Never say never...

When Tim and I were dating we would occasionally talk about our hopes and dreams for a family some day. We both agreed that we wanted a big family but we disagreed about how to transport that family around. I vividly remember telling Tim, "I will NEVER drive a minivan".  Not only are they bad on gas but I found them quite ugly. Tim actually really likes minivans, he finds them quite practical for hauling plywood and other gear around. He has tried for years to convince me that minivans are practical. I stood firm in my promise to never drive a minivan with Sofia. Tim and I assumed we would get a new Prius when he graduated from optometry school. Our boys had other ideas. We actually couldn't fit our entire family in one of our cars after the boys were born, their car seats take up too much space. We had been borrowing Tim's parents' minivan up until a few weeks ago. Then we were able to get an awesome price on a 2011 vehicle that a local dealer was trying to clear out to make room for the 2012 models.


Introducing......the "Mothership"! She is a 2011Toyota Sienna and she is one sweet ride!

After years of Tim and I wanting a sunroof we finally have it!

I actually really enjoy driving the mothership.

I must say I am an official convert, minivans rock, especially when you have three kids under the age of 2. I can't imagine climbing over seats in an SUV to get all of my kids in their car seats. This model even has automatic doors/trunk which has been quite helpful since my arms are usually quite full. So here I am, officially driving a minivan and loving it!

Campout at Devil's Lake State Park

Being back in Wisconsin is great for many reasons but especially because we get to attend so many more family events. A little over a week ago we took the family to their first Ruder camp out. The camp out has gotten smaller in the past couple of years as more cousins move away but we still had a fabulous time. Since the boys are so little and the weather got into the lower 40's at night we decided to stay in Tim's parents' house (only 10 minutes from the park) at night. Sofia will hold the record of the youngest person in the family to go camping, she was only 4 months old when she first camped in the Smoky Mountains.

Sofia loved the camp fire. It was a little nerve wrecking though.

Nothing better than napping in the great outdoors.

Not only can my husband fly, my daughter can too!

Almost the whole crew that attended the camp out this year.

One attempt at a family photo.

Sofia finds this all quite boring.

The boys with their uncles.

Everett and I enjoying a game of liar's dice.

Sofia loves hiking and all things outdoors.

Baby wearing extends to all members of our family.

MOPS

Just a quick post while I have 3 sleeping babies... a rare occurrence. Today I tried MOPS for the first time. Last year I had to work so our family could have health insurance but this year Tim is supporting me staying home with our children so I am able to try MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). The group for our area meets at a church only about 7 minutes from our house so I loaded up the crew and off we went. I originally planned to let Sofia play with the group of kids but keep the boys with me. When I arrived though I felt very comfortable with all of the women there and the adult to child ratio so I left the boys in the same room as Sofia. It was amazing to have time to meet and connect with women in our new town. I was so encouraged spiritually. Initially it was a little hard to relax because I was worried about the boys. I was put in a small group that has two other twin moms. They both immediately asked me if I had help and were shocked to find out I don't. Tim and I just can't afford hired help and although things are crazy I feel like I am doing well so far. Tim and I are still trying out different churches in town so it was nice to feel a sense of community with these women. Two of them live fairly close to me so I'm looking forward to having new adult friends. When I went to pick up the boys they were both being held and Sofia was sitting in someone's lap being read to, she was actually sad to leave. I feel so blessed to have found a group like this. We only meet twice a month but if the rest of the meetings are anything like today I know these meetings will give me the encouragement and support I need as I go through this incredible journey of 3 kids under the age of 2 this year. I encourage all moms to try out their local MOPS group.

Stop this train!

A typical morning in the Ruder household

I can't believe how time is flying by. This weekend we were already wearing jeans and hooded sweatshirts/sweaters, my favorite kind of weather. My boys are already 2 months old, Sofia is 18 months old and Tim has a big birthday next week! Life right not is busy but sweet, Tim and I are constantly telling each other how lucky we feel to have these three amazing children in our lives. This weekend was exciting for several reasons. On Friday the boys had their hip ultrasounds and everything looked great, healthy hips and nothing to worry about. Sullivan has his heart check up at the end of the month. After the boys' appointment Tim's mom watched the kids so we could do some car shopping. We have been borrowing Tim's parents' minivan but now that things have settled down a bit we are ready to get a vehicle that can fit our entire family. We weren't able to fit three car seats in either of the cars we already had. We will hear more later this week about exactly which car we will get. Friday night was fun because Tim and I got to play our favorite dorky game, Settlers of Cataan, with my sister Kathleen and Tim's mom.

On Saturday a big group of us from my family and Tim's mom went to the Cedarburg Wine and Harvest Festival. It was a gorgeous fall day and Cedarburg is an adorable town about 8 miles from us. Tim's Aunt Pam and Julie were at the festival too and came to visit us at our new house on Saturday. It's amazing how much more we are able to see family now that we're in Wisconsin.

