Strike One Off The List!

It's spring - FINALLY - and the birds aren't the only creatures in serious nesting mode!  

I still have a ton of baby-related projects to finish, but there are a few others that have crept on the massive To Do list.  Basically, I asked myself what I would have liked to accomplish in the next year, and then tacked those on too - knowing full well that if I didn't, it would a looong time until they saw fruition.  Some of the projects, like cleaning out the basement, are on-going.  But thanks to some help from our massive supporting cast, a few have actually been completed!

One of the most timely and useful finished projects are our new (to us) bedside tables.  It's little embarrassing to admit that Edward and I have been without bedside tables for, well, ever.  I did buy two small antique dressers with the intention of repurposing them, particularly because we need the extra storage in our bedroom for clothes.  However, one of dressers ended up in the Jeannie Suite where storage is even more of a necessity, and the other is now ear-marked for the next incarnation of the boys' room.  

These lovely tables came to us via Moncton, when Edward's mother and aunt were cleaning out Jeannie and Grampy's apartment last summer.  They are well made, their scale is perfect and the drawer is a perk.  They just needed a little freshening up.  Enter my father, who took them on as a project.  He sanded both, primed, painted and applied polyurethane to protect the new finish.  I found the glass knobs at Lee Valley.

We absolutely love how they turned out.  Thanks Dad!

Museum Visit & 31 weeks, 5 days

Edward's sister Gillian (aka Aunt Benny) visited us this weekend, and she and Edward took the Ducklings to the Museum of Science and Technology this morning... allowing Sprocket and I some much appreciated time to hang a blind and a bassinet canopy.  The kids had a blast, and really loved (some would say loved a little TOO much, and melted down when it was time to move on) the hands-on exhibits.  I have really fond memories of the museum when I was little, in particular the giant train room, so I'm pleased they enjoyed it.  We're making great use of our gifted membership, and can hardly wait to spend our summer re-visiting these favourites!

Aunt Benny and the crew

Made for three!  

The make-your-own-car exhibit that Colin did not want to leave.  No surprise there!

With Edward on the skidoo ride

This is also a significant day for Baby Z and I, because today marks 31 weeks and 5 days of this pregnancy, which is the gestational day I delivered the Ducklings two and half years ago.   Very bittersweet.  I remember how thrilled - and yet how terrified - I was to meet my babies two months before their due date.  I fervently hope that Baby Z continues to cook for a long while yet.

As you can see, Baby Z and I continue to grow at a, um, hearty rate!

Craving Spring

We got about 15cm of snow, slush and rain on Friday.  Luckily, it has pretty much melted away, and a few brave buds are poking out of the ground.  That being said, we are definitely in the mood for some long-overdue, Spring weather!

Case in point:

It's hard to pedal a bike while wearing snow boots

Me:  "Keith, where are you going?"

Keith:  "I'm going to Opa's garden to see the flowers"

Soon!  Hopefully, very soon!

Saturday Morning

When the boys head out to the grocery store on a Saturday morning, we put on our dancing shoes... and ABBA, of course!

Let's Talk About Something Else...

Potty Training is still the hottest topic in our house these days.  The long and the short of it is:  yes, we're still fighting the good fight; no, there is no clear victory at this point.  A lot of what we're doing is trial and error, which would certainly be the case if we were training a singleton, but is even more the case because we're training triplets.  Suffice to say that we are soldiering on.  Once I am the point where I feel I might have some knowledge to impart to my fellow MOMs (Mothers of Multiples), I'll write about it.  Hopefully with a delicacy that will not mortify The Ducklings when they're old enough to read this.  But there is SO little concrete information out there on how to train twins (and more), I kinda feel it's my responsibility to add to the meager treasury.  I personally think that once MOMs survive the ordeal that is Potty Training multiples, they don't care to relive the experience.

So, yes!  Instead, here are a few pictures we've collected over the past week or so:

Snow and rain boots.  We've had a quirky spring.

Reading by the window

Showing off our new shows from Grammy.  And our mismatched socks.

"Look at this!"

Reading together

Going to the Farm!

Yesterday morning, Grampy, Grammy and Edward took The Ducklings on their first ever trip to the Experimental Farm - I guess it's technically called the Museum of Agriculture now, but as a born and bred Ottawan, I can't really get used to calling it that.  In any case, they all had a great time!

Colin and Evelyn looking at the chicks.  There were lots of people there; next time, we'll go on a weekday morning.

Colin and the cows.  Evelyn isn't a huge bovine fan, as it turns out, and neither is Keith.  The moment he walked into the barn, he told Grampy "Enough".  

Keith, Grampy, Grammy and Colin

Keith got to ride a tractor!!  He's still talking about it.

Of course, the main attraction.  Good thing we had splash pants and rain boots!

Talking a stroll after a passing glance at the horses

Our potty training blitz had to start a day later than planned, as a trip to the Farm takes obvious precedence.  However, we did start this morning with mixed - albeit generally positive - results.  The Smarties were a hit, but a few of The Ducklings still have to get used to the goal = reward concept.  Edward bought more underwear today, so we're well stocked with provisions for our continued battle!

More to follow, I'm sure.

Dispatch From the Front

This is just a wee drive-by post to let you know that so far, we've survived a few minor (and major) skirmishes on the Potty Training front relatively intact.  There seems to be a progressive learning curve, both for The Ducklings and for me, and while victory isn't yet in sight, I do feel we have a fighting chance.

I still haven't had to resort to the Smarties, as for the moment, hand-washing is considered an adequate reward.  But I'm planning my final battle in the coming days when I have reinforcements arriving, and chocolate will play a pivotal role.  Grammy doesn't know this yet, but she's about to be promoted to my Commander-in-Chief, and Grampy will be our Logistical support.  Once we've manned our battle stations - Friday, shortly after breakfast is Zero Hour - we're going to push through until dusk, come hell or overflowed toilets (or both).  I expect some resistance, but hopefully Smarties will win them over.

I have learned a few things along the way.  Firstly, failure is actually success.  They need to have accidents to know they don't want to have accidents.  Secondly, the great thing about struggling with undies x 3 1,868 times a session is that they know if they're damp, which (usually) prompts a desperate "Mommy!  Pee pee!".  Third, having them stay on the potty until they are completely done - which can be a challenge - is key.  Diversions are often necessary.  Fourth, it's amazing how truly and honestly thrilled I can be for them when they succeed.  They are so proud of themselves!  And I am so proud of them.  We're getting there.