What I have learned from my children

Each of my boys came in different times of my life and with each pregnancy, birth and joy in watching them grow I learned something new.

Andrew taught me that with patience comes great joy, be open to the journey even though the path may not take you where you thought you would go, plan and think you know it all but it usually gets shot to hell in the end, the nurses and the anesthisiologist are your best friends and deserve your utmost respect, never eat banana popsicles during labour, dignity be damned, baby's are very bendy, slippery and very resilient, not drinking or smoking for all that time not so bad, baby's hear daddy's voice in the womb, babies don't hold it against you if you tell them to F off because they have been up three nights in a row, your baby is the most brilliant, strongest, handsomest child you have ever seen, the day will come when they tell you what you are doing wrong and they are right, Rescue Heroes rock, the motto Grandma's house Grandmas' rules stops alot of fights and hurt feelings, let your husband do stuff...does it really matter if the baby's ears aren't washed every time he has a bath, a baby has never died from crying, don't jump everytime he falls because you will never sit again, breastfeeding is a choice...your choice, formula can be helpful and thank god for it, you know your baby's best, when you get advice nod your head and smile take what you want ignore the rest, never wake a sleeping baby inless you really really have to, let them be a kid, manners never hurt, their heads are very hard....did I mention they are resilient, if he has survived me as a mother relatively unscathed anyone can do this.

David with his early arrival taught me even I am not invincible, he taught me the need to breathe, how amazing and deceiving running on adrenalin really is, being delusional can be a good thing while on the hunt for supplies, if water is "pouring" out of you you aren't just peeing, dark blue jersey outfits and long coats cover many evils, if you almost tell a resident to F off it is time to go on Maternity leave, it is amazing what strength and resilience mothers have, you are always your mothers daughter, Boys Rock, standing up to the doctor isn't bad especially when said doctor is an idiot, nurses and epidurals are the greatest, never say just push a little, it is amazing the people you meet and the connections you have make all the difference, while in labour your co workers voice is not one you want to hear on the phone especially if he is male, the NICU is humbling we are so blessed to have the amazing hospitals we have in such close proximity, the intense relationships you create in a crisis are so important in the moment admidst the chaos and then are gone as fast as they came, in the womb baby hears the voices of those residents you argue with the most, your body can only take so much, even if you have video copy of your mother saying "Oh No " when they announce its a boy she doesn't really mean it, there is better shopping in Newmarket than Peterborough if you have a choice in where they are sending your baby, pumping is good for the soul and oh so attractive as you are sitting on the couch watching the news, Power Rangers rule, if you fell you are dying and the pain is worse than childbirth especially when the pain of childbirth is very recent it is a gallbladder attack get it the hell out, learn to sit and laugh sometimes, never ever leave "Grubby" in Niagara falls, he may be small but he is mighty and quick.

Erik taught me about surprises, that serenity can be found amongst the chaos, baby's can bring joy and hope even in the midst of tragedy, how joyful being a mother is, that there are certain women who are put on this earth to raise amazing, respectful men, I can always borrow a girl and give her back, boys can love and show affection just as much as girls can, Playgroup saves lives and sanity, having boys in the house makes you immune to noise, mud, insects and man you can catch anything, Erik taught me that no matter what size I am... I am beautiful, a baby's laughter makes all the bad stuff go away, sleep is so over rated, sleep deprivation makes you extremely funny and creative, people who see you with your troop of boys give very sympathetic looks, Erik taught me about appreciating the small things, I am only one woman, what my house looks like does not reflect me as a mother, a little dirt and dust is good for the immune system, do not feed salmon or raw tomatoes to a 6 month old, even after the first two boys there are things you forget in regards to babies, each child is unique and amazing in their own way, you never run out of love, you always run out of food, the "magic bullet" can be your best friend when blending food for the baby, oh yes and soothers can also be your best friend, brothers are there for each other till the end there will come a time when each other is all you got.

As a mother I am so blessed with my boys.... a little crazy but blessed. I feel complete I do not feel I have missed out by not having a girl and I wish to hell people would stop thinking that it is somewhat negative that I don't have a girl. I have 2 amazing neices I look forward to sharing my wisdom with but I also have 5 nephews who I adore and respect. Raising your children is the most amazing journey anybody can partake in and boy am I ready for the ride.