Potty training the triplets!

Four days ago, the triplets decided they were done wearing diapers and wanted to use the potty! For the past several months, we have a daily battle with them to keep their diapers on. We've resorted to duct tape, but now they are getting too smart and know how to get the diaper off even with the tape - little stinkers!! Every time Jon or I went into the bathroom, they'd all follow and say "Ry-Ry go potty" or "Meh-Meh go potty". After fighting it for a few weeks, we finally gave in and decided to try potty training. I still can't believe we are potty training triplets who are not even 2 1/2 yet! What the heck!? We decided to go straight to undies and skip the pull-ups. They are too expensive and they are basically a diaper. The first 2 days, all the kids did pretty good. A few accidents, but overall it was going smoothly. Then Dylan had a slight change of heart and he's now back in a diaper full-time. He wasn't catching on quite as well as Megan and Ryan, so that was it for him for now, which is fine. If we can get one or even two potty trained now - shoot, I'll take it! Megan and Ryan are really starting to do great! Today, both of them came up to me and told me the needed to go potty. Undies were dry still, we went into the potty and they both went! For day 4, I'm really happy! Megan has only had 1 accident in the last 4 days! I'm thinking she'll definitely be potty trained by the time we're done. Yeah! One less kiddo to change their diaper!

Pumpkin Patch

This year we went to Fog Willow Pumpkin Farm. Lots of fun things for the kids to do - hay ride, play ground, petting zoo, pony rides, farm animals, hay stack climbing and of course a pumpkin patch! Here are some photos from the fun afternoon!

"Too bright, mommy!"

"We're the king of the world!" (my favorite photo of the day!!)

(Yes, that's Jacob's head sticking out of the rear-end of a donkey!)

Hay ride

Boys, being boys!

Rainy day fun!

Last week during that crazy storm, I decided to make peanut butter play-do for the little kids. Megan loved it, scooping her play-do into little spoons and Ryan and Dylan starting eating it right away! So funny! Dylan's pile of play-do just kept getting smaller and smaller. They had a lot of fun with it and the clean-up actually wasn't too bad!

The following day, the kids and I did a little yard clean-up after the storm. We had SO many leaves in the backyard, we didn't even make a dent in the clean-up efforts!

This photo of Megan is priceless! New shoes, Coach bag and transportation ... what else does a girl need??

Jacob rode a tricycle today by himself for the first time! I know this sounds strange... most 4-year-olds are on to riding big bikes without training wheels, but for some reason Jacob had no interest in riding a bike. We've been working with him for 2 years to pedal on his own, but he would just move his feet along the ground to move the bike. When I saw him riding down the patio, I started crying! It was an awesome moment. We've been struggling to communicate with Jacob lately, so seeing something finally sink in was terrific!

Apple Hill

We made our annual Apple Hill trip yesterday... Fall has officially started! We already have our Halloween decorations up at our house, so this trip officially kicks off the season! Jon's parents, Jeff, Brittany and Amy met us in Folsom and off we went to Apple Hill. The weather was beautiful... clear, sunny and warm with a slight breeze. We started with a yummy lunch picnic at Rainbow Orchards and then headed over to Denver Dan's for apple picking. Then of course we had to hit up High Hill Ranch for fudge, apple cider and the fishing pond. The kids all had a great time! We took the triple stroller this year and we really didn't even need it. The kids all wanted to walk and they stuck close by us. Every outing we take they are proving that they are getting to be more and more independent and that they are no longer "babies"... well, they'll always be our babies, but they sure are getting older! After the sugar high wore off, the kids were beat. We picked up on their clues and decided to call it a day before the melt downs began. It was such a fun day that we look forward to every year!

Stanford

About 2 weeks ago, Jon's brother Chris called and told us that a neurologist at Stanford had offered to review Jacob's MRI scans for free and give us a second opinion! How did this happen? Well, Chris works with a lady who's husband is a researcher at Stanford. Chris was sharing Jacob's story with her and she then talked to her husband. He got talking to this neurologist about Jacob and he made the offer. Small world, right? I immediately jumped on the phone to get a copy of the MRI and as much information as I could. Within 2 days, I had the CD in the mail to the doctor for his review. A few days later he emailed me with a request for more information. Again, I immediately got what he needed. I knew this was a blessing from God and it was my responsibility to grab it! Yesterday, we got a call from another doctor at Stanford, the Chief of Pediatric Neurology to be exact, and he wanted to see us today (Friday). We made quick arrangements for the triplets and Jon got the day off. Today, Jon and I took Jacob to Stanford for his appointment. We saw 2 doctors who both did a thorough physical and neurological exam on Jacob. They asked us a million questions and reviewed all of Jacob's lab work. Their findings were exactly what Jacob's current neurologists' were - they don't know. Jacob's MRI shows two areas of white brain matter. One explanation could be an infection. They only way to know this is to repeat the MRI in another month or two and see if the spots have reduced in size or are gone. This would indicate a possible infection. But, weather or not this is related to seizures, we don't know. We still have a few blood tests out, so something may come back on those. In one way, I'm relieved nothing different came up today. I was nervous that something serious would be revealed. But on the other hand, I wanted to at least get a little more information about what's going on. It's SO hard knowing that your 4-year-old has two areas of white brain matter and Epilepsy, but you don't know anything else. It's scary. So at this point, we wait for more lab results. We repeat the MRI in a month or two. We have a hearing test (Oct 1st). We keep taking his medication. We keep praying...

Bodega Bay

After Labor Day weekend, we headed to Rohnert Park for a visit with Jon's family. We started with a fun bbq at Jon's brother and sister-in-law's house. It was great to see everyone! It had been awhile since we have all gotten together. Thanks to Dan and Amy for hosting! Beautiful Sonoma County weather day! Loved it!

The following day we headed out to Bodega Bay with the kids, my friend Deb, Jon's parents and his nephew. Oh, and Uncle Jeff and his new puppy Stella joined us! Such a great day! I could not stop clicking my camera. Too many adorable and fun moments with the kids. The weather started off a bit foggy, but it cleared up quickly and turned out to be fabulous! The kids as usual LOVED the beach!

It always takes Megan a few minutes to get used to the sand on her feet.

The boys exploring the beach

Someone had dug this giant hole that the kids loved to jump and play in

Mommy and Meh-Meh

This very nice older couple walked by and of course said "wow, you've got your hands full!". I swear, if I had a nickle for every time we heard that! They went on to say what a beautiful family we had and how adorable the kids were. She offered to take our photo and this was the best we could get! I think I'm the only one looking at the camera! Oh well!

I LOVE this photo!

"Come on guys!"

Daddy leading the troops to check for crabs by the levy... unfortunately, no luck, but we did see a seal swimming along the shoreline later in the day!

Grandma A. and Megan

Grandma A. and Jacob

"I need a nap!"

Our babies

The kids were zonked out on the ride back to RP. We had a fantastic day at the beach!