Hodgepodge and Mother's Day thoughts

Nevermind it took 15 minutes to log in here. Its been five months since my last confession, er, blog. I've been blogging in my head and facebook. But frankly, I am just been lazy. And I feel for the guy named frank that the previous saying came from. Cause its not just a saying its also a name for a hot dog. And also for a common guy. Like if you don't remember someones name you can just say, "Hey, Frank! You wanna get the door?" And they know you are talking to them.

Back on track. Mother's Day. According to the great source of wikipedia, it was founded by a lady in 1870s. Woodrow Wilson made it a Hallmark Holiday in 1918 and now everyone remembers to call their mom on this day.

I received a cookbook from Jacob (made at school), I received some awesome handmade cards/pictures from the triplets (made at school) and then Jacob made me a paper plate card at home using his best cursive. I spent the day with my family eating a lunch at a supper club. Then took a 3 hour nap. Now THAT is a good Mother's Day. Love the nap.

I've been thinking about my life and what it takes to be a mother and smirking over those articles in the papers that kids write about their mothers. Did they write them willingly or did their moms put them up to it so that everyone else who reads that paper will know what a great mother they are?

I've decided not to go for the Mother of the Year award, ever. I won't be nominated because frankly, (it just flows so well... sorry anyone named Frank) I don't have the patience I should have, I favor the kids who let me sleep in, I don't cook as much as I should and I don't play with them as much as I should.

What am I doing during this time when I should be cooking or playing with them? I'm searching for my keys which mysteriously disappeared. I'm calling a tow truck and then trying to get a ride to the dealership to get new keys made while trying to figure out how to get four kids there and then get two vehicles home. Or, when I'm trying to make a home-made spaghetti sauce, I'm searching for for spoon rest that has mysteriously disappeared. Only to be found in the sandbox a few days later.

My patience is sorely lacking when I repeatedly find wrappers stuck under and in the couch when I say multiple times every day not to eat in the living room. I fantasize about the day when they'll understand that wrappers invite unwanted house guests and they throw them away. I really don't want six or eight legged creatures in the house.

I know the day will come when I only have to say things once and not repeatedly because they have become good listeners.

I live for the day that I can tell their girlfriends and wives about their escapades on creative peeing spots. The dryer, the front yard, the waste basket, the general area of the toilet. I will train them properly that their wives don't have to worry about seats being up, dribble around the toilet, etc...

I accept the fact that some of my children have inherited my sense of humor. Which is really funny to me, but may be childish, rude, or completely innappropriate in certain situations. Like in school, at church, when talking to adults.

So instead of having my kids write a bunch of untrue things about me, I'm going to write my Mother's Day wish for them.

I hope that someday you can look back and see that I tried to provide a home you felt safe in. That when I was discipling you or yelling at you, it was because I love you and want you to grow up learning right from wrong. I want you to learn that there are consequences to your actions. These actions can hurt yourself, other people and may not be following God's commandments.

I want you to know that I love it when you help me around the house. Its a great time for bonding while also learning how to clean and take care of our home.

I want you to think of others and how your actions affect them. I want you to think of Jesus and that He died for our sins. He loved us that much. I want you to show your love to others by treating them with respect, with kindness and being a light for this world.

I want you to remember all those times I took you to lessons or practices, or a road trip to something fun. All those things that took a lot of planning, money and patience.

I want you to remember the fun times. When I didn't feel like cooking so I threw out marshmellows on the table or I let you forage for yourself and some pretty interesting combinations are made. When we take a ride around the circle and you're all riding your big wheels. Or when we go to the park or Wild Air. When we're singing in the car some of our favorite songs. When we're on the couch and everyone has to pile on me. It can't get any better than that.

Be your own person, make your own path. But let God guide you. Enjoy your childhood because it goes way too fast.

A dirty word...

Sometimes I use the word Triplets when talking about my kids, but I feel uncomfortable using that word. Even after almost 5 years of saying it. I'll say babies (which I've been told I shouldn't say anymore), the little ones, the little kids, the preschoolers, the monkeys, anything but the word Triplets.

