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16 April 2013

Surviving Three Under Three

And I do mean surviving in the literal sense (and yes I know what literal means). I'm not thriving. Julia was 27 months old when Theo was born but sometimes it feels like she requires more mental energy than both of the younger boys combined. I've had some days that I think will never ever come to an end and the spans of time where someone is not crying (myself included) are much shorter than the teary ones. There is very little regimentation and I recently took up coffee chugging after a really idiotic hiatus. I've just found what mostly works for me and my kids colorful personalities and I really think we're on a very gradual incline in the "getting easier" department. I do! (Rachel's post made me feel a LOT better, too). These aren't suggestions ... these are commandments. That was a joke, lighten up Buttercup.


a. did Julia get hit with an invisible ball?
b. Sebastian has the sweetest smile


1. Accept Mediocrity. The other night I made fried rice with shredded chicken and used quinoa in place of rice (Simon was ecstatic about that substitution). I put ice cubes in two cups of water and Simon and I sat down for 34 seconds before one of the kids needed something. Simon said, "congrats on your first postpartum dinner!" and Theo is 3.5 months old. He was mostly joking but it's mostly true. I've made dinner a handful of times but Simon has stressed 99 times that he'd rather come out to a dinnerless table and a wife that isn't suicidal in the kitchen than dinner and an angry Grace. The house generally looks SORT OF presentable but if you look closely it could use a REALLY good scrubbing. The list goes on and on and on and on and on and on. I read a blog post (how I got there I do not remember) recently stating that the old "chicken nuggets for dinner and I never shower" attitude is getting old and that moms should strive for better. Right now, this is my better and sometimes it involves chicken nuggets for dinner.

2. Thank Your Spouse. I know it annoys a lot of moms when other moms say, "my husband is babysitting the kids" because he's the dad and they are his kids and he should watch them to give Mom a break and it shouldn't be called babysitting!!! Well, true. But! I can count on zero fingers how many times I've finished up my work at home to drive to the hospital to clock in and start getting paged by antsy nurses, placate angry patients, deliver miscarried babies to distraught parents, and intercept frustrated texts from Simon who's at home with the kids. Oh, I know it's not exactly the same but I can't take Simon's help for granted. I know how tough and demanding the kids can be and when he insists I leave the house with no agenda I am eternally grateful.

3. Don't Get Dressed. I know for a lot of moms getting dressed is an essential part of their day and they can't get the day started without suiting up in their non-loungy armor. NOT the case at the Camp. I like to shower every other day, change my comfortable getup and put on tennis shoes. The first weeks and months after having a baby for me getting dressed is hell because it's just an annoying reminder that my clothes still don't fit and I'm stuck in a now familiar limbo between maternity and regular clothing. The limbo will pass but until then I'll stick to stretch pants and t-shirts with a dash of mascara if I'm feeling fancy.

4. Be Short-Sighted. If I wake up thinking about the fact that Simon won't be home till late late or the next morning if he's on call then my mood will start and stay dark all day and all night. If I focus on getting through wake ups and breakfast first then dishwasher unloading then I'm almost setting myself up for success! Then we move onto a little laundry and perhaps some "gather round Theo having some reverse tummy time and watch him smile and don't scratch/hit/bite him". By the time naps roll around I'm generally more than ready for a nice blast of quiet and can regroup before the second half of the game begins before bedtime.

5. Be Grateful. This is a repeat from my super insightful Surviving Two Under Two post because it's important. The kids are difficult but I know how blessed we are to have three healthy kids. We've never had to deal with infertility, miscarriage, or any sort of health scare and we are a lucky bunch. We absolutely cannot count on a single healthy future pregnancy but we can hope and be grateful if and when it/they occur!

6. Have Outlets. My good friend, Ruth, has two kids 11 months apart and she is the lucky recipient of some of my most frustrated emails. She also works from home (!) and hopefully enjoys a nice eye roll at my melodramatic plight but I appreciate her sympathetic eyes and the solidarity she offers. Also, I blog almost every day which is probably a really selfish way to spend nap time after making lunch for myself and quickly picking up the main floor but I can't stay away. Also, this might not fit in here but I always have music playing and I think that makes things less chaotic sounding. Oxymoronic? Maybe.

