Gray keeps breathing his pickle-y breath over to me.
Noah wrestled me when I wasn't looking.
Normal bickering and not wanting to share was getting a bit out of hand last night so I made Carter and Noah hug it out for an extremely long time. Keep hugging! I didn't say you could stop yet! And before long they were giggling so hard and then KISSING and then Ivy and Gray got in on it and it turned into this huge family group hug and was like something you'd see in a feel-good movie only it was my life.
Tonight all four were in the kitchen and yet I found myself counting- to be sure-, it felt like someone was missing.
A sign?
I texted hubby about it. He said he was going to pretend I didn't just say that.
OH my goodness. Oh. my. goodness. I barely even comprehend how you care for four children.. and then more? You would officially be a superhero, I think.
ReplyDeleteWhatever happened with Gray and his pants?
Haha, next time I see bickering kids I'm going to make them hug it out -- that's so good!
ReplyDeleteI feel that way all the time. We have the two and I always watch for the 3rd to follow them out the door.
ReplyDeleteWe joke that we keep forgetting poor little Max in the closet. It confuses the existing two to no end! Heh.
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ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. I'm so grateful and full of love for my 3 boys, that I often feel that loving one more would be just as easy and rewarding. Almost like it's exactly what I need. Keep us posted!
ReplyDeleteI have four. The idea of five makes me want to crawl into my bed and sleep forever.
ReplyDeleteNo. No. Not my bed. A sleeping bag hidden in the basement. THEY'D NEVER FIND ME THERE.
But - good for you :)
Adorable photos!
ReplyDeleteI laughed out loud so quickly I startled Garret! Hilarious. His response? Oh, they are so having more!
ReplyDeleteI loved the bit about hugging it out!
too cute! It's the best when they are giggling and laughing together! I only have 3 and I still count, even while I'm on the phone with them, somehow after 2 counting becomes necessary!
ReplyDeleteWe're definitely going to be hugging it out around here :) And I know exactly what you mean. I'm always counting to make sure I haven't forgotten someone. I'm always looking for the 4th, and I only have 3. Strange.
ReplyDeleteI know that having more children is not a decision you would leave to your blog followers (because that is crazy), but I think you should TOTALLY have more children. You are so amazing at being a mom! Honestly, I don't think I've ever encountered another woman more incredible at her job than you are, Steph. You're truly incredible at what you do, and God is so good to have given you this gift; of writing, of photography, because sharing with us the beauty of your life makes us smile. It brings to our attention the gift that our family, our children, are to us. And for me, it reminds me how blessed my life is. So I'm all for you having more babies. Because watching you love your children has changed my perspective on life, and given me renewed joy and gratitude for the gift of MY family. Thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteI have two kids and I often feel like someone's missing. But then I think, I might feel that way even if I had 15 kids. Sigh.
ReplyDeletehow beautiful they are all growing but Ivy well she looks like a star :) we decided to try for baby 2 and although I am not yet prgnant and caring for this person, I alraedy know I wish more only hubs doesnt want to hear about it even 2 is too much for him .... sigh maybe God will send me twins LOL and it will solve the problem
ReplyDeleteYep, Steph, that's one of the first signs...
ReplyDeleteIn the large family community, we call that Missing Child Syndrome. I get it frequently. Usually right before I find out I find out I'm pregnant. It's very strange and very real.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I did that a few weeks ago and blogged about it! HAHA! My husband had the SAME response!!! HAHA! :)
ReplyDeleteI hear ya! I'm expecting #4 and already feel like I'm planning #5, ugh! I always imagine another sitting with all of the siblings and wonder if it "looks" right... :) I too like many others started counting children at #3. Even if I KNOW they're all in the car with me, I still need to look in my mirror and physically see them!
ReplyDeleteHoly heck, they're ADORABLE! You make cute kids! (And they all look so happy too, how delightful!)
ReplyDeleteHo Hum!!! You and your hubs make the most darling babies...!!!
ReplyDeleteOh no you di-in't. ;-) I figured it was just a matter of time. You do make cute kids. You should have at least 10. Ha.
