Saturday, March 29, 2008

What a Difference a Day Makes

Updated 4/1/08 -
Okay, so yeah, I totally forgot about that 3rd little nap before dinner. Not to worry, I've added it back in. Revised schedule being used today.
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My LEAST favorite time of day is between 5:30 & 7:30pm. See, that's when the babies are generally crying loudly (Shane didn't want me to use the word "screaming") and fussy. No matter what I do, it doesn't seem to work. They fuss and cry and I struggle to get dinner ready while I juggle them and try not to lose my mind.

Not anymore!

Friday was the first day of our new schedule. After a few emails between some of the other triplet mommies in my yahoo group, I came the conclusion that I was feeding my babies all wrong: too much cereal & not enough bottles. You'd think I never had kids before! Honestly though, this time around is so much different. Aside from the fact that there are 3 of them, I nursed Zoe & Ty...a big change from bottle life. I thought I was supposed to be moving toward "more cereal, less formula". Apparently, I was wrong. The majority of the babies nutrition is still supposed to come from formula until they're 1 year old.

So, Friday, we started a new schedule. On paper, it looks like a lot more work, but it's really not!

6:30a ... Wake ... let them play quietly in their cribs until 7am
7:30a ... Bottle 6 oz
9:15a ... Nap ... no more than an hour
11:00a ... Solids ... 1/2 cup Cereal & 1 jar fruit
11:30a ... Bottle 6 oz
12:00p ... Nap ... 2-3 hours
3:30p ... Bottle 6 oz
5:00p ... Nap ... 1/2 hour-ish
6:00p ... Solids ... 2/3 cup Cereal & 1 jar Veggies
7:30p ... Bottle 6 oz
… Bed

The first key to this new schedule is that all 3 get fed cereal at the same time. So, the first thing I did on Thursday (after beating myself up about being a lousy mom) was bring the other two highchairs up and cleaned them off.

The OTHER key is that the little peanuts were going to need to start holding their own bottles. This might be a challenge. Eli has NO desire to hold his own bottle. Cole...no problem. Ava...she's maybe 1/2 way there. My theory is that if they get their bottles in their highchairs long enough, they'll catch on that they are supposed to be holding the bottles themselves. I'll keep you posted on how experiment that turns out.

Back to the schedule change...

Friday morning started great. Bottles. Cereal. No screaming from Cole when the bowl was empty (that's new). Everyone waited patiently for their turn in line. It was nice. I think it was easier because they weren't STARVING. They'd had their bottles a little while earlier, so this wasn't a race to fulfill hunger pains. Down for naps. A little resistance from Cole, but 6 minutes later, he was asleep. One hour of sleeping babies. Bottles. Happy baby playtime. Naps. Not exactly the two hours HOPED for, but they were all down at the same time for a bit. Those who weren't napping played peacefully in the Family Room. Bottles. Cereal. Here we go Ladies & Gentlemen...hold your hats...we're entering the "no fun timezone"...NO SCREAMING! 7:30 came and I made bottles in peace. Okay, so there was a little bit of crying when I started the feedings, but they were tired. It was normal fussing. Everyone finished their bottles. Bedtime.



It was a wonderful day. It was a marvelous day. It wasn't more work at all. Cereal feedings were over within 15 minutes. It used to take 45...at least! It was so nice.

Changing up naps AND feedings all at once is a bit ambitious and I'm sure we'll hit a few road bumps, but I think a few more days, and life will be a lot easier.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Woohoo! It sounds like things went great Amy! I'll be curious to hear how the bottle holding experiment goes.... mine won't hold theirs. They'll hold sippy cups though, so I'm hoping that will help the "holding your own bottle" transition.

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

we just had to change our schedule around too and it looks very similar to your new one. isn't it great when you get them on a schedule that works for both you and them? the problem for me is that as soon as i get everything figured out and get used to it they change everything up again!

Alexa said...

Wait, so the trips only nap for like 3 hours a day? Gideon naps, no joke, for like 4 hours a day! Do you think that's weird? He takes giant naps. It's weird right? I have a weirdo child?

Colleen said...

Amy, I love hearing about the triplets and the big kids! You sure are doing a great job! They are all so cute!

Kris said...

Amy, I finally got around to looking at everyone's blogs. I love yours. How is the schedule going? My gang seem much happier on our new schedule. Your pics are great! You are doing a great job !

The Kelsey Family said...

Way to go!!!! I loved hearing the enthusiasm in your voice as I read your story of "schedule success"!! The babies are adorable and getting so big...its been a while since I have had time to look at your blog. Congrats on a great accomplishment! Bottles- $15, baby cereal -$10 dollars, cribs $300, having all babies eating and sleeping at the same time, PRICELESS!

Dorinda said...

Yea! Don't you love schedules? I put my girls down all together and make them stay in there all the same time - it works, I get a break, I love it - we're still on 2 naps a day - also great. Dreading the one nap thing...

Anonymous said...

You're amazing. Seriously don't know how you do it, organizational mentor of mine. I need a Ty fix--please come to CBS tomorrow. :-)