7. Naps. Both of the big kids go down for naps around 1pm without exception every single day. I commend you moms that are flexible and casual about naps but my sanity and the safety of the children depends on those naps. It took a lot of tweaking to get them to nap at the same time (let Bash sleep for 20 minutes in the morning so he'll still be tired at 1, etc) but it's very necessary.

8. Exercise. Maybe not for everyone but my day is exponentially better if I power through a workout DVD (this is still my current favorite) or take the kids on a walk/run (this has happened twice and I blame the weather 100%). Sometimes I have to pause the DVD 54 times to get through 23 minutes to break up fights or comfort Theo or peel Sebastian off of my thigh but it's worth it. I'm working towards waking up before the kids to do this. It might happen eventually.

9. Leave. With or without the kids. Even though I hate the idea of leaving the house and sometimes I regret going anywhere with the kids it generally does everyone a world of good. Before Theo was born I had a sitter come once a week for a few hours and hopefully we can get that going again because Simon is about to start several months of grueling rotations.

10. Enjoy it. I'm so guilty of just wanting to finally get the Mt. Vesuvius of laundry piles folded after it enjoyed a nice camp on the guest bed for a week or an email responded to instead of enjoying the times when the kids are in pleasant moods. Today I snapped out of a silent tirade to get all the toys picked up off the kitchen floor to hear Julia making Sebastian a pretend cup of blueberries and he didn't respond by biting her but actually entertained her imagination and pretended to eat them for 2 seconds before he laughed and ran away. Yesterday Sebastian didn't wake up hating life and wanted to be held while the other two kids slept. Rarities! But they do happen and Simon says, "sometimes they warm you to your cockles." And I agree - SOMETIMES they do.


If you think I'm being too easy on myself I don't blame you. I'm aware of the vast warehouse for improvement. I'll get there one of these years but in the mean time I'll fake it till I make it like my mother (of seven) always told me to do.


88 comments:

  1. Aren't we all just faking it until we make it?!

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  2. "gather round Theo having some reverse tummy time and watch him smile and don't scratch/hit/bite him".

    This, this is why I keep coming back. That and the timeless wisdom you don't seem to realize you're imparting to the secret society of internet-connected SAHMs on a daily. Onward, comrade!

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  3. Awesome & humorous-ly presented advice as usual!

    I was taught to thank my spouse in marriage prep, and both of us have taken that very seriously. We can be understated people, but regularly thanking and being thanked for all those things that one could just as easily have left for the other to do really helps keep the good-will-tank filled up when the littles are wearing it down full-steam (by their innocent but draining nature of course!)

    And CONGRATS on coordinated naptimes! I never got that one down, but my guy was 2.75 when my 2nd was born. She basically naps in the car while I cart my son and his dad to and from their respective schools (dad 3/4 years through Pharm.D. education). Oh well - mediocrity it is!

    Thanks for keeping us laughing Grace!

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  4. @Bethany-yep!

    Also adding a #6b-woohoo for Ben and Ernesto. I'm sadly so excited for tonight

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  5. I finally made it through the entire barre section of that video. It done killed me.

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  6. Invisible ball. Genius.

    Thank you for your honest and informative post. You have given me many glimpses into what parenthood will be like and... I'm terrified. BUT your honesty and desire to have more babies despite that truth gives me hope that it really is all worth it.

    The Brayn of Chalayn

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  7. I love this! My boys are 3,2, and 8 months and most days I feel like I am drowning (which is of course exacerbated by a rather sick baby). When people come over, I warn them that the house will not be clean, my kids more than likely will not be dressed, and I will be in the same thing I slept in no matter what time of day it is that they come. I've found that the only way to survive is to get rid of everything that is not necessary (beds made, laundry folded, kids bathed).

