow keep the tears from rolling down my cheeks.

Starting kindergarten means a new adventure for the triplets.  It also marks the end of a journey:  I feel like I can finally let out the breath I've been holding for six years.

Six years ago they were born at viability - 24 weeks, 0 days.  They each weighed less than a pound-and-a-half.   Their skin was transparent, and their eyes were fused shut.  We couldn't hold them for weeks.   Despite the odds, their lives were saved by numerous surgeries, countless transfusions and amazing medical technology.

Now, the only proof of our six-month stay in the NICU is a scar on Cooper's neck from a tracheostomy and an adorable pair of glasses that make Charlie the envy of his brothers.

The boys have graduated speech and occupational therapies.  They are reading books and spelling words.  They're shooting baskets and scoring soccer goals.    They're building Lego villages and performing plays in their bedroom.  They're teaching their little brother how to get into trouble.

I remember, six years ago, wondering whether my tiny boys would get to have a first day of kindergarten, and if they did, what kind of quality of life would they have?  Questions like those haunted me for a long time.   If I could only go back in time and tell myself then what I know now.  Not only did they have a first day of kindergarten, but they knocked it out of the park. They loved every second of it.  It's going to be a fun ride.  We are so very blessed.






Sunday, August 25, 2013

Say Cheese


Yesterday we decided to take a family photo.   Michael claimed that Zach farted.






Wednesday, August 21, 2013

The Dark Knight Rises (and shines and wants his juice)

The Evolution of Batman

The obsession started last Halloween, when his big brothers chose to dress as superheroes.


I chose to dress Michael as Mickey Mouse.



The indignity of being disguised as a rodent in the face of the DC Superfriends was too much for this 1-year-old...

And he started insisting on wearing a batman shirt, cape or hood. Everywhere, every day.


While eating his Eggos.
At the playground.                                       While chasing dangerous marine life.
While hiking.





My sweet, adorable one-year-old tossed aside Tickle-Me-Elmo and was asking for Batman gear and books and toys.  (But do you really NEED that Batarang, Michael?)  His innocence, lost.  For his 2nd birthday, he insisted on a Batman cake.   I snuck a few Disney heroes on top -  desperate to save my sweet baby.  



Eventually I gave in.  My mom sewed velcro on the backs of other shirts, and Michael wears a Batman cape almost every day.  He drives a Batman tricycle and carries a Batman lunchbox (everywhere.  Like a purse.)

I know what you are thinking.  That I'm an enabler: clearly, a 2-year-old does does not shop for his own clothes. You would be correct. Michael owns more Batman shirts than I'd like to admit.  But, in my 6-years of being a mom I've learned to choose my battles, and Batman is just not going to be one of them.  Some mornings I can handle the tantrum that erupts when I am dying to dress him in a cute Janie and Jack ensemble that has been collecting dust in his closet.  But usually I'm just trying to get 4 kids fed and out the door, and I'm just as happy to throw him a cape.


Michael, driving his brothers around in his Batmobile



And just for the record, I have chosen other battles.  And won.

Battles I Have Won
1.  No food upstairs.
2.  Play-doh stays outside with the bubbles.
3.  No cartoons with guns.
4.  We do not eat Legos.
5.  We do not play the piano with our penises.


But I'll save further discussion of these and other battles for another day.