Getting Some Perspective

I have no pictures to show for this post. It's been a week. One of those you're glad to get to the end of, and thankfully we are there. It began with a Similac recall...Sam's Club called to tell us that our formula--which we buy in bulk for the twins--was involved in the recall. Bummer! That's one time when buying in bulk becomes a major problem. Brett hauled it all back, all 15 or so tubs of it, only to find out there was nothing to replace it with. Go figure. Then Corinne got her flu mist vaccine, which was made to sound like a walk in the park compared to the flu shot. When, in fact, I think it turned out to be worse than just getting the darn shot. At least it was quick. Except, no one told us that a cold (runny nose, cough) is one ramification. I found that out by talking to another mom today, whose father in law is a pediatrician. Ah, yes. That explains the runny nose Little C developed a few days ago. Lovely! Not only did Corinne get a cold from it, but she passed it on to Brett, Ellen & Sophie again! I thought we just got over a cold a few weeks ago. Brett was out of town Monday and Tuesday, so I called in the Grandmas to help with the witching hour, Schatz Edition (That would be two babies at once), plus bedtime. One of those nights (I can't remember which one) was crazy insane. Dinner was lame, but it was the only thing I could manage while I held Ellen: scrambled eggs and yogurt topped with granola and fruit. I scrambled the eggs with Ellen over my shoulder and then my mom and I switched and she did the same with Sophie. Meanwhile, our dinner conversation was almost non-existant as we ate and held the girls. At some point Corinne asked to sit on my lap, as well, so she got one of my knees, or half of my lap. And like every mom out there, I fall into bed at night so excited to be there. Our bed has become my favorite place the last few months. I think about going there all day long! But Ellen has been doing this quirky thing lately where she talks, babbles, squeals and squeaks for up to an hour at a time between 4 and 5 am. Then she falls back asleep for a little while before round 2 around 6:15. I remember Corinne doing a similar thing around this age, but that was far easier to laugh at and fall asleep to. Now we have another baby in the same room, plus another daughter in the next one. Argh. So complicated! The next morning was equally trying...Sophie and Ellen pulled an extra short nap and were up all morning while Corinne and I tried to play together. The other wrinkle was that Sophie was not happy most of that time, and so I had to calm her down by walking around the house and holding her. Corinne then decided that she wanted me to hold her, too. And Ellen was just lying there playing on the floor...until she noticed that she wasn't being held! But we made it to the 11am feeding somehow and then Universal Nap Time was at least in sight, the time of day when all 3 girls overlap in their naps. That's when I discovered that we didn't have enough formula to make two more bottles for the 3pm feeding (it all goes back to the recall--we didn't buy in bulk this time b/c we had to buy some random brand to replace the Similac). So I went to Sam's Club when Brett's mom arrived @ 2:30...part of my precious down time out the window to buy more formula. I was walking into Sam's thinking about what a long week it had already been, how hard things are, blah, blah, blah. When God put everything in perspective for me, in the form of... TRIPLET BOYS! They were fighting and fussing in the cart while their mom was standing in the checkout line. Oh my! And I quickly realized that it could be SO much harder.


And last night Brett returned, the twins didn't make a peep all night last night, and Ellen and Sophie took two awesome naps today--2.5 and 3 hours each. So just like that I'm feeling good again. What a difference a day makes!

Pretty in Pink

No real reason for this post...just my three girls looking especially cute with their daddy. (That's Ellen on left and Sophie on right)

Moms

my mom with Sophie: L Ellen: R

Thank goodness for moms! Brett's mom, Sharon, and my mom have helped me get through the last 4 months and without them I'm still not sure what I would do! They are around way less than in the early days, but both still come over at least once per week for a morning or an afternoon so I can go to the grocery store, take Corinne to music class, meet friends for a playdate, or just grab a nap. (Okay, naps are extremely rare...but it's a nice thing to strive for!) My days are like rollercoaster rides, think break-neck speed, and then others are fairly doable. But it's been such a blessing for me to count on our moms for some relief just to help break up the week. I'm finding that cabin fever is a very real issue for me...but the alternative of packing up the 3 girls is just not realistic right now. I can barely carry Ellen and Sophie in their carriers--I'm not sure how I would also add Little C to the mix. But I keep reminding myself that this is just the season we're in. So for now I am incredibly grateful for the help while we're in the thick of this tough daily grind.

