No matter how many times I refer to Maria as 'the baby' she really isn't one. She is a full blown toddler, with impressive fits, climbing skills and plans of her own. There will be no more cuddling in the rocking chair as that interferes with being a toddler. (Well, in the middle of the night she will make an exception.) She is starting to talk and understands way more.
A lady at the store told me, "I bet you can't wait for her to potty train and be done with all that." She meant to be friendly but I nearly burst into tears. Be done with the baby years? I knew that time would come eventually, but I am hoping it's not here yet. I'm just getting the hang of it. If I could, I would go back and re-live the older children's baby years. I didn't appreciate them enough. When I say stuff like that to the kids, they just pat me on the head patronizingly and go back to their poker and cigars. (I'm kidding of course, but Dominic does walk around with a play dough rolling pin in his mouth telling me he is 'mokin' a 'gar.)
I am greedy, I admit it. After each baby I go to God begging for 'just one more'. I always imagine Him smiling indulgently. "There she is again. Peter, what do we have to send her?"
And it's amazing how many other greedy moms I know. My prayer list for 'just one more' is quite long. Please let me know if you would like me to add you to it. I intend to keep hoping and begging till there is no hope anymore. Then I'll start begging for grandchildren! God is so good, always.
Oh Bridget this gave me goosebumps!! I will have to revisit this on those days when I feel there is no end in sight!!
Posted by: Lisbet | January 24, 2007 at 07:56 AM
Oh, Bridget, you took the words straight out of my heart! I'm one of the greedy beggars too, so please add me to your prayer list. I am praying for you as well, ever since you posted the request at 4Real. I've got a blog post brewing on this very topic...
Posted by: Diane | January 24, 2007 at 02:40 PM
Oh, Bridget, what a wonderful post.
And you aren't greedy at all. You're one of the most life-giving, life-affirming, selfless mothers I am privileged to know.
Posted by: Cay in La. | January 24, 2007 at 06:47 PM
Bridget, if you would add me to your prayer list I would be eternally grateful. We really want another baby - we have two wonderful boys (9 and 5), but have been unable to have another baby. We even tried fostering to adopt! We had two little ones in our home for a year, and recently had them removed and returned to their birthmom, despite the fact that we thought we would be their forever family. It's been so heartbreaking - I find myself burying my head in their pillows just to remember their baby smell - I miss them so. I just want to have another baby - even if it's only one more - I always dreamed of having a large family... We could really use your prayers.
Posted by: Jenny Buckley | January 25, 2007 at 02:27 AM
Please add my friend Liz to your prayer list. She is pregnant now with her 15th, but she has miscarried all but two of them. She almost always miscarries in her fourth or fifth month. They have been to all the specialist, but no one has been able to help.
Thank you all for your prayers.
Posted by: therese | January 28, 2007 at 10:43 PM
I would love to be added. The twins are six months old and I am already missing that sweet newborn stage. We are unsure what God wants from us now and the cardiologist is so sure he is right. Prayers would help.
Posted by: Mary Ellen Barrett | January 29, 2007 at 07:20 PM
If you would be so kind as to add my name. Many thanks - Sue
Posted by: friend of wife of dadwithnoisykids | February 21, 2007 at 02:12 PM