I love being a boy mom

Colin, Chris, Everett, Carter and Finn in what's left of the fort

Now I don't know a thing about raising girls, but I have noticed something about boys.... or maybe just my boys.

They like tasks.

Jobs.

Projects.

Today it was cold but sunny and when the wind stopped blowing, you could almost sense that spring was on the horizon. Oh I hope so!!! We even heard and saw a few birds which almost made me cry for joy because I'm SO ready for spring! (have I mentioned that yet??)

Chris and I took the boys outside and they immediately chose shovels to "play with" and started digging. This is a common theme in our outdoor play. They dig dirt. They dig snow. They move dirt and snow in the wheelbarrow to various places in the yard. Always on the move, these boys. Digging, moving, digging, moving.

Colin of course has his digger which is even cooler than a shovel and so today he spent a lot of time on that. He'd fill a wheelbarrow and then run it across the yard yelling, "Dirt coming through, everybody watch out!" (even if no one was even close to being in his way)

Finn

I mostly sit back during this sort of play. I figure they'd rather do this kind of stuff with Chris. Plus, I feel a bit out of my element even though I love watching them all in action.

Then today Colin yelled over, "Mommy, wanna be my helper?"

I jumped my pregnant self up off the deck stairs and waddled over to him. My enthusiasm was genuine because if Chris is around, he'll usually ask Chris for help thinking that I don't know as much about this "worker stuff".

"Sure! I'd love to be your helper!!"

"What can I do?"

"Okay Mommy, help me move my digger..... no this way.... yup, that's it..... now pat down the dirt.... nooooo, not there silly mommy, around the digger..... can you move the wheelbarrow closer to catch the dirt? Hold it steady....okay, let's move the dirt to the work site".... etc etc.

It was great.

I can honestly say that I love being a mom to boys. True, I don't know any different, but I know this is good stuff. When I was younger and pictured my life as a mom, playing with my children, I often pictured tea parties, barbies and dress up (things I enjoyed as a child). So far, my life as a mom has involved a lot of dirt, tools and digging. I swear that I've learned more about tools and trucks over the past four years than in my previous 32!

Whenever I get overwhelmed about being a mother to five boys, wondering "what the heck do I know about raising boys??" I try and remember that they will show me what they need. We'll learn together.

And slowly but surely we are.

I mean, who knew I liked to dig in dirt??

Finn, Everett, Carter and what's left of our snow fort

Finn, off to do some digging

It was THAT kind of day....

This is a picture of me that I took just after I finally put the triplets down to bed.

Just look at me. Wearing stretch pants and a tank top that has been stretched out by little arms (stronger than you'd think!). It's had noses and tears wiped on it. There are also bits of breakfast, lunch and dinner on that shirt. My hair = not even brushed today + pulled numerous times. Carter thinks that pulling my hair is the newest, most hilarious trick around. I feel like I've gone 12 rounds in a boxing ring.

Other things to note in that picture. The toilet paper in the sink. Quickly unraveled by someone before bath. So I just threw the unraveled roll into the sink! Also, notice the shower curtain folded up? Carter thought peek a boo in the bath was a brilliant idea. It was. But then Everett and Finn literally jumped on the idea and I was sure the whole curtain + rod was going to come down. Once I pried 30 little fingers off of the curtain (not so easy), I decided to get it out of the way.

This day could be summed up as kids- 4, mom- 0.

Here is a picture of Everett that I managed to take with my phone that also kind of sums up the day.

Caught red handed

I'd left the room for literally only a few seconds to put out another fire in the playroom. When I returned, Everett had climbed up onto the kitchen table and was pulling out flowers from the vase! These kids are fast, curious and seemingly unstoppable in their quests! I'm no match! I just can't keep up with all of them.

This morning I took the four boys outside, and in thinking ahead, I placed a bunch of really cool toys that we don't play with much onto the lawn. Novelty + interesting toys= fun outside. Right? Well maybe not. As it turns out, one boy wanted only to pluck the buds off flowers and eat them, another wanted to play in an empty flower pot that was filled with disgusting rain water and yet another thought putting wood chips in their mouth was the most interesting option out there.

