So, what's it like? Ya know, with three kids? I get asked some variation of this question at least once a day, and I never know what to say. Life is busy. Hectic. Enlightening. Stressful. Exciting. Exhausting. Hilarious. Maddening. Fulfilling. Chaotic. Wonderful.
We are truly living so moment-to-moment, that it's hard to make any generalizations about 'how it's going'. Each day is different. Each
hour is different. So, here, I give you a snapshot of one day, which is so like, yet so
unlike, any other.
8:15 am I awaken to happy noises from Samuel. I was just up with him two hours ago (when Jeff was leaving for work). But, on this particular morning, we seized a rare opportunity to go back to bed for a bit. Now, however, I know it's time to face the day for real.
8:35 am I hear the door to Marley and Amelia's room open, and Amelia heads up the stairs. "I'll sit here and read, while you change Sam-Sam's diaper," she tells me. Marley emerges 15 minutes later, and we're off and running. Sam gets changed and fed. Marley and Amelia get teeth brushed and clothing on.
9:30 am Marley's playdate, Henry J, arrives. Not sure why I bothered having them get dressed. Their clothes were, almost immediately, replaced by costumes. Marley (and his friends) are always good about including Amelia, so I have some time to make myself coffee and eat breakfast. I still haven't fed the kids, but I know they're too busy to eat yet anyway. I set out fruit and toast, and eventually they realize they're starving, and come to the table. A little while later, Henry J's mom, Katie, joins us. I soak up an hour of grown-up conversation over lunch - even if we mostly only talk about our kids. Sam dozes in my arms.
12:30 pm Katie takes the older boys to preschool, and Amelia and I head upstairs for the next round of Samuel changing and feeding. Sam enjoys some diaper-free time, and then Amelia and Sam both proceed to pee on my bed. That was just the motivation I needed to start laundry for the day.
1:00 pm Amelia plays by herself nearby, while I feed Sam and lay him down for his nap. I collect laundry from various locations around the house and bring it down to the basement. Amelia helps me sort and start the first load.
2:00 pm My middle child enjoys her time to play alone and creates elaborate stories (which she narrates aloud). She rarely naps during the day, so this is her 'quiet time'. I take advantage of her independence and clean the kitchen and bathroom.
2:45 pm Sam wakes up from his nap and is ready for more changing and eating. Marley gets dropped off half an hour later. We munch on a snack of veggies, pita bread and hummus.
3:30 pm I contemplate whether or not I need a shower today. I decide 'yes', since I can't remember when exactly my last shower was.
4:00 pm But, first a trip to Trader Joes. I have a meeting at the preschool later tonight and am in charge of snacks. I decide to grab a frozen lasagna for dinner. My philosophy is that every trip to the grocery store should result in one insta-dinner. No reason to shop and cook on the same day!
5:00 pm More feeding and changing Sam. He takes a nap and Marley and Amelia watch the first half of Madagascar, while I take a nice. long. shower.
5:45 pm We build houses for Mario figures out of Magna-tiles. I start the lasagna too late and realize that it won't be done before I have to leave.
6:30 pm Jeff gets home from work. We Skype with Sarah to open a package that's been taunting us all day. I rush off to my meeting just as my family is sitting down to dinner. All three kids are asleep by the time I get home.
9:30 pm Jeff and I sit and have a bowl of ice cream together and chat about our day. I spend an hour goofing around on the computer before finally forcing myself to go to bed. I sleep fitfully for a while because I
just know Sam is going to wake up at any minute.
1:00 am Sam wakes. I change and feed him and we both go quickly back to sleep. I sleep deeply now.
6:00 am Amelia wakes up crying. I go down to comfort her. I'm not sure what she wants. I think something from her dream that doesn't really exist. I tuck her back into bed and head upstairs, hoping to crawl back into my own bed. Sam is awake. I change him and bring him in bed to nurse, still longing for just a little more sleep.
7:00 am Jeff leaves for work. Amelia comes up. I don't think she ever fell back asleep. 6 o'clock is an early wake up time for her. I foresee a rough day ahead. She gets in bed next to me and Sam, and lays, mostly, still. Sam nurses to sleep, and Amelia and I sneak out of bed and go downstairs.
8:00 am Marley emerges from his room. Amelia wants to listen to music. They are ready to have a dance party. They want to dress up and build a fort. And just like that, we're ready to do it all over again. Only a little different.
Editor's Note: It appears that I fell off the picture-taking wagon in the second half of the day. You get the idea, I hope.
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