You might or might not have noticed that I haven't blogged in a looong time. At least for me.
So where have I been?
Pretty much the bottom. Here is the synopsis...sorry, it's long, that's what you get when I haven't blogged or written in almost 3 weeks.
Here is how we started out the bed transition. Here is where I shared the "new plan".
That plan worked, for awhile. They didn't like having their blankets taken away, so they stayed in bed. But then they stopped caring. So we would take away a blanket, then give them a swat on the second time. But they stopped caring. I would take blankets away, give them back, take them away, swat, give them back, take them away, swat...repeat, repeat, repeat.
So there had to be a final punishment. It ended up being the pack n play in our bedroom. At that point they would fall asleep.
But the other two were still in the room.
A few weeks ago I just had to cave and put them each in a separate room...one in a pack n play in our room, one in a pack n play in Z's room, one in their own room. This was just at naptime. And it meant the end of quiet time for Z, since he was still spending 45 minutes or so reading and hanging out in his room when the boys were napping. Not a happy mama.
This whole time they were doing ok at bedtime. Not stellar, but ok. I never had to remove them to the pack n play...removing the blankets and swats did the trick.
But it got worse and worse, culminating in this: C was asleep (an hour and a half after I put them in bed) and N and L were not. I heard C start crying like he was hurt, and went back to find N and L beside his bed. I take them and move them back to their beds, and L says, "N bite." "What?" "N bite C." "N, did you bite C? (while he was in a DEAD SLEEP?!)". "Yup."
NOT a happy mama.
The next night was a repeat...C got bit twice (biting...a whole different story...).
Something had to give. I was a complete train wreck, the kids were too...
So I called a friend of mine with twins and got her peapod tents. Now two of the kids are tented in at night. We even had to make some changes...we had to use clips to attach them to their beds so that they don't move all over the room, we had to twist tie the zippers shut... I was hoping to let the third kid sleep on his bed, but I have had to put him in a pack n play. I am on the lookout for a third peapod. (Anyone, anyone?)
So that is the main gist of it. I was so at the end of my rope I couldn't even write about it. I felt like a failure (because I couldn't "make" them stay in bed), I was ready to get "quit" being a mom, I was mad at them (because they were being bad "on purpose"), I was exhausted (kids finally sleeping at 9, up at 6, napping for maybe an hour and half, Z with no naptime), I was feeling guilty for being mad at the boys, I was resenting the fact that I had triplets, I was jealous of anyone who had just one kid to deal with, etc, etc etc.
The kids were exhausted so were acting out...fighting was increasing, all I heard all day was something like this: "Mine!" "No, my truck!" "No MIIIINE!" "MIIIIIIIINE" WHACK (which might have been a hand, a foot, or a hard toy on a head) or CHOMP (someone biting the arm/back/leg of another, resulting in toothmarks on all of my kids). And this made me more and more mad at them, which made me more and more mad at MYSELF, because I KNEW it wasn't their fault, that they were just tired, but I still was mad at them...
And then I was dealing with Z. We were kind of putting Z up on a pedestal...Oh, Z, he did so good with sleeping! He was such a good boy! Well, of course he was! And when we separate the boys, they do fine as well. But really, they are not even 2.5 years old yet...they don't have that kind of self control...by themselves in a room with 2 friends? And I wasn't willing to sit in their room and stew at them as they fell asleep (which I still don't like the idea of).
I think I don't give them/myself enough credit for the fact that they are TRIPLETS. I have three stinking two year olds running amuk in my house. Three of them. Got that? THREE. I think I expect it to be just like it was with Z...and it's not. It is a whole different ballgame.
The other major problem for me is that I just don't know what to do. Up until now I have had a pretty good idea of how to deal with them. It might have been hard (get three kids bottles and fed at the exact same time with one big kid running around needing his rear end wiped while I'm the only one home), but I KNEW what to do. Now I just don't know. I am doing a lot of trial and error and it is mostly error. Things like this: C and N woke up early from a nap. Do I wake up L (in the pack n play) also, so that he is "tired" at the same time at night, or do I let him sleep because he is exhausted? If I let him sleep, will he be the one to keep the others up tonight? What to do? And not knowing what to do is hard for me. I like to have a plan. It has been hard for me to just kind of make it up as I go...and I think it has been hard on the boys too...kids need plan/schedule/order. And this house has been anything but that.
Long story short, I am pretty sure this has been the hardest 5 weeks so far of having these kids. That said, I am hopeful. I have pulled out of the pit. I think that these peapods will work. At least they will sleep. That doesn't mean that life will get easier...but if they at least can sleep....
Ok, and now on to a lot more posts...we actually have been very busy the past few weeks, and I have taken lots of pictures, and will now show you the happy side of life :) Because really, it is happy!
