4 Months Old!

My baby girl is 4 months old today! I can't believe it, she is growing up WAY too fast :(

She had her shots today too. Sage now weighs 13lbs 14ozs, which is about the 60th percentile for weight. She is 24 inches long, and is in the 50th percentile for length.

At her 3 month appointment, my doctor told me that we could start her on cereal at 4 months. But for some reason, I have NO desire to start her on cereal. That is odd for me, because with ALL of the other kids, I was so excited and started right at 4 months. With Sage, I think I will wait until 6 months. Maybe it is because I am afraid she will be my last baby, and I don't want her to grow up? I don't know. But I DO know that it won't hurt her, and will be perfectly fine to wait until 6 months :)

Just when it get's good, it ends.

Last night was Jade's last gymnastic class. Gymnastics started in September, and ran for 20 weeks, to the end of January. For the first few months, I have to admit, it seemed like more of a pain then it was worth. I was 9 months pregnant for the first month, and then had a newborn baby for the next couple of months. I think I have said before, I am not a big fan of going out in the evening. I prefer to get all the kids in bed by 7pm, get everything tidied up, and then have time to relax on the couch. Well, because of Gymnastics, every Thursday evening has been messed up. We had to eat dinner by 5pm, Jade, Sage, and I would have to be out the door by 6pm, and we wouldn't get home until 8pm. THEN I would have to get Sage into bed, do all the clean up, and all my nightly chores, before I could sit down and relax.

Then, about a month ago, I started talking with one of the other moms. She has 4 kids, a 5th baby on the way, and she homeschools. She seemed very normal, not the stereotypical homeschooler that I had pictured in my head. That is what got me thinking about homeschooling. So for the past few weeks, I have been looking forward to Thursday evenings, so I could chat with this other mom, and ask her questions about homeschooling. Now, gymnastics is over.

Why does that always happen? Just as I start to enjoy something, it ends.

Blah.

I am in a crabby mood tonight for no apparent reason. I want to eat, so to keep myself busy, I am going to blog.

For the last several nights, Sage has been sleeping like crap. I don't know WHAT her problem is!?! Maybe a growth spurt? Maybe gas? I don't know, but it is driving me crazy!! My body is NOT used to getting up at night anymore. Sage has been sleeping through the night since about 2 months old, so I have had almost 2 months of mostly full night sleeps! I am REALLY hoping it is just a growth spurt or something, and this is NOT going to become a new habit. I like sleep. I NEED sleep!

:)

I am down another 4 lbs this week, YAY!!! That is a total of 12 lbs in 3 weeks!! :) I am FINALLY starting to get closer to my pre-pregnancy weight!!

I did however, part way through the week, find out that since I am nursing exclusively, I am supposed to be having 10 extra points A DAY!!!

Since someone borrowed my WW book, and never returned it, I am using a photocopy of the food points that I had, and I am basing MY points on a chart in the back of the food tracker books, that is only based on your weight. I KNEW that I was supposed to get extra points for nursing, but I thought it was only like 2 points a day or something, so I didn't worry about it! lol!

So for Saturday and Sunday I added on my 10 extra points each day. I was hesitant to do it, since I have been losing so well without them, and I really don't want to slow down my weight loss. BUT I also don't want to lose my milk supply. SO I have decided to try adding the 10 points each day, and as long as I am still losing weight, I will keep them. If I do not lose weight this week, then I will cut it back to only 5 extra points a day, and try that!

In other news, yesterday, I met with a lady from Calgary who homeschools. She has 4 kids who are currently doing Kindergarten, Grade 2, Grade 4, and Grade 7. She seemed very normal! lol! She showed me all of her Grade 3 curriculum. It was nice to be able to actually see some of the stuff I have been looking at on-line, and get someone elses opinion on stuff. She definitely does some things differently than I want to do, but it was nice to see what she does.

A little bit disappointed....

On Tuesday evening, I went to a homeschool group meeting, in Airdrie. I am pretty sure they are the only homeschooling group in Airdrie (there are none in Crossfield), so I thought I would check them out! I thought it might be nice to meet some more local people who homeschool, who we could maybe become friends with.

