Julia & Josephine

Those two little girls are sooo adorable!! The look like "Tompkins" children. Though I don't know what Eric's family looks like. How is Murphy adjusting to being a big sister and not the only one? Glad to hear that you are getting help and things are smoothing out. Carol

Julia looks like Murphy to me. Has anyone else said that? They are precious and they look very happy. Having family to help with little ones is truly a blessing! Are you back at work yet?

I think they look like "Tompkins" children too. Well, my baby pictures anyway. Although, Angela is right, everyone thinks Josephine looks like Murphy, which in turn, is a xxxxx look. Neither one has her dimples though, which is fun that they all have their own individual traits. It will be fun watching them grow and change. I think Murphy changes daily. I'm sure you see that in your own kids too.

Decided not to return to work. It was a strange decision to make since I have worked at Thomson for so long. But it is such a relief not to have to make the trek in to work. I look at it as my time to figure out what I want to be when I "grow up". Also, with Eric starting his own company, it was going to be too hard juggling schedules with his hours being longer than mine. Plus, he works at so many different sites throughout the day, we thought it would be easier than having to figure out pick-up and drop offs at daycare. We'll see how long my sanity lasts with three small children. So far, I LOVE IT!!!!

Murphy is also adjusting. Not too many objects are being hurled at their heads these days. In the beginning, Ernie and Elmo and Big Bird (stuffed animals) were constantly smothering Josephine to hush the screaming. Needless to say, I do not leave Murphy alone with them, especially since lately she wants to pick them up and attempts to. Josephine loves to watch Murphy, but Julia is content just smiling at everything. She is my little sweet one that is happy all day long and smiles at everything and anything. Josephine is quite cranky like Murphy was and it takes a little more work to get her to be happy. But she is coming around and is starting to be content just watching the action unfold throughout the day. It is all becoming easier with each day they grow.

I was just thinking today that I would post something about wanting to see some pictures of the newest additions to our family. You must have telepathy Mary! When I see pictures of babies it makes me miss my baby days... but then the boys sleep through the night and I think about how that one act is so refreshing and nice!!

I'll just add my agreement that Josephine looks like Murphy.

Loved seeing those pictures, Mary. And I'm glad you're able to stay at home with them for now, or maybe forever.

They are adorable babies and I'd just like to kiss their sweet little faces, and just maybe . . . bite their precious little chubby cheeks!

They are sooo cute! I wish they lived down here so I could really see them. It sounds like Murphy doesn't know about this.

I don't know why Julia wrote that about Murphy. The babies are beautiful, Mary and Eric. How can anyone say one looks like Murphy when they are identical? People used to say that about the Doots. Christina looks a little like me, somebody told me once. I am so happy you posted a picture and a little something about life with 3 babies. I loved that. Don't worry, Mary. Murphy is going to eventually stop smothering them with love. Aaron popped Julia on the head with things every now and then which kept me on my toes too. When she could grab one of his trains and run down the hall with it is when I really had to worry. Those days didn't last long. You may have a free-for-all when they get to toddler-hood. That's when Angela and Christina started their careers as wrestlers.

Tell your Mom I say "hey" and I want her new address and phone number. That's so cool that she is willing and able to help you.

I loved being an at-home Mom. I still do, actually. It is a full-time job running a household. It relieves all kinds of stress to not have to be anywhere when babies have so many unpredictable moments - like needing to go to doctors for well baby visits as well as sick baby visits, or staying up all night coughing or teething. One needs a loose schedule when it is constantly changing anyway. All can sleep in if need be and they are not exposed to crabby caretakers (except the unconditional loving ones) or other sickly or violent children that may be in daycare. You can always go back to work when you want. Summer is going to be very fun with loose ends and three precious girls to play with.

I must back up what I wrote above by expressing that it was just my style to have that flexibility of staying home. Not all can, or want, to do that and I can appreciate that too. I lamented many times over how my choice was also a sacrifice of a lot of material comforts in a way. I was resourceful in budgeting, but many times felt poor and hated that predicament. People adapt to whatever they have a strong desire to. Some children need and love being in nurseries where they can have friends to play with all day; Polina, for instance. It's to each his own.

Mary - ohhhhhhhhhh how precious! The girls look like they're a great bunch of fun! I have 1st grade twins in my class this year. On the first day of school I worried how I would tell them apart, but by the end of the day they had already shown their different personalities - they are like night and day!
Have fun and hold onto each and every memory.

My lovely girls are quite a handful, but I love every minute of it.
I am so thankful that I am able to stay home with them for now and look forward to starting a new career some day. But for now, they have all of me and it's a pretty sweet deal.