Yes, my hands are full

A while back I posted on comments you hear as a Mom, especially when you're out and about. I have to admit, I love to go out alone....why, then people know these are my boys. Yes, I have twins, no, they are not triplets. Yes, they are close in age. Yes, I have 3 kids 3 and under....but not for long. Soon, I'll have a 4 year old and two 2 year olds. I'm sure people will still think I have triplets, but that's ok. I just love my kids, and it's fun to show off them (and all the hard work I know that goes into them). There are a few times that (when I'm in a hurry), it's hard to get stopped often, but most of the time I enjoy it. I guess I just love talking about my kids. The comments I enjoy, are when I find out others are twins or have twin children. That's fun. And one of my favorites, is when the commentor knows how blessed I am. I agree! I am!
So, even if I have to hear and reply to 1,000 "Wow, your hands are full", in my heart I know it's full of love, too!

Everything changes once you have twins (and more)....

Below is an interesting multiples blog I read and a item I would never have dreamed of using....my thoughts follow below.....




                                                How do you feel about child harnesses?

The child harness... (or "leash" as some call it,) is a hotly debated topic among moms. As parents of multiples, our safety concerns just might make them a little more acceptable. What do you think?

This week's Question of the Week is:

How do you feel about child harnesses?

• Do you use them? Why or why not?
• How do your kids react to them?
• Do you think they are an example of laziness, or simply concern over your child's safety?
• If you are against them, do you think it's more acceptable for a parent of multiples to use them?
• Do you think negatively of other parents that use them?

This is a touchy subject I've found personally {I'll tell more in a bit}. Once I was in the place of being a Mom of a 20 month old and twin baby boys....well, I began to think of the things that could make my life and my children's lives better. 
I started to realize as my children made it from crawling to walking (@ 10 & 11 months) and I had their older brother who was 30 months (whatever that is in years, I'm not good at math). I began to see I still had a lot of teaching, guiding and training to do. I wasn't able to go on walks alone, unless I had a stroller and/or back back for my little ones. I began to think of the future, what it would hold for me. I am an active, social person, though having 3 kids has changed that a lot. So, I began to look online and found a double harness/leash that would work for my 2 boys (it does have the option to buy more, but I was hoping my oldest son would listen to me). The first time we tried it out (all camo....to hide dirt, but you can get them in different colors and patterns) we made it from our front door to the lawn. Yes, I know....not very far, but I quickly realized this tool I had would need to be partnered w/training. It was not  as easy as a stroller where they are safely contained (and enjoying the ride). I realized that this tool would help me be more independent and mobile with my boys, but first I would have to make sure they were a bit more sure on their feet and teach them how we go for a walk. {By the way, even w/ a leash, if we are in the street I make them hold my hands, and yes, I have figured out how to walk w/ 3 toddlers holding my hands, the leash is just a back up for one who forgets to hold on, or lets go = SAFETY}. So with all the different opinions, I found once a Mom of 3 boys all mobile, that I wanted them all to live!
To answer the questions of this wonderful site..... above,
I may have thought they were lazy or the parent didn't have  the proper control over their child (I have learned a lot having 3 boys...and my views have changed). Yes, I may have even viewed them as cruel, even the ones that have the cute back pack stuffed animal w/a leash on it.
My kids did well w/them, they never fought them, and now are use to them. I've used them to walk to our mail box, go to the library and hopefully more places in the future. I would suggest practicing w/them in the house or in a fenced yard first to get the child used to them and obeying your voice, so that your outings are more enjoyable and your child knows what the harness is there for.
I think they are a great tool, and am thankful for them. When I see multiples wearing them, I just smile to myself, knowing. Yes, what a great tool!
Side note.....I do have family memebers that think they are cruel, that I'm hurting my child, and they don't 'believe' in them. But I think that once you've had either a very active child and/or multiples, your concern for their saftey is at the top of your list....and so we use the doube harness. {Our 3 year old listens well, and mostly holds our hands....of course, there are those times, I think I should have one more harness = SAFETY}. I don't have any pictures since I usually use it when my husband is at work. But I'll try to get one to show later.....

