Tuesday 20 May 2008

Evans Family 2.0


I used to think it was a pretty odd decision, on my parents' part, to have five kids. Now that I have two of my own, I've changed my mind. They're officially insane.

I really have nothing to complain about; two kids makes an average family, and we're actually adjusting to this new life quite well. At home, Berry likes to kiss Kickbaby on the top of his head, stroke his arm, say "Are-you okaaaaay, little man?" and "Kickbaby hungry?" and generally mother-hen him in her own two-year-old way. She reads him books and draws lots of pictures of our new-improved family. At preschool she has photos of Kickbaby to show her teachers, and she likes to tell people about her little broy-er.

For his part, Kickbaby likes to sleep (it's still Week One, so I'm not assuming this will last) and eat and eat and eat and eat (this will last). He also likes to be carried around constantly and not be put down during his naps, thankyouverymuch.

Nathan and his dad have picked up the slack on paying attention to Berry while I'm pinned to the couch, and I've managed to persuade her that the reason I can't carry her around anymore is because I have a sore back – I showed her the band-aid left from my epidural as proof. That's one doctor's order that actually makes me a bit sad, despite all my complaints about how heavy Berry's getting. And despite the fact I have no free hands anyway.


I was lucky – so lucky – this time to have a perfectly smooth labor and delivery. As horrendously botched and traumatic as Berry's birth was, this was the other end of the spectrum. I love the Keesler Medical Center L&D department so much, I think someone should marry it.

I'm waking up with Kickbaby several times a night, as opposed to the hundreds (oh, I'm sure it was hundreds) of times I woke up each night with newborn Berry, and he's very easily settled. I'm not frightened of breaking the baby this time either (Berry was born five weeks too soon, weighed 4lbs 15oz, and had serious medical issues).

So all of this is making the transition to mother-of-two about as bump-free as it can be. I still have mind-wanderings in the middle of the night where I worry about how I'll share my attention between them, how I'll make them both feel loved enough and, to a lesser degree, how I'll handle working plus two kids. But since everyone else seems to have figured all this out, I'm pretty sure I'll get there too.

But when I extrapolate all this to five kids, I can't actually wrap my head around it. I'm deeply grateful for my brothers and sister, but my Mum and Dad were nuts.

So, note to all the grandparents: we're done. This is it. Enjoy.

25 comments:

  1. If you'd like five... I can give you my three!!!

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  2. How sweet! Aw, what a great big sister. Good for you that Kickbaby is content. Keep the pictures coming!

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  3. that last photo is just gorgeous. congratulations again. and being done sounds pretty darn reasonable!

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  4. You certainly have a way with words. I love reading every entry you post. And I'm about 10 steps behind you in the "growing family" department and am taking mental notes! :)

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  5. Yes - more baby and Berry pictures! It all sounds so wonderful at your house. Babies are work and crying and changing and feeding but oh - babies are bliss. :)

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  6. Berry is really taking the big sister role seriously, isn't she?
    Great pics! And the family she drew? Very detailed!

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  7. I had five girls..It is hard at first, but you love them so much you can't picture life without them..
    The children are beautiful and so happy all went well..

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  8. Well mine are all grown up...and I have a beautiful little granddaughter...
    Your pics brought back a flood of memories when my daughter use to read to her brothers...awe..

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  9. Beautiful story! So glad I came across it this morning :-)

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  10. How sweet, I'm just in love :)
    Big sister Berry looks like she's doing a good job. Make sure to take good care of you too Mama!

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  11. Aww I love the last picture....so beautiful! Congrats!

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  12. Congrats on the newest addition to your family! Berry sounds like the ideal big-sis, I love the first shot of the forehead kiss - I have many like that of my little cousins. So cute!

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  13. Congrats!!!! A Beautiful family!!!

    also I love the blog name of KickBaby...though beware, I got lots of hate mail for having the blog name "mean cheese" for my step daughter.

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  14. congrats on your sweet little one! :)

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  15. I'm sooo behind I am so sorry sweetie. He's just gorgeous. Your family is gorgeous. Congratulations. I remember when you told me you were pregnant! Wow was it really that long ago! Guess so as I sit here with an almost 9m old on my lap!

    "I was lucky – so lucky – this time to have a perfectly smooth labor and delivery. As horrendously botched and traumatic as Berry's birth was, this was the other end of the spectrum."

    Does this mean that when/ if we have a second I will have an easy pregnancy and a horrible delivery? As long as future baby doesn't come early like Berry!

    blessings to you!

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  16. Congratulations! I stopped after one ;)

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  17. Awwww Congrats on a beautiful healhty baby!!!!

    The second one is easier! I have two, and so GLAD I had two because they adore eachother and play all the time. They also tick each other off but that's normal. Mine are 5 and 7 now and it ROCKS!!!!

    I too worried about how to love the second one "as much" as the first. The cool thing is that there isn't a limit to love, and now you have more people to give and share the love around. (but my advice stops at two. being an artist, I don't think I could have more than two and still be sane, but....)

    Happy everything!

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  18. You have two beautiful babies! I'm glad you're having an easy time (as easy as it can be having two little ones, that is) of your new addition.

    Congrats!

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  19. You know what? I used to agree with you, now i have 4 kids (they were all under 3 1/2) and i have to say it has been getting easier! Going from 1 to 2 kids takes ALOT of getting used to. Add in another couple, and you know, you were doing it all with two anyway... So whats another 1 (or 2 or 3!)

    Your kids are Lovely! Love those brother/sister pics!!

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  20. congratulations! what a beautiful family!

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  21. So sweet! Congratulations!
    I think two is the perfect number of kids, and I agree five is insane! The worry alone would kill me!

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  22. ...and life goes on. Helen, I'm so glad everything is going so well.

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  23. Lovely photos of your beautiful little family Helen! Enjoy your baby time xx

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  24. Congratulations to you and your perfectly numbered family! :)
    Julie

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