I was driving Graham to Playschool yesterday and pondering the fact that I have three children. THREE CHILDREN.
That means I am a MOM. Huh. How did that happen? Well, I have a pretty good idea, but sometimes the reality of it all seems…unreal.
Matthew and I were talking at dinner about how busy three kids is. We were busy with two kids, yes, but a third adds a whole other element. We are officially outnumbered.
I have been trying to figure out what makes it so darn busy. Graham is the only one who is enrolled in any activities (Playschool and swimming). Nathan and Emily don’t have to be anywhere. So why is it so hectic?
I’ll tell you why.
My kids are 4 years old, 2 years old and three months old. They rely on us to, you know, keep them alive. In addition to the basic food and shelter, they need help with a whole array of tasks that they will one day (thankfully) be able to do on their own.
A few of which are:
Making three meals a day, and a couple of snacks.
Putting clothes on. Shirts, pants, socks. Sometimes those need to be changed in a day when food dribbles down the front. And off course shoes and a jacket if we go out. Which then come off once we get to our destination. Then back on to head home. Then off again…
They need help bathing, drying off, getting MORE clothes on, brushing their teeth…
And don’t forget the WIPING OF THE BUMS. Three bums. A few times a day.
Not only do I have to do the above (and much, much more) for myself, I have to do it for three others. I am not complaining in the least…just figuring out what makes this life of ours so completely hectic when we really don’t go out a whole lot.
Before we know it, all three will be in school as well as after-school activities. We will be going out a lot more frequently, but at least I’ll only have to worry about wiping my own behind.
I know that one day we will look back at this time of our lives and romanticize it a bit. Except for the wiping of the bums. I can’t see myself daydreaming about returning to that part of this stage of life.
The rest of it is completely worth it. I mean, take a look at these three.
I wouldn’t trade my crazy life for anything.
I’m sure life is very hectic with 3! It is busy enough with 2 and one reason we didn’t want to have 3 is that we didn’t want to be outnumbered!! LOL!
Well, you can rest assured that any time soon you can strike off one bum that needs to be wiped, one child that needs to be helped get dressed, one child that needs a snack made for him. Graham will be doing all that on his own soon enough! Ethan is so much more independent now than he was just 6 months ago, and it has made a WORLD of difference. He does CHORES. Chores that used to be MY job. How good is that?
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I have one child and I am busy. The days sometimes don’t seem to end. I don’t know how all you moms do it with three kids. Your kids a great kids and you are an amazing mom. You can tell by how cute and loving they are.
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Life with one is busy enough! I can’t imagine three. Jordan has said for years and years and years that our kids will never outnumber us and that we’ll always have two hands for each one. Sounds good to me!
You are right though- I have wondered why I sometimes feel so busy even though I just have one little one around. I often get the comment “Aren’t you bored being a stay at home mom?” ummm … what? The days speed by!
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Three children seems like an unconquerable feat. Good for you for keeping it all together so well, and for looking so HOT while doing it.
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I’m scared. Honestly.
I’m so dang harried now I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself when the baby comes. At least at that point, my older ones will be 5 and 3. kindy and preschool will be my best friends, I think.
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I hope that we can make it to three. It sounds fantastic, in a wild sort of way!
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It is crazy when you sit back and are thinking, how did this happen? It is a crazy busy life, even though it’s ‘uneventful’, if you know what I mean. I too am looking forward to three, and four, but I know there will be a lot of days when I wish I could go on vacation. Just vacation, I wouldn’t give it up or trade it for anything!
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LIfe with 2 is busy enough. Does help when you are only wiping one kids bum. Life goes so fast. When school starts it goes even faster I think. Certainly busy with afterschool activities.
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I hear ya! I find the same with 2.
It is so nice when they start doing some of the tasks themselves but get ready to record yourself reminding them to do the tasks over and over… but it’s all good, most days:-)
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You are so busy because three kids are twice as many as two!
You are a great Mom and they are lucky to have you at the helm of their lives!
Kathie de-lurking!! Thanks to Kaili and her blog connections!
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Yay for 3 cutie-pies!
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I have just one and I’m just finishing my morning coffee before it seems I need to start supper! Where do the days go!?
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I am liking the new look.
I feel that way often too… where did the day go! I often try to imagine what 2 will be like and then 3 and then… we’ll see about that!
It is TOTALLY worth it though!
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I concur. Three IS busy. Add in school, preschool, after school activities, and many feedings…it’s crazy. But so worth it! Yeah, except for the bum wiping:)
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Life in two- me and him- is busy enough…so generally speaking life is busy…barely can I wait to be outnumbered…to be busy in a homy way!
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Ya, ok. You’re making me nervous. I guess being pregnant with 2 is pretty busy in itself…cuz my energy is lacking.
I must say though, that having Riley in kindergarden already is a big help, and he knows how to put his own snow gear on completely. He will be in grade one all day next year, and Liam should be potty trained shortly. I do see the light?! This too shall pass.
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Angella
I was wondering how do you keep people from copying and taking your pictures out of your blog. I was looking at your pics, and honestly, I accidently hit right click and it said “thanks for looking at my profile” and I tried again and realized you have some sort of blocker that doesnt let anyone take your pics. I would love to know where and how I could get that, it would make me feel so at ease posting more pics.
I hope Ive made sense.
Email me if you can with that. Thanks.
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The busyness never changes, you just keep busy doing different things with each phase. My first year with three was a blur (mine were the same age as yours). Now into year 2, Josh can do alot by himself, Brenna actually cleans her own room and both can wipe their own bums, but now we are always driving to and from kindergarten. By fall another new phase begins!
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Well said…and how true!
Now that we have two I can’t believe how much free time I had with just one!
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