Back inside we went.

Everyone, including myself, was in tears. (well, not Colin. He was just disappointed that he couldn't finish "mowing the lawn") Luckily, he got time for that later, with Chris.

I love being a mom. I love my boys more than anything in this world.

But man, motherhood is tough sometimes. Sometimes you end the day looking and feeling like you've gone 12 rounds in the ring.

Some days I feel under qualified and underpaid.

Lucky my employers are so stinkin' cute. They woo me back to the job every morning and always give me another shot to get it right.

With a crinkle of the nose...

Carter and I have a thing going.

We love to give each other Eskimo kisses. He'll toddle over and crinkle his nose and I know exactly what he's asking for.

And I give it to him.

I just love this kid. He's the spitting image of my husband. I don't see any of myself in him, yet I know he came from me. I was there! My husband is kind to everyone, always up for anything, and is able to find joy in the smallest of things. That's how Carter is. Just today as we pulled out of the driveway to go on a walk in the choo-choo wagon, there was Carter clapping excitedly, ready for whatever was to come. That's my Carter. 

Carter, you are also quite the little jokester these days. You love to tease us... I wonder if you'll be into practical jokes as you get older. Whenever we change you, you'll try to squirm away and then look at us and laugh. Or, you'll go over to something you know that you're not supposed to play with, like a case of wipes. You'll open the lid and sort of pretend to pull out a wipe, the whole time making sure I'm watching of course. Then you'll look at me and laugh as if to say, "What are you going to do about this mom?!?" 

You also love to play peek- a- boo. Any where. Any time.

You have a newfound spunk. As I said before, you've always been patient, so patient in fact, that I sometimes worried if this meant that you'd become too agreeable with your brothers. Maybe let your brothers take toys from you or be too passive in other ways (I have all these crazy "how will being a triplet effect _____." fears, which seem to be more my issue than any of yours). Anyway, not a problem! You have developed into quite an assertive little 15 month old! You know what you want and you go after it. This has caused a few squabbles over toys, especially between you and Everett but I'm proud of you. I like seeing this spunky side!

I love your silliness Carter! I love your joy and the kindness you radiate. And I love that by watching you, I can imagine how your Dad might have been at this age.

My Mother's Day Wish

Hanging with Finn and Carter today

Chris asked what I wanted to do on Mother's Day.

Maybe spend time with the littles and do stuff as a family? Well.... maybe... but what I really wanted more than anything?

A break!

To sleep in, to watch a t.v. show in bed (I can't remember the last time I've done that), to exercise and/ or to write. I love when I can somehow carve out a block of time where it's just me, a cup of coffee and my computer waiting for me to type in my thoughts. However, this rarely happens these days. 

So Chris got up with the boys this morning and I slept in, really late. It felt so weird to sleep in... but good I guess. Then Colin told me he had a surprise for me out on the deck. When I walked out I saw breakfast sandwiches from our favorite neighborhood coffee shop and a card on the table. 

"Ta- DAAAAA!" he said while throwing his arms in the air. I'm not sure where he heard/ saw that done but it cracked me up. 

We ate our sandwiches in the warm sun and I opened the Winnie the Pooh card that he picked out and decorated for me on behalf of his brothers, "All by myself!" He was so proud.

It was lovely.

Then the babies got up and they needed diaper changes, then they were hungry, the Colin was hungry, then we realized we were out of some staples for the kids, including milk, so I ran to Target. By the time I got back, the babies needed diaper changes again and then they were tired and ready for bed. Colin also seemed exhausted and even asked to go up to bed! 

Chris left to pick up food for a picnic that we're planning later with the boys and suddenly the house was QUIET. Just me and a home full of napping children. 

I moved fast. This was my opportunity!