Showing posts with label rambling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rambling. Show all posts
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Friends
We went this morning to Z's kindergarden tour. It was fine. He is excited. We walked around the school, saw classes, his teacher, the principal. We went to T-ball practice this evening and realized that kid on his T-ball team was at his school this morning and will be in class with him next year. A kid he played soccer with was at school this morning (but will be in full day, not half like Z). We are starting to see some of the same kids/moms around (between Tball, soccer, and now school), and it is fun getting to know the moms and just chat with them. And that is what prompted this post...
Two points, here.
One: I am still very close to my first friend from elementary school (Molly). She was in my wedding, I was in hers, I watched one of her girls 2 days last week, we are going out for coffee tomorrow night. And now Z is meeting friends. Who might he meet that could be his forever friend? Will I like him? I have no actual say in who he becomes friends with, and until now, his friends have been ones I have chosen for him.
Two: Some of Mom's good friends were my friends moms. Molly's mom, Veronica's mom, Maggie's mom. She had lunch with them several times a year. I still get Christmas cards from Tom and Barb, and Mike and Nancy are always so fun to see.
So my point, then...will I be friends with these moms? Now that I'm thinking about it, these moms will be moms who I will be seeing for the next 15+ years. (If we stay in this district, which we might or might not). I will be hearing things about their kids, helping with their kids, playing sports with their kids, picking up and dropping off their kids, having playdates with their kids, etc, etc. I hope, then, that I will be friends with the moms...at least that I will be ok with them. It's just kind of weird. It is a whole new circle opened up to me, and I am not Katie, I am Z's mom. I don't get to pick my friends, I think I am kind of along for the ride with Z...and I hope I like the friends he picks for me!
Two points, here.
One: I am still very close to my first friend from elementary school (Molly). She was in my wedding, I was in hers, I watched one of her girls 2 days last week, we are going out for coffee tomorrow night. And now Z is meeting friends. Who might he meet that could be his forever friend? Will I like him? I have no actual say in who he becomes friends with, and until now, his friends have been ones I have chosen for him.
Two: Some of Mom's good friends were my friends moms. Molly's mom, Veronica's mom, Maggie's mom. She had lunch with them several times a year. I still get Christmas cards from Tom and Barb, and Mike and Nancy are always so fun to see.
So my point, then...will I be friends with these moms? Now that I'm thinking about it, these moms will be moms who I will be seeing for the next 15+ years. (If we stay in this district, which we might or might not). I will be hearing things about their kids, helping with their kids, playing sports with their kids, picking up and dropping off their kids, having playdates with their kids, etc, etc. I hope, then, that I will be friends with the moms...at least that I will be ok with them. It's just kind of weird. It is a whole new circle opened up to me, and I am not Katie, I am Z's mom. I don't get to pick my friends, I think I am kind of along for the ride with Z...and I hope I like the friends he picks for me!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
End of an era
I have been having the itch recently to get rid of baby stuff, but I have been overwhelmed by it all. Dad called a few weeks ago to offer to take stuff out to Jenny when he went out to visit, and a friend of mine is pregnant and needed a lot of my stuff, so I figured now was the time to just get rid of it all. Kind of surprised that I felt that way, instead of sad, but man, I just wanted stuff out of my basement. And since I was doing work for Jenny already, I might as well do it all at once.
So I started posting stuff on Craigs List. I have gotten rid of an umbrella stroller, my single and double strollers, my jog stroller, 2 pack n plays, toddler swings, a carseat, plus various other big ticket toys. It has been nice to pocket some of the money (to pay for more toys, swim lessons, and tball), and nice to see my basement get cleaned out. Now the clothes, those are another story...but I am happy to pass them on to anyone who needs them, since it will save me from having to just donate them or decide to garage sale them.
The thing that was the hardest on me was my triple jogger. We used it ALL the time for over a year. I sold it to another girl I know who has 10 week old triplet boys, so I feel good about that. But as I drove off (I drove it up to her), I just started bawling. It's hard to say goodbye to my sweet babies...fun to say hello to little boys, but I do miss those babies.
Onward, onward, to big boys.
Nate and I have been discussing recently our thoughts on the fact that we have three 2 year olds. We came to the consensus that the first 2 years were exhausting physically (sleep-or lack thereof!-carrying them, fighting them, wrestling them, etc), but the next 2 years will exhaust us mentally and emotionally (tantrums, timeouts, hitting, disobeying, and training them). I think the next 2 will be harder. Maybe not. Different, for sure.
