Friday, January 19, 2007

These are a few of our favorite things...

Lots of people stop us when we're out and ask us how we manage three infants. Its actually pretty easy if you have the right stuff! Here are a few of our favorite things...

Our Top 25
(Not really in any particular order; and to make this super easy for those who like what they see, just click on the underlined product links!)

#1 Our cradle swings are invaluable to us. Lauren sleeps most nights in hers and that's usually where the babies nap. We have three of the Fisher Price Aquarium swings and can't imagine what we'd do without them. (The travel swing is pretty cool too)

Lauren, Lathan & Logan (7-16-06)



#2 We use Boppies to feed the babies (and they sometimes took naps in them when they were really little). LOVE the Boppies!!!

Lauren (7-28-06)



Logan (8-1-06)



Lathan, Logan & Lauren (9-16-06)



#3 The Arm's Reach CoSleeper has been a perfect addition for us. Especially when the babies were on apnea monitors, it was so nice to have them all three right there and not have to worry about rolling over on them. Of course now, the boys sleep in our bed with us so the cosleeper is pretty much there to catch me as I fall off the bed if we run out of room! (It also has turned in to a little storage area for blankets and our morning books).



#4 The babies really enjoy the Baby Einstein Play Mat and Entertainer. We have other models/brands of both but the Baby Einsteins seem to be the best by far. The Baby Einstein Play Mat still keeps them entertained (the others got old too quickly) and on the other entertainer we have, the toys are too close to the middle seat so when the babies were little and extra wobbly it was easy for them to bump their heads on the toys.

Logan (9-11-06)



Lauren (11-29-06)



Logan (11-15-06)



#5 The Jumperoo has gotten its fair share of play these past few months. We have two of them and like to put the babies face to face and watch them interact. Seems like a lot of fun!

Lathan (11-10-06)



Logan Asleep in Jumperoo (11-11-06)



Dualing Jumperoos (11-7-06)



#6 The Diaper Dekor. This is another one that we have two of, one for each nursery. I researched diaper pails a lot and this one seemed to get the best response. I must agree...rarely ever does it smell and we don't have to change the bags that often!


#7 Our Space Saver Highchairs are perfect for us. First of all their color is neutral so they blend right in and secondly they attach to our kitchen chairs to the take up very little space. They also convert from an infant seat to a toddler booster seat so we're sure to get a lot of use out of them.



#8 The Bebe Pod chairs that we have are really handy. They are designed to let the baby sit up unassisted as soon as they are able to hold up their head. (These are the same as Bumbo's, I just like the Bebe Pod colors better). Even now that the babies are able to sit up more on their own, they still like to sit in Bebe Pod and play.

Lathan, Lauren & Logan (11-29-06)


#9 Our Baby Bjorn and my new favorite the Hotsling are great for carrying the little ones.



#10 When the babies were very little they really enjoyed their Baby Papasan's. Eventually they got bored with them but I pulled them out again the other day and it appears that they like them again. They seem incredibly comfortable...wish they came in bigger sizes!

Lauren, Logan & Lathan (7-11-06)



#11 The Podee Bottle system is FANTASTIC. Hands free bottles...perfect!!! And here are my other favorites in the feeding category. The Avent Bottles top my list. Lauren and Logan use/used the Dr. Brown's which were great for reflux but there are so many pieces and they just got to be a pain. The Avents have also been much more convienent as the babies have grown. They have handles to help them hold their own bottle and they convert to a sippy cup. For feeding "on the go" the Munchkin Formula Dispensers (got ours at Target) are very nice. You measure out your formula and separate it into three compartments. That way when your out there's no need to measure...just pour. Also, Bibsters (disposable bibs) are extremely helpful and convenient.

Lauren & Lathan (9-29-06)



Lauren (1-16-07)


Lathan (11-20-06)


#12 And of course as you can see from our last few posts, we are getting very attached to our highchair/shopping cart covers. Helps keep the babies comfy and germ free!

Lathan, Logan & Lauren (1-15-07)



#13 Speaking of germ free...we go through Purell like no other! A definite necessity for us!!! (Same goes for the Clorox Anywhere Spray and the Clorox Wipes...good stuff!)

#14 Baby bath tub with a hammock. The hammocks were really nice and kept the babies from slipping around (but still kept them emerged enough to stay warm) even when they were itty bitty. (We're just starting to graduate to the Safety First Bath Seats which seem pretty cool also!)

Logan, Lauren & Lathan (7-11-06)



Lauren, Logan & Lathan (1-17-07)


#15 Munchkin Mesh Feeders (available at Target & grocery stores) have been a great way for the babies to try foods that normally would be a choking hazard. Its nice to cute up a banana and throw it in the feeder so that it occupies a hungry baby while I'm feeding another.

