Here we go again.....

Well, for those of you who don't know, we are moving to Arkansas. Another chapter in our lives. That makes our 5th move in 10 years and will be our 3rd state. This move has brought more anxiety than any move yet and we are just beginning. Jim has a wonderful job opportunity there with a group of people he has known for years. Everything about the job is fantastic but there are 2 major drawbacks. One, we have to sell our house which is brand new and we just moved into in August. Two, we are moving away from my Mom and sister. So, a new adventure begins. We have a long road ahead but we will make it, we always do. Just another challenge to accept and conquer. Wish us luck and pray for us.

Ready to go home, now!

That is what I heard over and over again, Saturday morning as Wyatt had his first t-ball game. It was mass confusion as about 50, 2 1/2-3 1/2 year olds lined up to play t-ball. Of course, Jim and I had visions of him fielding the ball, running the bases at mach speed and hitting the ball way beyond all the other kids. Visions, that's all we had. Instead, I was so proud to watch my little man toss the ball to his partner, cling to me as he ran the bases and insist his daddy help him bat. He wanted Grampy, Mommy and Daddy with him all the time. Baby sisters were along in tow as the cheerleading squad. It would have been much better if he hadn't seen the playground prior to getting to the ballfield. It would have also been better if there hadn't been at least 4 games going on at the same time. All in all, I was one proud Mommy, my little man played t-ball, he stuck it out and never cried. What more can you ask for?

That's What it is all about...........

Before I was a stay at home mom (SAHM)or Mom for that matter, I was pretty much clueless as to all the work, patience and selflessness that goes into the "job". Sure, I knew it was long hours, no vacations, no sleep, etc. but I really didn't know what it encompassed. For instance, when your 2 1/2 year old says "need something from the bathtub" and you ask him what it is and he keeps repeating it time and time again while you are trying to dress him, then it escalates to a full blown fit, that is what I am talking about. PATIENCE!!!! For those of you who know me, that is not one of my virtues. I have already addressed the sleep issues in a previous post, I had NO.IDEA.HOW.BAD. Or about the trouble I would have trying to convince Wyatt to try and use the potty chair, figuring out why the girls can't poop, why they don't like peas, today, etc. I also never thought I wouldn't have time to do my hair, put on make-up or get out of my pj's and shower. I never gave these things a thought until I was a Mom.

Then I remember a day about 2 weeks ago when Wyatt and I went to the strawberry farm to pick fresh strawberries. How we talked about it the night before and he woke up asking to go to the farm. On our way he fell asleep in the car but awoke ready to go as soon as I parked. The excitement of looking at the chickens that were in the barn. Not to mention everytime I turned around, the red juice of the strawberries dripping out of his mouth and down his cheeks, him not able to answer a question because his mouth was so full of fresh, juicy strawberries. His excitement when I asked him if he wanted to pick another basket. The joy on his face.

















Then I look at my precious girls.

Every morning when I go to pick up Maggie and she is chatting away in her crib, the moment I look over the rail, she breaks out into a big grin and starts kicking her feet and waving her hands.













Ally is such a joy, all I have to do is give her a smile and she returns it with the eagerness a child has when he hears the ice cream truck. Her grin is so sweet and comes so easy, just a small kiss on her cheek produces giggles and smiles that can get you through your day.


So, that is what it is all about. The blessings that I have in my three children. The three kids that I honestly never thought I would have but am so blessed to be their mother. The years that I yearned and longed for them, MY babies. That's what it's all about......

Obviously written by a Man......

