You're gonna need me

My sister, Rockstar, is the ultimate mother. She was naturally an attachment parenting momma before we even knew what that meant. She is the kind of momma bear that a real momma bear would be afraid of. Do not mess with her. She tirelessly rocked, nursed and snuggled her sweet little blessings. 

Her road to motherhood wasn't always easy. Her babies came easily but between her babies she struggled mightily. She had severe endometriosis. The kind of endometriosis that would bring even the toughest woman to her knees. She dealt with so much pain through the years. She and her hubby were blessed with four precious little ones. After their fourth baby, RockStar had to have a hysterectomy. Honestly, she probably would have had a lot more squishy babies if her body would have cooperated.

The surgery was difficult for her. The emotions were raw. When she woke up from surgery, she looked at her husband and said, "No more babies." A harsh reality for this momma bear.

I knew it was going to be hard for her. I cried right along with her. The promise of a pain free life was the hope that she held on to during the whole experience. 

RockStar was scheduled for her hysterectomy on a Monday morning in June of 2013.

In June of 2013, I was one month into a relationship with D's birthmom, Hope. I knew we would be having baby D in September. We were so thrilled to be bringing a new baby into the family. 

The day before RockStar's surgery, I took a pregnancy test. IT WAS POSITIVE!!! Baby E was on board. 

It was terrible timing.

I wanted to tell my sister SO bad. 

Who in their right mind would drop that news on their sister as she is about to endure a hysterectomy?

Ummm...not this girl.

No Way.

My face was staying shut.

Monday morning rolled around and RockStar went through her surgery. I was planning to go see her the next day. That night, her hubby called me, "Can you come up here? She keeps asking for you."

He didn't have to ask me twice.

I came running. 

I brought her hubby some dinner and told him to take a break while I sat with her.

She was all hopped up on pain meds post surgery.

Truthfully, she is kind of a hoot when she is drugged.

She was the life of the party with her nurses. She had made friends with all of them, of course. 

When things got quiet and it was just us she looked at me and said, "I just feel like you're going to need me."

Then she closed her eyes and drifted off.

I just sat there questioning myself. Did I hear her right? How could she know? 

Then she rolled her head my way, opened those wild, drugged up eyes and said it again. This time more passionately.

"I just feel like you're gonna need me!" She said.

Again, she drifted back to sleep.

I just sat there.

I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs..."YOU HAVE NO IDEA! I AM GOING TO NEED YOU!!! I AM PREGNANT!!! HOW AM I GOING TO HAVE TWO BABIES 5 MONTHS APART???""

Instead, I patted her hand and kept my mouth shut for a month.

Her post surgery revelation could not have been more accurate.

I needed her.

(Rocking D with my foot while nursing E)

She came over regularly and allowed this tired momma a much needed break. She snuggled and rocked for hours. The babies both loved her but the littlest one, Baby E, developed a strong preference for his Auntie that remains today.

We have talked about that night in the hospital over the last couple of years. We both just love how the Lord gave us that moment.

I told her the other day just how right she was, I did need her.

She replied, "I remember it so clear. The whispering from God. Isn't he so gracious to have done that? To speak to me over the hurt. Blows my mind. The Lord knew how much I needed those babies. It was so healing for me to spend time with them."

I had never thought about it that way before. 

She needed those babies as much as I needed her.

Lord, thank you for giving my children all these beautiful Aunties. 

What a gift!

Let's get this party started

Before the gals arrived I was doing my usual multitasking.

Here I am rocking baby D with one foot while feeding baby E.

I've asked Mom and the sisters to come once a week for a while.

This serves three purposes...

1. Instant play date for all the children.

2.  They help me out with babies, laundry and dishes.

3. Coffee talk with my mom and 2 of my sisters.

(DW needs to move home asap)

Let's get this party started.

By party, I mean play date with 11 children, 3 mommies and 1 grammy.

Pretty Princess shows up with coffee for all.

She is a good woman.

Grammy arrives with groceries and keeps the kiddos busy in the kitchen making some delicious guacamole.

Time for some yummy lunch.

I swear lil' Ruthie loved the guacamole.  I guess she didn't want her picture taken.

 The big boys found a place to keep their Lego sets safe from the little ones.

Q and Super Girl played puppies.

The kiddos love play time with Grammy.  I think this was some kind of jam session.

Then it was time to play cars.

Lil' Ruthie talked her cousin into playing princess castle with her.

Baby E didn't mind all the noise.  Baby D is much more mature so he took his nap in his crib away from the noise.

 The sisters minus DW.

