Pete had plans to go kayaking today with his dad. There was no way I was going to stay home with the trio all day and let them drive me up a wall. So we got ourselves dressed, packed up a few things, called my sister and niece to come over - and all of us headed to Mystic Aquarium. It was a great trip. Not much time for pictures as we were very much out numbered and the place was mobbed full of people.
Surprisingly enough there wasn't any traffic going down there (it's near the shore so we figured there would be a ton of beach traffic). We left around 10:45 and got to the area around 11:30. The girls were hungry since it was lunch time so instead of eating at Mystic we stopped at McD's and ate lunch there. After lunch we went right over to the aquarium and didn't get very far at all before the questions started. 'Wow - are they triplets?' 'Are all 4 of them yours?' 'That's a cool thing - where'd you get that?' (the wagon). My sister even commented about how it was going to be a long day if this kept up because we weren't even in the door yet.
We got a good groove going where my sister was walking with Christina and the girls were in the wagon. But when they wanted to get out to see something my sister and I would pick them up so they could see and then put them back in. Although Hannah spent a good amount of time outside of the wagon today - and Emily didn't want to get out of the wagon at all (too many people for her liking).
One thing really irritated me. And I'm going to write a letter to Mystic and let them know I'm not happy about this. At one point we were walking over a bridge (very long bridge). All around us was a pond full of fish and huge bull frogs. So I pulled the wagon as close to the side as I could while still managing to be able to pull it forward. All the while people are getting by just fine and the girls are enjoying seeing the biggest frogs they've ever seen...or heard! But at one point I hear a guy say something along the lines of "It's not all it's cracked up to be huh?" I looked up and saw an employee standing behind the wagon. I thought to myself 'nah...he couldn't be talking to me' so I didn't reply. Then he said directly to me "It's cute to you but people can't even get around you." My immediate reply was 'We do the best we can and we're here enjoying the day like everyone else.' That was it. He waited and waited and waited until a break in 'traffic' when he finally went around us huffing and puffing. Here's the thing. He was (and this is by no means any exaggeration...if anything it's an under estimated weight) about 350lbs. The guy was simply huge. So of course he couldn't get by! He took up the whole friggin' bridge!!!!!! Here's what bothers me about this...1 - he works there. He should have been nicer, maybe offered a suggestion on how to make this easier for everyone around. And 2 - he NEVER would have said something of that nature to someone in a wheelchair. He certainly didn't say it to any of the other moms pushing strollers....double WIDE strollers. People - we don't take up that much space when it comes to width. I stay in front of the wagon while pulling it and I'm very conscious of those around me (I could easily take off a few toes along the way if I'm so inclined). Why can't people just keep their opinions to themselves?
I think it's just that it's something 'different' and people don't like things out of the ordinary. I'm still writing a letter to Mystic. This wasn't called for - and I'm not standing for it. We're not a freak show and we won't be made out to be one by an employee of the places we visit. We also won't be made to feel any less privileged due to how we travel.
Moving on....we make our way through the aquarium seeing lots of neat things like penguins, sea lions, sharks....and whales. The end of the exhibit is the underground view of the whale tank. This is where I took pictures. Not because they were whales - but because of what happened. I wanted to keep the girls out of the way of others that were looking in the tank. So I pulled them up to an open window area where there weren't any people (and the whales were elsewhere...). But then - a whale swam by, caught a glimpse of the girls or the wagon or something and stopped, turned around - and came face to face with the girls while putting on a little show! It was amazing! It didn't take long for a crowd to form either. I decided the girls had seen enough and I'd move to let other people in (everyone was now letting their kids JUMP over the girls to get in front of the window so they could take a picture with the whale in the background). We moved down to another window - no one around and again...no whales. Not even a minute later the same thing happened. The whale swam by, saw the girls in the wagon and put his nose right up to the window on the tank as if to kiss the girls (or eat them....they are scrumptious looking after a few snacks of their own). It was simply amazing, baffling, mystifying...what caught their eye? What made them stay right there and just keep looking at the girls or the wagon or...who knows what?! It was a great ending to the day.
We drove home with no traffic. Played, waited for Pete to come home, had dinner and then it was baths, pj's, teeth, books and bed by 6:00 tonight.
Now it's time to clean!
Here's the link to the girls blog - pics of the whale!
http://luccotriplets.blogspot.com/
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Lake House Picnic
We started off the morning with a huge breakfast. My mom, sister and niece came over to enjoy it with us!
Then we went to a picnic today at a lake house. It was a lot of fun! We didn't bring the girls bathing suits because come on - what 2 y/o little GIRL is gonna wanna swim in a lake? Yeah....so the only one that wouldn't go in was Hannah (we know she's smart - this just proves it). And because Pete 'conveniently' forgot to wear shorts - guess who got the job of standing on the rocks holding on to 2 girls for dear life? Unfortunately Hailey ended up letting go of me at one point (you try to watch 2 in the water and one on the wall!) and she fell all the way in. No big deal. I picked her up, smashed the water out of her and put her right back in...don't want her being afraid of a snake infested lake or anything.
The sunblock I put on them didn't work too well (damn store brand was on sale and I thought I was getting a deal). But the girls got too much sun and now they're red. Grrrrrr. After bath we'll load 'em up with some lotion and hope that it's not too bad.
One of the great things about today was that no one pestered the girls. Not that anyone is indeed a pester but when they were babies everyone wanted to hold them, feed them, play with them and so on. And they're not the kind of kids that like all that attention so it was always a big problem for us. But at this age - people are smart enough to know that a 2 y/o will throw you into the lake if you mess with them! LOL
They ate hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni salad (Hannah actually enjoyed a few black olives for the 1st time), watermelon...the whole picnic type of foods! They were GOOD and they even napped on the way there. They also were very nice to sing to us all the way home. :)
Now my brother Andy is coming over to watch the girls after they go to bed...followed by my friend Jenn (she can't be here until 8:30 so we have Andy coming until then). Pete and I are going out!
Then we went to a picnic today at a lake house. It was a lot of fun! We didn't bring the girls bathing suits because come on - what 2 y/o little GIRL is gonna wanna swim in a lake? Yeah....so the only one that wouldn't go in was Hannah (we know she's smart - this just proves it). And because Pete 'conveniently' forgot to wear shorts - guess who got the job of standing on the rocks holding on to 2 girls for dear life? Unfortunately Hailey ended up letting go of me at one point (you try to watch 2 in the water and one on the wall!) and she fell all the way in. No big deal. I picked her up, smashed the water out of her and put her right back in...don't want her being afraid of a snake infested lake or anything.
The sunblock I put on them didn't work too well (damn store brand was on sale and I thought I was getting a deal). But the girls got too much sun and now they're red. Grrrrrr. After bath we'll load 'em up with some lotion and hope that it's not too bad.
One of the great things about today was that no one pestered the girls. Not that anyone is indeed a pester but when they were babies everyone wanted to hold them, feed them, play with them and so on. And they're not the kind of kids that like all that attention so it was always a big problem for us. But at this age - people are smart enough to know that a 2 y/o will throw you into the lake if you mess with them! LOL
They ate hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni salad (Hannah actually enjoyed a few black olives for the 1st time), watermelon...the whole picnic type of foods! They were GOOD and they even napped on the way there. They also were very nice to sing to us all the way home. :)
Now my brother Andy is coming over to watch the girls after they go to bed...followed by my friend Jenn (she can't be here until 8:30 so we have Andy coming until then). Pete and I are going out!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Forgot
I forgot to add that while we were leaving the Science Center a woman with 2 kids said to me 'I know you from somewhere....do you work at UConn? I remember the triplets...I've seen you out with them.' I answered that yes I do work at UConn (in my head I was thinking I have no idea who this person is but I hope she's not important because I'll feel like a complete ass not knowing her). She then said she remembered me from the Walk for the Cure last year. She's friends with a doctor I use to work with and we were all at the walk last year (and hopefully again next weekend!).
Anyway the point here is that the 1st thing Pete said to me after she was out of earshot was 'That's why we always have to be on our A-game...you never know who knows us and who's watching.' And it's true. I took the girls to the grocery store the other day - and at least 3 times I heard 'wow - they're getting so big!'.
Anyway the point here is that the 1st thing Pete said to me after she was out of earshot was 'That's why we always have to be on our A-game...you never know who knows us and who's watching.' And it's true. I took the girls to the grocery store the other day - and at least 3 times I heard 'wow - they're getting so big!'.
Saturday
I went out with a friend last night and didn't get home until about 12:30. We went to Mohegan Sun and went shopping with some gift cards that we had! It was a lot of fun. Little Brother and Kristin met us down there and Little Brother showed me how to play Black Jack! That was a lot of fun. I won some $ pretty quickly and made sure to leave just as quickly so as not to spend my winnings :)
Pete got up with the girls this morning so I could sleep in a bit. They were in horrible moods. Nothing...absolutely NOTHING could make them happy. If one of them was happy - the other 2 were whining. We put them down for a nap at 10 and then Pete headed out to get the emissions done on his car. Well of course as soon as he left the girls woke up - still in horrible moods. They had only slept an hour. They finally calmed down after I sat their little butts on the couched, popped in a Care Bears DVD, gave them a snack and left them alone. I don't think they slept enough but of course you can't get them to go back to sleep once they're up.
