Flying solo

So.... Chris was away on a business trip this week. It was the first time since the babies were born that he's travelled and I was a little nervous to have the boys by myself! Our amazing helper Amelie still came during part of the day. Thank God! But late afternoon, dinner, bedtime, nighttime and mornings were all mine.

All mine.

The first night was rough. I was up a lot with the boys (one teething, one with a stuffy nose, one whose diaper leaked through his pjs, and one who kept saying, "I can't sleep mommy"). I also think I was adjusting to not having Chris here and in turn just didn't sleep as well. When Chris and I were first married he traveled each week and to a certain extent I got used to it. But now, I'm used to having him home, next to me each night and that consistency gives me peace.

Over the past year, together we've fallen into a new groove parenting these boys. Sure, we occasionally bicker over who's done what lately because really, there is SO much to do and sometimes it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking somehow you are the one doing the most. Well, it only takes having to truly do it all yourself for a few days to realize what the other person really does. And our Chris, holy cow does he do a lot.

My husband is amazing in how he embraces this parenting thing full gusto and in how he supports me. AMAZING. I've always known and appreciated this about him.

But he's also the one to empty all the trash cans and dirty diapers at the end of the night. Each night, as I would tiptoe into the alley scanning for rats and terrified I'd run into one, I felt extra appreciative that he tackles this chore without even asking me to- ever. He cleans the kitchen each night (which in the past I've noticed, but this week I really noticed because man, after I've already cleaned it a few times during the day and made dinner, I do not feel like doing it again). Each night, he gets the babies bottles ready for for the 10 pm feeding and usually gets a load of laundry going whenever he goes up and/ or down the stairs. We always do the 10 pm feeding together. It's not something we ever talk about or plan, we just always seem to tackle it as a team. This week, gathering up the bottles and diapers and doing the night feeding alone felt like way more work, and much lonelier.

I think, and maybe especially when juggling a gaggle of kids, it can be easy to fall into a habit of taking for granted all that your partner does. I know I take Chris for granted sometimes.

Chris and I often joke about how there is no break parenting triplets plus one. But that's not really true. Because all I have to say to him, or vice versa is "I need a break" and we instantly know it's imperative to figure out how to make that happen for the other person. Sometimes it can only be for a few minutes or a quick errand but it's needed and can make all the difference.

We're a good team he and I, and I've missed him so.

Today he's coming back and I can't wait to meet him at the door with our boys, kiss him and hug him and welcome him home. And tell him how much I appreciate him.

And then I'll probably say something like, "I need a break!" because I after almost 4 days with 4 kiddos, I do!!!

Wednesday

With a 2 year old and three babies it can feel easier to just stay inside than venture out as a family. But sometimes we try. 

Tonight we packed everybody up and walked one short block to sit under a tree at the park. 

It was delightful.

Chris and I always laugh about just what it takes to get out of the house and everything we have to bring.

Sometimes we pack so much that just before I attempt to push the stroller I'm holding my breath that it won't be too weighted down and that the bottom doesn't drag along the road. Pushing the stroller, four kids and all our crap.... I should be in way better shape than I am!

 Even though we seem to pack everything known to man, I'm ALWAYS forgetting something. Last week, after hauling everybody to the playground I realized that I'd packed up almost everything in the house EXCEPT a single diaper (and realized this after someone was already screaming for a diaper change). That was awesome.

Chris keeps saying we should just get a shopping cart for when we go out. That way we could pack EVERYTHING we may need including a swing, bouncy chairs, diaper pail perhaps....

Just throw it all in.

I fear this will be us when we need to go somewhere further than the park:

We're not that bad yet, but we may be heading in that direction

Here we are tonight on our way to the park

Chris, Colin, Finley, Everett, Carter, Olive (because she needs to get out too!) and Me.

It looks like even Colin has to help push but I assure you he wants to be pushing :)

Three babies!

  Again, linking arms 

Always

The babies laid on a blanket under a big Oak tree and I goggled at them for a long while. They were being so chatty, cute and full of smiles that I kept trying to get a video of them. Every time I'd start filming though, they'd suddenly become dead serious.

Oh well.

So I chatted with my babies and watched Colin and Chris run around and laugh.

Then, we went home.

Off to the park

***Written last Thursday then forgot to post :)

Colin, thanks to Grandma's help you and I got to sneak off to the park today. Safe to say, we were both itching to get out of the cave for a bit! You expressed this by starting to throw all the pillows off the couch narrowly missing a few brothers and I noticed that glint of impatience creeping into my voice as I tried to stop you. So you climbed into your cute little car and off we went to get some fresh air and mommy/ colin "special time".

You're cracking me up lately with all your new ideas. You used a stick to gas up the car and then climbed in and pretended to turn the key which was followed by a "vroommmmm!" noise. You even made me stop the car so that you could put on your seat belt (as if it's any sort of bumpy ride). Safety first!

As your mommy, it's exciting and so fun to see your imagination really blossom. At the park, you ran straight for the sandbox and we spent our time as cooks making all sorts of yummy food out of sand.

And you're constantly pointing things out to me as if I'm going to think it's the coolest, most amazing thing in the world and be so utterly relieved that you pointed it out or else I would have missed it! Simple things like the plane flying overhead, the truck driving by, or a baby drinking a bottle (JUST LIKE OUR BABIES DO!) transform from simple, everyday occurrences to exciting events!! What an exciting world it is, seen it through the eyes of a two year old.

Then we went home :)