But then we have days like today....the little boys played for 45 minutes on their own this morning, with no intervening from me. They pushed trucks around and talked and giggled, and didn't fight. I worked on the computer and drank coffee. And then after dinner, Z cleared the table, and I had left the gate open, and they all went back downstairs to play. Happily. Not fighting. And I cleaned up dinner in peace. It was almost like it wasn't my house! So it could be good....but I still miss my babies.
So I started posting stuff on Craigs List. I have gotten rid of an umbrella stroller, my single and double strollers, my jog stroller, 2 pack n plays, toddler swings, a carseat, plus various other big ticket toys. It has been nice to pocket some of the money (to pay for more toys, swim lessons, and tball), and nice to see my basement get cleaned out. Now the clothes, those are another story...but I am happy to pass them on to anyone who needs them, since it will save me from having to just donate them or decide to garage sale them.
The thing that was the hardest on me was my triple jogger. We used it ALL the time for over a year. I sold it to another girl I know who has 10 week old triplet boys, so I feel good about that. But as I drove off (I drove it up to her), I just started bawling. It's hard to say goodbye to my sweet babies...fun to say hello to little boys, but I do miss those babies.
Onward, onward, to big boys.
Nate and I have been discussing recently our thoughts on the fact that we have three 2 year olds. We came to the consensus that the first 2 years were exhausting physically (sleep-or lack thereof!-carrying them, fighting them, wrestling them, etc), but the next 2 years will exhaust us mentally and emotionally (tantrums, timeouts, hitting, disobeying, and training them). I think the next 2 will be harder. Maybe not. Different, for sure.
But then we have days like today....the little boys played for 45 minutes on their own this morning, with no intervening from me. They pushed trucks around and talked and giggled, and didn't fight. I worked on the computer and drank coffee. And then after dinner, Z cleared the table, and I had left the gate open, and they all went back downstairs to play. Happily. Not fighting. And I cleaned up dinner in peace. It was almost like it wasn't my house! So it could be good....but I still miss my babies.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Rough
It has been a rough week over here. This is a hard job. So hard. Some days I just don't think I am up for it.
I wrote about the boys napping on Monday....
Tuesday no one napped. They spent an hour and 45 minutes escaping, getting swatted, playing, screaming, escaping, laughing, crying, getting swatted. I was back there every 2-5 minutes. I was exhausted. At an end. Didn't know what to do. Totally stressed out. Miserable.
The rest of the afternoon was terrible too. They were so tired. And they whined. And they crabbed, and fought, and screamed, and whined, and snatched, and whined, and cried. They were in bed at 6. They all fell asleep relatively quickly, but N was awake 45 minutes later screaming...which he did for 45 more minutes. (I have noticed he does that if he is overtired...he goes to sleep then is up after a sleep cycle for awhile). It was horrid. I was stressed out and wasn't able to relax at all, not even through the night and into Wednesday morning.
I asked some girls in my multiples group for advice, and got some good advice. Tuesday night and Wednesday I mulled around ideas, and finally decided to work hard core for a solid week at training them to stay in bed. I have always said that you have to work hard for a week before ANYTHING will take root in my experience (potty training, bottle weaning/cup training, pacifier removal, etc), but that if you work and are consistent, it will take a week. I don't know if that will be the case here, but I decided to try it for a week. I also got 2 crib tents from friends. To those who don't know, yes, it is sort of a baby cage. It is a netted dome that goes over a crib to prevent a child from escaping. So I will work for a week, and see where we're at.
I think I am anti-crib tent because I feel like my kids have beat me. I know this isn't true, and I know that life is just different with 3 kids at once, but I think that is my hangup with them. But, I have to adapt and accept what I have. So we'll see.
And I think my sanity is more important than whether my kids have "beat" me in this area. I was a train wreck the last 48 hours. I snapped at my kids. I doubted myself as a mom. I was sure I was not good enough because I didn't read enough, care enough, do crafts enough, play enough with my kids. I doubted myself as a wife...my house wasn't clean enough, I was dumping on my husband and not loving towards him, I didn't have dinner made.
Thankfully Wednesday they were exhausted and napped without escaping, and today they went to sleep pretty quickly as well, and no one tried anything wacky.
So we'll see where we're at in a week. I hope I am still sane.
I wrote about the boys napping on Monday....
Tuesday no one napped. They spent an hour and 45 minutes escaping, getting swatted, playing, screaming, escaping, laughing, crying, getting swatted. I was back there every 2-5 minutes. I was exhausted. At an end. Didn't know what to do. Totally stressed out. Miserable.
The rest of the afternoon was terrible too. They were so tired. And they whined. And they crabbed, and fought, and screamed, and whined, and snatched, and whined, and cried. They were in bed at 6. They all fell asleep relatively quickly, but N was awake 45 minutes later screaming...which he did for 45 more minutes. (I have noticed he does that if he is overtired...he goes to sleep then is up after a sleep cycle for awhile). It was horrid. I was stressed out and wasn't able to relax at all, not even through the night and into Wednesday morning.
