When I was growing up, I had images of mothers all around the world sitting around on Mother's Day doing absolutely nothing...and I mean, nothing. As I got a little older, I realized that maybe they still did some things, but it wasn't much. Now that I am a mom myself, especially with an active 3 year old and triplet 3 month olds, I realize just how far off base I was. That was strictly a fantasy and not at all like the reality.
While Mother's Day took on a new meaning for me 2 years ago (my first one after having Chase), I was still able to have some me time. Chase has been old enough the last couple of years that Jason was able to 'handle him' on his own so I could have some child-free mommy time. This year however was a totally different story! While Jason fed the triplets their 7:00 AM feeding so I could sleep in just a little that is where my day of relaxation ended. I was greeted by fussy babies who finally gave way to sleeping babies and I thought I would have some time here. Instead, enter the almost 3 year old who woke up not feeling well. Claimed his head hurt - no fever though. Jason was off getting my tires rotated and balanced and the oil changed in my car (yet something else that is NOT possible with infant triplets - so thank you babe). Instead of some quiet PJ time with Chase and some Mickey Mouse cartoons, I got sick Chase - and I mean literally sick, as in all over my chair sick. Cue my cleaning skills to try and salvage the chair and the morning. Luckily for me, the babies slept through it all - even the high-pitched wails of a scared to death Chase! From there I did get some snuggle time on the couch with Chase while we watched Toy Story (for the umpteen thousandth time!) Jason arrived home in time to feed the triplets their next meal. From there we proceeded to do laundry (with some extra thrown in from our 'illness' adventure), make lunch, clean house --- you get the picture right? Basically, it became just like every other day.
The irony is that I wouldn't have traded it for anything. It is doing those everyday things with them and for them that reminds me just how lucky I am. Now don't get me wrong, there are moments where I want to run screaming for the hills but there are also moments when all I want to do is freeze time and keep them like this forever. Take the moment last night as I am in the glider trying to calm Graham enough to get him to fall asleep. In one of those "I think I am going to cry this is too sweet" moments, Chase walks up to us and says, "Mommy, I am just going to be gentle with him" and proceeds to stroke the top of his head ever so lightly and then bends in for a kiss. Literally made me tear up. I am not wishing away any of those precious moments with wanting them to get bigger and older. Honestly, I didn't do that with Chase either but I am enjoying watching them grow and change - all of them.
As much as my fantasy of Mother's Day is completely different from my reality - I can honestly say in this instance, reality is so much better!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
What are we doing now?
Well, even with Chase in daycare full-time, it is still nearly impossible to find the time to update the blog on a regular basis. On those rare, and I mean rare, occasions when all 3 boys nap at the same time, that is when I need to clean house, wash bottles, do laundry - actually, try to finish laundry since that is literally a daily task for me! I have managed to get some really cute group shots lately since we had Easter which put us all in our 'finest' My grandparents came up at my request and spent the week before and a few days after Easter with us. That meant that we had lots of quality family time - dying Easter eggs with the cousins, play time at Matt and Jennifer's house, playtime at our house, Easter brunch with the E-bunny, golf (yes, Jason and I played golf with Matt and Jennifer on Easter Sunday compliments of all the grand and great-grandparents watching the kiddos!) The warmer weather has meant more time outside and more freedom for me to get around town. That also means that the boys have new wardrobes - yes, we have upgraded to 0-3 month clothing! I have a little bit longer before I think they will then upgrade to 3-6 month clothing for the summer months.
Enjoy just a few of the shots. I have put the rest on snapfish for everyone to enjoy with captions.
Enjoy just a few of the shots. I have put the rest on snapfish for everyone to enjoy with captions.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Finally a post from Dad...it's been a while.
Well, for a couple of reasons, I haven't been great about keeping up with the blog.
First, there doesn't seem to be a lot of time to keep up with it the these days. We're on go non-stop around here, so any quiet moments that lend themselves to writing an entry (there aren't many) are met quickly with sleep. Second, there is only so much to give updates on. Obviously everything is going really well. The boys are eating, sleeping (some), pooping, peeing and crying. It's a lot like Groundhog Day...every day seems pretty much the same. Except for weekends I guess, since I'm around all day.
