A day of firsts.

Today Marcus returned to work and it was officially my first day of looking after all three children on my own for a whole day. Yes I am aware Nate is a month old now and yes I am aware how very lucky I've been to have gotten 4 weeks worth of help. While I faked a confident smile to Marcus as he walked out the door, I was terrified. So because a picture says 1000 words I'll save on typing and show you how my morning began.

Sweet little Nate did this every time I tried to put him down for even a second. Front pack I love you but am I mistaken in thinking that the whole point of giving birth was so that I wouldn't have to lug 10 pounds worth of baby around anymore?

So my first lesson of the day was that if I intend on showering at all, I will need to do this BEFORE Marcus leaves for work.

I flagged the shower and just got dressed to which Lucy asked why I was wearing Pyjamas? I told her they were not pyjamas they were my clothes. To which she screwed her nose up. Fair call I thought, There were not a lot of differences in the two these days. I changed into a skirt which got her approval but did mean that I was going to have to shave my legs. Ever tried doing that while wearing a front pack?

I had hoped that we could just hang at home today and the kids would be that smitten with their new Christmas presents that they would play nicely and leave me somewhat alone to get on with the mounting housework. But the two eldest seemed doomed to clash today. Even the trampoline provided a way to head butt each other.  I took them in turns trying to keep them apart.

Here is Lucy in with me and Nate while I attempt to fold washing and put it away. Don't be fooled by Nate's calm expression this lasted about 2 minutes. Enough time for knickers and socks to go away and it was about then that I surrendered.

I could do three kids on my own OR housework but not the two together. After a heart felt apology to the kids for my absolutely terrible behaviour to them that morning and all my yelling, we loaded up the car and headed out for an outing. A place I spotted in the paper that morning and somewhere we hadn't been before.

A corn maize.

yes you do see right. They are attached to the pram with dog leads. I grew up next to a maize farm and many a cat went missing, turning wild doomed to be stuck in the countless rows of maize for their lifetime. I used to have nightmares about these cats forever lost only to be run over by a JOHN DEER come harvest time. My children were not going to share this fate. Didn't help that I forgot to pick up the "help I'm lost come get us" rescue flag they offer at the entry.

A fact that concerned Lucy greatly as it became apparent that her Mum was next to useless at reading the map.

Nate finally after his morning of screaming slept peacefully throughout the whole ordeal.

Olli kept squatting to do a poo. It's times like this I'm so glad we have given up on the whole toilet training thing for a while. The peace of mind that comes from knowing he is wearing a nappy in a moment like this is priceless.

so after getting completely lost I folded up the map and we went by gut. One of the joys of been tall was getting this view of Mt Erin, one of the mountains I climbed in the triple peak challenge last march.

We used it as our compass and found our way out. (Did have to use the pram as a ram and bust through some maize to get to the path I needed at one point. But I won't tell if you don't.)

A ride on this was the kids reward for making it out. 

We got home at 5 and threw in the microwave a frozen dinner that a friend had so kindly made for me at my pre-baby freezer party. Such a Godsend on a day like today. Marcus got home nice and early and I was able to off load a child to him. Actually I'll be truthful all three. They are asleep now and I'm about to follow. Just seen the weather for tomorrow and it looks like rain. Will be putting in some prayer to the big guy upstairs tonight to help me through it.

Ha ha couldn't resist. Now THEY know what it's like to have an audience watch you.