*There is a point at the end of this, so please read through right till the end... :)
Ahhhh, the joys of starting babies on solids.
Any parent starting their child on solids for the first time knows that solids is a "game changer". What might have been a child that pooped every day like clockwork might become an occasional pooper - aka pooping only while out and about or during dinner every few days.. :) Or vice versa, with a child who would poop once a week (as some breastfed babies) now pooping multiple times daily. Either way, when you change the intake, the output changes quite a bit.
I have been dealing with this lately with the boys. They aren't constipated, but they are pushing a bit more than I like to see just to turn out a little 'turd'. My daughter loves this term - 'turd' - she thinks it is hilarious. I, however, find these turds frustrating! So much work for such a small poop (and now I've changed a diaper for that tiny turd, so that tiny turd is costing me extra money!)...
So, I thought I would help things along and give them some prunes. Number 1 kept making faces, but he did manage to eat quite a bit of it, while Number 2 LOVED them. This was last night... Now, most of the way through the next day, I have had two very happy boys, who have FILLED their drawers several times today... Why, oh why, do I do this to myself?!?!
Then I started to think about prunes in general and how they are a great and applicable concept in real life. I think that springtime every year is a huge 'prune' for me. When my tiny house gets all backed up with the pick ups from the winter and the items the kids have outgrown, I need to 'prune' back so that I can be happy and feel like I can breathe again. When my social networking pages are overrun with bad news and 'Negative Nancy' comments, it is time to 'prune' out the negative so that I can remain positive.
I think it is great to have a fruit remind me that a lot of times, it's the constipation in life that can affect how we feel about situations. As I sit here and watch one of the boys pooping yet again, I am thankful that I make the decision to 'prune' rather than become cranky and constipated .
What is your 'prune'? I'd love to hear!! :)
Friday, 28 June 2013
Saturday, 22 June 2013
Supermom syndrome.
I don't know if this is able to be clinically diagnosed or not, but I suffer from what I call supermom syndrome (aka I bite off more than I *should* chew and then manage to ge it done). . Don't get me wrong I love being busy and I thrive off of having tasks to execute. I do have to get better at reminding myself that I am no spring chicken (hahaha, I will be 30 next year after all :p) and that I have three kids under three that demand a lot of attention and energy... btw, it has been a long day and I am typing this as I sprawl out on the couch with my legs at the top of the couch trying to just RELAX.
So back to this supermom thing. I want to do it all.. and by myself. I don't know if it is just the inner control freak that needs to have my home in order 'my way' or just my own down time doing my tasks or if I just like to have that tough, admirable exterior of being known as the one who 'does it all'.
Well, it is confession time!! Doing it all is exhausting. I had a mini meltdown today as I was dealing with the boys and watching our two year old completely pull apart the house. I enjoyed a clean house for a full 36 hours. Ok. Let's be honest here. Now, after picking up every book, movie, towel, washcloth, the clean laundry from the dryer and every piece of clothing from my daughter's dresser, I sit here and realize that maybe being supermom is not all it is cracked up to be.
I definitely take the time to enjoy my kids. I will let nonessential dishes sit on the counter for days or leave all the laundry for the weekends, and I can let it not bug me. BUT it is my choice. So why does it bother me so much when the choice is taken away from me? Have I not grown at all from when I was in school and the teachers used to say 'Sharon thrives off of structure and need to learn how to be flexible and adapt to change.'? I know that I have, but why does it 'feel' like my world comes crashing down when my whole life is in order, except the little people.....
AHHHH back to that supermom syndrome. I cannot control my crying babies or, at times, my raging two year old. I am still supermom, especially to them, and I just need to keep these bad moments as moments and not wreck the groove of my life. I am blessed with the ability to see life and arrange it so that it makes sense and I can live somewhat easily and peacefully. (I am sure that this will be expanded in the future.)
