I have had a lot of time for contemplation lately. One thing that I have noticed is just how well the children play together. Of course they have their arguments including foot stomping, yelling, screaming and occasionally hitting. But for the most part it seems like there is a sense of mutual respect and dare I say it love between all of them.

Avril and Mavis especially love to be together and are playing together more often then not. But lately Two has been joining it. I was actually able to sneak up on them and snap a picture of them before they noticed and began posing.

I grew up planning to “plan” my children. I would have 2 and I would space them perfectly and then I would be done. This just seemed the norm. I conveniently forgot how I begged my parents for another sibling and how much I loved babies. There were several women in our church who had 3 children but they either admitted the 3rd was an “accident” or everyone thought they were crazy to want 3.

Now I am expecting my 4th with no plans to take up “planning” or stopping. Sometimes I feel a little crazy. But when I see the joy they have playing together and I imagine them continuing this close relationship into adulthood I feel very happy for the decisions we made.

My most special memories are catching them giving each other a spontaneous hug or a kiss on the cheek, just because at that moment they were overwhelmed with love for each other and had to show it physically.

I can’t wait to introduce them to their new little sister. Any day now hopefully I am approaching 39 weeks. After beginning bedrest nearly 6 weeks ago it seems like an eternity to still be pregnant.