Camping at the Great Sand Dunes

My parents have been traveling in their RV for several weeks visiting numerous national parks, but this past week they took a break from the parks and spent time with us in Albuquerque. When they were planning their trip we decided that we should camp at the Great Sand Dunes National Park at the end of our week together as they have never been there and it is about 4 hours from our house. Unfortunately, my 4Runner was rear ended the Thursday before my parents arrived, and my car was at the shop for an entire week getting a new tailgate and rear bumper. Because our only vehicle that holds three car seats was in the shop, and we weren't sure when it would be finished, we didn't know if we would be able to camp until the last minute. Thankfully, our car was finished on Friday at 5:30 p.m., so we left Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. for the Sand Dunes.

We gave the kids sleeping bags for their birthday so they have wanted to camp all summer, but for various reasons a camping trip hasn't happened for us. The kids were really excited to camp, but we weren't sure if they truly understood what camping was since they haven't been since they were 16 months old (we went once when they were 13 months and once when they were 16 months). Luckily, they were still excited once they saw our tent set up with their sleeping bags inside! After spending some time setting up our campsite and eating lunch, we headed over to the dunes.

Alexis

The rock wall around the campsite made a perfect road for their cars

Faith and Jack outside of our tent

Alexis testing out her sleeping bag

No camping trip is complete without a ukulele

Micah's parents joined us for the dunes and dinner as they live less than an hour from the park. The kids were ecstatic to have both sets of grandparents in one place as that has only happened a handful of times. They enjoyed running around and playing in the sand, and we went on a short walk up the dunes (they go on for miles so going to the top would take about five hours). 

Alexis left, Faith right

Walking towards the dunes. In the past we've been to the park when the water was flowing down from the mountains so the kids didn't want to leave the stream, but the ground was dry this weekend so we explored further into the park for the first time.

Sitting on top of a small dune

Trying to make sand angels (it was impossible to keep their heads out of the sand so I finally gave in)

Everyone enjoyed a simple dinner followed by s'mores on the campfire, before the Howard grandparents left for the night and we got the kids ready for bed. We tried to put the kids in the tent by themselves, but they were much too excited to settle down and sleep. So Micah and I went to bed fairly early and once we were in the tent the kids fell asleep within minutes. 

Dinner at our campsite

A campfire is slightly more enjoyable with 3-year-olds than 2-year-olds, but they still have a lot to learn about the dangers

The view of the sunset over the sand dunes from our campsite

The kids enjoyed the elements of s'mores one at a time instead of in sandwich form (less mess that way!)

Faith and Alexis tucked in for the night

Jack was excited to sleep in his sleeping bag!

The nighttime low was in the upper 30's, so we were prepared with layers and warm sleeping bags. Although I was worried about the kids during the night, they seemed to be warm enough and I was the one that was cold. Next time I need to dress myself warmer!

Overall, everyone slept well in the tent and we woke up around 6:45 in the morning. A major perk of sharing a campsite with my parents was that we could hop into their warmer RV in the morning instead of trying to eat breakfast outside in the cold. We were also able to use their bathroom instead of walking to the public one, which is a huge advantage when camping with three 3-year-olds.

Breakfast in the RV with a view of our tent

After a morning walk around the campsite and taking down our tent, we headed over to Micah's parents' house for a late breakfast (and a shower for me!). In a way it feels like we "cheated" at camping since we took advantage of the luxuries of my parents' RV and we had a hot breakfast waiting for us at Micah's parents' house, but we DID successfully spend a cold night in a tent with our 3-year-olds so I think we can say we camped for the first time with the kids in two years. We look forward to more camping trips with our camping loving kids in the future.

The view from our campsite in the morning. It was a chilly morning and we were thankful for our winter clothes!

Alexis spent hours sweeping the dirt at the campsite...haha.

