The Chair

I have been asked "How do you do it?" a number of times since the twins were born.  Well the simple answer is "I have to." I wake up to feed the twins, I let the dogs out, I fix coffee, I get up Ava, I fix myself a protein shake, I make Ava breakfast, I help her change, we go to swim lessons, we come home, feed the babies, make lunch, feed the dogs, rest a bit, play a bit, feed the babies some more,welcome Terrence home, get supper ready, feed babies, get Ava ready for bed, watch television, feed the babies, and then go to bed.  A feeding may happen again, but otherwise this is our daily schedule. A good deal of the day, I sit in "the chair." It has become my Facebook profile photo which prompted many questions, comments, and likes. I posted the picture because I wanted to share what it really looks like at my house day-to-day. The chair has been my friend for a number of years. When I was pregnant with Ava, it offered back support and eased my pain. I learned to nurse Ava in this chair. I have slept in the chair with my dogs when I was sick and cuddled with them when I was really tired or needed doggie love.  I hated the chair when I was pregnant with the twins, but found it to be the best place to tandem nurse once they were born. Now I have "five children." (Ava, the dogs, and the twins). They all have been with their Mommy individually in this chair and still find comfort in sitting in it - even if they have to share a spot with 4 of their siblings!

Education

Being a parent has provided me tons more education than any college course or work experience as a pediatric speech pathologist have ever taught me.

1) I am constantly exposed to new behaviors i.e., watching my three-year-old tantrum over a "My Little Pony Book," in Barnes & Noble which left many of the customers shocked beyond words, because I "ignored" her then carried her out to the van to calm her down - we do not own the book I refused to give in.

2) I have also learned new words e.g., bleb as in "When my right breast began hurting from nursing, I took a close look at the nipple and discovered a milk blister (aka "bleb") forming on it.

3) I have begun implementing different parenting styles and techniques. For example, we tried CIO (cry it out) with Ava at six months, "on demand feeding" to get through growth spurts, and redirection to name a few.

 

4)As a mom I have provided more intervention both medical and therapeutic than I ever thought I would. We have removed splinters, taught s-blends, demonstrated proper pencil grip, promoted tummy time, and helped our  children gain critical weight. 

5) I have also had to make important financial decisions such as do we buy Pampers or Tugaboos this week as well as can we afford a brand new mini van? 

I enjoy being a parent and I enjoy learning, so really the two mesh well.  Now I have to learn the secrets to getting the twins to sleep through the night and potty training Ava so I can add "I have discovered superpowers" to my list of aforementioned things!

Running... a post not entirely dedicated to my kids!

Most people who know me, know I love running and have for 17 years. I started running because I couldn't do other sports very well. I continued running to stay in shape. Then I took running to the next level and ran to do amazing things, like half marathons. On tonight's run, I pondered why I continue to run now - with all my free time, ha ha... it came to me. I run now to keep me from being profiled on the hit Oxygen show "Snapped." Running is amazing!

Seriously though, running means a great deal to me.

First of all it seems to stop time.  I can go on a long run and feel as though I am the only person in the world and the only important thing is my general well-being. It is also a huge part of my chaotic life. I get out on a run at least 4 times a week and I need to go out and run at least that much! 

I don't know if it is lack of time and me trying to soak up every tidbit, but I have began noticing new and important things on my runs. Support from other runners for one.  A couple of weeks ago I got a "Keep up the good work!" (from the fastest runner in western NC... I do know him from cross country days, still I  felt awesome).  Recently, I got "Have fun!" from an older man, as he was finishing his run close to my favorite trail. Have fun, what an odd thing to say.  It took me a minute, and honestly the entire 45 minutes to savor these words... These words must have meant a great deal because I found myself running like a child.  I employed fartlek running, as it, in my opinion, is similar to the way children run.  Fartlek is to run different speeds, run different distances, use bursts of energy, and to practice random running in general. It is not interval... but is is speedwork. Fun and challenging speedwork. Another thing I have noticed on runs is simple acknowledgement from other human beings.  When you have barely a breath to speak, you can at least give eye contact and a simple nod.  Those runners bring happiness to my heart as well. I met a man on a huge hill and we simply acknowledged each other.  I know him from the community, he's a stunt man - who runs for a different reason than me - but nevertheless we are runners and see a reason to acknowledge each other. The final thing I have noticed on my recent runs is nature. I have always loved being outside but the sensory input I get on runs these days is amazing. I hear squirrels while running in the woods, I hear creeks ripple, I hear the breeze, I see trees, I see animals, I smell the woods, I feel rocks and twigs underneath my feet, I sense my heart beat and my breath, my entire being. I enjoy the vestibular movement.  In May of 2011, I complained of sensory overload during a half marathon. I was in the mountains of western NC (the most beautiful place on earth), running an intensely hard half marathon, with ear buds blaring Social Distortion, and with other enthusiastic runners talking to me.  No wonder I had "sensory anxiety!" To this day, I no longer wear ear buds, I don't listen to music, and I now enjoy my surroundings.

Today I ran. I ran about 4 miles. I took my best friend,my dog, Momo. Together we sprinted in the warm wind but walked as necessary (as it was still 94 degrees at 7:00 p.m.). I gave Momo a chance to swim in a creek.  We marveled at the wildlife we are blessed with in Western NC and enjoyed each others' company. It may have not been my fastest or best run, but it was enjoyable, and that is why I run mostly. For the joy!

Bumgarner Updates

Ava came back from her 3-year check-up... she passed the vision screening, was in the 97th percentile for height (40 inches), 95th percentile for weight (38 lbs), and overall looks good. She was described as "a pistol," by Kristie, our nurse practitioner. Of course, Ava is quite the pistol, wore a lei, a scratch and sniff t-shirt, and a tutu. She went to Kristie's personal office and showed off her cool shirt! We love Kristie, I don't think she could be any better at her job, better with people, or kind.

Ava is so advanced in most areas that it was assumed she was already potty-trained. That is a big "No!" But if I had to pick what area I wanted her to struggle in, potty training would be it.  I can always change diapers, I can't tolerate staying up all night, Ava being mean, or poor nutrition.  (Lucky for me, the twins stay up all night and nutrition is questionable- haha.) Well, we tried panties twice after the visit and ended up using most of our dirty towels and disinfectant... she is back in pull-ups. She seems to think, you pee, then go to the potty. But she can go to the potty 10x in a row sometimes. Frustrating!

Easton and Elle are doing great.  Both are gaining weight. Elle is quite the little piggy and eats all day everyday.  She is as fat as a tick, but adorable.  She seems to enjoy being near me, likely due to my milk-supply, but I'm pretending it is true love. Easton has learned there are interesting things everywhere in the world.  He seems to enjoy the fish-tank, black-and-white objects, and rattles. You can often find him tracking objects as he sits in his chair... such a man! He is becoming so alert and aware. I think he must be doing calculations in his head, he looks like a genius.

Terrence seems to be handling all these kids fairly well... He is still making time to go to paintball, although not very frequently. Honestly, I am amazed that we both make time for our hobbies and have found time! I am running, at least 4x a week.  I haven't timed myself, but I think my 5K time is faster which makes my 10K and greater distances personal records, surely. I need to try a "magic mile" soon.  Pre-pregnancy my magic mile was 7 minutes and 30 seconds, first post-partum run was 11:00 minutes. 6 weeks down, surely I can run in under 9:00 minutes!

Well that is it for the Bumgarners for now!










Addendum: Magic Mile time 6 weeks postpartum 8 minutes and 24 seconds.  I plan to time the 5K next. My goal is under 32 minutes! :)