We just went to the boys 1 year old check up. The boys each received 4 shots. This was the first time their shots had a live virus in them, and as expected, they did have a low grade fever the next day, but other than that, they tolerated them well. Tuck is always a little pitiful the rest of the day, just wanting to be held more than usual. He's our sweet, Tender Tuck. They even took their 1 year old pictures the next day with Mrs. Staci and Mr. Frank at Time 2 Remember. I CAN'T WAIT to see them, I know she got some GREAT shots. They all did so well. I was so pleasantly surprised, as I was expecting the worst. We started off with regular pictures of them in their clothes on a mirror, then on to the cake with them in their bright BG 3.0's, then into a wash tub of warm water to wash the cake off - and it was all caught on camera! They LOVED it!! But I've completely gotten off subject.

Sorry. ADHD kicking in.

Their stats were as follows:

Carter - 23lbs 10oz - 30" long, around the 50th percentile for both height and weight.
Brayden - 24lbs 11oz - 30" long, around the 75th percentile for weight, 50th for height (although I think it was a poor measurement, I think Brayden is taller).
Tucker - 21lbs 9oz - 30" long, around the 50th percentile for both height and weight.

When we went to the dr. on Wed. the boys' were still drinking out of their podee's at meal time, only using their sippy cups at snack time. But that was mainly because they wouldn't drink as much out of the sippy. Then she told me that they only needed 16-24 oz a day. In fact, more than 24 oz was BAD, because it took up tummy room that could be used for iron fortified foods, which they needed. Our boys' eat a lot - A LOT - and they drink A LOT. Like 32oz of whole milk a day and 4oz juice mixed with 4oz of water. And if we're outside, they'll get some extra water. Now that I know that's too many fluids, I feel better about them drinking out of the sippy cup, because even though they drink less, it's still more than the minimum suggested by the pedi and reinforced by a little Internet research of my own (of course). So as of yesterday, they're on sippy cups only, with the exception of a bedtime bottle, which we will phase out soon enough.

The pedi also brought up the fact that we only have 6 more months of guilt free paci use, then they need to be off the paci. Hmm... At least we only have 2 paci babies... Somehow I still don't find any comfort in that. Oh well, we'll worry about that as the time gets closer.

They are meeting all the milestones. They all even spoke to the pedi, repeating "mama" and "dada" and then making all sorts of other sounds {like "gaga" and "baba"} for her too. She was happy with their performance. We asked about Brayden's teeth. Bless his heart, they are coming in crooked as can be, she said their was no medical cause for concern, however, we'd be visiting an orthodontist at an early age with him. {sigh}

Taylor's already getting teeth pulled because he doesn't have enough room in his mouth.. our luck, we'll end up with 4 boys in braces! Grandparents pay for that, right?

That's all for now, I have some updates on Taylor coming soon.

We have our second walker! Tucker is walking! He's been taking a few little steps and falling or grabbing on to something for about a week. But now he's making it across the room! He's still very unsteady but he's going! I haven't been able to catch him on video yet; the time I had the chance my battery died. Argh! It's charging now, so we'll try again tonight.

Before I forget, I also wanted to add a couple things to their 1 year memories.

Carter and Tucker both wave bye-bye. And they're usually pretty good about doing when they're supposed to. They also both clap when they're happy and when others clap and if you say pat-a-cake, and YAY will get a clap too. It was so funny when Carter started walking (he's a pro now btw), I'd say "YAY CARTER!" and Tucker would clap for him. So cute!

When a stranger talks to Brayden, he will smile and cover his face with his hands, putting his face down. Tucker and Carter sometimes cry when strangers talk to them, but it doesn't take them long to warm up to them.

They are starting to reject pureed food and even baby cereal. They want to feed themselves, which is SUCH a mess! Carter is by far my pickiest eater. He's probably the best at feeding himself, and actually chewing it, but he's very picky. I often times have to fix something separate for Carter to find what he's in the mood for. He's such a character.

They feed themselves ravioli, rice, green beans, green peas, black beans, spaghetti, Vienna sausages (Tuck's fave!!), veggie noodles/tri color noodles, we're trying out Cheerios's, they like wagon wheels, yogurt bites, zwieback toast, mandarin oranges, peaches, pineapples, fruit cocktail, diced carrots, boiled and scrambled eggs, beenie weenies, chicken, broccoli, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, squash. I think that's about it.

They eat 3 meals a day (8am, 11am, 5pm), plus a snack (2pm) and a bedtime bottle (8pm). They sleep from 8pm until 8am and have since they were 12 weeks old! Such good babies.

Wade and I are taking them to Augusta (4 hour road trip) this Friday and driving back on Saturday. Wish us luck!!

Sunday, on the boys actual birthday, we had a fiesta to celebrate 1 great year. We had a nacho bar, with everything I could imagine to put on nachos and a sombrero cake. It all turned out so yummy, if I do say so myself.

