Clover Lane

Amen!

Right on, girl! i agree with you 100%. :)

I love your blog. Thanks for keeping it real. I love your mothering tips and perspective. Would you be willing to do another post on how you potty train a 2 yr old? My daughter seems to be ready, but I am not sure how to approach it. She's almost 2 1/2. Thanks again for sharing your life!

Amen to that. When I was in survival mode (well I'm still in survival mode, but when it first started... ;) right after my 2 yr old was diagnosed with autism and I had a newborn, my song became "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World. "It just takes some time...everything will be alright..." Silly song and that was almost 8 years ago but it still means a lot to me.

You know there are positives and negatives to everything. I read your blog everyday and one thing that I envy about your life is that you did spread your babies about over time(or nature did). My husband comes from a large family and he was so stuck on the differences in age in his brothers and sisters (he's dead middle child of 6, born on christmas day so they complain alot). I became obsessed with my kids being as close as possible,which I did, my oldest is 6, the next came 20 months later (I had a miscarriage in between), the next 16 months after number 2, then number four came 18 month after number 3) So, 6, 4 1/2, 3, and 21 months. The drawbacks are three fold. First the obvious logistics- diapers, carseats everywhere, grocery shopping is cheap because there is no room in the carriage for food! Secondly, (and this is a pretty important one) I did not get to enjoy their baby years like I would have if they were more spread out. I look at my youngest now (ah the horror of his age, almost two) but he is still my baby and I realize how much older he is than my others were when the next child was born. I feel a little bit like I cheated my kids and myself out of that special time when they were at that age of really bonding. I love, love, love, all the stages but there is somthing about budding toddlerhood that steals my heart. The first hugs and kisses from them just because they want to, the first "I love you". Just having that little shadow. I love it. All the little funny things they do. I love having them all with me and now they are at the ages that they are starting school. My oldest is first grade, #2 is in her second year of pre-school (3-3hr days) and #3 is in her first year of pre-school (2-3hr days). It's awful! I thought of every justifiable reason to keep #3 home one more year. I don't want to let her go! Which leads me to my last drawback and it's more of a selfish one. This time is all going to be over so soon!! I am so envious that you Sarah have had 14 years to savour this time. When one was ready to leave the nest you had the next on arriving to nurture. Kind of like nature intended it? I love this part of my life more than I have ever loved anything and I don't want it to be over, nevermind so quickly. Don't get me wrong, I love how close they are. I love that I had such a full and fun house. I love that they will be there to support each other in school and share the same friends and activities. But maybe there is a middle ground? So the question is are we done? my husband says so...but maybe, just one more.....

I couldn't agree more Sarah! Hope you and your darling 'spread out' family have a great weekend. :)

LOVE that photo - so perfect! I am curious to see what 'nature' has in store for us, and how it differs from my 'plan' :)

Crystal...so many good points I have never considered...and go for that one more. (easy for me to say, right!)

And yes Sarah J, I'll do my potty training post one day soon. Except you know, that in sharing with you how smoothly it has worked for me through 4 children, I will jinx myself, and #5 will wear diapers till 5. I'm willing to sacrifice for you though!

I'm in the middle of potty training a 2 1/2 yr old boy...I could use all the advice! I would love to hear more and more about your family. I kinda want a large family but most days I don't think I have it in me. My two youngest are 19 months apart and I have a 13 yr old. In my head I think some women have "it" and some don't. Patience I guess could be the big IT!
Micah

Yes, so true. You don't always get what you want you get what you need....and it becomes what you want and so much more!!

For me....it was my infertility and then adopting twins :)

Um, 2? For a boy? Tell me more!!! My second is almost 2, and my first was SO not potty trained until 3ish. I'd love to hear your hints on the matter. Thanks!

i just had my fourth almost 6 months ago...my oldest is 10, so they're 9 3/4 years apart. now that i have 4, i am kind of wishing for 5. but, i turn 40 in feb. and i will likely be nursing for another 1.5 years. (our kids are all about 3ish years apart---i, too, thought they'd be boom, boom, boom, but things changed...and nursing just does that to me) so, i worry about being "too old" and my husband is now just turning 44.
anyway, i started out as a more uptight, worried, type A mom...but each one just smoothed me out (they make you smooth, like a beach stone) and finally, after the birth of edith rose i have felt such a joy that i have never known. i am realizing it's the "letting go" that has happened. i think people like me SHOULD have more kids, because it causes a surrender, a letting go, and trusting. i thank God for that. maybe it's also that i'm older and wiser and have also let go of some of the "crud" of the 20's and 30's, like caring what other people think and trying to please them.
anyway, i digress, but i so enjoy your blog, your thoughts on family, and your photos.

Like you, I had wished for all of my kids to be born one after the other so they'd be close. I'm one of 4 and we are all no more than 2 years apart so that's what I thought I'd have! Like you, that didn't happen...my oldest is 14, youngest is 3 months, with an 11 and a 7 year old in between. Last night my husband and I attended my oldests high school open house. I had the baby in the sling and I was the ONLY woman there carting a baby! At first I was a bit uncomfortable with it, but after the response I recieved from all the parents I was so glad I brought him! I think the positive side of spreading our children out is that we realize how quickly time flies. These children of ours are only ours for a short time and then they're off living their own lives. At 41 I'm so blessed to have another baby to raise for 18 more years!! I'm loving every minute of it and would LOVE to try and squeeze one more out! Is it too late??? :) Pam

Can't say it better than Mick Jagger.

So true! We are almost to the driving stage here too! My how time does fly!

Hope things are well with you all!

XOOX
Jen

I had to giggle at Andrew, colic and Mick Jagger. My Andrew (now 9) had horrible colic, and for me it was David Bowie's "China Girl".

I too would love to see a post on potty training. Please, please, please share. Your fabulous!!! Love your blog!

I needed this post today. :) Thank you.