Well folks, I’m running on fumes. The same sickness that wiped me out a couple weeks ago that I wrote about in Ther-MOM-eter has now moved through every individual who has set foot in this household and landed 2 days ago in one of my twins. It started with Ethan before I got it, then it cycled through every one and is now hopefully ending with Connor.
Two nights ago he spiked close to a 104 fever just before throwing up at midnight and has battled it ever since. We were up last night til 5 am rotating between the bathroom floor and my bed. Then, no sooner than I finally got him settled down and falling asleep, my little guy woke up for his regularly scheduled middle of the night wake up call and boob snuggle fest. For the 3 hours of rest between 5 and 8 am, I shared my bed with one sick 2 year old and one squirmy 8 month old and folks, that bed just isn’t big enough for the 3 of us.
Let’s take a moment to discuss my smallest angel. He’s nothing short of an enigma. He is almost 8 months old and is quite literally one of the most energetic little babies I have ever met. The energizer bunny ain’t got nothing on this guy. He is wild from the time his enormous blue eyes pop open early in the morning til they are forced to close late at night, or even early into the next morning. He has Hemophilia so that adds an extra layer of heart attack to his wildness. He’s crawling and trying to walk at this point so he’s covered in bruises and looks like a tiny abuse victim. None of this is the problem. The problem is that he does not sleep! Ever!
My twins have slept 12 hours through the night plus a nap during the day since 5 months old. Luke is clearly bucking the system and is going full force in another direction. I’ll skip the boring details of his sleep schedule but simply put, he apparently requires a total of 9 hours of sleep a day. The rest of the time, he’s full throttle. And rest assured, if and when he does give in to 15 minutes of sleep, it’s only after an all out war and almost never happens when the other 2 are asleep. There are no breaks. Period.
Now, 9 days out of 10 this doesn’t bother me. I’ve accepted the fact that I’m a mom which has to be short for something like mind over matter (matter being sleep). I’ve also accepted that all children are different and just because my twins are champion sleepers does not guarantee Luke will be. He’s spirited and full of life (just like the other 2), and he just is who he is. I’m more than happy to surrender sleep for my children, but at some point, even Jesus took a nap.
Today, I’m over it. I’m running on 3 hours of interrupted sleep after several days of little sleep and not a single break from anyone. Again, normally I don’t even want a break if I could have it, and if I get one, I instantly miss them all; but for this 5 minutes, I’m over it.
To top things off there’s divorce nonsense flying about and of course, the inevitable dealings with the other half. Again…over it.
The boys have fought over something almost continuously (a balloon, cheese, an apple, what show to watch, etc) resulting in a dual timeout shortly after Ethan finally joined our all night long party,
Connor has been crying/whining/wanting to be held most of the morning in between fighting with his brother, Luke is all over the place and of course fighting sleep like a little baby ninja, I haven’t showered in going on 5 days, and I gave the boys pound cake for lunch so that I wouldn’t feel as bad about having some of it myself. And now, although no one is ready for sleep and Luke is crying non stop, I’m forcing them all to take an early nap because it’s a necessary safety precaution at this point.
Don’t judge me.
I never let Luke cry for longer than a few minutes before rescuing him because as we all know by now, allowing a baby to cry only teaches them that you hate them and are not there for them when they need you; but right now, some sanity has to be found somewhere.
It’s finally quiet and they’re all asleep, and I already feel guilty for being at this rare level of “had it.” But I’m a human. Though I hate to admit it, my super mom cape is apparently out of juice today. There is truly nothing worse than seeing your sweet baby sick or hurting. My reservoir of nurturing patience and my desire to hold all 3 babies in my arms continuously is normally endless, but apparently, it does have an end. I’ve arrived at it today.
Despite my humanness and need for a break, it’s amazing how literally 10 minutes into the silence, I miss them and feel bad for losing my super powers of patience and grace. But sometimes, the pot boils over and it just is what it is.
I snuck into their rooms like a samurai to get these pictures, holding my breath the entire time praying the angels didn’t hear or smell me and decide to open their sweet eyes. It was a success!
Just after the pictures were taken, I climbed into the shower with my tired, stinky self and 3 minutes in, the little guy woke up. So there ya have it. Super mom has been defeated.
