Four kids? No Problem!

Today was day one of five that I will be a mom of four. I am watching my almost three-year-old niece and almost one-year-old nephew while their parents go to Florida on a business/pleasure trip. I have to say that when my sister-in-law dropped them off today, I was completely confident I could handle two more with ease. After all, I have two children of my own – how difficult could two more be? For those of you with more than two children, you can quit laughing now, please.

When Carrie’s car pulled away, all was quiet. The two little ones were peacefully taking naps and Rachel and I enjoyed some time playing Barbies. Just a little while later, Nora woke up and came downstairs and cuddled on my lap until Taylor came home from school. I decided that even though it was only 4:00 that perhaps I should get myself ready for church since we had to leave at 5:15. (Remember that time, it is important later!)

I had thought ahead and made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. Since Carrie had said that Reuben had not been eating much lately due to teething, I decided to feed the three girls and myself then wake Reuben up around 5:00 to feed him and get out the door. Yes, I only allowed myself 15 minutes to wake up a baby and get out the door. I know, please stop laughing.

As soon as I walked into the room where Reuben was sleeping (and he looked like an angel lying in the pack and play), I knew that something was terribly wrong. I smelled something I hadn’t smelled in my house in a long time. Oh, you know the smell – the smell so strong it burns your nose hairs! I think, “Ok, I can handle this – just a bump in my planning.” As soon as I picked the little guy up, I went into a slight panic mode. The source of the smell had oozed through his onesie, outfit, and sleeper. I hollered for Taylor to get a bath running. I mean, I have two girls, so how in the world do you get that stuff out of all the different parts that little boys have without dunking them in the tub? Once he was nice and clean and smelled like a sweet little baby again, I quickly took him downstairs to eat – praying it only was going to take a few minutes.

I rushed downstairs and popped open a very cute container of what I think were peaches. I must have not done something right because they exploded like a 2-liter after it has been shook. I had orange goop hanging from my hair, my face and my clothing. No time to worry about that though – I must feed the child. Reuben must have known that I was in a little hurry because he decided to make up not eating for his mommy at this particular meal. He ate the entire container of the orange stuff, a jar of applesauce, and an entire banana.

I was now in full panic mode, knowing that the teachers at church could not get into their rooms until I got there to unlock the doors. So, while I am feeding Reuben, I am barking orders at my girls: go potty, get socks and shoes on, brush teeth and hair, and quit playing tag in the house!
After unsuccessfully trying to get Reuben’s shoes on him, I threw them in his diaper bag (which thankfully Carrie already had packed because I am sure I would not have thought about it), and rushed everyone to the door. As we were walking out, Rachel said, “Whew! That was a lot of trouble!”

By the time I got to the car it was 5:40 and I was already late, but I didn’t care. I was laughing so hard that I was crying - and I can’t remember the last time I did that. It felt so good to laugh like that. My kids thought I had lost my mind and they weren’t sure whether to laugh with me or cry for me.

When we got home from church, I was able to give Reuben his nighttime bottle and put him in bed. That was so sweet and all the craziness from earlier was forgotten. Then when Nora told me that she loved me, I could have cried again. It made me realize why moms can have one, two, three or more kids….because all the stress of being a mom is forgotten during the quiet times and when we hear the little ones we love say they love us too.

Now it is 9:45 p.m. and all are in bed asleep. I now need to go downstairs and clean the mysterious orange goop hanging from my light fixture and then I am going to bed too.