Singing enthusiasts...

Dear girls.... whereas before you tried to carry a tune, you now are all about volume. If we take in account only volume, Hadley wins hands down (you have definitely inherited the Pleggenkuhle volume my dear). Brynley wins on word-accuracy (you know the words to EVERYTHING), and Ryann wins on performance (you dance, jump, and fall a lot while singing). I love how you love to sing, and how you get into it. We need to expand on the number of songs however - I can only take so much more of "Up where you walk" (repeating three lines over and over again only goes so far). I now know all the words to "Tomorrow", so thank you for that. While you might drive your father and I crazy more times in a day than I care to count, your genuine enthusiasm, humor (how do you know how to be funny already?!), and silliness tend to make up for it!

Singing Marathon - Sound of Music, Annie, and Little Mermaid
Tomorrow - from the car (check out Bryn's lip-syncing)
Dance Party - dogs joined in (ignore Bryn's whining)!
Bena's lecture - Hadley gives some pretty awesome lectures... missed most of it, go figure.

Not your birthday.

No, just because we're having cupcakes, or there's cookies, or ice cream does not mean it is your birthday... it could be that it's for no special reason, or for someone's birthday, or a special occasion of some sort - but no, not every day is your birthday... 

We have to remind our daughters at least three times a week that it isn't their birthday---this is only partially our fault, but mostly we'll blame our families! Their birthday was kind of spread out... they opened gifts for their birthday the day after Christmas, again three days later, then again ON their actual birthday, then when Manga Soup and Papa Kim came to visit, and yet again last weekend when Manga Phyllis, Papa Gary, Uncle Henny and Aunt Hilary came to visit... oye, no wonder they're confused!

Then there's their obsession with Princess Sofia--it's sad that Travis and I can sing along to not only the intro but also the songs in nearly every episode. Some people need coffee in the morning - the girls need Sofia and their milk. They continue to be enthralled with all princesses--and Ryann is the first to get her princess dress on in the morning. I think the longest it's taken her to go find her dress and put it on is 5-minutes. Ridiculously cute.

Brynley continues to be our Mama-in-training, or future micro-manager, and teacher's pet! Now if only she could stick to bossing and quit hitting, biting, and pulling hair whenever the mood strikes. We're often asked if the girls get along... such a complicated answer - yes? sometimes? no? depends on the day? minute? second? all of the above. I love how they love each other, and how they worry about each other - but it drives me batty that they can turn on one another in a blink of an eye! Luckily they reserve their snarkiness for each other and really do play nice with others (for now).

Hadley is a riot. Her sayings and conversations are probably the funniest - while Bryn's are the most drawn out, and Ryann's are just plain goofy. The girl has a sense of humor that I already appreciate - but man does it make it hard to get mad sometimes! The other problem is that she knows she's funny - we're in trouble.

Best news yet - we are completely diaper free... Ryann stopped wearing pull-ups at naptime a couple weeks ago and last night we finally did away with it at bedtime. The best part is that she doesn't think it's any big deal. Now our only potty issue remains with Hadley - the girl likes to hide/sneak off to do her business. We've tried just about everything (even threatening to put her back in diapers) - not sure what to do...

In other news - Travis and I had a wonderful trip to Arizona! We went to the Phoenix Open with my parents and sister and let's just say I could get used to watching golf like that! Meanwhile back in Omaha the girls were getting spoiled by Manga Phyllis and Papa Gary! I think good times were had by all. Our spring is likely to get a bit busier as we've begun looking at houses. I'm so ready to move - but am not at all patient when it comes to timing (I only want to look if we are ready to buy now!). I have a list of wants - and dreams, but either way we're looking forward to some more square footage come summer.

Sunday Funday: Making cookies

Brynley - the hat and mittens were her idea

Hadley: Note the sunglasses... she was surprisingly the most cooperative

Ryann: the MOST difficult child to get to come over for a picture! She had to go get her baby, her milk, and 15 other things, then still couldn't stand up straight. She listens about as well as her father.

Their (4th) 3rd birthday party with the Miles

Hadley playing with Aunt Hilary on the steps - a favorite place.

Ryann was being stubborn (as usual), but Hadley and Bryn cooperated!

 

 

 

Ryann and her steps... this girl is such a hoarder - we've given up telling them not to play there. For whatever reason they sit on the stops and "watch fireworks".

Turning 3...

It's official, they're 3... and if they choose to not answer, actively ignore, or tell you they're 2 and start to giggle, you'll know instantly that they're fully embracing being 3. We knew it was coming, yet at the same time we thought maybe 'it' would skip our girls... oh, to be so lucky. However, we instead have chosen to be thankful that our once sweet and precious little babies have hit the "terrific" (read: terror-rific) threes and are as normal (whatever that may actually entail) as any other kid out there!

Some updates for all of those of you who ask every time we see you, "how much do they weigh now?" (for that matter - are we that odd for not knowing how much they weigh? or simply lucky that we don't see the doctor very often?!) I've also tried to recap some of their favorite, and not so favorite things... for the week!

