Halloween - Goldilocks & the 3 Bears

How do you put the triplets and family dog in the same Halloween photo? Goldilocks and the 3 Bears!!! We knew the chances of us taking the kiddos to a pumpkin patch AND having everyone be in a good mood was very slim, so we brought the patch to our back yard!

The kiddos really didn't seem to mind the bear hats, so we were in luck! Shelby would pose for a few pictures, and then become distracted by a squirrel, bird, or other backyard creatures! I think Shelby did enjoy the photo shoot - I can almost see her smiling in the pumpkins! As the picture time was winding down, we were visited by the Stone Grandparents (Pops & Grams) as well as cousin Zac Ridner! What a special treat! We were lucky that our little ones stayed happy enough for a few family photos for about 10 minutes before things changed. Madison remained excited to have visitors, James grew tired of the ordeal and wanted to rest inside, and Morgan fell fast asleep on Grams' lap!

God IS so good! Our Baptism...

October 18th - what a GLORIOUS day! The sun was shining, temperature about 75 degrees, and we were surrounded by our family and friends :)

Our babies were baptized at 8:30 at St. Mark Lutheran Church. The ceremony was seamless! We were joined on stage by Godparents Tom & Carol Winn and Brian & Amy Berger. We were ALL amazed at how well the babies did! The pastor asked if we had been rehearsing at home :) Good thing the babies have always enjoyed bath time - I think this may have really helped!

After the ceremony, we returned home for snacks, cake, and fellowship. We could not have planned for a better day - but then again, I know that this day was in Someone's Master plan - He knew it all along :)

6 months old!!!

Guess who turned 6 months old!! Amazing how many things can change in only 1/2 year!

Our 6-month check up went VERY well! The kids all received their shots + flu vaccine... & they were not very happy!

Our doctor was VERY impressed with their progress... here's the latest:

Morgan - 14 pounds, 1 oz - 25"

Madison - 16 pounds, 1 oz - 26 1/2"

James - 16 pounds, 10 oz - 27"

Never in a MILLION years could I have guessed their weights 6 months ago when they were in the NICU! Only through prayers & master helpers have they done so well! Thanks to all of our family and friends who have ever grabbed a bottle or said a prayer for the Stone family!

Snugglies from Tyler and Linnea

We had a very busy weekend last weekend (as stated in the previous blog posting). When Linnea came to visit, along with 1-year-old Tyler, they brought the sweetest gift... SNUGGLIES! Linnea hand-crafted these small blankets with ribbons on the edges. James and Madison were intrigued by the feel of the fabric, but Morgan wanted to check out all the ribbons! Kept them occupied for a while, until one-by-one, they started drifting off to sleep. You can see Madison was the first to go - she always has been our good sleeper :)

Busy, busy weekend!

What a BUSY weekend we had... and survived!

We started Saturday with a double-header! A play-date AND a visit from my aunt & uncle!

Sydney and Jack came over first on Saturday morning. We took all of our play toys to the patio and enjoyed the cool weather. We were actually able to stay out for 3 hours, but we always had SOMEONE from the Stone group ready to nap! We love visits with other babies and have plenty of toys to share. Besides, it gives the adults time to talk to each other!

Dorothy and Ricky Stokeld, may aunt & uncle joined us from Tyler. It was their first visit with our babies! Morgan enjoyed napping in Aunt Dorothy's arms outside! I know my father was smiling in heaven to see our family still able to enjoy each other's company! Dorothy and Ricky wanted to try to get a picture of the group together, but James was in the middle of a nap, and you NEVER wake a sleeping bear :) Madison liked posing, trying to give Morgan a big, slobbery kiss! We hope they can come down again... maybe the next time, we'll have everyone awake!

Sunday was a BIG day as well. The triplets took their first trip to church! How did we do it? Three adults! James, Judith Stone (Grandma Stone), and I were each "assigned" a baby through the service! Morgan enjoyed the Praise music, singing, giggling & dancing with Grandma. She soon fell asleep during the service. Madison started off asleep. When she woke up, she was ready to stand on my legs and look around. She made a few coo's during the service, but nothing to distract :) James, our sweet boy, was a little overwhelmed by the music and crowd. He sat protected in his Daddy's lap, surveying the assembly. He only whimpered once or twice - nothing that a good walk around the lobby couldn't cure! We were pleased to introduce the three amigos to Pastor Scott, as we will have them Christened soon. Once we got home, it was time for a little lunch and relaxation (pictured here in the bouncies). After a long nap, we were visited by Tyler. a VERY energetic one-year-old. Boy, if this is any sign of things to come, we will TRULY have our hands full! We're preparing now!!!

