Four

When Ev was a small baby I started doing a lot of writing. I really loved it, and I think yesterday sparked something in me again. If nothing else, then my parents and in-laws will get a peek into my life and understand my lack of phone calls. Those who do phone us and receive a "no matter what" answer to the ring, like Emily and my brother, often hear a whole lot of crying on my end....from the kids, not me. Usually. Yesterday, I did a fair amount of crying.

As an effort to save my sanity on a very stormy evening when Robbie had to stay at work for a meeting, I loaded up my four and headed to see my college friend, Nada, at her house. She has four girls from 12 years to 9 months. I think that having four small children creates a certain craziness in the best of moms. I can count on two hands the families I know with that many children, and there's a crazy element in the chemistry of family life. I choose to embrace this craziness. When people see me out and comment, "Wow, you have your hands full!" my answer is always, "Happily so."

So Nada heard all about Evelyn the Stylist. She had a similar story from years back. Even a mother of one of my former 7th and 8th grade science students from Houston who is now a teacher (I've somehow gotten old.), sent a 3-year-old pic of Jessica with a "bangs trim". We've all been there, but it is not fun. My neighbor's little sometimes wild daughter cut her babysitter's long, long hair right in the middle of the back of her head. Can you imagine that horror? Well, Ev found more scissors. Yes, she did. She found more scissors, and she cut a stand up horse's mane. He was the big kind that can walk. Granted, it was a tiny cut with virtually no damage, but REALLY??!! Have you seen that Saturday Night Live skit? Really?! REALLY? God gave me a wink by making Henry say, "The horse will get me!" He was not too sure about a plush horse that could walk and neigh all by itself.

Little buddy just spilled Kix all over the floor, and he came over and said, "Hold you." He said that about 199 times yesterday during my workout. Robbie suggested I load him up in the backpack and get after it. Robbie also suggested during my last two pregnancies that I do chin ups. He said that my increase in body weight over nine months would make me end up with incredible upper body strength by the time I delivered. He was serious too. I think he's nuts. I can't even do one chin up. Honestly, it is raining terribly today, and I may just put Henry on my back and walk on the treadmill for exercise that Henry can't interrupt.

So last night the baby went down around 8 pm. She slept until 2:30 am. She nursed and went right back down. As I was gliding away in the dark with her warm bundle in my arms I felt so much love. I love those quiet moments with my babies. However, my mind raced. Having four children has taken a toll on certain aspects of my life. Laundry has beaten me. I admit it. At 3 am I had to start a load of darks so that Olivia would have a clean plaid jumper for her Catholic school uniform. Who does laundry at 3 am? Apparently, I do. I then started thinking about the upcoming birthday party on Friday. We're having a pseudo sleepover from 3:30 to 8:30 pm with pizza, Olivia the Ariel big boob cake, Wii dancing, movie night with popcorn, and lots of silliness. It should be fun and crazy and exhausting. She'll love it. I'll love 8:31 pm.

So in my mind at around 2:45 am I thought, "Okay, so I need sugar cookie dough. Do I take all three little ones to the store or use an online recipe for homemade dough? What will we use to decorate? Shoot. I forgot to buy icing for the tiara cookies. Oh, and I need to tie tulle around hair bands for the party favors. I need to sort out the letters of each girl's name for the bracelets they will make." My mind kept going and going. I finally crawled into bed and fell asleep.

3:30 am "MOMMY! MOMMY!! MOMMY!!!" coming from Henry's room (which is where Vivian now resides at night). I went in to check on him. "Cover me, please, Mommy. You help Henry." "You can cover yourself. You're a big boy. Remember, Henry, no yelling in the night because you'll wake baby sister." "Otay, Mommy." He got down and covered himself, but I was awake...again.

6 am The baby cried. I went into her room and quickly scooped her into my arms to nurse her again. She was calmed, but Henry woke up at 6:07 am. "Mommy, you cover me, please? You help Henry? Warm milk. I eat. I eat Cheerio-oes. I hold you. Change diaper." Oh, my goodness. "Really?!" After I convinced him to be quiet I changed his diaper and covered him. Then came the recent highlight of my life. As I turned to leave the dark room I heard the sound of a big smooch. It was my little Henry wanting me to lean down between the slats of his crib to kiss him. He loves this, and I love it too. He's darling. I am holding him on my lap as I type again, and to keep him quiet I am reading aloud the words I type. He just said, "I love you, Mommy." What a joy.

Evelyn made my morning wonderful by crawling into my bed at 6:45 am to snuggle up to my warmth. Her little body is so cute and soft and warm. I love those quiet moments with her in the morning. I think it is one way she can make sure she gets solo Mommy time. It works for me. Of course, I was tired when she got in my bed. I knew I should really get up to bathe Olivia since we were at Nada's until after 7 pm, but I was TIRED. Imagine my pleasure when I heard Robbie turn on the bathtub faucet. I felt so much love for my helpful husband. When I rolled out of bed Olivia was dressed, and her hair was done. Beautiful. She brushed her teeth without issue, and I had time to rub her back while she practiced her spelling test words for me before her ride arrived at 7:40 am.

Baby Vivian is still sleeping, and we have a busy day ahead. I know I won't be bored.

Speaking of not being bored, while proofing this piece I was just alerted by Evelyn that Henry put an alphabet letter into his mouth. She was sorting them for the birthday party bracelets, and Henry thought they looked like candy. How wonderful. I scooped three out of his mouth. Never dull.