The good news is it does feel like we're moving into a new phase with the boys. They are sleeping a little better at night. Leslie is still living with us (which has been great), so she and Melissa feed them around midnight. Usually they can get the boys swaddled and down to sleep by 12:30 am or so. Early on, they would start to stir for the 4 am feeding by 3:30 or so. I'd get up and put pacifiers back in for a bit and finally we'd succumb and feed them around 4:00 . These days, they start stirring around 5:00 or so, and if we're lucky, we can hold them off until close to 6 am. That's been great, because it's almost a "full" night of sleep for me. I usually go to bed around 10:30 or so...asleep by 11:00 and get up around 5:30 or 6:00 with a few "ups and downs" to the nursery. Not too bad. Melissa on the other hand still doesn't ever get a full night's sleep. Sometimes, if the boys are doing well, she goes to bed around 10:00 and sleeps until the midnight feeding. Leslie stays up in case one of the boys fusses any during that time. After the early morning feeding (say around 6 am), Melissa usually goes back to bed for a little bit, but how long she sleeps will vary depending on the boys. If they can sleep until 7:30 or so, then Leslie is back up and can help console them. Overall though, we're making it through the nights and getting a lot more sleep than we did during the first six weeks.
The days can also be challenges, but Melissa and her Mom are making those work for the most part. Obviously during the week, they are on their own while I'm at work. We have highly encouraged Leslie to continue her social life which is full of cards, tennis and visiting with lots of friends, which leaves Melissa the bulk of the responsibility for the boys. For now, Chase is still in daycare full-time, although we're pulling him out at the end of April. He does great and loves it there, but financially, it's just too hard to justify. We're going to be signing him up for some summer camp stuff (June-August) and then he's going to do part time pre-school at the YMCA starting in September. These days, Melissa takes the triplets to the YMCA with her for an occasional workout. They are now old enough to stay in the nursery at the YMCA for up to an hour. So that's enough for Melissa to get some time on the treadmill or something. Other than the gym, Melissa tries to get the boys out of the house at least once a day for something. Whether it's a trip to the mall (maybe not even to buy anything), a Target trip, a lunch date with her Mom, or a trip down to her school (she's made it down there a few times to visit with co-workers), any chance to get out of the house helps her sanity a great deal.
Aside from the "same old, same old", we've had our share of visitors over the last month or so.
Missy & Jill Rolewicz visited the last weekend in February. The next weekend, my step-sister Lindsey came up from Texas to help out and visit. Then Popi came into town the following weekend, and Nana the next weekend. After a weekend off, Nana came back into town last weekend and then Brian and Nora, some family friends of Melissa's from Savannah, came to visit this past weekend. Needless to say, all of these guests have been great. Not only for visiting, but also for helping out around here. Whether it's helping with the triplets, or taking Chase outside to play, every little bit helps a ton!
Here are some random pictures and videos that "paint the picture" of our activities the last month or so.
Chase has continued to hone his baseball skills. He's very good at both hitting and pitching (at least for a 2 1/2 year old). Here are some youtube clips of him showing off his lefty swing (yes, he appears to be a lefty).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw5cyFHsNgI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjQ_1akXDAQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PKKXfmYYIA
Chase has also been working on his golf game too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn4jmoaYKM0
Chase loves having Shadow around...she's more mobile and fun to play with than his two dogs. Plus, she gives good kisses!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpIEk53P6J4
Oh, and Chase also enjoys throwing pine cones over the fence...he's seen Daddy do it, so he took it on himself to go to the far corner of the backyard and help out a little!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL4EEv5aWZU
A quick glimpse of the triplets playing quietly...it's a rarity!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TXp_ys2xa8
Chase has been doing P90X...check out those abs!
He's pretty proud of himself for all the hard work!
Chase also likes playing with his brothers. Here, he's showing Graham how to play with one of his toys.
First, there doesn't seem to be a lot of time to keep up with it the these days. We're on go non-stop around here, so any quiet moments that lend themselves to writing an entry (there aren't many) are met quickly with sleep. Second, there is only so much to give updates on. Obviously everything is going really well. The boys are eating, sleeping (some), pooping, peeing and crying. It's a lot like Groundhog Day...every day seems pretty much the same. Except for weekends I guess, since I'm around all day.
The good news is it does feel like we're moving into a new phase with the boys. They are sleeping a little better at night. Leslie is still living with us (which has been great), so she and Melissa feed them around midnight. Usually they can get the boys swaddled and down to sleep by 12:30 am or so. Early on, they would start to stir for the 4 am feeding by 3:30 or so. I'd get up and put pacifiers back in for a bit and finally we'd succumb and feed them around 4:00 . These days, they start stirring around 5:00 or so, and if we're lucky, we can hold them off until close to 6 am. That's been great, because it's almost a "full" night of sleep for me. I usually go to bed around 10:30 or so...asleep by 11:00 and get up around 5:30 or 6:00 with a few "ups and downs" to the nursery. Not too bad. Melissa on the other hand still doesn't ever get a full night's sleep. Sometimes, if the boys are doing well, she goes to bed around 10:00 and sleeps until the midnight feeding. Leslie stays up in case one of the boys fusses any during that time. After the early morning feeding (say around 6 am), Melissa usually goes back to bed for a little bit, but how long she sleeps will vary depending on the boys. If they can sleep until 7:30 or so, then Leslie is back up and can help console them. Overall though, we're making it through the nights and getting a lot more sleep than we did during the first six weeks.