When Pete got home we all got ready and headed out. We decided to go to the Science Center in West Hartford. It was great. The girls were good the whole time, didn't whine or cry and they even got to touch a snake (ew!). We walked through the dinosaur exhibit and Emily didn't like it at all. She grabbed Pete's hand, covered her eyes with her other hand and kept saying "too big, no like" over and over. LOL - that's probably the only part of the 3 hour visit she'll remember. They saw a bobcat, lots of snakes, a whole bunch of turtles, chinchilla's and so much more. It was a lot of fun!
But once we got home - they turned into terrors again. I don't know why. I have no idea why they feel the need to terrorize me when we're on our own turf. They really do take me for all I'm worth. Hitting, kicking, screaming, tell ME no...you name it and they'll do it.
Andy came home and while he and Pete cooked dinner I took the girls for a walk. Then it was time to eat (or in Hailey's case - throw your food to the point where it was taken away and then cry as if you're being starved to death by 'bab mommy'). Pj's and books couldn't come fast enough for me tonight. Finally - they're in bed.
Now it's time to relax (or do laundry, dishes, clean the bathroom, vacuum......).
Pete got up with the girls this morning so I could sleep in a bit. They were in horrible moods. Nothing...absolutely NOTHING could make them happy. If one of them was happy - the other 2 were whining. We put them down for a nap at 10 and then Pete headed out to get the emissions done on his car. Well of course as soon as he left the girls woke up - still in horrible moods. They had only slept an hour. They finally calmed down after I sat their little butts on the couched, popped in a Care Bears DVD, gave them a snack and left them alone. I don't think they slept enough but of course you can't get them to go back to sleep once they're up.
When Pete got home we all got ready and headed out. We decided to go to the Science Center in West Hartford. It was great. The girls were good the whole time, didn't whine or cry and they even got to touch a snake (ew!). We walked through the dinosaur exhibit and Emily didn't like it at all. She grabbed Pete's hand, covered her eyes with her other hand and kept saying "too big, no like" over and over. LOL - that's probably the only part of the 3 hour visit she'll remember. They saw a bobcat, lots of snakes, a whole bunch of turtles, chinchilla's and so much more. It was a lot of fun!
But once we got home - they turned into terrors again. I don't know why. I have no idea why they feel the need to terrorize me when we're on our own turf. They really do take me for all I'm worth. Hitting, kicking, screaming, tell ME no...you name it and they'll do it.
Andy came home and while he and Pete cooked dinner I took the girls for a walk. Then it was time to eat (or in Hailey's case - throw your food to the point where it was taken away and then cry as if you're being starved to death by 'bab mommy'). Pj's and books couldn't come fast enough for me tonight. Finally - they're in bed.
Now it's time to relax (or do laundry, dishes, clean the bathroom, vacuum......).
Friday, May 28, 2010
May 28, 2010
It was fun Friday with Uncle Joey today. Daddy was busy at work so I don't have a good picture of how the day was for the girls. When I got home the girls were outside with mommy, she came home early today, and Kim. Kim bought each of them a baby doll. The girls played while I cooked then it was bath, brush teeth, read books, and bed.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Thunder Storms
It was so hot yesterday that we had some serious thunder storms last night. The first one was at 11pm and it woke up Hannah and Hailey. We were able to calm them down quickly and they fell back asleep in their beds. Then at 1am it was round two and these were big. Hannah and Hailey woke up scared. There was no way they were going back to sleep in their beds so we brought them in bed with us. Oh, and Emily she slept through it all. Anyways... we are so tired from getting up and then you really don't fall asleep with 2 kids in your bed with you all kicking and moving around. Need sleep.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Yay!
I had an appt today with the stroke specialist and I no longer need to take coumadin! (This means I can eat salads and drink green tea again). The clot is gone and my artery is working. It looks like nothing happened in the 1st place. She just gave me some precautions like no extreme sex roller coasters, no jet skiing...nothing that can really throw my head around like I'm a rag doll. Other than that...I'm free and clear!
Little Brother fed the girls and put them to bed for us tonight so that Pete and I could go out to dinner.
:)
Little Brother fed the girls and put them to bed for us tonight so that Pete and I could go out to dinner.
:)
Sunday, May 23, 2010
5/23/10
Well...it's not very often that we have an outside influence keeping the girls up at night. Usually I'm a bear about people not making too much noise when the girls are sleeping. But last night someone was having a party and there was LOUD music playing until 1:00 in the morning. Hannah & Hailey kept waking up. At one point Hannah said something along the lines of 'music too loud!' After the music stopped - the rest of the night was peaceful.
The girls woke up around 6 and we got up and had some milk and cereal. Followed by some playing and then a nice breakfast that Pete made. After breakfast I went out to cover the grill and clean the porch off (lots of leaves and stuff from the recent rain). I figured the girls would just follow me out there in their socks. Emily & Hailey did - but Hannah of course needed to go and get her shoes and kept saying 'wait for me! I coming!' Lol...she IS a diva after all. The girls had snack outside and then it off to nap.
While they napped Pete and I took showers and got ready for the day. Pete had a wake to go to so he left around 11:30. The girls and I had a picnic to go to. So once they got up around 12:30 we had lunch and headed out to the picnic...with Little Brother in tow.
The girls had SO MUCH FUN on the trampoline. But insert mom 'bitch' here now. This where parenting to triplets becomes a challenge. A: the girls are very small (Hailey is still at only 21lbs, Hannah is only 22lbs and Emily is 25lbs). B: They have problems with their legs - remember the day I had to bring Emily to the ER because she stopped walking??? C: They don't do well in the heat. So the everyone at the picnic wants to see the girls on the trampoline. I finally said ok as long as the big kids got off (no way was I going to let them get jumped on). So they jumped and jumped and jumped. Having so much fun. But I soon realized they were hot, all red in the face and sweating. It was time for a break. So we took a juice break and not 5 minutes went by before someone else was taking them back to the trampoline. Ugh. So you can imagine how the afternoon went. It was ok - but this is where people don't realize the challenges we're faced with. The girls were hot and sweaty and had jumped for a very long time throughout the afternoon.
We said our goodbyes, they were fine in the car on the way home. We got home and Pete was soon behind us because he went grocery shopping. We gave the girls a quick bath - by this time they were extremely tired and Emily was complaining about her legs hurting. I'm sure they did! I'd love to see YOU go jump on a trampoline for ONLY 15 minutes and see how much pain you're in!
These girls are pushed by people because they're cute. It's not fair. It's not right. And I just hate being the person to have to follow around people saying 'please don't ____, no no..._____ is not allowed, they're not ready for something like that, they can't really handle something like this......' You get the point. Or maybe you don't. But in any case - this is our life.
The girls woke up around 6 and we got up and had some milk and cereal. Followed by some playing and then a nice breakfast that Pete made. After breakfast I went out to cover the grill and clean the porch off (lots of leaves and stuff from the recent rain). I figured the girls would just follow me out there in their socks. Emily & Hailey did - but Hannah of course needed to go and get her shoes and kept saying 'wait for me! I coming!' Lol...she IS a diva after all. The girls had snack outside and then it off to nap.
While they napped Pete and I took showers and got ready for the day. Pete had a wake to go to so he left around 11:30. The girls and I had a picnic to go to. So once they got up around 12:30 we had lunch and headed out to the picnic...with Little Brother in tow.
The girls had SO MUCH FUN on the trampoline. But insert mom 'bitch' here now. This where parenting to triplets becomes a challenge. A: the girls are very small (Hailey is still at only 21lbs, Hannah is only 22lbs and Emily is 25lbs). B: They have problems with their legs - remember the day I had to bring Emily to the ER because she stopped walking??? C: They don't do well in the heat. So the everyone at the picnic wants to see the girls on the trampoline. I finally said ok as long as the big kids got off (no way was I going to let them get jumped on). So they jumped and jumped and jumped. Having so much fun. But I soon realized they were hot, all red in the face and sweating. It was time for a break. So we took a juice break and not 5 minutes went by before someone else was taking them back to the trampoline. Ugh. So you can imagine how the afternoon went. It was ok - but this is where people don't realize the challenges we're faced with. The girls were hot and sweaty and had jumped for a very long time throughout the afternoon.
We said our goodbyes, they were fine in the car on the way home. We got home and Pete was soon behind us because he went grocery shopping. We gave the girls a quick bath - by this time they were extremely tired and Emily was complaining about her legs hurting. I'm sure they did! I'd love to see YOU go jump on a trampoline for ONLY 15 minutes and see how much pain you're in!
These girls are pushed by people because they're cute. It's not fair. It's not right. And I just hate being the person to have to follow around people saying 'please don't ____, no no..._____ is not allowed, they're not ready for something like that, they can't really handle something like this......' You get the point. Or maybe you don't. But in any case - this is our life.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Better today :)
Today was a much better day than yesterday. The girls went to bed at 5:30 last night (they hadn't taken naps and it was showing). Emily didn't really go right to sleep...but she eventually fell asleep. The other 2 were out pretty quickly. They all slept until 6:00 this morning.
We got up and had plans to go up to MA to visit my cousins. My cousin Kate owns a dance studio and she had her recital rehearsal today so we wanted to go watch. We ended up going early to visit Meme and Grumps...so nice to get to visit with them! The girls did fantastic to say the least. We were in Friendly's for 2 hours - and they didn't whine or cry about anything. They ate their whole meals, plus some of ours, plus some ice cream. After we left there we headed to the recital and stayed there for about an hour and 1/2 before heading home.
