Friday, October 31, 2008

What I thought ALL my days would be like...

Mornings at our house are always a little chaotic. The babies wake up between 6:00 am and 6:30 am. When they first wake up, they need a bottle. Riley and Kaiya wake up at 6:30 am to start getting ready for school. At 6:45 am we have family scripture study and family prayer, then Riley and Kaiya eat breakfast while I make lunches, sign homework folders and get backpacks ready. At 7:10, Riley and Kaiya brush their teeth and get their shoes on and they are out the door by 7:20 to catch the bus to school. During the frantic morning rush to get the older kids off to school, the babies all need to be changed and dressed. Most days I take the babies for a run/walk, so we also need to bundle the babies up in preparation for that.

This morning started off like any other morning, except that it was Halloween and the older kids were supposed to dress as a storybook character for school. Kaiya’s grade was going to be in a parade. So, in addition to the usual morning chaos, I had to make some mouse ears so that Kaiya could be Angelina Ballerina, get myself looking presentable enough to go to the school to watch the parade, and make the babies look as cute as possible (since people tend to look at us when we go out in public—especially when we take the stroller).

While I was hurriedly trying to craft mouse ears out of cardstock and a headband, I heard a loud cry from Kassidy in the family room. I looked over to find her flat on her face. She had tripped hit her head on the corner of the small trampoline in the family room. I picked her up and tried to apply ice to the rapidly swelling purple goose egg that was forming on the bridge of her nose, right between her eyes (So much for looking totally cute for our public outing--at least the bruise was purple, which matched her shirt!).


Kassidy--still able to ham it up for the camera, despite the earlier trauma

Meanwhile, Jayson was frantically trying to change all the babies diapers and find them some clothes to wear. When Kassidy calmed down, Riley brought over his homework log for me to sign. That is when I noticed the stench. I checked Kassidy, who was on my lap, but she was clean. I couldn’t imagine that Riley was the culprit, but I smelled him anyway, just in case his Harry Potter Robes were a little dirty. Just then, I saw Rustin out of the corner of my eye. He was completely naked, and there was poop smeared all over the lower half of his body! I ran over to where he was and saw that poop was all over the floor, wall, and stools in the kitchen. I yelled for Jayson to come quick, which of course was the WRONG thing to do, as it attracted all the other babies attention and THEY all came running instead. Jayson grabbed Rustin and took him off to the shower to be hosed off and I quickly gated all the remaining babies into the family room so I could clean up the poopy mess.

The Poopy Trail


More poop---it is hard to tell from the pictures, but I think Rustin must have dragged a couple stools through his mess because several stool legs were covered.

While I was cleaning, I glanced over to check on the babies, only to find that Kassidy had thrown up on the trampoline and she and Kaydence had decided it would be fun to finger-paint with the puke. Fortunately, I caught the “artwork” in its early stages, cleaned up the throw-up and went back to disinfecting the kitchen.

Kaydence and Kassidy--budding artists


Rustin's diaper, which ironically managed to avoid getting even a smudge of poop on it


About this time, my good friend, Virginia, showed up (she is such a lifesaver!). With only 10 minutes before we had to leave for the parade, I threw on some clothes (no time for a shower) while Virginia finished dressing the babies. We made it to the school in time for the costume parade with even a couple of minutes to spare!


Kyndall, Kassidy, Kaydence, Rustin and Ryder wait for the parade to start


Kaiya was the cutest Angelina Ballerina in the whole parade and the babies loved seeing all the costumes.

Kaiya, aka Angelina Ballerina

When I first found out I was having quints, I thought that every day would be like today was. I imagined that my life would be full of uncontrollable chaos and that I would always be running from one disaster to another. Fortunately it hasn’t been as bad as I imagined (at least not yet---maybe those days are still ahead of me!) In fact, having quintuplets has actually been easier than I expected. Don’t get me wrong---it is A LOT of work---but most of the time I feel like things are somewhat manageable. I think it is good to have a few crazy days like today so that I really appreciate how great most days are!


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35 comments:

Stephanie said...

WOW! That is all I can really think to say.

Halli Matheny said...

You should have called me!!! I would have come to help. :) All I can say is, "it could be worse...it could be me!" LOL~
Hopefully tomorrow is less exciting for you!

Dan and Merideth said...

I love reading your blog! You crack me up!! Thanks for posting so often; I have no idea where you find the time ... but thank you!

Have a great tomorrow!

The Queen Vee said...

Wow, I could almost smell this posting and I have no problem imaging the situation at all. Worse would be if all five had done a smear job, one is enough.

I think we need to make a super hero costume for Virginia as she has become one for the Wilkinson family.

Clearly you had a memorable Halloween and one that you managed quite well thank you. I think you and Jayson are also super heros and I know how very hard you work. You make parenting of quints seem easy, fun and totally cool!

Tobi said...

All of that before 8 am? You are one tough cookie Rachelle!

Spence Ohana said...

Oh wow, I probably would've just threw in the towel! LOL I love the storybook costume idea. My daughter loves Angelina!

MDtripmom said...

I've been following your blog and thought I'd say hello. I am an LDS mom to 4 month old triplets and I'm quite impressed with your family. I had to laugh at the stool in the stool! I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time but you have a great attitude about it all and I'm glad life is not that chaotic all of the time.

