I'm assuming a few or more of you have been tagged with the "25 Things Random Things" gig on Facebook. I have been a couple times now and while I kind of like being tagged, I do not kind of like that I can't come up with anything. It's sort of embarrassing, really. I think I have six TOPS and they are things like "I hate manicures". Lame, lame, lame. I'll get around to it someday, I suppose. By then everyone will have forgotten about this latest FB craze and they'll think to themselves "What is this?! Kitty is SO yesterday". It's okay.
As I am writing this, though, (seriously - the thought just struck me) I'm becoming more and more mortified. You see, I declared to more than a few close friends and probably total strangers that FB was "totally ridiculous, yet another sign of how real relationships between people are growing scarce and even more shallow, it is obnoxious, I will never have a FB account, etc". Typical of me. Anyway, I am feeling the shame because:
1. I am casually writing about something happening between my "friends" on FB, as if I never thought there was something sinister about the latest craze.
2. I have bought into it. The whole gig. The "oh, it's such a great way to keep up with your friends! You'll love it!". Hook, line, and sinker. Especially the sinker part.
I wish I was brave enough to give it up. I'm not.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Dear Ainsley
Your dad and I know this last year has been tough for a 4-year-old who was used to having us all to herself her first 3 years of life. While I don't believe it has been as difficult as you might, I know how hard it has been for us and therefore for you. Just to let you know, though, it will get better and someday I pray you will love your sisters and brother as much as our hearts do. They will be your friends and confidantes and, like it or not, they will always be there for you during the natural ebb and flow cycles of friends.
One of the things I have enjoyed seeing lately in your siblings is the elements of you that exist in them. Gracie has your quick mind (not that the other two are slow, they just don't demonstrate their abilities as profoundly) and personality. She is already doing tasks independently, such as putting together simple puzzles without being taught, just like you did. Your similarities in these areas are a bit scary for your dad and I because if you two join forces we are done.
Johnny does little things that remind me of you, especially at this age. He has a new behavior where is backs up to you and then plops in your lap. Small, but the first time he did it he brought back wonderful memories of my sweet girl. When he sits with you, he sinks into you with his whole body, just like you. He would be prefer to be held all day, just as you wish you still could.
Lizzy has your expressive eyes. She is the only one who has them and to be cliche', they pierce my soul. She does not look at you, but in you and the feeling is that she is soaking up every little bit. While she does not have your hair color, she has the lay of it and it just adds to the effect of how she is the one who looks most like you.
We love you my little munchie, with all we have and to the point of making our hearts ache. It is a privilege to be allowed to raise you.
One of the things I have enjoyed seeing lately in your siblings is the elements of you that exist in them. Gracie has your quick mind (not that the other two are slow, they just don't demonstrate their abilities as profoundly) and personality. She is already doing tasks independently, such as putting together simple puzzles without being taught, just like you did. Your similarities in these areas are a bit scary for your dad and I because if you two join forces we are done.
Johnny does little things that remind me of you, especially at this age. He has a new behavior where is backs up to you and then plops in your lap. Small, but the first time he did it he brought back wonderful memories of my sweet girl. When he sits with you, he sinks into you with his whole body, just like you. He would be prefer to be held all day, just as you wish you still could.
Lizzy has your expressive eyes. She is the only one who has them and to be cliche', they pierce my soul. She does not look at you, but in you and the feeling is that she is soaking up every little bit. While she does not have your hair color, she has the lay of it and it just adds to the effect of how she is the one who looks most like you.
We love you my little munchie, with all we have and to the point of making our hearts ache. It is a privilege to be allowed to raise you.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Don't Worry, John.
The girls had their first lipstick experience the same time IV did. It was more of a "we did not want to exclude him from the fun" than a "let's see how hilarious it will be if we put make up on IV". That's the party line.
What I didn't notice until I really looked at the pictures was the marked difference in how the girls reacted. Lizzy, of course, tried to eat the lipstick while Gracie took it as serious business. Our suspicions of her diva-ness were confirmed.
What I didn't notice until I really looked at the pictures was the marked difference in how the girls reacted. Lizzy, of course, tried to eat the lipstick while Gracie took it as serious business. Our suspicions of her diva-ness were confirmed.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Poor, Clueless IV
Right now he really, really loves his sisters, especially Ainsley. For some reason, he thinks she is the berries and wants to be wherever she is. Ainsley does not appreciate his admiration right now, even though I keep telling her she will need her "stinky" brother someday. We're working on the relationship.
