Three Bosses

This afternoon Kaylee was playing a game with me, (I have no idea what is was called), but it involved sleeping and being quiet and that was fine with me.  So when she told me to sleep I settled back on the couch and closed my eyes and pretended to sleep.  Granted 2 seconds later I had to open my eyes to check on Lena and make sure she wasn't about to pitch herself head first off the couch and immediately I was told by Kaylee that I was supposed to be sleeping.  So I promptly closed my eyes. Back and forth we went.  And in the 3 minutes and 42 seconds it took to play the game I realized I live with 3 very demanding bosses.  ( I believe I knew this the minute the twins were born, but this is the first time I am admitting it)

My three bosses: (ok, the list below is mostly about Karissa and Kaylee, but Lena is watching closely...)

1.  They insist I pay attention to the task at hand no matter what other distractions I may have. (Even if that distraction means certain peril for another member of the family)
2.  They expect to get what they want right now, no matter what I am doing. 
3.  They won't take no for an answer.
4.  If no continues to be the answer, they will let me know, and everyone else within a 3 mile radius, just how unhappy they are.
5.  They will try to make a bargain with me about just about anything including the number of bites of broccoli they take, how much longer they can stay in the shower and how many books are read at bedtime until they wear me down and I give in out of sheer exhaustion. 
6.  They are on to the next project before we have finished the first one. 
7.  They delegate any task they don't want to do....picking up toys, picking up clothes, putting their shoes away to me or Eric without a second thought.

And so it goes.  Of course they are the cutest, silliest bosses we have ever had and they really keep us laughing!!

Potty things

Ever since Karissa and Kaylee were potty trained at about 28 months, I have spent a lot of time in the bathroom.  I now know the intricate details of the inside of just about every playground bathroom in the area, not to mention the few restaurants we dare to take out crew as well as many discreet spots where they can pee outside when a bathroom is not handy. 

I also spend a lot of time in our own bathroom, holding hands while said business is being completed, wiping (no more details necessary), helping to get clothing on, helping to get clothing off, encouraging the process along and whatever else is needed.  Many times I get to sit on the floor while someone is "going" and doesn't want to be alone. Now I know they can go on their own, they just don't often want to.  So, just when I decide to give in and I plan to stay in the bathroom to offer moral support I am told they need "privacy," please close the door. (Of course when I need to "go" it seems like all three kids view this as the perfect time to sit on my lap.)

So imagine how happy I was the other day when both Karissa and Kaylee were in the bathroom "going" at the same time (one on the big potty and one on the small potty) apparently not concerned about "privacy," and shouting "The Grand Old Duke of York, he had 10,000 men.....
I had a full 6 minutes before I was needed to do potty helping things! 

But, as luck would have it, Lena has now decided that potty time is fun and if Kaylee and Karissa do it, she should too.  So now my little 16 month old will walk down the hall toward the bathroom saying "pee."  And guess what, more bathrom time for me!  Maybe diapers aren't so bad after all!

Since it has been so long since I have written anything on this blog I will give a quick update and move on to now.
I spent 4 weeks in Malone this fall with the girls while Eric began yet another house project, this time tearing apart the basement to fix a leak and update the early 70's look ie: paneling.  When we returned to Charlottesville at the end of November I went back to work part time at a small private outpatient clinic called PT Plus.  We have a wonderful babysitter who stays with the girls while Eric and I are both working.  I work two mornings and two afternoons a week which works out to about 4 three hour days.  Not too bad, but it does add another layer of chaos to our busy lives.....

On February 25th 2013 Kaylee and Karissa turned three effectively negating our 3 children under the age of 3 classification.  And with Lena's first birthday happening on 10/28/2012, we no longer have any children under a year!!  It doesn't miraculously change how needy each child it, but it sounds a little less busy!   

It is amazing  how much our lives have changed in a year:

March 2012:  Lena was still waking up to eat 3-5 times a night and I was pretty exhauster
March 2013:  Lena pretty much sleeps through the night with only an occasional need to be soothed
March 2012:  Kaylee and Karissa slept in pack and plays, Lena in her crib
March 2013:  Lena in a crib, Kaylee and Karissa in toddler beds
March 2012:  Three kids in diapers
March 2013: Lena in diapers, Karissa totally potty trained, even at night, Kaylee only needs a pull up at night!!  Lena interested in the potty and has used it several times......oh boy.
March 2012:  Bedtime for Kaylee and Karissa 7:00 pm, Lena who knoew
March 2013:  Bedtime for all three 8:00 pm, Lena can't get out of bed, Kaylee and Karissa can, it is now 8:52 and Kaylee has just gotten out of bed for the 6th time.......
March 2012:  Lena was rolling, Kaylee and Karissa were learning to jump on 2 feet
March 2013:  Lena walking, trying to run Kaylee and Karissa getting faster and learning to jump on one foot, jump off the wall into the pool, jump off furniture, jump off us, jump off walls
Mrach 2012:  Lena had no recognizable words, Kaylee and Karissa talking in sentences
March 2013:  Lena has over 60 words and starting to put 2 words together, Kaylee and Karissa talking in paragraphs....talking and talking and talking......and talking!
March 2012:  I believed that in a year I would have it all figured out
March 2013:  I think in a year I will have it all figured out

We are a busy, crazy sometime chaotic family, but it it amazing to see how much changes in a year, or even a few months.  We are so blessed by our little ones and I am so thankful we have each other.  More blogs to come!