DD3 has had this bleeding diaper rash thing going on (could be an allergy, yeast, fungus, who the heck knows....the rash is so bad, they can't see under it to see what's causing it). We went in last week at around 6pm, so I took her and H stayed with the older girls.
A week later, still not better and still bleeding. I called Monday at 11:30am. They need to see her. Can I be there in an hour? Lady, I have 3 kids 1 and under - I can't be anywhere in an hour! I make the appt for 2:15pm and the mad rush begins.
I run upstairs to brush my teeth and hair and wash my face. Can't get dressed yet because there is the chance I'll be hurled on during this process, plus I end up a sweaty, sticky mess.
I run back downstairs and put the diaper bag together (if I know I have to be somewhere, I do this the night before, but this was an unexpected trip). I run the bag down to the car because it weighs about 10lbs (another fun flight of stairs....this colonial house seemed like such a good idea at the time!). Back up the stairs. Back to the 2nd floor to get clothes for the girls. Back down to the 1st floor.
I dress DD1, brush her teeth and hair and wash her hands and face. I grab DD2 and do the same to her. Wait...what's that smell? DD1 took a massive dump. Geez....change her all over again. Now, it's 12:45pm and I have to be out of here by 1:30pm.
I change DD3 - this takes forever since I have to wipe her with wet cloths and pat dry while she screams and thrashes. Poor thing. That rash hurts. Change her and lay her down - she hurls everywhere. Run back upstairs for another outfit for her. Back down the stairs and change her and put her in the car seat. Screaming ensues.
I'm a sweaty mess and it's 1:15pm and I'm still not dressed. I run DD1 down to the car. Back up the stairs. I run DD2 down to the car. Back up the stairs. I run DD3 down to the car. I bring my clothes with me and change in the garage because they start to scream every time they're left alone in the car and it's a good thing I have the garage and don't have to park on the street because none of this would be possible.
It's 58 degrees, but I crank up the a/c in the car because I am SWEATING.
Wait....why is everyone stopping? TRAFFIC? Are you serious???
Then comes the rain!
Get to the pedi office at 2:10pm for my 2:15pm appt. Pouring. I'm standing outside the car fighting with the stroller because the last time I used it, I had DD2 and DD3 in it and let DD1 walk. Now, I want it set up for DD1 and DD2. I'm soaked, but the rain felt good.
Take DD3 out in the infant carrier and put her in the back of the car while I take DD1 out and fight her into her raincoat and put her in the stroller. I take DD2 out and get her into her raincoat and put her in the stroller. Grab 10lb diaper bag. Grab infant seat with DD3.
I have to say, the Phil & Ted's is amazing for 1-handed steering! I'm running through the rain pushing the stroller and carrying the bag in one arm and the infant seat in the other. Why I'm running, I don't know, I'm already late.
Get to registration - line, of course. Woman decides now would be a good time to be stupid....You have insurance? Yes. Why don't you have a card? She was just born. She's in the system though. How do you know she's in the system? I called Blue Cross yesterday. What do you have, Cinga? (Ya, I have Cigna, but called Blue Cross for fun.) No, we have Blue Cross...here, use my card, it's the same number. Her suffix is 12. TWELVE?? Yes, twelve (minors start at 10, so we have 10, 11 and, now, 12). She one-handed types all this stuff into the system. I pay my co-payment.
I get stared at and whispered about like I'm the OctoMom as I begin my sprint toward pediatrics.
Now, DD1 and DD2 decide they want to yell - for juice, for goldfish, to get out of the stroller, etc. I want to cry and scream, too.
We get called in and the lovely nurse takes the infant seat for me. Sweet relief for my right arm.
Get to the small, 100-degree room (here comes the sweat again) and DD1 wants everything - she wants to wash her hands, she wants to hold that book, she wants to touch the tongue depressers and, damned be the person (me) who denies her.
I give them some juice and hope they'll drink it and be quiet. Dr. comes in and I have DD3 on the table screaming and I'm trying to talk to him about the rash and the other 2 are whining and yelling and throwing their cups on the floor. What was that?.....no, I put that on 3x a day....what?....no that stuff is 4x a day.....I'm sorry.....(run over and pull DD1's hand off of the table she had started to use to pull herself toward the tongue depressers - lock stroller)....no, no fever and eating normally....
Get instructions (3x because I kept forgetting them) for new medication (I could kiss the person who thought of the drive thru pharmacy!). Dress DD3 and put her back in the infant seat. Gather my bag and head out pushing the stroller with 1 hand, arms loaded with the bag and infant seat.
Sweating again. Rain feels good.
Get soaked while I put DD1 in the car, DD2 in the car, DD3 snapped into the car. Bag in the car. Stroller in the car.
OK...where is my cell phone???
Get out of the car and go to the back, open the hatch - there it is. Get back in the car.
Decide to treat myself to a latte before heading to the pharmacy.
Get home....back up the stairs with the medication and the bag. Down the stairs to get DD3 in the infant seat. Back up the stairs. Down the stairs to get DD2. Back up the stairs. Down the stairs for DD3. Back up the stairs.
Sit. Realize it's Monday at 4:30pm and I haven't eaten since Saturday at 6pm. That would explain why I feel like passing out.
No time to rest. Change 3 sets of diapers. Feed DD3. H comes home. He feeds them dinner while I sort and hang all their laundry and mine. Bath time - mayhem. Bedtime - more mayhem (DD2 throws a fit that goes on for about 2hrs where H and I take turns holding her and restraining her).
Feed DD3 again. Lay down with DD3 in the co-sleeper. It's 10pm. Eat or sleep...eat or sleep....I choose sleep. I get about 2hrs before DD3 gets up again. Have to change her often and it's a hassle with the wet cloths and patting dry and 2 different medications to slather on.
Get about 3-4hrs of broken sleep and get up and start all over again. It's lunchtime for them now. DD1 and DD2 are in their high chairs screaming because their food is too hot for me to give it to them. This makes DD3 cry - she just ate and is in the bassinette in the kitchen. I'm sitting in the bathroom because I'm over the screaming and need a break. I wish they could understand the concept of "food too hot, give it a minute", but they don't. So, they scream.
I ate last night - for the 1st time since Saturday night.
I can refill my Xanax on July 5th. 
If anyone else is facing 3 under 2, I highly recommend a prescription for it. I'm heading back into the ring.....
Re: WOW this mom gets my upmost respect
utmost
Wait...so it's better to take care of them with severe anxiety and panic attacks than it is to be on a doctor prescribed medication?
Have you ever even had a panic attack?
And, have you ever had three children under two years old? I only have two right now, and I feel her pain. And I'll KNOW it in about seven months.
It says you have it for flying. That does not mean that you have had panic attacks. Being a smart ass about something YOU were inclear about is funny. LOL.
Either way...you have NO CLUE what her life is like, what her dose of Xanax is, or if she handles it the way you do. Way to get all judgey though. Three cheers for you.
BW you're right
It was posted in TWO under TWO -- sorry ladies I couldn't post the link
Yes, that is what happens when YOU'RE on it. She probably doesn't receive the same reaction.