three's company

Request noted. I like requests...keep those coming! It is funny actually, because I was just thinking today on how much my life has changed since Forrest has entered it. I keep thinking to myself..."I don't remember giving birth to a THIRD child...why is there a third child here?"...but so it is. And we love him as part of our family.

It also just so happens that today was one of the first times that I was able to capture the three of my babes TOGETHER in a picture...and so I was planning to post about them anyhow. All three of them are full of their own kinds of energies and each with their own agenda on the mind that somehow directs their internal compasses in completely different directions all at once...so I have a bit of trouble trying to document their play...and their unique relationships with one another...but they do co-exist with one another...USUALLY peacefully but sometimes not. Asher has established himself well as the big brother of the bunch. He likes to boss...and he somehow intuitively knows when Forrest needs to go potty and when he needs to go to "weep" (sleep)...and he often gets frustrated when he figures out that Forrest has a mind of his own and NO...in fact...he doesn't need to go potty at the moment. Asher likes to hold him...and chase him...all with the excitement and urgency of a three year old...which puts Forrest a little bit on edge with this one at the moment. We are learning...all of us...and it makes up for a few challenging moments. Journey on the other hand is the little sister of both of them. Forrest likes to pick on her and play with her like she is one of his own kind. He knocks her down and nibbles at her...expecting a little attitude in return...but he is usually met with a smile and a good dose of patience. She occasionally calls out for mama to come scoop her up and separate the two...but for the most part...Forrest likes to hang close by her. I think he feels safe there. Ever since we brought Forrest home, our days have been more complicated. Complicated in the most wonderful kind of way...but still...complicated. I am now the mama of not ONE but TWO little ones who are potty learning...and that presents it's very own challenges and mishaps. I always have to make sure that Forrest has his meals BEFORE the children go outside and that the doggy dish is up in hard to reach places, because Journey LOVES (and I mean LOVES) the taste of puppy chow and Asher has just as much an appreciation for putting puppy chow into puppy's water to watch it turn into mush. I have had days where I find Journey covered in dog poo...and days where I feel like the only thing that comes out of my mouth is "Asher...just let him BE.". But each day gets a little easier as we learn more about one another and as we create some kind of harmony with each other and all of our differences.

It is a marvelous thing that all three of them love to play in water...that makes things easy for me. I wish that we could play in water all day...every day. If only our skin wouldn't shrivel up like raisins. I am sure that these three would be up for it. And in 90 degree November weather...they couldn't resist a little fun in the mud. And I couldn't resist giving the go ahead. Some of my most vivid and delicious memories of my childhood involve playing in the mud puddles in our dirt road after a good rain. So they got good and muddy today...and all three of them loved it...so did mama.

It's probably best that Josh wasn't home though. He has a little thing about cleanliness...plus he just gave Forrest a bath (actually...TWO) on Sunday. But, it seemed like the right thing to do...and all three of them were so content...with each other AND the mud. As far as I am concerned...the mess was so totally worth it.

Actually, I think this may become a daily ritual.