17 months 21 days

Last night it was 3:30 am when I went to bed, and I was in such a flow working, I would have loved to continue. Right now I'm very aware of how much needs to get done, so I'm putting more effort in to get it done.

This morning we got up at 8 am as usual to feed them. At 8:30 am Caritas helper Christine arrived to help for a few hours. It's such a blessing to have her for a few weeks; it's a payable service. I had already finished feeding them and was cleaning them up and dressing them. Then I went back to bed and left everything to her and Randy.

They had great fun with Christine. At 10:30 Randy put the boys to bed, and Christine went outside our apartment with Tammy for a little bit. The boys woke up about an hour later, which is pretty typical. I had prepared everything so that Christine could cook lunch for everyone, and so it was nice to be able to just stay in bed and not worry about anything. At noon they fed them the lentil soup she'd made, and then they put Tammy to bed. I heard her cry, which she doesn't usually do anymore at daytime. I got up to check on her, and found that she did not have her rabbit that she always hugs to fall asleep. So I took care of that, and then she fell asleep.

I wanted to go back to bed, but I was already up. I took Sammy downstairs where Christine already was with Emmy. A package had arrived - Emmy loves packages - and I opened it up, as it was once again for the little ones. As they now cry even when the doctor just listens to their lungs or looks into their ears, I got a doctor's toolbox for them to play with, so they get familiar with those tools. Hopefully that way they won't mind next time at the doctor's office. Though they might still be a little young for a toy like that, they did enjoy checking it out.

The girl woke up by herself, before the boys could go to bed. Emmy was already pretty tired, while Sammy was in great shape and having fun. It was nearly 2:15 pm, so we all went upstairs to feed them at the dining room table. We sat down to eat, and then Christine had to leave us already. After feeding them, the boys went to bed, and I took Tammy downstairs to play. I asked Randy to come be with her, so I could get some much-needed office work done, and I was actually able to work for a while, which was nice. As for Tammy, she has recently perfectly repeated back words to us, and so has Emmy. The past two days we've both heard her say "diaper" back to us. And both her and Emmy have pointed at their diaper, when they needed a fresh one. It's time to get those potties out!

She also surprised me today. Before Randy came downstairs, she started crying really hard, and I was unable to comfort her. She went to the exit of the play area that was closed, as if she wanted to leave. And in fact, she wanted to go to her Daddy! When Randy finally came downstairs, she went straight to him and only started crying once he held her in her arms. I was astonished how I wasn't good enough, that Daddy was necessary. Randy pointed out that they have alone time with each other every morning from 10:30 to 12, when the boys take their nap and I sleep or cook.

Sammy was the first to wake up before 4 pm, and Emmy woke up shortly after. I went to get them and brought them downstairs. I let them run around freely, not just in the play area, as they are happier that way, and it worked out really well. Emmy hopped on the swing and I pushed him for a while. And for a while, all three played happily, without needing any of their parents, which was such a nice change. May that happen more and more! I was actually able to work a little bit with all three being right there in front of me!

Of course it didn't last, but then, I want to have some fun with my little ones as well!

At 5 pm I went upstairs to get their dinner ready, and half an hour later we started feeding them. They came up a little earlier, as I heard them all cry downstairs, and once they are upstairs, they enjoy running around and don't cry. I put Tammy and Emmy into their chairs, with their full plates in front of them, which I always do. Then I walked away to finish grating an apple for them, which is also not unusual. They are pretty good at eating by themselves now. However, Tammy enjoys mashing up her food, and when I returned tonight, she had thrown ALL her food out, and it looked like she tried to throw it as far as possible! She had not done that before! I too her plate away, and she started crying. I tried to give her food, but when she's throwing a fit, she refuses to eat. She went on for a while, before she started reaching out to me, like she wanted me to take her out of the chair. I finally did, and once on my lap, she stopped crying and started eating what I gave her. In the meantime Emmy had continued eating his food and was nearly done. Then we went into the bathtub, where they finished the rest of their food, including Sammy. Then it was bedtime.

Sammy fell asleep right away, while Tammy was crying, and Emmy was wide awake (why?!?). He ended up waking Sammy back up, and keeping his sister awake. I came back a few times to comfort Tammy, but every time I'd come, Emmy would get more active. He needs me to stay away so he can sleep. Finally she fell asleep because I was sitting by her side, and I could walk away. Emmy continued being active for quite some time before he finally lay down to sleep. Thankfully Sammy also fell asleep without needing any more attention, though he'd had fun with his brother.

I then got to make my food, eat, and start doing office work. Time just goes by too fast, and I just can't get enough work done. If only I could work during the day more often, like I did today!