I asked some girls in my multiples group for advice, and got some good advice. Tuesday night and Wednesday I mulled around ideas, and finally decided to work hard core for a solid week at training them to stay in bed. I have always said that you have to work hard for a week before ANYTHING will take root in my experience (potty training, bottle weaning/cup training, pacifier removal, etc), but that if you work and are consistent, it will take a week. I don't know if that will be the case here, but I decided to try it for a week. I also got 2 crib tents from friends. To those who don't know, yes, it is sort of a baby cage. It is a netted dome that goes over a crib to prevent a child from escaping. So I will work for a week, and see where we're at.
I think I am anti-crib tent because I feel like my kids have beat me. I know this isn't true, and I know that life is just different with 3 kids at once, but I think that is my hangup with them. But, I have to adapt and accept what I have. So we'll see.
And I think my sanity is more important than whether my kids have "beat" me in this area. I was a train wreck the last 48 hours. I snapped at my kids. I doubted myself as a mom. I was sure I was not good enough because I didn't read enough, care enough, do crafts enough, play enough with my kids. I doubted myself as a wife...my house wasn't clean enough, I was dumping on my husband and not loving towards him, I didn't have dinner made.
Thankfully Wednesday they were exhausted and napped without escaping, and today they went to sleep pretty quickly as well, and no one tried anything wacky.
So we'll see where we're at in a week. I hope I am still sane.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Why I blog
When Z was born, I started sending out email updates and pictures to family. When Z was not quite a year old, I decided to start a blog. It seemed easier than updates. So I took all those old emails and put them as my first posts. After that, I began blogging about once a month, kind of similarly to what I had been doing. After mom died (Sept 2007) and I had had some time to process that, I began blogging a bit more regularly. By the time Z turned 2, I was blogging 10 times a month, and since I got pregnant with the boys it has averaged 18 times a month. (Um, that's nuts.) I switched to this address last May, which is why you don't see the oldest posts on it (although if you really are interested, let me know...the old blog is still up, but it is private and I have to "invite" you to look at it).
My number of posts did jump up once I decided to "publish" my blog into a hardbound book (using blurb), my own personal scrapbook. I began adding a lot more pictures, since I wasn't printing any out. I got a 12 x 12 book from 2006-2008 that was 179 pages, 2009 that was 260, and just got 2010 that was 325 pages. That is a lot of pictures and a lot of words (I am kind of wordy, I guess!).
At any rate, the boys LOVE to look at them (I don't let the little boys much, because they will rip then to shreds!). Z loves to look back at the old pictures, and he will say things like "Remember when we went to the beach and I saw the seagulls?" because he has seen the pictures so many times.
It has been so fun for me to look back and remember stuff, especially around the boys birthday. Like how I felt when they were born. Our first impressions of them. How sleep deprived we were. How unsure we were of how everything would be with them. How far we have come!
Since I started blogging more frequently when Z turned 2, I love being able to look back see what Z was doing when he was 2, and stuff he was doing. Silly stories I had forgotten. It is neat for me to be able to compare the little boys to Z, and for me to predict when and how things will happen with them based on what Z did.
It has been an unbelievable diary and outlet for me. I wish that I actually wrote more day to day stuff, but (now) it seems boring, so I don't, but I know I will want it in a few years. I try to write stuff down, or at least jot notes to myself so I don't forget to blog about it later. I take lots of pictures because I know that they will jog my memory to actually write about something. My memory is terrible, and I want to remember what these days were like. Some days I love, some days not so much....but I don't want to forget what these days were like, what my kids were like. And someday, maybe one of the boys (or more likely, one of their wives) will be interested in what the boys were like as kids, so they will be looked at again. In the meantime, it sure is fun for me.
I have heard from so many friends and family that they love this blog too. I admit, I do it about 90% for myself, and 10% for those of you who enjoy reading. I love to share my boys with you. I love the encouragement you give me. There is so little actual feedback I get from my kids day to day, so hearing from you just makes me smile. So thanks to those of you that have encouraged me as a mom and a wife by reading this...it really does keep me going. :)
My number of posts did jump up once I decided to "publish" my blog into a hardbound book (using blurb), my own personal scrapbook. I began adding a lot more pictures, since I wasn't printing any out. I got a 12 x 12 book from 2006-2008 that was 179 pages, 2009 that was 260, and just got 2010 that was 325 pages. That is a lot of pictures and a lot of words (I am kind of wordy, I guess!).
