Hi-
Sorry, it's been so long (again). The summer has been busy with back & forth- trying to sell our current home & staying with moms. Sometimes here.... sometimes there.... sometimes together... sometimes apart- it's been hard & we are ready to be done. (SO READY to be done!) I sometimes have a lot to tell.... but no pictures. That is correct, I just realized I don't think I've taken a picture of the trips in a month- how horrible! I'm going to be better this month- I have to be, they will only be 14 months old once & they are changing so fast. I do have a few pictures of Austen & his first haircut that I'll post. Otherwise, I'll take some soon & post.
Thank you everyone for checking in on our blog- I promise I'll be better.... maybe not until the end of September, but I'll try to do a couple posts between now & then.

Happy 4th of July!!
I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! (Sorry, for the late post) I only got a few photos, I think Nanna Sharon got more. The kids made it to see fireworks & had lots of fun, they were very good for it being way past bedtime. We watched from the 16th street bridge in CR & weren't too close, so they weren't too loud.
Here's Brooklen, Caitlen (stuck in the middle) & Austen chilling before heading out to see Fireworks.

Here's a picture of the girls looking so cute in their 4th of July outfits & visors.

Caitlen playing with Daddy

The kids had their 1 year doctor appointment a couple weeks ago- all went well. Everyone is doing great! Austen weighs 22lbs (I think it's more than that, he is a solid boy!) and he is 30 inches long. Caitlen weighs 18 lbs (so, she can't turn around in her car seat yet) and she is 29 inches. Brooklen weighs 19 lbs and is 28 inches, our little peanut!

Otherwise, not much is new here. Still waiting for our house to sell- we are all REALLY ready to sell this house, buy a new house, get moved & settled! We are enjoying the nicer weather- not so hot this week. Got out for a walk last night, took the kids to the Zoo today- what a great time. We went with Wendy & her 2 year old twins Evan & Elise. It wasn't too busy so we could actually pull up to the fences & see some of the animals. Then we all sat under a tree & ate some lunch, now the kids are all crashed out in bed. Thanks for a great time Wendy!

Happy 1st Birthday Austen, Caitlen & Brooklen!!!
I hope you had a great birthday! You are each such wonderful, funny, adorable (I could go on & on & on!) individuals & I love you sooo much! I am so proud to be your mommy & you make everyday so much fun! I can't wait to continue to watch you grow, play & learn. You are each so special!

My babies are one!! I enjoyed the day watching them play together & reminiscing to myself how much has changed over the past year. I realized I didn't take any pictures, but I did have the video camera out a few times. We have had two birthday parties for them already & a third planned for this coming weekend- I'll post more later with pictures!

Child Proofing our Home!

Ok, so I thought we had our home baby/child proofed, ok, honestly I knew it was only semi child proofed, but it's not even close! I think to child proof our home we need to put everything at least 5 feet off the floor, make sure all doors are shut, all cabinets are shut & locked & the stairs are fully blocked off!! These kids can get EVERYWHERE & into EVERYTHING!! It's a bit harder because we are moving so I don't want to buy a stair gate (so I try to make shift something & make it work) or cabinet locks because I don't know what kind we will need at our new home.

Here is how my morning went....... got the kids up to eat their bottles, Brooklen wasn't interested so I let her go play while Austen finished & Caitlen partially finished (once Caitlen saw the other 2 playing, she was done). While I held Brooklen to finish her bottle, Caitlen made it 1/2 up the stairs, I did have them blocked, but apparently not good enough (she was able to get her little buns thru!). So, I got Caitlen off the stairs, then I changed everyone's pants, after I was done changing Brooklen I let her play. While I was changing Caitlen & Austen, Brooklen decided she did want her bottle & spilt most of it on herself. Meanwhile, Austen is finding anything on the floor to eat, try to chew & choke on and empty all my cupboards...... OH MY GOSH.... also while I was getting Austen out of the kitchen the girls destroyed the playroom in just a matter of seconds! Then they all proceed to play with the furniture sliders (those awesome discs so helpful when moving furniture) why do they need toys when they have tupperware, furniture discs & everything off the changing table to play with? These wonderful, beautiful children are just getting into everything... I need eyes in the back of my head (I thought you got those when you became a mom?) & I need more arms! HELP!! Yes, help is on his way.... D.J. will be home for the weekend to help with everything..... watch, snag, pick up, chase after, feed, change & put to bed!

Caitlen climbing the stairs- she is a quick little thing!!

