Wednesday, January 9, 2008

I'm not old enough to......

have a 15 year old daughter. That's one year away from driving....and dating. Other people are that old, but not me. Sophia celebrated her birthday yesterday with her last orthodontist appointment (for 4 months anyway). And dinner at Chili's with me and screaming Sammie. The last few months have been an exercise in keeping my head above water. At any given moment that I think I may be getting on top of things, they change and I am adjusting all over again. This postpartum depression is a real kick in the head. I must admit, it is nice to have something to blame. Instead of "just" thinking I'm going crazy, now I know I'm going crazy because of the PPD. Thank goodness for the princesses. They are my world. Sophia had a big research project due this morning that she left just a little too much for the last minute undone. We were scrambling last night and this morning to finish things up so she could turn it in. She's such a pretty kid. I keep meaning to take some pictures of her, but if you've got teenagers, you know the cruise commercial that talks about the teenage girl's illusive smile nails it on the head. One of these days.......
Alanna is a kick in the pants. She absorbs way more than she's meant to, because alot of times we forget how smart she is and treat her like she's the same as any other 7 year old. She asked me what a "ho" was yesterday. I think she must have overheard a conversation Sophia was telling me about that occurred between some of her friends. Trying to come up with a satisfactory explanation was......difficult at best. She seemed satisfied with what I offered, but I'm always waiting for the next one. She slipped on the ice at school a couple of days ago and came home with a tennis ball sized bump on her head that has remained (although dimished slightly each day). Fortunately, it hasn't slowed her down much. Just when it's time to do her hair.
Isa...having been out of the "routine" (such as it was) during the holidays has been hardest on her. She's had a few shining moments though. Before Christmas, we went to Thanksgiving Point to take a wagon ride through the light display with the Harding family. I stayed in the car with Sammie, because she and I were sick. After the ride, Mario took them inside farm land, where they got to "milk a cow." In the car on the way home, Isa was talking about the cow's "milker things" and Alanna was quick to tell her that she wasn't calling them by the right name. Then there insued some argument as to what they were actually called. So, of course, I stepped in to put the argument to rest. I told them, " Just like mommy has a breast, and the baby sucks on the nipple, cows have udders, and their babies suck on the teats." Isa grinned, sticking her pointer finger up in a moment of enlightenment, and said, "Bon appetit!!!!" She's rather clever and has a great sense of humor.
Ellie. What can I say about Ellie. I worry about Ellie. Not only is she a middle child which comes with it's own set of problems, but she has a very, hmmmm, developed sense of self. Absolutely no self esteem problems whatsoever. Now, don't get me wrong. I realize that this can be a good thing, but I hope to have some balance with compassion for others in there sometime soon. Ellie and Alanna were moved into a downstairs bedroom last weekend, and fortunately she seems to have recovered from her nearly fatal fear of the game "Operation" which gave her 10 days worth of sleepless nights recently. She's sleeping pretty well in her new digs now.
Let's see, that brings me to....Gabby. This child is sunshine personified. I enjoy her so much, although mischief is her middle name. Let me tell you, she would not starve, if for some reason we all disappeared. She is quite an accomplished scavenger, and I can't count how many times I've found her in the pantry with the door shut and a box of cereal in her grubby little hands, munching by the handful. She an awesome helper too. If I ask one of the other kids to "gopher" something, a good part of the time, she is standing there with it before they've even registered that they were asked to get it. When someone asks for something to be passed at the dinner table, you better get out of the way, because Gabby will move heaven, earth, and nearly everything in her way, to make sure it get's where it's wanted. She loves to go to "Damma's hou" (grandma's house) and I really enjoy seeing her love grandma and grandpa.
And the sixth little princess, Sammie. This child is growing. I don't know if she's just a late bloomer or what, but she's got chin rolls that put mine to shame. She decided that she didn't like binkies and bottles about a week before Christmas, so I took the leap of faith and returned the pump. So far so good. She smiles and giggles and squeals and has the entire house hold wrapped around her chubby little fingers. Although I never imagined how much work six kids could be, I can't imagine life without her. She is a social little bug and loves to be talked to, by nearly anyone. She hasn't discovered a person she doesn't like yet and gives smiles liberally to all who will give her a little attention. She is my joy.
Truly I am blessed. Every day I have six little reminders of what I've been given. And so, I keep going. That's the best thing I can do, I think.
Coming up: Family Pictures in February.....now that should be a riot.