It’s been a couple months since my last post. The safe arrival of sweet little Asher, has
really thrown things into a bit of a spin, but I’m into more of a groove now,
and have a few minutes tonight. I have
full intentions of cranking out a blog with my labor story. I just need to give it a bit more time. It was a super hard and painful labor in many
ways, and my brain needs to forget a bit of it, or I fear I will color the day
of his birth horribly! In fact, I have
sat down a few times to blog about it, and the titles have been things like:
Why you should NEVER have kids- consider adoption!
When your 4th baby and your cervix don’t cooperate...
Humiliation and Hosptials...
Asher: FOURTH AND FINAL!
I HATE PREGNANCY AND LABOR....don’t do it!
Anyways, the important thing is that he arrived safely and
is healthy. I feel like in another few
months or so, once I’m averaging a bit more than 5 hours of sleep per night, I
will be able to present the facts truthfully, but a bit brighter. Also, I owe a poem to a beautiful lady, named
Natasha, who guessed the correct date of Asher’s arrival. I haven’t forgotten, and that will be
included as well J
So, Asher is here, and we all just LOVE HIM!!! He is a very chill, patient, and sweet little
fellow. The kids can’t get close enough
to him, and I pray for his safety every day.
Robyn hit a bit of an angry rage for the week, or so, following his
birth, but it was directed at me, not Asher.
She thinks he’s the best. The
nice thing about having kids under 2 years apart, is that it only takes them a
couple of weeks to forget the way things were before. A few weeks later, she acts as if he’s always
been here.
I had 3 weeks off from taking extra kids after Asher’s
birth. While Dave only had a few days
off, I had so many offers of help.
Friends stayed over, people popped by to watch the olders so I could
grab a nap or focus on Jesse’s homeschooling, my mom-in-law came and tackled
laundry for a week, and we’ve had several meals dropped off. WE even had old friends visiting Ottawa with
their 4 kids under 5, take three of ours for fun mornings out one week so I
could get some rest. SLEEP is a huge
gift right now, so people coming by to watch the kids has been amazing. Also, food has been really helpful as making
and cleaning up from supper is a pretty big dent in the day. My doctor always asks about my support network
after each baby knowing we don’t have much family in the area, and I always
feel so thankful for the church and friends, who make these wild transitions
much smoother.
Even though I’ve done this “new baby” thing a
bunch of times, it still feels like a weighty transition each time. Not nearly as big as the FIRST, but unique
and with it’s own set of challenges. Right
now, with daycare back on the go, and a wild 2 year old, and homeschooling, I
have a whole new set of waters to navigate.
The big challenges have been getting in enough uninterrupted schooling
time with Jesse, and simply finding the time to latch the baby, feed, and get
him back to sleep. He often gets fed as
I’m walking around, and sleeps in the sling.
I’m looking forward to when he settles into a schedule around the 3 or 4
month mark, and so I can plan our day around him a bit better.
There are definite advantages though, in him being number
4. The learning curve is much
milder. For example, I have learned over
the course of babies how to get a fussing overtired baby into a coma with a
quick bath and massage. NO FAIL, everytime.
I have learned that at 6 weeks, babies have a fussy peak because their
mucus makers kick in, resulting in a stuffy snotting nose. Mostly, though, they are not able to produce their own melatonin
yet (as they are still going on what they have absorbed from momma’s
placenta) Melatonin is not just responsible
for sleep, but has a relaxing effect on the gut... so around 6 weeks as mom’s
melatonin wears off, and they are just beginning to produce their own, babies
struggle to fall and stay asleep. They
are gassier and have worse tummy
pains. I KNEW this was coming, and sure enough, the
day before Asher turned 6 weeks, his nose started snotting, and he has given me
a run for my money this week fussing, pooping, and getting him to bed at night.
But, having done it all before, I know what it’s about, and
I can RELAX knowing it will pass. Cause
I’ve seen it 3 times before, and seen it pass. That is the biggest thing I’m finding with
this baby, is that I really grasp how fleeting it all is, and so I’m less
stressed in the moment, and able to go with the flow better. So, as mentioned, this week has been a bit
challenging with Asher’s gas pains and struggles to get to bed for the
night. While some mom’s prefer the portability of
this age and stage, I look forward to Asher getting into a routine. Especially one that includes a regular and
earlier bedtime. I usually feel pretty
done by 7:00 after a day filled with piles of kids, play, chores, schooling,
and cleaning. Dave has to hit the books
and marking in the evenings, and so bobbing the baby around for a few MORE
hours feels quite exhausting as I’m at the end of my rope, and have no idea
what the night may hold.
