[ELARA'S POV]
Three weeks with four kids and I'd forgotten what sleep felt like.
Claire nursed every two hours. Alexander was teething. Big Julian was having jealousy tantrums. Isla was being helpful which somehow made everything worse.
"Mama, I can change Claire's diaper!" She announced one morning.
"No baby, that's okay. I've got it."
"But I'm a big sister. I should help."
"You can help by entertaining your brothers."
"They're boring. I want to help with Claire."
"Isla..." I was so tired. Too tired for this conversation. "Please. Just... go play."
Her bottom lip trembled. About to cry.
Great. Four kids crying. New record.
Damian intercepted. "Come on, troublemaker. Let's make pancakes. Give mama a break."
"I'm not a troublemaker." But she went with him. Crisis averted.
I finished changing Claire. Fed her. Put her down for a nap. Got maybe thirty minutes before someone else needed something.