Once home we played outside for a bit and my brothers Peter & Andy came over to visit. We bought some stuff to cook out on the grill and had a cookout. Burgers, hot dogs and chicken.
Pete and I gave the girls baths again tonight (they needed it!). For some reason bath time was a mess tonight. They just weren't very cooperative and not in the mood to listen. But we managed to get through it and then we did the rest of our usual night time thing. Hannah was a bit antsy and wanted more kisses and her back rubbed and...and....and...(yes - already at the age of 2 she has realized that the more she asks for - the later she stays up). I don't put up with it much. But she was really crying while I was cleaning up their mess in the bathroom and I could hear her saying (between crying sobs) "But.....mama.....kiss....Hannah.......onthemouth!" LOL - when I gave her the 4th and final kiss of the evening I kissed her on the forehead. She was upset that I didn't actually kiss her on the mouth and say goodnight. So I went back in, kissed her on the mouth and said goodnight. She went right to sleep after that.
The kitchen was cleaned up by the time we came downstairs (hehe...why do you think we invite Andy over for dinner?) so that gave us some time....to play Wii!!! Andy, Peter and I played Wii bowling - with a twist. When we weren't actually bowling - we were working out. Planks, squats, push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks, running in place, mountain climbers.........we bowled 3 straight games - so it was a long work out! I'm sore.
After bowling we took advantage of having Andy here and we headed to Borders (then Barnes & Noble). Now we're home and I'm ready for sleep.
We got up and had plans to go up to MA to visit my cousins. My cousin Kate owns a dance studio and she had her recital rehearsal today so we wanted to go watch. We ended up going early to visit Meme and Grumps...so nice to get to visit with them! The girls did fantastic to say the least. We were in Friendly's for 2 hours - and they didn't whine or cry about anything. They ate their whole meals, plus some of ours, plus some ice cream. After we left there we headed to the recital and stayed there for about an hour and 1/2 before heading home.
Once home we played outside for a bit and my brothers Peter & Andy came over to visit. We bought some stuff to cook out on the grill and had a cookout. Burgers, hot dogs and chicken.
Pete and I gave the girls baths again tonight (they needed it!). For some reason bath time was a mess tonight. They just weren't very cooperative and not in the mood to listen. But we managed to get through it and then we did the rest of our usual night time thing. Hannah was a bit antsy and wanted more kisses and her back rubbed and...and....and...(yes - already at the age of 2 she has realized that the more she asks for - the later she stays up). I don't put up with it much. But she was really crying while I was cleaning up their mess in the bathroom and I could hear her saying (between crying sobs) "But.....mama.....kiss....Hannah.......onthemouth!" LOL - when I gave her the 4th and final kiss of the evening I kissed her on the forehead. She was upset that I didn't actually kiss her on the mouth and say goodnight. So I went back in, kissed her on the mouth and said goodnight. She went right to sleep after that.
The kitchen was cleaned up by the time we came downstairs (hehe...why do you think we invite Andy over for dinner?) so that gave us some time....to play Wii!!! Andy, Peter and I played Wii bowling - with a twist. When we weren't actually bowling - we were working out. Planks, squats, push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks, running in place, mountain climbers.........we bowled 3 straight games - so it was a long work out! I'm sore.
After bowling we took advantage of having Andy here and we headed to Borders (then Barnes & Noble). Now we're home and I'm ready for sleep.
Friday, May 21, 2010
So done
Have you ever felt just so beat down by the people that are suppose to be the closest to you yet they hurt you the worst? I'm there today. Been a long day. Didn't need the ending that came with the day. It's amazing that people still think to this day that when I say I have triplets they think it's a 'card' I play. As if I 'use' the triplets to get people to feel sorry for me or give me things.
I'll say this though. F*ck that. I don't play a card. I live my life. Triplets happen to be MY life. If that's something people still can't understand then sorry for them. Every move I make and every decision that's made revolves around my kids. From the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed. It's about my girls. And if you think I'm looking for a pity party (as I was told) then you're wrong. I don't want your pity and I don't want your sympathy. Because I don't need it. The only thing I care about - are my girls. And if they're healthy and they're happy...then I'm happy.
Would you believe this is all because of the dog? I'm not even kidding.
When my dad was in the hospital - my mother actually told me that I was selfish and controlling. Maybe she's right. I just might be selfish and I just might controlling. But until the day comes when I don't have any responsibilities - I'm not changing. I have to be selfish (if we're defining selfish meaning that I don't want a dog and don't have as much time as other think I should have for them). And I'm not exactly sure what was meant by controlling but I have been accused of micromanaging my kids care. Ok. Well I can see where people would think that. I am very particular about what they eat, what they do when we're out in public, what they say and how they act. But again...until I'm no longer responsible for them - that's the way it's going to be.
My mother was allowed to parent her children the way she wanted to. My sister is allowed to parent her child the way she wants to. Aunts, uncles, friends and so on...all allowed to parent their children they way they'd like to. But for some reason - there's happens to be a double standard because everyone and their mother thinks that I should be different and do it THEIR way. LOL...welcome to my world. I've said it before - unless you've been a parent to triplets (or more) then don't bother trying to tell me how to be a parent.
I have been a miserable person to be around lately. That's no secret. But I also have to be a bitch to get thru every day. If I'm not - then I get taken advantage of. And lately...I've learned that if you're a bitch - people actually stop asking you for things. So there you have it. I'm a bitch so you won't ask me to do something.
Pete was busy tonight. I had to give the girls a bath. By myself. All 3 of them. I didn't bat an eye at having to conquer this feat. But it was a feat. And I did it. I don't want kudos or high fives for this. I just want people to know that bath time...took OVER AN HOUR. How long does it take you to give your children a bath and get them ready for bed?
Ugh...I'm just so done. I'm done with trying to get people to understand our life. That was the point of this blog wasn't it? So people could have an inside look at how we get through the day with triplets? Yet people don't get it. And it's not as simple as letting someone come in and take over for the day. Because you know...the only thing that will happen is that the girls will be fine and at the end of the day the person caring for them will say 'wow...you have it easy'.
Yup...we do have it easy. Because we're not in and out of the hospital with a sick kid. And we're not struggling to find a place to live. But we have our own struggles and I'm tired of being challenged about them. I'm not having a f*cking pity party.
Triplets are our LIFE. And it's a life I happen to enjoy right now.
I'm not taking the dog back...ever. I don't care where he goes or what happens to him. He's just a dog and he's not mine so I no longer have room for him in my thoughts or my house.
I'll say this though. F*ck that. I don't play a card. I live my life. Triplets happen to be MY life. If that's something people still can't understand then sorry for them. Every move I make and every decision that's made revolves around my kids. From the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed. It's about my girls. And if you think I'm looking for a pity party (as I was told) then you're wrong. I don't want your pity and I don't want your sympathy. Because I don't need it. The only thing I care about - are my girls. And if they're healthy and they're happy...then I'm happy.
Would you believe this is all because of the dog? I'm not even kidding.
When my dad was in the hospital - my mother actually told me that I was selfish and controlling. Maybe she's right. I just might be selfish and I just might controlling. But until the day comes when I don't have any responsibilities - I'm not changing. I have to be selfish (if we're defining selfish meaning that I don't want a dog and don't have as much time as other think I should have for them). And I'm not exactly sure what was meant by controlling but I have been accused of micromanaging my kids care. Ok. Well I can see where people would think that. I am very particular about what they eat, what they do when we're out in public, what they say and how they act. But again...until I'm no longer responsible for them - that's the way it's going to be.
My mother was allowed to parent her children the way she wanted to. My sister is allowed to parent her child the way she wants to. Aunts, uncles, friends and so on...all allowed to parent their children they way they'd like to. But for some reason - there's happens to be a double standard because everyone and their mother thinks that I should be different and do it THEIR way. LOL...welcome to my world. I've said it before - unless you've been a parent to triplets (or more) then don't bother trying to tell me how to be a parent.
I have been a miserable person to be around lately. That's no secret. But I also have to be a bitch to get thru every day. If I'm not - then I get taken advantage of. And lately...I've learned that if you're a bitch - people actually stop asking you for things. So there you have it. I'm a bitch so you won't ask me to do something.
Pete was busy tonight. I had to give the girls a bath. By myself. All 3 of them. I didn't bat an eye at having to conquer this feat. But it was a feat. And I did it. I don't want kudos or high fives for this. I just want people to know that bath time...took OVER AN HOUR. How long does it take you to give your children a bath and get them ready for bed?
Ugh...I'm just so done. I'm done with trying to get people to understand our life. That was the point of this blog wasn't it? So people could have an inside look at how we get through the day with triplets? Yet people don't get it. And it's not as simple as letting someone come in and take over for the day. Because you know...the only thing that will happen is that the girls will be fine and at the end of the day the person caring for them will say 'wow...you have it easy'.
Yup...we do have it easy. Because we're not in and out of the hospital with a sick kid. And we're not struggling to find a place to live. But we have our own struggles and I'm tired of being challenged about them. I'm not having a f*cking pity party.
Triplets are our LIFE. And it's a life I happen to enjoy right now.