The days can also be challenges, but Melissa and her Mom are making those work for the most part. Obviously during the week, they are on their own while I'm at work. We have highly encouraged Leslie to continue her social life which is full of cards, tennis and visiting with lots of friends, which leaves Melissa the bulk of the responsibility for the boys. For now, Chase is still in daycare full-time, although we're pulling him out at the end of April. He does great and loves it there, but financially, it's just too hard to justify. We're going to be signing him up for some summer camp stuff (June-August) and then he's going to do part time pre-school at the YMCA starting in September. These days, Melissa takes the triplets to the YMCA with her for an occasional workout. They are now old enough to stay in the nursery at the YMCA for up to an hour. So that's enough for Melissa to get some time on the treadmill or something. Other than the gym, Melissa tries to get the boys out of the house at least once a day for something. Whether it's a trip to the mall (maybe not even to buy anything), a Target trip, a lunch date with her Mom, or a trip down to her school (she's made it down there a few times to visit with co-workers), any chance to get out of the house helps her sanity a great deal.
Aside from the "same old, same old", we've had our share of visitors over the last month or so.
Missy & Jill Rolewicz visited the last weekend in February. The next weekend, my step-sister Lindsey came up from Texas to help out and visit. Then Popi came into town the following weekend, and Nana the next weekend. After a weekend off, Nana came back into town last weekend and then Brian and Nora, some family friends of Melissa's from Savannah, came to visit this past weekend. Needless to say, all of these guests have been great. Not only for visiting, but also for helping out around here. Whether it's helping with the triplets, or taking Chase outside to play, every little bit helps a ton!
Here are some random pictures and videos that "paint the picture" of our activities the last month or so.
Chase has continued to hone his baseball skills. He's very good at both hitting and pitching (at least for a 2 1/2 year old). Here are some youtube clips of him showing off his lefty swing (yes, he appears to be a lefty).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw5cyFHsNgI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjQ_1akXDAQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PKKXfmYYIA
Chase has also been working on his golf game too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn4jmoaYKM0
Chase loves having Shadow around...she's more mobile and fun to play with than his two dogs. Plus, she gives good kisses!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpIEk53P6J4
Oh, and Chase also enjoys throwing pine cones over the fence...he's seen Daddy do it, so he took it on himself to go to the far corner of the backyard and help out a little!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL4EEv5aWZU
A quick glimpse of the triplets playing quietly...it's a rarity!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TXp_ys2xa8
Chase has been doing P90X...check out those abs!
He's pretty proud of himself for all the hard work!
Chase also likes playing with his brothers. Here, he's showing Graham how to play with one of his toys.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
March Madness - who will come out on top?
Okay, so it should come as no surprise that in this house, March is a very important month - Basketball! Since Jason and I are avid fans of college basketball, the boys had their initiation this year for the NCAA's. They have figured out that it gets very intense during these weekends in March while Mom and Dad watch games and get fired up over their brackets (even when they get completely busted!). With that in mind, I have created my own bracket for the boys to describe what the month of March has been like in the house.
First round - boys starting to stay awake longer during the day and playing more with their floor toys. Who came out on top? Jack! He was the first to actually start to interact with the toys and make them move and sing.
Second round - the boys sleep for almost 5 hours at night. Who had to be forced awake for consecutive nights to feed and moves on in this round? Graham! He is going back to his label of being the sleeper of the group. I can't wait until he can sleep on his stomach since that is his favorite sleeping position.
Third round - the boys continue to make public appearances. We participated in the Franklin 5K in early March to raise money for ZTA and the Susan G. Komen foundation. How did they do and who moves on in this round? Jack, Graham and Anthony as well as Chase. All the boys did a great job. Jason and Chase ran/walked while Mom and I took the triplets with us. As Mom and I got closer to the finish line, Chase burst out of the crowd and took off running with us. Of course, this caused the entire crowd to cheer and clap which only encouraged him to run faster and farther. Mom had to start jogging to try and catch him so we didn't lose him in the crowds! It was adorable!
Fourth round - the boys get their first round of shots at their 2 month appointment. Jack weighs in at 9 lbs. 3 oz with Graham weighing in at 8 lbs. 7 oz and Anthony at 8 lbs. 14 oz. Who moves on this time? All of them again! While Graham is still the smallest, he is gaining at the same rate as Anthony. Of course, Jack is the largest and our theory is because he is the only one that doesn't spit up when he eats. However, all 3 boys did a great job and hardly cried at all when the shots were done. I can't believe how big they are getting. Each one has his own unique traits that are starting to show up.
