the student becomes the teacher

William has definitely got the hang of how to use the potty. Even the three month poop strike has been resolved. He will poop at least once every day. Sometimes two or three times, just because it's so much fun.

One if his sisters, however, is not yet prepared to go poop on the potty. Whenever she wakes up for the day - or from her nap - it is guaranteed that I will have a dirty diaper to change. Even though I ask her before she goes to sleep to "just try" and even though I run in and whisk her out of bed as soon as I hear her start to stir.

Yesterday morning, after I changed a particularly messy diaper, I suggested that maybe William could better help her understand how to use the potty.

Without hesitation, he jumped down from his seat at the table where he was eating breakfast, ran to his potty chair, dropped his britches, plopped himself down and after a few quiet moments, hopped up and pointed to his masterpiece. He summoned his sister over and said "LOOK! See, right there? That's poop. Poop goes IN potty, NOT in you diaper." And then to further illustrate, he turned around, pointed to his backside and said "No mess. I nice and clean. Oh, it feel good!"

Meanwhile, I was laughing so hard I nearly choked on my scrambled eggs.

an amazing trip trick: what's in the bag?

There is no question that the ability to have a successful outing with multiple children, depends largely upon the the content of your bag.

Since I have an obsession with bags, I own quite a few. Typically, I carry a smaller sized backpack whenever we go out.

I find that a backpack is much easier to transport on our outings than an over-the-shoulder bag. Although, I do have a large over-the-shoulder bag that I keep fully stocked with clothes, jackets and diapers in the car.

My backpack, which I have with me at all times, consists of only two compartments: a large compartment and a smaller compartment. It also has two small mesh pockets on either side.

The large compartment holds our foldable potty seat for use in public restrooms, an assortment of diaper sizes (in a ziploc bag to keep them dry, in the off chance my water bottle sprung a leak) a package of diaper wipes and a small, light-weight receiving blanket.

Now that the kids are a little older, I don't bring along a full change of clothes for each of them in my backpack. Instead, I have a full change of clothes - pants, shirt, underwear, socks - for one 3-year old, and a full change of clothes for the baby.

In the small pocket up front, I have a sunscreen stick and a can of spray on sunscreen (within a ziploc bag in case they leak), a comb, a duck bag-dispenser (full of small trash bags - great for dirty diapers, wet or dirty clothes, or trash), and a small tube of Aquaphor - which I personally think is a magic ointment.

I also have infant Tylenol and a small first aid kit. Within the first aid kit I have band-aids, tweezers, scissors, Neosporin, a snake bite kit (because we live in southern California and you never know), nail clippers, gauze pads, paper tape, dental floss, Tylenol (for me) and a reflective security blanket.

Why a reflective security blanket ... you ask?

Because it takes up a tiny amount of space and if I ever got stranded on my way to Target, I could use it as a blanket to keep us warm (or cool), or as shelter to keep us protected from the elements. I could also use it to collect precipitation so we don't dehydrate, and because it is reflective, it can be spotted by search parties looking for us.

I like to be prepared.

I also have with me a small packet of crackers and a bottle of water, because it's a good idea to have a little something to tide you (more appropriately, your children) over as necessary until you are rescued. Or, your table is ready at the California Pizza Kitchen.

In the mesh pockets on the side, I have a small spray bottle that I keep filled with water. The spray bottle works great to do a quick rinse on dirty hands to remove gross contamination before I use a wipe.

I also use it to spritz-clean our portable potty chair, rinse off pacifiers that fell to the ground - or squirt the kids to keep them from falling asleep in the car, particularly if I want for them to take a nap when we get home.

The best use I have found for this spray bottle is to distract a child who is in the midst of a temper tantrum. I'll ask "Who wants to spray the plants, grass, car, shopping cart?" and it always stops them in their tracks.

Clipped on the back of my bag are several carabiners - which I use for anything and everything. My wallet slips inside my backpack as does my small camera and cell phone. (It took a month of lugging around the Nikon digital SLR, before I rushed out and bought a Canon PowerShot SD850 IS for my "everyday" pictures).

It's not a lot of stuff and the bag is quite compact, but I have used every single thing that I have in it, with the exception of the snake bite kit and reflective blanket. (Knock wood.)

This is the content of my "everyday" bag and I never have it packed so full of stuff that I can't get it closed. There is ample room on top to throw in sweatshirts for the kids and hats. If I need more than that (i.e. for a day at the beach), I have all of these supplies - but just move up a bag size.

