Goldilocks and the three little boys . . .

Once upon a time there was a little girl who had golden ringlets, at least when she slept on pink curlers, she had ringlets; at other times she had braids. She was a beautiful little girl and so kind to those around her, but don't ask her younger sister who might show scars that would suggest otherwise. She loved wandering through the neighborhood, spreading joy to all around her. One day she wandered into a house she had never seen before and met a handsome young prince. Now, this young prince was often sleepy--he could fall asleep anywhere and at anytime--but Goldilocks loved him and decided to spend the rest of time with him.

(The so-called "sleepy" prince would like to add that the little princess had, unbeknownst to him, procured the services of a rather shadowy figure (a witch, not doubt)--the identity of whom has remained mysteriously concealed to this day--to cast a wicked (and wickedly effective) little incantation on him. Contrary to what she would lead you to believe, the little prince could not fall asleep "anywhere and at anytime"; rather, it was only when visiting her home that he would fall into a suspiciously deep and peaceful sleep. Indeed, the specificity of such soporific spells is rather suspect, is it not, dear reader?)

Well, time passed and before they knew it, Goldilocks was returning from the hospital with a little boy. This little boy (#1 or S--) was a joy. He was interested in everything around him. He ate like a champion. He was a fantastic traveler (and travel he did--by the time he was 18 months, he had visited Utah twice, Arizona twice, Massachusetts twice, England once, and lived in Spain for 6 months).

Time passed again, and Goldilocks and her sleepy (ahem, "sleepy") prince came home from the hospital with another little boy. This little boy (#2 or F--) was also a joy, but in a different way than his brother. He was a picky eater (no veggies except sweet potato french fries) but loved following what his older brother would do. He didn't travel as much (once to Utah and once to Arizona) and he didn't sleep as much, but he loved inviting all things with him on trips around town ("Book come?")

Time passed again, and Goldilocks and her sleepy prince were surprised by another little boy. This little boy (#3 or A--) came bigger than his older brothers and looked a lot like #1 did as a baby. Initially Goldilocks and the prince were overwhelmed. Goldilocks was anemic and dealing with postpartum emotions. #3 was a good eater like his older brother, but he had a hard time burping. He grew quickly, but leaked through the disposable diapers that seemed a necessity for proper c-section recovery.

Before Goldilocks and her prince knew it, they were the parents of three little boys. Not only were there the typical difficulties of new babies--always hungry, always sleepy, always wanting to be held--but it was complicated by two older brothers who loved kissing, petting, helping, and mauling Baby A--. The older siblings started acting up a little, especially because they were off schedule and stir-crazy from being home for so long. F-- woke up every hour one night, until Goldilocks and her prince brought him into bed with them. He also protested more at bedtime, and since he was no longer in a crib, would go for midnight strolls through the house. There were a few days when Goldilocks was sure that she was the worst mother in the world, but she tried taking a step back and following the advice of a friend--do the things that make you like being a mom--and that made it a little better. (She also started feeling better too, which always helps.)

Goldilocks and her sweet family haven't quite made it back to normal. The prince returns to work full-time this coming week. S-- will start preschool again sometime this month. But with the c-section recovery, Goldilocks still avoids lifting things (including children) and bouncing up and down the stairs too much (and engaging in a certain activity that shall not be mentioned in this family-friendly blog--wink, wink). She is over three weeks in and all seems to be going well.

And they all lived happily ever after . . .