I'm not taking the dog back...ever. I don't care where he goes or what happens to him. He's just a dog and he's not mine so I no longer have room for him in my thoughts or my house.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
5/20/10
This dog is cute...but he has to go! He wasn't even here all day - my sister watched him all day and I still need him OUT! Ugh...
The girls slept all night last night.
I stopped at Toys R Us to buy some booster seats for the kitchen table - we are BIG GIRLS now and the high chairs are taking up too much space. But wouldn't you know that Toys R Us only had 2 of the booster seats I liked? They were $12...that's why I liked them (and probably why there were only 2 left). But I figured it would be fine...one of them can just stay in the high chair - no big deal...right.
Fast forward to dinner. Pete wasn't home - he was getting his tattoo touched up. I put Hannah & Emily in the new booster seats figuring Hailey would fit perfect on the end in the high chair. Oh. My. Lord. Hailey said (with her bottom lip all puffed out and full) "But mama - where Hailey new chair? Hailey wants new chair? No new chair for Hailey?" OMG I'm about to cry just typing this. She may as well have ripped out my heart and stomped on it. So I immediately say 'I'll buy you a new chair tomorrow baby....don't you worry.' Yeah. I caved in 3.4 seconds. I'm gonna be stronger when they're teenagers I promise!
We made it through dinner but not before Emily asked where Stryker was. They hadn't seen Stryker because he wasn't here...Little Brother was going to get him on his way home from work. At the table Emily said 'I go play with Stryker now. I all done.' Ugh...this dog needs to go soon! WE can't keep him.
After dinner the girls and I went for a very long walk. We walked over to the bridge we have and threw rocks in the waterfall. The girls saw some people playing tennis (we have tennis courts here but no one is ever playing so this was new for them). They were amazed...couldn't stop watching them hit the ball back and forth! Pete was home when we got back from our walk and the girls were pretty excited.
Little Brother came home with Stryker...and french fries! After some fries and puppy time - the girls were beat so it was time for bed. I have no idea what was going on in our heads (we need to get rid of the dog!) but we got all the way to the point of reading books when Pete looked at me and said 'Ummm...we forgot to put their pj's on'. Well wouldn't you know that not being in pj's and changing the routine was enough to throw the girls into a fit. Because the order is as follows: pj's, brush teeth, read books, turn on the radio, turn out the lights, give kisses, put up the gate, say good night, say I love you and then shut the door. They had already brushed their teeth. We put them in pj's in their room and then they were obsessed with brushing their teeth again...because that's what happens after putting on pj's. Regardless of the fact that they had already brushed teeth. It was TIME TO BRUSH TEETH! I would like to say that they brushed their teeth again...but at this very moment the dog was barking and I needed to come downstairs to find out why. No reason other than the fact that Joey left and Stryker wanted to go with him. Ugh. Back upstairs - the girls are reading books and then it was smooth sailing after that.
They're now sleeping. As is Stryker...right next to me on the living room floor while I write this blog. He sleeps all night. He's house trained. He sits. He's very playful and cuddly. And if all of those things are good qualities of a dog - and I still need to get rid of him...then it's true that we just are not ready for a dog!!!!!!
The girls slept all night last night.
I stopped at Toys R Us to buy some booster seats for the kitchen table - we are BIG GIRLS now and the high chairs are taking up too much space. But wouldn't you know that Toys R Us only had 2 of the booster seats I liked? They were $12...that's why I liked them (and probably why there were only 2 left). But I figured it would be fine...one of them can just stay in the high chair - no big deal...right.
Fast forward to dinner. Pete wasn't home - he was getting his tattoo touched up. I put Hannah & Emily in the new booster seats figuring Hailey would fit perfect on the end in the high chair. Oh. My. Lord. Hailey said (with her bottom lip all puffed out and full) "But mama - where Hailey new chair? Hailey wants new chair? No new chair for Hailey?" OMG I'm about to cry just typing this. She may as well have ripped out my heart and stomped on it. So I immediately say 'I'll buy you a new chair tomorrow baby....don't you worry.' Yeah. I caved in 3.4 seconds. I'm gonna be stronger when they're teenagers I promise!
We made it through dinner but not before Emily asked where Stryker was. They hadn't seen Stryker because he wasn't here...Little Brother was going to get him on his way home from work. At the table Emily said 'I go play with Stryker now. I all done.' Ugh...this dog needs to go soon! WE can't keep him.
After dinner the girls and I went for a very long walk. We walked over to the bridge we have and threw rocks in the waterfall. The girls saw some people playing tennis (we have tennis courts here but no one is ever playing so this was new for them). They were amazed...couldn't stop watching them hit the ball back and forth! Pete was home when we got back from our walk and the girls were pretty excited.
Little Brother came home with Stryker...and french fries! After some fries and puppy time - the girls were beat so it was time for bed. I have no idea what was going on in our heads (we need to get rid of the dog!) but we got all the way to the point of reading books when Pete looked at me and said 'Ummm...we forgot to put their pj's on'. Well wouldn't you know that not being in pj's and changing the routine was enough to throw the girls into a fit. Because the order is as follows: pj's, brush teeth, read books, turn on the radio, turn out the lights, give kisses, put up the gate, say good night, say I love you and then shut the door. They had already brushed their teeth. We put them in pj's in their room and then they were obsessed with brushing their teeth again...because that's what happens after putting on pj's. Regardless of the fact that they had already brushed teeth. It was TIME TO BRUSH TEETH! I would like to say that they brushed their teeth again...but at this very moment the dog was barking and I needed to come downstairs to find out why. No reason other than the fact that Joey left and Stryker wanted to go with him. Ugh. Back upstairs - the girls are reading books and then it was smooth sailing after that.
They're now sleeping. As is Stryker...right next to me on the living room floor while I write this blog. He sleeps all night. He's house trained. He sits. He's very playful and cuddly. And if all of those things are good qualities of a dog - and I still need to get rid of him...then it's true that we just are not ready for a dog!!!!!!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
5/18/10
Ok ok ok. For those of you who THOUGHT I was crazy and had lost my mind...COME ON NOW! What kind of person do you think I am? Have you read any of the previous posts? I need my sleep. I don't have time for anything else in life other than what's already on our plates...and sometimes we don't have time for that either.
The puppy...he's just boarding with us until we can find him a new home. We have him listed for sale right now. Hopefully we find a home for him soon. As cute as he is...and as good as he is - we just can't have the added responsibility in our house right now. We'll be sure to find him a great home - with a yard and maybe even some kids that he can play with. For now - he's just enjoying some extra TLC since he's been hanging out with Little Brother all day long.
As far as the girls...and the puppy...and the mix of the bunch - they are all fine. The girls don't know the dog is actually staying here. They have been playing with him but then we say goodbye and the puppy leaves the house (and goes around the back and into the basement). This way I don't have to be the 'bad mommy' taking away their new puppy.
If we had a house - this wouldn't be an issue. We'd have a puppy for real! But not yet...
The puppy...he's just boarding with us until we can find him a new home. We have him listed for sale right now. Hopefully we find a home for him soon. As cute as he is...and as good as he is - we just can't have the added responsibility in our house right now. We'll be sure to find him a great home - with a yard and maybe even some kids that he can play with. For now - he's just enjoying some extra TLC since he's been hanging out with Little Brother all day long.
As far as the girls...and the puppy...and the mix of the bunch - they are all fine. The girls don't know the dog is actually staying here. They have been playing with him but then we say goodbye and the puppy leaves the house (and goes around the back and into the basement). This way I don't have to be the 'bad mommy' taking away their new puppy.
If we had a house - this wouldn't be an issue. We'd have a puppy for real! But not yet...
Monday, May 17, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
5/16/10
What a day. The girls didn't wake up until 7:30 (THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU). Once we got up - we had a rather lazy start to the day. Pete had to leave by 9:00 so he had to shower and get ready to go to Rosemary's graduation. But the girls and I were going to meet up with later for the party - skipping the graduation so they could sleep and be in decent moods to visit with family.
My mom came over for breakfast with us. We had scrambled eggs, sausage, tater tots and milk. Then the girls went down for a nap around 10:30 (falling right to sleep) and didn't wake up until 12:45. I got a lot of cleaning and laundry done in that time. Once they got up - we had lunch, got dressed and headed out to the party!
The party was at Pete's parents house so it was nice because the girls are comfortable there and weren't too shy with the added number of people around. Even better is that the park/school is right behind their house. It took Julianne (one of Pete's cousins) 7 hours to make a 3 hour trip due to traffic. And she had 2 kiddo's with her! So the park was a great way for all the kids to let out some of their energy.
It came to a crashing halt when Hannah fell from the top of the slide straight down to the ground - head 1st. I saw it happen and was way too far away to do anything to prevent it. I ran over after one loud 'HOLY SHIT!' I think my heart stopped until I got to her and realized she was actually moving. I swooped her up and did the quick 'mommy once over' making sure she didn't have any broken bones and assessing where the blood was coming from. Seeing her fall took about 5 years off my life.
No one was at fault for her falling - could have (and probably would have) happened no matter who was standing there. Just part of toddler hood. It seems that Hannah is the most careful of the 3 of them but yet she's the one that always ends up hurt. Luckily she can take a hard hit!