After all of our visitors and guests left Saturday night Tim and I had some time to relax and take a deep breath. We both feel like we are constantly on the go and rarely have time to just sit and relax. On Sunday morning we actually went back to Cedarburg so Tim could check out the festival, his work schedule is a bit strange and he has Fridays and Sundays off but has to work every Saturday. Just as we were leaving the festival it started to rain, perfect time to head inside and watch the Packers. After the game Tim took Sofia and Frodo for a walk and I had some time with my boys. Then Tim and I switched and I took Sofia to the grocery store to pick up a few odds and ends. I can't believe how grown up my sweet Sofia is. She actually pushed her own child size cart the entire time, it was adorable. Everyone at the store was watching her and smiling at her. She actually did pretty well, she followed me for the most part, the biggest problem was when it was time to put the cart away and leave the store. 

Sofia is becoming more and more of a little girl. Her vocabulary grows daily, and she still uses a few Spanish words from FLICC and the little bit that I speak to her in Spanish. She is very athletic for an 18 month old. She can run, climb, kick a ball and even throw a ball into a laundry basket. One of her loves in life is dancing/music. She sings from sun up to sun down (just like her Dad) and loves to dance, either by herself of with Tim and I. She is a very sweet and empathetic little girl. When either of her brothers starts to cry she says "uh oh" and grabs a bottle or blanket or runs over to hug and kiss them. It blows my mind that she does all of this completely unprompted. One of her other loves in life continues to be books. She spends a lot of time reading books on her own or to her brothers. She still loves to bring books to me and sit in my lap and read, I cherish these moments. Sofia was weighed at the boys' last appointment and hasn't gained any weight but she is continuing to grow taller. She looks less like a toddler and more and more like a little girl which is adorable but also makes me want to cry or just freeze time. 

2 months old! Sully on the left and Everett on the right.

The boys are already two months old. I gave their exact measurements in my last post so I will give you an update on other things. They have started to smile and giggle, we are all enjoying this. This past week Everett was laying in the play gym and Sofia was holding toys above him and he smiled at her and giggled. It was such a cool moment to observe between siblings. The boys are extremely strong and actually really seem to enjoy tummy time. The boys seem to switch personalities on a weekly basis.

Sullivan

Everett

8 week check up

Today my boys had their 8 week check up and met their new pediatrician in Port Washington. I love love love their new pediatrician. Sofia actually had a quick check up today too so I appreciate a pediatric practice that can be ready for our crowd and make things as easy as possible for us. The pediatrician was awesome, she's a mother herself and she was great with all three kids.

Ok boys, here were your stats for the day... (Sofia had her official 18 month well child exam in Madison at 17 months old) 


Everett James- You weighed in at 11lbs 14.6oz, this was actually your sister's exact weight at her 8 week exam when she was your age! You were 22.25 inches long.

Sullivan Jeffrey- You weighed in at 11lbs 6.4oz and you were 22 inches long.

So, at almost 2 months old you guys have pretty much doubled your birth weight! I am proud of our whole family. Nursing and pumping breast milk for you growing boys has been a full time job, so much so that I've had to supplement a bit with formula for the past 3 weeks. I wouldn't have been able to make it this far without all of the help and support from our family but especially your Dad. Even Sofia has been understanding when I need to take 15 minutes out of our play time during the day to go pump. I would say you still get about 85% breast milk and 15% formula. The doctor was impressed with both of you and how much you interacted with her and your Dad, sister and I. Everett you started rolling over on the exam table, I think you were trying to show off for the doctor. And Sullivan you were just a big flirt and even smiled for our new doctor. You guys handled your vaccinations like champs. Two nurses came in so we could have the shots done nice and quick and be done. You both voiced your displeasure with the shots but you were quickly calmed by snuggling with your Dad and I. Sofia even brought a bottle over, she loves you two so much!

Since both of the boys spent time in the breech position during the pregnancy we have to have hip ultrasounds done to make sure their hips are in good shape. We had a minor scare today because the doctor heard a heart murmur with Sullivan. We are going to meet with a specialist at Children's Hospital in Wauwatosa and find out what this means. Our doctor wasn't too worried, she said 99% of babies who have these outgrow them. All in all they are both very healthy boys. Tim and I feel very blessed to have three healthy, beautiful babies.

Ideas please...

