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.

Birthday Eve

Three year's ago from right now we were in a hospital room watching a football game, and trying very hard to play it cool when in fact I'm pretty sure both of us (I know I was) were freaking out! To back this up - even Travis couldn't remember (he's currently looking it up as I write this!)... How our lives have changed since that night. Our three little miracles - how have three years passed so quickly and where are our babies?

Thinking back to January 1st, 2011 - I'm pretty sure that I've never felt so many emotions in such a short amount of time (update: Florida State vs. South Carolina in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl - FSU won). Seeing my babies for the first time was - if I'm completely honest - a relief, I had been so scared since that day we were diagnosed with Twin-Twin-Transfusion Syndrome, that seeing all three of them alive and kicking relief then gave way to pure happiness (the overwhelmed feeling didn't hit until the day they put all three in the same crib!). While I only got to touch and kiss baby A (Ryann) before they were all whisked to the NICU, the amazing nurses and doctors at Plano Presbyterian made sure I got a good look at babies B & C (Bryn and Hads) as they left the room. I don't remember too much of the rest of that day - in fact, the first year was pretty much a blur (both at the time and even more so looking back)!

Ryann Gale, 3 lbs 10 oz

Brynley Cade, 2 lbs 14 oz - she still likes to sleep with her lovey over her head!

Hadley Marie, 3 lbs

Fast forward three years - my "babies" are definitely NOT babies! Though they most certainly LOVE babies (if you have a baby - stop on over, they provide hours of entertainment for my children!). My most favorite quotes: "Frosty come inside wid us?" (Hadley, after we decided to head in - took a little convincing that he wouldn't like to be inside). "What you talkin' about?" (Hads to me at dinner tonight when I was attempting (don't ask me why) to explain how her birthday is January 1st... apparently we've never discussed months with them.. then "You silly"! "Maugs wait for me" (when Hadley is in a hurry she'll sometimes shorten Manga to Maug - maybe because we call her Hads?). "Papa Kim Papa Kim (or anyone else in the vicinity), who buy dis (holding up a bean in the soup we're eating)? who buy dis (holding up the corn in the soup)?" (Ryann, who insists on knowing who buys every item in a house), "Mama buys lots of stuff" (Ryann - yes, I know). "Stop doin' that!" (Mama Brynley who repeats EVERYTHING we say) and "WHAT?!" (in an exasperated snarky voice that makes me work on my poker face every time) or "I be right back honey" (they all add "honey" or "hon" to everything - think I overuse that word?!). I need to make better note of all their expressions - which change far too frequently.

Ryann, Brynley, & Hadley... our girls.

 Each of them is amazing in their own right - and each of them can drive me crazy in their own way... Not sure I can handle their new-found independence... if the last few months is a preview of what the age of 3 will be like, all that comes to mind is "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

Happy 2014 from our family to yours...

Girls' weekend

30 Nails painted (twice), pumpkin-chocolate chip cupcakes baked and eaten, spoons licked, movies watched, photo-shoot in grown-up clothes complete, birthday party attended, Target trip, 30+ stickers handed out for peein' in the potty, and nap-time skipped... twice.

What does this mean for this mama - exhaustion. Utter exhaustion. I love my girls, they're hilarious and smart and nuts and I love them. But boy can they wear me out! That whole single-parent thing? How do you do it?! Thankfully neither of us have to very often... and I think both Travis and I are better parents for it!

Some weekend hits, in no particular order:

"Tomorrow, tomorrow, I WUV YA, tomorrow..." (with each verse getting louder). Solos and in unison by each of the girls. Followed by: "Mom, mom, I sing like Annie." (Have I mentioned that they LOVE that movie?)

Both Tomorrow and Jesus Loves Me renditions were sung during our Target trip - I'm sure my fellow consumers appreciated the atmosphere the girls created (insert blush here).

Ryann: "That's a BIG ball". 
Mom: "No, that's a pumpkin" (passed by a Halloween store with a huge pumpkin on the roof).
Girls: "Thas a BIG punkin". (we continue to have a conversation about Halloween - in it we discuss what the girls are going to be for Halloween... princess fairies).
Hadley: "I gonna be a princess"
Ryann: "No I gonna be a princess" (apparently only one can be a princess?)
Brynley: "I be a dinosaur" (WHAT THE...?!) "A pink dinosaur"... I give up.

