Mr O and I have been blessed with our two, Littlered (8 yrs) and Aoibhie (4 yrs). Bias I’m sure but they both have gorgeous personalities and keep us entertained for the most part. As cringey and cliche that it is to say they really are our world. There are obviously days were they test our patience and for me today, was one of those days. Let’s just say pulling two drunks off each other in a pub brawl may have been easier at 8am this morning. Oh and of course it’s summer time. The time my Neighbours find out how psycho I am as they hear me killing my kids through the open windows.
As of September Aoibhie will be about to start FS2 (Junior Infants for the Irish readers) and Littlered Year 4 (3rd class in Ireland). Life is just starting to get a little bit easier for myself and Mr O. All baby items were given away (to anyone that would take them), no one is on boobs or bottles, everyone is potty trained (bar the dog on occasion), for the most part the Little’s sleep 7pm-7am (with an exception of a bad dream), the bugaboo (or 2 of them) my most loved positions (not even kidding) were also given to charity and the Little’s can talk to us and let us know when they need something. Would we be mad to have another, start all over again?
We never really put a time limit on when we would stop trying for a baby and we never put a number on the amount of Little’s we would like. Truth be told, growing up I would have said 2 was my magic number but in the last few years that broodyness and that urge to have more to love became stronger. I also think it could have something to do with starting a family so young. Maybe I am wrong but having had our first Little at 23 followed by the next at 27. Was that it? By 27 was I never going to feel a baby grow or experience all those little firsts?
I guess you naturally start thinking financially then. If we stopped at 2 Little’s we wouldn’t need to upgrade our car. Going on holidays or trips to see our families in Australia and Ireland would mean only 4 plane tickets and 1 hotel room, School fee’s for 3 in Dubai (we must be insane) and what if all 3 decide college is a great idea? When they fall in love (many-many-many years from now) One to think about all the same, perhaps sit down before you read Mr O. We have 2 girl’s already (the wedding bill’s alone) Although I think we are safe here as my own Dad single handedly put a stop to that tradition quick smart! But what if we had 3 girls?
I suppose as much as our home is full of love and madness at the best of times, we just felt there was something or someone missing. As I said before, my immediate family was quite small. On visits home to Ireland we felt a million times bigger (my own Mammy being 1 of 12) that provided us with so many cousins who felt more like brothers and sisters to love and it really was the best to be with them all. Mr O is also from a big family (1 of 7) and now adding in partners and all the Little’s the chaos at family gatherings (and it is utter chaos) just makes my heart burst. Imagine in years to come having that many come “home” to be with you. Having more Little’s? Good odds really!?
Considering the amount of love we have for our Little’s, We knew our hearts would grow bigger and the love in our family would just multiply with another child. Those feelings are already there.
Littlered is already convinced this baby is a girl and Aoibhie is wishing for a boy. It is 100% the first thing people say to me in Dubai. They see us with two girls and after spotting the bump (easier to spot these days) – “Inshallah you will get a boy soon!” There is that feeling at the back of our mind’s – what if it is a boy? In all honesty though, I find that one hard to believe. We are just so thankful at the hope for a healthy baby it really doesn’t matter what the sex is.
Speaking to Mammy’s in Dubai and some saying – “I wish I had more” that really does get me. On the other hand, I have had a few Mammy’s who already have 3 Little’s saying “Don’t do it! You will outnumbered!”
Outnumbered we will be but complete!
Hoping that 3 is the magic number – As there is no going back now!
Love, Helly xx