on showering... and the lack there of!

I have been taking care of the three kids all on my own successfully for over a week now! Now that Lily is five weeks old she is much more predictable. She's usually waking up to eat once a night between 2 and 5 and then again between 5 and 8. During the day she eats about every 3 hours. The boys already had a consistent schedule so I am just trying to work her around them. It's really not so bad unless everyone wants something at the SAME time... then there's some crying.... but hey- we're all surviving...so far!

I am soooo thankful that David's mom came for a week and then my mom was here for 2 weeks helping. It really gave me the opportunity to enjoy Lily while knowing the boys were having a blast with their grandmas. I was able to sleep in, have meals prepared, avoid excessive cleaning and just allow my body to heal. What a GIFT!

So even though emotionally we are doing great adjusting there are a few things that don't happen regularly.

1. Showering. It is impossible to find time to shower! I either have to get up at 5 AM or go at 11 PM when Lily is down! During the boys' nap Lily is often awake and not contented enough to sit in her bouncy seat while I get in the shower...(turns out babies aren't usually contented awake and not being held!) soooo I usually have to wait until David gets home to dump the kids on him while I find my 5 minutes of peace under hot water....:)



2. Cleaning. I am still playing catch up from the past five weeks! Also, with the holiday celebrations it was enough to clean up after a party, let alone clean for the sake of cleaning!


3. Creative cooking. We are eating... and even healthy things! However, I just can't get myself to spend a lot of time in the kitchen playing with new recipes... luckily I have an entire stock pile of things I love to make... but it's so fun to try new things!!! Tonight we are eating a Creole recipe of Red Beans and Rice that I have going in the crock pot. I LOVE the crock pot!!

4. Leaving the house. Turns out getting 3 hooligans out the door in the freezing cold weather is a LOT of work!! So I think we'll just stay in as often as we can!!


So here's my final thought-

Even though there are limitations in my day I have great joy in being with my children. I LOVE them dearly! We have sooo much fun together. I love hearing them laugh and watching them learn.
I find it frustrating when people make comments about the time commitment I have in raising these 3 young children- and the amount of work it takes. David is working 80 hour work weeks as a resident and people find it applauding- he's got a "real" career. I have two little mess making toddlers and one infant and all I get are stares and, "Wow, you must be busy." Why is it that raising children, keeping a tidy home, and preparing meals is looked down upon? I did the whole teaching thing and this is SO MUCH better. I wouldn't go back to work if you PAID me! (HA HA!)

So I am looking for words of encouragement and not comments of our crazy life. :) It's true, we are busy... busy enjoying life together. :)



Clayton and I playing outside




Bentley and I enjoying the fire!



Isn't she beautiful!!?!?!