Thursday, December 31, 2009

Adapting to life with triplets

How do we find time to do menial things like wash bottles by hand, you ask? Well, we've learned to multi-task with the best of 'em and do everything three times as fast. Seriously. :D

There's rarely a moment these days that I'm not doing 2 or 3 things at once. Pumping, typing and chewing can all be successfully accomplished together, you can fix bottles while holding a baby, or have your morning coffee while reading news online and feeding/burping a baby.

It's a crazy juggling act most days, especially when all three girls want to be held simultaneously. I feel completely overwhelmed much of the time, but despite these moments of inadequacy, I'm lovin' it.

My parents are helping out a lot and are staying with us for a few months, my friends are cooking and delivering meals for us so I can have precious time with my babies in addition to some (interrupted) sleep (I have the most incredible friends), my husband took time off when the girls first came home, then worked a few weeks, and has taken some more time off over the holidays. Despite all of the multi-tasking
and help, sleep is a rare commodity as I'm continuing to pump breast milk every three hours. I'm now managing to sleep slightly longer periods without getting blocked milk ducts. I still get horribly engorged and have to pump longer to get comfortable again, but it's so worth it to get a bit more uninterrupted sleep.

Many of the feedings run into one another without a breather in between, but I realize this too shall pass. There have been some (spectacularly hormonal!) tears of frustration along the way - mostly as a result of sleep deprivation - but I wouldn't have my life any other way. Okay, maybe I'd like my life with a little more sleep, more time with my husband and less time spent pumping, but other than that, life is pretty darn good.

Even though the trio is only two months old, I can't imagine life without my daughters in it.

Our babies are so precious right now. As hard as this newborn phase is, I don't want to miss a moment. I have one shot at kissing their fuzzy little velvety heads, snorting their sweet after-bath baby smells, laughing at their barnyard noises and un-ladylike farts and burps and unbelievable diaper blow-outs, marveling at their chubby leg creases, and watching their cherub-y cheeks fill out each day.

It still feels surreal when I look at them and realize we have triplets. Three babies. Ours. To care for and love. I had always hoped to have children (plural), but never in a million years thought I would have the experience of raising triplets. Who has triplets anyway?!

These realizations are particularly intense when I think back to where I was - mentally - a year ago. Childless, feeling hopeless, trying to come to terms with an Endometriosis diagnosis in addition to the male factor issues and contemplating a future without children... What a difference a year makes.

13 comments:

Michele said...

What a difference indeed. Happy 2010

Carrie said...

I am SO grateful for what this year has brought you. I still remember reading your post after IVF #1 failed, crying with you and for you. This is SUCH a tremendously difficult thing we are doing and as you say, we get the extra joy of loving three babies! Triplets are amazing - and sometimes I look at all three and think, "REALLY? 3?!?" but here we are!

Here is to another wonderful year for your family. So much love to your girls from my boys!

jenicini said...

Beautiful post. Enjoy your girls. :) Happy New Year!

R.J. said...

What a difference indeed! I know you're doing an incredible job and your girls are so luck to have you. Happy new year!

Anonymous said...

Seems like a life with babies. I'd be so interested to know how you feel a year from now and whether that feeling of disbelief and surrealness has solidified somewhat. I am interested in finding out more about that feeling of disbelief - particularly for women who have endured long-term infertility (yearning for a baby) who finally succeed (some more than others) in having a baby/ies. Yes, sleep deprivation is a factor....although I do think there is a greater adjustment period than for women who have babies without blinking an eye ;) .......SO SO Proud of You and you keep that optimism up - you need it.....you can't do without it....your babies need you! XXX Love and Hugs, S

The Old White Barn said...

Best wishes for you and your family - I can only imagine how hard it is to juggle everything! But, sounds like you've got it under control!
Susan

Anonymous said...

More pictures pleeeease! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE BUNCH OF YOU! 2010... this time next year and you'll have crawlers/walkers...tee hee... oh, babblers...and perhaps some mini-tantrums too....all in the life of mommy-hood :)

My Endo Journey said...

Happy New Year!

myletterstoemily said...

blessings on your three sweet angels!

Tam said...

What a wonderful explanation of what motherhood is all about, it's that that keeps most of us going.

Happy 2010, it is quite unbelieveable how much so little time can make such a big difference. Enjoy your precious girls!!

Chelle said...

Brilliant post! I am so happy for you and I can relate (to a certain extent because I only have two) to everything you are saying. It is so tough sometimes, but I will definetely take it and live each moment of it!!

Deanna said...

I found your blog through a link on someone else's blogroll. Congratulations on your triplets! It sounds like you are already doing it, but do try to enjoy even the hard moments because they will truly be gone before you know it! My babies are turning into such little girls-sitting up, nearly standing up, and holding their own bottles (praise the Lord for that one!!). It really seems like yesterday we were doing the three-hour change, eat, sleep rotation. Your babies are adorable!

Kate said...

thinking of you
and a very happy 2010 to you all!