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!

The Dog Days

You have probably heard at least one person you know who lives in the Pacific Northwest complain about the record-setting heat and humidity. It is currently about 90 where I live and we are nowhere near the daily high. We were made for weeks of rain and flooding, gray skies and North Face jackets and few of us have air conditioning. Seattleites are sweaty and cranky.

While I am worshiping my air conditioning, I still feel a bit hazy, out of focus. I am not sleeping much and my feet look like they are wearing foot-sized fat suits. Here are some of the happenings from the dog days of summer, straight from the couch.

- We all know I am counting the days until 24 weeks (17 more!) which is August 16th. Today I discovered that the BEST SHOW ON TV, or "Mad Men" is making its long awaited, third season premiere on... you guessed it! August 16th! This must be a good sign, right? RIGHT?

- From the mouth of my three-year old (emphasis is hers):

"I have twins named Scratch and Lucy and they were too small for bottles so they had to drink out of my breasts and they stayed at the hospital for two weeks but now they came home with me and you!""

"My tummy is big and I have to be on bed rest. Actually it is couch rest because I am really tired and it holds the babies in. That is what my doctor told me and I don't like it. It's no fun bed restin'."

"I am having so many contractions today!" (Said while clutching her tiny tummy.)

"Mommy, are your nipples getting bigger?" (She also asked the nanny that the other day.)

-And last, but not least, for your enjoyment, a picture of me (snapped by my mom's iPhone) scooting my way through Target. I get many strange looks, some annoying questions and knock over displays occasionally. Those little seat backs are not made for someone lugging around extra boob-age and babies in their body. I was so uncomfortable that I stuffed a package of (super cute, boyish) onesies behind my back for added support. This may have been the cause of some of the staring.