When I was preparing for the triplets, I read as many books that I could get my hands on. Some of them were good, some of them were great and others scared the hell out of me.
But out of all those books there was one thing that I took to heart. One piece of advice that I swore, I was going to abide by no matter what.
The advice: Just because you have triplets doesn’t mean that you are tied to your house. Take your triplets out into the world. Sure, it is going to be hard but it will be good for you and good for the babies. The world is a great big place that you and your babies need to see. Besides, once you conquer the challenge of taking triplets out by yourself, there is nothing you can’t do.
One of my greatest fears when I found out that I was having triplets was that I was going to be stuck in the house and that is not me. I love going out. When it was just Hayden and I, we could be found all over town at play groups, at the mall, at the library, at the park, and any where we wanted to go. We both liked getting out of the house.
I was so afraid that after the triplets were born that the fact that I was so greatly out numbered would stick me in the house permanently. So when I read that passage in the book, about how it was not only possible but suggested to take infant triplets out into the world, I took it to heart and made it my goal.
Sure is was hard, sure is was stressful, sure we were gawked at, and sure sometimes its was not worth the effort but every time I did it, I got better and in turn the process got easier.
And the process made for some pretty good blog fodder.
This post was written on August 20, 2007 when the triplets were 2 months old. It was one of my very first outings as a mother of triplets and their 2 year old brother.
It was not read by many people but I wish that it had been because it is a perfect example of what it was like taking the babies and their big brother out into the world.
I took the kids to the mall today for an outing and to meet my sister, Lisa. The goal was to get to the mall before the next feeding. Of course the feeding before I left was not a good one and I knew that the babies would be hungry earlier then their scheduled 3 hour eating time.
We got into the car and wouldn’t you know it, Quinn started screaming. I knew he was hungry but there was nothing I could do expect drive. I was hoping that the car ride would sooth him back to sleep.
This did not work.
He began to cry harder and louder.
Hayden being the closest to the crying baby starts to say, “I know, I know, baby Quinn. I’m working on it. I’m working on it.” Then he says, “Quiet down, baby Quinn. Food will come soon.” (Totally parroting things that I say.)
Later after Quinn was fed and quiet, Hayden runs up to me and says, “Good job, mama! Give me high five! You did it.”
Thank God for Hayden! Because just when I think that I am going to explode from all the stress he finds some way to make me laugh and reminds me how lucky I really am.
Yeah, after over 3 years of taking the kids out by myself, I pretty much feel that I can figure a way to do anything.
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{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
I definitely believe that a mom of multiples can do anything! 2 y/o’s are so funny – when counting with my little boy the other day (we were counting his toes!) – he also said “Good job Mama!”. He was very proud his mommy can count to 10
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that is just such a cute picture of the three triplets in their car seats! how adorable!!! I love TO READ your blog!
http://www.justcherishtoday.com
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…super cute picture
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I have three children, not triplets, but three children. Somedays getting out with them is hard enough. Good for you to reading the mantra and sticking to it. Now I have to go search out your blog for current photos of these little cuties. Gotta love SITS for introducing new blogs to us.
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You are superwoman. Just sayin!
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Jen Reply:
September 14th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
No, I am not supermom. Just a mom that doesn’t want to be stuck in the house with 4 kids all day, day after day.
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I fully understand what you mean… I have twin girls and an older son.
The girls are now 14 and my son is 19… but when they were little my husband worked out of town and it was me to take them and get things done…
When you can take 2 infants and a 5 year old to town and make it back home without hurting someone or yourself you can do anything….
“You can’t scare me… I have twins… ”
You learn to do what you have to do to survive….
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Jen Reply:
September 14th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
LOL! I say something similar too like, “Whatever, I have triplets. There is nothing that I can’t do!”
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I love the picture of the three, that’s just plain cute.
I always loved the comments of “wow, you’re out at the grocery store with twins? You’re so brave!”
I think mostly we just needed food.
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Jen Reply:
September 14th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Seriously, I got those same comments too. Its like really people, we have to eat and I am the care taker of all these kids so going to the store is a much. How else could we get food and diapers?
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You are amazing!!!!!! And brave. And strong. How much stuff did you have to schlep around for three babies?
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Jen Reply:
September 14th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Well, if I remember correctly, my diaper bag contained this;
diapers for Hayden
sippy cup for Hayden
snack for Hayden
3 bottles,
3 pacis
9 diapers (3 per infant)
3 changes of clothes
3 burp clothes
extra formula
changing pad
hand sanitizer
and possibly many other things that I can’t remember but those were the biggies.