Babies:1
Mom:0
Maybe the reset button will appear tonight somewhere. I know some day I will ache for these days again. In the meantime, here’s to motherhood.
And this! 
Three Boys and a Mom 
Oh my, I remember those days. I have three boys, too. My oldest is now 18 and my twins are 17. I can not tell you how many days I had just like yours. I don’t know how I made it to be honest, but I did. We just don’t have a choice…and we love those little energizer bunnies more than life itself. Being a stay-at-home mom is the toughest job in the world, but also the best. It gets easier every day…somehow, someway, it does and that’s how we survive. I’m glad I savored it because when life becomes about their friends, girl friends, driving, worrying about them driving, crazy haircuts, texting, etc…you wish you could go back! Anyway, I hope you are all feeling better soon! Hang in there…I’m routing for you! 🙂
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Awesome… thank you for this and the encouragement. I know even in the mkments I’m losing my mind that I will miss this so much very soon. Its amazing how all over the place your emotions can be in a matter of minutes going from insanity to my heart falling out of my body with love in moments. Its a tough job but so worth it for sure. I couldn’t love them more if I tried and I’m so grateful I can be with them all the time. Some moments it just does feel like a break is necessary.
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I could not say it better myself. I do hope you get those breaks from time to time. It is necessary for our sanity and it makes us better parents too!
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Thank you,I agree and feel that 100% today haha
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Sending you hugs and prayers for some rest and relief!! You’ve got your hands full for sure! I can only imagine what it’s like to endure that with 3, but I’ve had those moments with my one son and it’s tough. I hope there’s some calm in the storm ahead very soon! ❤
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Thank you so much! I think there is… they’re already calming down. The volcano bubbled over even more after wroting this post but I think we’re over the hump…for today, or this hour lol. It just all comes with the badge of motherhood. It can’t all be roses and sunshine ☺
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Glad it’s calming down for now :). I know, it can’t be all roses. My boy who just turned 3 still wakes me up at night. It kind of goes in phases but I thought by now it would be better! He’s an energy bundle too. Like you said, it’s just a part of the motherhood badge…but those babies are worth it no sleep and all!
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Absolutely!!! If I never slept another wink it’d be worth it forever…I might not be an angelic mommy If I never slept at all, but you know what I’m saying haha.
After I finished this post and dealt with my energy ball completely melting down because God forbid he wasn’t held or entertained for an entire 6 minutes while I dried off and got dressed, I then had to strip my twins’ bed covered in pee and puke, and to be helpful the boys wanted to throw it all over the rail to down stairs…to include an entire pile of clean folded laundry. Then, we finally venture down stairs and I have the enormous pile of stuff and step over the baby gate only to slip on a toy and collapse onto the baby gate…clothes and bed sheets everywhere, dignity and grace nowhere to be found… and then my sweet babies came rushing over to hug me and comfort me saying “mommy fell, are you okay now?” ❤ heart melted…all worth it.
Then as my little guy continued to melt down and I tried to calm him down, Connor shattered a glass mug trying to get water from the fridge………. just another day in paradise is what it is. 😃
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Motherhood at its finest, huh?! All joking aside though, hang in there and I’ll say some extra prayers for you.❤️
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You’re sweet, Thank you. I had a small break with the boys in the nursery at church tonight and was humbled and reminded of how unbelievably and undeservedly blessed I am and it reset me a little… I was still happy for bed time when we got home, but tomorrow is a new day ☺
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Absolutely precious story! A testament to the wonders of both mother and child…and life! All will be good; find time to talk things over with God. It doesn’t have to be a long prayer, (you don’t have the time!) Just a little comment or two will do…
Steve Pejay
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Thank you very much…That made me smile! You’re so right! ☺
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I am a father to three myself. I certainly can remember the times when they were all so young…with a tear of happiness!
Steve 🙂
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Aww I know there will be lots of years of happiness when I look back on these days! Even the hard ones are beautiful!
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Oh I agree! The love of a child may take on different shapes with time, but our love for them is constant…
Have a super day…
Steve
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Absolutely!!! Thank you, you too! ☺
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My pleasure! Have a very great day and we’ll talk soon…
Steve 🙂
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You too! 😃
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I will…Lord willing!
Steve 🙂
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👍
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