Whenever we come back from an outing, I will restock whatever items were used, and store it near the front door, so the next time we are set to leave, I can just grab it and go.

I wish I could pack the kitchen sink - which would be useful particularly if I wanted to bathe the kids while we were out - but that little spray bottle is the next best thing.

What's in your bag that you can't live without?

month eight: in review

There was an audible gasp when I typed the title of this post, because it seems unfathomable to me that my little baby Henry has been here for a full eight months. Or, that in four short months, we will be celebrating your first birthday.


I really don't want to think about that. I just want for the time to pass a little bit more slowly than it has been. It seems that the days go by in such a blur of activity, that each night when I put you in to your crib, I feel a sob rising in my throat because I know that the next day you will be that much bigger and doing that much more.


As I'm typing this, you are suspended in the Bjorn, nursing. You are giving me deep belly laughs because I keep stopping to look down and gaze in to your gorgeous blue eyes. I never want to forget these amazing moments. If I could, I would keep you this size, forever.


This has been a big developmental month for you. You are pulling yourself up, crawling everywhere, and babbling nonstop. You can easily spend an hour chasing a cup or plastic ball around the house, and love to "fly" atop our gymnastic mats or couch cushions stacked on the ground.


Getting you dressed has become a lot more challenging. You are on a mission to explore as much as possible. You have absolutely no time for diaper changes. As a result, I have had to pull out all kinds of tools and utensils to keep you occupied for the thirty seconds it takes for me to get your clothes on for the day.


During a recent picnic, you searched the contents of our lunch cooler - and then took off for the beach. You didn't come back until your big sister blocked your migration to the ocean. You remind me so much of a little turtle the way you crawl - your hands flapping up and down like little flippers.


You cut your first tooth this month. Your siblings were so excited when I showed it to them and they all said this means that you are "gwowing" up. The fact that they realize that, means that they are also "gwowing" up, and the whole darn thing about passing time just makes me weepy.


We've been working, consistently, on having you nap in your crib. Although you are doing better laying down and going to sleep on your own, you much prefer when your brother is in his bed - and you can stand up in your crib and chortle at him. This works great both ways, because he is quite a comedian and loves to make you laugh.


This month has primarily been defined by you being on the MOVE. Last month, you were barely able to crawl and this month, you are zipping around the house like it's nothing. Your speed makes it very difficult to take photographs of you, since whenever you see the camera - you'll come crawling after me. Not only is it difficult to get you in to focus, but before I know it, you are there - pulling the straps in to your mouth.


Our family adores you, Henry and I am so proud of your big brother and sisters. Except for when they shove a pacifier in your mouth and eat the Cheerios of your highchair tray before you can get them - they are kind and patient and gentle with you.


You are especially smitten with me at the moment. Whenever I come in to the room, your face will erupt in to a huge smile and the look of adoration and love in your eyes melts my heart, every time. Rest assured my beautiful baby boy ... the feeling is mutual.

the big 4-0

With Henry taking naps during the morning, our routine of getting out of the house immediately after breakfast has been somewhat derailed.

This morning, while Henry napped, the kids were running in and outdoors while I tried to fold yet another load of laundry. As is often the case when we don't get out of the house immediately after breakfast, chaos reigned.

The kids were trying to bring toys from the sandbox inside and they were trying to bring toys from the inside, outside. If I were more lenient, this wouldn't be a problem. But I really don't want to have a dump truck full of sand in our living room, nor the life-sized panda bear covered in mud.

Eventually, I just pushed everyone outside, closed and locked the door and quickly folded the laundry while the kids splashed around with their water table - and drenched the clothes that I had just dressed them in 15 minutes, prior.

When Henry woke up, I loaded everyone in to the car and took off for one of the local parks.

So what if it was 11:30 AM?

So what if I didn't pack a picnic lunch?

So what if our timing for leaving the house and arriving at the park - and leaving the park and driving home to eat lunch so that the kids would still go down for an afternoon nap - only afforded us 15 minutes of play time?

We needed to get out. Even if for only 15 minutes. And at least they were in dry clothes.

While the kids were blowing off steam at the park and I was pushing Henry in the swing, I was thinking that on Valentine's Day, the triplets turned 40-months-old. Not that I really think about them as being aged in "months" any more, but they have grown and changed so much, that the developmental differences are huge from what they were just a few short months, ago.

