We survived our first day home as a family of six. Granted, during the day, Abigail got called for a lengthy play date and not an hour after she left, Karl got a call from a friend as well. So, for a good 5-6 hours it was just me, Mike, Aine, and baby Sam. And...to top things off - Aine actually slept during her nap time.
The kids were great when they were here. If they fought or argued it was mostly about who got to hold the baby - so we couldn't complain - our problems could be worse (much worse). My sister, her (soon-to-be) husband, and their two boys brought dinner to our house and saw the baby; they were out of town when he was born and my sister was very excited to see the little guy. We were glad to see them, and to be very honest, we were thrilled to not have to make anything for dinner. Insurance companies should pay for one week of in-house cooking and cleaning after a baby...of course...maybe I should just cross my fingers for eye and dental before I go for the maid.
Well, I know I am biased, but our little guy is just adorable and I can't stop looking at him. He is a calm baby so far and isn't startled by noise (which is a good thing in our family). The only thing that is really interesting is, he doesn't cry - he screams. When he does scream it is this full force I-am-ticked-at-the-world-and-I-am-going-to-let-the-world-know-about-it scream. His arms and legs flail, his neck stretches, his face turns a beat read, and there is no holding back. Fortunately he doesn't scream a lot.
I feel so very blessed (here comes cheesy mom moment) but I have four healthy children. Babies are such miracles and so much can go wrong and Mike and I were truly blessed with each of our babies. Each pregnancy and baby was so different - each special and unique. It amazes me that two people can create four individuals who may look similar and share some basic commonalities but otherwise be so completely different. I can't wait to see Sam's personality unfold as he grows.
My other three have quite distinct personalities and I love each one of them - even when they are trying or difficult. When the kids walked into the hospital room they each approached me and the baby differently. Abby and Karl, being practiced in the welcome new baby routine, went right for the baby. They were looking and wanted to hold him and were beaming. Aine, the novice, went straight for my bed. She crawled up to me, gave me a hug, asked about my "owiees" and if I was OK. Then she told me, "Baby Sam not in your belly anymore," as she patted on my stomach and stayed right by mommy. She wanted to hold the baby but it was going to be where she was, on her terms, by her mom's side, and no other way. When she held him she was tickled and excited. Karl, after thoroughly checking out his baby brother and having a turn at holding him, privately came over to me, gave me a big hug, and whispered in my ear, "Thank you Mommy for delivering me a baby brother," and he squeezed me even tighter. Abby walks up to me much later, after holding the baby and checking out the room, and, I think, because she wanted to sit on the bed, and says simply, "you still have a belly Mom. Is there another baby in there? Why is your belly still big, the baby isn't there anymore." Thanks Abby...She is in a question phase right now...and any and all questions go. So after I laughed for a moment, I explained to her how it will take a bit longer to lose the entire belly. In true Abby form she says, "You already lost some because you had a really big stomach before, now it's just a little belly."
So, me, my four distinctly individual kids, wonderfully helpful husband, and not very little belly are all at home adjusting to our new one and enjoying this time together. Sure there will be many funny stories to share as the kids (and parents) just experience each new day.
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