Getting out and about

Pics: Babies at a going away get-together for the Odeneal family. Aunt Karen and Kendall getting ready for a day out on the town. Miss Helen and Emma. Clark recovering from our venture to the farmer's market.

Well, I've managed to get out with the babies at least once each day for the last five days. It is such a chore to get out with them because I'm just not used to it. Those who know me well know that I always come with baggage...and I mean the bags with stuff. I've always got a tote bag with a planner, magazines, books, bills to pay, etc....just in case. I never know when I will want to work on any of that and feel the need to have it all with me. Well, as you can imagine, this habit has spilled over into my baby stuff. I NEVER know what I need, so I probably always have too much. I think I need extra clothes, diapers, wipes, pacifiers, toys, pee pee pads, bottles, etc. I've tried to learn things from shows about families with multiples. Unfortunately, I love to watch Jon and Kate Plus 8 and they have a lot of stuff.....because there are EIGHT kids. But I think that she has great ideas and I try to apply those to our situation. I think that the more I get out with the babies, the more I will learn what I need and don't need. I have already managed to try to only have a very small diaper bag with us when we are out. I may HAVE a larger bag or pile of stuff in the van, but I only carry the small bag with a few diapers, wipes, an extra pacifer, burp cloth and Purell (of course).

So, the babies have been to Babies R Us, Sam's, a going away party for a friend/family, a former workplace and a farmer's market. I'm pretty impressed with myself for braving it every day. I'm even more exhausted than usual because it takes a lot of energy to get them all diapered and dressed (in something other than a onesie - we are making an appearance, you know), loading up the bags and the babies and then getting in and out of our destination. We have learned in the last 5 days, that Emma requires that the van be in constant motion. She is fine in the car as long as it is moving. I had to circle Babies R Us the other day (a different trip when they did NOT go inside) about 20 times while Daddy handled a return.

Saturday evening was a going away gathering for friends who are moving to Wisconsin. I don't know much about that area, except that it will be cold in the winter and, for some reason, I think they have cheese there. We are happy for the family and wish them well. We've posted a picture of the children that were all gathered at their house that evening. While ours couldn't really do too much socializing, the other children seemed to have a great time together. We are thankful that we were able to see them before they head out of town. Good luck and best wishes to Josh, Angela, Glory, Joy, Grace, Joshua, Gideon and baby #6!

Yesterday, we went to Scripps Networks to see former co-workers. The babies did relatively well. They are VERY used to being held by people they have never seen before, but it usually happens in their own home. It seems that they were a little shell-shocked being passed around, but I think they did pretty good. Emma did voice her concerns after about 15 minutes (or so). At first, she was just giving them a sample of her singing voice and demonstrating her happy squeal. But it did turn into her expressing her need to leave the building...immediately. We drew a lot of looks as we were in our crazy freakshow stroller, but it was much easier than any of the alternatives. Unfortunately, I was a dummy and forgot the camera, so I didn't get any pics of the visit. Maybe next time. Oh, and have you ever seen someone with a triplet stroller trying to fit into an elevator???? That was certainly something to see. We were sort of hoping that someone from HGTV or the Food Network would see us and offer us a multi-million dollar deal for a series on decorating or feeding triplets....but no such luck. Don't they need more shows about multiples?????

Today was a trip to the farmer's market on Kingston Pk near Cherokee Trail. It wasn't a big area, but it was pretty nice - albeit it VERY hot. Initially, we loaded up all three car seats in the freakshow stroller, though we were missing Kendall at the time (she was out running around with Aunt Karen and would be meeting up with us). THAT was an attention grabber too as many people had to comment that we were missing a baby....until I put the watermelon that I purchased in her seat. THEN they were really bumfuzzled. I had a watermelon baby. :) Once Kendall arrived, we had to move the watermelon underneath. All of them did well and looked really cute, but Emma did express her discontent again and had to be carried for a few minutes before we left.

I'm trying to enjoy getting out with them before we hit flu and RSV season again and I'm shut in the house. I have to say that I'm really dreading that because I already feel a little "stuck" at home all day every day. Our prior outings have resulted in huge meltdowns so I became more worried about those than I was about getting out and quit going anywhere with all three. I've decided that all of us just need to get used to going out and we will all get better at it and learn to enjoy it more. So, I'll keep working on it....and look for us because you never know where we will end up. :)