Friday, February 20, 2009

Intro

My name is Tatiana and I am a MaMa to close-aged children. My kids are "WayWay - 3.5yrs, "Tizzy" 2yrs(in one week), and JoJo my 8.5 week old. And YES, they were all planned, very much so!

My close parenting journey began after I had fought the erge for several months that it was time for our second. A million and one thoughts went through my head during that time. I thought I must have been crazy! That we wanted to have our kids be 2-2.5 years apart. That I wouldn't be able to handle it. That my son wouldn't have me to himself. All these thoughts were laid to rest after I broke down crying to my husband, and the wonderful discussions that followed. We had made our decision, but I still needed a little reassurance.

So I did what anyone in this day-and-age would do...I google it! The search "Close pregnancies" brought up a site forum that truely helped me. I knew if these women could do it, planned or unplanned, that I could too! The forum was the Close Pregnancies discussion board on JustMommies.com. I believe they have now changed it, something to the affect of "Close-aged children", I think? Though I'm no longer a regular on the site, it helped me so much to get advice from those been-there-done-that mothers. And to not feel so crazy thinking it was time to have another. I hope that I can pass forward some of the knowledge I have recieved from not only those mommies, but all the close-aged parents I've come in contact with.

*To those who know me personally, please use my children's nicknames(at the top) when commenting. Message me about our family blog. This is an open blog*

Sunday, February 1, 2009

"You've got your hands full!"

As a mother of close-aged children, I've probably heard this phrase almost as many times as I've changed poopy diapers. Well, that may be an exaggeration but it sure feels like it. Sometimes I wish I would hear things like "wow, you must be super mom", or " you're one tough cookie". But alas, I get the generic "you've got your hands full". Thank you, thank you for noticing.

But while one ponders the phrase, you must admit it sounds rather silly. Why of course my hands are full, wouldn't anyone with more than 2 children have their hands full? Or sillier yet is hearing it while you have one in the world and one in the womb. As was a constant in stores from the sweet old grandma types. All the while trying to holding your 16 month old and trying to maneuver his body around the orb that was soon to be his little sister. But with each and every encounter with the silly remark I became more accustom to just throwing out a quick "yes" in response. As time has gone on, and one more child has entered my arms, I feel inclined to now smile with my biggest cheesy(slightly sarcastic) grin I say "YES they are!" .

I'm no longer aggravated when I hear the repetitive verbiage. In fact, I'm proud to hear it! Yes, my hands may be full, but my children clothes are all matching(minus the sock that occasionally ditches their mate), and they aren't running around the store screaming " I want those mocho-cocoa -gummy-yummy-tutu-swirls". Though an occasional "I want to hold what ever ___(insert opposing sibling's name here) is holding" is a common store occurrence. So with my "full hands" comes my oh so Full, and sometimes overflowing, heart.

In writing this blog I wish to enlighten those who don't understand, put a smile on the face of those who do, and give hope to and encourage those who feel like they may not survive it!