Just the 4 of Us

The earth has shifted its axle or in a state of extreme irony, my life seems to have gotten dramatically easier. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not lounging on the couch more, there isn’t less laundry to do, and my day does not consist of popping bom boms. It’s just that we are in such a rhythm that everything seems to be going smoothly (knock on wood!!) and I’m finding that I’m having more fun with my kids than not.

I say it’s ironic because, much like many times in my life, it seems like the calm before the storm. Or maybe it’s just the way life is – once you get adjusted to something, you find a way to complicate it or make it just a little more challenging to keep growing. I don’t know what it is but I think I better just embrace the thrill of it all.

Lately Drew has been doing something completely unthinkable – listening! We have been doing a loose sticker system for awhile and he seems to understand our expectations of him and obliging. Maybe it’s maturity or maybe this time the expectations were clear and concise. Either way, I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Despite the frustration of “Gabby do,” she seems to be alright if she makes the decision. “Either you buckle yourself right now or I buckle you and you can hold your baby.” Now that’s a deal! Plus, she and Drew have been playing together and acting like little kid siblings in such an unbelievably cute way that my heart just swells! And to make matters even better, it’s been quite some time (knock on wood, knock on wood!!!) since she has inflicted bodily harm on any peer. Maybe we are finally passed that stage!

Over the weekend our four person family was running errands. This type of activity can be excruciatingly painful at times. And although I feel pretty confident in saying that we aren’t through the woods yet on this activity, it was unbelievably easy. The kids were angels, we got everything done and we even enjoyed each other’s company. It made me feel so good about the current composition of our family.

I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t mention the anxiety portion. What does this mean for our expansion in ten weeks? Is that when the proverbial shit hits the fan? Or does this just mean that we have a good, firm foundation to expand our family? I think about those early days where getting out of the house is a five hour process or the sleep deprivation is so bad that you can’t see straight and I start to shake. Deep breath. At one point I felt this way before Gabby joined the picture and now I’m so grateful she is part of our family. I’ll just keep repeating that in my head when these nasty negative thoughts rear their ugly heads!!