February: Partners in Crime and Tiny Houdinis
This month has been a mix of early mornings, small wins, tiny escape artists, and doing our best to adjust as we go.
February has felt like one long process of adjusting. Not fixing anything. Not getting it right. Just trying things, noticing what helps, and changing course when it doesn’t.
We introduced now and next boards for all three kids, plus a daily routine chart and weekly calendar for H. Seeing the week laid out has helped more than I expected. Knowing what’s coming has taken some of the edge off, and when expectations are visible, everyone breathes a little easier. Including me.
Sleep has continued to sit underneath everything.
We’ve been keeping a sleep diary for H and Twin A so I can look for patterns instead of reacting to each bad night. Sleep hasn’t been neat, but there have been longer stretches, and I’m learning to count that as a win.
Early mornings have been the hardest part of this month.
H has been letting the girls out of their room very early, usually because he wants his partners in crime up and ready, and apparently, 5 am is the ideal time to start the day.
At the same time, Twin A’s need to take clothes off has been strongest during those early hours. We thought we’d found a solution with babygrows she couldn’t undo… and for a short while, it worked.
Then she revealed herself to be a tiny Houdini.
Babygrows on backwards? Escaped.
Fastenings secured? Still escaped.
Some mornings have involved cleaning before the kettle’s even boiled. It’s exhausting, but also proof that when Twin A is determined, she really is determined.
Mealtimes have been their own story. The girls often throw food or plates at the end of meals, especially during transitions. It’s draining, but it’s clearly about impulse more than anything else. Twin B will often pick her plate up afterwards and take it into the kitchen, which quietly reminds me that understanding is there, just not always in the moment.
H has loved helping make his before-bed snack. It’s something small, but it helps him settle, and those ordinary calm moments have mattered this month.
Another quiet part of February has been learning how to advocate, even when it feels uncomfortable. Trusting what I see day to day hasn’t always been easy, but I’m learning that what happens at home matters too.
Alongside all of this, I’ve been dealing with daily headaches and feeling very drained. Some mornings I’ve felt worn out before the day has really started. the kind of tired that coffee doesn’t fix.
February hasn’t been about big breakthroughs. It’s been about adjusting, trying again, and getting everyone through. preferably clothed, fed, and without flooding the bathroom.
This is where we’re at right now.
Still adjusting. Still doing our best.
