Poopy Day!

Today was one of those days that hopefully I will find funny in the future. It was not funny at the moment. I came home from a quick lunch date with James to find Ellie coughing and feverish. Our family has had it's share of sickness for the year in the last two weeks. I have somehow managed to stay somewhat healthy, but the rest of my family has been hit hard. Just after Christmas the kids one by one began getting conjunctivitis (pink eye) and then ear infections. They were put on antibiotics, but the bug they got must have been resistant. We switched two of the boys to another drug, but M got hives. So back to the pharmacy I went to get yet another prescription. This seemed to do the trick so in the end four out of five sickies were put on it. Yes, James was not spared. Conjunctivitis, ear infections and a nasty sinus infection, he was flat on his back in bed for days on end. While on antibiotics M and J both decided to spike high fevers too. Tylenol round the clock for three days helped. After they were on the mend, B decided to have his turn. He developed periorbital cellulitis and his temp was as high as 104.1 before he got better. I guess it is E's turn for the fever now. She has been healthy for the last week so I was hoping she would get spared. Guess not. Wish me luck tonight.

So on with the story. I decided to try to get E to take a nap today, since she wasn't feeling well. Naps are something she suddenly gave up a couple months ago. I put her in her room and locked the door. (she can open child safety knobs and likes to play in the bathroom) I was downstairs getting dinner started (something that rarely happens) when I heard "Mommy I have poop on my bum, I need a new diaper." I entered her room to see a ball of poo waiting for me on her carpet and E standing there in the nude. So much for a nap. I have no idea why she
decided it was OK to take off her clean diaper, and then poop. The last time (Friday) she tried to change her own poopy diaper. Yes, we are attempting potty training, another story for another day. So I got her cleaned up and dressed and threatened her if she ever does it again.

By this time the boys are all screaming and giggling with each other. I love how they play peek-a-boo with each other in their cribs after naps. This wasn't quite the game I walked in on. It was more like peek-a-POO. There sat M with only a shirt on, no pants and no diaper. But wait, it gets better. He had a poopy diaper too. I am pretty sure I got to him soon after he had taken it off, but not before he could spread it on the bars, sheet, lips, etc. I am getting really good at changing crib sheets and wiping down crib bars now so I got M cleaned up and in with J while I clean up the mess. Tonight his diaper is taped shut.

I finally get the boys down stair to play and I can still smell poo. (not uncommon) I pull on the back of B's diaper to check and sure enough my fingertips hit paydirt. 10 seconds longer and it would have been spilling over. At least I caught that one before it was all over the carpet. Hands wash much easier than the carpet.

Well, enough for one day. They will all be waiting for me again tomorrow. Someday I will only have to wipe one bottom and it better be my own.

New mode of triplet transportation

On Friday January 4th the whole family braved the cold and went to check out the Mways, self-balancing electric scooters similar to a Segway, built by a graduate engineering class at the U of M. All the kids got to take a test ride. The local newspaper did an article on the Mways and published a photo of Michael riding one.

Happy New Year!

After much coaxing from friends and several family members, we finally joined the blogging community. I hope you all enjoy seeing and hearing how our family does ordinary things in extraordinary ways.

We have had a good year full of memories. We have seen our four kids grow and become little people full of unique thoughts and ideas. It has been challenging and rewarding to watch each of them grow and learn about the world around them.

Ellie is now 2 1/2 and has recently discovered the world of princesses. She loves dressing up and pretending she is Princess Buttercup (Princess Bride.) She loves to play with her dishes and make dinner for me in her little kitchen. She is also a great mommy to her little brothers, when she isn't trying to ride on them like horses. She has also found her voice and can be heard at any time of the day singing whatever song comes to mind. Usually it is a combination of songs.

Jonathan, Brian, and Michael are changing so quickly. They are 16 months old and love to explore and discover new things. They are all walking and climbing. I have to keep a close eye on them. They use toys or their brothers as stepping stools to climb on the couch and from there, the piano, etc. They love to push chairs around the kitchen and try to climb on the table. Despite having plenty of toys to play with, they inevitably find one toy to fight over. Even if it is just a dumb block and there are plenty more of the same. They love to pat each other and Ellie on the back or head and be "nice." They are all speaking a few words, such as ball, play, more, mommy and daddy, and they even have a sound for Ellie. (two long e's put together)

We had a very nice Christmas at home this year. Ellie is at a fun age. She reminded us often that it was Christmas time. We waited until Christmas Eve to put up our tree for three reasons, J, B, and M. It stayed up for a few days and they kids did really well with it. That gives me hope for next year. Ellie asked for the Grinch movie from Santa and was so excited to get it. Now we just have to find room for all the new "stuff" the kids got.

I guess I will save some for the next post. I hope everyone has a wonderful new year. Enjoy!