Santa!!!

We visited Santa today!  The triplets did so well -- no meltdowns while we waited in a surprisingly quick line and no tears for Santa!  Santa can only hold two children, so Grace got to sit on a reindeer.  She probably would have tried to wiggle out of Santa's lap anyways.  Cash laid back on Santa like he was ready for a nap.  Colin made Santa's helper work hard for the tiny grin captured in this picture.  Another of Santa's helpers said, "That one (Cash) is all smiles, but this one (Colin) is so serious...", which pretty much sums up our boys' personalities!

Colin, Grace, and Cash

Happy Halloween!

The triplets decorated their first pumpkin and did a little trick-or-treating this year.  I'm planning to avoid the mess of pumpkin carving for as long as possible, so we dressed our pumpkin up as a witch this year.  

Inspecting the decorations for our pumpkin

Colin, Grace, and Cash checking out their first pumpkin

The babies were surprisingly tolerant of their Halloween costumes and their trick-or-treat adventure.  I'd love to know what they were thinking as we put costumes on them after dinner and then took them outside in the dark.  

Colin was not happy about his hat -- maybe because his hat was too small for his off-the-charts-large head.  

Cash seemed surprised that the whole evening happened.

Grace is our most opinionated baby, so I figured she would refuse to wear her pig hat.  She proved me wrong!

Our three little pigs - Colin, Cash, and Grace

Colin with his straw

Cash with his sticks

Grace with her bricks

Colin and Grace are walking now, so we let them walk up to a few houses to trick or treat and they looked thoroughly confused!

Ready to go trick-or-treating!

They decided to sit in our neighbor's driveway

Thanks for our Halloween jammies, Uncle Bull and Auntie Barb!

Apparently, the boys wanted to be ghosts for Halloween

Colin

Cash

One!

The triplets turned one on Friday!  

Cash, Grace, and Colin

There were moments during the past year when we thought we'd never get through the days in the hospital, the never-ending cycle of 24 bottles a day, or the blaring apnea monitors.

Colin, Cash, and Grace

But before we knew it, the babies were snacking on Cheerios and pulling up on the window sill to watch Daddy.  

Cash, Grace, and Colin

The triplets growth and development has been amazing to watch.  They surpassed my expectations on the day they were born and continued to do so throughout their first year of life.

They are healthy, they are happy, and they are ONE!  So, of course, we celebrated all weekend!

Our life is a bit of a circus, so I thought a circus party would be appropriate for the triplets' first birthday.

The babies' smash cakes weren't pretty, but they served their purpose!  Grace got the elephant candle, Cash got the seal, and Colin got the lion.

I went a bit overboard with this birthday celebration...the babies had coordinating smash cake outfits!

My mom with Cash, Jon with Colin, and Mr. Stem with Grace

We moved the babies' table outside so everyone could watch the cake smash and so we wouldn't have to clean floors and walls in addition to babies.

Colin, Cash, and Grace wondering why everyone's looking at them

The babies did less smashing and more picking at the cakes, but they seemed to enjoy it!  

As is the case with most things the triplets do, Grace eventually showed the boys how cake-smashing is done.

After their post-party nap, the babies opened their presents and enjoyed eating the wrapping paper. 

We continued celebrating on Sunday, when the babies received the sacrament of baptism.  Jon and I promised to teach the Christian faith to the triplets and our church promised to guide and nurture them.  Following the baptism, the ministers carried the babies down the center aisle of the church.  The boys seemed to sit back and take it all in.  Not one to be passive, Grace smiled and waved at the congregation for most of her trip down the aisle.  

Rev. Brenda Halbrooks baptizing Colin

Rev. Todd Davidson baptizing Cash

Rev. Brenda Halbrooks baptizing Grace

After church, we had a reception to thank our organist, who is moving, and to celebrate the babies' baptism.  We also recognized the wonderful members of our church who help my mom care for the triplets each week.  By this point in the weekend, Colin was spent.

Colin and Aunt Emily 

We are so thankful for our healthy, happy babies.  They have certainly come a long way in one year.

Colin

Colin

Cash

Cash

 

Grace

Grace

Easter and Mother's Day

After a practice run with my mom on Palm Sunday, we all made it to church on Easter Sunday.  The 11:00 service is right in the middle of the babies' nap, so we were lucky that Colin and Cash slept through most of the service.  Not only can the boys sleep through Grace's fits at night, but they can also sleep through the church organ!  Jon had to take Grace on a walk once during the service because she started trying to chat with a man sitting near us.

Colin and Cash happily checking out their Easter baskets.
Grace passing judgement on the cheap Easter bunny.  

Colin, Grace, and Cash.
They are wearing beautiful sweaters handmade by our friend, Sharon.

I had an awesome first Mother's Day!  My parents, Jon's parents, and Jon's aunt came over to celebrate.  The triplets entertained us with their chatter.

Cash

Colin

Grace

Jon's mom and Grace, Colin and me, my mom and Cash

Auntie Sue took over the heavy load 

The dads wanted a picture too.
Jon and Grace, Jon's dad and Colin, and my dad and Cash

Trying out some puffs a few weeks ago...