...tandem feeding, baths, even a journey downstairs took some planning!
Per doctor’s orders, the girls didn’t leave the house until they were three months old. And then, once they got the all-clear, it took me a while to muster the courage to get them out-and-about on my own.
Still quite scared of the germ field outside the walls of our abode, I finally concocted what I thought would be a good first outing…a mid-day visit to Starbucks. I reasoned that there would be few people there if I timed it right, and – once I paid for my coffee – I could make a hasty exit if needed.
I psyched myself up for the adventure, working through the logistics of each step in my mind, and I got the girls dressed after their “lunch”.
I’m so thankful I paused to take a picture before we left…it’s one of my all-time favorites!
(And those were the days where I could just “prop” the girls and take a bunch of shots…without having to worry with them running off in different directions, trying to grab my camera to take pictures of each other, or insisting on having their pictures made with all their dollies!)
The girls and I made it safely to Starbucks. By the time we got there, they were asleep in their car seat carriers. I carefully loaded the carriers into their stroller, and strolled in to enjoy a very peaceful cup of coffee.
It was bliss! And I was so proud of myself!
And I can’t help but laugh at remembering the look on my husband’s face when he came home that afternoon and I told him I’d taken the girls to Starbucks. (The look suggested he thought I’d actually given them coffee…HA!)
While each new adventure – still – can seem like a production, the more “mommy milestones” I get under my belt, the more confident I become.
Fast-forward two years from our first girl-time at the coffee shop, and my goal this summer is to take the girls out by myself, for at least a snack, without their stroller.
Cue a bit of anxiety on my part…but I hope they’ll let me take their picture before we go…and I’m sure I’ll be able to look back this time next year and marvel – as always – at how far we’ve all come.
11 comments:
I can still remember the first time I loaded up my kiddos for their first non-doctor appointment trip outside the house. It was just for a stroll around our neighborhood, but was still quite a production. Still, after that one trip around the block (one baby-can't remember which- had a major spit up mess about half way around) I remember feeling as though I could conquer the world! Still, it took a long time before we were going out daily, and I almost never took my babies anywhere that I hadn't been to before, as I didn't want to arrive somewhere only to realize that there was no ramp or door wide enough for us to enter through.
At this point (age 3), I feel we can go pretty much anywhere and usually stroller free (although I sometimes push a single umbrella stroller in case someone proves unable to handle the privilege of walking). However I did recently pass up the opportunity to take my kids by commuter rail or subway into Boston with a friend and her kids (one 3 year old, one baby still in a carrier). I just couldn't imagine all the logistics of it, and the what if's just felt too scary and not worth the risk to me (not to mention all those germs on the train!)
I love your writing... you are such a story teller. The triplets will be 5 in October and I still cringe when I have to make outings alone with the kids. You know it's gotta get easier... I can't imagine being afraid of going out with all of them alone when they are 20....
What an adorable photo!
I have to admit that I have only made a couple solo trips with the twins so far. But I've had my three-and-a-half year old daughter or my almost-six-year-old son along for "help." I haven't gone out with all four kids alone yet...
Good luck on your outing! And have fun!
I can't wait to hear about the venture without the stroller! I take my girls (21 months) everywhere but always in the stroller or in the double shopping cart, etc.! I have started letting them hold my hands and walk in with me to their Mother's Morning Out program, but can't imagine what they'd do if we went strollerless in the store!! And this is crazy and something I never thought I'd say, but I'm getting to the point where it seemed EASIER back when they were little and would just sleep in their carriers in the double stroller while I did whatever I needed to do!!
I love seeing your 'big girls' as chubby little babies! Sooo cute!
Your girls were such sweet babies! I Heart baby chub!! Glad you got this pic too! I also remember those good old days when we could take numerous pictures of them looking at us like "really mom, again" without them squirming away!
I just discovered another grocery store this past weekend that has 2 seat carts, so very glad to have found them. Here mine are 3 and I still want them contained!! :)
Okay, that pic? Adorable. I so want to nibble on those little cheeks :)
I'm a wuss and totally avoided going out with them alone by myself. I think I did it for the first time one of those days when V went to do her passport so they were about 17 months :)
Great picture!! I miss those days when they couldn't go anywhere and the biggest risk was one slumping over;)
Isn't it nice to be able to have a little bit of spontaneity in your days. I still love to plan things, but if in the middle of the day I decide that we need to run to the store for something, or it's beautiful and we have to go to the park, we can go without a full day of planning and anxiety.
I hope you get a good picture of your girls ready to head out for a big-girl snack with Mommy this summer!
I love your blog. i just found it and became a follower! I have identical twin girls and was cracking up when you said everything was a "production". With twins.. yes it certaintly is a production LOL.
I'll admit, taking all 3 out on my own still overwhelms me some days...but I either put my Big Girl Pants on and go for it...or we're stuck at home all the time. There are some things I won't do by myself (pool, eating at a real restaurant, overnight trip alone) but we make it work. :-) I'm looking forward to lots of fun opportunities this summer!!! 1 more day!!
Yup...I started early...I had to!
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