A typical night

I have decided to try and get these guys up by eight no matter what, because I am hoping this helps with my sleepless nights. It starts with Aiden at 3am, then he passes the torch to Mia at 4am. After I get her down Seth starts to wake, while working on Seth, Mia decides she needs some momma love once more. I give her a small bottle to knock her out, then back to Seth. I would say by 6:30 they are all asleep and an hour later I have to get up. So it's eight and here they are allllll asleep. Of course, I am sure there are days I will just crash with them, but I am hoping this helps.

I love this...

The Special Mother

by Erma Bombeck



Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit.

This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

"Forrest, Marjorie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."

"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."

Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But has she patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."

"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has her own world. She has to make her live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'". She will never consider a "step" ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and will know it!"

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".

"And what about her Patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.

God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."

A little bribe...

can go a long way. Aiden's weakness....french fries. When the subject of french fries came up during his haircut things just seem to go better. Therefore, after the boys haircuts it was time for some french fries to celebrate. Aiden was also quick to tell the hairdresser that she was all done!

Rare moment

The other night Seth came into the room as I was waking up Aiden from a late nap. Seth just climbed up in the bed with Aiden and Mia like nothing. I was amazed at this. So I ran for the camera to capture the moment, but this is all I caught. Seth seriously knows that Aiden is much calmer when he wakes up or is asleep altogether. This seems to be the only time he will hang around Aiden.

Play time

While Aiden is still asleep, Mia gets some play time with her big sister, Skyler. It is fun to hear them playing. It is nice having Skyler home during the day to help entertain the troops.

Bath Time Buds

When I give the trips their baths, I usually do Aiden and Mia first. Then Mia gets out, then Seth joins Aiden for a bit. They all love their time in the bath. Aiden almost always throws a fit when he has to get out.
Seth likes to lay out and roll in the water. I worry about him in the tub, because at times he shows no fear of it. I think is why I usually have just him in the end, so I can watch him better.



And look how spiffy they can get after a good bath!

Things that I love....

I love....
-to check in on Mia and Aiden and see them playing with each other.
-when Seth takes that brief moment to look back at me and smile in anticipation when I am supposed to be singing the Olivia show song.
-shopping with my mom, anywhere.
-walking into Lynn's house, my stress seems to melt away.
-being daddy's little girl forever.
-being spooned by my husband.
-the smell of pumpkin spice and sugar cookies.
-eating too much. I am very good at it.
-the mischievous look Aiden can smile.
-the endless memories of my brothers and me, always being there for each other.
-that Seth chose me and no other.
-my home, it changes with my family. Its small but God knows where it is.
-that moment in the morning before all are awake and coffee is hot.
-all cats. I would adopt fifty if I could.
-when Mia points her finger to her cheek and says, "I know!"
-being in New Orleans Square and hearing the train whistle. All aboard!
-oceans that are warm.
-big family dinners, when everyone is all together.
-love when my step kids play Sorry and someone always gets mad or cries.
-when you can see every star in the sky.
-singing in my car alone.
-taffy, toffee and vanilla malts.
-visiting Philly. One of the few places I can remember as a child and still see.
-my best childhood friend, Jen. She is always in my heart.
-how I always have a friend with my cousin, Amy.
-how God has blessed me with my family and friends.

Breath and Pray - New Years Resolutions

My resolutions are to enjoy life more and pray harder. Simple enough, right? On top of getting them to be binkie free, bottle free, not draw on walls, learn to share, go to bed on time, use the toilet, and learn to talk, I have one main goal this year. I want them to understand and love the lord. I can not think of one thing that is more important in my life and I want to instill in them that there is always someone there for them (besides me and dad.) So we started to go to church. Right now they just have a daycare they go to, but getting them comfortable there is important. Also, getting the church to learn about Seth's little challenges. My goal will be that next Christmas they will know more than just Santa and Frosty.

I also have been making it a priority to pray each night. I struggle with worrying about Seth and just the day to day challenges with raising triplets and three older step children. The only things that seems to build strength and peace in me, is putting my faith in the lord. Letting him handles my worries and pray for the strength and wisdom I need.

The last is learning to enjoy the small things and taking better care of myself. In a family of eight it has become easy to put my health in last place. This is not easy, just trying to do aerobics with one two year old underfoot today was a challenge today. I won't even try it with two around, let alone three. I really need to take advantage of this time, before I head back to work...someday. With Seth needing extra support, I am not sure when that will be (or what it will be.)

Morning routine...

I have my early bird, Seth. He gets up around 6:30am. He is also the one that stays up the latest, sometimes till 10pm. Sleep issues are common with children with autism or it could just be he is like me and wakes to any little noise. He looks forward to his morning cartoons getting started.


Then I usually have Mia up a little later. She usually sleeps though the night right now. She has all her teeth, unlike the boys. I believe the teething the boys are going through keeps them up at times, right now. She likes to be where I am in the mornings. She even helps empty the dishwasher.



Then there is my morning bear, Aiden. He is very slow to get up and prefers to hang out in his pack and play for half and hour. I can only imagine what it will be like to get this one up and ready for school.

These days I just have to get them somewhat ready for Seth's therapy session. Seth has the beginnings of ABA therapy through Bright Futures. Both him and Aiden are in the early intervention programs through our county. Aiden is in it for a speech delay but Seth, of course, is in it due to his ASD. Seth has session from 9 to 11 every weekday. Aiden has a session once a week for an hour, right now. I am hoping to get him into a mom and me class soon.

Wild Hair

And you think you have bad hair days!