I feel like when I say "triplets" I'm bragging or drawing attention to myself or them. Because that word turns heads. Its saying I won the lottery, in a family sense. It also labels them. Groups them into whatever stereotype people put on triplets or multiples.

Sometimes I still feel shocked. I'll be doing something, look at them, and say to myself, "I have triplets!" Holy baloney Batman! God sure knows what he's doing and we're not supposed to question him... but triplets? for me? What a gift. I am humbled.

Preschool

Create your own digital greeting card

Another Chapter

I'm reminded of a song by Staind called, "Its been awhile" or at least those are part of the lyrics.

I've been lazy, I kept procastinating. Things happened and I thought, I should blog this, but I'll just put it on Facebook.

Tomorrow is a big day. The triplets start preschool. I have been waiting for this day, probably since the week we brought them home from the hospital. They need the structure, they need the interaction, they need to learn to listen, to play well with others, to go to the bathroom on their own. I need the two hour break just to be a better mom. And the biggest plus is that I can run errands on my own without having to ask family or friends to watch them. Even though I know they love them, I always feel like I'm asking a favor, or I'm inconveniencing them.

I've been dreading this day too because it means I'm not just a stay-at-home mom with little children, I'm an in-betweener. I've got all my kids in school, but not full-time. It means I run back and forth to school several times a day to drop off, pick up, and pick up again. It means I get four backbacks ready each day. I have to make sure that everyone eats before they get to school because we can't just come home and eat breakfast later. Shoes need to match, or at least be on the right feet. Books need to be read, folders need to be checked, all times four.

While I've fantasized about this day for quite awhile, I've also repressed the memories of dropping Jacob of for preschool. Its a time you can never get back, them being at home with you all day. It means that happy hour really does start after 3 p.m. and not anytime you feel like it.

A shortfall

I cannot believe that I am blogging three days in a row. But I had nothing short of an epiphany today.

As the kids and I were watching this Heroes of the Bible story about Jesus's birth, I realized that I wasn't doing my job in raising them in a Christ-centered environment.

I think I'm still in survival mode. They get fed, they have clean clothing, I read to them, sometimes I play with them, I take them to swimming lessons and other activities. But at a cost to my own being. Its not always fun, its usually stressful, but its necessary.

I realized the triplets had not been to church since the middle of October. Or at least thats what I last remember. I have been to church several times with Jacob, but I don't take them. Its too much work, I don't have enough hands, and I don't hear the sermon at all.

Things need to change. Christ is the center of my life (or should be) and it should be theirs also. I need to take the time to take them to church, sing songs with them, go to sunday school. Now that they are mostly potty-trained I can sign them up for Sunday school. They'll get the interaction they need with other kids and learn about Christ.

Birthday hangover

I think I've almost recovered from the birthday party this weekend. Its so much work getting the house clean and making food, yet it was so worth it. The kids, especially Jacob, were excited for the party. I need to make a mental note to have the party for lunch next year instead of dinner/supper time because the day gets pretty long when Jacob asks for the 4oth time "how many hours until the party?" And trying to keep the house clean all day with four kids in it - well, its not happening unless you hogtie them.

I bought a preschool table to go in our dining room for the kids to play on. This table did not hold all the presents. I think they should be occupied for at least a few weeks. The theme was Sponge Bob Square pants. Its a nice neutral theme. Although its kind of creepy falling asleep on the couch and then looking up to see Sponge Bob's face over your head.

Brooke has been an absolute monster. I think its due to them not being in their cribs anymore. They can get in and out of their beds and they are staying up later fooling around and even nap time is really challenging. There is lots of running around and giggling. So I may have to change the wording to "quiet time" because I need a break. I need a break from my children. I need quiet, I need to be alone and not be elbowed, jumped on and licked.

Matthew and John still need to be separated during the day because they tend to play and someone likes to rip down wallpaper in their room. Seriously, I will string John up by his feet and leave him like that if he rips more down. I'd like to wipe that mischievous smirk off his face.

It doesn't sound like I'm really liking my job right now. Well, these times are very frustrating keeping the consistency really is wearing. But on a happier note, when I take all three to the store, it has been much easier. I still can't do more than one store without meltdowns, but how many grown men can you take shopping in multiples stores?

