Melt, One Month, Meltdown

The snow is beginning to melt... it could mean spring is actually on its way. I'm scared to hold my breath.

Randy and Michele were down this past weekend to spend some time with the kids. They spent some time in the backyard and we took them for a walk at the zoo too. They insisted that Matt and I go out too - so we headed downtown and took in a few places that we'd heard about, including Edwinton Brew and Anima Cucina - it was weird to be out without the kids! Had appetizers at the Brewery and dessert at the Italian restaurant.

It's hard to believe Ainsley is 1 month old. We are still working on understanding a schedule of any sorts - she will sleep really well from midnight to 5 but getting her to go down is an act of congress!

Matt has started grilling and with that, I've been letting the kids go out on the deck with him - they think it's great. I don't know who is more excited to be out in the fresh air. We've also dug their cars out from storage. E had a bit of a meltdown that we think they are big enough to drive/Fred Flintstone themselves. We are working through it.

 Everyone getting ready to leave in the morning.
MJR: Eleanor, let's put on your HelloKitty shoes and go.
EER: I want to wear my boots.
MJR: Eleanor, let's put on your shoes.
EER: Dad, I can't wear them.
MJR: Why?
EER: My shoes are full of mud, I can't wear them.
MJR looks at them. There is not a speck of mud on them.
MJR: There isn't any mud on them.
EER: YES, FULL of mud.
Takes shoes out of MJR's hand and throws them down the hall to the laundry room.
EER: I will wear my boots.

Sledding, Zoo

The cold has FINALLY broke, a little. Enough for us to go outside and play a bit.

We headed out to the farm to celebrate my mom's birthday (E had made a pound cake the week before even). We brought our winter gear and the kid's sleds. Climbed on the hay bales and then went sledding off the snow pile in the yard. They had a blast... well mostly, E did lose her boot in the snow and it was a total catastrophe.

With the weather breaking, we also decided to head to the zoo - they open on the weekend for winter hours and thought maybe getting out and about would be good. We were a little ill prepared as we didn't have our welly boots on and with the puddles everywhere it would have been good. It was fun going during a different season - so easy to see some of the animals. Grady liked waving to the animals - Eleanor liked it let when let her out to run on the path. Favorites of hers include the otter and the camels.

Normal, Cabin Fever, Great Grandma

We are working on finding a new normal... so far here's what I got....
1. Nothing will be clean.
2. Someone is always crying.
3. We are tired!!!!!!!!

I knew this whole dropping a third kid in wouldn't be easy but everyone says "Oh, the transition to two kids was WAY harder than to three - that one was easy." here's what I have to say to those Liars... Bologna! At one point I'm carrying A up and down the stairs while convincing E to sit on the potty versus see "what we've done" while G is attempting to learn how to fly off the kitchen chairs. Don't misinterpret that I'm not loving seeing the three of them interact but I would enjoy it much more on a solid 4 or 5 hours of consecutive sleep. A likes to party until midnight... I think the others have tasked her with attempting to wear down my spirits so they can do whatever they want. It's working.

We did take them all to the aquatic center the other night to burn off some steam... they have a little indoor play area and with the temps still below zero - everyone is getting cabin fever and sick of being inside. I did kick everyone outside this past weekend to handle the snow dump that we received. They didn't last too long and they weren't a tremendous help to Matt but I guess you gotta start somewhere.

Ainsley also got to meet her Great Grandma Dar this past week. Mom and her popped in and spent a little time snuggling.

EER and ALR go upstairs because EER has poo'd in her pullup.
ALR: Oh, no Eleanor, you got some on your shirt - you are going to get a bath in 10 minutes, you can go shirtless until then.
Three days later....
MJR is getting dressed in the morning.
Fight breaks out in another room.
MJR goes into other room.
EER looks MJR: Dad, where's your shirt?
MJR: It's in my room, I'm going to go put it on.
EER: You poop on your shirt?
MJR: I did not! I just haven't got it on yet.
EER: You poop on your shirt.

Hopibal, Home, Help

Five. We are Five.
That's like more than a booth.
I kept saying that to myself in the hospital - I'm not sure if I was convincing myself or was in shock or disbelieve or what. We had a daily routine - to a certain extent, while I was in the hopibal (as E would say it). After daycare, they would have dinner and then come up to visit Ainsley and I. Depending on how well our listening ears were working, they'd spend an hour before heading home to bed with Dad.

MJR, EER, and GRR heading home after the first night.
EER: My sister loves me.
MJR: Yes, she does.

Matt only was able to spend the first night with me, which felt a bit odd

compared to the other stays. He did come up during the days after dropping the kids off at daycare. We started on a Monday and left on a Thursday. Was nice to get settled at home and I will say, our first meal home, courtesy of a good friend - was wonderful. The kids ate, we ate, Ainsley slept. It almost made me believe that we've got this.

I also believed that on the first day of maternity leave - she woke, she ate, she slept. I got a nap, a shower, and two meals. The days got a little harder, especially because she likes to party all night when she wakes up but has a hard time getting back to sleep or going to bed at night. E and G adore her though. When they get home from daycare, Sister is the first one that they look for. E will ask and G goes on a hunt - after he finds her, gives her a little wave and then proceeds to bring her all of her belongings - her little lovey, her blankets, and whatever pacifiers he can get his hands on - all without us asking for this help. Meanwhile, E wants to hold her hand - tightly. If this child makes it with all her limbs in working condition to her first birthday, we will have reason to celebrate. We are working on gentle and also working on the appropriate place to kiss Sister - given the fact that noses are running on these children constantly, I'd like less touching but I get they are interested in her and want to be a part of her life. Hard to say no to that help and love.

Sitting on the couch -
MJR: Grady, do you want to hold Ainsley?
GRR nods and smiles enthusiastically
MJR puts ARR into GRR's lap
GRR immediately starts to nuzzle her and hug her.
MJR: Grady, we are sorry! We should have asked you sooner if you wanted to hold her.
GRR piles on the kisses