So I don't forget this moment in time, I want to jot down a few thoughts on this stage of their lives.

William is the most articulate speaker in the group. He will say things that absolutely floor me. Things like "I'm going to get a cup of coffee, and then I'm going to get on a plane and fly to Africa." He is reasonable and because of that, I have more patience with William than I do either of his sisters. Even though he loves to dress up with the girls, he is all boy. He will run through the house, pound on his chest, and jump off the tallest structures at the park. Ever since Charlie talked with him, he is almost completely potty trained. Several nights last week, he woke up from a sound sleep to come find us, because he needed to use the toilet.

He has shattered all the perceptions I had about girls talking sooner and being potty-trained before boys.


He has assumed the role of peace keeper. When Charlie and I have animated conversations, William will throw his hands up and say "Mommy. You tell Daddy I'm SORRY. Daddy. You tell Mommy I'm SORRY. Now, you go HUG and be kind!" I love it when he does this. Except for when Charlie and I are trying to have a serious discussion - and are constantly being interrupted by our three-year-old who will not stop talking unless we are embraced in each other's arms.

Elizabeth is the biggest tease in the group but is also the most kind and gentle. She will take something that some one else has and run away - as fast as she can - just to see their reaction. She is the child that will wander the farthest at the park and cause my blood pressure to spike. At the moment, she frustrates me more than her siblings, but she also possesses the ability to warm my heart with her unending sweetness. She is the child that will give you her last slice of apple - or candy from her Halloween bag.


She loves her dolls and everything for Elizabeth must be pink. She is currently going through a Princess phase, and thankfully, has come full circle on potty training. Although, she has not received her princess bike back, because she hasn't asked for it - and I just remembered. She is so excited about her upcoming trip to see Noni and Jimbo, that she can hardly sit still.

Carolyn is absolute sweetness and an absolute tyrant, wrapped in to one. She will smack someone in the head with a toy - and then rush to get them a band aid. She is the tallest and the heaviest of the trio, and is by far the most dominant. If someone has something that she wants, she will take it from them. She will knock them down, stand on top of them, hijack their toy, and walk away as if to say "What?"

She is sassy, and even though I love it when she throws her hands on her hips and acts defiant, we are working on her cheekiness because what is cute at three, will become bratty at four. She rules the roost at home, but she is extremely shy when we go out in public. She is the child that will bury her head in my legs and not make eye contact with anyone at the park. Although she is doing very well with potty-training, we aren't fully there yet. I bought a bag of M&M's last week specifically to entice her and when I asked if she would go poo-poo for an M&M she politely replied "No, thank you."

So. I ate them all.

Children are a great mystery. They are capable of creating such happiness and joy ... and yet they also have the ability to create turmoil and havoc, to the point that I fear I am losing my mind.

Every night, when I tuck the children in to bed and we recite our nightly prayers, it almost always happens that I will apologize for something that I did during the day that was a direct result of my inability to procure patience at the exact moment I needed it. But during our nightly prayers, I also thank our children for coming in to our world. I am so glad that they are here. They give us a purpose. They bring meaning to our lives. They make me enjoy everything about life, that much more.

Especially the moments of quiet.

***

Here the kids are from breakfast this morning. Not that an explanation is really necessary, but I'll provide one, anyway.

William climbs in to Elizabeth's chair and says "What have you got there to eat?"

"Juice, William. That's my orange juice!"

"Wow. Can I have some?"

"OK, here you go. You can have a sip."

"You are a nice sister, Elizabeth. I want to give you a kiss."

"Oh no you don't. BUSTER."

"Alright. Maybe just a little kiss. I suppose."

"Oh... what's that my sister Carolyn has to eat?"

"I love yogurt! Can I have some?"

I then had to put my camera down because when William went to have another bite, Carolyn shoved him off the chair. He landed on the ground and cried for the next hour. Carolyn went in to time-out. And Elizabeth pulled a half-dozen of eggs off the counter.

That perfectly sums up this age. Pure love. Pure fighting. Pure chaos.

Adorable. Most of the time.

time lapsed, 22 minutes

Yesterday, Charlie told me that the things the children do, which really seem to annoy me, don't affect him at all. So I told him that if he had so much patience, maybe he should get up with the children this morning, while I stayed in bed nursing Henry.

