Like so many times before, I am captured by the awesomeness of having triplets.  As these boys grow bigger, their personalities are becoming more and more defined.

I think of how different my brother, sister and I are from each other.  Sure we have lots in common, but we are all very different.  So often we credit these differences to our birth order – or that our family was in a much different place when we were born.  For example, my parents lived in Chicago and were learning how to make their way in the world when I was born.  My brother on the other hand, was born when my dad had settled into his career and we had been living in Waukesha for almost 10 years.

These triplets don’t have any of those differences.  They were all born at the same time, in the same place and were brought home to the same house and have the same brother.  The only difference they have are their genetics.  It amazes me in how many possibilities two people really have when creating a baby.

1 egg + 1 ‘fishy’ = 3 VERY different little boys

The combinations and possibilities are endless.  One fussy baby vs one laid back, low-key baby.  Two babies who like to move and grove, almost rolling over and squirming out of their bouncy seats vs the other who just lays there and doesn’t really do much but smile.  Two babies with soft, silky skin vs one baby with eczema.

I am so excited to see them grow up and how they will continue to define themselves as individuals and how they will be similar.

I’m interested to see how Jaden will compare to his brothers too.  Having had a very different birth than the triplets, I wonder if this will affect him in any way.  Will the two of us have a different bond?  Will he ever feel the difference?  Or will the triplets feel it?  But which differences are a result of his birth order vs his genetics?  And is there any way to really tell?

One thing I did learn is that I make crazy faces at my kids.  I’m at full blame for Jaden’s animated facial expressions … Doug might have had a little something to do with it too. wink wink.  Let’s face it, our kids are destined to use large hand gestures and lots of facial expression.

An ex-coworker came over with her two girls for a playdate.  I took Claire (2 years old) to wash her hands.  I was helping her scrub her hands … singing some sort of made up song and she looked up at me like I was nuts!  I stopped dead in my tracks and was suddenly aware of what I must have looked like.  I am so used to Jaden and I goofing off together, I forgot that this was not the normal way people wash their hands.

My kids are destined to be weirdos … sorry boys!

Proof that Jaden is a weirdo just like his mother.  Wasn’t hard to find “a few” photos …

Oh wait … that last one was when I had Bell’s Palsy.  Whoops!

Kids are a mystery and gift from God.  Who knew I would be so blessed with not one, not two but FOUR beautiful boys!

Love, Mel