I opened the living room windows all the way to let the warm breeze blow in, re-heated my cup of coffee sat down here:

Doesn't it look inviting??

I opened up a blank screen and started to write. 

Just two words... before I heard,

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump

and then,

"Mommy, Daddy! I'm UP! I can't sleep! Where are you MommyDaddy?? MommyDaddy?!?" (Sometimes Colin says both our names together almost like we are one person which makes me laugh)

He runs in to where I've literally JUST sat down to write and explains that he can't sleep and he's hungry and also "Will you wipe my butt?"


And 'Me time' is officially over.....

Happy Mother's Day! I hope that all you mother's out there were able to steal some time for yourselves, if only a few minutes!

Happy Easter!

We had a wonderful day, spent just the six of us. 

We got up and noticed that the Easter bunny had come. The babies got new sippy cups and eggs filled with puffs cereal. Colin's basket included the Winnie the Pooh movie. 

Colin and Chris went to church, while I stayed home with the babies and made brunch.

We tried to take a few pictures of the boys together out in the front yard but I think they were too hungry.

Nobody wanted to cooperate, so we went back inside for brunch.

In all honesty, this was the first time we've really sat down, all six of us together, to share a meal. It felt SO good to do this. 

Although Carter doesn't seem to know table manners yet. 

Brunch at home was so lovely that we decided why not eat dinner out at one of our neighborhood restaurants?

 We'd not yet attempted this but there was no food in the house and we were feeling a bit brazen. 

I'm so happy to share that it was a success! The kids seemed to have a great time being out and about. Chris and I got to enjoy our meals and even split a bottle of wine. Hmmm, on second thought, maybe that's why it was a success :-) Honestly, I can't tell you how good it felt to be out doing "normal" family things. We used to take Colin out to dinner with us everywhere but since the babies joined our family, we've been too scared to try. 

I'm really glad we did it though. As a side note, I'm cracking up lately by how many people ask, "Are those all your children??" I guess it's because three are the same age. And I suppose it's plausible that on Easter Sunday we're babysitting someone else's kids too and decide to take everyone out to dinner.... but really?? Oh! and someone else told us that we looked "tired". Well, no kidding! You don't have to say that though! 

Unbeknownst to me, Colin took my phone during dinner and took his own pictures. Here are two of them:

Lemonade and yogurt. Pretty self explanatory.

And then there was this guy:

His meal. He just LOVED how this came and spent some time "talking" to his plate of food. Is it just me or is there something a little creepy about this meal?

Anyway, watch out Chicago because we are getting braver! Don't be surprised if the Miller clan shows up at your restaurant!

"How does she do that amazing trick with the sock?!?"

Dear babies,

Tonight as I go to bed, I can't stop thinking about the fun we had earlier today.

It was so simple. You all wanted the remote to which I said "no no no".

That did not go over well to say the least.

Then I picked up a sock to try and divert your attention but you weren't interested....

Until I put it on my head, did a dramatic, "ah ah AH.... CHOO!" and let the sock fall to the ground.

Oh my goodness, you all laughed and laughed and laughed. You each looked at me like I was the funniest and smartest person on the planet. "How does she do that amazing trick with the sock!?!"


We did it again and again and again. Each time, when the laughter would subside, one of you would pick up the sock off the ground and hand it to me. Then, the time I didn't put my hand out, Finn, you picked it up and actually reached up and put it on my head. All the while Carter was doing his sign for "more" and/ or clapping excitedly. Everett, you were almost always two inches from my face busy laughing wildly with your one arm slung around my shoulder (classic everett position!). It struck me how clever you are all getting... how your developing right before my eyes each and every day.

These are sweet moments that remind me how much I love being a mother.

I love being your mother and playing these silly games with you. You are each smart, funny, sweet and so fun to be around.

Spring has arrived in Chicago!

I'm not sure if this beautiful weather will last but we are soaking it up here in Chicago!

Yesterday we took the boys for a picnic at Colin's favorite park.