MM said...

Whoa! You'll laugh about it later, but I'm laughing about it now. Ha ha!

Anonymous said...

You are amazing - such a positive outlook on such a rough day!

Anonymous said...

You are so right. I believe that having quints have been a ton easier then what I thought it would be as well. But you do enjoy your normal days after experiencing a few crazy ones. Mine got into the stage of smearing poop places and it was a horable stage. They got out of it but I remeber going up the stairs to their nursery and the smell hit before I saw the mess. Crazy! Seven children are GREAT!!!! Thanks for your comments on our costumes. I am so glad they turned out as well as they did. Hope your Halloween is great and full of fun. Take care.

Cori Ann said...

Thanks for the best laugh I've had in a long time. I love reading your blog!

The Pauls' Family said...

I had one of those mornings not too long ago, but that was with only one 1 year old. I can't even imagine having 5 of them :) They are so sweet though, thanks for sharing and for still being positive.

Apis Melliflora said...

Looks like the kiddos were doing some tricking before treating. But you handled it all with grace and humor (helps to have a camera at the ready...kind of gives you perspective doesn't it)

Betweendiapers said...

Oh Rachelle, what a morning! You are a trooper!

Crazy Granny said...

Rachelle, I could see the whole thing as I readit. I have a feeling that fun is only just beginning for all of you. Thank heavens you have a sense of humor.

Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke said...

how fun that you documented it all and amazing that you stopped to take a few pictures along the way:) i know many women who would have bagged the whole idea of going to the school after you...good for you for making the effort, your older kids must have felt very special.

Happy Campers said...

Oh my goodness. I feel like I need a nap after just reading about your morning! It sounds like you have a good head about mornings like this, & it looks like you've grabbed life by the horns & won't let it take you over!

Your family is beautiful ;)

Mommy to those Special Ks said...

OK I admit it, I giggled a little, but only because I have had days like that... but I only have 4 kids... and they're all different ages... so the fact that you don't have those days ALL the time is amazing! LOL

Poor Kassidy, I hope her bruise goes away soon! By the way, if you ever need more Johnson and Johnson stuff please let me know! I'd be happy to send you more! :)

K said...

I guess even babies get the trick part of Trick o' Treat! What a day!

Schauers Hours said...

Oh my that is definitely a contest winner morning experience. I admit I thought more of your days would be like this too, glad to hear they are the exception and not the rule.

Lyndsee Bates said...

Ummmm... you feed him too many green beans!!!! YUCK!!!! I am glad that every day isn't like that for you!!!!

Suzanne C said...

Oh, man! That struck close to home! 4 kids and haven't had the honor of the "fingerpainting" experience until #3. Just reminds me I am not the only one going through this...thanks for sharing! Oh, and if you ever don't like one of his girlfriends when he's older...save the pictures!!

Anonymous said...

Oh Rachelle...I'm sorry for laughing but it just reminded me of one of my very eventful mornings that i have experienced in the past. I have 5 children, a 9 yr old son, 7 yr old twin girls and another set of twin girls who are 2. You always tend to find that 'these' kind of days happen when you really coold do without it.... but you'll look back on these events and laugh out really loudly.... I think you and Jayson are wonderful parents. I have so much admiration for you. Keep up the good work :)

Jennifer said...

What a great post. I can safely say that you handled the entire situation much better than I would have. I am very impressed that you managed to get some pictures of the whole ordeal as well. What a great mom you are and an amazing sense of humor.

Rebecca said...

Okay, not funny, but SO funny! I was laughing so much. Some days are just like that, aren't they? Glad you have a good friend nearby to help 'rescue' you when it's needed.

Anonymous said...

a little trick that has worked for me besides applying ice to a bump, I put a little rub of vaseline on the bump and it keeps it from turning REALLY black and blue and not much swelling...might still turn but not as severe. I always do it to my twins...now if I could remember to do it to myself when I bump into things. Try it!

Valerie said...

Oh my goodness. I have had days like that and I only have three kids. Great that you got to the parade on time though.

FoxFamily said...

that is absolutely amazing how you handle everything so well!! I am amazed at how well your family functions and how sane you seem to be!! Yay for you!!! Thanks for having such a great blog.

Mama M said...

I once had a friend tell me: "The problem with life is that it is so daily." I'm glad for you that this kind of day is NOT your daily.

Thanks for the belly-laugh!

Jaimee said...

Rachelle! How are you? Your kids are adorable! I can not imagine how busy your life is! We were in our Tucson ward with your sis-in-law and she told me when you were pregnant with your quints--all I can say is wow! It looks like a crazy but happy life and I am so glad for you. Can't wait to keep in touch thru our blogs. Good luck with your darling family!

Lucco Girls said...

Hehehe...they must use the same cosmic forces we do to gang up on mommy!!!

Anonymous said...

Amen to your last paragraph of this post...and I only have twins :-)

Kelly said...

OH my! What a crazy day! Way to be so positive and organized, Rachelle.

Anonymous said...

you don't know me, but my friend Heidi Anderson told me to check out your blog. i just had twins who came home from the nicu, and I thought my life was crazy. Oh my goodness I admire you. If you can do five I feel like I can handle only 2!
kristin
faiva4inaz.blogspot.com

Tereza said...

I just found your blog and loved this post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a wonderful, full and busy life!