Positive pregnancy tests. Thinking of a fun way to tell Jeremy - even though he never "gets" my creative announcements. (Love you baby!) My mom's super fun and expressive reactions to another grand baby on the way. First baby kicks. Choosing a name. Picking out a baby memory book for our little one, that first night in the hospital after baby is born and it's 3am and it's just you and your baby. The list goes on and on. I truly love it all! I was born to be a momma, I really was.
I can't remember who it was that recently said to me, "Keri, you are just meant to be a momma of many kids, some people have the grace and patience for it." Now, I by no means am going to sit here and tell you I'm always gracious, or always patient with my kiddos the way Michelle Duggar seems to be with her 19 children, but I must agree that being a momma of multiple little ones I do love so much. I love being a mom - even during the season of 4 kids under 5. Our days right now are filled with applesauce spilled all over the floor, crayon on the walls, temper tantrums, bedtime fits, lots of poopy diapers and wiping butts, little sleep, and barely being able to get a sentence in to each other until all kids are in bed each night but I LOVE my life. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Over the past 5 years I've heard plenty of comments such as "2 kids is the perfect family", "Wow, your hands sure are full!", "Baby #3? You can stop now!", "Was the baby planned?" and so on. I'm not sure what makes people say such comments to others - but I just have to smile and nod when I hear those comments these days :) 2 kids may be the perfect family for YOU, it doesn't mean it's the perfect family for others. Yes, my hands are full, so is my heart! And please don't tell me when I should stop having children and yes all of our babies have been planned! By us and by God thank you very much! Those are all the responses in my mind when people say such comments to me but most of the time I find it's wiser to not respond and just smile instead :) I promise I'm not on a rampage and am not holding any bitterness in my heart, I just find people so...interesting :)
I do use the "yes, my hands are full but so is my heart!" response when strangers make that comment to me in the grocery store. I've never been one to blurt out my own personal thoughts and opinions to others on such personal decisions people make that are not my business so it boggles my mind when people make comments to me or to my friends who are living a full, blessed life with many little ones like me. Children are such a blessing. Yes, children are a lot of work too - but the rewards of having a child, the joy and happiness they bring outweighs it all. Yes, children are expensive...but that's why we budget, why I shop at mom2mom sales and garage sales for my kids clothing, borrow from friends and so on. Our society makes me sad at times....I would rather go without the nicest things or choosing to live on a strict budget than not having another child so I could vacation more, buy a bigger TV, or spoil my other children with more "stuff".
Just spilling my thoughts a bit today on motherhood I guess - and standing up for us mommas who have lots of little ones at home and hear negative comments at times. Be encouraged my fellow mommas, we are SO blessed to have healthy children and have the opportunity to raise these precious little ones to know and love others, love the Lord and be a light in our dark world.
Now, on to the latest with Hud the Stud :) I took him to the doctor on Friday and he is past his birth weight and growing good! He was 8lbs8oz at birth, 8lbs3oz when we left the hospital, 8lbs5oz at his first check up (5 days) and now already up to 10lbs5oz at his 3 week appt! Looks like he is growing great and drinking lots of mom's milk :) I basically just took him in for a weight check up, we didn't even see the doctor. He goes back again at 2 months for his next check up.
Our sweet Lincoln Jude turned 16 months old yesterday! Oh how I love that kid - he is so adorable and at such a cute and fun age. I haven't snapped many pics of him lately (indoor photography isn't really my thing) but I need to get an updated photo of him to share on the blog soon. I'll try and do that this week :)
I ordered some super cute birthday invites to mail out for Ethan's birthday party next month. He told me he wanted a Curious George party so I'm doing a CG theme :) Can't believe he's gonna be F-I-V-E! I love making birthday's a big deal, because, well, my babies birth's are a big deal! It's a day just for them - so fun to celebrate!
Gracelyn cracked me up yesterday. She was playing with her Dora doll and brought her over to me with Dora's pants down and told me she had to put some aquaphor on Dora (which she did in fact do!). I just laughed and said ok baby, no more aquaphor for Dora though ok? :) Aquaphor is a staple in our house - it's similar to vaseline for those of you who may not know - but we use it anytime the kids have red bottoms or on Lincoln's dry skin. It just made me laugh thinking about how kids really watch everything you do and copy you :)
Here's a photo I took of Hudson last night. 3 weeks! Oh how I love this little guy and everything a newborn brings - even the middle of the night feedings! I cherish all my time with him and our other 3 babies as I know these years go by so fast.
I wanted to share this photo I snapped of Gracelyn and my Grandpa (the one that Hudson is named after) on Christmas Eve. I just adore it. So sweet and a photo I will cherish forever.
Much love,
Momma Keri
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