Poop in the potty!

Today was Jacob's 4th consecutive day of pooping in the potty! This is a huge milestone for him! We've been trying to potty train Jacob all summer, but we've really started getting serious the past few weeks. It's been a slow process, but each day we see little bits of improvement. He's wearing big boy undies during the daytime and he's only had a few accidents. The photo of is of Jacob's Backyardigan's tattoo that Daddy put on him for going poop in the potty. We've been bribing him with this tattoo for a month or two and he finally got it! We've been using candy treats as rewards for going potty and the little kids have totally caught on to this treat. It's hilarious! Every time Jacob goes potty and asks for a potty treat, ALL the kids race over to the cabinet with the M&M's and everyone squeals with delight upon receiving their candy treat. I can only imagine what it will be like potty training the triplets! Agh! :o)

XOXO,
Lisa :o)

Ryan

Ryan is the middle triplet and some times he certainly has the "middle child" syndrome! He likes to be held, especially when mommy is on the phone. Ryan is the biggest of the trio, weighing in at 24.8lbs (just this morning). He loves to lay his head on your shoulder and cuddle. He reminds us so much of Jacob - it's a little scary. He eats with gusto and has recently started putting food in his hair and ear. I know, it's lovely. Ryan likes to push the boundaries by doing things he knows he is not supposed to do... like climb on top of the kitchen table. I was talking to my mom on the phone the other morning and I came out in to the kitchen to find Ryan sitting on top of the table! I thought, "oh, this is new!" You should have seen the look on his face - he had a smile from ear to ear! He was quite proud of his accomplishment. I'd say Ryan is the best sleeper out of the three. He's like his mama - he likes to sleep in and is not really a morning person. Breakfast is usually his quietest meal. Ryan has very thick hair that grows completely forward, just like his Grandpa Tommy and his Great Grandpa Spiv. If we don't keep it short, it grows so straight forward it looks like he has a visor on! Ryan is Jacob's favorite playmate. They love to wrestle and Ryan can actually hold his own pretty good against Jacob. He loves to dance to the music from The Backyardigans and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (two staples in our house!). Ryan is the only one of the triplets who has started going to "time-out". He's been there (his bed) twice in the last week for being stubborn and not listening. Can you imagine that? A stubborn 1 1/2 year old!? I'm still waiting for Jacob's stubborness to wear off... and he's 3 1/2! We've got a long way to go! :o)

Look what we can do!

We've been giving the little kids spoons and forks lately to help them get the idea of how to use them. It's just another step towards independence for them - and us! It's so great to see them change and grow every day, but at the same time, it breaks my heart how fast they are growing up! It's hard to believe they are 17 months old already! Here are some photos from their first attempts at using a fork (and might I say they were excellent attempts!!) :

Mmmm... I'll eat anything, even a plastic fork!

I finally have as many teeth as the boys! I can't wait to use this fork!

Oh yeah, I've got this mastered! Check me out!

Ok, babies ... let me show you how the big boys do it!

Election Day

Today, I voted in my very first election! And I only had to wait in line for about 30 minutes. Not too bad considering they are expecting wait times of a few hours later this evening. I think it is so neat to be apart of history making. I saw a news story today that featured a local Sacramento lady who has been saving as many magazine, newspaper and internet articles as she can on the Presidential election. She hopes that some day, she'll be able to dust them off and show her kids that she was a tiny part of this historic event. I thought - good for her. I wish I would have thought about that... Actually, I'll save tomorrow mornings paper! That's about all I can do at this point!

I hope everyone got a chance to vote today! I don't know which I'm more excited for - a new President or for the political ads to be done with ... hmmm, let me think... I'll go with the political ads being over!

Lisa

Happy Halloween!

Jacob the Pirate

Dylan the Cowboy

Ryan the Ninja

Megan the Princess

Preschool Halloween party

Jacob had a Halloween party at school today. They got to dress-up in their costumes and had lots of treats. Jacob is a pirate this year (he's sitting on the top right next to Darth). When I picked up Jacob from school, he said "Hi mommy! I'm captain Jakey!" It was cute! He is very excited about trick-or-treating this year. We're hoping we don't get rained out!

Apple Hill field trip

On Tuesday, Jacob's preschool class went on a field trip to Apple Hill. Mommy got to go while Daddy stayed home with the triplets. Our day started off with a tour of High Hill Ranch, a real working apple ranch. Our first stop on the tour was Apple Hill's largest pumpkin.



Next was the trout pond. There are over 2,000 lbs of trout and catfish in the pond and you can actually rent fishing poles and fish if you want to. Oh, by the way, in case you were wondering, Jacob is the little blondie NOT wearing his Sierra Snowflakes t-shirts they made in class the week before. He decided he didn't want to wear it, he just wanted to carry it. So, we went with that. Of course, the second we got home from the field trip, he wanted to wear it and didn't take it off all day. I even had to put it on over his pj's the next morning... 3 year olds! What are you gonna do? :o) Just love them!!

We went on a hay ride through the apple orchard. There weren't very many apples (unless you count the rotten ones on the ground) as it's getting to be the end of the season. But we did see a small pumpkin patch and a Christmas tree farm.



This part of the tour was through the main store where they sell all of their goodies. This guy with the pumpkin head was making "carmellows" - marshmellows covered in carmel (not sure how that is apple related, but they looked tastey!).



We also toured the 32 degree cooler where they store all their apples, the apple peeler machine and where they make apple cider (which we learned is the same thing as apple juice, just a different name). Our last stop was at the picnic area for fresh apple juice and lunch.


Of course we couldn't go home empty handed! So we picked up a Dutch apple pie fresh from the hill for daddy. Even Grandpa Tommy got to enjoy some homemade pie later that night. Overall, Jacob really enjoyed his very first field trip!