Behind the Three Point Line

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Perspective

I stole this idea from another triplet blog. I will say that doing this project definitely put things in perspective. It is amazing to see how far the Critters have come. From NICU premies to healthy bustling toddlers. We truly are blessed to have the three Critters. No matter what it is that we’re worrying about, these photos will always give us perspective.

Haddie with a picture of her @ 2 days old under the Bilirubin light.

CarCar with a picture of her @ 2 days old.

And of course here's Reese (not really cooperating) with a picture @ 2 days old in his incubator.

Chris

CarCar's First Baseball Game

CarCar and I spent Saturday afternoon together at an FSU baseball game. She seems to really like sports and I thought it would be great opportunity for some one on one time. FSU was playing Maryland so I didn't think it would be too crowded. My ticket to the game was only seven bucks and CarCar got in free (kids five and under are free for the grandstands).

As soon as we sat down CarCar decided that she wanted something to eat and she also had to go to the bathroom. Parents of little children know that a trip to the bathroom, especially a public bathroom is not a quick trip. Well the game started and FSU was at bat. I heard some loud cheering and heard over the PA system that FSU just had back to back home runs. As we were heading out of the bathroom, I heard some rustling in the palm trees overhead. Next thing I know a foul ball lands three feet from me, so after all of these years going to FSU baseball games, at CarCar's first one we get a foul ball. While I have the ball (actually CarCar gave it to Brother) I don't really have the cool 'I made a great catch to get this foul ball' story.

We had a great time even though it was a bit hot out. Final totals: Tickets - $7, Pretzel for CarCar - $3, Lemonade for CarCar - $4, Two Chocolate Chip Cookies for CarCar (not recommendable on hot days) - $2, Italian Ice for CarCar - $4, and water for Dad - $3. As you can see CarCar got her fill of food at the game.

Here are a few pics from the game:

FSU warming up.

CarCar settling in.

Play ball!

A crazy 1st inning consisting of back-to-back home runs and a foul ball in my pocket.

CarCar inspecting the ads on the right field wall.

The foul ball.

Chris

Monday, May 7, 2012

Potty Training, yep its that time.

Well, we entered the realm of potty training a few weeks ago. I found out about a 3 day potty training boot camp from another multiple blogger. The concept of this program is you stop using diapers completely, you actually have the kids throw them out. After you have the kids throw their diapers out you immediately place them in undies (Thomas the Train, Hello Kitty, and Princesses at our house). To say that Rian and I were a little apprehensive and skeptical would be an understatement.

So on April 21 at 8am, we had the Critters toss out the remaining diapers in the house and we went cold-turkey. We repeated the following phrase at least a thousand times over the next three days, 'let mommy and daddy know when you have to go potty.' According to the program you are not supposed to ask them if they have to go potty, you must ask them to tell you when they have to go. It apparently helps them recognize their body signals. I was prepared for poop and urine to be everywhere, constant sheet changes, and no sleep. To Rian and my surprise we only had to clean up a handful of accidents on the floor, changed the sheets four times and got six full hours of sleep the first night. The Critters actually seemed to get the gist of the program by the second day.

When a child successfully utilizes the toilet the parent is supposed to vocally celebrate this achievement. Well, I think I took it a little too far with Carson. As most of you know, she does not really care for loud noises. She was the first to successfully deposit poop in the toilet and I got a little over exuberant with my 'touchdown celebration.' I went a little too Ickey Woods and Terrell Owens rather than just giving the football to the ref and settling for a chest bump. Luckily, it did not permanently scar CarCar and we were able to move on. The Critters have been diaper free since April 21st.

While I am singing the praises of this program, I don't want you to think that there hasn't been accidents, bumps in the road, and some regression. Luckily, the program helps you address these situations when they occur. So this multiple family give the 3 day potty training boot camp two big thumbs up.

Chris

Friday, April 20, 2012

FSU Spring Game 2012

After the park and a non-existent nap Rian, the Critters and I headed over to Doak to watch the spring game. We felt like high rollas as our friends were able to get box seats for us. We met up with Katie, Campbell, and Colin at the tailgating lot. We found out later that we could have parked a lot closer, oh well. We met up with Mike and headed to the box. The food was included in the ticket price which was awesome, even more awesome, the kids were free.

Not much to say about the spring game, its a glorified scrimmage, but the atmosphere up in the box was great. The Critters did great too. All of them paid attention to at least part of the game. They even made it to the end of the game, around 7:30pm. Right before we left Haddie decided that she wanted to go explore a little. She headed over to the 'Old School' box (think Potbellies for all of you FSU alumni), chocked full of college kids dancing and proceeded to head right to the dance floor and shook her stuff. I really think I am going to have to keep a close eye on that one. The college kids loved her, she definitely stole the show as only Haddie can. It was a great first football game experience for the Critters (don't get used to the box, the next time we go we will be out with the masses). I do think that we will wait one more season before we take they to a game in the stands.

Here are some shots from the game:

Rian, Bro-man, and beer.

Haddie.

The girls.

Haddie scrutinizing the red zone performance.

This box was literally right on the 50 yard line.

Game action.

On the way back to the car. This is the best shot we could get at the Sod Cemetery. (L to R: Haddie, Campbell, Colin (behind the balloon), CarCar, and Brother)

For the Leparulo's.

Chris

Saturday Morning with Dad

The Critters and I headed over to the Southwood park last Saturday to run out some energy. Rian had a meeting most of Saturday and the kids and I needed to get out of the house. We packed up, headed to Starbucks (for me of course), and were off. Southwood seems to be the only outside place that I can effectively manage the Critters by myself. The park is set back far enough from a road or parking lot that the Critters can run free and I won't have a panic attack.

What was going to be a half-hour visit turned into an hour and a half. We were all over the place, the playground, the paths, the bridge, the pond, the huge running field. Wouldn't you know it even after all of that exercise they didn't take a nap before the FSU Spring football game. We had a great time and much to Rian's chagrin (she didn't learn about it until after the fact) the Critters ran around barefoot most of the time. I kind of shocked myself that I was okay with them and no shoes, for as much as I hate wearing shoes, I am usually a control freak about it with them.

Here are some shots from our morning: