any sahm who do not have any help?

Hi JL! It's Erin from IV. I'm not going to lie, it's not easy. Eventually you will get into somewhat of a routine. Since I had to quit work due to the boys medical issues DH has been working so much that he is hardly home. My mother would help, but she is about 1/2 hour away and doesn't drive, so for her to come here, I have to load up all three kids, go get her and then come home. Then I would have to bring her home most of the time too, so to me, it's not really worth it. Most days I am doing pretty well with it, although some days I want to pull out all my hair and scream. I usually stay up to do the 2 AM feeding. Then DH will feed the boys between 5 AM - 6 AM before he goes to work. So even though I am up late, I still can get about 6 hrs sleep a night on average. Then around 9 AM I get up, feed the boys, get DD up (she wakes up between 8-9 and will play in her crib for up to an hour or so before she calls me to come and get her - it really is nice of her to do that) and start the day. I do try to get some house work done. Mostly it is just laziness on my part but I'm also dealing with a little PPD. I don't even look at it as taking it one day at a time. I look at one feeding at a time. If I can get through this feeding, then I'm doing good. I'll deal with it again in about 4 hours at the next feeding. The days that are the hardest are when we have drs appts, and we seem to have so many of them. Trying to get myself and the three kids ready to go and out the door is a little crazy. One of these days I'll make it to an appointment on time!

I have gone out to stores a few times with them. But I still haven't figured out the easy way to do that yet. Loading the boys, Matthew's oxygen and monitor and Joshua's apnea monitor into the stroller and getting my 3 yr old in and out of the car takes at least 10 min each time. Then when I do get into the store, I can't get too much since I have no way to carry things. Luckily DD will walk next to me - most of the time - with a basket and I will just grab a few essentials. Now that it is getting warmer I have ventured out and the 4 of us will take a walk around the block sometimes. The fresh air is good for everyone. You've been so lucky to have the help you have had so far. It will take some time to adjust, but you will figure it out quickly. Good luck with the move back home!!!

As far as pumping goes, I can't really be much help. I did pump in the beginning when they were still in the hospital. But with all the stress of everything, it didn't last very long, only about a month.

Erin