A Busy Routine

We've had a number of people drop by lately, or stop us on the street if we're out for a walk...(rare, but it happens). Many of them comment on how "calm" we seem and that we're "doing a good job". I am very grateful for these comments, but I must admit that there are days that I really don't feel calm and I really don't feel like I'm doing a good job -- but then it all comes back to that phrase...."the art of the possible". I guess sometimes I feel that I should be getting the hang of this and be more efficient, faster, finely-tuned, a streamlined machine....okay, I know that is just "ridcolus" (ridiculous, as Jennifer says it). Alas, everyday is just a little different - one baby feeds well, another pokes along and then spits up everything you've worked so hard to get into her... Jennifer is happy to play by herself, then the next day she's desperate for ALL your attention. That's just how it goes. I can feel many knowing parental heads nodding right now....

So, what are our days like right now? I'll try and give you some idea: this of course is my estimation of what an average day might look like...

7:10 - Jan gets up

       - shower

7:30 - wakes Emily and changes diaper - feeds Emily

8:00 - wakes Caitlyn and changes diaper - feeds Caitlyn

8:30 - get Jennifer up if she hasn't hollered for "MAMA"  already sometime in the previous hour

        - get Heather up and change diaper

8:45 - feed Heather and read books with Jennifer 

9:00 - when finished with Heather, set Jennifer up with her breakfast and try and eat with her. 

        - Jer's alarm goes off. 

9:15 - get Jennifer dressed - Jennifer gets Papa up because it is now "clock-o-three" and that is when he gets up!

9:30 - Jan pumps milk. Jer eats breakfast and makes coffee.

9:45 - Bottles from the night before get washed, sterilized.

10:00 - make up the milk for the day

        - maybe get Jennifer out to the park to play.

        - maybe work on a project or clean house.  

10:30 - change Emily's diaper and start feeding. 

11:00 - change Caitlyn and start feeding

11:30 - change Heather and start feeding

12:00 - Jan pumps milk. 

         - Start making lunch, or get everyone ready for a walk to the CABIN for lunch!! One         of the few times we can go for an outing if we pack in a lunch! 

12:30 - eat lunch and/or have a nice walk

         - wash and sterilize bottles

13:30 - change diaper and start feeding Emily again. 

        - Put Jennifer down for a "nap" - sleeping seems to be optional. 

14:00 -  change diaper and start feeding Caitlyn again

14:30 -  change diaper and start feeding Heather again. 

15:00 - Jan pumps milk.

         - Jer considers any number of projects to attend to. The projects may or may not         entail a shower and/or a shave... e.g.: insurance claims, shopping trips, home         improvement tasks, laundry, cleaning, etc.

15:15 - If Jennifer has not hollered for "MAMA" at this point then try and get in a nap. If Jennifer is clearly not going to sleep then pack up the gang and GET OUTSIDE for a walk! Alternately, one of us may strike out with Jennifer to get shopping or errands done.

15:30 - If nap and walking not an option - prep dinner. 

          - tidy up, laundry, dishes, bills etc. 

16:30 - wake up everyone from naps - (rare), start feeding Emily. 

17:00 - change and feed Caitlyn

17:30 - change and feed Heather.

         - start making dinner. 

18:00 - Jan pumps milk.

          - Eat dinner 

19:00 - clean up from dinner. Start bedtime routine with Jennifer. 

          - bath Jennifer

          - books and bed for Jennifer

19:30 - change and feed Emily

20:00 - change and feed Caitlyn

20:30 - change and feed Heather. Say a small prayer that they all sleep now. 

21:00 - Jan pumps milk. 

          - Various activities, e.g.: watch movie, blog, write thank-yous (they're coming, slowly!), watch tv, etc. 

21:30 - Make up milk for the night. 

22:00 - Get ready for bed. Finish last tidy ups. 

22:30 - change and feed Emily

23:00 - change and feed Caitlyn 

23:30 - change and feed Heather.

          - Jan pumps milk. 

          - Jan to bed with Emily and Caitlyn. 

24:00 - Heather to bed. 

        - gather Griffin and put to bed.

00:30 - Jer to bed 

01:30 - Jan wakes and feeds Emily and Cailtyn

0200 - Feed Heather. 

         - Pump milk

02:30 - Everyone asleep again. 

04:30 - Jer wakes, heats bottles, changes babies... 

04:45 - Jer feeds Emily and Caitlyn

05:30 - Feed Heather

06:00 - on a good day everyone is asleep again. On a bad day - Jer still feeding pokey babies.

06:30 to 07:00 - Jer can be up and down attending to yowley babies, who like to make mornings fun, social-time!

07:10 - Jan's alarm goes off

So...there it is in black and white - it's busy! But...as busy and chaotic as it is, all in all, it's pretty good - we're all healthy and enjoying our time together. So, here's a few pictures from our week...

Enjoy...

Jan/Jer

Bath time -- we do bath the other kids as well, not just Heather...

