Pros and Cons of a Family of Six

People, we are making it.  We are officially at the two week point, and we are all alive and well.  We are wiped out and the days seem super busy, but we are alive and well. 

For the most part, our days have been fun and full of love.

Except last Tuesday.  Last Tuesday was our first really bad day when everyone seemed to miss the window for a nap and we were all just way too tired.  Oh, and today.  I about killed Seth earlier when he told me, "someone needs a nap" after explaining (none too patiently) about the appropriate use of Elmer's.  I was like a cartoon character with smoke coming out of my ears, and could hardly believe he just said that.  When I texted Jon ten minutes later, it did make me smile, so I suppose we can view that as evidence that I'm learning to let things roll off my back.  Jon texted back an image of Homer strangling Bart, and it got a full chuckle. 

But there have been so many pros, too!  It seems like Seth and Ollie have never played better together or enjoyed each other more.  Ollie and Nevaeh have become quite the inseparable duo, and I can't even get over how sweet they are to one another.  And baby Jack.  Who would have known that bringing a baby into our house would send everybody right to peak of cute sweetness?  Nevaeh came loving that little guy and still squeals and runs right up to greet him all the time.  Ollie quickly became enamored as well, clamoring to hold him or help with his bottle, but I don't think anyone is as smitten with Jack as Seth.  Seth loves to sneak in quick kisses and can be heard singing or trying to get Jack to smile while I'm cooking dinner or out of the room. 

Another Pro?  More to laugh about. 

Jon:  "Good job, Jacky boy!"
Ollie:  "Is he a boy?"
Jon: "Yeah"
Ollie: "I fot so."

Pros:  More hugs and love to go around. 

Cons:  There are not enough massages and chiropractic appointments in the world to help us now. 

 

Pros:  We are utilizing all seats in the van.

Cons:  We are full!

Pros: It's hard to get out around nap schedules, so we are having lots of family bonding time at home.

Cons:  Can I say the same thing? 

Pros:  She is cute, sweet, a big helper, and obedient.  She's also the absolute best to come home to, as she drops whatever she is doing, screams, and runs to greet you at the door with hugs a'plenty. 

Cons: She's been a terrible napper the last few days and has been so grumpy in the afternoons.  My best guess is that she hears the boys play and doesn't want to miss out. 

 

Can I also tell you about our first girl experiences?  Maybe it's just her, but she is so into fine motor, self help skills.  She can put on her socks and cover herself up with a blanket.  (People, Ollie can't even do that yet.)  She loves lotion, brushing her teeth, blowing her nose, and wiping her face with a wash cloth.  Can you guess what boys I know that hate all of those things?  She would also be totally potty trained within a week if we didn't have so much going on.  I think another thing that has made the transition of sharing all our toys easier for the boys is that for the most part she is into very different toys.  She carries her fake lipstick around and applies it to all the dinosaurs laying in her path.    

 

Pros:  We've got great help and daddy's in training!  Despite me almost strangling Seth earlier today, I can't believe how well he's done with this big change.  One of Seth's biggest strengths is that he loves helping people and now he finally has people who are eager to receive his help. No cons for this one!

 

No cons for this one either!  He's a charmer!  Our days of gummy smiles were short lived though, as Jack cut his first two teeth within the first week of living here.  This is the happiest, most non-fussy baby ever.  He has continued sleeping through the night, although likes his first bottle early, around 5:00 or 5:30 and then goes back to sleep for an hour or two.  

Pros:  Our kids are worn out and are sleeping hard. 
Cons:  I think we are all pretty tired. 

These two. 

Their friendship has really blossomed.  They had a little bit of a slow start because Ollie was all set to be friendly and lovely on day one, and Nevaeh didn't want anything to do with anyone whose name wasn't mommy.  Since then, she has warmed up considerably, and they play together all day.  She was sad the other day at naptime and Ollie said, "Don't worry!  I'll take a nap too!"  She literally clapped her hands and yelled "Yay!!" and then they both took a nap together. 

Cons:  They are the only ones who have been possessive of me.  If they are both tired at the same time, one can really get grumpy because I'm spending time with the other or holding the other. 

 

 

 

I'd say the pros out weight the cons.