The kids burned some energy playing with the balls at Grammy and Grandpa's house

One last pic before we started our drive back to ABQ

Things Kids Say, Big Kid Beds, and Preschool

Since we started potty training six months ago, our kids seem to have grown up by years. Just today when I was in the church restroom with Alexis and Faith they both insisted on going into their own stalls and doing everything by themselves because, in Faith's words, "That is what my teacher lets me do at school." Wow. You are 3-years-old and suddenly you don't need help getting onto the big potty or pulling your pants back up? Of course, this isn't how they act all of the time as they are only 3 and sometimes they want help with e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g., but I almost felt sad sitting in my bathroom stall alone as the girls seemed so independent (but then I realized I was using the bathroom alone...amazing!).

When Alexis, Jack, and Faith were babies I couldn't wait for them to grow up. We felt like we were in the baby stage forever since they were born two whole months early and they were slightly delayed in some areas during their first two years of life. Looking at them and listening to them talk now it's hard to imagine that they were ever delayed, and we are very thankful for that, but some days I want time to slow down as our three babes have become kids.

All three kids say surprising, thoughtful, and funny things all of the time, and I haven't been very good at writing it all down, but here is a question they each asked recently:

• Alexis asked, "Is it Thursday or Friday?" while eating dinner one day. Suddenly time has become relevant to her since she goes to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Micah and I were both shocked when she asked this question as it made her seem so much older than 3!

Alexis looking really grown up at lunch

• Jack asked, "What's this?" while pointing to his hair after I mentioned that a classmate had black hair. He wanted to know what color his hair was since I was describing someone else's. Blonde isn't a word we say very often, so it makes sense that he wanted to know.

Someday Jack will grow into this guitar that I bought for $3 at the multiples club garage sale

• Faith asked, "Can I sing Baa Baa Blacksheep with a girl in the song?" She realized that we were always singing about the "little boy that lives down the lane," but she wanted it to be a girl like her. I told her she could sing it however she wanted. Wow. Such deep thoughts for a 3-year-old! 

Faith loves to say, "Mom, take a picture of...." This time she wanted a pic of her doggies but I insisted that she was in the photo as well.

In the last few months, all three kids have transitioned from their crib daybeds into twin size beds. Jack inherited Micah's childhood bunkbed set and we bought the girls twin beds from Pottery Barn (we got a great deal as they were 50% off after a sale and a coupon!). They LOVE their "big beds" and I honestly think they sleep a little better in them. We love that we can lay down on their beds with them when we tuck them in at night or when they are having trouble sleeping during the night.

Jack was so excited for his bunk beds (his guitar blanket was made by his Grammy).

Faith got her bed once she was almost 100% potty trained, and she was so proud.

Alexis was thrilled to get her big bed as she was the last one to get it. We used potty training as an incentive, although she has regressed a bit since then. Such is life with kids sometimes.

Micah let the kids go on Jack's top bunk for the first time last week and they thought it was the greatest thing.

The kids started preschool a month ago. They are going on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9-12. I know many moms are sad when they drop their child off at preschool for the first time but, although I felt a twinge of sadness on the first day, mostly I was excited. It's been harder and harder to get things done around the house since the girls rarely nap, so I don't have a chunk of time in the afternoon like I used to have, and it's difficult to run errands with three kids no matter what their ages. So although preschool is a sign of our kids growing up, I mostly see it as an opportunity for our kids to learn to listen to other adults and interact with other children while I can get a few things done. Also, I am better able to focus on our kids if I don't have things hanging over my head like the grocery store and my volunteer accounting work.

Alexis

Faith

Jack

This was taken on the first day right before they walked into their classroom, so they were all a little nervous. Their backpack cubbies are behind them.

The first day...the girls are in yellow and pink and we were still convincing Jack that he was going to have fun. 

Tuesdays and Thursdays are very similar, except that on Tuesday they have Chapel and on Thursday they have music. The school also has special events and last week a petting farm came to the school. The kids loved it!

All three kids seem to enjoy preschool and they are learning a lot. Faith has been 100% confident from Day 1. She has not shed even one tear upon drop off and she has comforted her siblings when they were having a harder time. Jack was pretty teary for the first few weeks and there was even one morning that I had to pick him up from school 90 minutes into the 3 hour day because he wouldn't stop crying. I was nervous that he wouldn't want to go back to school after that, but this past week he has not had any issues. In fact, he walked into the classroom both mornings with a smile! Alexis has been a little emotional many mornings, but her teachers tell me that she calms down very quickly after I leave. I'm hoping that she will soon be as happy and confident as Faith and Jack. I know that they are all having a great time as they tell me many stories and they are very proud of the artwork that they bring home.

