http://www.manntriplets.com/lilly-with-her-sisters/

http://www.manntriplets.com/emmas-christmas-pictures/

http://www.manntriplets.com/katies-christmas-pictures/

http://www.manntriplets.com/alyssas-christmas-pictures/

http://www.manntriplets.com/lillys-christmas-pictures/

http://www.manntriplets.com/the-klumb-boys-with-the-mann-girls/

http://www.manntriplets.com/our-thanksgiving/

Thank you everyone for coming to our house for Thanksgiving.  We had so much fun and a great time seeing all of you!  We missed some of our family, so I have some pictures below.  Hope to see all of you soon and for Christmas.

http://jjaezlenzendorf.blogspot.com/2008/11/cereal-and-soup.html

After hearing how well Alexis did with eating cereal I decided to try it for myself. So on Friday morning we did away with our "normal" breakfast for a bowl of cereal. Let me just preface the results with saying that we taught the kids to use a fork first and rarely give them spoons - just something we did, right or wrong who knows. Honestly I was anticipating a mess, but proceeded to try anyways. Well like everything else these kids have done well, they followed suit with this task. They were not that messy and used a utensil more at this breakfast than at most (breakfast us usually a finger friendly meal and when you are hungry, you are HUNGRY...forget the darn fork). I had to refill the bowls a couple times...I found it hard to judge how much to give to equal what they normally get (did not want anyone to go hungry). No bowls got tipped over, in fact Zach handed me his bowl as carefully as he hands me his plate when he is "all done". So a very successful attempt...and yet another thing to add to our menu.
So on our dinner menu Sundays are leftover night. With there being only a few leftovers and it being cold outside I thought soup and grill cheese sounded great but what to feed the kids. They have tried my soup with me feeding them it but not their own. After doing so well at the cereal I thought I would push them a little. Jeremy asked if I was sure I wanted to try this on a non-bath night. Why not I said...worst thing I have to give them a bath. I made their grill cheeses and heated up the soup (and it was not chicken in stars but Chunky Soup, why not...right). We gave them each a bowl AND a plate...talk about throwin' them a curve ball. They never cease to amaze me...not only did they leave the bowls and plates where we put them but they ate like champs...even dipping their sandwich piece in the soup. Results...no bath needed (what was he so worried about??? Ok he did not see the cereal event so he was worried, I'll give him that...lol).
Here are the pictures from the cereal challenge. I did not take pictures of the soup.
Enjoy,
Jen

http://jjaezlenzendorf.blogspot.com/2008/11/trip-to-nicu-stepping-stones.ht

Today we had an appointment at the hospital where the kids were born. They are in a program called Stepping Stones. This program is to follow their development as well as help provide service if needed. All NICU graduates are able to participate in this program. The first time we went was when they were 6 months (corrected age). This visit was their 18 month (corrected age) check-up.
Since Jeremy is working close to the hospital it made sense for him to go to work as normal and meet us there for the appointment, so that means mommy had to be on top of things this morning to get us all dressed, fed, shoe and coats on, & packed in the truck. We actually got out of here only 10 minutes after my planned time. I did not think that was bad considering I had one child unrolling the toilet paper in the bathroom as the other two ran around the kitchen as I tried to clean up breakfast. Pratically a normal morning, just under a time crunch...lol.
It felt strange to be driving to the NICU. Almost felt like I may have forgotten the directions but they were in my head just filed away. Although the kids could have walked in, we did end up carrying them to get there faster. A very different scene compared to our first time coming in with 3 carseats and a diaper. Today the schedule is a LOT more flexible than it was the last trip. The kids were able to play with the toys in the waiting area.
The check-ups went well. They were seen by a physical therapist, occupational therapist and speech therapist. They evaluate them at their corrected age. They all were in 19 to 20 month range for thir results, which was good. The neonatologist was happy with their progress as well as the therapists. Alex weighted 25# 2oz, Liz weighed 23# 6oz, and Zach weighed 26#. We have their 21 month appointment with their pediatrician in a few weeks where we will get more accurate weights as these were done fully clothed.
After we were done with check-up we head to the NICU. We were lucky enough to see two of the primary nurses, Judy(Liz's day nurse) and Joanne(Alex's only primary nurse). They were very happy to see us as well as some other nurses that help in caring for the kids while we were there. We love seeing them as they were a huge part of the kids lives and ours. Lots of memories came back when I heard alarms going off as well as seeing a little one in an isolette with nothing but a diaper on; just like the kids were when they were born. Lot of memories there that will always be there. We took a few pictures and then headed out as the kids were quite tired. The ride home was uneventful as the kids were all asleep within a few blocks of the hospital.
Love, Jen

http://jjaezlenzendorf.blogspot.com/2008/11/forgotten-child.html

Ok so she is definitely not forgotten but sometimes leftout on the blog. So here is a post dedicated to her. Our wonderful doxie, Roxy! We have had the best of luck with Doxies, not a mean one in the bunch...and Roxy is still carrying on the tradition. Even though she had NO experience with kids much less toddler triplets, she has done an excellent job. She puts up with them tripping over her, sometimes petting too hard, kicking her off her bed and more. But she loves when they play with her...playing keep away with her toys or throwing them for her. She knows not to nip at their tiny fingers or get aggressive with them. She just knows...we did not have to tell her. She loves giving them kisses (sometimes too many but the kids know what to do to stop her). She is a great little cleaner upper at meal times and is very patient to be fed last (well at least in the mornings). She is just a wonderful dog for them (and us). Here are some pictures of her from October.
Love, Jen