    It doesn't help that we do cloth diapers, don't eat processed food, make everything ourselves, and all three of my kids will still nurse... BUT I am really having to learn to let my ideals go and just do what works. And I just hired maids...

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    1. um. cloth diapers + no processed food + 3 nursing children. Oh, I hope you are having a NICE chuckle at my expense. You're incredible.

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  9. And you will wake up one day when they are all grown and say - "wow, I miss the fun times when they were all little" and the missing sleep, and messy house will be faint memories that don't matter. I love to read your blog - you bring back so much that I went through with four children!

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  10. amen. alleluia. amen.

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  11. Okay so this was just what the psychotherapist ordered. We found out a bit ago that I'm pregnant with number 3. I have been in the fetal position for much of the time since as I'm barely making it without tequila each day as it is. Mary Kate is a heinous 2.5 (holy crap I hate this age) and Thomas is a precious 7 months and he'll probably never forgive me for just barely getting him to his first birthday without a new energy sucker in the house. Okay- truly I'm thankful and grateful for all the reasons you mentioned. I'm just scared s**tless and that's taking over right now. Once I breeze through this pregnancy without another bedrest, I'll be happy mommy. Plus, my vanity knows no bounds and i was finally fitting into the red skinny's I e-thrifted from you and now will get to wear them for 3 more days before they suffocate numero tres. The point of all this ranting was to say thanks for posting this today. I'm sure I'm not the only one who really needed that dose of real. Dinner may not be made every night but i can guaran-damn-tee you that the cyber mommies need your blogs waaaaay more than Simon needs shredded chicken and quinoa (or dirty grass as Ross calls is). Seriously, it's a big contribution to the mamas of the world so muchas gracias. Now, off to pray the crazies away.

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  12. You're definitely NOT being too easy on yourself. I'm amazed you do as much as you do...and I've never had 3 under 3..but I've still followed most of those rules over time. Especially the numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, 6. 8 and 9...they have been sanity savers for me.

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  13. Love your advice! You have been blessed with beautiful kids! You look amazing too!

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  14. This is so good! I love it. You and your kids are gorgeous!

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  15. I'm not a parent, and never will be by choice, but my husbo and I echo Oprah's wisdom that being a GOOD mom is the hardest job in the world. Your sense of humor is appealing, even the likes of me (a childless wonder). Your love and commitment to your three is obvious with every single post. Three cheers for you and Simon making it fun and funny for your kiddos. My parents rarely laughed, especially together, and your kids will always appreciate that their parents not only love each other, but like each other a whole bunch. Well done Camp Patton. Those of us who chose not to have kiddos but live in a world with everyone else's love your family and appreciate you!

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  16. I have 3 under 4 and YES there is a big difference between mine and yours but you must know that if you ever stop blogging I simply don't know what I'll do...serious.

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  17. For my own sanity, I thank you for saving me a trip to the confessional by NOT linking to the blog post telling moms they need to do better than chicken nuggets and not showering. I think, had I read that, it would have been the proverbial straw breaking the proverbial camel's back, only the camel in this case would be a very real me.

    In fact, even knowing that such a thing exists makes me want to go to the store, get chicken nuggets, roll in the dirt and not shower, just to spite the blogger.

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  18. So we have four (g9, b7, b5, b9m). We were coming home on Sunday after a wonderful day out at my sister's. Yet. Aaaaall he kids were crying. I turned to my husband "those years! They go by so fast!" and he replied "enjoy it while it lasts!" Because sarcasm saves lives.

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    1. LOL! Oh, this made me laugh - thank you!

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  19. My husband is constantly telling me to just chill out about the house. Though yours sounds way cleaner than mine...I did manage to get the hard french fries (when did we have french fries last?!) off the floor in the living room today.

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  20. Whenever I talk about motherhood it's usually accompanied with a sarcastic, "Oh, the joys!" I only have two and they're older than yours but, no matter how many you've got or their ages, motherhood is HARD. When my kids gave up naps I cried and cried.

