Three

Three quick pieces of information worth sharing (so you can't say that I didn't tell you so!):

Number 1: Romey is a biter. Yes, when the golden-haired one is frustrated she bites. Romey bites people; she bites furniture; whatever or whomever is closest. I've heard stories of Dan biting kids when he was a wee lad, and he still admits that as an adult he grits his teeth when he's angry. I guess you could say that he's passed this lovely trait to Romey. Consider yourself warned.

Number 2: Traffic cameras are extremely accurate. Those traffic cameras near stoplights (know the ones?) are NOT FOR SHOW. THEY ARE FOR REAL. And, dammit, they busted me crawling through a right turn lane, red light scenario. Dammit!

Number 3: You'd be CRAZY to not take advantage of KMART double coupons week. It's seriously easy. Even if you don't need anything or have large amounts of discretionary income, maybe you could pick up some freebies and donate them? I know this is a little bit corny, but I'm very proud of my thriftiness, and so I took a picture of my loot (just like my favorite sites do!). Plus, I've marked the items that were either free or near free (and some rough estimates). Check out this site if you want to learn how to do this!

• 6-pack of Bounty paper towls ($1--Used KMART bucks to subsidize)
  
• 6-pack of Quilted Northern toilet paper ($1 --Used KMART bucks to subsidize)
  
• 3-pack of Sparkle paper towels (50 cents/piece)
  
• 4-pack of Angel Soft toilet paper (50 cents/piece)
  
• 1 package of Chinet paper plates ($1.50)
  
• 3 bottles of Listerine mouthwash (one free, two for $1/piece)
  
• 4 Right Guard Fast Break deodorants (50 cents/piece!)
• 2 trial size Skintimate shave gel (free!)
• 2 trial size Edge shave gel (free!)
• 2 AXE shower gels ($1/piece)
  
• 1 Suave bodywash ($1)
  
• 2 bottles of Vaseline lotion (free!)
• 1 10-pack of Bic razors (free!)
• 2 Sure deodorants (free!)
• 2 Dove deodorants (free!)
• 1 Tag deodorant (free!)
• 1 Tag deodorant spray (free!)
• 2 Pert Plus shampoos (50 cents/piece)
• 2 Clean & Clean moisturizers ($1.50/piece)
  
• 1 package of Pampers Easy-Ups ($7)
  
• 2 packages of Visine eyedrops (free!)
• 2 Dial pump soaps (50 cents/piece!)
• 1 Softsoap pump soap (free!)
• 1 Dove bodywash ($3/piece)
  
• 1 Reach dental floss (free!)
• 2 containers of Juicy Juice juice ($1/piece)
  
• 2 Lysol Neutra Air air fresheners (free!)
• 8 Nature Source spray cleaners (free!)
• 1 Arm & Hammer bathroom cleaner (50 cents/piece)
  
• 1 Arm & Hammer laundry detergent ($2)
  
• 1 bottle of Lime-Away ($1)
  
• 2 bottles of A-1 steak sauce (40 cents/piece)
• 2 packs of Trident gum (free!)
• 4 packs of Scotch tape (19 cents/piece)
• 1 jar of Welch's grape jelly ($1)
  
• 1 bottle of BBQ sauce ($1)
• 1 bottle of Dawn dish soap ($1)
• 1 bag of Dove chocolate ($2)
  
  

TOTAL: $42! ($7 of which is diapers!) Go! Go now!

Headcount

I recently saw an advertisement promoting having more kids. No, it wasn’t really, but it was a masterfully orchestrated picture montage of a family of five. Naturally, the track was a lovely song; not the real audio of what must have really been going on to elicit such beautiful facial expressions, and loving gestures from all parties involved. Dan and I watched it independently and came to the same conclusion: we want more kids.

Of course, if you ask me after a full night’s sleep if I want more kids, the answer would be yes. If you wait until the be-witching hour, then I’ll tell you I’m done. If you ask on a Monday, I’ll say no. If you ask on a Saturday, I’ll say yes. Dan is also non-committal. Sometimes he’s misty-eyed and sentimental about the whole idea. Other moments he’s racing out the door before his alarm sounds.

And yet, we’re very aware that we’re smack dab in the middle of this window of opportunity. The time is now. Make a decision. Don’t get ten years down the road and regret not gutting through the newborn/toddler stuff.

Something (aforementioned advertisement) or someone always manages to conjure up the feelings of “Are we sure? Really, really sure?” Are we meant to be a party of four or a party of five? Do we really understand what it would be like for the dynamic duo to gain strength (and numbers) to become the triple threat and possibly EAT US ALIVE?

Transitioning from one child to two nearly did is in, and I wonder if going from two to three would be the final ‘nail in the coffin.’ And, even if we did put our hat in the ring, it certainly doesn’t mean that we would get pregnant. But, if perhaps we tried, then maybe we’d feel like we had done our part, and God would orchestrate it as He saw fit.

I think that God wires some people to handle bigger families, and sometimes I feel like maybe I’m wired to handle two. I want to know my girls. I want to provide them with as many opportunities as possible. To me, more than two children often sounds incredibly overwhelming, and yet some people raise three (or more) children artfully and gracefully.

Some good friends recently announced that they were expecting their first child, and Dan and I were (are) over-the-moon excited for them. Later, our sinister side sort of laughed about it, “They don’t know what they’ve just signed on for! This baby is going to kick their butt!” Of course, we were blissfully ignorant once too, and, those that see us/know us can vouch that we’re still getting our butt kicked.

Something unexpected happened: when this parents-to-be couple made their announcement I didn’t feel, “Gosh, I wish it were us.” In fact, I said, “Gosh, I’m glad it’s not us.” I felt like, “Hey, we’re beyond this. We’re done having kids, and we’re gleefully passing the baton.” Maybe?

I know one of my friends is reading this and saying, “Go for it!” She’s my dreamer friend, and full of faith that it will all work out. Realistically, though, I think I’m a little faith-less. Would another child round us out perfectly? Can we afford it? Is having another a responsible choice?

So, we’re going to pray about it through the end of the year, and see how we’re feeling at the beginning of 2010. If you’re in the same boat, and would like to share, I’d love to know how you’re processing your family’s ‘headcount.’