I wouldn't say that being a Mom of triplets is crazy but rather adventurous and fun! As long as their little hearts are beating my heart is smiling. Day in and day out I think about what life would be like without them and all I can come up with is boring - flat out boring! I wouldn't have three little different cries to respond to, three butts to keep clean, three mouths to feed, or three smiles looking up at me. It's incredible to think about the time and energy that goes into raising this triad but it's a healthy energy that's for sure. I don't know life any differently right now! Yes, I do look at Mom's waltzing and skipping around with only one child on their hip and grimace...sometimes flipping them the middle finger in my head...but I should be the one skipping and prancing around because of the joy I have in my heart. No, I may not be able to just throw a baby in the car and "run" to costco or target, and yes, I may be homebound 99% of the time but it's all worth it! Every cooped up minute of it! It's a blessing and a triple(t) blessing at that!
Many of you have had the privilege of coming to live with us for a week to help out 24/7! You are lucky to have a glimpse into our everyday lives. Those of you who have been too chicken - err - or too busy - here is what it looks like starting at midnight:
1:30am - Mom gets up to pump for 30 minutes and usually watches her latest "binge" TV show, recently it's been survivor
5:30am - Mom gets up to pump AGAIN for 30 minutes while watching a show and trying to stay awake - then quickly heading back to bed
6:45am - Dad skips out the door to work
7:30am - Wake littles or they awake and Mom feeds all three at the same time with propped bottles and then she puts them back to bed
8:30am - Mom pumps for another half hour and drinks a mass amount of coffee
9-11am - Mom's golden hours!!! She works out or takes a nap or cleans or reads...you get the idea!
11am - Wake littles or they awake and Mom either breastfeeds or bottle feeds or a combination of both and gets them dressed for the day. If she bottle feeds then it's back on the pump for another 30 minutes...usually bottle-feeding a baby at the same time while the other two play until their first nap
1-2pm - They take their first hour long nap while Mom tries and remembers to each lunch. They usually wake up at different times and play until it's time to eat again
2:30pm - Wake littles or they awake and Mom either breastfeeds or bottle feeds or a combination of both. If she bottle feeds then it's back on the pump for her for another 30 minutes...usually bottle-feeding a baby at the same time while the other two play (sound repetitive?!)
3:00pm - Ellen Degeneres is on and is Mom's saving grace! Babies play - and whenever I say play I mean are either playing or screaming or crying, or demanding Mom to hold them.
4:00pm - Dad is due home! Sometimes a little earlier sometimes a little later but Mom is waiting anxiously by the door to see his face! Babies play, cry, whine, while Mom and Dad try and figure out what each baby individually wants. Sometimes Mom gets to slip out at this time and run to the store or go to a much needed therapy appointment :)
5:30pm - Mom either breastfeeds them or Mom and Dad team up to bottle feed! Yay for four hands and all hands on deck! If she bottle feeds then it's back on the pump for her for another 30 minutes...usually bottle-feeding a baby at the same time while the other two play (sound repetitive?!). After this feeding they are usually ready for another nap - falling asleep in their swings or needing to be in their crib.
6:00pm - Dad attempts to make dinner, usually getting interrupted NUMEROUS times by cranky babies.
7:30pm - Mom pumps AGAIN! Babies are probably STILL whining and crying. I think it's called the "witching hours?"
8:30pm - Bath time is once or twice a week, which we start around this time. They love, love, love baths and would probably stay in there forever. I am typically the bather while Dad is usually the baby runner and bottle maker. All babies are bottle-fed formula at this feeding (their ONLY formula bottle to help them sleep longer through the night)
9-10pm - the bedtime fight!!!
10pm - Mom pumps one last time for a total of 8 pump sessions throughout the day, 4+ hours worth! When this is all said and done Mom and Dad hit the hay until Mom gets up at 1:30am to pump again and Dad until a baby cries. He gets to be the pacifier all night since i'm up through the night pumping (and of course watching survivors get voted off an island).
The babies have become SO fun and full of personality. They smile nonstop and are so busy exploring the world around them. Oakley, Ellison, and Isaiah are what I live for each day (oh and Craig too!). We love visitors and we super love extra sets of hands :)
Happy Tuesday from the Haskins Handful!!!
