Time Changes Things

So we started the parenting thing at the ripe old age of 23! 23 used to sound so old to us! 9 years ago we started a journey that has impacted each and every part of our lives in the most amazing and yet challenging ways! And after having 3 little ones between the age of 23 and 27, we now welcomed our last at 32, it's a little different than I remember. You may not think those few years change things much but boy do they! We have learned that for sure! It all felt new all over again! And all that I thought I had figured out, my baby girl did the opposite! And she's still doing that! Physically we are older and have generally more responsibility so naturally a bit more exhausted! Our family has moved away since our third baby was born so that's definitely different this go round! No one to call in for emergency relief or quick date night. Haha! All of our friends are older now too and have older children now so they stay busy! Not quite like when you all were having babies together! Most of my friends are done with that part of their life now (as are we! Ha) and have such busy lives so that's definitely been different this time around. The recovery in your 30s with 4 kids is a bit slower than I remember. But there's also some good in that. It's allowed me to just soak her up! Every detail! And it's allowed the big kids to really enjoy this new experience and grow from it! We have yet to tackle too much outside of the daily grind..just started attending church and going out in public with all the children. And being the old lady I am (wink!), I know there's plenty of time for that later, so I'm just not rushing into it! And I  just haven't been ready to share her too much yet! 

We are 9 weeks out now, so stamina is returning and I'm able to get back to exercise and running, which is awesome! Our family loves to spend time doing these things together. We are slowly (sort of!) finding a routine...however, not quite there yet! I feel like though, we are finally taking that deep cleansing breath and smiling, realizing we made it! We made it through another pregnancy, birth, and brand new little one and we are beginning to get used to our new little family dynamics! We made it! Even being 9 years older than the first time and 4.5 years older than the last! Different now, yes! But we made it. ;) It's a good feeling and now we can begin to explore and grow and learn together and find our new normal! Everyone is getting used to her and she is getting used to us! I'm getting better at telling people I have four children and not looking as surprised/overwhelmed about that as they do. Ha! I'm really loving this momming with my big helpers! It's a pleasure and so fun to teach them about caring for her and letting them participate. So let the fun begin! Happy, fun, exciting times lie ahead! 30's are good! ;) 

So here they are! 9 years of hard work here!