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When my husband and I found out we were having our first baby – we were overjoyed! We had been trying for about a year when we finally gave up. I guess it took letting go to let her in!
We are “late” parents – I’m now 37 (my daughter is three) and my husband, Gordie, is 43. We never really thought past having one child – although I guess we both assumed we would have at least two. And then when Elorathea came along – a ball of fire and then some – we had even less time to think about it! I didn’t sleep for almost two years. She was a joy, but quite a powerhouse – still is. Passionate, emotional, strong-willed and knows what she wants. Now I believe these are all great qualities – except sometimes when you’re three and you’re learning how to wield these powers. So Gordie and I kept putting off the idea of Number Two until we could get a handle on Number One!
About a year ago Ella (Elorathea, AKA “strong-willed and knows what she wants”) started asking for a ‘wiggly baby’. So at Christmas I bought her one of those babies that wiggles and makes noises. When she opened it she looked at me and said, “I want a real wiggly baby.” My husband and I just laughed and said maybe someday, but not now! And when we told our friends the story at Christmas parties, they laughed too. This was about a week before we conceived our second child.
Kids just know! I remember Gordie and I sitting on our porch late one night right after the New Year thinking about the year to come and starting to make plans. Our daughter was gaining her independence and she would be off to pre-school this year. We could start doing more things together as a family, take different types of vacations. Get off for a few weekends on our own as a couple! Little did I know at that very moment baby Number Two was already planted and growing inside me.
We found out about a week later we were pregnant, had a good laugh and a bit of a cry and realized our children have agendas of their own. I marvel everyday at the wisdom of my daughter – she was ready for a sibling and her sibling was ready for her. Never mind grown-up agendas. We adults just need to get out of the way and let things happen! When we told Ella we’re having a boy she wasn’t too happy about it because she was really looking forward to having a sister. But so far she’s excited and making plans of her own about life with a sibling. Just wait until she meets her new brother and realizes he, too, “has plans!”
I guess the four of us will all find ourselves outside on the porch someday, working them all out together.
Posted in September, 2007
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