Moms of Many it's September - Page 5

[baltic_ballet]

Originally Posted by mommajb

This is why I keep my maternity clothes in the garage attic. I got rid of them once....

We keep moving our finish date as in no kids, no kids after 30, make that 35, or maybe 40.

The finish date plan works just as well as giving away all your baby items

I've had babies in my 20, 30 and 40's I think the only thing that's really going to stop us from having more kids is menopause

[baltic_ballet]

Originally Posted by luvmy4hs

Mind if I join? I do have a large family (see siggy) and I would like to have 1 more. I actually just had the conversation with dh and he said "if it happens it happens" which is pretty good coming from him! I haven't told anyone irl because I just don't feel they would be supportive. It is difficult to be a sahm to 5, but wonderful all the same. I know there is enough room in our hearts and life for another. It will be nice to chat with other moms with a houseful because it isn't as common where I live.

: Welcome Amy :

[mataji4]

Yeah, my third was my "last." When I was pregnant with number 4 SO many people had the nerve to say "I thought that you were done!" whatever! back off!

I am over the giving things and assuming more babies...my 2 yr old's crib was falling apart, so I went and bought a new (used) one. Regardless of if we have anymore, that felt good!

As a side note...the other night at a potluck:

Jason (a friend who has 2 kids, is divorced, and easily overwhelmed): So you two aren't going to have anymore right?

me: We'll see.

Jason: Oh come on, man! (to dh) You've got to visit the snip-snipper soon! Look, she's looking at that baby. No! Don't let her look, man!

me: What are you talking about? We have great kids.

Jason: Exactly. It's those kids I'm watching out for.


Hmm...so I guess he is my kids' protector against more siblings. They'll be so ignored and neglected if we have more. geez. and suggesting that it's me who has some kind of addiction to babies or something so I can't look at one without wanting one (kind of true). AS IF my dh doesn't have anything to do with it. Actually, he's as broody as I am and says he wants another too. !!! arg, that really irked me.

[orangefoot]

mataji4 Oh doesn't that make you : and then Did you tell him to stop digging or did your dh poke him in the eye?

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by baltic_ballet

The finish date plan works just as well as giving away all your baby items

I've had babies in my 20, 30 and 40's I think the only thing that's really going to stop us from having more kids is menopause

I've had them in my 20s, 30s and 40s, as well. But, I'm done. I've had five, and I've had five c-sections. I can't do it again. (Besides, we really can't afford anymore. I think dd2 may have been pushing it.)

I really wish other people would butt out, though!

So - how do some of you manage? Today was ds2's first full day (2.5 hours) of preschool. It was dd1's first library day of the new school year (we're homelearning, but setting a few scheduled items). I barely made it to the end, and forgot to take the meat out of the freezer for dinner. I hope I become a better juggler with practice!

[Anglyn]

How do I manage? Some days I don't, lol! I know it's horrible but there are days when I have to step over the mess, ignore that the tv is on, not care that they are wearing the same clothes from yesterday etc for my own sanity. Sure, I'd PREFER that the dishes get done....but I also know my own limits, sometimes I have to let things go. I know that eventually everything that needs to get done, will. Somehow, it always does. I've yet to feed a kid from a dirty plate or take kids out in public in dirty laundry or not fed them etc. So I practice the Zen of Child Maintenance!! Close your eyes so you don't see the toy box that got dumped out for the 100th time or the freshly washed bathmat with baby pee on it and repeat after me,... "OM".....

[mataji4]

What IS it with babies peeing on freshly washed bathmats?!! That right there is crazy-making nonsense!

No, I didn't tell my friend Jason to SHOVE IT...I was conveniently distracted by one of my kids needing help getting dinner off the potluck table. I was ticked that my dh didn't say anything. I know that he's less comfortable with the idea of planning a big family, or rather he's uncomfortable with people knowing he's planning a big family. ALL of his friends are snipped after two kids. I wish he was more upfront with others, b/c I think it's very sweet that he is such a good dad, so dedicated to all of us and still wants another (most of the time!).

I keep pushing that dateline too...we didn't want to have kids past 32, then 33, now I'm saying whatever. Life is short!

My Bodhi goes to Kindy tomorrow!! And then I start my nursery school here the next day. I just work three mornings a week. I'll be relieved to get things going so we are past the adjustment...these weeks in September are brutally busy and frought with managing this and that, getting this and that, carpooling schedules, etc...once we're used to it I'm alright. Luckily my kids don't do much as far as "after school" activities...I figure they go to Waldorf school to get all the music, art, and very cool sensory integrated games...so by 3:00 that should be enough! I do have one in soccer, but dh is coaching so I don't have to drive! My older kids are actually biking the 3 miles to and from school most days, which is courageous of them as it's far and a bit uphill on the way there. I'm impressed that my princess is going for it as she didn't last year.

[flapjack]

I'm having a supermum week. The house got cleaned at the weekend, I used the timer on the oven to have dinner ready for the kids after we made it through the door last night, we have 2 litres of jersey milk for a disgustingly fattening rice pudding for tea tomorrow night - which will also be ready and waiting when we stagger through the door exhausted, and generally technology has been my friend. Oh, and DS1 is loving scouts.
Oh, after years of forgetting to take the meat out of the freezer, I freeze finished meals that can be cooked from frozen if absolutely necessary. So much easier...

