Happy Halloween!

"Three Blind Mice"

Happy Halloween from Team Darnell!

Our first Halloween did not go as we had planned but we we were able to salvage our first Halloween experience. In August, we ordered the costumes for the boys. When the costumes arrived, we tried one on Jared and made sure there were three costumes in the box. We put them in the closet and began dreaming of Halloween day. On Tuesday evening, we took the costumes out of their packages to reveal two 6-12 month costumes and one 12-18 month costume. The 6-12 month costumes were still a little big on the boys and the 12-18 month costume was HUGE!

The next day, Daddy spent over 3 hours on hold and on the phone with the company from whom we ordered the costumes but was unsuccessful in obtaining the 6-12 month replacement. So, we were going to make due with the costumes we had.

Jared was chosen to wear the big boy costume. In addition to being the biggest of the boys, he is also our best sitter. In order to get the costume to fit, we used binder clips up the back of the costume so he needed to be able to sit up straight. We were able to take a few pictures of the boys but Andrew did not find much joy in the activity so we took our pictures quickly.

We had planned on taking the boys to a couple houses but we were not able to put the boys into a stroller with the big costume. So, we will have to save our first trick-or-treating experience for next year. We had a lot of trick-or-treaters at the house. We look forwrad to next year when the boys are able to join the crowds and/or help us give out some candy. Ms. Hilary was visiting and was manning the door for the trick-or-treaters. I hope everyone had a great Halloween!

Our Lil' Pumpkins

It's fall and with Halloween quickly approaching, there are Pumpkin Patches popping up all around town. I have been envious of all the mother's that have been showing off the most wonderful pictures of their babies with the pumpkins. Mike and I have been trying to find a moment to get the boys to a Pumpkin Patch but with our current work schedules we are literally ships passing in the night. As this is the last weekend before Halloween, time was running out.

Before going to bed last night, I made up my mind that I could do this alone. After the boys woke up from their morning nap, I got them dressed and we headed off to the closest collection of pumpkins. I got the boys into the heart of the Pumpkin Patch and then said to myself, "now what." I had three babies in their car seats and the spot where they needed to be for the photo a few feet away. My plan only went this far and the reality of two hands for three newly sitting babies and a camera hit me.

A crowd of people were surrounding us asking all of the typical questions, "are those triplets?," "what are they?," and "are they natural?." I even heard today, "oh my, I have only seen those on TV." One very nice woman named Stephanie offered to help. As I placed one down, she would make sure he did not tip over while I was getting the next baby. I could not have been able to get some pictures without her! THANK YOU MS. STEPHANIE!!!

Andrew was a little shaken by all the people and was upset for a moment but Jared and Wesley were just as calm as could be. I was trying to calm Andrew down and Jared even fell to his right and went face first into the hay. I quickly picked him up but he was completely composed and was not bothered. I was unable to get any of the boys to smile for the photos as they were more interested in all of the people than same ole' Mommy.

Well, it was an adventure but we did it! We now have pictures of our lil' punkins with pumpkins!

When Jared Speaks....

Everyone should listen! Jared has become quite chatty since he has been able to sit up on his own. He is very proud of his new skill and wants to tell the world all about it!

Without further adieu... Baby J....

An Average Day...

The following video is a glimpse into our average day around the house. The boys have been spending less time in the swings and jumperoos and more time on the floor. The boys like to practice their rolling and air swimming skills. But most of all, they just hang out being cute! This is another video that may only be entertaining to a Mother but I hope you enjoy!

We Have Sitting!

Today we were practicing our sitting and we had our first successful sitting episode!!! Baby J was able to sit for quite a while unassisted. As you will see below, he was still a little wobbly but he was able to balance and actually started putting his hands down to stop himself from falling. I am so proud!! In addition to being proud of Jared, I am also proud of Chewie for finally starting to show an interest in the boys. As you will see in the video, Chewie and Jared share a moment...

Baby has a new pair of shoes!

We purchased our first pairs of shoes for the boys recently and today, I put a pair on Wesley. We don't get out very much and there has not really been any reason to put shoes on them. With the weather getting cooler, we realized they needed to have some shoes. I post this only because the picture of Wesley's feet in his new shoes is so cute. So here it is.....

6 Month Check-up

The boys had their 6 month check-up today and survived yet another round of vaccinations. We were at the office for over 2 hours during what is typically our nap time. The boys got a little fussy at different times but overall, they were wonderful!