His teacher told me that she repeatedly told him, "Jack, paint over the tape," so that was the inspiration for his title.

One downside to having triplets in preschool is three times the snacks. Each child is assigned a day to bring the snack for the whole class (they also get to be line leader and bring show & tell on their day), but there are only 11 kids in our preschool class so our kids make up over 25% of the class...which means I get to supply over 25% of the snacks! I'm sure once we get into the routine of bringing the snack almost every single week it won't be that big of a deal, but right now the thought of it is a little daunting.

Although 3-year-olds are tough in many ways, we are really enjoying this stage too. It's fun to have conversations with our kids and we are truly able to enjoy some activities with them now. I'm sure that Alexis, Jack, and Faith will continue to grow up at an astonishing rate from now until they are adults, which is overwhelming to think about, but it also makes me excited to see who they each become in the future.

They all love to take photos of us, and this was taken by Jack on our anniversary.

The last gate was taken down in our house.

Gate free!

We won't be able to do this forever, but for now we still bathe them at the same time.

In August the kids started taking a gymnastics class for 30 minutes on Fridays. All three love it and it's fun for me to watch.

On Labor Day we drove to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument and did a short hike. It was super hot, but the kids were troopers.

If Alexis or Faith get upset about something, they often hang their head and sulk. It's quite dramatic so it's hard not to laugh sometimes, but it's also quite frustrating as they'll do this for the silliest reasons.

Right now they are all enjoying their "new" tricycles. If only our backyard patio was bigger for riding.

The kids were really excited about the hot air balloons at the Balloon Fiesta on Saturday, although they did seem to enjoy them more from afar as it was less overwhelming and they could see so many at once.

Update on Jack's Health

I've had a little more time to post to my blog this week since we've been spending our evenings sitting on the couch watching the Olympics. Micah has been working on his laptop at the same time, so I figured I should try to be productive as well! Of course, blogging is enjoyable for me, and he is putting in extra hours for work, but at least I don't feel like I'm being too lazy since there isn't much time for laziness in our busy household.

I have been wanting to write an update on Jack's health for awhile, but I wanted to wait until we had a little more information. He had another blood draw yesterday, and I'm excited to announce that his platelets were 169,000 (normal is 150,000-400,000) and his neutrophils were 2,200 (normal is 1,500 to 8,000). BOTH NORMAL!! Jack's last IVIG treatment was almost five weeks ago, so this is great news! It means that not only is the treatment working, but his body could be figuring out how to eliminate the platelet antibody which has been destroying his healthy platelets over the last 14+ months.

IVIG

During the last six months, Jack has received five IVIG treatments. He received two outpatient treatments that each took about seven hours, one around the beginning of March and one about four weeks after that at the end of March. He seemed to handle the first treatment well, although he did throw up twice about 24 hours after the treatment ended (which is a normal side effect). The second treatment also went well, and he had no obvious side effects. The treatment helped Jack's platelet count, but they still weren't in a normal range for long.

After the first two treatments, one of the doctors we saw in Denver last January told our doctor in ABQ that he wanted Jack to receive a "double dose" of IVIG. We decided to admit him overnight in the hospital since he would receive a dose over the course of six hours, and then have a few hours off, before receiving a second dose over the course of six hours. We had the option to take him to the Infusion Center two days in a row for this, but we ultimately decided it would be easier on Jack to just stay at the hospital and get it over with. Plus, an overnight treatment meant Micah could be there part of the time instead of me being at the hospital for two full days in a row with Jack.

Jack had his first double dose of IVIG at the end of April. Micah's mom came to town so that she could watch the girls while I brought Jack to the hospital in the afternoon. Micah went home after work and put the girls to bed, and then came to the hospital for the overnight shift so that I could sleep at home. The next morning I went back to the hospital and Micah went straight to work. It wasn't easy for any of us, but it worked okay. Jack handled the treatment well, although he did get quite sick about 24 hours after the second dose was finished, as he threw up six times over the course of six hours.