Because he is: such a sweet little boy, has three sisters who like girly things, adores his sisters, and is wonderfully naive about the world (as all babies are), he puts up with a lot. Actually, he has no idea he is "putting up with" anything...yet. Someday I hope he will be lovingly smothered by his siblings who will bake him all the chocolate chip cookies and brownies his heart desires. Someday he will look at these pictures and laugh or cringe or beg me to burn the evidence. Not a chance, my handsome boy. Not a chance. Plus, I can practically promise there will be more.
Miss Dianne putting on his first and certainly not last round of lipstick.
He is so excited! I told him he looked so gorgeous, whereupon I was corrected by Ainsley who told me "No. Boys look handsome, girls look gorgeous". Either way...
Because he is: such a sweet little boy, has three sisters who like girly things, adores his sisters, and is wonderfully naive about the world (as all babies are), he puts up with a lot. Actually, he has no idea he is "putting up with" anything...yet. Someday I hope he will be lovingly smothered by his siblings who will bake him all the chocolate chip cookies and brownies his heart desires. Someday he will look at these pictures and laugh or cringe or beg me to burn the evidence. Not a chance, my handsome boy. Not a chance. Plus, I can practically promise there will be more.
He allowed Ainsley to dress him. She thought his "outfit" matched perfectly. I think the stripes and puppy dog print pants look wonderful.
Miss Dianne putting on his first and certainly not last round of lipstick.
He is so excited! I told him he looked so gorgeous, whereupon I was corrected by Ainsley who told me "No. Boys look handsome, girls look gorgeous". Either way...
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Honestly
Trust me, I knew what I married and I am still madly in love with him. He likes to tease the daylights out of me because I'm gullible and fall for it nearly every time. Plus, I get fired up and he thinks that is hilarious. The latest, which technically was not teasing but intentionally annoying (oh, and here), is pictured below.
If you are having a hard time reading what it says, it is "I am writing with your pen.", followed by SCRIBBLING nonetheless, then a signature. Punk.
If you are having a hard time reading what it says, it is "I am writing with your pen.", followed by SCRIBBLING nonetheless, then a signature. Punk.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
True Story
Yesterday morning was exceptional and not in they "OH MY GOODNESS THIS WAS THE BEST!!". Fortunately for me, mornings like what will follow don't happen all that often, but if they do it is almost always on a Monday. Everyone is readjusting from the weekend of bliss with 2 adults to satisfy any ridiculous or necessary need.
The attitudes from the Big Three were not good. Fortunately, Ainsley was handling the crumbgobblers' waves of hysteria which did keep me from completely losing it. From the wee ones, it was the "I'm mad so I'll bang my head on the floor (me: here, do that on the carpet)" or "I'm going to bite my brother" or "Let's all gang up on Mommy and cling to both her legs and cry and then push each other down". Fabulous.
Then it happened. Dirty diapers are pretty common around here and I'm actually thankful they happen during awake time. If they produce, then they probably won't rise early from a nap because even they can't tolerate the smell. Anywho, it was Gracie's turn so we went through the normal diaper-changing routine. The next event was not routine. Faster than you can say "Adding to the landfill!", she grabbed the nasty thing and FLUNG IT to the side. It was open. Now, the changing table is set at an angle to a corner of the family room in order to protect a floor lamp. The majority of the contents lay on the floor behind the table, on top of a wayward sock (so THAT'S where that was!), a red Lego, and part of the base of the lamp. The rest was scattered like shrapnel in the vicinity. I sighed. My shoulders slumped. I finished putting on a clean diaper, set Gracie down, set off to get cleaning materials, trying to be thankful she didn't perform her trick on my side.
Some of the thoughts running through my head as I was cleaning it up were:
1. I can't believe I am cleaning up human feces in my home.
2. Sometimes I feel like a zookeeper. Think about it - sometimes they put baby monkeys in diapers.
3. That thought led to the next one: there used to be a gorilla at our zoo who would throw...umm...stuff at you. Even young-uns like myself would know to stand back a bit.
4. This is truly disgusting.
5. What time is it? (read: are they ready for their nap?)
But my story does not end here. That would be tolerable. You see, as I was standing up some of my hair fell forward and landed in excrement. No lie. It lay neatly across the pile and I actually did not know what to do. Both of my hands were occupied. A child was trying to climb up my back. I almost got a little teary. From the smell.
It was 8:05 and we still had 45 minutes to go before the wonderfulness that is nap time.
The rest is actually uninteresting. The crumbgobblers actually chilled out a bit and a small part of me believes it's because they knew the Mommy was one kidlet freak-out away from popping a brewski and taking a seat on the front porch swing without them.