    Getting out of the house really is my secret weapon. We do a million times better when we go play at the park for a couple hours.

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  21. xxx xxx
    xxx xxx

    xxxxxxxxxxxx
    x x
    x x
    xx xx xx

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    1. grrr...i just spent no less than five minutes making a big 'ole smiley face out of x's for you to show my love for this post and it got all jumbled after i hit "publish" and i love you and your blog but i'm not motivated enough to try it again because it's nap time and, as you know, there's lots of other sanity exercises i have to be getting to. :)

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    2. I thought it was a hug :)

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  22. This is even a good read before meeting child numero uno.

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  23. Loved Rachel's post - and totally loved yours!! All great advice. I always stress when the house doesn't look its best and things seems to be falling by the wayside. But sometimes you ahve to let it go. And I try and remind myself that when I go to visit a friend who's in that season, I don't care one whit about what her house looks like, and I'm as likely as not to just help her straighten if that's what she needs. Sometimes, you just have to let some things go.

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  24. I don't think you're too easy on yourself at all. Great post!

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  25. I loved every bit of this. And I very nearly started crying (slight exaggeration, but maybe not) at #3: "The first weeks and months after having a baby for me getting dressed is hell because it's just an annoying reminder that my clothes still don't fit and I'm stuck in a now familiar limbo between maternity and regular clothing." Sometimes just walking into my closet makes me want to cry. I've separated my clothes into "things that fit" and "things that don't fit" and I pine for the "things that fit" section.....until then I'll live in elastic waist banded clothes + the occasional maternity jean when I need to "dress up."

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  26. Get out of my head, Grace! i could have written this myself. Showering everyday and putt on something other than well stretched yoga pants is totally overrated.

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  27. You are awesome at being you! We all have to figure out what works for us and roll with it. I know if I didn't get my shower every morning there is no way I could make it through the day. I hope when baby #3 (in 4 years) arrives in a few short months that I will have your humor and roll with it attitude.

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  28. Grace, you are such an inspiration to me from far away:) I do have a hubby in residency, but I don't have three under three and I do not have your outlook on life! Thank you for this post...it has helped me get through till dinner time. One step at a time, right? There are some days I want to throw in the towel, but where's the sanctity in that?
    Thanks,
    Margaret

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  29. Carry on fellow soldier. Carry on.

    Thanks for breaking down the walls of perfection that we seem to see everywhere. We're all just trying to survive this crazy thing called life.

    So keep the faith!

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  30. Oh, Grace. You are my hero and always have been ever since I stumbled upon your blog. I am always amazed at how perfectly you juggle everything from Simon being gone due to residency hours to the tres amigos and on top of that...blogging daily! You're amazing! xoxo

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  31. I don't need to get dressed either. Maybe when I'm not working in a few! short! weeks! I will feel the need to get dressed, but now...nope...not so much.

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  32. Is it weird that I've been saving this to read when I finally got home from school and could relax, like a treat? Who needs to curl up with a good book... I just need a post from the Camp! Anyway, love love loved it just like always. You are the best.

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  33. If you can handle three then I can survive two. I think. Seriously though, I can relate to this entire post. After two verrrry long days, this helps me feel like I can keep my head above water and that it's normal to have lower expectations right now. It's just a season, after all, and a precious one at that.

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  34. I've been taking a break from the internet world to focus more on my kids, and I think this list is perfect! I have definitely been guilty of beating myself up for being mediocre but I am starting to realize that I shouldn't expect too much of myself, if the kids are happy, or at least alive and not miserable, then I am doing a decent job. Yes, there is always room for improvement, but with 3 under 3 (or 3 and under since the oldest turned 3 in February) no one can be expected to be perfect!

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  35. Oh, and I love the blog redesign! :)

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  36. Just ... thank you. So refreshing to read something real and honest. You rock.

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  37. NO, you're not being too easy on yourself. You're those angel-imp hybrids' mama, and if you were perfect, they'd just throw a fit until the real you arrived.

