Petri dish experiment

Okay, I know it is a crazy title but some days I feel like that is exactly what is happening at my house. Just when I think I have the boys figured out, something changes for no reason. Now, I am well aware that it is normal for this to happen (I already have 1 child remember) but when you multiply it by 3, well that is just wrong. From how much they need/want to eat to how often they need a diaper change (and what they have produced in that diaper) to where and how they like to play, I am constantly in flux. The only thing that is pretty set is the time that they eat and even that is getting ready to change (thank you daylight savings - and YES, that is very sarcastic).

Want to know what I mean? Most nights, the boys seem to sleep fairly well between the night feedings. However, for several nights in a row, one boy decided that he didn't want to sleep. Note I said one boy. It wasn't the same son, it wasn't even the same time. The problem - the same solution didn't calm said boy either! After trying to figure this out, Jason and I came to the conclusion that they are just messing with us. They have already started plotting against us to see if they can make us crack. Well boys, you win. At this point, I would love (as would Jason) for all three to sleep for 2 consecutive hours without stirring or making noise. I add that last little bit for our beloved Anthony 'Machine gun' Liner. That boy makes more noises - not crying noises - whether he is awake or asleep. I literally find myself listening and laughing at him. The nickname is because he literally sounds like a machine gun - insert your own sound here - and he laughs and smiles while doing it. Of course, unless Jack and Graham are pretty soundly asleep, they then start to stir. But Anthony - nope, keeps on sleeping!

Feedings - a whole new petri dish. Jack eats like he hasn't been fed in days and screams when it is gone. We have decided to feed him more than the other two. Just what you need at 4:00 AM right, to try and remember which kid gets which bottle and how much! Anthony likes to spit up when he is done feeding and you go to lay him down and then again about 1 hour after feeding. Nothing like trying to remember what time he finished his bottle. And then there is Graham - the original spitter himself. He spits while eating, while burping and after eating. And we aren't talking a little leftover milk that hasn't been swallowed, we are talking palm-fulls (adult size palms at that). Makes a mother so happy to see her hard produced milk reappear in her hand immediately after consumption!

Big brother Chase - is finally starting to show some signs of 'big brother-itis'. He is more clingy to me after school and at night. Part of that is because I am finally physically more like the 'mom' that he is used to and part of this is because he has figured out that when his brothers cry, they get attention and get held. He has stopped wanting to do things 'by myself' and now wants Mommy to 'help me'. Of course, most of this happens when his brothers need to be fed so I am learning the art of temporary distraction - ie. Chase, go do ____ and as soon as I am done with (insert brother here), Mommy will come help you or you can sit here with Mommy and (brother). For the most part, he will do his own thing but I then have to make good on my promise to help him. Honestly though, he is more cuddly than he has been in ages and I love the fact that he wants me to hold him and sit with him. We are working on potty training which means he gets more time devoted to him - but it also means more time devoted to him. A balancing act I am still trying to figure out! For now he is still in daycare full-time, 5 days a week but at the end of the month, we may be shifting to part-time, half-days in preparation for him being home with me full-time during the summer. It is something we have done every summer since he was born and a benefit to me being a teacher. He will do some summer camps at the YMCA to occupy his time and then will go to Pre-school 3 mornings a week in the fall.

People keep asking if I am going back to work. The honest answer is, I don't know. That has been the plan all along (me returning to work in August) but Jason and I will have to look at several factors before making a final decision on that. All I know is that whatever decision is made will not be made lightly and it will be the decision that Jason and I feel is best for our family - all members of our family. When we decide, we will share but for now, I am too tired and hormonal to even begin to think about it.

All in all, while I am exhausted and tired most of the time and a little cranky (just ask Jason), I love my new life. I take it one day at a time because I know each of these stages will pass and another one will soon follow. There will be a time when I look back at these days and just sigh. Not sure I will miss them, but I will miss moments of them. Like being able to put all 3 boys in the top of a pack and play to nap or under a floor toy to swat at things together or even on my lap/in my arms all at once - yes able to do but is a little challenging to maintain! I am definitely looking forward to Spring so we can go outside and play and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. While it may only be in our backyard, at least I get the chance to do it!

I promise to try and upload some pictures that I have taken when I get a chance. Of course, who knows how old the boys will be when that happens!