I'm amazed you find time to post at all, I know there are lots of moms here with only one or two kids and sometimes we don't see them for days or weeks on end. How on earth do you do it?

You have the stamina and the love to handle this....and don't think for one min. that it isn't going to be trying and tiring at the same time. Take advantage of those naps when you can you'll need them.
I am glad the advice and tips from the ladies at this wonderful kitchen table are encouraging and useful.

June

Honestly this sometimes is my saving grace....I get to communicate with adults and right now I feel overwhelmed and in some strange way...maybe because I know most of you here are mothers and I am so far away from mine I am loving all the advice and help. Right now DH and I are on our own and between being scared witless about their bio-mother and just becoming a mom myself after 17 years of marriage with no kids I feel sometimes like I am drowing. As you can probably tell I am having a small melt down at the moment. I am tired and I find typing out my worries helps me because I know you guys have been there before.
Thanks for letting me vent!

Just an observation..but I'd say you were BORN to be a Mother!*S*

Just a bit of advice. At some point,those little girls will need to be disciplined. Don't be afraid to do it because of "what they've been through". Yes,they've had a rough start, but they'll have a rougher life if they're spoiled and not taught the difference in what is and isn't acceptable behavior.

I'm so happy you're enjoying your new instant family!!*S* I'm really looking forward to some pictures of them! (hint-hint)

Trust me when I tell you that ever Mother, birth or otherwise has those periods of time....Meltdowns...haha ..has anyone mentioned feeling like screaming at the top of your voice or pulling your hair out..there were times when I wondered what was I thinking............those feelings will probably happen too but then a little smile will wipe all the stress away.........

Rule 1: No guilt about being relieved when they nap. I only had one and I swear some days I just couldn't WAIT for nap time. You're doing great--just don't wear yourself out, hon. And make sure you eat enough since you're burning up a lot more calories than you used to.

Thank you Ruthieg....I am tired and needless to say a little overwhelmed.
The girls know we have rules and things they are not allowed to do. I am not afriad or worried about that. I would die if I ever heard someone say "oh here comes that lady and those rotten kids!"
Tanna and Trace have both spend time on the naughty chair! I have watched couple of episode of the Super Nanny and I like her style of discipline. We have a naughty chair that sits in the corner that we use when needed. Tanna pushed Trace yesterday afternoon and I explained that we don't hit and told her to sit in the naughty chair and without any problems she went and sat down. She was crying which is heartbreaking but rules are rules, then she had to go apologize to sister and give her a kiss. I believe it's harder on me than them.

Give yourself time to have a meltdown...it helps! :)

I like the Super Nanny's style, too, and like she always says, both parents must be consistent and together on their parenting styles.

Wishing you a calmer day tomorrow and I'm so glad it makes you feel better to sit at the Kitchen Table when you can.

Hugs,

Lana

Let me inject a little "motherly" advice. I had two daughters 14 months apart. Two in diapers, two on different kinds of food, etc. Even tho I was much younger and energetic then, everyone told me "When they nap, you nap." Instead I cleaned house when they napped. Big mistake! I wish I'd laid down with them. Now my older daughter is 22 (her birthday was today) and my younger is 20. We had great fun together. Keep up the good work! But make sure you find time for eating, getting enough watter, exercising , and getting enough rleep. And you need some personal time too. Make a date night with Mr. Fireman , see friends, get your hair done, maybe a manicure or massage. Good luck!

and one other word about naps...NEVER WAKE A SLEEPING CHILD, as long as they're ok...and jannie's right...it won't hurt to catch a snooze...i assume you're on single parent duty, while dh is on duty, right??

one other thing you'll start school soon...so start preparing them a couple of weeks before..like an 7:30-8pm bedtime, getting up in the am, all the things you'll do...

Do try to rest when they do. That means no tv, but lie down and try to close your eyes. You really do need to keep your strength up, and it is more tiring to do what you are doing than even you realize. Well rested parents and kidlets don't get as sick with colds, etc, as tired ones. (You have that to experience yet!)

You are coming to motherhood the hardest way, instantly. If you had started with just one, and gradually added the others, you would have built your stamina and bag of tricks to help you along the way. But you needed to hit the ground running, so you are probably having a more exhausting time adjusting than most moms. So discipline yourself too--nap when they do, go to bed earlier than you used to, get some help cleaning the house 2 to 4 times a month if you can. It will all make a huge difference. And also, consider taking a good multi vitamin daily too. My daughter takes the over the counter pre natal vitamins to keep her stamina up per her doctor's suggestion.