    Your List, by the way, is almost exactly what I came to conclude a couple of months back; minus the exercise (and it shows!).

    Christie @ Everything to Someone

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  38. Love this. Not that I have anything close to 3 under 3...but I still identify with it all! You are doing a great job Grace!

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  39. What a great post! I have 3 kids 3 and under as well, and it's so easy to feel like you are constantly failing. My friends and I recently had a conversation where one childless friend said she doesn't know how the rest of us all cope so well as we seem to do it 'so easily'. We were all surprised that it seemed like that from the outside, given that most of us were experiencing life as you said above: that most days are a struggle and tears from everyone are frequent. Thank you for the honesty, and great advice for coping with it all :-)

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  40. Filing this away for later! :) We have zero babies and just split an english muffin for lunch today so...it's all up hill from here, right?
    p.s. Liking the new blog design!

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  41. The blog looks great. Invisible ball gave me a big chuckle. and I really appreciate your list. especially the part about Simon-it's spot on.

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  42. The pictures and their captions! I was giggling at this post so loud the husband had to come in and see what I was reading. You're my daily pick-me-up Grace. Not that you need another job.
    P.S. My husband's the antsy nurse that is still new enough he's intimidated enough by doctors that he calls them and hangs up. Simon would love him.

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  43. You are a pro! I just have one kiddo and I look up to moms like you!

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  44. Amen. And I heartily agree about the music- it helps!

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  45. I agree on all fronts! To hell with getting dressed postpartum! The thought of trying on my pre-pregnancy pants right now terrifies me. Yoga pants forevers.
    And three under three is serious business-if you haven' t been there its hard to imagine being so buried beneath toddlers and diapers-we should start a club.

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  46. We are about to have 4 children ages three and under. So thankful for husbands who don't mind if there is no supper cooked yet when he gets home!

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  47. More power to all full time stay at home Mamas! I have finagled a part time work schedule so that I work in the morning and get the girls (nearly 3 and just 14 months) for lunch, and while they nap I work from home in the afternoon. It is pretty insane schedule but I think I would have to be locked in a mental institution if I stayed at home full time. I mean I LOVE my girls but thank goodness for preschool/mother's morning out. I am 99% sure that my work in the AM /stay-at-home in the PM is one of the biggest ways I can be a 'good' mom. Needless to say, I hear you on the dinner thing. I am not a chef (and my hubby's cooking is fabulous) so sometimes I wonder why I bother trying... I am having mom guilt over not being a good meal planner but whatever... Also when summer gets in full swing and Papa is working on all things pool 70+ hrs a week I try not to get frustrated because I do think... would I want to be working in the dirt with concrete and glue in the 95+ heat PLUS the NC humidity to provide for my family... Negative ghostwriter... loved the post!

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  48. Amen! I have eight kids, 14 and younger, and my husband travels for business - I am the epitome of imperfection (just ask my 14yo daughter!). I just keep reminding myself that nothing's perfect til I get to heaven (if I make it...which I doubt after a real tirade directed at the kids...).

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  49. Of all the things to comment on, I realize this is the most ridiculous, but what do you hold onto while you do the barre workout?? I debated buying a DVD like that, but I don't have a heavy duty chair... we do have 2 cribs...

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    1. a crib would work! We have an old wing-back chair in the basement I use but anything will work as you don't really put weight on it -- just use it for balance!

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  50. Your posts do me a world of good! I so need to read that someone else feels this way! Not that I have three under three, mind you. But I have been moving in to a new house with two under four. That's been challenging, too.

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  51. This. Is. Tough!!!! I've got six, oldest is 11, and I wish I had this insight then. Love them, feed them, find some clean underwear, be really nice to your husband, and for goodness sakes, don't get down on yourself. The Hubs keeps telling me that people probably look at me and think I"ve got it together, but when it took me two+ weeks to get the dishes done from Easter, I don't know how that can be possible. Thanks for the laughs, and thanks for the reminders. I'm afraid, I'm still in survival mode some days!