That was at around 7:00 AM.

By 7:03, I could hear the festivities unfold. Mostly, what I could hear were the sounds of toys being dumped all over the floor and scattered throughout the house. The house that we had spent much of last night cleaning and organizing once the kids went to bed.

Charlie was futilely asking, "Guys, do you need to do that?"

By 7:08, I could hear the fighting begin.

Charlie was starting to referee. "Gracie. Elizabeth had that. William, there is more than one block in this house. Go find another one."

By 7:11, the destruction began.

My husband was flustered, "Why are you knocking things off the table, just to DO it?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! STOP DOING THAT!"

By 7:15, the three-year-old demands began. Everyone wanted something.

"I WANT JUICE IN DA BUTTERFLY CUP!"

"DAT MY BUTTERFLY CUP!"

"NO MINE!"

"MINE!"

"MINE!"

"AAAARGH, AAAAAAARGHH!! AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!"

"MINE!"

Around 7:20, I picked up the phone receiver in our bedroom, and called the base, which is located in the kitchen. I could hear it ringing and Charlie let out an exasperated sigh before answering "Yes. Hello."

He was surprised to hear my voice on the other end.

In an exaggerated sleepy voice, I said "Hi. I'd like to order some fresh squeezed orange juice and your organic fruit parfait with a side of whipped cream."

There was silence and then Charlie said, "Jen, my head is about to POP like a zit."

And that concluded my morning of sleeping in.

my wild life

After a week of being with the kids - all day, every day, by myself - Charlie will usually take the children off somewhere for a few hours on Saturday morning, after breakfast, so that I can have some time alone. On these days, I have found that the sounds in our house are always a little bit louder. The whining a little bit whinier. The fighting a little more severe.

Subsequently, the degradation of my patience happens just a little bit faster.

While I was cleaning up from breakfast, every one was talking at once. William was standing in front of me asking "Mom, did you buy this shirt in the store?" Elizabeth was asking "Did you see my TWO bunnies?" and Carolyn was pointing to a shiny red apple, the most obvious looking piece of fruit in the entire world, and asking "What's this?!"

To William, I responded "Yes."

To Elizabeth, I responded "In your room."

To Carolyn, I responded "An apple."

But those answers did not satisfy my kids. They just kept drilling me with questions, over and over and over again. And then, Charlie, started to tell me something about his upcoming trip, just as the baby started crying.

This is the symphony I heard, "What store?" "You go get my TWO bunnies?" "This an apple?" "To fly up north instead of driving..." "Wahhhhhh!!!" "What store?" "You go get my TWO bunnies?" "This an apple?" "Will save us at least 8 hours..." "Wahhhhhh!!!" "What store?" "You go get my TWO bunnies?" "This an apple?" "Not to mention a bundle on gas..." "Wahhhhhh!!!" "What store?" "You go get my TWO bunnies?" "This an apple?" "And the wear and tear on our car..." "Wahhhhhh!!!" "What store?" "You go get my TWO bunnies?" "This an apple?" "I'll rent a van..." "Wahhhhhh!!!" "What store?" "You go get my TWO bunnies?" "This an apple?" "Car seats will be installed when we get there..." "Wahhhhhh!!!" "What store?" "You go get my TWO bunnies?" "This an apple?" "And I guess I can bring sleeping bags for the kids..." "Wahhhhhh!!!" "What store?" "You go get my TWO bunnies?" "This an apple?" "..." "Wahhhhhh!!!" "What store?" "You go get my TWO bunnies?" "This an apple?" "Wahhhhhh!!!"

Charlie stopped talking and said - a split second before it would have happened, "Wow, I'm looking in your eyes and your pupils are starting to quiver. It looks like you're ready to explode. Are you alright? Do you need to take off and go somewhere?"

I responded, "NO. I'd like it very much, though, if YOU would take off and go somewhere and take all of these little people WITH you."

Charlie vacated the premises with four children, and while he was outside washing cars - I cleaned the bathrooms. I poured myself a mimosa, grabbed my iPod and headphones and scrubbed toilets while listening to The Cranberries.

I had such a fantastic time, I really wonder how a week in Florida will stack up.

Last night, we had a birthday celebration. Not for any person in our family, but for anyone that had a birthday on February 29th. Considering the day only comes once every four years - that's enough of a reason for us to celebrate with cake and ice cream.


We are a crazy bunch, we are.