I can already tell you that I am going to love this summer. Not just because I hate snow and not just because I really dislike cold weather and not only because I love bratwurst, potato salad and smores, but mainly because my kids are SO tired.
I’m not saying that because it may give me more free time (it does!) and it allows me to sleep past 8 o’ clock (yee haw!), these are fine things, no doubt, but the FUN the kids are already having is rockin’ my world. I have heard more laughter in this past week than I did all winter. sad…but true. What makes my heart almost explode is how well the kids are getting along. Last night I was mowing the lawn while Brian was putting this baseball toy together and they just played and laughed and rolled and jumped and got so dirty. I would just look over my shoulder while mowing with awe knowing that we created this amazing relationship between these two children.
For those that don’t know, when Ariel was just four months old, we found out I was pregnant with Racecar. I can remember the feeling I had after taking the pregnancy test, a mixed feeling of disbelief and sadness. I felt sad and I felt sorry for Ariel, I felt like we had ripped her off in some way. I can remember the day before my c-section was to take place, Ariel was six days shy of turning one and we went to lunch with her and I just wanted to cry the whole time. I wanted to cry because she wouldn’t be with us for four days, I wanted to cry because I couldn’t pick her up for two weeks and I wanted to cry because we were going to miss out on just focusing on her. oh the guilt. The Ridiculous Guilt. I felt this despite feeling the incredible excitement of adding to our little family.
Little did I know, one of the greatest gifts Ariel would ever receive was growing steadily in my belly for a long time.
The first year was difficult, we didn’t sleep much, we had very little free time, Brian and I
were constantly bickering, our house was always disorganized and Racecar cried A LOT.
And then one day, life became a little easier. With each summer we’ve discovered new things with our kids, amusement parks, different zoos, the beach. But this summer our discovery was seeing how much our two children really do love each other. They value each other. They laugh at each other. Make no mistake, we have moments when Ariel is sitting quietly watching TV when Racecar comes and puts his feet on Ariel’s face. And we have times when Ariel tricks her little brother so she can have the better swing, but that comes with the territory.
This past week Brian and I have been busy improving our yard and making it a safe beautiful place to play and relax and our amazing children are certainly exploring every inch of it…all day long…until they collapse into bed at night.
I love summertime.
I HATE summer. HATE it. I can’t stand the heat. I love spring and fall. At least in the winter it is easy to warm up. it is so hard to cool down.
I HATE summer. HATE it. I can’t stand the heat. I love spring and fall. At least in the winter it is easy to warm up. it is so hard to cool down.
Just too cute for words those two!
Just too cute for words those two!
Just too cute for words those two!
Just too cute for words those two!
Beth, I am so glad you are feeling the wonder of having two children that love each other and get along so well. I was also sad when I went in to be induced with Timmy, but the moment Emma walked in the room and beamed at her brother, I KNEW it was the best thing I could have ever done for her.
I am finding that some bickering is starting to take place. Something that I am not used to since my brothers are a lot older than me. But I know that it is a part of growing up. I have also found that they both have each others back. What a wonderful feeling!!!
Beth, I am so glad you are feeling the wonder of having two children that love each other and get along so well. I was also sad when I went in to be induced with Timmy, but the moment Emma walked in the room and beamed at her brother, I KNEW it was the best thing I could have ever done for her.
I am finding that some bickering is starting to take place. Something that I am not used to since my brothers are a lot older than me. But I know that it is a part of growing up. I have also found that they both have each others back. What a wonderful feeling!!!
I remember that guilt. My oldest was 3 1/2 when his brother was born. I was so afraid it would ruin the relationship our family had, and at the same time felt guilty for not having 100% excitement for the new one. It all balances out though. Grant thinks big brother hung the moon, and having a little brother has helped Grayson realize he is not the absolute center of the universe but is still loved. It’s funny how we torment ourselves with this guilt and things never turn out as bad as we imagined.
I remember that guilt. My oldest was 3 1/2 when his brother was born. I was so afraid it would ruin the relationship our family had, and at the same time felt guilty for not having 100% excitement for the new one. It all balances out though. Grant thinks big brother hung the moon, and having a little brother has helped Grayson realize he is not the absolute center of the universe but is still loved. It’s funny how we torment ourselves with this guilt and things never turn out as bad as we imagined.
The last photo says it all, Beth. Summertime! Let the fun begin! Your kids are adorable.
The last photo says it all, Beth. Summertime! Let the fun begin! Your kids are adorable.
Jake and Emma are almost exactly 2 years apart, and they are just getting to the point where they are playing great together. Trips to the zoo are more fun, the playground is more fun, walks are more fun. It really is wonderful!
Jake and Emma are almost exactly 2 years apart, and they are just getting to the point where they are playing great together. Trips to the zoo are more fun, the playground is more fun, walks are more fun. It really is wonderful!
Mine are 21 months apart. I wouldn’t have it anyother way. Not only do they have a built in playmate they also teach each other about getting along and repect for the rights and feelings of others.
Mine are 21 months apart. I wouldn’t have it anyother way. Not only do they have a built in playmate they also teach each other about getting along and repect for the rights and feelings of others.
I´m so glad to hear that someone else has had the same problem! And that your kids survived just fine. I just had a baby two weeks ago and my older son is just 17 months old. I felt so guilty, too, plus dreaded the birth since the first one had gone very badly. It is SO stressful right now trying to work from home while caring for two small children.
I´m so glad to hear that someone else has had the same problem! And that your kids survived just fine. I just had a baby two weeks ago and my older son is just 17 months old. I felt so guilty, too, plus dreaded the birth since the first one had gone very badly. It is SO stressful right now trying to work from home while caring for two small children.
Glad I’m not the only Mama out there who is happy about summer because it gives the kids longer naps and earlier bedtimes! Yay!
Glad I’m not the only Mama out there who is happy about summer because it gives the kids longer naps and earlier bedtimes! Yay!
What a great post. They truly do have an amazing relationship. It is wonderful that they get along and play so well together. You are one lucky duck! Of course they all have their moments. What a blessing Noah has been to your family.
What a great post. They truly do have an amazing relationship. It is wonderful that they get along and play so well together. You are one lucky duck! Of course they all have their moments. What a blessing Noah has been to your family.
Hooray! Someone else who has survived the two babies in under a year life! Mine are 11 1/2 months apart, now ages 4.5/3.5 years and are now the best of friends. I LOVE the age difference now. Not so much that first 6-8 months, but every year it gets better and better!
Hooray! Someone else who has survived the two babies in under a year life! Mine are 11 1/2 months apart, now ages 4.5/3.5 years and are now the best of friends. I LOVE the age difference now. Not so much that first 6-8 months, but every year it gets better and better!