Proof

Motherhood is loud.  And while I don't know any different, my guess is that as a mother of four boys, my house might even be a tad louder than others? 

Oh the noise...the noise!

My days are filled with chaos - some of the organized type, most of it not :)

I feel like I'm in constant motion, but never moving quite fast enough.  It is hard work trying to be one-step-ahead of these busy bodies!

But there are moments of calm and still and quiet. 

The noise is gone. 

The wiggles stop. 

Just peace. 

And I have picture proof.

ETA: apparently this only happens once a year  :)

What a difference a year makes

3/16/11



3/16/12



I love this sweet baby!





This Day

"When in doubt, choose the kids.  There will be plenty of time later to choose the work." 

~ Anna Quindlen

Today was my last day of working outside the home.  Tomorrow I start in my "new position", as a Stay-at-Home-Mama to my four baby boys.  (Squeeeeeeeee!)

6

What have we been up to? 
It's hard to describe in words, exactly....but I'll try:
Loving little and big boys, feeding boys, nursing a babe, changing boys' clothes and diapers, potty training one boy, playing with boys, disciplining boys, napping boys, getting outside in between rainy days with boys....
and attempting to keep up on sleep, laundry, cleaning house, and drinking coffee :). 

Whew.  We are six weeks in as a family of 6.  I have never been more exhausted, nor more elated in all of my life.

celebrating today

Happy 9 month birthday, Nathaniel!

Today also marks my last day to say, "I have 3 boys, 3 and under"!

We've all survived. 

And, truth be told, I'm gonna miss it!

What does it mean?

What does it mean when people say, "Wow, you have your hands full!"?  Is that meant to be a helpful comment, or is does it have negative undertones?  Do my kids appear out of control or unkempt, or a combination of both?  Do I look wild-eyed and frazzled?  Or is it all of the above? 
(Yes, I realize it depends on the context of the situation, but I get this question/comment at least one time per week, if not more, and mostly from strangers.  And it happens everywhere - church, the store, the park, walking around the neighborhood, work, appointments, every.where.)

I oscillate between wanting to smack them and wanting to respond, "Yes, and I see that your hands are empty...would you like to step in and lend me one?".  But...I say nothing, but a simple and enthusiastic, "Yes I do!" and sometimes a laugh.  And I always share it with my husband.  We have an ongoing joke about this very topic.  It's like a mental tally of stating the obvious.  Because I know in reality, I do have my hands full.  To the brim.  Of boys.  Of wrestling matches, and never-ending laundry and dishes, adventures, cuddles, and sweet baby smells.  And my heart?  Overflowing!  With Goodness. Love. Laughter. Pride. Sweetness. Giggles.  Don't you see that too? 

Why is the next question out of that same person's mouth, "So are you gonna try for that girl?"? (again, mostly strangers) First of all...is that really any of your business?  And secondly, even if we do decide another child is right for our family, who are we to request that the baby be a girl?  And again, if we do have another baby, and it's another boy, does that mean we should be disappointed?  

Sometimes, I'm just amazed at what can come out of some people's mouths.  But mostly I wonder....what does it mean?  Maybe next time I'll just ask!