3 Kids

Lately, it seems like I've gotten the question "What's it like having 3 kids?" a lot.  So much that it made me actually stop and think about what life is like with 3 kids.  Along with that question, more then one person has followed up their question with the statement, "oh, well, you have help so I'm sure it's not that big of a deal."  Okay, so while I know those people weren't insinuating that I don't have to do anything (at least I hope not), it still caught me off guard.  Do people really assume I don't do anything?!  While Delia is a HUGE help and I don't have to worry about the house stuff and I have the ability to go grocery shopping, pick up Gavin, or attend a ladies get together without 2 kids (usually I take Brooklyn with me since Miles can be a handful for even one person to tend to) I'm still constantly taking care of 3 kids in some way just like every other mom is.  I appreciate not having to stay awake late at night folding laundry or worry about the ever piling dishes in the sink and get to spend my time doing other things like preventing Miles from playing with the lamp shades, telephones, toilet water, hot stove and oven, etc or mop up the chocolate milk that Gavin spilled because he HAD to have his drink in a "coffee mug" and Miles got to it once Gavin walked away.  I give baths to kids sometimes twice a day after eating popsicles outside or going to the pool in the morning then playing on the beach at night.

Everything seems to be non stop.  It's constant.  With 2 kids, I felt like there was always some kind of down time, now... NOT.SO.MUCH!  I love my kids and am enjoying everyday with them, but boy this is by far NUTS.  It's CRAZY & HECTIC & CHAOTIC.  It's UNREAL.  It's THE toughest job & physically demanding.  I remembering feeling that way just having 1 kid, then 2, but with 3, things have bumped up a notch.  I've learned how things just move so fast and you always have to be on your guard and ready BEFORE someone needs or wants something-- that's the only way to stay a float.   

I've definitely had to learn to be more efficient in various areas of our lives to make use of time.  For instance, every night I fix all the sippy cups that Gavin and Miles would need the next day along with filling up B's bottles with 5 oz of water and dividing up her formula mix for each bottle.  It's one less thing that takes time when kids are crying and wanting things all at once.  I read on a friends blog a while back about cutting up all the fruits and veggies for the week all at once to save time prepping meals and making snacks available when needed.  That has saved SO much time for me.  

I've started preparing our dinners, when the recipe allows, while the kids are napping.  I can USUALLY get Miles and Gavin to nap at the same time and it's 1000x easier not having them both under me when I'm cooking, not to mention Brooklyn always has a bottle around 5pm, when I'm normally cooking and I'm not interested in propping her bottle to eat so that's forced me to have to work through that issue.  Selfishly, I HATE cooking and prepping dinner while the kids nap, since I feel like that's MY TIME, but for now, the season of life we're in-- that's what I have to do.  I've even had to start choosing what meals I cook based on Brooks' work schedule, but then, that's only if his schedule works out and he gets to come home when he says he's suppose to come home.  I started doubling batches of recipes that can freeze easy and once it's prepared, I cook some and freeze the rest.  That has been a LIFESAVER on those crazy days or when Brooks says he'll be working late.  Who wants to cook on a night you know you're not going to have much help?!?  NOT ME!    

As insane as moments during the days seem, life sure isn't boring and it can be fun chasing after 3 kids. There is a lot of laughter in this house and memories being made everyday.  Our kids seem to be growing up so fast, learning new things, and changing everyday.  As hectic as it can get, I truly do enjoy being their mom!!  

It's funny, the other day several things happened all at once and I remember laughing to myself thinking this is so something you'd see on tv... mom looking like she's about to pull her hair out, toys everywhere, kids half clothed eating snacks, leftovers from the last meal are still sitting on the dining room table, and a kid is running around the house screaming or crying.   That's my life sometimes!!

For entertainment purposes, I thought I'd share some of our crazy, hectic moments with you.

Miles could careless about bottles and no, he wasn't trying to drink it himself, he just likes taking it from her.  Sadly, she was eating with her bottle being propped while I was doing something important, I'm sure.  

Yes, sometimes I feed my kids their dinner while sitting in the kitchen sink naked, playing with the water faucet.  Look- he was hungry, I didn't have a towel nearby, and was desperately waiting for Brooks to get home from work to help me, so I let him eat his pizza just like that while Gavin ate his sitting on the counter tops.   Whatever works during the time being.  Sometimes, I just get in survival mode.  

Gavin LOVES coloring and is learning to write his letters.  We practice on his chalk board all the time. We're also practicing learning that you ONLY write/color on paper NOT on the walls OR on the tile floor.  I will say this.... that was the best looking "G" I've seen him write, ever.







I'm really, really hoping he learned his lesson after spending almost 45 minutes cleaning up the tile floor that he decorated.

Check this kid out!  He's relentless.  The one day I decided he was doing so much better not climbing on the kitchen table and didn't turn the chairs over.  I went to the bathroom and came back to this.  Geez!