It all happens so fast...

I know my sibs, my friends, my extended family by blood or heart that have experienced new parenthood stand by and watch with what must be the quiet amusement of someone who knows how the story goes but they don't want to spoil it for me. I make what posts I can (or just upload another batch of pictures trying to keep up with what my wife posts...), marvelling at my amazing children, boasting of their accomplishments and all the while, you know this. You've been there. Our parents, without whose help I don't know how we could have made it this far, are still teaching us. Showing us how to do things, how to respond to them, maybe at some level we're seeing how *we* were cared for before we were old enough to remember it.

Amy did SO much work getting Christmas cards together, getting prints ready to tuck them into the envelopes... I had one simple little job, print up labels for the backs of the pictures... I apologize now to my youngest daughter for goofing up a batch and spelling her name incorrectly. Sorry Syn... oops! Sydney!

Sydney's been a little moody lately, we think she's about to push her second tooth out into the world. Poor girl... She's changed so much in the last few weeks, visibly putting on weight. Her cheeks are so round now when she throws her little pout.

Emily's proud pair of bottom choppers are all she has at the moment, but she loves to show them off whether it's a huge smile for whoever she's looking at or during her vocal practices. She's stringing more syllables together all the time. Her latest achievement, however, is so much fun to watch. She sits up unsupported on the floor and plays. Her wobbles are decreasing and she catches herself more often than not.

Sydney and Noah can sit up for brief stints, but they haven't quite got the balancing right and they'll tip over pretty easily.

Noah is an absolute eating machine. He knows the schedule, and he does NOT like to eat late. He still gets the Sensitive Formula and the daily doses of Zantac and Prilosec, but he hasn't had any major reflux problems for a while. His biggest problem with his baby food is if the person with the spoon is moving too slow.

They nap well (most days), they eat well (most days), they're no too fussy (most days... seeing a pattern?)... I say it a lot to most people who ask about them, but they are absolutely three individual little people. Noah and Sydney love to play together, Emily loves to be the center of attention (sometimes pushing one of her sibs away from the center, but we have time to work on that...).

I can't describe what it feels like to have a little face light up when it looks at you, let alone two or three little faces. They hug us, they kiss us (watch out for Noah, he'll slobber all over you), they respond to their names. They love to look at the Christmas tree when it's all lit up, they love the ornaments that have little bells.

This may be the best Christmas ever.

-John

First Photo With Santa

Santa was a hit with Emily, Noah & Sydney. He looked so authentic with his real beard and chubby cheeks. All 3 sat on his lap for individual photos and then we had a group shot taken with all three. They all smiled and Sydney even cuddled with Santa. I wish you all could have witnessed that moment. She snuggled against his beard and stared into his eyes. We decided to purchase CD's of the pictures so we can send copies to our families and friends.

I forgot to mention that Sydney now has 1 tooth and another one starting to come in. Noah is now rolling and is doing well sitting on his own. All three can sit up unassisted, but not for long. We just need some more practice

We have some new snapshots to share. I'll try to get John to add them to our album tomorrow.

Love to All,

Amy

Family Photo

We had our family Christmas photo shoot today and it went terrific. First, the babies looked so cute. The photographer, Mary, commented several times on how pleasureable they were to work with. All three were so happy and smiley! No fussing at all! It was a great experience for all of us. Look for a photo soon. Afterwards, we visited a gal who John formerly worked with. She was smitten. This was her second time seeing the triplets. On our way home from downtown Indy, we stopped at Olive Garden for lunch. We were the main attraction.

Tommorow morning we are headed to the Indianapolis Children's Museum for a visit with Santa. The event is for infants up to 24 months. Emily, Noah & Sydney will be wearing their "Baby's 1st Christmas" outfits for the occasion. I hope they'll be happy about the bearded, jolly Santa.

Gotta go, it's time for bottles & bed.

Lots of Love,

Amy & family

Sydney Rolls

Yeah, Sydney has now joined her sister in rolling over. I saw it with my own two eyes. She rolled from her back to tummy twice. Noah's next in line. I'm sure it'll be a piece of cake for him once he leaves his fingers/hand out of his mouth!

Next update should be longer.

Amy

The Triplets are 7 Months Old Today

7 months...it's hard to believe! Emily has 2 lower teeth, Sydney's getting chubby, and Noah sure responds to hearing "Mama."

Emily (aka Nosey Rosey) loves to smile and look at everything that's going on around her. She loves jumping in the Jumparoo.