Here we are on the phone with DW.

Grammy getting in some snuggle time with baby E.

 Time for nails!

It was a wonderful day!

It sure helps our cabin fever to have the party come to us.

Thanks for the fun Grammy, Rock Star, Pretty Princess and kiddos!

Happy Adoption Day Baby D!

So it's here's to you and three cheers to you!
Let's shout it, "Hip, hip, hip, hooray!"
For out of a world so tattered and torn,
You came to our house on that wonderful morn,
And all of a sudden this family was born.
Oh, happy Adoption Day!

-John McCutcheon

 

 

I carefully coordinated this day.

 

I made sure the children were wearing just the right clothing.

 

I made sure the grandparents were in the right place at the right time.

 

I made plans with Hope to see her later that day.

 

What I didn't plan on was this...

My big sister, DW, drove 9 hours one way to meet baby D and attend his adoption finalization.

 

When I saw her I lost my good mind.

 

My sister lives a long way away and I miss her.

 

 

Aunt DW gets her very first snuggle.

 

It's official!

 

 The fan club!

 

 

Another precious lady joined us that day.  My sweet cousin Mrs. Okie.  God literally gave her to me during this adoption process.  She loved on Hope.  She loved on us.  She showed up at just the right times during his birth and hospital stay.  God knew what I needed and he gave her to me.

Sorting Day

I really don't mean to hoard stuff.  I just get busy and sorting through things is low on my priority list.

 

Enter my youngest sister, Pretty Princess.

 

She is a sorting machine. 

 

Also, she is super honest.  That means when I try to convince her that I need something useless she tells me the truth.

 

Sorting day was pure joy for the babies.  They got to help pull things out of cabinets.  It was a baby's dream!  Usually Mommy says, "No, stay out of that cabinet." 

 

Listen, I have something shameful to tell you.  While I was pregnant with Lil' Ruthie I was totally off my game.  I was sick and tired all the time.  Also, I went through a month where I craved McDonald's.  That month happened to coincide with "free glass" time.  If you ordered a super sized meal you got a free glass.  Heck of a deal.

 

When my sisters found my stash of McDonald's Coca-Cola glasses I had to come clean.

 

I think there are 13 glasses there.  That represents 13 super sized meals.  At least EJ ate half of those.  Still that is gross.  I need to apologize to lil' Ruthie for growing her on that stuff.

 

As you can imagine, Pretty Princess removed the glasses and found them a new home.  I don't need them in the cabinet reminding me of my nutrition fail.

 

In this family, we figure the more the merrier.  So, if you are going to sort through all your stuff you might as well make it a party, right?

 

When Grammy showed up, she was immediately swarmed by happy grandchildren.  Everyone needs to tell her a story at the same time.

 

The babies want to get in on Grammy time too!

 

Later that afternoon, Aunt Rock Star supervised the baby picnic.  I don't remember what they were snacking on but you can be sure they were "stealing" bites from their neighbor.  These three are all paci babies and they regularly steal pacis from one another.  I think Lil' Ruthie (who is the youngest) may be the biggest paci stealer around.

 

Q and Super Girl are such a pair.  I cannot begin to tell you how cute they are together.  They are just under 6 weeks apart in age.  Rock Star and I think they act like an old married couple.  They fuss at each other when they are together but miss each other terribly when they are apart.

 

 

 

I have a love/hate relationship with our play room/school room/sun room.  It is in a fantastic location, right off the dinning room.  It is bright and sunny.  It is a handy place to play and learn.  However, playing and learning are a messy process.  It is especially messy since my 3 year old is a tornado when it comes to toys.

 

I would like to present to you the play room in all its glory...

 

 

 

 

 

I have a very simple and elegant solution.

 

When my bible study gals are over here I make sure that bad boy is closed up.  That way we can enjoy our time without staring at the messy play room.  The rest of the house is essentially clean when they come over.  One night, one of the girls said something about how hard it is to keep house.  She didn't understand why my house was so clean when they came over.  So...I pulled back the curtain on the play room.  TA DA!  My messy little secret.

 

Back to sorting day.

 

Whenever Rock Star is over here that play room makes her nuts.  She is a neat freak and cannot stand such crazy disorder.  I jokingly tell her that I invite her over when it is especially messy so she will clean it.

 

During sorting day she and Grammy took turns whipping that room in to shape while Pretty Princess and I sorted.  Check out the results.

 

 

 

 

It stayed like that for 5 seconds but it was gorgeous while it lasted.

 

Thanks ladies for a fun day and an organized home!