7.22.11 ~ Potty training

Potty training boot camp started here on Tuesday, 7/19/11. The girls are two years and about three weeks old, a little young to start by most standards but they've been asking to sit on the potty for weeks so I thought we'd give it a try. My strategy was to gate off the house so they could only be in the kitchen and living room (on hardwoods) and have the potty chairs in the kitchen. They were naked on bottom and we would take breaks from playing to sit on the potty periodically. Each success got an M&M or a Jelly Belly and a sticker. They loved picking out which color of jelly bean they got. There were a few accidents each day but far more successes. It took until the 4th day for them to really start getting it and not need help and too many reminders. On the 5th day we added in big girl panties so they not only had to get to the potty, but also pull down the panties before going. Avery and Camille are really competitive with each other so when one goes, the other will usually try as well. Brelynn is on her own schedule and doesn't care about competing with her sisters. Going #2 was a bit harder for them and they're still a bit reluctant to use the potty, preferring to wait until naptime or bedtime when they get a diaper again. They get lots of rewards for pooping (2 jelly beans, a sticker, and a toy from the prize box) so I'm hoping they start trying a little more soon. I'm not going to lie...this was a really hard week, but it went so much better than I ever expected. I did end up straining muscles in my neck from sitting on the floor all day with them and needed some pain meds and muscle relaxers and massage therapy to get it all fixed. Lots of people have told me how their kids reverted back after a period of potty success and I know that's a possibility. I'm hoping not though! I know we're not done, but I think the hardest part is over and soon I'll be able to say I potty trained triplets!

This part is just to remind myself when people ask later:
Day 1 A:3, B:4, C:1, Accidents:4
Day 2 A: 2+1, B:3, C:2, Accidents:2
Day 3 A4, B:2, C:2, Accidents:2
Day 4 A:8, B:2+1, C:5+1, Accidents:1
Day 5 A:13, B:3, C:10, Accidents:2

7.16.11 ~ Rock on, dude!

We didn't have radio reception for part of the drive home but came across a station somewhere in Central Oregon that the girls liked...

7.9.11 - 7.16.11 ~ Sunriver, OR

We had another wonderful year at Sunriver with the Ray family. The drive was a bit painful with the girls (10 1/2 hours there and 11 hours back) but we had nice stops at parks and to visit family along the way. They loved playing at the pool at Mavrick's, splashing us, going down the slide, and playing under the sprinklers. They played until their lips and hands turned blue and they were shaking uncontrollably, then we made them get out and warm up. Other highlights were their first kayaking trip, playing at the park, going on a bike ride to the village, seeing horses and deer, and taking the best bubble bath ever. They loved waking up early and playing with Grandma and Grandpa, watching to see who was coming down the stairs next, and getting into all sorts of trouble in the beautiful house. They were actually pretty good, the house was just not a kid-safe house and they had a lot that they had to stay away from. It took them almost the whole week to adjust to sleeping there (in pack and plays) but once we got home they were in heaven and went right back to sleeping through the night and napping! Here's a hodgepodge of pictures to enjoy.

7.9.11 ~ Visiting Great Grandpa

On our way to Sunriver, we stopped at my Grandpa's house in Yakima (did I mention he's almost 93???). My mom met us there for lunch and we had to get some pictures of the four generations. Grandpa showed them how snapdragon flowers open and they were in heaven!

7.5.11 ~ Doctor's visits

We had the girls' two year well child visit today and they are doing great. Their pediatrician couldn't believe how advanced their social skills and communication are (insert big smile here). Everything checked out wonderfully. They are growing and learning and she didn't have any concerns. Yay! Each girl got one shot (Hep A) and won't need more shots until they enter school. DoubleYay! Avery and Brelynn didn't even cry this time. Camille was sad after the shot but quickly calmed down.

Here are their stats:
Avery~ ht: 34 1/4 in (55%ile), wt: 23;11 (12%ile)
Brelynn~ ht: 35 in (75%ile), wt: 25;9 (35%ile)
Camille~ ht: 33 in (20%ile), wt: 21;11 (~2%ile)

I've heard that you can predict their adult height by doubling their height at 24 months. That would put Avery at 5'8.5", Brelynn at 5'10", and Camille at 5'6". Pretty tall girls if this holds true!