I just thought of something my DDIL does with her kids......every time they go somewhere, as soon as they come home, off comes their shoes by the door to be put in a special place and they have to wash their hands with soap and water.
Mio, who is only 22 months old does it without being told now.
DDIL said they rarely get colds or other illnesses.
Keep up the good work....you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Keep checking in here. We are Pros with kiddos. LOL! It's all a learning experience and every child is different.

Beware of the chlld that does seem to "require" much attention...they may need it the most.

That was my case.

I've been following your threads because I know you and your hubby are wonderful, loving people. You are on quite an adventure and those three little girls are blessed to have come into your lives.

Advice from a Grandma: (my 4 were spread out over 9 yrs.) When the infant/baby/toddler is napping, YOU NAP! (I'd tell my older kids that I was gonna nap & they should answer the phone & wake me when the baby woke up.) Laundry, picking up toys, etc., is a hassle when the kids are up, BUT, YOU NAP when they do!

Son & DDIL had a 4 & 1/2 yr. old, an almost 2 yr. old & were blessed with premie twins. CHAOS! I lived 900 miles away, but came for a couple of wks. at a time to help. When the little ones napped, DDIL would put on a movie for the eldest and she & I would PASS OUT until a little one woke up. Maybe dinner would be late, or the laundry wasn't done, but we both could function better for the rest of the day with a nap.

You said that you don't have family near to help, but can you get someone to come & schedule a "break" in 3-4 mos. when you & DH can just get away? The other Grandma called me when the twins were 4 mos. & told me our children were "burning out" and needed a break (no sleep, 3 in diapers, 3 needing to be fed.) She and I took over & kicked our kids out for 3 days. They went to a motel and said they mostly slept! You both need time together away from the chaos.

Something else that no one mentioned. . . .You WILL have to go to the ER for stitches, x-rays (maybe casts), dentist for busted teeth, etc. --it happens, no matter how careful a parent you are. Head/face wounds bleed A LOT but can usually be taken care of with OTC skin glue you get at a drug store (A now 7 yr. old twin got a head wound glued last week on vacation.) If a face wound is severe enough to require stitches, you can request, in the ER, to have plastic surgeon do the stitches (eldest grandson had a plastic surgeon for face wounds 3 time before he was 8!)

You sound like a natural at being a MOM, but there are things us Moms learn along the way that can "head you off at the pass." Like others have said about ground rules. And you've been doing that (with the "naughty chair'!) It sound like from your postings that you're being an awesome Mom!

Many blessings for all 5 of you! Pat

You deserve a meltdown. I think you are doing amazingly well. No kids and now three all at once. I was very young(in college) when my first child was born and I was so totally exhausted and I was 21. It's not easy but very rewarding and I think you are a natural at being a mom.

You ARE doing amazingly well. I can't imagine how you get them to all nap at the same time! I know you just gave notice at work, too -- did you give them a full 2-weeks notice? How many more days do you have to work before you're completely done there?

I know you're super busy, but have you taken the girls to the dentist yet? If little Taylor was left in her crib with a bottle, she may have major issues with her teeth. The others may have problems, too, and it would greatly affect their health. Just another thing to add to your list! Sorry! Have you found a formula that works for her and is she eating finger foods? You've hardly mentioned her at all and she must be the one that keeps you the busiest! The more she crawls, the more you'll run! :)

This is a really good place to come and VENT!

You are doing JUST FINE, but you need to pace yourself more or you will really have a meltdown. Heed the advice about getting some help in and having a Grownups Getaway to look forward to in a few months. This will be easier for all concerned if you introduce a mother's helper into the family early.

B.C. (Before Children) our DS and DIL were so fortunate to buy a house where a retired schoolteacher and her policeman DH lived next door. I don't think they realize how much easer life has been for them having a Third Grandma to come in as needed from the time DGS was a newborn. Good Moms don't try to Do It All without help.

Thank you all so much for the advice. You have nailed it...I put the girls down and I frantically pick up toys, do laundry, dishes and anything I can do while they are sleeping then they wake up and full of energy and I am dragging.
I bought the Dr. Sues Sleep book. I have yet to get throught the entire book with both kids awake so today I am going to try and lay down and just relax.
I need to just let go. I am so worried about being a good mom and getting everything done and I am finding it's not working out so well! :0)
Tonight we are planning on hot dogs by the campfire and s'mores.