That pretty much ended our park visit. We finished out the evening with some pizza and then headed home for baths, pjs, gentle teeth brushing, books and bed. The girls went right to sleep tonight. :)
Now it's time for some R&R!
My mom came over for breakfast with us. We had scrambled eggs, sausage, tater tots and milk. Then the girls went down for a nap around 10:30 (falling right to sleep) and didn't wake up until 12:45. I got a lot of cleaning and laundry done in that time. Once they got up - we had lunch, got dressed and headed out to the party!
The party was at Pete's parents house so it was nice because the girls are comfortable there and weren't too shy with the added number of people around. Even better is that the park/school is right behind their house. It took Julianne (one of Pete's cousins) 7 hours to make a 3 hour trip due to traffic. And she had 2 kiddo's with her! So the park was a great way for all the kids to let out some of their energy.
It came to a crashing halt when Hannah fell from the top of the slide straight down to the ground - head 1st. I saw it happen and was way too far away to do anything to prevent it. I ran over after one loud 'HOLY SHIT!' I think my heart stopped until I got to her and realized she was actually moving. I swooped her up and did the quick 'mommy once over' making sure she didn't have any broken bones and assessing where the blood was coming from. Seeing her fall took about 5 years off my life.
No one was at fault for her falling - could have (and probably would have) happened no matter who was standing there. Just part of toddler hood. It seems that Hannah is the most careful of the 3 of them but yet she's the one that always ends up hurt. Luckily she can take a hard hit!
That pretty much ended our park visit. We finished out the evening with some pizza and then headed home for baths, pjs, gentle teeth brushing, books and bed. The girls went right to sleep tonight. :)
Now it's time for some R&R!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
5/15/10
Well...the girls slept last night. Pete and I rolled in at about 3:30am. The girls woke up at 6:00am. It was a fun morning :) Needless to say we took a nap when they took a nap today. Finally at noon - we all crawled out of bed and decided to get dressed and actually do something with our day.
Pete took the girls to his parents house and I hung back to get ready (in peace and quiet). We needed 2 vehicles to head out to dinner because we knew I'd be leaving earlier with the girls while he stayed to visit with family.
Emily had a nuclear meltdown on the way to dinner. She didn't want to leave grandma's house and insisted that she stay (even though everyone was leaving). Those of you that have toddlers know that when a child is having a meltdown there's no point in talking to them and even less of a chance of reasoning with them. I tried to do both...before she found a way to get her arms OUT of her straps in her car seat while we were driving. We were only a few blocks down the road. So I pulled into a CVS parking lot and did what every mother of triplets who loses her mind would do. I took her out of the car and said 'Fine. You want to stay at grandma's house...find your own way back there. We're going out to dinner.' And would you believe she looked at me and said 'Emmie's going to grandma's!' and started walking away from me as if she has no fear at all. Grrrrrrrrrrr
I picked her up and she kept telling me to let her walk to grandma's. She's 2. I think I would have let her go if she was 3...but not 2. So I put her back in the car - she continued to cry and we continued on our way to dinner. I thought about going right home and would have if Pete didn't have family here from out of town. But I sucked it up - figured once we got there and she saw that grandma was actually there and not home she would be fine.
And that's what happened. They were great the rest of the night - we broke curfew by an hour an 1/2 but even with that...the girls were good all the way home. Pete stayed behind to visit so when the girls and I got home they were of course looking for daddy. I got them ready for bed, brushed teeth, read books and then said 'Just lay down on your pillows. DON'T go to sleep...wait for daddy - he'll be here soon and I'll send him up to give kisses goodnight.' That was followed by lots of 'no sleeping...wait for dada' from all 3 of them. Right - they were knocked out before I even got downstairs. Hopefully they have a good nights sleep because tomorrow is another long day.
Pete took the girls to his parents house and I hung back to get ready (in peace and quiet). We needed 2 vehicles to head out to dinner because we knew I'd be leaving earlier with the girls while he stayed to visit with family.
Emily had a nuclear meltdown on the way to dinner. She didn't want to leave grandma's house and insisted that she stay (even though everyone was leaving). Those of you that have toddlers know that when a child is having a meltdown there's no point in talking to them and even less of a chance of reasoning with them. I tried to do both...before she found a way to get her arms OUT of her straps in her car seat while we were driving. We were only a few blocks down the road. So I pulled into a CVS parking lot and did what every mother of triplets who loses her mind would do. I took her out of the car and said 'Fine. You want to stay at grandma's house...find your own way back there. We're going out to dinner.' And would you believe she looked at me and said 'Emmie's going to grandma's!' and started walking away from me as if she has no fear at all. Grrrrrrrrrrr
I picked her up and she kept telling me to let her walk to grandma's. She's 2. I think I would have let her go if she was 3...but not 2. So I put her back in the car - she continued to cry and we continued on our way to dinner. I thought about going right home and would have if Pete didn't have family here from out of town. But I sucked it up - figured once we got there and she saw that grandma was actually there and not home she would be fine.
And that's what happened. They were great the rest of the night - we broke curfew by an hour an 1/2 but even with that...the girls were good all the way home. Pete stayed behind to visit so when the girls and I got home they were of course looking for daddy. I got them ready for bed, brushed teeth, read books and then said 'Just lay down on your pillows. DON'T go to sleep...wait for daddy - he'll be here soon and I'll send him up to give kisses goodnight.' That was followed by lots of 'no sleeping...wait for dada' from all 3 of them. Right - they were knocked out before I even got downstairs. Hopefully they have a good nights sleep because tomorrow is another long day.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Fun Friday - with Mommy
The girls and I are having fun today. We tried to go without naps but that didn't work out as planned. They were asking to go to bed by 1:00. So we went up to take naps and they went right to sleep.
My mom came over this morning to play for a bit. Then Peter and Becca came over for lunch. After they wake up - Lucy and her kids are coming over and then my brother Andrew is coming over. Busy day! Also - Kristin has been here all day hanging out with us :)
Once the girls go to bed tonight - Pete and I are headed out with Rosemary and her boyfriend Bobby. We're gonna have a lot of fun!
(That's why this post is so early).
The girls slept all night last night...once they finally fell asleep. And it was great to wake up well rested this morning! I hope they do the same tonight.
My mom came over this morning to play for a bit. Then Peter and Becca came over for lunch. After they wake up - Lucy and her kids are coming over and then my brother Andrew is coming over. Busy day! Also - Kristin has been here all day hanging out with us :)
Once the girls go to bed tonight - Pete and I are headed out with Rosemary and her boyfriend Bobby. We're gonna have a lot of fun!
(That's why this post is so early).
The girls slept all night last night...once they finally fell asleep. And it was great to wake up well rested this morning! I hope they do the same tonight.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
5/13/10
I bought a lottery ticket the other day. I checked the numbers today. I didn't win. I was about to throw away the ticket when I decided to double check (you never know...lol) and good thing I did - because the drawing is for tonight :)
Emily now has a rash all over her diaper area and tummy. I'm thinking it's a yeast infection from the antibiotic but if it's not better by morning (we have cream for her) then I'll take her to the doc just to be sure nothing else is going on.
Hannah has been a pain in the rear when it comes to bedtime these past few nights. I don't know what her deal is but I hope she gets over it soon.
Hailey still has a cough.
These are not complaints (well I could complain about Hannah...but I'll let it go). This is just how our day is.
We have big plans this weekend. Titi Rosemary is graduating from Hartford University. Pete and I are taking her out tomorrow night and then Saturday some family will be flying in. Sunday is the graduation itself - so it's going to be a busy weekend...but full of fun!
Emily now has a rash all over her diaper area and tummy. I'm thinking it's a yeast infection from the antibiotic but if it's not better by morning (we have cream for her) then I'll take her to the doc just to be sure nothing else is going on.
Hannah has been a pain in the rear when it comes to bedtime these past few nights. I don't know what her deal is but I hope she gets over it soon.
Hailey still has a cough.
These are not complaints (well I could complain about Hannah...but I'll let it go). This is just how our day is.
We have big plans this weekend. Titi Rosemary is graduating from Hartford University. Pete and I are taking her out tomorrow night and then Saturday some family will be flying in. Sunday is the graduation itself - so it's going to be a busy weekend...but full of fun!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
5/12/10
Happy Hump Day!
Go Yankees!
Hannah threw up out of spite (she didn't want to go to sleep tonight).
I'm tired.
Pete is tired.
School is almost over...1 more week - 1 final...can't wait.
I love the Elefun game.
The girls love the Elefun game too.
Hailey still has a cough...it's not getting better :(
We all need sleeeeeeeeeeep.
Go Yankees!
Hannah threw up out of spite (she didn't want to go to sleep tonight).
I'm tired.
Pete is tired.
School is almost over...1 more week - 1 final...can't wait.
I love the Elefun game.
The girls love the Elefun game too.
Hailey still has a cough...it's not getting better :(
We all need sleeeeeeeeeeep.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Hailey gets a new big girl bed
Today Michelle bought Hailey a new toddler bed. Hailey has been using her crib that turns into a toddler bed but it is too high off the ground and she has a hard time climbing in. Knowing that Hannah and Emily would try and claim the new bed for themselves she bought new bed sheets and comforters for all 3 of them. Now they all have "new" beds. Michelle kept them busy while I put the bed together. Hailey was so excited about her new bed and they all were excited about the new bed sheets. After the new bed was in place we gave them a bath, read books, and they went to sleep with out a problem. Lets hope they all sleep through the night. They are still fighting off a cold.
