I survived my first full year with 3 kids 3 and under. There were days that I was not so sure I would make it, all three kids kept me very busy along with a few health problems trying to keep me down. Last week we celebrated our first combo birthday party for James and Sophia. This year since Charlotte is little too young to full understand that her birthday is 6 months later, we decided to celebrate her half birthday. We had a Pirate and Princess Party, we invited many friends and relatives to join in on the fun. The kids had such a good time and we were thankful for the awesome weather and that many kids that came, played their part and dressed up also!
It has been a hard year, from the unexpected early birth of Sophia and suddenly having 3 kids who cannot do anything for themselves it was a very physically demanding year and it did not help that I had a few medical problems throughout the year as well. I had heart trouble after Charlotte and thought I did everything I could to avoid it when having Sophia, but that was not the case. I had a low heart rate again and chest pressure so I had to be re-admitted into the hospital. I have always had migraines but I guess they like to reappear after having a baby just to complicate things. As the year went on, my migraines were less and less, thankfully!
I also developed vertigo this year. I had a few really bad episodes where I could barely walk, luckily it was on a few weekends, or close enough to one that I could get by. But it has not completely gone away so I have had to adjust to how I do things and how I can control it. I drive slower and I do not turn around as fast and I watch myself more for balance and things. It has gotten a lot better, but I can still feel it every now and then. Brian and I went to a football game in September and when the crowd shook the seats it made me nausea. I cannot watch TV shows that have fast moving cameras, I probably will not be able to watch my Own home videos, since my camera work is terrible.
In September I had some sort of an allergic reaction and had hives all over my body that was very itchy and uncomfortable, then at the end of September I developed shingles, just as I was getting over shingles, I was in a car accident that hurt my back. I am hoping that my random health issues are over and I can concentrate on feeling good and getting back into working out and getting some of my energy back.
I did complete something I never thought I would ever even start, a triathlon. That was way more a challenge then I ever thought it would be. I did complete it and feel good that I did that, but training was hard- Brian was so supportive the whole time and often trained with me. I enjoyed the actual training when I did it, but getting to the Y when I needed to go was a huge problem with 3 kids and my random healthy issues. I did fine on the stationary bike, but every now and then I would get vertigo while riding my bike and riding near cars or other bikers passing me made it especially more difficult. I also was not prepared for the hills of North Carolina, boy did they kick my butt! I did jog more of the event than I had in training and was really proud of myself for that. I also was not the last person- there were not many behind, me, but I was not last!
It is still amazing to me how much babies change in that first year of life. And knowing that it was my last time going through each stage for my last time made me appreciate them more and more though at the same time I was anxious for her to get to the stage that James and Charlotte are at now. The whole year was really like being with two 3 year olds and a baby.. it was helpful that the older two were pretty much at the same stage because I could do the same things with them both.
All three of my kids amaze me every day with how quickly they learn and are excited to know more. I am so impressed with how quickly Charlotte caught up to James and I feel certain that Sophia will be caught up to Charlotte by the middle to end of next year or sooner. She is already pretty close in height and weight! James, now 4, is still way ahead of his age with his vocabulary and his understanding of things. If you teach him something one time, he has it in his head and is willing to teach it to the next person. He has been so exciting to watch grow and learn. Charlotte, though she can be so sweet and sometimes shy also has a sassy-ness to her that is going to be challenge as she gets older, but when she is sweet, she is really sweet!
Sophia has her temper tantrums, but she is not as sassy as Charlotte. She is really a mix between the first two which is a great combination to be! She loves to give hugs and really wants to be able to keep up with the other two so she will be joining the action in no time.
Though Brian works a lot of hours and is not home as much as we want him home, he is a great dad and we are incredibly blessed to have such a loving supportive father and husband. I know on the days or weeks that I was especially tired I took out all my frustrations on him. He works very hard so that I am able to stay home with our children and raise them the way we want to raise them so I am very appreciative of all he does!
This last year has been tough, but I would not trade it for a thing. I love taking care of my babies and doing fun things with them. The most physically draining year is behind us now and soon enough they will all be able to get in and out of the car themselves, buckle and unbuckle themselves, get dressed themselves and pack a suit case for themselves and so on, so I am glad to do these things now. I could do without the medical issues, but since I can't, we have learned to just roll with them. I am looking forward to the many changes my kids will go through this year. Sophia is going to learn to talk and run to keep up with these 2. James is going to be getting ready for pre-k going to school 5 days a week and Charlotte is going to be learning a bigger vocabulary and making friends at school.
