First Steps

It seems appropriate to be starting this blog as the babies are starting to walk. For anyone reading this who doesn't know, the babies are Michael, William and Jocelyn and they are 10 months old. Jocelyn starting putting several steps together a couple of weeks ago and the boys have taken their first independent steps this week. And I am taking my first steps into the world of blogging.

I intended to start a blog while I was pregnant as a way to let folks know en masse what is going on with us. But, good intentions don't get you very far in the midst of an international, transcontinental move during a high risk pregnancy. I did actually find a host for a blog and create a web address and name for the blog and then ignored it for a year. So, now I'm trying again. Maybe the fact that we have settled into a home and a sort of routine will allow me to make this work. And, maybe not, but I'm going to give it a shot.

And so, a brief, general description of life as we know it. Things like descriptions of the kids personalities will have to wait for other entries.

Daily life is full.

At 6:30 am, the babies start coming downstairs for the day. Coffee is necessary for everyone over 4 foot tall. Diapers need changing; bottles need making; Patrick needs waking. By 8:30 on a week day, four children have been fed and dressed and Patrick is on his way to school. The kitchen is a disaster: trays, bibs, plates, and floor covered with food; milk, cereal, toast fixings, etc. still on the counter, waiting for Kate to get breakfast when the babies take their morning nap; and coffee cups half-full of cold coffee sitting on random shelves. Andy takes Patrick to school and then heads to work via the local shopping plaza. This is prime time for picking up anything unrefrigerated that is needed at home.

A short nap and some play time for the littlest ones and it is time for lunch. On a good day, the nap is long enough for Kate to get the breakfast mess cleared in time to make the lunch mess.

Patrick comes home for a 15-minute lunch between his morning Montessori school and his afternoon Junior Kindergarten at the local public school. Meanwhile the nanny is feeding the little ones. When Patrick is off at school and the other kids take their afternoon nap, Kate and the nanny attempt to eat lunch, fold laundry, clean the kitchen, wash bottles, prepare food for the evening, run errands, and maybe even get a few moments to rest. Mileage varies with the length of nap.

Patrick finishes school at 3:10. On a warm day, if everyone is awake in time, the two adults load up the triple stroller and walk to get him. After school, play time and homework until 4:30, when the dinner rush begins. By 5:45, four kids have been fed and are being coaxed into pajamas. Final bottles for the little ones and it's bedtime at 6:30. Then, Patrick gets a bedtime routine to himself while the nanny washes bottles and recovers the kitchen after the dinner mess. By 7:30 pm, the kids are in bed and the adults are exhausted and hungry. On a good day, food is ready to eat when Patrick gets to bed. Otherwise, there is still one meal to prepare.

Only Patrick will sleep through the night. At least once, and up to 4 times, between 3:00 and 5:00 am, parental presence is required in the nursery. The period between bedtime and 3:00 am is less predictable, but often involves some parental attention.

In the evenings, Kate and Andy trade off taking care of the household and getting some time to themselves. Andy is taking guitar and skating lessons. Kate has drawing lessons and time at the gym.

Weekends are more full.

Weekends see skating and swimming lessons for Patrick, attempts to get everybody out of the house for a bit, and progress on household projects. The absence of the nanny on the weekends means that some of the daily upkeep of the house is left until Monday morning so that special activities are possible.

The current mission of the adults in the household is preparing for the onslaught of a walking trio. Gates are going up. Furniture is being anchored. Rooms are being designated as appropriate for toys with small pieces. It's all slow going.

It all adds up to two tired adults - with four mostly happy kids.