I can't believe we now have 3 3 year olds... It's so hard to believe that it's even been 3 years. Although a lot has happened these past few years, it feels like yesterday when my water broke and we rushed to the hospital. And then the next 100 or so days of our NICU stay is so vivid in my memory, I just pinch myself when I think about the girls being 3.... Part of me also would like to go to sleep for the next 3 years until they grow out of their terribleness :-) I told Andy tonight that the worst is yet to come... But really, they are pretty special. There is certainly more fighting, yelling and crying because a sister took something of theirs, but there are also a lot of laughs, hugs, kisses and happiness. I suppose it's all the same as any other house with a 3 year old (just times 3).
Declan continues to amaze us with his sisters... He's honestly the best big brother ever and really loves them and protects them. Even when we aren't around and I'm just listening to make sure no one is getting in trouble, I'll hear him tell his sisters that he loves them. It melt's my heart... But then my heart quickly freezes as one of the girls pushes another down the stairs :-)
As each year passes, I think it gets a little bit easier for me... This time of year is always a really emotional one for me. It brings back so many (not so good) memories and think about why the girls were born so early. Something that I've come to realize only a parent of a premie can relate too... But as they get older and continue to remain healthy, it makes it easier for me as well. It never ceases to amaze me that the girls were once 1 lb 3 oz (Stevie), 1 lb 9 oz (Aven) and 1 lb 11 oz (Bria).... They might still be small, but you would never guess now they started as small as they were. We've certainly been blessed these past few years... And here's to many more!
Let me give you an update on what the girls are up too and give you a glimpse at their (very different) personalities:
- Aven:
- She likes to scream at the top of her lungs, a lot... For no other reason than, just because she can...
- She is definitely the alpha sister - she will enforce something (for anyone) if she needs too. For example, if we say, no one in the cabinet, she will stand guard at that cabinet and push her sisters away yelling "no"
- She's actually the only one that will share. She gets concerned when a sister is crying and if that sister wants something of hers, 7 out of 10 times she'll give it up. It's a huge benefit that we at least have one like this.
- Her fine motor skills are excellent and I think they always have been. She loves to color and will spend hours doing it if you let her. She is also good with small things (i.e. legos), the hard part is her other sisters aren't as much so she doesn't get to play with a lot of small things...
- She is our most rational and irrational one - may not make sense, but over the past several months, she's the one that will do what you ask, pay attention, not have complete meltdowns for now reason and will play independently. However, with that said, when she does break down, she takes a long time to get her back on track (hence the irrational part). VERY much like how her brother was...
- She is still generally very naked - a lot...
- And she's our biggest risk taker, is our most outgoing and has no fear (again, just like her brother was)...
- Bria:
- She is going lover, who is 3 going on 17... We know she is going to be our handful as a teenager. She's sensitive, emotional, moody, little lover who just wants to be around you and snuggled with. Hence the trouble as a teenager. But we so need one that is like her, because her hugs are the best!
- Her and Stevie seem to be BFF's right now... She loves saying Stevie's name. And will pretty much repeat anything that you say and is talking more and more independently (still the best with her speech).
- She always says "thank you" or "love you" when appropriate.
- Whenever she wakes up in the middle of the night she screams "dada" - which I love, but I know Andy hates. She is the BIGGEST Daddy's girl... Crys when he leaves, crys for him when he's there, she just loves him so much!
- She loves to read and will sit for at least an hour looking at books, magazines or anything else.
- She's in the middle when it comes to rational vs irrational... Her irrationalness tends to occur at the table during meals - she's always wanting something else that you have no idea what she's asking for.
- Stevie:
- She is our bossy one - Aven might be the enforcer, but Stevie will tell you what to do, when to do it and how to do it. She often yells at us and says "sit down!"
- She will scream bloody murder when she doesn't get her way, I mean scream, until she does (which we generally don't give in to). She's very stubborn.
- Although she comes across as timid (usually with men), she can also be the biggest ham - it really depends on the day as to which Stevie you see - she's surprised us a few times...
- She's definitely the most irrational of the girls. But I think this is because she's always been a bit behind her sisters, so perhaps she'll grow out of it the next few months. She will flip out if you take the towel from her that although she wasn't using, was within 6 inches of her.
- Although she can be irrational, she also has the most fun. I think she will find fun and happiness in anything in life. And when she's having fun, she wants others to have fun with her. Whether it be dancing or running around, she just loves life.
- She has the craziest choices of clothes... You often see her naked, or with only a tutu, almost always with an apron on and either her brothers shoes or rain boots. Oh, and with something on her head, usually a tiara. I think she might have the most eclectic style.
When I found out we were having all girls, I had dreams of the girls being best friends and wanting to share a room their whole lives and have discussions about rainbows and unicorns while skipping and holding hands. I'm afraid they all have my bossy jean and have very strong (and different) personalities, so I'm afraid they may butt heads for many more years before they truly "like" each other... Here are a few pictures from the day... We have one more gift for them that we are giving them tomorrow, wanted to spread out all the excitement over the next few days :-)
This is how Aven woke up this morning - boots and all... I have a feeling that this year will be the end of the cribs, which makes me very, very, very sad...
And this is what they wanted to wear for most of the day... L to R: Bria, Stevie and Aven. Apart from their different personalities, different choices on style, I think they really are starting to not look alike.
Little morning tea time...
Declan's Birthday gift to his sisters... My favorite part is that he put his sisters in their "colors" Aven in pink, Stevie in green/blue and Bria in purple... Love that little guy...
Aven
Sweet Stevie...
Bria
Stevie insisted on putting everything that she got as a present on. Helmet, Dress, shoes and Dr. kit :-)
L to R: Bria, Stevie (see apron), Aven and Declan
Bria really liked her helmet...
Time for some candles! L to R: Stevie, Bria & Aven