So, ya! Asher came
and things have been good and tiring, and a bit wild. The other big thing that has kept us all
bopping is Katie’s wedding! Dave’s
sister was engaged this summer and both Dave and I were honored to be asked to be in the bridal party. Jesse and Janna were also asked to fill the
very important role of flower girl and “ring
bear” as Jesse called it. It was a short
engagement, and I felt panicked to learn they would be married at the start of
November. Not that a fantastic
celebration couldn’t be pulled off in just 3 months. But, apprehensive about when the baby would
come and how it would affect trying to be available to Katie for a full day, on top of organizing the rest of the family
the day of the event.
Well, we had our hands full, to say the least. Not only did we have to organize all the
kids, breastfeed a baby on and off all day, walk down the aisle, give speeches,
and rock a dance floor. But, our home
became the HUB of activity for guests coming and going for the weekend. We ended up being the place for flower drop off, bridal party preparations and
pictures, a few meals, and we even ended
up being the driver for the bride and bridesmaids with all their stuff from
place to place. This meant a pile of cleaning of house and van, and
trying to keep it tidy amidst the wee ones.
We were SO THANKFUL for the wonderful Tamara and Sarah Guindon team, who
helped clean the house from top to bottom, and hang out the day of the wedding
transporting and watching kids, and being a second and third pair of arms. Seriously,
we couldn’t have done it without these two!
The day went pretty smoothly. I had a minute by minute schedule posted for
our family, starting at 6:30AM, and came to close around midnight. This included what needed to get done, who
had to go where, bringing what, and what
car seats to transport where over the course of the day. Oh car seats!
They needed to be moved from vehicle to vehicle all day. Thankfully no children were lost during the
course of the day. I call that a success
in itself. We did end up forgetting
Katie’s backpack and Dave’s guitar and case at the church, but those were
rescued. What did get LOST for good,
though, was my poor 5 year old baby bag- that has journeyed far and wide with
me with all the kids. I left it tucked
into the coat rack at the reception, but the hotel couldn’t find it when I
inquired the next day. Luckily it didn’t
have my cell, wallet, or the kids health cards as it usually does. I had those in a different bag. But, some brand new soothers and bottles,
outfits, diapers, blankets, and wipes
took the hit. I hope somebody stole it
who really needed it! LOL.
The kids did great with their jobs during the ceremony, and
trying to suck up the cold weather for outdoor pictures. The one hour that was planned for outdoor
bridal party pictures from 2:15-3:15, was OF COURSE, the one hour the sky
decided to whip down a wet heavy snow.
And it was the first day in Ottawa that the temps have been below zero
in the afternoon. Poor trooper Katie
was frozen by the end of it, as she and Dan had much longer pictures to
do. However, they will be REALLY
gorgeous shots, I know! I can’t wait to
see them. The overcast sky, and snow
will make for a great backdrop. Asher and Robyn behaved VERY well for the
babysitters before hand, during the ceremony and for family pictures
afterwards, and the 3 older kids happily konked out back home afterwards with a
babysitter. Asher came with us to the
reception and dance, and also passed out in the sling. I was so happy he only needed to feed once, slept
through my speech, and EVEN slept through some blaring music and movement, so I
could get some fun time on the dance floor.
So, things went down well!
Katie and Dan were gorgeous, and threw one STUNNING and FUN wedding for
such a short time period to plan. I keep
thinking about their wedding buffet.... It was SO yummy. They were very relaxed and so joyful. I felt so happy for them all day and night,
and teared up watching their first dance together. It was
also wonderful to make some memories with extended family we don’t see often,
like Dave’s grandparents who travelled in from Nova Scotia, and Aunt and Uncle
and Cousin who came up from Maine. We
had a brunch here the next morning after all the excitement, and it was so
great to catch up and relax together.
So, baby and then wedding has really been the farthest thing in the horizon
for me. I feel like a huge load is off
this week, and have been enjoying the kids more with far less “TO DO’s” on the
daily list. The last wee event that
happens tomorrow is Robyn’s birthday celebration. We are just having a small family thing with
pizza and cake, and will put up some streamers.
Her real birthday is today, but Dave has parent teacher interviews all afternoon
and late into the evening, so we will celebrate tomorrow.
So, Robyn is 2 today!
I can’t even believe it. She was
by far my easiest and calmest little baby, but has turned into the most
challenging, outgoing, and hammiest 2 year old.
We love her to pieces! Last night
Asher was up from 2-4:30 nursing, almost falling asleep, then pooping (repeat 6
times) and so I made a little list of what I can say about Robyn at 2 years
old. I like having an Iphone for these
long middle of the night stretches. I
usually don’t pull out my phone right away.
