The New Normal

I found an old never published post, that made me laugh. I sound so terrified and overwhelmed and scared. It must have been the sleeplessness. The vast difference between then and now really struck me because now life with three is our new normal. Getting all three changed, fed, dressed and out of the house is an everyday activity and quite routine.

I've now know just how easy it is to give three children a bath at the same time and that it's okay to let one cry while you are tending to another. And along the road I've learned a few things, like

• always have sippy cups filled with water, milk or juice ready to go in a low level of the fridge so that your little ones can help themselves when you are nursing
• when properly incented, your potty trained child will sit for hours reading books to the potty training child while she waits for something to happen
• teach the older ones how to give the baby a bottle while in the car
• an at home playdate with one or two well behaved friends is the best activity because it allows for tons of playtime while not disrupting the baby's schedule
• do a little bit of laundry everyday (rather than ALOT of laundry once a week)
• it is possible to nurse a baby and put shoes and socks on a two-year-old at the same time
• sleeping counts as "me" time as it's pretty much the only time I am without babies (but, hey, at least I'm getting sleep)

People keep asking me how I'm doing, or how I'm able to manage, but it's no longer a big deal it is just what I do. Everyday. Sure there are moments of pure chaos, but for the most part that is fleeting. There is also so much love and joy.

Chris and I couldn't be happier walking through life with these three. I can't wait to see what the next day, month and year will bring.