Ryann Gale Miles

Sweet, sweet Ryann... This girl just makes us smile. Miss Ryann voluntarily shares when she sees one of her sisters without something she has - not because we ask her to, but because she just likes to share sweet. She randomly will come up to Travis or me for a hug or kiss, and has a hard time not smiling. That's not to say she doesn't have her moments - because boy can she whine like it's her business. But overall, if this was all that 3 was about - piece of cake. She of course not only volunteered, but was volunteered (by Bryn and Hads) to go first at the doctor's office. That's usually the best bet anyway - she's a little braver than her partners in crime. Ryann stepped right up on the scale weighing in at 28 lbs 9.6 oz (nope, not yet 30 lbs - 28th percentile) and then went over to get measured (she did hunch a bit, but what can you do?) where we found she's grown almost an inch in a month! 36.9 inches (46th percentile). After she was done Bryn made sure to tell her how brave she was (seriously, that kid cracks me up). Ryann was also first to get her blood pressure taken, eyes checked, etc. She also drew the tiniest circle known to man (I honestly wasn't sure when the nurse asked if they could draw a circle - intentionally... turns out they all can, we've been working on H's!). Ry is still obsessed with wanting to know who buys what at our house - but at least now recalls and recites who bought what (always assume Mommy!)! Sometimes I think she feels a little left out of Bryn and Hadley's play, but then again, sometimes I think she's relieved not to be involved (it typically ends with someone in timeout). I am already worried about her going to school - not in fear of her making friends (she doesn't know a stranger) or learning (smart little cookie), but for lunch purposes... this girl takes FOREVER to eat! She can pack it away like nobody's business, but sit at the table for another 15+ minutes after I let Bryn and Hads down (there's only so long I can make them wait). All in all, Ryann is daddy's girl... our biggest challenge with her is getting rid of the pull-up. She's been accident free for 4 days or so (again), but naps/nightime - it's a deal breaker. Not sure how to approach it, but 1 out of 3 isn't too shabby!

Can't get much cuter than this!

Brynley Cade Miles

 Oh my Brynley... my stubborn, stubborn, stubborn Brynley. It's taken me 35 years to get this stubborn, yet this child puts both Travis and I to shame (which is saying something). Mama-Bryn is also a little parrot... not only does she repeat what Travis and I say, she also remembers everything we say (double crap). Bryn was the first one to swear (Travis is proud she used "dammit" in the right context - me, not so much) and we've realized that I don't think it's from Travis and I so much as from Annie... two swear words in that movie and she knows them both (did I mention double crap?!) Luckily she hasn't seen our giggles or we'd really be in trouble, and she knows that there are two words she isn't supposed to say - I heard her lecturing her dolls about it earlier today... oh boy. Brynley is also in love with babies - can't get enough of them! It's pretty sweet - and she really is a pretty good Mama-Bryn - aside from the fact that her sisters do NOT want her to be their mom. Bryn has also gotten much braver as of late - and she's pretty proud of herself ("I so brave" has been known to come out of her mouth more than once). At the doctor's office, she demonstrated her bravery by volunteering to go second. Bryn weighs 26 lbs and 6.4 oz (8.7th percentile - yes, we know they're light - thank you) and is 35.8 inches tall (21st percentile - also had some slouching going on). I don't think she stopped talking the entire time we were at the doctor's office... she actually pretty much doesn't stop talking/singing while she is awake (it's exhausting). Bryn is the only one who is completely and impressively potty-trained (no accidents since November!). She does give play-by-plays when she poops (it's kind of hilarious) due to the trouble we've had with that (some constipation ergo Mom and Dad's encouraging words... which she now repeats - heavy sigh). She knows how many M&Ms she gets if she pees/poops and will not let you give her more than that (rule follower there - but pulling hair is A-okay). Bryn is full of contradictions and as sweet as she can be, she is also the most dramatic of the bunch, meaning lots of full-blown temper tantrums. She tests our patience daily...

Bryn & Manga Soup... cheerin' on the Hawks!

Hadley Marie Miles

Miss Hadley is full of energy... super full, as in never stop moving type of energy. Though not as dramatic as Bryn, she is a very close second! She's also mastered the take-away - and the fact that she's quick gives her a definite advantage. She likes to take toys that her sisters are playing with and run... such a fun game. Hads is definitely an instigator - and can turn on the water-works like it's her business the minute someone does it to her! Hadley eats like a horse, the girl loves soup of all things and eats close to two bowls every time we have it. We know why she eats the way she does - did I mention she never. stops. moving. ever.! For as energetic and hilarious as she can be, Hadley has also been our shy one as of late. It takes her a bit longer to warm up - though once she's warm, it's game on! Despite many predictions (Aunt Bre & Manga Sue), Hadley weighed over a pound more than Bryn at 27 lbs 12.8 oz (19th percentile). She's also taller at 36.2 inches. It's funny to me, she has almost always been taller than Bryn, it's just the 'how much taller' that changes... Bryn almost catches up, then Hadley goes through another growth spurt. Than Bryn almost catches up, then another growth spurt - and so it goes. Hadley is currently Mama's girl - not sure why, but she's really sweet to me (the hugs she gives are the best - all that energy into a giant hug, nothing better). However, to Travis - well, they're currently in a love-hate relationship... She knows how to get under his skin like it's her business! Between Bryn and Hads - we have our work and patience cut out for us... They are so much alike at times, and at other times they're so different. I get asked all the time how I/we tell them apart, and I honestly can't answer. They don't look alike to me - I don't know that I see them as they look, I see their personalities which are definitely distinct. However, in pictures - totally get why people get them confused!

Hadley - in action... she couldn't just stand there!

To be honest, it's really hard to believe that they're already 3... time has flown as it's prone to do - and we can't help but be a little sad that our babies are no longer babies. Yet at the same time, to see how much they've grown and changed and learned, it's truly amazing. I belong to a prematurity support group - I figure after all the support we received going through the the pregnancy and while they were in the NICU, it's something I can do to pay it forward... it also reminds me how thankful and lucky we are, and just how special that makes our family.