ReplyDeleteI am laughing at your hub's text back to you.
ReplyDeleteAlso love the picture.
My dad would make us hug and kiss when we were troublesome and we always HATED him for it because he'd command us in some ridiculous voice and make us laugh, all while we were trying so hard to be furious with one another. I love doing that to the kids I babysit for now.
ReplyDeleteYou need to have another baby, if not just because I now have all of your maternity clothes PLUS my maternity clothes, which basically means that you'll have enough clothes to get through an entire pregnancy without ever washing anything. Seriously. Just don't get pregnant at the same time as me, otherwise one of us is going to have to go naked, and that just won't be pretty.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of hugging it out sounds simple and effective.
ReplyDeleteyour family is beautiful and inspiring just like you. i love reading about your numbers because my husband has "officially retired" from having more children so that kind of decided things for us emotionally. so, i get the many kids experience through reading about it from lovely mom's like you!
ReplyDeletelove the group hug concept, that has to turn any bad time into a good one!
ReplyDeleteI will pray that the signs will get stronger for what should happen!
I have five and I can remember before I got pregnant with our 5th always feeling like someone was missing... such a funny feeling. 5 makes us feel officially and completely outnumbered... but it's fun!
ReplyDeleteThis gave me the biggest smile this morning, Steph. And that photo is beautiful. (just like your heart shining through your words.)
ReplyDeletexo elizabeth
That is one of the sweetest photos!! Wonderful way to start my day!
ReplyDeleteThere are days where I long for another baby - a chance to do things differently than I did with Madaline, but, then reality sets in, life happens, and I realize that we are good - life is good - and our little family of three is perfectly balanced for us.
I've often felt like that with my four but then I realize it was hubby that was missing!
ReplyDeleteAh, you are such a sweet mama... The desire for babes can be overwhelming at times. Can't wait to read the "pregnancy test" post :)
ReplyDeletewhat the heck go for it:) I'm expecting #5 in early September, 5 it's all the rage!!
ReplyDeleteYour new name is Danny Tanner.
ReplyDeleteAnd, that being true, please send Uncle Jessie my way-- he is hot.
i absolutely want more! i think large families are where it's at nowadays!!
ReplyDeleteOh Steph, I can SO relate. It's that feeling that you can't shake, you just know there should be someone else here. I can't wait to see what the future brings :)
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. That's how I know we're not done. There's still someone I'm longing to meet. Hubby feels like I'll always feel that way no matter if we have 2 or 20. But I'm just certain that there's one more somewhere just waiting for his or her introduction.
ReplyDeleteYour littles are so very cute in these pics.
I can relate to that :) We are going back and forth now on adding another to our bunch-my hubby has the same response, lol :)
ReplyDeleteLove it! Isn't it that way, it's in the completely ordinary routine moments when you feel that way. If you have already convinced him to go for 4, I can't imagine 5 would be that much a battle.
ReplyDeleteClearly, Muffin-in-the-Oven-itis is contagious!
ReplyDeleteClearly, Muffin-in-the-Oven-itis is contagious!
ReplyDeleteI know that feeling.
ReplyDeleteThey are just so beautiful and I know that another would probably make your heart soar to the Moon and Back.
Motherhood is such a blessing.
How precious...I did the same thing after we had our third. She's only 8 weeks old today. We had been having so many people over at the house that when everyone left I looked around the room and saw that all the kids were accounted for, but it didn't feel like we were all there. I really want a fourth eventually. Your hubby had the same reaction that my hubby would probably have right now. "Not listening...I didn't hear that!" They'll come around! ;)
ReplyDeleteThey are absolutely adorable. I am in awe of your mommy talent, Steph!!
ReplyDeleteHugging it out is fantastic! And I know the feeling you speak of oh-so-well.
ReplyDeleteYour posts about your sweet four make ME want to have another one too :-)
ReplyDeleteI only have two girls so far, and I definitely feel there are several someones missing. It's particularly strong right after I have one (like the gateway is open or something weird like that?), which is when most people are thinking about it least. Not to sound too freaky, but just days after I had both my girls, as I reflected on the birth experience, I felt this strange pull to have more. I could almost see them. Told my husband this and luckily he doesn't think I am nuts.