On nails. "My paint come off, Mommy paint it"... on repeat. The stupid paint I bought freaking PEELS off like nobody's business... that's not annoying. I 'got' to paint Brynley's nails twice in about an hour time span. Fun time.

Nap time (you know, the ones that DIDN'T happen). Ryann launched everything out of her crip - almost got it into her sisters' cribs across the room. "Mommy no talk on the 'peaker" (read: speaker). Nope - I talked on it a bunch, not that it mattered, little stinkers wouldn't settle down and GO TO SLEEP! Stupid constipation-issues...

On pottying. They run and fight over potties... if Brynley says she wants to use the blue one, Hadley or Ryann will SPRINT over and sit on the blue potty. Similarly, if Hadley says she wants to sit on the 'big' red potty (we also have a smaller red potty), Brynley and/or Ryann will SPRINT over to sit on that one. Ryann has gotten smart, she doesn't tell anyone which one she's going to sit on. Sure does make potty-training that much more fun. Oh, and don't get me started on flushing... "I fush my pee?" followed by crying because Hadley flushed Brynley's pee or vice versa. I can't wait to get our water bill.

On sticker-charts. They're full. Super full. So we've started new ones. However, I never thought I'd have to be on sticker-patrol! They STEAL each others stickers.

Favorite comments. "Choices?" to each other and to their baby dolls (I guess we use this term a little too often). "Eat time, wash hands?" (again to each other and to their baby dolls). "Knock it off!" (whoops - that would be my bad... the dogs wouldn't stop barking and did I mention no naps?). "I sit in middle?" (always a debate). "No, I poopin in my panties" (always delightful to hear).

I wish I could remember everything they say... I know this age is fleeting and I'm amazed by the conversations they're able to have with me and with each other. After looking at the pictures I took the other day - I'm terrified at how quickly they're growing up!

Brynley & Ryann - Ryann really isn't THAT much taller... angle and hill.

That hat... and boots. My cuties.

Hads wasn't really in the mood. Dogs barking = entertainment.

The "Twins" - Brynley & Hadley

Brynley loves having her picture taken these days...

My Ryann - such an independent and sweet little girl.

Yep, about right.

A version of peek-a-boo... entertained me for awhile as well!

RYANN - SO TALL as she informed me!

Brynley told Ryann it was "Eat time" and then pretended to buckle her in. They were serving flowers they'd sneakily picked...

Hadley... her tummy hurt, but she still managed to look so sweet here.

Ryann wanted her hat. Those boots - I want a pair!

And Hadley's hat...

Back inside they wanted their pretty skirts on. I LOVE this picture for some reason. Bryn & Hadley

ETEWT: Estimated Time of Exhaustion with Triplets... 45 minutes.

Why having an odd number is a good thing you ask? No ties... However, in our household, it also means that Ryann typically (as in almost always) gets the deciding vote.

Tuesday and Thursday mornings are my mornings with the girls - well, for an hour or so anyway! Mollie comes in after breakfast on those two days, so I usually try to do something kind of fun for breakfast (also for leftovers the other days of the week). Anyway, mornings have become especially tiresome since commencing potty training... Between pottying and getting breakfast on the table - these girls don't eat until 9 or so! Anyway, this morning I asked them what they wanted for breakfast... what follows is fairly typical of how most conversations go in our house:
Bryn: "Pancakes"
Hadley: "No, Eggs"
Bryn: "No, I no want eggs. Pancakes"
Hadley: "No. Eggs. I wan eggs."
Bryn: (beginning to cry - typical) "NO! I no want eggs"
Hadley: "Both? Eggs and pancakes"
Bryn: (crying), "NO! I no want eggs",
Me: "Let's see what Ryann wants. Ryann, what do you want? Ryann? Ryann?" (she was watching TV and despite sitting RIGHT NEXT TO ME, continued to tune me out).
Meanwhile, Brynley is chanting "I no want eggs, I no want eggs"
Finally... Ryann: "Eggs." at which point Brynley started bawling.

