The Last?

It's funny how much I'm trying to soak in this little baby boy. Perhaps it's because he may be my last. Maybe not. I haven't decided, but what if he is, and I didn't drink him in enough while he was little. I'm really trying to be present and take note. I want to remember his sweet face years from now. I want to remember how he just smiles and starts kicking when he finally sees me, or when I come in to get him up from his naps. Those are my favorite moments. And even when I have to get up in the night, I like to breathe him in. I love that baby smell . I like to rub his little head, and kiss him in that neck, no matter how much it smells like spit. I always go get one last look at him sleeping before slipping into my own bed at night. I really like this stage and hope it lasts a while.

But I also love my big girls. I love that they can play, and run around, and we can talk. I love watching them learn new things and to see them try things for the first time. Life is more fun, and it's like my sister in law recently said, you get to experience childhood all over again through their eyes.

Motherhood is a privilege. I'm privileged enough to get to share in the lives of my children each day. Some people would question why I have four children, thinking that it is far too many, but I can't imagine my life without them. Maybe we'll have another or maybe not, but now I'm just going to absorb the ones I'm lucky to have right now.

Don't Feed Stray Cats.

You know how you should never feed stray cats?

Because, they will never go away and keep coming back.

Well, my neighbors are having to learn this the hard way.

The other day, around dusk, my kids were out riding their bikes and they happened to go down the sidewalk a few houses down where some people were out watering their lawn. The girl was super nice to them and the next thing I know, here they come with Popsicles in their hands that she had given them. I don't really even know these people, besides the fact that they are renters of ours, or really my sister-in laws. It was a really sweet gesture, but I don't think she knew what she was doing. She's a newlywed with no kids.

Last night, my kids were out in the front yard riding their bikes again, and I was inside making dinner. Next thing I know, in they walk with Popsicles in hand again. Oh no. I'm so embarrassed. Yes, my kids went down there again and asked if they could have a Popsicle.

How do you explain the fact that the lady is not their new best friend, and that it is proper etiquette to not ask for food. I'm sure in my kids brain, it seems like the sensible thing to do.

Like I said before...don't feed stray cats!

In the future.

As I was driving down State Street today, I started imagining what my girls would drive someday, or better yet, what car would best fit their personality. Don't ask me why, but I really was thinking about this. And here is what I came up with.

Gabriela: she likes fancy things, but she is still conservative. Mercedes would suite her nicely because it seems to stand for sophistication and yet it has pizazz. I think she would like to a convertible so everyone would see her. She likes to be seen. I think she would like the attention of the boys as she strolled around town, but she wouldn't bother to talk to them.

Sophia: this all started with Sophia in fact. I can totally picture her in a white jeep with the top off. She is my adventurer! She likes it fast and is not too prissy to let the wind whip through her hair. It's tough and can go anywhere. It doesn't say I'm too girly, but more like "bring it on," and that's her philosophy in life. I think she will be one who has a lot of guy friends, because she plays hard.

Julianne: she is sort of the first two rolled into one. Her personality is yellow through and through. She's very dramatic and loves attention. She's your typical youngest child. And in contrast to Gabriela, she would talk to the boys! She's a lot of fun and this car says f.u.n.! But at the same time she does care a lot about what she looks like.