"The digging park" as he calls it. 

(because of the enormous sandbox he spends most of his time digging in)

It felt SO good to be outside!!!

The cutest thing ever was that when Colin saw me grab my camera before we left, he ran to get his. Then he yelled to us, "Wait! I need to get my camera bag!"

His camera bag :-)

Everett, double fisted with a few of the dreaded packets of baby food (you'll see why)

Not too long after I took the above pic, and almost in sync, two babies and Colin sat on three baby food squeeze packets, which then got spinach/ peas/ pear all over the place. It was on clothes, inside shoes (not sure how but it was!), hands, hair, and quickly smeared around the blanket..... 

Then I realized that I forgot wipes.

 Who leaves the house with three kids in diapers without wipes?!? Me apparently.

Amelie helped keep things in perspective as I was trying to clean up mounds of greenish goop with whatever I could find and looking probably like a woman close to loosing her marbles. As she was trying to prevent the babies from crawling through it, she said,

"It could be worse. This could be a poop disaster."

Yup, that would be worse. 

We laughed and moved on to the sandbox.

Since the babies seem hell-bent on putting any handful of dirt, sand, twigs, or rocks they could find in their mouths, we decided that we'd keep them in the choo choo wagon and take turns.... One of us would play with Colin in the sandbox while the other pulled the trips around the perimeter of the park. 

The babies seemed pretty happy with this plan actually. They seemed to enjoy watching all the kiddos doing their thing at the park while feeling the warm breeze in their hair.

We eventually all met up at the swings where everyone got a turn and Colin was a stellar pusher.

Then we went home.

 I still have a pile of clothes and one picnic blanket all covered with greenish brown baby food mixed with dirt and twigs, waiting to be washed.

 I'm just not dealing with it yet. :-)

We're 11 months today!!!

Carter is thrilled about it, Finn isn't sure yet, and Everett just wants to crawl off and get into something.

Never the less, they are wearing their party pants!!! Thanks Aunt Madeline!

My sister in law made these along with the pillows you see in some of the pictures. I'm so genuinely  impressed by people who can sew, paint, and do other crafty things like that because it is not a talent of mine for sure! 

Fancy pants!

Looking good Carter!

Everett

The weather was beautiful in Chicago today and so we opened the sidling glass door and felt the (kinda) warm breeze flow through the screen door. It kept blowing the curtains open and Everett kept playing peek a boo with them while laughing hysterically.

 I see you!

"I'm going to throw this pillow!"

And he did. Luckily it missed the camera.

 Even amongst the daily quips of "That guy grabbed my train track (or car, tools, snack... you name it)!" and yes, the occasional pushing and shoving, there are such tender moments shared between brothers. I need to remember these moments especially during what seem like long days of brother drama!

Like when Colin suddenly walked over to Carter and softly said, "I help you."

And he did.

 Or later when he put his arm around Carter, leaned in and said something sweet.

Or this moment.

Possibly the most exciting part of the day was when I waved to Finn across the room and to my surprise he lifted his arm and clearly, purposefully, joyfully waved back! It was so exciting and heart melting! I snapped the above picture just after his arm came down.

Oh, you little guys are growing so fast....

All the laundry is neatly folded and piled in the basket....

Until I turn my head for TWO SECONDS!

Oh Everett, you get me every time! My little curious George....

Luckily Finn trapped you before you could get into any more laundry trouble!

 (Actually you were not very happy about this but it was so cute I had to take a pic before letting you free)

The first pic would've happened whether or not I have multiples... I just shouldn't have turned my head in that moment. But the second picture speaks to life with multiples. You just never know what they'll do next and how there ideas will impact each other. 

They never cease to surprise me or make me laugh!

(*** in full disclosure, I was not the one to fold the laundry. Our wonderful nanny Amelie did that. If it were me, the clean clothes would be haphazardly thrown in the laundry basket where they'd probably stay until needed! Hey, we all have our strengths. Folding laundry... not one of mine.)