Chain of Command

Being a mother is my full time job. I get up early, stay up late, and in between I am caring for all the needs of my little human beings. I couldn't imagine a year ago how much I would love my boys. 

And of course, I love my Evie. Even when I was home with just Evie, it really was a big life transition.

There was a time not too long ago when it was just Evie and me. 

 Now I am so consumed by everything, my former life of teaching and freedom seems like forever ago. 

 I learned quickly that in order to stay sane as a stay at home mama, I needed to create for myself some sort of schedule and rhythm to my days. Outings were and are a must. And I soon found after some investigation, there is really a lot to do around town with little ones.

One of those free activities is story time at the local library. When Evie was a baby, she and I would attend story times almost weekly. We would do the silly little songs and rhymes together, read books and explore the children's section. It was a great way to pass the hours. 

Evie at the library at about 15 months old

However, now with our second (third and fourth!) child, it is very difficult-almost impossible- to give them the special one-on-one treatment.  I don't feel guilty about it because I'm doing the best that I can. 

All bundled up for a late autumn walk

 I try to give the boys some of the same opportunities Evie had as a baby. One of the outings Amanda and I go on semi-regularly with all the children is story time at the Tualatin Library.  I wheel my flock of children into the little story room and each week the librarians are so so welcoming. They always tell us how happy they are to see us. 

My boys absolutely love books. Whenever I open a little book and read to them, they all hover over me. They enjoy the rhymes and songs and little activities. Even though technically it’s “baby storytime”, Evie enjoys it all too.  

Everyone wants to see the book!

I love reading to my kids.  However, the life of a triplet means they must all share the book and the person reading to them. Even though Amanda and I are a team, we are still greatly outnumbered and not everyone gets a lap to sit on. 

This week, I had Caleb on my lap during story time. Amanda had James.  Evie had the teacher (yes, she is SUCH the teacher’s pet already and always runs up to the front of the room to sit on the teacher’s lap).

 But there is always that third baby who fends for himself. This week it was Levi. He was on his own, crawling around the strollers in the corner, playing with the wheels.  

Suddenly, a sweet woman, who was there with her daughter- in -law and granddaughter, came over to me and asked if she could do story time with Levi. 

Of course! When you have triplets, you get very used to passing off your children to whomever wants to love them. So Levi sat in her lap and she put 100% effort into doing story time with him. He bounced, chuckled and really got a kick out of the musical instruments. It brought such joy to my heart to see his happy little face from across the room, and I was so touched by that woman’s kindness. She seemed to really be enjoying herself too! 

 I do long for the one-on-one time with each boy. They have such different personalities and they are all so wonderful and special. I want so desperately to give them that individual time.  I am so grateful for Amanda and the love she pours on them each day. It helps knowing someone else is loving my kids too. 

Sweet Amanda with her boys

 I savor the time I do get. This week Caleb had his final assessment at OHSU for his head. So on Wednesday morning, it was just little Caleb and me driving up to OHSU together. Even though it was just a doctor’s appointment, I really relished the time I got to just look at Caleb, to smile at him in his stroller, talk to him and hold him. 

They are growing so fast. 

As much as I want them to grow and be less needy, I equally cling on to these fleeting moments of their babyhood. 

Speaking of growing, they are suddenly pretty much done with their bouncy seats and swings. They  flip themselves out of them. Caleb pushes open the latch on the swing and has tumbled out of it. 
The other morning I came into the bedroom after giving James his bottle in his seat.  I gasped as I saw his bouncy chair tipped over, bottle leaking out on the floor and James no where to be seen. It looked like a crime scene. 

I found James, up on his knees, pestering Caleb for his bottle! 

A chain of command has developed within the circle of brothers. Its obvious  that James is the leader of the pack.  He has it all figured out. 

James is confident, extremely mobile, curious, knows what he wants and knows how to go after it. He crawls around like he owns the place, taking any bottle or toy he pleases. 

 He kind of seems like a bully actually.  He full on walks on top of Caleb to get to the other side of the room. James is the ring leader. 

Who could have guessed, sleepy James?! 

Levi is close behind though. 

Levi lookin fine, ready for the cold weather

He admires James so much. Following close at his heels, he tries really hard to keep up with him. Levi is a lot bigger and bulkier though, and moving takes a lot more effort. The two of them smirk at each other and crack each other up. 

They cause mischief. Exploring the house together, they pull out all my Tupperware, play with the broom and mops and chase the cat around. Whenever the other enters the room, they grin and grunt with excitement. 

Poor Caleb is left in the dust for now; but at least he's still smiling! 

My experience with these babies is so different. The other night I had just them at home. I sat on the couch and relaxed while they entertained themselves around me. Never could I have done that with Evie at this age! She would have demanded my attention. 

It’s probably all those one-on-one story times! 

The other night I put James and Caleb to bed and I left the room to get Levi. As I was coming up the stairs, I heard laughing from their bedroom. I peeked in and there was James, kneeling on the side of his crib with his hands on the rails. He was looking at Caleb. In the darkness, Caleb had himself propped up on his bars and the two of them were looking at each other, giggling. 

That moment was worth all the struggles of the day. Even though I can’t personally be there like I want to, I love that they have each other. They are happy babies who have learned to take on the world together.  

They kind of remind me of a herd of goats. When I open their bedroom door in the morning, they escape down the hallway together, ready to take on the day.

However, Evie is still the true ring leader of everyone. She definitely has total command of “the brothers” and they are at her mercy. 

One day though, I can see Evie and her brothers running around the house together. I know the age gap will close quickly, and the four of them with have built in best friends forever.