I seriously was really close to grabbing a drink today. And smoking. And it didn't help that we got to the YMCA late today. I took all four down to the dressing room and then sent Jacob out to the pool while I got the triplets to the drop-in day care. Went back downstairs and he wasn't in the pool with the rest of his class.

First thought is that there is only one way out of the YMCA and the people working by the door know Jacob. So I knew he was still in the building somewhere. So I went back into the family locker room and most of the private rooms were being used. So I started calling his name. When I realized that the only other place he was familiar with was Adventure Alley I started heading there only to hear me being paged over the loudspeaker. He was in adventure alley with three directors looking after him. He did really well, he told the lady working he was looking for me, he knew my name and when the director of swimming said she'd take him to swimming lessons, he said that he would stay right there until I got there.

This is going to turn me more grey than I already am. On Saturday, we had the FVMOM spring rummage sale and there are tons of people around. He was going between my booth and my sister Joan's booth. I went over to talk to him and he wasn't there. He wasn't by my sister Julie and he wasn't by another lady Angela that I know he knows. So I thought he went to the bathroom by himself. He's becoming more independent which has its upside and its downside to certain situations like this. He insisted on going into the boys bathroom earlier that day so I knew he would have gone in there. I heard voices when I cracked the door, but I didn't want to go in and scare some poor boys. Another lady I know said she hadn't seen Jacob out there so I sent another boy in to see who was in the bathroom. It wasn't him. So a thousand things are going through my head. There are strangers around, its busy, the doors are open to the outside. So as tears start to cloud my eyes and I feel my heart beating in my throat, he walks in from being outside. His cheeks were flushed from the cold. He had been outside by the truck blowing bubbles. And the truck was parked aways from the door. I hugged him and told him that he cannot leave the building without telling me. Sigh. He just does not realize the dangers around him.

People keep asking me now that the triplets are 3 if things are easier. Is 3 some magic age where they start to do everything by themselves and listen? Three is worse than two. They start to be able to reason with you and they are really stubborn without any substance behind their reasoning. They have quick tempers and short attention spans.

Now sure, I don't have to feed them every three hours and I'm not up all night with them. But when I put them down when they were infants, they stayed where I put them. I could also place them in swings or bouncy seats and go do something. But then again, I had more help when they were infants. So I guess its a toss up. I think I'll feel like things are easier after they are potty-trained.

And speaking of that, Brooke has regressed to wanting to wear diapers. However, she still only has one or two wet diapers a day and holds it very well. She just is learning "the feeling" of when she has to go and has not figured out how to relax and let it all out.

Yes, that was TMI. But its potty-training and its my life. Believe me, I can't wait to go a day without touching poop.

Happy Birthday!

They are 3, its the 3rd. So that makes it their Golden Birthday. (Sigh) (Double Sigh)

I love birthdays. I get them all hyped up by talking about it the month before. We've practiced the singing and blowing out of candles. I love to plan a fun day on their birthday. So they know every year they have something special to look forward too.

But I'm sad. Its a happy sad. Reliving this day three years ago, going through the discomfort of contractions all night and then delivering them via C-section at 5:01, 5:02 and 5:03. Matthew was first, 4 lbs 6 oz and 18 inches, Brooke was 4 lbs 7 oz and 17 inches and little Johnny was 4 lbs 3 oz and 17 1/4 inches. It was such a surreal time, being in the delivery room, having them being delivered so quickly, the bright lights, all the people in the room. The babies were taken away to the NICU probably 5-10 minutes after their birth. I don't really remember the details of the post-surgical stuff or even the trip back to my room. But I remember sitting there with Scott, waiting to hear from the doctor about the health of the babies. Dr Meyers came in around 8 a.m. and told us they were doing as well as they could be. I remember calling Pastor Ash and he came up and he and Scott went to get the kids baptized at 10:00 a.m. That was the first time that Scott saw the kids after delivery and I do not remember if I got to see the kids that afternoon or that night. I was pretty doped up with morphine. I remember my mom and dad and Scott's parents bringing Jacob right around lunch to go see the kids. My sisters and brother and spouses came up that night to see the kids.

