Twins

I've said before and will say again, there's something special between James and Amelia.  It's almost as if they're twins and Maddie just happens to be the same age as them.  I don't know if it's something we've perpetuated, but they interact in a different way than either one does with Maddie.  I love watching the way they blow raspberries at one another, hold hands, giggle, look at one another, and steal toys/food from one another.  These two are so funny.

I should have taken video, but here are a few photos taken in succession to demonstrate their playfulness towards one another.

"Biggins"

Jesse and I regularly refer to James and Amelia as the "biggins" for obvious reasons.  These two have gravitated towards one another since birth.

They still enjoy nuzzling together and taking naps.

People often think they're twins, especially when I wear Maddie in the Ergo.  They've consistently weighed within a pound or less of one another, unlike their shrimp of a sister.

It's easy to coordinate James and Amelia's clothes since they are wearing 6-9 month outfits.  Maddie is still wearing 3-6 month clothes and has more limited options, particularly that are warmer.

My favorite thing about the biggins is their interactions with one another.  They steal each others toys and pacifiers and make each other laugh.

While Maddie tends to stay a step behind the others, I have no doubt that all three will have a close bond.  For now, I'm enjoying watching Amelia and James' relationship develop.

A Picture Says a Thousand Words: Paci Wars

6 Month Photos

I'm convinced that even if I paid the best photographer in the world $1,000, I still couldn't get a picture with all three smiling and looking at the camera.  I guess that's the life with three 6 month olds.  Here were my best efforts over the past two days.

Affectionate Amelia

Amelia has developed the absolute sweetest personality within the last month.  There was a solid month where her inconsolable cries made me want to pull my hair out.  She still has her diva days, but they are few and far between.  She's beginning to giggle more often and smile with her whole face.

One can almost always find her holding her siblings' hands.  She frequently plays with and holds other objects as well, but she must find comfort in holding hands.

I adore my sweet, sweet girl!

Sibling Bond

I bought a set of two big, girly bows in August 2010.

I made the purchase soon after finding out I was pregnant, and it was one of the first and only things I bought.  I just knew I would have a girl.  When the ultrasound revealed I was pregnant with a boy, I cried for hours.  Of course, I quickly fell in love with the idea of having a mama's boy and instantly loved Jackson when he was born.  Still, I tucked those bows away into a closet, hoping I would be able to use them one day. 

The plan was to try to conceive again right away.  If we were to have a girl, our family would be complete.  If our second child was a boy, we would try once more for a girl.  If the third child was a boy, we would stop.  Three strikes; you're out.  I mean really, who would ever want four children? 

Clearly, those "plans" are laughable now.  When we found out I was pregnant with triplets, I prayed there would be two girls and a boy.  Since I knew we were going to have a larger family, I desperately wanted each child to be able to experience what it's like to have a brother and a sister.  Finding out the sexes at 15 weeks was one of the best moments of my pregnancy.   

I can't express into words what it means to have a sister.  Amelia and Madeline will never know life without one another.  Through good, bad, and ugly, they have a bond that can never be separated or replicated. 

And then there are my boys.  James' face lights up every time he sees Jackson.  James will always have someone to look up to, and Jackson will always have his sidekick. 

This is the family I never knew I wanted and I am so, so thankful for these kids each day.

Goofballs

A picture says a thousand words...