Well, I was a bit disappointed. They were TOTALLY NOT my kind of people! I felt like I had walked into the 1800's! Most of the ladies were in very plain clothes, skirts and blouses, no makeup, hair put up in a bun. Seriously, I felt like I was in the wrong century!! One of the announcements was about a fashion show and tea that one lady is hosting, where all the girls can come and show off their sewing and knitting projects. They were also very religious, and their next meeting is watching a video about how to keep your children from walking away from the church.

Now none of these things are bad, and please don't think I am bashing them. I am simply stating that their ways/interests seem to be very different than ours, and I really can't see developing many friendships.

But, I did get a chance to talk with one of the ladies, and find out a bit more about funding and school boards.

I am now up to about 90% sure that I am going to homeschool! I am currently reading a book called "Dumbing us Down" by John Taylor Gatto. If you have ever considered homeschooling, or had doubts about the school systems, I would HIGHLY recommend reading this book!

Finally some weight loss!!

I know I haven't talked about my weight in a while, but I figured you guys were tired of hearing me complain about being fat, but not really doing anything about it! ;)

Two weeks ago, I started eating healthier, and cutting out crappy snacks. That week, I lost 2.5 lbs! Then I decided that if I want faster weight loss, I need something a little more structured. I decided to follow the Weight Watcher points system. I used Weight Watchers when Jade was around 1.5, and I lost 30 lbs on it, in only a couple of months! So one week ago, I started again, not going to meetings or anything, just using the stuff I already had! This week I have lost 5.5 lbs! So in total, that is 8 lbs in 2 weeks! :) I am very happy with myself, and I am hoping to continue losing weight!

On another, somewhat related note, I have recently realized that I am very bad with starting things, and not finishing them. So, I have decided to add to my New Years resolutions! I am going to make an effort this year, to follow through with things that I start, or things that I say I am going to do! :)

Preoccupied

Wow, I can't believe it has been almost a week since my last blog! I have been VERY preoccupied this week, thinking about homeschooling.

The more I think about it, the more I want to do it. I have been spending so much time looking stuff up on-line, reading books from the library, and talking to other homeschooling moms. My poor brain has been going non-stop!

I still have a few doubts in the back of my mind, but I am working through them. I really think that homeschooling would be a good choice for our family :)

I can finally say it!!

I can't believe I can finally say this: Life with triplets is STARTING TO GET EASIER!!!

When my triplets were babies, I would run into other people with multiples (usually twins), at the mall, grocery store, or other random places. They would almost ALWAYS say, "Things will get easier after the first year!" So being the fool that I am, I believed them.

We made it through the first year, and guess what?! Things DIDN'T get easier, in fact, they started to get HARDER!!!

We still had to deal with the "baby" stuff of the first year, like diapers, strollers, naps, feedings, etc. BUT we also had to start dealing with "toddler" stuff, like being more mobile, getting into more things, temper tantrums, attitudes, etc.

So when I see other parents of multiple babies, I tell them the truth: "It DOESN'T get easier!!" I feel bad seeing the scared, disappointed look on their faces, but hey, someone needs to tell them the truth!!

Now, after almost 3 years, I can honestly say it is getting easier. Now, that we are finally starting to shed some of the "baby" stuff, I am starting to feel more relaxed. I am no longer changing 1000 diapers a day, we no longer have to rush home for nap time, I no longer have to haul around, and be the center of attention with, a huge triple stroller. I am starting to feel a bit more normal. Well, as normal as a mother of 5, including a set of triplets, can ever be! :)

Contemplating.....

The last few days, I have started to think about Homeschooling. I almost can't even believe I am typing this, since homeschooling is something that I always used to think was dumb (no offense to anyone who homeschools!!).

This is NOT something that I will jump into, or take lightly. It is something that I want to seriously think about, and if I were to do it, I wouldn't start until the new school year, in September.

My main reason for contemplating homeschooling, is Jade. Jade is SUCH a bright girl, and I really feel that the school system is holding her back, and not letting her reach her full potential. She is reading WAY above grade level, but at school, they will only let her read up to a certain level of books, because "that is the highest they are aloud to go in grade 2". Jade is very artistic, and I would love to let her explore and utilize her talents more. Jade is also very curious, and eager to learn. For example, she found a decorative spoon at my mom's house, that has some sort of Asian writing on it. She brought it home, and took it to school, to see if she could find a book at the library to see if it was Chinese or Japanese writing, and what it said. How many other 7-year-olds would do that?!

