.....will they ever end?!?
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Daily Life at the "Half" Marks
Life with three children ages 3 and under is hectic. Most days I feel like a zombie with a spinning head. Nice visual, right?! Haha. Now that Linnea is approaching the 3.5 mark and the babies are exactly 1.5, I thought I'd write an update about daily life. I have a feeling most of this is going to come across as fairly negative. Don't get me wrong, we do have a lot of fun and our days are filled with joy and laughter, but getting through the days right now is no easy task. When I was pregnant with the babies, other parents of twins kept telling me, "it doesn't ever get easier, it just gets different." So far, that statement rings one hundred percent true.
The most difficult and frustrating part about my daily life right now is the inability to bring all three of my kids anywhere by myself. I'm not a homebody. I love going out, especially with my kids. Right now, though, most of our favorite places are off limits unless I have help. Eliza and Joey have completely different personalities and are drawn to completely different things. For example, at the park, Eliza goes right for the swings, but Joey runs toward the nearest open field to explore trees, bushes, and/or plants (my little nature-boy). There is NO way to keep tabs on both of them and Linnea all by myself. Another example: at the Minnesota Zoo, Joey loves to stop and investigate every creature, but Eliza just hits the pavement running, stopping for nothing. Eliza makes me seriously consider buying a treadmill...if only treadmills were made in baby size. Oh, and no, Eiza and Joey don't sit peacefully in the stroller for any longer than it takes to finish their snacks.
Now, let me add once again that I'm beyond lucky and extremely fortunate to have help most days, so we do get out quite a bit. On the days I don't have help, though, I'm totally stir crazy and crabby by the end of the day...and so are the kids. It's hard waking up those mornings and knowing we're all stuck. It seems to put an immediate downer on the day. So, if and when the day ever comes that I'm able to leave the house with all three by myself, I will rejoice.
Ok, so you probably figured it was coming, right? Yep, naps are still a major issue on a daily basis. If it weren't for the fact that I attempt to get all three kids down for a nap at the same time, Eliza and Joey would still be taking their nap around 10:30am. They wake up in the morning so freakin' early that they're having a heck of a time pushing back their one "afternoon" nap. Since Linnea still naps consistently for two hours every afternoon, I feel like pushing the babies is the only way to have a normal day, but pushing isn't always easy. The babies get downright unruly when they're super tired. Also, the only way to push the babies is to get them out of the house...not so easy when I don't have help! Seriously, this prolonged winter weather isn't making life any easier either. We can't even play outside in the back yard! Lame. So, needless to say, nap time isn't always consistent, and coordinating naps is like performing a complicated dance. On the plus-side, though, once they're all down, regardless of what time it is, I can pretty much count on 2 hours out of each child.
I suppose my "daily life" update wouldn't be complete with a depiction of the witching hour. If you'd ever like to witness pure chaos, please visit my home between the hours 5-7pm. This is the time of day when it rarely feels like there are enough helping hands, even when there are more than enough. All the kids are needy, cranky, and sometimes downright unruly. They often need to be separated...it's usually the most unruly child that is removed to the basement to "chill" with Daddy.
Well, that's it in a nutshell. I hope this helps you better understand my exhaustion: physical, mental, and emotional. I'm always moving, strategizing, coordinating, preparing, retrieving, cleaning, refereeing, comforting, and taking deep breaths. I hope you're able to excuse me when I don't recognize you in public, or when you catch me out shopping in my pajamas.
The most difficult and frustrating part about my daily life right now is the inability to bring all three of my kids anywhere by myself. I'm not a homebody. I love going out, especially with my kids. Right now, though, most of our favorite places are off limits unless I have help. Eliza and Joey have completely different personalities and are drawn to completely different things. For example, at the park, Eliza goes right for the swings, but Joey runs toward the nearest open field to explore trees, bushes, and/or plants (my little nature-boy). There is NO way to keep tabs on both of them and Linnea all by myself. Another example: at the Minnesota Zoo, Joey loves to stop and investigate every creature, but Eliza just hits the pavement running, stopping for nothing. Eliza makes me seriously consider buying a treadmill...if only treadmills were made in baby size. Oh, and no, Eiza and Joey don't sit peacefully in the stroller for any longer than it takes to finish their snacks.
Now, let me add once again that I'm beyond lucky and extremely fortunate to have help most days, so we do get out quite a bit. On the days I don't have help, though, I'm totally stir crazy and crabby by the end of the day...and so are the kids. It's hard waking up those mornings and knowing we're all stuck. It seems to put an immediate downer on the day. So, if and when the day ever comes that I'm able to leave the house with all three by myself, I will rejoice.