I will enjoy the nursing, snuggles, and rocking, and take some time to
pray during it for the first 30 minutes or so.
But, if it’s gonna be a long haul, I enjoy having a little hand held
device that allows to me make some notes, send an email, check in with friends
and family on social media, read a book, whatever! So,
here are some thoughts I jotted down at 2 am....
Robyn at 2 is a little charmer. She beams at people with a mischievous smile
with her chin tucked in and eyes fluttering.
She is quick to bring anyone a book and climb onto their lap. She is friendly, and likes new people (the
longer their hair the better) She gets
scolded often, and tries to get out of it with the cutest smile and snuggle she
can muster. She is quick to giggle and
laugh, give a hug and kiss.
She is into everything.
She is artistic and loves to paint, color, do stickers, play in glue,
etc. She doesn’t mind getting dirty, and
loved the pumpkin guts(unlike our other kids).
She has gotten into her diaper and played with her poop probably 20
times in the past month. We have finally
found a strategy that seems to have halted this: a onesie zip up sleeper with a snap put on backwards.
She enjoys scooping water out of the
toilet to feed her dolls and often finishes off what they can’t. Another favorite snack of Robyn’s is
toothpaste. She loves to sneak into the
bathroom, scale up the little knobs on the tall counter to get into the
toothpaste and eat as much of it as she can, before she is found out.
She is a bit rough and tumble. She likes to scale and climb things, and has
no fear. She loves to wrestle with her daddy, and very rarely cries over a bonk
or smoosh. She also likes to wrestle
with her siblings, much to Jesse’s JOY, and Janna’s dismay. She also likes to cuddle. We love getting her up in the morning as she
is always full of smiles and hugs.
Again, Jesse seems to love this, and they are often found cuddling
together during their daily show time.
Janna, on the other hand can often be heard shouting, “ NO RAW-MIN!!” And I will find Robyn trying to sit on Janna’s
head, lying on top of her hugging with all her might, or perhaps stealing her
blanket to get cozy with her. Doesn’t
usually phase Robyn. She often thrives
off stirring the pot and making things lively.
It can be a struggle to get her to take you seriously.
She is also a bit girly at the same time. She likes to wear shoes, and frilly layers,
put bows in her hair, and take care of her dollies and pretend cook in the
kitchen. You will often find her at
playtime tucking in her babies, or feeding them in a high chair, or making
pretend food in her play kitchen. She
almost always carries around her stuffed bear and a little board book with
her. In fact, some days it goes with her
EVERYWHERE for every second of the day.
She can focus really well at independent play for being so
young, and uses her imagination well.
She is able to sit and read books with a grown up- or look at pictures
on her own for a long time. She loves
music, and tries her best to sing new songs.
She sings up a storm at her naptime as she falls asleep, and usually
wakes up singing. Her favorite song is still
twinkle twinkle little star, but also enjoys when I sing in French to her. She is the first to hit the dance floor when
we put on music, and can keep a beat and shake it pretty well.
She is strong willed and stubborn. We are working hard at showing her who is the
boss without crushing her spirit. We
remind ourselves of how good this will be in the future, and I often think of
who she will BECOME because of this, and try not to focus on how it presents
itself in her 2 year old self. Read:
tantrums, screaming, grabbing, and pushing. She has a rage that POPS out so quickly, but
quickly simmers back down with a little tickle or pep talk.
She isn’t as much of a talker as Jesse is, but not as quiet
as Janna. She talks and sings to herself
for large parts if the day. She can say
tons of things, and often speaks in sentences these days, but pronounces the
ends of words and mumbles mostly, so is hard to understand. This morning she came to me, “ Oh Ike It en Esse Itting” That would be translated,” I don’t like it
when Jesse’s hitting.” She loves baby
Asher, and makes sure he gets at least 20 hugs and kisses per day. She also likes to give (throw) books and toys
to him to cheer him up if he is fussing.
She is a just a super fun girl. She loves to be part of the action, and play
play play. She likes the outdoors, and
taking trips with Daddy. She gives the
best greetings when Dave gets home from work.
You’ll hear, “ DADDY DADDY DADDY DADDY” at the top of her lungs and the
fastest little pitter patter of feet as she runs to hug him an giggle. She is just so full of life and love! So, Happy Birthday little Missy. We love you.
That's about the end of this massive update. Asher is needing a “milk snack” as Janna
calls it! And then we should carry on
with our day. Thanks for reading. I’m out!
