Okay, looking for some insight here. DW is closing in on 29 weeks and has been on bed rest for the last 9 weeks. Cabin fever is bad. What was the soonest that anyone attempted to take a little getaway with the family after they trio arrived? I don't picture DW wanting to leave them for a while. When my singleton daughter was born, we went on a trip when she was 3 months but I am thinking this are going to be a little different with 3 more. Should I just give up on this idea for a while???

Ken
Husband to Ann
Dad to Sarah-12,
Joshua, Kyle and Jessica(07-07-
03)

Ken,

When our oldest was 3 months old we drove from Florida to Texas, spent a week there, toured around, etc. Piece of cake.

When our oldest was 3yrs and our quads were 16 months we drove from Florida to upstate New York (desperate for a change of scenery). The trip was a disaster! We found the stress of raising HOM’s followed us for the entire trip. We ended up returning several days earlier that planned and by the time we got home I was physically ill from the stress. We figured our next vacation would be when the kids were somewhere in their late 20’s.

Since time heals all wounds we decided to try it again last summer. Our oldest was 6 and the quads had just turned 4. Needless to say we were very hesitant about the whole thing. BUT, as it turned out we had a great time. The kids had a blast, the parents had a blast. In fact, we are going to do it again this summer. We took a lot of video on the trip and the kids still love to watch it over and over and over…

David

What is a vacation?

Steve
Dad of Meghan, Nichol & Christopher (5/8/99)

Steve
Dad of Meghan, Nichol & Christopher (5/8/99)

It's when you pile all the kids into the van and try not to have a nervous breakdown.

David

Heck, I do that just running to the store.

Steve
Dad of Meghan, Nichol & Christopher (5/8/99)

Steve
Dad of Meghan, Nichol & Christopher (5/8/99)

"Should I just give up on this idea for a while???"

Yes.

Two days ago was the first time I went shopping (to one store only) with my three babies, and they are 5 months old. The mere thought of a vacation is a pathetic joke. If you really need reasons why, post again & list the ones I can think of.

Tulip & The Three Amigos
Born at 35w5d on December 31, 2002 - Happy New Year's Eve!!!
Aimee Rose, 4 pounds 12 ounces
Edward Isaac, 5 pounds 1 ounce
Hope Simone, 5 pounds 1.5 ounces


(OOPS! SORRY GUYS! I THOUGHT I WAS IN THE MAIN FORUM, I DIDN'T REALIZE I WAS IN THE MEN'S FORUM! PLEASE PARDON THIS INTRUSION!)

Tulip & The Three Amigos
GBG born at 35w5d on December 31, 2002 - Happy New Year's Eve!!!

YES! You *can* breastfeed triplets!!!

I am a Velveteen Rabbit, and the birth, love, kisses & magic that are my children has made me Real.

I actually can't remember the first time we really took them out. Initially, for us, vacations were travelling from our house in Chicago to either Tulsa or Toledo to visit family. Most of those vacations were great. We did this several times in teh first 1.5 yrs, when we moved to Tulsa.

Our first 'real' vacation was to the Triplet Connection Convention in Anaheim last summer. The kids were 1.5 yr's old. Again, we had family with us, and part of the vacation was spent at an aunt/uncles house. But all in all it was a great time.

We're now planning our first camping trip (2.5 yrs old) and are looking very forward to TCC in Orlando in July!

With our singleton, he'd been to Canada 3 times by the time he was 1.5 yrs old. He'd been to the atlantic and pacific oceans by age 2.5. We were blessed with some 'family condusive' work travel, which made that easier.

My thought, in general, is to get out as much as you can on vacations. But understand you will be VERY tired due to many long nights for many months. And think about 'do you want to do this routine in a hotel room?' If it's too family, go for it! That might also allow a 'night out' for you where you just go to a local hotel and get a good nights sleep.

Have I rambled enough?

Our first was when the gang was 9 months. Went to see family in MI. Drove 9 hours are night and it went well. The drive home was long because they all got sick for the first time while we were there! They are now 14 months. We are planning on a trip in August with family over to NC. My advice....go with friends or family that can lend a hand!

Steve
Dad to Savannah, Steven and Sydney (4-10-02)

We didn't go anywhere overnight until ours were 19 mos. It just took that long to get a vacation organized.

Thinking back, however, going somewhere overnight at 3 mos would not have qualified as a getaway for us. It would have been a huge hassle. I think ours were still on nighttime monitors then (hard to remember these things anymore).

Best regards & good luck.

Chuck
gbg 1997
b 2008

Congrats on your new family! Let dw grow those babies for a few more weeks---and then plan a well needed night's sleep =)

We took two mini-vacations the first year. When the trips were 8 months, we went on a long weekend to Vegas. Not a romantic getaway per se, but something completely out of the ordinary for us. (would never take the children there)

When the trips were 10 months, we went to San Fransisco for five days. Had a complete blast! (We also had an almost 3 and almost 4 y/o, so took a 14 y/o sitter) Would encourage that to anyone...nice break from the norm. Still a lot of work, but did wonders for our outlook and fun change of scenery.

I am a big advocate of living life and taking the kiddos alongside as soon as possible. (ok, dh's philosophy, but had to go along to get along!! =) Never regretted a single trip or adventure with our children in tow.

If, however, you are considering a brief respite sans the kiddos...make sure that dw can emotionally handle the separation. The triplets won't notice much of a difference, but dw may love the break--or stress throughout your romantic break.

Either way--happy, healthy gestating and best of luck in the coming months,


Peanut

Tracey
Michael, Soccer Dude (12)
Francesca, Classical Guitarist (11)
Matthew, Slide Tackle Soccer Dude (10)
Alexis, Cheer Chick (10)
Gabrielle, Sassy Gymnast (10)

Host mom to exchange students:
Johannes, Germany (18)
Torunn, Norway (21)

Hey Ken, ours are around 6 weeks at the moment and I have difficulty finding time to take the dog for a walk. Just imagine planning a trip!!
Enough said - if you don't get the picture, you soon will mate ...