I am in my third trimester and already have an eight and seven-year old as well as a one-year old.
The one-year old is, of course, mobile now and gives her older siblings a run for their money. The older two have to contend with the fact that yet another baby is about to invade the house and their space.
House rules now include picking up any toy from the living room that is not baby friendly. If you should leave anything that is in her reach, you cannot complain about it. You should have followed the first rule.
I rather enjoy this rule as it keeps the common areas of our house cleaner than what they once were.
All doors must be kept closed. This is first to protect the baby, but also their belongings.
At times this makes Carson and Cade, yes they all have a name that begins with “C,” a little frustrated.
On the same token, they dote on baby Campbell and spend ample time with her cooing and gooing.
They are both growing up and sometimes the morals and values and character we have tried to instill in them show up. It is a blessed event when it happens and makes life completely worth while.
Case in point, recently I wasn’t feeling to well. I think the unborn baby is wadded up in the middle of my body. She hadn’t moved all day and it had really begun to wear on me.
I flopped down on the couch after I set Campbell in the middle of her favorite toys.
The older two came in and suddenly there was a flurry of action. Carson dimmed the living room lights and grabbed a light-weight blanket.
She ordered her brother to find soft music on cable and to play with the baby.
Carson then ran to the bathroom and grabbed a hair brush.
“Now mom, you must take a deep breath and relax,” she said in a commanding voice. “Pregnant women need to rest and find their chi.”
I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. I am their mother and they are worried about taking care of me.
My health and well being is something that matters to them.
I wanted to laugh because I wondered how Carson knew that pregnant women needed to find their chi. What is a chi anyway? (Her response: Total relaxation)
I decided to go with the moment and found peace in the company of my normally loud and rambunctious children.
This was a moment that I would always remember, one that I would save for a rainy day or when they both decided to strike out on their own.
My husband and I have often joked that by having four children, our chances were better that at least one would take care of us when we were old and gray.
At that time, I was able to fantasize that all four would be willing to do whatever they could to help their old mom and dad.
Truth is, I have no idea if they would carry nurturing with them throughout their lives. You just never know who children will turn out to be. You may have an idea, but God gave everyone a will of their own.
So, instead of starting to worry myself in that moment about whether or not one of my kids could become an ax murderer, I followed my eight-year-old’s directions, I sought after my chi.
Aimee Robinette is the Lifestyles Editor for The Bolivar Commercial. She can be reached at 843-4241 Ext. 39 or at aimee.robinette@bolivarcommercial.com