The double dose had better results than the single, and Jack had his second double dose of IVIG in the beginning of June, right before we went to Michigan for three weeks. I took all three kids to the hospital in the afternoon, and the girls were entertained by the Child Life playroom and the volunteers while Jack got his IV placed. Micah brought dinner to the hospital after work, and then the girls and I went home for the night. We went back to the hospital the next morning so that Micah could go back to work. Thankfully, Jack received a prescription for Zophran which helped Jack's nausea significantly.

Jack didn't have his blood drawn the entire time we were in Michigan, and it was nice to not worry about it for our trip. When he had his blood drawn the day after we returned to ABQ, his numbers were still good! His platelets were close to normal, which was surprising since he hadn't received a treatment in four weeks. Jack's doctors still wanted him to receive one more double dose of IVIG in the next week, though, to give him an extra bump. We scheduled his third double dose (his fifth IVIG treatment) for a Friday afternoon (July 8) so that Micah could come to the hospital after work and stay with him until he was discharged around noon on Saturday (which was great for the girls and I since we didn't have to go back to the hospital the next morning). We were surprised to discover that Jack's platelets were actually in the normal range (about 150k!) before his treatment that day, but the doctors wanted to precede with his treatment in hopes of helping his body even more.

We are definitely excited that Jack's platelets have been within the normal range for the last two months as a result of his IVIG treatments, but it's hard to let our guard down completely at this point. We are supposed to get his labs drawn in two weeks, and then we will continue to check periodically from there assuming his numbers are in the normal range. If he drops significantly he will receive another treatment. It's impossible to know what will happen, but Jack's doctors seem optimistic. We are so thankful to have found a treatment that works for Jack. Thank you to all who have prayed for Jack over the last 14 months!

Blood Draws

On a side note, we have been going to a lab for Jack's blood draws, instead of the Infusion Center, since mid-March. Originally the doctors wanted us to get his labs drawn at the Infusion Center in case he needed treatment right away. But Jack's veins are not easy to get an IV into, so it usually took several attempts before the IV was placed and Jack was becoming very traumatized from our visits at the Infusion Center (as was I since it's hard to hold down a child through numerous unsuccessful pokes). After a particularly bad visit mid-March, I asked his doctors if we could go to the lab instead. Our trips to the Infusion Center took up our entire morning between the drive, numerous pokes, and waiting 30-60 minutes for the results. This was tough with three 2-year-olds. The doctors agreed that it was fine for Jack to go to the lab, which has changed everything for us. I've learned the best time to go for the shortest wait (W-F late morning or in the afternoon), so we usually only have to wait for 15 minutes or less, and he has never been poked more than once at the lab. I always go to the same location since there a couple of phlebotomists there that know Jack and are great with him. It's odd to be "known" at a lab, but this is just something that comes with the territory of a blood disorder.

Yesterday I took Jack in for a routine blood draw. He actually hadn't had his blood drawn in almost five weeks (not since his July 8 treatment), and I was shocked at how well he handled it. In recent months he had been very resistant to getting poked so we had to work hard to restrain him. Yesterday, though, he held out his arm, held it steady when the needle was put in for the draw, and besides tearing up a little, he didn't cry at all! I think he now knows that it is easier and less painful if he holds still and lets the phlebotomists do their work. I feel sad for him that he is so familiar with blood draws, but it sure is easier now that he understands the process.

The girls are extremely empathetic when it comes to Jack's blood draws. When I told him yesterday that we needed to go to the lab, he immediately said he didn't want to go. Faith walked up to him, gave him a little side hug and a kiss on the cheek. And then both girls proceeded to empathize with him and say things like, "You don't want to go because it hurts, Jack?" It is adorable to witness, and I'm thankful that they are great at empathizing since it really seems to give him strength and courage.

Kids Say the Darndest Things: Part 3

I haven't written a post like this since April and, although they were saying a lot of funny and surprising things back then, it seems that their comments now are in response to things they see or conversations they are having with us. It is interesting to see how language and social skills develop in toddlers and preschoolers. Here are some of the things our kid have said in the last month that struck me as funny.