Its such a different experience than what I had with Jacob. I had gotten to hold Jacob right after birth and he stayed in my room the whole time. I got to see him and nurse him right away.

The digital age

Do you know how hard it is to take pictures of wiggly little urchins? Good thing cameras now have a feature that takes good pictures when the object is moving. But even cameras cannot solve the problem of getting your kids to look at the camera or even in that general area all at the same time. And not cry. And not pout. And maybe have a serene look on their faces? I'd settle for that, if I got smiles out of all three or four children at once... well, I don't know what I'd do. Probably the potty dance. (Its the same dance I use for all happy moments in the house)

Ear cleaning anyone?

The little ones had their 4th swimming lesson tonight. The good news is that Matthew and John know now that they can touch the bottom of the pool and walk around (and have the confidence to do so). Brooke clung to Shell and then me the whole time. She was being a little difficult. But then at the end of our swimming time she actually got in and stood and held on to the pool.

John needs his ears cleaned out because he doesn't listen well. I think I saw him fall two or three times as he was running around the pool. Poor Luann. Even though John talks about "Guann" all the time, he still was running away from her doing his own thing.


The other good news is that after their 3rd birthday they get to go into the pool by themselves in the Shrimp class. I talked to Miss Julie (not my sister) about it and she said that as long as they can touch the bottom of the pool and listen, they can go into shrimp. Hmm... listen. Well, that's what the instructors get paid for, right?

I took the little boys down the slide at the Y. Brooke did not want to go down the slide and cried. I do not think the boys really liked it, but they sat on my lap and I made sure that they did not get dunked as we went down.

Jacob is still sick and was not able to go to swimming lessons. He's got some energy at times and so I'd like him to go back to school, but not until he stops having bathroom issues.

But its been nice playing outside with all the kids, even if it is muddy and icky and we take baths right after we get in. I wish this 50 and 60 degree sunny weather would stay.

The numbers game

5 days until we leave for Minneapolis to see our friends Bob, Cindy, Luke and Erika

4 Children traveling with us

2 "Us" being two adults, myself and Shell Dinter

4 days that Jacob has been sick

12 days since I started pottytraining. (Well, Brooke started to potty train. I've been potty-trained for awhile.)

17 days until the triplets are 3

4 number of swimming lessons we will have had after tonight

Kindergarten

Some news just ends up rocking our world. Even though I had a sneaking suspicion about this, Jacob's teacher and I had a conference yesterday. She suggested thinking about keeping Jacob back. His birthday is in May.

This was one of my fears all along. I knew that he was the youngest in his class of 15 (well, second youngest). He doesn't ever want to go to school and I almost have to drag him there everyday. Once hes there he seems to be fine. But he wants to stay at home with me and the babies.

He also has not been listening when his teacher gives out directions. His mind wanders easily. Even when they are singing or doing an activity he seems to have his head in the clouds.

She suggested making sure he has a proper diet and is getting enough sleep. But otherwise this really is an emotional development that we may not be able to control.

I just hate thinking of holding him back now that hes had two years with the same kids. I don't want Jacob to think that hes done anything wrong or isn't smart enough because that isn't that case. Academically hes doing great. I don't want him socially ostracized because hes not fitting in with the others or hasn't made friends (as is the case now - he really doesn't have any close friends). And maybe he would be better off with the class below him emotionally.

I think I'm rambling...

But the worst feeling is that I haven't done enough to help him succeed. It tears me up. I knew as soon as I found out that I was having triplets that Jacob would get the short end of the stick. And he has. I don't know if I could have helped him be more emotionally mature. I don't know if I can help him like school more. It just sucks because I have this guilt trip that I haven't done enough and I wonder what I can do to change that.

At least its a long way to next August when school starts. I can wait to make a decision until the week before school anyway.

It seems to be the trend to hold your child back if they have a summer birthday. Two of Jacobs classmates are born in July and their parents just delayed sending them to school until they were 5. I think that makes children like Jacob who were born in May look more emotionally and physically immature because they have classmates that are 9 months older then them.

Lego fight

So, I went to make a three minute phone call. This is what I found. I'm going to get a drink.

Delurking and triplet thoughts

Its delurking day, week, month? Leave a comment please and introduce yourself.