Logan (11-20-06)



Lauren (11-21-06)



Lathan (11-20-06)




#16 Wipes Warmer. Not necessarily a necessity but just a plain courtesy to little tushies! We also have a warmer by the highchairs to wipe them down after meals.

#17 Slumber Bears. They have a device inside that makes sounds like in the womb. When the babies were in the NICU we took the device out of the bear and put it in the isolletes with the little ones. Then when they came home we put it in their beds to help them sleep. Helped us sleep too!!!

Lathan (5-3-06)


Logan, Lauren, Lathan (9-11-06)



#18 LOTS of blankets. We must go through 10 + a day. We put them down for tummy time, wrap the babies up when they're in the swings and use them to prop bottles. You can never have too many blankets and these Pottery Barn ones are some of my favorites!!!

Logan, Lauren & Lathan (7-19-06)



#19 Rechargeable batteries are a must! Most every toy that the babies have requires batteries (as do the swings) so we are constantly recharging! The chargers were like $20 a piece and have saved us a fortune!

#20 Dreft Stain Remover. Along with detergent we go through this stuff like no other. Not only does it remove every stain on the first try but it smells really good too!

#21 Britax Roundabouts...Comfy car seats that fit all three on one row. Combine that with our new DVD player and we're set!

Lathan, Lauren & Logan (11-25-06)



#22 Leap Frog's Tad and Lily are must haves. Tad put the babies to sleep many a nights and was so popular that Grammie went and got us two more. We now have one in the car, one in our room and one for play. Leap Frog (along with Baby Einstein) remain our tops when it comes to baby toys. There hasn't been a product that we've gotten from either of these brands that we didn't just absolutely love. And another toy that gets our vote, Fisher-Price Elmo’s Musical Peek-a-Boo Gym .The babies can play laying down or sitting up. The songs are cute and it always makes them smile!

Lauren & Tad (9-30-06)


Tad even went to the hospital with Lathan for his surgery (11-2-06)



Lathan & Lily (12-25-06)



Logan, Lauren & Lathan (12-25-06)



Lauren & Lathan (12-27-06)



#23 Lauren especially, has enjoyed the Fisher Price Infant/Toddler Rocker. It is a vibrating, rocking chair that she loves to sit in. I regret that we didn't get this when the babies were newborns but have had fun with it ever since we brought it home (November I think).

Lauren (12-5-06)


#24 Pottery Barn My First Anywhere Chair. These are so cute and just the right size for the babies. I also love that they each have something that is specifically theirs and no one elses. I imagine this is important very for multiples!

Lauren


#25 And last but not at all least, there is no way in the world that we could survive without the UNBELIEVABLE, INDESCRIBABLE network of family and friends that surround us. The other things just make things easier, our family and friends make this all possible!

P.S.
It sure does seem like I'm missing something. I'll update if I ever come up with it. Did I mention our camera??? It gets used quite a bit!!!

UPDATE: I know something I forgot...BOOKS!!! Pretty much the second I start reading a book I can look up and all three babies are eagerly listening! Favorites include: Dr. Seuss, Baby Einstein, Eric Carle.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Bathtime Fun

Lauren, Logan & Lathan


Lauren kicks back and relaxes!


Logan is so sweet he doesn't even mind Lauren's feet in his face!


Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Lathan's Faces

Lots to post about lately...we are just having so much fun!!!

Lathan has started to make some really silly faces. He doesn't really do the good ones in the video but its still cute to watch!

Out Shopping

Fun At Walmart!!!


Logan Gives Kisses...

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Cool Babies

I just love our babies...they fit right in with everything Patrick and I love. They sleep in, love to watch Friends (our new favorite for car rides) and enjoy going out to eat. On Saturday night, we went to Guadalajara with Grandpa & Grandma Gonna Be.

Babies Dining on Enfamil...YUMMY!


Logan & Grandpa Study the Menu. Logan is leaning towards the fajitas


Lauren & Grandma...Lauren kept switching back to the drink menu. I think she was thinking that a Strawberry Margarita would hit the spot!
And then tonight, Patrick and I loaded up the crew and went to Jason's Deli. We brought our new highchair covers that Uncle Josh's Aunt and Uncle (Nancy & Brad) got for us. They were PERFECT and now that we can use highchairs Patrick and I can BOTH eat at the SAME TIME with BOTH hands free...WOW!






The babies were so good (as usual) that we let them try some ice cream. (Actually Logan had a bite on my birthday but I don't think he remembered!)



Lauren get one last try to taste...

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Flashback Friday

We recently purchased some new software to retrieve our home videos from our Sony Handycam onto our computer. We really haven't used the camera much since our NICU days because we weren't sure we would ever be able to do anything with the footage, but now that we've figured it out you can expect LOTS more video posts from us!