Full days = full heart

Equals a busy life for this ever changing procrastinator (though no longer a perfectionist of the worse sort, just sorta). So many thoughts through out the day that I would love to share, but when it comes time to share, they are gone...and all I can dream of is sleep.
I did just get to go away for over 24 hours to a bridal shower and bachelorette party....in Tahoe!  Adam gladly watched the kids (this wasn't so when they were babies and you know how scary a baby can be to a man...well to a lot of men, this isn't a diss, it's just fact)....and I completely enjoyed my time away, and am just now catching up on sleep. Did I mention I Love my husband! (Not just for watching our munchkins all weekend). I got to celebrate a friend who is getting married, we talked marriage, real marriage, the good, the hard, the nitty gritty and all that we've learned (so far). I am so thankful for friendships that can stay together over time and changes. And yeah for getting to love and celebrate my friend, Ms. Powers....she's losing a good last name, but gaining a great man. I don't know if I'll get over calling her by her last name (maiden)....that is.
It was wonderful to be with my sisters (blood and ones I call sister) and am looking forward to our time together next month = wedding! I get to be in it, oh, and somehow decorate (and bake) the cake for the wedding. I've got my Mom on board, so in between her own 6 kids (that is the ones left at home, but all will be coming home for this event = 13+) and real estate, she's gonna help me, so I can get ready (spend time) with the bride to be. I didn't over-commit, I just have a great (and crazy fun) Mom. {history fun fact: I taught my mom to decorate cakes, when she bought a bakery and told me I was now in charge of decorating = a dream, but not a lot of skill. Let me tell you, I learned really fast to get good!!!! Hours of practicing in between selling donuts}.
I never feel like I've got it together, but I feel like I'm always learning. I wish I had it all together, but nope. I'm learning to manage my home, train my kids, take care of myself, enjoy chore charts (I do have one, but am still learning to do it every single day). Today {I'll brag at what I'm learing}, I was going to do ALL the chores I didn't get done this week (or 1/2 of last weeks) due to tax prep, home selling paperwork, and a family budget we were compiling.....and then I remembered this is why I have my chore chart, not to slack off and then spontainously do 5 in one day and 'hate' it. So, I just did todays (and love it).....it's all about consistency in life {and w/kids}. REALLY someday I'll get this.
I'm trying to enjoy my 'dying' times....along w/times of life (this is all word pictures). For the most part I do feel very blessed, but when I get frustrated and realize I am not a patient mom, and that I need to work on myself and love my kids in new ways....it's kinda revealing, ya know. I learn daily that I have to learn to love, by giving of myself to my kids/family. It's in small and big things, but I really want to get this...love. I know it's basic, kids are so simple with their love. It's sometimes just hard for me to die to my selfishness, or change my bad habits becuase they dont' benifit my family (Or myself).
Just in case Auntie Ambie reads this, Kyle came and gave me a big hug after I changed his diaper...he initiated it on how own!!!! Loved it! 1 1/2 and already giving hugs (and love).
It's time to prep dinner (I start really early....so it's actually ready when we are).....so long, and hope to write soon, very soon.

 

Great grandma Joyce and all my little men

I have decided.....

I have decided that I'd like out of survival mode. Round and round I go....and where I'm going, no one knows. {hmmm, maybe i've read too many nursery rhymes. By the way some of those are a bit intense and I don't think they are really for little children}.
Back to my thoughts and goals. I'm tired, but I need to summon the energy to push a bit more and jump this hurdle. If you've every gone rock climbing ( I did when I was in shape, a.k.a. before babies) and you have to give it a few very last pushes/lunches/reaches up....even when you have NO strength left....let me just say the noises/groans are not so lady like, but it's the very deepest of the energy you can muster. (ok, so maybe I wasn't in that great of shape..hmmm...).
I want out of survival mode with my 3 toddlers....as much as is reasonable. It's not fun at first, but it's already starting to feel better, like when you eat healthy or excersice....it becomes fun as you do it.
Step 1 = a chore chart...yes, I must confess I'd thought of it before (and when venting/talking/complaining/asking for advice from my mom) she suggested it. I resisted....I didn't want such a set regimine....I'm already tired and working a lot. I didn't want to fail if I didn't succeed. It got easier, really. I decided I needed one. Adam and I did it together....so he could see what (how hard I work) I do all day and what he can do to help after work or on the weekends w/ our extra chore chart. Of course, you can't put it all on paper, but it has helped tremendously. My kids will someday have one, I grew up with one. For now my kids help w/diapers, putting their dirty clothes away, toy pick up and being them.
This is just the beginning.....did I mention I'm making time to work out a bit....a few days a week. And since I cut out dairy and wheat in Dec (the week of Christmas, not so fun).....I'm gonna work on setting up more menus that incoporate no dairy or wheat.....
I am feeling like I'll be out of this survival mode and into enjoying life. And maybe even enjoying dishes.
My fun goals: are to spend more time being intimate w/ Jesus....just taking the time to hang. For now that's during my dishes. I decided to pick my hardest task to have my music on and worshipping....it's getting fun, dancing w/ my dishes. AND to spend more time w/ my family/friends.....succeeded at few fun playdates....and great visit at Mary's house
Ok, time to relax and clean my kitchen, but not in that order. (I'm laughing if you can hear me).

I have more on my heart....but will share some of it soon. I should add blogging to my schedule of fun!!!!