All three boys continue their climb up the growth charts! All three are between the 60th and 68th percentile for height. Jared remains the big guy at 18+ lbs and Wesley is still the peanut at 16+ lbs. The greatest difference between the boys is the head circumference difference between Jared and Andrew. Jared is in the 75th percentile and Andrew is in the 10th percentile. The nurse actually double checked Jared's measurements while she was writing them down. Once she confirmed the size, she mentioned how his head is just like his Daddy's (ha, ha).

Our updated stats are:

Andrew:
Weight - 17lbs 2oz - 45th percentile
Height - 26.75" - 60th percentile
Head Circumference - 42 cm - 10th percentile

Jared:
Weight - 18lbs 3oz - 65th percentile
Height - 27" - 68th percentile
Head Circumference - 44.6cm - 75th percentile

Wesley:
Weight - 16lbs 2oz - 25th percentile
Height - 26.75" - 60th percentile
Head Circumference - 42.8cm - 25th percentile

All three boys are developmentally on target. The only concern noted at the appointment was the continuing mystery of the missing testicle. Yes, that is right.... our testicle count only reached 5, one short of 6 pack! The doc decided to "get the ball rolling" and make a referral to a pediatric urologist and to obtain an ultrasound to initiate our hunt for the missing testicle. The doc has told us that he will not be any "less of a man" with only one but if the other one is in there, we may have to get it removed. I am not going to waste energy worrying about it at this time. It may take us a couple months to get in with the urologist and if the do find it in there, they will not want to take any action until after he is a year old. If surgery is needed, that is when I will start to worry! Our next check-up is at 9 months...no vaccinations at this appointment... yeah!

While waiting for the doc, the boys were quite playful.

Here are the three boys "peacefully" waiting for the doctor...

They look so sweet until Jared and Wesley proceed to attack Andrew from either side....

Don't worry, Andrew fights back....

Raising boys is so much fun!

Send earplugs please!

The boys have been trying out various sounds and ranges with their little voices. With this new "sound" of Andrew's, he may cause the neighbors to pick up the phone and call the police. While this new "sound" makes Andrew a perfect fit for the next horror film, he is actually having a good time. Currently, he is the only one that has reached this level!! Please send ear plugs for when all three of them are SCREAMING in unison...

Note - Make sure your volume is on low to "enjoy" this video and not scare anyone near you :-)

6 months or was that 18 months?

We are 6 Months Old Today!

18 months of diapers, 18 months of bottles and 18 months of baby love all squeezed into 6 months!! I don't know how much I can say this but time sure is flying. I can't believe we are half way to one year old all ready!

We weighed the boys last night and on the home scale, Jared is 18.5lbs, Andrew is 18lbs and Wesley is 16.5lbs (our peanut). The boys are wearing 6-9 month clothes but not much longer. We are wearing size 3 diapers and use about 18-21 a day.

The boys are rolling all over the place and are starting to show signs that crawling is not too far away. They are starting to pull their legs under them and rock but only for a few seconds before they move back into the "air swimming."

The boys are taking 32oz of formula a day. They eat cereal in the morning and cereal & a veggie for dinner. The boys are eating peas and squash and tonight they will get carrots for the first time. Here is our current schedule....

7:30am - Wake-up & 8oz bottle/cereal

10:00 - Nap time

12:00 - 8oz bottle

2:00 - Nap time

4:00 - 8oz bottle

5:30 - Cereal/veggie

6:00 - Evening walk

7:00 - Bath (every third day), 8oz bottle & bed

7:30pm - Mommy and Daddy exhale!

The boys sleep a full 12 hours at night and take two naps a day. Nap times are from 10-12 and 2-4. Wesley is usually the first to rise from his naps as he just does not need as much sleep as the other guys. Andrew sleeps the longest and we usually have to wake him up from his nap.

The boys are full of smiles and they are giggling more and more everyday. We are still waiting on our first tooth but we are certainly close! As you can see in the pictures above, Andrew is really chewing on anything and everything....especially those hands. He actually is starting to get a small chapped area around his mouth from the drool.

