To The Third Power

So I've never been a math person. It seems the left side of my brain just prefers to let the right side take over and do most of the work...some might say my left brain is a bit on the lazy side. And I'm happy to keep it that way; I love language, words, art, reading, writing, etc.

However, there is some pretty basic math that is resonating loud and clear around here lately. It's not exactly stretching my brain, this math, but it is stretching my resources, my capacity, my patience and my sanity. Let's see if you can keep up with me here, I'll lay the equations out simply:

1 + 1 + 1 = 3

3 > 1

Are you right brainers still with me? This elementary math is so simple, yet somehow I find myself surprised by the results. If 3 is obviously greater than 1, why am I surprised at the level of exhaustion and the lack of patience I experience at the end of a day with my three girlies? Why am I shocked that I can't seem to read more than a page in a book, hence why I haven't finished a novel in 6 months. Why this blog sat discarded through the entire month of December. Why Christmas gifts still littered my dinner table until two days ago. Why the refrigerator is in need of a heavy-handed cleaning. Why I never have clean clothes to wear, but my kids do.

Simple math, yet I allow myself to be confounded by the situation. When people ask how it is managing three kids, I typically make some self-deprecating remark, or I say that it's nearly the same as two; we have great days and tough days just like 2-kid families. Every parent has their challenges, no matter how many kids right? But some days I am reminded that God gave me two hands and with three kids, I will never have enough hands. And I just need to learn to make peace with that.

a.k.a. the line-up, the trio, the stair steps, the trifecta

5 Years and 8 Hours Ago...

this sweet, feisty baby girl was born and rocked my world and my soul. She gave me the best title I've earned so far, that of "Mama" and I will truly never be the same. She was also my first lesson in an earth-shattering, blissful, wrenching and absolute unconditional love and for that I shall always be grateful. It has been said that there is no love like that of a mother for her child. And it has been said that loving a child is like having your heart walking around outside of your body. Um, yeah. Exactly.

1 Day Old

1 Year Old

2 Years Old

3 Years Old

4 Years Old

Nearly 5 Years Old

Can't wait to see what the next five years have in store for my funny, social, fun-loving, spirited lovebug. What a journey it's been, and so much to look forward to!

Boys Toys

This is what happens when the lone male in our house decides to bring out the toys from his childhood to share with his girls...

Looks like G.I. Jen, er, I mean, G.I. Jane and the girls are headed out to run errands in the Cobra Commander cycle.

Odds and Ends (a.k.a. My Longest Post Ever)

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and our lovely little world is in full swing and I am in a savoring kind of mood, ready to appreciate the beauty and the love surrounding us before I'm too busy to give it a second thought. There are so many moments when I think, "I never want to forget how _____ (child's name) does ______" or "I hope I always remember how this feels," and in minutes I've forgotten to write it down and I'm already thinking about my next chore or someone is calling for me, and that treasured moment is lost. And thankful as I am that being a mother of 3 spectacularly fun girls ensures I experience many such lovely, heart-filling moments, I am so afraid to lose even one of them.

So, on that note, this post is an assortment of the little things that are making me smile, giving me succor and brightening my soul.

Thumb-sucking

I could write an ode to thumb sucking, I appreciate it so, and although I may look back on Madeline's habit and call it disastrous, (as might Uncle Tony, the dentist), right now it is fulfilling so many needs for both Maddie and myself. My poor third child falls asleep in the car or in the Ergo while running errands, far too often for my taste, and when I am busy making meals or helping a sister get dressed for school, that thumb provides great comfort for my baby girl until I can be with her. And although there is a ounce of mommy guilt that she needs the thumb for comfort because she's not getting enough from me, I can't let myself go there right now. And falling asleep sucking her thumb while her biggest sister is reading her bedtime stories? Priceless.

Licorice

Given that I've cut dairy and soy out of my diet, I should be losing some baby weight...but thanks to my friend Tracy, I have found a dessert replacement that seems to be fitting the bill. And since this licorice is cut into small pieces, I eat a couple and don't feel much guilt. Until I sneak back for another couple pieces. And then a few more. Insidious stuff.

Bizarre Weather

I find myself complaining because it's so insanely unpredictable and the girls and I are either sweating through long sleeves or chilled to the bone with goosebumps. However, when I look back at our activities in the past month, I've savored both the pull-on-the-sweater and be cozy for pumpkin patching moments as much as the frolic-in-the-water beach days in the November heat. (Yeah, like those two words could be more of a mismatch, right?) Only in So. Cal could my daughter crab-walk down the beach with her friends on an eighty-degree November day. But I'm really excited to break out my wool coat, tall boots and favorite scarves, so a few more blustery, cool days would be appreciated. The gorgeous orange and yellow leaves we collected last week seem to know it's Fall, so what's the hold-up?

Sisterhood

Never had a sister but always envied my friends with big sisters. (Sorry Matt, but I was looking to share clothes and makeup tips, not guidance on making a free-throw, no offense!) So getting to watch my girls create lifelong bonds is just beyond anything I could've imagined. I know their bonds will be stretched, they might get kinked or knotted, but it's a connection I hope they will always hold dear. And watching my big girls take care of Maddie and learn to be little mommies is pretty darn heart-warming too. I hope they remember all of their baby play; of rocking babydolls to sleep, and breastfeeding and baby-wearing, and they will use it someday to care for their own babies. (Paul is rolling his eyes right about now.

Big Families

I grew up in a small family with little extended family nearby, so marrying into a big, vivacious family has been a huge bonus. I think I fell in love with Paul's family soon after I fell in love with him, and I am thankful my girls get to be a part of the energy of a big family. On a recent weekend, we celebrated the engagement of Paul's cousin, Darcy, which meant my girls got to spend the day/evening with their cousins, second cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Grandma and Great-Grandpa, Leo. I grew up without knowing my Grandpas, so having a Great-Grandpa, and one living nearby, is pretty spectaular in my mind. We are blessed to have SO much family, close-by and ready to love on my girls at the drop of a hat.

Now that I've rambled on about my rays of sunshine, what's warming your days and filling your heart right now?

A Howlin' Halloween

What more can I say? We came, we saw and we conquered Halloween. The kids seriously DUG their Halloween costumes (and have worn them daily since the big event), we parents had a blast hosting our third annual shindig (although I could've done without the neighbor's creepy clowns and dragging shovel that spooked more than a few of us) and the newest superhero to grace this planet made his debut. Oh yes, Diaper Man was in full effect, much to the...chagrin?...wonder?...amazement?...of adults and children alike. And let me tell you, those green tights are a sight to behold...

Hopin' yours was as memorable as ours!