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 Oh
my, where to begin. Well, once upon a time, in a city
about 250 miles away, where once lived a couple...
My motherhood experience probably begins with me and my
boyfriend. Yes, we are not married. We chose not to
get married. But we have been together for 8 years now.
That is longer than the marriages of most of my friends.
When it came to having children, we were careful. We used
protection. But, of course, it didn't work. We had
our first bundle of joy almost one year after 9-11.
He was my first and I was totally unprepared for him. The
nighttime feedings were overwhelming for me. There was an
amazing amount of dirty diapers. The first time he got
sick was with the Roto Virus. If any parent's baby has
gotten that, they know it is a week of non-stop poop and puke.
The first time he puked from that, all I could do was block it
with my hands. And it sprayed all over...yeah...yuck.
We were also financially strapped first time parents. My
boyfriend worked full-time and I stayed home. Eventually,
I did have to go back to work part-time at nights. I was
hard with just one of us working but the stress of no money, two
of us working and a new baby was great. But we got past
it. We became stronger parents and a stronger couple.
Our second we actually planned. She was born in January of
2006. And she was the cutest baby. But she was also
a handful. She liked it her way or the highway, even when
she was just a wee little thing. And if she changed her
mind in mid-thought, you just had to keep up or suffer the
temper tantrum wrath of our little princess.
Her temper tantrums became less and less. She started to
understand why she was getting sent to her room so much.
So we got past that and moved forward. We were done and
had our two kids...or so we thought.
Then I missed my "Aunt Flo." But we used protection.
We thought we were safe. Life is funny like that.
Just when you have it all planned out, it throws you a curve
ball. Yep, we were pregnant again.
But not just a little pregnant. We were pregnant with
twins. Yea, I know. Can you believe it?! That
just threw me for such a loop. But luckily, my boyfriend
and I were there for each other. And we saved all our baby
clothes from the other two. I don't know why. I just
can't throw anything away. Thank God I can't.
Let me tell you, two babies are not twice the work. They
are 4-5 times the work. And if I thought I was tired with
just one baby, I was wrong. I was so tired I really did
pour coffee into bottles and mix formula into my cereal.
But I caught it. So now, once again, I was at home with a
total of 4 kids and my boyfriend was the only one working.
We started our family in the Twin Cities. Once the twins
came along, we decided to move to a more affordable and family
friendly place. So we moved to Iowa. Not our dream
state. It is cheap, family friendly, and there are a lot
of jobs - did I mention affordable living?
So here we are. Two parents who love each other.
Four kids we wouldn't trade for the world - but would think
about it for a nap. And one happy family. I think
the main thing I have learned from my motherhood experiences is
that it takes all kinds for a happy family and a happy
childhood.
From the author, Kerith Collins: I am a mother
of four with a hubby (well...kind of a hubby...we have been
together for 8 years). I am a stay at home mom who is
slowly building a problogger business. My main freelancing
blog is
Freelancing, My Road Less Traveled. From there, you
can find my portfolio of blogs, online stores, contests, and any
other idea I get into my head. I love to meet (blog with)
new people. So I hope to see you in my blogosphere!
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