The magic of 4
Well. Since I opened this to complain, I guess I should get around to updating how we are doing adjusting to being outnumbered 2 to 1.
I really mostly love it. I admit that adjusting to this 2 year gap between my last 2 kids is kicking my butt a bit. I often wonder how all those people out there can tolerate having 2 babies at once.
Toddlers are just…toddlers. they drain you and take all your patience with the stealing food from the kitchen and the writing on walls and the constant needing to be on the go, and the having no sense….
And babies…. you just want to cuddle all the day long. You don’t want to miss a smile. And they protest you moving constantly just as much as you want to protest…..
But, really, somehow, I still love it. We are getting a really good routine with the olders homeschooling. The 2 yo is starting to sit still a bit and work on coloring pages or writing next to the 5 yo. The baby is usually content to be held while I sit next to an older.
The baby LOVES the 5 yo. Just hearing his voice makes him laugh with glee. And the 5 yo is quite content to use his high pitched squeaky voice over and over to hear the baby laugh.
The 2 yo is kind to the baby. He brings him diapers and toys and generally tries to make sure the baby is happy and his needs are met.
The 8 yo is good at holding the baby in just that right spot so the baby can burp. And is so proud when he can soothe him.
The older 2 are also adjusting to the toddler in their midst. The 5 yo is quite happy to provide him with endless snacks that he can then share with him and they love the task of being sent outside to help run off the toddlers energy.
I guess I can truly see the bond forming among them all. And it just really is a good thing and beautiful to watch. Mostly I am in awe of this beautiful environment that God has created for my boys to grow up in.
I recently read “Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys.” In the book the authors talk about how boys (and girls) learn best in same sex environments. I think that is what God set up for us. This perfect all boy environment so that my boys can truly become as perfect as 2 flawed parents are able to make them. And it is a beautiful comfortable world.
And I can see in the future how close they will all be. And how they will all be their very best friends. And really, it is so beautiful to watch and be a part of.