Visitors from Minnesota!

This past week we got to spend a lot of time with Corinne's Aunt Sarah (Tim's wife), and cousin Rachel who were in town from Minnesota. We went to the zoo over the weekend with Brett's parents and Rachel and to Ault Park for a picnic dinner together. Corinne also really enjoyed going to Guidance Dance Company's concert in the park, the concert put on by the young dancers in the company Sarah started a few years ago. During the week Sarah and Rachel came to our house for some playtime and lunch (and reading time, as you can see). Corinne had a good time with Rachel, who will turn two in October, and now Little C pretends she is Rachel! Doesn't Rachel have the cutest curly hair? If it weren't for the hair she and Corinne look a lot alike, don't you think? And Rachel will be a big sister in December!

Corinne

As I've alluded to in other blog posts, Little C's imagination has been growing and expanding, developing and stretching, like crazy the past few months! She loves for us to act out fairy tales, books we've read, and even real life experiences like pretending she's Mrs. Bruemmer, her music teacher (and I'm her student). Sometimes she even wants to act out Curious George and The-Man-With-The-Yellow-Hat! It's fun and so so great to hear her ideas and get a glimpse into what her little mind is thinking about, soaking up, and working out. Her language skills are impressive I'm told (although you usually have to be a familiar face to hear it), and this makes her pretend play even more fascinating to watch and listen to. Plus, it's great timing since the twins are still small and need us/me for chunks of time. She never gets tired of being Snow White, even though I may tire of being the Queen, the peddler woman, the dwarves, and (yes!) the prince. I'd say there's a good chance Corinne will be Snow White for Halloween if I can find a costume. Otherwise, Cinderella might be a close 2nd! She is into EVERYTHING "princess". She has those little Polly Pocket Disney princesses and they are her absolute favorite thing to play with. Period.

Some other things about Corinne lately...she will only wear dresses! Yes, we've hit that stage! I can't tell you the last time she wore a pair of shorts, pants or a skirt. It must have been June sometime. Good thing I do laundry daily because she chooses the same dress all the time, too. It's pink, of course. She mostly wants Brett to put her to bed lately. It bums me out, but then again it's a chance for me to get a jump on any number of things: laundry, running the dishwasher, picking up the house, going for a run before it gets dark, grocery shopping...you name it! When I do put her to bed (and Brett reports the same thing), we ask her what she wants to thank God for that day. She has her list and it only rarely changes. It always goes something like this: toy-time, dance-time, and play-time. When we ask her who she wants to thank God for, it is as follows: Mommy, Daddy, Corinne, Mimi, Memaw, Ellen, Sophie. Sometimes we might get a Pop-Pop or a Grandpa Schatz.

Corinne gets her own milk from the fridge. She still sucks her thumb (except at Sunday School and music class....that's my rule). She uses the potty sometimes...that's my fault. I haven't gotten firm on that yet. I just can't be consistent on it at this point, with the twins still so small. I'm thinking this winter we'll tackle it. She's not into artsy things. Only once in a while can I get her to paint or draw; it's very rare. She would much rather dance, run outside, or pretend we're princesses in a fairy tale. She knows our address, her birthdate, my age, Brett's age, the states where Aunt Marcey, Aunt Laura, her cousin Emma, and her cousin Rachel all (respectively) live. She knows the street Memaw lives on, too.

Corinne's terrible two/tantrum days are mostly in the past...though she still has her moments. Not the meltdowns we were having, though. I think things have smoothed out so much since the twins' arrival and it's a good feeling to know that she's doing well and is still secure in her place in the family. Not that I don't still worry when both Brett and I have to hold the twins the last hour or so before they go to bed...but it's gotten tons better and for that I am so thankful! We usually spend that time outside, and then Corinne is in her element anyway so she doesn't seem to notice when we are each holding a baby. Outside does wonders for us all, doesn't it?! And Corinne loves Ellen and Soph. She holds their hands, pats their heads, holds them, gives them hugs & kisses, and is starting to take more of an interest in them. When they cry she tells them, "You're okay, Ellen." Or, "It's okay, Soph, we're almost home!"

So Little C is doing just fine. In no time I'm sure she'll be casting Ellen and Sophie as people in her imaginary world, too! That will be interesting, I'm sure.

