"How do you do it?"

That's what a lot of people say to me, along with, "You've got your hands full!" and "I just can't imagine it!"

The truth is, it isn't easy to imagine. Sometimes it is joy times four. Sometimes you wonder, "What else could possibly happen to make things any harder?"

We've been trying to get Faith to sleep in her own crib. During her last illness she became a little too attached to me at nighttime, and decided that she really liked being with her Mommy all the time. She's a smart kid, and has developed the talent of being able to make herself throw up in protest. This makes bedtime a messy, stinky, loud, stressful time.

We've had a couple of good nights, but last night was one of the worst.

I was out singing a Healing Mass, then grocery shopping. So when I got home around 10:20pm the house was quiet, but the evidence of a difficult night was everywhere. Jim was collapsed on the couch, surrounded by toys and general chaos. The dishes were piled high in the sink and on the stove. I got the report from Jim that the triplets weren't in bed until 9:00, and Liliana at 9:30. I asked if Faith had thrown up, but he said he couldn't hear very well, and that she probably did but he didn't want to go in because Joe was the last to go to sleep and he didn't want to end up waking everyone up by going in to check. I was concerned about Faith sleeping in puke, but I know very well the fear of waking the screamers and couldn't blame him.

After a turkey sandwich (finally some dinner) and some tofutti to boost my blood sugar we began cleaning up. By the time that was done and we'd had showers it was midnight. I crept into the bedroom, checked on each child and prayed over them, said my own prayers, and turned out the dim light. The EXACT MOMENT I sat on the bed Joe began to scream, then Faith. I waited in the darkness. Joe settled. Faith continued to scream. I thought about her covered in vomit and went to get her. As soon as Eve heard me unzip Faith's crib tent she began screaming in protest. (Eve has been watching Faith's behavior, hoping to score some extra Mommy time.)

Sure enough Faith stunk. I brought her downstairs, cleaned her up and put her in some fresh jammies and gave her a bottle. By then Eve had gone back to sleep.

After her bottle Faith was ready to sleep, but just not in her bed. I put her back in her crib and slipped back into bed. She screamed, and screamed, and screamed. She has this intense cry at times which combines a shrill high pitched screams with a low angry yell. I am SO TIRED. With each scream my whole body flinches. I should mention that she screamed for over an hour at nap time earlier that day, and vomited. After what seemed an eternity (over 30 minutes) I couldn't take it anymore. I got up and unzipped her tent. Eve started to scream, as if to say, "HEY! NO FAIR! ME TOO!"

I quickly brought Faith downstairs hoping Eve would settle. Soon I heard Jim's footsteps as he gets Eve and bounds down the stairs, depositing her in the living room with me.

Faith was content draping herself on me. Eve played with toys and babbled on in Eve-speak. She tried to pump the metal top, which is loud, so I grabbbed it with my toes and tossed it over my head into the toy box. My legs were so nervous and jumpy (restless leg syndrome) and I just needed to lie down flat. I put the girls on the couch and laid down on the floor. (Wow is it hard.) I think I slept for a little while, then woke up aching. I moved back on to the couch since one of the girls was on the floor by then.

The next thing I know Liliana whispering in my ear, "Mommy! Come upstairs!"

"I can't Sweetie, your sisters are asleep down here."

"Bring them too!"

"No. I'm not waking them up."

"PLEASE MOMMY!", in whisper yell.

"NO!", back in whisper yell.

This goes on for a few minutes.

Then, the next thing I remember is Jim is up, the news is on, and Faith and Eve are awake. It is time to start the day.

Later, as I'm changing Eve I notice she has more bug bites on her arm, and most of her forearm is red and swollen. A call to the doctor and we have a 10:00 appt. I called Jim to let him know as well.

Snacks, drinks, diapers, shoes, and we're off. Two of the angels in our lives (Dee and Mary Helen Willant) have agreed to meet us there so I don't have to bring the whole crew in.

As we waited for the doctor, Jim walked through the door.

"Daddy! Hi Daddy!" Eve yells!

The doctor decides to cover Eve with an antibiotic just in case there is an infection brewing. As we head out to the front desk I'm greeted by Dr. Warren (another of the doctors in the practice) and two of the nurses who know us well. They are wonderfully supportive and want to know how everyone is. I give them the update and listen to them react. Then Dr. Warren lifts the crucifix that is hanging around my neck and says to the others, "This is why she looks so good."

"Absolutely." I said.

That's the answer. That's how I do it.