So where do we stand with who advances to the next round? All the boys, Chase included, are doing fabulously! Mom read me a quote from Phil Mickelson that really hits home for me these days. To summarize: There is no reason for me to try to get back the life I knew before this, I have a new reality. It may take some time for me to figure out this new reality but I am coming to really love it!
First round - boys starting to stay awake longer during the day and playing more with their floor toys. Who came out on top? Jack! He was the first to actually start to interact with the toys and make them move and sing.
Second round - the boys sleep for almost 5 hours at night. Who had to be forced awake for consecutive nights to feed and moves on in this round? Graham! He is going back to his label of being the sleeper of the group. I can't wait until he can sleep on his stomach since that is his favorite sleeping position.
Third round - the boys continue to make public appearances. We participated in the Franklin 5K in early March to raise money for ZTA and the Susan G. Komen foundation. How did they do and who moves on in this round? Jack, Graham and Anthony as well as Chase. All the boys did a great job. Jason and Chase ran/walked while Mom and I took the triplets with us. As Mom and I got closer to the finish line, Chase burst out of the crowd and took off running with us. Of course, this caused the entire crowd to cheer and clap which only encouraged him to run faster and farther. Mom had to start jogging to try and catch him so we didn't lose him in the crowds! It was adorable!
Fourth round - the boys get their first round of shots at their 2 month appointment. Jack weighs in at 9 lbs. 3 oz with Graham weighing in at 8 lbs. 7 oz and Anthony at 8 lbs. 14 oz. Who moves on this time? All of them again! While Graham is still the smallest, he is gaining at the same rate as Anthony. Of course, Jack is the largest and our theory is because he is the only one that doesn't spit up when he eats. However, all 3 boys did a great job and hardly cried at all when the shots were done. I can't believe how big they are getting. Each one has his own unique traits that are starting to show up.
So where do we stand with who advances to the next round? All the boys, Chase included, are doing fabulously! Mom read me a quote from Phil Mickelson that really hits home for me these days. To summarize: There is no reason for me to try to get back the life I knew before this, I have a new reality. It may take some time for me to figure out this new reality but I am coming to really love it!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Is that the same kid?
Nope. All four of these pictures are around the six week mark, but it's:
Chase:
Jack:
Graham:
Anthony:
Chase:
Jack:
Graham:
Anthony:
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Happy St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick's Day holds some of the most fond memories I have with my Dad in Savannah. For those who don't know it, Savannah has the 2nd largest St. Patrick's Day celebration, bigger than Chicago. As a high school girl attending a private Catholic school in the heart of downtown, St. Patrick's Day meant extra days off school because the parade route literally goes by the Cathedral and we literally couldn't park our cars. (thank you tourists!) As I got older, it meant celebrating with my friends but not before I spent the morning with my Mom and Dad watching the parade. We would get to our square super early and set up with family friends. Dad would start the morning with drink for everyone. Not that the drinks made the occasion but they did become a vital memory for everyone who stopped by our location. Some people stopped by just for the drink! My friends, high school, college and beyond all looked forward to an excuse to visit with my Dad in order to enjoy his cocktails while we all watched the parade go by. A time honored tradition became a series of memories for not only me, but my friends as well.
Two years ago today, we sat on the side of the road by the Cathedral watching my childhood pastor, Father O'Brien serve as Grand Marshall - an honor of the highest possibility on this day. While we celebrated that day, we also watched with very heavy hearts knowing that the very next day, we would bury my Dad. Tears of both joy and sorrow now accompany this time for all in my family as we remember with joy all the good times, but also mourn the loss of a very special man.
Dad, there is so much that has happened in the last two years and as I sit here with my sons in their Irish green, I think of you and look at the faces, looks and grins they give me and know that you live on. I miss you more than words can say so here's to you - Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Jack, Graham and Anthony - St. Patrick's Day 2011
You try to get three 7-week olds to all look at the camera at once!
Official weights are now 7 lbs, 14 ounces for Jack and Anthony. 7 lbs, 8 ounces for Graham!
Two years ago today, we sat on the side of the road by the Cathedral watching my childhood pastor, Father O'Brien serve as Grand Marshall - an honor of the highest possibility on this day. While we celebrated that day, we also watched with very heavy hearts knowing that the very next day, we would bury my Dad. Tears of both joy and sorrow now accompany this time for all in my family as we remember with joy all the good times, but also mourn the loss of a very special man.
Dad, there is so much that has happened in the last two years and as I sit here with my sons in their Irish green, I think of you and look at the faces, looks and grins they give me and know that you live on. I miss you more than words can say so here's to you - Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Jack, Graham and Anthony - St. Patrick's Day 2011
You try to get three 7-week olds to all look at the camera at once!Official weights are now 7 lbs, 14 ounces for Jack and Anthony. 7 lbs, 8 ounces for Graham!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
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!
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!
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