Lies!

Whoever said that going from one child to two was the hardest and adding a third wasn't such a big deal was and is dead, flat out wrong. I'm here to tell you, going from two to three is way harder. Way. And it's not like it's a doll that you just toss into the mix, no, it's a live human that has eyeballs that can be poked, needs to eat a lot (unless you are Marlee, then you need to eat on a constant food drip), and has feelings, needs and concerns too. In Marlee's case, that would be concern about her next meal. Hey, little people have feelings too.

Now, today was not such a great day. It started off fairly well, but it disintegrated by evening. Tony had to work late and that can make for an endless afternoon and evening. Especially when the kids fell asleep in the car this afternoon, which ruined nap time. Never a good thing.

My kids can be so challenging. They live in fast forward all day long. Motion, commotion, emotion (KAYLEN!!!) all. day. long. And the noise. Can't forget that. This house is so loud all day that I long for silence by nightfall.

For some reason, Jacob and Kaylen have this idea that rules are meant to be broken and that I don't really mean it when I tell them to do something. It's quite annoying. I'm not really sure why bringing Marlee home brought about this revolution in my house, but it's here and the rebels are...winning. No, not winning, but certainly attempting a hostile takeover. Thankfully bedtime came before they could finish the coup de etat.

As challenging as today was, now that they are safely tucked in bed and I am safely tucked in bed, well almost, Oinker thinks she is still hungry after eating for two solid hours...anyways, there were still some gems from today that deserve recognition.

* On our walk this morning Jacob was riding on the foot rest of my single passenger jogging stroller. This meant that his back was to Kaylen and she took full advantage of her superior position. They fussed back and forth and finally, Kaylen said to Jacob, "You want spankin, buddy?" in a saucy, sassy tone. "YOU want spankin? Jacob hurled back and he hit her with his hat. Jacob walked the rest of the way home.

* Tonight I let Jacob and Kaylen dismantle the couch and play on the cushions. I was...surprise! feeding Marlee. Kaylen started crying and Jacob came running to tell me that Kaylen hurt her neck, but he didn't do it. Riiiight.

* Jacob did not obey me when it was time to clean up, and in fact disobeyed a direct order not to tear up the small couch. I had to punish him and when we were done, he walked away rubbing his bottom. I'm not sure why, but it was the funniest thing I've seen in a long time.

* After the previous scene, I got a little emotional because I hate to punish Jacob and it was a tough afternoon and I feel like I've been so hard on my older kids, and so short tempered with them and just not the mom I want to be and I just had to cry. Jacob saw my tears and he said, "But your still the best mom in the world!" And then I cried even harder.

* And last but not least, Marlee. Poor Marlee. Already bearing the brunt of being the baby of the family. Speaking of which she is laying next to me as I type this and has one foot resting on my arm. It's ridiculously adorable. Anyways, I was preoccupied with some catastrophe or commotion with the other two and Marlee was left to lay and look at her mobile in her crib. I heard her crying, but couldn't stop to go pick her up. When I went to check on her a few minutes later, she had rolled herself onto her side- her favorite way to sleep- and was sound asleep! Already so self-sufficient at 2.5 weeks. Atta girl, just get it done.

Two to three is hard work. It's long hours. It's a mental strain. It's a juggling act.

It's the only way I'd have it. Except for the hostile take over.