Sometimes I think that the title and the expectations that come with it make me feel like I have a very high standard set for me. I need to remember, however, that shortcomings in time which lead to dirty dishes and sticky floors do not make me a failure. That said, shortcomings in time spent with my children to see them grow, giggle, smile, and enjoy life would. The only eyes that I want to see me as supermom are the ones belonging to my kids, which means that I need to try to remove the desire to achieve that status anywhere else.
I can be a super mom, without needing to be supermom. Here's hoping that I learn to relax and enjoy a slower pace in this crazy life of mine, because, Lord knows, I cannot handle days like this often. So
I'm going to embrace the books on the floor beside me and just try not to trip on them in the morning.
Wish me luck. Tomorrow is another day!
* written on my phone, so it is harder to read over. Don't know if this is quite that cohesive, but hey, it's been a long day, and I am downright tired. Goodnight!
So back to this supermom thing. I want to do it all.. and by myself. I don't know if it is just the inner control freak that needs to have my home in order 'my way' or just my own down time doing my tasks or if I just like to have that tough, admirable exterior of being known as the one who 'does it all'.
Well, it is confession time!! Doing it all is exhausting. I had a mini meltdown today as I was dealing with the boys and watching our two year old completely pull apart the house. I enjoyed a clean house for a full 36 hours. Ok. Let's be honest here. Now, after picking up every book, movie, towel, washcloth, the clean laundry from the dryer and every piece of clothing from my daughter's dresser, I sit here and realize that maybe being supermom is not all it is cracked up to be.
I definitely take the time to enjoy my kids. I will let nonessential dishes sit on the counter for days or leave all the laundry for the weekends, and I can let it not bug me. BUT it is my choice. So why does it bother me so much when the choice is taken away from me? Have I not grown at all from when I was in school and the teachers used to say 'Sharon thrives off of structure and need to learn how to be flexible and adapt to change.'? I know that I have, but why does it 'feel' like my world comes crashing down when my whole life is in order, except the little people.....
AHHHH back to that supermom syndrome. I cannot control my crying babies or, at times, my raging two year old. I am still supermom, especially to them, and I just need to keep these bad moments as moments and not wreck the groove of my life. I am blessed with the ability to see life and arrange it so that it makes sense and I can live somewhat easily and peacefully. (I am sure that this will be expanded in the future.)
Sometimes I think that the title and the expectations that come with it make me feel like I have a very high standard set for me. I need to remember, however, that shortcomings in time which lead to dirty dishes and sticky floors do not make me a failure. That said, shortcomings in time spent with my children to see them grow, giggle, smile, and enjoy life would. The only eyes that I want to see me as supermom are the ones belonging to my kids, which means that I need to try to remove the desire to achieve that status anywhere else.
I can be a super mom, without needing to be supermom. Here's hoping that I learn to relax and enjoy a slower pace in this crazy life of mine, because, Lord knows, I cannot handle days like this often. So
I'm going to embrace the books on the floor beside me and just try not to trip on them in the morning.
Wish me luck. Tomorrow is another day!
* written on my phone, so it is harder to read over. Don't know if this is quite that cohesive, but hey, it's been a long day, and I am downright tired. Goodnight!
Monday, 17 June 2013
Different experiences make the world go around... :)
Allow me to be completely honest as I express my love for other mothers of singletons... I have had one baby. I LOVED having one baby. THAT was easy! I have often thought of how much my life would be different with one baby (and then look at both of my boys and absolutely would never trade the life I have for the convenience of 'just one baby'). I would have half of the wake up times throughout the night, half of the feeding frustrations, and half of the diapers, BUT I would also have half of the smiles and no joy in watching two babies of the exact same age growing and developing together. They are such a daily pleasure, no matter how much work they are. (I might have to retract that last sentence, depending on how teething goes, because that is not fun.... at all).
