Instead of a normal blog update, I thought I’d make a list
of some of the things I continue to be asked or hear as a pregnant mom with a 2
½ year old and expecting 4 more babies.
I’ll qualify each statement as to fit into one of the categories above:
a question, a comment, or something that really, really did that just come out
of your mouth?!? (Back to Mason's wonderfulness and pictures next post, promise!)
1. Are you not just freaking out?!? FAQ—Yes I freak out. Yes I have a moment each day when I
think about some new scenario for the quadruplets. Yes, I have moments when I ask God what exactly God’s
planning for me on this adventure.
But, throughout my life I’ve learned you can’t live there. What if I lived in freak out mode
24/7? What kind of person would I
be? Certainly not a faithful
Christian, loving wife or caring mother.
What kind of energy would I be sending to my four little ones who just
keep growing like their lives depend on it—and it does depend on it. My job is to grow these babies and send
them as much positive energy as I can.
So, yes I freak out and that’s to be expected. But living there—that’s not who I am!
2. Oh, Mason’s world is going to be rocked for
sure! Comment that borders on
REALLY?!? Yes, I’m fully aware
that Mason’s life has changed completely in a direction Shawn Thomas and I had
no idea it would turn. I’m already
feeling repercussions of that when I can’t move quick enough for him to play or
to try and use the potty! But, I
hope that we’ve raised Mason in such a way that his empathy won’t go flying out
the window as this journey progresses.
We saw a glimpse of that this weekend when my best friend came to visit
along with her ten week old. To
say that Mason was obsessed with the baby would be an understatement. It was exhausting! Five minutes after the baby’s
arrival, she was crying. He
immediately went and got his prize possession, his two lovies and offered them
to her. I teared up. We’ve done something right with
him…lots of things and I’ll need to remember that when he’s having a ‘world
rocked’ day…Also, though, you have to remember that our journey to get the
fabulous four home won’t be like the typical singleton birth story: grow in Mommy’s belly, Mommy goes to
the hospital and three days later brings home a sibling for you to love forever
and then want to send back at some point.
We can’t actually predict what this part of the journey will be like but
it could include: Mommy being on
bed rest at home, Mommy being on bed rest in the hospital for an extended
amount of time, an early delivery (that much we do know), weeks to months in
the NICU, and not all babies coming home at one time. So, Mason sort of gets to gradually fall into his place as
best big brother. So, yes, his
world will be rocked and will continue to be rocked for years to come.
3. When are you due? FAQ and a good one at
that. It’s what most people ask
when they get over the shock of hearing that I’m pregnant with
quadruplets. So here’s the
simplest answer I know: If it were
a singleton pregnancy: June 14th. My goal is to get to May. This would be 34 weeks and those babies
(and my body) will be as ready as they can be to enter this world as preemies! See #2 for more of what our timeline
could be like!
4. Who’s
going to help you? FAQ—Thank
GOD we have a wonderful church and friend support system here in Richmond. Our families are a little farther away
than we would like, but they are all in as well. So, we will have plenty of help. One thing that I remind others and myself is that not all of
the help is going to be needed for the babies. Mason will need some extra TLC as well. Quick side note though: If you aren’t 110% sure that you are
feeling your absolute best—please don’t even think about coming around preemie
immune systems. J
5. Are you going to keep them all? Seriously, REALLY? Someone actually asked Shawn Thomas
this right after he announced from the pulpit that we were expecting
quads. Okay, first of all, you
don’t joke about quads. Secondly,
ST is a pastor, A PASTOR. Would
your pastor seriously get up in front of God and everybody and tell a bold face
lie?!? I would hope not! Shawn Thomas did have some creative
answers: No, we’re just keeping
the cutest one and No, we’ll just keep the quietest one…So, yes we’re keeping
all of them. That is of course
unless one comes out as a pig (Yes Nicole that was for you!).
6. Oh, you won’t be able to carry Mason much
longer…REALLY? Okay, I am well
aware that there are an increasing amount of things I can’t do for my first
born. I feel it every day and it
hurts my heart AND it takes everything I have for him not to feel it with
me. Positive attitudes and energy
are key and even I forget that!
However, it would be really nice for you as someone not in my situation
to not mention what I can’t do for my child. Believe me, I’m well aware and you just made me a cranky
mommy. How about keeping it
positive with me and sending me your thoughts and prayers?!? I’d certainly appreciate that.
7. Are you going back to work next year? FAQ answer: Not in the conventional way! No, I won’t be going back to the
regular classroom. How could
I? That’s usually my answer. Then I remind people that 5 in
childcare is not really feasible in our current situation. My babysitter would not be able take
them all! So, next year will be a
year of growth and us learning how for me to be a stay at home mom and live on
a tight, tight budget. Let’s face
it, God will provide, but we have to do our part as well!
8. You don’t look like your carrying
quads! Comment—Thank you! Since I got over my first trimester and
being so nauseous I can’t think straight, I’ve been doing much better. I did stop working early in order to
continue the positive growth we’ve experienced so far. That has been so helpful and I’m so blessed
that my babysitter will allow Mason to come and keep his normal life as long as
possible. But, let me remind you
that I’m only 19 weeks pregnant and that my uterus is at about 30 weeks. That’s huge and I will be too! J But,
thank you I’ll take the compliment because before we all know it, I’ll be
hugging you with my belly and won’t be able to get my arms around you!
9. You are as tall as you are around! REALLY…Just kidding, this wasn’t said
to me. But, it was nice comic
relief from some of my youth at church dinner tonight. Who knows what they’ll say to me when
the time is right…maybe they’ll read this first!
10. We pray for you every day! Comment and THANK YOU! I firmly believe that I can feel every
single one! Whether you pray
because you think better April than me or because you see that this is a God
given gift of a journey…thoughts and prayers are thoughts and prayers! I’d just say please pray for Mason and
Shawn Thomas, too. It’s not their
bodies, but it’s their lives and journey as well!
So, these are my quadruplets musings. My goal is to keep growing the Fabulous
Four and molding Mason into the best toddler he can be. Like I said earlier, we appreciate your
thoughts and prayers. What an
amazing journey God has us on!