5 months old!

Hard to believe we're already 5 months old! My, how time flies! Everyone is well (knock on wood! We started eating REAL food this month, and things are getting better... although nobody ever warned me about sneezes from babies who are eating carrots :O)

James is the big eater. He now waits for the next bite with his mouth open! Madison is right behind him, but usually slurping it from the spoon. Morgan has decided that she prefers the bottle to the spoon. She shuts her mouth, sticks out the lizard tongue and fusses. We learned that she eventually will take it if we leave the spoon against her lips.

Madison rolled over this month! She actually flipped from her back to her front - which isn't quite as easy as the back to front method!

Summer favorites :)

Here are just a few of my favorite pics... I couldn't think of a category that they could all fit under, so I created one of my own :)

First we see the gang sitting in their new chairs, probably watching the Backyardagans or The wiggles. I remember when I first received the chairs from Kim, I couldn't imagine our crew ever being big enough to fit! Funny how time flies!

Next we see Morgan, showing off her lizard tongue in the GT! This was the very first toy that James signed up for when we registered at Babies-R-Us! Morgan likes this one because her little feet can touch the ground! She also likes the beep-beep of the horn!

Here is one of my very favorite shots. Last Saturday afternoon, I rounded the corner of the kitchen to find James napping, which was expected. What I didn't expect to see was Shelby, the best dog in the WORLD. She brought her toy, laid it next to his nap mat, and took a nap herself. I think she treasures the "quiet times" in the house just as much as we do!

James napping AGAIN? Yes :) After an early-morning bottle, I knew it was time for both of us to sleep just a little longer. I tucked him into the quilt that my grandmother made for my high school graduation... I know sweet Granny is smiling to see her great grandson curled up in her work... and probably asking him about his eating habits :)

Lastly we see Madison in her very favorite toy (courtesy of Aidan Redmon). She started off just sitting in the exerciser, hanging over the edge and drooling on herself! Now she can stand and fling herself around! Every now and then she wobbles, but we pack towels/blankets around her to help a little. I think this is one of the best toys EVER since it wears her out! Naps usually follow the use of this toy:)

Our first meal... yummy!

Well, it happened... the day finally arrived last week when the entire gang tried cereal for the very first time. To be totally honest, it wasn't the nightmare I had imagined! It was a mind-blowing experience to have all 3 bouncies on the table, loaded with kiddos, and armed with bottles and cereal bowls :)

James is our master eater, although we knew he would be. He took his first bite, mushed it around a little with his tongue, then washed it down with some warm milk. Not a single complaint was heard :) He has since learned how to open his mouth in anticipation of the next bite!

Madison, our little drama queen (in the striped bib), took in the cereal and rolled it around with her tongue, not quite sure what to do with it all. She has improved at the fine art of cereal, but prefers her bottle of warm milk.

Morgan cracks us up at meal time! She isn't very receptive to the spoon, and if/when we DO get cereal in her mouth, she uses her "lizard tongue" to push it back out again. We realize that the pushing is part of sucking on a bottle, and this eventually goes away. We also think that she may be turning this into more of a game than a meal!

Hard to believe they turn 5 months old on Sunday... I've always heard to enjoy them while you can... they grow up way too fast! Hard to believe until we had our own kiddos to watch! They are an amazing crew :)

First trip to School - OKE!

On Friday, the triplets took their first trip to school! I took the 3 to meet the amazing faculty of OKE - the school I proudly call home. This group of friends provided so much support , I wanted to show them answered prayers looked like! James was very tired, so after a very short visit, he found a nice quiet room where he could take a nap. Morgan was eager to visit.... for about 15 minutes. Then she found Becki's warm arms and fell asleep for over an hour! (Becki, you are hired as a babysitter!) Madison was definitely the most social on our trip. I always had a feeling that I would be called into school one day by Madison's teachers so we can discuss her non-stop talking --- well, this may have been a little foreshadowing! She eventually fell asleep in Malynn's arms (the principal)... maybe she was trying to earn a few brownie points early in her schooling!

I'm glad the teachers at OKE had a small dose of our crew... they have plenty of time to start preparing for our group! I just hope the teacher of the gifted/talented group has enough material : )

IT'S A BEAVER!

To all the loyal Buc-ee fans! Enjoy :)