If you don't leave a comment and still read the blog, 7 bad things will happen to you within 7 days of reading this blog. (I hate those stupid e-mails)

I can't get the stupid "Delurking Day" cute banner, button, image. I've become electronically impaired since turning 30 AND having triplets in the same year.


I want to leave a list of surprising things I learned about after having children/triplets.

• You need to buy a bunch of batteries for all the swings, mobiles, bouncy seats, crib toys and those invasion of privacy listening devices that parents put in their children's room to hear their every move (I can't think of the name).
• You do more laundry than you'd ever think possible.
• Burp cloths - if you think you need only a pack, triple that thought. Kids are messy and go through a lot.
• You and your husband/friends talk about the unthinkable. Poop, pee, breasts, episotimies, puke, vomit, your five year olds conversations about e r e c t i o n s.
• Find a friend or family member that you admire their parenting techniques and ask them a bunch of questions. Then, modify it to fit your children.

The day in the life of triplets

Dovalicious

So, I was on the phone with a friend (you know who you are!) making plans to go to Twilight this weekend.

I'm putting away clothes as I'm doing this in effort to make good use of my time.

I go downstairs to get some more clothes and in the living room are...

all the babies with chocolate on their faces and hands with a whole bag of Dove dark chocolate miniatures opened. All of the Dove dark chocolate miniatures opened. All. They all had unwrapped the candy and had fistfuls of chocolate.

I actually froze for probably 20 seconds just taking it in. They had pushed a chair over to the pantry and opened the childproof lock. Got up to the third shelf and taken the candy down. Took it into the living room and unwrapped them all (without reading the sayings inside because the wrappings were shredded).

I actually thought for a minute that they could die from chocolate poisoning and then remembered that was for dogs. But really, whats the difference?

Is that chocolate on your face?

So today, I felt ambitious, I felt self-confident. I was going to tackle the Ghiradelli chocolate covered oreos and turtles today. With the babies. And not tie them down.

So I heated up some chocolate and gave them their own bowls and oreos.

As you can see, each child has a different way of dipping and eating their cookies. Some are a little neater than others and Johnny really likes to get his hands, face, sweatshirt and area all around him dirty.

John's two cookies that survived are on the top right of the pan. He did a good job considering he is two.

As I'm trying to make turtles (by myself) John and Brooke were underfoot. John was just trying to help. But Brooke was very whiney and cried a lot today. She didn't lay down for a nap and neither did Matthew and John. It was a llloooonnnnggg day.

Jacob had his Christmas program tonight and he did very well. The babies, surprisingly, did not make a peep. They were so tired they just sat on laps and really just zoned out.

Odd behavior

2 year olds can be a lot of fun. They can also be very peculiar. I just noticed I don't blog as much about Matthew as I do John (especially John).

Matthew is a sweet loving, well-adjusted child. He's the child that you dream of having. Smiley, listens most of the time, low-maintenance, good sleeper. Low-maintenance is the key here. This kid just plays by himself, happily for long periods of time. Hes not demanding or whiney or clingy. And his disposition is so easy going. And when you ask him something, in his cutesy soft voice he says, "Yes, please."

John is not a polar opposite of Matthew, but in some cases you'd think they came from a different gene pool. John is full of joy, he's a leader, he's inventive, hes stubborn, he doesn't transition well, he seeks sensory input and he's demanding, whiney and clingy. (Look how he's hanging on to Matthew in this picture) Double click on any picture to see it enlarged.

John's latest thing is to act like a cat. He crawls through my legs like Cosmo does, rolls on his belly to be rubbed, Meows all the time, licks furniture (including refrigerators, cabinets, miscellaneous objects, and walks on all fours. I've even heard him Meow to get out of his crib. It is a little disturbing when you see so much of the behavior. He couldn't pick Diego or Dora to act out, could he?

Previously I had posted that Brooke has tendencies like a certain dictator in history. She is in charge and lets you know it by her voice. Its, "sit down, nooowww!" and "NO hittting!" and a lot of swatting done by her. And on the other hand, she can be quite loving and nurturing. She's very good about doing what I ask her too. Bringing things to the boys, picking up, helping. And she's very affectionate with me and has to give me hugs and kisses whenever I leave or just because. Brooke is going through that phase that she better get her way or else. The or else part can pain me because it means yelling, hitting and kicking. Also, she seems to always be yelling when she talks. Its always in a grumpy tone of voice.