Mamaw and Carter

All the balloons Mamaw and Taylor inflated:

LA CAKE!!

Melinda and Brayden

Tucker - shake, shake, shake!

Brayden - Ole!

Cake!!

Carter doesn't like it... Tucker and Brayden can't get enough!

The madness!

Jenny and Tucker

Bailey and Madilyn

Aunt Sonya and her Brayden Bear

Rachel

Playing with the tunnel Grandpa got them.

I'm loving on my 1 year old big boys!!

Thank you all so much for coming and giving the boys the best 1st birthday 3 little boys could ever ask for!

Yesterday we celebrated the boys first birthday! WOW! We had an incredible party with all of our family and closest friends. I'll have a separate "party post" soon!

Time sure does fly when you're having fun. I remember how scared I was when the doctor told us we were having triplets. I remember the feelings of self doubt and fear of failure. I was so afraid for them. I was so worried. ...Worried about everything from their health to the financial responsibility that comes with triplets.

A year later, I am so thankful, with four healthy children. We not only survived the year, we thrived and we have all grown and flourished. You can click here to take a walk down memory lane and see posts and pictures from last May when the boys were born.

Carter was baby A, and the first baby born. His doctor said from the start that Carter didn't know he was a preemie. And he is still our "go getter" baby who is not limited by anything or anyone. He has a huge personality, and he demands to be seen. He's probably the pickiest eater we have. He knows what he likes and what he doesn't and if he doesn't like it, watch out - it's coming back at ya! He loves to laugh, rarely cries , and can throw a fit with the best of them! He started walking a week ago, and now he's walking very well. He has 6 teeth and a good amount of hair. He laughs aloud at his big brother and loves to play and get wild with him. The rougher Taylor is with him, the louder he laughs. Carter is our "wild child." He says "dada" all the time. Carter is our climber right now too. He climbs up the baby gate, pulls himself up and almost out of the triple high chair table and out of the exersaucer. He's dangerously climbing up his crib walls, but he can't quite get over yet. Ah... our busy, busy Carter.

Brayden was baby B, and the second baby born. Brayden had to have help from a c-pap breathing machine when he was born. His brothers could have come home from the hospital sooner, but they stayed to keep him company and co-bed with him. He was the biggest baby by 7 ounces and he is still the biggest of the boys. He is our only thumb sucker. He loves to jibber jabber and says "mama" all time, especially when he wants something. Brayden is very laid back and easy going, accept at dinner time, then it's some serious business. Brayden loves to be held, much like Tucker. He's pulling up and cruising around, he even stands with no hands, but he's not attempting to walk yet. Brayden is finally starting to get some hair and he has 3 1/2 teeth. He just cut the top two this week {only 1/2 of one of his top one's is through}. I think of Brayden as a gentle giant who doesn't know his own strength. He is so strong, but means no harm.

Tucker was baby C, and the last baby born. He was tangled up in everything; it took Dr. E two minutes to untangle him. He was the smallest by 1 ounce. Tucker had to have a feeding tube for a few days after he was born because he wouldn't eat much. He eats slowly and savors his food. He still doesn't have a huge appetite and he's still the smallest. We affectionately refer to Tuck as "Tender Tuck" quite often, because he will whine and cry and smile and laugh all in the same minute. He loves to be held and he will love on you quite contently for a long time, sometimes. Tucker has a ton of uncontrollable hair and 6 teeth total. He was the first to cut teeth. Tucker jibber jabbers and says "dada, mama, [and] gugu." Tucker is taking three to five steps at a time, but still not walking.

All of the boys are very good and easy going. They are all patient with me and for the most part very low maintenance {at least as much as three one year olds can be}. They love to play and get into things. Carter and Tucker are usually the mischievous ones, although sometimes Brayden will quietly sneak off and get into trouble. We've recently started watching some Baby Einstein DVD's and they love them! They won't sit still and watch them of course, they're just nice background music and occasionally fun to look at. They play and chew and try to eat everything. I vacuum three to four times a day to ensure no specs are on the floor for them to try to pick up and eat.

They are eating more and more of the foods that we eat, without it needing to be pureed, which is really nice. They are also drinking 100% whole milk as of today with no problems, although they don't drink as much of it as they did formula. They just got new "big boy" sippy cups, which they are still learning to use. Prior to these, they were using training sippies. Today we used sippies all day without their Podee's and I can tell you, they were dearly missed.

Big brother Taylor, is about to graduate from kindergarten! He has done so well and is so smart. He even got student of the month last month, which is primarily based on behavior. What's more impressive to me about him being named student of the month is that he told me at the beginning of the month he wanted it and he was going to work hard to get it. That lets me know he's capable of controlling his smarty pants mouth. Aside from his mouth and him occasionally 'showing out' in front of friends, he's such a good kid. I can't believe all that he knows {both good and bad}.

A year is over, and we have grown and learned so much. I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us!