Austen emptying cupboards

The girls playing in the 4 season's room, which has become the playroom.

First 3 pics are of Brooklen playing with furniture discs, then the last one is Caitlen playing with the discs that I believe she just stole from Austen!

11 Months Old

I can't believe it, my babies are 11 months old today!! They are all doing so good & they are all such good babies (I'm sure everyone says that). They eat baby foods & have eaten a few "real" foods: bananas, noodles, corn, green beans, mashed potatoes & fruit puffs, plus some real nutritious foods like ice cream & pudding- yum!

Austen is crawling everywhere , he walks along furniture & has done a few steps, just getting into everything! He's quite the boy. He can say "mama" "dada" & "num num" (yum).

Caitlen is also crawling, walking along furniture, she has done all the stairs (14 steps) twice! Pretty scary, we have to remember to block the stairs off! Caitlen also took 3 steps on Mother's day from Sharon to D.J.!!! She is not afraid of anything! Oh, she also climbed out of her crib, little stinker! She can say "mama" & "dada".

Brooklen, my cautious baby, is crawling!!! She loves to stand & can now get herself to standing, she wants to walk, but just isn't quite sure how to get her legs to move while standing without holding onto someones fingers. She can also say "mama" & "dada".

Happy Anniversary Sweetie!
Happy 9 years Sweetie! You are my world and I'm so thankful for you each & every day. I love you with all my heart & soul.... FOREVER!

Seven Random Things....
I have been tagged by my sister, Kim, to share 7 random things about me. As I was first writing this I was thinking this list is subject to change depending on the day or my mood, but once I finished, it's definitely me.... pretty black & white, that is me.
1. I love being a mom. I always knew that I wanted to be a mom, but never dreamed it'd be this great or just how much I'd enjoy it. I also never thought I could be a stay at home mom, I just thought that I would feel too shut in & go crazy, but I love it. I enjoy each day with my babies & I love watching them learn, play & smile each day. I love it when they snuggle with me!! I feel so fortunate that I can stay home with them. They are 10 1/2 months & it scares me just how fast this past year has gone.... I don't want them to be one already, where does time go. How can it go by so fast? Can we slow it down just a bit?? I'm glad I get to share each day with them!!! It has also made me even more grateful for my mom. The unconditional love a mom feels for her children. Sorry, for being such a pain in the a**, I love you mom!
2. I am NOT a fan of Summer. I hate HOT weather. I hate being hot, it makes me grumpy, grouchy, annoyed & want to shower about 5 times a day! It already feels like we skipped Spring- no fair, let's move into summer slowly, get used to warm weather, not go from chilly to hot- yuck!! I love Fall weather, going from warm to chilly, the smell in the air, the beautiful leaves changing colors- love it. If I had to put the seasons in order: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer.
3. I still very rarely feel like a grown-up. I thought that I would feel more like a grown up once I had kids, but nope. I still feel like a 20 something out having fun. I actually feel like I'm 25 (which is super funny for 2 reasons: First, because when I was 1/2 way thru my 26th year, I guess I was 26 1/2, I honestly thought I was still 25- remember that Julie Mullen?!?! & Second, because my little sister Jenni said on her blog that she feels 21 & that'd make me 25. I guess that makes Kim 27- does that work for you, Kim?) I think this is a good thing- you are as young as you feel, right. Like Jon (Jon BonJovi) says: "I'm not old, just older"
4. I hate, hate rude & snotty people. Just cannot stand them!!! I don't get why people have to be so RUDE!!! I especially hate it when they "claim" to be your friends & say things that hurt your feelings- I don't really hang around with many people like this because if they are this way to me, then that is not what a friend is to me. I really try to surround myself with positive people. I love my friends! True friends are hard to find & I feel so fortunate to have my friends in my life. I think everyone should remember "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all!"
5. To contradict myself on #4, this may sound rude & snotty to some of you & I apologize, but it's just how I feel sometimes. Let me start by saying I thank God everyday for my beautiful babies, I love having triplets & feel sooooo blessed to have 3 healthy & happy babies. Having said that...... I hate feeling like a circus freak when I take my babies out & about in public. I know people are just curious, but sometimes I'd just like to take a walk with my friend or my husband & actually carry on a conversation without all the on lookers, chattering & so many questions. Also, people need to learn that some questions are just not appropriate if you don't know the person! Most people are nice & I try to be nice back, but sometimes it'd be nice to be left alone & feel normal. Here's an insite to what it's like going out somewhere with triplets: Triplets and Instant Celebrity
6. I like to get out & about. It's much, much, much harder with the trips, but I still try to get out a couple/few times a week. I do go a bit stir crazy if I'm home for too many days in a row! I'd like to thank Katie (mom of 2 1/2 yo triplet girls) for showing me that I can get out & about with 3 babies. I don't care much to go out & about by myself. Not sure why, but I'd much rather do some shopping with a friend. I don't like to eat or see a movie alone.... I have eaten at a restaurant alone, but I have never seen a movie alone. I like to hang out with friends & family for the day or evening.
7. I love music! I love how I can hear a song & it takes me to a certain time, to a place, to great memories. I'd say I like most music, but definitely have my favorites! I love what we used to call heavy metal, better known as 80's metal. I also really love some newer music, not sure what the genre is, but I'd say heavy rock. Some of my all time favorite bands: KISS, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, & Cinderella. Some of my newer favorites: Nickelback, Default, Disturbed, Submersed & Theory of a Deadman. Live music- Concerts is one of D.J. & my favorite things to do. To see the band and hear it live- the guitars, drums, lyrics-Love it, Love it!! Concerts is one thing I really miss since we've had our babies. We can't just take in a show whenever we want. We are really hoping to be able to take in a couple of show this summer if we can talk anyone into babysitting =) Any takers?
There you go, 7 random things about me.