I have many wonderful friends and family members who are moms of singleton babies, and they are awesome. They really are. They are also really good at NOT complaining to me about how often their baby wakes up or how much they had to nurse their baby the previous day. I have been blessed with babies who show well (aka, when we go out, they are happy and content, not crying or fussing... but who is kidding, they are like this the majority of the time, but there is still two of them), yet my pals do not try to tell me how hard life with their baby is. I think they get it.. I love them so much for this. I love to hear how things are going with them. I try not to burden anyone with how much work the kids are. I love my kids, and I never want to appear like things are really tough *hangs head and admits that yes, sometimes, things are tough*. For the most part, things are manageable, but that is still manageable TIMES TWO! :)
Mothers of singletons that I do not know well (read as strangers on the street), however, do not spare me the details of how 'hard' their day is. I get it. I have been there with one baby. I have now been there with two babies. Unless I know you, please do not tell me that 'life is rough' or 'you are so tired' or (my favourite) that you 'understand, because you have two kids close in age.' I had to literally hold my tongue when a stranger told me that at the doctor's office last week. I asked, 'how far apart are your children?' She replies, 'Thirteen months, so that's pretty well like having twins.'. <BITE TONGUE, PASTE ON SMILE. SWALLOW. BREATHE.> 'Try having two newborns hanging off your boobs and tell me it is the same. Or, tell me it is the same when you have two babies who are both too young to communicate at all.'.. that is what I wanted to say. What I did do is respectfully disagree with her... and said a silent prayer that she will be blessed with twins of her own. :)
People often ask me 'How do you get out?' or better yet, 'How do you get out with all of the kids?' That question always makes me laugh. The answer to both is 'I don't really get out' and 'I don't get out with all of the kids unless I have help.' I have been blessed by having my family (and in-laws) all living quite near to us. That is my sanity. Without them, I am sure that I would be a crazed hermit by now! The ability to take a shower (at least twice a week now... YAY!!!) is a struggle without forfeiting sleep most days, so why on earth would I be so concerned about getting out?? Then, when I do have the opportunity to get out for some time to myself, (ok, that is laughable, as it was a quick trip to pick up meat for dinner, so maybe 20 mins to myself) things like this always seem to happen to me.While walking home today, I passed a mom who was carrying her baby in a carseat in one hand and a small bag in the other. I was green with envy.... for a split second. When she started to make frustrated, tired noises from having to carry her ONE child from a store front to her vehicle, I wanted to smack her upside the head... (I am not a violent person. This is not literal, just a phrase that I use to say that I was very frustrated with her). Had I not had a bigger, likely heavier bag in my hand already, I likely would have offered to help her. Seeing as I would have been in the same boat, why bother. ;) ... then it hit me. She should be thankful that she can go out like that at all!! To be able to carry both of my boys (which are around the same size as her baby was) from a storefront WITH A PURCHASE would be a lot more of a task then that.. In addition to trying to fit out the door, I then have to deal with deciding which child to leave on the ground outside of the vehicle IN PUBLIC while I am putting the other in the back. I am very uncomfortable with this, as I do NOT want someone to walk off with my child. Other than going to family members' houses, I do not travel alone.