Monday, May 10, 2010
5/10/10
Hmmm...just typing out the date made me realize that it has been one month since my dad passed away. :(
The girls had a rough night last night. Hannah & Hailey just couldn't settle down enough to stay asleep. Hannah was having nightmares and she kept waking Hailey up. Then Hailey fell out of bed and for some reason couldn't find her way back to it. By the time I got in the room - it was chaos. (I have to say - Emily slept thru all of it). I got up with them no less than 4 times. Pete got up once with Hannah and just couldn't calm her down. When I went in there I asked her if she was hot (I put a tshirt under their pj's last night so I was going to take it off for her). She said 'No mama! I cold!' which made no sense to me because she is always hot and she sweats so bad. So I brought her downstairs to check her out and as soon as I unzipped her pj's she screamed at me 'I cold!!!!' She peed through everything. So she was indeed cold. Poor baby. I changed her and once she was dry and comfortable she slept the rest of the night.
The morning. Oh boy. Let's just say I'll try to keep this civil knowing that the girls will probably read this one day. Pete set his alarm for 5:30 because he knew he had to leave the house at 6:45 to be at a conference for 7:00. The alarm goes off and he turns off the alarm. But goes back to sleep. Ok - I'm game! I ask him what his plan is and he says he's tired and isn't going to work. Fine by me...I'll sleep an extra hour!
Yeah so at 6:30 Pete wakes up - looks at me and says 'I gotta go!' He got up out of bed, got dressed, said goodbye and left. Yup - left. Left me with 3 kids to get up, dressed, fed and out the door...plus get myself showered and dressed. Ok - I got this. I showered, had the girls hang out in my room while I got dressed and then we all went and picked out their clothes for the day (Hannah was very precise as to what she needed to wear). We all came downstairs, I got them dressed, got their milk, put them in their chairs and then I went back upstairs to straighten up and grab a few more things I needed for work. Hailey flipped out. FLIPPED OUT. She was screaming at me for leaving them alone and crying that she didn't want me to work and simply just flipping out. Did I mention she flipped out? So I come back downstairs and look at her like she has 3 heads. I ask what her problem is and she looks at me like I'M nuts. She said 'Mama - sit down!' as she pointed to my chair. She was in the right. I always sit down and eat breakfast with them. It's our routine. But I couldn't - I had to get ready and there was no time. By this point - I had already called work to say I'd be about an hour late.
I finished getting ready - with one more trip upstairs and lots of 'I'm ONLY going upstairs for one minute!' talking...to which Hailey kept saying 'one minute mama! one minute!' It was cute and frustrating at the same time.
Getting shoes & coats (it was cold out today) on, then getting 3 kids, 4 bags, NO COFFEE and 3 babies out the door was a mess. I'm not gonna lie...I need time to prepare for mornings like this. I would have had everything ready last night...including myself. Clothes would have been picked out, I would have showered, their bags would have been in the car...but this was not planned. When Hailey realized she forgot her baby in the living room - she went to get it...but she walked backwards telling me 'don't leave mama - one minute. don't leave. one minute' with her little finger in the air as if to motion 'one minute'. Then she had to go out of my sight for a second and she hesitated and said 'Don't move! I coming!' and she ran to grab her baby and ran back. I have no idea where this insecurity is coming from. I always say goodbye when I leave - never leave without a kiss and a hug. I hope it's just a phase.
We get to the car. Hannah gets very angry that I didn't buckle her in on HER side of the car - I did it from inside the van instead of outside. It was cold. It was windy and I had to get the other 2 in the car as well. Ok - they're all buckled and I get in the drivers seat when I hear 'sunglasses!' Shit. I forgot their glasses. They're in the house. We're in the car. I can go in...but they'll flip - and if they flip - I won't be able to calm them down and the 20 minute ride will seem like an hour of hell. Or will it? I say 'I have to go inside to get your glasses. That means you have to stay in the car alone. Ok?' Hailey said NO! Hannah said yup and Emily didn't care. I knew they needed their glasses so I knew I was going in no matter what.
What would you do? Just go in I'm sure. But I needed to avoid a meltdown. I was close to one myself - the morning was not a good one, we all had a rough night don't forget, no sleep means we're cranky and impatient. To this point I had kept my cool and done everything I could to maneuver around the meltdowns so we could have a good day. Simply going inside and leaving them in the van might seem simple to you - but to them and to me...it was a touchy situation.
I went inside...and could hear the screams from inside the house. I got their glasses, came back out, opened the door and right away Hailey was yelling 'DON'T LEAVE!' and I simply said 'Would you like to go buy a donut for breakfast?' Instantly I had 3 smiling faces - all of them saying 'Yeah...yeah...yeah...'
I love you Dunkin' Donuts. I love you for saving me the stress of a very long ride today. I love you for giving me the caffeine required to get me through 1/2 of my morning. And I love you for not putting sprinkled munchkins in the box.
I went through the drive thru - got a coffee for me and munchkins for them. Then I pulled over - let them choose their own 2 donuts and we were on our way.
I got to work an hour late. No big deal...again.
Worked.
Came home.
Had dinner.
Played.
Bed. They were tired tonight...and they fell asleep rather quickly.
This post has only a few details of how off our day can be if things don't go exactly as planned. I know that there are mothers out there that get their kids off to school everyday. They get themselves ready for work and they do it all alone. There are even some fathers out there that do this. But this post is just an example of what it's like for us. The girls are hypersensative about routine and schedule. If something is off - they don't know how to deal with it. And I don't know how to deal with them. But hey - it's a learning process and we all had to compromise today. I'd say it worked out pretty well. Donuts and all!
The girls had a rough night last night. Hannah & Hailey just couldn't settle down enough to stay asleep. Hannah was having nightmares and she kept waking Hailey up. Then Hailey fell out of bed and for some reason couldn't find her way back to it. By the time I got in the room - it was chaos. (I have to say - Emily slept thru all of it). I got up with them no less than 4 times. Pete got up once with Hannah and just couldn't calm her down. When I went in there I asked her if she was hot (I put a tshirt under their pj's last night so I was going to take it off for her). She said 'No mama! I cold!' which made no sense to me because she is always hot and she sweats so bad. So I brought her downstairs to check her out and as soon as I unzipped her pj's she screamed at me 'I cold!!!!' She peed through everything. So she was indeed cold. Poor baby. I changed her and once she was dry and comfortable she slept the rest of the night.
The morning. Oh boy. Let's just say I'll try to keep this civil knowing that the girls will probably read this one day. Pete set his alarm for 5:30 because he knew he had to leave the house at 6:45 to be at a conference for 7:00. The alarm goes off and he turns off the alarm. But goes back to sleep. Ok - I'm game! I ask him what his plan is and he says he's tired and isn't going to work. Fine by me...I'll sleep an extra hour!
Yeah so at 6:30 Pete wakes up - looks at me and says 'I gotta go!' He got up out of bed, got dressed, said goodbye and left. Yup - left. Left me with 3 kids to get up, dressed, fed and out the door...plus get myself showered and dressed. Ok - I got this. I showered, had the girls hang out in my room while I got dressed and then we all went and picked out their clothes for the day (Hannah was very precise as to what she needed to wear). We all came downstairs, I got them dressed, got their milk, put them in their chairs and then I went back upstairs to straighten up and grab a few more things I needed for work. Hailey flipped out. FLIPPED OUT. She was screaming at me for leaving them alone and crying that she didn't want me to work and simply just flipping out. Did I mention she flipped out? So I come back downstairs and look at her like she has 3 heads. I ask what her problem is and she looks at me like I'M nuts. She said 'Mama - sit down!' as she pointed to my chair. She was in the right. I always sit down and eat breakfast with them. It's our routine. But I couldn't - I had to get ready and there was no time. By this point - I had already called work to say I'd be about an hour late.
I finished getting ready - with one more trip upstairs and lots of 'I'm ONLY going upstairs for one minute!' talking...to which Hailey kept saying 'one minute mama! one minute!' It was cute and frustrating at the same time.
Getting shoes & coats (it was cold out today) on, then getting 3 kids, 4 bags, NO COFFEE and 3 babies out the door was a mess. I'm not gonna lie...I need time to prepare for mornings like this. I would have had everything ready last night...including myself. Clothes would have been picked out, I would have showered, their bags would have been in the car...but this was not planned. When Hailey realized she forgot her baby in the living room - she went to get it...but she walked backwards telling me 'don't leave mama - one minute. don't leave. one minute' with her little finger in the air as if to motion 'one minute'. Then she had to go out of my sight for a second and she hesitated and said 'Don't move! I coming!' and she ran to grab her baby and ran back. I have no idea where this insecurity is coming from. I always say goodbye when I leave - never leave without a kiss and a hug. I hope it's just a phase.
We get to the car. Hannah gets very angry that I didn't buckle her in on HER side of the car - I did it from inside the van instead of outside. It was cold. It was windy and I had to get the other 2 in the car as well. Ok - they're all buckled and I get in the drivers seat when I hear 'sunglasses!' Shit. I forgot their glasses. They're in the house. We're in the car. I can go in...but they'll flip - and if they flip - I won't be able to calm them down and the 20 minute ride will seem like an hour of hell. Or will it? I say 'I have to go inside to get your glasses. That means you have to stay in the car alone. Ok?' Hailey said NO! Hannah said yup and Emily didn't care. I knew they needed their glasses so I knew I was going in no matter what.