The attitudes from the Big Three were not good. Fortunately, Ainsley was handling the crumbgobblers' waves of hysteria which did keep me from completely losing it. From the wee ones, it was the "I'm mad so I'll bang my head on the floor (me: here, do that on the carpet)" or "I'm going to bite my brother" or "Let's all gang up on Mommy and cling to both her legs and cry and then push each other down". Fabulous.
Then it happened. Dirty diapers are pretty common around here and I'm actually thankful they happen during awake time. If they produce, then they probably won't rise early from a nap because even they can't tolerate the smell. Anywho, it was Gracie's turn so we went through the normal diaper-changing routine. The next event was not routine. Faster than you can say "Adding to the landfill!", she grabbed the nasty thing and FLUNG IT to the side. It was open. Now, the changing table is set at an angle to a corner of the family room in order to protect a floor lamp. The majority of the contents lay on the floor behind the table, on top of a wayward sock (so THAT'S where that was!), a red Lego, and part of the base of the lamp. The rest was scattered like shrapnel in the vicinity. I sighed. My shoulders slumped. I finished putting on a clean diaper, set Gracie down, set off to get cleaning materials, trying to be thankful she didn't perform her trick on my side.
Some of the thoughts running through my head as I was cleaning it up were:
1. I can't believe I am cleaning up human feces in my home.
2. Sometimes I feel like a zookeeper. Think about it - sometimes they put baby monkeys in diapers.
3. That thought led to the next one: there used to be a gorilla at our zoo who would throw...umm...stuff at you. Even young-uns like myself would know to stand back a bit.
4. This is truly disgusting.
5. What time is it? (read: are they ready for their nap?)
But my story does not end here. That would be tolerable. You see, as I was standing up some of my hair fell forward and landed in excrement. No lie. It lay neatly across the pile and I actually did not know what to do. Both of my hands were occupied. A child was trying to climb up my back. I almost got a little teary. From the smell.
It was 8:05 and we still had 45 minutes to go before the wonderfulness that is nap time.
The rest is actually uninteresting. The crumbgobblers actually chilled out a bit and a small part of me believes it's because they knew the Mommy was one kidlet freak-out away from popping a brewski and taking a seat on the front porch swing without them.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Have You Seen Jon and Kate Plus 8?
I get this question a few times a week, usually from the total strangers who approach us at the grocery store, Target, etc. I don't mind at all and I actually think it's sort of funny. We were at a New Year's Day party and I think I was asked about the show 3 times. If there is a second question it is usually the invasive one, but that conversation has already appeared on this blog.
We have seen the show and, I must admit, I did not like it at first. Kate got on my nerves. Jon seemed emotionally detached. It was just annoying. There are lots of aspects of it that still drive me a little crazy (the unabashed product placement, for example), but now we watch it occasionally because it is comforting.
Why? There are a couple reasons, first of which is that they just get it. They understand what we went through with creating and carrying these precious babies. They understand the fear, the guilt, the unreasonable levels of anxiety. They understand that it is insanely hard on your marriage (the divorce rate for parents of multiples is over twice the national average) and that there has to be a mutual understanding with your spouse that you simply can't be there for each other for a while. They understand that, especially in the first year, you are forced to be a neurotic as far as scheduling goes or you pay a price...and you don't have a penny in the bank.
The other reason I watch is that they don't try to present the perfect family. Their kids throw the same tantrums mine do. The parents make snotty comments to each other and sometimes you wonder "how can they possibly tolerate that from someone?". Then you remember that you, at the very LEAST, thought that same thing about your spouse 2 hours earlier (oops). I most certainly do not have the All-American family and I really HOPE no one thinks I try to convince people that I do. It's nice to see another mom that is flawed like me.
We have seen the show and, I must admit, I did not like it at first. Kate got on my nerves. Jon seemed emotionally detached. It was just annoying. There are lots of aspects of it that still drive me a little crazy (the unabashed product placement, for example), but now we watch it occasionally because it is comforting.
Why? There are a couple reasons, first of which is that they just get it. They understand what we went through with creating and carrying these precious babies. They understand the fear, the guilt, the unreasonable levels of anxiety. They understand that it is insanely hard on your marriage (the divorce rate for parents of multiples is over twice the national average) and that there has to be a mutual understanding with your spouse that you simply can't be there for each other for a while. They understand that, especially in the first year, you are forced to be a neurotic as far as scheduling goes or you pay a price...and you don't have a penny in the bank.
The other reason I watch is that they don't try to present the perfect family. Their kids throw the same tantrums mine do. The parents make snotty comments to each other and sometimes you wonder "how can they possibly tolerate that from someone?". Then you remember that you, at the very LEAST, thought that same thing about your spouse 2 hours earlier (oops). I most certainly do not have the All-American family and I really HOPE no one thinks I try to convince people that I do. It's nice to see another mom that is flawed like me.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Okay, I Was Bored And I Think Becky Is Cool
This ended up taking more time than I cared for, but once you start something...