I guess the point of this post has been lost. :) Oh well, I warned in the first blog that I have a lot to say. ALWAYS. Please understand that I have smiled and laughed almost the whole time I was writing this. It is not a rant in my opinion, rather a humorous reflection of some of the annoying experiences I have had lately... which makes me realize even more that I am COMPLETELY BLESSED to have these TWO babies (and an awesome two year old). If I didn't have twins, I would likely never have realized how much of a blessing it was to be able to spend two years with just my daughter as a single child. If I hadn't have had twins, I wouldn't be experiencing the joys of watching the boys communicate just with looks and smiles (yes, already plotting to take over the world). If I hadn't have had twins, I wouldn't know what it is like to me a twin mom AND singleton mom (who likely asked or mentioned many annoying things to other twin moms). I know that without both of these boys, my life would be different.. Better or worse, who knows.. all I know is that I am blessed. :)
I have many wonderful friends and family members who are moms of singleton babies, and they are awesome. They really are. They are also really good at NOT complaining to me about how often their baby wakes up or how much they had to nurse their baby the previous day. I have been blessed with babies who show well (aka, when we go out, they are happy and content, not crying or fussing... but who is kidding, they are like this the majority of the time, but there is still two of them), yet my pals do not try to tell me how hard life with their baby is. I think they get it.. I love them so much for this. I love to hear how things are going with them. I try not to burden anyone with how much work the kids are. I love my kids, and I never want to appear like things are really tough *hangs head and admits that yes, sometimes, things are tough*. For the most part, things are manageable, but that is still manageable TIMES TWO! :)
Mothers of singletons that I do not know well (read as strangers on the street), however, do not spare me the details of how 'hard' their day is. I get it. I have been there with one baby. I have now been there with two babies. Unless I know you, please do not tell me that 'life is rough' or 'you are so tired' or (my favourite) that you 'understand, because you have two kids close in age.' I had to literally hold my tongue when a stranger told me that at the doctor's office last week. I asked, 'how far apart are your children?' She replies, 'Thirteen months, so that's pretty well like having twins.'. <BITE TONGUE, PASTE ON SMILE. SWALLOW. BREATHE.> 'Try having two newborns hanging off your boobs and tell me it is the same. Or, tell me it is the same when you have two babies who are both too young to communicate at all.'.. that is what I wanted to say. What I did do is respectfully disagree with her... and said a silent prayer that she will be blessed with twins of her own. :)
People often ask me 'How do you get out?' or better yet, 'How do you get out with all of the kids?' That question always makes me laugh. The answer to both is 'I don't really get out' and 'I don't get out with all of the kids unless I have help.' I have been blessed by having my family (and in-laws) all living quite near to us. That is my sanity. Without them, I am sure that I would be a crazed hermit by now! The ability to take a shower (at least twice a week now... YAY!!!) is a struggle without forfeiting sleep most days, so why on earth would I be so concerned about getting out?? Then, when I do have the opportunity to get out for some time to myself, (ok, that is laughable, as it was a quick trip to pick up meat for dinner, so maybe 20 mins to myself) things like this always seem to happen to me.While walking home today, I passed a mom who was carrying her baby in a carseat in one hand and a small bag in the other. I was green with envy.... for a split second. When she started to make frustrated, tired noises from having to carry her ONE child from a store front to her vehicle, I wanted to smack her upside the head... (I am not a violent person. This is not literal, just a phrase that I use to say that I was very frustrated with her). Had I not had a bigger, likely heavier bag in my hand already, I likely would have offered to help her. Seeing as I would have been in the same boat, why bother. ;) ... then it hit me. She should be thankful that she can go out like that at all!! To be able to carry both of my boys (which are around the same size as her baby was) from a storefront WITH A PURCHASE would be a lot more of a task then that.. In addition to trying to fit out the door, I then have to deal with deciding which child to leave on the ground outside of the vehicle IN PUBLIC while I am putting the other in the back. I am very uncomfortable with this, as I do NOT want someone to walk off with my child. Other than going to family members' houses, I do not travel alone.
I guess the point of this post has been lost. :) Oh well, I warned in the first blog that I have a lot to say. ALWAYS. Please understand that I have smiled and laughed almost the whole time I was writing this. It is not a rant in my opinion, rather a humorous reflection of some of the annoying experiences I have had lately... which makes me realize even more that I am COMPLETELY BLESSED to have these TWO babies (and an awesome two year old). If I didn't have twins, I would likely never have realized how much of a blessing it was to be able to spend two years with just my daughter as a single child. If I hadn't have had twins, I wouldn't be experiencing the joys of watching the boys communicate just with looks and smiles (yes, already plotting to take over the world). If I hadn't have had twins, I wouldn't know what it is like to me a twin mom AND singleton mom (who likely asked or mentioned many annoying things to other twin moms). I know that without both of these boys, my life would be different.. Better or worse, who knows.. all I know is that I am blessed. :)
Friday, 14 June 2013
Ahhhh.... Motherhood.
