Triplets at the Farm

As I sat in my rocking chair on the farmhouse porch, all I could see were two little ‘cotton heads’ bobbing up and down. Their short little legs carried my seventeen-month-old grandsons down the sand road to the bottom of the hill where the old log cabin stands. They had no idea where they were going but were happy to be free of boundaries and able to go---go---go!

From time to time one of them would stop and grab a handful of sand, while the other one would lose his balance and sit on his well-padded bottom. Then, off they would go again –down the hill with squeals of joy! The boys’ mom and dad were following behind them to keep them safe but the little guys thought they were exploring the big world all on their own. It was such a sight to see the 5th generation of Smith boys going down Smith Road. Go, Kaden – Go, Zander!

Meanwhile, the Princess was sitting in the yard in front of me playing with Easter eggs. Easter is a few weeks away but we had a ‘practice run’ at the farm this weekend. Addison had gone earlier with the rest of the family to explore the pasture but passed on the ‘downhill run’. This was the first farm trip since all the triplets have been walking.

Triple Wishes

Mommy wished & wished & prayed
And wished & prayed some more
For God to send a baby child
That she could love & hold.

Daddy did some wishing too
A baby would be nice
A little baby boy or girl
Would give the family spice.

Grandpa & Nana said
Their prayers each day
So Grandparents they could be
With a baby on the way.

And Bo & Gram were wishing too.
Please send a little child.
So we can laugh & hug & play
And love it all the while.

So God up in Heaven
Got a twinkle in His eye!
“All these prayers & wishes
Me Oh Me oh My!”

He gave a little chuckle
And rubbed His hands with glee!

Instead of just one baby
I think I’ll send them three!

Addison's Page

Addison’s page started in July 2005 – will put in random thoughts and organize later.

Addison gave me a good scare right from the start! On the night she and the boys were born, we all waited with great joy for the big event. It did not seem too long before David came to the waiting room door and motioned for all of us to come see the new babies as they were wheeled in their little incubators on the way to the NICU. We all rushed for the door. There they were – two of the cutest little boys! Gee, they are bigger than we were expecting for premature babies. Such excitement! Suddenly it dawned on me. Where is Addison? Where is our little girl!!! I did not say anything but my heart was racing – Addison, Addison! Where is Addison? Just then a nurse yelled from down the hall. Baby Three will be there in just a minute – we are waiting on another incubator. What a relief! Then here came Addison, eyes wide open, looking at the world. She was smaller than her brothers but just beautiful! We had our little princess! I did not tell anyone about my panic until later. And so was the beginning of my Addison adventure – I cannot wait for the rest of the story.

Addison is a little ball of energy. She is in constant motion. She is so busy exploring her world she cannot be bothered with cuddling. She starts squirming to get down the minute you pick her up. Her smiles and laughs are wonderful but she does not give them easily. Sometimes you call her name and she will turn, gaze at you for a while and then turn away and crawl off to explore some more. If she sees a toy she wants to look at, she heads straight to it. If one of her brothers happens to be playing with it at the time, no matter, she just cruises on in and takes it away. I am sure this will not last long as the boys are much bigger than she is and will soon be standing up for their rights.

September 30, 2005

Notes on Addison: Addison is a joy! She is known as ‘Miss Princess Petunia Tootie Toot Toot’! She is walking everywhere and has been for several weeks now. She is very vocal and if she could just get her little tongue to work the way she wants it to she would be talking up a storm.

Addison heard the word ‘No!’ for the first time this past weekend and you should have seen the way she cut those pretty dark blue eyes around to look at her mother! As if to say “Are you addressing me? I beg your pardon, but I am Miss Princess Petunia Tootie Toot Toot and I am sure you did not intend to tell me ‘No!’” and she reached out to grab the forbidden TV remote again. Mom stood her ground and said ‘No!’ in a very strong voice and removed the princess from temptation of the table on which the remote lay. ‘Her Royal Majesty’ protested for a second or two and then saw something else she needed to inspect. This time it was a toy so all was right with the world. Gram thinks the princess has met her match – Mommy is no pushover!

On the trip to the farm Addison was very good, as were her brothers. She watched the ‘Old MacDonald’ DVD and played with her toys, which Gram handed to her from time to time. She could not quite leave her ‘Tootie’ self behind – so when she would grow tired of playing with a toy she would very deliberately drop it between her car seat and the car door, right in the spot that Gram could not reach. Miss Tootie thought this was great fun.

