8.01.2012

What it Means



Being a mother of three means that I am always touching one of my children, from the moment I wake up when Christian brings Lucy to me in the morning, to the moment I lay my Lovey down to sleep at night. With Lucy, it's mostly nursing all.day.long. And there's so much Max-and-Maggie-touching in between: changing diapers, cuddling to read books, picking up to go somewhere faster, comforting with blankies in tow, fishing "ickies" out of mouths, games of chasing and tackling, and {my favorite} kissing. I'm used to it, and most of the time I love it. The only thing I can't stand is whiny and clingy touching, especially if it goes on for an extended period of time for no reason.

Being a mother of three means that more often than not, the TV is on at our house. Before Lucy was born, I knew TV would be part of my plan to keep the peace once she was home. I started showing Max and Maggie Oswald because it's the least obnoxious kids' show I've seen. We started with just an episode a day, and it took a little while before they started actually paying attention, but now they love it. {And if you're wondering, "Is she actually saying that she got her kids hooked on TV when they were just one year old on purpose?" then the answer is YES. I make no apologies for my parenting techniques.} They now watch a healthy mix of Oswald, Blue's Clues, and classic Disney movies. We can always work on weaning them off TV when they're older and our lives are less insane.

Being a mother of three means that my body is under a lot of strain. Besides the usual {carrying two 20-pound babies up the stairs at the same time, that kind of thing}, I'm now also caring for and breastfeeding a two-month-old. I realized how close I was to physically hitting my limit when I started getting migraines, some of which didn't go away for days. Ugh! I went to the doctor and she told me what I already knew, I needed to be drinking more water and getting more sleep. I've been trying; I know I need to take care of myself in order to take care of my family. I pop half a dozen vitamins every day to help: a prenatal vitamin and vitamin D as recommended by my OB/GYN, magnesium to keep migraines away, and two giant calcium supplements because I'm off dairy {it upsets Lucy's tummy}. There are still days, at least one a week, when the clock hits 2:30 pm and I don't know how I'm going to stay awake until Christian gets home.




Being a mother of three means that I'm thinking three steps ahead about things that most people don't even think about. Pick up both Max's and Maggie's blankies before you get them out of bed at the end of naptime; it's a lot harder to pick up a blankie with a kid in each arm. Lay out clean diapers, pajamas, and lotion {and have an episode of Oswald ready to go} before Christian comes downstairs with post-bath babies. Don't get two diapers out of the basket for diaper changes; get four -- you'll need them later anyway and it will be handy to have them in the middle of the floor, right next to the wipes. The key to thinking three steps ahead is going about your normal baby-caring business and then, blerg! everyone's crying and you realize you should have done things differently.

Being a mother of three means that free time never just happens, ever. I'm caring for children literally starting the exact moment I wake up, and then all morning. If Lucy ever happens to be asleep when Max and Maggie go down for their nap, I use that time to eat {I usually have both my breakfast and lunch during their naptime}, shower, sleep, or take care of house business. There's enough work to go around even after Christian gets home to keep us both busy until Max and Maggie's bedtime, and then I want to spend the precious two hours before we need to go to bed with Christian, not doing something alone. I have a hundreds of items competing for first place on my when-I-get-a-minute list, and several long-overdue errands I need to run. And you all know I haven't blogged in almost a month.

And all of that? It's all okay. I'm exhausted and sometimes I wear the same shirt five days in a row, Febreezing it before I put it on again in the morning, but I wouldn't trade this time with my little family for anything. We're doing this three-babes-under-seventeen-months thing, and amazingly, it's working for us. Sometimes I realize how happy I am, how much I love what I do and how worthwhile it is, and I'm overwhelmed. I know I'll miss this era when it's over.

7 comments:

  1. It sounds like everyday is such an adventure! But, yes, enjoy it because time goes by so fast.

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  2. You're amazing. Looking at all 3 babies next to each other is incredible. What a challenging blessing to have 3 babies, it makes me tired thinking about how to begin the juggling act that requires. They're beautiful and they look happy, so I say who cares what you do, you're doing it well.

    As for the migraines, it helped me to keep a 32 oz water bottle by the couch to drink while I was breastfeeding. It helped me stay on top of drinking enough... although that's probably just one more thing to remember, but no headaches sometimes helps with the energy levels.

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  3. When I think about taking care of three babies, my head spins. You are doing such a wonderful job!

    I agree with Carla on the water front. Always keep ice water nearby and make goals to finish the container by a certain time of day. Mine was to drink one 32 oz glass of water before lunch, and another one while I ate lunch. That way, even if you can't get to water the rest of the day, you're offf to a great start.

    In reference to getting more sleep/ rest, I highly recommend learning to side lay nurse. It took weeks before it was easy (& I almost gave up) but it seriously saved my bacon. Being able to lay down to rest at the same time the baby is eating is awesome - especially at night. You can practice doing it while the twins nap in the day and then implement it at night once you get it down.

    I know that what you are going through can seem overwhelming, but your babies are just the sweetest.

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  4. Mary, it seems to me like you are doing an amazing job! I am a mom to 3 year old boy/girl twins and an 8 yr old step son (definitely not as difficult as the boat you're in!) but everything you mention in this post is right-on from using the tv as your friend and thinking 3 steps ahead. The twins are 3 and i still am always thinking ahead from putting out their clothes the night before, juice in sippy cups ready to go in fridge for next day, etc. I know you don't have much time nowadays but I found your blog thru e tells tales and I love your posts. Hang in there...you are doing a wonderful job:)

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  5. I am not trying to be rude. But have you ever tested Maggie for bardet-biedyl syndrome? I know she was born polydactyl and was a little late in crawling and walking. It might be something to look into.

    You seem like a wonderful mother!

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  6. Hahaha same shirt five days in a row.

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  7. You're such an incredible inspiration! :) xxx

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