Obscure question for those who have more of one gender than another- I'm trying to decide whether to put DD's name down on the Rainbows (Girl Guides) waiting list, or on the Beaver Souts. She's the only girl so far, has three brothers and no other chances to be in an all girl environment. What do you think?

[fairymom]

.......Ooommm.....(that is so me about 4 days a week- the other 3 I just do what I need/can like a mad person!) I do have a schedule for laundry though- CDs everyother day and the rest on tues and fris- I am trying to vaccum/sweep everyother day now that lo is kinda mobile and I've found more dog hair on him than on the dog!

Question for moms w/kids in school- how often do you have one home from school sick? Last year and already this year I've had one home each week since school started. (meaning ds4 once last week and now dd10 is home today because she say her stomach hurts)

I've had kids in my teens,20 and 30s- really don't want any in my 40s- but that's still a few years off for me. I've been a mom for more than 1/2 my life already!

[mommytoallh]

I think we are just superwomen! (And superfamilies!) Everyone else who has such strong opinions about our "large" families just doesn't have what it takes!

For those who know they are done, how did you know? I tell my dh we will have to decide to be done, because I'm afraid I will never stop wanting babies and/or to be pregnant. I swear some days it's a sickness!

[suziek]

There you all are!

I had lost track after the August thread was done.

I haven't read this thread yet, but I came here because I need a reality check and some words of encouragment.

I'm 5 weeks from my due date with baby #5 and it is suddenly dawning on my how challenging this might be. I've had it pretty easy for about a year now--we moved back to the US, my youngest is gaining independence, my Dh has been in the US more often than not. But soon that will change--my DH is going to resume his usual heavy travel schedule after Thanksgiving, for one.

My mom, who has often been my right hand when DH travels, has been ill for a while and in any case is really slowing down. And my older two are nowhere near as helpful and independent as I hoped they would be at this point (they are wonderful, good, kind sweet boys but dreamy and forgetful and happy to let chores and other responisibilities slide.)

We had such a great, great, great summer. I really loved DOING a lot of fun things with them.

Please know that I feel so lucky to be pregnant and want this baby passionately. I just wonder exactly how this will all work out--especially since I've been a little spoiled of late, and I've like it!

[wendybird]

Suzie, I think that is a totally normal way to feel. I was really scared that number 5 would be too much...I don't know why, that just seemed to be the number that sounded "big" and "hard". When Griffon was born he was such a natural extension of the family that I really did laugh at myself.Maybe anticipating how hard it was going to be made it better in comparison, but it really has only gotten better. I really hope thats how it is for you too!

[flapjack]

Suzie, I'm right there with you. I'm freaking out about the idea of 3 under 5's more than I am the idea of five kids in total, though. And yes, my boys have frequent brain farts. Right now I have all four kids at home with streaming colds and occasional temperatures (apart from Skye, who hasn't got it yet) and just plain miserable. Straightening up the kitchen hurt. I'm done

[mommytoallh]

Suzie, I could have almost written your post just before my #5. It will be hard at times, but the joy will overwhelm the tough. I think the most challenging part is just getting into the swing of things after baby. I say I have to find the "normal" for my family after each addition.
You will be amazed at how much you will love another baby - again! And my favorite part was just how much the kids love the new baby. (Take help if you can get some too)

[Onemagicmummy]

here i am, sitting here 1 month in of having 5 kids, and so far its not been too hard, exhausting, stressfull, slightly painfull, but in the grand scheme of things its been good.

Henrietta is now 1 month and 2 days old. she eats well, sleeps well, crys when she needs to, and is well hugged by the older ones,

5 kids isnt really all that much differant than 4 kids for me. she just seems to slot in nicely.

but, saying that Evie is 2 today (happy birthday Squeezy) and im now on teh brink of another go around of the terrible twos.
my saving grace i think will be school, my eldset 3 are all in school now, Ben and Abbie in full time, Harrison in half days. so i at least get 2.5 hours a day with just two of them.

and now i have completely forgot what i was going to write next!! sheesh my memory is pants at the moment.

Kiz

[mommajb]

suzie

When #5 was born a friend said to me, "One more plate at the table, one more load of laundry, it really isn't so bad." I would add one more place to be each day and lots more hugs and love each day. Once you find your "new normal" you'll be ready to think about #6.

[THANKFULFORFIVE]

I like that...your "new normal"....that's exactly what happens.
#5 for us was different because we'd had such a long break in between. It felt wierd at first...like starting over. Everyone thought we were just crazy, since we were "home free", with older independent kiddos. I too, had babies in my 20s, 30s, and 40's....but it totally changes the family dynamics in a wonderful way. Not sure when we'll be done. We are back in baby mode and would love to have at least one more.

[DreamsInDigital]

#5 was pretty easy for me, aside from a difficult pregnancy. I'm glad I don't have to worry about there possibly being a #6 though.

[MommyKelly]

I will never say we are done again. Everytime I do they still manage to show up

I had my tubes tied after #6. We now have 9, due to adopting 1 from a family member, and taking perm custody of another family members 2 kiddos.

[mataji4]

I never worry about how to deal when adding a baby...it's looking five years into the future that stalls me. yes, having to be another place, exactly! Baby is the dreamy part! I could do that any day!!