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  52. My house is basically a wreck if I have a kid under 2 in it. Which means, it's been a wreck for the past 12 years. Oh okay, when I had one kid...my house was still pretty clean and organized most of the time. Anyway, I learned after #3 came along to give myself a break and just understand the house wasn't going to be clean and organized all the time. We make the rounds with the toilet brush regularly and wipe down the bathrooms and kitchen. I refuse to admit the last time I washed bedding or vacuumed, though. LOL

    I can't imagine 2 under 2 or 3 under 3. But I definitely agree with the grateful. Definitely be grateful for every single thing. I only recently truly understand that.

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  53. ok, you convinced me...i just bought the barre dvd, now if i'm not lean and chiseled after i do the video approximately 3 times.. am i allowed to blame you? ;)

    as always impressed by your parenting skills. 3 under 3! you deserve a medal!

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  54. What a wonderful post! When my twins arrive within the next couple months, I will join the "mother of three under four" club and clinging to survival as well. Loved this, Grace!

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  55. you, grace, are a rockstar. i'm a genuinely still in shock that bash is a few months younger than parker, that you have a not yet three year old, and a three and a half month old. i find myself trying to do the math in my head like... "waiiiit, soooo bash was how old when she got pregnant with theo?" but then i give up because math is not my strong suit and instead i'm like "shit, grace is a rockstar."

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  56. Love picture number 2, with Sebastian crying, and the new blog design. This post is so great...I've been waiting for a 3 under 3 & all your tips are awesome. I live in sweats too and only get dressed when I leave the house. And I do try to get out of the house when the kids are being difficult even to just buy 3 things at the grocery store or target, so I really liked that tip.

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  57. Grace, this is great. I look up to you a million times over. Thank you so much for being so stinkin' honest and real!

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  58. You are awesome, and you keep smiling! I only have 2 and they go to preschool 2 days and still my house is a mess. Post partum meals? I'm struggling to get dinner on the table pre partum! My husband has very low expectations of me at the moment, bless his heart. Though I did suggest inviting people around for dinner Saturday and he asked me if I thought the house would be tidy by then.

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  59. Thank you for writing this. I've read a few well meaning posts that make me want to tear my hair out because they are all about the duty we have as moms and wives to be make ourselves presentable and attractive and have things all pulled together, but the way I see it we have a duty to love our families and make it through the tough times in whatever way we can. Thank you for the reminder to be grateful...I need more of that

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  60. Thanks Grace!! I love that despite your struggles - that you have "be grateful" as a tip because they are each blessings! A lot of times at night I try to practice the be grateful with Paul...although a lot of times it is easier when he's asleep.

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  61. and this is why i enjoy your blog - you are so real. it is hard.
    i wish you blogged when my 4 boys were small, but that would've been like 10 years ago.
    it looks like you are doing a wonderful job!

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  62. I have three, each two years apart, with a fourth on the way and to this blog post i offer a hearty, "AMEN!!!" because everything you said is true and even though I know it's true sometimes i still have a hard time applying it.

    so, thanks.

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  63. Well, this place just keeps getting prettier :)

    Also, I totally dig when you get all serious-ish on me. I have one kid and that is my life. Thanks for normalizing me ;)

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  64. I take care of 3 grandchildren under 3 and some day have the 4th in there who is not yet 4! Crazy and I am 56!

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  65. I love this. I don't have kids yet and (especially in blogland) I wonder how all these moms keep such an emmaculate home, put healthy REAL food on the table each night, and look so dang Pinteresty in their pictures. I have a hard time with a husband and 2 dogs!

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  66. You really are amazing and an inspiration.

    Love the blog re-design!

