As elusive as the Loch Ness Monster...

is Ben's Smile...
Does this count???

 Totally unrelated, but I found these outfits awhile ago and this is their 1st time wearing them.  I didn't even realize but they say "Handsome 03."  Get it?  Handsome 3.  I know, I know,  I know...but they're cute!

B-N-S

Opening Day

Renee-Eli-Dave
Nate-Sam-Ben

Play Ball!!!  Go Sox!!!

Vroom, vroom, room

I've been wanting to post pix of their room forever, but I keep thinking, "It's not done yet.  I'll post pix when it's done."  Well I've come to the realization that it will never be done and I should just get over it and post some pix.

The doorway.
Ben's crib.
Mural is a road with cars...really just vinyl stickies...

The changing table.  The shelf above it used to be blue. 
Dave built it for our condo, 10 years ago.

The view from the door way.
Nate crib in the foreground on Left.
Sam's crib near red door.
Ben's crib on right.

Nate's crib on left wall.
Ben's crib in foreground.
Sam's crib by red door.

Nate's crib in foreground.
Ben's crib on left.

Nate's crib wall.
Empty shelves...

Goin' Green (Beans)

Since the boys have been doing super with their rice cereal, we decided to try them with green beans.  I wanted to try out making their baby food so I actually made their green beans...and it worked!  They smelled just like the real thing...they didn't look much like green beans, but the boys didn't  mind.  I hope to post the process later for actually making them.  I didn't want to document the trial run in case it didn't work. 

They really seemed to enjoy the green beans.  Sam loved them!  It must be because they are green!

Ben loves the spoon.  He always grabs it and either winds up with
food in his eye or flinging it across the room.

Nate can't help but wonder what yummy treats are next.

Sammy's hamming it up for the camera.

In addition to Ben's adventures with trying to steal the spoon, he has another fun new habit.  He screams as soon as he's done swallowing what's in his mouth.  He does not like to wait his turn and wants all the food to himself!  Because of this, instead of going down the line and just giving everybody a spoonful, I usually end up going Ben-Nate-Ben-Sam, so that he gets 2x as much.  He just can't get enough!!!

Hanging up the Horns

I've reached my 6 month pumping goal and it's time to hang up the horns.  It's a bittersweet moment though.  I'm glad about the time I'll be able to spend with everybody & not worry about being "attached" to a machine for hours a day.  I'm proud of how much I was able to provide.  I was blessed with a decent supply and was able to feed all 3 guys for 6 months with little to no supplemental formula.


I'm a little sad too.  It's weird. 

To all the mommies who may be reading this who are planning to pump or currently pumping:  for me the 1st 3 months were the hardest.  You need to get in the groove.  Once you're in the groove, it becomes like second nature and everything clicks.

So long dear friend...

 

PS...I wish I looked this good while I was pumping...

This is more like what I looked like...

 Here's some of the liquid gold I dropped off at the NICU...

Retiring with my Silver Medal

Smiley Guys

They boys have been smiling/laughing for forever, but it's tough to get it in pix.  On a side note, I want a new camera, because I'm totally disgusted with mine.  Feel free to offer suggestions.
So...here are some smiley pix I managed to get...

Nate's goofy grin can light up the room.

Sam's is pretty damn cute too.

Ben, however, is impossible.

The boy smiles, I can just never get it.

I think he's in awe of the flash or something...

Sleeping Like a Baby

I don't know who ever came up with the phrase "sleeping like a baby."  I'm wondering if they even had babies of their own.  While they don't need to be fed in the middle of the night anymore, this is considered "sleeping through the night".  They don't actually sleep the whole night.  They are often awake and need to be re-binkie'd.  Some nights, they are difficult to put down.  We never have 2 nights in a row of the same sleep pattern.  And their naps are sporadic and more of a pain than anything...YAY for sleep.

Now let's get on with the pix, that's what this post was really supposed to be about...

Sammy's passed out after a hard day of playing & eating.

Ben's sending a shout out to his pal Linus, the fighter.

Nate channeling his inner Nate-Dogg (RIP).

Nate getting his beauty rest.

Nate making sure his blanket doesnt' escape.

Ben doesn't wish to be disturbed.