I stole this idea from my friend at The Blue Hutch. You know, Becky, I don't understand how you've done kooky things like skydiving and scuba diving and you haven't gone skinny-dipping. You need to work on that one.
Here goes:
I stole this idea from my friend at The Blue Hutch. You know, Becky, I don't understand how you've done kooky things like skydiving and scuba diving and you haven't gone skinny-dipping. You need to work on that one.
Here goes:
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band: (ROCK BAND2!!)
4. Visited
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a
28. Ridden in a gondola in
29 Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33 Seen
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (umm…do the countries count?)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (only if the indoor-fake-kind counts…I don’t think it does.)
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited
45 Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the
57. Started a business (a very, very, small one)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited
60 Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64 Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66 Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67 Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in
74. Toured the
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79 Seen the
80. Published a book
81. Visited the
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (only if a fish counts)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the
96. Swam in the
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Ridden an elephant
Yes.
I am 100% aware that IV's sittin'-in-the-potty incident (read previous post) was a bit scary. In fact, I have felt a little sick about it ever since. He absolutely could have fallen in head-first and something horrible could have happened and we are very fortunate.
Got it.
Got it.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Sigh...
After the triplets take their afternoon nap, the routine is they get to roam free throughout the upstairs (or just in our room) before snack. If they are allowed everywhere, I post sentry at the stairs and they go crazy. It isn't that difficult to keep track of them because:
1. They are so loud
2. One is usually with me
3. The other two sort of follow each other to seek out Trouble.
I had the audacity to attempt a 5 minute phone conversation today and noticed immediately after it was over that it was 1/3 less loud. Gracie was with me and I could see Lizzy's feet heading into the bathroom. With 2 accounted for (Ainsley was at a friend's house), I heard a slight whimpering. I ran into the bathroom to find IV sitting_in_the_toilet. He was upset because a foot had gotten a bit stuck in the drain thingy. Other than that, he was pleased as punch and did not want to get out. That was a feat unto itself: pulling a 24 lb kid out of a toilet, keeping two others from climbing in at the same time, and trying to strip him of his dripping potty-water jeans.
I wish I had a picture and if a camera had been handy I would have left him in there to snap some shots, but I didn't and you'll just have to imagine this beaming face sitting in a toilet:
I have been told that this is what boys do.
1. They are so loud
2. One is usually with me
3. The other two sort of follow each other to seek out Trouble.
I had the audacity to attempt a 5 minute phone conversation today and noticed immediately after it was over that it was 1/3 less loud. Gracie was with me and I could see Lizzy's feet heading into the bathroom. With 2 accounted for (Ainsley was at a friend's house), I heard a slight whimpering. I ran into the bathroom to find IV sitting_in_the_toilet. He was upset because a foot had gotten a bit stuck in the drain thingy. Other than that, he was pleased as punch and did not want to get out. That was a feat unto itself: pulling a 24 lb kid out of a toilet, keeping two others from climbing in at the same time, and trying to strip him of his dripping potty-water jeans.
I wish I had a picture and if a camera had been handy I would have left him in there to snap some shots, but I didn't and you'll just have to imagine this beaming face sitting in a toilet:
I have been told that this is what boys do.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
More Logistics
I'm completely flummoxed. There must be lots of triplet (or more) moms who take the wee ones to the playground either: by themselves, or with one other adult. I had the three at a playground this fall by myself and they scattered like dry leaves in the wind. We lasted about 30 minutes.
Last weekend John and I took all four to one of our favorite playgrounds and our friend, Fooz, came along to help. I can't imagine how it would have worked with one less non-child to keep a small body from wandering off and, right now, I don't want to try. I am a huge fan of taking kids to playgrounds and parks to run the stink off them; it makes my life so much easier when they are happy and worn out and I had Ainsley there several times/week until I was crazy-preggers with the trips.
John put it best when he said we needed a Border Collie to herd the kids when we're in an open area.
Last weekend John and I took all four to one of our favorite playgrounds and our friend, Fooz, came along to help. I can't imagine how it would have worked with one less non-child to keep a small body from wandering off and, right now, I don't want to try. I am a huge fan of taking kids to playgrounds and parks to run the stink off them; it makes my life so much easier when they are happy and worn out and I had Ainsley there several times/week until I was crazy-preggers with the trips.
John put it best when he said we needed a Border Collie to herd the kids when we're in an open area.
Friday, January 2, 2009
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