Mother and daughters.

Netta.

Popcorn with David Attenborough

We watched an episode of The Blue Planet about tides tonight.

The longest 3 hours of my life… Twice.

Well, that would be exaggerating, but I this has definitely been the most challenging daylight hours so far.

Nights are good. The girls go back to sleep after nursing quite easily and there is a good three or four hours between waking times. But during the day they are nearly un-putdownable, and today I was basically on my own. In the morning it was just me and the girls with Lewis and I spent nearly every minute from 9am when Ben took Art to school to 12:30 when my mom came over holding one or both babies, and much of the time nursing (they’re undoubtedly going through their six-week growth spurt and “putting in an order” for more milk). So 3 1/2 hours in the morning was spent with babies in my arms or at the breast while I made snacks for Lewis, made domino trains with Lewis, watched a show with Lewis or made marble toys with Lewis, all while Trudy from Two Betties cleaning scrubbed and mopped for us.

By the time my mom arrived I was fried, and so ready for my daily nap. I could barely say hello. Then I woke up an hour or so later with babies ready to nurse and it started all over again. Another three-plus hours of holding and nursing babies, but this time with Art and Lewis. Fortunately the boys were cooperative and enjoying each other’s company. And thankfully we have a computer with Youtube videos of amazing domino trains. They watched them for forty minutes or more before making their own things with dominoes while I desperately tried to put together dinner while holding one or two babies who were again hungry pretty much the whole time. Man! My back was tired when Ben walked in the door! I could NOT WAIT to unload those grubby little babies!

I realized once again how vital extra hands are around here for keeping my stress level down and my mental stamina up for constant childcare. Expletives were definitely pouring out as the afternoon wore on and if this were a daily thing I would be beyond frazzled. Instead I was aggravated and tired but not yet at my wits end. I was nearing it, but not yet there.

a serious question jessica just asked lewis.

"Lewis, why is your butt so cold?" –sent from my handheld device–

Special time with Art!

Around our house spending time alone with a grown-up, without your brother, is called “special time”. Yesterday Art was needing some with his mama so I told him we would make it happen. So our special time was going to the co-op together. I told him that we could get him a treat that we would eat it after the shopping was done. And so he chose gummy bears from the bulk section. I chose Hokey Pokey (toffee covered popcorn with almonds!). While I paid for the groceries Art parked himself at one of the tables and waited for me. Then we sat down together and ate our treats.

I got Art a good half cup or so of the bears and told him he could eat them all at once or save some – it was up to him. I purposely did not mention Lewis or sharing or anything because i had read in a book that each child needs to have time when they can be solely the center of attention and not have to think about or be fair to their brother. Anyway, Art said I could decide if he should finish the bears or not. I wouldn’t decide for him so he said he would do what I did. I could have easily eaten my whole bag of Hokey Pokey right there, but I also knew I would like to have some later so I saved just a few bites for later and Art saved about 10 bears for later. Then we stopped at a park for a little while one the way home. When we got home Art immediately wanted to give Lewis his leftover gummy bears. That was unexpected! But certainly a nice perk for Lewis.