Busy Bees

 As promised....a more complete update of everyone now that our computer is back from vacation.

Charlie had a follow up appointment with his surgeon this week.  There is some concern Charlie isn't gaining well, he's at 6lbs 6 oz. and only takes small amounts during each feeding.  The surgeon believes that since Charlie can't burp, due to the hiatal hernia repair, that he has a bunch of air in his tummy which prohibits him from eating a lot during feedings.  The surgeon's idea of fixing this is to put a G-Tube in which would allow us to vent any air that builds up in his tummy.  Tyler and I would like to avoid this as it is very invasive, it means another surgery and more anesthesia.  So, we are going to be working to get Charlie to gain a bit better since the bigger he is the better able he is to deal with gas. Charlie will be seeing a nutritionist in a couple of weeks to come up with a plan on things to try to get him to gain weight.

Charlie

Christian is doing very well and is becoming a brute.  He gains weight like a champ and is over 8 lbs.  He is a very happy guy and loves to smile and talk.

Christian

Easton has been home with me and the boys this past week and will be agin next week due to daycare being closed.  He's been enjoying a little more time with mom and his brothers and keeps very busy and has been keeping the rest of us busy as well.

Easton LOVES to read

Exploring other ways to wear jammies

Helping dad in the garage

learning to drink from the hose....and getting soaked in the process!

Quick Update

I've been meaning to write another update and also include some pictures but our computer has decided to take a vacation from its job of being our computer. So, until it's fixed please know everyone is good. Christian is good and gaining like a champ...he seems huge to us. Charlie is good and is gaining, slowly but surely he's gaining. Easton is good and is enjoying being home with me, Christian and Charlie for the next 2 weeks while daycare is closed. Tyler and I are good too. Hopefully more pictures will come soon!

Keeping Busy

You may wonder what keeps us busy throughout the day.  Well, it can look something like this:

Christian likes to hang out and work on his beautiful smile

Charlie likes to sit and listen to stories.  He's also working on telling stories.

Easton loves to go for bike rides with dad in our new bike trailer

Our mornings usually start around 5am, although, me and the little ones are up a couple times in the middle of the night.  During the week, M-Th, Easton goes to daycare at Bre's house and looks forward to that every day.  Tyler works M-Th and Christian, Charlie and I hang out at home and work on growing....well, the boys do.  I try not to grow too much :)
Christian and Charlie eat about every 3 hours.  In between feedings there are diaper changes, tummy time, story time, nap time, laundry, snuggle time and house chores (the last one only if time allows).

Tummy time.  This is not staged....they usually must be touching each other when together.

Easton likes to help take care of the boys and is usually on pacifier duty.  This is what happens when he does his job a little too well!

Easton doing stunts on his bike

Christian and dad having some snuggle time

Our evenings go by fast and are very busy.  When Tyler and Easton get home we have dinner as a family, or try to anyway.  It usually involves Tyler and I eating in shifts in order to accommodate Christian and Charlie's needs during dinner time.  After dinner is family time which can include playing outside, going for a walk, going to the park or playing in the house.  Bath time, reading time and bed time come quick.  It's not always guaranteed that all boys are sleeping at the same time, but after Easton goes to bed it's time for Tyler and I to catch up with one another on the day's happenings and what needs to be done in the coming days.
All in all, our new normal is busy, but great.  I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Things We've Learned

You might ask what we've learned so far having all of our boys home under one roof.  Well, there have been several things:
1.  That all babies have an "eat/sleep switch."  I'm sure you've all encountered it before.  The switch is activated or turned on when mom or dad want to sleep or eat.  The moment either sit down to have a meal or even a snack or lay down to go to sleep, the babies inevitably wake up and need to be held, changed or fed.  And this goes for older children as well.  They are all born with it and so far we're not sure when that switch, if ever, is deactivated.
2.  No matter how sweet the face of your 17 month old is, there is a mean streak deep down inside when it comes to his siblings.  Don't get me wrong!  Easton has shown that he really loves his brothers, but never let him fool you.  On several occasions we have witnessed balls thrown at the babies heads, pacifiers shoved in eye sockets and attempts to dump the babies out of their car seats.  We'll just need to keep an extra eye on this little one :)
3.  Expect to have a new definition of clean.  This goes for your house as well as your person/clothes.  We've come to learn that housework is definitely not at the top of our list and our new definition of clean is not what it used to be.  Our house may have toys or baby items everywhere, dirty or clean clothes laying around, lots of dirty dishes in the kitchen, sticky floors, sticky walls but  we never have any lack of fun or adventure in this house.  It's also not uncommon to be walking around in a shirt with multiple stains from different incidences throughout the day.  Baby puke here, ketchup there, marker there, soup here.  Who knows what you'll find on yourself by the end of the day!
4.  Someone is ALWAYS hungry.  Always.

I'm sure we'll learn plenty more in the months/years to come, but for now these are the main points.

New Adventures

Those of you who have been following along from the beginning will know this blog is a spin off from Christian and Charlie's care page following their early birth.  Since writing in their care page almost daily for about 4 months, I've come to realize that I've actually enjoyed keeping tabs on the happenings of our little family and thought I'd try something new.  Instead of just following Christian and Charlie, this page will serve as a glimpse into our lives with 3 boys, ages 17mos- Easton, and 15 weeks- Christian and Charlie (corrected age: 3 weeks).  Even though I may not be able to write every day, I look forward to trying something new.

We've already had an incredible start with our boys and look forward to an amazing future with them as well as all the adventures that come with 3 boys who are only 13 months apart!