While driving back this morning from taking Jim to the doctor, I heard a radio DJ announce he was going to name the top sleep deprived jobs. Of course, this caught my attention. So, as the commercials played before this segment I got to thinking..........first should be a Mom. But, I thought I knew what sleep deprived was when Wyatt was an infant. He wasn't the best sleeper. Sadly, I was very wrong. Let me give you my definition of sleep deprived; twins and a toddler. Not twins and a 5 year old, not a 1 year old and a 2 year old, not twin 5 year olds and a 1 year old but infant twins and a toddler. I know many will disagree. I believe those with higher order multiples and a toddler can take sleep deprived to a new level, I am so glad I can't describe that circumstance to you. It has gotten much better but still is not easy. Let me explain a night in my life; bedtime starts around 6:30pm. The girls are first to go and they are fairly good. After eating, Maggie goes upstairs to her bed and promptly goes to sleep. Ally is a bit more difficult, she eats and normally will sleep in her swing until her next feeding (explained later). There are moments of crying for Ally when we still have to insert the pacifier. It is getting better. Wyatt is next. This is a bit more of a challenge. We start with him around 7:30pm or 8pm. It doesn't go easy and normally starts with, "let's put on your pj's". Normally this is met by, "no". Then we convince him to go upstairs and pick them out. He goes, I change his clothes and must promise he can go back downstairs. So, back down we go. Then he wants to "watch a little bit of tv". OK, fine, but only 15 minutes. By this time about 45 minutes have passed. Then we have to get the toy of the day, a truck, a car, a stuffed animal; then a cup of water WITH ice. Find his blanket and go upstairs. Normally this takes about 15 minutes (he is slooooowwww going up). Then we have to arrange everything in his "cribby" (toddler bed). Water here, toys here, pillow, blanket, etc. Then it is story time. This is normally something I have read about 1,456 times before. Then it is followed by favorite #2, this has been read 976 times, followed by #3, 741 times and occasionally #4 depending on my mood. Then he begs for more, I say no and he asks me to pat him. I pat, he asks for his pillow. Get pillow and resume patting. Need covered with blanket on the correct side (giraffe spots facing out). More patting. He pushes the aquarium sound box and we pat more. Then I tell him good night, say "don't get up until the sun comes up" and leave the room. If it is a good night, this is it for him until he falls asleep for the first time. Other nights, it may end in crying, screaming and more patting. In his room, out of his room, door open, door closed, need water, need ice, you name it, he needs it. Then it is downstairs to wash bottles and make formula. OK, by now we are running into 10pm (if I am doing good) and I want to check e-mail. Another 45 minutes at least. Then around 11pm I make bottles, feed the girls and get in bed around 12 midnight. Then maybe I get some thoughts about the day, who had the last bowel movement, who will be first today, will Ally eat solids, will Wyatt obey, how can I teach him to eat better, the thousands of thoughts that go through my head. Add this to a snoring, tossing and turning husband. Then around 2am Wyatt comes in for a midnight pat. I am abruptly awoken by "pat me Mommy, pat me Mommy" which starts to escalate into a cry. I get up, go and pat him and beg him to let me go to sleep. Back in bed. Oops, need to go to the bathroom. Ahhh, back in bed. Start thinking, I hear Ally crying, gets worse, it's the pacifier. Don't want her to wake up Wyatt or Maggie so, in the room I go to put it back in her mouth. Back to bed, 30 minutes later, pacifier again. Get Ally and lay on the air matress in our room. She goes right to sleep. More thoughts, Jim is still snoring. Finally back asleep but next to a baby so, I don't sleep well. 6:45-7:30 Wyatt is up, "sun up, Mommy, time to get up, NOW". Drag myself up, my day has begun. Rare days that Wyatt sleeps past 7am, Maggie makes sure I am up because it is time to eat. And this is much improved from before. Sleep is so sweet, I can taste it, like a forbidden fruit beckoning me to taste. But, it is worth it........this too shall pass. Another reason why life with 3 under 3 = crazy.

In case you were wondering here is what the radio DJ said were the top sleep deprived professions (mom not listed):

The report said the top 10 most sleep-deprived professions are:
Company directors (averaging 5.9 hours of sleep a night)
Ambulance crew/paramedics (6 hours)
Tradesmen (6 hours) Leisure and hospitality workers (6 hours)
Police officers (6.1 hours)
Factory workers (6.2 hours)
Nurses (6.3 hours)
Engineers (6.3 hours)
Doctors (6.4 hours)
Civil servants (6.4 hours).

Sign me up for company directors, that is a walk in the park.......they get weekends!