At any rate, the boys LOVE to look at them (I don't let the little boys much, because they will rip then to shreds!). Z loves to look back at the old pictures, and he will say things like "Remember when we went to the beach and I saw the seagulls?" because he has seen the pictures so many times.
It has been so fun for me to look back and remember stuff, especially around the boys birthday. Like how I felt when they were born. Our first impressions of them. How sleep deprived we were. How unsure we were of how everything would be with them. How far we have come!
Since I started blogging more frequently when Z turned 2, I love being able to look back see what Z was doing when he was 2, and stuff he was doing. Silly stories I had forgotten. It is neat for me to be able to compare the little boys to Z, and for me to predict when and how things will happen with them based on what Z did.
It has been an unbelievable diary and outlet for me. I wish that I actually wrote more day to day stuff, but (now) it seems boring, so I don't, but I know I will want it in a few years. I try to write stuff down, or at least jot notes to myself so I don't forget to blog about it later. I take lots of pictures because I know that they will jog my memory to actually write about something. My memory is terrible, and I want to remember what these days were like. Some days I love, some days not so much....but I don't want to forget what these days were like, what my kids were like. And someday, maybe one of the boys (or more likely, one of their wives) will be interested in what the boys were like as kids, so they will be looked at again. In the meantime, it sure is fun for me.
I have heard from so many friends and family that they love this blog too. I admit, I do it about 90% for myself, and 10% for those of you who enjoy reading. I love to share my boys with you. I love the encouragement you give me. There is so little actual feedback I get from my kids day to day, so hearing from you just makes me smile. So thanks to those of you that have encouraged me as a mom and a wife by reading this...it really does keep me going. :)
Sunday, May 9, 2010
A Mother's Day Gift
Nate gave me the best Mother's Day gift ever...a weekend to myself.
He took off school on Friday, and left after lunch with the boys, hoping they would nap on the way down.
As for me...what do you do with 48 hours to yourself? If you're me....
I started out by going to Trader Joe's. I spent an hour plus walking around, writing down prices, looking at labels, and just enjoying it. I got some chocolate covered pretzels for a treat!
I went to get a haircut and my eyebrows done...both of which were in dire need of some help.
I went home and steam cleaned all of the carpets (all 3 bedrooms and the family room rug). They were NASTY. They hadn't been steamcleaned since the babies were born, and I'm not sure if anyone can completely understand the volume of fluid (pick a fluid, any fluid) that came out of my children and landed on the floor and sort of got cleaned up.
I ran to Hancock fabrics to look for something that could work as a table cover for the new table we got. It is dark wood, and any mark put on it (spoons, forks, etc) could very easily leave a mark. So I need something to protect it.
I rented The Blind Side with a free redbox rental. I knew it would be one Nate didn't really want to see.
I had a massage...a gift card from 2 Christmas' ago. It was a 45 minute massage, but they signed me up for 60 minutes, and somehow it all worked out. Not sure how, but I double checked. It was FABULOUS. Ahh...I love a good massage. The massause suggested I "come back in 4-6 weeks, as there was some stuff that would take several sessions to work out." Yeah. I'll check my calendar and budget.
I got Arby's for dinner and a cherry limeade to drink, then headed home to watch the movie.
I laid down on the couch and watched the movie. I did nothing else while I watched!
I slept until 9, then took a long hot shower.
I got Krispy Kreme for breakfast, and a free coffee from McDonalds.
I ran to Bed, Bath, & Beyond and got a Shark steam mop...used a 20% off coupon and got a $15 gift card rebate!
Went next to Old Navy and used a $50 gift card to get some new shirts. I tried them ALL on before I left! I also found a Tom and Jerry shirt for Zach that he will love. (He has recently been watching it at a friends house and thinks it is hilarious. I think it is hilarious that he is watching Tom and Jerry.)
Went to the bank to get cash out for the week.
Ran to Target for a return.
Went to Lowe's to get dirt to finish planting my garden.
Came home, and transferred the tomatoes and peppers to the garden with the dirt I bought.
That was all by noon!
And then after noon, I sat on the couch and read. All afternoon. I stopped to get QDoba, but then read some more, and finished the book by 830. It was The Island by Victoria Hislop. A good read. I LOVE to read, but tend to do nothing BUT read when I get into a good book, which doesn't work so well when 4 children are running around. So reading is a special treat to me.
After I finished I tried out the Shark mop, but it wasn't working the way I wanted, so I quit. Because I could.
Slept again until 9, then had a nice shower and went to church. I had to teach Sunday School second service.
Ran to Costco and Dierbergs to get a few groceries, and went home.
Unloaded, finished my QDoba from last night, and finished picking up the house.