What would you do? Just go in I'm sure. But I needed to avoid a meltdown. I was close to one myself - the morning was not a good one, we all had a rough night don't forget, no sleep means we're cranky and impatient. To this point I had kept my cool and done everything I could to maneuver around the meltdowns so we could have a good day. Simply going inside and leaving them in the van might seem simple to you - but to them and to me...it was a touchy situation.
I went inside...and could hear the screams from inside the house. I got their glasses, came back out, opened the door and right away Hailey was yelling 'DON'T LEAVE!' and I simply said 'Would you like to go buy a donut for breakfast?' Instantly I had 3 smiling faces - all of them saying 'Yeah...yeah...yeah...'
I love you Dunkin' Donuts. I love you for saving me the stress of a very long ride today. I love you for giving me the caffeine required to get me through 1/2 of my morning. And I love you for not putting sprinkled munchkins in the box.
I went through the drive thru - got a coffee for me and munchkins for them. Then I pulled over - let them choose their own 2 donuts and we were on our way.
I got to work an hour late. No big deal...again.
Worked.
Came home.
Had dinner.
Played.
Bed. They were tired tonight...and they fell asleep rather quickly.
This post has only a few details of how off our day can be if things don't go exactly as planned. I know that there are mothers out there that get their kids off to school everyday. They get themselves ready for work and they do it all alone. There are even some fathers out there that do this. But this post is just an example of what it's like for us. The girls are hypersensative about routine and schedule. If something is off - they don't know how to deal with it. And I don't know how to deal with them. But hey - it's a learning process and we all had to compromise today. I'd say it worked out pretty well. Donuts and all!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mother's Day
So the girls slept all night last night thankyouvermuch! When they did finally wake up - Pete got up with them so I could 'sleep' in. But I bought 2 books on Friday at Barnes And Noble - and then received another book in the mail from an aunt of mine. So instead of going back to sleep...I read for an hour. (I love reading but don't do much of it during the school semester because then I let my school work fall behind. It's much easier to read a mystery novel than a textbook!).
I came downstairs around 7:30 (well really...Emily came up to get me LOL). The girls and I just chilled out while Pete took a shower. Then we all headed to Friendly's for breakfast with the whole family. (Except Peter - but he had a valid excuse...he worked a double shift last night so he needed sleep). We had a great breakfast and then came home for naps.
While the girls napped (for 2 hours) Pete and I just sat on the couch and watched a movie. But I can't remember what the name of it was or what it was even about...apparently it wasn't that good of a movie.
When the girls woke up - Pete took them to his parents house so I could have some ME time! I quickly fell back into reading my novel when only 15 minutes later a friend called to ask me to come help her move some stuff. 2 hours later - I got back home. I decided to put all the girls laundry away since the only time I have to do that is when they're sleeping (and who would have thought to NOT have their closet in THEIR room?) I would change that in a heartbeat if I could. Someone should have warned me that the only time I would have to put the girls clothes away would be when they're sleeping. And if they're sleeping...how am I gonna put their clothes away?!?! See the cycle? Anyway...I was only 1/2 way done when Pete said the girls weren't feeling well, had fevers and he was coming home with them early.
Ok - so much for ME time today! But that's ok. My babies were sick so they needed to come home. Or were they? They got home...no fevers and in GREAT moods! So we finished out the day playing hard, eating dinner, taking baths, reading books and then easily going down to sleep for the night. I couldn't have asked for a better ending to my Mother's Day ;-)
Then PETE did all the cleaning up and I did some homework online.
Now I need to get back to my books!
I came downstairs around 7:30 (well really...Emily came up to get me LOL). The girls and I just chilled out while Pete took a shower. Then we all headed to Friendly's for breakfast with the whole family. (Except Peter - but he had a valid excuse...he worked a double shift last night so he needed sleep). We had a great breakfast and then came home for naps.
While the girls napped (for 2 hours) Pete and I just sat on the couch and watched a movie. But I can't remember what the name of it was or what it was even about...apparently it wasn't that good of a movie.
When the girls woke up - Pete took them to his parents house so I could have some ME time! I quickly fell back into reading my novel when only 15 minutes later a friend called to ask me to come help her move some stuff. 2 hours later - I got back home. I decided to put all the girls laundry away since the only time I have to do that is when they're sleeping (and who would have thought to NOT have their closet in THEIR room?) I would change that in a heartbeat if I could. Someone should have warned me that the only time I would have to put the girls clothes away would be when they're sleeping. And if they're sleeping...how am I gonna put their clothes away?!?! See the cycle? Anyway...I was only 1/2 way done when Pete said the girls weren't feeling well, had fevers and he was coming home with them early.
Ok - so much for ME time today! But that's ok. My babies were sick so they needed to come home. Or were they? They got home...no fevers and in GREAT moods! So we finished out the day playing hard, eating dinner, taking baths, reading books and then easily going down to sleep for the night. I couldn't have asked for a better ending to my Mother's Day ;-)
Then PETE did all the cleaning up and I did some homework online.
Now I need to get back to my books!
Saturday - but on Sunday
I guess as the saying goes 'If you want something done right....' well it's more like if you want something done at all - just do it yourself. Grrrrrrrr'
Ok that's enough of a rant. I missed yesterday's post. Yesterday we stayed home ALL day. My sister and niece came over for a while. We went out in the rain and splashed around in some puddles. Then when the sun came out - we went out again. After my sister left - another friend came over for a bit.
The girls were pretty tired last night since they woke up at 5:00 yesterday morning! They had an early nap and so that meant they were more tired than usual last night. They went to bed at 6:00 and slept through the night not waking up until 6:00 this morning.
I went to a friends house to help her move (should have done the blog 1st). I got home around 12:30 and Little Brother and Kristin were here so we hung out for a bit and then it was off to bed...rather - to read for a while. I had coffee at like midnight so I was pretty awake!
Today's post will come later...after we finish the day!
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mamma's out there!!!!
Ok that's enough of a rant. I missed yesterday's post. Yesterday we stayed home ALL day. My sister and niece came over for a while. We went out in the rain and splashed around in some puddles. Then when the sun came out - we went out again. After my sister left - another friend came over for a bit.
The girls were pretty tired last night since they woke up at 5:00 yesterday morning! They had an early nap and so that meant they were more tired than usual last night. They went to bed at 6:00 and slept through the night not waking up until 6:00 this morning.
I went to a friends house to help her move (should have done the blog 1st). I got home around 12:30 and Little Brother and Kristin were here so we hung out for a bit and then it was off to bed...rather - to read for a while. I had coffee at like midnight so I was pretty awake!
Today's post will come later...after we finish the day!
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mamma's out there!!!!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday May 7, 2010
Fun Friday turned into poop Friday. Michelle and I went to work, Joey was watching the girls today. Well all three of them decided to get diarrhea for Uncle Joey and Kristin. Thank goodness I was at work, lol. At first it was just Hannah so we called the doctor and they thought it could be the antibiotic their on because diarrhea is the number one side effect. So they called in a different antibiotic. But then Hailey and Emily started with it so we knew it was a virus not a side effect. Crackers, yogurt, and pedialyte for the rest of the day. Called the doctor back and they said not to give them the antibiotic tonight and if the diarrhea stops give it to them in the morning. I came home early to relieve Joey from diaper duty. He did a great job with them today. Both he and Kristin are great with the girls. We played until mommy came home then she took them outside while I got dinner ready. Then it was bath time and bed time. Hope they sleep through the night.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
5/5/10
Today was a reminder that when the kids get sick...they really get sick. I kept thinking it was just a cold. But then this morning Pete and I decided it would be best to take them to the doctor. So we both went in to work and called when the doctors office opened at 9:15. Appt was for 1:15.
The girls were amazing for the appt. They walked in with me instead of using the wagon (I went solo). They got on the scale no problem, let the doctor listen to each one of them, check their ears, check their noses, check their throats...all times 2 because the doctor was working with a med student. I didn't have to hold any of them. They just sat on the table and turned their head when needed, opened their mouths to say 'ahhhh' and as soon as they were done - they asked for their pop pops! Got off the table, put on hats and glasses & headed for the door. They all got to pick out their own pop pop (dum dum lollipop) and we headed back to the car.
They slept on the way home. I drove through CVS to drop off their Rx's and then came home. That's when the crank came out of them! They were just miserable for the rest of the day. We tried to play in the pool, have snack outside, go to CVS to pick up their meds, take a walk...and although we did all of these things - it wasn't without crying and whining. I get that they're sick but man...x3 just took its toll on me today.
By the time Pete got home I was ready to book out the door! But I stayed. We had dinner, got ready for bed and put the girls down early tonight. Since they didn't take naps today they went down without much of a fight.
Now I just want to sleep! But stuff needs to get done. Cleaning because there is a showing at our condo, laundry (no explanation needed there...), computer stuff and so on. Same stuff...different day.
