Merry Go Round Of My Life

When we were thinking about adding a third baby to our brood, I spent a great deal of time figuring out what the perfect age difference would be. I weighed the benefits and struggles of having two kids really close together, and pondered how much of an age difference was too much. There's thirteen years between my first and second, and I knew I didn't want to wait that long again. Ahem. But I wasn't sure when we should seriously try for number three.

But then Miss Savannah came along anyway and blew my attempts at perfect planning all to hell.

Now I'm the frazzled mom to three of the toughest age ranges, and I have to tell you.....it's not for the weak and timid. I have a teenager and all the teen issues that come along with that. I have a precocious preschooler who never gives me a moment's rest when he's awake. And I have a baby-who-will-be-a-toddler-in-a-matter-of-days who is trying to walk and cut molars at the same time.

I am tired.

I have days that are so surreal. Days where they each struggle with the challenges of their respective ages. Days where they need me; my attention, my guidance, my patience. And then sometimes, when the moon is sitting just right in the sky and Venus is aligned in just the perfect manner.....they have those days on the same day. I vacillate between guiding my oldest through gnarly almost-grown-up decisions, helping my middlest sound out a word and write his letters, and helping my baby walk across the living room.

When those days come to a close and everyone is serenely tucked in their beds, I put my feet up and have a drink. Or some chocolate. Or a drink with some chocolate. Or a chocolate drink. You know, whatever works.

Last night, after a lengthy, heart wrenching talk with my teen she said, "Aren't you glad your other two are still babies?" I told her, "Sometimes. Until I realize I get to go through this stuff you're putting me through two more times".

And then I realize.....by the time my babies are my teen's age......I'll probably have grandbabies. Grandbabies and teens. At the same time.

Welcome to my Merry Go Round. The fun never stops!