Blogging and Asparugus

Ok, just a funny title {eating up veggies that needed to be eaten and blogging}. Just got done putting up our tree and (some) ornaments. The kids were really too small to do it, still....and so we ended up protectiong them from the onrmanets and the ornaments from them....but the tree is up. The rest of the decorating happens at night. I remember my mom doing that with our family....little ones in bed who couldn't comrehend the idea of decorating and then not touching the tree anymore after that time. Taking notes on that one.
Did I mention recently that i love my 3 toddlers, who are slowly beginning to all act 2 years old at the same time?! At least I'm in the mode of being a 'good' mommy when they are acting up. I know we have more to come....but this is my first time at it....and I get to do it x's 3.
I don't have too much to say...since I'm just trying to get my life organized {as usual} and need to get a crying napper up.
Will write more when I have more energy (just had the flu, not so fun)......and get up some pics once I actually have some to post.
Merry Christmas....and can't wait to have time to write some more....

3 toddlers = How many strollers?

You can never have too many strollers, contrary to popular opinions in my home (um, Adam, my husband, who is a clean and organized person and thinks they clutter our garage). I have found you need many for each and every different kind of outing. I'm sure my cousin, Faith will attest to this necessity, too.
I am a mom who enjoys babywearing, but sometimes there are days, the stroller is in high demand.
I've noted before some of my baby wearing combos I've attempted....(I think it's under babywearing)...and am still playing around with.
Back to strollers, Adam likes a clean garage, let me preface, and right now, no, it doesn't look like that.
I have gotten rid of a single stroller that worked with a infant car seat, no longer in need of a single. I only have 4 strollers now.
My single umbrella, my double umbrella (minus the umbrellas), my triple long Peg Prego (which was a gift second hand to me, and has now lost 2 of the 3 sunshades - lots of Vit. D in our family), and my most favorite all around, the Valco Tri Mode single....and more on all of these.
The single umbrella - a good go to, quick errand with Colby only (Colby is my oldest going on a whole whopping 3 years).
The double umbrella - a good go to for a quick in and out of the car (which I really try to refrain from every even needing to do this), I can put both twins in and Colby 'helps' push {he is really holding on for safety}, or a twin and Colby in the stroller and then putting a twin in a baby carrier of some type, usually my Ergo.

My triple long, good for the Fair, though terrible turning ability. I've used it for walks around my neighborhood when I want to go more than 1 mph. Meaning all 3 kids are in it. But it's very big for storage, takes about 5 mins to put together and 5 mins to take apart. I loved it when they were little....though I really needed something for 2 infants and 1 toddler, my choice, just stay home (for that phase). I think I'll be craigslisting it soon to go to my upgrade a stroller fund...

The Valco....a few of my friends turned me onto this, and though pricey, was a gift at Colby's baby shower. I loved the fact that I could attach the infant seat (with an attachment that I of course bought), later it became my everywhere stroller (didn't have an umbrella stroller, yet, when Colby was little)....a bit heavy and big to lift and load, but great for all terrains. I have a Honda Pilot that I load up everything in my large back area (second line of seats are down). I'm short enough {if I was a runner} that Valco would work as a jogger for me. But off-road hikes and trails were possible with this baby {baby and stroller}. When I found out I was pregnant with my 2nd baby {really 3rd pregnancy} (we didn't know until 5 1/2 months we were having twin boys)...I proceeded to get ready to pack away my rain cover, my sun insect cover and get ready to buy the twin seat that attaches to it. So it's a double 'long', though it's not long at all. I love being able to turn it with one hand....especially when I've got Colby in tow, walking or 'helping' me push. It has a great sunshade built in for both the regular seat and one you can purchase for the toddler seat, which both my twins can use....easily. The sunshade (I broke, I guess I didn't open it properly and bent the mental repeatedly....until, it broke, but still functions)......has a net in back, and that can work (I've found) as a good head support for the one who passes out in front. I usually either put both twins in or Colby and a twin, and wear the other baby.

Now, onto....my next pick. The The Valco double tri mode with a toddler seat. I know there are a lot out there for moms of 2 or maybe more...but it's hard to really find one for me. I found a few on an Australian website that looked great for 3-4 kids! I wish they were closer or I lived there, ha, ha. I guess not as many moms of multiples or children close in age go out? Well, I love to be on the go, I do admit it's slowed down due to so many nap times, but I like to be able to get out when I can.
We were at the air show, juggling our kids around with the Valco and the Ergo.....and I ran into a fellow mom of twin boys, who had a big brother the same age as Colby...and little did I know the Vaclo came out with  a double side by side, with a toddler seat on the front, that you can buy a sun shade for....! As you can probably tell I am really excited! I have since then looked around for them....I'm gonna watch Craigslist for one...I did see a good deal, but didn't jump on it. I think since then they've also come out with some upgrades on this new model!
For me, and my kids, who are close in age....I'm hoping to start finding a good deal...and then hopefully sell (some) of the ones I have. Did I mention the new one at Valco...also has a step for the back, so you could actually have 4! Gotta be prepared....right.