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  67. Oh, I don't know how I missed this yesterday! Probably the Lord's timing since today was one of THOSE days. I mean "is" one of those days. <3 hours of sleep, the Hubs is gone 'til almost 10P, baby doesn't want to nap and is teethingly crabby. Yes, one of those days. We did have to get dressed because we also HAD to go to the store, but I'm back in loungewear fo sho! Thank you for your honesty! It was just what I needed to feel normal today. Oh, and I'm going to tail that person who wrote "the other" article and out her chicken nugget eating habits. :)

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  68. PS - This article is one of my faves. http://www.stevewiens.com/2013/03/12/to-parents-of-small-children-let-me-be-the-one-who-says-it-out-loud/

    (His wife's post on postpartum body issues is wonderful as well.)

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  69. You are doing a fantastic job, Grace. My first two boys were almost 2.5 years apart and I still thought I would lose my mind. I cannot imagine 3 under 3. My oldest had (has) very poor social skills so playdates were nearly impossible and I rarely got out during those early years. I felt really isolated by motherhood. I don't think I recognized the fact that I should be enjoying those years--I just wanted to survive them. Fast forward a decade and four more kids (and another on the way-freaking out just a little,) and things are so much better now. My perspective has shifted drastically (there was a conversion in that decade!) and I have learned to enjoy my very (very) messy, chaotic life. You are way ahead of the game.

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  70. I bow down to you.

    And that second photo is so perfect.

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  71. um i love this post. and you. #creepalert

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  72. Late to the party. Excellent. You sum up the craziness perfectly. My #3 entered this world just two months after the oldest turned three. I didn't have nearly anything this insightful to reflect upon at the time. Most of my close friends weren't even married yet or maybe had one baby. Embrace the blog and all the wonderful people here who will reassure you every time that you're not crazy or scarring/scaring(?) your children for life.

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  73. just saw this and it made me totally want to hang my head in shame over my own post about surviving year one with kiddo uno-
    http://theurbanhippymomma.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-i-survived-first-year.html

    you totally win. you are a rock star and i vow from here on out never to complain again. okay, maybe just complain less...

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    1. I love that a lot of our points were so similar!!

      And NO WAY ... nothing can prepare you for your first. Truly!!! Complain away. It's my favorite thing to do.

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  74. I just made it to four kids under for but for five months it was four under three. This is truly the best advice: Let go. Don't we all try too hard at being the best. I am so hard on myself if the kids don't do letters, numbers, and books each day (you would think Rocky, my newly three year old was ateenager being forced to read a boring novel for English Lit). We make do and we push on. We try positivity and ice cream (for me, not the kids... I am not good at sharing).

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  75. Love those pictures! your family looks adorable :)


    www.vindiebaby.com
    Vintage Inspired Girls

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  76. What is ''Rachel's post'' you refer to at the start? I cant get the link to work. Just discovered your blog...thank goodness!!! I just had my 3rd boy in 4 years..I needed you!

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  77. Thank you for this. Thank you for blogging, there aren't many in my same boat around me right now. It's easy to feel like a failure! We're anxiously awaiting boy #3 any day now and have a 2&1/2yr old and 15mo old boys. I'm "literally" :) constantly wondering how in the holy world we'll do it! Seriously, there are toys everywhere, dirty dishes in the sink, and laundry folded and stacked on the back of my couch.. that won't be put away anytime soon. :) I'm trying to embrace the chaos and not let in the guilt I feel when friends see it all! Lol, even though I know they don't care at all... but still!! Anywho, thanks again!

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  78. If I had more energy, no sleeping one month old in one arm and wasn't typing with only one hand while also using it for sipping wine and eating cheesecake, I would write much more than thankyou! I just googled three under three and am reading with exhaustion tears in my eyes and joy at recognizing myse;f in your post and some comments. Three kids: daughter 2.10 years, boy 18 mths and girl 5 weeks. THANKYOU!

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  79. Thank you so much for this. My husband and I have a 20-month-old and a 3-month-old and are thinking we're nuts for wanting to get pregnant with our third! I'm so glad to hear that I'm doing alright :)
    I don't know of anyone else asked this (no time to read all those great comments!) but did you breastfeed through any of your pregnancies? I want to breastfeed my second still even if we get pregnant again but I've never heard of anyone's experience with it!

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