Sleepy time with Heather and Caitlyn 

Sisters forever - Heather and Jennifer

Floor time with Heather and Caitlyn 

Baby aerobic time - come on everybody - lift your leg (Emily and Caitlyn)

Heather, Emily and Caitlyn - cooling off on a hot day

Three heads are better than one!

Party time at the water table!

Look at me I've got a funny hat on -- tee hee! 

Tummy time for Caitlyn! Great head control!

The smiler - Caitlyn 

The four sisters together at last! 

More tummy time - Emily, Heather, Caitlyn.

Happy girls - Emily, Cailtyn and Heather

Tee hee Daddy can't tell us apart! (Emily and Caitlyn) 

Pink pals....Heather, Emily, Cailtyn and Jennifer! 

Shhhh.....Goodnight (Caitlyn and Emily)

Ode to Papa...

I was standing at the kitchen window this afternoon looking into the backyard. From this vantage point, I could see and hear the sights and sounds of summer....Jennifer was on her swing, swinging with legs outstretched which, eventually, would land firmly on her Papa's stomach - this of course would be met with Papa giving out a great "oof" and "ohhh" followed by gales of giggles from Jennifer. Later, while at the same window, I could hear the gentle guidance of Papa, instructing Jennifer how to "tap tap tap" the pegs into the peg board he was making for the back door, to which Jennifer responded with delight.

I was struck in these moments watching these lovely scenes by the reality of how lucky my 4 daughters are. They have a wonderful and loving Papa. He is, by all accounts, a fun, adventurous, caring and generous Daddy...Jennifer can attest to this already and, if they could speak, I believe all three babies would give us all a full accounting of the numerous times he has spent talking, cooing, cuddling and gazing upon each of them. What a wonderful way to grow up, in the broad arms, that seem to be perpetually hugging, of a great Dad. I could go on, but perhaps it is suffice to say that I feel lucky too and very grateful. Collectively, thank you from all your girls.

And now, here are a few sights from our last few days....enjoy

Jennifer reading a book to Heather....

Emily and Heather snuggles

the wigglers

Caitlyn and Heather cuddle

The many faces of Emily

"Sleepy-Dad" with Heather

"Grizzly Dad" - pre-coffee

The "swinger" - Heather

The "swinger" - Jennifer

The Fraser girls out on the town!

Chums for life! - Heather and Jennifer

Caitlyn and Emily

The "Muskatetes"...Caitlyn, Emily and Heather

Picnic in the park

Caitlyn snoozing in the Chariot...

Heather not snoozing but should be...

Emily getting comfy in the Chariot...

The Chariot(s)

Jennifer's favourite park attractions - "the jeep"...

...and the "twister" slide

Mastering the climbing bars...look at me Grandpa Bill!!

Hope your days are just as adventurous...

Love 

Jan et al..

Time keeps on tickin'....into the future...

Time is going by fast in this part of the world. Already, the babies are 4 months old (as of August 13th). This, of course, is their chronological age; developmentally, they are just now considered the equivalent of 7 week old babies. Regardless, the time has gone by quickly. 

It's amazing to me that just a few short months ago I/we were so afraid of the girl's entrance into the world: it was so early, and they were so small. I felt like I did them a disservice by agreeing to the C-section so early. It's been quite a roller-coaster over these short months; however, I know that we have been so fortunate and we could have experienced much worse. We have three beautiful and healthy babies and a wonderful 2 1/2 year old mentor to guide them on their way -- what more could we ask for? We keep saying that we just need to win the lottery now but, in fact, we already have.

This week was punctuated by a great visit from cousin Jennifer Thompson (one of a few select Jennifers to which our little j is a namesake). It was the first meeting for all 4 of the girls and, as expected, little Jennifer was smitten from the start (as was big Jennifer too I think)! It was a great catch up and far too short a visit. We want to thank cousin Jen for all of her support while here - meals, laundry, reading, cuddling etc....what a treat for us all! We are looking forward to introducing others from the Thompson clan to all of the girls in the next couple of weeks, including Aunt Betty and Uncle Gord, as well as cousin Kevin and his partner Kelly. 

Until then, we are having lazy chaotic challenging relaxed some days together with just the 6 of us... these are great days full of fun, laughter, happiness and, yes, fatigue!

Today marked another weigh-in -- (drum-roll please Kaleb): 

Caitlyn -- 10 lbs 11oz - she has now returned to the heavy-weight category and surpassed both of her sisters! 

Heather - 10 lbs 8 oz

Emily -- 10 lbs 7 oz

As you can surmise by their weights, the babies are all doing well; healthy and doing all that they are supposed to be doing (at least I think so anyway). 

So...without further discussion...enjoy some photos from the week

Big Sister and Big Helper

The 2 J's enjoying some book time together

Do not adjust the screen....Caitlyn and Emily doing the "Pisa" 

Big Sister duty...

Jennifer and Emily - cuddle time

Emily and Caitlyn at feeding time!

Taking a creative "time-out"

Heather - large with life and laughter!

Caitlyn - "power to the premie"

Emily in la la land...

Hope you get to sleep like Emily....until next time, 

Goodnight

Jan et al...