The princess was very regal at the dedication service. She and her brothers sported sailor dress clothes. She wore a navy sailor dress and a tiny navy bow on top of her head. She smiled and cooed and let out an occasional yell just to let everyone know the princess was in charge of the stage. Oh, Addison! What fun it is to watch what you might do next.

October 21, 2005

Just finished Addison’s first Halloween costume. She is going to be Dorothy from ‘The Wizard of Oz’. I did not make it from scratch. I ordered the dress and then altered it to fit her, plus I added lace to the petticoat and outside of the dress to make it look more finished. Also added a sash and put in a zipper. It was just open at the back with strings to tie. Very unfinished looking. I hope what I did makes it fit and look cute. Zander is going to be the lion and Kaden will be the scarecrow. BeLynda ordered their costumes. I will alter them next weekend if needed. I want to make Addison some special clothes but I am so out of practice with my sewing. It has been almost 20 years since I have sewn much. Anyway I am going to try – I will probably just buy clothes for the boys. Seems you can find more cute ready mades for boys than girls.

January 3, 2006

Addison had a cold in her nose at Christmas. She was her usual ‘sugar and spice’ self for most of the holiday, but did have one afternoon meltdown when she was really feeling bad. Nothing helped until her mommy wrapped her in a soft blanket and hugged and rocked her for a good long time. Addison looked so cute in her many Christmas outfits. Daddy took lots of pictures so we will be able to remember them for years to come. She hugged her new white teddy bear and rode around and around on the little roller coaster that Santa brought. She could climb up the new playhouse climber right away and loved coming down the slide. She was the first to climb through the secret hole in the cottage playhouse. Addison loves attention and always checks to see if everyone is watching when she does something really cute. She is a real charmer and she knows it. My wonderful little Tinkler Bell Princess! What a joy she is!

March 14, 2007

How can this much time pass? Maw Maw sick. Me sick. Ugh!

Addison is 30 months old. Her little bald head is now covered with pretty wavy, not curly blond hair. She looks just darling when Regina or Mommy put it up in two little ponytails high on each side of her head. Her favorite toy is a pink ‘Care Bear’ named Bear. She does not play with her dolls much, but takes Bear everywhere. She changes his diaper, feeds him a bottle and takes him to the table for each meal. Of course Bear sleeps with her, and there have been a few frantic hunts when Bear cannot be found. Usually it is because Regina has put Bear in the wash and he is not quite dry yet. Mommy even made a frantic run to Toys’R’Us one night, because Bear could not be found.

Addison is very smart as are her brothers. She knows all her shapes, ABC’s, numbers, colors and can say any word she tries. She talks almost constantly and refers to herself as Addison, as in “Addison wants to color”. “Mommy sit by Addison.” “Addison do it.” The use of I and me has not come to her yet. “No, No, Kaaaaaadeeeen! Addison’s Bear!” She loves to put together puzzles. She wants you to sit close and watch, but she does not like much help. Many times she will push my hand out of the way when I try to help too much.

She loves leaving a room and telling you she will be right back. She gets to the door, turns and looks right at you, points her finger at you and says “Addison right back. Addison right back five minutes.” She walks a few steps, turns around, points her finger again and says – “Addison right back.” All this is copying adults that tell the kids they will be right back when they leave the playroom to get something or go to the bathroom.

Addison and the Mean Ole, Big Ole Mud Puddle

It had rained at the farm all through the night so after a breakfast of ‘hot cakes’, Mommy dressed the trio in their yellow slickers & rain boots. “Don’t go too far” said Mommy. “I have to get dressed, then I’ll join you.”

“OK, Mommy” said Kaden.

“OK, Mommy” said Zander.

“OK, Mommy” said Addison as they went out the farmhouse door & onto the deck. Now down the steps and through the gate they toddled. Soon they were on the sandy path known as ‘Smith Road’. Not far down the road they found a big old mud puddle made by last night’s rain. This was just what they were looking for. Zander ran to the puddle & did a flat-footed jump right over it. Kaden kinda gave a hope, skip & jumped over it too! Then it was Addison’s turn. She almost always could jump farther then the boys, but this time she tripped on a stick and landed full faced into the mud puddle. Mud was in her pretty golden hair, in her long eyelashes, up her nose & in her mouth! In fact it was all over her.

