Monday Update

It has been hard to find the time to blog these last several weeks. I really don't have a ton to post about, the weather has been yucky and the crew and I are not getting out too much. I still
wanted to share the latest happenings.

We dropped Lucas off at 4H camp yesterday and the house seems oddly quiet once the triplets are in bed! Lucas was so excited to go - this is his 4Th year. I miss him, but know he has a great time while he is there. We will go get him on Friday night in time for 4Th of July fireworks at the base Saturday night.

My recovery and physical therapy are going along nicely. I am always sore by bedtime and have to ice my knee during the crew's nap and bedtime, but I think that I am getting a little better every day.

The triplets are fighting off some kind of bug. Logan is coughing, and Jess and Will have intermittent fevers and low appetites. Jess had to sleep with us last night because she woke up at 10pm screaming and would not go back to her crib. I am curious what their weights will be tomorrow. I will also have the nurse give them a once over and let me know if I doc visit should be scheduled.

Dave is doing well and with the start of July only has 12 months left in the Navy! He will reach his 20 year point and retire end of June next year! He is already working on his resume and trying to figure out where to go next. I am sure that he is a little anxious about it, but we still have a year to figure out his options and what would be best for the family. It just seems a little surreal to think that this time next year he will be having a retirement ceremony!

Anyway, that is the latest news. I am working on a 20 month post for the crew and should have it up soon. Hope you have a great night!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Yes, today is Dave's birthday! We played it low key, but he got a cake from friends at work and got to come home early and then the kids and I had another cake ready and we sang to him. Well, to be honest Lucas and I sang, the triplets were too busy staring at all the candles on the cake! Will even signed more after Dave blew them out! LOL It was a spice cake and Logan had two small pieces - he lovcd it. Jess ate her piece and Will was the least excited by the cake and really only ate a few bites.

Anyway, Happy Birthday to the best Dad/Husband around!!!!!

Random Notes to Catch Up

We had a great time with cousin Michele last week and I have lots to blog about, but nothing that really is long enough for its own post, so here is the latest from the Dudley house!

1. School's out and we have an new 8th grader in the house! Lucas finished school last Thursday and came home with his best report card in a long time 2 A+'s, 2 B+'s and 2 B's!!!! We are super proud and he is actually excited to start 8th grade! It is a huge change and one we thought would never happen. He is already talking about running for student council, getting back in band and track next spring.

He has a pretty busy summer lined up with 4H camp, Groton Maritime Camp, and a day camp at the subbase. Plus we are planning a trip to PA to see Aunt K late July.

2. Dave had a great Father's Day yesterday! We took the kids to the aquarium and then to the mall to play inside because the weather has been so yucky. I surprised him with a six pack of his favorite root beer, and chocolates, cards from the kids and the trio all had on t-shirts that say Dad's Little Firecracker! His main gift is a new jacket for riding his motorcycle.

I love how we pimped their new ride! My back loves NOT carrying that backpack and the umbrellas kept sun and rain off them!

3. I am recovering nicely from my knee surgery. I got the stitches out on Wed. and started physical therapy on Friday! I am still quite sore by the end of the day, but am feeling a little better each day! I have pt appointments all month and then see the doc beginning of Aug to follow up if any problems are still around.

4. I have to show off my niece who had her dance recital last weekend. How cute is she? Kayla is 3 1/2 and growing up way too quick! I wish we could have seen her recital, but we will get to spend some quality time when we go see her next month!


5. The boys qualified out of PT!! Their therapist sees no need right now for them to have specified PT services! They will continue with OT and speech services for now, but it is nice to know they have finally "caught up" in at least one area!

6. While Dave was on leave and cousin Michele was here, they took the trio to the zoo for the morning so I could rest and recuperate from my surgery. They had a blast seeing all the animals and Dave let them run around and play a little bit.

OK, it is now after midnight and I better get to bed. Hope you enjoyed catching up with all the latest Dudley news. Good Night!

Big Kid Beds and Trip to the Beach!

As you can see from the new photo, we decided to get the crew some new bedtime gear. I had been feeling a little guilty because we moved Lucas into a toddler bed by 18 months and I have no intention of moving the crew anytime soon. If it ain't broke don't fix it - right? I thought this was a happy compromise! LOL They were so excited to have the pillows and new sheets. I figure we will add blankets when the weather turns colder this fall. Jess and Will slept on their pillows all night. The boys got Cars sheets, but Jess had to settle for flowers, because the disney princess ones were all sold out. I promised her to get them asap! I am unsure about when we will transistion them to regular beds. In fact I maybe be in the market for a couple of crib tents soon as Logan keeps throwing his "silkie" out for us to pickup as a new stall tactic. Any words of wisdom out there? They turn 2 late Oct.











Since cousin Michele brought the crew some awesome beach toys, we thought it was time to go see the sand! Hindsight is always 20/20 and that was definitely true in this case. I figured that the crew would be so into the toys and playing in the sand, we never changed into swim gear - BIG MISTAKE! Logan and Jess had way more fun playing in the water and totally enjoyed getting wet! Will was the most timid. He did not try to go in by himself, but had to have Michele hold him. He had a blast pouring water from the bucket onto himself though!
Anyway, now I know always wear swim gear, even if you think they won't get wet!

Trio Therapy Sessions and Kris' Surgery

It has been a very hectic week. I was extra busy Monday and Tuesday getting the house in order for my surgery, but before I get into my surgery details, I want to tell a little about how the triplets therapy sessions are going.

The crew all receive services thru Birth to Three here in CT. They started basic services when they were only a few months old. The boys have also gotten therapy for specific physical and occupational issues over the last year. Both Will and Logan see the OT 2x a month and they get a visit from a PT 1x a month in addition to their weekly visit with their regular therapist. Within the last two months, the boys have also qualified for speech therapy. We have really seen the boys doing a lot more jargoning and even a few words! The big bonus is that Jess, who is doing well enough on her own to not qualify for individual help, also benefits from having all the therapists come. The triplets are always excited to see everyone and are really learning new skills and things at a remarkable rate. I am so very thankful that these services are available to us!

My surgery was Wed afternoon. I had to be at the health center for 12:30. Luckily Aunt Jen was able to come over and watch the crew so Dave could be with me the whole time. I was prepped and headed into surgery by 1:40 and was back in the recovery room by 2:45! I have a funny story to share. I remember getting on the operating table and being told to put your arm here and then - nothing. The next thing I knew I thought I was hearing the triplets getting up from nap and woke to the surgeon putting the immobilizer on my knee! How crazy is that! The doctor said that everything went well. He repaired my meniscus and scraped a bunch of calcium crystals out. The crystals were acting as sandpaper and were wearing down my meniscus. However, my recovery was really fast and we were headed home by 3:30. We went to get my pain medication and were home a little after 4. I then spent most of the evening resting in bed. Yesterday was a great day. I had little to no pain and was even able to hang out elevating my leg on the love seat while the kids therapists were here. It started to get painful last night and today I am really sore and taking my medication and using the crutches to get around. I hope to be feeling better real soon!

In totalled unrelated news, my cousin Michele is due to arrive here at any time! She is staying with us for the next week. I am so excited to have her here to hang out. My posting may again be a little irregular while she is here, but I hope everyone has a great weekend!