things to remember

so as i type one handed with my left hand after having carpal tunnel surgery yesterday, i hope i can capture a few of the random moments from this month i want to recall.

first, I've been thinking lately about recording some of the things my girls do that are "twinish". They are really starting to play together. They'll just look at each other and giggle. One will throw her hands in the air and the other will copy her with a giggle. Clara is my little mommy and every so often she'll put Kate to bed with a blankie and dolly or push Kate in the stroller. They are both obessessed with doing buckles on anything--stroller, high chairs, car seats, back packs. They are both in "I do it" mode. It makes getting dressed and buckling car seats a VERY SLOW process. But I'm glad they are learning to do things for themselves. Yesterday morning all 3 of my kids changed their own pull-ups/diapers/underwear! They are both obessessed with shoes and spend all day changing shoes out. so, yes, we often go out with miss matched/backward shoes on every one--but hey, shoes are VERY LOW on the "battles to fight" list for me. They have both started asking after people. Yesterday during my surgery, Kate asked my mother "Where momma go?" waving her hands in the air. It melted my heart. They will dance together, play kitchen together. Chase James around--which he loves. He spends quite a bit of time trying to get them to follow him.
But mostly I don't think of my kids as a singleton and twins. They really act as a triplet set right now. For example, all are still using diapers or pull-ups at times (all though Kate is making fast progress to being potty trained, and James is pretty much there except for nights), if I get a sippy for one, I better have 2 more ready. Forget having a sweet big brother/sister moment with Andrew by letting them feed him a bottle. The one time I tried, I had 3 kids fighting to grab the bottle from him. I ended up having to get 3 bottles for the big kids, and breast feeding Andrew.
If I tell one child to stop doing something they shouldn't, I suddenly have 3 kids doing it. e.g. Kate put your diaper back on--suddenly 3 kids giggling with their pants on the ground. Clara put your shirt back on--3 kids naked suddenly. James come back inside--3 kids out the door. Same goes for if I try to do something fun/special with one child. Clara, let mommy read you a book--3 kids now elbowing each other for space on my lap. Piggy back ride for one kid--3 trying to climb on me. Potty training? "Kate, let's go sit on the potty and get a treat!" 3 kids now fighting over who gets the blue froggy potty. It literally takes 3 potty's to train one child.

It is quite overwhelming at times. James is going through a huge defiance mode right now refusing to do things and throwing things when he gets mad. Clara is immune to any sort of taste bud punishment for biting. Hot sauce mixed with cayenne peppers & chili powder? Not a flinch. Vanilla flavoring, vinegar? Asked for more. I'm not sure what to do to stop her biting. Kate has slowed down b/c luckily hot sauce was a threat for her.
It's definitely a wild ride. I try not to be too hard on us for not doing everything perfect--sometimes it's a "didn't get my teeth brushed till 4 pm" type of day and I guess that's just ok. But hey, it's not all bad--we had no cavities at the kids dentist appointment Tuesday!

AHHH! My little princess Clara and my little go-getter Kate

Bath time for 2 wild and crazy girls!

I love that my 5 month old only weighs 6 pounds less than my 2 year old Clara. Here's a picture of Kate giving Andrew a ride in the stroller.

R.I.P. Mr. Croako.

FYI don't put frogs in a plastic aquarium out on the back porch on an 90 degree day while you clean the kitchen.

My "triplets"

I know this time will pass in a second--especially since I had all my kids in 3 1/2 years! Doing my best to enjoy every moment and not lose my marbles in the process. On the other hand--my little guy Andrew is amazing. He's working on sitting up, can roll all around the room, grabs anything he wants. His teeth on the bottom are right there ready to come through. He is just a little flirt who loves attention from anyone. He smiles and coos adorable. When I come into the room he just about leaps out of my mom's lap to get to me. He is just the best baby in the world. Luckily he loves being in the backpack, because he spends a lot of time there!