Moving!
Hello! If you've been wondering why I haven't posted for so long, what the heck could I be up to??? We are moving!! For those of you who know me, we move every 3 years (I guess 3 is our number!) Not sure what happens to my husband & me every 3 years, but we get the urge to move. We are ready for a new adventure, new home, I'm not sure exactly what, but we'll have been here in WDM for 3 years in July, so I guess it's time to move on. Hopefully, we'll stay where we are going for a while this time. Moving with triplets is going to be a challenge. Anyway, we have decided to move even closer to family. D.J. accepted a job at AEGON USA & we are in the midst of planning, selling our house, buying a new home & packing stuff up, oh & trying to watch 10 month old triplets! This will be a good move & one we can settle into for years. It will be nice to live closer to the Grandmas, my sisters & the trips cousins. It will be nice to have more help for doctor appointments, maybe me & D.J. could get a date night?? We are pretty excited. Not sure when the move will actually happen, keep your fingers crossed for us that it'll be soon.

March of Dimes Walk America 2007
The March of Dimes walk was today. Thank you everyone who donated!! We, as a family, raised $300 & Team H.O.P.E raised $4430- YEAH!! Mom & Kim came down to join us on the walk, not sure how far we walked, but we were out walking for almost an hour. It was a bit windy, especially when we were walking around the lake, about 65ish degrees, not too bad overall. The kids did great. Here is a family photo, Austen is in the back, wouldn't keep his hat on. Caitlen is in front of Austen, chewing on her blankie & Brooklen is in front, smiling nicely for the camera. Then is a Team H.O.P.E. group photo of everyone that could make it out for the walk.
Thanks again everyone!

Hi everyone!! We will be walking for the 2007 March of Dimes Walk, our 1st time this year with team H.O.P.E. (Helping Other Preemies Excel). If anyone is interested in walking with us let me know and I can get the information for you.

For anyone who does not know, March of Dimes funds research to help prevent premature births and help premature babies. This is an important cause for us since our babies were born prematurely. When I was pregnant with the triplets I went into the hospital for preterm labor and an incompetent cervix at around 23 weeks (exactly one year ago today, April 10th. Oh was that a very scary time for us! It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.), at that time I had an emergency cerclage and was given the Surfactant steroid shot to help the babies lungs develop (the research that was done to make the Surfactant steroid shot was funded by the March of Dimes) I was then in & out (mostly in) of the hospital for the next 3 weeks and then home on strict bedrest with a monitoring system for almost 3 months. The end result of all that hard work are our 3 beautiful and healthy babies born at 33 weeks (7 weeks early on June 18th) and only needed approximately 2 weeks+ in the NICU to learn to eat and grow. If the physicians and medical community had not had the knowledge and skills that they did, I don't know that we would have been so lucky.
Please come walk with us or give a donation to help other families have happy endings too.
http://www.walkamerica.org/Ernbergertriplets


http://www.walkamerica.org/

Come see our blog for new pictures of the trips.
http://www.ernbergerfamily.blogspot.com/

Thank you!
Kristi, D.J., Austen, Caitlen & Brooklen