The night before Christmas Eve we received quite a surprise- we found out we are expecting a baby! We were not planning on this change in our lives, but now that most of the shock has worn off we’re pretty happy about it.
I had really thought that this brood on the stairs waiting to head down and devour Christmas would be our family. The little one just turned 3 on Saturday. I had big plans for the coming year. Plans to grow my blog and my business and to finally start digging out of the hole the recession has put us in. Plans that now need to be adjusted.
I love motherhood. I love these little people with all my heart. Watching them grow and learn and become is the joy of my lifetime. So I hope that you will understand when I say that although I KNOW I will love and treasure this new little addition to our family, I also am having a hard time adjusting the plans I have developed for this new year. In my mind I keep hoping I can still have/ do it all. When the reality is that I can’t. There are physical limitations as this OLD body of mine tries to grow this little munchkin. (how women manage to have babies at 50 is beyond me, my 35 year old body is dying!! 🙂 ) For example, I went to bed at 9 p.m. last night and STILL woke up tired. 🙂 It’s a lot of work making a baby, and don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise, no matter how old you are. lol
I am nearing the end of the first trimester, and with that I am hoping for a surge of energy to carry me through the end of the pregnancy. There are so many projects, plans and ideas running around in my head- I really want to see some of them become reality.
And if the only project I manage to fully complete this year is the creation of a new life. Well, I guess that’s a pretty big accomplishment in and of itself. 🙂
Anyone have advice on managing life with a large brood? Somehow 4 kids seemed manageable, but 5??? it just seems like A LOT! 🙂
Have a wonderful Monday!
xoxo,
Amy
Summer
January 9, 2012 at 3:46 pmSo so happy for you! You are a rock star, and will do awesome with five kiddos! <3
Mandi @ Vintage Revivals
January 9, 2012 at 3:47 pmCongrats!! I cant think of a better person to have 5 kids! You will do fantastic!!
Love your guts
mandi
Claire Jain
January 9, 2012 at 4:52 pmAhhh! Congratulations! That is so exciting. I'm right there with you on having a hard time changing my plans. If you're not familiar with Myers Briggs personality types, Google it. You probably have "J" characteristics like me. Meaning that you like to make a plan and stick to it. Not to worry. Being aware of what you like makes it easier to adjust when life throws you a curveball. As far as the five kids situation goes, I hear that parents with large families team up their little ones in a buddy system so that the older siblings can help the younger ones do things like pick out their clothes, brush their teeth, etc. Thoughts??
Amy @ Increasingly Domestic
January 9, 2012 at 5:14 pmCongratulations!!!! You will be an amazing mother of 5:)
Swensgirl
January 9, 2012 at 5:29 pmI KNOW you'll do great! Just make sure to take time to rest and to do something you enjoy! You have plenty of willing people who would love to lend a hand, you just need to ask (which for me is super difficult to do, but at the same time I know others need the blessing service provides).
Kristie
January 9, 2012 at 9:49 pmCongratulations!
I sat down at the end of last year and thought what did I do this last year. And then I remembered, I grew and had a baby. Unplanned and everything. And it has been the most fun!
You will do awesome, and just remember, there is always another day to do the other stuff. 🙂
Gwen @ Gwenny Penny
January 9, 2012 at 10:36 pmI was wondering when you were going to tell everyone 🙂 Look at the boutiques you did this past year. Look at all the projects you got done. All the guest posts. That was with 4 mobile children. This baby won't be mobile for a while. At least for this year you'll have a little infant who can (hopefully) sleep by your side or watch you while you work. Don't put off your dreams of growing your blog and your business this year. It may be hard, and you may turn into a pumpkin when you get tired, but keep chipping away at progress toward what YOU want, because YOU are important, too.
And I have no advice for handling a large family, but I know you can handle it. You've already got 4… what's one more, right 😉
Liz
January 10, 2012 at 12:37 amI don't have advice, I'm just so happy for you guys!!
Caroline @ Artfully Caroline
January 10, 2012 at 1:18 amYou are going to rock this *Hugs* it might not be easy every day but you will find the way to make it work because it's who you are : an awesome mom to a growing bunch of awesome kids. I wish I was so lucky but it looks like God has other plans for me.
heartsease54
January 10, 2012 at 2:37 amI come from a large blended family. At any given time there were 5-6 of us at home, with more out on their own. We started out with 6 kids in a 10×50 ft trailer. I wouldn't trade my life for anyones. I always have sisters & a brother to fall back on. I don't know how my folks did it, but they did (and managed to give us a wonderful childhood along the way). I'm sure all of yours will feel the same way-hang in there & take care of yourself. A new baby is such a joy & blessing even if you had plans-apparently someone else has some plans too!
chris
January 10, 2012 at 5:57 pmI love your attitude. This baby will be a huge blessing in your lives, and you will be a blessing for him or her. What a wonderful thing!
Wishing you lots of rest and a healthy pregnancy. 🙂
Lindsay
January 10, 2012 at 10:14 pmdon't doubt yourself. you are an amazing mom. Heavenly Father know you can do it and I know you can do it. Plus I have been needing a baby to cuddle. I love the late night rocking a baby when they won't sleep. Let me help you 🙂
Andi @ Jane of all crafts
January 11, 2012 at 3:32 amokay I guess i missed this post!! YAY!!! What a blessing! You have such a big heart and are such an awesome person…you will totally rock at being a mom of 5.
Lorene (just Lu)
January 11, 2012 at 11:51 pmCongratulations, Amy! I completely understand how you're feeling! I have a really hard time breaking myself from my "visions" even on the smallest things like craft projects — so even when they turn out great, if they're not like I expected, it takes me time to adjust. 🙂 Just think, now you get to live the lesson of "Tangled" and find a new dream! Corny, but that was the first thing that popped into my head when you were talking about plans… Congrats again!
Sabrina
January 18, 2012 at 7:33 pmCongrats! You will do fine. My advice is don't expect too much and have low expectations when it comes to the house, dinner, and everything else or you will drive yourself insane. We have 7 and some days I feel so low that I haven't got anything done. I have but it doesn't feel like it because it wasn't everything I wanted to do. lol