Andrew would not move his hand for the "photo session" but was able to give a smile in the second photo I have up there. Taking group pictures of the boys is getting easier as they get older. I am actually starting to get pictures with two of them smiling at the same time. In the second photo, they are actually all smiling but Wesley is not looking at the camera. It takes a while to get a good photo of the boys. Here are a couple bloopers from today.....

Wesley - put your feet down!

Wesley - tipping over, Jared - look at Mommy, Andrew - try not to look startled!
Whoa...... Baby pile up!!!!

The outfits they are wearing were a gift from Grandma Peggy. The following statements are on them...

Andrew - "Patience Tester"

Jared - "Caution - Automatic Sprinkler"

Wesley - "Nothing is wrong - I am just testing you"

These are all very appropriate!

Well, it is 11:40am and the boys will be waking up very soon from their nap. Let me prepare for the next couple hours before I relax again.

Take care - Kellie

Mr. Tracy meets Baby A!!! (and B & C)

Well, the moment that Andrew has waited nearly 6 months to occur has finally happened!! At about 12:15 this afternoon, Tracy Little graced our doorstep to meet his beloved "Baby A." Andrew went down for his morning nap this morning without any idea about the surprise he was going to receive when he woke up. Mr. Tracy arrived just in time to wake Andrew from his morning nap and give him his bottle. I could hear the birds chirping and the trumpets sounding as the two finally met!!

Upon learning that I was pregnant with three little Darnells, Mr. Tracy immediately felt a fondness for "Baby A." While he cares about all three boys, he had a special place in his heart for the baby that was unwilling to settle for second or third place from the moment he was born! While "Baby A" remained a mystery to us during my pregnancy, Tracy's devotion for him never wavered. At the baby shower, Mr. Tracy generously gave "Baby A" three matching Ralph Lauren Layettes that Andrew graciously shared with Jared and Wesley. Every time I speak to Mr. Tracy, he inquires about Andrew before asking about Jared and Wesley or Mike and I for that matter.

It was a beautiful moment to see these two fellas finally meet and share a few special moments together before Mr. Tracy had to depart. Please don't worry, Jared and Wesley were also showered with Mr. Tracy's attention during the visit. Mr. Tracy does care about all three of the Darnell boys but again.... there is something special between Mr. Tracy and dear "Baby A."

We look forward to seeing you very soon Mr. Tracy, please don't be a stranger.

Belly up to the bar boys!

It's official, our home has completely transformed into a daycare facility with the arrival of our most recent purchase. As the boys have entered the world of solid food, we needed a means with which to feed them. Until this point, we have been feeding them in their bouncy seats with the feeder sitting on the floor. Well...... our new dinner table has arrived!!!
The table was ordered from a school supply store and so far, we all love it! The seats can hold up to 55lbs so we hope to use the table for quite a while. It is a very sturdy piece of furniture that we can use for feeding as well as activities with the boys. The boys still have some growing to do to be fully sturdy in the seats but with some rolled up receiving blankets, they are sturdy enough to enjoy their meals.

We would like to send a big thanks to Grandma Peggy and Maria & Mark Leon who each sponsored a seat at the dinner table. Maria.... this pics for you....
The boys are doing really well with food. They are eating rice and oatmeal and this past weekend, we started veggies. Our first attempt was with peas. Andrew loved the peas, Jared tolerated the peas and Wesley HATED the peas! His face shriveled up as he spit out the peas. He began to hold up his hands and shake angrily as I tried to get the spoon to his mouth. I would switch back to a bite of oatmeal and once I finally got the spoon through his arm barricade, he would continue eating. I would then sneak in a bite of peas and he would get mad at me. I had my first conversation with the boys that we will not be serving to individual tastes at meal time. If we are serving peas for dinner, everyone gets peas. If you don't eat your peas, you don't get dessert :-) As you can see by the picture below, Wesley tried to convince me he ate his peas by smearing them all over his face.

I have read that when introducing a new food, you need to try it 10 times before writing it off as a food the child does not like. Well, on day 4 of peas, Wesley gave up and started eating his peas!!! We have introduced squash and everyone has given them a thumbs up!!!

Our little dancer

I have previously posted that the boys love to hang out in their jumperoos. Jared jumps quite a bit and his feet are always pointed while jumping. I worry that he is going to hurt his toes but he does not seem to mind. I think these pointed toes may indicate we have a little dancer in our midst! Maybe he will be the first 6'5" big guy to win So You Think You Can Dance!!!