Pookling Pictures

A Vicious Cycle

Things continue to move along here at the ranch, the Pooklings are getting bigger by the day.  We had a couple milestones this week, a positive one is  that the kids have grown out of most of their preemie clothes and are now wearing regular newborn clothes.  A not so positive one was Declan projectile vomiting all over dad, the chair, and the wall.  This was the first time one of the kids managed to arc a puke all the way to the wall, which is a good two feet.  Atta boy Declan, that is some serious distance for a fella your size.

The weather has been too shitty to take the kids anywhere, so all of the pictures we have taken have been in the house.  With any luck, we should have an outdoor shot or two by mid August.

We are still on the three hour feeding schedule, so there is not a lot of sleep going on.  The kids are eating faster but we have increased their amounts by 500% over the last 5 weeks, so it still takes an hour for two people to feed all three.  They are now eating about 3-4 ounces of formula per sitting, eight times a day.  If you think about it, they are eating about 25% of their bodyweight everyday, an Oprah-like pace.  They are pretty sweet kids though, so we don't bust their chops about it.


Now, on to the the pictures.

This is what Stella looks like after guzzling 125 mL of food.  Once again, Oprah-like.

The kids chilling in their swings.  They love these things.

Everyone hanging out in the playpen.  Declan was not impressed with Reid giving him a backhand.

Pookie tried to get a group shot with all three in their new outfits.  Stella refused to cooperate.

Reid getting all strapped in to his Baby Bjorn.  He never actually got to go anywhere, but seemed to enjoy the process anyway.  I thought it was kind of a cruel joke, like when I told Rocky we were going to the park and then took him to get neutered.  Both of these cruelties were Pookie's idea.  Just saying.

Drunkle Dusty strapping in Reid.  Right after this Reid and Dusty switched places and Pookie took Dusty for a stroll. 

That's it for now, my apologies if you have emailed or called and I haven't gotten back to you, we have been stupid busy and I'm not good at, you know, getting back to people.


Until next time.

Two Weeks and Multiple Diaper Incidents Later...

I Think He's Done.......Holy Christ He's Exploding!!!

We are past the two week mark, and things are still going pretty well.  Pookie continues to run on no sleep, yet be more energetic than I am.  The kids are growing rapidly, and somehow the math doesn't add up.  They eat about 24 ounces of formula per day, take at least one or two four pound craps, and still pack on the pounds.

Grandma Tammy and Drunkle Dusty continue to be a huge help, and I started work again at the beginning of week.  I almost feel guilty leaving every morning when I know how much work needs to be done around here, but someone needs to finance this operation.  These damn kids high-five every time they ruin more than two diapers at a single change, and drink formula like Dusty drinks scotch.  Needless to say, Papa Jeff will be a-workin'.

The high point of the week was definitely Dusty desperately throwing things out of the recycling bin so he had a place to puke.  Reid had a large, uncovered colon blast that Dusty never saw coming.  He didn't quite leggo his eggo, but Reid seized the opportunity to take a whiz all over the table while he was recovering.

The babies were lucky enough to meet their Great-Uncle Ron, Aunt Linda and Great Grandma Elva on the weekend, a little picture is below.  Four generations hanging out on one couch.  Good stuff.

We are all wishing Grandma Elva a very speedy recovery, she fell on some ice this week after the visit and broke her leg.  The Pooklings loved their cuddle and are looking forward to having Great Grandma back as soon as possible!

As we feared, the family member that has gotten his nose most of joint has been Rocky the Retriever.  He has no idea what has happened to his world, he just know we suddenly sleep in two hour shifts, and getting an ear scratched means waiting in line.  Little does he know that these kids are going to be big enough to poke him in the eye at will within a year or so.  Poor guy, he went from Michael to Tito in one fell swoop.

All good in the 'hood, I'll keep you people posted.

Grey's Anatomy sucks.

Week One in the Books

Honey, How Did He Manage to Get Shit On His Hat?

Week One is officially in the books.  The Pooklings have been home for a full seven days, and thanks to plenty of Grandma help from Pookie's mom and mine, things seem to be somewhat under control.  There have been a couple setbacks, mostly due to Calgary's extremely dry air causing nasal congestion ( or nose boogies, if you will).

Little Stella had some nose nuggets so hard that it was causing her a lot of stress to breathe, but after a couple emergency room visits, countless drops of saline solution and two humidifiers, we seem to have it under control.  Those trips were definitely the worst part of the week.  I have always felt we took the art of picking our noses for granted, and when you see someone with a blocked nose that lacks the coordination to take care of business, you realize how lucky you are.  Something tells me these kids will be pros in no time.