Jack, Alexis, and Faith ready for church a couple of weeks ago

Alexis

• Santa Claus is on that helicopter! (When watching a helicopter taking off from the hospital when we were there for one of Jack's visits. She was remembering this past Christmas when Santa Claus came into the infusion center when we were there, and then we watched him fly away on that exact same helicopter. She was only 2 1/2 at the time, so we couldn't believe she remembered that!)
• I wish I was a mommy (obviously, moms have all of the fun ;) )
• (Me: "We are going to have fun in the sun!") We aren't going to...we are going to use sunscreen. 
• Hahaha, that Grandpa has a purse! (watching a man pay for his drink at Starbucks)
• Terrible, just terrible (Me: "What is?") Daddy turned the show off and I started to cry (remembering that this had happened....it happens all of the time)
• I got bit by a shark in the leg! (1:00 a.m. nightmare)

Jack

• Squirt gun black (The kids like to talk about our future Jeeps and what color everyone will have. Micah said he wants gunmetal grey, and then Jack changed his answer from "black" to "squirt gun black")
• I have to go potty mom. (Me: "Do you need my help?") No, I need Faith and Lexi's help. (my work is done!)
• (Me: "Is Daddy your hero?") No, he doesn't wear a cape.
• (Crying at 4 a.m.) I'm scared of the monsters!

Faith

The morning she asked me to comb her hair

• Mommy's too busy working on her phone (To Micah one day when I was writing a grocery list on my phone and not responding to her as quickly as she wanted)
• (Me: "After lunch we'll read the new books.") They're kind of weird mama, aren't they?
• (While handing me a comb...) Can you comb my hair? It's wild. (After Micah had commented on her hair when she woke up that morning.)
• Mommy can you get your phone and see if there are babies in the picture? (I often show them photos of themselves from Time Hop and they love it)
• I was picking my nose all day and got a lot of boogers (When I went into her room during quiet time)

Imaginative Play at Age 3

One perk of being a triplet is having automatic playmates. I know that many siblings are playmates as well, but there is something special about having two others that are your exact same age and maturity level that live in your house. Although we often wish our kids would play separately more often, because playing together constantly means there are a lot of disagreements, they love imaginative play and it's more fun when someone is playing along. Our kids have been playing many imaginative play games for awhile now, and these are some of their favorites that are played out over and over at age three.

• Goodnight: They each take turns being the "baby" that is going to bed, or they use a doll or stuffed animal, and the other two sings songs to them as if they are tucking them into bed for the night.

Putting the doll to bed

• EMT's: One child runs away and "falls," and the other two rush over, help the injured child up, help them over to the "hospital," and then use their medical toys to fix the hurt child.

• Doctor: Someone is the patient, often a parent, grandparent, a doll, or a stuffed animal, and the other three are the nurses and doctors taking blood pressures, giving shots, etc.

Jack prefers to use real medical paraphernalia over the medical toys, so this is one fun part of his hospital stays.

• Broken Stroller: Most often a stroller gets a "flat tire" because of a cactus (something I never would have thought of growing up in Michigan!) or mud, and then everyone gets out their toy tools to fix the wheel. 

• Restaurant: Most often this is played with us or grandparents. They like to "wait" on us and get us food that we request.

• Truck Family: Alexis and Faith seem to enjoy trucks just as much as Jack, but one reason is that they pretend they are a mommy truck, daddy truck, and baby truck and they act things out as if the trucks are dolls. 

The vehicles all lined up

• Music / Dancing: When I turn on music, inevitably the kids will get out the dress-up clothes so that they can dance along in tutus and dresses (especially the girls). Jack enjoys strumming along, but he likes to put on a skirt for a few seconds to twirl as well.

This is one of Faith's favorite dancing "dresses"

Jack strumming and Faith dancing

• Music Stand: This is Jack's game. He sets up his stroller like a music stand, grabs a children's book and puts it on the stroller, and then plays the "music" from the book with his guitar.

• Painting outside: This isn't really imaginative play since no one is taking on roles, but all three kids love to "paint" with water outside. A great mess-free activity, although they sometimes get really wet.

Water painting on the patio