Tom and his three sons.

What do you get when you cross a Connecticut fireman with a Connecticut teacher?

The answer: triplets with a talent for climbing, jumping, and reading. Maybe for putting out fires too, but I haven't seen them do that one.

They will be three years old in October.

Avery was supposed to be first born, so during ultrasound pictures in utero, he was identified as Baby A. But when birthing time came, Baby B, Brody, was delivered first, followed by Baby C, Casey, and then Avery. Or something like that. They were born premature, Casey weighing in at 1lb12 oz; Brody at 2lb.4oz; and Avery a whopping 2lb7oz!

I try to imagine raising triplets, but I can't begin to. Not in a way I am accustomed to having raised a single child. I try to imagine living with three year old triplets, and I'm pretty sure I couldn't do it starting where I am right now! A day or two, maybe, but then, I'm sure I'd have to run away from home for a break.

I so enjoyed having them here, talking to them, playing with them, feeding them, and watching them... just watching them run around from one thing to another, chasing or following each other, wrestling on the floor with their daddy, playing with my son, listening to Marlene (friend) read them a story from Curious George, or talking to their mommy...

Avery, who was supposed to be first born, is the biggest of the three. What a sweet boy he is. So thoughtful and reflective, patient and knowing.     He had some complications at birth that have affected his development, and still needs to supplement his diet with formula through a feeding tube. Only recently has he been allowed to eat food, but for him swallowing is a challenge. He's at the discovery stage in this area. I watched him chew and chew his food, sampling every food on his plate. His mom explains that he is protective of his throat after having worn a trache for almost three years.

Though he isn't walking on his own yet, he keeps up with his two siblings at an amazing speed. However, his parents celebrate that now that he is no longer wearing a trache, he is learning to talk. I understood his single words quite easily. Sensitive, observant, and creative, Avery is going to surprise us all one day with his talents and his joyful heart.

Brody is the comic of the three, which means he takes after his dad. He also looks the most like his dad. He's the one who will make his parents laugh to get out of trouble. Brody is into pirates, and is a bit of a daring lad himself.  Here he is exploring a way to get out of my house. The doggy door. Isn't he just the cutest little boy? That's Casey's arm right beside him...

Casey is probably the most agile and athletic of the three. Could we predict Olympic Athlete? He climbed and jumped off of anything resembling a thing that could be climbed.    He saw my free standing torchiere lamp and said with glee "Pole!" as he wrapped his arms and legs around it. I knew he was thinking about the pole his daddy has at work in the firehouse. "Not a pole!" I told him as I unwrapped his arms from my lamp..."Lamp. It's a lamp!" I taught him like aunts are supposed to.

  They left late last night to complete their drive to Georgia to spend time with Tom's mother, my sister. They'll also visit Tom's brother TJ and his family (TJ has two boys, and a girl), and Tom's sister, Latisha, the artist. They'll be there about a week, and then on their trip back to Connecticut, I'll see them again...

Can't wait. No really.   

 

The  guest bedroom awaits them.

(God bless Tom and Becky for being the most loving, giving, patient, and teaching parents that they are.)