Fall 2011

The past few months have been really busy around here. The girls are dropping their naps which makes for cranky afternoons for all of us. We've been trying to stay busy because you can only sit at home with three cranky toddlers for so long before you go nuts. Here are some pictures from our outings. We took a drive up the Mt. Loop Highway and got some great shots in the forest. We also got together with our friends with almost one year old triplets (about 10 months in the picture). That was fun but we were definitely outnumbered! We even went out to dinner with the six kids!

11.4.11 ~ Funnies

The girls have been saying really funny things lately and I need to write them down so I don't forget them.

There's the bedtime prayer from Avery: "Thank you God for....ham. peas. family. big poops." I guess those are all important things.

Brelynn: Avery's eyes green?
Me: Yep, Avery's eyes are hazel.
Brelynn: Mimi's eyes blue?
Me: Yep, Camille's eyes are blue.
Brelynn: Mama's eyes brown?
Me: Yep, Mommy's eyes are brown.
Brelynn: Mama's teeth yellow?
Me: *sigh*

At Fred Meyer on a crowded day, I'm buying a pastry brush among other things and Brelynn is in the top of the cart holding it. Dan has a second cart with the other two girls behind us. Brelynn: "Tickle mommy!" (tickling my hands with the pastry brush). I laugh. "Tickle mommy boobies!" (yep, she's doing what you think). I try not to laugh but can't help myself. In a loud voice so Dan can hear her, "Tickle Daddy boobies!" (the whole store turns to see and laughs).

I get home from work after a long drive and the girls mob me at the door. I told them I had to go upstairs and go potty then I could play with them. Avery says, "Mommy, no accidents!"

I'm racking my brain to think of something Camille said but can't think of anything right now other than her usual, "mama up with you please" and then "mommy stand up now." The girl is going through a clingy stage where she wants to be held all the time. She is our singer and can usually be heard singing "Twinkle Twinkle" at the top of her lungs when she's supposed to be taking a nap.

10.31.11 ~ Halloween

The girls were cows for Halloween. They did a little trick or treating and really enjoyed giving out candy. Auntie Chelsea came to help with the festivities and the girls had a fun night. Dan and I enjoyed all the candy they couldn't eat :)

10.21.11 ~ Where did the time go?

Wow, I can't believe it's Fall already. Summer seemed to fly by here with vacations and fun adventures. The girls are doing amazingly well. They had a little case of strep throat last month but antibiotics cleared that right up. Other than that, they're growing and learning so much. This is my favorite age so far. They are singing and making pretend cookies and coffee for me in their kitchen (they know mommy needs her coffee!). They are starting to play with each other more and more and will even play for a bit while I can get some things done around the house. I absolutely love how they love each other. If one gets hurt, the others will bring a favorite toy or blanket. They give hugs and kisses to each other and tell each other they love them each night.

Up until a few weeks ago they got up about 8:15 and took a nap from 12-1:30. They went to bed around 7:15. All that changed two weeks ago when we transitioned them from their cribs to 'big girl beds'. They like their beds and their new found ability to get out of them. Naptime isn't going so well, but they are still sleeping great at night so I guess that's what counts. They get up around 8:30 and have 'quiet time' in their beds from 1-2 and then go to bed around 7:15.

On other development fronts, they can dress and undress themselves. They are potty trained and only wear diapers when sleeping or on a long car ride. They are talking up a storm and singing full songs. They are starting to have little conversations with each other. They have opinions. Yes, lots and lots of opinions :)

10.10.11 ~ Dentist

The girls had their second dentist appointment today. The first was about six months ago and they got to sit in the chair and let the dentist look in their mouth. Nothing serious. Today they each sat in the chair and got a full cleaning and fluoride! They were such big girls...the dentist and staff couldn't believe they got cleanings on two year olds.

8.12-8.16.11 ~ Lincoln City

We took a vacation to Lincoln City, OR this month with the Coulson side of the family and had a great time. We rented a little house near the ocean and got to enjoy the Oregon Coast. The girls loved playing in the ocean, knocking down sand castles, and just exploring the beaches.

Dan and I with the girls

me with my mom and brother

Bre Bre

all the girls

at the aquarium riding a walrus

Grandma and Mimi

Brelynn making a sand sculpture

Avery posing for the camera

Camille letting the waves get her

Aunt Jenn with Camille and Brelynn

Uncle Jenn and Uncle Dale (that's what the girls call them!)

at the aquarium

Dan and Brelynn

Avery trying to smile

8.2.11 ~ Potty training update

It's been two weeks since we started potty training. The girls were ready and picked it up pretty quickly. They had a few accidents for the first eight days of training and then haven't had any since then! We've done five days in a row now with no accidents for any of them and they need very few reminders anymore to go and sit. I'm so proud of them! They are all still very motivated to get a jelly bean but all the other reinforcers have been taken away. No more prize box and no more stickers. We're gradually venturing out of the house a little bit and adding distractions like swimming pools and play dates. Maybe we'll go on a walk later this week and see how they do.