Rest, Recovery and Reality

I'm on my own this week and kind of wish Paul was still around to work his magic. He spent the last week getting kids up, changing diapers, making breakfast, cleaning up breakfast, playing with kids, making lunch, cleaning up lunch, putting kids down for naps, making dinner, cleaning up dinner, playing with kids, and tucking them in bed. This was all done on a swollen ankle while occasionally bouncing a fussy baby. James commented "Wow, Dad you've done something Mommy has never done - cooked us dinner while taking care of six kids"! I really do have a super hero husband.

All sorts of funny comments and observations continue to spill out from the kids. Here are a few of the momorable ones:

Maryanna while patting my still protruding belly "Mommy - you got another baby in there"? I answer "no" James chimes in "Well what is in there"? I try to brush it off and say "I don't know but I sure hope it goes away soon". William then approaches, wraps his arms around me, and says "At least it is easier to hug you now".

Peter is a somewhat precocious four year old so I never know what to expect when he opens his mouth. He climbed up onto my bed while I was nursing Henry and said this: "Mommy, did you know that a woman's nipple is actually considered a private part so you should try harder to cover them up." I thanked him for the reminder.

Maryanna has shown the most interest in our little Henry. She also really likes the Wiggles so she calls our Henry the baby Octopus. She often says "Mommy, your baby octopus is crying" or "the baby octopus hungry". She noticed the little scab from his PKU test and asked "Mommy bad guys hurt the baby octopus"? I said "no, it is from the Dr.s because they want to look at his blood". She answers "Dr.s very, very scary" I try to reassure her but also glad she's not due for a check up for several months.

As for Clara, it is still hard for us to figure out what she is trying to say. She has been very helpful in keeping her hands all over all the pacifiers, trying to change her own diaper (just like Maryanna use to do) and placing all sorts of foreign objects in the toliet. The strange thing for me is last week she was the baby. This week she is a toddler if not little girl or giant. She now plays with "the big kids" while I care for Henry and has a new found freedom that is worthy of its own post.

I still may be a bit out of it and therefore missing my "filter" but this is how I feel: super tired, and still really hungry. I am also humbled by all the help sent my way - my sister who went to Costco and stocked our fridge, my brother who took the older five to the zoo (by himself!), my mom who not only took care of the kids while I was in the hospital but also cleaned my house and cleaned out my garage, neighbors who brought treats and meals, and I am especially overwhelmed by Paul's ability to do it ALL without one comment or complaint.

In addition I can't help thinking about how fast these babies grow up. I keep teasing the kids that I'm going to invent a shrinking machine so they can always stay my babies - they say "no way mom I'm going to be taller than you by the time I'm 12". I think they're right and just hope I have the ability to give them all the love and teaching they need during this short time that they are still mine.

On a lighter note I'm also wondering when I will squeeze into normal clothes, when I will be able to complete a good blow out of my hair, if I'll ever catch up on sleep and laundry, if it is acceptable to bring 6 young kids to costco with me, if its time to get a cleaning lady again, and when I'll be back behind the sewing machine.

As for blogging, Paul noted in our 2006 Christmas letter that I developed the ability to type one handed and navigate my laptop with my toes. I still have that ability and therefore able to multitask while nursing and caring for Henry.