Managable, but just barely

The weekend is going fine. It's manageable, but just barely. The first night went better than expected and we all got a fair amount of sleep. On Saturday, I only had the sitter for a few hours in the morning when I needed to be out, but my mom came for the afternoon and was actually helpful (which isn't often the case). She was a good baby holder and even fed a few bottles, changed a few diapers, and helped a lot with Max. A friend came over to play with Max for about an hour and I was able to get some things done and relative calm was to be had.

Last night wasn't horrible, but less sleep was to be had. Instead of being perfect little babies when they ate at 3:30 am and 4 am (N and R respectively) neither were too interested in sleep. I'd just get one down and then the other would wake and cry for help. Good thing I pumped just before their feeding schedule. I finally got us all asleep at 5:12 am with R tucked under my left arm cuddled into me and N chest to chest on top of me...and...then Max woke at 5:22 am. Yes, the thought, you've got to be kidding me did cross my mind. :) I was able to shift N next to R and let them snuggle each other and they both slept for a bit more. We did make it to church only a bit late and that was fine as well in between feeds for the babes. The afternoon was much harder and I'm so glad I had the sitter coming at 2 pm. Not only did it give me something to look forward to, I needed the break. I got a few hours of sleep. Swam, had dinner, and got Max to bed. And, am now pumping before she leaves. Even with the extra help, all three were needing attention with N doing a big leaky poo, R deciding schedule be damn he wanted to eat NOW, this very second NOW, not a minute from NOW, RIGHT NOW.

Amazing how much more well behaved Max was after I had sleep. It's odd. It's not that I view his behavior differently. It's just when I'm tired and have the least patience he pushes it to the limit. For example, I'm giving R a bath because he had a big bear down fart when eating and vomited all over him and I. Max is hanging over my shoulder and got a cup and was trying to throw cold water from the sink on R...when I asked him not to. Or, deciding he wanted some milk, getting it from the fridge, and then spilling it all over the floor...when I asked him to wait. Or, picking up R and "holding him" when my back was turned to deal with N...when I've told him so many times he can't touch the babies without Momma or Mimi saying it is okay. There was a lot of yelling by me and a lot of ignoring and acting out by Max and it wasn't pretty, but we got through. Thank goodness he mostly left me alone when I was napping (he tried to get in at one point and shoved straw from my wall hanging under the door) so I'm recharged for the night.

Oh, and Max is offically coming down with a cold (probably has something to do with why he was such a challenge today) and I can tell I'm fighting it off. I'll be hoping and praying we keep the babies healthy. I'd hate to have one or both back in the hospital after finally getting us all home. Maybe I'll have to keep Max home tomorrow. I'll see how he's feeling in the morning.

Anyway, all is basically well and normal in a house with three small children.