I think this will be a continuation of a 'get to know me' post a little bit... let's see how it goes.
I LOVE being a mom. It is one of the most fulfilling and hectic jobs that I have ever had. I work for some of the most demanding, yet sweetest little bosses... (as I sit here typing at 11:10pm, Andy and Everett are still awake and fighting over one of Ken's hats... yes, they fight over toys already).
How would I sum up motherhood? I don't think that words can even fully describe how amazing (and sometimes how horrible :D) it can be! This afternoon, as the boys had just fallen asleep, Norah came into the bedroom and said that she needed me. 'Okay, Norah, what do you need?' She looked up at me and said, 'I need YOU. Can you snuggle with me on the couch?' My heart soared! Just to know that this amazing, little girl can be satisfied by my presence and love is indescribable. We definitely (already) have our moments of ups and downs, as I'm sure most parents of two year olds can relate. Life is just amazing sometimes.
What some of you may not know is that I was NOT excited when we first found out that we were going to have Norah. Just to be clear, she was NEVER unwanted. The timing could have been better, as she ended up being 3 days old when I stood in my BFF's wedding. She also came at a time when I had other things that I had wanted to accomplish. It took a bit of time to adjust to the idea that she was coming, but she was a great surprise!
This time around, we thought we would plan for child two a bit... Anyone who knows me, knows that I thrive off of having things in order or well-planned.... Obviously, all of my planning served me well as numbers #2 and #3 decided to be born on the same day! The boys are lots of work, but just as rewarding to have around as Norah. They smile and show love already. It really surprises me how much I am enjoying them! After I found out there was two in there, I was really concerned about how my time would be split. I was almost dreading it, as I knew that I wouldn't be able to plan life out as easily and that meeting the demands of two babies (and trying to keep them happy) would be hard! It is a task that I have taken very seriously, and it is going well. They are almost 7 months old (already) and my sanity is still fully in tact. It's all about doing what works. Finding that mix to help your kids live a happy life from a very young age and on.
I hope that if you read this, you see the rainbows and sunshine in my life that my kids have brought to me. I think this post is a bit all over the place, but it was just some thoughts that I had earlier that are now written down for all to enjoy. All in all, although this is not where I thought I would be 5 years ago, it is the best place that I can think of to be.
Mommy.... I like that job title.. :)
I LOVE being a mom. It is one of the most fulfilling and hectic jobs that I have ever had. I work for some of the most demanding, yet sweetest little bosses... (as I sit here typing at 11:10pm, Andy and Everett are still awake and fighting over one of Ken's hats... yes, they fight over toys already).
How would I sum up motherhood? I don't think that words can even fully describe how amazing (and sometimes how horrible :D) it can be! This afternoon, as the boys had just fallen asleep, Norah came into the bedroom and said that she needed me. 'Okay, Norah, what do you need?' She looked up at me and said, 'I need YOU. Can you snuggle with me on the couch?' My heart soared! Just to know that this amazing, little girl can be satisfied by my presence and love is indescribable. We definitely (already) have our moments of ups and downs, as I'm sure most parents of two year olds can relate. Life is just amazing sometimes.
What some of you may not know is that I was NOT excited when we first found out that we were going to have Norah. Just to be clear, she was NEVER unwanted. The timing could have been better, as she ended up being 3 days old when I stood in my BFF's wedding. She also came at a time when I had other things that I had wanted to accomplish. It took a bit of time to adjust to the idea that she was coming, but she was a great surprise!
