September 23, 2013
Editor's Note: This is my blog. I'm allowed to rant and document some of the no-so-pleasantries of raising two.
While I have met some twin or triplet moms via message boards on the interwebz, I don't have too many where I am close enough to know their day-to-day successes and challenges. The past week has been full of a few ups and what seemed like many downs for myself and for the family.
Tyler was kept home for 3 days because of a cold, with a fever spiking approximately every 8 hours, so day after day we had to keep him home. Man, one kid is so f%^&ing easy, yet so sad because they want to be together! While Matt and I both had one on one time with T, it is laced with thoughts of how our life would be different had we had one at a time. There are so many fun things that we aren't able to do alone and many day to day things we can't do alone.
For example, bath time is a two adult activity, each and every time for the past year, and we don't see this changing anytime soon. There has been one bath night in the past, oh 9 months, where they were good listeners and it could have been accomplished without injury or time outs (which isn't possible mid-soaping!) with only one adult - 20/20 hindsight.
I can't take them to parks alone ... I can't take them on any lengthy shopping trips or multi-stop errands ... I can't take them to indoor play places, non-toddler friendly houses, or other fun things alone. While I am constantly told, "oh they behave so well," it's not that I can't, it's not SAFE for me to take them to these places alone. They run in opposite directions without fail - no joke. We met up with friends a year or so ago at a park and as we walked in carrying them, we said to your friends, "Talk to you later." At the moment we set the boys down, we each watched "our kid" until we crossed paths and switched, so I could get pictures of both! At the end of the park visit, the friends looked at us and said, "They really do go in opposite directions!!" While Matt will always work some evenings and some day shifts and weekends, we have learned how to make it work, but I feel sometimes that we are depriving T&Z of experiences that will shape them, teach them, and give them joy.
They are little sponges and while I want them to have these experiences, I can't jeopardize their safety or my sanity as their mommy. Three will be a tough age, from what I hear, along with joys of potty training, but hopefully times will get better.
We took advantage of a weekend day Matt had off and tried out the National Zoo in DC. We arrived around 930a after hitting some traffic on our way there. I wasn't impressed and didn't feel we saw that many animals - they all seemed to be sleeping or hiding. The boys were only slightly excited a few times and mostly just wanted to run away from us. Thankfully Uncle Daniel & my cousin Jessie (who just started at GW in DC) joined us so they helped manage the stroller while Matt and I chased and tried to redirect to stay together. We left when they started melting down about 2 hours after we arrived. They fell asleep on the way home for 35 minutes and then played in their cribs for 2 straight hours instead of napping. Let's just say the afternoon was less than stellar with lots of tears and whines.
We'll try again in a few months to see if they are ready for excursions more than 20 minutes from the house .... until then I'll try not to feel too defeated ....
Case in Point: Dinner tonight ... just hours ago .... grilled chicken aka poison!
