Monday, February 15, 2010

Babywearing is not just for babies

As I have mentioned before, our daughter has had a hard time with the triplets' homecoming. OBVIOUSLY. We knew bringing three high-need preemie infants home to a three-year-old who is usually the center of everyone's attention would be terribly hard for A.

She went through many weeks of hitting, having accidents, not sleeping and generally regressing in every way she could, and attempting to get attention however possible. Even if that meant throwing a shoe at me while I was nursing Ace, or throwing a full cup of milk at Gramma who was changing a diaper. The list goes on, but the point is, things are better. She has become more accepting of the fact that we are often busy and we've become more creative at finding things for her to do, and times that are just for me and her, Daddy or Gramma and her, or other fun outings.

I have realized lately that she is really missing the amount of physical touch I used to give her. I am snuggly, cuddly and full of affection and right now I have a baby attached to my body several hours a day and a pump the rest of the time. I've noticed that I am craving that snuggle time with her, and am determined to get more. We have started going into a different room from the babies and reading together, or just laying on the couch and talking.

We wear the babies on our bodies in Bjorns, Moby's, or slings, as we did with A. She is a tiny three-year-old, so a month ago, I asked her if she wanted to ride in the Ergo carrier on my back, since she was feeling jealous that O-Bear was in the Bjorn, next to me. She climbed in and I wore her on my back while I made cookies. She laid her sweet blonde head onto my back and said, "Ahhh. Isn't it nice to be stuck together like glue again, Mommy?" MELT.

Again this week, she was wanting to be nearer to me, so my friend suggested some Ergo time. It is amazing what that does for her! We went on a family walk yesterday and I wore her on my back and O-Bear on my front, and this is what it looked like:



It was a gorgeous day, and empowering to feel I could meet her needs too. What a wonderful reminder that she is still very young and needs just as much touch, physical closeness and interaction that the babies do. I just have to be creative in finding that time!

19 comments:

  1. You are fully loaded, mama! I am so impressed with your ability to go on a walk with 4 kids - three of them infants. WOW! I'm glad the Ergo time is helping...she's clearly loving being glued to you (very cute).

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  2. I am SO impressed!! Look at you rockin' it!

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  3. That is beautiful picture..I don't know how I would handle my twins and toddler too. Do you only wear O-Bear or do the other triplets get wear-time too? I can't wait until mine are old enough that we can wear them in our Bjorns too. I'm so happy that things are going well for you and amazed that you can still give them 100% breast milk.

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  4. That is so sweet! Very cool that you've found a way to wear her as well! Great job, Mommy!

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  5. You must be in incredible shape to carry two kids and push the others!
    Glad to hear she's starting to adjust. It must b an awfully hard time for a little girl.

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  6. So glad that things are going so well, and that you have found a way to include your daughter in a way that she enjoys! I can't imagine doing this with an older child! Your last post with the descriptions of each triplet was very similar to my little ones. One of our twins is more dramatic than his brother, and our daughter is usually more patient and easy-going. Our twin boys are in tune with each other though-one will be happy as can be, but his brother starts crying and then he has to cry with him! Does that happen with your guys too?

    By the way, I am quite jealous that you have been able to take walks-I can't wait until spring so we can get these babies out!

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  7. You are a super woman!

    I'm glad that A is adjusting to the boys and that you've found ways for her to feel special.

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  8. That is wonderful :) What a great way to be close to your daughter. That pic is so lovely - the distance looks like a backdrop.

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  9. wow, you are amazing! I dont know how you find the time to do all of that. I am pleased you are finding creative ways to meet the needs of all! Keep up the good work!

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  10. That's awesome! Here I was wondering if it was going to be possible to carry twins!

    I was wondering, what kind of strollers do you have? I've seen pictures of you with two different ones, and since I'm new to the pregnancy game, I have no idea what I'm looking for. The last one, with all three boys, looked like a jogging stroller, but maybe I'm wrong. Would you mind sharing?

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  11. What an incredible picture.

    Glad you found a way to connect to A while still getting everything else done that you need to.

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  12. Look at you and all your children! You are such an awesome mom. They are all so lucky to have you. Your boys are huge by the way! All your sacrifice is worth it and is paying off.

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  13. Aw, A's comment is the sweetest. Yay for superhuman moms like you. It looks like quite the workout. I've been "wearing" the girls too, but no more than 1 in the carrier and one in my arms. Wearing a 3-year old and one of the trips while pushing the other two is incredible. Thanks for posting this (beautiful!) pic. I love how A is snuggling you.

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  14. I am so impressed! You are a great mama.

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  15. This made me get all choked up. Could be the pregnancy hormones. Could be the fact that 24 weeks into this pregnancy I'm starting to notice a clingy-ness and desire for touch from my own 2 year old (unusual for her personality since she's usually too busy exploring) which makes me want to hug her even closer. The effects of a new family addition (or 3!) on the older sibling are so powerful. I love that you tackled it head on!

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  16. Oh Carrie, what a sweet, sweet post. I'm in awe of your parenting skills, to ALL of your children! I have Tate snuggled against me right now in a Baby Bjorn, and it is a wonderful feeling. We both enjoy it so much. I'm glad your adorable little girl is getting the mommy time she craves and that you've figured out a way to be more physically available to her! Like I said, just amazing. Sending your whole crew lots of hugs~
    B

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  17. What a wonderful photo! Petite little momma and four sweet babies. So nice to see pics of your family.

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