This time around, we thought we would plan for child two a bit... Anyone who knows me, knows that I thrive off of having things in order or well-planned.... Obviously, all of my planning served me well as numbers #2 and #3 decided to be born on the same day! The boys are lots of work, but just as rewarding to have around as Norah. They smile and show love already. It really surprises me how much I am enjoying them! After I found out there was two in there, I was really concerned about how my time would be split. I was almost dreading it, as I knew that I wouldn't be able to plan life out as easily and that meeting the demands of two babies (and trying to keep them happy) would be hard! It is a task that I have taken very seriously, and it is going well. They are almost 7 months old (already) and my sanity is still fully in tact. It's all about doing what works. Finding that mix to help your kids live a happy life from a very young age and on.
I hope that if you read this, you see the rainbows and sunshine in my life that my kids have brought to me. I think this post is a bit all over the place, but it was just some thoughts that I had earlier that are now written down for all to enjoy. All in all, although this is not where I thought I would be 5 years ago, it is the best place that I can think of to be.
Mommy.... I like that job title.. :)
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
Welcome to my bumpy road!
I am laying here sideways on a queen size bed, sandwiched between two adorable little babies while there is a thunderstorm raging outside. Life could not be more perfect... oh wait, it would be much more perfect if it wasn't past 2 am and I was sleeping! Welcome to my fun and crazy life!
As a stay at home mom to a two year old girl and a set of identical six month old twin boys, my life is a bit hectic. Some may even dare to say that it's a bit crazy at times. Motherhood has its moments for sure, both good and not so good. I think all parents can agree on that.
This is my very first blog, so let me introduce myself and let you know why I wanted to start writing a blog in the first place. I have a lot to say.. all the time. Whether it is discussing the daily happenings of my wonderful life, current politics, parenting tactics, aka survival strategies, or any other topic, I can be found intact. Usually, I have a pretty strong opinion or idea as to how I feel on the topic or how I think a problem can be solved. Many people have said that I should be a professional organizer or problem solver. I fix things, and I enjoy it.
I am really excited to finally start this up. I am quite sure that in no time I will be tackling tough issues. As well, I want to write here to help other mommies that are going through the motions day after day. No one said that parenting would be easy... no one said it could be so hard either! I hope that as I write more, you will enjoy following along. There will be plenty stories of my kids and family life. It is full of fun times and enjoyable moments. It is also full of hard times and imperfect parenting. The joys of being human.
CHEERS and happy reading!
(sorry if there are spelling and grammar errors! I have done this from my phone and learned that this is not the easiest place to write a blog... mental note: try to write from the computer. It will be easier on the hands, eyes, arms.... ugh. it will just be easier!)
As a stay at home mom to a two year old girl and a set of identical six month old twin boys, my life is a bit hectic. Some may even dare to say that it's a bit crazy at times. Motherhood has its moments for sure, both good and not so good. I think all parents can agree on that.
This is my very first blog, so let me introduce myself and let you know why I wanted to start writing a blog in the first place. I have a lot to say.. all the time. Whether it is discussing the daily happenings of my wonderful life, current politics, parenting tactics, aka survival strategies, or any other topic, I can be found intact. Usually, I have a pretty strong opinion or idea as to how I feel on the topic or how I think a problem can be solved. Many people have said that I should be a professional organizer or problem solver. I fix things, and I enjoy it.
I am really excited to finally start this up. I am quite sure that in no time I will be tackling tough issues. As well, I want to write here to help other mommies that are going through the motions day after day. No one said that parenting would be easy... no one said it could be so hard either! I hope that as I write more, you will enjoy following along. There will be plenty stories of my kids and family life. It is full of fun times and enjoyable moments. It is also full of hard times and imperfect parenting. The joys of being human.
CHEERS and happy reading!
(sorry if there are spelling and grammar errors! I have done this from my phone and learned that this is not the easiest place to write a blog... mental note: try to write from the computer. It will be easier on the hands, eyes, arms.... ugh. it will just be easier!)
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