some deep holiday monday observations:
1) CONFIRMATION OF THE HYPOCRISY OF TESS : i don’t believe in buddha but i am happy that charles gets a day off to celebrate his birthday
2) not everyone has triplets.. between:
wiping (bottoms or floors)
singing (at music class or trying to distract them in the crucial seconds before they projectile vomit)
reading (labels of medication trying to determine which will put them to sleep for the longest or sandra boynton books
playing (with the ends of my hair in a distracted fashion or with the triplets)
clapping (yay! they’re asleep or with their tiny hands while they sit in my lap)
i spend a goodly amount of time with sebastian, jasper, sela and carys. you might say i am used to them. (good thing because their one year warranty is expiring on june 1). but people who don’t spend a lot time with us (strangers at park n shop, acquaintances, people in various groups, believe me, the list does go on) are not used to them. it seems strange to get all this attention because for me, this is my life. and i don’t see it as extra-ordinary!
3) the same people unfamiliar with the triplet lifestyle do not mean to offend when they comment:
– so did you use fertility drugs
– are they natural
– triplets? i’d kill myself
– better you than me
fellow MOMS (mums of multiples) have differing ways of handling the queries:
so did you use fertility drugs?
(challenge them) – why do you want to know?
(turn it around) – oh, you can’t get pregnant?
(rise above it) – ignore it
(answer) – yes. (this of course can lead to the interesting follow up question, "well who had the problem, you or your husband?"
(get creative) – no, i was involved with three different men at the time (biologically not a correct answer, but it is a guaranteed way to ensure that you are no longer known as "the woman with triplets." you’ve got a new reputation!)
are they natural? (they want to know the same as above, but are wording it differently)
(challenge them) – what do you mean?
(be sarcastic) – no, they’re plastic
(be joky) – oh you mean like organic. no, i ate processed food, and even white bread the entire pregnancy. i feel bad about it now, but you know cravings.
(rise above it) – ignore it
triplets? i’d kill myself
(challenge them) – no, after a while, it just seems normal. because it is your world
(sarcastic) – you don’t have to have triplets to kill yourself
(nice) – not sure, never been nice when answering this comment
better you than me
(challenge them) – what on earth are you suggesting?
(sarcastic) – isn’t that the truth…my kids think so too, and don’t even get my husband started on the topic of you. tres unflattering
(let’s be hurtful) – you’re right, your body just LOOKS like it’s been through a triplet pregnancy. at least i got the babies!!!
(nice) – not sure, never been nice when responding to this comment.
now, i have never used this one.
but i am really tempted.
the next time i get a really agressive woman pushing a pram who says,
"fertility drugs are the reason you got triplets" (in a very snotty manner),
to look at her child and respond, (sweetly with a touch of concern),
oh, you and your husband being unattractive, that’s the reason your child is ugly.
NOW
you know i never will, but i need to smile about something during those vomit wipes or while i am singing "quack, quack quack quack cockadoodle do" for the 12th consectutive time in order to prevent a carys spew.
would love to hear any other brilliant responses or questions.
merci.
