Speaking of babies...

PJ and I didn't go into our marriage with a fixed number of kids we wanted to have already in our minds. We knew we'd need to take things in stride and see where life took our family. After the arrival of Brynn we both thought we were done - it was harder than we could have prepared for and neither of us do well with little sleep (we haven't slept in 7 1/2 years due to this little girl of ours). But we knew we needed to have Tyler - after which we both thought we could be good with two kids. Eventually we realized that Dylan was a must. And while PJ was almost positive we were done after Dylan I actually knew there would be one more. And Kate's been a blessing to our family. Either way, PJ was really done at four and I struggled with the decision but knew it would be the right thing. (Although when we said we were not having any more kids after Kate I don't think any of our family believed us since we may have said we were done before). Anyway... over the holidays I mentioned to PJ that if we were keeping to our schedule I should be getting pregnant. But its interesting, being done with that phase in our lives, and moving on. I thought I could do five. And maybe I could have. But our family is complete at four. I know that.

I also said I could never do daycare. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem watching my friends children when they need help or when a play date is in order. I actually do it all the time. But that's different. Over the years it seemed like, as a stay at home mom, wondering how to help with my families income, the only reasonable and logical option was to do daycare. But I could never bring myself to do it - I'm not one to be tied down to the house. Recently we had some friends (co-workers of PJ) who approached me about watching their baby for them. I realized that they needed my help, and they were willing to let me take him wherever I needed, and so I agreed. I had watched him a few other random times but Monday started our regular schedule. And so I now have 5 kids.

Monday was a rough day for Kate...

This could have been for several reasons... She could have been teaching me a lesson for taking the weekend off, she could have been mad at Gramma and Grampa for leaving her that morning, she may not have been feeling well, or she could have been adjusting to a new baby in her space (and taking my time) - or much more likely a combination of the above. But the rest of the week went better.

Brennen is a good baby. The harder part is taking care of Kate and protecting him from her and always being on the look out ;) But we are adjusting and the kids love having him around...

The funny thing... when I'm out in public with my 4 kids I almost never get the looks or the comments. But everyday this week I couldn't go any where, not Walmart or the Y or the school, with just the three youngest without someone needing to exclaim "wow you have your hands full!" Really people, do you have to say it?! And honestly, no I don't. I've done just fine!