Let’s face it, I’ve learned more things than I can count in the past week plus that I’ve been home from the hospital with three kids. But I’ve also gone on a lot less sleep, so I can only remember a few of the lessons. I think it might be better that way…
Lesson #1: While childbirth may be traumatic, coming home can be even more so. Within 30 minutes, Little had accidentally kicked Pink on the side of the head…hard. Within a couple days, I had cut Pink’s first finger nail—and finger—proving that even tiny bodies have lots and lots of blood. And within a couple more days, I had discovered that a bruised tailbone is one push present you really, really don’t want.
Lesson #2: You can spend 2-1/2 years trying everything in your power to get your skinny toddler to bulk up—without success. But the second you come home with a newborn, he suddenly turns into a beast and you wonder how on earth you ever thought he was small.
Lesson #3: The Pledge of Allegiance is great for a preschooler’s growing vocabulary. I carefully walked Big through the whole thing explaining the words and what they meant. Moments later, I overheard him telling Little, “I’m un-liberating you forever!”
Lesson #4: Constant baby spit up is simply God’s way of training you for the moment your 5-year old projectile vomits. All. Over. The. Car. (Miraculously missing the baby.) And, more importantly, white vinegar, baking soda, fresh air and a new lunch box make all the difference!
Lesson #5: There’s no doubt babies hear their surroundings in the womb. From the second Pink was born, she turned her head and opened her eyes to the sound of Lenny’s voice. She’s also completely at ease being mere inches from screaming boys and crashing trucks. Perhaps it’s because she knows Batman is there to protect her—and suction any excess bodily fluids. (It turns out Little is sneakier than we realized…and he just learned how to open our bedroom doors.)
I hope you and your family found lots of reasons to laugh and enjoy your Memorial Day weekend. (Even if you did have to wear a scarf to the park today like Big.)
See, now I feel like all the vomit from the kids did wonders to prepare me for the new puppy :o)
oh amy – keep on keepin’ on, lady!!! This little girl is in for a world of incredible fun with her big brothers :)! I remember the first morning I decided to go out for a run and just before I leave the house, I look up the stairs and witness Finn carrying newborn baby Seamus and then promptly dropping him on his head… at least it was accidental. He was just trying to take him into another room to be closer to daddy. (sigh).
xxoo
Oh projectile vomit?!?! There is nothing worse. I always wonder how the heck that much stuff can come out of someone so small. At least that’s over right? Here’s to a puke free week ahead!
Boy, this brings back old memories – of when Lenny’s 2 year old sister picked up a two week old Lenny and started to carry him down the hall because she wanted to hold “it.” Apparently this is how siblings “bond.” Better that you don’t remember all of the lessons, it makes life seem sweeter and gentler.