Friday, January 30th, 2009
After 4 pregnancies you would think I had experienced it all. Well, this one has been different - baby is breech so I am feeling things I have never felt before - like Braxton-Hicks contractions. They suck and serve no purpose other than to remind that this is actually a somewhat uncomfortable process.
Monday, January 19th, 2009
I recently attended a family playgroup and one of the topics of discussion was "how do you know you are done having kids" or "how did you decide to have the number of kids you do"? Phil and I have occasionally gotten comments about how we must be insane to have 4 kids and are often asked how we manage. My least favourite comment from random people is "I would never have 4 children!", or people assuming things about us because of the number of kids we have (no, we are not Catholic, Mormon, or on welfare).
So, I started wondering maybe we are crazy, how do we manage, what were we thinking. But then I started analyzing our reasons and came to this conclusion: We do not have 4 children, we have (or will soon have) 4 people. Those people are currently children and they drive us insane, make us laugh hysterically, show us the wonder of living everyday, make us compromise our dreams for theirs, frustrate and amaze us, but they will not be children forever. We did not go into this to have 4 children - we wanted a family. We want to watch these people grow from infants to children to teens to adults. We want to join them on their journey, help them through the hard time, share in the good times, see them fall in love, marry and have their own families if that is what they choose. Help them find their passion in life, whatever that may be.
So when people make comments about my large family, I pull up a mental picture of what I want my life to be like and in my mind I envision a holiday meal, food piled up on an extra large table, Phil and I sitting surrounded by the sound of children's laughter, seeing the kids' faces (as I imagine them all grown up) and the faces of their loved ones.
And that is why I have chosen to have a large family.
Thursday, January 1st, 2009
I am resurrecting this blog. I promise. Really, I do. For my first post, my 9 hopes/desires/intentions for 2009 (in no particular order):
1) be more patient with the kids. Tap into my inner child and try to learn how to be silly and get into their imaginative play;
2) finish my dissertation requirements and defend;
3) read more for pleasure. It really does help my mood and patience;
4) after the baby is born, exercise more. I really need to get back in shape because 4 pregnancies in 5 years has wreaked havoc on this ol' body;
5) drive less - walk more. This may be difficult in San Antonio as things are so spread out;
6) get a job I like;
7) decorate the new house and get some new furniture that is less college kid and more sturdy and family friendly (and washable);
8) spend more time on my hobbies - knitting, crochet, I would like to learn to sew. Learn more about herbal remedies. Take up new things - I think I want to learn how to make infusions like alcohol, vinegars, oils, etc;
9) spend more time taking care of myself. I always put myself last and it needs to stop. I am starting to believe that to be a good wife, mother, friend, person I need to look to my own needs first;
10) not get pregnant again :)
The other day I came home with a sweater for Spencer. It is a nice combo of beige, brown and orange, and matches a plaid flannel shirt I also picked up - can you tell I'm Canadian, eh? Phil really liked the retro look and feel of the cardigan and asked that I make a similar one for him - a request he has been making of me for years - "please, make me a sweater". So I decided to make one for him, but for the life of me can't find a pattern for anything similar. I think I am just going to have to be creative, find a close pattern and add all the elements myself. Wish me luck unless you know where I can find a good pattern for something like this.
Our friends Ed and Elizabeth along with their daughter Frances, hosted a Chili and Cinnamon Bun cook-off at their new home today. It was a blast and eventhough my vegetarian chili did not take 1st prize we still had a fabulous time. The boys spent most of their time playing in Franny's room (there was even a 'playing doctor incident, but they actually were playing physician and Franny was checking their ears, eyes, etc.....think I am still safe from the other doctor for a while) and Cordelia schmoozed the crowd and reigned over the festivities from her perch on the fireplace.
Although our bed is very crowded with three kids, two adults, 3 cats and usually a dog or two, this is why we co-sleep.....comfort, security, safety, closeness, and love.