Hmmm. This is not your first "not a pregnancy announcement." You know we are all waiting for the real thing. We, being not your husband, of course!
ReplyDeleteSometimes you have the choice, or think you do, and sometimes you don't....
ReplyDeleteI wish you well and hope for happiness in your future - no matter the size of your family! :)
What an awesome moment! I'd love to be a part of a hug like that! The more the merrier, bring on the love!
ReplyDeleteHave you considered a dog? They eat less and are easier to potty train.
ReplyDeleteMany, many of my friends have said that is how they felt shortly before finding out they were expecting another! I felt that way before finding out we were expecting our fifth, but not with our sixth.
ReplyDeleteWe had a day where everyone was kind of picking at each other and the parents were a little naggy and I decided the solution was to play a game and eat cupcakes together. And it worked!
Oh, I know how you feel!!!! My 7th joined us in January and I still feel like I have some other little ones yet to meet.
ReplyDeleteThis post...oh my, I love it! Especially the hugging out the bickering part. Such a wonderful solution. You are a great mom...
ReplyDeleteand I think you'd be an awesome mom of 5 (or 6...) too. :)
stephanie@metropolitanmama.net
I always ALWAYS feel like that! Even on the hard days. I wonder if having another would make that feeling go away, or if it will just always be there.
ReplyDeleteYou'll never regret having another baby. But someday, you might regret NOT having another one.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I like what Jenny said before me.
ReplyDeleteDon't you think the homebirth experience adds to the excitement of thinking about another baby too? I had my second at home and I'm really looking forward to the birth of baby #3 in July because homebirth is so stinkin' cool.
I swear you both should never stop having kids!
ReplyDeleteWhatever God's will, you can handle any and all things he grants you!
I'm one of Five children in our family and I wouldn't have it any other way!
I love Love big families and I think more people should agree!
Heh. HEHEHEHEHEH. I don't think it ever goes away for some of us. I'd always welcome another baby but my husband is dead set on NO MORE.
ReplyDeleteYou make beautiful babies! Just look at them! Beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness!! Can I just say how much I love that hugging idea!!! I wonder if it would work with Big Sister and Big Brother yet? Hmmm.... I'm not sure if she would be ready for it. Either way I will remember it for when she is a little older. I LOVE this idea. Love, love, LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteAns as for someone missing... well, I get that feeling sometimes too. :)
Maybe you know something hubby doesn't? ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this hug it out idea. So using that next time (in other words, tomorrow...)
I definitely felt someone was missing when I only had 2 kids. Our 3 are just right. I'm pretty sure no one is missing here.
ReplyDeleteI think mamas can tell when someone is missing.
I've always heard that you should have kids in even numbers, you know, for amusement park rides :) So, if you have one more, than you'll have to have ANOTHER. 6 total :)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't know how you do it - I give you ALL the credit in the world. I have two, and there are days I don't know how to do it!!!
ReplyDeleteWe have always wanted two kids-and currently only have one. Maybe the desire is always with you--and catching!
ReplyDeleteYep. Yep.
ReplyDeleteI knew we were destined to have one more when I'd look at my daughter or pics of us as a family and there was a *spot* where someone was supposed to be.
Then, when my son was born, I felt this wave of completion. This peace on my heart. We are complete, it said.
<3 you
Well, I think few could rock a 5th like you could. xo
ReplyDeleteO.K. That picture is a perfect ending because it's like Ivy is saying "Oh, well, I tried..."
ReplyDeleteThis post made me go all tingly.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling that way more and more these days, and my husband's reaction is the same as yours. :) And we have just the one so far!
ReplyDeleteFour more?! :)
ReplyDeleteI think it may just be a sign!
Okay so this missing child syndrome thing? So very real. It used to happen to me all the time before I got pregnant again!
ReplyDeleteHow do you get all four to look at the camera?! I can't accomplish that with just two.
I am with you 100%...I would love more :) Babies Rule!!!
ReplyDelete