Imagination Meets Playground

This past week Corinne and I were able to get out together for a much needed change of scenery, playtime, and social time! We met friends, Lauren and Gwyn, to try out a new outdoor spot: Highfield Discovery Garden inside of Glenwood Gardens. It was a huge hit! A bit hard to describe what you'll find there, so think: imagination meets playground...Alice in Wonderland style! It was a gorgeous morning and there was lots to explore and discover, including Frog & Toad's Pond, the Discovery Tree, little fairy tale-like houses, a train station with running trains circling above your head, and a bouncy bridge (quite possibly the highlight)! We can't wait to go back!!

Ellen and Sophie: 4 months

Ellen

Sophie

Ellen and Sophie turned 4 months old this past week and they are super smiley girls these days. We took them to the doc for their checkup and they are also growing like crazy! Elle is 15 lbs 4 oz and 25. 75 inches long. Soph is 13 lbs 11 oz and 25. 25 inches long. Whoa! (For the record Corinne was between both of them at this age: 14 lbs 3 oz and 25.5 inches)

My days have gotten a ton crazier the last month or two...the girls don't sleep all day like they did the first 2 months...which means a nutty daytime juggling act with all 3 girls. It makes me stressed and tired. But I am also loving my time with them. Again my biggest challenge is corraling all 3 of them and making some kind of meaningful play time or reading time or something that all 3 can be engaged in. It's nearly impossible! Corinne hands them toys--so sweet of her--but that's about the extent of her interest in actually playing with them. Her imagination is growing by leaps and bounds (more on that in another post) so it's not exactly the type of play that Ellen and Sophie can participate in. But we're getting used to it and that is making it doable. Every day feels a little more normal. But it's certainly not smooth or easy or rosy!

Ellen and Sophie have developed a few new interests, namely drooling! They're also doing all the other typical baby things at this age: grabbing at toys and holding them, putting toys in their mouths, just about rolling over and just about sitting up. Those are right around the corner, no doubt. They have the sweetest laughs and the biggest smiles I've ever seen. They squeal in delight just at someone smiling at them. My theory on that is they react so easily to smiles because that's what they get instead of our arms, much of the time. So they'll take a conversation, a smile, a gesture, and think it's the greatest thing!

They are in bed by 7:30pm, or a few minutes thereafter, and get up around 6:30/7am. We are thankful that all 3 girls are great sleepers at night and we can count on a peaceful night the whole night through with no waking! That is a blessing, for sure. However, our daytime naps haven't smoothed out completely, so we're still waiting and working on that to become more predictable and consistent. It's SO complicated with twins!! They don't wake up from naps on the same schedule, yet it's best to try and keep them somewhat in sync...which is difficult and also means less sleep for the one who was resting peacefully. Argh. I'm still trying to figure all that out! SO tricky when they share a room, too. But again, I'm okay with that since we can count on the night time to be smooth sailing:)

It still surprises me most days that I am a mom of twins, as well as a mom of 3 kids!

Cheetah Run

It's rare to find a good running partner. You know, one who likes the same pace you do and someone who's okay with talking-- or not talking --while you run, depending on the race and the day (or perhaps the time of morning:)! But my good friend, Lauren, is a terrific partner to run with. We did several 5ks last summer and fall and have recently talked about getting back out there. We did the Cincinnati Zoo sponsored "Cheetah Run" over the holiday weekend and had a blast! And for the record: we talked the entire time! The race flew by, even though it was super hilly! Love that.

Bedtime Treat

We had to miss a party at some friends' house this afternoon due to our house full of sickness. So we opted to make the best of the day anyway! We took a family walk to one of our favorite places in the neighborhood for a game of tag with Little C and some fun outdoor exploring. And later after we put Ellen and Sophie to bed we let Corinne stay up a little later to make s'mores on our patio. Is there any doubt from the pictures that she loved her bedtime treat?!

Sharing

This picture was taken a few weeks back, but I chose it because it depicts how the twins share everything...even their fingers. I imagine Ellen saying to Sophie, "Just have a little nibble, Soph, you'll like it." And perhaps this is how they shared their germs, too. This past week all 3 kids plus Brett were down with fevers and colds. Ugh. So far I've managed to steer clear:)