The clips that we just downloaded from the NICU amaze me. I can't believe how far these babies have come. Earlier this fall I started writing about our NICU experience and all that the babies had overcome but I never finished. So today I am starting Flashback Fridays to serve a couple of purposes. Number one, to get down all my memories while they're still fresh so that one day down the road I can share with the babies all that happened during their first few months. Secondly, I will finally be able to share some of the very early video clips that I've just now figured out how to use! And last but not least, it will be a good reminder to all of us why we're participating in the March of Dimes WalkAmerica this Spring.

Here's a picture video, kind of a timeline, of our NICU Days. The song "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter was extremely popular and on the radio pretty much every other song starting from when I checked in to the hospital and throughout all of our hospital stays. It was our official theme song from March to July so it only made since to be the soundtrack for this video!




And please support us if you can as we help do our part to save other preemies and sick babies! We've already raised almost $100 and we know we can do lots more!
www.walkamerica.org/personal_page.asp?w=677714

Friday, January 12, 2007

What????

Logan can't believe what he's reading...



Disney Hotel room rates as low as $83 per night - when can we go Daddy???

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Daddy

He's probably one of the best Dads in the whole wide world. He's...




Daddy Long Legs!!!

Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Good Friends

Good friends are those who don't yet have children but still don't mind hanging out and going to dinner, even if it means having their silverware thrown on the floor by an infant, eating while the babies around them spit up and make dirties, attracting all kinds of attention as the trio and stroller pass (squeeze) by each table and dealing with the occational outburst from the little ones letting us know what they need next.

Good, I mean GREAT friends are Nat & Kurt!!!













Aren't they cute!!!

Monday, January 8, 2007

Splish Splash

Lathan




Lauren



Logan (he was having too much fun to look up!)







P.S.
The last pictures of 2006 have been added to our Shutterfly page. Just go to http://www.guinntriplets.shutterfly.com/action/ and click on "63 pictures added"...enjoy!


*** And Get Well Soon Grammie...WE LOVE YOU!!! ***

Ode to the DVD player!!!

Our car rides are so much more pleasant now with the DVD player!

Lathan



Lauren



Logan




There have been way too many times when our trips in the car have turned sour, detering us from going places that aren't 10 minutes away or absolutely necessary. The triplet stroller takes up most of the back and craming three carseats on one row didn't really allow for the babies to get much of an exciting view...until now!

The DVD player has two screens that we've attached to the headrests in front of the boys.



Logan REALLY enjoys the show...his little feet show his excitement!





Thanks again Grandpa & Grandma!

Saturday, January 6, 2007

You Can Help Us Save Babies!!!

We're gearing up for the annual WalkAmerica March of Dimes fundraiser this spring and you can help!

As most of you know our triplets were born 3 months premature at 28 weeks (an average pregnancy last 40 weeks) all weighing in between 2 1/2 and just under 3 lbs. All three of them struggled and had some pretty rough days but they are now perfectly healthy thanks to modern medicine (and LOTS and LOTS of prayers)!

Four days after they were born, Aunt Pammie started a team and she, Jason, Aunt JuJu and Grammie walked in honor of Lathan, Logan & Lauren in the 2006 WalkAmerica. We've seen first hand the importance of March of Dimes and we've vowed to make WalkAmerica a family tradition. This year's walk will be on Saturday, April 29th and we need both walkers and donations!

We're hoping for a really large team complete with matching t-shirts (of course!), lots of fun and possibly a 1st Birthday bash for the trio to follow (pending Aunt JuJu's pregnancy status).

Visit our WalkAmerica webpage and sponsor us in the walk that saves babies!

www.walkamerica.org/personal_page.asp?w=677714

(And if you think you'd like to join our team and walk with us, shoot me an email or post a comment on the blog.)

Its gonna be great!!!

*** It wasn't that long ago that preemies born 3 months early would not have had a promising outcome much less even survived. Today the survival rate of 28 weekers is about 80% with nearly 40% of them having mild to moderate disabilities (20% severe). And its super scary to hear the numbers of 22 weekers which is when I was admitted to the hospital for preterm labor. Without medical advances to stop my contractions each day for six weeks, the survival rate would have been less than 20% with 2/3 of those babies suffering from disabilities (30% severe). We were very fortunate and want to help make sure that more and more babies end up PERFECT like ours!***


Friday, January 5, 2007

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to our blog!!!

Exactly one year ago today, we decided to start a blog to share our pregnancy with our family and friends. Our first post was of our Jan. 5th doctors appointment where the babies were weighing in (heavy for their age) each at about 1 ounce!

So much has happened in just one year. We look forward to all that 2007 holds for our family (and our blog)!

Thursday, January 4, 2007

First Christmas Video

Such a fun Christmas season! Here's a little video with all of the highlights from last month...

Baby Names - BabyNamey.com Name Badge Ticker

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