I'm a sucker - I've been gone the last two nights, and won't be home again tonight, so I made both - whatever. As I made the eggs, Brynley reminded me several more times that she didn't want eggs (I promised her she didn't have to have any), while Hadley told me she wanted "bof".

While making breakfast, we had three successful potty trips - they refuse to wear pants as soon as they have undies on in the morning, so they can actually go by themselves (we have the potties sitting in the hall outside our bathroom... don't judge us). However, I am pretty sure our water bill will be going UP instead of DOWN - despite not laundering our cloth diapers nearly as often any more. They all like to flush the dang toilet and I cannot convince them that we don't have to flush every time (seriously people - I swear Hadley and Ryann will squeeze out three drops of pee to get a sticker... or marshmallow).

Back to breakfast. Finally ready at about 8:45 (pretty good considering they got up a little after 8). True to her word, Hadley did eat both, two scrambled eggs and two pancakes. Also, to Bryn's creidt, she didn't eat any eggs - only pancakes... as for Ryann, little stinker didn't eat any eggs, just pancakes... go figure.

I was exhausted within 45 minutes of them waking up! However, I can't complain one iota - after looking at the potty chart from yesterday that Mollie keeps... Hadley and Ryann had each peed 11 (ELEVEN) times BEFORE their nap... no wonder I feel like I live in the bathroom when I'm at home these days, I might need to start keeping tabs too... at least I'd be able to explain my time!

Ryann - training pants!

Hadley - training pants (too big, but whatever)

Bryn - such a poser... training pants (3T - too big)

Goofs.

Late night travels with the trio...

I love this age, I hate this age, I love this age... and oh my goodness are these girls hilarious! Never did I think my patience would be tried as much as it is on a daily basis - exasperating as they may be, I also never realized how honestly funny 2 1/2 year olds are! I'll post more about our month-long travels, but had to share a few stories from our drive home last night...

Backstory. Travis drove home Sunday night after our family Christmas while the girls and I stayed an extra day and drove home yesterday (Monday) evening. The thought process was that they would be exhausted from their week-long adventures in Rolla, Clear Lake, and the cabin - however, considering Hadley finally fell asleep around 11, I don't think my assumptions held. In all honesty, they did great in the car - although they had to be reminded (often) that I could not climb back there whenever they needed.

Story 1. Hadley and Brynley having finished their milk. (In unison) "Bounce bounce bounce" Brynly "AHHHHHHH" - Hadley (matching pitch) "AHHHHHHHH". Over and over and over again. It was somewhat impressive because Brynley kept climbing up the scale with her "AHHs" - however, it was also quite loud. We have discovered that Hadley has inherited the Pleggenkuhle volume - LOUD. That girls has no indoor voice whatsoever. During this time, Ryann was quietly watching her princess movie (Tangled).

Story 2. Ryann: "Mama, it's nighttime". Me: "That's right, what happens at nighttime?" (I thought they would answer, sleep of some variety). Ryann: "See the moon?" I have to admit, I was kind of impressed yet again, because that is true. So Brynley and Hadley begin chiming in from the back - "I see the moon?" "It's nighttime." Over and over and over... Ryann: "I don't see da moon?" Me: "It's behind the clouds" Brynley: "Where is da moon?" Ryann: "Behind the clouds" Brynley: "No, moon is sleeping" Hadley: "No, behind the clouds" Brynley: "No sleeping on the couch".... they had a conversation about the moon amongst themselves - letting me know that it's still nighttime in the meantime - for about 25 minutes.

Story 3. Situation: Brynley wanting me to come rescue her lovie while going through Des Moines - screaming/crying and pretty pissed off. Me: "Bryn, see the lights? Mama can't pull over, too many cars." Hadley: "Binley, cars? too many. stop. too bad." Ryann: "Mo police?" (she really liked the police lights that we passed). Brynley still mad, Hadley continues to repeat my explanation... hilarious.

Story 4. After getting gas. "Bye gas" (trio of voices that went on for another 10 minutes).

They did finally all fall asleep - but boy were they cranky and tired when we pulled into the drive... of course it didn't help that Daddy had fallen asleep and we'd had to circle the block a few times while I called trying to wake him up (the Escape was parked in the garage). So much for my great idea to travel at night again...