Now, I don't think I model that behavior, do I? I'm sure she just takes my phrases and makes them her own, right?

New Moon

O.K. two things (or more) are consuming my life. I have a sinus infection that is so painful. I have medication for it and I hope it starts working soon. I took some hydrocodone last night for the pain and it didn't touch it. So I'm not sure why people steal that because I felt nothing.

And secondly, I finished Twilight and now am into New Moon. I cried through Twilight and have been sobbing through New Moon. I don't think that itself gives anything away except that it is extremely well written on how the author, Stephanie Meyers, describes her characters and their feelings.

I have decided when I grow up I want to be a literature teacher. I know these books are written for Tweens. But honestly, I don't know if they get the depth of the characters at that age. I think that's why I cry. Or maybe I just am trying to relieve the pressure of my sinus infection.

And to reminisce, this was the week that I found out that I was pregnant with triplets 3 years ago. I still sometimes can't believe I have triplets. Or four kids for that matter. I feel like moments of my life have been fast-forwarded and others are on pause.

Children are such a great gift from God. They are all unique and each present challenges and joys of parenting. One thing this season is that I have not been able to get my Christmas cards out yet, the trees are half decorated, no candy has been made, etc... I'm in the Christmas spirit due to Jacob coming home to school and singing his Christmas songs and learning his part for the program.

The important things about this season are all about Jesus anyway. I think Santa is a representation of generosity and good will and that is a very important lesson to teach the kids too.

Anyway, off to parent my children. Or make sure that they don't open the oven, the refrigerator, the child-proof locks, climb on furniture, dive from the furniture, throw their toys and beat on each other.

Challenges of being thankful

I haven't written about being thankful for anything lately. Not because I'm not thankful, just really tired and busy. Toddlers take a lot of work. Three toddlers is a little more work. But one 5 year old. Challenging, interesting, driving me crazy, funny, talkative, and not listening.

So, I'm thankful for....

• My hand surgery so I'm not in the least bit tempted to strangle, smack or hurt my child when sassiness just oozes out of him. (I hope my sarcasm drips through and I don't have child services at my house, again.)
• For TIVO
• For the forgiveness of God
• For the voices inside my head
• For the talents and skills God gave me
• For my husband for a lot of reasons

Smack!

So, I've been busy sewing lately. I like to sew. Its relaxing. In the early days of my sewing projects, I cursed and got frustrated very easily. Now, after tons of practice, its actually nice. And I'm glad I'm not jinxing a baby blanket anymore. I can probably be blamed for many a plenty fussy baby in the early 2000s. I've also been making baby burp cloths and barrettes. Although the barrettes are for FVMOM, but they are still relaxing to do. I rarely burn myself on the glue anymore. :)

Today was a busy day in our house. While Jacob was at school, I took the "toddlers" as Jacob calls them to a Birth to Three playgroup. It was a lot of fun. They even got to paint a pumpkin, something they'll never do at home. Paint , three inventive toddlers and only one mom? Nope, not on my watch. Luckily one of the teachers helped out watching over the kids. Another reason why we'll never do it is because its messy and it can go down hill quite quickly. Look what happened when I gave them pencils for the first time.

So then tonight, Shell Dinter came over and we took the kids to Wild Air. We had a blast. The "toddlers" weren't so thrilled about the slide. You could tell by the look on their face that they were surprised and a little scared. But we went into this circular inflatable, there was a middle pedestal that we could balance on and jump on and then there were a whole lot of soft balls to throw around or at someone. We all giggled and jumped and played. The kids did not want to leave.

As a matter of fact, they were all still running around when Shell and I were trying to get their shoes and coats on. And then Brooke ran right into a floor to ceiling glass window that she apparently didn't see. As Michelle and I rolled on the ground trying not to pee our pants, she looked at us with surprise in her eyes and she wasn't sure if she should laugh with us. It was such a classic Jean move. It could have been a Windex commercial that we see on television.