And yes, it was a huge bag that was a PIA to carry around.
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Jennifer Reply:
September 14th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
I’m kind of ashamed to admit that I think my diaper bag had that much stuff for one baby.
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Whata great triumphant post!!
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I hear ya loud and clear, sista!!!
Those were the days, were they not?
I have to say that it is still a spectacle, but at least we don’t have to have the triple decker stroller drawing all the coo-coo’s in the crowd?!!
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Jen Reply:
September 14th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Amen, to that! I was so glad when we put the strollers away. No more people stopping us. Yeah!!!!
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GOOD FOR YOU!!! I admire you for putting your mind to it and accomplishing something that seems nearly impossible.
It’s a funny thing about life ~ a lot of people get intimdated and back down before truly trying something amazing {and taking newborn triplets out in the world is amazing!} but if they’d just put their minds to it they could accomplish anything the world threw at them.
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So sweet that Hayden was trying to be helpful.
And, that HAD to happen this summer. If we didn’t go somewhere every day, it turned into craziness!
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Sounds like Hayden was a great big brother from the start and yeah I don’t know I ever would have left the house.
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Still there are some places, a mom with triplets just should not go….as I learned yesterday when I took my three into Home Goods. I survived, but I think next time I will not take all three…lol.
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Looking at your list of all you carried around- WOW.
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Just looking at those sweet babies in their infant seats overwhelms me. I would have been locked up for sure. Just think if you hadn’t made that goal. Where would you be now?
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I just love the “I’m working on it…” coming from the big little brother. Classic! Great picture, too!
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love this. i feel the same way, being stuck in the house is NOT an option.
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You are the ONLY triplet mom I know that has basically navigated the road without extensive help. I have no doubt you can handle anything with them!
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I mean without outside help…….
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It must be fun to look back on those early days when you probably didn’t think you’d even MAKE it through each day!
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You can do anything.
And the book is sitting on my bed as we speak, awaiting my brain to kick in and memorize it.
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Jen Reply:
September 14th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Squeeeee!!!
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You’re my hero! People marvel at how well-behaved my kids are out in public and how much I appear to be in total control. But truth be told, wangling triplets and carting them out in public…well that’s just amazing! You go Jenn! (Not Jennifer. lol)
Kristi, Live and Love…Out Loud
@TweetingMama
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Good for you for getting out right away! I was counseled the same way which seemed overwhelming enough without triplets.
I love, Love, LOVE that your son was your cheerleader.
Great post then and now!
Traci
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That is awesome that you guys went out. I’m the same way, I don’t like being cooped up in the house.
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I love that I can tell which triplet is which in that picture of them as infants!
And you know, I bow down to you as a mother who had THREE babies at a time. I think I’ve told you this before. But it bears repeating, over and over…
And yes, Thank God for Hayden!
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Jen Reply:
September 14th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Oh I am impressed you can tell who is who.
The order goes L to R, Quinn, Jake and Claire.
Were you right?
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You’re an inspiration to us all, well done!
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Squeee! Guess I’m still in new baby cutie-patootie mode (I don’t typically like the newborns)
Your babies were/are adorable. I remember my first outing with Maggie & Jessie alone. Jessie screamed all the way to the zoo and all the way home, but loved the actual zoo.
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I think you’re supermom. Not sure I could ever handle triplets! You’re awesome.
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Of all my friends, I’m one of the few with more than 1 child, let alone 3 so close in age. They told me all summer they were amazed at all I did with the kids by myself….but what else am I going to do? Just sit home all day long? no thanks…I made it a point early on to get out with the kids by myself and we’ve been on the go ever since!
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Elisabeth Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 11:08 am
I have to know. Is your name really Barbara Manatee or is it from the Veggie Tales Song?
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Barbara Manatee Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
lol! Yes, its a Veggie Tales reference (although I had a friend recently who thought it was actually my maiden name!). My first name IS Barbara and my friend’s kids used to think I was THE Barbara Manatee…the nickname has stuck ever since and its been 10 years!
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Ok seriously where were posts like this when I had my daughter? I was scared to death to leave the home with her and her 3 big brothers. And the bigest one was 12. I look back on this and think “What the heck was wrong with me?”
Great post! Adorable picture!
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