Ok, so you probably figured it was coming, right? Yep, naps are still a major issue on a daily basis. If it weren't for the fact that I attempt to get all three kids down for a nap at the same time, Eliza and Joey would still be taking their nap around 10:30am. They wake up in the morning so freakin' early that they're having a heck of a time pushing back their one "afternoon" nap. Since Linnea still naps consistently for two hours every afternoon, I feel like pushing the babies is the only way to have a normal day, but pushing isn't always easy. The babies get downright unruly when they're super tired. Also, the only way to push the babies is to get them out of the house...not so easy when I don't have help! Seriously, this prolonged winter weather isn't making life any easier either. We can't even play outside in the back yard! Lame. So, needless to say, nap time isn't always consistent, and coordinating naps is like performing a complicated dance. On the plus-side, though, once they're all down, regardless of what time it is, I can pretty much count on 2 hours out of each child.
I suppose my "daily life" update wouldn't be complete with a depiction of the witching hour. If you'd ever like to witness pure chaos, please visit my home between the hours 5-7pm. This is the time of day when it rarely feels like there are enough helping hands, even when there are more than enough. All the kids are needy, cranky, and sometimes downright unruly. They often need to be separated...it's usually the most unruly child that is removed to the basement to "chill" with Daddy.
Well, that's it in a nutshell. I hope this helps you better understand my exhaustion: physical, mental, and emotional. I'm always moving, strategizing, coordinating, preparing, retrieving, cleaning, refereeing, comforting, and taking deep breaths. I hope you're able to excuse me when I don't recognize you in public, or when you catch me out shopping in my pajamas.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Growing Up
There have been a few moments recently when I looked at Linnea and thought, "wow, she's really growing up." It's exciting and I'm happy for her, but it's also kind of sad. She's my first baby (well, second if I count Ringo, but still) and she's growing up! She's really exploring her independence these days, mostly by voicing her opinion...strongly. She's a gal who knows what she wants and goes after it. Oh, and I'm not going to say she hasn't been a little sassy lately too. I think I've already gotten the hands-on-hips with eye roll, "fine, mommy" a couple times. Yikes.
She's also developing her negotiating skills:
Scenario - Linnea and I are about to leave for her swimming lesson. Linnea wants to sit in Eliza's car seat in the back of the minivan.
Mommy: "Linnea, I'd like you to sit in your car seat closer to me, so I can reach you if you need anything."
Linnea: "Mommy, you could just throw me a sucker."
Here she is playing with the "big" girls at the park. These girls were in 5th grade...and she's already over half their size.
She's also developing her negotiating skills:
Scenario - Linnea and I are about to leave for her swimming lesson. Linnea wants to sit in Eliza's car seat in the back of the minivan.
Mommy: "Linnea, I'd like you to sit in your car seat closer to me, so I can reach you if you need anything."
Linnea: "Mommy, you could just throw me a sucker."
Here she is playing with the "big" girls at the park. These girls were in 5th grade...and she's already over half their size.
And here she is walking through the mall with her friend:
I think she's also developed her first slight crush on the neighbor-boy, Luke.
See?! 3 going on 13, right?! Yeeeeowzaaaa
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Just Joey
Hi! I'm Joey, and I'm sweet...well, that's what people always say about me anyway. I don't really get it. I can throw some pretty serious tantrums. I guess my sweet moments must outweigh my not so sweet moments...
I don't complain when princess garb over takes my play space.
I mean, if the shoe fits, right??
And, really...purple enhances my baby blues!
I'm also good at sharing my toys, as long as I'm not "sharing" them with my sisters. My friend Julia is mega cute. Sharing with her isn't hard at all.
I don't complain when princess garb over takes my play space.
I mean, if the shoe fits, right??
I'm also good at sharing my toys, as long as I'm not "sharing" them with my sisters. My friend Julia is mega cute. Sharing with her isn't hard at all.
I even make sure to taste the toys before Juj does, so she doesn't taste anything yucky.
I'm not gonna lie...I'm pretty easily entertained. Oh, and bubbles make me super happy.
Climbing in tubes makes me happy too, even if I get stuck sometimes...
Yep, I even look out for my buddy, Ringo.
So, if you think all that is "sweet," then call me sweet. Really, though, I'm just Joey.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Lizie-doodle's 'Do
Mom's always complaining about my poor sleep habits. Whatever. I showed her today with a 4-hour nap! Listen, yo, I sleep when I want to sleep.
I must say, though, that waking up from a long nap, can be a little rough...
It's like...really, mom? I wake up and you're right there with a camera in my face?? Sheesh
Yea, alright alright. I look pretty funny.
Ha! Check my 'do from the side. Yeeeaaayaahhh
Ok- enough is enough. Get me outa this crib!
I must say, though, that waking up from a long nap, can be a little rough...
It's like...really, mom? I wake up and you're right there with a camera in my face?? Sheesh
Yea, alright alright. I look pretty funny.
Ha! Check my 'do from the side. Yeeeaaayaahhh
Ok- enough is enough. Get me outa this crib!
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