(A few pictures from Ava’s first tubby…)
I stood in line at the voting precinct for over two hours last night. With a ten day old baby. Let me tell you something, the more babies you have, the more your body hates you afterward, and standing for two long hours is not a good idea.
Mr. and I went together, and my saint of a mother stayed home with the other 3 littles. Then when we were almost to the front of the line, Mr. realized that he had been sent an early ballot in the mail, and unless he wanted to wait in another really long line, he needed to run (literally like the wind) home and get it. I told him to leave the Babes Aves with me as I was fairly worried that she would awake at any moment and demand milk pronto. (I had no actual plan for feeding her in that situation, but still) So I spent the last 1/2 an hour in a hot non-air conditioned room (seriously, in Arizona?) Swinging the car seat back and forth, praying that she didn’t wake up, while my body was cursing me and my milk let down. It was a fine moment for me.
Then I voted, and just as I walked out of the door there was Craig swooping right in and grabbing the carseat right out of my tired hands. I could have kissed him, but there where about 7 billion people watching, and you know, PDA.
When we got home, my mother informed us that Mr Ethan (who’s tummy had been bothering him all afternoon) had effectively emptied the entirety of it’s contents into the silver mixing bowl. There was minimal damage to the carpet, but it had already been cleaned.
I stood frozen for probably 10 seconds while the panic washed over me.
“Oh my gosh, my five year old has the stomach flu, and I have a newborn who he’s been kissing, and two other kids who have been kissing her all week as well. And how am I going to sit up all night with my sick 3rd baby and still go nurse my 4th baby every two hours. And Hannah is in the school spelling bee tomorrow, I promised her I’d go…”
And then,
Mr. told me he’d stay up and sleep on the couch with Ethe, and my mom said she’d stay home with him tomorrow so I could go to the bee, and then she went and helped Hannah study some more, and I sat down and nursed Ava, who Ethan has already nicknamed Avi, just like we all call him Ethe, and I kind of love that.
And Ava is getting a tubby tomorrow, and there’s almost nothing more fantastic than bathing a newborn. And I’m kind of a pro at it. Which makes me feel like maybe I’m cut out to be a mother of four. Just maybe.
But, two things I’m certain about:
1. Pick a man who’ll stay up all night with your sick little even when he has work in the morning.
2. Keep your friends close and your mother closer.
Off to my 2 a.m. feeding now…
I think you are a super hero! I have no idea how you do it all! Hoping that stomach flu is not in the cards for your sweet beautiful family!
Chelsea
http://www.hautechildinthecity.com
You are an amazing lady and mother Cori. Your newest little is giving me baby fever. ;) hope the rest of your family doesn’t catch the stomach bug.
Those. Cheeks. Literally flopping over and hitting the counter. Scrumpch.
And also, you have straight hair and appear to be wearing a real shirt. Worth noting when one has a ten day old newborn, even more so when one has three other children.
Mazel.
you can do it!
This too shall pass…..:)
your a good mom…
This post made me cry. Your panick in that moment when you arrived home? It took me back to two years ago when my littlest was just a few weeks old and the flu took over our home. Amazingly, my husband was spared. Even more amazing, he stayed up for all hours of the night, tending to all of us, and went to work in the morning once my mom arrived in the morning to take over. That husband of yours? Yeah, he’s a keeper. :)
Your story gave me chills. Its nice that you have your mom to help you out. HOpefully the rest of the kids won’t get sick. Good thing you are breastfeeding, that should help spare the little one from getting sick. Speedy recovery.
Agi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.wordpress.com
Look at those cheeks! :)
You are blessed with an awesome man…
happymedley.blogspot.com
Oh that story brought back all too uncomfortable and fresh memories. The swinging carseat and the milk let down in public? Done it. The fear of not being able to keep up with everything and having one get sick while you are nursing a newborn plus the older kids still need you? That realization that you cannot be everywhere at once? Know it so well. An amazing husband who picks up the slack and makes everything possible. Have one of those, too. Sitting 3 years past where you are, I can say with confidence that it gets so much easier and you will be able to do it. You won’t know how, but it will all be possible and then some. For now, keep writing all of this down because in 6 months you will look back at all of this with blurry eyes and not remember a thing about these first few weeks and wonder how anything got done!
So wonderful. Every last sentence, and picture. Poor Ethie. Hope he gets better soon, and everyone else remains well… I knew you were cut out to do 4. How not? Miss you mucho!
Praying for you, the family and little Ethe!
Such a beautiful post on motherhood and its challenges and especially, how within the challenges, there are still so many things to be thankful for. Inspiring!
I can’t wait to have four kids one day. Granted, I need to get my first. haha And, I love your patriotism in wanting to vote after just having a baby!! xoxoxo
Sending good thoughts your way. Hope everyone stays well over there.
And you were most definitely meant to be a mom of 4 :)
Hope he feels better soon. I always say we need to pick the right guy who lets his kid throw up all over him while he stills cuddles him and tells him is ok, let it out, you feel better. Let me go kiss my Hubs now :)
How sweet of your husband and your mom to take care of your family. I love that you share such real-life stories — and you still get through everything! You’re inspiring. :)
You are such a kind person. I love reading your blog!
I love how you call it a tubby, too! I’ve always called it that and my friends look at my like I’m some sort of weirdo making up words. The pictures are adorable…and there’s nothing better than giving a newborn their first “tubby” in the kitchen sink. :)
– Emily
You are wonder woman in the flesh. I cannot imagine what it’s like to have 4 children and all of them so young! I really wanna have 4 children as well and you’re an inspiration! It’s probably weird to hear this from a stranger but I’m proud of you!
Cori, whenever you blog, you always count your blessings. That’s what I love about you!
Wow, so cute. amazing pics.
Parfum pas cher
You are an amazing mother and such a great inspiration
Sending all the blessing to your wonderful family!