Ebeth's 4 and no more

My oldest child was born nearly 1 month early and considered premature. He was a teeny 5lbs 4ozs. The nurses at the hospital got a kick out of putting him next to 10lb babies cause he was so small yet so strong. He had 6 fingers on his left hand. In fact when my husband first shared that info with family they thought he was kidding. His pinky and additional finger share a knuckle. Other than being put under a warmer for a bit he needed little else in his early moments. I nursed him and went on like any other new mom does. A short time later we were told his hips were dislocated, not uncommon for breech babies and would have to wear a brace along with double diapers for some time. As naive new parents I took doctors words at face value. Information overload began to happen and being flexible, capable if you will, didn't let this deter me from enjoying my most precious gift. We went home and started the long, sometimes daunting process of hip dysplasia. To shorten the story, he...

photo taken by peapickin photography Once a year some family members attend this monster of a fundraiser. It is like a flea market/garage sale. The "stuff" is plenty, the prices even cheaper. I typically give anywhere from 10 to 20 dollars to my mother for finds. Usually I ask for clothing of sorts, myself first the kids next. This year was a little different than previous years. Instead of receiving half of a new wardrobe, the kids netted most. The girls have new dress ups, including what I can assume must have been a Halloween costume, long, pink and beautiful. But, the greatest of all is the board games. 4 brand new, or nearly new games. Each one is unique to our house and exciting to play. As a child, and even an adult I love to play games. Candyland, chutes and ladders and memory do get a little old. Thank goodness we are nearing the end of those days. Well, #4 may play but little miss big stuff probably will skip right past just to keep up the others. The person I re...

Part of living in the country, (ok well on 10 acres not near the suburbs) includes having opportunities to teach my kids things not possible in the city. One of those things is driving. My parents live next door and I affectionately refer to them as the neighbors. They say it takes a village to raise a child. Many a time I have been thankful for the village being yards away. Prior to living in the country we inherited/stored my father's golf cart. It was a fun "toy" for #1 and #2. Once we moved it has become a privilege to learn to drive. With the exception of #4 as she just turned 2, they each have spent countless hours behind the wheel. It started as lap driving, then grew to sitting in front of another adult. Now it has become independent. #1 was first, as it should be. #2 earned the right but I think she slipped through the cracks not being grilled as much as #1. #3 received a greater amount of direct instruction simply from timing. He watched, competed and learned a...

Part of the challenge in being a Stay at home mom is the lack of adult conversation. Sure, playdates here and there or visits from family make great distraction and help to bridge the gap. But, there is something to be said about a person's(specifically this person"s)need to interact with adults. I found even teaching gave me this same frustration from time to time. I love my husband dearly, and in the first months of our courtship I felt one of his endearing qualities was his abiltity to listen. As with most unmarried individuals I found out after being married that the difference between listening, and active listening or hearing is tremendous. I attest his inability to hear something spoken, internalize and provide a thoughful response to the speaker as a product of his childhood. He naturally is an introvert. Most of his formative years his mother pride's herself on saying he kept to himself and she waited on him to speak. He ate dinner in his room most nights, and ha...

Last night we headed out for the first of many ritualistic trips to Softball/Baseball games this year. It was #2's first time playing the real deal (t-ball allows room for every kid to feel like a winner but not softball). She was super excited and unknown to us had a mouthful of gum. Daddy inquired how she had all that gum and her reply, "I sneak candy all the time." He then said well I guess we better hide it all, or better yet sell it on Craig's List. She yelled No and told him he was fired from being her daddy then. Driving in the car allows for conversation where hubby and I can communicate non verbally without the kids seeing. I snickered. He smiled and then said, "Fine, I guess you can get out and walk then." He told her the rest of us were going for ice cream. She knew he was kidding so they bantered back and forth a bit before she added you will have to go marry someone else. I chimed in, "What about me?" #1 replied, "You can marry ...

On the way home from an activity I heard the song You're Gonna Miss This and it got me thinking. Is that really true, do parents commonly look back and wish they could have these days again? I felt that way, longing for the baby days to rock and hold to repeat again with each subsequent toddler stage until #4. To spend hours debating names and what they mean. Songs like that would previosly made me cry. Yet my youngest made me glad for it to be ending. Not that I love her any less than the others. I had a hunch when you were done this would be how it is. You look at other woman with babies as sweet but content to smile and nod. You no longer are in awe, needing to hold, sniff or cuddle the newborn wishing it were you. I do not long to have them back. I am thankful I get to sleep through the night (most of the time). I am thankful I am nearly done with diapers and wipes. Well, there are a few exceptions. A few very specific moments I rarely and randomly look back in a longin...

Today was my nephew's confirmation. Only grandparents and sponsors were attending the ceremony as it included 300 or so children. Afterwards my BIL and SIL hosted a celebration picnic in the park near their house. Having an older nephew my family, children included, remembered how it was to go. Park fun, no bathroom nearby not so fun. The biggest difference this time was that I ended up not attending, that is Eva and I. Dad was in charge of the big 3 at a function where adults eat and chat, kids play. Hmmmm anyone else hear the foreshadowing? Dad's typically are not the same as mom's. Mom's teach and nurture dad's brush off and toughen up. I am a fan of tough love and work it out on your own now that the kids are bigger. In conflict resolution some extra talking between each party should also occur including coaching at times too, but the event started off at a terrible disadvantage for the kids. #2 spent the night at a friends house and was only picked up on the ...

6 people live in this house of mine. Most days there is plenty of space for everyone to move about separate of another. The outdoors is 10 acres of mostly wide open space for freedom. The one thing there is not enough of is quiet. #1 can talk your ear off and then some. He continues to read and reread his Titantic book, quizzing his siblings and myself. I really don't understand how Daddy misses out on the quizzes but some things may never be understood. The only way I get quiet is to allow electronics. I will admit that I have done that more than once to ensure a moment or two to think, better yet not think. Since #2 and #3 are playing ball this summer he keeps saying he is going to play next summer. Poor thing feels left out of the hustle and bustle. I am not so sure he would enjoy the pressure to perform but we shall see. #2 can talk as she chooses but is easily engrossed in her writing or reading. Conversations with her are based on real life events, or thoughts about futu...