Kaden & Zander laughed & laughed! Addison began to cry. “It’s not funny,” she yelled. “Don’t laugh!”

Kaden & Z could not help but laugh. Addison looked so funny! “Stop laughing!” she cried and she took off, back up the road to the farmhouse.

When Mommy saw Addison through the glass door, she exclaimed, “Oh Addison are you alright?” And then, she began to laugh!

“Don’t laugh!” cried Addison. “It is not funny!”

“Oh, but it is!” said Mom. “You are the cutest little ‘mud big’ I have ever seen. Come here & look.”

She picked Addison up & took her to the bathroom mirror. “Now look,” said Mom “but try not to laugh.”

Addison looked in the mirror and suddenly she was laughing too.

“We have to get Daddy to take a picture of this!” said Mom.

“David! You’ve got to see this. Bring the camera!” yelled Mom towards the back room where David was dressing.

“Yeah Dad. You gotta seem me” chimed in Addison. Now she was enjoying all the attention.

BLOGGING TEST FOR GRAM

THIS IS A TEST TO SEE IF GRAM FOLLOWED DIRECTIONS. GET BELYNDA TO SEE IF I DID IT RIGHT. I NEED A PAGE FOR EACH OF MY FOUR GRANDCHILDREN. I DO NOT WANT ANYONE TO READ THEM UNTIL IF FINISH EACH SECTION. MAYBE I CAN DO THIS. GRAM

Addison is a Joy!

Addison is a joy! She is known as "Miss Princess Petunia Tootie Toot Toot"! She is walking everywhere and has been for several weeks now. She is very vocal and if she could just get her little tongue to work the way she wants it to she would be talking up a storm.

Addison heard the word "No!" for the first time this past weekend and you should have seen the way she cut those pretty dark blue eyes around to look at her mother. As if to say, "Are you addressing me? I beg your pardon, but I am Miss Princess Petunia Tootie Toot Toot and I am sure you did not intend to tell me NO "... and she reached out to grab the forbidden TV remote again. Mom stood her ground and said "no" in a very strong voice and removed the princess from the temptation of the table on which the remote lay. "Her royal magesty" protested for a second or two and then saw something else she needed to inspect. This time it was a toy, so all was right with the world. Gram thinks the princess has met her match ... Mommy is no pushover!

On the trip to the farm Addison was very good, as were her brothers. She watched the "Old MacDonald" DVD and played with toys which Gram handed to her from time to time. She could not quite leave her "Tootie" self behind ... so when she would grow tired of playing with a toy she would very dilibertily drop it between her car seat and the car door ... right in the spot that Gram could not reach! Miss Tootie thought this was great fun!

Ball of Energy

Addison is a little ball of energy. She is in constant motion. She is so busy exploring her world she cannot be bothered with cuddling. She starts squirming to get down the minute you pick her up. Her smiles and laughs are wonderful, but she does not give them easily. Sometimes you call her name and she will turn, gaze at you for a while and then turn away and crawl off to explore some more. If she sees a toy she wants to look at, she heads straight to it. If one of her brothers happen to be playing with it at the time ... no matter, she just cruises on in and takes it away. I am sure this will not last long as the boys are much bigger than she is and will soon be standing up for their rights.

Where is Addison?

Addison gave me a good scare right from the start! On the night she and the boys were born, we all waited with great joy for the big event. It did not seem too long before David came to the waiting room door and motioned for all of us to come see the new babies as they were wheeled in their little incubators on the way to the NICU. We all rushed for the door. There they were --- two of the cutest little boys! Gee, they are bigger than we were expecting for premature babies. Such excitement! Suddenly it dawned on me, "Where is Addison? Where is our little girl?" I looked at David. He seemed so happy, but where is our little girl!!!!!! I did not say anything, but my heart was racing ---"Addison, Addison, Where is Addison?" Just then a nurse yelled from down the hall. "Baby Three will be there is just a minute. We are waiting on another incubator." What a relief! Then here came Addison, eyes wide open, looking at the world. She was smaller than her brothers but just beautiful! We had our little princess! I did not tell anyone about my panic until later. And so was the beginning of my Addison adventure -- I cannot wait for the rest of the story.