Noah is a kisser. They are wet but I love them. I'm convinced he'll say the first word. He really loves hearing our voices, even my singing!

Sydney is starting to experience separation anxiety. She starts crying when we walk away from her. It breaks my heart. She's such a sweet baby.

Check out our album for new pictures. They looked so cute in their Halloween costumes. Emily as piglet, Noah as Tigger, and Sydney as Eeyore.

More later as we approach our 1st Christmas and pictures with Santa!

Love, Amy

Ok, so we're a little behind on our updates. Well, more than a little!

Let me start by saying "yikes"! Life is sure hectic for this Ayres family. While John and I are working fulltime outside of the home, our parents are working fulltime in our home. The grandparents are taking exceptional care of Emily, Noah and Sydney. The babies are healthy and very happy. Most of the time, Emily and Noah have huge smiles on their faces. Sydney is more conservative with her smiles. She has such an Angelic face and has her Daddy wrapped around her finger (not her thumb--it's reserved for sucking). Yes, that's right, Sydney has begun sucking her thumb. It's so adoreable! Emily has mastered rolling from back to tummy and vice versa. Noah (my Hey Goodlookin') can sure make noise. His squeals are sure to crack our mirrors. They certainly have individual personalities and can sure crack us up!

We visited the pediatrician today for their 6 month well child visit. All 3 are sure growing. Noah weighs 14lb, 11oz; Sydney weighs 15lb, 2oz; Emily weighs 15lb, 15oz. The received their 6 month vaccinations and behaved like trooopers. Noah still has some reflux issues, but they have definitely improved since starting Zantac & Priloac. All 3 are eating baby food once daily. We alternate veggies and fruits.

We'll try to add new pictures to the album this weekend. I must stop typing now. I'm falling asleep!

Amy

...and that's when he noticed that a month had gone by...

I know, I know... I don't know how many people I've told on the phone "I'll try to get something posted in the next couple days..." I know how many people have checked faithfully, hoping for news, updates and yes, NEW PICTURES! (Hint: They went up first)

Life has a way of recalibrating your schedule when there are three babies in play.

To put this as delicately as possible, there's a condition that occasionally occurs in women after their child(ren) have arrived. It happened here and it's being treated. That's all I'll say, out of respect for the situation, other than to say everyone in the house is fine.

HUGE thanks must go out to the grandparents! My parents at first and until they return, Amy's parents. They are holding down the fort and caring for the babies while we go to work. I don't like to think how much more complicated our lives would've become without the amazing help and support of our parents, stepping in to see to it that their newest grandbabies are cared for in their own home by their own family. Our children are surrounded by love all the time, and what could be better for them than that?

Speaking of the children:

EMILY-

In her recent photos, that I noticed while uploading them today, her appearance has changed so much lately! She's putting on weight, as evidenced by the double chin, chubby arms and legs, and those big cheeks! At her last Dr. appointment a few weeks ago, she was 7 lb 8 oz, still the biggest. She is most likely well over 8 lb now, possibly even 9lb! She is noticeably heavier to me when I pick her up. She will still howl the loudest and the hardest when she feels it necessary (like bath time), but she can also be so quiet and sweet and wide-eyed and curious. She is beginning to take note of her surroundings and interact with them a little here and there.

NOAH-

Noah is filling out nicely, but he still needs to take as much of his bottle as we can get into him. That has been complicated lately by some acid reflux problems, causing him to burp crud into his throat (very painful from the cries he makes) and/or spit up. His doctor has put him on Zantac for it, and it's been getting better but we're not out of the woods yet. A quarter teaspoon of Mylanta helps soothe him when he's in pain after feeding from time to time. He was 7 lb 3 oz the last time we checked, and I hope he's gaining well. I must say I worry about him most now.

SYDNEY-

Poor Sydney... Being third in line has taught her patience so far, since she usually has to wait for whoever fed Emily to get her finished up before starting on Sydney. She will squawk at you in her very distinctive yelping cry, but it's not the roaring howl of Emily or the pained screech of Noah. She may not wait quietly all the time, but she will wait... and we appreciate it so much. She still crosses her eyes, most times now with her tongue hanging out for good measure. She is an entertainer. She was 7 lb 2 oz at last check, so it's officially a battle for second place between her and Noah.

It's very late, and I have more to go through, but I'll close this for now. I promise I won't make you wait another month for another update!

-John