I loved my time...loved, loved, loved it. I didn't pick up the phone when it rang, so I just heard quiet. Quiet is really nice. I loved not talking (I know, I know...me?). I loved not being in charge of anyone but myself.
Nate and the boys got home around 330. Nate was glad to be home, and so were the boys. They kind of danced around the house and danced around me...they might as well have been saying, "Home! Home! Mom! Mom!" I was VERY glad to see them. While I loved my time, I love my family. I love being mom, I love being wife. I love being needed.
And what is not to love about this?
He took off school on Friday, and left after lunch with the boys, hoping they would nap on the way down.
As for me...what do you do with 48 hours to yourself? If you're me....
I started out by going to Trader Joe's. I spent an hour plus walking around, writing down prices, looking at labels, and just enjoying it. I got some chocolate covered pretzels for a treat!
I went to get a haircut and my eyebrows done...both of which were in dire need of some help.
I went home and steam cleaned all of the carpets (all 3 bedrooms and the family room rug). They were NASTY. They hadn't been steamcleaned since the babies were born, and I'm not sure if anyone can completely understand the volume of fluid (pick a fluid, any fluid) that came out of my children and landed on the floor and sort of got cleaned up.
I ran to Hancock fabrics to look for something that could work as a table cover for the new table we got. It is dark wood, and any mark put on it (spoons, forks, etc) could very easily leave a mark. So I need something to protect it.
I rented The Blind Side with a free redbox rental. I knew it would be one Nate didn't really want to see.
I had a massage...a gift card from 2 Christmas' ago. It was a 45 minute massage, but they signed me up for 60 minutes, and somehow it all worked out. Not sure how, but I double checked. It was FABULOUS. Ahh...I love a good massage. The massause suggested I "come back in 4-6 weeks, as there was some stuff that would take several sessions to work out." Yeah. I'll check my calendar and budget.
I got Arby's for dinner and a cherry limeade to drink, then headed home to watch the movie.
I laid down on the couch and watched the movie. I did nothing else while I watched!
I slept until 9, then took a long hot shower.
I got Krispy Kreme for breakfast, and a free coffee from McDonalds.
I ran to Bed, Bath, & Beyond and got a Shark steam mop...used a 20% off coupon and got a $15 gift card rebate!
Went next to Old Navy and used a $50 gift card to get some new shirts. I tried them ALL on before I left! I also found a Tom and Jerry shirt for Zach that he will love. (He has recently been watching it at a friends house and thinks it is hilarious. I think it is hilarious that he is watching Tom and Jerry.)
Went to the bank to get cash out for the week.
Ran to Target for a return.
Went to Lowe's to get dirt to finish planting my garden.
Came home, and transferred the tomatoes and peppers to the garden with the dirt I bought.
That was all by noon!
And then after noon, I sat on the couch and read. All afternoon. I stopped to get QDoba, but then read some more, and finished the book by 830. It was The Island by Victoria Hislop. A good read. I LOVE to read, but tend to do nothing BUT read when I get into a good book, which doesn't work so well when 4 children are running around. So reading is a special treat to me.
After I finished I tried out the Shark mop, but it wasn't working the way I wanted, so I quit. Because I could.
Slept again until 9, then had a nice shower and went to church. I had to teach Sunday School second service.
Ran to Costco and Dierbergs to get a few groceries, and went home.
Unloaded, finished my QDoba from last night, and finished picking up the house.
I loved my time...loved, loved, loved it. I didn't pick up the phone when it rang, so I just heard quiet. Quiet is really nice. I loved not talking (I know, I know...me?). I loved not being in charge of anyone but myself.
Nate and the boys got home around 330. Nate was glad to be home, and so were the boys. They kind of danced around the house and danced around me...they might as well have been saying, "Home! Home! Mom! Mom!" I was VERY glad to see them. While I loved my time, I love my family. I love being mom, I love being wife. I love being needed.
And what is not to love about this?
As for Nate and the boys and Nate's parents, they did well too. They were all reminded of the pre-planning that goes into everything involved with 4 little boys, and saw how vital a childproofed house and yard are! They did really well, all of them. Nate did wonderfully, and was awesome with the boys and all of the unknowns...probably less stressed out than I would have been. His parents were great as well, and loved the chance to play with the boys and to have them go to the preschool to play, and to show them off at church. Glad it worked out for everyone!
Special thanks to my rockin' awesome husband for taking on a huge job...a 2 1/2 hour drive to a non-childproof house for 48 hours...and to my in-laws for taking them in and giving me a break. This mama is incredibly grateful.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
I'm a better mom already!
I've been in kind of a funk for the past few weeks. Nate finally labeled what it was for me...burnout. Yup, it happens. I just got tired of my kids, I have been kind of crabby, not wanting to do anything, my house is a pit, going through the motions. I told him the other day I wished someone would come rescue me from my life. Not long term or anything, but get me out of here. I need a break.