The girls were amazing for the appt. They walked in with me instead of using the wagon (I went solo). They got on the scale no problem, let the doctor listen to each one of them, check their ears, check their noses, check their throats...all times 2 because the doctor was working with a med student. I didn't have to hold any of them. They just sat on the table and turned their head when needed, opened their mouths to say 'ahhhh' and as soon as they were done - they asked for their pop pops! Got off the table, put on hats and glasses & headed for the door. They all got to pick out their own pop pop (dum dum lollipop) and we headed back to the car.
They slept on the way home. I drove through CVS to drop off their Rx's and then came home. That's when the crank came out of them! They were just miserable for the rest of the day. We tried to play in the pool, have snack outside, go to CVS to pick up their meds, take a walk...and although we did all of these things - it wasn't without crying and whining. I get that they're sick but man...x3 just took its toll on me today.
By the time Pete got home I was ready to book out the door! But I stayed. We had dinner, got ready for bed and put the girls down early tonight. Since they didn't take naps today they went down without much of a fight.
Now I just want to sleep! But stuff needs to get done. Cleaning because there is a showing at our condo, laundry (no explanation needed there...), computer stuff and so on. Same stuff...different day.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
5/4/10
The girls slept all night...yay!
Got up.
Got ready.
Worked.
Came home.
Bathed.
Bed time.
All 3 are sick with colds. :(
Got up.
Got ready.
Worked.
Came home.
Bathed.
Bed time.
All 3 are sick with colds. :(
Monday, May 3, 2010
5/3/10
Hannah & Hailey kept waking up last night. So sleep wasn't great. But they stayed in their beds all night (not without some coercing/threatening but we do what it takes sometimes).
Donna and Pete's mom came here today. Pete's mom had the girls in big girl underwear all day long and there was only 1 accident! This is great ;-) I have to admit though - it's not very convenient to worry about finding a bathroom when we're out. I like the freedom of carrying a diaper bag and just changing them when needed. But they have to grow up eventually right?
Peter, Becca & Owen came over for dinner tonight. The girls love their play dates with Owen...and he's pretty tolerant of the girls too! LOL
When it was time for bed - there wasn't a peep out of them! Lights out and they were asleep. I just hope it stays that way.
Now it's time to finish up the computer stuff and get to bed myself. Pete and I are sleepy after not sleeping much last night.
Donna and Pete's mom came here today. Pete's mom had the girls in big girl underwear all day long and there was only 1 accident! This is great ;-) I have to admit though - it's not very convenient to worry about finding a bathroom when we're out. I like the freedom of carrying a diaper bag and just changing them when needed. But they have to grow up eventually right?
Peter, Becca & Owen came over for dinner tonight. The girls love their play dates with Owen...and he's pretty tolerant of the girls too! LOL
When it was time for bed - there wasn't a peep out of them! Lights out and they were asleep. I just hope it stays that way.
Now it's time to finish up the computer stuff and get to bed myself. Pete and I are sleepy after not sleeping much last night.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
5/2/10
The girls woke up early again today. That's ok - we got a head start on the days activities. We started the day with breakfast at Friendly's with Andy. Then off to Sam's Club for a few things. Came home to take naps but Emily wasn't feeling well so she couldn't sleep. She was congested and couldn't suck her thumb...so she couldn't sleep....so she kept the other 2 awake by getting out of bed and giving them books. I'm sure other parents out there would think I'm crazy for being 'mad' about her giving the other 2 books...but they needed to sleep! 3 kids sans naps are a recipe for disaster.
I ran to the store while they tried to sleep but since they weren't sleeping - Pete got them up and fed them lunch. I came back and they were having lunch outside on the deck. Lucky for them it was beautiful outside today. After lunch we tried naps again. This time it was a success but only because I kept Emily with me and let the other 2 sleep. Emily helped me clean up the mess in the living room.
We separated all of their toys into bins. We have a different bin for just about everything now. Music, tea set, kitchen set, food, puppets and so on. This was NOT my idea - it was very much 'borrowed' from my cousin Jen whom we went to visit just yesterday. But I saw how the girls stayed occupied for 5 straight hours simply by alternating the toys they played with rather than having them all out at the same time. I knew I needed to do the same thing at home and I knew I couldn't wait. It was such a positive experience that I decided to do it today. So we did it. And we'll see how well it works.
We played outside for a while. First just snack at the picnic table. Then another 'borrowed' idea...we played with a water table. Last year the girls hated their little swimming pool. They wanted nothing to do with it. But they loved playing in the water table yesterday so while at the store today I bought a bucket (picture a bucket you put in the sink for dishes) for $2. I put water in it with some toys and let them play. It didn't take long for Emily to jump into the bucket...she didn't fit really...but she found a way to put her whole self in there! So I ran with it. I brought out the pool and put about 2" of water in it. They LOVED it. Played in there for almost 2 hours straight.
And...since Emily was spiking fevers all day - this was the PERFECT solution to keeping her cool! (Along with some Motrin and Tylenol throughout the day as well).
Andy, Amanda and Christina came over for a cookout - burgers and hot dogs (can't go wrong there). Then it was time for bed. Early too - they were wiped out. So they were sound asleep by 6:30 tonight.
Andy cleaned the kitchen, Amanda took Christina home so they could do their night thing, I worked out, Pete hung out and now...it's time for relaxing.
I ran to the store while they tried to sleep but since they weren't sleeping - Pete got them up and fed them lunch. I came back and they were having lunch outside on the deck. Lucky for them it was beautiful outside today. After lunch we tried naps again. This time it was a success but only because I kept Emily with me and let the other 2 sleep. Emily helped me clean up the mess in the living room.
We separated all of their toys into bins. We have a different bin for just about everything now. Music, tea set, kitchen set, food, puppets and so on. This was NOT my idea - it was very much 'borrowed' from my cousin Jen whom we went to visit just yesterday. But I saw how the girls stayed occupied for 5 straight hours simply by alternating the toys they played with rather than having them all out at the same time. I knew I needed to do the same thing at home and I knew I couldn't wait. It was such a positive experience that I decided to do it today. So we did it. And we'll see how well it works.
We played outside for a while. First just snack at the picnic table. Then another 'borrowed' idea...we played with a water table. Last year the girls hated their little swimming pool. They wanted nothing to do with it. But they loved playing in the water table yesterday so while at the store today I bought a bucket (picture a bucket you put in the sink for dishes) for $2. I put water in it with some toys and let them play. It didn't take long for Emily to jump into the bucket...she didn't fit really...but she found a way to put her whole self in there! So I ran with it. I brought out the pool and put about 2" of water in it. They LOVED it. Played in there for almost 2 hours straight.
And...since Emily was spiking fevers all day - this was the PERFECT solution to keeping her cool! (Along with some Motrin and Tylenol throughout the day as well).
Andy, Amanda and Christina came over for a cookout - burgers and hot dogs (can't go wrong there). Then it was time for bed. Early too - they were wiped out. So they were sound asleep by 6:30 tonight.
Andy cleaned the kitchen, Amanda took Christina home so they could do their night thing, I worked out, Pete hung out and now...it's time for relaxing.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
5/1/10
Why is it that the girls will sleep sooo late during the week but on the weekends they insist on waking up at the crack of dawn?!?! They must have known today was going to be a nice day and they wanted to get an early start.
What we did today was get up, eat breakfast and then get ready to go up to visit family in MA. We headed to Jen's house and hung out there for the entire day. Pete stayed behind so he could get some stuff done. The girls and I left around 9:30 and with bunnies/bears in the car (their blankets they sleep with) they were asleep before we hit the highway. We stopped at the grocery store when we were almost there so that we could pick up lunch and a snack to bring with us.
We got there around 11:30, made lunch and played. Played hard. For the next 5 hours! They painted (something we don't do at home...but will now), rode cars, played with the parachute, jumped on the bed (something we don't do at home...and still won't do!), ate, drank, laughed, cried but most of all - I RELAXED! Tant tant showed up and played too ;-) Christopher was soooo good about sharing and letting the girls play with all of his toys. He even joined in for much of the afternoon! It's certainly not an easy task to let the trio come in and take over - especially when you're a toddler. But he did it without complaint!
Then we headed home. Got here, ate dinner, took baths, did the night thing and then in bed. They talked and chatted and gabbed for about an hour before actually going to sleep. Then I did some homework, worked on the computer and now it's time for sleeeeeeeeeep.
What we did today was get up, eat breakfast and then get ready to go up to visit family in MA. We headed to Jen's house and hung out there for the entire day. Pete stayed behind so he could get some stuff done. The girls and I left around 9:30 and with bunnies/bears in the car (their blankets they sleep with) they were asleep before we hit the highway. We stopped at the grocery store when we were almost there so that we could pick up lunch and a snack to bring with us.
We got there around 11:30, made lunch and played. Played hard. For the next 5 hours! They painted (something we don't do at home...but will now), rode cars, played with the parachute, jumped on the bed (something we don't do at home...and still won't do!), ate, drank, laughed, cried but most of all - I RELAXED! Tant tant showed up and played too ;-) Christopher was soooo good about sharing and letting the girls play with all of his toys. He even joined in for much of the afternoon! It's certainly not an easy task to let the trio come in and take over - especially when you're a toddler. But he did it without complaint!
Then we headed home. Got here, ate dinner, took baths, did the night thing and then in bed. They talked and chatted and gabbed for about an hour before actually going to sleep. Then I did some homework, worked on the computer and now it's time for sleeeeeeeeeep.
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