Thursday, November 15, 2012

How to Make Life Easier

If life with two babies seems challenging, just imagine four. Think about trying to get four car seats into a car, four babies in a grocery cart, four babies to church, four babies down for naps. After thinking through all of this for weeks, I found some solutions. One baby in a carrier, one baby in the cart, two babies in the stroller, pulling the cart. It's funny how you find solutions when you are placed in a difficult situation.

I feel a bit like Abraham, being asked to offer his son only to learn that it was a test of faith. While we aren't out of the water completely, a solution was found to keep the twins with their mother. At the same time that my girls have become ever more demanding and needy overnight, I learned that I would not have four, but two, and suddenly two seems easy.

Friday, November 9, 2012

And it's snowing...

What have I been doing over the past several days? Speaking with attorneys, car dealers, insurance companies, case workers, and of course, my sweet husband. I have been trying to imagine life with four children under 1 year. I had a man tell me that he had four children and so he could sort of relate. I almost laughed, but I am too nice to do that. I just smiled and nodded.

Unless you are in a situation like that, you can't even begin to imagine what it is like. It is difficult to find someone who can handle two babies simultaneously without being overwhelmed by them in under an hour, let alone handle the situation with love and gentleness. I have little tolerance of children being snapped at (or worse) by an over-stressed adult. To make matters worse, while arranging for an attorney consultation on the phone in my bedroom, I heard a muffled cry and ran to the childproofed living room to find Cricket's legs protruding from the side of the couch and Peanut standing on her back merrily playing with a toy. I thought, they simply can't be left alone even in a childproof room if I intend to meet my objective of raising them to adulthood!

We have consulted with many specialists regarding this matter and still are not locked into a final decision. C wants to make sure that before we commit to this that we get the best possible legal advice. We did find an attorney who is licensed to practice law in both states in question, and he will be looking into the matter and getting back with us on Monday. In the meantime, we are trying to buy more time to get our ducks in a row. This would be so much easier if we weren't straddling two states and two court systems.

I really should be investing time in completing a credential right now, but I don't see how I will be able to complete it if we decide to take these girls. On a somewhat merrier note, my Jillian Michael's Body Revolution just arrived. We will see if that optimistic 1/2 hour/day is still available to use to my discretion. Today I read the following from Isaiah 40:31: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 

Monday, November 5, 2012

Holy Poopie Pants, Quadruplets?!

A family member had twins six months after we did. We knew that circumstances were not ideal for these twins, and as we struggled through the logistics of caring for two babies, we knew that it would be even harder for those babies and family members. Last night we received a request to take these girls at least temporarily (meaning a minimum of three months, and perhaps much longer) so that the children don't become the custody of the state in which they live.

We didn't commit to it, but instead asked many questions. We privately discussed the legal ramifications, financial impact, help requirements and other details. I am not sure at this point what we are doing to do. As I am finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel as nursing comes to an end with my own girls and they become more mobile, I think about going back to the four month mark. That was a tough time, learning how to be mobile with two babies and being so very tired!

Am I ready to change 40 diapers a day? Am I ready to bathe four babies twice a week? How would I feed them all? How do I meet their developmental needs? Would I ever be able to leave the house again? It is an overwhelming thought, and would certainly impact my recent plans for the future. We could potentially have four girls in the same grade at school (assuming that they are developmentally up to snuff). Would I fall in love with them and not want to give them back? Again, we have not yet committed, but will know more in the next day or two.

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