When he finally diagnosed me, I felt guilty. Like I shouldn't be burned out...these are my kids. This is my life. I shouldn't need a break. "Great" moms do this all the time, they do more than me, and "they" don't need breaks (actually, this is sounding famaliar...yes, I did write a post like this a few weeks ago...see...it has been a few weeks). At any rate, I was feeling guilty. Not sure where this guilt is coming from, or where I got my picture of what the "perfect" mom is, but that is beside the point.
Nate left last night for a softball game, and he called while he was driving to tell me he was "going to rescue me". Yup, my Mother's Day present is to NOT be a mom for the weekend. Nate is taking the boys down to his parents house. He is leaving work early, driving down during naptime, and not coming back til after church on Sunday.
I felt kind of bad. I cried. I felt undeserving. I felt like a slacker. I felt like I was letting both my husband and my boys down by needing a break.
But then, Nate reminded me, "You will be a better mom and wife when you've had some time for yourself." (He was, in fact, quick to add that I already am a good mom and wife...that was not his point. His statement was encouraging.)
And he was right. In fact, I am a better mom today, knowing that this weekend I will have some "me" time. I loved my kids and played with them. I read books and talked and snuggled and tickled and joked and and taught and pushed on swings, and I smiled doing it. My attitude was just different. I also got some stuff done around the house...all the windows cleaned, swiffered under the couches, 7 loads of laundry done.
Just the knowledge that I have a break coming up is giving me a burst of energy, and some excitement for the everyday stuff. I know I'm a good mom, I know I'm a good wife. But I love the thought of some time for myself!
When he finally diagnosed me, I felt guilty. Like I shouldn't be burned out...these are my kids. This is my life. I shouldn't need a break. "Great" moms do this all the time, they do more than me, and "they" don't need breaks (actually, this is sounding famaliar...yes, I did write a post like this a few weeks ago...see...it has been a few weeks). At any rate, I was feeling guilty. Not sure where this guilt is coming from, or where I got my picture of what the "perfect" mom is, but that is beside the point.
Nate left last night for a softball game, and he called while he was driving to tell me he was "going to rescue me". Yup, my Mother's Day present is to NOT be a mom for the weekend. Nate is taking the boys down to his parents house. He is leaving work early, driving down during naptime, and not coming back til after church on Sunday.
I felt kind of bad. I cried. I felt undeserving. I felt like a slacker. I felt like I was letting both my husband and my boys down by needing a break.
But then, Nate reminded me, "You will be a better mom and wife when you've had some time for yourself." (He was, in fact, quick to add that I already am a good mom and wife...that was not his point. His statement was encouraging.)
And he was right. In fact, I am a better mom today, knowing that this weekend I will have some "me" time. I loved my kids and played with them. I read books and talked and snuggled and tickled and joked and and taught and pushed on swings, and I smiled doing it. My attitude was just different. I also got some stuff done around the house...all the windows cleaned, swiffered under the couches, 7 loads of laundry done.
Just the knowledge that I have a break coming up is giving me a burst of energy, and some excitement for the everyday stuff. I know I'm a good mom, I know I'm a good wife. But I love the thought of some time for myself!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Game Face
Last night I went grocery shopping by myself (Aldi and Walmart). This is what my "gotta get away" time has evolved into...8:00 on Saturday night, me grocery shopping by myself. Well, it is what it is. Anyway, as I was checking out, I was chatting with the woman in front of me and she asked me how many children I had. I simply said "four" instead of "a four year old and one year old triplets". I was amazed at how I felt saying it, not to mention her response...or lack thereof. She responded, "yes, you probably do enjoy your quiet evenings grocery shopping!".
It took me awhile to figure out why my simple answer meant so much to me.
It takes so much work to get out the door with all my kids. I do it all the time, because I hate to be cooped up. But it is work...8 pairs of shoes, 4 seatbelts, at least one crying child as we try to get out, normally an argument with Z during the loading (because he is dawdling), potty check, diapers, milk cups, snacks, getting the right stroller loaded for wherever we're going. And that is just if we have a quick errand to run...sometimes we have to get lunches packed, lunch seats in the car, backpacks...etc.
And the last thing I have to get, that I didn't consciously realize until last night, is my Game Face. It takes a lot of emotional energy to get out of the car sometimes.
When we go somewhere, the LEAST we get is stares. Sometimes those are kind stares, some smiling stares. Some pity stares, some crazy stares. Some curious stares, some laughing stares.
If I am in the mood for eye contact with people (sometimes I am not, so I just keep my head down and ignore the stares), then I get comments.
