The Leader of the Pack

Gabriella told me that she wasted her whole summer. She said she didn't even build a roller coaster or anything. I guess she thinks Phineas and Ferb are real. Well, we didn't waste our summer. We had a great one. But as we all know, summers come to an end and the dreaded school year begins. I hate schedules. I like to do things in my own time and to allow my kids not to feel rushed around from the moment their toes hit the floor in the morning.

But, we've started a new school year and schedules are a must. Maybe I'll feel differently when I have more children in school, but right now I wish Gabs could continue to stay home with us. She is such a great first-born. A total leader. She rallies the little ones and imagines a game that they all enjoy. She prides herself in being my special helper. And she is a huge help. She always wants to have fun, no matter what we are doing. She wants to turn everything we do into a "girls only date". I'm sad this girl will be gone 8 hours a day. But it's obvious I'm the only one.

Motherhood

A few weeks ago, our family was invited to a barbecue that someone from Joe's work invited us to. It was a family barbecue, but many couples opted to get a sitter for their children and come alone. When we showed up with four little ones, we looked like quite the crowd. Someone mentioned to Joe that they, too, were in the "four children club". I didn't realize there was a club. But the truth is, especially here in Kansas where there are few members (none of which were at this barbecue) having four children is somewhat of a rarity. Little do these club members know that we aren't even stopping at four. (Queue shocked expressions across Manhattan.)

Really, the feeling of having people look at us like we're crazy when we show up to a restaurant with the four children in tow doesn't even phase me. When I go to the pool or the summer movie at the theatre with the kids and strangers tell me I have my hands full, I just smile and carry on. It's simply my normal. I don't feel overwhelmed. Well, most days I don't. So those looks and comments just go right in one ear and out the other.

But what really gets my blood boiling is the assumption that because I have four children that I am somehow jipping them each of quality time and really "knowing" them because I am dividing my time between more children. It's just not that way. I guarantee that I love my children the same as any other good mother out there with fewer or even more children. I know each of them. They each know that I love them. They aren't starving for attention. In fact, they probably get too much attention, because not only are they getting my attention and their fathers attention, they have one another to give and get attention from. It's a beautiful thing.

I do make an effort to get one on one time with each of my children. Not because I feel like I have to or that I owe that to them, but because I love being with each of them individually too. And they eat that time up. Not because they've been deprived of that "quality" time, but because it makes them feel special, as it would any child regardless of the number of children in the family.

I know Gabs is fun and thoughtful. She's playful and outgoing. She's a leader. She's competitive but easily frustrated. I know Gwen is pokey at everything. She's independent and super confident. She's creative and sweet. She's a riot and sensitive all at the same time. Henry is my wild card. He's either totally obstinate and stubborn, or completely tender and loving. He's silly and busy. He whines and laughs, usually simultaneously. William is ea-sy. He's patient and happy. He's smiley and content. He is the polar opposite of high maintenance. He's a total breeze.

I know these things about my children because I am a good mother. Because I am present in their life. Each and every one of their lives. No matter how many more children we have, I will continue to know everything about my children. They will always feel special and loved. They will always be surrounded by one another and feel the love in our family. Because I am the mother. And that is what motherhood is all about. I love it.

Baby William

I love these pictures. Silly little snap shops one uneventful evening. I forgot they were even on my camera. It's like finding $10 bucks in your pocket. What a wonderful surprise to find these gems that so epitomize William right now...

1. That long hair. It's lightening up and growing so long over his ears. Joe hasn't had two seconds to cut it and it's driving me crazy!

2. Those cheeks. It never fails that his cheeks are mentioned. The boy likes to eat.

3. Cute curled toes. His feet are never relaxed. He always has his toes curled up and his feet curled in. I love it because it reminds me that he's still a baby.

4. Bending over backwards. Whenever he is being held (nursing, drinking a bottle, or just being cradled) and he wants to see what the kids are being so noisy about behind him, he just bails over your arm and stares at them upside down. It's the funniest thing. That image of him looking at me that way captures him to a "T" right now. Love it.

5. And above all else, these pictures just show how layed back and relaxed he always is. He's just a peaceful little guy who is content and easy going all day.

Other fun things about William right now is his refusal to sit up. If you try and sit him, he just tips to the side so he can get moving. He army crawls like nobodies business and still hasn't figured out how to get on his hands and knees. I'm certainly okay with that. He generally hates baby food, but we can get him to eat sweet potatoes and corn. He seems to prefer the veggies to the fruits. He's stealthy like a snake. I can put him down in one room and a few seconds later he will have vanished and is heading straight to the girls room to see if he can find some unattended silly bandz to choke on. He is super ticklish on his back. He has two little bottom teeth. He always has his tongue planted on the roof of his mouth. When he smiles all you see is the underside of his tongue. His favorite thing to do is reach up and grab anything thing he can get a hold of on your face and hold on for dear life. His favorite? Lips. He always, always scratches his belly with his right hand. When he's eating, when he's gotten out of the tub, when he's getting his clothes changed, he just scratches the side of his little belly. It's something he's been doing since he was itty bitty.

And one last thing, since Joe is in these pictures too, I think I'll mention just what a great dad he is. Each of our kids adore him and love him and can't wait until he gets home. He is so involved and present in their lives. It makes being a mom so great, because I have a husband who does all that he can for me and the kids the minute he gets home. What a blessing he is to me!