Unbeknownst to me, Pookie does not require sleep to function effectively.  Beknownst (whaa?) to me, I do require sleep.  Feeding, changing, and solving every little problem the Pooklings have takes about an hour if all goes smoothly and there are at least two people on the job.  If one of the kids decides to give their lungs a workout and really let you know what is what, it can take take three.  The cycle begins every three hours, so at best there is a two hour break, at worst there is no break.  With four people in the house this is manageable.  If it was just Pookie and I it would be all but impossible.

Pookie and I had the kids out for their first outing today, they had to go down to a medical center for a vaccination.  There were four old birds in the waiting room, and they literally swarmed us at the counter.  Yes, they are triplets.  Yes, they are adorable, thank you.  Yes, I am the father (who else would I be?).  They were all sweet old ladies, but it makes it very clear that we are really going to be a spectacle when we leave the house.  The kids must be really getting used to abuse, they didn't even really mind the needles.  More angry than hurt for sure.

Our little people are growing fast.  Reid is the biggest at 6 lbs, 1/2 oz.  He has gained almost 50%  of his bodyweight in less than a month.  He is one cute little meatball.  Declan is also gaining like crazy, he is weighing in at 5 lbs, 10 oz.  He has gained more than 50% of his body weight since birth, and is not showing any signs of slowing down.  Stella, delicate flower that she is, weighs 5 lbs, 2 oz, which is still great growth.  The Pooklings are thriving.

Taking pictures has been a steady exercise.  The kids change so quickly that pictures seem to become dated within a couple days.

The Pooklings check out their new playpen.

Bath time for Stella.  She actually seems to like bath time now.

Reid rocking his LSU touque from Uncle Dusty.  Both of the boys make this face at us, I think it is hilarious.

Declan, also rocking his LSU touque.

Stella.  Too sweet for her own damn self.  Also an LSU touque, thanks again Drunkle Dusty.

One day's worth of bottles.  Jeebuz.

One days worth of laundry from the babies.  If a shitacane rolls in, you could be in more trouble than this, ask Grandma Tammy, who has the quote of the week:

"O my God, he even got shit on his hat!"



Until next time.

Homeward Bound - Pooklings Are Set to Arrive Tomorrow

So, the Nurses Are Coming Too Right?

That's right folks, our little people are finally ready to come home.  Reid, Declan and Stella all passed their car seat tests with flying colours, by which I mean they didn't have breathing difficulties sitting in their car seats, so they are ready to come home (there wasn't any multiple choice or anything).  There is a slight chance their doctor might want to give them another vaccine, which would delay things by a day, but right now we are expecting to bring them home after lunch tomorrow.

The babies are still very young to be coming home, they are at the 36 week mark right now.  It really shows how well they are doing that they are able to come home when they should still be in the oven for another month.  They are all feeding like you would expect from little McCrimmons, the trick is to call their bottles of milk virgin white russians, neat, no coke.  They really seem to respond to that. 

The house is all ready to go, all we need to do is round up the Grandmas and get the coffee ready for Thursday morning.  Eat, shit, squawk, eat, shit, squawk........  We really can't wait.

Needless to say, my house is not the place to be if you are looking for a Superbowl party. 

This little blog of ours officially cracked the 20 000 hit mark this week, Pookie and I can't believe how many people are reading this thing.  When I started writing in the summer, it never occurred to me that it would be viewed in over 40 countries all over the world, with a few thousand people checking in to see what is going on.  I really hope I have the time (and energy) to keep writing regularly, it has been fun for Pookie and I. 

Friend:  Hey man, I have been reading the blog, good to hear everything is going great with the trips!

Papa Jeff:  Thanks buddy, I hope you are enjoying it.

Friend:  My wife and I both read it, you should quit your job and be a blogger full time.

Papa Jeff:  

Yeah, I'm not sure anyone wants to pay me to hear about my kids, and I really don't have anything else terribly interesting to write about.  Plus, taking a fun hobby you enjoy doing in your spare time and turning it into a full-time job can suck all the fun out of it.  Just ask a pro golfer, or better yet, a hooker.

Friend:  Why are you assuming I know a hooker?

Papa Jeff:  I'm not.  Are you saying you know a pro golfer?

Friend:  I don't want to talk about this anymore.  Good luck with the kids.

Papa Jeff:  Thanks buddy!


More updates to come, the real fun is just starting.  As always, I promise to put more pictures up very soon.