Life with 5 kiddos

These next couple of weeks Stephen is going to be crazy busy. I'm not really looking forward to it--but, I've managed before and I will again. :) At least his being crazy busy isn't all that common--not like my friend whose husband works finance in NYC. She's a wonder woman.

Anyhow, Monday started out a little rough. Trevor was congested all night, and when he did sleep he was so noisy he kept me awake. I ended up sleeping in until after 9am. I have to say that I have an amazing daughter. Amazing!! When I got up everyone was dressed, fed and had all their morning chores done. In fact, they were playing outside in the snow!

I learned later that Lincoln had had a poopy diaper and his diaper had come undone...so when Elise went to change him the diaper was hanging down one leg and he was covered in poo! She put him in the bath and swished out his poopy pjs. And the whole time she was concerned that the water running would wake me up. She helps put Lincoln down for naps, or holds the baby while I do that. She makes pancakes and gets snacks and can get both babies in their car seats. She does her school work without being reminded (she had most of it done this morning before I ever got up--and I was up early today!) and is always willing to help out.

The rest of Monday went well--I made bread, played games, watched "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition", (their favorite show!) and had FHE and prayers, all with the kids, because that's how we roll here. Elise and Mason made dinner--their favorite: Macaroni & cheese with hot dogs and beans. We had a "romanticky" meal with a tablecloth, candles and our new Christmas stoneware (another sweet thrift store find!). Sammy & Lincoln took a bath while the others cooked. The bath is my new dinnertime babysitter. :) Stephen got home a little after 10pm.

I feel like I'm falling behind. The piles are beginning to grow--on my counter, in the hall, on my dresser, in the front room....But I'm simply not able to do everything right now. It seems like just when I'm about to get something (as in clutter clean up) done Trevor needs to nurse or Lincoln has a poopy diaper or Mason has a new invention to show me or it's time for school or lunch or ballet or dinner.

Yesterday I got in my workout clothes and was all set to do my Jillian workout--I had it all planned out (I should have known something would happen!): Trevor had nursed recently and was asleep, so I could work out, get a quick shower and then do school and nurse the baby. Well, Trevor woke up, Lincoln had a poopy diaper and the kids all decided to do the work out with me. Then Trevor needed to nurse so we did school right then. And then it was lunch time. Put the baby to sleep, make lunch, soothe the baby, put Lincoln down for his nap, nurse the baby, finally take my shower! Only 3 hours later!

Mason's ear was really hurting him yesterday, and when Mason complains of pain, I know it's bad. The last time I took him to the doctor he had a double ear infection, but hadn't even noticed! Sammy woke up in the middle of the night because "it felt like mice were biting my legs." Lincoln is currently cutting molars, so isn't sleeping well, and Elise has an uncomfortable-sounding cough. I cut the boys' hair today.

I think that once I get a good night's sleep (which is totally relative with a newborn!) I won't feel quite so far behind. I do enjoy this time of life!! I know there are things that only happen with my babies in the newborn stage--the cooing and new smiles and curling up and swaddling, along with the frequent nursings and diaper changes and night-time wakings. It's all par for the course. It, too, shall pass. And I'm sure I'll miss it.

So,

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait 'til tomorrow
For babies grow up, I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.