15 months 5 days

Last night was one of the shortest and most restless nights, though it was not the babies' fault, and so I've been pretty tired all day, and am tonight.

I got up as always at 8:50, we fed them, and put them to bed for their nap, which was 9:15. I've been taking Tammy to bed with me right away, while I used to leave her in her bed for half an hour in the past, and I'll probably go back to doing that, as it took her 40 minutes to fall asleep on me. The boys also took longer today to fall asleep, and they only slept half an hour. Tammy also slept only 40 minutes. So just after 10:30 they were all back downstairs to play.

I went back to bed, but had a hard time sleeping, and heard them cry quite a bit. So I got up, got their clothes ready for our outing later, got lunch ready for the adults, and took a shower, and then lay back down, having done what was absolutely necessary. Doorbells kept me awake, as Randy often does not hear it downstairs, especially when he has music going, but even without. I just about still caught the Amazon guy before he was completely gone.

At noon Sonja arrived, and she and Randy fed them lunch. Again, no sleep as I can hear every word. And then they run around, and bang on my door. Then they all went downstairs, and Sonja and Randy had the food I had already prepared. Finally, sleep. But at 1:15 they all went to bed for their afternoon nap, a little earlier, as they had slept so little in the morning and were so tired. Sammy just cried and cried and cried, until Randy finally gave him dental cream, then he fell asleep, but did not sleep very long. Tammy took 25 minutes to fall asleep on me. She was talking back and forth with Emmy, and then one would cry a little, and then the other would cry again, and that went back and forth a few times. She ended up sleeping 50 minutes on me, until 2:30, and the few minutes it was quiet, I got to sleep to. She was the last one to get up, and then Sonja and Randy were so kind to feed them their afternoon meal, so I could eat for the first time today myself. Then we got them dressed, made their milk to go, and got everything, including ourselves, ready to leave. The goal was just after 3 pm, but it was nearly 3:30. We still got there just on time.

We were so thankful to have Sonja come with us, as it's tough at the doctor's office with three crying babies, when it's only two adults. We had to take 3 subways to get there, which took us 45 minutes. The subways were pretty full, considering we're on full lockdown, but I guess many people were going home from work.

Instead of using the stroller, I had Sammy in the baby carrier today, as I'll be carrying him to Mali that way next week. That way we only have to take one stroller with us, and with Sammy not walking, that's the easiest way. He was facing forward, and he actually enjoyed it, though he had not been in a carrier for many months. I could tell that he was lighter than Emmanuel, but when you walk long distances, it definitely starts hurting your back, even with Sammy's seven and a half kilos on my chest. From the subway, we still had to walk a bit before we made it to the pediatrician's office. There are only a few places in Vienna that are allowed to give you a yellow fever shot, and I think this is the only pediatrician, which is why I chose him. Mali requires a yellow fever shot for EVERYONE who enters the country, and even though they are only just over a year old, it's better to make sure they have it, as they check everyone upon entry. The good thing is that the shot lasts for life!

There was hardly anyone in the waiting room, and we were called in before we had even had the chance to sit down. I told them their weight, but they still measured their height and head's circumferences. Even though it was a new place, they were extremely suspicious of that activity and were whining/crying when they did it.

Then the doctor came in. So far all their shots had been on their thigh, but today it was on their arm. Before we got to it, a nurse came in to say hello, as she had been working at the hospital while our three were there, and she wanted to see them. How sweet! I remembered her.

Then the doctor gave them the shot, with them looking at the needle going into their arms! I don't even look when I get a shot! I held Tammy and Emmy, while Randy held Sammy. I was impressed that they did not cry for very long. They definitely cry more at their regular pediatrician's offce... where they'll get another two shots this Friday! We paid (another fortune, after paying a fortune for the meningitis shot last week), and left to go back home. I had Sammy facing forward again. We went home the same way we came, but Sonja left us half-way to go home herself.

It was 6 pm when we got home, a time when they're usually already in bed. Tonight I gave them a full portion of soup, as they were not getting anything else. I put it into the warmer right away, then we got them out and undressed. I put Sammy into the swing, and Tammy immediately went to him. Last time she climbed onto him into the swing, as she likes the swing so much! Randy ended up getting Sammy out, and she climbed into the empy swing. I think we need to get a swing for them for our living room! In the meantime I was getting the bathtub and their beds ready. Then we fed them, bathed them, and put them to bed. I walked away right away as usual, and Tammy only cried for seconds before getting quiet and falling asleep! That was the fastest falling asleep time for all of them, but then it was already after 7 pm.

Now it's just after midnight, and all the absolutely essential things I have to do are done. As Sammy is going to physiotherapy in the morning, meaning I'll have to be up, I'm planning on going to bed early today. But only 9 days left until we leave, and we haven't even packed ONE of our 9 suitcases yet!!!