Here is a picture of our new house! We feel so blessed to be able to live together in one place in a nice home. The home was built in 1998 so Tim and I have some updating to do. We cruised through home renovation projects in our Memphis home, it's definitely a little tougher to do projects with three babies around. We also had a lot of friends in Memphis who always wanted to help out. We also have a few more expenses with the kids so we won't be able to do projects as fast as we would like. Our first project will be ripping up the floor in the kitchen and putting tile down. The kitchen currently has linoleum which Tim and I can't stand. We also have to change every window treatment in the house, we definitely do not have the same taste as the previous owners. We ordered Bali cordless, cellular blinds for all of the bedrooms. They are expensive but extremely energy efficient and can block out light during the day (for nap times). The kitchen will be our second project, we want to change the sink and countertops and backsplash. Eventually we will change out all the appliances for something more energy efficient. This spring we plan to rip up the carpet that is in the main living area and all the bedrooms and put down hardwood floors.

Our new home!

I need some advice though when it comes to the kids' bedrooms. My budget is $125 per room. Originally I wanted to order a large tree decal from Etsy for Sofia's room but most of them are around $80-90 and that eats up my whole budget. Tim's parents found a cute dresser on Craigslist for her for only $45, it's bright yellow. At first I was a little shocked by the color but now it's growing on me. I plan to paint her room a light shade of green and I would like some sort of nature theme with trees and owls. Tomorrow Tim is off so I will have some time to scour St. Vincent De Paul (Goodwill) for some things for her room. I also want to incorporate a beautiful sunflower that Sofia's uncle Christopher made her for Christmas last year that has her name in the center, I'll try to post a picture this weekend.

The boys room has a light, sage green cellular blind and again I'd prefer some sort of nature or tree theme. I know, I'm kind of stuck on what we really like but hey it's my house :) I'm wide open for ideas for their room. I wanted to stain letters in a cherry stain to match the cribs their Granddad Jim is making for their room but since they both have long names the cost of the letters would eat up a lot of my budget. Comments and ideas please :)

Just for fun here are some pictures of our back patio and yard. Our grapes have started changing colors and Sofia is obsessed with them! Tim wants to learn to make wine, I may settle for jam this year.

Look Mom! Grapes!

I never expected I'd grow grapes in my backyard

Wonderful Wednesday

What a great day! Fall is my favorite season but since we were living in Memphis for the past four years I didn't feel like we ever had a true fall. I love a cool, crisp fall with magnificent colors. Today the weather was in the mid 60s and the sun was shining. Our day started in a wonderful way because the boys actually slept in 3 hour chunks so we were only up at 12, 3 and 6am. Tim took Sofia on their morning run and he told me she sang to him the entire way. I love Wednesdays because Tim's office is only 10 minutes away so he is with us longer. We made a great breakfast and sent Tim off with lots of love and kisses. I'm starting to really get the hang of being home alone with all three kids. The key is for me to prepare as much as possible the night before and to stick to Sofia's eating and napping schedule. I enjoy the afternoons the most because that's when we typically have our outings. Today we took a nice long walk to the lake and Possibility Playground. I tried to take a picture of myself but I was unsuccessful. I put Sully in the Ergo carrier and Sofia and Everett share the double BOB. We get a lot of looks but we get to where we want to go :)

I have to confess that I was really worried about how I would handle staying at home. I even applied for a 50% teaching job in the area. The scary thing is that I made the cut, interviewed and was offered the job. I was really excited because it seemed like a perfect match for me, the school is very invested in technology and the largest class size I would have would be 15 students. I decided to take the job thinking 50% would be the best of both worlds. After taking the job and driving home I felt excited but I also felt kind of sick to my stomach. I started to think about dropping off my boys in daycare, they would have been 7 weeks the first day I would have had to drop them off. I know Sofia would have done well since she had been at FLICC last year, but even she didn't start that until she was almost 6 months old. I prayed about my decision and spent a lot of time talking with Tim. I ended up declining the job and the next day I was offered an online teaching job. I decided to decline this job as well and truly devote myself whole heartedly to the job of Mom for the next year (besides Fridays when I may sub at the school I used to teach at in Milwaukee, Tim will be home though because that is his day off since he has to work every Saturday). I am excited and still a bit nervous about how the whole year, especially since babies routines constantly change as they grow and mature. I also finally figured out why I felt like I even needed a job. I felt guilty about not contributing financially to our family, especially since I have student loans from undergrad and my Master's program. Anyways, after five years of being the breadwinner my life has changed a lot. I am ready for the challenge and I have enjoyed it a ton so far. My kids will only be babies once in their life and I'm grateful for the opportunity to care for them in such an amazing way. I can't tell you how much credit I give to working Moms too. I've been in that position and it is just as hard as staying at home, just in different ways. I had to do it so we had health insurance and I cried for the first month. Anyways, I am looking forward to this year's adventure! I can't wait to see how the lovely people below grow and change.

Sofia stole my dark chocolate but quickly spit it out because it was so bitter. No, I don't feed my kids sweets or chocolate, she found it while I was preparing her lunch and I wanted to see her reaction.

Everett helping Dad with the dishes.

Sully chilling in his chair.