OK, so I've never recycled before, so I wasn't sure where to begin. I googled drop locations for my zip code and found a few places. Once I started calling them I found that certain places only took certain things, some knew they were a "drop" location but didn't know what they accepted and what they didn't and some just said, "Bring it and we'll throw it out if we can't use it." I was pretty disappointed with my first attempt to figure this recycling thing out. But, after a little more research, I've found 2 convenient locations that accept the most common recyclables. One is the Goodwill located in downtown Columbus, the other is by the Roy Martin Center in Phenix City. Neither of the 2 could tell me exactly what they accepted, but said "the most common" are taken there. To find your nearest recycling center visit this website: http://www.recyclingcenters.org/. If you live in Columbus, you can call the utilities department and they will supply you with bins and pick them up weekly. Phenix City doesn't have that service.

I tried to think of what we use and throw away the most, aside from diapers, and I think the top 3 in order would be:

1. Plastics (types 1and 2)


2. Aluminum


3. Tin Cans (canned goods)

Actually I think paper would be number 1, but we're not going to try to tackle paper just yet... I am going to start contacting all the companies that send me junk mail and catalogs full of things I'll never be able to afford to ask them to remove me from their mailing list. For information on how to remove yourself or simply reduce the amount of paper in your mailbox visit http://www.ecocycle.org/junkmail/index.cfm.

Not all plastics are recyclable, and there are some rules. For example, only plastics with a 1 or 2 on the bottom can be recycled in most places. Also, the items must be cleaned and the labels need to be removed. Also, if they have a lid, the lid must be removed as well; they're not recyclable yet. For information on how to separate your plastics and other recycling tips, visit: http://www.ehow.com/how_9160_recycle-plastic.html and
http://environment.about.com/od/earthtalkcolumns/a/recycleplastics.htm. You can also sign up for electronic billing and pay all your bills online. It’s quicker, easier, cheaper, and definitely greener.

This site offers several creative ways to reuse things you usually throw away after the first use. It also has lots of good tips on recycling as well as links to other ‘green’ websites: http://www.ecologue.com/

Ok, lesson over. I just thought I would try to make someone elses recycling experience a little easier.

I do everything in 3's nowadays. Even if it's not in 3's - The number is usually divisible by 3.

• I wash about 15 loads of laundry a week.
• Since the boys have come home, I've washed 3 things I shouldn't have, that have lead to 3 times the work. 1. A disposable diaper (HUGE, HUGE MESS!) 2. A pocket full of confetti (Thanks vacation bible school!) 3. A grocery list that when washed turned into a novel.
• I make, wash, and feed 126 bottles a week.
• That's 504 ounces of formula a week. (that number will go up soon)
• I change 130-140 diapers a week - give or take a few leaks and an upset tummy or two.

3 New Meanings Since Triplets

• A good night of sleep = 4 consecutive hours of sleep OR 6 non-consecutive hours in a 24 hour period.
• A good day = I get 2 good burps per feeding, no vomiting, and at least 1 "good" dirty diaper per baby per day. (YES - moms worry about the quality of the poo!) OH-and a shower is a nice bonus!
• Spare time = I think I remember that word from my previous life, but I can no longer recall its meaning...

Keeping with the 3's

Everyone needs to set goals. How else will you know if you're making progress in life or just floating along? I've learned from work, goals should be SMART - That is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. So, here are my 3 SMART goals:

1. Lose 30lbs in 3 months (This would put me just under my pre-pregnancy weight)

2. Spend 45 minutes of quality time with each of my 4 children everyday. By this I mean, not feeding time, or bath, or some other task I'm trying to accomplish. Just 45 minutes of holding, loving, talking, reading, etc. with each of my boys. Some days I get so busy, wrapped up in chores, that I don't do this. And that makes me sad. I came up with 45 minutes by taking 3 hours of my day (180 mins / my 4 boys = 45 mins each) for them.

So I'm thinking my 24 hours look something like this:

**24 minus 6 for feeding = 18 minus 3 for quality time = 15 minus 4 for caring(baths, soothing, paci patrol, clothes/diaper changes, etc.) for the all 4 boys = 11 minus 5 for cleaning, laundry, washing/making bottles, cooking dinner and feeding my 2 big boys = 6 hours for Wade, sleep, bathroom/shower, pictures, blogging, me time (with a little paci patrol sprinkled in).**

3. Last, but not least, I'm going green! Disposable diapers supposedly take 500 years to biodegrade in a landfill. No, I'm not going to cloth diapers- not even an option! So, to offset the diapers, I'm going to start recycling aluminum cans, tin cans, and plastic. If Jon and Kate plus 8 can do it - so can we! Every little bit helps. So, here's to baby steps. As our light bulbs go out, I'll probably start replacing them with the more energy efficient bulbs and we've already put a filter on the sink so we can stop buying plastic water bottles. I'm feeling greener already!

