13 months 13 days

I've felt terrible all day; lack of sleep causing a headache. I was gonna go to bed at 2:30, which is pretty typical, but then I got tied up with something, and it was 3:30, and then I couldn't sleep until after 4 am. Then a baby cried, then it was morning and Randy got up to take care of them, and then my alarm went off, and I crawled out of bed to make their food. At least everything was ready for our trip to the swimming pool. We fed them and dressed them and put them into the strollers and left on time.

We were pretty fast today and arrived at the pool early, and Grandma was also already there. Even though they were tired, none of them had slept on the way there. The first picture was taken just before going into the pool. Since we were early, we had a few minutes in the pool with them before the class started, which was nice. We pay for 3 hours and never stay that long.

I had Sammy today, Grandma Emmy and Daddy Tammy. However, when Emmy got upset (simply because he was tired), Daddy and Grandma switched. They did really well swimming again. While babies their age don't like swimming on their backs (Emmy hates it), Sammy loves it and is totally relaxed.

The class only lasts half an hour - too short! We showered, changed the really tired babies, and put them into the strollers, then changed ourselves, and rolled out of there. We had to say good-bye to Grandma again; it's the only time we ever see her, and we don't even get to talk.

On the way home, Emmy fell asleep right away (before we even left), and Tammy a little later. Sammy never slept! We got home at 12:45; Emmy had woken up on the second subway, and Tammy slept for a little bit longer. We put their food into the warmers and played with them while waiting.

At 1 pm our friend Sonja arrived to help. Thank God for her, and any helper that comes! Some of you prayed them in! The three of us together fed them their lunch meal. Tammy and Emmy are always a challenge, as they can't sit still, and we have to go after them to put the food into their mouths.

After lunch I put Sammy down for a much-needed nap, and he fell asleep right away. And I lay down myself. I was so exhausted I could not do anything else. It's now become customary for Randy to be cooking omelets when we come home from swimming, so I was thankful for that. I believe I slept a little, while Randy was cooking and Sonja was with the other two babies. I was able to eat my omelet in bed, when Randy brought it to me. I hadn't done that in a long time!

I would have liked to stay in bed. Sammy woke up, and then it was already time for their second meal, so again the three of us fed them downstairs, the same way as earlier. Emmy was so very tired, I lay down in bed with him, and he fell asleep fast. I also got to take a little nap. It was 3:30 pm, and I don't really want them to sleep after 4 pm, as they already go to bed at 5:30, so I got up with him just after 4 pm. Tammy never lay down for a nap, but she was sure tired.

Randy left to pick up a package (and the post office gave him somebody else's package instead of ours!), while Sonja and I played with the babies. They were all cranky and tired, even Emmy, so they really wanted to be with me, and Sonja took a few pictures.

When Randy returned, I went to the kitchen to get their dinner ready. It was 5:30 before they ate - half an hour later than usual, as lunch is so late after swimming.

We sat at the dining room table, and Sonja fed Tammy, I fed Emmy, and Daddy Sammy, who is more challenging to feed. Though the other two are also challenging, just in a different way. Emmy is always the first to want out of the chair (you can see the picture), and Tammy then likes to turn around and wants to join her brother on the floor. And then you have to go after them and put food into their mouths as they crawl around exploring. By the way, I didn't tell you yesterday that Tammy held on to the oven handle and stood on the bar of the drawer under the oven yesterday! 😲 Who knew she could do that!

Randy had to leave again as he needed to pick up a second-hand longer ladder he needs to put the curtain up above the staircase (I had shown you a picture). So I changed Sammy and gave him his milk, while Sonja ran after the other two all by herself to put the rest of the food into their mouths. Once Sammy was in bed, I changed Emmy and put him down with his milk, and then it was Tammy's turn. Emmy was throwing a fit again as he wanted me to take him out, but there is no coming out at night. I just stayed with him and stroked his head until he calmed down and finally started drinking his milk. He took a little longer than usual to fall asleep. Tammy also sat up at first, but she was pretty tired and fell asleep after a while.

Our wonderful helper Sonja had left once I sat down by the babies. Once they were all asleep, I was able to walk away and start cleaning up the kitchen. What a mess! We need to find an affordable cleaning lady, as I just can't do it all. It took me a while, but at least the kitchen ended up nice and clean. That's when Randy returned home with the ladder, and we both started cooking our respective dinner. That's when I have a little bit of R&R, when I eat my food, until I'm done and I start doing office work. Now it's after midnight, and I'm thankful the headache has finally subsided. Still, I just have to go to bed earlier tonight to catch up a little. We're home without any helpers tomorrow.