My babies are entering a new stage, toddlers. I now know why they say the first year with multiples is the hardest. Unfortunately this statement is not making reference to the uncomplicated, carefree, joyful days that come with raising two or more toddlers. Rather, this statement should be reinterpreted to say “If you made it through the first year with multiples alive and your mental well-being still intact (with the aid of prescribed pharmaceuticals counts), you should be primed to handle all that lies ahead; including, constant whining, stray poop, and the whirlwind that now defines your life.
Since passing the 1 year mark, life certainly hasn’t calmed down but it sure is more entertaining and here are a few reasons why:
1. I remember worrying when a poopy wipe touched the carpet when the kids were newborns. Quiet the opposite, this morning I was pondering how on earth a terd ended up on the floor when Mia came flying towards me (literally, this girl’s crawl is constantly in fast forward) completely naked and handed me her dirty diaper. About this time, Marcus fell down the first flight of stairs and Josie glued herself to my leg. Just another typical morning…
2. I used to dangle one rattle above all three children’s head and they would all giggle and grasp for it, no on minded sharing. We recently received a gift of 100 of the kids’ favorite toy, balls. That is 33.3 balls for each child. Wouldn’t you know, a fight erupted over one of the 15 green balls that were strewn around my living room. Marcus pulled Mia’s hair and Mia threw herself on top of Josie. They all then turned towards me and erupted in tears.
3. I used to think it was hilarious when the babies attempted to turn over. Now, as the kids learn to walk and maneuver their world, their antics are so much more entertaining. For example, Josie knows she needs to go down the stairs backwards so she lays on her belly and begins to push herself feet first towards the top of the stairs that are another 5 feet away. Marcus still feels secure holding someone’s hand and walking around. While going up the very slight incline at the bottom of our driveway he turns himself sideways and inches his feet sideways. Meanwhile Mia must have no depth perception or fear. If she wants to go downstairs, she has no qualms about diving down the stairs head first. If that’s not entertainment, what is….KIDDING!
4. I used to be entertained watching my infants grasp at objects. Now I’m amazed where objects end up. Last night someone left the bathroom door open. Within 1 minute I found a ball in the sink (my children are only 2 ft. tall?) a bottle of lotion in the toilet and the water running in the tub.
5. Rolling under the coffee table used to be a blast to the babies but now the entire house is a jungle gym. Our dining room set has become the “tunnel zone”, our hallway bench the “monkey bars” and the once innocent music table the “launching pad”.
6. I remember finding the babies’ coos so intriguing, “I wonder what they are thinking?” Now the kids “triplet speak” or have mysterious conversations while riding in their strollers, during dinner and while fighting over toys. I can only imagine what they are saying but they often get quiet heated and enthusiastic (“Josie, tell mom I ate that baby wipe and you die!”).
7. I use to dress my kids in the cutest outfits and if they got too dirty, I’d just swap it out for another adorable outfit. Now, my kids only wear pants while we are out. Attempting to dress the kids is mayhem. Mia often grabs her shirt and tries to pull it off before you can get her arms in and Marcus acts like putting on a pair of pants is equivalent to receiving a round of vaccines. Therefore, it is not surprising we got second glances at Target the other day when Mia tried to jump out of the cart pantless (oops…I forget from time to time).
8. Bath time used to be such a calm and pleasurable experience for everyone when the kids were tiny. Now, it is nothing less than utter chaos. Marcus is turning on and off the faucet, Mia is crawling from one side of the tub to the other the entire bath (and taking nose dives into the water as flip turns) and Josie is crying because she just wants a little peace. So much for the calming lavender baby bubbles.
9. The babies use to copy the tone of our voice when we babbled at them. Now the kids copy almost everything we do. Whenever we sneeze, Marcus fakes a dramatic sneeze, head jerk and all. Mia is already picking up my dance moves (your going to be rockin’ that dance floor baby 
) And just the other day I saw Josie pointing to her nose…wait, or was she picking her nose?”
10. Our triplet infants used to stare in our eyes and smile to let us know they loved us. Now they run to us with outstretched arms, huge giggles of glee and wrap their arms tightly around our neck. If that doesn’t say “I love you”, I don’t know what does!
Love your postings. This one especially hit home since I’m going thru the same thing. I don’t have the kids playing their poop just yet, but had one of them eat cat poop last week!!! I’ve been on kid poop patrol checking for worms for the past couple of days – I think we are in the clear!!
Keep your head up and most importantly, keep those postings coming!!
Another great post! I’ve had so many people tell me “If you survive the first year, you’ll be okay.” Now I know what fun I have to look forward too. What a great outlook you have on life!