Oh, not a goal, but I'm also going to start saving the box tops for education for Taylor's school. I throw a ton of these away and it doesn't take much time to clip and save them. Why not? The school gets $$ so maybe they'll need less from me!

Alright, so I got my hair cut off (10 1/2") just before the boys were born. I posted the picture, you all saw it... short, but not that bad. Well, I just couldn't leave well enough alone. I went and did it...I got the worst hair cut EVER! at a local salon that shall remain nameless. I went somewhere other than my salon to try to save a little green and it ended up costing me more because I had to go to my salon the next day to try to salvage my hair. So, lesson learned. Looking at the bright side, I use less shampoo now and it takes me about 2 minutes to dry it which conserves energy - so it fits in to my green plans. And after all, it's just hair and it will grow back! ...It's taken me 3 days to be able to say that, but I'm really over it... really.

On to happier news...

The boys went to Dr. Ellison today (whom we absolutley love)! We actually got there with about 5 mins to spare, versus being 10 minutes late, and then we had to wait 2 hours! Go figure. The boys were hungry and got a little fussy, but the appointment went well. The boys are growing at almost double the expected rate, which is 1 ounce a day - so 1lb every 16 days. They gained almost 1 1/2 - 2 pounds in 14 days!

Carter - 20 1/2" - 8 lbs 8oz - 14 1/2" head
Brayden- 20 1/2" - 8lbs 5 oz - 14 1/2" head
Tucker - 19.75" (he didn't shrink, they've measured wrong somewhere) - 8lbs 2oz - 14" head


To give you an idea of how good the boys are doing, they were actually due tomorrow! We still haven't taken them out anywhere aside from the dr. and walking around our block. The dr. said we can begin to venture out some now, but I'm still afraid we'll expose them to something and have sick babies. Neither I nor the babies are ready for that. So, we may wait just a little longer...

Tucker

Brayden

10 of the 30 little piggies I get to love on

Taylor and Carter

l to r - Brayden, Carter, and Tucker kicked back watching the news

The boys are a month old today. Can you believe it? They just moved up to newborn clothes and diapers. No more preemie stuff for my big boys.

This is a horrible picture of me, but it's the only one I've been able to get with all of my boys.

Brayden fell asleep during tummy time. He looks so peaceful. I always put them on their backs to sleep, so he's really enjoying a tummy nap.

I just have a minute, so here's a quick update:




The boys are quickly outgrowing their first bed, which was the pack and play bassinet. So, the next step is the moses baskets that Mr. Ben and Ms. Pam got for the boys. (Thanks ya'll!!)



Of course I have a picture or 4 that I'd like to share:

I wonder who got the boys those shirts? By the way Mamaw, the boys were asking about a maid, but I told them no...

Busy, busy, busy. My days fly by so fast now and I still feel as though I get nothing done. Aside, of course, from changing diapers, feeding babies, washing tons of baby cloths and bottles, and answering Taylor's many many questions. Wait a minute, as a mother of 4, what else am I supposed to do? = ) I guess all is good.
Taylor's done with his spring golf program. He had a lot of fun and certainly learned a lot. This is the first year he's been old enough to understand and take instruction. Hopefully we can keep this up and not have to start all over next year.

Taylor's certainly enjoying the summer weather. He LOVES being outside. Here he is with Madilyn, whom he refers to on occasion as his "girlfriend."



As for baby news, they are 4 weeks old TODAY. I can't believe it! We went to the dr. this past Monday, here are their latest stats:
Carter - 19.75" - 6lbs 13oz - 13.5"head
Brayden - 18.5" - 6lbs 13oz - 13.5"head (short and chunky)
Tucker - 20" - 6lbs 7oz - 13" head (long and skinny)
They are all doing surprisingly well. Eating more and wanting more than the doctors are allowing.
CarterBrayden
Tucker

5/19/2008 stats:

Carter - 5lbs 13oz, 18 1/2" long, 13" head

Brayden - 5lbs 15oz, 18 1/2" long, 13" head

Tucker - 5lbs 13 oz, 19" long, 13" head

We go back to the dr this Tuesday. After this visit the appointments should be spaced out a little more than a week!

It's impossible to get all the boys in a picture without one crying or fidgeting, so for all my CB&T friends, here's the best I could do: In order, of course, Carter, Brayden, Tucker...

Big brother is doing so good with them. He just finished up his golf program and he has now started a summer karate program. It will end July 31 and his first day of big boy school is August 6th! We were zoned for Phenix City Elementary, so we had to request a transfer and then apply for Lakewood. Thank God he got in! It's a science magnet so I'm really looking forward to the fun science projects that I'm sure Wade and I will be doing! =) I'll post some pictures of Taylor after his graduation tonight.

On a side note - I can't find my cell - so please don't think I'm ignoring you if you've tried to call me..It's here somewhere, I just haven't had time or made time to look for it. You can post comments here and I'll respond...You no longer have to create a sign in and password. Alright - I'm off to try to put Tucker down and get their laundry done and catch a nap before they start waking up at 11.