Young Mom

If I didn't know I was a young mom, I would be reminded every time I leave the house with all of them (even with 2 or 3 of them really).  If I had a nickel for every time someone said in shear shock, "how old are you?" and another nickel for every time someone said, "you have your hands full" I would be a rich woman, that's for sure.  Strangers even go as far as offering solutions to having no more children- still trying to figure out how to respond that.  At first I kind of was interested in seeing people's reaction when they discovered that I have five kids, and now, well I don't hide it, but I'm not as quick to offer that information up.  Not because I'm ashamed or anything, I know they are little gems, but I am not always quite geared up to hear the same comments that I always hear and to offer up my rote responses.   So, what is it like to be a mom of 5?  Let alone a young mom of 5 (I'll make all those strangers happy by pointing out that I'm a young mom with my hands full.)  Side-note:  people's responses are natural, we did have 5 kids extremely quickly, hope I'll continue to be gracious with these conversations, just venting a bit, ya know, like at the end of a pregnancy when you hear over and over again, "you're about to pop!"  After a month or so of that, you're done.  I've also never been a big "look at me" person, so the drama and attention that it draws to myself is not to be desired.  End of side-note.

I feel like the Lord really has provided sanity during this time through various means.  We are starting to get more of a rhythm and re-entering somewhat of a schedule that takes us out of the house.  I actually brave it and take all 3 babies to story time at the library once a week, I started BSF once a week, and have somewhat systematic play dates at a friend's house.  This schedule is key for me right now.  Seeing other adults and having adult conversation is something I'm always hungry for.  One thing that I can always count on with any kind of schedule though is that it is going to be broken, it just will, trust me, it will.  So, I hold it lightly.  Like when my kids get lice.  Yep, this is not hypothetical, LICE!  This is an easy one to be embarrassed about, but in all my online research they say "it's not a sign of uncleanliness."  So, my kids not bathing very often is not the culprit.  I mean, my kids don't bathe very often, but I don't have to change my habit of not bathing my children because, well,  lice is "not of sign of uncleanliness" phew!  That said, these new family members are not welcome, not at all.  Get outta here!  You should have seen me yesterday, doing a mayo treatment on myself.  I was one hot mess, scurrying around getting everything done that I needed to.  I'll post a picture I took if I feel brave enough by the end of this post.  I literally did 10 loads of laundry and still have more waiting.  It is kind of nice to feel on top of washing those things that I don't get around to as often as I'd like (like car seats).  The kids have missed school yesterday and today (maybe tomorrow?) and it's been crazy!  Meanwhile Ada is teething and drooling like a dog all over the front of her shirt.  I mean, the whole front is covered.  And Lucy had little white bumps all over her tongue that hurt.  I think from eating too many pretzels, I don't know though.  So, she's walking around talking with her tongue sticking out, with an occasional yelp "this hurts!"), while the babies are crying for food and Nate is shaving Will's head in the bathroom (his beautiful hair) to prevent the lice from taking over and Ada is pointing at her back left molar. Yes, "I have my hands full". So, remember, I did say that the Lord has offered sanity during this time.  Well, one means of that is through my wonderful husband.  He walked in the door 7 minutes late from work.  I was about to say, "you know 7 minutes can seem like a really long time", but I held my tongue and he said, "I think you should leave". What?  "You should go out and I'll take over".   I won't go into how amazing this is, but it is.  Especially given the fact that it is crazy time (4:30-7), everyone needed to eat, chaos was becoming more chaotic and... oh yes, I said I wouldn't go into how amazing this is... but it is.  So, here I am at Woods, sipping on a chai tea latte that was given to me to sample by the barista and sitting on a nice comfy couch, borrowing someone's charger so I can just sit and write while my husband deals with who knows what at home.  A good husband.

How else is sanity kept?  Well, I rest when I can.  With babies 1, 2, and 3 I would clean during nap time and get all caught up.  Kinda gave that one up.  It seems it's the only time i can actually just sit.  I used to not be able to relax until everything was cleaned up, not anymore.  In college I could not do homework until everything was perfectly clean- that had to go!  I still LOVE it when it is clean, but realize the mess will come back, I need to rest.  I try to get caught up at night time and it makes a huge difference on my day if I do, but there there are those days where I just can't bring myself to do it.  I just need to REST.   I also have to tag on that the children in fact bring me sanity as well.  Those little babies of mine, man they are awesome!  I just stare at them and enjoy every second of them playing tug-o-war, tackling each other and following each other around.  Ada cracks me up and is blooming into quite the big sister.  And Lucy and Will, we still try to get dates out with them and that is some of my favorite time.  When I get to just focus on one and talk and hang- invaluable  They're good kids.   The Lord is good, he provides sanity, and not only that, but joy.

I would love to keep writing, I really would, but I must stop and not take advantage of my generous hubby.  Plus I have laundry to do and my friend is coming to pick nits out of my hair tonight (a true friend).  On that note, I suppose I will post the pic, why not really? (And forgive my lack of proof-reading, that's something I've given up as well).