If I were to homeschool her, I could tailor her education to actually challenge her, explore her interests, and indulge her passions. Now you might be thinking, why don't I just let her do those things after school hours? Why? Because there are not enough hours in the day! If I were to homeschool Jade, she would be home all day, and we would have the time to do required things like Math, as well as explore her interests!

I am also not a big fan of the "social" problems in school, especially for girls. I would love to have more control over that aspect of her life, at least for a little while longer!

And, I have to be honest, I also like the fact that we wouldn't have to adhere to a school schedule, drop her off in the morning, pick her up after school, etc. We could do our work when WE want to, when it is convenient for us.

If I were to start homeschooling Jade in September, I would also do a bit of a preschool program with the triplets. When she is at the table doing book work, I would have them at the table doing work sheets, and coloring sheets, and learning their colors, shapes, numbers, and letters.

Like I said, right now, I am just thinking about it, and trying to find out as much information as I can. It is A LOT to think about, and a big decision to make. If anyone reading this homeschools, and has any advise for me, I would GREATLY appreciate it!! :)

Potty Training - Day 3

Today was another very successful day of potty training! :) When the kids got up this morning, Kadance and Cole's pull-ups were DRY!!! I couldn't believe it!

We only had 1 poop accident today (from Cole), and NO pee accidents at all! Kadance did much better, and was much more willing to sit on the potty today. Just before dinner, I was standing in the kitchen, talking on the phone to my mom, and Kadance came up to me and told me she needed to pee!! I was SOOO happy that she told me, without me having to ask her! :) Kadance didn't poop again today, but she did try. Like I said yesterday, it IS normal for her to go a day or two without pooping, so I am really hoping that she does tomorrow.

I think I can say that we are officially DONE with diapers!!! I now only have ONE kid in diapers, instead of FOUR! This is going to be SOOO much nicer on my grocery bill! lol!

I honestly can not believe how easy this has been! I was dreading it for so long, expecting it to be so hard, and now it seems like it has just been TOO easy! In some ways, I am still waiting for "the other shoe to drop", but I am really hoping that things continue to go smoothly. :)

Potty Training - Day 2

I am so happy to say that today was another successful day of potty training!!

Cole was my champ today, with 5 pees on the potty, 1 poop on the potty, and NO accidents!!

Hayden did VERY well, with 6 pees on the potty, 1 pee accident, and 4 poops on the potty. Poor Hayden seemed to have a bit of an upset tummy today, since he pooped 4 times, and it was very runny each time. But he managed to make it to the potty every time he needed to poop!! :)

Kadance was being a bit weird today. She peed on the potty 3 times, and only had one pee accident, but she was very resistant to sit on the potty today. I don't really know why, as yesterday she was fine with it. Today, every time we would ask her to sit on the potty, she would get upset and not want to. The 3 times she peed, I literally had to force her to sit on the potty, because she was dancing and crossing her legs, and I KNEW she needed to go! She also didn't poop today, which kind of worries me, since I have heard many horror stories of kids who are afraid to poop on the potty and end up totally constipated and it becomes a huge issue. BUT, it IS normal for her to go a day without pooping, so I am not really worried yet.

They also didn't drink as much juice today, so that is why they didn't pee as much.

Overall, with this only being our second day of potty training, I am VERY happy with our success!! :)

Sage's 3 month check-up!

Today Sage had her 3 month check-up. I can NOT believe that she is 3 months old already!!

The doctor said that she is doing great! She weighs 13lbs 5ozs, and is in the 75th percentile for weight. She is 24 inches long, and is also in the 75th percentile for length.

Sage has been my fussiest baby, and for the first while, I felt like I never knew what she wanted, or how to make her happy. I feel like after 3 months, I have finally figured Sage out. She is a much happier baby now, and I feel like I finally know what she wants - most of the time!

Sage is still sleeping for 10-12 hours most nights, but some nights she only sleeps for 8 or 9 hours, wakes up to eat, and goes right back to sleep for another few hours. Sage is wearing all 3-6 month clothing now.

As I was looking at Sage on the doctor table today, I was thinking that she can not possibly be my last baby. I am just not ready to move on. I love my sweet little girl SO much, and I am trying to savour every moment with her! ♥

Day 1 of Potty Training!!!

We are at the end of Day 1 of potty training, and I am happy to say that I think it was a success!! :)

The morning started off very good. I got the kids diapers off, and got them all to sit on the potty right away, and all 3 of them peed! :) When they pee on the potty they get to put a sticker on their chart, and they get a smartie.

