You guys, I’m alive. I may be in survival mode, but we all are alive. The past three weeks have been, um, challenging. There has been SO MUCH GOING ON (I feel the need to all caps this to prove the level of chaos) that literally only one sliver of a nostril is the only thing keeping me from drowning in the waters of this thing called life, currently. So, yeah, three kids is HARD.
Ahhh, I have really enjoyed reminiscing about the ease that was only having one child (or two for that matter) the last few weeks, which obviously was the hardest.thing.ever. at the time. Now, I know hard. I’ve cried the last couple nights to Chad (who has been so full of grace for me and my hormonal-emotional, happy-one-minute-screaming-the-next state) that I’m giving myself a big, fat “F” for all things Momming of three Hinton children. He, understanding my fragile state, wisely told me I was being too hard on myself, but I secretly think he agrees.
For starters, Elena has had a bit of a rough start to school. Not her per se, she’s loving every second, but we have had a bit of a struggle understanding her day and making sure her time between Kindergarten and Life Skills is benefiting her the most. I have been fretting over this for weeks. Then there’s all her therapies, which as her self-proclaimed Therapy Guru, I am failing miserably. I have ALWAYS been on top of everything, leading the charge, making sure everyone is on the same page and pushing her. Well, I’m just not. Then there’s her need for some new equipment, some upcoming doctor appointments, and coordinating all of it is quite time consuming.
Then there’s our always easy-going, sweet as can be, Calvin. In the midst of potty training, bringing home a new family member, and (just today) falling out of his crib in the throes of a naptime fight (which literally has NEVER happened before), is testing whatever fumes are left in my patience tank. He’s two, and there’s obviously some changes around here, but woah Mama. Did you guys know it’s nearly impossible to explain/rationalize/use common sense with a two year old? Turns out, they don’t care. I’m hoping it’s one of those “planting the seeds” metaphors, and that any day all our rules, pep talks and life lessons will sprout him into a blossoming 2 1/2 year old? No? Yeah, probably not. F.
And then there’s Turner, who is a newborn. Besides keeping me up every 2.5-3 hours at night, wanting to be held all the time (in constant motion), and grunting/farting around the clock, he is pretty easy. The problem is you throw a five year old, a two year old, and about 1,439 simultaneous life issues occurring at the same time into the mix, things can seem quite um,……..overwhelming?!
So there you have it folks, the long answer to the question everyone asks a new mother.
“How are you guys doing?”
and my obviously reply,
“Oh good, just trying to find our groove.” SEE ABOVE FOR WHAT I REALLY MEAN.
But really, I mean all that. Ha! It’s definitely a tough adjustment. We DO have a lot going on, most of it, just poor timing…it all happening all at once. I’m just not one for facades. And I’m sorry to any of you about to have a third child or contemplating a third child, I’m sure yours will be different 🙂
Just like everything though, I know it’s a season. And even though this particular season has me drowning a bit, and maybe crying every day, we’ll survive. Our “groove” is coming. We have much to be thankful for, as always. Even though it can be isolating, I know I’m not the first Mom to walk this road. I keep chugging the caffeine, praying for patience, and wine, there’s always wine.
**On a different note: I am, somewhat frantically, looking for help with the kids before Gramma Frey leaves us for the winter (ahhhhhh, no!!!). I need help with getting Elena to the Jackson Center on Mondays from 11:30-4:30 and with the boys on Tuesdays from 2:30-5:30. A college student (education, nursing, therapy, etc) would be ideal but not required. If you know of anyone who may be able to help, please let me know. Thanks friends!
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