Most of the time we get kind comments, and over time, I have come up with my typical response... "God bless you! (He sure has!) You sure have your hands full (Yes I do!) What a great wagon! (Yup, we love it!) They are so cute! (We like 'em!) All boys? (Yup, 4 of them!). Were you planning on 3? (Nope, it was a surprise!--really, who "plans" for 3?!) So I guess you're done? (We do have a lot!--how is this your business?)" It is intentional that all of my responses end with an exclamation mark, and are said with a smile. All part of the Game Face (and part of my general attitude, as well). It just means I can't let my guard down while I'm out.
We have had a few negative comments, too. I don't have responses to these...how do you come up with those on the spot? Most of the time I am just so sad for the people saying it, and I realize that sometimes people just talk and don't think about what they're saying (I'm guilty of this too). "I thought my life was bad! I'm so sorry. I hated my one, I couldn't handle four. That's why I didn't want to use fertility drugs."
We also have gotten a few pretty funny comments. My two favorites? In the triple jogger, when the boys were wearing coordinating coats and matching hats, I had one woman say, "Huh. They almost look like triplets." That same trip, another woman, "So did you have them each a year apart?" (HUH?!)
We have also had people want to take pictures of us. Not quite sure about this...some people have just started snapping away, and some people have asked. Bizarre. Not sure what they want to DO with the pictures of my kids...really, you can just google triplets and you'll find some pictures.
Now, I am not saying I would not be amazed by seeing triplets either, if I didn't have them. I totally would be. So I am not in any way, shape, or form blaming people for staring at us (even if it is subtle) or for making kind comments to us. I do get annoyed when people make negative comments or ask personal questions, but again, I don't think that they realize what they are doing, so I don't really blame them.
So last night, I was normal. I was ordinary. I was just a woman with 4 kids...not a spectacular thing. I love my children, I would not have my life ANY different...but it was nice to be normal.
It took me awhile to figure out why my simple answer meant so much to me.
It takes so much work to get out the door with all my kids. I do it all the time, because I hate to be cooped up. But it is work...8 pairs of shoes, 4 seatbelts, at least one crying child as we try to get out, normally an argument with Z during the loading (because he is dawdling), potty check, diapers, milk cups, snacks, getting the right stroller loaded for wherever we're going. And that is just if we have a quick errand to run...sometimes we have to get lunches packed, lunch seats in the car, backpacks...etc.
And the last thing I have to get, that I didn't consciously realize until last night, is my Game Face. It takes a lot of emotional energy to get out of the car sometimes.
When we go somewhere, the LEAST we get is stares. Sometimes those are kind stares, some smiling stares. Some pity stares, some crazy stares. Some curious stares, some laughing stares.
If I am in the mood for eye contact with people (sometimes I am not, so I just keep my head down and ignore the stares), then I get comments.
Most of the time we get kind comments, and over time, I have come up with my typical response... "God bless you! (He sure has!) You sure have your hands full (Yes I do!) What a great wagon! (Yup, we love it!) They are so cute! (We like 'em!) All boys? (Yup, 4 of them!). Were you planning on 3? (Nope, it was a surprise!--really, who "plans" for 3?!) So I guess you're done? (We do have a lot!--how is this your business?)" It is intentional that all of my responses end with an exclamation mark, and are said with a smile. All part of the Game Face (and part of my general attitude, as well). It just means I can't let my guard down while I'm out.
We have had a few negative comments, too. I don't have responses to these...how do you come up with those on the spot? Most of the time I am just so sad for the people saying it, and I realize that sometimes people just talk and don't think about what they're saying (I'm guilty of this too). "I thought my life was bad! I'm so sorry. I hated my one, I couldn't handle four. That's why I didn't want to use fertility drugs."
We also have gotten a few pretty funny comments. My two favorites? In the triple jogger, when the boys were wearing coordinating coats and matching hats, I had one woman say, "Huh. They almost look like triplets." That same trip, another woman, "So did you have them each a year apart?" (HUH?!)
We have also had people want to take pictures of us. Not quite sure about this...some people have just started snapping away, and some people have asked. Bizarre. Not sure what they want to DO with the pictures of my kids...really, you can just google triplets and you'll find some pictures.
Now, I am not saying I would not be amazed by seeing triplets either, if I didn't have them. I totally would be. So I am not in any way, shape, or form blaming people for staring at us (even if it is subtle) or for making kind comments to us. I do get annoyed when people make negative comments or ask personal questions, but again, I don't think that they realize what they are doing, so I don't really blame them.
So last night, I was normal. I was ordinary. I was just a woman with 4 kids...not a spectacular thing. I love my children, I would not have my life ANY different...but it was nice to be normal.
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