After that, I gave them each a sippy cup of apple juice. (I know I said we are done with sippy cups, and we are, but we will be using them for juice to help with potty training.) My kids usually never get juice, so this was a treat for them, and of course they drank lots! :) For the rest of the morning, I got them all to sit on the potty about every 20 minutes, or sooner if they looked like they needed to pee. By the afternoon, they were getting the hang of it, so I was a little bit more relaxed with making them sit on the potty all the time.

Hayden seemed to have a bit of a hard time at first, and had 3 accidents in a row. After that, he started to get the hang of it, and only had one more accident. He was also the first to poop on the potty!! When they poop on the potty, they get a sticker on their chart, and a special, bigger, chocolate. At the end of the day, Hayden had 7 pees on the potty, 4 pee accidents, and 1 poop on the potty. He even stayed dry when he fell asleep on the couch at quiet time!!! (I had a pull-up on him, just in case!)

Cole seemed to get the hang of it pretty quickly. But the poor boy spent most of the day on the potty! I could tell he needed to poop, but was having a hard time actually doing it. He kept saying "Poop Mommy!" and he would run to the potty, pull his underwear down, and sit there. Then after a few minutes, he would get up, pull his underwear up, and go play. Then a few minutes later, he would do the same thing all over again. This seriously lasted for several hours, and to be quite honest, got very annoying! He was like "the boy who cried wolf", and I started to almost ignore his constant calls of "Poop Mommy!" and let him take his time getting his underwear off, since I knew he wasn't going to actually do anything! Then one time he said "Done!" I looked over, and he was standing above his potty, with his underwear ON, and he had pooped. At least he was over top of his potty, right?! At the end of the day, Cole had 7 pees on the potty, 2 pee accidents (one of which was in his pull-up at quiet time), and 1 poop accident.

Kadance was my little champ! The only problem with her, is that she doesn't drink as much as the boys, so she didn't need to pee as much. In the long run this will be a good thing, but for potty training it was a bit annoying - for her! She was so sick of me constantly asking her to sit on the potty! Kadance peed on the potty 6 times, pooped on the potty 1 time, and had NO accidents!!!

So like I said, overall the day was a success!! I am REALLY hoping that tomorrow is just as good, and that the rest of the potty training process goes smoothly! :)

Just to clarify......

I just want to clarify something that has been bugging me. It was recently brought to my attention, that sometimes I might complain about something on my blog, and then I don't come back and talk about how it has improved.

I am talking specifically about Gairod. I have realized that I have often complained about how he doesn't help out enough.

I just want to say, that the main reason I have this blog, is for me to have a place to vent. I don't have a lot of friends in real life, and not a lot of people who I can talk to about a lot of the stuff I talk about on here. For me, the best way to work through things I am feeling or dealing with, is to talk (or in this case type), them out. I need to get them off my chest, and then I usually feel at least a little bit better about them.

Gairod and I love each other very much, but like most couples, we have our ups and downs, we have good days, and bad days. There are some times when I feel like he doesn't help out enough, I blog about it, (and usually complain to him about it as well) and then a few days later, he totally turns around and helps out a lot. I guess I never realized it before, but I never seem to come back and blog about when he does help.

So just to clarify, Gairod is a wonderful, hard-working husband. He loves me and the kids, and I love him very much.

Growing Up!

We have treated the triplets like babies for so long, that it feels weird (and nice!) to finally be moving on to some more "big kid" things!!

- We are no longer using a stroller! (see other post)
- We are no longer using sippy cups at meals, we are using "real" cups!
- We finally took down the "fence" that was blocking about a third of our living room, including the computer and TV.
- And on Sunday, we are going to start potty training!!!

Those of you with singletons probably don't understand WHY our triplets are just now, at almost 3, starting to do some of the things that most kids are doing just after they turn 2 (or earlier!). And until you have triplets, you really can't fully understand. Having three 2-year-olds is A LOT harder than having one 2-year-old. 3 kids can run away from you, in 3 different directions. 3 kids can spill 3 times as many glasses of milk as one kid can. 3 kids are more rowdy, and are more likely to break things. 3 kids potty training, means 3 times as many accidents.

So even if these "milestones" are late, we are still proud of them, and happy to finally be hitting them!